𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖 𝕆𝕗 ℍ𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪 - 𝕋𝕒𝕟𝕛𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕦 𝕩 𝕌𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕤

꧁༒☬𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓻☬༒꧂

It had taken time before Tanjirou wandered from the house; his expression still overwhelmed in grief. Those red eyes made Muzan frown, his heart feeling heavy as he opened his mouth to speak. Yet his voice fell short the moment the other stumbled his way, arms twisting around his stomach. A head pressed into his chest, leaving him startled. He simply wasn't used to the contact, but he couldn't deny the warm feeling. Noticing the slight trembling, Muzan closed his eyes, leading a hand around the other. His hand rose to that maroon hair, trailing through it gently. 

"I'm sorry you're suffering like this, Tanjirou. You didn't deserve this, not for a single moment. But you have to keep moving, just as your mother desired. I made a promise, to keep you safe; so, I assure that I'll keep that. You aren't alone, no matter how much grief sweeps through." The male simply nodded, leaning more into Muzan. It left the black-haired male in silence, yet also brought a short smile to his features. It was the first time he felt genuine concern and in truth, the feelings were warm. Noticing a light snowfall begin, it left Muzan to peer upward. He simply gazed toward the cloudy midnight sky, feeling how new emotions rose to the surface; all because of Tanjirou in the mere hours they had known the other.

"Thank you; for being here for me, Muzan. You didn't have to..." The words made the older male snicker, his hand ruffling Tanjirou's head of hair once more.

"Nonsense. I promised your mother, even if I'm a stranger. It was her dying wish, so there was no way I'd turn it away. So, I hope from now on you'll see me as family. That you'll grow comfortable around me and those I live with. After all, we're headed back to my home." Tanjirou shifted his head, glancing upward. His expression was slightly saddened, yet he also held a warming smile once more. That same smile that reminded Muzan of what the sun would feel like. "Before we head out, why don't we give your family a proper burial? It's the least we can do to let them rest peacefully."

"Thank you, truly. At least I'm not alone..." Muzan smiled, nodding as he stood straighter. He viewed Tanjirou let go, the maroon backing up a bit before those eyes fell back toward the house he'd lived in his entire life. It no doubt hurt, that much even Muzan understood. Yet the other took it well. He kept his smile, even after the disaster. It almost made Muzan envious. Clapping his hands together, he stepped past Tanjirou; letting his voice reach the other. 

"I'll wrap the bodies and bring them out, if you'll begin to dig the graves. I'd like to get this finished before sunrise." 

"Sunrise? Do you not like mornings?" Muzan turned toward Tanjirou, pressing a finger to his lips.

"It's a secret, but know that I don't adore mornings. It's best I avoid them, Tanjirou." The male nodded, finally beginning to move. He marched over to a spot of land, finding the shovel as he began to dig diligently. It left Muzan with a smile as he marched into the house, ignoring the stench of blood. He glanced toward the fabric along the beds where most slept, snagging them as he laid it out on a clean patch of floor. Taking the mother's body, he carefully laid it onto the fabric, rolling it slowly. Once sealed, he felt himself breath out his own words. A genuine joy in his tone. "Such a wonderful child you've left behind; along with such familiar earrings. I do believe you've left me a splendid gift, human."

As hours passed, it reached near three in the morning before they had finished burying the family of Tanjirou. The male had remained kneeled, a short prayer being passed into the silence of the early morning before the male rose to his feet. He finished his words, glancing toward Muzan; who had been rather silent within the past hours. It left Tanjirou a bit worried, leaving him to wander closer to the other.

"I once more would like to thank you, not only for being here; but also, for helping me bury my family. It means a lot to me." Muzan shifted his focus, smiling lightly. He once more laid his hand along that head of maroon hair, ignoring the dirt that was now staining his clothes. Never before had he got himself dirty, but he had to admit, helping Tanjirou left a good feeling that floated freely in him. It was so different from his cold emotions. His merciless attitude. Around Tanjirou, it was hard not to be considerate. That smile always urged him to be nice and he never was able to fight it.

"I'm glad I could help. Not to cut this short, but morning is going to arrive in a few hours. I don't plan to be outside around those hours."

"So, you're more nocturnal?" The words made Muzan nod. He was still avoiding sharing the truth, mostly in the case it startled the other. 

"You could say that. I often wander around in the evening and sleep during the days. It's just how my life runs, with my job and whatnot. Will it be fine with you?" Tanjirou stayed silent for a moment; though not before his warming smile rose to his features. 

"It will be fine. You've taken me in, so I can get used to your schedule. It's the least I can do." Muzan nodded, swiping a bit of dirt from his sleeve. "I was also wondering, are we going to share this disaster with the village I visit?"

"I think it's best we don't. It would only cause panic, not to mention it's rather late. I'd hate to wake those who are no doubt sleeping by now." Tanjirou gave an understanding smile. It left Muzan pondering things within his own mind. He didn't really want to openly admit to what he was, but it was too late into the morning. There was no other way to avoid the sun than to take a shortcut back to his home. It was a risk, but he only hoped Tanjirou would take it well. 

"So, when are we heading out? The sun rises in the next few hours, does it not?" 

"It does. What if I told you I had a trick to get us to my home quickly?" Tanjirou gave a confused expression before he seemed to come up with something.

"Like magic?" Muzan widened his eyes. He'd never thought to hide the truth under the claim of magic. It's not like it was entirely wrong. Demons were far from reality, to most anyway.

"You could call it that. It's a special gift of mine, Tanjirou. But you have to promise me to keep your eyes shut, understood? It's not something one should see, trust me. You also cannot tell a soul, understood?" The maroon nodded, stepping a bit closer. It left Muzan with a smile, his arm holding Tanjirou a bit tightly. "I'll let you know when to open your eyes." 

"Alright. I trust you, Muzan. After everything, how could I not?" Those words partly made Muzan feel guilty, but he swallowed the feeling. Watching Tanjirou close his eyes, he tapped his foot as he heard the slight biwa. He felt the way the ground shifted as doors appeared below and opened up, swallowing the two. Tanjirou could feel how he was falling, leaving him to grab tightly to Muzan in fear. It left the other with a crooked grin, his smile growing as the fall was cut short as he landed smoothly along a platform he knew well. He eased Tanjirou to stand on his own, his own words coming off as a bit of a whisper.

"You may open your eyes, Tanjirou." Doing as he was told, Tanjirou found himself taken back. Where once a snowy mountain sat, he was in a decorated room. The furniture was so detailed and no doubt expensive, leaving him at a loss for words. Yet he still forced himself to say something.

"This is stunning, I must say." The other chuckled, showing his own joy. Even his voice was soft and gentle, a hand once more falling to Tanjirou's head.

"This is your new home. So, I'll be the first to say this; welcome home."

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Wanted to end this on more of a soft and cuter note, so here we are. Starting from here, there will be chapters that are from Nezuko's perspective. Any who, hope you're excited. Tanjirou gets to meet the Uppermoon here soon.

Leave me feedback! It's always appreciated <3   ^_^