Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tanjirou’s shoulders sag in relief as he lets out an exhausted but grateful sigh. The familiar sight of the butterfly estate was finally in view and his bones were aching for a soft bed while his stomach was yearning for a nice, warm meal.

It had been a brutal two weeks and all he wanted to do was take it easy—well as easy as the organization would let him before his crow would be hounding at him to take off on yet another mission. He stretches his sore muscles and lets out a weary yawn.

“Tanjirou,” Zenitsu hisses from his left, eyes narrowed slightly at the other boy, “I am begging you to keep the noise down to the lowest possible volume.”

Tanjirou smiles sheepishly. He had almost forgotten the pain (excruciating mind you, Zenitsu chimes in) the blonde was currently in.

Zenitsu walks sluggishly, dragging his feet with every step. For once, he’s actually pretty quiet, occasionally mumbling out a complaint or curse about the slightest bit of noise. But it’s understandable, Tanjirou thinks. They’ve just gotten back from a two-week mission that entailed fighting a demon whose blood demon art specifically specialized in manipulating sounds to use as his weapons. The demon was a grotesque looking thing, with scaly skin and one giant eye smack in the middle of its forehead. So really Tanjirou can’t help but feel sympathy for Zenitsu, who’s heightened sense of hearing took quite the beating. It’s been three days since they defeated the demon and Zenitsu still swears he can hear the ringing in his ears.

“Tanjirou,” he drawls out in his usual pitched voice. His eyes are now shut tight, hands covering his ears. “Make all these noises stop. Don’t breathe so hard and make your clothes stop rustling ahh this hurts so much!” he curses.

“I bet if I saw Nezuko’s cute face all this pain would just go away!” he snaps and lets out an exaggerated sigh, rubbing his temples while trying to alleviate some of the pain.

Tanjirou gives him a sympathetic smile and pats him gently on the back.

“It’s okay Zenitsu, we’re already here at the estate anyways,” he whispers lightly, mindful of the pain Zenitsu is in.

BOOM!

The large, wooden gates of the butterfly estate swing open and Tanjirou himself jumps at the sound. He turns around to Zenitsu and winces at the sight of the boy. Zenitsu is gritting his teeth, the pain evident on his features. He sees the boy swing himself around toward the entrance, ready to tell off the offender.

“Why make such a loud sound!!” he screeches angrily, fist raised high, “Just open it normally!! Who even does something like tha— ah Nezuko!!” he switches his tone midway from peeved to loving upon seeing that the offender is no other than his beloved Nezuko herself.

“Nezuko!” Tanjirou shouts in excitement. He missed his baby sister like crazy, so used to her companionship while out on the road. Ever since Nezuko conquered the sun, he’s felt more comfortable leaving her with the girls at the butterfly estate. Still, seeing his sister after a long two weeks makes the ache in his bones feel lighter and so he runs toward her, arms open wide for a hug.

Nezuko meets him midway and instead of returning the hug, she grabs tightly onto his arm. He’s taken aback. Her eyebrows are furrowed and there’s concern written all over her face.

“Nezuko, what’s wrong?” He asks, tone filled with dread. Nezuko usually kept a calm, cool demeanor after turning into a demon so seeing her like this makes the anxiety coming swooping in. What’s going on, did someone get hurt, did we lose someone again—

“Inosuke!” she yells out, tugging on his sleeve. She turns herself around quickly and makes a grab for Zenitsu’s hand as well. She drags them both with ease towards the doors of butterfly estate and leads them to inside the building. “Inosuke. Hurt. Bad. Not good.” She tells them and turns to look at her brother. Her usual bright pink eyes look tired and she grips on to the boy’s hands tighter, hoping to find comfort in the touch.

Tanjirou feels his chest get tighter, like someone squeezed all the oxygen out of his lungs. That familiar anxious feeling worms its way into his chest and he wills himself to breath. Don’t get emotional, don’t get emotional, don’t get emotional.

“Ehh- what- what happened to Inosuke? Is he here? Are they treating him right now?” Zenitsu asks, his own nerves getting the better of him. Inosuke may often annoy him with his wild nature but Tanjirou, him and Nezuko are the closest thing he’s ever had to a family so he can’t help but feel the worry creep over him at the thought of the boy being severely injured.

Nezuko merely grunts and drags both of the boys down the long halls of the butterfly estate. She only lets go of their hands once they reach the medical wing of the estate. She stops at the room Inosuke must be in and whips around to look at her brother and Zenitsu. “Here. He in here,” she states and points a delicate, clawed hand at the door in front of them.

Tanjirou smells it before he sees it. That familiar and terrible odor of metallic iron sits heavy on his nose, so thick that he can almost taste it. He takes a deep gulp and steels himself to push open the door. He’s fine—he has to be fine, he repeats in his head, almost like a mantra.

His hand is barely hovering over the doorknob before it swings open and he’s greeted by the sight of a frustrated Aoi who’s gritting her teeth in anger. Her pigtails are in disarray and her clothes are askew, almost as if she went toe to toe with a beast and lost. She looks up and blinks in surprise at seeing the group. Her surprised expression switches quickly to a relieved one once she sees Tanjirou.

“Tanjirou!” she exclaims, “It’s so good to see you, really it is!” Aoi smiles tiredly and grasps onto his hands. “Since you’re already here do you think you can help me deal with this beast here,” she grins sweetly and turns to glare at the aforementioned beast. She lets go of his hands and places them on her hips, glaring at the source of her problems. “You and Shinobu are practically the only ones this one here will listen to so any help from you would be great.”

Tanjirou blinks and takes in the sight of the source of Aoi’s troubles all in. Inosuke is sitting at the edge of the bed, looking pissed as hell. His torso is bandaged and bloody, the visible parts of his skin littered with splotches of deep purple bruises. He’s got a nasty gash going across his left cheek that is sure to leave a scar and a bandage going across his right eye that seems to be acting as a temporary eyepatch. He looks terrible and yet still rearing to go.

Tanjirou feels the room spin and forces himself to get a grip. Inosuke is beaten and looking like hell but he’s alive—he’s here and is breathing—he’s alive, he thinks.

The anxiety quiets for now.

“What in the— boar head what happened to you?” Zenitsu asks first, faltering at the beaten sight of his friend. He knows his friend is strong so seeing him so injured makes him feel uneasy.

“Gonpachiro!” Inosuke shouts, dark eyebrows furrowed and a fierce scowl on his face. “Tell this damn woman that I’m fine and that I don’t need that medicine shit or anything else, I’m fine,” he growls and glares at Aoi. She glares just as fiercely back at him.

“You can’t tell us you’re fine when you’re over here bleeding through your bandages dummy that’s why I told you to stop moving around so much!” She grits out and runs a hand through her hair in an attempt to fix it. “Tanjirou please talk some sense into him, he’s had poor Nezuko so worried,” Aoi says and flickers her eyes over to Nezuko.

Nezuko is rocking back and forth on the soles of her feet, unease plastered across her face. She’s looking up and down at Inosuke and bites her lip in worry. She’s always gotten along with the wild hearted boy, viewing him as a pseudo-older brother figure so of course seeing him so bloody and bruised would make her unsettled. Tanjirou feels his hackles rising because one) his poor little sister has probably been worrying herself sick over Inosuke and two) leave it to Inosuke to look beaten to hell and still refuse treatment that he still so obviously needs.

“I’ve been stuck here in bed for a whole ass week already woman!” Inosuke yells, slamming both of his fists on his bedside, “Did you morons forget that I’m the great Inosuke and no punk ass demon is going to—

“Inosuke,” Tanjirou hisses and the tension in the room rises. Inosuke flinches, startled at the cold tone in the usual gentle boy’s voice. Even Nezuko and Aoi jump slightly at the change in his tone of voice.

“Wha-what is it Monjirou,” he spits back, eyes narrowing, slowly leaning back onto the bed, “You lookin’ for a fight or something!?’

“Inosuke, you’re going to continue your treatment without any problems, right? You’re not going to cause a ruckus and worry us anymore than we are right? Inosuke, right?” Tanjirou smiles but he feels the veins in his forehead throbbing, and he tells himself that it’s not really appropriate to launch himself across the room and throttle his stubborn friend.

Inosuke blinks back at him in surprise but recovers, and feels his own annoyance rising. “Was that a threat?” he says, almost smugly. He hopes Monjirou falls for the bait.

“Inosuke are you seriously trying to rile Tanjirou up right now in your condition? It’s not going to—oh no oh no Nezuko hold your brother back he’s making a move!” Zenitsu shouts seeing Tanjirou make a fast stride toward Inosuke’s bed. Nezuko gives him a flat look almost as if saying, nope I’m not going to get in the middle of that.

Tanjirou is at the boy’s bedside in a blink of an eye. His feels his body move without even thinking and pulls Inosuke’s head toward him, resting it on his chest and wraps his arms around the boy in a gentle and careful manner. He inhales the familiar scent of the outdoors and rain that Inosuke carries and lets out a tired sigh.

“H—hey Kentaro what’s the big deal!” Inosuke sputters, red faced, and eyebrows raised high in surprise, “L-let me go stupid!” Tanjirou decides to hug him tighter, more so for his own benefit and as a form of punishment.

“Oh wow, I didn’t know Inosuke could turn so red. He kind of looks like a cherry, don’t you guys think so?” Zenitsu says teasingly, jabbing a thumb in their direction. Nezuko is smiling at seeing the lively sight and even Aoi, who just moments ago was peeved, finds herself cooing at the two boys.

“Shut up Zenitsu or I’ll go over there and pound your face in!” Inosuke hollers and manages to free himself from Tanjirou’s grip. Tanjirou throws his head back in laughter and pulls him back to prevent him from getting too worked up. “Oh, hush Inosuke, now lay back and let Aoi treat you alright?” Tanjirou says, no room for argument in his voice.

Burgundy eyes meet green ones. Tanjirou hopes Inosuke can read the message he’s sending with his eyes alone. The please just let her treat you if I lose you, I don’t know what I’ll do is unspoken but there. Inosuke nods, but not before rolling his eyes in his usual fashion and throwing himself back on his bed.

Tanjirou smiles happily, “Thank you In-“

“Inosuke!” a boyish voice cuts him off as it rings from the doorway, “I’ve got your favorite dish! Tempura!”

“Tempura?” Inosuke snaps head up to attention, excitement drawn upon his features, “Hurry up and hand it over,” he says with grabby hands.

“You’ll never guess how hard it was to get ahold of this dish Inosuke, honestly those cooks are—” the voice stops midway upon seeing the audience before him. “Oh, we have guests?”

Tanjirou tilts his head in confusion at the boy standing at the doorway, a plate of tempura held delicately in his hands. The boy is dressed in the standard demon slaying corps uniform, only with a soft blue haori that fades into a dark blue at the ends laid upon his shoulders. He’s tall, definitely taller than him, and lean but with built muscle definition. He’s got brown chestnut hair that’s tied up in a small ponytail and bright blue eyes that are blinking back at the group in an owlish manner. There’s a splatter of freckles across his pales cheeks as well.

Who is this guy, Tanjirou thinks and racks his brain to put a name to the boy’s face. He doesn’t recall meeting him on any of his travels and he’s pretty good at remembering faces, so they obviously haven’t met.

The boy gives the group a bright smile, pearly white teeth showing through and makes his way over to Inosuke. He carefully hands the overflowing plate of tempura to the starved boy while said boy eagerly accepts the plate, eyes shining at seeing the amount of food.

“Here Inosuke, make sure to eat it carefully,” the young man chimes. Inosuke grunts and scarfs down the tempura as if he’s ravaged and hasn’t eaten in days.

The taller boy laughs and brushes a stray piece of hair behind his ear. His blue eyes flutter to Tanjirou and Zenitsu and he gives a shy smile. “Ah, forgive me for being so rude let me introduce myself!” he says,
“My name is Fujiwara Daichi.”

Daichi tilts his head and blinks in that owlish manner, he puts a hand to his cheek and says, “Well I do know of Nezuko and Aoi but I’m afraid I don’t know you two.”

Zenitsu is the first to act, always weak to a pretty face. He walks up to the taller boy and sticks a hand out in greeting. “I’m Agatsuma Zenitsu, it’s nice to meet you!” he grins. Daichi smiles back brightly and shakes his hand excitedly. “Oh yes I do know of you! You’re a breath of thunder user! Inosuke has talked about you before!”

Zenitsu pauses and narrows his eyes at Inosuke who pointedly ignores him and keeps on digging into his dish. “Alright, be honest what has that boar head said about me.”

Daichi laughs with mirth, “No it’s all good talk for the most part. He might’ve mentioned some funny tales but that’s about it.” He turns and looks toward Tanjirou, “And you must be Monjirou I presume?”

‘Ah no, I’m actually called Kamado Tanjirou,” he replies back, rubbing a hand behind his neck, “Inosuke has a bad habit of messing up my name is all.”

“I do not!” Inosuke rebukes, affronted at the accusation, “Gonpachiro take that back!”

Tanjirou gives him a weary look.

“Oh! My apologies Tanjirou,” Daichi says, smile faltering slightly, “But yes, I’ve heard a great deal about you from Inosuke as well. He um—he talks quite highly of you.”

The smell radiating off of him is brief but poignant enough that it throws Tanjirou off. What even was that? It was bitter and tinged with a tad of…. annoyance? He shrugs it off, assuming maybe he’s just got a whiff of something else.

Daichi seems to perk right back up though and plops himself down by the right of Inosuke’s bed. He’s shoulder to shoulder with him, so close that if they turn their heads their cheeks would meet. Inosuke doesn’t even seem to react, almost as if he’s grown used to the intrusion on his personal space.

Tanjirou feels his eye twitch. This…this is new, he thinks. Since when does Inosuke allow someone to get so close to him without pitching a fit. Heck, just now when he gave him a hug, he felt the boy’s muscles tense slightly under the touch. Even Zenitsu is looking at the scene before them, wide-eyed and mouth slightly agape.

It’s nothing, I’m overthinking this, he mutters in his head, but it does nothing to curb the small little sour feeling he feels in the pit of his belly.

Daichi looks at Aoi and asks, “So what’s going on Aoi? Inosuke being stubborn and refusing his treatment again?”

Aoi gives him a drained smile and replies back, “Well he was but Tanjirou here managed to settle him down so it’s fine…for now,” she tacks on. Daichi flits his eyes briefly toward Tanjirou, that previous smell coming back tenfold and now Tanjirou is certain that it’s a bitter like scent. Daichi quickly regains his composure and points a long finger at Inosuke.

“Inosuke,” he scolds, “You shouldn’t give Aoi such a hard time! Don’t you want to get better so we can go back to being on missions?” he pouts and the sour feeling in his stomach grows stronger.

Oh, Tanjirou thinks, they go on missions together. That explains the closeness between the two of them he guesses. They must go on missions often together if Inosuke isn’t protesting at the lack of personal space.

He feels his other eye twitch.

“Ugh don’t start pissin’ me off too Daichi, I’ve had enough alright,” Inosuke groans dramatically. He hands his finished plate to Daichi and lays back on the bed, “Give me the damn medicine so I can go to sleep, I’m tired.”

Oh.

He didn’t get Daichi’s name wrong.

Tanjirou scoffs loudly and curses himself in embarrassment when he sees everyone in the room look at him curiously. Crap, he meant to keep that to himself.

Aoi walks toward Daichi and pulls a small vial of medicine from her apron, handing it over to the boy. “Here Daichi, make sure he drinks this before he goes to sleep and please make sure that he actually swallows it,” she says in a strict tone, eyes narrowing at Inosuke. He sticks his tongue back at her in retaliation.

Nezuko, who had been idly observing the entire time, makes her way over to Inosuke with a slight spring in her step, probably happy that the boy seems to be doing alright after all. She places a hand on his head and gives him a head pat, “Inosuke, take medicine. Okay?” she smiles and resumes patting his head. Inosuke gives her an irritated but fond look (because really who could tell Nezuko no?) and replies back with a, “Alright whatever you say Bezuko.”

Nezuko gives him a pretty smile and skips her way back to her brother’s side. Tanjirou feels a rush of affection sweep over looking at the two of them and stores the interaction in his heart for safekeeping.

“Don’t worry about it Aoi, I’ll make sure he takes it with no problem,” Daichi answers back with a wave of his hand and a polite smile, “You guys can go on ahead if you’d like, I’ll stay with him.”

“I want to stay though,” Tanjirou blurts out and rambles on, “I mean—uh— I want to stay and watch over Inosuke too if that’s okay.” He fiddles with his hands, feeling everyone’s eyes on him again.

Daichi stares at him, a bit wide-eyed and even Inosuke lifts his head up slightly in curiosity. He looks at Tanjirou with tired eyes and gives him a drowsy reply, “Don’t worry about it Kentaro,” he stops to yawn and resumes, “Go catch up with everyone, I’m fine.” He yawns loudly again and buries his head into the pillow, succumbing to the urge to sleep.

Tanjirou wants to protest and reply back with a petty, but why does Daichi get to stay with you, but the protest dies in his throat and he darts his eyes back and forth between Daichi and Inosuke.

Aoi grabs his arm and begins hauling him out the door, “Daichi will watch over him don’t worry Tanjirou,” she reassures him, “Let’s let him rest and go catch up with the girls, they’ve missed you terribly you know!” Zenitsu and Nezuko are already halfway out the door, Zenitsu blushing and talking to her while Nezuko nods attentively.

Aoi’s voice drowns out in the background and Tanjirou feels a bit bad but he can’t find it in him to concentrate on what she’s saying. His thoughts are scrambled, and his chest feels...odd. He sags his shoulders down slightly and turns his head back to get one last look at Inosuke and feels his heart clench at the sight.

Daichi is looking down fondly at a sleeping Inosuke, a soft smile gracing his face. Inosuke had dozed off already, snoring peacefully without a care in the world.

He rubs a hand against his chest in a weak attempt to the thwart the strange sensation he feels.

That ugly feeling he felt in his belly grows stronger.

.

.

.

It’s nighttime. The cicadas are singing, the moon is shining a sliver of light through the windowpanes and Tanjirou cannot fall sleep no matter how hard he tries. Nezuko is curled up by the side of his futon, a peaceful smile gracing her face as she sleeps soundly. Even Zenitsu passed out easily, drained from the mission and claiming that he earned a well-deserved rest. Everyone had succumbed to the call to sleep, except for him.

He lets out a quiet huff and stares up at the ceiling, eyes narrowing in displeasure. The image of a battered and bruised Inosuke pops into his head but its quickly replaced with another image of Daichi tending to the injured boy, all gentle touches and soothing words. Immediately, the discomfort makes way through his veins and he throws his head back onto his pillow in frustration.

What in the world am I getting so bothered for? he muses. Really, he should feel happy that Inosuke has found a friend all on his own, who seems to care a great deal about him. He knows that being raised alone in the mountains with minimal human interaction made it difficult for the boy to make friends. He knows that Inosuke tries hard to befriend others, but sadly some people are turned off by the boy’s wild and rough personality, (their loss-he thinks). So, all in all, he is glad that Daichi seems to be good friends with Inosuke, he’s just…he’s just a little miffed alright? He doesn’t even know why he’s annoyed in the first place and all it does is make his frustration more unbearable. If he could just name whatever this…petty feeling he’s experiencing is, it would be great! But if he’s being honest with himself, he doesn’t even know where to start.

Ugh just admitting all this to myself makes me sound so immature, he groans internally, I’m the eldest son and I’m… well I’m acting so childish!

He doesn’t have anything against Daichi…really, he doesn’t! He just met the young man today after all. And putting aside the strange, bitter smell Daichi was giving off, he seems to be a nice guy. He’s all smiles and kind words and doesn’t even seem to be bothered by Inosuke’s rough personality. If Tanjirou is going by the fond looks Daichi was throwing at Inosuke earlier, he’d assume that Daichi may be rather close to Inosuke.

That particular thought makes that weird feeling make an appearance again and he immediately tries to squash it down, but to no avail. Shameful, I’m so shameful, he thinks to himself.

When he had caught up with Aoi and the rest of the girls over tea, they caught him up to speed on what went down. According to Aoi’s story, Inosuke came to the state injured the very next day him after he and Zenitsu had left for their two-week assignment. He had left with Daichi and Kanao to a nearby village to exterminate a demon who had been devouring and causing chaos for the villagers. The following day, Daichi and Kanao had shown up at the estate with a bloody and unconscious Inosuke who was clinging to life. A sad look had crossed over Aoi’s face when she tells him that even poor Shinobu was caught off guard and frantic when tending to the boy’s wounds.

Shinobu had apparently given him an earful after he regained consciousness and even Kanao herself found her voice and hollered at him for being so reckless. Daichi had apparently hardly left his side and Nezuko refused to budge and remained close by as well.

Tanjirou feels a wave of sadness wash over him recalling what Aoi had told him. The guilt of not being there to protect his friend sat heavy on his heart and his mind.

Sleep will obviously not come easy to him tonight as he continues to toss and turn. Might as well go see the source of my issues right now huh, he thinks with a tired sigh. He had been wanting to spend some time with Inosuke anyways before he was dragged out of the room. Well…it might’ve been awkward with Daichi hovering around, he considers and then rebukes with, no wait why would it be awkward! Ahh stop thinking so much!

He sits up and lifts himself off the futon, mindful not to disturb the sleeping Nezuko. She stirs slightly but turns to her side and remains in a deep sleep. He smiles warmly at the sight of his baby sister sleeping so peacefully and gently places the blanket over her frame.

He tiptoes quietly out of the room, shutting the door carefully behind and makes his way to the medical wing of the estate. The halls are silent and long and before he knows it, he’s standing in front of the door that leads to where Inosuke rests.

Tanjirou pushes the door open to Inosuke’s room gently, hissing slightly at the loud creaking sound that it makes. “So much for stealth,” he grumbles and peaks his head out through the slight crack. Inosuke is on his side, buried in a mound of blankets, and is seemingly asleep. Daichi seems to be nowhere in sight, probably already asleep in the other guest room. He feels a small tinge of relief at not seeing the other boy and then scolds himself for even feeling that way in the first place.

Oh, I probably shouldn’t bother him then if he’s resting, Tanjirou thinks and moves to close the door but is startled when Inosuke suddenly speaks up.

“Stop staring at me from the door like a weirdo and just come over here already Gonpachiro,” Inosuke says drowsily, sitting up and rubbing his unpatched eye. He’s got terrible bed hair and there’s a slight pout on his face.

Cute, Tanjirou coos, and then immediately feels a tiny bit guilty at waking the boy up. He might have momentarily forgotten that Inosuke had a keen sense of touch and could probably feel right away when he was staring. Oops.

Tanjirou lets out a small, sheepish chuckle and makes his way to sit over on the bed. He sits down by Inosuke’s right side carefully, mindful of not brushing up against any injuries. He feels a somber thought wash over him about how their roles are now reversed. Most of the time it’s him lying in this bed, tattered and sore from a battle while Inosuke sits by his side all day and night to keep him company. The rush of affection he gets for his friend makes him feel warm and he gives Inosuke a weak but grateful smile.

“What’s on your mind Kentaro?” Inosuke yawns and sits up cross-legged, he blows a strand of messy hair out of his face and gives Tanjirou a pensive look. The soft glow of the moon outlines his profile making him look so vulnerable and Tanjirou’s breath catches in his throat.

He really does have a stupidly pretty face, Tanjirou thinks unabashedly and clears his throat. “Are you feeling better Inosuke? I just wanted to check up on you I suppose. I couldn’t really sleep you know, too much going on up here,” he says and taps a finger against his forehead. Inosuke scowls at him, pretty green eyes narrowing.

“You’re rambling Tanjirou,” he says and jabs a finger at Tanjirou’s chest, “Get to the point already.”

Tanjirou lets out huff, “Alright so maybe I am.” He crosses his arms and hesitates slightly before asking, “Inosuke…how did you get so hurt? What happened? Why weren’t you more careful!” he spills out, already bracing himself for the rebuttal Inosuke usually gives him anytime he tries to show concern for the boy. To his surprise, Inosuke doesn’t try to deflect the conversation but instead starts going off on a rant.

“Ugh those shit head demons got the jump on me,” Inosuke begins. “Daichi, Kanao, and me were on a mission together at some village. Turns out it wasn’t just two demons but a whole ass group of them.,” he murmurs angrily. “Daichi and Kanao went one way and I took off the other way. There was a family hiding from the demons and I… I tried to save them,” he pauses and takes a deep breath, “I managed to get them to safety but not before a couple of demons got the better of me.” He curses under his breath and gestures vaguely to his injuries. “Next thing I know I’m knocked out and laying in this bed while Shinobu is yelling her head off at me for almost dying and everyone else is crying. Tch, talk about an overreaction.”

He finishes his explanation and looks at Tanjirou. “There I barred my soul to you Monjirou is that good enough?”

Tanjirou is silent, absorbing the entire story in and nods slowly. To think, Inosuke was on the verge of death and he wasn’t there to help him. He wasn’t there to protect him. He could’ve lost him, and he wouldn’t have even gotten the chance to say goodbye. His eyes begin to feel watery and he tells himself that that was the past and Inosuke is here now with him, alive and breathing but it’s a cold comfort.

“H-hey Sanjirou, don’t start crying damn it! You know I’m not good at making people feel better! So, you better stop!” Inosuke exclaims loudly and Tanjirou gives him a small glare.

“I’m—I’m not crying okay!” he pouts and tears his eyes away from the other boy, “I was just worried okay…I can’t—you know I can’t stand it when any of you get injured,” he replies back, tone sad.

Inosuke stares at him, eyes hazed over with an emotion that Tanjirou can’t put a name to.

“I’m sorry,” the boy utters out and Tanjirou blinks in shock. Inosuke apologizing…without being prompted too? Inosuke continues on, “I’m not sorry for beating up those demons obviously but I am sorry for…making you worry I guess,” he shrugs noncommittally. And yeah that sounds more like Inosuke, Tanjirou thinks fondly.

A moment of silence passes between the two of them and Tanjirou’s body moves without him even thinking. He moves his hand to gently caress Inosuke’s cheek, careful not to put too much pressure on the wounded part. He rubs his thumb gently on the boy’s cheekbone and Inosuke closes his eyes and leans into the touch. Tanjirou finds himself thankful for the darkness that encompasses the room, the only light being from the moon, otherwise Inosuke would probably see the redness blooming across his face. The boy’s cheek feels so soft against his calloused hand and the warmth radiating off of it feels nice too, he decides.

Tanjirou swallows hard and clears his throat, reluctantly moving his hand away from the other boy and coughs into said hand, “Uh—uh p-promise me you’ll be a least a little bit more careful next time alright? D-don’t be so rash otherwise you’re going to worry me into an early g-grave” he sputters out and sits up to move away from the bed. His heart is beating so fast that if Zenitsu was awake he’d probably point it out.

That unknown look skims over Inosuke’s eyes again and he scoffs, “Tch. Whatever Kentaro, I’m going back to sleep if we’re done here,” he yawns and plops himself back down on the bed. He pauses momentarily and then finishes off with a, “You…you need rest to so go get some or not whatever I don’t care.”

Tanjirou gives him a fleeting smile, knowing there’s no malice behind his words. Inosuke has a unique way of showing his concern, where you have to read between the lines of the words he spews out and Tanjirou is lucky that he can. He gives Inosuke one last glance and whispers, “Goodnight Inosuke.”

Inosuke responds with a loud snore and Tanjirou shuts the door softly.

.

.

.

A week later after forcing Inosuke to receive the prescribed treatment, he’s back in action and is picking fights with anyone who breathes. The bruises on his sun-kissed skin have faded into green ones instead of the ugly deep purple they once were and the vision in his right eye is back to normal. However, the wound on his cheek left him a scar, making him appear more rugged than usual, which Tanjirou finds makes him feel a bit flustered but he’d rather keep that tidbit to himself.

All in all, he’s elated that Inosuke is back to his old self. He was kind of worried that the boy would fall into another depressive state like last time so seeing him bounce back fast was a huge relief.

I’m glad he’s feeling good, Tanjirou thinks, but where did he run off to now? He’d been wanting to catch up with Inosuke for a while now but anytime he’d stop by to try to visit the boy Daichi was always present. Always sitting by Inosuke’s bedside, always just there. He wanted to join in on the conversation, be the one to keep Inosuke company but it felt so awkward to just jump right in the middle of the two. He’s a people-person, even getting the temperamental Genya and calm Giyuu to be friends with him so honestly talking to Daichi should be easy…but it’s not.

Perhaps we just got off on the wrong foot or something, he considers and makes a promise to himself that he’ll try his best to befriend Daichi. After all, Daichi helped bring Inosuke back to the butterfly estate when he was injured and Inosuke seems to like his company so he can’t be a bad person right?

As it turns out, he doesn’t think he can make good on that promise after all.

It’s inevitable that anytime he seeks out Inosuke, Daichi is there like a constant lingering presence. He’s tempted to recruit Zenitsu to distract Daichi so he can finally have some time to catch up with Inosuke, but the thunder breath user is too wrapped up with Nezuko to really be of any assistance.

He’s…he’s like a leech, Tanjirou thinks and feels absolutely terrible not even a second later at the mean thought. He has no basis for calling the other boy such a name but the frustration he feels at said boy for constantly hogging Inosuke’s attention is evident and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

All he wants to do is spend time with Inosuke, that’s all. It’s been too long since the two of them have just hung out and talked. Most of the time it’s Inosuke talking boisterously about this or that but Tanjirou enjoys it. He enjoys the way Inosuke’s eyes light up brightly when he talks about his most recent win against a demon or going on about how he’s improving his techniques. He enjoys just sitting with Inosuke and teaching him about anything from games to emotions. He even enjoys the quiet moments between the two of them, where Inosuke feels comfortable enough to just be beside him, basking in the company of one another.

So yeah, he misses his best friend all right, so forgive him if he feels a tad agitated at Daichi.

He’s so consumed by his rambling thoughts that he doesn’t even notice that he’s wandered off far into the training area of the estate. He doesn’t think Inosuke would be in here, but it wouldn’t hurt to check. He pushes through the heavy doors and the sight in front of him makes his blood pressure skyrocket.

Inosuke is laying on the floor of the training hall, boar mask off and revealing a flushed face. His hair is a mess, bangs pushed forward showing off his long eyelashes and green eyes. He’s huffing and spitting out nasty curses at Daichi who’s has the shorter boy pinned against the sides of his arms. His lean body shakes with laughter at the pissed Inosuke who lets out a primal screech that results in Daichi laughing even harder.

“Ah forgive me, am I interrupting something?” Tanjirou asks in a biting tone. He tries to plaster on a friendly grin, but he can feel himself seething and he doesn’t even know why. The sight of someone laying on top of Inosuke looks way too intimate for him and it’s setting every nerve of his on edge.

“Gonpachiro! Tell this asshole that if I was at like full power, I’d totally wipe the floor with him!” Inosuke screams, glaring at Daichi but all Tanjirou can focus on is how Daichi still has Inosuke pinned to the floor and why isn’t he getting off yet what the hell, he grumbles.

“You should really get off him and you guys shouldn’t be roughhousing, he’s still not completely recovered you know,” the words coming pouring of his mouth before he can stop them. He bites his cheek, and continues, “Please be more careful.”

Inosuke snarls and starts spewing out about how ‘I told you I’m fine Monjirou I’m the king of the mountains and nothing is going to hold me down’ but all Tanjirou can focus on his how the bitter scent Daichi was giving off when they first meet spikes sharply. He narrows his blue eyes at Tanjirou and replies back coolly, “We’re just having fun. Besides I know Inosuke’s limits so don’t worry too hard.”

The tension in the room becomes thick, burgundy eyes glare at blue eyes as neither of them are willing to back down. Inosuke, who seems to be completely oblivious to the atmosphere, is up on his feet yelling his head off and challenging Daichi to a fight to see who exactly has ‘limits’ here.

Control your emotions, control your emotions, Tanjirou repeats to himself. He knows he has the patience of a saint. He helped raised five younger siblings after all and deals with Zenitsu’s crying and Inosuke’s wildness on a daily basis, so he’s got this patience thing down to an art. Daichi, however, is making him want to throw said patience out the window. He’s not a confrontational person, save for when it comes to anyone hurting Nezuko, but right now it feels like Daichi is really testing that part of him.

“Well of course I’m going to worry Daichi, Inosuke is my best friend after all,” he smiles, knowing that he stressed that best friend part. It may be petty, but it makes him feel good so whatever!

Daichi gives him a shark like smile, all teeth and definitely some bite attached to it, “Well Inosuke and I have grown pretty close these past months so—”

“I’ve known him for a whole year,” he interrupts. Tanjirou feels the burning in his gut, knowing that he’ll probably be mortified at his immature actions later but hell no is he going to let Daichi have the upper hand here.

“That may be Tanjirou but Inosuke and I—”

“Can the two of you shut the hell up already, I’m starving. I want tempura.” Inosuke grunts out, his tummy is rumbling like crazy and his mouth waters just at the thought of some fresh tempura. He’s already out the door, running down the hall with chants of ‘tempura’.

Daichi glares at Tanjirou.

Tanjirou smiles back, twitching vein evident on his forehead.

Daichi narrows his eyes at him once more and makes his way out of the training hall, but not before giving Tanjirou’s shoulder a slight shove as he walks by. He gives him a smirk and leaves the room.

Tanjirou gives him an even bigger smile, kill them with kindness they say, but his fists are clenched at his sides and the irritation he feels burns him from within.

Yeah, he thinks, I’m really not going to be able to make good on that promise.

.

.

.

They’re gathered in the dining hall when the shit hits the fan, as Zenitsu usually puts it.

The cooks had made tempura after all and Inosuke was rubbing his hands gleefully when the dishes came out. He scarfs down his food immediately and is making quick work on his second plate when Tanjirou sees the crumbs scattered on the boy’s face. Cute, too cute, he thinks.

“Inosuke,” Tanjirou laughs and moves to stretch his hand outwards towards the messy eater. “You’ve got some tempura crumbs on your cheek.”

“Huh, I do?” Inosuke stops guzzling down his food and Tanjirou gives him a warm smile. Inosuke may be brash and always rearing to go, but he can’t help but find him adorable when it comes to small moments like these.

“Here let me wipe them off for you —” but he’s cut off when Daichi swoops in from Inosuke’s left side.

“No worries Tanjirou,” he grins earnestly, “I’ve got this!” He turns his body towards Inosuke and gently uses his hands to tilt his face upwards towards him, mindful of his scar. “Honestly Inosuke you should mind your manners a bit more don’t you think?” Daichi tuts and gives the boy a soft smile. Inosuke merely grunts out a reluctant thanks and immediately goes back to eating, albeit a bit more careful this time.

Zenitsu lets out a scandalized gasp and almost drops his bowl of rice. “Daichi is so bold,” he yelps, placing his hands to his chests in astonishment. “And Inosuke…you just let him grab your face like it was nothing!” he exclaims, honey colored eyes wide. “Tanjirou are you seeing this-,” he stops and glances at the boy in question, who in his opinion, looked like he just swallowed something unpleasant.

“Tanjirou…” he trails off but is cut off midway when Tanjirou abruptly stands up.

Tanjirou is up on his feet before he even knows what he’s doing, all he knows is that his skin feels stretched too tight and that this prickly feeling in his chest is making him uncomfortable. The hairs on the back of his neck are standing upright and he just wants out of here now. Away from Daichi, Inosuke, and whatever this terrible, prickly feeling is.

“Excuse me,” he strains, “I’m going to…go get some air.” His mind feels so jumbled with these emotions that he can’t even bring himself to make up a good excuse. He turns his back away from the three and scurries out of the dining hall so quickly that he doesn’t even hear Inosuke calling his name. Or at least he wills himself not too. He’s so determined to get away from this terrible feeling that he doesn’t even take notice when he passes by his sister down the hall. All he knows is that he needs to get away fast.

Inosuke stares dumbfoundedly the spot that where Tanjirou was once sitting at, green eyes blinking wide. “Hey,” he turns to Zenitsu, confusion plastered all over his face.

“What happened to Kentaro? Is he alright? Does his tummy hurt? “he fires off rapidly, question after question, not even giving Zenitsu the time to answer. “Should we tell the girls…” his voice wonders off and Zenitsu feels a flood of unusual warmth for the feral boy. Inosuke may try his best to hide his concerns for his friends, thinking that it makes him look tough but Zenitsu can hear the boy’s rapid heartbeats. He’s worried about Tanjirou and that alone is kind of precious.

Zenitsu lets out a giggle and rests a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Don’t fret Inosuke,” he says. “I’m sure Tanjirou really just wanted some fresh air,” he smiles reassuringly. Zenitsu knows the real reason why Tanjirou booked it but trying to explain that to Inosuke would be like trying to explain how to properly handle emotions to Giyuu. He figures that this is something Tanjirou and Inosuke need to hash out together.

“Exactly Inosuke!” Daichi exclaims enthusiastically. Zenitsu blinks. He had momentarily forgotten the other boy was with them.

“It’s not even something to stress yourself out over,” Daichi states, waving a hand nonchalantly and Zenitsu feels his hackles begin to rise.

Daichi stands up, finished with his meal and stretches his hand out to Inosuke. “Come on, let’s go work off this meal with some basic training to get you back in shape,” he grins excitedly, “it’ll all be fine so let’s go!”

This doesn’t feel right, Inosuke thinks to himself. The tempura sits heavy in his stomach and a weird feeling makes it way to his chest. Inosuke has always prided himself in not thinking too hard over miniscule things and instead rushing headfirst into whatever problems he may face but seeing Tanjirou acting off makes him feel off.

He glances up to Daichi’s waiting hand and gives him a tight, forced smile. Maybe some training will make whatever the hell this feeling is go away, Inosuke hopes desperately. He takes Daichi’s hand and stands up. All he can do is hope that by the time he’s done with training, Tanjirou will be back to his normal, perky self.

Daichi clasps their hands together and leads them out of the dining hall. “See you later Zenitsu!” he shouts, already halfway out the door with Inosuke in tow. “If anyone asks, we’ll both be busy training so don’t wait up or anything.” Inosuke begins to protest loudly at being manhandled and takes a swipe at Daichi but the taller boy neatly dodges it and lets out a hearty laugh. Their footsteps echo down the hall and their laughs trail behind them by the time they’re gone.

Zenitsu glares at the spot where Daichi was. He himself feels irritated seeing the way Daichi had his hands all over Inosuke. Almost as if personal space was a nonexistent term between the two of them. He is all too familiar with the game that Daichi is trying to play, and he can’t help but feel some form of pity for Tanjirou.

“This…,” Zenitsu sighs and runs a hand through his golden locks, “This is really going to be a problem.”

.

.

.

Tanjirou ends up in the garden area of the butterfly estate. It’s a beautiful view really. Flowers of every kind and every color. All the smells may be a bit overwhelming for his sensitive nose, but he finds them to be a welcomed distraction. He takes a deep breath and runs a calloused hand through his reddish-brown hair, willing himself to get ahold of his spiraling emotions. He’s so lost in his train of thought that he doesn’t even smell or feel the familiar presence of two people coming from behind him.

“Tanjirou?” a soft and melodic voice calls out.

“Nii-chan!” calls another innocent voice.

Tanjirou jumps, startled a bit at the intrusion but quickly plasters a smile on his face. He turns around to face the two girls.

“Shinobu!” He says and is interrupted midway when Nezuko launches herself into his arms. He laughs softly, returning the hug with a squeeze and outstretches his right arm to give her the head pats that she adores. It makes a surge of fondness rush over him knowing that even though Nezuko has conquered the sun and can speak—well broken speech but speech nonetheless-- is still very keen on receiving her beloved head pats. She lets him go after getting her fill of pats and stays by his side, pink eyes seeming to do a once over at him.

“Shinobu, how are you? I’m glad to see you got back safely from your assignment,” he greets the insect pillar enthusiastically. It really has been quite a while since he saw the older girl, mainly only stopping by to check on Nezuko after he’d come back from missions. Shinobu gives him a nod and squints her pretty violet eyes at him.

“Tanjirou, are you alright?” Shinobu says worriedly, delicate eyebrows furrowed in concern. She inspects him with a critical eye. “Nezuko came into my office, frantic and dragged me over to check on you…you do seem to be a bit off if I’m being honest.”

“What—no I’m fine—I’m perfectly fine,” he replies to her weakly, attempting to straighten himself out in order to pass off his lie. “Really, I’m okay Shinobu I don’t know why Nezuko went and got you, but I promise I’m perfectly okay!” He puffs out his chest for good measure and beams at the girls, hoping that his smile is enough to convince them both.

Shinobu hums and places her hands on her hips.

Nezuko lets out an exaggerated sigh and rolls her eyes.

He gasps and recoils his body back quickly. “Hey, wait a minute, Nezuko—did…did you just roll your eyes at me? Your own brother!” he exclaims in disbelief and feels a genuine grin creep up on his face. Yeah, she most definitely picked up that habit from Shinobu. He lets out a hearty laugh and for the first time since he came to the butterfly estate, his chest feels a bit lighter. Leave it to his baby sister to ease whatever discomfort he may be feeling.

“No. Nii-chan. Tell. What wrong?” Nezuko asks. She enunciates each word carefully and even though she still has trouble stringing her words together, he can’t help but be proud at how fast she’s picking up on relearning how to speak. The girls at the butterfly estate must be helping her out. He makes a mental note to give them his thanks later.

“Tanjirou, you can tell us if there’s something wrong,” Shinobu says and makes small strides over to him. “The girls did in fact tell me that lately you haven’t been acting like your usual peppy self.” She’s giving off a concerned smell and immediately he feels terrible for making the older girl worried, knowing that she’s already quite busy with pillar related issues.

I’m not fooling anyone with these dumb lies, he thinks, the guilt at lying already festering inside him.

Shinobu latches on to his arm and gives him a sweet, yet conniving smile. Nezuko grabs onto his other arm and giggles. “Come, let’s go have a small talk,” Shinobu says in a singsong like tone and begins leading him towards the outer edge of the garden where a rickety wooden bench is placed. She sits herself down on the bench and pats the empty spot next to her. He lets out a resigned sigh and moves to sit while Nezuko plops down on to the grass, nudging herself in between his legs. She tilts her head up at him and gives him an encouraging smile, almost as if willing him to go ahead and air out his issues.

He returns it with a smile of his own and begins running his fingers through her hair, finding that keeping his hands busy eases the anxiety he feels in his heart. He takes a strand of her long black, orange tipped hair and begins to mindlessly braid it. She hums happily.

“Shinobu …it’s really not something I should burden you with,” he shrugs, not even sure where he should begin. And, really just how could he? He doesn’t even know where to begin untangling these messy feelings that seem to insist on making his heart their home.

“Tanjirou,” Shinobu says in a stern voice, “Your emotions and problems will never be a burden to me.” She gives his arm a reassuring squeeze. “You can always talk to me and I promise you I’ll always be here to lend an ear.”

He feels a slight wetness in his eyes start to form. He’s become so used to shouldering all the burdens, repeating to himself that as the oldest son he must always stay strong in his resolve. Shinobu wraps an arm around his shoulders and tilts her head toward him. She’s always given off such a strong sisterly aura, if it wasn’t obvious by how loved she is by Kanao and the rest of the girls.

“So please,” she says, violet eyes filled with sincerity, “Tell us what’s got you feeling so down?”

“Nii-chan. Please. Talk.” Nezuko adds from below, her eyes plead with him and his resoluteness to keep this issue to himself crumbles.

“It’s about… Inosuke,” he says hesitatingly. It feels like his brain is on autopilot as he recalls all the soft moments Inosuke and Daichi have been sharing. That tender and warm look that Daichi gets on his face anytime Inosuke does anything remotely cute. Even when Inosuke is spitting curses at him, Daichi still looks at him like he hung the moon (well to be fair I can relate to that, Tanjirou thinks fleetingly.) There’s also the fact that Inosuke never seems to protest when Daichi gets into his personal space.

The sour feeling he’s grown to hate keeps growing.

It’s ridiculous, it’s childish. But it makes him feel…miserable. He knows Inosuke isn’t property. He has free will and can decide who he wants to be close to and let in. He knows he has no claim to the wild but soft-hearted boy with the pretty green eyes. He knows this but damn does it burn him up inside to see someone who seemingly popped out of the blue and claimed what he thought was his spot in Inosuke’s heart.

“Him and Daichi have become so close that I just…I just can’t help but feel like I’m being replaced,” he says and feels the embarrassment makes it way to his cheeks at admitting this, but he knows Shinobu and Nezuko would never judge him. “It’s so immature I know. I have absolutely no right to say who can and can’t be with Inosuke—but I just…I just...” he takes a deep breath and sags his shoulders, burgundy eyes casted downwards.

He turns and gives Shinobu a frail smile. “I just don’t want Inosuke to forget about me, I guess. I thought—I just thought that we both…,” he pauses, unsure of how to continue.

Suddenly as if sensing her brother’s distress, Nezuko jumps to her feet and turns to him. Half of her hair in a messy braid while the other half is wavy and loose. She wraps her arms around her older brother in a tight, warm embrace. She places his head to her chest and pats his head in a soothing manner like he does to her.

“I’m okay Nezuko, I’m okay. Thank you though I think I needed that,” he laughs sincerely and returns her hug. She nods and lets him go to sit herself down on the other side of the bench, continuing to absentmindedly pat his head in what she hopes is comforting to him.

“Tanjirou, you don’t have to answer me now but from what I’m hearing…” Shinobu begins, placing a hand to her chin as if she’s deep in thought, “Tanjirou, are you jealous that Daichi seems to be rather fond of my dear problem child?” She grins and waits eagerly for his answer.

He stands up and whips around to look at the girl, eyes wide and cheeks flushed an alarming shade of red. “J-jealous!” He sputters and waves his hands in a ‘no way not possible’ gesture. “Jealous? Me? Of who! Inosuke and Daichi? Pfft nope!” He says, denial strong. “Honestly Shinobu, what are you trying to imply here?” he mutters and crosses his arms, knowing that he’s probably being immature but seriously him…jealous? As if. There is nothing to be jealous of.

Shinobu hums and gives him a mischievous smile. “Ah I see, so it most definitely wouldn’t bother you if I heard that Daichi was planning to confess to Inosuke soon?”

Tanjirou stiffens and wrestles with his heart to calm down. It feels like he’s just been punched. He rubs his hand against his chest, feeling like it’s been bruised.

“No…,” he grits out and forces himself to give the girl a smile, “If Daichi wants to confess to Inosuke he’s more than welcome to. I have no problem with that at all.” God even the thought of the two of them together makes him aggravated but now the thought of them being romantically involved is making him reel. An unwanted image of Daichi and Inosuke huddling close, whispering sweet words to each other pops up in his head. He shakes his head back and forth, pleading with his brain to dispel of the thought.

From his side, Nezuko scoffs.

“Hey,” he tells her while pouting and points a finger in her direction, “Don’t scoff at your nii-chan! I have feelings too Nezuko!” He gives her a strict look and she looks at him right back, pink eyes challenging him to say something back. He squints back at her and relents. Well it’s nice to know she definitely retained some parts of her original personality, he thinks.

Shinobu throws her head back and laughs elegantly. She gets up to her feet and stands in front of him, placing both of her hands on his shoulders and looks at him.

“Tanjirou,” she begins, “Using my vast knowledge in medicine I’m going to diagnose you.”

Diagnose him… diagnose him with just what exactly, he thinks worriedly. Sure, he’s been feeling that hot prickly feeling in his stomach and chest ever since Daichi came into the picture… but surely it isn’t an illness of some sort. Oh no what if it’s contagious? Does Shinobu know of a cure? How is he going to take care of Nezuko? All the thoughts pile up and he feels himself getting lightheaded. Oh no this must be the illness acting up oh no, he thinks.

Shinobu snorts and tries to hold in her laugh, failing miserably as the giggles pour through. “Tanjirou,” she says sagely, and he stands up straight, eager to hear of his fate. “I diagnose you with the disease called, ‘I’m in love with my best friend and can’t stand the thought of some guy coming in and sweeping him off his feet.’ She gives him a nod and places her hands on her hips. “There is no cure besides confessing to Inosuke I’m certain of this.”

Nezuko lets out a wheezing laugh.

Shinobu grins.

Tanjirou throws his hands up and yells, face redder than Zenitsu when Nezuko hugs him.

“W-what! I’m n-not in love with Inosuke, what would make you even think that!” he splutters, clutching his hands to his cheeks in an attempt to ward off the warmth he feels in them. “I’m-I’m not in love with anyone! It’s not like I would have time for that anyways!” he shouts, cheeks still hot.

Honestly, me in love? Like a romantic kind of love? Not possible, he thinks. Sure, he’s not blind, he’s seen his fair amount of attractive people throughout his travels but the thought of being romantically involved with anyone makes his head spin and his knees weak.

Seriously! It’s not like he imagines what it’s like to hold Inosuke’s hand and feel the warmth of the other boy’s hand in his own. It’s not like he imagines strolling with him hand in hand through the town, the two of them getting lost together with all the sights and sounds. It’s not like he imagines caressing Inosuke’s face with his hand and slowing bringing their lips together, feeling the hot breath of Inosuke’s mouth against his own—

Oh no, he pauses, eyes widening and mouth agape, I’m think I’m in love with Inosuke.

Shinobu gives him a worried look at his unresponsiveness but he’s too lost in his sudden realization to even take notice. “Nezuko,” she says, “I think we may have broken your big brother.”

Nezuko huffs and lifts herself up from the spot on the bench. She walks over to him and waves a hand in front of his face. “Nii-chan. Hello,” she urges, attempting to get his attention. “Nii-chan—“

“Nezuko,” he responds grimly.

“Hmm.”

“Nii-chan needs to go collect himself for a bit, you’ll be fine right?” he says, feeling exhaustion course throughout his body. Who knew suddenly realizing you may possibly be in love with your best friend would drain you, he thinks.

Shinobu rolls her pretty, violet eyes at his behavior. “Oh Tanjirou, don’t be so dramatic!” she tuts and crosses her arms. “All you have to do is confess no? Easy solution, if I do say so myself.”

Easy? In what reality would confessing his feelings of love to Inosuke be easy? His mind is already concocting up the several different ways Inosuke would reject him. Would he let him down easy? Would he mistake the confession for a challenge to battle? Yeah that last one says exactly like something he’d do, Tanjirou thinks fondly.

“It most definitely is not easy Shinobu,” he mumbles. Stupid feelings. Stupid crushes. “I can tell you with the utmost confidence that Inosuke has no romantic feelings for me,” he says wearily. He looks at the insect pillar and gives her a resigned smile, “And I’ll be okay with that, so long as we can stay friends.” His mind agrees but his heart yells. That’s not what we want and you know it, it screams.

“Tanjirou, I honestly can’t believe how oblivious you are!” She shouts, startling him and Nezuko, who was idly admiring the flowers in the garden. “You’ve been hanging around Tomioka way too much that now his obliviousness has started to spread to you!” she grumbles and pinches the skin between her brows, “I’ll have to have a talk with him.”

Oblivious? Oblivious to what exactly, he thinks and racks his brain trying to figure out what she’s implying. He hunches over, deep in thought.

“Oh, my goodness,” Shinobu groans. She pokes his chest hard with her pointer finger, “Inosuke looks at you like you’re his entire world. Are you honestly so dense?” she growls.

“Huh!” he squeaks, “H-how would you even know that! You’ve got to be wrong!” He refutes, trying hard to quell the growing butterflies in his stomach. His entire world, he thinks bashfully.

Shinobu groans and walks over to rest her head on Nezuko’s shoulder. “Nezuko help me, your nii-chan’s big forehead isn’t allowing his brain to function properly,” she whines. Nezuko pats her head in a comforting manner. He’ll let that comment slide for now.

“In all seriousness Tanjirou, “she says and gives him a firm look, “I can tell you that if you don’t tell Inosuke now about how you feel… you’ll come to regret it later. Tomorrow is never promised after all,” she trails off, a forlorn look in her eyes. She must’ve gone through something similar, he thinks sadly.

She shakes her head and looks back to him. “Besides, I can tell you with the utmost confidence that Inosuke feels the same way. Every time he’s here at the estate, that boy barges into my office rambling about whatever awesome thing you did. His admiration for you is something else,” she laughs fondly. “Why, just recently he talked my ear off about how much stronger you’ve gotten,” she teases him.

Tanjirou feels the butterflies in his belly grow stronger and the fondness spreads throughout his chest. He had no idea Inosuke held him in such high regard and apparently talked about him for hours. Wow, he breathes deeply. The dread he felt slowly melts away and he’s left with a pleasant feeling. If...if these feelings of mine are requited, he thinks (and hopes), maybe confessing won’t be so bad after all.

Shinobu turns toward him and grabs both his and Nezuko’s hands. “Come on you two, we’ve been outside long enough and it’s getting late. Let’s go rest.” Nezuko nods and answers back happily, “Rest!” She laughs and skips towards the entrance of the estate. Shinobu trails after her, smiling at the younger’s cute antics.

I’ll do it, he thinks, Tonight, I’ll confess to Inosuke. He nods to himself, feeling his determination began to stir. He sends a silent prayer to his family that everything will go fine.

.

.

.

Everything, as it turns out, does not go fine.

Tanjirou jolts from his sleep, breathing heavily and sweating slightly. He hasn’t had a nightmare in a while, and it wasn’t anything too bad this time around. It was a standard one, he thinks drearily. One where demons chased down innocent villagers and he, unfortunately, was too late to stop them. He drags a hand down his face and tries to blink away the sleep from his eyes. He yawns softly and glances around the dark room.

Nezuko had decided this time around to sleep in the comfort of her wooden box. He’s a tad grateful for that knowing that his tossing and turning would’ve more than likely disturbed her. Zenitsu is also asleep, small snores coming from his futon. And even Inosuke is—

Inosuke isn’t in his futon. In fact, Inosuke isn’t anywhere in the room.

Eh? Where did he go off to now? Is he out training this late at night? Tanjirou thinks panickily, nerves already beginning to fray. Ugh seriously Inosuke knows that Shinobu told him that even though he may be feeling better, he still hadn’t made a complete and total recovery yet and should be taking it easy. Tanjirou grumbles annoyedly, sleep now all but gone from his eyes. He stands up quietly and leaves the room to go hunt down his bullheaded best friend, careful not to make too much noise to wake up the others.

He follows the familiar scent of Inosuke down the long halls, already forming a lecture in his mind. He’s definitely going to give Inosuke a piece of his mind if he finds out that the boy is out training and putting strain on his injuries, he decides. The scent trail leads him out of the estate and to the entrance of the garden area. He falters slightly when he notices that it’s not just Inosuke by himself.

That’s Daichi’s scent lingering with Inosuke’s as well.

Oh, he thinks solemnly. His thoughts are cut short when he sees the two boys standing by the bench area. They’re standing so close to one another that it sets him on edge. He ducks behind a large bush, heart racing at the possibility of being caught. He lets out a shaky breath and tries to regain his composure. The logical thing to do is to book it and run back inside. Pretend that he never came outside and was asleep the entire time. He thinks it over for a few minutes before giving up.

I should go back to bed, he thinks but not making any movement to do so, eavesdropping on a private conversation is bad! His nosiness wins and gets the better of him as he decides to sneakily glimpse around the bush to get a better look. I’ll take a small peek and head back to sleep, he promises himself.

Ah.

He really should’ve just gone back to bed.

Daichi is holding onto Inosuke tightly, arms wrapped around the shorter boy in a snug embrace. His head is buried into Inosuke’s shoulder and well Inosuke isn’t protesting the hug. In fact, Inosuke is returning the embrace just as tightly and Tanjirou feels his heart drop all the way down to his stomach. His palms began to sweat and his lip quivers slightly. He doesn’t want to nor does he need to see any more of this intimate moment.

He stumbles back from the bush, almost losing his balance. His heart is throbbing painfully in his chest and he wants to yell at himself for being so stupid. He makes a run back into the estate, not even caring if the other two boys hear his pounding footsteps.

I lost my chance, I lost my chance, he repeats to himself. His eyes begin to blur with tears, and he scolds himself for getting so emotional. He scolds himself for thinking that he even had a chance to begin with and that everything would turn out fine for once. He’s at the entrance to the guest room before he even knows it and opens the door quietly. He makes his way to his futon and throws himself on it, burying himself into the comfort of the pillows.

I’m fine. I’ll be fine. It’s nothing to cry about I’m fine, he stresses to himself. Maybe this is what he deserves, he thinks, chest aching. He got to confident, he concludes. He got too confident in thinking that he and Inosuke might’ve something there. He couldn’t’ have been the only one who felt it…right? He didn’t account for someone else coming into the picture and taking what he thought was his spot.

I should’ve just stayed in bed, he thinks and lets out a crushed sigh. He shuts his eyes tightly and feigns being asleep when he hears footsteps coming from down the hall. He pretends not to notice when Inosuke walks back into the room and heads for his own futon.

Eventually the tendrils of sleep creep up on him and he feels himself drift off.

He falls asleep heartbroken and defeated.

.

.

.

(Minutes before Tanjirou stumbled upon the scene and completely misinterpreted everything)

It’s dark outside when Daichi leads him out into the garden area. The taller boy looks stiff as he walks and even Inosuke, dense as he may be, can tell that the other boy is nervous as hell. He fights off the tiredness he feels in his muscles and stifles a yawn. Whatever Daichi needs to tell him better be important if he had to be dragged outside this late at night in the summer heat.

They reach the area in the garden where the old wooden bench is placed when Daichi whips around to face him, fists unclenching and clenching at his sides. It makes Inosuke stumble back a bit and his skin prickles with discomfort. He feels himself getting exasperated with the situation but Tanjirou said it’s always good to be patient with others, so he guesses he’ll bite back any mean words for now.

Daichi is staring intently at him, pretty blues eyes locked on his own green ones. He moves his hands so that they’re resting on Inosuke’s shoulders and lets out a shaky breath.

“I—I—Inosuke I h-have,” he stutters out, a rosy color making its way across his freckled cheeks. His entire body is trembling slightly and Inosuke feels concern rise in his chest. Okay, whatever Daichi needs to tell him must really be important, otherwise why would he be shaking so bad?

“Spit it out already, you and Kentaro take forever to get to the damn point,” he says in what he thinks is a friendly tone, but it falls flat when Daichi stands up straight and narrows his eyes slightly. He takes another deep breath and nods his head firmly, as if he’s finally made up his mind.

“Inosuke I think I’m possibly in love with you,” Daichi blurts out and lets out a relieved sigh, “Oh that felt so good to get off my chest.”

Love?

In love?

In love with him?

Like love-love? The kind of love where couples kiss and hug and give each other that shit called affection? Daichi felt that…for him? The confession weighs heavy in the air as Inosuke feels himself gaping at the other boy in disbelief. His brain completely shuts down and his body feels like it’s on fire. He yanks off his boar mask in an attempt to cool down but finds that it does absolutely nothing to help.

Alright so that was literally the last thing he expected, and he finds himself scrambling to spit out a response. Crap—shit! He doesn’t know how to deal with this feeling stuff, he thinks and wishes that Tanjirou was here to guide him. Tanjirou is good with people and is gentle and kind to anyone he meets so he would definitely know what to do right now.

“Don’t break your head thinking too hard about it Inosuke,” Daichi says, arching a fine eyebrow at the turmoil Inosuke seems to be going through, “It’s just a confession.”

Inosuke hollers back, “Well then don’t make me think so hard you moron! That’s it! Fight me!” He snarls and raises his fists up to Daichi who returns the gesture with a roll of his eyes. Resorting to violence is his back up measure when his feelings overwhelm him, and he knows that he needs to face his problems in a different manner but right now he doesn’t even know how to respond to…whatever this situation is.

Daichi spits out a loud laugh and Inosuke rears himself up to strangle the taller man. At this point, Daichi is just looking for a fight, isn’t he?

“Seriously Inosuke leave it to you of all people to challenge someone to a fight after they’ve just confessed to you,” Daichi replies back in a teasing manner and lets out another laugh, “This is too good.”

Inosuke scowls at him, irritation etched across his face. “Shut up jerk what am I supposed to do after being…uh what did you call it? Confessed to?” He crosses his arms and taps his foot against the ground impatiently. Confessions suck.

Daichi hums as if he’s thinking hard about the question and holds up two fingers. “Well,” he begins, “One, if you feel the same way as that person you could confess back. Or two, if you don’t feel the same way you can reject them,” he finishes explaining and a sad look crosses over his eyes.

“I get the feeling that this is going to be the latter huh?” he smiles, but it doesn’t feel genuine.

Inosuke falls quiet and gives a small shrug. He hardly ever feels guilty but in this moment the guilt washes over him in waves. He knows that he doesn’t view Daichi in that way. He’s more like a brother in arms, a comrade to be exact, rather than a romantic partner. He looks at Daichi, who’s still giving him that sad smile and finds it hard to say anything back.

“It’s okay Inosuke,” Daichi whispers softly, “I know you don’t see me in that light. I’ve accepted that already.”

“I’m…I guess I’m sorry,” Inosuke says, the words are tight in his throat and all he wants to do is go back to bed and pretend that this never happened. That he didn’t just probably break a good friend’s heart by rejecting this…confession. His feels gross and worn-out and he tells himself to stop thinking so damn hard about it. It’s not his style after all.

Daichi gives his shoulder a light squeeze and says, “I know you have Tanjirou so really I’m okay with us remaining friends.” He sounds resigned, but there’s acceptance in his voice. “I just felt that I needed to get it off my chest so don’t worry about it okay?”

I have Tanjirou? Inosuke thinks to himself, confusion engraved across his face, the fuck does that even mean. He really has no clue what Daichi is even talking about and firmly decides that he no longer really wants to think about it anymore. This confession crap is straight up draining.

“I’ve got an assignment to head out to tomorrow so that’s why I just wanted to get that out there in the open.” He gives Inosuke a cheeky smile and continues, “Can I at least have a hug before I head out though? You know all this time we’ve been friends and you haven’t even given me one hug. I’m hurt.” He laughs and gives Inosuke a playful shove.

Inosuke squints back at the boy. Ah, he somewhat understands now. This must be a part of that affection shit that Tanjirou is always going on about. He’s not very good at learning how to give it but he’s willing to try, he decides and gives Daichi an affirmative nod. He stretches out his arms wide open and asks, “To give a hug… it goes like this right?”

Daichi’s eyes widen like saucers and Inosuke feels his forehead vein throb in irritation. If he’s doing this hug thing wrong than tell him damn it. Ugh and Tanjirou always makes it look so easy. He’s about to just call it quits and head back into the estate when Daichi throws himself into his arms and laughs into his shoulder. He stumbles back at the force but regains his footing with ease. He hesitates, not quite sure to do with his arms until he remembers all the hugs Tanjirou has given him. He wraps his arms carefully around the other boy and returns the tight embrace.

Daichi is still shaking with laughter and Inosuke feels, no he knows that everything will be just fine between the two of them.

.

.

.

Avoiding Inosuke is hard, Tanjirou thinks sadly, staring absentmindedly at Nezuko whose focus is completely on the abacus the butterfly girls gave her to play with. Apparently, this is her seventh one as she may have been too rough on the other ones and caused them to break. It makes him chuckle seeing how concentrated she is on the toy.

But anyways, avoiding someone who you’re so used to being around all the time is hard as hell.

The days pass by slowly as keeps himself busy playing with Nezuko, listening to Zenitsu go on a daily rant, and talking with the butterfly girls about anything and everything. He even offered to go collect herbs with Shinobu, but she shot him down and gave him a knowing and stern look that sent him back with his head hung low.

He’s pretty certain that everyone can tell he’s avoiding Inosuke. The girls become flustered when Inosuke asks where Tanjirou is and even Zenitsu is shooting him worried glances. He knows he’s putting everyone in an awkward position, but he doesn’t know how to even approach Inosuke yet, not without feeling his heart ache painfully and his anxiety riling up every time he sees him.

He heaves out an exhausted sigh and rubs the sleep from his eyes. Deep down he knows that eventually he’ll have to stop running from this and come clean. Avoiding his best friend isn’t going to solve anything, logically he knows this, but he’s scared. He’s scared to hear what Inosuke will tell him, scared to hear that Daichi beat him and whisked Inosuke’s heart away like nothing.

He doesn’t want to hear it and if he can avoid it for as long as he can, he will.

He feels so fatigued that he hardly even gets startled when the doors to the room are swung open.

“KENTARO!” Inosuke screeches and makes quick strides over to Tanjirou. Nezuko, abacus now forgotten, glances at both of the boys worriedly.

“The hell is your problem Gonpachiro!” Inosuke snarls and points an accusing finger towards Tanjirou, “If you got something to say stop running away like a damn coward and spit it out!”

Okay so Tanjirou is a tolerant person, really, he is! But right now, he feels the small thread of tolerance and patience he had left snap, frayed at the edges from all the strenuous feelings he’s been having over this situation. He glares and yells back with just as much heat.

“There is no problem okay! Not everything has to do with you Inosuke!” he shouts, jumping to his feet to defend himself. It’s a total lie and he knows it, but he’s tired and isn’t thinking straight.

Inosuke staggers back, seemingly surprised that the usually patient boy snapped back. Even Nezuko is looking at him with wide eyes, mouth opened slightly in surprise.

“Obviously it’s my problem, stupid Monjirou, if every time you come near me you hightail it out of there,” Inosuke growls and continues, “I ain’t that dumb.”

Tanjirou feels his frustration at the conversation pouring over and shouts, “Why can’t you just give me some space and—and leave me alone for now!” Instantly, he feels regret when the words leave his mouth. Inosuke’s face morphs from anger to pure hurt and he takes a step back.

No! he thinks guiltily, that’s not what I meant at all! But what’s done is done and Inosuke is looking at him with such hurt that it makes him want to cry.

“Fine,” Inosuke hisses, “I’ll give you your fucking space. Have fun with it.” He spits out and turns his back away from Tanjirou and stomps out of the room. He doesn’t even give him a glance back as he slams the doors behind him.

The air in the room feels heavy and Nezuko is looking at him silently, waiting for him to respond.

He feels his shoulders shake and his eyes began to mist over. Nezuko stays quiet and silently takes his hand in her own. He gives her a dejected smile and says, “I really messed up this time, didn’t I Nezuko?”

Nezuko stays silent.

I don’t know how to fix this, he thinks and stares at the spot Inosuke was standing in.

I really don’t know how to fix this.

.

.

.

What

The.

Hell.

Inosuke growls and plants his elbows on his knees. He’s racked his brain more times than he’d like to admit just trying to find out what the hell Kentaro’s problem is now. Every single time he’d try and get near the other boy, he’d spout out some lame excuse and make a run for it, leaving behind a distressed Inosuke trying to figure out what in the world he did wrong.

Tch, whatever if Tanjirou wants to avoid him alright fine, he can function perfectly fine without Tanjirou’s presence around him. He doesn’t need the constant praise and affection. He doesn’t need Tanjirou always hovering over him and making casual conversation with him. He was fine before Tanjirou, and he’ll be fine without him.

His traitorous brain and heart nag him that no a life without Tanjirou sounds downright miserable and not something he would want at all. He tells them both to shut up.

“So, this is what you’ve been doing huh? Brooding?” says an exasperated voice. Inosuke jerks upright, startled at the intrusion. His keen sense of touch not even alerting him to the fact that someone had snuck up from right behind him. Damn Sentaro for throwing him off his game!

“I ain’t brooding, go away” Inosuke snarls at the blonde-haired boy. Brooding? Him, the great king of the mountains? Brooding over stupid Monjirou? Pfft as if, he thinks bitterly.

“Nope, your intimidation tactics don’t work on me boar boy. I am immune to your brutish personality at this point.” Zenitsu taunts, pointedly ignoring the other boy’s glares and plops himself down next to him. He sits cross-legged and brushes the imaginary dust off his uniform pants, taking a deep sigh and turns his honey colored eyes toward the grumpy boy. “Alright,” he begins, “so what’s up with you…since when do you reflect in silence?”

Inosuke arches an eyebrow high and spits out, “Again dumbass, I’m not reflecting or brooding, and I have no idea why you even think that I am.” He crosses his arms and turns the other direction, refusing to meet Zenitsu’s gaze.

Zenitsu gives the boy a flat look and runs a hand through his hair. “Getting you of all people to talk about your feelings is going to be like pulling teeth isn’t it?” he groans dramatically and drags his hands down his face, “Oh what did I get myself into.”

Inosuke turns and snaps back, “There are no feelings to discuss so I’d say we’re good here Sabitisu.”

“Ok first of all, it’s Zenitsu and second of all you emotionally constipated pig –“

“Not a pig.”

“Shut up we’re going to discuss your feelings like the mature individuals we are or I’m going to tell Shinobu it was you who spilled those chemicals all over her precious notes.”

Inosuke freezes, a chill running down his spine. The mental image of an angry Shinobu strikes fear and respect into his heart. He may just relent.

Zenitsu smirks at him, knowing he’s played his cards right and has the upper hand here. He cracks his knuckles and dares the wild boy to challenge him.

Inosuke stays silent, but the look on his face says it all. Zenitsu feels a small trudge of guilt gnaw at him but he refuses to budge. Inosuke would rather face three upper moon demons than talk about feelings and alright he’s worried dammit. He’s become so accustomed to hearing the other boy’s loudness and watching him get up to the usual antics with Tanjirou that seeing the lovebirds not together is making him uncomfortable. As reluctant as he is to admit it, Zenitsu knows that he cares a great deal about Inosuke so if he can help him in some way, he’ll do it.

“I really don’t even know what to say,” Inosuke murmurs, clenching and unclenching his fists. He’s given up at this point trying to persuade Zenitsu that everything is fine and that he’s not brooding thank you very much. If there’s one thing he’ll give to the other boy is that he is persistent as hell and if he wants you to talk about your feelings, then you might as well start talking. And besides, he thinks, he kind of wants to get these gross feelings off his chest and get back into his usual routine.

Stupid Kentaro, he curses again.

“Listen pig boy,” Zenitsu begins and pats Inosuke’s back, “Believe it or not, it does pain me a bit to see you so down so tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Inosuke picks at a loose thread in his uniform pants, still not wanting to really talk about this, but replies anyways, “I think Monjirou hates me. When I get near him, he makes up some dumb lie and runs.”

Zenitsu hums thoughtfully, “Yeah I kind of figured he was avoiding you. I don’t really know the reason though, but he definitely doesn’t hate you pig head.”

Inosuke snorts, “Pfft could’ve fooled me.” The thought of Tanjirou actually disliking him makes his chest ache and tummy hurt but he decides he’ll blame the feeling on indigestion instead.

“Oh, are you kidding me Inosuke,” Zenitsu scoffs, “Tanjirou looks at you like the sun shines out of your ass and you want to tell me that he hates you, unbelievable.”

“Stupid how would the sun shine out of my—”

“It’s a figure of speech Inosuke.” Zenitsu interrupts, rolling his eyes. “Back to the point here, so you’re sulking cause Tanjirou is avoiding you.”

“I’m not fucking sulking.”

“You miss his praises and his gentle words, no?”

“No, I don’t, fuck you.”

Zenitsu smirks and continues on, eyes glinting with mischief.

“You miss Tanjirou right?”

Inosuke looks ready to snap, but he presses on.

“I don’t miss stupid Mon—”

“You just want to be near him all the time, right? Want all his attention on you?”

Inosuke looks ready to strangle him and he knows he’s probably asking for it, but he won’t stop not when he knows that he’s getting close.

“Now you’re pissing me off—”

“You love Tanjirou, don’t you Inosuke,” Zenitsu singsongs. He puts his hands up to his face incase Inosuke does snap and throw a punch, but instead Inosuke stays silent.

“Inosuke…” he pauses, and reaches out to tap the other boy gently, “Uh…are you okay? Stop being silent it freaks me out, Inosuke—”

“Benitsu,” Inosuke replies back, tone serious, “I don’t know what love is.”

Zenitsu feels his eyes bug out of his head, “What! How can you not know what love is! Did no one take the time to teach you—” he pauses, thinking it over and lets out a sigh, “Well you were raised by boars so it’s excusable.”

“Explain what it is then stupid,” Inosuke grumbles and Zenitsu tells himself that patience is the key.

“There’s all different kinds of loves,” Zenitsu says and animatedly waves his hands around as he gives an explanation, “But the one I’m getting at is the romantic kind. It’s the kind where you feel your heart speed up around the other person. It’s the one where just being around that person makes you feel warm and happy. You’d do almost anything just to see them smile.” He pauses momentarily and nods, “It’s uh like you’re their person and your theirs you know? Two halves of a whole I guess?” he hums thoughtfully.

Inosuke stays quiet, still unresponsive and Zenitsu pokes him in the arm, “Hey pig head did you get all that? Are you still with me?”

Shit, Inosuke thinks, I think I love stupid Monjirou. The realization hits him like a punch to the face and he feels breathless. He’s not too sure about Zenitsu’s explanation but he knows that Tanjirou avoiding him hurts. He knows that just being around Tanjirou makes him giddy, even when it’s just comfortable silence between the two of them. He knows that when Tanjirou shows him affection, it makes his tummy feel fluttery and his face feel hot. He knows that all he wants to do is make Tanjirou happy like he does for him.

“Ah, I think I broke him,” Zenitsu mutters to himself, still attempting to get a response out of him.

The door creaks open slightly and Nezuko peeks her head in, looking around the room until she spots the two boys. She smiles happily while opening the door and wanders over to them, “Zenitsu! Inosuke!”

Zenitsu smiles lovingly at the girl as she sits down near them. “Nezuko!” He says, “You came just in time to witness Inosuke having a crisis over realizing that he’s in love with your brother!”

Nezuko tilts her head and replies back, “Nii-chan?”

“Yup!” Zenitsu says and points toward Inosuke who still remains lost in his sudden realization, “Maybe you can get a response from pig boy there.”

Nezuko nods her head and turns toward Inosuke. She stands in front of the unresponsive boy and takes his boar mask off his head and places it on her own, clapping her hands together in glee. She lets out a giggle and Zenitsu smiles dreamily at her.

“Only you can pull off that boar mask Nezuko,” he tells her and glances at Inosuke, trying to hold in his laughter. Inosuke didn’t even seem to notice Nezuko taking off his mask, as he sits there with a shocked expression engraved on his face.

Zenitsu, already fed up with Inosuke’s antics, snaps his fingers at the boy and says, “Look! Tanjirou is here!!” he shouts.

Inosuke snaps to attention quickly, eyes wide as he whips around to look at the door. He sees no one there and promptly glares at the blonde and spits out, “Stupid no one is there!”

Zenitsu shrugs and smiles sheepishly, “I had to get your attention somehow, you were too wrapped up in your startling realization.”

Inosuke glares harder at him and finds himself caught off guard when he sees Nezuko by his side, boar mask on and still giggling to herself. He must’ve really been lost in his thoughts if he didn’t notice the smaller girl come up and pluck his mask off like nothing.

Huh, he thinks, she’s got skills.

“Anyways, while you were having a crisis over there I came up with a plan!” Zenitsu shouts, startling both Inosuke and Nezuko who turn back at him in surprise. The boy jumps up to his feet and points at Inosuke. “Let’s put this plan into motion! It’ll definitely work, I came up with it after all.” he states proudly.

Inosuke looks at him blankly and Nezuko tilts her head sideways in confusion, boar mask falling off when she does so.

“The fuck are you even talking about Tenitsu?” Inosuke growls, irritation written across his face. He has no idea whatsoever of the plan the blonde is rambling on about.

“The fuck!” Nezuko repeats after him, smiling in his direction and looking at him for approval.

“No Nezuko! Don’t repeat those vile words or your brother will kill us both!” Zenitsu shouts in horror, “Inosuke make her take those words back you caused it.”

Inosuke throws his head back and barks out a laugh, “I didn’t do shit!” he yells and alright so maybe he’s doing it on purpose now but Nezuko copying his actions makes him laugh so whatever.

“Shit!’ she says excitedly, pink eyes twinkling.

“Tanjirou is going to maim us,” Zenitsu says morbidly, trailing a hand down his face in defeat.

Inosuke shrugs and waves him off, “Who cares what Monjirou does, what plan were you even going on about,” he asks and narrows his eyes at the boy, “is it something dumb.” He feels more irritable and impatient than usual and he wants to blame it on the summer heat, but he knows deep down that Tanjirou avoiding him is making him pissed and annoyed to hell. He runs a hand through his sweaty hair and says, “Get on with it.’

“Uh no it’s not dumb thank you,” Zenitsu scoffs and sits beside the boy. Nezuko lays down next to the two, humming while casually playing with the boar mask.

“Alright so Tanjirou is avoiding you we’ve established this correct?” Zenitsu begins and Inosuke glares intensely at him. Did he really have to just spit it out like that? Zenitsu trails on, “what we need to do is gang up on him when he doesn’t expect it.”

Inosuke arches his eyebrow, curiosity somewhat peaked. Zenitsu rambles on, “So what we’re going to do is simple. We’re going to ambush him, lead him to a room where you’ll be waiting, lock the two of you in there and have you both hash out your issues,” he pauses and tacks on, “And pray for the best.”

Inosuke stares at the boy, eye twitching slightly, and Zenitsu grins back at him. “It’s a good plan eh pig boy?” he asks and waits for a response.

“Good plan!” Nezuko says and Zenitsu gives her a megawatt smile.

I’m not going to punch him, I’m not going to punch him, Inosuke repeats to himself.

“I’m going to punch you moron,” he snarls, previous thoughts now thrown out the window.

Zenitsu looks at him wide eyed and in alarm, “Eh what for! It’s a good plan Inosuke trust me!” He shouts back, waving his hands in front of him in a 'don’t come any closer you violent pig' gesture.

“It’s a stupid ass plan is what it is dipshit!” he hollers back, aggravation taking over him. “Kentaro ain’t that dumb to get locked in a room with me. And he’ll smell me before even getting to the room with that stupid ass nose of his!” Inosuke sulks and crosses his arms, “Forget it. I don’t give a single crap anymore. If Kentaro wants to act like this then fine.”

Zenitsu chuckles and Inosuke immediately wants to throttle him but tells himself that he doesn’t want to risk pissing off Tanjirou even more. Plus the clean-up would be messy, he thinks secretly to himself.

“Uh-uh that’s where you’re wrong,” Zenitsu tuts and wags a finger in his direction, “We’ve got a secret weapon!”

“Okay I’m out,” Inosuke says and stands up, brushing the dirt off his pants. He’s irritated as hell and decides that he’s had enough of this shitty day and just wants to go take his frustration out in training or something.

“Listen to me you stubborn ass!” Zenitsu protests, eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. He makes a beeline over to Nezuko and gestures wildly to her, “Our lovely Nezuko here is going to be our secret weapon! So shut up and listen to the rest of my plan.” Nezuko gives him a curious look and nods. She’s probably just as lost as he’s feeling right now.

“Besides,” Zenitsu says, tone suddenly serious, “Don’t you want to go back to normal with Tanjirou? Don’t you miss the affection and praises from your beloved?” he teases and throws a smug, knowing smirk at Inosuke.

Inosuke feels an unwelcomed flush rise to his cheeks and he grits out, “Not my fucking beloved asshole.” Throttling Zenitsu sounds so good to his ears right now and he loses himself momentarily at the thought of it.

But…Zenitsu does have a point, he thinks reluctantly. He’d rather have Shinobu beat his ass than admit it out loud but he kind of…sort of misses Tanjirou hanging around him. He misses the other boy laughing at his antics and praising him for the smallest accomplishment. And damn it, he misses Tanjirou alright? There, he finally admitted it to himself and it’s fuckin’ embarrassing that someone as great as him would even feel this way.

Inosuke stares at Zenitsu, a flutter of emotions passing through his eyes as he gives a defeated sigh and plops himself back on the floor. He’s feeling mixed up and tired at this point to even argue with the other boy, so he shrugs and makes a gesture for Zenitsu to continue on with his ‘brilliant’ plan.

Whatever, he thinks tiredly. He doesn’t really have anything else to lose if he goes along with Zenitsu’s plan so he might as well just let it happen.

Zenitsu gives him a small smile and a thumbs up and continues to talk his ear off about the plan. He’s all wild hand gestures and funny expressions while Inosuke mindlessly nods along. He feels a delicate finger tap on his shoulder and turns his head around to look.

Nezuko is staring at him with wide pink eyes. He stares back at her, eyes narrowed slightly in a ‘what do you want now’ look. She gives him a toothy grin and goes behind him, running her hands through his long, messy hair. She begins to slowly comb it out with her small hands and begins twirling strands piece by piece in what he guesses is an attempt to braid his wild mane. He wants to protest and shove her away but the look of deep concentration on her face as she braids each piece makes him stop. Her tongue is poking out slightly and her eyes are focused. Besides, he murmurs to himself, it kind of feels nice having someone play with his hair.

He leans his head back for her to have easier access and when she’s done with the braid, she claps her hands together in excitement. “Pretty!” she says happily and admires her work. She beams at him, waiting for his approval. He mumbles a small ‘thanks’ at her and gently pats her head while she giggles in return.

Zenitsu is still going off on a tangent with his plan and pauses briefly when he hears Nezuko giggling. He tilts his head and puts a hand to his chin as if deep in thought and says, “Wow, Nezuko you pulled off the impossible and managed to make Inosuke look pretty.”

Inosuke lets out a roar and jumps to his feet. Consequences be damned he’s taking Zenitsu down right here and now.

Zenitsu shrieks and Nezuko laughs.

.

.

.

Tanjirou stifles a yawn and rolls his shoulders back in an attempt to get the crick out of his neck. He hasn’t been sleeping very well for a couple of nights, for obvious reasons, and he can feel the lack of sleep start to get to him. He shrugs off Nezuko’s wooden box and gently places it on the floor beside him and tries to stretch out his sore muscles.

His crow had paid him a visit early this morning, squawking loudly about a demon causing trouble in a nearby town. A part of him is thankful that he gets to head out on a mission, needing a distraction from all the recent events. The other part of him aches knowing that he’s running away from his problems, running away from Inosuke and these feelings of his that he’s determined to keep under lock and key. He’s a demon slayer first and foremost, he can’t afford to lose sight of his goal, he knows this.

And yet he still catches his traitorous heart losing itself momentarily to fantasies where everything worked out just fine and Inosuke is beside him and they’re hand in hand and everything is great and—

That’s enough of that, he thinks somberly and shakes his head to get rid of his deluded fantasies. He let himself become blindsided by a crush and now he’s got to pay the price for it.

“Nezuko!” he shouts down the hall, “We’re leaving, you’re still coming, aren’t you?” Nezuko had almost pitched a fit when she found out how soon her brother was leaving again and insisted that she wanted to come along with him. Tanjirou welcomed the company as it’d been a while since she tagged along on an assignment.

“Nezuko…are you coming or not?” he asks again when she doesn’t appear, “Nezuko...what in the—!” In a blink of an eye, Nezuko comes sprinting down the hall, long hair whipping behind her. Her feet pound against the floor as she halts to a stop in front of him and looks at him straight in the eye. There’s a determined glint in her pink eyes and a toothy smile that makes him feel slightly uneasy.

Okay, she’s acting a bit strange, Tanjirou thinks accusingly, squinting his eyes at his baby sister, I just don’t know why though.

“Are you still coming with me Nezuko? I’m bringing your box along with us in case you get tired and want to take a rest. I want to get to the town early though so we should head out now.” He trails off and makes a grab to pick up the wooden box but is stopped when Nezuko shoots her arm out and latches onto his.

He stares at her arm and looks up to give her a questioning look, “Nezuko, is something wrong? Do you not want to go?” She shakes her head ‘no’ and grips his arm tighter.

“Nii-chan. Come. Now.,” she says and runs down the hall with him in tow. She’s got a wild grin on her face now and he really has no idea what’s gotten into her.

“N-Nezuko slow down!” he yells, feet stumbling as Nezuko drags him down the hall, twisting and turning until she gets to her desired goal, “What’s wrong! Where are we going!”

They reach the medical area of the estate when Nezuko suddenly comes to a stop. The sudden stopping makes him loose his balance and his face is seconds away from kissing the floor when she grabs him by the back of his haori to lift him up. He’s huffing and puffing, out of breath from being dragged so quickly down the halls that it takes him a couple of seconds to gather himself.

“Nezuko!” he wheezes, “What in the world was that about—”

“Good job Nezuko! Now shove him in there!” yells Zenitsu and Tanjirou almost gets whiplash from how fast he turns around. Eh, good job what? What’s is going on, he thinks eyes flickering back and forth between his sister and Zenitsu.

“I’ve got the key to lock the door! Get moving people!” Aoi shouts, popping out from behind Zenitsu. She’s got a shiny silver key in her small hand and is pointing at the door, blue eyes wide in adrenaline.

“Aoi you too! What is—” the sentence dies in his throat when all three of them jump into action. Zenitsu pushes the door open quickly and yells, “Nezuko now!”

Tanjirou’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline in shock and his eyes widen in disbelief when he feels Nezuko give him a hard shove through the door. Sometimes he forgets just how strong his baby sister is considering how she shoved him like he weighed nothing to her.

“I need to lock the door, move!” Aoi hisses, pushing Zenitsu out of the way and making a grab for the door handle. The last thing he sees is Nezuko giving him a small wave and Zenitsu smirking at him before the door slams shut and there’s a small ‘click’ indicating that it’s been locked.

What was all of that even about, he thinks in bewilderment. He blinks once, and then twice and stares at the door in astonishment, brain still trying to piece together what exactly just happened.

“Gonpachiro,” a voice calls from behind him and lo and behold, Inosuke stands there in all his glory. He’s got his arms crossed and the boar mask is on but Tanjirou swears he can feel the glare lingering from behind the mask.

Oh, Tanjirou thinks, this was a damn ambush.

Nezuko you traitor, he yells to himself and the betrayal runs deep okay? Zenitsu and Aoi he can see plotting this, but his own baby sister? His own flesh and blood participating in this? Truly the highest of betrayals, he thinks.

“I-Inosuke, how have you been? Good, yes? I was j-just about to head off on a mission actually— “he rambles but is cut off when Inosuke interrupts him.

“Oh, so now you want to talk to me huh?” Inosuke snaps, and there’s an underlying tone of hurt lacing his words that makes Tanjirou wince. Yeah, he thinks, I probably deserved that.

“What are you talking about Inosuke?” he says, he fiddles with his fingers and looks at every corner in the room trying his hardest not to stare directly at the boy. Playing dumb probably isn’t the way to go about this but right now his heart feels too wounded to deal with this confrontation and he’s contemplating on how fast he would need to be to jump over the bed and fling himself out the window.

“Don’t be stupid Monjirou you know what I’m talking about!” Inosuke snarls at him and Tanjirou almost stumbles back at the anger in his voice. He’s seen Inosuke mad, but this type of anger is different. This is a ‘why are you hurting me’ type of anger and Tanjirou thinks, I’m the one who did this.

Tanjirou stays quiet, eyes flickering to Inosuke and then back to the ground. There’s so much he wants to tell him, wants to explain everything but the words refuse to come out.

“AGH STUPID KENTARO!” Inosuke shouts in exasperation. He yanks the boar mask off his head and throws it the ground in frustration. He takes a shuddering breath, “If I did something to make you hate me than tell me damn it cause I’m tired of…” he pauses and gestures vaguely between the two of them, “whatever this shit going on is.”

He sighs and turns his head away, eyes downcast and shoulders shaking ever so slightly and Tanjirou wants to cry.

How could he let himself get so caught up in his own feelings that he ended up completely disregarding how his best friend would feel about being ignored? I’m so selfish, he thinks, and his eyes began to water. He had gotten so caught up in trying to guard his heart from being hurt that in the process, all he did was hurt the boy he loves.

“I-Inosuke no! Listen to me! I-I just,” he stutters out and finds it hard to catch his breath, “I could never hate you Inosuke. Never!” The tears began to shed freely from his eyes and his throat tightens. This mess is all my fault, he thinks and tries to wipe away the tears from his cheeks.

Inosuke’s eyes widen and he’s at Tanjirou’s side in an instant, “Wait, stop don’t cry! Sanjirou I told you I’m not good at this comforting crap!” He rubs the palm of his hand across Tanjirou’s back, hoping that it’ll be soothing to the crying boy.

“Tanjirou,” Inosuke says solemnly, and Tanjirou stops sniffling in order to pay attention. Inosuke only ever says his name correctly when he’s got something important to tell him, so he nods at the boy attentively letting him know that he’s listening.

“I’m sorry for whatever I did,” Inosuke blurts out and Tanjirou shakes his head in disagreement. Inosuke tilts his head in confusion, green eyes narrowing.

“Why are you shaking your head? Did I screw up the apology or—”

“Inosuke no! You’ve got nothing to apologize for!” Tanjirou shouts, “This whole mess was on me and if anyone should be apologizing it’s me.” His shoulders sag and he gives Inosuke an apologetic smile, “Inosuke I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting.”

He pauses, trying to gather his thoughts and continues, “T-There was a reason for the way I acted-a petty reason but a reason.” The anxiety comes at him full force and he feels the sweat start to gather in his palms.

Inosuke arches a thick eyebrow and makes a ‘go on’ gesture, confused at what Tanjirou could even be getting at.

Ah, might as well just say it all now, Tanjirou thinks defeatedly. “I was jealous of Daichi. I saw you two in the garden that night and was hurt that he confessed to you. I honestly thought he was going to replace me,” the words pour out of him and he feels his whole body began tremble, “It was childish to avoid you and I’m so sorry.” There, he said it. It’s now out there in the open and he feels a small bit of weight lift from his shoulders.

Inosuke is looking at him as if he’s suddenly sprouted out two grown heads and his eye is twitching in what seems to be annoyance.

Tanjirou furrows his eyebrows in confusion and asks, “Why are you making that face, what did I say—”

“You’re stupid Monjirou! So stupid that you make me want to fight you!” Inosuke hollers, raising his fists high and Tanjirou blinks at him in incredulity.

“Why are you calling me stupid! That’s really and truly how I felt!” Tanjirou shouts back.

“I’ll tell you why it’s stupid, stupid!”

“So then tell me!”

“It’s dumb because no one could ever replace you stupid Kentaro!” Inosuke yells, face flushed and Tanjirou forces himself to squash down the hope he feels flicker in his chest.

Inosuke is pacing back and forth, grumbling out curses under his breath. He stops in front of him and jabs a finger harshly at Tanjirou’s chest and states, “There’s only one Tanjirou dummy. No one could ever replace you to me.”

Tanjirou tells himself not to cry again but that sentence alone makes him feel overcome with warmth and happiness. He knows that Inosuke is the type to show he cares through actions, but hearing the boy verbalize what Tanjirou means to him makes me feel giddy.

He smiles brightly at Inosuke and launches himself into the shorter boy’s arms, Inosuke stumbles, caught off guard but returns the embrace and says, “More affection? I guess.”

Tanjirou buries his head into the other boy’s shoulder, hair tickling his nose slightly while he inhales the scent that he’s come to love. He lets out a laugh and says, “Inosuke that’s the kindest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Inosuke rolls his eyes and lets out a grunt in acknowledgement, “Well that’s how I feel so yeah.”

Tanjirou feels his cheeks hurt from how hard he’s smiling and he grips the boy even tighter. After a few seconds, he reluctantly pulls back but keeps his arms around Inosuke’s waist.

Burgundy eyes meet light green and Tanjirou thinks, It’s now or never.

“I—I have something to say Inosuke,” Tanjirou says shakily, “So please listen to me carefully.” He exhales and continues on, “Inosuke I love you. I have for a while now and my feelings aren’t changing anytime soon.” His heart feels like it’s about to burst from his chest and he feels his pulse race but he wills himself to go on, “Inosuke if you’ll have me I promise to make you the happiest person I can.” He lets out loud breath and grips on tighter to Inosuke’s waist to balance himself. His knees are shaking and feel like they’re about to give out.

“HUH!!” Inosuke screeches, “That was a confession wasn’t it! Ahh stupid Monjirou I wanted to confess first! Why the hell do you have to beat me at everything!” Tanjirou blinks back at him in disbelief.

Wait, what, he thinks and feels lightheaded, Confess? He was going to confess too?

“Inosuke not everything is a competition—”

“Shut up Kentaro, to me it is.”

“Back to the point here,” Tanjirou interrupts eagerly, “Confess! You were going to confess back to me!”

Inosuke sticks his tongue out him at him for being cut off and nods, “Well yeah but you beat me to it so…”

“No!” Tanjirou says, “Tell me please!” he pleads and Inosuke’s resolve crumbles as he lays his head on Tanjirou’s shoulder, not wanting to meet the boy’s eyes just yet.

“Yeah…blondie made me realize it,” he says and continues on, “I—I feel that love thing towards you too. I want to make you happy and to protect you so if you’ll be my person…I want to be yours,” he finishes and tightens his hold on Tanjirou’s waist.

Tanjirou almost lets out a squeak when he feels strong arms tighten around his waist. It feels nice, he thinks, to be held like this. It’s warm, being hugged so tightly by Inosuke and being enveloped by his scent makes a small shiver go down his spine. He distractedly runs a hand through Inosuke’s hair, marveling at how soft it is and Inosuke hums back, pleased at the touch.

Tanjirou pulls back slightly and rests his forehead against Inosuke’s. Their noses graze against each other briefly because of how close they are and Tanjirou takes a moment to just gaze at the other boy. So pretty, he muses.

They take in each other’s presence for a few seconds before Tanjirou says softly, “Inosuke, I—can I kiss you?”

Inosuke looks at him curiously and replies back, “What’s a kiss? I don’t know that.” And Tanjirou wants to squeal at how cute this dumb boy is.

“Um, can—can I show you,” he whispers and moves his lips to hover over Inosuke’s. They’re so close that their breaths mingle with one another. Inosuke has a dazed expression on his face, green eyes hazed over as they trail down to Tanjirou’s lips. Tanjirou takes a deep gulp and feels his heart throb hard.

“Yeah you can do that,” Inosuke replies and their lips meet one another in a long-awaited greeting.

It’s like an explosion of neon colored lights, Tanjirou thinks, and feels warmth spread its way through his body, from the tips of his toes to his ears. Inosuke’s lips are so soft and feel so nice against his own. Their kiss is inexperienced, filled with nervousness but it’s everything he could’ve hoped for. They part to catch their breath and the heat in Tanjirou’s stomach stirs like an inferno burning him from within. He takes his thumb and traces it gently across Inosuke’s pink lips while Inosuke leans into the touch.

He can’t help but be mesmerized at the sight in front of him. Inosuke’s lips are swollen and kissed bitten with a slight red tinge. His cheeks are flushed a delicate pink and the urge to kiss him again is strong. “You’re beautiful you know that?” Tanjirou whispers teasingly, placing a quick kiss again to his lips, “I’m so lucky.”

The pink on Inosuke’s cheeks deepens to a bright red and he hits Tanjirou’s arm playfully, “S-shut up Kentaro don’t get all sappy on me.”

Tanjirou huffs and says, “How can I not be sappy with you when your reactions are too cute?” He knows he’s teasing the other boy too much but seeing the pretty red blush litter Inosuke’s face is worth it.

Inosuke groans loudly and places his forehead against Tanjirou’s.

“I ain’t going to let you kiss me anymore if you keep picking on me asshole,” Inosuke pouts and before Tanjirou can respond a loud crash comes from the door.

“We missed the first kiss!” Aoi yells, smacking Zenitsu on his arm, “if you wouldn’t have pushed the door open with your big head, we could’ve seen the second one!” Zenitsu gives her a sheepish grin and sputters out an apology. Even Nezuko is there, hands covering her mouth in shock but Tanjirou can tell there’s a mischievous look in her eyes.

“WERE YOU IDIOTS SPYING ON US!” Inosuke squawks and both Aoi and Zenitsu jump at the noise. Zenitsu whistles and refuses to meet Inosuke’s glare and Aoi twirls her hair in an attempt to act innocent. It doesn’t work and Inosuke continues to yell, “I’M GOING TO FIGHT YOU BOTH! COME HERE!” He pulls away from Tanjirou and chases the two out of the room, feral grin plastered on his face.

Zenitsu lets out a bloodcurdling yell and Aoi trails after him, screaming as she goes down the hall.

Tanjirou watches them run out of the room and lets out a happy sigh. He touches his lips and feels the warmth Inosuke left behind on them still lingering.

“Hehe. You kissed.” Nezuko giggles and Tanjirou had forgotten she was spying on them too. He squints at her and says, “You’re going to tease me too aren’t you.”

Nezuko sniggers harder at him and shakes her head, instead running to envelop him in a hug. A loud crash comes from down the hall and a shriek from Zenitsu and victorious yell from Inosuke makes the two siblings let out a chuckle.

“Come on Nezuko,” Tanjirou says and walks toward the entry way of the door, “Let’s go stop my boyfriend from killing your boyfriend.”

Nezuko smiles and follows.