Chapter Text
The day started off normal—well, normal as it can be at least. Things between the Hashiras were never really tight, especially with the Water Hashira. It didn't help that after Nezuko's trial things between all of them became even more awkward–mainly between Shinazugawa (plus Iguro) and Tomioka. About 3 weeks or so have passed since that day and once again the Hashiras were attending yet another meeting. Not much was said aside from the Flame Hashira’s upcoming mission which is said to involve a train station near a suburban part of Japan.
The meeting soon came to an end and soon all of them went to their respective little groups. Kocho, however, instead of going off with Kanroji or anyone else for that matter, went straight towards Tomioka.
“Good afternoon Tomioka–san! Isn't this just a lovely day?” Kocho had a habit—really, only towards Tomioka—of not getting straight to the point and loved teasing him in almost every way possible.
“To the point Kocho, please.”
“‘Aloof’ And sassy ‘as ever Tomioka–san! Alas, maybe that's why people don't like you!’”
And just like always this got a small reaction out of Tomioka. A successful attempt once again.
“Well since you're so adamant I get to it, need I remind you to request the Master for some days off? You are aware that your heat is arriving soon regardless of the suppressants.. or did you forget that once again?”
Tomioka forgetting when his heat will happen was a common occurrence that had caused some trouble in the past. However thanks to Kocho’s constant reminders he's slowly building up the habit of remembering.
About time.
“Ah, it seems I did forget. Thank you for the reminder again Kocho, excuse me.”
Kocho gave one of her common smiles but Tomioka could’ve sworn there was something a bit deeper in that smile. Possible amusement?
“As I expected. Off you go then!”
As Tomioka walked away inside the master’s house—in pity of poor Kocho’s ears, Rengoku made a very clear and very loud announcement to everyone in the garden.
“LET ME INVITE YOU ALL OUT! DRINKS ON ME!”
“REALLY?! What's the occasion Rengoku–san?” Kanroji’s bubbly (and just as loud) persona easily matched Rengoku’s, really fate seems to work in mysterious ways.
“I agree! What may be the occasion, Rengoku?” To her dismay, Kocho's ears were still ringing as she talked knowing that he would, once again, make his statement just as loud as the first.
“WELL KOCHO! I wish to invite you all before I head off on my mission! Tengen gave me this wonderful idea!”
Ah, he lowered his voice. “I see! Well I’d say that's a very generous invitation Rengoku!”
Just as everyone else was complementing and agreeing to Rengoku’s invitation, Tomioka had just stepped out of the master's house.
“Ah! Tomioka–san! Come! Rengoku is inviting all of us to get some food and drinks! Would you like to join us?” One could say Kocho may be a jerk but to her Tomioka’s reactions always made her day! If it wasn't for her dislike towards dogs she would compare his reactions to that of a kicked puppy.
“Ah–uhm. I’ll have to refuse–”
“Giyuu–san”
Tokito, the youngest out of all of them and for some unknown reason the closest to Tomioka, had clung to his haori. Since the beginning of the meeting most have noticed Tokito being more (if you squint) clingy than usual.
“Now, now Tomioka–san! You wouldn't want to upset Tokito–kun by not going!”
Ah sh!t.
“I suppose… I can go–”
“EXCELLENT MY DEAR COMRAD! LET US ALL MEET UP AND ENJOY OUR NIGHT!”
I'm so going to regret this.
___♡____♡____♡____♡____♡__
As the sun slowly faded into night the Hashiras were gathering up ready to head inside a small and local bar in some random village known for its rich beer. The only ones left to join their small group were Shinazugawa, Tokito and Tomioka who seemed to be running late.
Coincidentally all 3 of them arrived at the same time (Tokito arrived with Tomioka as many had expected). Many made silly remarks of them looking almost like a family despite Shinazugawa looking like the odd one out—which Shinazugawa was, obviously, less than pleased with hearing. All of them slowly headed inside the bar as the owner welcomed them with a warm smile, welcoming anyone with more prominent kindness to those who wore the demon slayer uniform.
“Now this is flamboyant! Finally a break from slaying demons left and right!”
Uzui, the one who gave Rengoku this whole get together idea, started loudly complaining about work resulting in the rest talking about missions and easily allowing for the conversations to flow naturally. Soon alcohol and food started to be passed around.
To the far corner of the table Tomioka was sitting with a sleepy and almost purring Tokito. Due to him being underage he only has been allowed to eat and drink juice or tea. The whole event had been going on for about 2 hours now, making Tokito a bit antsy with all the sitting, soon laying his head on Tomioka's shoulder. Tomioka didn't often engage in any of the conversations flying around, when he wanted to say or comment on something most had already passed by that topic which upset him a bit more than he wanted. Tomioka didn't drink anything either, his low tolerance for alcohol prevented him and really, who’d want to make a fool of themselves while under the influence? Not him, he had a cold persona reputation to uphold (kidding).
On the other side of the table Iguro saw Tokito’s unusual behavior, barely noticeable but still there.
“Say Rengoku, don't you think Tokito has been more all over Tomioka than normal?”
“AH! POSSIBLY! Want to ask?” The shouting was barely noticeable due to all of the overlapping voices and chatter from everyone. Rengoku’s question caught Iguro by surprise but no way in hell would he ask something like that.
“Hell no? That'll be weird–”
“SAY YOUNG TOKITO WHY ARE YOU MUCH CLINGY TO TOMIOKA THAN NORMAL!?”
I would've worded that way better, Rengoku… Iguro’s displeasure was evident all over his face but as long as Rengoku didn't mention the question was his then he could just go back to acting unbothered.
Tokito didn't bother saying anything and just went back to practically dissociating—who knew what was going inside that kid's head. Tomioka on the other hand didn't want to leave Rengoku unanswered, after giving it some thought he finally figured out how to respond and the topic hadn't changed yet letting him shoot his shot (he only thought for like 5 seconds).
“I suppose it may be due to my heat arriving soon. I have heard that pups often cling to parents when in heat or rut. However I wouldn't consider myself Muichiro’s parent—”
“WAIT–HEAT?”
“TOMIOKA YOU'RE AN OMEGA??”
“NO WAY I THOUGHT YOU WERE A BETA?”
“Did he really ever say he was a beta?”
“Were we just assuming this whole time?”
Questions came flooding in like a dam breaking out of nowhere, and Tomioka was barely able to keep up with question after question eventually just giving up trying and let them talk over each other.
“Please shut up, all of you. You're hurting my ears and are making Giyuu—san overwhelmed.”
The yelling and questions abruptly stopped after Tokito’s cold statement, some feeling a bit bashful about their behavior. Tomioka just gently patted Tokito’s head as his drowsiness and—barely noticeable—low purr soon returned.
“To answer your questions, yes I’m an omega. Really I understand if you all thought otherwise.. but I never really kept it a secret.”
Before Tomioka was done talking, Shinobu perked up and—once again—wished to rile up the other Hashiras just a bit more.
“That's true! Just this morning I had informed Tomioka–san about his heat last month. Surely one of you overheard us. Uzui?” Twisting the truth doesn't hurt anyone, frankly nobody needs to know Tomioka’s heat schedule or that he’ll soon have it.
All of them quickly looked at Uzui as he pretended that he obviously did hear them—a bunch of lies really, it was pretty clear that he was too busy talking with Rengoku when that conversation happened.
Once again the chatter slowly started to increase its volume and once again Tokito started to become antsy. The signs were clear, Tokito was tired and needed rest and the bustling noise of his comrades wasn't helping him at all. One could blame Giyuu’s omega maternal instincts, or whatever the textbooks called it, but in the end he’ll always put Tokito above himself—even in the smallest of ways.
As Tomioka stood up from where he was, signaling for Tokito to do the same, the sound of chatter started to die down a bit allowing him to bid his farewells to them.
“I apologize for the sudden announcement but it's time for me and Muichiro to head out. Do continue enjoying your night and good luck on your mission Rengoku.”
One by one they all bid their farewells to Tomioka and Tokito as they both walked away hand in hand. Tokito barely staying awake as he sluggishly walked and tumbled next to Tomioka. Most (Kanroji) started gushing on how adorable both of them were, like a father and son.
While others agreed on the topic and later changed it, Shinazugawa was having his own internal turmoil. His childhood was nothing but screaming, cries and hit after hit, from an alpha father towards his frail omega mother. His mother had always told him to cherish and treat omegas kindly no matter how they acted and he swore he would, even when he would be an adult, and now he's faced with the fact the man he’s hated since day 1 turned out to be an omega since the very beginning. A part of him still wished to hate him because of his sh!tty personality but the other part of him wanted to keep the morals and values that his gentle mother had taught him.
Should he apologize? But how? Will Tomioka even accept his stupid apology after years of his bad mouth and aggressiveness?
The alcohol certainly didn't help Shinazugawa’s own mental debate and once the whole get–together was over, he was off without really bothering saying farewells.
As Shinazugawa had arrived at his estate, it was as quiet as the night, the only sound being of insects and birds. Nobody was up working so late at night, all his working Kakushi's had already left leaving his house tidy by the time of his arrival. As he slowly and sluggishly headed towards his room thoughts kept flooding in from the whole party. Laying down on his futon didn't really help, sleep never came easy for him due to his f•cked up schedules. Now it was just him laying on his futon staring up at the ceiling over thinking every little detail, not just from tonight but from his whole time knowing Tomioka.
…I should apologize.