⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔

⚜ ~ 9 ~ ⚜

After cleaning up, the travel back was extremely hard for Tanjirou. After Giyuu ingested his blood, Tanjirou insisted the other just walk normally. There were of course numerous reasons for it. Firstly was the amount of thoughts flushing through Tanjirou every second. Not only did his virgin mind linger where he desired it didn't, but his internal voice was in constant argument with his heart. Not only that, the blush had yet to fully simmer. Secondly, Tanjirou himself was still tired. He didn't feel like dragging Giyuu with him, thus weighing him down further. Lucky for Tanjirou, Giyuu didn't have an issue with walking. He enjoyed the sunlight, knowing Tanjirou was the only reason he was able to bask beneath it. Him being in daylight offered many pros. No one suspected him, not to mention Tanjirou found his blood offered more than mere sunscreen properties. It also gave the ability to appear more human. That let him blend in better. The markings never went away, but the horns did.

"Hey Tanjirou, you in there?" Tanjirou was snapped free from his mind as he finally took notice he'd stopped walking. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he sighed before forcing a smile. He couldn't help but take in Giyuu's more human like features. There was no denying the other was indeed attractive. That thought alone brought a question to the surface.

"Do you ever miss being human?" Giyuu was surprised at first, but shrugged it off. Truthfully, he couldn't really remember those times. He'd been a Demon long enough to not care about his past. Even so, he did miss being a Demon Slayer. Of course, Tanjirou changed his view on countless things. Firstly was Giyuu's main thought that Demons were purely evil. Tanjirou had proven that one wrong himself, even befriending him in the end. Secondly was that Demon Slayers could have a good heart and still not take a Demons life. Being a Demon, Giyuu understood both sides. It was all clear to him. Muzan made it seem like they were emotionless, but they once had been human. They had emotions and feelings, they were just suppressed by Muzan's cursed blood.

"I wouldn't say I miss it. It was nice, but in the end it led me to you. I'd not trade this outcome for anything." Tanjirou chuckled, smiling brightly as they carried on down the path. Giyuu felt content each time he saw that smile. It only made him pray he could protect that smile he'd come to cherish.

As the days passed, they had already returned before Tanjirou received his sword. Giyuu was surprised to see it turn black, but he also noted a slight red hue. Ignoring that minor detail he had continued cleaning. It was their final night at Urokodaki's, before Tanjirou would head out for his first mission. The older male was seriously tense, something Giyuu noticed pretty quick. He'd insisted Tanjirou leave and never come back, but there was a lie in those words.

"Urokodaki! Thank you so much for everything. Truly, I'd not be here if not for you." The older male chuckled lightly, his hand pressing gently to Tanjirou's skull. Giyuu fixed the bowls as Urokodaki finished the stew. 

"Giyuu." The demon halted his movements before turning to his old master. His old family, he supposed. "Protect him, understand? I trust you now, so do not betray that. So long as you desire to protect humans, I shall always welcome you both here."

"Urokodaki?" Tanjirou gave a puzzled look before being silenced.

"Tanjirou, you've opened my eyes. You've showed me a truth. I wish you both the best and should trouble arise, please give this letter as well. I will gladly take fall, should my judgement be wrong. But I believe in you both. Tanjirou, I believe in you. That you will bring a better future, make things right." Giyuu couldn't help but smile, seeing those gentle words. He knew Tanjirou had a way with Demon, but he also had a way with people. He truly was a mystery. There was a long pause before Giyuu was pulled back to reality, arms pulling him close. He tensed slightly, but noticed it was a large hug. Urokodaki held on tighter, only breaking it after meeting Giyuu's gaze. "You both are my cherished family. Demon or not. My doors will always be open to you. Now! Soup should be done. Let's celebrate your success, shall we?"

Tanjirou and Giyuu simply nodded. Even though he wasn't going to eat, he remained in the presence of the others. It truly felt like a family dinner, lighting a warmth in his heart. Ever since meeting Tanjirou, Giyuu had noticed a change in himself. It was pleasant. His emotions felt real, no longer masked behind his pain. Tanjirou had eased those past pains, nullifying them and aiding in creating something else. Something simply between him and the Demon Slayer. That one feeling left his heart weightless, a feeling he treasured. 

Dinner had eventually come to a close, Tanjirou heading to lay down. Giyuu had planned to either stay in the others shadow or outside, but was instead greeted by hands dragging him along. He took a long look at Tanjirou, who wore his usual gentle smile. Being seated under the window, Tanjirou laid down before resting his head on Giyuu's legs. The Demon smiled lightly, bringing his fingers to that maroon head. He slowly played with the strands, listening to Tanjirou's soft breathing until the other spoke out.

"You won't ever leave me, right Giyuu-san?" The words were soft, leaving Giyuu to wonder if it was sleep talking or Tanjirou was actually awake. Sighing softly, he tilted his head back to see out the window before he spoke. His own words, whether the other heard or not, were genuine. He pulled the cover further over Tanjirou, basking in the moonlight that the evening offered. Those brilliant and endless stars shimmering, casting a soft glow upon the room itself and all inside.

"Never. I'll stay as long as you need, even if that means forever."

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Another chapter done! From here on, things get more productive. The real story begins! (✿◠‿◠)