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A few months had passed since they had defeated Muzan. Everyone began to move on from slaying demons and had started to integrate into society. When they moved back to the Kamado’s old house Tanjiro taught Inosuke and Zenitsu everything he knew about mining coal since he couldn’t do it himself. Inosuke had a hard time retaining the information but luckily Zenitsu had a knack for it.
Inosuke was determined to be better than Zenitsu but Tanjiro was too worried about him getting hurt in the mine so he got him to start gardening. You wouldn’t think it if you knew Inosuke but he was insanely good at growing things. Maybe it was from his years in the forest or because he was so in tune with nature from his sensitive sense of touch but Inosuke never killed a single plant and he could bring any plant back from the brink of death. Because of this villagers would often ask for his help with their plants so he started making treks down the mountain with Zenitsu when the other had to sell coal.
Sometimes Tanjiro or Nezuko would join them as well but normally they stayed home to watch the house because the boys didn’t want either of them doing too much work. Both Kamado’s were used to taking care of people so they always tried to argue but the two boys would normally refuse.
They had a routine set and they all finally got a break from the horrors and pain life always threw their way.
After settling down, however, Inosuke finally had time to look at his feelings and ask Tanjiro about them. When he described the feeling he’d get in his chest when the other boy was around Tanjiro’s eyes welled with tears.
He hurriedly wiped his tears and explained that the feelings were those of attraction or “love”. When Inosuke asked why he was crying Tanjiro smiled his bright sunlike smile and explained he was just happy his feelings were returned.
That was the day their relationship began. They shared kisses in the dark and held hands under blankets. They kept their relationship a secret from most of their friends. The only ones that knew were Nezuko and Zenitsu.
Not long after Tanjiro and Inosuke confessed to each other Nezuko and Zenitsu came to Tanjiro asking for his blessing. They had both recently confessed to each other as well and wanted Tanjiro’s blessing before going any further.
Tanjiro had been skeptical but in the end, he agreed because as long as his little sister was happy he was happy. The too had erupted into shouts and giggles with Zenitsu twirling Nezuko.
Inosuke put his arm around Tanjiro’s waist and rested his head on his shoulder. Tanjiro smiled happily at his best friend and sister while he leaned his head on the love of his life’s.
Things continued on happily until some years had passed. Nezuko was pregnant and due to give birth at any time. Tanjiro and Zenitsu had been total wrecks worrying about her but both were buzzing with excitement. Tanjiro was excited to be an uncle and Zenitsu could wait to have a mini Nezuko that shared his eyes running around. Inosuke was more nervous than anything. He was the one who was being trained to deliver the baby in case it came early and Aoi wasn’t around.
He’d never admit it out loud but he was so scared he’d mess something up and end up killing the baby. It kept him up at night. Tanjiro talked with him about it and helped put his nerves at ease. Tanjiro always said the right things.
A few weeks later and the baby came. Thankfully Aoi was there but she still needed Inosuke’s help. After hours of pushing and screaming they were welcoming a baby girl into the world.
When Zenitsu and Tanjiro were allowed into the room they both burst into tears. Inosuke comforted Tanjiro while a barely awake Nezukos tried to comfort her husband. Aoi ushered the two out of the room again so she and Inosuke could clean the baby and Nezuko.
Once they were done Inosuke carried Nezuko to her bed followed by Aoi, who had the baby. He laid her down on the bed and Aoi set the baby on Nezuko’s partially exposed chest. Inosuke sat with them to make sure Nezuko didn’t roll or anything while Aoi left to get Zenitsu and Tanjiro.
When the boys came in they both had tears in their eyes threatening to fall. Zenitsu smiles at his wife and child while Tanjiro hugged Inosuke trying to stop his tears. Inosuke looked around for Aoi before leaving the room with Tanjiro so the couple could have a moment without them.
About a year had passed since that day. Nezuko and Zenitsu had agreed on naming their daughter after Nezuko and Tanjiro’s mom. When Tanjiro heard the name he burst into tears and cried into his little sister’s lap. Needless to say, Kie was spoiled rotten. When Zenitsu and Inosuke would come back from the village they’d always have something for her. Nezuko tried to stop them but to no avail. They all wanted to give her things they never had growing up.
As Kie got older she started to play favorites more. She would never leave Nezuko for anyone other than Inosuke. When she couldn’t have her mom she’d immediately run over and jump in his lap instead. Inosuke had never liked kids when he was younger but Kie was starting to change his mind.
One day Inosuke had caught Tanjiro looking longingly after Nezuko, Zenitsu, and their daughter. He could tell Tanjiro wanted what they had. Inosuke wanted to have that with Tanjiro too but he couldn’t. He didn’t have the right body to give him what he wanted. So the time came when they had to have a talk.
The sun was setting when Inosuke pulled Tanjiro outside so they could talk.
“I think we should split up.” Inosuke started. His back was turned to Tanjiro. He doesn’t think he’d be able to go through with if he was looking Tanjirou in the eye.
“Why? Are you not happy anymore?” Tanjiro’s voice was full of concern with hints of hurt.
“No. I’m happy but you’re not.” He felt nauseous. He couldn’t do this. But he had to. For Tanjiro’s sake. “I know I’m not enough. And I don’t mean that in a self-conscious way I just mean I can’t give you what you want.”
“Inosuke what are you talking about? You’re everything I could ever want.” Inosuke could hear the tears in his voice. Why did this have to hurt so much? Why did he have to get so attached?
“That’s a lie and you know it, Tan. I know you want kids. You want a family and I can’t give you that.” Inosuke finally faced Tanjiro with tears in his eyes. “This is the only way you can have what you want.”
“You’re right, Ino. I do want a family more than anything but why can’t I have that with you?” Tanjiro was still crying a rapid flow of tears running down his cheeks.
“You and I both know you want your little piglets to be your own. From you and I just can’t give that to you. No matter how hard I try or want to, it's impossible.” Inosuke swallowed before continuing. “I want to be able to give you children of your own but my body isn’t made to do that. But Kanao...She’s been in love with you for years now, I don’t know if you feel the same way for her, but she could give you’ve dreamed for Tanjirou. Everything you want.”
“She isn’t you Ino! Maybe I’d felt something for Kanao but any of those feelings are gone. It’s you! You’re the one, Inosuke.”
“WELL MAKE HER THE ONE THEN!” Inosuke yelled. Tanjiro was slightly startled, he wasn’t used to the random outbursts anymore. Inosuke quieted his voice before continuing. “Please Tanjiro. I don’t want you to regret not taking your chance to have kids now. I also don’t want to be the one who held you back from being happy.” Tanjiro raised his hand to brush Inosuke’s cheek. He smiled sadly at him.
“I know Ino. All you’ve ever wanted was the best for me.” Tanjiro looked at the ground before looking back at the man in front of him. “This isn’t fair.”
“Yeah, but when has life ever been fair to us? We’ve always gotten the short end of the stick.”
“I just want you. Is that so much to ask?” Tanjiro was hurting just as much as Inosuke. He could hear it in his voice.
“According to the world, yes it is. I just want you too but more than that I want you to be happy.” Inosuke cupped Tanjiro’s cheeks and leaned his forehead down to touch Tanjiro’s. “I love you so much.”
Tanjiro tilted his head up. “I love you too,” he whispered, softly against his lips before closing the gap.
The kiss was salty, it could’ve been from their tears of the remorse and heartbreak that seeped through them. The kiss itself spoke words neither of them could create, or express. Everything they’d felt for each other and still feel for each other washed into the kiss like an ocean wave, love, anger, sadness, fear. Time slowed when the touched lips but, it all felt so fast. They both wished the kiss would last forever.
“You better go be happy okay. If you don’t I’ll kick your ass.” Inosuke choked out. He truly wanted Tanjiro to be happy but god it hurt so much.
“I will. I promise.”
Tanjiro left for bed while Inosuke sat outside to let out the rest of his emotions. It kicked the dirt, broke sticks, and head-butted trees. Even after all these years that was still the best way to deal with his emotions. When he was starting to calm down he heard the door to the house slide open and saw Nezuko standing there. She had a small sad smile on her face and he knew Tanjiro had already told her what happened.
She beckoned him over to sit down with her. She was pregnant with her 2nd child and though she wasn’t far along Aoi had warned her to rest more than she did with Kie because of her small build.
When Inosuke sat she pulled him into her chest and just let him cry. It should’ve been uncomfortable considering the angle but Nezuko had such a comforting presence that he didn’t care.
Nezuko’s kimono was wet with his tears as she ran her fingers through his hair and rocked them slightly. “It’s okay ‘Nosuke. Let it out.”
As his tears began to slow he pulled away from her trying to put a wall up between them. It had been years since that wall had been destroyed but now he felt too vulnerable. Cool hands cupped his cheeks and wiped his tears away.
“Please don’t do that Inosuke. We’ve been family for years and friends for even longer. Please don’t shut me out. Let me help you like you helped me.” Nezuko was always good at consoling people and becoming a mother made her even better.
“I’m fine Nezuko. It’s what had to be done.” Maybe if he said it enough times he’d really believe it and stop hurting sooner.
“Just cause it’s ‘what had to be done.’ doesn’t mean it won’t still hurt. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if I had to leave Zenitsu because I couldn’t give him a family like he wanted.” Nezuko pulled Inosuke into a hug. The man was taller and larger than her but she all but pulled him into her lap trying to comfort him like she would Kie.
They stayed like that with minimal talking besides quiet words of comfort from Nezuko and sniffles from Inosuke until it was time for them to sleep. That night Nezuko slept with Inosuke instead of with her husband and daughter so she could make sure the boar was okay.
Years later after Inosuke and Tanjiro married their wives and went their separate ways, they found each other again. Their children were adults by that point and Inosuke had left the home he had with his wife to live in the mountains.
When Tanjiro saw Inosuke he gasped. It had been so long since they had last seen each other. Inosuke was still just as beautiful as when they first met but now his face was slightly wrinkled from years of frowning and his hair now had bits of gray.
“Inosuke!” Tanjiro immediately ran to him and hugged him with his one functional arm. “It’s been so long! I missed you so much!” There were tears in his eyes.
Inosuke returned the hug once he was over his shock. “I missed you too Tontaro.” Tanjiro laughed at the incorrect name.
“You can’t fool me Ino. I know you remember my name.” Inosuke smiled.
“Were you happy?” Inosuke asked. Tanjiro’s smile turned sad.
“Yes, I was but there wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t think of you. My kids made me so happy but Kanao couldn’t replace you. No one could.” Tanjiro started to cry. “I’m so sorry I caused you so much pain. I should’ve never left you.” Inosuke smacked him in the head.
“Shut up. I told you to go be happy, didn’t I? I don’t care that I was in pain. As long as you’re happy I’m happy.” Tanjiro wiped his tears and sniffled.
“Yeah, I just wish we could’ve been happy together.”
“I know.” The sun was starting to set.
Inosuke sat on the ledge and let his legs dangle over the edge. He patted the ground next to him and Tanjiro followed. Tears welled in Inosuke’s eyes and his voice broke as he spoke.
“You know sometimes I wonder if there’s another version of this world where we got to be together.” Tanjiro rested his head on Inosuke’s shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well,” Tanjiro swallowed his tears. “I don’t know about another world but if we meet in another life and we’re both human...please let me make an honest man out of you.”
“Of course stupid Tanjiro.”