@wieldbrave “ asked —– alright… where do you want to go? ” sabito asks as he shifts nezuko’s weight in his arms and glances down at her muzzled features expectantly, lips upturned into a small, gentle smile.
When Nezuko looks at Sabito the face of her father springs to mind, but the latter had never been strong enough to hold her like this, nor had he possessed the same sharpness and fire in his eyes. Nonetheless, she has associated the peach haired man with family so he has become family in her heart.
She had approached him a few hours ago with a flower and a piece of ribbon. Somehow they had managed to strike up a friendship and she is unwilling to part from him now. She had even laid out on the floor beside him at dinner and entertained herself by kicking her legs while he’d eaten.
Now, however, she has his attention again and she makes a muffled noise behind her muzzle as if to communicate the contentment she feels, a clawed hand resting steadily on his shoulder.
The garden is dark but there is enough light from the lanterns and moon hanging in the sky to cast a shadowy half light over the wisteria house and its grounds. The pond glitters silver under the light, a fringe of gold where it reflects the lanterns burning on the veranda. Before he even asks the question, she knows where she wants to go, and when the question comes she blinks before turning to him.
Eyebrows come down in determination, she turns her head the way she had been looking before, back straight as a bamboo stick, and points a sharp-nailed finger in the direction of the pond. It comes with a ‘humph’ of absolute authority that quickly melts into joy when she feels Sabito begin to move towards the silver and gold pool. She kicks her legs gently in delight, then proceeds to peer into the pond when they arrive at its stony banks. Her fingers are now curled into Sabito’s haori and the shadow of their reflection is dark, almost unrecognisable as it appears to look back at them. Nezuko waves a hand gently at the hulking silhouette, and it returns the greeting through gentle ripples.
Nezuko turns back to Sabito, still overjoyed, and wraps her arms around his neck in gratitude. It is not often that people other than Tanjiro and Zenitsu pay much attention to her. Not that she minds, she is more than content to entertain herself. But to be indulged in this way… she feels an immense happiness, and an immense love for this new piece of her family.
An embrace is the best way to express her gratitude now, but one day she will be able to thank him in words. One day she will be able to thank him beneath the light of the sun.
For now, moonlight and a hug will do just fine.