My fingers hurt.

~~~~~

~~~~~

—Akaza, Demon Slayer

~~~~~

Act Three

He held the flowers in his arms.

He watched patiently as she picked each blossom with a tender smile and a fond gaze. He studied how each characteristics of the flowers made her smile. He had long understood how much she loves flowers.

He asked, "What is that called?" He was pointing to the indigo hue flower. It was small, but for her, it makes a big difference. She was still picking them despite its size.

"Speedwell," she answered. "In the language of flowers, Speedwell symbolizes loyalty and fidelity." She showed the flower to Akaza for a closer look.

Akaza muttered, "Loyalty and fidelity..."

"Say, Akaza."

Akaza looked up to meet her half-lidded eyes. She was looking down at the single flower in her hand. "Will you be like the Speedwell? Loyal and faithful?"

The question had taken him by surprise. He offered her a smile. "I am and I will."

She gave him a satisfied smile. She ambled towards him and placed the Speedwell on Akaza's ear. As she moved away, there was a rather surprised expression on her face.

"What?"

She smiled brightly as she clapped her hands together. She chirped, "I didn't know the Speedwell flower suits you so well. It complements your look."

"What do you mean?"

His question was ignored as she skipped away from him.

Akaza was blindly following her. He only noticed they were already at the lake.

She had come to realize that the lake was almost in the middle of the forest beside the mountain. It was a miracle they were able to spot the fireworks from there last week. Her face would heat up at the memory of them kissing.

She turned around to see Akaza looking straight at her. Spotting his face made her even more flustered. She turned her head away from him and simply watched her clear reflection on the water. She noticed the moon was still high. She mentally noted it was almost midnight.

"What are you thinking?" asked Akaza.

Crap. I'm busted. She thought. She could imagine her face pulling off a very nervous yet shy face.

Akaza was about to approach her when he sensed an arrow aiming straight at her.

"(Y/N)!"

He tackled her down, evading the arrow in time yet crashing their bodies into the lake.

Cold water engulfed their figure. She closed her eyes shut, thrashing underwater. She felt suffocated and in pain. In the darkness, she felt fear. The fear of drowning. Panic settled in her chest as she tried to inhale for oxygen. Water entered her body. At that moment, she managed to break free from Akaza's grip. She was desperate, so desperate, to breathe. She wanted to feel the air, but water took its place. Soon, her lungs were burning. Eventually, she felt weak.

A breath of air revived her body. She felt the slight stir within herself.

Akaza.

She felt her body rising up. She clutched onto Akaza.

She inhaled oxygen as soon as she reached the water surface. She started to cough out water.

As soon as they reached the land, Akaza commanded, "Stay here." He was about to go after the assassins when he was stopped by her hand gripping onto his wrist tightly.

"D-don't go," she pleaded, "Please."

So, he stayed.

He watched her regained her composure slowly. She was crying silently. Sobs were shushed as tears streaked down her and hit the ground. He reached his hand out and wiped the tears tenderly. Akaza engulfed her to a hug. Her body was trembling under his touch as she shakily returned the gesture.

"I'm very sorry for being weak."

Akaza pulled away. He cupped her cheeks and offered her a comforting smile.

"You're not. You're not weak, (Y/N). Don't ever think of that again."

"I—" She was interrupted by Akaza kissing her.

"Even if you are weak, I'll protect you until I die. I promise."

Finally, she smiled. "Thanks, Akaza."

He brought her into his arms again. "Anything for you, (Y/N)."

* * *

"How about that flower?" Akaza pointed at the flower beside her. "What is the name?"

She picked the small purple flower. She explained, "It's called Alaskan Violet."

Akaza hummed.

"Do you want to know its meaning?" She didn't give Akaza a chance of speaking for she continued, "Alaskan Violet symbolizes innocence and purity."

Akaza remarked, "It suits you."

A knowing smile plastered on her lips. "Really?"

Her smile was contagious as it brought a smile to Akaza. "Yeah. You are the embodiment of that flower."

She looked down at the flower. She fiddled with its petals. "Even though I committed an unredeemable sin."

"What?"

Her gaze rose up to his with a smile. "Nothing."

Akaza helped her up to stand from her crouching position. "Come on. I'll take you home. It's getting late."

She nodded and complied to his suggestion.

The walk back to her home was quiet. Akaza held the small basket of flowers in his hand as the other was occupied in holding her hand. The tranquility the night sky offered was soothing for them. Being in each other's presence calmed the nerves that was raged during the day. Satisfied and contented smiles were ever-present on their faces. Both of then wished to stay in this moment forever.

"Thank you again, Akaza."

"Anything for you."

As she closed her door, Akaza spotted the sane aqua hue inside her home, but he couldn't make what it was. He just presumed it was one of the flowers she's taking care of inside.

"Oh, and Akaza?"

"What?"

She smiled lovingly at him. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Act Four

Akaza waited for days for her presence yet he didn't catch a whiff nor a sign of her. He was starting to worry. What if something happened to her or a demon somehow managed to sneak into her house?

Akaza shook his head. There's no way she'll go down without a fight. He believes in her. She's not weak.

"Tch."

Akaza ventured through the forest until he spotted the path down to the nearest town where she lives. His steps were quiet yet heavy in anticipation and anxiety. He needed to see her badly. Not hearing her humming voice nor being in her presence was enough to send his worries haywire.

He took a deep breath. He knocked on the wooden door at the back of her home.

Akaza waited and waited until he heard a padding from the other side. The doorknob clanked and twisted. The door opened, revealing her in her nightwear with a flustered face.

"Ah, Akaza. Good evening."

He quickly landed his forehead on hers and felt the burning sensation of her fever. Her forehead was slightly damp, probably from the wet cloth she had been putting.

After checking her temperature quick, he engulfed her to a hug, a tight one. He relished her scent and her presence. He missed her touches. His worries were dissipated in the wind as he felt her body close to his.

A cough interrupted the two of them. She pulled away; a bashful smile present on her lips.

"I'm sorry I haven't been coming to the mountain this weekend."

"You made me worry."

"Sorry."

She turned away from Akaza and coughed into her palms. She hated days like these. She hated not sleeping well in the night because of the difficulty in breathing. She hated being weak in front of Akaza.

She ushered Akaza inside. "Come inside! It's getting cold these days."

His eyes caught sight the same blue hue in her home as he stepped in.

No. He denied. It can't be.

"Akaza?" She called out.

He offered her a shaky smile. He chose to ignore the flower that was by the window. Akaza will continue to deny it.

I don't want to lose you.

"It's getting colder and colder," she murmured, bringing the futon closer to her face. She released a sigh at the comforting warmth of her futon.

Akaza resisted a smile on his face at the sight of her covered in futon with her head peeking out.

Akaza leaned over her and placed a peck on her forehead. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too."

I will protect you, no matter what.

* * *

As soon as she stepped outside of her home, arms wrapped around her tight and secure. She flinched at the sudden contact yet melted soon into his warmth.

"What's wrong, Akaza?" she asked, feeling the uneasiness coming from the person behind her.

Akaza nuzzled into her neck, inhaling the faint scent of flowers.

He murmured, "Nothing."

She smiled. She pulled away from his embrace and looked up at him with a burning passion and commitment in her eyes. Akaza memorized each of her features. He took note of how the corner of her eyes crinkle in the slightest as she grinned at him. He noticed how her eyes were so beautiful under the light of the moon. He was mesmerized in its own unique sparkle. He loves how her lips curl up in a smile that meant the world to him.

Akaza took hold of her hand. He loves how his rough hand intertwine with her soft one. He noticed how she took great care of her fingers and nails. He was amazed at how the hand he was holding could make the best flower arrangements he had ever seen.

She led him towards the lake where he brought her to watch the fireworks together.

"Say, Akaza."

Akaza hummed.

"Tell me what's bothering you."

Akaza looked up and saw how her eyes shone with worry. He couldn't help but feel guilty in hiding her in the dark.

"If this concerns me, you don't have to hide it from me." She took his face in her hands and lifted them up so Akaza can see clearly the assuring smile on her lips. "You can trust me. Plus, we don't need to hide secrets from each other anymore."

Akaza raised his hand to reach hers. He gave it a squeeze as if reminding himself she is still there, standing in front of him. "(Y/N)."

"Yeah?"

"If you ever see someone with plum red eyes and black hair, run. If I'm not there, just run."

She nodded. Akaza wasn't satisfied. "Promise me. No matter what happens."

"I promise."

Akaza pulled her to a hug, close to him. His arms tightened around her figure as he was afraid for her. It doesn't matter to Akaza for keeping such a crucial matter a secret.

"I love you. I love you so much, (Y/N)."

She ran her hand through his soft pink locks. "I love you too, Akaza."

From the other side of the country, a girl closed a textbook about flowers. Gently and with grace, she placed the book in the bookshelves where it naturally belonged. Her plum red eyes wandered to the open window.

She whispered, "Akaza is lying."

Her mind switched from the window to the spine of a book on one of the top shelves. She reached for it, but failing due to the lack of her height.

Another arm reached for the book and gave it to her. Her eyes landed on a man.

"You like reading, huh?"

She nodded. "Very much, Daisuke-san."

Daisuke laughed at the girl's fondness.

"Tell me, Daisuke-san."

"What is it?"

"Why do you collect flowers?"

Daisuke smiled at the memory of the florist. "Because I promised someone."

* * *

"I have the tattoos of a criminal and I killed thousands, (Y/N). Why are you still with me?"

She averted her eyes from the starry night sky to look over at Akaza, who still had his gaze on the sky.

She smiled. "Because you deserve better."

Akaza turned his head and their eyes meet. He couldn't believe the absence of hate or resentment from her eyes. It was pure and full of love.

She stood up from the grass and ambled in front of Akaza. She cupped his face in her hands. Then, she started to squish his cheeks to form his lips to a smile.

"Because you deserve to smile," she spoke. She noticed the reduced instances of a smiling Akaza. Ever since that promise, he had been restless.

She leaned closer to him and placed a peck on his lips. "Because you deserve affections." She thought showing her love to Akaza would make his insecurities go away.

She wrapped her arms around his toned body, nuzzling her chin into his shoulders. "I'm still with you because I love you."

Akaza clutched onto her, burying his face deep into her shoulder. The faint scent of wild flowers calmed his nerves.

Little did he know, this would be the last time he could flood his senses with everything about her.

Act Five

» SPEEDWELL «

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep your promise, Akaza."

* * *

Akaza didn't know where to start.

He remembered was summoned by the original demon—the one who started it all.

"Akaza."

Akaza didn't dare to make any eye contact with Muzan, just like he usually would. He knelt on the window frame, a good distance away from him. It was all natural. The only thing that makes it different is the uneasiness and nervousness in his chest. Akaza prayed to whatever gods to go through this report without any slip-ups.

"I've come to report." Just like usual, he would start with that.

"Do you find what I seek?" was the same question every time. This instance, it was different. The tone was different.

"I investigated and searched for it, but there was no certain information. I couldn't confirm its existence. I did not find the Blue Spider Lily."

Akaza's heart was hammering inside his chest. It was hard to breathe. He could hear his bloodstream with his ears.

"And...?"

Akaza continued, "I will continue searching to find the answers you seek."

Normally, Akaza would be dismissed.

"Is that all?"

He breathed, "Yes."

The girl has her eyes closed all the time during the exchange. She opened them to reveal a new profound rage, yet her outward expression was still calm like she should be.

Her voice deepened. "I see. So, you decided on that."

Akaza knew, from the moment he laid his eyes on it, he was found out. He was bound to kill her one day and retrieve the flower she treasured the most.

He regretted coming to her house that day. He regretted barging in. He regretted staying with her. Akaza should've leave and move on to the next area where he'll investigate.

But, no. He chose to stay with her, even though it was beyond him.

Akaza ran. He ran and ran. He sprinted from one place to another. He wanted to see her. Akaza wanted to see if she was alright. He wanted to taste her warmth once more.

His world stopped. His heart sank. The smell of blood was flooding his senses. He felt like vomiting.

He screamed, "(Y/N)!"

He didn't waste a single moment to approach her body. She was there, sleeping, bathing in her own pool of blood. It stained the grass and trailed down to the lake.

Akaza cradled her body close to him. He hugged her corpse, the feeling of grief overpowering the hunger motivated by her blood. He will never. "(Y/N)...!"

Tears streamed down his face. He buried his face deep into her neck, muffling out the sobs. The warmth was gone.

He couldn't believe it. It was only hours ago when they last saw each other, and both of them were smiling with no care in the world. He didn't expect to sink down so fast. Akaza wasn't ready. He will never be ready to see her death nor in pain.

"I couldn't keep my promise...!" He pulled away. He cupped her cheeks. Akaza wanted to see her eyes, yet they were closed, shut from him. He cried, "I said I will protect you! I swore I'll protect you, (Y/N)!"

White snow landed on her blood-stained face. Another followed. The sky shed snow upon Akaza.

"Didn't you say we'll skate on the lake once it freezes?" he asked, recalling her words.

A heavy silence answered his question. He wrapped his arms around her. Akaza hated himself for breaking a promise that was important for the both of them. He hated himself for not being strong enough to decide on what action he should take. What could've happened if he chose to tell her about the flower? There could've been ways where she would come out of this alive. Yet, he is a coward to hide it all from her.

Akaza is weak and he can't forgive himself.

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise, (Y/N). I'm sorry I can't be a strong person you could rely on. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you need me! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm very sorry for everything! (Y/N)!"

Through his blurry vision, underneath the building pile of snow, he saw the burned Blue Spider Lily.

"Loyalty be damned."

~~~~~

~~~~~

| EXTRA |

(Y/N)'s mother was a florist and her father was a samurai. Her father trained her for the purpose of self-defense.

Her mother's bloodline kept the Blue Spider Lily alive although its main purpose died out as time passes. It was forbidden to keep such a flower in her mother's clan (because they are florists) as it threatened the possibility of their clan ceasing to exist—After all, Muzan needs it.

Her family would move from one town to another to escape the assassins that were after them. (Y/N) nearly drowned while they were escaping one time, thus leading to the trauma. That was the only thing that could set her panic attack off.

Eventually, they got caught.

It was during the summer festival when her parents were killed. They were watching the fireworks in an overlooking. (Y/N) barely managed to escape. That's why she was crying.

(Y/N) knew of Akaza's real mission and the existence of the demons. She didn't hesitate to let him in and she was ready to face the consequences as long as she can still be with Akaza.

She was able to set the Blue Spider Lily on fire. The only thing Muzan can possibly see reasonable is her death as she got the receiving end of his anger.

~~~~~