You had been on a mission with the water pillar Giyū Tomioka, and to the young man's displeasure, you were on your way to Shinobu's butterfly estate. Everyone knew that neither of them liked each other very much, but to heal your injuries, Shinobu was the best place to go.

It was already late in the evening when you finally arrived at the estate. Shinobu had probably already expected you. Because she stood in front of the entrance and beckoned you with a hand gesture to you.

"Oh, [y/n], my dear, I'm sorry you had to go on a mission with Tomioka-san."

The person in question didn't even bother to roll his eyes at this statement. He knew full well that his colleague would never stop with these taunts.

"Shinobu, please don't be like this all the time. You know very well that I can work best with Giyū."

At your statement, the other lady had to laugh softly. You immediately regret what you said. Now Shinobu had it in for you.

"So, my dear, you can work well with him.", she repeated to you with a big smile and closed eyes.

Before she could go on with her little game, you asked her for shelter for tonight and for the treatment of your wounds. With a certain grin, she complied with your request. However, not without ulterior motives.

"Oh, no, my dears, I'm sorry to hear that. I have only one guest room left. But you probably don't mind. You two get along famously, don't you?"

You looked at Giyū. As expected, not a single reaction from him. You just nodded silently.

"Thank you, Shinobu!"

She threw you another certain smile before she made her escape. Giyū opened the door to your guest room and let you enter first. With a quiet 'thank you' you scurried past him. He closed the door behind him and placed his katana against a wall. You did the same and immediately sat down on one of the two futons.

In the meantime, night had fallen and both of you were getting ready for bed. You lay with your backs to each other in your futons. You had a hard time falling asleep today and stared into the darkness. You were thinking about your roommate and were completely engrossed in your thoughts when-...

"Does everyone really hate me?" suddenly came from the black-haired boy.

Torn from your thoughts, you slowly turned around to what was said. He still turned his back to you.

,,W-what do you mean by that, Giyū?"

,,Shinobu meant that many people don't like me..Is that true?"

"No, Giyū, that's not true. Shinobu is just teasing you."

"You don't like me either?"

You blushed instantly. What should you answer? Should you tell him how you feel. Or just nice words to make him feel better? Slightly overwhelmed with the situation, you sat up and ran your hand through your hair once.

"Giyū, I-I...", you started.

You didn't know what to answer. Giyū had also sat up in the meantime and was staring straight into your soul.

"I-I...um...", you broke off again.

"I already understood. Good night!"

Giyū was about to lie down again, when your voice sounded again.

"Giyū, I like you...I like you a lot...No...I...I l-love you!", you sputtered out.

Giyū's eyes widened. The young man did not expect this answer or rather this confession.

"Giyū, you are such a great person. How can anyone not like you. You are rather a quiet person, but that's what makes you. You are so strong and stay calm and level-headed in any situation."

,,[y/n]!"

"Yes?"

You startled when you suddenly felt a hand on yours. When had he gotten up to sit right next to you? And without you noticing?

"Thank you, [y/n]!"

"You're welcome! I was just telling the truth."

Giyū squeezed your hand lightly. You pulled her closer to you and looked into his blue eyes as best you could in the darkness and faint moonlight. He also looked into yours and a rare smile crept onto his pale face. Automatically, you had to smile now, too. It was just too sweet. You had never seen him smile before. Otherwise, a serious expression always adorned his beautiful face.

"I like it when you smile!"

Giyū blushed slightly around his nose. It made him uncomfortable. You laughed softly and pressed a kiss on his cheek. Out of reflex, because you had to yawn, you pulled your hand that was in his to your mouth and yawned once hard.

"You are tired! We'd better go to sleep!"

Giyū was already ready to go back to his futon when you pulled him to you. Without a word, you shook your head and lifted your blanket. Confused, the black-haired man looked at you.

"Come here!"

Giyū did as ordered and climbed to you under the blanket at a good distance from you. He turned on his back. This was your chance. You pushed yourself to him and rested your head on his chest. He looked at you with a shocked expression in his eyes. Undeterred, you put his arm around you and snuggled closer to him.  In seconds you were in the land of dreams.

Giyū let it wash over him. Smiling and shaking his head at the same time, he stroked your hair. He gave you a kiss on your hair and closed his eyes. Before he fell asleep he murmured, "I love you too, [y/n]!"