Selflessly Selfish

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!!TW!! Thoughts/flashbacks to SA/Miyano, Self-blame, Abuse, Assault, Bullying, Abandonment issues, Suicide

Nezuko's whole body shivered, tightly wrapped up in a red scarf and a pink coat that did nothing to battle the frigid winds of early January. Her brother was pacing just a few feet away from her, his brow creased as he typed on his phone. They were supposed to meet up with the others at the mall today, all planning on getting Genya's birthday present. She couldn't explain it, but she was beginning to become nervous as the boy's birthday approached.

It was like another milestone for the boy. At this time, last year, he still lived with his father and was enduring mindless horrors. But now, he was able to look forward to having a birthday party. He was turning seventeen, no longer the fourteen-year-old boy that Miyano used and abused.

But, also, on the other side of the coin, this time last year his siblings were still here. He didn't have to think about what flowers to bring to their grave or wake up from nightmares about the night they were bludgeoned.

And Nezuko didn't even know if Genya's birthday was a good thing for him, or if it was a touchy subject like a lot of other things. She knew that Senjuro didn't really like celebrating his birthday until he had moved away from his father. Maybe it was the same for Genya.

"Can't we wait inside? I'm freezing to death." Nezuko whined as she tried to shy away from the wind.

"You can if you want. I'm gonna wait out here for the others, Zenitsu and Kaigaku got lost on the way here." Tanjiro didn't even look up, still frowning at his text messages as his little sister left for warmer air. The lobby of the mall was a blessing, hot air blowing her bangs back and chasing the chill away. She looked around, seeing other people milling about.

Kids their age laughed, pushing and teasing as they moved onto the next store. Adults and their children lazily climbed the escalator, balancing boxes and bags as they made their way to the food court. Nezuko wondered if Genya had ever been to a place like this, she found herself thinking that same thought a lot since she met him.

It was crazy how polarized their lives had been. Nezuko could never envision her father putting his hands on any of his children, let alone murdering them. Her family had only ever been loving and understanding, something that Nezuko had been taking for granted. She knew that it seemed annoying, but she was beginning to feel spoiled for having it so good while Genya and Senjuro were both experiencing hell when at home.

Nezuko wished she could see it like Tanjiro did, wished she could take pride in their loving life and offer that fortune to their friends who didn't have it. But, she felt embarrassed for it, especially after having to see the kinds of monsters that haunted Genya's closet. Every night, Nezuko closed her eyes and saw that woman with her bloody hands pushing down Genya's pants as the teen did nothing to fight her away.

All for them.

All for Nezuko.

She had never felt a fear quite as sharp as she had when Miyano had a blade pressed to her throat. Nezuko was just a child, she wanted nothing more than to live. But... she also didn't want Genya to die and if Miyano got her hands on the boy, Nezuko had a feeling that Genya would be lost forever.

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