Work Text:
A cool spring breeze blew through the air, swaying the grass of the Mist Estate’s garden. A bed of white daffodils lay just ahead of the two boys sitting side by side, knees mere inches apart from one another. Muichiro, with a soft, lasting smile on his face, reaches down to grab a new sheet of paper.
“Thank you for inviting me over today, Muichiro. I’ve had a wonderful time and you’ve treated me so well. I’m very grateful.” Tanjiro says, breaking their silence.
Muichiro looks up and is blinded by the sight before him. Tanjiro’s auburn hair swaying in the wind with the sun gently kissing his skin and a gentle smile. In fact, everything about him was gentle and tender, down to his very soul and Muichiro wondered how the physical embodiment of perfection could persist to become a role in his life.
“It’s my pleasure Tanjiro. I’m always at ease in your presence. I’ve found that I enjoy myself the most when I’m with you. It’s been a while since I felt as relaxed as I do right now.”
Muichiro turns his head back down to continue working and hide the blush that starts to bloom on his face before being noticed. He had taken a strong liking to Tanjiro for some time now but had brushed it off as adoration towards Tanjiro's skills as a swordsman, however lately it had become increasingly harder to hide the fact his feelings ran deeper than admiration for a friend.
They both reach down to grab a new sheet of paper when their hands brush for just a second but they both pull back as if putting a hand to an open flame. A long silence ensues but right as Muichiro goes to break it, Tanjiro speaks up first.
“Wow you’ve made so many paper planes already!” Tanjiro beams, eyeing Muichiro’s pile of paper. The other’s eyes followed to see how big the pile had grown without him even realizing it.
“I guess I have a lot of experience. Before I met you I spent a good amount of time alone.”
“You know, I really admire you Mui. You’ve grown so much since the incident at the swordsmith village. I’m glad we can grow to become so close and I hope we can get even closer.”
“I would like that a lot.” Muichiro replied with a tender smile.
Muichiro lowers his head to hide behind his hair and stare at his hands. They feel like they’re burning as he holds his half folded sheet of paper, decorated with floral designs. The burning feeling grows more intense, almost unbearable as he repeats the words over and over in his head.
I hope we can get even closer.
I hope we can get even closer.
Even closer.
A knot began to grow in his stomach as he thought about his feelings toward the other boy. Admiration for his skills? Attraction for his charm and personality? These were true statements but they tied together to paint a bigger picture. Love?
He looked over at Tanjiro’s hands, intricately folding a crane, perfecting every crease. Muichiro wondered how those hands would feel on his own, the contrast between firm callouses and soft milky skin. How would those hands hold him at night, caressing his back and holding him close. How they would keep him safe.
Tanjiro caught his lurking eyes and spoke up. “Mui are you okay? You’ve been so quiet today, there must be something on your mind.”
Muichiro inwardly blushed at the nickname. When he looks up he’s met with those eyes. It’s always those eyes. They shone so brightly like being bathed by the purity of the sun and it’s almost suffocating.
“Tanjiro I really enjoy your company,” Muichiro started speaking as he felt the knot grow bigger and tighter, “I just like you a lot.”
“I like you too, Mui!”
“No Tanjiro, you don’t understand what I’m saying.” He could feel his heartbeat rattling in his ears as his breathing became fast paced. He glanced back down at his hands and could feel the moisture from how clammy they were.
“Then let me understand.”
Tanjiro scoots closer towards the other as a shaky sigh releases itself from Muichiro’s lips.
“I really like you. I couldn’t name a single flaw about you even if my life depended on it. You have such a pure soul it radiates beyond you and resonates with others. You’ve dedicated years of your life to fighting life or death battles for the sake of love. You give me hope for the future and a light to live for. Your kindness outshines the morning sun. I don’t want to be friends, I just want to be yours.”
The sudden torrent of words stunned Tanjiro into silence as Muichiro looked away and curled in on himself to regain composure.
“Muichiro, I-”
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry to put you in this predicament, it was selfish of me.”
He stood up to leave but before he could move, Tanjiro grabbed his arm. Muichiro looked back to gauge his reaction. Tanjiro’s head is titled slightly with a smile curling on his lips. He looks at Muichiro as if he were the only thing in the world to ever matter.
“I do understand. I understand you completely.”
A pause. Muichiro felt that if his heart were to beat any faster it would pop out of his chest. The hammering in his ears was so loud he could hardly focus on anything else around him. Just Tanjiro.
“You do?”
“You mean the world to me Mui. How could I not feel the same way? You always praise my skills but never your own. You’re a hashira! You have no idea how proud I am to be close to you and how grateful I am that we can share intimate moments, moments I’ve never shared with anyone. You glow like the moon, my moon. I know you work so hard to save others, and for that I admire you, but sometimes the savior needs to be saved too. Please let me be the one to save you.”
Tears well in Muichiro’s eyes as Tanjiro pulls him into a cradle and begins to stroke his hair. His touch was just as compassionate and warm as Muichiro had dreamed of for so, so long. The paper has long since been cast aside as they hold each other for what feels like eternity, clinging on to one another as if releasing their clutch would make the other disappear. Tanjiro gently kisses the top of his head.
“I’m yours for as long as you allow me to be.”