✓Day Of The Dead (MuiTan - TanMui)✓

Chapter Nineteen - Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Tanjiro's pov

"Do you want me to carry you?" I asked, helping Muichiro get back to bed. He shook his head "N-No.. I am fine, I'll m-make it there" he said but it was clear his legs were about to give up on him.

"Come on, let me help you, you are clearly struggling" I said and Muichiro sighed in defeat, nodding and letting me carry him. I picked him up bridal style and carried him towards the room where he rested.

I laid him down on a bed and covered him with a blanket, patting his head "how are you feeling?" I asked and he shook his head "weak.. and very tired.."

"Alright, get some more rest now, I'll stay here with you as long as you need me to, okay?" I said and he forced a small smile "mhm.. thank you"

"No problem… there is.. one more thing I want to ask you.." I said and Muichiro laid his head on his pillow "what is it..?" He said before yawning.

"You said you.. love me.. is that true?" I asked and Muichiro's eyes slightly widened. He looked down and sighed "w-well.. y-yes.." he looked away, his cheeks turning red a little.

"Ohh.." I said, being speechless "come on come on, say something.. say that you like him too!" I thought and looked over at Muichiro who was looking at me with tired but hopeful eyes "do you.. f-feel the same way a-about me..?" He asked and I slightly nodded, smiling a little at him.

He smiled back and I leaned down to kiss him, he almost leaned into it as well but then it was suddenly like something snapped in him and he covered my mouth with his shaky hand.

"I-I can't.." he said quietly. I was confused "why? Is it because of the past few days? I am r-" I said in panic, thinking he didn't fully forgive me. "I-It's not that.. I-It's just.. I-I don't want to date anyone t-this early after.. Genya's death.. I-I might have feelings f-for you b-but.. I was mainly ignoring you b-because of them.. I-I just didn't get over Genya's death y-yet.. I-I still miss him.. so much.." he said, tears filling his eyes.

I nodded and pulled him into a hug "shh, it's okay, I get it.. I understand.. we can take it slowly, we don't need to kiss or anything like that, let's just act like we used to and slowly work on it.. we'll give it as much time as you need to" I pulled away from the hug a bit and wiped his tears.

"Th-Thank you.. I-I just feel like if I got into a real relationship n-now it would.. feel l-like I.. betrayed Genya.." he said and I nodded once again "I get that, it's okay, we don't need to rush but.. don't you think Genya would want you to be happy?"

"Huh..W-What do you mean?" He asked and I replied with "Genya wouldn't want you to be sad all the time, right? Even if he's not here I am sure he would want you to move on, to talk to new people and get into a new relationship.. I am not saying this because I want to force you into a relationship with me but I am saying this because you can't live in this fear forever.. you need to move on"

Muichiro slightly nodded and looked down "I know… i-it's just hard.." he mumbled and I nodded understandingly "I understand, just remember.. Genya would want you to be happy and move on for sure" I patted his head and smiled "he wouldn't want you to be sad all the time and be stuck in the same spot for years, no?"

"You're right.. but I still need some time.." he said and snuggled more into his blanket, yawning again "I'll g-get some rest now.."