When Snow Falls | Tanjiro x Kanao | {Completed}

Chapter 13 - What Should I Make of This?

It was a cold night, but being next to Tanjiro made it warm and comfortable. Nothing could be more nostalgic than the way he got off the motorcycle and held out his hand for her, as though she were a princess. That habit of his had always been her favourite.

Walking up the stone pathway to her home, Kanao slipped her hand into his metallic one. She could feel him tense momentarily, but he relaxed into the grip and even squeezed her hand. For some reason, Kanao actually liked the feeling of it in her own hand. Although she couldn't really explain it, there was something cool about feeling the hard bronze. Like she was embracing the hand of bravery. Of course, she'd never admit it to Tanjiro, not when she knew how self-conscious about it. 

They'd reached the dark green door. Reluctantly, Kanao let go of Tanjiro's hand, but didn't go inside. She didn't want to turn her back on this night just yet. Standing back and tucking his hands neatly behind his back, Tanjiro smiled at her. The dimple appeared again. Good gods above, Kanao didn't think she'd ever tire of that smile. 

"I had a wonderful time tonight," he said. 

The formal tone in his voice made Kanao laugh. He was so upright these days, it was so different yet so funny. Tanjiro, on his part, appeared to be unable to understand what was so humorous. Inclining his head to one side, he raised an eyebrow and gave a hesitant smile. 

"What?" he asked, bewildered. 

Stepping forward, Kanao hooked her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shoulder, still grinning. A fresh sea breeze smell met her. She'd done it already that night, yet the gesture startled Tanjiro yet again. It seemed he still wasn't used to physical affection. 

"Just...you. Tan, you don't need to be so formal with me," she said, looking up at him. 

Confusion did not leave his expression. 

"Was I being formal?" 

Sighing, Kanao put her head back on his shoulder and shook her head. 

"Don't worry about it. Just be you." 

Silence. In the silence, arms went around her and held her close. Although it was a fairly simple hug, it melted Kanao's heart. 

"Are you sure?" he asked, so quietly she almost didn't hear it. 

That made her look up again, frowning this time. She met his concerned eyes squarely, to show him her next words were sincere. 

"Yes, Tanjiro. Always be yourself. I love you for you," Kanao said. The wind around them picked up, and she heard the soft breeze blowing into them. 

Tanjiro's smile came back again. His next question was said almost tentatively. 

"You love me?" 

Heat rose to Kanao's face. She spluttered slightly, only just realising the extent of what she'd just blurted out. Oh gosh, had she really said that? Was it too fast? Maybe she was being too emotionally overbearing. That seemed just like her. Unable to pick up on social queues. Looking away at the hanging baskets over the porch spewing white flowers, she swallowed. 

'I'm so sorry, Tanjiro. I didn't mean to say that. If you're uncomfortable, please tell me-" she started, but was cut off by him taking her hand and raising it to his lips. The small smile on his lips made her stomach flutter like startled birds taking flight. Just a simple kiss on the hand was enough to reduce her to a mess. 

Kanao thought he'd stop there. But he didn't. His lips went to the tips of her fingers, then her palm, then her knuckles, then the side, then her wrist. If she felt hot in the face before, the heat was unbearable now. Yet Kanao couldn't take her hand away. When he drew her back in for a hug, she was so shocked all she could do was stand there. Tanjiro's low voice in her ear was probably what made her heart rate double. 

"I love you too, Sunflower." 

Her breath hitched. 

"You...do?"

"Of course I do. You mean everything to me." 

Biting her lip, Kanao smiled to herself. The emotion filling her whole soul could only be described as giddiness. 

"What if I told you that you meant more to me?" she asked, raising her eyes. 

Tanjiro's smile was incredulous. 

"Impossible, my love."

Kanao wasn't sure why she did it. If anything constituted as going too far, this was it. But nevertheless, she found herself pushing herself onto her tiptoes and grabbing his lapels. The kiss she initiated sent her spiralling into memories of kissing this man behind his family bakery, under the wisteria trees and in the cattle fields at his family home. Even on her front doorstep, it felt just as amazing as every other time. The way he wrapped one arm around her waist and raised the other hand to her cheek made her sigh. He even dipped her back slightly like he used to. 

Perhaps not much about Tanjiro Kamado had changed after all. Or maybe he'd just changed in all the right ways. 

When he drew back, the two simply stared at each other, grinning and trying to catch their breath. Tanjiro rested his forehead against hers. 

"You haven't changed a bit." 

Kanao smiled, and they went in for another kiss, but the door behind them crashed open with a thud. Startled, the two jumped apart and whirled around, faces on fire. 

Kanae stood in the door, hands on her hips and a chocolate bar in her hand. The fluffy bunny slippers on her feet bore testament to fact she was most likely relaxing inside before ruining Kanao and Tanjiro's moment. As her gaze went over the guilty and abashed expression of the two, she narrowed her eyes and grinned. It reminded Kanao of a fox. 

"Oh ho. Was I interrupting something?" she asked. The glare she sent Tanjiro did not go unnoticed by Kanao. Putting her hands up, she leaned against the doorway. "Please, go on. Pretend I'm not here." 

In that moment, Kanao desperately wished she could strangle her older sister. Why did her family always have to have the worst timing in the world?

"Kanae..." Kanao groaned softly. 

Kanae sniggered, taking a casual bit of her chocolate bar. 

"So sorry. I was reading a book and couldn't help noticing a much more interesting scene going on outside," she said, gesturing to the window that was open and looking directly into the living room. 

Gods above. After glancing at Tanjiro and his mortified face, Kanao half wished there was a gun nearby she could shoot herself with. Or maybe one she could shoot Kanae with. Quickly, she turned to him and smiled. 

"I had a great time. I'll see you later, Tan. Thank you so much for the lovely evening," Kanao said. 

"Lovely indeed," Kanae chimed in. "A little steamy, actually."

...steamy? 

Trying not to break into a rage, Kanao maintained her forced smile. Shaking himself from his daze, Tanjiro took the hint and said a quick goodbye before practically running back to his motorcycle. As soon as he was gone, Kanao rounded on Kanae. Usually, she could retain her calm and collected self. But not tonight. 

"KANAE I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU!" she shrieked, running for her sister. Kanae let out a maniacal laugh and sprinted into the house with Kanao in hot pursuit.