Break Free || Muzan x Tanjiro

15 • υηεxρεcтε∂ εηcσυηтεя

Words can't express the misery Muzan felt that night. Everything was getting better; all it took was for Tanjiro to be beside him and his worries just fade away in an instant. The feeling of being accepted felt foreign to him. Tanjiro proved that, demon king or not, every creature deserves a second chance. Muzan knew that he was blessed enough to have such a kind soulmate...

but that didn't mean his curse stopped doing its part.

One moment, he thought everything is going to be okay, and the next felt the weight of the world crushing him yet again.

He finds out two of his Upper Moons had just died.

The feeling wasn't quite new to him however. He felt it many times once when he eliminated all the Lower Moons but two under... Akio's command.

It enraged him when he found out that he was the one who killed Rui... not the Water Pillar.

It's 'cause you got too attached to him. What did I tell you about keeping your 'emotions' in check? His voice laced with venom when he spat the word 'emotions'.

He knew he shouldn't have let himself go soft. Because of him and his selfish desires to feel safe again, he killed Douma and Daki. He shouldn't have tried to go against the measly voice in his head... shouldn't have taken his Upper Moons for granted.

With dried tear stains on his cheeks, his eyes glowed-full of rage and despair.

"Muzan?" A sweet, gentle voice brought him back to reality, and he found himself leaning against the wall for support, facing away from Tanjiro.

He felt nauseous.

With ragged breaths, he looked over his shoulder to see Tanjiro, just as distressed as he is. It made him want to die so bad.

What's the point of living? His very existence is the reason for so many deaths. And thinking back to it, he is sure to put Tanjiro in grave danger...

Then you have to obey me from now on.

Of course... he already made up his mind to do so.

He felt a hand hold his, and he immediately brought Tanjiro in an embrace.

It caught the demon slayer off guard, but then he smelled Muzan's scent. He needed this at least. The smell of sadness was so strong... Tanjiro thought he could smell it from miles away.

Oh, but wasn't he just fine earlier?

It didn't matter at that point. Tanjiro returned the gesture without question.

After a while, they let go of each other. This time, it was Muzan who hung his head low to avoid Tanjiro's gaze.

"Come with me..." He said in barely a whisper.

Tanjiro only nodded in reply before being dragged away with his soulmate. Neither said a word, but they both knew something bad had happened.

They walked for a long time, but Tanjiro didn't complain. He let Muzan lead him to wherever. For some reason, he felt like he didn't want to know what he'll see in their destination...

They came to a halt, so Tanjiro looked up to Muzan to question him. But the answer was laid out in front of him...

《 м υ z α η 》

Tanjiro fell to his knees beside me, his expression the same as mine from earlier.

I couldn't bring myself to shed tears anymore... I've wasted them too much.