Work Text:
"Why do you keep writing letters to me?"
It's a very sudden question but one that Nezuko is all too ready for ever since Tanjiro had confided in her that Shinazugawa could only read but not write.
Turning around, hands on hips, Nezuko looks the scarred man straight in the eye, which makes him flinch for a moment before he immediately reverts to scowling at her. She knows it's not good manners to make such direct eye contact, especially as an unmarried girl toward an older man, but she has to make sure that her point comes across as clearly as possible.
"Because I enjoy writing to you, of course! You don't visit as often as you should, so this means I have to write often so that you know what I'm up to."
Honestly, why is he trying to make things complicated? But that same grouchy recalcitrance is also what makes Shinazugawa so fun to tweak, so Nezuko is getting what she deserves, she supposes.
Shinazugawa purses his lips. "And why do you think I would be interested in what's going on in your life?"
Nezuko raises a hand to her heart, feigning hurt. "Really, Shinazugawa-san? Then I suppose you're just visiting me and my brother on a whim and not because I mentioned recently that I have absolutely no romantic interest in Zenitsu?"
When he turns his head away and sucks his teeth, Nezuko grins. She's got him.
"If you're going to court me, you should be more honest with your feelings, you know! There's no need for leading questions with me." Nezuko comes closer, until they're only inches away from each other. It's a distance that Tanjiro would be incredibly uncomfortable with and that Zenitsu would gnash his teeth at, but the two of them are off collecting wood at the moment. Besides, even if they were around, she would still do the same thing.
After surviving her family's massacre and living a perilous existence as a demon, she knows full well that tomorrow is never a guarantee. She might not be acting the part of a proper lady, but at least she's taking charge of her life.
"You and your brother are quite mouthy, aren't you?" There's no malice in his words though, only fond resignation.
"Better that than suffer through misunderstandings," she says as she raises her right hand to tuck a stray white lock of hair behind the man's ear.
"Fine then, no more beating around the bush." Shinazugawa grasps her hand before she can return it to her side. "Will you let me court you, Kamado-san?"
"'Will you let me court you, Nezuko?'" The girl amends, a cheeky smile on her face.
Shinazugawa reddens and coughs. "Are you serious?"
"Well, I like you very much already! I write all those letters to you, don't I? So why should I wait for you to call me Nezuko?"
Okay, she's being slightly mean, but she's waited over two months for him to visit this time! Surely, having her beloved use her given name isn't too much to ask?
Several moments of silence pass. Then: "Will you let me court you...Nezuko?"
With the hand that's not in Shinazugawa's grip, the girl wraps it around the man's waist – firm and tight with muscle – and lets their bodies meet.
"Yes, Sanemi," Nezuko breathes out.
Her brother has always said that she can be very stubborn to the point of risking her life.
But as she tips her head up so that she can give Shinazugawa her first kiss, Nezuko's glad that her persistence – a year's worth of letters and crows flying back and forth between the Kamado house and Shinazugawa's manor – has paid off so handsomely.