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It’s raining outside and Zenitsu just finished preparing the bath. The wooden tub filled with warm water looks nice, convidative; he’s still trembling, his clothes wet from the rain, but he doesn’t regret it — he was the first to greet Kaigaku as soon as he appeared in front of the estate, and Zenitsu is glad that he survived the Final Selection.
“Kaigaku,” he calls him, peeking his head out of the room. Kaigaku is sitting down, quiet; he looks tired yet still alert, like he’s still in survival mode, like something is going to jump at him at any given moment and try to rip his flesh all apart. “Come here. The bath’s ready.”
Kaigaku nods silently, getting up without saying a single word. He enters the room with Zenitsu, closing the door and stripping out of his clothes, dirty and wet. Zenitsu does the same with his own garments, folding them up neatly in a pile that lays next to Kaigaku’s discarded clothes, simply thrown one on top of each other, jumbled and messy.
As he does this, he hears Kaigaku rinsing himself with water; it splashes on his body and on the floor, and Kaigaku lets out a satisfied sigh. Zenitsu looks at him, watches silently as Kaigaku runs his hands over his arms and gets more water in the bucket he’s using to wash himself, trying to take out most of the dirt and sweat on his body before getting in the big tub.
Zenitsu joins him, standing by his side. Kaigaku takes a single step to allow him some personal space. The boy rinses himself, a sheepish smile on his face as he feels the warm water running all over his body, and does it again, splashing some on his face and back as well for extra measure.
He pauses for a moment, taking another quick look at Kaigaku. It’s not the first time they’re taking a bath together, but it’s the first shared bath Zenitsu’s taking with Kaigaku now that he’s an actual demon slayer, finished with his training.
His body is chiseled with muscles, and Zenitsu can see some scratches, a bigger wound near Kaigaku’s thigh — but not deep enough to impair his muscles — alongside many red, yellow and purple spots. He’s sure some of them must hurt even by now.
Final Selection looks hard.
“It must have been scary,” Zenitsu finally says, breaking the silence. Kaigaku stops washing his legs to look at Zenitsu; his eyes seems to be transfixed by the lack of wounds in his body, what separates them as disciples.
“It was a bit scary,” Kaigaku replies, giving a shrug. He runs his hands on his legs, being especially careful near the wounded area. He washes it, but doesn’t touch it much — Zenitsu takes a mental note to ask him if he’d like to bandage it later. “But only during the first nights. You get used to it.”
Zenitsu isn’t entirely sure if he believes him, considering the way Kaigaku still takes little pauses to look around, as if reminding himself that he’s actually safe, his entire body sounding frightened and alert; yet, Zenitsu decides not to say a thing.
“I’m sure you’re going to piss your pants when it’s your turn,” he hears Kaigaku say, his voice a whisper just to taunt him. Zenitsu glares at him and Kaigaku snickers, teeth showing in a mischievous smile.
When Zenitsu opens his mouth to reply, Kaigaku throws a bucketful of water at him and laughs, even though it almost makes Zenitsu slip and fall on his butt in surprise.
“Stop being so mean!” Zenitsu yells, covering his face with his arms before getting his own bucket of water, splashing some back at Kaigaku. The older boy simply jumps, avoiding most of it, and Zenitsu tries to do it again; Kaigaku ends up running around him, dodging Zenitsu’s poor attempts to drench him, both awkward and graceful in his movements.
Once he’s done running over the area, Kaigaku slips into the tub, making Zenitsu give up and stare at him with a pout. Kaigaku shows him his tongue and snorts, reaching over to pick on Zenitsu’s wrist, prompting the boy to join him.
Zenitsu supposes they’re both clean enough, so he sits alongside Kaigaku. The water is still warm enough to make him exhale in delight and relief as he relaxes, his limbs loosening up as he practically melts in pure bliss.
He keeps an eye on Kaigaku, who seems to have relaxed as well, cheeks flushed in satisfaction and arms spread over the edge of the tub.
With no warning, Zenitsu approaches Kaigaku and sneaks his hands under the other boy’s armpits, tickling him. This time, Kaigaku is the one that ends up looking like a fool, squawking and howling, splashing water all over himself, Zenitsu, and the floor as he squirms, trying to make Zenitsu stop.
Once he loses his voice from laughter, Zenitsu deems himself satisfied: serves him right. He stops, sitting down quietly once again, a smile on his face while he watches Kaigaku recover his breathing.
“You fucking jerk!” Zenitsu takes no offense this time, letting out a little snort because Kaigaku sounds so funny right now — maybe he is a bit of a jerk. “I could have died out there and that’s how you greet me? In my first bath in ages?”
Zenitsu shrugs and takes a dive in the water, keeping his hair wet.
“You came back joking about me as if nothing happened,” he replies, approaching Kaigaku and using his hands to spill some water onto his head as well, gently this time. “I was worried about you!”
He’s speaking the truth. Sure, Kaigaku isn’t the kindest person in the world, but Zenitsu couldn’t help but worry about him while he was out there. He could barely concentrate during his training in the first few days, mind too busy thinking about how Kaigaku was doing during the selection.
Besides, eating, bathing and sleeping without Kaigaku’s company felt pretty lonely. At least his presence helps Zenitsu not to focus too much on his own bad thoughts.
“You shouldn’t have been,” Kaigaku ends up saying after a moment of silence. He leans in, letting Zenitsu wash his hair. “I told you I’d be back, stupid.”
And he kept his promise, thankfully. Zenitsu can’t be more grateful — and he sure knows that Kuwajima is grateful too, watching his student coming back almost unscathed.
Zenitsu keeps himself quiet for once, his fingers buried on Kaigaku’s hair, massaging the scalp. Even though he managed to hug him moments ago, in the middle of the rain, helping Kaigaku clean himself like that feels different; it’s refreshing, intimate. There’s a certain vulnerability in how Kaigaku leans into Zenitsu’s touch, actually allowing himself to close his eyes and relax, fully convinced that the Final Selection is over.
It helps convince Zenitsu that he’s back, too, that he isn’t lonely anymore. Kaigaku’s abstinence wasn’t that long, really, but after years living together with him, being apart hurt.
He wonders if Kaigaku felt lonely too at the mountain. If he missed his room, his futon, his routine. Zenitsu is pretty sure he did, but Kaigaku, proud as he is, doesn’t seem like he’s ever going to admit it.
But it’s okay. They can stay like this for as long as they want, at least for tonight. Zenitsu is sure that Kuwajima isn’t going to mind if they take a little longer in the bath this time.
He scratches behind Kaigaku’s ear and Kaigaku’s lips turn upwards just a tiny bit. Zenitsu doesn’t comment on that, but makes sure to keep the image close to his chest, as he feels it would be nice as a memory.
Kaigaku rarely smiles, but when he does, he sounds happier than usual. It’s almost as if his box of happiness is repaired, albeit only temporarily.
Zenitsu likes it when he smiles.
“I can help you with your wounds if you’d like,” Zenitsu offers, his eyes fixated on a purple spot near Kaigaku’s right shoulder that wasn’t there before he left. “Like, bandaging and stuff. At least there’s nothing infected.”
Kaigaku nods.
“Yeah, sure,” he rests his head on Zenitsu’s shoulder. Zenitsu puts a hand on Kaigaku’s shoulder and arm, squeezing it a little in a friendly embrace. “I was lucky, actually. Some people broke their arms and stuff.”
Zenitsu makes a pained expression, hoping this won’t happen to him once his time comes. The selection itself looks terrifying already in theory, he can only imagine some of the things that happen in practice.
He isn’t exactly surprised with how… Nice — in a very odd way — Kaigaku is being with him, how touchy and even a little needy he’s acting with Zenitsu, as if they never fought once in their entire lives.
Zenitsu is sure that this is all because Kaigaku is tired and probably trying to forget some things he witnessed in the last few days — things he isn’t going to confide with Zenitsu or Kuwajima, things he’s going to keep buried within his chest — yet he doesn’t mind the extra clinginess. Usually he’s the clingy one, so this is a pretty welcome change, all things considered.
He takes it as a sign that Kaigaku missed him too, which is something quite heartwarming to think.
Whatever it is that Kaigaku wants to forget, Zenitsu hopes his presence is going to help him.
“I’m sore,” Kaigaku complains, readjusting his own body, trying to sit down in a way that actually feels right. Zenitsu doesn’t flinch when he puts his head on his shoulder again, even if he puts some of his own weight into it. “And hungry.”
Zenitsu can clearly see that, and he isn’t going to judge him. Not this time, at least.
“Dinner is going to be ready soon, I think,” Zenitsu answers him, his fingers running on the back of Kaigaku’s neck. Kaigaku nuzzles against him, falling deeper into the water, until his nose is almost touching it. Zenitsu stops for a moment and then resumes what he’s doing, finding the way Kaigaku is sinking more and more to be oddly adorable. “I also got some peaches for you, fresh from the trees. I know you like them.”
Kaigaku puts his head out of the water. Zenitsu can see a peculiar sparkle in his turquoise eyes, almost as if the mention of Kaigaku’s favorite food has awoken something inside of him.
He’s sure that the older boy is going to eat the entire basket of peaches after dinner, just like an animal.
He’s also sure that right after eating, Kaigaku is going to throw himself over his futon and sleep like a log for the entire night.
“Nice,” he says and sinks once again, resting against Zenitsu, who lets him stay. Zenitsu exhales, sinking into the water as well and joining Kaigaku in the shared moment of relaxation.
Once he’s done, he rises up, getting the soap and rubbing it on his body, watching as Kaigaku simply stays there, blowing bubbles in the water.
“Want me to wash your back?” Zenitsu asks, and Kaigaku gets up, turning around so Zenitsu can do as intended.
Kaigaku puts his arms on the edge of the tub and rests his head in them, and Zenitsu hums as he works on Kaigaku’s strong back, being careful whenever he reaches certain areas that are sore and a tad swollen.
He thinks about telling him how nice it is to have him back, but he thinks that, by now, Kaigaku already got the memo; that and he seems to be so tired, Zenitsu almost thinks he’s going to fall asleep in the tub. He doesn’t, however, shifting himself around and helping Zenitsu wash his body, letting him do the work not only on his back, but on his chest and arms as well.
Zenitsu cleans him up thoroughly, diligently, as if he’s polishing a diamond. Kaigaku keeps himself silent, possibly absorbing Zenitsu’s touch as something to ground him, only hissing a bit whenever Zenitsu is too rough on sensitive areas.
He doesn’t mind helping Kaigaku, doesn’t mind the silence that fills the room; it’s quiet, it’s comfortable, it’s something they both missed — yet only one of them is willing to admit.
But it’s okay.
“Dinner’s ready,” Zenitsu hears Kuwajima’s voice from the other side of the closed door, alongside a few polite knocks. “Don’t go falling asleep in there, you two!”
Zenitsu pokes Kaigaku’s side just to check that he’s awake and make sure that he’s heard Kuwajima’s voice. He stares at Zenitsu, eyes glowing with far too many feelings for Zenitsu to recognize all at once; a desire to stay just a little longer, a need to get out and eat, a craving for more of Zenitsu’s company and touch, all at once.
Zenitsu touches him, grasps his wrist as if Kaigaku’s unable to do a thing by himself, as if he isn’t a slayer, able to kill demons and so much more.
“Let’s go,” Zenitsu speaks; his voice is so soft it almost feels like it’s going to get lost in the muffled sound of the rain pouring outside. “I’m getting hungry too.”
Kaigaku holds Zenitsu’s hand and lets the boy help him out of the tub.
Zenitsu hands Kaigaku a towel and, as he dries himself up and puts on clean clothes, he trades glances with Kaigaku.
He doesn’t know exactly what’s going on with him tonight, but Kaigaku looks less like a boy and more like a man.