Chapter Text
Zenitsu’s world exists on quicksand. A person’s song fluctuates so rapidly that headaches are a daily occurrence and puts Zenitsu on edge. It’s hardly a surprise that when the opportunity presents itself, the blonde latched onto a certain overly accommodating brunet. It makes Zenitsu want to cry at just how kind Tanjiro Kamado's soul is. A soul that sings an impossibly gentle song, rarely fluctuating even in high stakes battles. That inability to waver has become a life-line in this endless sea of noise that Zenitsu lives in, and one of the few things Zenitsu truly treasures in this world.
Which is why the blonde wants to cry whenever something taints that beautiful sound. It’s not just the sudden disharmonious keys that throw Zenitsu off-kilter, but the feeling of complete wrongness that accompanies that sound. Like a dying beast howling in grief. He hates it when Tanjiro gets too pensive when the burden on his shoulders seem too heavy to bear. Zenitsu often wonders what he could do to help his friend.
The answer presents itself fairly easily.
Zenitsu and Tanjiro were sent to an eastern port town that was plagued with some type of water demon. There wasn’t a lot of information on it, but it’s preferred prey was the port hands and sailors. When they entered town Zenitsu felt sick. The high shrill of fear trilled out of so many people that it felt like his ears were going to bleed. It was moments like this Zenitsu misses their pig-headed companion, Inosuke’s song is just as loud and overbearing as his personality, thundering like a hundred taiko drums. It worked wonders at drowning out the noise of the outside world. Unfortunately, Inosuke was on strict bed rest after he nearly broke his spine trying to show off on their previous mission, leaving Zenitsu to suffer. It lead him to cling to Tanjiro, hyper-focusing on the brunet’s song to calm the wave of anxiety the town was causing him. For his part, Tanjiro took the behavior in stride and navigated them through the crowded streets.
In hindsight, perhaps Inosuke’s absence was a blessing in disguise because if the pig had been present, Zenitsu would have undoubtedly missed the innocent melody that danced quietly around his friend. The slight inhale Tanjiro took while looking at a colorful display window of a western bakery. For the briefest of moments, Tanjiro’s serene song was replaced with a playful shamisen. It was light, and full of child-like wonder, as Tanjiro couldn’t stop sniffing the air. The scent of bread hanging in the air. At this innocent display, Zenitsu wanted to cry. Despite how much Zenitsu appreciates Tanjiro’s stability he couldn’t help feeling sad that his friend doesn’t express himself more. Which is why the faint sound of desire surprised him. Desire is an innocent melody that rings out of people when they selfishly want something. Children buzz with it all the time, demanding candy, toys, and games from each other and the world while adults tend to come out in a sudden burst. For as much time they spend around each other Zenitsu has never heard this sound from his friend. That was until now. Eager to amplify that sound Zentisu started to suggest that they enter the shop when the shamisen stopped and the serene song came back. Tanjiro continued walking, dragging a dumb-founded Zenitsu behind him.
“Wait, Tanjiro didn’t you want to try that dessert.”
“They were very pretty.”
“We should go try.” Zenitsu pushed, “Western bakeries are rare you know, we should try it while we can.”
Tanjiro smiled slightly his kept walking, “We have a mission to complete, and it would be irresponsible to waste time on snacks before that.”
“Then let's go after the mission.You should live a little once in a while”
“Thank you Zenitus but it would be a waste to spend that much money on something so frivolous.”
Zenitsu snaps his mouth shut repeating what Tanjiro said over in his head, guilt twisting inside of him. Poverty was something Zenitus never really had to deal with since he was fortunate enough to be adopted by gramps at a young age, letting the blond live in relative comfort with enough pocket money to indulge himself selfishly. Tanjiro didn’t get to have such luxuries growing up, necessity dictated that he puts his family’s needs above his own and as the eldest of 6 children, spoiling himself would never cross his mind. Zenitsu remembers a particular night at the butterfly estate infirmary when he couldn’t sleep. Tanjiro kept him company telling him about his family. It made his tune so bittersweet, but there was a relief there that made Zenitsu stop from changing the topic. Tanjiro mourned the fact that he was never able to buy Nezuko a beautiful new kimono. That was the closest he ever heard his friend complain. The thunder user couldn’t help but smile at the memory. Tanjiro who always puts his needs last to provide for everyone around him. A trait that Zenitsu wishes he could have, but he knows deep down he could never be as mature and reliable as Tanjiro. A man, who is the epitome of emotional stability and kindness. Despite their age gap, Zenitus always relies on him like an older brother.
Zenitsu looks back at the shop quietly, seeing the increasingly large line block the road. There isn’t a lot he could do for Tanjiro but the least he could do was buy him a beautiful cake. Maybe he would be able to make that playful melody play again.
Or perhaps the gods just have a vendetta against him. Zenitsu was really motivated this time, wanting to get the job done quickly so he could buy his friend a cake. Despite his conviction, however, the thunder breath user undoubtedly caused more harm than good. He was shamelessly caught after mistaking a beautiful woman for a victim and falling into the demon’s clutches. Tanjiro had to save his butt again and ended up with the majority of injuries. The whole day was a mess but Zenitsu had hope he could turn it around.
Since the doctor didn’t have him on bed-rest, Zentisu pushed his aching body to run into town, somehow being able to buy the last cake they had. The blonde pouted a bit as he walked back to the safehouse, the cake wasn’t ugly per se but it definitely wasn’t as beautiful as the cakes that were displayed earlier. It was so simple and was covered in brown poweder, the shop lady saying it was some kind of “coffee cake” whatever the hell that is. Still, Zenitsu knows that western delicacy shops were rarities and he didn’t know the next time they would be out this way again, so he bought it. Tanjiro was right it was super expensive, but it would be worth it if he could hear that playful melody one more time.
Zenitsu got back to the safehouse and he could hear Tanjiro sitting in the garden. Excitement welled up in Zenitsu, curious to see what kind of reaction Tanjiro would have. A bit of nervousness as Tanjiro appraised the box in his hand, tilting his head curiously. Zenitsu, pushed the box into his friend's hand, and when Tanjiro opens it, Zenitsu knows that all that frantic running was worth it. forward. Music blooms, strumming a song of wonder as Tanjiro's eyes lit up.
As Zenitsu watches his friend enjoy his gift, he can't help but think how amazing Tanjiro was and how sorry he is for putting him on yet another pedestal. The blonde always thought that Tanjiro's gentle sound was just another feat of his friend's iron will to face adversity but listening to the newly erupting shamisen Zentisu understood this was not the case. Tanjiro was tainted by the world just as much as everyone else, constrained by his responsibilities. Tanjrio's true song was carefree and engulfing, like the embodiment of a meadow on a sunny day, had Tanjiro not been burdened by the circumstance of his life his sound would be free.
Zenitsu really really wanted to cry, knowing that beautiful sound could only ever appear in small moments like this and he vows to make sure Tanjiro gets ample opportunity in the future to play that song again. For now Zenitsu falls asleep listening to Tanjiro’s soul, thinking about all the different types of food he can share with his friend.