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“So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about Muichiro?” Tanjiro asked with a gentle voice as he sat down a cup of tea. Despite the cheerful air, it seemed like his one good eye was boring a hole into Muichiro’s soul, making the former Hashira sweat bullets. Calm down, he told himself, I’ve killed Uppermoon Five all by myself. I’ve faced Uppermoon One and survived. This will be nothing.
Muichiro’s fingers found the lock of Nezuko’s hair he always kept in his pocket to calm his racing mind. Logically, he knew there was hardly anything he could say that could make the older man want to hurt him. They had been friends since before the final battle and peacetime had only strengthened their bond. Tanjiro had been pleased and even encouraged his courtship of Nezuko. It was this reminder that finally allowed him to say what he had called this meeting for.
“I wish to receive your permission to ask for Nezuko’s hand in marriage,” Muichiro blurted out, eager to get it over with as quickly as possible. He let out a sigh of relief when Tanjiro’s expression shifted from one of surprise to a knowing smile. There were no comments about them being too young, about waiting being a wiser choice. He and Nezuko were both eighteen after all and the mark had started a countdown to death for all of the survivors from the moment it appeared. Whatever time the marked had left was precious. Tanjiro understood that more than anyone. They had both been there for Tomioka and Kocho’s wedding three years prior. This, along with Tanjiro’s wedding to Tsuyuri a year ago was proof enough of that.
“Of course, you have my permission! You’ve been courting my sister for a while now, after all. Honestly, I’ve been expecting this. You don’t need my permission as long as this is what she wants too,” he responded earnestly.
“Actually, as the head of the family, I do legally need your permission,” Muichiro commented bluntly, briefly slipping back into the mist that had clouded his mind and personality for years before his cheeks flushed in embarrassment when he processed what he said.
“Really?” Tanjiro asked thoughtfully as he tilted his head. Fortunately, he seemed to find this amusing and he simply laughed before continuing, “Either way, you have my unconditional support.”
His mortification faded away and was replaced by bittersweet joy. A grin appeared that he couldn’t contain. Oh, Yuichiro… Mother… Father… if only you could be here now. “Thank you! I promise I will protect and love Nezuko until my dying breath.”
“We both trust you. I know you will,” the older man gently put his one good arm on Muichiro’s shoulder.
With that, a weight had been lifted. The rest of their time was filled with simpler conversations and exited discussions of the future wedding. It was exhilarating and Muichiro couldn’t keep a smile off his face even as they were saying farewells and left the room, closing the shoji door behind him.
Suddenly, he was embraced from behind. Instinct briefly screamed at him to grab a katana that was no longer there until he caught a whiff of the familiar scent of bamboo and wisteria. She had taken to using the latter as perfume ever since she turned back into a human, after all.
“Nezuko, you scared me!”
“I’m sorry,” she replied, sounding embarrassed and genuinely remorseful, “I just couldn’t stand waiting any longer. What did nii-san say?”
“What do you think he said? He is your brother after all,” Muichiro teased. Her pouting face was more than enough payback and forced a small laugh out of him.
“You’re so childish,” she said with a huff, hypocritically sticking out her tongue before her lips gave a gentle smile.
“He said yes,” Muichiro finally replied, her enthusiasm both adding and calming down his own. A short squeal escaped her as they came together in a kiss.
Strange… they had kissed many times before, but there was something new about this one. They were usually either long and passionate or short, but no less loving, pecks. This was neither, and although passion was still there, a sense of permanence, commitment, and hope outweighed it.
This was their first kiss as an engaged couple.
Eventually, they would kiss as husband and wi-
Someone cleared their throat, and they jumped away from each other in surprise.
Right, this was still Tanjiro and Tsuyuri-san’s house
“Sorry to interrupt. I just made some onigiri and wanted to know if you two would like any,”
Though he supposed he should get used to calling her Kanao since they would be in-laws soon enough.
“Thank you, but I was just about to leave,” Muichiro managed to spit out. All three of them were turning red at this point.
“Yes, that would probably be for the best. Let me see you out.” Nezuko said with nervous agreement as she took his hand.
“Goodbye Tokito-san. Have a safe journey,” Kanao managed to get out before he was fully dragged out of sight
“I don’t know how I’m going to look her in the eye now,” Nezuko squeaked when they got to the front door.
“She understands. I think we’ve caught Tanjiro and her doing worse,” Muichiro replied.
“Still…”
In the twilight and with the faint illumination of the house behind her, Muichiro couldn’t help but stare at his new fiancee. Words could not do her justice. She was ethereal? No, that was too weak. She was a goddess? True, but even that word didn't go far enough to even begin to describe her.
No.
She was everything.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Nezuko asked, pulling him out of his reverie.
“I was just thinking about how beautiful you look right now,” he said honestly.
Her eyes softened with affection before gaining a sultry glaze, “Well you’re looking quite handsome yourself. Moonlight suits you.”
Their lips met again in a quick but electric kiss before they parted far too soon. It replayed in Muichiro’s mind as he trekked down the mountain and made him want to skip. There was no more mist clouding his mind. No demons to slay. He was simply happy, engaged, and far more normal than he ever thought he’d get to be.
In seven years the mark could take him, but for now, he was all hers.