Work Text:
Avira spent seven days on that mountain, having to fight demons with a weapon she didn’t even know how to hold properly. She was quite exhausted but, luckily, uninjured. She began her journey back to the Iguro Estate on foot, despite those every feet feeling like they had been replaced with blocks of lead.
“Dafür habe ich mich nicht angemeldet…”
She grumbled in German as she trudged through woods, looking forward to finally returning home. She was still pretty shaken. The last time she saw a demon was the one who killed her mother. She was lucky she didn’t shut down on the mountain top. She was lucky to have survived at all, one among a handful of the dozens of candidates. She shook her head and huffed. She made it. That’s all that matters. Soon, she would get her very own sword and uniform. She was a Demon Slayer.
”I did it, Aria…”
She whispered to herself, her hands lifted to lightly touch her two messy braids. She could almost feel the warmth of her sister’s presence surrounding her, an embrace from the afterlife.
-
Obanai paced around his mansion, muttering underneath his breath. He had faith in Avira, of course he did! She was strong, she was smart, but she was so small… he shook his head, he was small too but he passed Final Selection. This didn’t stop his anxiety. This wasn’t just a tsugoku, this was his daughter. The word still felt so foreign to him. He never imagined he’d be taking care of anyone, never imagined he’d grow to care out of love and not just obligation. Dread lay heavy as lead in his stomach. Anxiety settled in his throat and spewed out his covered mouth in muttered worst case scenarios. They should really start sending crows to the mentors of the contestants.
“You’re going to wear a hole into the floor with all that pacing.”
Tengen warned, slightly amused. Obanai glared at him.
“The kid’s gonna be fine. She was trained by the best after all!”
He continued, not even trying to hide his cockiness. Obanai sighed, willing himself to come to a standstill. Avira couldn’t use breathing techniques. Obanai attempted to teach her, so did Giyuu, but she just couldn’t learn them. She fought with her raw strength alone. She was incredibly strong for such a little thing. He attempted to ask Gyomei to help train her, but he politely refused, crying as he did so. He then thought to turn to Tengen, he was a shinobi, so he had to be extremely skilled in fighting! Tengen agreed, honestly just because he was bored.
”I.. agree. She’ll be okay.”
Giyuu spoke up from the corner he was in. Obanai glared at him.
”Shut up! Why are you even here anyway?? I never invited you!”
He snapped at the Water Hashira. Giyuu shrunk away a bit. He didn’t feel too welcome here. I wonder why?
”Avira-San is returning from Final Selection. And Uzui-San brought me.”
Giyuu explained, turning Obanai’s wrath onto Tengen, who quickly looked away. Before Obanai could unleash his rage onto the Sound Hashira, the front door opened.
”I’m home!”
Avira called out, exhaustion clear in her voice. Obanai quickly rushed to the door, unable to hide his worry. He grabbed her face, checking her over for injuries. Kaburamaru slithered over to Avira and nestled on her neck, glad she returned safely.
“Did you get hurt? Do you need medical attention? Are you hungry?”
A flurry of questions escaped Obanai as he tried to find any evidence of injury. Avira felt a little overwhelmed but she knew his intense doting came from love.
“I’m okay, Herr Iguro.”
Avira assured when she remembered how to speak. Obanai paused and sighed with relief. He rested his hands on her shoulder, his eyes squinting in a rare smile beneath his bandages.
”I’m glad you’re safe. I’m proud.”
He gave her a nod of approval. Avira stared up at him for a moment before bursting into tears. She hugged him tightly, sobbing into his striped haori. Obanai tensed up, unsure of what to do. Why does she keep crying around him? Is he doing something wrong? Kaburamaru freaked out and attempted to comfort Avira however a snake could.
“I was so scared, Herr Iguro!!!”
She cried as she held onto him like he might disappear if she let go for even a second. Obanai’s eyes softened a bit. He gently, albeit a bit stiffly, rested his hand on Avira’s back. He rubbed circles against her back, the movement inexperienced yet thoughtful.
“You’re okay. You’re safe.”
He hushed, echoing the words he had once been told long ago. Their sweet moment was rudely interrupted by Tengen, who set off a party popper and sparkler that crackled and sparked in a burst of color and sound. Avira jumped at the sound, instinctively cowering behind Obanai. She brighten up when she realized who it was, quickly rushing over to him.
”Herr Uzui!”
She beamed, eyes lit up almost as bright as the sparklers. Tengen grinned and picked Avira up, slinging her over to sit on his shoulder. Avira held on for dear life, praying he wouldn’t drop her.
“There’s my girl! What’re you crying for? You passed Final Selection!”
Tengen crowed, pride clear on his face. Avira sniffled but a small, exhausted laugh bubbled in her throat.
”It was so scary, Herr Uzui!”
She cried, joy overriding the previous terror. Tengen smiled and patted her head.
”But you made it! Welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps!”
Tengen cheered. He adjusted his hold on her and spun her around in the air. The girl shrieked in both fear and excitement while Obanai watched nervously, scared she would fall. Tengen eventually set her down when he was finished praising his student. Giyuu approached slowly.
”Ich bin stolz auf dich.”
His expression was serious yet his tone held warmth. Avira stared for a moment, processing the fact that he just spoke to her in German. His pronunciation was a little bit off, but it was the effort that really mattered to her. She opened her mouth to speak but before she knew it, she was crying again.
Giyuu froze up, completely caught off guard. Did he do something wrong? Did he not say it correctly? Obanai rushed over, fury rolling off of him in thick, heavy waves.
”What did you do, Tomioka? I’ll kill you!”
He hissed, already about to draw his sword. Giyuu stepped back but didn’t explain himself, because he didn’t even know what he did wrong. Avira shook her head as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
”I’m okay! I’m glücklich!”
She assured. The room looked at her with mild confusion. Avira blinked at them, also confused, before realizing they didn’t understand her. Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember the English word but she drew a blank. She gave them a bright smile and pointed at it, hoping they’d understand.
“Ohh, you’re happy!”
Tengen chimed, as if he just solved a huge mystery. Avira nodded.
”I’m happy! Danke, danke!”
Avira chirped, so incredibly grateful for those who surrounded her. Tengen ruffled her hair, effectively messing up her braids even more. Avira attempted to swat his hand away to no avail.
“The food is going to get cold.”
Giyuu eventually spoke up, earning a glare from Obanai for literally no reason. Avira looked up, suddenly realizing how hungry she was from fighting for her life on a demon infested mountain for a week.
The four entered the dining room where a full spread of food was, a mixture of Japanese and German dishes. Avira’s eyes lit up at the sight of the German cuisine, something she never thought she’d get to have again. She looked over at the other three with surprise.
”We did our research.”
Tengen said with a proud smile. Obanai elbowed him.
”You didn’t even do anything. You made me work with Tomioka!”
The Serpent Hashira complained, crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance. Giyuu didn’t give any reaction to the insult. He was used to this.
“Can you please stop this senseless bickering so she can eat?”
Giyuu finally said, voice betraying no emotion. Obanai glared at him.
”What did you just say to me?”
He hissed, ready to fight. Tengen quickly held him back.
”Tomioka’s right! Let’s eat!”
He announced in an attempt to deescalate the conflict. He ushered everyone to sit down, Avira at the head of the table because this was her celebration.
Tengen piled food on her plate, encouraging her to eat her fill. Obanai watched closely to ensure that she was eating properly. She had to build back her strength, after all. Giyuu was sitting further away from the rest, being… Giyuu. Avira looked around at everyone, basking in the presence of the people she began to care about most. Safety surrounded her, warm and grounding. It was unconventional, it was imperfect, but it was love. These three put in the effort for her, they kept her safe. As she sat there, surrounded by security, she wondered.
If they looked like their own odd little family.