A/N: Hi Hello! Chapters will continue to be sparse for a while longer. In the meantime, have this very domestic time with our rich man Nao who is not a love interest!!
♪───Ｏ（≧∇≦）Ｏ────♪
“Is that all you wish to say?”
You lean back into the couch: “What more can I say, Nao?”
“...Right.”
Nao lets the paper sit on the table so the ink can dry, sitting right next to you. There’s no doubt a crow has already sent the news that Kyojuro has been killed, but you wouldn’t feel good about not sending Senjuro a letter anyway.
Inosuke had isolated himself in one of the guest rooms Nao had provided for him, you don’t blame him though. He just witnessed you and Nao kill innocents on this mission. Not only that, he was the one who found you cradling Kyojuro’s body while crying your heart out. There was another corpse by Kyojuro with what looked like [h/c] and [s/c] tar-like substance dripping off it.
You can only guess what happened. That Kyojuro had strongly believed the one who he killed was the demon, only to be tricked into thinking it was you when in actuality it was a random person. But in his grief nonetheless, Delmo took that advantage to kill Kyojuro at his most vulnerable moment.
Despite crying for him and having watched the light leave his eyes, you can’t… truly believe he’s gone. It’s just too cruel and unfair, especially the way he died. It can’t be real. It all would’ve been for nothing. You might as well have let him die from Akaza, maybe then he wouldn’t have died mourning you. He suffered and it’s all your fault. You’re always there when your friends die, it’s all your fault.
You don’t know who killed Delmo, it was either Inosuke or Nao, but neither of them showed signs of taking credit for it. Delmo’s death did nothing to soothe your heart, this victory was bitter and you don’t know if you can handle the fight back at the sword-smith village. But you know you can’t just leave them there, if there’s any chance you can fix things, you have to try.
"You're crying."
You're brought out of your thoughts thanks to Nao, rapidly blinking away the tears in your waterline.
"No shit, Sherlock," You sniff, the tears stubbornly roll down your cheeks, "One of the m-most important people i-in my life… died…"
Your head is in pain from crying so much before. But now it's nearly unbearable because fucking Kazuki made you think about Kyojuro.
"Kyojuro is dead, Akaza is dead. Gerik is dead…!" You lean forward and hide your face in your hands, "I… I'm so scared!"
Nao didn't know what to do or say. He doesn't know you well enough to offer words of comfort, and he's not the emotional type either, so he can't really understand the feeling of grief.
"I-I used to not give a shit a-about dying! Death was-was just a weird th-thing that happened to-to everyone! Bu-But now… Oh, God, Nao! I'm-I'm so terrified!" You sob pathetically, "Everyone is-is dying, and I'm next!"
"(Y/n), get a hold of yourself!" Nao grabs you by the shoulders, "You need to breathe, slow down. You're okay."
"Nao. I… am going… to die here."
"Then leave." Nao sighs and smooths the fabric on your shoulders, "I do not really understand why someone as kind as you would join the Demon Slayer Corps. I am filing it as having the urge to do the right thing, regardless if it's personally beneficial to you. You just… feel as if you have to because for some reason, you cannot help but feel guilty knowing you can do something about it."
You sniff as you wipe your eyes with your sleeves, "S-Speaking from experience?"
"…Unfortunately." The brunette shakes his head, "Honestly, your mother, Miku, seems like she would be much happier if you retired and stayed with her."
Yeah, she would. But… you would be so much happier with your dad, brothers, and sisters.
"So, why don't you, (Y/n)? Quit the Corps, and go home."
…
Yeah.
Why don't you?
"Thank you, Nao." You sigh with emotional exhaustion, "I needed to hear that."
"Um… You are welcome." The brown eyed male winces, "So… do not start crying again. I am too emotionally constipated for that."
Charming.
"Ugh… I'm getting a headache," You mutter, "Do you mind if Inosuke and I stay the night? We'll leave in the morning."
"You are welcome to stay for as long as you want."
You snort, "But not Inosuke?"
"Oh, wow. Who's that? Never heard of that name before in my life." Nao says with extreme boredom, "You're crazy, (Y/n). Not I, girl. You stay safe, though."
Fucker.
──
Actually, by the time you awake the next day, Inosuke was gone.
Deolah (the shortest maid with black hair and green eyes) had run into you while you were on your way to find Inosuke. She was the one who told you he left. Inosuke apparently had another mission reported to him an hour ago.
You don't know if Inosuke was telling the truth or not, you wouldn't be surprised if he just wanted to get away from you and Nao.
Speaking of which…
You turn around to call after the maid's retreating figure, "Hey, Deolah."
The woman turns around and speed walks back to you: "Yes, Master (L/n)?"
You wave your hand lazily, "Eh, just (L/n) is fine."
"Of course, Master (L/n). What can I do for you?"
Bah.
"Where did Nao go? Or, is he still asleep?"
"Master Kazuki went out for his daily run a while ago. He'll be back in about 30 minutes for breakfast." Deolah smiles, "In the meantime, you should get cleaned up. We have fresh clothes for you getting prepared, it should be done soon."
"Oh, I don't know if I should stay that long," You grimace, "I have to… relay some news to people, and get back to the Sword-smith Village as soon as I can."
"Please, Master (L/n)!" Deolah pleads with glossy eyes-Is she crying?! "Master Kazuki has never shown this much interest in another person before! You're his first friend!"
"Uehhhh…"
"I'm sure Master Kazuki would greatly appreciate you staying for just a while longer!" Deolah continues, "I understand this is inappropriate of me, but… I worry about Master Kazuki. I worry he'll never be able to bond with another person. You're the only one he's given a chance."
"I…" You sigh in defeat, "Okay. I'll stay for breakfast. I just… I feel bad since you all are doing so much for me already. I don't want to impose more than I have to."
"Oh, not to worry, Master (L/n)! We enjoy your company! You're such a sweet girl!"
"Aw, thank you. I… I really appreciate that," You say bashfully, "Um, can you show me where the showers are?"
"Yes. Right this way."
──
You could actually get used to this lifestyle. The maids and butlers were all so kind to you, and Gods, the food smells so fucking bomb. Nao also had a huge, beautiful garden in the back. Right when he had entered the front doors, you didn't give him time to relax before requesting to have breakfast out there.
After waiting for him to get clean and dressed, you two went to the back garden. You two are now outside on the engawa, waiting for the food to come out.
"Are you sure they don't need our help?" You frown, fiddling with your thumbs on the table you shared with Nao.
Nao was sitting next to you, drinking his water like a refined little lady.
"If we were to help with food preparation, I would have no reason to pay my chefs for the meal." Nao answers coolly, "It is their job for a reason."
You pout, "Yeah, I guess. But, do you even know how to cook for yourself?"
"...I know the basics."
"...Just the basics?"
"Well, I am sure I can learn to cook a certain meal if I am given instructions." Nao shrugs, setting the cup down, "What about you?"
You blow out a puff of air, "Man, I have so much knowledge about too many different dishes. I had to learn how to cook all types of food for my brothers and sisters since they all had very different food preferences."
"Oh? I was under the assumption that you were Miku's only child."
Ah shit.
"Whaaaat? Oh, my God. Who said thaaat?" You laugh nervously, "Oh, my God, you're crazyyy. Not I, girl. Y'all stay safe though, 💙."
"..................." Nao is looking at you with so much judgement and confusion, "How… What was… You… How did you say that out loud?
"The fact that I copied what you said yesterday doesn't bug you?"
"No."
"Meh," You click your tongue as you pick up your own cup of water, "Don't think too hard about it. Miku isn't… my biological mother. I have brothers from another mother, and sisters from another mister."
The brunette tilts his head, "I do not think I've heard of those expressions before."
"What'd you think of them?"
"Hilarious." Nao's expression was deapan and monotonous.
"Thank."
"Mm."
You and Nao fall into a comfortable silence. Relishing in each other's company was surprisingly comforting considering you two went through Hell just the night before. Nao's clothing was surprisingly Western as well, but it's not too surprising since you're beginning to see Western culture being introduced to Japan already.
But still, aside from the very rocky start you two had, and Nao learning the basic social norms, you two got along pretty okay.
"This 's kind of domestic, isn't it?"
"This feels domestic, does it not?"
You and Nao stare at each other before you start laughing. Nao simply smiles and closes his eyes, trying his best not to chuckle because he has a reputation of being a rock.
"Yeah, it's been a while since I've done anything peaceful like this," You quiet down into a small chuckle, "It's… actually pretty nice."
"Hm, this is the first for me in… maybe 16 years." Nao hums, "My parents were not the type for quality time. I… like this. And you? You said it has been some time since you have had something like this?"
"Yeah, my family and I are pretty close, so it was only until the older ones started to move out when we stopped spending so much time together," You say, "Ever since I became a Demon Slayer though, I only had a few nice moments with friends."
You prop your elbow on the table, holding your chin in your hand: "I forgot how great it felt."
It's reminding you that there's so much more Pros than Cons if you just… went home. Having nice meals like this means so much to you, that even sitting with someone like Nao is making you happy. You're so desperate for domestication that you're used to back home, you never realized how much you actually needed this.
…Why are you so insistent on staying here again?
"And you have me to thank for it," Nao teases and a slight smirk.
"Yeah, yeah," You roll your eyes before a soft smile etches onto your lips, "Thank you though, Nao. I mean it."
The male nods, feeling… appreciated? Nao doesn't know. He's not used to people genuinely thanking him because of something "nice" he did.
Nao might actually consider you… his first friend.
"So, what are we having for breakfast?" You ask, breaking Nao's train of thought.
"I asked for something new and expensive, since you are the first guest I have had," Nao says, " Densuke Black Watermelon, Toro, Wagyu Beef, Sushi, White Rice, and… hm, I do not remember."
You squint in confusion, "The hell is black watermelon?? The fuck is Toro?? And Wagyu Beef???"
Nao huffs a quiet laugh, "You'll see."
You shake your head with a sigh. You're very happy that you decided to stay for a little while longer.