❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

▫️◽⬜4️⃣3️⃣⬜◽▫️

An entire week had passed before Tanjirou had returned to his normal self. It had taken quite the effort and bless Giyuu for his devote patience. Tanjirou had needed support and Giyuu and willingly offered, even sacrificing a mission to do so. It had been a rather memorable day for the raven.

Giyuu had spent the day lingering around the woods that just sat beyond the manor, simply waiting for something. A mission. A person. Anything to keep his boredom at bay. He'd spent so much time just allowing Tanjirou to cope and offering answers to those that sought them. He knew Tanjirou desired space and even if Giyuu was irked by it, he couldn't refuse. Anything Tanjirou needed, Giyuu would willingly offer. That had been their promise. 

It was partly the reason he'd been rather startled when that head of maroon hair had left the manors confines. How those eyes seemed sad yet laced red from endless tears. It made Giyuu ache more than words could express. However, he kept to silence. He wasn't sure what to say, truthfully. Luckily, he hadn't needed to consider words and the outcomes when Tanjirou had initiated. It was a step from prior days, as Giyuu had noted to himself in that moment. 

"Giyuu-san..." Just his name. That was all Tanjirou said, and it hit Giyuu hard. Made his mind muddled and breath catch in his lungs as he simply observed Tanjirou from the feet between them. Watched those sad eyes crest his frame and latch onto his concerned gaze. A look that made a small glimmer of a sorrowful smile tip along Tanjirou's lips. "I'm sorry... I..." 

Giyuu knew better than anyone that Tanjirou always felt bad about certain things. Anything involving him causing troubles left the maroon seeking acceptance and forgiveness. Yet, it always tasted bitter to Giyuu. With the time behind their backs, Tanjirou never needed to apologize as Giyuu would never hate him. Never ignore him. Tanjirou was his whole world, from the center to the outer meanings. "Enough, Tanjirou. You need not apologize."

A long sigh fell from Giyuu's lips as he parted them once more, spotting Tanjirou's teary gaze. How the other seemed shaken to their very core. "You've done nothing to be forgiven, so fret over it none. Come here." 

It was nothing more than a few mere words, but something Tanjirou took to heart. Let his feet guide as he sauntered closer and in a mere few seconds, fell into Giyuu's hold. Let the ravens' arms wrap around and hold him close. 

"I'm sorry, Giyuu-san... I can't help but be indecisive." Giyuu understood those words well. Tanjirou had been haunted by his thoughts. About a choice that he was trying to overcome. A choice that Giyuu wished to be involved in. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he had hopes. 

"It's alright. We'll get through this, no matter what we must cross to get there." He could feel Tanjirou's head shifting on his chest as he peered below, meeting Tanjirou's gaze with silence. 

"But what if I choose wrong? I know you'll always follow, but what if my choice ruins your future?" Giyuu couldn't help but chuckle lightly, his smile seeming to perch on his lips. It left the raven to lean as his forehead touched Tanjirou's gently. Made the space seem so faint.

"Then I will give up whatever future I have for your sake, Tanjirou. My oath holds that much. Even if you're alone now and separated, I will remain to comfort you. I promise you that, Tanjirou. I'd give the world to you, if able." The slight tremor and teeth chewing into Tanjirou's lip left the raven aware Tanjirou was about to fall into a silent despair again. It left Giyuu simply raising his head upward toward the sky as he felt Tanjirou shake in his hold. Heard the sniffles and felt the tears soak his clothes. 

To Giyuu, Tanjirou's happiness was everything. 

If the world was to be his enemy, he'd offer up hatred to it. 

If Tanjirou was at risk and in way of harm, Giyuu would shield him. 

Giyuu once had nothing. No hopes. No dreams. Nothing beyond his memories that were laced in cruelty. But now, he had something he'd never let go of. No matter the trials that he'd have to overcome, he sought to cherish this chance. To protect someone of importance this time, even if the price be his own life. To him, Tanjirou was worth it all. Was simply his everything, be it the past he'd long since shed from heart. The present that was left sour at times from trials set beforehand. To even the future that was undetermined and seemed weary to trek. 

Tanjirou was his everything down to the very fiber of his heart that was left finally thawed and placed in the hands of someone who'd freed him from his own demons. 

Tanjirou was his hope and he'd be damned to let it fall from his hold and fade. He'd assure it shine forever. 

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰🔆〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Sorry about this. Another short chapter, but this marked the end of the current time before it heads into another time leap. The chapter following this will have them aged up again, as I will post below to notify. Hope you're enjoying this story and it's still a long way from over. <3

Ages Beginning Next Chapter:

Tanjirou: 16

Giyuu: 18

Rengoku: 19

Sabito: 18

Makomo: 17

As a note, things will start to also develop from here in the sense of ships present in this story, though slowly still. Do note, this is (Major)GiyuTan and (Minor)RenTan, so keep that in mind to all who might have forgotten. Anyway, enjoy and I'll catch ya'll in the next update!