Taste of Eternity - 🖤Muzan✖Tanjirou🖤

⚜ Chapter Three ⚜

The evenings glow was soothing as Tanjirou followed in silence, his feet dragging behind. Nezuko had sought to walk on her own, leaving the box empty and weightless on his shoulders. His maroon colored hair moved with each step, whisking before his gaze momentarily. Those sightless eyes watched the moon at it's fullest. How he wished he could be similar to the moon. So bright and constant. But his heart was leaking darkness that caught him off-guard. It tainted his smile and made each day feel dimmer. His own mind was broken with too many thoughts, those icy cold and sweet words that were etched into every fiber of his being. The words Muzan had spoke to him that day, leaving his heart and mind disconnected. What he truly believed, what he wanted most, he couldn't accurately pin point that. All that was obvious to him was seeking answers.

As the night grew on them, the four bodies reached the clearing before taking a break within the village walls. The streets were nearly empty, minus the few scurrying to their homes to sleep the night peacefully. Inosuke and Zenitsu had remained near Nezuko, who was basking in the attention. Each second Tanjirou glimpsed her joy, it left him only receding further. What if they had truly seen her as a threat? That thought was the bane of his heart, bringing it crashing. All the false smiles weighed on him and made his emotions mix. Was he sad? Was he happy? He couldn't tell. What was best for her? For his sister, so that survival was available? Would everyone turn on them just as Muzan had claimed? It all brought too many questions, forcing his heart to tremble at the mere thought of losing his sister. She was his life. Losing her would mean life held no value. The heavy guilt he bore from the death of the rest of his family was already overbearing and he'd not share it with anyone. It was his to bare alone. But if Nezuko was gone, what would life hold? What would be the value anymore?

Lost in his own thoughts, he only snapped to reality when something wet and warm trailed his face. Zenitsu sensed something change, but Tanjirou quickly hid it, giving his fake smile before steadying his voice. He wouldn't show weakness. He was their support, that was something only he could do. But how long would he be their support? Life was unforgiving after all. Someday he'd lose someone else, or even lose his own life. What then? 

"Tanji-"

"I'm going for a short walk, okay? I'll be back shortly, I promise. Nezuko, please stay with them and don't fight me on this... I just need a moment alone..." His sister lowered her head, his smile falling completely. Closing his eyes, he let his legs wander off, not bothering to look back. He couldn't. He'd made her sad. It was painful... Too painful. But this might have been his karma. If only he'd been there the day his family was murdered. If only he'd died that day or taken Nezuko's place... Maybe she'd have been far stronger...

The group stayed silent, only watching the empty spot Tanjirou once stood. No one truly knew what to say. Their friend was hurting, that much was apparent, but they couldn't gather what was wrong without Tanjirou speaking out. But they knew him well. It was out of the question. They all knew how he was, always burdening himself. They knew all along, but never lifted a finger to it. They just let him carry everything on his shoulders.

Tanjirou had wandered from the village territory, slipping along the path as he watched the stars. How they shown so bright. Reaching his hand upward, he stopped as his gaze fell on the one individual he hoped not to see. His tears were drying to his face, but still shimmered slightly. The biggest shock wasn't the mockery he expected, it was the genuine concern from the one person who seemed the most heartless. Those pale fingers quickly reached out, wiping at them as Tanjirou widened his eyes at the sudden closeness. Snapping himself from the slight trance, he backed up before frowning, swatting the others hand away.

"Leave me alone..."

"What's wrong, Tanjirou?" Hearing his own name leave the mouth of Muzan gave a bitter taste. Grinding his teeth, his gaze narrowed before his fingers latched to the hilt of the sword, his tone rising. He was not one of anger, but his emotions were everywhere. It was nearly impossible to simmer, to settle his heart.

"REALLY? YOU, YOU'RE WHAT'S WRONG!" His heart took one more dive as Muzan stepped back, his disbelief apparent. For someone known to be arrogant, the look was something else. It truly showed his hurt at those words. "I'm so-sorry..."

There was a long silence as Tanjirou felt himself fall to the ground below, his face slightly red as more warm tears fell almost endlessly. For Muzan, he was left baffled as to what to do. He wasn't one for human emotions, but lately something had changed. Biting his lip, he knelt slowly to the ground. He saw the dead look, his brows furrowing as he did the one thing he could think of. Arms pulled Tanjirou close, a hand pressing to the others head as fingers ran through those maroon locks. The Demon slayer's breath hitched, his emotions finally coming crashing down. Each tear ran into Muzan's attire, but the Demon king couldn't find the heart to care. He felt a sense of warmth being so close to another, a truly foreign feeling to him. 

Minutes had passed by before Tanjirou regained composure, his eyes red and narrowed. His fingers clung to Muzan's outfit, forehead leaning against the other. Finally releasing his hold, Muzan stood up before offering a hand. There was hesitation from Tanjirou, though not much. Being pulled to his feet, his gaze fell on Muzan, glancing him over.

"I didn't take you for the compassionate type..." The older male tilted his head shrugging, cringing at the scratchy tone of Tanjirou's voice.

"Maybe my compassion is only seen by you."

"Muzan... Why do you keep meeting me and not killing me? Isn't that what you were after? You know better than anyone I won't betray my comrades..." He rose a hand, silencing Tanjirou as his smile formed slightly. The sight was indeed breathtaking to Tanjirou in that moment, a genuine one that warmed his broken heart.

"Truthfully, my intentions were bad. I hated you for the connection to that filth, but you aren't him. You are genuinely kind, even to Demons. My thought after killing you was to sway you, but seeing the effects today made me realize that you being sad brought a whole darker night. Those tears felt like acid on my skin and tore at my nerves. Personally, only you've made me feel so vulnerable..." Tanjirou remained silent, his eyes softening as he felt a slight smile pull at his lips. "You don't have to believe me though... Most wouldn't..."

"I trust your words. I can smell the kindness behind them, though I wish you'd shown the kindness more to others. They wouldn't have such a bad view on you." 

"That makes me wonder, what was your view on me?" The Demon slayer chuckled lightly, his gaze rising as he thought it over. 

"Well, at first some arrogant ass. But the other day I saw a whole new you, including today. You seemed lonely to me, not dangerous. You were a cornered and lonely individual, someone I thought needed help. Wasn't sure how I could help, but I mean, seems I did it." Muzan raised an eyebrow, his head shifting slightly with a teasing tone laced into his voice.

"How so?" Tanjirou smirked, raising a finger before pressing it to Muzan's cheek.

"Cause you're smiling, genuinely." 

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Hope you've enjoyed the chapter and leave me your thoughts! More MuzanXTanjirou moments inbound.