Chapter Text
"She'll never like you that way."
The truth of Tanjiro’s words hit hard, but it didn't outwardly affect Zenitsu. After all, he'd heard it plenty of times from his insecurities. He'd been brave enough to face them anyways, but bravery didn't always carry with it a reward.
Zenitsu spoke flatly, the lack of emotion telling more than it should have. "I know. I respect that."
"If it hurts to be around-"
"It doesn't," Zenitsu cut him off with an exasperated sigh. He tightly gripped the fabric of his pants. "You don't get it."
"Then explain. I might not have your great hearing, but I can still listen." Tanjiro offered, nudging him with his shoulder gently.
"I love her. Not the idea of her as my wife, her! " Zenitsu said, emphasizing with a wave of his arms. "I want her happy and healthy and to be in her life if I'm a positive part of it."
"Even if she found another?"
Zenitsu sobbed, covering his face in his hands. "Yes," he choked out through the tears and hitching breaths. Pulling his knees close, Zenitsu tried and failed to keep his emotions down.
Tanjiro paused as if he wasn't expecting that answer. As if he'd been fully prepared for the opposite. He hovered a hand over Zenitsu's shoulder, unsure on how to help him through the breakdown.
Luckily, Zenitsu soon got himself under control enough to respond. He let go of his knees and shut his eyes tight in an attempt to stop the tears. He sniffled loudly before turning to give Tanjiro a serious expression.
"Yes, ok? It'd hurt like hell because of my insecurities! Because I'd be terrified of being left behind again!" Zenitsu wiped at his face roughly, then pointed at himself. "But that's not her problem! That's mine!"
Tanjiro slowly turned to wrap his friend in an embrace. "That's very mature of you. You've grown, Zenitsu."
"I don't want your praises," a small voice spoke into his shoulder.
"So that's what you smell like when you lie." Tanjiro joked lightly.
"I. No. Shut your nose!" Zenitsu pulled away and raised a hand to try and cover Tanjiro's keen nostrils.
Dodging easily, Tanjiro caught his hand as well as his undivided attention. "You're a great person, Zenitsu. We're all lucky to have you in our lives."
"Stop! You're going to kill me! Leave me to be sad in peace!"
"No, I don't think I will." Tanjiro just pulled him back into the hug gently, not feeling any resistance. "There's no demons to face right now but the ones in your head."
Zenitsu just cried quietly and messily into his shoulder.
"Do you think I can headbutt your inner demons away?"
That earned him a sniffle that sounded a lot like a laugh.
"Oh, or I could get Inosuke's help. If we made it a competition, he'd never stop complimenting you."
Zenitsu's weight against him doubled as the boy went a bit limp. He sounded defeated when he spoke. "Please don't do that. It'd all sound fake."
"Ah, we'll have to brainstorm a better strategy then." Tanjiro turned his head to press a soft kiss to Zenitsu's forehead. "But we're Demon Slayers. We face demons together, even our inner ones."
Zenitsu hid his flushed face against Tanjiro's shirt, nodding. He didn't trust his words, but he could trust his friends.