botanical garden [ muzan x reader ]

04: red tulip

While you were journeying Japan, Muzan stayed in bed, lifting the sleeve of his kimono and gazing down at his homemade bracelet.

You were growing on him fast.

Such little gestures made the world to him. Who knew a mere bracelet would lead him to take a liking to you?

Well, he had liked you from the beginning, but now it started to become more intense. It was a deep longing for you.

He had made the decision that he would be kinder to you. He would treat you especially different from the rest.

You were an ideal wife and mother. Caring, creative, sensitive, intelligent and nurturing.

If under different circumstances, he would marry you if given the chance.

But he couldn't since he didn't have much time to live. So, instead he would do his best to shield his coldness and brash nature.

When you arrived back from your long travels, your first destination was Muzan's.

You slide the screen open to his room and smiled. "I've brought you souvenirs from my journey."

"Have you now? How were your travels?" He asked.

You had bought him a wind chime, a red Omamori charm, and a painting.

That warm feeling returned again as Muzan looked at each gift.

"You are such a selfless soul." Muzan said, feeling guilty over all the times he had snapped at you accidentally.

He didn't deserve this.

"Thank you, again."

He didn't know if he could repay you. He couldn't do much.

"Of course! Anything for you, Kibutsuji-sama." You said happily.

You could feel his warmth and appreciation, and it made your day. You were finally doing your job correctly. Keeping Muzan happy.

"Just call me Muzan, please. After all this time, I think it's time you get on first name basis with me." He said, a faint blush on his face, which made you smile even more.

"Really? That means so much to me, Kibutsuji-sama!" You said.

You covered your mouth at your mistake and giggled a bit. "I mean, Muzan." You blushed at your own words, hearing his first name slip passed your lips.

"That feels much better. I didn't like the formalities with you." He said.

You noticed Muzan was opening up with you a lot more. You wondered what changed over the week you were gone.

Nonetheless, you were happy he was warming up to you even after all these months of him being your fathers client.

"I didn't mind them. I like to show you respect." You said.

"You show me respect in more ways than one." Muzan replied.

You beamed with joy, and Muzan found out that his favorite sight was to see you smile.

So he intended to make you smile every time he got to see you until the day he died.

"I do my best."

"I can tell."

"This isn't the Muzan I knew before. What has got you in such a good mood?" You asked, resisting the urge to reach out and hold his hands.

"I'm just... glad treatment will begin again." He said.

He let his pride get in the way again. The real reason was because he was grateful you were there and he was glad to see you.

His mission to hide his true self and shower you in kindness was going to be a tough one.

Especially since he has never been kind to anyone. Not even his own mother.

"Well, have no fear! Treatment will resume and you'll be living a long, healthy life." You said confidently.

"So optimistic you are, Y/n." He said.

His voice always had a neutral tone to it, but you could always tell when he was being genuine and when he was not.

"My father is a very renowned doctor. We haven't had one client die on us. Isn't that special?" You boasted.

The day went on with you caring to Muzan's needs, and uplifting him whenever he needed.

You were a ray of sunshine.

The warmth and positivity you radiated was something Muzan and your father cherished.

Your father was a lucky man to have you as his daughter, and Muzan was a lucky man to have you as his caretaker.

At the end of the day, you and your father walked to the local cemetery to where your mother was buried.

It was a tradition since she passed away during labor for him to take you the cemetery, placing down a bouquet of her favorite flowers, red tulips.

Usually, little to no words were spoken during your visits to the graveyard.

Sometimes you had a question he'd answer now and then about your mother, but that was all.

You always wondered what she looked like. The only thing you had to go off of was a painting of her that hung on the wall in your home.

When you arrived home, the maids were cooking dinner for the two of you.

"How was your visit with Kibutsuji-sama?" Your father asked as the maids begun to bring out food to the table.

"Lovely. He's really starting to warm up to me." You said brightly.

"That's good to hear. I told you you were doing just fine at your job. Kibutsuji is just a stubborn man." Your father replied.

You nodded your head and took a bite of rice from your bowl.

"He is. But, I can see that my hard work is paying off." You said.

Your father frowned and said "I wish I could say the same about my work."

You set your chopsticks down and gave your father a sad look. "Don't say that. I know you will save Muzan-sama's life. You've never failed before, so why now?"

Your father smiled slightly at you. You were so positive. What would he do without you?

"You're right, Y/n. I should be more optimistic."

"Just keep trying and everything will be alright! I believe in you, father!" You said as the maid served you the main entree.

"You're just like your mother." He said, smiling happily.