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shu-box-puns · 1 year

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You wanna be one of them (Tsu’tey x Reader) Act 4

Previous chapter <- Act 4 -> Next chapter

If you prefer to read on Ao3, you can find the fic here!

Word Count: 9003

Summary: The Battle for The Tree of Souls.

Reader uses they/them pronouns.

You had come from the stars. From a planet entire galaxies away from Pandora, and yet, you’d never felt as at home as you did falling from the sky mid battle. There was no going back now.

Rage had made you fight hard and fierce. Killing RDA soldiers on sight, shooting down scorpions to the song of the na’vi war cries. It was thrilling. A new sense of adventure despite the stakes.

And now the forest slowed your descent as you plummeted through the foliage. Tree branches and vines reached to break your fall as you dropped through the canopy and landed hard on your back, staring up as the airship you’d been attacking went up in flames. The shuttle tilted, its left engine damaged, and rapidly began to lose altitude as it dipped out of view.

Your side smarted as you struggled to breathe, your ikran’s dying cries still ringing in your ears. Phantom pains still trailed their ghostly fingers up your sides, a fraction of the pain your beloved steed had felt when the propellers cut through his abdomen, his wings rapidly getting sucked in as well. You had screamed at the sensation, torn between leaping away from his back, and staying in a flimsy attempt to pull him free.

Your steed, however, had made the choice for you. The din of explosions and screams fell into the background to fall on deaf ears as he snapped his head to the side, roughly tearing your connection. The action threw you, the sudden numbing of the pain made your mind freeze.

It was enough of a distraction to launch you from his back and send you crashing through the treetops, vines snapping at your limbs. It had been a miracle you’d only been winded when you’d landed, rather than breaking every bone in your body.

You had intended to get up when your breath returned to you. Or when your mind stopped spinning. Or maybe even when the phantom pains of your late steed faded from your muscles. Internally, you were eager to rise back to your feet, to join the rest of the ground forces. But you couldn’t.

Gradually, the pure blue of the sky dulled as the eclipse rolled in. The colour bruised across the sky like blood from a fresh wound as the sun dipped lower and lower behind the surface of the moon. The gunfire began to slow, allowing the sounds of the forest to gradually return, until it stopped altogether.

Somehow, the pause did not offer reassurance. In contrast, it brought with it anticipation. Humans were a persistent race afterall, once enough soldiers had regained their strength and regrouped, they would plan for another attack.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to pull yourself from the forest floor before they-

Leaves to your right rustled on a non-existent breeze. Your breath left your lungs in a panicked exhale, your head lifting from the forest floor to fruitlessly peer at whoever was coming.

Surely Eywa did not want you gone so soon. She had coaxed the rest of them away, why let this one stumble upon you?

Whoever it was, they were loud and careless in their footsteps. You heard pained wheezing. The snap of twigs and the rustle of bushes brushing against thighs. Snapping your head in the direction of the sound, you noticed a lone atokirina hovering just inside of the clearing. Your breath caught.

Then a towering figure broke out into the small clearing, stooped as if the weight of the world was pressing down on their shoulders. There was blood. So much blood against a stark blue canvas that you vaguely wondered how they could be alive, let alone wandering around the forest.

The atokirina bobbed smoothly through the air before the person, its glowing complexion easily drawing your gaze back to it as it sailed further into the clearing. The person hurriedly stumbled after it, almost desperate not to be left behind.

Tsu’tey, your mind helpfully supplied as you wordlessly recognised those hard eyes swimming with pain. He stumbled further out of the trees, one hand shakily pressed to his chest obscuring the worst of his injuries from view.

No. Please Eywa, no.

His eyes were hazy, not quite seeing as they swept the clearing with a clumsiness you had never witnessed in the warrior. And then that unfocused gaze fell on your crumbled form. His nostrils flared, body lurching as if to run to you, only for his wounds to keep him slow and lethargic.

You heard the soft utterance of your name, choked and weak. He stumbled closer.

Strength returned to your numb limbs. The loss of your steed momentarily soothed with the balm of instinct as you scrambled to your feet, tail flailing in a vain attempt to help you keep your footing. The knot between your friend’s eyes seemed to loosen at your approach, the strength in turn leaving him as his knees threatened to give out. You reached him before he could hit the ground. Grabbing at his shoulders, your attention flickered from his expression to the bloody mess smeared across his chest and dirtying the ceremonial neck piece adorning his throat.

<“Shit, oh god.”> You hissed, panic clawing its way up your throat as your eyes darted all over him. <“Please no. Fuck. Did you try and catch every bullet on purpose you idiot?”> Numbly, he shook his head, following your guidance as you lowered him to the ground.

Tsu’tey groaned, his breathing heavy, painful, but alive, for now. He was struggling to sit upright now, legs having completely given out with nothing but your firm grip on him to keep him upright.

You needed to get him somewhere safe, and fast. You needed to bandage the wound. You needed to get back to the clan; Mo’at could help.

With as much care as your adrenaline filled hands could muster, you tried to coax his hands away from his chest. The sheer amount of blood coating his hands made you want to gag, but you remained firm. There was just enough light left to recognise the entry wounds of three bullets puncturing his chest, your pulse pounding in your temple as you slowly turned him by the shoulder, wincing at his bit off shout. No exit wounds. That’s fine. That’s good. That gave you more time.

Instinctively, you reached for a shirt that your avatar body did not possess, feeling panic threaten to set in when you realised you only had the loincloth at your waist.

From what little healing you’d witnessed at Hometree, you knew that the Mo’at tended to use a specific plant in place of bandages, favoured because of its absorbency and size. However, such plants didn’t grow this far into the forest, since they tended to favour the riverbeds.

<"Do not panic.”> Tsu’tey rasped breathlessly. Then his eyes went glassy, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. <”The Great Mother is calling to me."> There was acceptance in his gaze as if he had already made his peace with it, looking at you for the final time.

Something ugly squirmed in your chest. The tears evaporated on your waterline to be replaced with a determined scowl.

<"Tell her to fuck off."> You snap back, <"she can't have you yet!">

The rhythmic bobbing of the atokirina caught your attention once more. It had travelled away from you since Tsu’tey had collapsed and was now perched on a shrub, its tiny tendrils clinging to the long, thick leaves, almost identical to the river plants used for wounds. Sending a silent thanks to Eywa for her guidance, you scrambled over to the shrub, softly apologising to the atokirina as it lifted off from the leaves and floated up and out of your way.

Scrambling for the hunting knife strapped across your chest, you methodically cut away three long leaves, your slices smooth and swift, internally praying they were clean and strong enough to hold. Without much of a choice however, it was the best you could do.

Satisfied you had enough, you raced back to Tsu’tey’s side, messily falling to your knees in your haste to wrap his wounds. Carefully, you lifted his head into your lap, your hand slick with sweat as you fumbled for the clasp of the ceremonial necklace. It came away easily from his throat. Next, you took the hand clamped over his chest by the wrist and peeled it from the wound. You winced.

Tsu’tey was barely coherent enough to struggle as you began tightly binding his upper chest, winding the leaves around to his back and twisting the strands over and under his arms for extra stability. Bit by bit, the red disappeared, covered by calming green. You found yourself breathing easier, with the worst of the wounds concealed.

Tsu’tey came back to himself as you tied off the last leaf and reclasped his necklace over the fresh bandages. His arms pushing at you weakly, pupils dilated. <“Hold still.”> You soothed, hoping the familiar voice would calm him.

He bared his teeth in response, but didn’t have the strength to make a swipe at you.

<“Tsu’tey?”> His ear flickered in your direction, unfocused eyes looking through you.

That couldn’t be a good sign. Nor was it safe here. With the humans swarming the forest, it would only be a matter of time before you were discovered. Best to get back to the pocket compound and call for help over the comms.

Assessing the forest with a glance before grabbing him by the arm, you hauled him unsteadily to his feet and pushing your head firmly under his torso. Easily, your knees took his weight, whilst your hands found purchase on the crook of his knee and held securely to his arm. Thank God for the RDA’s mandatory evacuation drills. Settling Tsu’tey more comfortably in the fireman’s carry, you turned to the eclipse and calculated the direction of the stolen basecamp unit, which wasn’t too far from your current position.

The atokirina came to your rescue once more, floating at eye level before taking off at surprising speed back into the forest. You were quick to follow, trusting the sacred seed more than your sense of direction.

The forest floors of Pandora were uneven and treacherous, even more so with a half-unconscious passenger slung across your back and the light rapidly fading. You had to be extra vigilant in dividing your attention between judging where you were going and keeping an ear out for enemies. Luckily, most of the fighting had been distant so far, but the closer you got to the radius of the Tree of Souls, the greater the risk of discovery.

The soft utterance of your name by your ear had you almost tripping.

<“So you decided to wake up then?”> You asked your wounded passenger sarcastically, chancing a side glance to assess his expression. Tsu’tey was still clearly out of it, but there was more clarity in his eyes now.

<“What happened?”>

<“You got shot down.”> You replied, carefully to keep from jostling him too sharply. <“We’re heading back to camp to get you patched up.”>

<“You found me?”> He said it with such disbelief you almost felt offended.

<“Not on purpose.”> You defended, <“it was more like you found me.”>

<“How are you here?”>

<“Same way you got here.”>

<“Are you injured?”> His body jerked as if trying to sit up, throwing you off balance. You barely managed to catch yourself on the trunk of the nearest tree, keeping your shoulders even so as not to throw Tsu’tey to the floor from the movement.

<“I’m fine.”> You reassured him, pressing on through the trees as soon as he settled. <“My ikran was flying low enough that I barely felt it.”>

<“Don’t lie to me.”>

<“At least I’m not the one full of lead.”>

He grumbled inaudible, eyes burning with a familiar fury. Although it should have concerned you, it was reassuring to see him more like himself. Even if it was likely to earn you a cuff to the ear for your efforts.

It was an uphill walk from there, thanks to where Trudy had positioned the compound high in the hillsides surrounding the Tree of Souls. Normally, you could complete the walk in minutes, however, the additional weight and tightness that came with injuries making themselves known was definitely adding time on. Time which you couldn’t afford to lose if you wanted Mo’at to look at that wound within the ‘golden period’ as the medics called it.

Just for now, you would stop the bleeding. Then when the forest was not so treacherous or you found backup, you would take Tsu’tey back to The People. Mo’at would patch him up properly and it would be like he was never injured.

Somewhere in the undergrowth came a distinctly human grunt.

You paused in your uphill trek, ears pricked. Another sound, armoured footsteps. The distinct click of a gun being reloaded. Your face drew into a determined scowl as your tail flicked.

In front of you the atokirina shifted course, silently diverting off of the original path and floating off into the undergrowth at a diagonal angle. Not wanting to be left behind, you were quick to move deeper into the denser parts of the undergrowth, hoping the soft lights would blend with your complexion rather than make you stand out. Your heart was pounding in your ears, instinct warning you about turning your back on a potential threat, whereas logic knew time was not on your side. If Tsu’tey were less wounded, you would have time to turn around and dispatch the enemy soldier.

Your footsteps were silent as you continued on, half bent to make your tall form a less obvious target. The sounds of the footsteps were getting fainter with every step, but you knew the range of the weapons they carried, and had seen the damage they could cause.

Another click had your ears snapping up and your body taking a sharp right. There was bang. The atokirina shivered before shooting up into the trees. You could only watch dumbly as it vanished from sight, the distraction enough to allow another bullet to rocket past your head before disappearing into the undergrowth. Definitely spotted then.

On your own now, you broke out into a run, toes digging into the soft ground as Tsu’tey let out an irritated hiss at the unexpected movements. You held him tighter, making a sharp left and ducking behind the trunk of a wide tree. From there, you pushed off the roots and kept low.

“Who’s out there?” A man’s voice called to the forest. He fired off another shot in the direction you had been, twigs crunching underfoot as he advanced hesitantly.

You kept moving. A rabbit scrambling out of the eyeline of a hungry fox. Instinct insisted that the soldier would be half your size and with a strength inferior to your own. It would be easy to crush his oxygen mask and leave him to suffocate. A simple kick would be enough to break his bones like toothpicks. But logic was not your main concern here.

The compound was in sight. A flash of silver against the greens and glowing blues. You almost felt relieved; almost. Mentally, you prayed someone was near, either Neytiri or Jake’s avatar. Someone who could take Tsu’tey from you, or charge back into the forest and deal with the rogue soldier still yelling demands at your retreating back.

The sight of an AMP suit lumbering around the campsite had your blood running cold, your hurried footsteps faltering in their haste. It didn’t take binoculars to recognise Colonel Quaritch in the driver’s seat. A quick access of your surroundings told you that Neytiri was struggling under the weight of a dead thanator, whilst Jake actively kept Quaritch’s attention off of her.

Behind you, the footsteps were getting closer.

Tsu’tey was a dead weight on your shoulders. The only reassurance he was alive was the soft breathes on the nape of your neck.

Quaritch yelled something inaudible from his suit, Jake crouched before him, trying to appear intimidating. The AMP suit turned towards the compound, one mighty fist raised towards the cracked window.

In one swing, the only barrier keeping the breathable air that your body needed inside the compound was destroyed. Immediately, your vision swam, the link growing fuzzy.

Stumbling in place, you launched out a blurry hand for the nearest tree trunk, desperate to get Tsu’tey down to the ground before you sent both of you tumbling. He gripped at your weakly as your hold loosened, vision blacking in and out as you fought to stay within this body.

Quaritch was laughing. You vaguely saw Jake leaping at the AMP suit’s back, scrambling to draw the Colonel’s attention away from the bodies within the compound. Neytiri still hadn’t managed to free her leg.

Tsu’tey was on the ground when you blacked out for the first time, breath leaving you in a shuddering stutter.

You briefly opened your eyes within the link unit, only to be slammed back into your avatar at the firm press of your eyelids.

When you resurfaced, Tsu’tety had you by the face, bloodied hands cradling your cheeks, calling your name with firm shakes to your face. His eyes were more alert than they’d been the entire time.

There was a yell beyond your field of vision. The sound of an enormous fist slamming down onto metal, and then you were back in your link unit for the final time.

The link snapped with a sharp tug, ripping the warmth of Tsu’tey’s hands from your face.

You were abruptly torn from your avatar and roughly thrown back into your own mind. Your throat was tight as your eyes shot open, signalling the telltale signs of Pandora air seeping into the compound. The lid of your link unit had been ripped from the box, the metal twisted and warped as if a god had reached in with their massive hand and torn it clean off. Not that there was much time to dwell on that fact, since you were quickly running out of breathable air.

Clumsily, you hauled yourself over the side of the unit and landed heavily on the messy floor below. Toxic air rushed into the compound through the smashed window to your right, poisoning the oxygen in the small space. Broken glass littered the wooden floorboards, crunching underfoot as you staggered for the exo packs mounted on the wall.

Quaritch had disappeared from the window, more growling and insults ensuing from outside. You could only assume Neytiri had wrestled herself free.

Blessedly, Jake’s unit was still untouched and sealed tight so you didn’t bother ripping it open to give him an oxygen mask. As long as the seal remained strong he would remain untouched.

On unsteady legs, you darted for the exo packs, unceremoniously snatching the nearest one from the box and shoving it over your face. Numb fingers fumbled with the breathing valve, making your heart pound as it stubbornly refused to turn. Your vision was beginning to swim, whilst your lungs screamed for another inhale. But your training kept you stubborn. Once you took a breath, it would be a panicked series that would finally do you in.

You kept fiddling with the mask. It clicked and the face panel suctioned to your face as a fresh flood of sweet oxygen blessed your lungs. If adrenaline wasn’t still fresh in your blood, you would’ve sagged in relief. But there was no time.

It sounded like Jake and Neytiri were holding up okay, but they weren’t your main concern as of now. Tsu’tey was injured without protection and an armed guard on his tail. That was who you had to focus on right now; the Omatikaya couldn’t afford to lose another chief so soon.

It took no time to find and reload the nearest handgun - thank you Trudy - before you raced out into the world for round two. The airlock was essentially useless now, but despite the blaring alarms, the second door refused to open until the first had closed and the air between was sucked of precious oxygen. With a green light, you slammed out of the compound door, barely sparing the AMP suit and your friends a glance, before you were racing off into the trees.

Finding Tsu’tey wouldn’t be the issue, rather, it would be trying to get him back to the compound. In your human body, you had no chance of dragging him anywhere he wasn’t able to walk, let alone getting anywhere near him. You knew first hand his hatred of Sky People. Maybe he’d passed out long enough for you to check the bandages were still tight.

You found the RDA soldier before you found Tsu’tey. True to the RDA training, he immediately opened fire upon spotting you through the trees, which you gladly returned in kind. No time sparing a life that had only added to your stress levels mere moments ago.

His aim was panicked and sloppy, allowing you plenty of spaces to dodge the wayward bullets and nail him in his dominant arm. He screamed as he went down, his RDA issued weapon falling uselessly from his hands. You sent a flurry of bullets his way for good measure, not bothering to check if he’d been hit anywhere vital. Eywa would decide his fate.

Thankfully, you’d managed to carry Tsu’tey a considerable distance from the original landing spot, so you found him easily enough not far from the compound. He hadn’t crawled far from where you’d put him down, but he’d managed to grab your unconscious avatar body. It was now cradling it to his chest, his arms wrapped possessively around its shoulders and lower back, its limp face smushed into the junction of his neck.

You were careful in your approach, letting your weapon hang behind you on its strap with your arms raised in surrender. Tsu’tey still growled at your loud footsteps, made clumsy by the heavy duty boots your human body wore.

At least he didn’t launch himself at you the moment his eyes landed on you, but that could be due to the blood loss rather than recognition.

<“Tsu’tey.”> You began in a soothing tone, daring a few steps closer. He reacted explosively, letting forth a hiss that made you instinctively back up. You recovered quickly, panic and worry, making your emotions warp into rage. <“I’m trying to help you, you ungrateful ass.”>

<“We don’t need your help, demon.”> He fired back, fury burning brightly in his golden eyes.

Your footsteps faltered. He hadn’t called you that since he’d found you wounded in the forest. Briefly, you realised what form you were in and what you were attempting to do. You remembered how weak you were like this. How vulnerable and useless you were in this environment.

Shame burned your cheeks as you met those familiar eyes, now smouldering with hatred and disgust.

<“Go away!”> Tsu’tey snarled with the command of his status laced within his words.

Your eyes caught on the green bandages beneath his neck piece, and you reorganised your priorities. Nothing matters beside making sure he lived.

If the situation were different, you would have obeyed the command but this time you stood firm with new resolve.

Face set in a harsh scowl, you approached. Tsu'tey tried to discourage you with sudden movements, but quickly wore himself out. Leaning back against the tree like he was, he was easily eye level with you standing. You kept that eye contact.

<“We need to get back to the compound. Your wounds are bad.”>

<“Go away!”> He repeated, making a half-hearted swipe that did nothing but create wind across your face.

“Y/n?” Jake’s voice yelled from the direction of the compound. “Are you still alive over here? We heard gunshots.” Of course he would’ve noticed your mad dash from the building despite being preoccupied.

“I’m with Tsu’tey.”

There was rustling of branches as Neytiri and Jake appeared, the latter uttering quiet curses as his eyes focused on the scene before him. Neytiri on the other hand gasped and fearlessly approached Tsu’tey.

He bared his teeth as she knelt before him, tail thrashing in warning. He clutched your avatar tighter, trying to shift his position to the side as if to shield it from sight with his body, its slack face smearing war paint across his shoulder.

Neytiri was having none of it. Stooping, she grabbed your avatar by the back of its belt and ripped it from Tsu’tey’s weakened grip with a ruthlessness that had your eyes bugging. Silently, you were very grateful that you weren't still linked to that body’s nervous system. Meanwhile, Tsu’tey made a wounded noise and immediately tried to scramble to his feet.

Neytiri dropped the avatar in favour of attempting to console him. Her tone was soothing but stern, eyes flickering from the man’s distressed expression to the blood beginning to seep through the leaves wrapped around his chest beneath the ceremonial neck piece.

<“Why did you do that? Give them back.”> Tsu’tey demanded, tone boarding on furious. Thank Eywa they’d turned up. At the first sight of tears in Tsu’tey’s eyes, your resolve to get him somewhere safe would have crumbled.

<“Fine.”> Neytiri stated, agreeing unnaturally easily, which made both you and Tsu’tey pause. Her head snapped to the side, gaze immediately locking on your own across the clearing before she barked your name, gesturing you over with wide arm motions. Your feet didn’t want to cooperate, even less so when Tsu’tey’s venomous glare slid over to you.

You stepped back as Jake approached your side, his much taller stature helping to ground your panicked heart.

Not that Neytiri seemed to care, ignoring her mate’s half hearted warnings, she rose and stormed over to you, her shadow blocking out the remaining rays of the eclipse as she reached for the collar of your shirt. Feeling oddly like a kitten that had just been scruffed, you squawked as you were abruptly lifted from the floor and dangled several feet from the ground.

“Neytiri be careful.” Jake hissed, hands coming up as if to take you from her, but his mate snarled at him.

“This will help.” She reassured him as she straightened, your boots leaving the floor. You made helpless eye contact with Jake, your hands gripping her wrist to take the strain off of your throat as she carelessly carried you back to Tsu’tey.

<“Here.”> She said, holding you up in front of the na'vi with a bored expression. Tsu’tey’s eyebrows scrunched together, eyes flickering from your panic stricken expression to Neytiri’s unreadable face. Although he wasn’t still actively trying to scramble for the avatar body, he hadn’t exactly relaxed. The earlier adrenaline was beginning to fade, his eyes growing unfocused.

<“They’re the same.”> Neytiri reassured him, shaking you for emphasis. You shrieked as the world spun, craning your neck to glare at her over your shoulder.

<“Help him. Don’t shake me like a fucking rattle.”> You found yourself growling, to which Neytiri grinned. Whilst a sharp inhale sounded from behind you. Unexpectedly, large hands were scrambling for you, clumsy in their strength but eager. Neytiri easily let you go, causing you to tumble into Tsu’tey’s lap.

Being within the consciousness of the avatar, you forgot how tall the na'vi were. But like this, in your human body, you could do nothing but remember. Wounded as he was, his enormous form easily eclipsed you, splayed legs and all.

Tsu’tey held you aloft by your armpits, gaze critical as he inspected you with swift flicks of his golden eyes. Instinctively, you drew your knees up to your chest in some pathetic attempt at shielding your vitals. Tsu’tey watched the movement like a hawk, lips pursed.

In your peripheral, you hear Jake trying to approach, his expression grim, only for Neytiri to stop him with a hand on his chest. She was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Waiting for some unspoken cue.

<“Where are you hurt?”> Tsu’tey demanded, voice firm despite the shake of his arms.

You frowned, wondering why you hadn’t been tossed aside or brained on a trunk yet. <“I’m not hurt.”> /Yet/.

Tsu’tey shook his head, clearly unconvinced. <“You passed out in my arms.”> So he /had/ recognised the likeness between you and your avatar. Interesting.

<“That was the avatar, not me.”> You insisted, bewildered that you were even having this conversation. You’d expect curiosity of course, Tsu’tey had always been that way. But you’d also expected rage. Definitely disgust.

Tsu’tey refused to take no for an answer and continued to check you for injuries. Your eyes caught on the blood stain steadily growing across the leaf bandage. <“But we still need to get you looked at.”> The wounds were serious but Tsu’tey was bigger than any human, so he’d been lucky so far with minimal blood loss, but you knew lady luck had a terrible habit of revoking her favour with the twist of her wrist.

<“Neytiri, we need to get moving.”> You stated, turning your pleading gaze to the smirking na'vi, hoping to get through to her since Tsu’tey was still not satisfied with his inspection. She seemed to take pity on you for once and approached to help Tsu’tey to his feet.

He went easily. Content to be helped to his feet as long as he had a hold of you in some way. Although that did end up with him holding you rather weirdly away from him, until Neytiri tutted and made him hold you to his chest instead.

Whilst Tsu’tey was preoccupied, Jake swooped in to scoop the na'vi off of his feet and continue making their way back to the compound.

>_<

The trio made it back to the pocket compound with minimal delay and well before the moon had fully risen. The plants had just begun to light up, illuminating the clumsy path you’d cut through the undergrowth in your initial haste to find your wayward friend.

Having walked on ahead, Jake had the lights of the compound on and opened the door when he heard you approaching. The window was still royally fucked up, but judging by the sway in his posture, he was merely exhausted rather than experiencing a lack of air.

“You need to set me down now.” You gently told Tsu’tey, tapping his hands to get his attention. He almost looked ready to argue, but deflated almost as quickly as he had stiffened. The long day of rigorous activity clearly had taken it out of him.

With care - and heavy support from Neytiri - he managed to kneel and set you on your feet. You darted away as soon as your feet made contact with the uneven terrain, both for a moment of peace and to get a fresh round of bullets into your weapon.

Ducking into the compound, you headed straight for your side of the link room, hands numbly rummaging around in a drawer for what you needed.

As you searched, Jake’s avatar appeared in the broken window, eyes flicking over the damaged floor and the link pod across the room still chugging away. “How’s your medical knowledge?” He asked, tone light.

You barked a laugh, knowing you hadn’t brushed up on healing since you’d completed your initial training to be cleared on the field. “We need to get him to Mo’at sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t know if he’ll go willingly.” Jake said simply, eyes flickering to the ruined link unit to your right. You grimaced, knowing you wouldn’t be able to link up whilst it was in that state, and by extension wouldn’t be able to help take Tsu’tey back to the People. You both knew that you couldn’t get within ten feet of the Tree of Souls like this. Not with RDA men swarming the forest like fire ants.

“You’re just going to have to force him.” You stated firmly, to which Jake only nodded.

Together you slipped back out into the night, Jake significantly more quiet than you’d heard in a long time.

Neytiri had sat Tsu’tey down leaning against it beneath the window. His head had begun to lul with the adrenaline spike wearing off. With a lack of energy, he was less likely to do too much damage should he find that anger you were expecting.

“We need to get him back to the clan.” Neytiri urged, her hand still on Tsu’tey’s shoulder, keeping him steady as his strength waned.

“Toruk is gone.” Jake supplied, “we’re gonna have to carry him.” Neytiri nodded her understanding, ushering Jake closer so the pair could pull the injured na’vi to his feet.

“Take care of him.” You urged but didn’t approach.

>_<

The moon was still high as Neytiri and Jake supported a wounded Tsu’tey down the slopes towards the Tree of Souls. The camp of na'vi had only just begun to bed down for the night after a long day of fighting and searching for the wounded. Healers were still drifting through the throngs of people, offering support and aid where they could.

By the time they reached the base of the hill and flat ground, Tsu’tey was leaning more heavily on Jake than he had been before.

Thankfully, Mo'at was still awake, her gaze piercing as she watched the trio stumble through the crowd towards her. She already had her supplies laid out around her, with oils and leaves ready. The usually bubbly personality of a mother swallowed by the stern, collected expression of the clan tsahik.

<“Bring him here.”> Mo’at ordered, all business motioning to the mat of woven stems to her left. To which Neytiri and Jake were quick to oblige, laying Tsu’tey before her, she was methodical in her observation of his wounds. <“Who patched him up? You daughter, yes? Considering Jake-Sully would not know the properties of this plant.”> Mo’at asked as she unclasped Tsu’tey’s necklace and began to unwind the plants that had been keeping his wound protected and the bleeding to a minimum.

<“No, mother. It was Y/n.”> Neytiri admitted, dropping into a kneel at her mother’s side to assist her in holding Tsu’tey down, whilst the Tsahik extracted the bullets and began applying a healthy amount of salve to the sluggishly bleeding wounds.

Mo’at hummed thoughtfully. Motioning for Neytiri to shift Tsu’tey so she could begin to rewrap the wounds in fresh river leaves. <“How intriguing. Most of our people do not realise the pain relieving properties within this plant.”>

<“They must have come across it in their research.”> Jake interjected, feeling useless as he simply hovered.

Mo’at hummed again. <“Indeed.”> She tied off the bandages with a sharp yank of her wrist, making Tsu’tey grimace. <“Where are they now? We have plenty of supplies to tend to their Dreamwalker and Sky Person body.”>

Jake gave Mo’at a rough layout of the location of the avatar in question and how far the pocket compound was. She kept nodding, only speaking up when he had finished his short explanation.

<"Bring them here, I must examine them for injuries.”>

>_<

You couldn’t sleep. The compound still smelt vaguely of blood and Norm had disappeared.

His link was empty, your own destroyed from Quaritch slamming his AMP suit against it.

Across the room, the other link unit was still whirring away. It had been two hours since he and Neytiri had dragged Tsu’tey back to the clan. Time in which you had not received a word of news.

Trudy was unaccounted for.

Your avatar was collapsed in the forest somewhere.

And you had nothing to fucking do.

You’d already tried to busy yourself with cleaning the pocket compound, sweeping away the glass and straightening what little had survived the conflict with Quaritch. Dragging in a chair from the kitchen, and sealing the broken window with a thick layer of flexible plastic and plenty of duct tape. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than a wide open gash in the side of the building.

Once satisfied it was properly sealed, you slipped down from the chair and trudged over to the control panel near the door to reactivate the oxygen seal. Gradually, the toxic fumes of Pandora were sucked out through the vents and replaced with more breathable air. The room wasn’t very big and the compound itself was half the size you’d grown used to in the Hallelujah Mountains, so it didn’t take long for the control panel to flash green. You gave the room another few minutes to finish filtering before finally removing your exopack.

And just like that, all the jobs and maintenance that needed to be done were complete.

You wanted out. The compound was too small. It held too many painful memories, and felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. And not only because Quaritch had died on the lawn. If you weren’t concentrating, you could almost convince yourself that Grace still roamed the rooms. That you could smell her cigarette or the awful suffocating, floral perfume she favoured.

With nothing else to do, your gaze fell on Norm’s vacant link unit. It wouldn’t hurt to bring your avatar closer to the compound, or take out a few more RDa soldiers if they were lurking too close to the clans.

Whatever it was, you NEEDED to keep yourself busy. If you stopped now, the grief and pain would consume everything you were. It was one thing to lose Grace, but the events of the past several hours were piling up too high for you to handle.

Relinking was as easy as breathing.

One moment you were in your human body, the next, you were opening your eyes to the moon stretching across a starlit sky. You weren’t far from the compound. Groggily, you rolled onto your stomach, muscles screeching in pain so sharply that you hissed through your teeth, feeling forced to hold still to allow the first wave to subside.

Shit.

You weren’t bleeding, not externally at least. The vines and branches had mostly cushioned your fall so nothing was broken, but a few places were definitely tender.

With desperate gasps, you hauled yourself to your feet. Fuck. Falling from the sky definitely took it out of you. Your entire back was screaming in pain with every breath, but at least it wasn’t unbearable to the point where you couldn’t breath.

You steadied yourself, ears swivelling for the telltale signs of predators or soldiers moving through the undergrowth. There was nothing. Pandora seemed to be resting. Eywa’s creations pulling back for the night to regroup in the shadows.

Yanking your knife from the sheath at your chest anyway - just to be safe - you turned your back to the compound and started picking your way down the hill in search of survivors.

It was slow work, your body actively working against you as you travelled, stooping to check pulses and closing the eyes of the fallen. The moon watched over you as you made your way through the battlefield, trying not to feel disturbed by the faces you recognised collapsed in the undergrowth.

AMP suits littered the ground, weapons dropped and discarded. At least most of the fires had burnt themselves out by now.

You found comfort in finding more RDA bodies than Na’vi. Although that did work in your favour when you noticed a lone avatar slumped on the ground, decked out in RDA issued attire.

Heart in your throat, you altered your course. Ferns pulled at your calves as if begging you not to approach. To not look and perceive the damage done. It took effort, but you steeled yourself as you crested the small, grassy rise and found Norm’s avatar lying in an unnatural position in the bed of the ditch below.

There were two shots through his left shoulder, and a discarded gun lying limp in the hand of his good arm. Swallowing back a gag, you carefully slid down the rise. The chest of the avatar still breathed, but its driver was nowhere in sight. There was no telling where Norm had gone, you only prayed he had been smart enough to go back to the clan.

No spirit guided your hand this time, not that you needed Eywa’s advice on a matter you’d already learnt. After swiftly identifying which leaves to use to cover the wound, you busied yourself with wrapping up Norm’s avatar.

The forest sighed as a strong breeze rustled the canopy, making vines sway and the grass bow against your legs. It was gonna be a hell of a pain to drag his heavy ass to the Tree of Souls, but what else was there to do around here?

>_<

You heard the temporary camp before you saw it. Anyone who wasn’t injured was busy with tasks, either providing protection by standing guard, tending to the fires, or healing the injured. Cresting the hill at the lip of the valley, you adjusted Norm’s avatar against your back. It’s head was hooked over your shoulder as your arms supported its thighs in a piggyback hold.

Carefully, you descended down the rocky ledge towards the camp, feeling the weak puffs of breath against your neck. No one paid you any mind as you stumbled along, the crowd working with you as people darted out of your way as they completed their own tasks. The volume of people was significantly less than there had been this afternoon, but hunting parties would have already been assigned to guard the clan whilst search parties combed the forest for survivors.

As you neared the Tree of Souls, you called for a healer, to which Mo’at materialised out of seemingly nowhere. Her movements were frantic as she leapt down from the high roots of the tree, eyes boring into your face with eyes that knew too much.

That powerful gaze flickered to the avatar at your back, her lips pursing even as her strides did not falter.

<”Rawlon!”> The Tsahik hollered over her shoulder, to which one of the na’vi resting between the tree’s roots promptly rose to his feet, ears pricked. <”Another one with bullet wounds. Take him to a spare mat.”>

<”Of course Tsahik.”> Rawlon replied obediently. His movements were smooth as he made his way to you, easily taking Norm’s weight off your back with a strength that suggested he was well rested. With that, he whisked the avatar out of sight, yelling to healers you couldn’t see for the appropriate equipment.

You watched them go with a frown, despite knowing the avatar would be in good hands.

All at once, you found yourself with no further tasks. Mo’at hadn’t left though, so you quickly turned to her, <”if there anything I can assist you with?”>

Her ears perked comically, a bewildered look flashing across her eyes. <”You are no healer.”> She said simply, to which you couldn’t argue.

<”I am not. But I can run for supplies.”>

<”You are wounded. You need rest.”> She continued, her hand coming up to your shoulder, which she gripped and began carefully guiding towards the sleeping mats. Despite the obedient movements of your body, you shook your head.

<”I can still be useful-”>

<”You are useless to us dead.”> She said firmly. <”Come. I must assess your injuries.”>

<”No, really. I’m fine. I just fell off my ikran.”> You rambled, surprised by the strength of her grip as she practically dragged you towards a spare mat. Her fingers dug into your shoulders as she forcefully pushed you down into a kneel, gaze sharp when you tried to wiggle away.

<”Calm. It would ease my mind to check you over and realise you’re fine, than come back later to a corpse.”> She reasoned soothingly before striding back to the tree. She didn’t go far. Her beaded shawl captured the soft pink glow of the Tree of Souls as she stooped near the roots and scooped up some supplies.

Within moments, she had knelt herself down opposite you, piercing gaze back on your body. <”Remove this.”> She ordered, pinging your weapon’s belt against your chest before diverting her gaze to the supplies she gathered.

You tried to comply. Cursing and sweating at the sharp pull of your muscles as you failed to twist your arms well enough to undo the latch. She was definitely grinning smugly when she returned her attention to you. Slapping your hands away, she undid the belt herself and set it down by your side.

The pair of you lapsed into silence as her forehead creased. Those large eyes examining you with a critical eye. You winced as her hands trailed along your body, ghosting over small wounds and wiping smeared warpaint as she went. Her eyes were narrowed, a critical edge to her expression as she worked.

<”Nothing is broken.”> She muttered to herself, which you already knew. <”Mainly pain from the fall and a bruised pride.”> She grabbed one of her salves anyway, ordering you to turn so she could rub it into the tender muscles of your back and upper arms. The effect was almost immediate, soothing the fire in your body with a cooling sensation.

As the creams took effect, Mo’at turned on you, her gaze narrowed accusingly. You stiffened, wincing as your body complained. <”Now child, tell me. How did you know what leaf to use to wrap up the Olo’eyktan’s wounds?”> She asked bluntly, looking at you in a way that suggested she’d know if you were lying.

<“An atokirina led me to them.”> You admitted honestly, <“and then led us to Neytiri and Jake.”>

Mo’at nodded along to your story, expression thoughtful. <”Then Eywa has blessed you.”> And with that, Mo’at rose from her crouch, whispering something about spirits and rest, as she turned and disappeared around the side of the Tree of Souls, her low voice whisked away by the wind.

You relaxed back onto your mat, closing your eyes but not quite falling asleep as you didn’t want to unlink and end up alone again. Lulled by the familiar hum of the Clan, content to accept your fate, and with a body that didn’t feel like it was going to die between every breath.

>_<

You were not sure how much time passed, only that the clan was growing quiet. People shuffled into sleeping mats as the cooking fires were extinguished and the wounded left to rest. Your ears twitched towards the sounds, eyes closed as you tracked each footfall and tired sigh, your mind struggling to relax from its adrenaline high.

Hands on your cheeks had your eyelids flying open. Four fingers. A strong grip. Someone leaning over you, blocking out the limited light of the eclipse. Braids tickled your cheeks, as large, sharp eyes scanned your face.

You breathed a sigh of relief at Tsu’tey’s trademark scowl. And then remembered that said idiot had just suffered an almost fatal injury, and definitely shouldn’t have crawled out of whatever healing sleep Mo’at had put him under to come check on you.

Instinctively, your ears flattened at Tsu’tey’s close proximity, your hands unconsciously pushing at him. Even wounded, he was as stubborn as a mule. His pursed lips pulled down into a frown, as he was shoved back onto his knees to allow you room to sit up.

<”You assured me you were not injured!”> He bit out with such anger and betrayal that it had your head spinning.

<”I’m not!”> You returned sharply. It was clear in the sharp flick of his tail that he did not believe you.

He huffed loudly, large eyes scanning over your face. You felt like a specimen under a microscope, but you realised with a pang and the uncomfortable tightening of your heart that the way he looked at you hadn’t changed. There was no disgust swimming within the depths of those eyes. Just annoyance, as if you had been up to no good, rather than saving his ass and running around the forest as a human.

At the thought, your eyes flickered down to his naked chest which had been neatly wrapped in green leaves. The river leaves, you realised.

<“You should still be resting.”>

<“I’ve rested.”> He insisted. You frowned. Judging by the position of the moon, it had only been four hours since Neytiri and Jake had dragged him down here to get patched up. He should be out cold. Then again, little could keep this idiot from doing what he pleased.

Nonetheless, that attitude wasn’t going to fly tonight. The clan needed a living leader, not another deceased Olo’eyktan to add to the ancestors. <”Tsu’tey, you got shot. You need sleep.”> You pushed, taking a moment to glance around the large clearing for an empty sleeping spot. <”Where is your mat?”>

He waved you off, his eyes suddenly distant. You followed his gaze, realising he was watching the Tree of Souls. Tail swaying slowly as he wordlessly observed the calm floating of the atokirina dotted amongst the higher branches of the tree.

<”What’s wrong?”> His tail thumped loudly. You steeled yourself. <”Tsu’tey?”>

He swallowed loudly, and you waited. Internally dreading what was to come. <”I could feel Her calling to me.”> He hissed, voice barely above a whisper.

<”Who?”>

<”Eywa.”> Tsu’tey replied simply. You tore your gaze away from the gorgeous hue of the tree’s vines. Your pained expression turned to him, but he wasn’t looking at you. <”She was telling me to get up. Kept urging me to walk; to follow her atokirina. I was so tired.”> He admitted, before adding with a sigh, <”I am /still/ tired.”>

You opened your mouth to suggest getting him back to his mat, but he clearly wasn’t done saying his piece. He swallowed, ears falling as he refused to meet your gaze. <”I held on as long as I could, to protect you.”>

He looked so defeated. His shoulders curling in on himself. A shadow of the proud Olo’eyktan who had led the warriors to victory only hours ago.

<”I’m fully grown, you dick.”> You forced out, aiming for humour but knowing that your tone fell short. <”I can take care of myself.”>

<”But you’re so small.”> He whispered and finally looked at you. But not at your avatar, it was like he was peering through the link to your human body. Perceiving you in a new light. In a way you’d never been seen before. <”And weak. I could’ve killed you in a heartbeat.”>

Your mind flashed to his snarling face. The pure hatred of his expression in contrast to the protective way in which he’d clung to your avatar.

You tried for humour again. <”As if. You were so delirious from blood loss, you could barely tell up from down.”>

<”But I tried to.”> He said, knuckles tight where his hands had fallen into his lap. <”I wanted to hurt you. I /wanted/ to make you go away. You were too close.”>

You sighed. <”I know, and I wasn’t listening to you. I’m sorry about that, but you were injured, and getting you home was more important than your temper tantrum.”>

His eyes scanned your face, tracing the constellation of your glowing freckles in the soft light of the Tree of Souls. Your stomach tightened as that uncertain gaze flickered away again. <”I understand why you did not wish to show me that body.”> He said, head bowed respectfully in a gesture that immediately had alarm bells ringing in your mind. <”And I will work harder to prove myself to you-”>

You were quick to grasp his shoulders. It felt wrong for him to bow to you. Almost out of character. Tsu’tey did not bend to any force beyond the good of his clan. And he’d certainly never done so to you, let alone start sprouting such bullshit.

<”Hey, wait. No. Oh no no no, that is not what this is about.”> You scrambled to explain. And he fell quiet, tail flicking in confusion. <”You are not the issue here.”>

<”I tried to kill you.”> He reminded you in disbelief, but you were already shaking your head.

<”And I tried to kill /you/ remember? I almost flattened you.”> He smiled then, small and full of nostalgia.

<”The clumsiness carries over through the link then?”>

<”Oh? You’re funny now?”> He grinned. <”But seriously, it’s not you.”>

<”What is it then?”>

<”The Sky People have taken a lot from you.”> You said truthfully, <”I didn’t want anything to change between us.”> Your skin crawled at the utterance of such blatantly vulnerable words, but you knew they were necessary at that moment. You needed to clear up this miscommunication before it could fester into something severe. <”I didn’t want you to stop seeing me.”> He was looking at you strangely now, and you wanted to kick yourself but you soldiered on. <”And I know that’s really selfish, but I wanted to be selfish with you. I enjoy our time together, and I value our friendship-”>

<”Y/n?”>

<”Yeah?”>

He raised his hand to his forehead, fingers spread before bringing that hand down in a smooth sweeping motion. You felt your tongue turn to lead in your throat, your eyes bugging out as he held firm eye contact. <”I see you.”>

It was one thing to be told that someone loved you, and believe them. It was an entirely new experience to bare all you were to someone, mind and soul, and have them acknowledge everything you were. To strip back the barriers, observe all your faults and flaws, and continue to accept you.

<”I see you.”> Tsu’tey repeated as if he hadn’t just single handedly brought your world to a screeching halt. <”All of you, Y/n.”> And there it was again, that look that seemed to reach back through the connection and make the body of your human form sweat.

Previous chapter <- Act 4 -> Next chapter

#tsu'tey x reader #Tsu'tey #cannon divergent #injury #no death #this bitch ain't dying tonight #Eywa being helpful (for once)

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whydidtheyhavetogo · 5 months

Text

Rengoku x GN Reader

First time posting on Tumblr, I have not written a fanfic in a hot minute, so I hope this suffices! Thank you for reading, now enjoy healing while Rengoku gets taken care of!

Warnings: Mentions of cuts, bruises, and general pain. A bit of Angst and fluff

Rengoku is recovering from his wounds and his friend is stern in making sure that he lays still and rests in bed. Rengoku can’t help but feel a warmth in him as they takes care of him. In the end the two show their feelings to one another.

Kyojuro flinched at the sting of cuts along his arms and face, he wasn’t sure how he got here. The last thing he remembered was the Upper Three Demon almost annihilating him and his newly made friends. He was lucky that Tanjiro had thrown the demon off with his sword, otherwise his fist would have gone through his stomach. He remembers the fear the demon’s eyes filled with as Tanjiro screamed at him, chasing him off. He wasn’t sure how the young Demon Slayer did it, but he did nonetheless, and he couldn’t thank him enough.

Now he had another problem, the person that he had grown to love and appreciate now standing at his side practically fuming from his “stupidity” as they so adoringly put it. They pat his cuts with medicine as they mutter profuse words under their breath. He groans as they gently touch the cut on his eyelid. They stop in their movements, “Kyo…” They mutter, a sad look overtaking their features, their eyes glossing over. Kyojuro hated seeing them so sad, it damn near broke his heart. He smiled softly and cupped their hand that hovered over his eye, “It is alright Y/n, you did not hurt me!”

Doubt swirled in his friend’s eyes, he didn’t need to be too perceptive with that, they were already an open book to him, even when others couldn’t see it, he did. He remembers when they had come to the Master, bleeding and broken. He remembered every cut and bruise and in that moment when he first gazed upon them, he felt a new flame spark within. One that when sparked, burned brightly.

He remembered watching Shinobu and the Kakushi taking the battered individual to the Butterfly Mansion after the Master deemed it necessary, their wounds deep and extensive. He would sneak over to the Butterfly Mansion, and watch whenever he could. He was curious about the newcomer, and would keep company with the stranger who slept long in bed and to Aoi while she patched them up. Days passed into weeks, and the other Hashira started to notice his interest, of course none of them saying a word. Tengen was the only one who had actually brought it up to him.

Tengen would come by every so often, catching Rengoku sitting by the stranger. He would smirk and make teasing comments like, “Ah, looks like someone’s caught your eye, huh?” or "You know it's bad to stare at strangers..."

Finally one afternoon, Tengen dropped by and leaned against the door, “Damn, you’re still here? I thought this was a joke at first…”

To which he finally replied, “I am still here because I want them to feel safe when they awaken.”

“I mean, I get why, but… why?” Tengen asked, clearly confused about his intentions with someone they didn't know.

“Miss Amane had found them bloodied on their doorstep, they had passed out before they could tell her what had happened. Maybe… If they feel safe when they awaken, then we can find out what happened to them. It is our duty to protect the innocent. If there is a way I can protect them, I will make sure of it.”

Tengen nodded slowly, “You know, you’re an admirable man, Kyojuro…” He gave Kyojuro a hearty pat on the back before leaving him to watch over the injured stranger.

He recalled the day that they had awoken from their deep sleep. The way their eyes fluttered open and looked around curiously. The sun beaming down on them. They looked so warm. He smiled as their eyes landed on him, widening just slightly. He could hear their breath catch in their throat for a moment.

“Do not be afraid! You are safe within the walls of the Butterfly Mansion!” He spoke softly as to not startle them too much, “My name is Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira and member of the Demon Slayer Core!”

There was a silence that wafted over them, the stranger continuing to stare at him, not that he minded. Or course they would watch him closely, who wouldn't be weary of some random man watching over you after being beaten within an inch of your life!

“Y/n…L/n Y/n….” They croaked smacking their dry lips.

“Kyo?” He heard their voice call out sweetly, bringing him back to reality, where now he sat in the bed while Y/n watched over them. Kyojuro’s gaze drifted up to meet theirs. He smiled, their look of concern melting his heart, “Ah, I’m so sorry Y/n! Were you saying something?”

They sighed, their brows furrowing, “I worry about you sometimes…”

Kyojuro smiled brightly, “I appreciate your concern for me little flame, you’re as sweet as ever!”

He watched as their cheeks flushed, what a beautiful sight it was to see, “Well, duh! Now, as I was saying, I want you staying here-”

“Y/n…” He groaned.

“In bed-”

“But-”

Y/n rested their finger on his lips, shushing him.

“No, none of that! You need your rest, or you’ll never get better!” Y/n sternly spoke, frowning gently at Rengoku. He didn’t bother arguing further, he had learned better than to do that with them. Instead, he sighed, giving in to them. They smiled, satisfied, “Thank you…” They took their finger away and turned to the table next to him, grabbing what he would assume is medicine or bandages.

His mind traveled back to after they had woken up, he remembers staying by their side as much as possible, talking with them about anything and everything. He helped with what knowledge he had to take care of them alongside the vast knowledge Aoi had. She never made him leave, and in fact she encouraged him being there when he was able to, saying that whenever he would leave their eyes would become dull and distant, and the moment he would walk through the doors they would light up like a firework, practically jumping out of bed to rush to his side.

“Rengoku!” He gasped looking up at Y/n, “Ah! Are you okay?!”

They shook their head, “I’m more concerned if you’re okay! You keep spacing out…”

He gave them another gentle smile, “Dear Y/n, you need not worry for me-”

“Yes I do, Kyo! You’re my best friend… If… If Kamado and the others weren’t there… If… If you had died…” He watched as they sobbed quietly, neither of them saying a word. He knew quite well that he could have died that day, he could have never seen his family again, he might have never had the chance to tell Y/n how he feels. He raised his hand, grasping Y/n’s soft one’s with his calloused fingers, “I don’t mean to worry you…” He muttered.

“Kyo, I’m always worried about you. Every time you leave for a mission, anytime that I know you’ll be in danger, I worry for you…” They murmur, wiping their tears.

After they had gotten better, they had asked Aoi to teach them the way of healing. Aoi had told Rengoku that when asked why, they said he inspired them to want to take care of others, the way Rengoku and Aoi did. Since then, they learned pretty quickly. Now here they were, tending to Rengoku, and while it wasn’t the first time, he could tell they were scared that it could be the last.

“Y/n…” He whispered, “I cannot bear to see you so distraught…” His eyes traveled to the empty beds that the three boys had laid in the night before, things were starting to change, he felt it on the train, he felt it with the Upper Moon Demon. It was time for something different.

“Y/n, I have decided on something,” He looked back up at Y/n, “I am going to continue to help the demon slayer core, while I have enjoyed my work, helping others, I have decided I will retire!” He heard them gasp, shock overtaking them, “Don’t worry! This is purely for my safety and for your sanity as well. In turn I have a perfect candidate in mind for the next flame Hashira! I will teach and train the next generation, that way I can still help others!"

“You…. don’t have to do this Kyo… This has always been your dream!”

“But I have a new dream now!” He watched as they looked at him confused. He pulled them closer, wrapping an arm around them as they jolted forward, falling onto him. They yelped out, “Rengoku! Your wounds!” He caressed their cheek, not caring of the pain. With them he felt no pain, there was no such thing. Only bliss.

“You’re my new dream, Y/n… I have grown to care immensely for you. I want a life with you, safe and sound. I want you to be happy, I want you to feel good for the rest of our lives... I want to live on with you..." He gazed down at them softly, “If you’ll have me…”

Moments pass by, time seems to slow. Their face becomes more and more red, a painting in his eyes. He could watch that happen over and over again, forever. Finally they whisper a faint, “Yes…”

For the first time in a very long time, he felt the missing pieces within himself melding together, pieces he neglected since his mother's passing, healing between the cracks. He felt the flame within him burn brightly, and he couldn’t help but let out a relieved chuckle, “May I kiss you?” He breathed out. With a small nod, he did as he intended and gave them a warm kiss, as a promise to them and himself, that he won't let anything stand in the way of the two of them ever again.

#rengoku kyojuro #rengoku x reader #kny rengoku #he lives in my brain #no death #because dammit he deserves better #demon slayer #fanfic #gender neutral reader #fluff #light angst #rengoku x gn reade

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