CW:

Very mild smut towards the beginning

I found myself staring at his blue salvia again. It was late summer, and all my scheduled orders were complete. Senjuro wasn't in to take over his shift yet, and I had already filled my wagon with the watering cans I knew the wisteria would need.

This heat is really taking its toll on them, I may have to bump it up to three days a week instead of two. Maybe on Sundays…if Senjuro can just watch the shop for me. I'll ask today.

I heard the bell ring over my door. I answered it without looking up from the dried salvia.

Well, speak of the devil.

"Hey Senjuro, how are you today?"

"Not quite." Kyojuro's laugh rang out.

"Kyojuro! I missed you!"

I nearly jumped over the counter in my excitement. He met me halfway across the shop, sweeping me into his arms for a tight hug.

"I am sorry I was gone for so long" he murmured into my ear as he held me.

"I feel like I saw you only yesterday, it's okay."

He held me out at arm's length.

"Your hand looks better. Good! And that smile is as beautiful as before."

I blushed, and he let his hands drop from my shoulders.

"You're not too bad yourself."

"I should hope not. I will not be here for very long, but I wanted to see you. And Senjuro. He was not at home."

"He has a shift starting in an hour or two, so he should be here then."

"An official 'shift'? Good for him!"

"He watches the shop for me twice a week while I water the wisteria we planted on the outskirts of town. Never missed a day."

"You really have been trying to take care of everyone while I was gone, huh? Good job."

"I wanted to help you. Tell me about your trip!"

"Well, now that I have completed a couple more missions and taken out an upper rank demon, I have been promoted to Hashira! I am back in town in order to tell my father."

"Wow, I have no idea what that is. But congratulations!"

"It is the highest ranked demon slayer. The Hashira are pillars of support for the whole demon slayer organization. The position means a lot of responsibility, but a lot more freedom of movement too."

"If anyone is prepared to take on that weight, it's you. I'm so proud of you. I'm sure you'll do that title justice."

Now it was his turn to blush. He looked so vulnerable and pleased when he was complimented. I stepped closer to him and pulled his head down to my height. I tried to channel every bit of the adoration and admiration I felt for him into my voice and said,

"You have helped so many people. You're amazing! I'm sure you will continue to be just as inspiring in the future. Good job!"

He didn't answer, and instead lifted me by the waist and set me on the counter. He moved to stand between my knees so that our bodies were pressed together when he wrapped me into another tight hug. We were at the same height this way, and I could look evenly into his eyes.

"Do you know what an effect saying things like that has on me?"

"Do I know what a praise kink is? Yes."

"A what?"

He looked contemplative for a moment, and then simply said,

"Oh."

"Now come here, my good boy. Let me show you exactly how proud I am of you."

"Don't forget who is in charge here, little Mx. You may have figured something out about me, but you still belong to me."

"Of course, and nothing makes me happier."

He placed his hand on the side of my face, staring at me and gently leaning in for a kiss. There was none of the rush of our last kiss, but all that same desperation. I felt his lips moving on mine. Hhis tongue flicked along my lower lip, so I parted to let it enter my mouth. His taste was warm and slightly spiced, like cloves and cinnamon. No matter how much I explored his mouth with my own, I couldn't get enough of that taste. I felt his hands travel up my back, then back down towards the edge of my shirt. I leaned back slightly onto my hands, feeling him slip under the fabric, letting his fingers rest just barely on my skin. Everywhere he touched was on fire. That sweet, burning need was almost all consuming. I could hear my own breath getting heavier, but I felt unable to protest.

He leaned close to my ear and purred, "You look so needy, sweetheart. I like it."

I knew my face was redder than it had ever been, and I couldn't think of the right words to answer him.

"Let me take care of you."

"Mmmhmm.." was the best answer I could manage.

He let his hands remain on my cool skin, playing with the edge of the fabric for a second,then withdrew his hands. With one, he gently pulled my hair back, making sure I was looking at him.

"Is this okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

He kept eye contact as he slowly moved his free hand between my legs.

Making sure I don't change my mind? Don't worry, I promise I want you more.

He inhaled sharply when he felt my full length stiffened in his hand. I had to suppress a happy whimper when I felt him delicately brush over the head of my cock.

"This excited already?" He seemed to laugh.

"S-sorry. I uh…missed you."

"I can tell."

He leaned in and started nibbling along my neck again, letting his hand lightly rub against my full length. I felt my hips press up into his hand.

"No, not yet. Be patient, sweetheart."

"Y-yes…"

I had to take a deep breath, hold it, and exhale it slowly before I could answer without my voice breaking. He paused until I responded.

"Yes Sir."

"Very good."

He smiled at me, then returned to biting and rubbing. When I could feel that my skin had bruised under his teeth, he leaned my head back and looked at me.

"I love the way those marks look on you, I really do."

I remembered how I felt, going home and looking at them in the mirror after the first time.

"I'm a pretty big fan myself."

"Now, we should probably do something about this, hm?"

He very gently squeezed between my legs, making me whimper again.

"And maybe you can help me out too…"

I caught sight of the clock, then of yellow hair moving up the street. I sighed deeply, then pushed myself back across the counter, landing on my feet behind it. Kyojuro looked confused for a split second, then moved his cloak to cover himself fully. The bell rang out as he regained his usual expression.

"Haru, and Kyojuro! Hi! This is great timing! I brought my umm….I brought someone today."

Senjuro gestured to the young girl who was walking closely beside him. Miss Kiyo. Ren followed them both.

I knew it! Those flowers were for her. So cute!

"I see that! Good to meet you! I seem to remember you working at the restaurant up the road, right? My name is Kyojuro."

"Yep! And I know who you are, Senni told me all about you already. And Mx. Haru. Today I just had to see where Senni worked. Is this really your shop, Mx.? It's so beautiful here!"

Adorable. And I'm not gonna laugh at all at the nickname. Not until I'm alone, anyway.

"Thank you! Senjuro has been absolutely invaluable here. I couldn't run this place without him."

He blushed.

"I was just about to head out to water the plants. Senjuro, do you still feel alright watching this place on your own?"

"Wow, Senni, that's so cool! My mom would never let me run the restaurant."

"I can handle it!"

He gave a thumbs up and tried to flash his brother's smile. It didn't quite suit him, but Miss Kiyo was clearly enamored.

"You watch out for them, okay Ren?"

Ren was already asleep in the corner.

"Let's go, Kyojuro."

"After you."

I led the way with my little wagon full of water, and Kyojuro helped by removing the heavier cans and watering the trees for me. We checked them for signs of disease together, but they all seemed to be taking to their new homes very well. Before long, it was dusk. Then, it was dark.

"I should let you go home, Haru. And I'm sure Senjuro wants to know where I am."

"I wish it could have been daylight longer."

"I know, but I can at least walk you home."

We headed towards my house together, walking in a peaceful silence. I felt like I didn't even need the streetlights to see, Kyojuro's smile shines bright enough to do without them. And no stars could be as brilliant as those beautiful eyes. When we reached my house, every light was on again. Bright white light seared out of every window, daring me to delay even a moment longer.

Oh no, oh no I can't go in there. It's been getting worse lately, and I can't face it tonight. I can't. I…one…two…three, one…two…three…four…five…six…repeat.

"Your home is still scary to you? Has he hurt you again?"

"No! Not at all, and I…I'm sorry, that was a lie. Only twice though."

And they were both within the last month. He's been getting irritated more often recently. It's almost the anniversary of the day Mom left, and that always makes him worse . It scares me.

"Do you want me to come in with you?"

"I don't think he'd like that very much. And besides, if he's not a demon, you can't really do much to help, right?"

"I do not like feeling helpless. I cannot stand the idea of him hurting you."

You have no idea how painful it was for me to look at myself in the mirror and see bruises he left last time, bruises that weren't Yours, on my skin.

"I'll be okay. You need to get home to your family, right?"

"I do. I will see you as soon as you open tomorrow, okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Alright, goodnight."

"Good night. And by the way, I saw how you dried that flower. Very cute."

"Shhhhh…"

He held me close to him and let me kiss him for as long as I could, then headed back towards his home. His scent lingered for a moment before the breeze snatched it away from me. I turned to walk inside.