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The trek down Mount Itoi was hard on their weary, tired body. They weren't as injured as they could've been, thank the Heavens, but the fatigue and hard battle wore down the four boys as they approached the wisteria house located at the base of the mountain. Tanjiro had to manhandle Inosuke just to make sure the other didn't run directly towards the house, exacerbating his already injured leg. It helped that at the sudden movement the masked teen made caused Zenitsu to groan from where he was being carried on Inosuke's back. One of the demons had gotten a good hit on him and he probably had a concussion. Tanjiro smiled as he saw Inosuke freeze at the wounded sound that Zenitsu let out and at the steady grip Tanjiro had on his arm and huffed, complaining but keeping his voice softer. Inosuke would be hard pressed to admit it, but he held a soft spot for the two of them and they both knew it.
He let go of Inosuke only to wince at the bruise at his side. It didn't hurt that much if he were being honest, it had just taken him off guard, having forgotten about it. Next to him, Genya moved just the smallest bit closer, not looking at him, cheeks slightly flushed. Tanjiro felt his heart melt as he thought of the taller boy.
Genya was strong, despite not being able to use any breathing technique, and held his own in battle. He had the tendency to get annoyed quickly, just like his brother, often leading to Inosuke and him wrestling and fighting at the most inopportune of times. Additionally, Genya was kind and sweet, and shy to a fault, especially around girls. Tanjiro didn't know when exactly he had fallen for the taller boy but he had and he was in deep.
They arrived, greeted by the lady of the house as she offered them a change of clothes and she and the servants prepared meals for them. She and her servants had bowed, before exiting the room, leaving the four boys in the room alone. Inosuke grumbled about carrying Zenitsu all this time but despite the harsh protestations, gently laid the blond on the couch, before turning to the two of them, the dull eyes of the boar mask piercing into them for a moment before he spoke.
"I'm sure you two would like to be alone," says Inosuke nonchalantly, heading over to the kotatsu and splaying underneath it, taking advantage of the warmth, "I won't save either of you food so don't take to long, Monjiro." Tanjiro felt his brows furrow, and shoots a look at Genya, who simply shrugged, looking just as lost as he was feeling. It suddenly occurred to him that his friend had known, maybe both of them had known, and were letting him have this small peace. It made him want to hug them, hold them close and maybe tear up, especially because Inosuke had never been one to do things like this. Tanjiro felt himself stand straighter, confidence bolstering his actions as he grasped Genya's larger hand and pulled him inside the room, slowly shutting the door behind him. He stayed turned for the door and breathed deeply, eyes closed. He needed to say it, had to get it out in the world before he regretted never saying them.
He was about to face Genya when a familiar hand hesitantly landed on his shoulder, touch feather-light. Tanjiro turned and saw the barely concealed worry in Genya's eyes. Tanjiro swallowed, steeling his nerves before continuing.
"Genya... please stay with me." He took Genya's hands in his own, staring up at the older boy. Genya's face flushed red as he stuttered before giving a slight nod. Silence fell between the two of them and all either could think of was the feel of their skin against each other, and how much they wanted to stay in that room.
Tanjiro remembered his mother and father, remembered his father, weak as he was, approaching his mother, holding out a hand, and she would grasp his with no hesitation and the two would embrace, and slightly sway. He had always wondered but his heart tugged as he stared up at Genya and before he could really stop himself he asked the only thing he could think to:
"Would you like to dance?" Genya looked just a bit nervous, eyes dropping to the floor, fingers twitching. Tanjiro was about to take it back, when the other nodded, and Tanjiro felt the same fire that he felt in his veins when he went through the forms of the Hinokami Kagura and gave a smile. He gently tugged them to the middle of the room, and they stared at each other for a moment, before they began swaying with each other.
Genya's solid hand on his back was grounding as they both slowly danced together, stumbling around in the beginning before synching, their movements fluid as if they were two streams that had flowed together to create the same creek. They danced for themselves, to a song that only the two of them could hear, could feel in their muscles, pulling at scrapes and bruises, the sting being secondary to the moment they had between them. They were wrapped up unto each other, even with eyes closed as they spun each other around the room, until they both paused, embraced into the other's arms. Their eyes opened and it was like seeing the other in a new light.
"Genya..." His voice floated in the air between them, mixing with the harmonies of the simple song they had made. The notes graced their ears, even now as they stood still, drinking in each other's presence. Tanjiro felt no fear asking the question he's wanted to know ever since he truly got to know the boy. "Do you love me?" Neither of them was worried about the answer nor did they fear it. It was just a new addition to the chord of their song.
There was no hesitation in Genya's soft voice. "Yes." It was whispered as if it were a secret for them and them only. Tanjiro found no problem with that.
He laid a hand on Genya's cheek, cupping his face gently and his thumb gently caressed his scar. "Genya, I've loved you for a long time, and I think you have felt the same," Genya's lips curved into a gentle smile, before he pressed a soft kiss against Tanjiro's scar. Tanjiro knows enough about Genya to know that was the loudest proclamation of love he could give, and smiled, the two of the coming closer, a breath away, when suddenly the sliding door was yanked open and the two of them jumped away. Tanjiro's face had burned as Zenitsu walked in, looking a little better than he had before, more color in his face.
"Dinner is-" The blonde stared at them, head tilted in confusion with a single raised brow. Genya cleared his throat, pointedly not looking at either of them, face almost as red as the right side of Tomioka's haori. Tanjiro would've thought it was cute if he weren't mortified as well at almost being caught by his concussed friend. "Why are you too blushing?" asked Zenitsu as Inosuke peeked over his shoulder before letting out raucous laughter. "You guys are so red!"
Genya snapped back, still burning bright red and began arguing with Inosuke as Zenitsu gave Tanjiro a knowing look. If Tanjiro was able to, he was sure his blush would've gotten darker.