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Tanjiro had noticed that his mentor, Tokito-kun, had been acting strange lately. He was usually calm and collected, and yeah, a bit cold; but there were moments, like when looking at the sunset, in which one could see him show his softer and warmer side.
But now it was different. He acted even colder— all the time, almost being rude with his heartless, mean responses and blank stare. Tanjiro knew something was off. And he could not just sit there and watch as his lovely mentor turned to a stone cold mere character.
Today, the hashiras would have a Christmas dinner. Everyone was having fun, chatting and drinking, some even dancing. But Tokito was sitting alone at a corner playing with his glass — which only contained juice, to be clear. Was that something usual? Yeah, kind of. But not when Tanjiro was present. No, no and no. He would normally smile wide and tease him, have some fun together; not sit alone at a corner.
Tanjiro asked himself if he should go talk to him or give him his space. Maybe he simply was feeling down lately and needed to think things through, “mind his own damn business” like Sanemi-san would say… But what if in reality he needed company? What if he felt alone with his own battles? And if otherwise, why did he look so glum?
It was enough. Tanjiro left his glass on the table with a tiny thud and got off the floor, decided to discover what was it that had his sweet Muichirō feeling so upset.
His eyes widened and he took a hand up to cover his mouth when he realized what he was thinking.
His… Sweet Muichirō…
“AHHHHHHH” Zenitsu ran right next to him, running away from Inosuke. “Could you not do that?!” He demanded, yet staying far away from the wild-boar-headed boy. “It gives me the ick…!”
Inosuke laughed mischievously, “Haha! The weaker kind obviously fears a little bug. You don’t know what you’re missing!” They both ran around Tanjiro, somehow not making him fall to the ground. “In the mountains, these were my dessert! Pure protein. Here, take a bite and see how good they are!”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO” Zenitsu did all kinds of weird gymnastics just so Inosuke wouldn’t catch him and make him eat a bug. Tanjiro stood there still in astonishment. His sweet Muichirō.
“Oe, you brats!” Sanemi called them out. “Don’t run inside!”
“Aww, Sanemi-san sounds like an older brother now”
“Shut up, Kanroji!” He couldn’t even finish his sentence properly when Obanai held his neck from behind, somehow immobilizing him. “Huh?!”
“She must not”
“WAAAA, SOMEONE HELP ME!” Zenitsu insisted. Nezuko was awake by the time, and she tilted her head looking at the scene. She got up and quietly walked towards them, gesturing to Inosuke to leave Zenitsu alone.
Tanjiro finally snapped out of his trance and looked in all directions. “Tokito-kun?”
“Yah, yah, come on, don’t fight!” Shinobu approached both Sanemi and Obanai, standing in the middle of the two. However her height wasn’t helping her. “It’s Christmas! It’s time to unite!”
“I’m gonna unite my fist with his fucking face” Sanemi growled. Obanai glared at him and Kaburamaru hissed.
“Yahhh, Tanjiro-kun!” Shinobu shouted at him. Tanjiro looked in her direction. “A little tiny help with these two gentlemen here?”
“Huh?” Tanjiro felt conflicted. He shoot a glance to Tokito on the other side of the house, still bored and playing with his glass. “I…” he sighed in resignation. “I’m going, Shinobu-san”
Tanjiro walked towards them and somehow gaslighted them well enough so that they wouldn’t throw hands. Once he finished blabbering, he headed to where Tokito was… But was interrupted once again. This time it was Tengen-san.
“Where ya going, kid?” He teased, bending forward so he was at Tanjiro’s height. “You haven’t even finished your drink. This is the moment to have fun!” He wrapped a hand around Tanjiro’s shoulder and lead him back to where he was sitting before.
“Wait, wait, Tengen-san!” He protested, but ended up being carried away with him anyway.
“No complaints” Tengen gave him a playful little punch in the arm. “Drink your apple juice like a champion would”
Tanjiro sighed. He took the glass and drank until the last drop of juice. “All set” he said, running away before Tengen would catch him again.
This time he stumbled on Mitsuri. She almost fall to the ground, so he took her hands to stabilize her. “Mitsuri-san! Are you okay?!”
Mitsuri opened her eyes wide when she felt how gravity almost wins over her. “Wahhhh!” She freaked out. When Tanjiro held her hands, she gasped.
“Was it… Was it you, Tanjiro-kun?” She covered her mouth, looking terrified.
“M-Me? What about me?” He was beyond confused.
“Was it you that left a secret love letter for me on the Christmas tree?!” She freaked out once again.
“What?!”
“Oh, Tanjiro-kun!” She hugged him tightly. “Don’t you know I’m too old for you? You’re a child to me!” She cried. “Poor little boy, I’m so sorry I can’t return your feelings!”
“M-Mitsuri-san! I can’t breathe!” He struggled to get some air, so Mitsuri finally let him go.
“I hope you find love in someone your age” she pinched his cheek, and her words made him blush.
“Y-yeah, thank you… But it wasn’t me who left—”
“Tanjiro-kun” Gyomei spoke. Tanjiro turned to the direction where his voice came from. “Love can be a distraction from our purposes. Be wise, and don’t get involved into romantic affairs until you’re fulfilled”
Tanjiro chuckled nervously. “I…” he scratched his neck. “I’ll try, Gyomei-san”
“WAHHHHHHHH” suddenly, Zenitsu screamed again. Obanai and Sanemi were fronting each other, Shinobu was trying to stop them, and Mitsuri was looking for the person who left the letter for her, while Gyomei prayed. Tanjiro somehow sneaked his way out of all those scenarios and reached to the place where Tokito was — but he didn’t find him.
“Tokito-kun?” He looked in all directions. Far away, crossing the door of the place, he saw how swashing turquoise hair disappeared. “Tokito-kun!”
Tanjiro ran quickly out of the place and reached Tokito, holding his sleeve to stop him. Tokito slapped his hand away.
“Let go of me”
“Tokito-kun…”
“I have no time for you”
“Muichirō-kun, please, listen—“
“I said leave me alone!” He shouted. Tanjiro looked right into his eyes and saw how hurt he was. He felt his heart sink. Tokito turned around to keep walking, but Tanjiro made him stop as he spoke:
“What’s happening?” He asked, painfully begging for a response. “What’s wrong? You’ve been so distant lately, I…” he gulped. “I can’t take it anymore! Please, Muichirō-kun”
Tokito stood there in silence, still not facing him. “Nothing” he murmured. He tried to hide it, but his voice betrayed something deep. “Go back with the rest. I need a walk”
“I won’t”
“Tanjiro”
“I won’t. I need to know what’s bothering you so much”
Tokito sighed. “It’s you”
“W-What?”
“It’s you!” He finally turned around and got close to him. “It’s you who’s bothering me! You being nice and friendly to everyone, but never realizing how much I yearn for something deeper than that!”
Tanjiro was lost. “Does… Me being nice to others bother you?”
“No, you fool. It’s the way I’m just someone else in your life” he scoffed. “You treat everyone as if they were special, so in the end no one is. And that boils my blood to the core”
“Why?”
“Because I like you. I’ve liked you for so long”
Tanjiro froze in place. Tokito huffed, looking at him with disgust and resentment.
“That’s was I thought” Tokito turned around again and started walking towards the forest.
Tanjiro went after him, calling his name over and over with no response.
“I think I like you too!” He finally screamed. Tokito stopped in his tracks and turned around again, looking at him with furrowed brows.
“Don’t play with me like that”
“I’m not playing” Tanjiro took the chance and walked closer to him, facing him. Both their breaths were heavy. “I… I love you, Tokito-kun” this left Muichirō speechless.
“But… You never told me anything”
“I didn’t know how!” He whined. “I have never liked someone before. I thought I just appreciated you more deeply than others” he sighed. “I’m sorry, Muichirō-kun”
Tokito blushed. He couldn’t believe his ears. Tanjiro liked him back. He couldn’t process it.
Tanjiro took one of his hands into both of his own. “Please, accept my heart. Let me be by your side”
Tokito stared at him in disbelief for a couple of minutes. Suddenly, his eyes were filled with tears and he jumped into Tanjiro’s arms, hugging him tight.
“You’re such an idiot” he said. Tanjiro returned the hug, and they stayed together for a long time before coming back to the house.
“Hey, where were you two?” Sanemi asked, demanding. Just like a mad parent.
“Uhm…” Tanjiro didn’t know what to say.
“Busy” Tokito said simply.
Sanemi was about to ask more questions but out of nowhere, Mitsuri screeched.
“Look!” She pointed at the ceiling. They were under the doormat, standing right above the mistletoe.
Everyone gasped.
“Ara ara” Shinobu approached them. “Seems like destiny has brought you here. How about you please it in return?” She used her hands to motion a kiss. Tomioka took her by her shoulders and pulled her away, preventing her from making the boys uncomfortable.
“I-I…” Tanjiro could barely speak. He turned to his side, where Tokito was. He blushed. “I-I think it would be a bit rushed!” He motioned things with his hands. “Yeah, I wouldn’t like to make him uncomfor—“ he couldn’t finish speaking, because Tokito kissed his cheek. He froze in place at first, but then held both of Muichirō’s cheeks and pressed their lips together.
Mitsuri screamed in excitement. Obanai opened his eyes wide, for he didn’t expect it. Sanemi was against the idea of them being together, but blushed anyway. Shinobu had a little soft smile on her lips. Gyomei just nodded, happy for them.
“Wait” Tomioka interrupted, “They’re mentor and student. As much as it hurts, they’re not supposed to—“
“Ya, ya” Shinobu pushed him, although he barely moved an inch. “Giyuu-san, let the kids have some fun!”
“But…”
“I don’t see the problem” their leader showed up with a sincere little smile. All of them bowed.
“Master…”
“So, Tanjiro” he spoke quietly. “You like Tokito-kun”
Tanjiro’s breath hitched, and he gulped. “Y-Yes sir!”
“That’s perfectly normal. A young man like you, besides, has the right to enjoy a youthful love story” he approached Tanjiro and carefully raised a hand to lightly ruffle his hair. “If he returns your feelings, then you shall be together”
“But Master…!” Sanemi spoke, in disbelief. Mitsuri made something fall from the ceiling and it casually landed on his head. “Ow! Who was it?! Show up!”
“Everyone has the right to love!” The pink-haired woman cooed.
“What she said” Obanai agreed, taking one of Mitsuri’s hands and intertwining fingers with her. She gasped. Then she smiled sincerely at him.
Shinobu rested her head on Giyuu’s shoulder, making him freeze and blush as red as an apple.
Inosuke was confused since he wasn’t paying attention, and Zenitsu took the chance and started screaming insisting to Nezuko that he and she had stood under the mistletoe as well. Nezuko hummed in denial.
The boss laughed, utterly happy to spend probably his last Christmas with his children.
And they lived happily ever after.