In the days following after Tanjirou returns Inosuke's confession, the new couple falls into a routine.

On Tanjirou's days off from work, Inosuke scales the side of Tanjirou's house and sneaks in through his window even though he's allowed over at any time. They proceed to make out for a while in the redhead's bed in a mess of flushed, awkward limbs before they get too amped up and have to pull away.

Then they go down to the beach, and Inosuke combs through the sand, looking for shells (he makes jewelry with Nezuko) while Tanjirou rides the waves. Sometimes the ravenette will catch a glimpse of red against the crystal water, and his stomach will stampede with fondness still unfamiliar to him.

After that, Inosuke will carry his boyfriend's surfboard back to his house and watch him take proper care of it with genuine interest. Once that has been completed, they'll either hang out with Nezuko and Zenitsu—who came out as a couple not long after them—or go back to Inosuke's place and cuddle while watching movies.

The four of them are currently walking along the beach at sunset, waves lapping at their feet, per the siblings' request with no real destination in mind.

Every time Inosuke holds Tanjirou's hand, he can't help but notice how slender his fingers are and how many fewer callouses mar his tanned skin. Little things like that make him want to puff his chest and show off how adorable his boyfriend is to the world as he deems himself the luckiest man alive.

Then he looks over and sees Nezuko whispering something into Zenitsu's ear that has him turning a bright shade of red and smiling like a dope.

"Nez, tell me again why you decided to date such a cry baby," Inosuke grunts, keeping his eyes trained on them.

Nezuko was the only person Inosuke consistently used the correct name with besides Tanjirou, and even that differed from time to time.

The brunette laughs softly at the sudden question, and she pats Zenitsu's chest as he squawks offended.

"He's not a cry baby, Inosuke." She smiles brightly in the ravenette's direction. "He's caring and sweet, and he really likes me."

Inosuke makes a fake gagging motion and grips his boyfriend's hand tighter when he feels him gravitate toward the other couple out of brotherly instinct.

The wild boy looks Zenitsu up and down with squinted eyes before leaning back with a huff.

"Then I guess he's fine as long as you're protecting him." Inosuke brings Tanjirou's hand up to his lips and lightly presses a kiss to the back of his palm in an attempt to calm his boyfriend.

He tries not to grin sharply when he sees the redhead's cheeks flood with color and look down at the wet sand, a dazed expression painting over his features.

The couple was still new to physical affection and affection in general, so it always seemed to catch them off guard and leave them surfing on a wave of euphoria for hours.

"Then I'll protect him with my life." Nezuko leans over and pecks the blonde's lips.

Okay, fine, maybe they were a little cute together.

.oOo.

Earlier in the day, Inosuke had been pestering his boyfriend through text messages while he worked trying to convince him to come over after his shift, and alas, he was successful. Tanjirou showed up with a duffle bag hanging off his shoulder, still in his uniform and requesting a shower.

Inosuke grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bathroom, enthusiastic tellings about his day falling from his mouth as he dragged the local boy. He even sat on the floor, back resting against the tub as Tanjirou showered and listened to him hum.

Then the couple was dragged into family dinner (it was takeout), and now they're halfway through the second movie in the hunger games series when Inosuke notices his boyfriend has fallen asleep.

Inosuke doesn't think he'll ever get used to how serene Tanjirou looks when he's asleep or how the weight of him sprawled over his body relaxes him more than anything else has at this point in his life.

His red hair is fanned over the wild boy's chest in freshly washed, pretty loose waves, and the reddish hue of his scar looks almost gentle, illuminated by the harsh light from the television screen.

Inosuke holds his breath.

How did he get so lucky to land the prettiest and sweetest boy alive?

He gently traces lines along the curve of the surfer's jaw, his lips, his nose, his cheekbones, his scar, and the column of his neck.

Tanjirou stirs slightly at the ministrations and nuzzles into Inosuke's chest, making a soft noise that has the ravenette frozen in place as if not to disturb his partner further.

He doesn't want Tanjirou to wake up because the redhead will come up with some lame (they're practical, but Inosuke doesn't think so) excuse to head home. He wants him to stay the night and sleep in his bed so it will smell like him tomorrow.

He wants to be selfish.

He wants to experience Tanjirou as a whole before he has to quit him cold turkey and get teased by his presence existing just there beyond his reach.

Inosuke takes too lightly stroking the sliver of skin revealed by the redhead's tousled shirt. He stretches to reach the remote and turn off the television; quiet darkness settles over them like a weighted blanket.

The even rise and fall of Tanjirou's breaths lull the wild boy into a state of static complacency as he sinks deeper into his mattress.

Inosuke is going to let himself be selfish.

And if Tanjirou wakes up in the middle of the night and scolds Inosuke for letting him fall asleep before begrudgingly cuddling back up to him, it's his business.

 Yeah, when the summer ends they're gonna be just fine.