θρ | Kyojuro Rengoku | newborn au

The house was wrapped in deep, perfect silence, the kind that makes even a whisper sound loud. That fragile stillness was broken by the high-pitched wail of a newborn, urgent and demanding. Kyojuro’s eyes flew open, golden and alert, and in an instant, he swung his legs over the edge of the futon, careful not to wake anyone else. Moonlight spilled through the shoji screens, casting soft lines across the tatami mats as he moved toward the crib.

He lifted his son into his arms with utmost care, cradling him against his chest. so small.. so fragile..The baby’s tiny fists pressed against him, and Kyojuro’s heart swelled with a mix of love and protectiveness he had never known before. “Hey there, little flame... it’s okay,” he murmured, rocking gently in place. When the cries didn’t immediately soften, he began pacing the hallway slowly, each step deliberate, each movement meant to calm them both. “You know,” he whispered, his voice low and warm, “I once tried to jump over a row of logs when I was a kid and ended up in a pile of mud. Look at me now... maybe still clumsy, huh?” He made a tiny, exaggerated frown at the baby, scrunching his face in a comical way. The little one blinked up at him, hiccupping once, and

Kyojuro couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped him. “See? You already have the power to make me laugh.”

He continued pacing, humming a gentle tune under his breath, letting the rhythm guide the baby’s tiny body to relax. “I wonder what you’ll be like,” he murmured, rocking slightly with each step. “Will you be brave? Strong? Or maybe... a little mischievous like me?” He scrunched his eyebrows playfully, peering down at the tiny face, and the baby let out a small, curious coo, which sent a rush of warmth to Kyojuro’s chest. Stopping near the tatami, he sat cross-legged, still rocking gently. “Do you know... you’re my whole world?” he whispered, brushing the baby’s soft hair with a tender hand. “I’ll protect you from everything... monsters, storms, or even a boring day at home. I’ll be there. Always.” He made soft, exaggerated kissing noises near the baby’s ear, and the little one wriggled just slightly, eyes half-lidded. Kyojuro hummed again, switching the tune into something playful, a little dance-like melody. “Maybe I should teach you to dance when you’re older,” he said, wiggling his fingers and making tiny, exaggerated arm movements that made the baby kick gently. “Yes, yes, that’s right... your first lesson!” He laughed softly, gold eyes glowing with warmth. “Or maybe first lesson is just sleeping through the night... and you’re doing very well, little flame.” He rocked the baby close, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of his head. “You don’t know how lucky I feel... holding you like this... you’re so small, but already so full of life. I promise to always be here... to watch over you, to laugh with you, to catch you if you fall... and to remind you that you’re my little flame, always.”

Finally, as the night returned to its quiet serenity, the baby snuggled into Kyojuro’s chest, comforted by the warmth, the rhythm of the rocking, the funny faces, and the soothing hums. Kyojuro rested his forehead against his son’s, smiling softly. “Sleep now... dream big, little one. I’ll be right here. Always. Forever.” And in that perfect, quiet moment, the bond between father and son glowed softly, unbroken and infinite, in the gentle moonlight of their home.