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Tanjirou and Senjurou were both sitting on a large boulder, sharing an onigarazu.
Tanjirou glanced over at Senjurou and asked, after swallowing his food, "Senjurou-Kun, what do you usually do at home? You smell... weird sometimes."
Senjurou paused and said, "I clean and take care of the chores. Why? What do I smell like?"
"Alcohol. Shame. Guilt." Tanjirou said in a worried tone. "I know it's not yours. Is... it someone else?"
Senjurou's eyes widened and his hands clutched his food.
"Is... it the man that I head butted? I thought he stopped."
Senjurou looked at his shoes. "I... I think it was an accident. He just accidentally swung his hand."
"It can't be an accident," Tanjirou sighed, his eyebrows furrowed angrily. "If there's anyone who badmouths you, I'll head butt them!"
"It would be better if you stopped that," Senjurou said with a giggle.
Tanjirou smiled and finished his food before he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. In order to keep up, Senjurou shoved the whole thing in his mouth and both of them hopped off the boulder.
"Alright! Where to?"
"I have to go shopping soon."
Tanjirou grinned. "Okay! I'll go with you!"
Senjurou nodded and grabbed his basket which was emptied of food and began to walk in the direction of the town. Both of them were chatting as they strolled through the forest.
"Senjurou, you know, your hair is really beautiful."
Senjurou usually snuck out to see around and would always dye his hair black. Tanjirou was admiring his strands of hair and Senjurou felt guilty because it wasn't even his real color and Tanjirou didn't know that he was a Rengoku.
"Thank you, Tanjirou-Kun."
They arrived at the town and walked along the bustling streets. They marveled at the new fabrics imported from America, the fresh fish that came from the coast and the jewelry that just came from the West.
"Do you want a pin?" Tanjirou asked.
Senjurou paused and shook his head. "I can't do my hair that well, so I don't think it's necessary."
Tanjirou bought an ordinary silver pin and then slipped it into his ponytail.
"There! I did it for you!" Tanjirou smiled and then beckoned him to move. Senjurou's hand reached up and touched the pin. With a small smile, he followed after Tanjirou.
They shopped until both Senjurou's basket and Tanjirou's arms were full.
Eventually, as the sun set, Senjurou urged Tanjirou home.
"You must! You must go home safe, you hear me? There are demons and they hunt humans!" He said, making sure to look Tanjirou in the eyes to emphasize his point.
Tanjirou's eyes widened but he nodded.
"I understand. Be safe too, okay?" Tanjirou smiled. "Tell me if your dad does something again. I will make sure to come and set it right."
"No need."
Senjurou smiled before they both walked the way close to Senjurou's residence. Tanjirou stayed to make sure Senjurou would get home safe. When he was deemed appropriately well, he left.
Senjurou held his things, which were extremely heavy, even though Tanjirou had insisted to carry them before he arrived.
His heart was a little heavy to see Tanjirou leave but he brightened up when he remembered that perhaps Tanjirou would come again.
He brought his things inside with a hopeful outlook.
—————————————————————
It had been five months.
He hadn't seen Tanjirou at all, but letters were regularly received by him. He clutched papers of Tanjirou's tales and worried.
Senjurou didn't know that Tanjirou was a demon or a demon slayer. They both kept secrets from each other.
As of now, Senjurou had assumed he was a coal-seller.
Senjurou reminisced about their first meeting.
——
Senjurou, with his freshly dyed hair, stumbled as he pushed himself up on the trunk of a tree. In his hands was a sandwich and a small gourd of water.
Today had been particularly terrible but he was able to have a complete day to himself, so he decided to sneak out.
Rubbing his sore arm, he sped up until he saw a person walk through the forest.
With a jolt, he nearly turned around and bolted when the person noticed him and smiled. "Hi!"
"H-Hello...."
"Are you going somewhere?" The boy around the same age as him, with maroon hair and wine colored eyes, tilted his head. "The town's close and there's a vegetable sale today."
Senjurou, pleasantly surprised at the niceness of this boy, nodded and asked, "Uh, what's your name?"
"Kamado! Kamado Tanjirou." The newly named Tanjirou smiled and shook his hand with a smile. He directed him towards a mossy spot on a boulder between the trees and told him to sit down.
Not wanting to refuse, Senjurou sat down and awkwardly hugged his knees.
Tanjirou didn't seem to notice and began to talk to him excitedly. "You know, today, my sister and I were having a conversation and then we had a fight. I thought it was normal but apparently, other people don't have fights like we do. They say it's not a real fight because it's too nice."
He shook his head like it was a pity. "How do people think that way? I saw my friend and his brother fight and I nearly cried for them because they were beating each other up! It really made me wonder!"
Senjurou smiled and nodded. He wondered what he could say in response before Tanjirou started another story.
Senjurou had a surprising amount of fun. Tanjirou was nice and very friendly. He seemed to be completely okay dominating the conversation.
Finally, when Senjurou was sharing his sandwich, splitting it as neat as he could, Tanjirou asked:
"What's your name?"
"Senjurou. Ruka Senjurou." Senjurou could somehow keep a straight face as he lied. Using his mother's name as his surname felt weird but he felt like he could accept it.
"Can I call Senjurou?"
"Yeah. Can I call you Tanjirou?"
"Of course, Senjurou-Kun!"
Tanjirou was munching on the sandwich when he asked, "Are you hurt? I can smell really well and I feel like I can smell pain from you."
Senjurou's eyes widened and he said rather nervously, "N-No, it's only a bruise."
Tanjirou frowned but dutifully applied ointment even when Senjurou tried to tell him it was fine.
When dusk fell, Tanjirou brought Senjurou back.
"I have to make sure you get back safe!" He shouted valiantly, nodding.
His honest eyes made Senjurou inwardly wince. He didn't refute and they arrived at Senjurou's mansion. Outside the gates stood Shinjurou.
Shinjurou, in his drunken rage, waved a bottle of wine and screamed, "Boy!! What the hell were you doing out there all day?! You got a death wish?!"
Senjurou looked at Tanjirou fearfully and pushed him away, muttering, "Leave, Tanjirou-Kun."
Tanjirou's eyebrows dipped on his forehead and before he knew it, he stepped forward.
"Don't talk to him like that."
"Who the hell are you?! Don't butt in!" Shinjurou snarled, his words slightly slurring at the end.
He wasn't completely drunk, but he was on the very edge of it and even Senjurou realized. Shinjurou didn't exactly start swinging just yet but Tanjirou didn't stop.
"Don't be a coward! What man hits and yells at a child?! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
Shinjurou moved to attack him and Senjurou covered his mouth in alarm as both surged forward and Tanjirou then head butted him hard enough for him to be unconscious.
That day, Shinjurou had to rest because of a concussion and Tanjirou spent a night with them out of guilt.
Senjurou couldn't stop laughing, even with Tanjirou's embarrassed blushing and Shinjurou's grumbling.
——
Senjurou put away the broom and started to dye his hair again with tea. When he was finished, he gathered some food and brushes and paper and then stepped out of the house with a call to his dad.
Knowing that Senjurou was going to see if Tanjirou would visit, Shinjurou only growled but did not say anything.
Senjurou went back to their meeting spot, a large mossy boulder seated between two trees and he quickly dug out the letter.
Inside a small wooden lacquer box, was a rolled up letter. Senjurou smiled as he recognized the letter. With enthusiasm, he rolled out his own paper and penned a reply. Tucking it back in the box, he pocketed Tanjirou's letter and dug it back.
Swinging his legs, he basked in the warm sunlight and hoped that today, he'd see Tanjirou again.
A pair of arms wrapped around him. He cried out in alarm but then realized that it was Tanjirou.
"Tanjirou! You surprised me!"
"Sorry, sorry! Senjurou, have you lost weight? Your waist is so thin," he said in worry, wrapping his hands around Senjurou's hips.
Senjurou flushed and said, "I haven't lost weight. Tanjirou, where have you been?"
"I'm sorry. I've been busy!"
"No matter. You're here now. I missed you."
"Yes! Me too! Let me tell you what Yushirou did to me yesterday! He actually——"
Somehow, Senjurou soon found himself seated in Tanjirou's lap, his arms around him securely. With a blush, Senjurou wiggled and Tanjirou's story died on his tongue.
Tanjirou smiled at Senjurou and the closeness of his face made Senjurou's heart beat faster and his palms sweat. He hid it by grasping at Tanjirou's clothes.
With a small hum, Tanjirou's smile turned serious and he murmured, "Senjurou, I know you're lying to me."
His heart skipped a beat and Senjurou almost started to choke but he held it down. Instead, he squeaked, "H-H-Huh?"
Tanjirou didn't look mad. He looked resolute. "It's okay. I'm not telling you the whole truth either. But today, I want to tell you. Can.... can you do the same?"
Senjurou didn't even hesitate for long, he nodded.
He didn't mind telling Tanjirou who he really was and instead of a servant, was actually the second son.
Tanjirou smiled brightly, happy because they were being honest.
"Okay. My name is Kamado Tanjirou and I'm a demon created during the Sengoku Period. If your brother ever talked about me, I'm the head of the Yoriichi Demon Slaying Corps."
There were a lot of things to mention in that one explanation.
1) He was a demon.
2) He was apparently old enough to be alive during the Sengoku Period.
3) He knew that Senjurou had a brother??
4) He was a demon slayer.
Senjurou suddenly felt dizzy and Tanjirou noticed. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything. Can you tell me yours?"
"Y-Yeah."
Should he?
Tanjirou was a demon after all.
But he was also the head of another demon slaying corps! Kyoujurou often talked about it.
But what if he was lying?
Senjurou finally focused in on Tanjirou's face. He was patient, smiling gently as he waited for Senjurou to tell his story.
"O-Okay. My real name is Rengoku Senjurou and I'm the second son. My hair color is actually yellow and red."
Tanjirou's eyes snapped towards his hair with interest and he said, "Really? Can I see?"
"I-I have to wash it."
"Okay! When you come next time, will you show me?" He asked earnestly.
Senjurou's face lit up in flames and he said, "Y-Y-Y-Yeah. I-I'll show you."
Tanjirou hugged him happily and when Senjurou realized, he gave a flustered start and then fell backwards. Tanjirou, with a cry of alarm, tried to catch him and was forced to come with, blocking the impact with his own body.
Senjurou sat up, unknowingly straddling Tanjirou's legs, and then said, "Dummy! Why'd you come with?"
Even then, he was laughing at the baffled look on Tanjirou's face.
Tanjirou chuckled and then grabbed him, pulling him close as they both giggled and laughed.
Finally, Senjurou sat up and said, "Are you really a demon? How do you go out in the morning?"
"My sister and I gained immunity. We think it's because we've never eaten humans before." Tanjirou nodded to himself. "The sun doesn't affect us and we need food like humans."
He opened his mouth and brought Senjurou's hands to it, letting him run his fingers over his teeth. A pale pink tongue flicked at Senjurou's fingers but didn't do anything else.
His thumb rubbed over sharp teeth as his other fingers stroked Tanjirou's cheek.
Senjurou shivered slightly and in a slightly hoarse voice, said, "Oh. Do... do you drink blood?"
"Don't need to. I haven't drunken blood in some decades."
It felt a little weird knowing that Tanjirou was much older than him and probably his great-grandfather.
In a moment of distraction, he scraped his thumb against Tanjirou's canines and a drop of blood landed on Tanjirou's tongue.
They both froze before Tanjirou gently pulled out Senjurou's hand and said, "Senjurou, it's best not to let me taste your blood."
"Oh."
Something was scratching inside of him. Senjurou fidgeted and Tanjirou sat up. They both realized what position they were in.
With embarrassed blushes, they stood up and then dusted each other off. Senjurou looked at his thumb and stared at the scratch before he licked it.
Tanjirou stared at the bead of blood disappearing on that tongue before he whispered stiffly, "You should probably bandage that."
"It's only a scratch." Senjurou said.
He glanced at Tanjirou and the other had bright red eyes, his pupils sharpening into slits. He froze as Tanjirou moved a little closer, his breath wafting over Senjurou's ear.
"You should bandage it," he whispered and Senjurou's knees went weak.
All of this teasing and the subtle air around them made blood rush both north and south, making him dizzy. The closeness of Tanjirou's body didn't help matters.
Finally, Senjurou tentatively pushed him away and stuttered, "I-I'll be going home!"
"Okay. Let me accompany you."
Senjurou nearly combusted. If he spent any more time with Tanjirou, he knew that he'd become completely shameless.
That night, Senjurou laid there on his futon, before creeping out of bed to go to the bathroom, where he pulled out an item. It was a toy that came from the red-light district and while he was guilty because of it, he lubricated it and then pressed it into him.
With one hand on his mouth, little breathy whimpers escaped from his lips and he shuddered as he slid the toy in and out inside of him.
With a final whine of "Tanjirou——!", he washed away his shame and guilt and then went to bed.
He determinedly kept it from his mind the next day.
—————————————————————
Two days after that, he met Tanjirou again.
With a slightly shameful heart, he silently handed over the basket, which had barbecued meat. Tanjirou cheered and took it eagerly when he took a whiff, instantly identifying it.
“I smelt it awhile ago so I was hoping it was you who had meat!” He said, happily looking inside.
Senjurou laughed a little and then climbed onto the boulder next to him.
Tanjirou gushed over his hair and Senjurou had a nice time as Tanjirou ran his fingers through his hair and stroked his head.
As they ate in relative silence, Tanjirou finally spoke up.
“Senjurou.”
“Hm?”
“Can I court you?”
The meat lodged inside of Senjurou’s throat and he coughed, choking as tears formed in his eyes and he turned to Tanjirou in bewilderment, still coughing like a maniac.
In a panic, Tanjirou began to slap his back and he was finally able to breathe.
“W-W-What?”
“Can... can I court you? I swear, if you want anything, I’ll give it! I’ll handle your dowry if you want that too! Please, please, please, let me court you.”
Senjurou smiled. “I don’t mind, Tanjirou. There’s already my Aniki. He’s the successor so it’s fine if I don’t have children.”
“I can still give you children,” Tanjirou said, grabbing his hands to convey his point. “If not, we can adopt. But since I’m a demon, I can give you children. Of course, labor will be hard and really painful but we can definitely have children!”
In fact, Senjurou didn’t mind if he never had children but if one of them was going to be pregnant, he was going to be dubious.
In a slight panic, he waved his hands to make Tanjirou stop talking about pregnant men.
“Okay, okay. I will still happily marry you but let’s not talk about children anymore.” Senjurou blushed a little. “Can I marry into your family?”
“Of course! Happily! I’ll take care of you!”
“Yes, please take care of me.”
Both of the blushed happily, not looking into each other’s eyes. Senjurou finally glanced at Tanjirou and quickly moved forward to kiss his cheek. Tanjirou froze and then smiled widely with a lovesick grin.
Senjurou giggled before Tanjirou engulfed him up in a hug.
————————————————————
Tanjirou sent another love-dovey letter. With a furious blush, Senjurou looked up his letter box and then hugged it to his chest.
With a squeal, he rolled around in pure bliss and excitement.
With an exhilarated giggle, a goofy smile appeared on his face as he sat up and proceeded to write an even more lovey-dovey letter.
Outside of his door, Kyoujurou and Shinjurou exchanged looks of glee (the former) and concern (the latter).
—————————————————————
Tanjirou was also in his room, smiling like an idiot as he reread the love letters sent back from Senjurou for 4871th time.
His smile was practically radiating and could've replaced the sun right then and there as his face flushed happily.
He seriously and determinedly planned to send another letter that would express his renewed and growing love for Senjurou.
Outside his door, his team stared at him with a mixture of excitement, support and bafflement.
"Did he... fall in love?!"