✓Day Of The Dead (MuiTan - TanMui)✓

Chapter Eighteen - Truth Always Comes Out

TW - death

Tanjiro's pov

I sat by Muichiro's bed, slowly caressing his hand, seeing how badly bruised his knuckles were. I felt absolutely horrible for letting this go so far.. I should have been with him right after the night we had the big fight.. but no.. I was fully blinded and stupid.

Suddenly Muichiro began to wake up. "Shinobu! He's waking up!" I yelled out and Shinobu quickly rushed over to me and Muichiro.

Muichiro opened his eyes and met mine "Mui! How are you feeling?! Is e-" I wanted to say but Shinobu interrupted me "shut up, he just woke up, you need to be slow with him" she said and looked at Muichiro "hey Muichiro, can you hear me?"

Muichiro weekly nodded, his eyes opened very little, if it was clear he was struggling to keep them open. "Okay, that's good, are you able to describe how you are feeling right now?"

Muichiro shook his head slightly. It was clear he was too weak to even speak now. "Alright, that's okay, just nod or shake your head when I ask you something, okay? Can you do that for me?" Shinobu asked and Muichiro gave her a tiny nod.

Shinobu then asked him a couple questions about how he's feeling and he continued to respond with small nods and with shaking his head a bit.

I couldn't help but look at him... he looked terrible.. so pale and clearly exhausted.. and it's all my fault..

"Alright, I'll get you some water, Nezuko said you barely drank anything and you need to stay hydrated to get better, after that you need to get some rest" Shinobu said and Muichiro tried to sit up but fell back down almost immediately.

"Woah woah, don't sit up yet, it's okay, Tanjiro will help you drink it" she said and walked out of the room to get a cup of water.

I sat there quietly, not knowing what to say to Muichiro, I felt like there were no words that could repair what I have caused.

I could see Muichiro trying to move his hand closer to me, he tried to reach mine but couldn't, and started to cry, still trying to reach my hand.

I immediately moved closer to help his hand in mine, slowly caressing the back of his hand with my thumb "it's okay.. no need to cry.. I am here now.. and I won't leave you again.."

Muichiro's eyes filled with more tears as he lifted his arms up weakly, asking for a hug. I happily wrapped my arms around him, being so happy that after all that, he still wanted me to hug him.. I couldn't be happier at this moment.

"I-I am.. so-sorry.." he said weakly between sobs. "Shh.. don't apologize.. it's not your fault.." I said and hugged him tighter "it's my fault.. I pushed you away when you needed me the most.. I didn't believe you with anything and yet when I managed to talk with you.. I didn't even try that much.." I slightly pulled away "but now I promise I'll be better.. I'll be with you.. I'll help you.."

Muichiro looked at me with tear-filled eyes and nodded slightly. I wanted to ask about how he said he loves me, it was circling my mind since the time he first said it.. but I didn't know if now was the right time to ask him.

"Here, help him drink it" I suddenly heard, seeing Shinobu standing next to me with a cup of cold water. I nodded and took the cup. I sat down next to Muichiro's head and lifted it up, helping him drink the water slowly.