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Hands upon your hips, you locked eyes with Genya, if only for a moment. As soon as a faint huff of exasperation escaped your lips, there was no stopping the words that followed.
“Y’know, you have to have a little more confidence in yourself, Gen. You’re a demon slayer, for kami sake!” The words were soft, sympathetic even, and you dearly hoped that
Genya hadn’t taken any offence to your words. You were worried about him, is all. The boy was constantly red-cheeked and wide-eyed, and it was a wonder that he wasn’t hiding behind his hands. Not that you’ve ever seen him do something like that, but with the way he was looking, it wasn’t far off.
Genya began to fidget beneath your stare, trying desperately not to meet your eyes. You’d known each other for a year so far, but even now it was so hard to talk to you. Most of the time it was you who did the talking. Why did he have to be so damn shy? Maybe it was because he was afraid of saying the wrong thing, snapping and driving you away–
A hand waved in front of his face, and the demon slayer could only blink in surprise. “Are you even listening to me?” Lips having shifted into a pout, you stood closer than ever, and Genya’s cheeks burst into flames once more.
Not quite catching the hint of what exactly was going on, you continued to prattle on. “Geez. I mean, the whole being shy thing is cute, but you have to show some sort of self-confidence. You look the part and everything,” Gingerly, you took his hand in your own. God, he hoped his fingers weren’t trembling. “You know what? Let’s make a stop in town, and maybe I can teach yourself about having some confidence in yourself!”
Genya had no choice but to follow, especially with you tugging insistently on his hand. Quietly, he noted that your hands fit together perfectly.
Thankfully, you hadn’t dragged him into the usual crowds of the marketplace. Genya had been through here at a particularly busy hour, and though his scowl had cleared somewhat of a path, people had continued to swarm about him. This town was one common stop along his travels, and he had to admit that he only stayed for one thing: you.
Hands laced together, you led your demon-slaying companion towards a particular set of street vendors. Meeting grey eyes eagerly, your expression soon morphed into a playful grin. “Here, Gen.” Rummaging around in the pouch at your side, you drew out a handful of silver coins, wordlessly motioning for him to extend his free hand. The instant that his fingers had unfurled, palm upward, you dropped the coins into his hand, taking care not to let any fall. “Now, I need you to go over to that fabric stand for me. I need a new bolt of cloth!”
Mouth forming into an uneasy ‘o’, Genya regarded you with some degree of embarrassment. Him, buying cloth?
“I don’t know shit about buying fabric, [name].” Momentarily his shoulders sagged, eyes darting away from you, focusing on anything but.
“Then think of it as something to conquer!”
“Demons are conquered, not… shopping.”
“Well, it’s a mission regardless.”
Finally relenting, Genya slipped his hand from yours, hesitating as soon as the familiar warmth dissipated. With one last glance – and a slight puppy-dog look – the slayer ambled over to the stand in question.
The merchant seemed slightly perturbed by his sudden appearance, but was quick to cover it up with a wide grin. Business was business, and Genya was no exception. There was a short exchange of words, an uncertain shrug on the slayer’s part, and then the vendor was handing over some neatly folded fabric. It was vibrant, perhaps more so than you’d usually go with, but the sight of Genya turning and pacing back towards you was more than worth it.
There were many words that bubbled to your mouth, questions and congratulations, but his sudden movements jarred you from all the things you’d wanted to say. Gently he tugged at the fabric, letting it spill out into a long, scarf-like piece, and gingerly placed it around your shoulders. As the ends of the cloth fell flat upon your chest, it was not just Genya who was blushing like a madman: you were, too.
“Thanks,” your voice came out as a squeak. “It’s really – uh, nice!”
Maybe… maybe this was what Genya was being so timid about.