Chapter Text
“Zenitsu.Zenitsu, hey are you even listening to me man?”
The blonde now snapped out of his trance stares blankly at his short-haired friend. Murata had been prattling his ears off about something, probably the newest video games. But to be honest he couldn’t care any less right now. With what happened over the weekend, it was a bit hard to pretend that everything was fine. A full-on breakdown was bound to happen sooner or later. Thankfully Inosuke had extra tutoring from Aoi this week. And honestly, he didn’t think he could handle being around Tanjiro, not when… that happened.
“Muraaataaaaaaaa!!!! I’m going to die! It’s all over for meeeeee!”
Latching onto his friend’s collar he cries into his shoulder. Not caring if his tears ruined the fabric.
“Woah! Hey! Not the shirt I just got it washed!”
“It’s all over for me!! I’m definitely gonna die. I can feel it!” He cries into his senior’s shirt
“Please don’t let me die! Murataaaaaaaa!!”
Awkwardly he places his hands on Zenitsu’s back, trying to comfort the crying blond.
“Oh um, there there.”
***
In all of the words in the dictionary, nothing could describe what he felt at that moment. Yeah sure fear did a pretty good job, but it was more like the sheer terror you felt before being thrown into a black abyss. Yeah, that worked way better. It had happened when he was just about to leave school. Zenitsu had just stuffed all of his books into his bag and was ready to bolt out the door. Excited to sleep in for the weekend. When the school’s resident art teacher decided to oh so wonderfully grace him with his presence.
The white-haired man had asked him to deliver some “important papers” as he put it.
‘More like demanded’ Zenitsu thought bitterly to himself as he climbed the stairs. Stacks of heavy papers in his arms. Making his way towards the teacher’s offices.
When he had finally finished the sun had just begun to set, orange light pouring in from the school’s many windows. He would have been home a lot earlier if Uzui-sensei hadn’t asked him to do all of his last-minute errands. Damn that man! What was he his errand boy!? He may be in the school council but that didn’t mean he could boss him around like that! Of course, he would never say that to his face. At the end of the day, he was still a teacher, even if Zenitsu thought he was the dumbest man to walk the earth. He bet his pet mice had more brain cells than him.
Too engrossed with wallowing in his own misery he didn’t hear the sound of quickly approaching footsteps
“Zenitsu!! Zenitsu!!”
A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder “you’re still here?”
“GYAAAAAAAAHHH!!! What- who, TANJIRO!!! Don’t do that!!” Zenitsu whirls around to face his friend Tanjiro Kamado. The son of the local baker.
“Hehe sorry, Zenitsu.” The red-haired boy laughs. Not an ounce of remorse in his voice.
“Hmph, you’re lucky you’re so likable, otherwise I would have whacked that thick head of yours by now.”
“I’m likable?” A smile tugs on the corners of his mouth.
“TANJIROOOOO!!!” He shrieks, his face heating up from the embarrassment “You know what I mean.” Giving his shoulder a light shove he walks ahead, a pout of his face.
“Why are you still here? You’re not in any clubs are you?” He asks, tilting his head to the side
Oh right, the sudden appearance of his friend almost made him forget why he was so engrossed in his thoughts in the first place.
“Uzui-Sensei made me his errand boy again! Yeah, I’m in the school council but I don’t want to stay any longer than I have to Tanjiro!!” As he continued to rant to his friend about his day he hadn’t noticed the three members from the flower arrangement club holding a large jug of water.
“Zenitsu watch out!” But it was too late, he had accidentally tripped on his own two feet and sent the bucket and himself crashing to the floor
Cold water rushes over him, completely drenching his uniform down to his socks. Shit
“Oh no! Agatsuma senpai! Are you alright? We-“
Before the young girls could finish their sentence, Zenitsu bolts down the hallway.
‘Fuck fuck fuck c’mon! Hurry up stupid legs! Go faster! Gotta hide somewhere!’
‘There!’
Throwing open the door of the supply room he rushes in. Slamming it behind him with a loud bang
‘Thank god, and just In time too’
Placing his hand on the nearby shelf he braces himself for the inevitable. He begins to strip off his shoes and socks not wanting them to get ruined any more than they already were. Zenitsu quickly throws off his corduroy pants, not in the mood to ruin them as well. He had just saved up money to buy something nice and would rather use it on something he wanted. School pants were crazy expensive!
Then, a knock on the door
‘Damnit! He forgot to lock the door!’
“Zenitsu? A-are you oka-“
“Yup! Yeah! Totally fine! But please don’t come in!!” Outside Tanjiro’s heart beats with worry, had they not been in such a stressful situation he might have felt giddy that Tanjiro was so concerned about him.
“Um... are you sure, I grabbed some extra paper towels from the restroom to help dry you off.”
“Yeah could you just leave them outside, I’ll get them - OUCH!” He groans in pain
‘Damn it why does this have to happen now!?’
“Wait no don’t!”
The unlocked door swings open. Tanjiro stands before him, a wad of paper towels bunches up in his hands. He looks around the surprisingly spacious closet for a moment confused, then he looks down at him. A large fish-like tail with shades of golden scales twice the length of him flops around where his legs should be. Two large fins on the sides of his hips lay motionless. The evening light shimmers and bounces off of it like the ocean’s surface. Tanjiro stares down at him, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Red eyes rake over his entire body. To the now very present pale yellow fins protruding where his ears once rested to his scaly webbed hands. The newly formed gills on his neck fluttered nervously underneath Tanjiro’s gaze. His once short golden hair now spills over his still water-soaked sweater in waves. A few tense and very awkward seconds pass before Tanjiro looks down at his scuffed sneakers, breaking their eye contact. As if they were more interesting to look at than the helpless merman sprawled out in front of him.
“I… I’m just I’m…. going to put these here.” He says slowly, carefully placing the paper towels within arms reach of the blonde. Turning around Tanjiro quickly glances back at him one last time before shutting the door behind him with a soft click.
Which now brings him back to the present, dragging handfuls of paper towels over his scaly skin, trying to dry it enough to change it back. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes, this wasn’t supposed to happen! no one was ever supposed to find out! But now with his secret revealed what was going to happen to him now? Would Tanjiro tell others? What would gramps say if he told him?
Hey gramps it’s me Zenitsu, practically your adopted son! Just so you know, I’m a siren! You know, those dangerous creatures that lead sailors to their doom with their alluring voice? And the reason for your missing leg?! But not me! Hell, I can’t even swim in open waters without freaking out! Sorry, I lied to you and Kaigaku about who I was for the past 12 years I’ve lived with you!’
Would they throw him out? Maybe they’d rat him out to the government for extra cash! Well… maybe not gramps. But honestly, Kaigaku would sell his soul to the devil for one corn chip if he was being honest. Just the thought of Being poked and prodded with all kinds of sharp and painful tools made his skin crawl.
Or maybe… they’d force him back into the ocean, seeing him as the creature he was.
On the other side of the door, Tanjiro’s gentle sound continues to play, calming his heart a little bit. Dread begins to crawl it’s way up to his throat, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He’s sure that once he steps out he’ll be immediately barraged with questions he’d have to answer. a few more water-soaked towels later his tail finally becomes dry enough for it to transform back into legs. Eventually, the golden scales fade away leaving a familiar pair of pale legs. With a heavy heart, Zenitsu stands back up, carefully adjusting his clothes back onto his body.
***
The two of them walk back home in silence. His wet socks squelching uncomfortably in his still-wet shoes. The sun had set behind the mountains a while ago, the harsh glow from the many street lamps now illuminating the streets. Every now and then a car or bike passes by them, expelling the uncomfortable silence between them. Tanjiro wants answers he can tell, I mean who wouldn’t? And he’s not exactly known around the town for being discreet. From the way, his eyes would wander down towards his legs whenever he thought Zenitsu wasn’t looking. To his painfully awkward attempts at starting up a conversation, his mouth opening as if he was about to say something. Only for nothing to come out. Much like a fish. How ironic.
Thank god it hadn’t been Inosuke who found him. The whole town would probably know his secret by now if he did. That pig head couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it. But neither could Tanjiro, he always made a really gross face when he lied. The two of them eventually stop at his house, the first floor being used as his family’s store. Posters on the glass windows advertising this season's best vegetables and flowers litter it’s a reflective surface. In a corner a painted sign flakes away after years of being out in the sun. Overhead the banner flutters in the light ocean breeze, Agatsuma family gardening store written in bold white letters.
The two of them stand awkwardly outside of the store, the lights already turned off. As if waiting for something to happen.
‘Gramps must have already closed up early for today’ He thinks to himself, trying his best not to look his friend’s way. Either out of embarrassment or fear, he can’t tell.
“Well… um… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow Zenitsu, have a good night! And tell your grandfather and brother I said hi when you have the chance.”
Before Tanjiro can run off Zenitsu catches himself speaking without meaning to
“Tanjiro…”
“Oh um, yeah?” The red-haired teen turns around his large eyes blinking at him, surprised that Zenitsu even said anything. Their walk was so thick with silence after… the incident.
“Meet me at the pier behind granny Hisa’s general store at 8 tomorrow morning…I’ll tell you the truth, promise.”
With a smile, Tanjiro runs off, slightly faster than he usually would. Before he walked out of sight Tanjiro turned around, waving animatedly at him like he was some little kid. Once out of sight Zenitsu allows himself to slump against a nearby moss-covered wall.
‘Tell him the truth?... WHAT DO YOU MEAN TELL HIM THE TRUTH????’
Immediately his mind begins to fill with panic.
‘For all 16 years of your life, You have never told a living soul! Not even Gramps or Kaigaku! Why do you think Tanjiro will be any different! Are you really that desperate to tell someone about it!! Stupid! Stupid! STUPID!’
‘WHAT KIND OF IDEA IS THIS!!! You’re going to end up as seafood, idiot! STUPID!’
“AHHH GOD!! Why do I have to be so fucking stupid!!” He shouts towards the sky as if expecting somebody to answer him. Unfortunately, someone does.
“Well, you’re not wrong about that!” A voice yells at him from above. Light from an open window spills out as his brother glares down at him. He points at him with a soup ladle tightly gripped in his hand.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing down there? Don’t you know what time it is!? You better come up quickly or I’ll kick your ass all the way to next week!”
His elder brother yells from the second-story window. The frilly pink apron tied around his body making his threats not as scary as they should be.
“Yeah yeah I’m coming.” He says as he stomps his way up the stairs. Before Kaigaku can close the window the gruff sound of his grandfather’s voice fills his ears, asking if Zenitsu finally came back from school. only reminding him further of the grave he was digging himself into. He stands in front of the door impatiently, waiting for his brother to open the door for him. A few moments pass before the door opens with a click.
“Why are you wet?”
Zenitsu walks by him wordlessly, immediately running up to his room to change.
“What the! At least take your shoes off first dammit!”
***
Dinner passes by with no problems, apparently Kaigaku has been cooking again. Miso soup with rice, some pickled papaya on the side, and… fish. Dammit, the universe is really out to get him, isn’t it? He glares back at his dinner, the fried fish stares back at him. Almost mockingly. This does not go unnoticed by his brother though.
“What? Something wrong with my cooking? You better appreciate it you brat!”
“I didn’t even say anything you jerk!”
“Why you little-“
“Zenitsu.” The gruff voice of his grandfather stopped any further bickering between the two siblings.
“Oh um yes gramps…?”
“Did something happen at school, my boy? you’re much quieter than usual.”
Gramps and Kaigaku stare at him from across the Kotetsu.
Despite their hardened faces, the faint sound of worry echoes through their hearts.
“No, nothing happened today.” He mutters into his soup bowl, too embarrassed to look up. Thankfully they don’t press any further as they continue eating dinner.
While they eat, Gramps praises his brother for doing such a good job with the cooking, which he brushes off with a scoff. Unluckily for him, the sound of pride and happiness does not go unnoticed from the blonde. They spend the rest of the night eating watermelon and watching old reruns of Gramp's stupid soap operas. Zenitsu looks towards his brother, who looks way too invested in the show.
“Well I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to bed.”
Gramps and Kaigaku mumble out a goodnight, not even bothering to look away from the screen. Zenitsu only rolls his eyes, seriously how could anyone watch that crap? Running up to his room he immediately throws himself onto his bed, opening up Netflix to watch the latest episode of his favorite K-drama. A few hours go by as he watches his show. Thankfully it’s enough to distract him from the dread building up in his gut when tomorrow eventually arrives. Rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm Zenitsu clicks off of Netflix to check the time, surprised with what he sees. In large blaring numbers 3:00 am shines right back at him.
‘Shit! Did I stay up that late? Guess I have to go to sleep now.’
Powering down his phone he plugs it in before laying on his back and closing his eyes. Outside he listens to the crickets chirping away. With the occasional croak from the toads outside. Two slow heartbeats fill his ears as he begins to drift off to sleep, but of course, his life is never easy as it seems. Flashes of the afternoon run through his head at a rapid pace, Tanjiro discovering his secret, the shame of lying right to Gramps' face. Everything was just too much!
Now the gentle sounds mercilessly assault his ears. Grabbing his pillow he shoves it over his head, trying to muffle the sounds. He spends a few minutes tossing and turning in bed, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. But he just couldn’t seem to fall asleep! His covers felt scratch and his room felt way too hot. Frustrated he bolts up out of bed and goes over to open his window. Maybe some fresh air will help him clear his head. Zenitsu slides open his window, letting out a long sigh.
He stares out towards the bay, the gate illuminated underneath the full moon. Light dances on top of the water's surface, Zenitsu closes his eyes and listens. The sound of gentle waves lapping the sandy beaches helping to calm his mind. Then an idea pops into his head, a very stupid idea, something he’d regret later.
Opening up his closet he grabs a beach towel and a spare change of clothes, sneaking down the hallway Zenitsu carefully tiptoes his way downstairs. Freezing whenever he steps on a creaky floorboard. He decides to leave his shoes at the front door. If Kaigaku were to wake up in the middle of the night only to discover that Zenitsu had snuck out he would wake gramps no doubt about it. It wouldn't be the first time he was caught leaving the house late at night.
Opening the door he quickly makes his way behind his home. Praying that nobody was awake at this hour. Eventually, he makes his way to the furthest part of the beach, rarely anyone ever came here, the rocky terrain and powerful waves usually kept people from swimming around the area. But for Zenitsu he couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to practice swimming. He gently places his folded clothes on top of the fluffy white towel, if they got wet it’d be such a pain in the ass. Slipping off his shorts he submerges his legs into the water before taking off his shirt.
Shutting his eyes Zenitsu takes a deep breath as he brings his head underneath the water to trigger the transformation. The familiar tingling sensation spreads throughout his body the instant he fully submerged his body. And when he opens his eyes golden scales cover his arms and his legs once again replaced by a powerful tail. Slowly Zenitsu swims further into the water, enjoying the feeling of the cool salty sea against his scales. It’d been a while since he had the opportunity to swim, he dives deeper into the sea. Still staying within the limits of the bay, Zenitsu had never swum into the open ocean’s waters before, and he wasn’t planning on it anytime soon. Soon he finds himself in a tangle of seaweed and kelp, the aquatic plants tickle his skin a small smile forming on his lips. Keeping near the sandy floor he picks up colorful shells and stones. Something to add to his growing collection underneath his bed.
He continues to swim around the bay, resurfacing every now and then to look at the small houses along the shore. He hides underneath the pier for a while, weaving amongst the poles as a sort of practice area. using his nails to scratch shapes into its surface.
He swims around for a bit before making his way to the nearby cove, worn away from years of waves crashing into its rocky surface. Hauling himself on an algae-covered rock he stares up at the sky. The stars twinkle back at him, blinking lights from planes above passing by every now and again. Then, almost like an instinct he opens his mouth and begins to sing. The song is quiet and has no lyrics, only vague hums, and melodies.
He wants to sing louder, for someone to hear his song, but tonight he will just have to make do with the night sky as his audience. Unbeknownst to the fishing boat that began to drift closer.