Tanjiro x kanao one shots.

Tankana One-shot: In the Quiet of the Evening

The sound of crickets filled the air as the evening settled in, the sky darkening with the deep hues of twilight. Inside their small home, a soft glow flickered from the hearth, casting warm shadows on the walls. Tanjiro sat at the low table, sipping tea, his eyes following Kanao as she moved around the room, lighting lanterns for the night.

"Kanao, come sit with me," Tanjiro said, patting the space beside him. His voice was gentle, but there was a playful note to it.

Kanao looked over her shoulder, her expression unreadable for a moment, but then her lips curled into a soft smile. She set down the lantern and walked over, her steps as quiet as ever. Sitting down beside him, she leaned slightly against his shoulder, a habit she had developed over the years that always made Tanjiro's heart flutter.

"It was a long day," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his hand, seeking his warmth.

Tanjiro took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "Yeah, but it was a good kind of long. The crops are doing well, and we got a lot done."

Kanao nodded, resting her head against his shoulder, her silky hair falling over his arm. "I never thought our lives would be this peaceful," she whispered, almost as if afraid the moment would break if she spoke too loudly.

Tanjiro turned slightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Me neither," he agreed, his voice tender. "But I'm grateful for it every day."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, their hands still joined. Tanjiro's thumb traced circles over the back of Kanao's hand, a small gesture that always made her feel safe and cherished. It was moments like this, the quiet after years of chaos, that made their bond feel even stronger.

"Kanao," Tanjiro said suddenly, his voice thoughtful. "Do you ever... miss the old days? The Demon Slayer Corps, the missions?"

Kanao was quiet for a moment, her fingers tightening slightly around his. "Sometimes," she admitted. "But not the fighting. I miss the people. Shinobu, Aoi, everyone..."

Tanjiro felt a pang in his chest. He missed them too—the friends they had lost, the family they had fought alongside. But he also knew that those memories were what made this peace so precious. "I think about them a lot," he said softly. "But I think they'd be happy for us. For this."

Kanao lifted her head to look at him, her eyes shining in the dim light. "I think so too," she said quietly. "Shinobu always said I should follow my heart. And my heart led me here... to you."

Tanjiro felt his face heat up, a familiar blush rising to his cheeks. Even after all these years, Kanao's words could still catch him off guard. "You're my heart too, Kanao," he said earnestly, his eyes meeting hers. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kanao's expression softened, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "You don't have to think about that," she whispered, leaning closer. "I'm not going anywhere."

Tanjiro smiled, his heart swelling with love for her. He leaned in, closing the small distance between them, and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. It was slow and sweet, a kiss that spoke of all the quiet moments they had shared and all the love that had grown between them.

When they pulled back, Kanao rested her forehead against his, her breath mingling with his. "Tanjiro," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.

"Yeah?" Tanjiro's voice was equally soft, his hands gently cupping her face.

"I love you," she said, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.

Tanjiro's heart skipped a beat, the simple words filling him with so much emotion he felt like he could burst. "I love you too, Kanao," he replied, his voice thick with emotion. "So much."

Kanao smiled, a small but genuine smile, and leaned into his touch. "I'm glad we're here," she said softly. "I'm glad we're together."

Tanjiro's thumb brushed over her cheek, his gaze tender. "Me too. I couldn't imagine a life without you by my side."

They sat there for a while longer, just holding each other, the world outside their small home fading away. The sound of the crickets, the warmth of the hearth, and the closeness of their bodies created a sense of serenity that neither of them ever wanted to end.

Eventually, Tanjiro pulled her a little closer, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. "Let's stay like this a little longer," he whispered.

Kanao nodded, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Forever," she whispered back, her eyes closing in contentment.

Tanjiro smiled, pressing another kiss to the top of her head. "Forever."