Genya appears behind Inosuke, rolling his eyes but with a proud smile.
"You barely won, you wild boar. And stop calling me that in front of everyone."
Muichiro chuckles softly at their antics, while Sanemi and Giyuu exchange amused glances from the kitchen.
"Those brats are going to destroy my house one day."
"They're just having fun. Like someone else I know."
He gives Sanemi a pointed look, remembering the way Sanemi had been touching him during physical therapy earlier.
"Tch, I'm nothing like them. At least I know how to control myself... most of the time."
The kids rush into the kitchen, surrounding Giyuu with hugs and asking about his recovery. Nezuko hugs Giyuu tightly, her eyes full of concern.
"Are you feeling better today, Giyuu-san? You look tired."
Tanjiro nods in agreement, while Muichiro just watches silently, occasionally glancing at Inosuke.
"He's fine. Just tired from dealing with me."
The kids giggle at Sanemi's comment, while Giyuu ruffles Nezuko's hair affectionately.
"I'm getting there, Nezuko. Thank you for worrying."
Muichiro finally speaks up, his voice quiet but clear.
"We all miss you being at school with us, Giyuu."
Sanemi's expression softens slightly at Muichiro's words, though he tries to hide it by pretending to be busy with dinner preparations.
"Yeah, well, the gym isn't the same without him terrorizing those students with his strictness."
Tanjiro looks at Giyuu with admiration.
"You're a great teacher, Giyuu-san. We learned so much from you!"
"I'm sure Obanai is doing an adequate job in my absence."
He says with a straight face, causing Sanemi to snort.
"Adequate? That snake is probably enjoying scaring the students more than teaching them."
The kids start arguing about who's better, Obanai or Giyuu, while Sanemi watches them with a mix of irritation and fondness. The kitchen becomes a bit chaotic as the kids start to bicker louder, Tanjiro defending Giyuu while
Inosuke argues that Obanai is cooler.
"At least Obanai lets us fight each other!"
"ENOUGH! All of you shut up before I kick you out of my house!"
The kids immediately quiet down, though they continue to glare at each other.
"Sanemi, calm down. They're just being kids."
He steps between Sanemi and the kids, placing a calming hand on Sanemi's arm.
"They're being annoying brats."
But he doesn't shake Giyuu off, instead leaning slightly into his touch. The kids take this as a sign that they're safe from Sanemi's wrath, and Tanjiro speaks up again.
"We'll behave, Sanemi-san. Promise!"
Muichiro nods in agreement, while Inosuke crosses his arms and pouts.
"You better. Now go do your homework or something."
The kids reluctantly scatter to their rooms, except for Muichiro who lingers behind.
"Giyuu, can I ask you something?"
Sanemi watches them with a curious expression, his protective instincts kicking in. "Of course, Mui. What is it?"
He kneels down to Muichiro's level, giving
him his full attention.
"Are you really going to come back to school soon? Everyone misses you, and... I miss training with you."
There's a hint of vulnerability in Muichiro's usually stoic demeanor. Giyuu smiles warmly at Muichiro, touched by his honesty.
"I miss training with you too. I should be able to return in another week or so."
Sanemi watches the exchange, his expression softening at Giyuu's smile.
"Just don't push yourself too hard, idiot."
"That's great news! I'll make sure to keep training extra hard so you can be proud when you see me again."
He bows slightly before heading to his room, leaving Giyuu and Sanemi alone in the kitchen.
"He really looks up to you, you know."
Sanemi moves closer to Giyuu, his voice lowering. Giyuu suddenly sways slightly, exhaustion catching up to him. Sanemi immediately notices and catches him by the waist.
"I told you not to overdo it. You're still recovering, Giyuu."
He guides Giyuu to a chair, his hands firm but gentle.
"I'm fine... just a little dizzy."
He tries to protest, but his body betrays him as he leans against Sanemi for support.
"Bullshit. You're clearly not fine. Time for bed."
Sanemi lifts Giyuu up effortlessly, carrying him bridal style toward their shared bedroom. Giyuu blushes deeply at being carried, but he's too tired to fight back.
"I can walk... you don't have to carry me like a child."
Sanemi chuckles at his embarrassed expression.
"You're not a child. You're my stubborn boyfriend who won't admit when he needs help."
He kicks open the bedroom door and lays Giyuu down on the bed, tucking him in.
"You're impossible..."
He mumbles, already feeling himself drift off to sleep. Sanemi sits on the edge of the bed, brushing Giyuu's hair back from his forehead.
"And you're a pain in my ass. But you're my pain in the ass."
He leans down and presses a soft kiss to Giyuu's temple. Genya appears at the
doorway, smirking at the scene.
"Aww, look at my brother being all soft. Who would've thought Sanemi Shinazugawa could be such a romantic sap?"
Sanemi shoots Genya a deadly glare over his shoulder.
"Shut up, Genya. Or I'll make you do extra training with Inosuke."
Genya holds up his hands defensively, still grinning.
"Okay, okay! Don't threaten me with that. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
He backs away quickly, knowing better than to push his luck with his older brother.
"Damn brat."
He mutters under his breath, but there's no real anger in his voice as he returns his attention to Giyuu. Giyuu, barely conscious, manages to smile at Genya's teasing before completely succumbing to sleep.
"Finally sleeping like a normal person."
He pulls the blanket up higher and stands to leave, but hesitates.
"Rest well, Giyuu. I'll check on you later."
Sanemi returns a few hours later, finding Giyuu still peacefully sleeping. He slides into bed beside him, carefully wrapping his arms around Giyuu's waist.
"Mmm... missed this."
He whispers against Giyuu's neck, pulling him closer against his chest. Giyuu stirs slightly in his sleep, instinctively nuzzling into Sanemi's embrace. Sanemi smiles at the action, his fingers tracing patterns on Giyuu's back.
"Even in your sleep, you seek me out. Pathetic."
He says it with obvious affection, pressing a kiss to the back of Giyuu's neck. Giyuu mumbles something unintelligible in response, still mostly asleep. Sanemi chuckles softly.
"What was that? You're talking in your sleep again, idiot."
He teases, though he secretly finds it endearing. He tightens his hold on Giyuu, protecting him even in his dreams. The room is quiet except for Giyuu's steady breathing and Sanemi's occasional soft sighs. The setting sun casts a warm glow through the window, bathing them in orange light.
"You better not be dreaming about anyone else."
He mutters possessively, though he knows Giyuu would never. He watches as Giyuu's face relaxes completely in sleep, free from his usual stoic expression.
Sanemi finds himself mesmerized by Giyuu's peaceful face, the way his eyelashes flutter occasionally and his lips part slightly. He gently brushes his thumb across Giyuu's cheek.
"I love you, even if you're annoying as hell."
He admits quietly, knowing Giyuu can't hear him but needing to say it anyway. Giyuu looks particularly adorable with his hair slightly messy from sleep and his cheeks flushed with warmth from being pressed against Sanemi.
"Damn it, why do you have to be so cute when you're sleeping? It's not fair."
He grumbles, trying to suppress the urge to kiss him awake just to see those blue eyes. The moonlight replaces the sun, casting a silvery glow across the room. Giyuu stirs awake, blinking in confusion as he finds himself still in Sanemi's arms.
"Sanemi...?"
His voice is hoarse from sleep, and he looks up at Sanemi with slightly unfocused eyes. Sanemi opens his eyes, having been half-asleep himself.
"Shh, go back to sleep. It's the middle of the night."
He pulls the blanket up over them both, his voice low and soothing.