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Sanemi was just chatting with Obanai per usual. It was routine at this point in his life. Honestly he loved this pattern, it was a much, much better life than he used to have.
"Hey how long do you think Mitsuri's going to take to get ready for our date? Fuck- I mean- Shit- I'm not rushing her or anything, I want her to take her time so she's sure she's happy with whatever she's dressed in, but we have reservations for a specific time," Obanai said quickly almost tripping over his own words.
"She's probably just finishing up now, Obanai, not to worry!" Rengoku's booming voice called from the other side of the garden as he started to jog over, Uzui slightly behind.
"Ara Ara~ are you that worried about your date with Mitsuri, Obanai?" Shinobu spoke as she swiftly descended from her perch up in the wisteria trees surrounding the area.
"You got something real flamboyant planned for your date lover boy?" Uzui called from over his boyfriend's head.
Obanai's face, now flushed red, the little of his face that wasn't already covered by the mask now was covered with his sleeves. Sanemi glanced behind Obanai taking note of other Hashira watching from a short distance behind. He could make out his boyfriend Giyuu along with Gyoumei and Muichirou quietly watching seemingly content to just observe.
Gyoumei spoke up "Well I'm very happy your relationship with Mitsuri is going well, it would be such a shame if it hadn't been,"
Sanemi, satisfied that the others were thoroughly embarrassing his best friend, started walking over to Giyuu in a shockingly calm manner. Giyuu must be rubbing off on him he thought noticing his unusually relaxed demeanor. Once he had finally made his way over to Giyuu he swiftly hugged him and rested his head atop his shoulder. He had had a bit of a tiring week so this came as no shock. Giyuu returned the favor by calmly hugging him back and gently running his fingers through his hair. This small action had always calmed Sanemi down even if he was already fairly chilled out. He started to tune out his fellow hashira, only listening to Giyuu's slow and soft breaths. He was drifting off to sleep, leaning on his boyfriend for support, as Mitsuri ran into the garden with a large smile on her face. This made Sanemi slowly lift his head from Giyuu's shoulder.
"Hey everyone! I just need a little help I can't pick between these two hair ribbons!" Mitsuri called joy evident in her voice and beaming smile. She held up two small ribbons next to her hair, he would have liked to give her his opinion but he can't really. Unless he wanted to guess which one is what color based on shades of gray.
"I think you would look wonderful in either one Mitsuri, but I will say the yellow one would be lovely on you, however if you like the blue one go ahead and wear that," Obanai responded.
"KYAAAAA! THANK YOU IGURO!" Mitsuri yelled her face now covered with blush.
"I think the yellow one looks great on you Mitsuri, wouldn't you agree Tomioka-san?" Shinobu stated.
"The yellow looks nice," Giyuu agreed in his usual calm tone.
"I think the blue one looks absolutely flamboyant, I'm talking absolutely stunning!" Uzui added.
"You'd look amazing in either Kanroji! What do you guys think, Muichirou, Sanemi!" Rengoku's voice boomed.
Ah shit, he'd have to answer a color based question while being colorblind. He was so relieved when Muichiro answered first.
"What was the question again? oh, that blue ribbon looks nice," he said.
"What about you Sanemi?" Shinobu asked him.
Panic, is all that can be said to describe what Sanemi's thoughts were just then. Fuck what do I say? I should've just told them long ago? Crap fuck shit! Dammit he'd have to answer soon or he'd seem like he was ignoring them which would definitely piss off Obanai and Shinobu.
"Ara Ara~ do you not have an opinion Sanemi?" Shinobu poked.
Sanemi quickly buried his face in his boyfriend's shoulder shaking slightly. Giyuu picked up on his behavior almost immediately, starting to slowly rub his back.
"Sanemi?" Obanai asked "Are you good?"
"DON'T PUT ME ON THE SPOT LIKE THIS I'M FUCKING COLORBLIND OKAY!?" Sanemi snapped quickly pulling away from Giyuu to face the rest of the hashira. Shocked faces were all he could see, Obanai nodded apologetically at his best friend before going to help Mitsuri with the hair ribbon. Sanemi had flashes of history in his mind, the reason only Giyuu and Genya knew was because talking about it reminded him of when he first became colorblind. When he'd killed his mother who had become a demon and killed most of his siblings. He realized he'd started crying as memories of the past came flooding back to him. He walked over and hugged Giyuu sobbing. Giyuu returned the hug.
"How about you go over to the wind estate, I'll join you shortly, I'll be answer questions for the others okay?" Giyuu whispered.
Sanemi could just manage a nod before starting off to his estate. As he started exiting the garden he could hear the other hashira asking many, many questions about what had happened.
"He has some serious trauma closely linked to his colorblindness, please refrain from bringing it up to him," Giyuu explained as Sanemi had just about made his way to the wind estate walking down the familiar path. Sanemi opened the door to the estate tears streaming down his face pairing with soft sobs. He heard shuffling in the other room as he started to make his way to his own room. As he was stumbling along he tripped over his own feet. He felt two strong arms catch him, the catch was followed by a familiar and comforting voice.
"Oh my god! 'Nemi are you alright?" Genya asked clearly panicking. Sanemi just hugged his younger brother, who just so happened to stand several inches taller, still sobbing.
"Colorblindness," Genya seemed to pick up on what was going on fairly fast. He then began to help guide Sanemi to his bedroom while gently rubbing his back. He sat him down on his futon still rubbing his back whispering small reassurances. Eventually he heard someone enter the estate and start making their way down the hall. Slowly opening the door Giyuu walked in.
"I'll care for him Genya you're free to go," Giyuu said as he gave one of his rare but gentle smiles. Genya nodded and quietly shuffled out of the room. Giyuu walked over and sat down next to Sanemi and opened his arms. Sanemi immediately hugged his boyfriend like he was his lifeline. Crying even harder into his shoulder, Giyuu began to play with his hair whispering reassurances just as Genya had done. He gently rubbed Sanemi's back as if even the smallest tensing of muscle could make everything so much worse. Gentle and loving, Giyuu placed a small kiss on Sanemi's forehead then resuming his quiet words. Eventually Sanemi had become even more exhausted than he already was and passed out in Giyuu's arms.
Giyuu simply laid Sanemi down with him and began cuddling him. Normally Giyuu would have been the little spoon but he felt Sanemi needed it right now. Giyuu continued whispering to him and playing with his hair until he fell asleep himself. When Sanemi woke up all he thought to do was hide his head in Giyuu's shoulder, still a little down at the events of that afternoon. He heard Genya shuffle in to check on them hearing a small "Awww" from the younger before he shuffled out again. He was glad, glad to have a loving boyfriend, glad to have a loving brother, glad to have friends who would understand and accept him. His happiness which was once but a speck in a dark realm was now beaming with joy and light. While the threat of demons still remained, the threat now seemed so small that it didn't even matter. Why should it when he's had everything he's ever needed and wanted.
Colorblind or not, nothing would take away from the overwhelming joy Sanemi had found. Some thought it impossible but Sanemi was content in this demon filled world.