For just a little bit under the next hour, Katsuhiro, Hisako, Haruko, Kenji, Yuichiro, Muichiro, Genya, Tanjiro, and Nezuko moved the rest of the Tokito family's belongings into the livingroom of their new house, working quickly and efficiently. After they were done, all the kids began to help take the twin's belongings upstairs, while the four adults worked on the rest of the house.

Yuichiro and Tanjiro, who had been making small talk pretty much the entire time, kept it up, which naturally caused the Kamado siblings to help Yuichiro move in. Wordlessly, Genya moved to help Muichiro, neither of them having spoken a word since leaving the Kamado's house. Muichiro found Genya to be a great help, especially with heavy lifting, and staircase trips. When everything was finally in Muichiro's room, and all that was left was to organize his belongings, Genya spoke.

"How are you feeling?"

Muichiro was so surprised he almost dropped the box of clothes he was carrying. "Ahh, good I suppose. Kinda cold."

Genya nodded. "I see."

Muichiro didn't know what led him to keep speaking. "We used to live in Cali, so it's a big change. Also I've never had my own bed before, or even my own room. It's kinda big and dark."

Genya hummed. "Maybe you could sleep with Yuichiro?"

"I guess so," Muichiro said, "I don't want to sleep here alone."

There was a tangible pause, and then Muichiro felt Genya stifften. "Yeah, that's a good idea." He said.

Muichiro didn't know why he suddenly felt so disappointed. What was he waiting for? He shook his head and began to unbox his clothing, separating them into different piles that would go into his drawers. Beside him Genya worked in perfect harmony, doing everything thoroughly. Muichiro noticed how he avoided touching anything too personal or private, yet still was able to help a great deal.

It was almost ten o'clock at night by the time Muichiro felt that his room was the best it could be. Genya helped him move all the now empty boxes back down stairs and back into the U-haul truck. Tanjiro and Nezuko had done a good job of helping Yuichiro move in as well, although Muichiro secretly thought that Genya was better.

Since Haruko and Kenji were only staying for a few days, they had one suitcase each, so didn't need to do a full move in. Haruko had helped Hisako move into the master bedroom, while Kenji helped Katsuhiro around the house. The bedrooms were mostly set up, as were the kitchen and bathrooms, but the living room decorations, books, and dining area would still need some work.

Everyone was tired however, and Muichiro felt that there was only so much more he could do before collapsing. Plus, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya still had to get home and wash up, and Muichiro didn't know if Genya was still planning on walking or not. Katsuhiro gathered everything into the living room and Hisako served some tea.

"Thank you so much for all the help everyone has given to this family," said Katsuhiro, "Tanjiro-kun and Nezuko-kun, can you please thank your mother again for being so inviting, and for allowing you both to help us move in? Genya-kun, thank you so much for all your help as well. Do you need a ride home?"

"I can walk, it's alright," Genya replied, "it's only a few blocks down, and I've done it like, a million times.

Muichiro felt concerned. "Just let Tou-san drive you," he said, "it's a school day tomorrow and it's super cold at night."

Genya hesitated a moment before agreeing. "Okay. Thank you." He said.

"Great!" Said Katsuhiro, grabbing his coat and zipping it up, "Give me your address and I'll drive you. Yuichiro and Muichiro, I know Tanjiro-kun and Nezuko-chan live just across the street, but you should walk them over to their house, and thank Kamado-san again."

Muichiro felt Yuichiro grab his arm and attempt to wrestle him back into the jacket he previously took off, but fought it. "Yui, I don't want to wear that! I'm going in the car with Genya. Tou-san will just turn on the heater!"

Muichiro felt his brother's grip tighten on him slightly. "No you're not."

"I-" Muichiro turned to look back at Katsuhiro for help, but his father just chuckled and went out to start the car. He turned back to Yuichiro desperately, "I am!"

"Why would you? Don't you want to say 'bye' to that Kamado boy and his sister?"

"I'll just say bye to them now!" Muichiro glanced at Tanjiro and Nezuko and waved half-heartedly. "See? I said 'bye.' Now, I'm gonna g-"

"Oh no you're not," Yuichiro yanked his brother back for the second time, "that was not so very polite. The Kamados hosted us for dinner, and you barely looked them in the eyes!"

Muichiro grumbled, pouting slightly. He knew that what Yuichiro was saying was true, but he could also tell that being polite was not the real reason why his twin was keeping him in place. Yuichiro was doing that thing again where he was being fiercely overprotective and cautious over nothing.

Why doesn't he like Genya?

Muichiro squirmed out of his brother's grasp, and walked over to Nezuko for a hug. "Bye Nezuko, thanks for hosting us for dinner. I'll see you at school tomorrow." He then glanced over at his twin, who was making a weird face.

Yuichiro rolled his eyes. "Okay Muichiro, you didn't need to hug her."

Muichiro made a smug face back and moved over to Tanjiro, over-exaggerating his excitement and wrapping his arms around the other boy's neck in an overly-intimate display of affection. "Bye Tanjiro," he chirped happily, "thanks so much for hosting dinner and inviting us over to your place to study. Thank your Okaa-san for me again please."

Tanjiro looked surprised, but hugged Muichiro back, innocently oblivious to the fact that Muichiro was using him to aggravate Yuichiro. "Of course Muichiro! I'm so glad we're neighbors now. I'll see you at school tomorrow and walk you around. I'll also introduce you to everyone in the group chat. And don't forget tha-"

"Okay, that's enough." Yuichiro stepped up and grabbed the back of Muichiro shirt again, attempting to tug him away from Tanjiro, whom Muichiro was suddenly so very much attached to. "You said goodbye, now let go."

"Ahh but Yui-chan," Muichiro tilted his head, smiling in a sickly sweet sort of way and refusing to release his vice grip around Tanjiro's shoulders and neck, "I'm just politely saying goodbye to Tanjiro! Wouldn't want to seem rude. He's such a nice boy, I like him lots. Don't you like him, Yuichiro?"

Yuichiro gritted his teeth. "I did, but you're sort of ruining it for me. Please let Kamado-kun breathe now." Muichiro felt like laughing at Yuichiro's transition from "Tanjiro-kun" to "Kamado-kun," but decided not to comment on it.

Tanjiro looked over Muichiro's shoulder at Yuichiro. "What did I do? What happened?"

Muichiro grinned devilishly, leaning very much too far into Tanjiro's personal space, allowing their noses to brush lightly. "Don't worry Tanjiro, you didn't do anything. We both appreciate you a lot. At least I," Muichiro dropped his voice and locked eyes with Tanjiro, whose reddish eyes widened ever so slightly, "appreciate you a lot. Tanjiro."

Yuichiro looked like he was about to be sick. "Okay!" there was a pause. "Okay. Mui. You can go with Genya-kun. Just. Let go of Kamado-kun."

But Muichiro wanted to see how far he could push his twin. He turned back to Tanjiro, who was looking at him like a deer caught in the headlights. "Tou-san says I'm getting my phone number fixed today. I'll get your number from Yui and text you tonight."

"Muichiro Tokito!" Uh-oh, the full name. Yuichiro successfully pried Muichiro from Tanjiro and gave his little brother a gentle shove towards Genya. "Please, just go with Genya-kun. Yeah? Just go."

Muichiro looked back at Yuichiro and Tanjiro, blinking in an innocently owlish way. His face was guiltless, but his tone was knowing. "Are you sure Yui-chan? Only if you're sure."

Yuichiro just stared back at him.

"Okay then," grinned Muichiro, "I'll go with Genya. Make sure Tanjiro-kun and Nezuko-chan get home safely!"

He turned, grabbed a surprised Genya by the hand, and marched out of the house, glancing back one more time. The last thing he saw was Yuichiro's face; a mixture of fury and shock, before he closed the door.

"What was that?" asked Genya, as they walked together to Katsuhiro's car.

Muichiro laughed a bit and flicked his hair over his shoulder. "Yui just doesn't like Tanjiro anymore I guess."

Gents looked confused. "But Yuichiro seemed to be on good terms with Tanjiro when everyone was helping you guys move in."

"Let's just say it's a recent development." Smirked Muichiro mysteriously, reaching the car first. "Look on the bright side. At least he doesn't dislike you as much anymore."

"He disliked me?" Genya asked, clearly out of the loop. "But why?"

Muichiro shrugged and entered the car, Genya behind him. "He's like that sometimes, when new people try to talk to me or offer me things. I usually just let him do whatever, but sometimes it's annoying. Like just now, when he got to choose whether or not I could come with you. Kaa-san trusts his judgement and treats him like a third parent, and Tou-san doesn't see an issue with it, even though we are literally four minutes apart. To me, that's what's frustrating."

Katsuhiro leaned backwards from his place in the driver's seat. "Muichiro, don't act like you're constantly fed up," He turned to Genya, "the truth is that Muichiro usually likes it when Yuichiro takes the lead. He's more assertive, and Muichiro is more passive. He just doesn't like it when Yuichiro flexes the power imbalance. Congrats Genya-kun. For some reason, Muichiro cares about your opinion. That's rare."

"Tou-san!" Muichiro sputtered, "don't say that!"

Genya looked back and forth between the two of them, both surprised and a little bit in awe. "That's…that's nice though, isn't it? I mean, the fact that Yuichiro cares about you enough to get involved. I'd give anything for my older brother to look out for me like that." There was a pause. "And my Otou-san never cared about me enough to know what I liked or didn't like. Especially not enough to talk to my friends about me."

Muichiro looked at his hands. "Is that why you're always at Tanjiro-kun's house?"

Genya nodded. "Yeah, his family's really nice. Treats me like their own. And I live really close, so it's convenient."

"Well, speaking of living, what's your address?" Asked Katsuhiro.

"Ahh sorry, Tokito-san," laughed Genya, "I just realized we've been sitting in your driveway for the last few minutes."

Muichiro's head snapped up from his lap when he heard Genya's laughter, and the movement caused the older boy to look back at him. Their eyes locked, and Muichiro felt his chest heave.

There was suddenly a gap of silence.

Katsuhiro looked back and forth between the two boys, a strange look on his face. "Um. The address?"

"Oh, sorry!" gasped Genya, "Yeah, it's literally just seven blocks away. Go left, and then straight until you reach Harrison street. Then make another left. My place is the one after the one on the corner. It's pretty average looking; both our house door and garage door are dark blue."

Katsuhiro turned back to face the wheel, and started the car. "Alright, sounds good." He began to back onto the street. "Muichiro."

"Yeah, Tou-san?"

"You didn't want to sit in the front, kiddo? That's the one thing you've never let Yuichiro take from you, and it's open right now."

Muichiro looked at Genya, who was sitting next to him. "Nah, it's a short drive, and I'm with Genya. It's fine."

Katsuhiro made the 'huh' sound, but didn't comment.

"So," said Genya, "you told Tanjiro you were gonna text him tonight?"

Muichiro didn't know why, but he suddenly felt the need to clarify. "Yeah, no, I'm not. I was just…just trying to get Yui to let me come with you. You know."

Genya raised his eyebrows. "Are you going to text me tonight?"

Muichiro giggled, snorted, then immediately slapped a hand over his mouth and nose. "Ahh, sorry. Um, something's wrong with my sim card. I sorta…lost it. Tou-san needs to fix it before I- before I text…anyone."

Genya nodded. "I see. But, in the meantime, why don't I give you my number directly so you can text me as soon as you get that fixed? From the looks of it, I don't exactly trust your brother to give it to you right away."

Muichiro felt his own eyebrows go down involuntarily at the negative mention of his twin.

"Uhh, no offense!" Genya hurried to correct, "I just meant, cause he's trying to protect you. But, I'm not dangerous."

Muichiro tilted his head, rubbed his cheek against his shrugged shoulder, and looked up at Genya through his eyelashes. "That's what someone who's dangerous would say," he said lowly.

Was Genya blushing, or was Muichiro just seeing things in the almost non-existent street lighting?

"That's…also what someone who really isn't dangerous…would say." Genya ended lamely. "You know what? How about I just give you my number, and you decide if, and when, you're going to text me."

Katsuhiro stopped the car on the corner of the street. "Alright boys, this is the end of the road." He said, giving Muichiro a weird look again.

Muichiro ignored it, and turned back to Genya. "Um yeah, you can. You can give me your number."

Genya smiled, and looked around. "You have a pen?"

Muichiro looked at Katsuhiro, who smirked and handed him one. "Don't have paper though."

Muichiro handed the pen to Genya, who smiled, and grabbed Muichiro's hand before he could fully take it back. "Don't need one."

In messy handwriting, he quickly scribbled it across the inside of Muichiro's wrist, writing his name underneath, "so you don't forget it's mine."

Muichiro had the odd feeling that he had just been marked as property.

"Thanks," he muttered, feeling a little hot.

"Sure." Said Genya. He capped the pen and handed it smoothly back to Katsuhiro, "Just don't forget to wash it off once you copy it onto paper at home. Don't want the master to see it and freak."

"Don't say that," Muichiro protested weakly, but there was no bite in his words.

"Okay," Katsuhiro said. Muichiro vaguely thought that his father's voice sounded a bit strange. "Time for you to go, Genya." He unlocked the door, and Genya opened it and stepped out.

"Yes sir," He said, and Muichiro didn't understand why Genya suddenly sounded so formal.

"I'll walk you to your door," blurted Muichiro, feeling like he was floating on autopilot.

Genya smiled, but shook his head. "It's cold out here, and I'm fine. Just go home, and I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"But wait!" Muichiro stuck his hand out and caught the car door before Genya could close it. "At least let me say 'hi' to your parents maybe?"

"Sorry," said Genya evasively, and his smile suddenly dropped, "but my parents work early jobs. They're probably sleeping."

Muichiro frowned. "But-"

"Muichiro." Katsuhiro cut him off. "Close the car door, and let Genya go. It's really late and you're making it cold in here."

"But," Muichiro argued again, and pushed the door open a bit more, "but you've met my family…"

Genya smiled and reached up to push Muichiro's long hair behind his ears, where it had fallen down to curtain around his small face. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, Tokito-kun."

Muichiro suddenly felt the pain of his last name coming from Genya's mouth again. "O-okay."

He let go of the door, and Genya closed it, and walked up his driveway to his front door.

"What do you think that was about?" Asked Muichiro, as he watched Genya turn around for one last wave before he entered his house and closed the front door behind him.

"I don't know," Katsuhiro locked the doors and pushed the gas pedal lightly, "some people aren't comfortable with others seeing their daily family life."

"But why not?" Muichiro climbed into the front seat.

"You heard what Genya was saying about his brother and father. Maybe they don't have the best relationship."

"So?" Muichiro began to pick at his nails, "I wasn't gonna judge."

Katsuhiro shrugged. "Maybe he just didn't want you to see it. Or maybe, you're just reading into it a little too much, and it's just that it's late at night. Maybe his family really is sleeping."

"But he was gone for hours! Someone must be up waiting for him."

"Muichiro, you should really let it go. Is there a reason this is bothering you so much?"

Muichiro snorted. "Of course not! I just- just met him. I don't know." Muichiro felt Katsuhiro looking at him from the driver's seat, but chose to ignore it. He sank a little lower in his seat and began to fiddle with the piece of hair that Genya had tucked behind his ears. "He could have at least let me walk him to the door!" Muichiro couldn't help himself from bursting out, "He was being so overprotective of his house! Like Yuichiro is of me."

Katsuhiro glanced over at him. "That's an odd comparison. And you need to let it go. Yuichiro takes care of you."

"Okay, but-"

"Buckle."

"What?"

"We've been over this before, Muichiro. If you want to sit in the front car seat, or any seat in any car, for that fact, you need to buckle."

Muichiro glanced down at his lap. "Oh. Sorry. I forgot." He reached over and looped the buckle over his chest, and pressed it into the slot until he heard it click.

"Muichiro, are you really unhappy about the power dynamic between you and your twin?"

Muichiro scoffed. "See? He's my twin. He doesn't act like it."

Katsuhiro made a face. "What do you mean? He's a great brother."

"No, I mean he doesn't act my age. He acts like my tou-san. Like, more than you."

"Oh." Katsuhiro looked over at Muichiro, an eyebrow raised. "So like, he pays for your food, and clothing, and house."

"Wha-"

"And he drives you everywhere."

"No, I didn't mea-"

"And he enrolled you in your new school, and tutored you at your old one, and just helped you drop your new 'friend' off?"

Muichiro wasn't sure if he liked the way Katsuhiro said "friend."

"No, Tou-san. I didn't mean it like that. But being a tou-san isn't just about money and driving. I mean, I'm really thankful for all that, but he makes all the parental decisions in my life. Like who I can see, when I can go where, why, and even some of my punishments! And the only reason he didn't tutor me was 'cause I'm wayyy smarter than him. So I tutored him."

"So what I'm hearing is that I provide for you and he takes care of you. Sounds like you have it pretty good." They parked in the driveway of their house, and Katsuhiro leaned over to look Muichiro in the eyes. "If you really have an issue with it, we can talk about it. But think about it like this. You guys are twins, and you complete each other. You have different strengths, and different weaknesses, and you both love each other. You help him academically, and he helps you…"

"In every other aspect of my life." Said Muichiro, "cause if I don't have him, I'll do something really dumb."

Katsuhiro sighed. "I didn't say that, but…"

Muichiro suddenly felt an ugly feeling in his chest replace the warm one he was feeling before Genya exited the car. He pouted his lip, and lowered his eyelids.

Katsuhiro felt a smile slip onto his face at the sight of his son trying to look angry. Many responses passed through his mind, but he settled on, "Nevermind." Katsuhiro pulled the keys out of the ignition, and exited the car.

Muichiro sighed, unbuckled, opened the car door, and stepped out as well. They began to walk to the house together, and Muichiro shivered.

"I bet you're regretting saying 'no' to that jacket he tried to put on you, huh?"

"What?" Muichiro shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Just a bit cold for some reason."

"Yeah, cause it's snowing."

They opened the door and stepped inside, and Muichiro was met with the frowning face of his twin. "Hey Yui-can."

Yuichiro rolled his eyes. "Don't 'Yui-can' me. Do you know how worried I was?!"

Muichiro made a face. "It's not a big deal. Sorry that I tricked you into making me go with Genya, but who cares?"

"Not that!" Yuichiro pointed at Muichiro's feet. "You're not wearing shoes!"

Oh.

"Or socks!" From somewhere to his left, Muichiro felt, more than heard, Katsuhiro chuckle, but refused to look at him. Yuichiro reached over to grab his twin by the hand. "You just marched right out of the house with nothing on your feet. Did you even notice after you left?!"

"Uhm, yeah…" Said Muichiro.

"Liar!" Yuichiro shoved him towards the stairs. "Go warm up. You're not allowed to leave the house without me from now on."

Muichiro sighed and began to ascend the steps, but his father's voice stopped him. "What was that you were saying about you not needing him to avoid doing something stupid?"

Muichiro heard his twin laugh. "He said that?"

The something ugly twisted in Muichiro's stomach again, and he clenched his fist. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a black blur, and he realized that it was Genya's number written on the inside of his wrist. For some reason, it calmed him slightly. "At least someone doesn't think I'm a baby," he muttered, and marched up the rest of the stairs before opening the first bedroom door, turning off the main lights, and climbing into the bed. After a bit, he heard footsteps approach, and the door open again. Then he felt Yuichiro climb into bed alongside him.

"Go away," Muichiro tried to swat at him. "Go to your own bed."

Yuichiro just looked at him. "This is my bed, Muichiro. You're in my room."

Oh.

"Well, this changes nothing!" Said Muichiro, struggling to throw the covers off, "I still don't need you with me 24/7."

"Muichiro." Yuichiro reached out and grabbed his arm, "What's going on? We've always had this dynamic, and you've never really been upset about it before. I mean, you complained a bit here and there of course, but not like this."

"It's not about the-" Muichiro sighed and rubbed his face. "You like…like, flaunted, your superiority in front of Genya! And then Tou-san brought it up in the car ride too!"

"I wha-" Yuichiro looked off-set. "I didn't flaunt anything, Mui. And I never said anything about being your superior. Look, we just struggle with different things, and it's my way of taking care of you."

Muichiro crossed his arms and pouted his lip. "Yeah, but you made Genya think I'm a little grumpy kid!"

Yuichiro recoiled slightly, catching his laugh just in time. "What is your obsession with making sure he seeing you in a positive ligh-"

There was a long silence, in which Muichiro didn't notice his brother narrow his eyes.

"Ugh," said Muichiro, "I don't want a staring contest. Just say it."

"What's on your wrist?" Asked Yuichiro sharply. He turned Muichiro's arm over, and held it closer to his face, trying to see it in the lamp light.

Muichiro felt his stomach drop. "It's nothing." He wrestled his wrist out of his brother's grasp and held it with his other hand, as if protecting it.

Yuichiro sighed, and reached out again, but not for Muichiro's hand, like he thought he would. Instead, he hugged Muichiro to his chest, one arm around his younger twin's waist and the other hand cupping the back of his neck. Muichiro struggled for a bit, but ultimately saw there wasn't any point. "Muichiro," Yuichiro tightened his grip, "I don't think Genya thinks you're a grumpy kid. But even if he did, that wouldn't be due to anything I did, only how you reacted. Maybe, if you could show frustration without pouting, everyone wouldn't think you're a baby."

"I don't pou-" Muichiro gasped, offended, then paused, as if just catching on to something. "Everyone thinks I'm a baby?! Who! Ane-nee said-"

Yuichiro rolled his eyes. "It's just an expression, bub. And this whole thing isn't that big of a deal. If you want, I'll ease off on the parent act in front of Genya. But I'm not going to stop taking care of all your little things. That's non-negotiable, and it's because I care about you. And I know you're not stubborn, or foolish enough to argue that you don't need it."

Muichiro squirmed again, then stopped. "Okay, fine. Thanks Yui."

"Of course." Yuichiro brushed his brother's hair back behind his ears. "What was the big deal anyway? Why do you care so much how he perceives you?"

Muichiro ducked his head, feeling hot all of a sudden. "I-I don't."

The silence was longer than Muichiro cared for. Finally, Yuichiro laughed and touched his forehead to his twin's. "Right." Then, "Do you…like him?"

Muichiro groaned, and felt his heart thud violently. "No comment, Yuichiro."

"I wa-"

"Just!" Muichiro threw himself backwards onto the bed, dragging Yuichiro with him. "Just sleep, yeah?"

Yuichiro laughed, then sighed, and reached over to turn off the nightstand lamp. "Alright Muichiro. Sleep today, and shower tomorrow."

Muichiro nodded, although his brother couldn't see it. "Goodnight Yui-chan."

"'Night, baby."

"I'm not a baby!"