Archive of Our Own ^beta

Most people disliked having a roommate.

At least that's what Tanjirou Kamado had been led to believe. Living with another person was an ordeal that tested the very fiber of your moral character. Arguments over space, dividing chores (or in the worst cases the lack thereof) or even cooking became an absolute hellfire of a hassle. Friendships were torn apart, Patience was strained, and everyone walked away from the situation thinking ' Never again will I have a stupid roommate! '.

So anyway, Tanjirou happened to have a roommate.

And no it wasn't what one would think at all.

Despite every warning laid out before, Tanjirou's roommate wasn't anything like the string of frustrated heartbroken college kids might suggest.

No, in fact his roommate, a blonde mess by the name of Zenitsu Agatsuma, was instead a beaming ray of light in Tanjirou's rocky life.

You see, Tanjirou didn't come from a family of wealth, in fact they were rather conservative in their money. It didn't leave much room in terms of a college fund, much less extra money for housing like other students. So, Tanjirou did everything in his power to achieve wonderful grades and settled for a university humble in tuition. However, the downfall of such was just how far his new university was from his home (one that Tanjirou had grown up in his whole life with his wonderful family) and just how high the rent for nearby housing was.

When his mother voiced her concerns, Tanjirou placated her. When she offered to send him money to help him through, he denied. Because as the first born how could he dare burden his mother with any of that? Yet, he held his tongue of his own worries for her sake. He never spoke of his, frankly fear, of being away from his family. Or the worry his grades might suffer if he had to take on long hours at a job to make rent. Or, deep down, honestly, if he'd even fit in among the more urban area as a naive country boy.

However the answer to all those concerns came down to one person. The aforementioned Zenitsu Agatsuma.

Zenitsu was a......peculiar person.

Tanjirou could say with brazen confidence, he had the most boisterous personality he'd ever come across. Loud, always crying, and jumped to enough conclusions that one could get whiplash just by attempting to follow his logic. They'd originally met when Tanjirou was hunting for the cheapest apartment still close enough to his University. It was his luck that Zenitsu was a student at the same school who was desperate for a roommate. Seemed he'd jumped head first into renting the apartment after meeting a girl that he swore was going to marry him only for her to skip out a month or two later never once throwing a penny to the growing bills. The blonde went scavenging for roommates to help crawl out of the pathetic situation. No one seemed to bite.

At least until an equally desperate Tanjirou heeded the call.

 When he'd shown up, the blonde was a mess on his knees hugging his thighs as if Tanjirou were a great hero. 

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou-please room wit-ehth-th meeeee," he'd engraved Zenitsu pitiful face in his mind.

And well, it would've depressed him to say no even if he didn't need a place to stay.

So their tentative life together began. They shared space without complaint, split chores, cooked meals together, and welcomed each other home. It took Zenitsu a whole month before his fear of Tanjirou suddenly leaving ebbed away, though once it did the blonde managed to open up more. They'd bonded over unexpected hobbies and their similar overactive senses (Tanjirou's nose being incredibly sensitive rivaled by Zenitsu's absurd hearing). Tanjirou almost couldn't believe his own luck at the simple and happy life the two had carved out together. As the seasons changed and months went on, he found there wasn't any other way he'd imagine it.

However, roommates were supposed to be fleeting right? Another memory to wither away once University ended much like highschool life before it. Good thing he had plenty of time before Zenitsu would become one of those ‘fleeting memories’

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The sky casted a dreary overcast. Sprinklings of snow floated from the sky to the ground only to melt or stepped on by the busy people wandering the street. For some it might only be a cold day. For Tanjirou Kamado, it was a wonderful one, exciting even. He walked along the sidewalk with a jive to his step as if he wasn't carrying bags upon bags in his arms. He was bundled in a jacket and checkered scarf to keep him warm, though the scarf being much too small and used to provide much of that.

Unlike some, the redhead rather enjoyed winter times. Blazing heat in the summer tended to fill the air with rather appealing smells that assaulted his poor nose. Besides, there was a comfort in hiding from the cold in a warm house filled with only your loved ones. Something special and intimate, if he said so himself. Of course as winter trudged on there was Christmas as well, a holiday he'd come to enjoy the older he got. His family never celebrated as seriously as other modern families, though he'd become fond of handing out a present or two and sharing a nice meal. Of course it was more normally spent with a boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse even, but Tanjirou didn't mind who he'd spend it with as long as they held a special place in his heart like his family. 

His family lived far away, too far to spend the holiday with, so now he had to make due with sending out presents and calling them later. At least he wasn't alone though. He'd be spending the snowy day with his roommate, Zenitsu.

Tanjirou's pace sped up as their shared apartment came into view. He could already hear his mother's scolding voice in his head as he bounded up the rather icy steps without a care in the world. Their apartment was always easy to find even without a number to mark it. Zenitsu made it his mission to decorate the door with hanging wreaths and matching doormats. 

Instead of knocking, Tanjirou produced his own key as difficult as it was with the bags. He reasoned Zenitsu might be busy or taking a nap and would rather struggle than interrupt.

Did it make sense to say walking into their small shared apartment was like coming ' home '? Not home in the sense of a place you lived, no like the place you grew up, where your roots had sprouted and your heart had become attached to. Just something about walking into the warm home that smelled of peaches and a hint of cinnamon spice made everything seem right in the world. It didn't matter what kind of day he'd had because the sludge from it would slide right off his shoulders the moment the door to the outside world closed behind him.

"I'm home!," he called as he toed off his shoes.

There was the thump of feet and the chirps of a bird to greet him. The blonde figure of Zenitsu appeared before him looking overly chipper with chunntaro,their pet bird, placed on the top of his head.

"Welcome home," Zenitsu said back," did you pick up the eggnog? Ah you’re wearing that scarf again, how many times are you going to worry me, you’re sure to get sick"

The scarf in question did in fact offer nothing in terms of protection or warmth, however it came from his mother when he was a child. Now more than ever it seemed hard to part with.

"Like I told you I’ll be fine and How could I forget? You only asked a hundred times," Tanjirou said.

Zenitsu was sure to start whining at his joke and his nonchalance at potentially getting sick, but smoothed it over by offering the small convenience store bag to him. Zenitsu scooped the bag up with glee.

"Just kidding, even if you just mentioned it once of course I'd make sure to get it," he said.

"Okay, I'll let it go this time, but Tanjirou please keep warm," he said," uh what's that?"

Zenitsu tilted to his head to get a good look at the extra bags hanging from Tanjirou's arms. The redhead cheekily moved the bags out of view.

"They're Christmas presents aren't they? Let me see! What'd you get?"

"Ah ah ah, Christmas was the keyword wasn't it? That means you don't need to know until then," Tanjirou said.

He passed by Zenitsu to set the bags on their shared kitchen table. The other followed after, but heeded his words to not look. The disappointment smelt heavy in the air.

"That's a lot though isn't it? I guess your family is really big though. Ah let's see-two, three, six? Six people to shop for and five of those are just siblings!? How can you even manage it, just trying to get one gift for Kaigaku is like pulling teeth,” Zenitsu sighed.

“ Kaigaku should be the one worrying over getting you a gift,” Tanjirou said.

Zenitsu just offered a look that read ‘doubtful’ with an unimpressed frown. While Tanjirou had of course only heard stories, Zenitsu’s older brother did come off as quite the handful. Shameful, in his own opinion.

“Urgh you know that’s not how it works, you can’t use your whole ‘eldest son responsibility’ thing on him,” Zenitsu said. waving him off.

Yes he could and would, though for Zenitsu's last strings of sanity he'd let it go. Just this once.

"And besides, why talk about him when I'm the one with my own surprise," Zenitsu said.

He looked downright smug with his full grin so infectiously wide. His scent was heavy, yet light like the happiness he exhuded. Tanjirou had no choice but to bite.

"Which is....?"

"Close your eyes and follow me!"

"And how am I going to follow you if I can't see?"

"You urghhh you know what I mean, I'll lead," Zenitsu said.

Tanjirou became compliant. To appease his roommate he slipped his eyes closed and held his hands out. Zenitsu's hands encircled his own. They felt so soft and he couldn't deny how perfectly they fit together. He'd only hope those all hearing ears didn't pick up the skip of his heart. 

Zenitsu led him from their hall to what Tanjirou assumed was their living room from the carpet tickling his feet. His hands were let free as much as he disliked it, replaced by the sound of fumbling feet running around.

"Okay-wait-don't look. You'd better not be looking," Zenitsu hissed at him,".....ah this was just working....what if I just plug this in"

He laughed in return, though kept his eyes shut. Afterall, If the blonde had gone to such lengths to make a surprise, why ruin it?

"Aha! Look, look now I got it to work!," Zenitsu called with pride.

Tanjirou finally spared a peak. Dark nothingness was replaced with bright lights screaming with color. It took him minutes of blinking to even adjust. The colors died down from overwhelming balls of light to tiny twinkling dots like stars that decorated a dark green tree. A tree-Tanjirou almost blanched-not too big or small on the thinner side though made up for with decorum. At the very top sat a dazzling star endearingly crooked. Tanjirou could nearly imagine Zenitsu taking it on and off attempting to find the right angle before giving up with boisterous complaints.

"You like it? It may be a bit much.....oh no it's really a lot isn't it?," Worry was already rushing to Zenitsu's mind.

"Ah? No? I mean-no not at all, it's great. I can't believe you did this all by yourself. I wasn't sure what to expect when you said you wanted a tree honestly," Tanjirou said.

The conversation had started a month back. Zenitsu had excitedly gushed over how Christmas was spent in other countries. Namely the tradition of putting up a tree to decorate. Tanjirou wasn't as sold on the idea. Probably because his mind could only conjure up cutting down a pine tree much like the ones that surrounded his childhood home and forcefully shoving it into their tiny apartment. The thick smell of pine could make his eyes water. The blonde had assured it was nothing of the like and that the tree wasn't a real tree but a fake tree. And so poor Tanjirou's confusion only grew.

However, Tanjirou wanted Zenitsu to be happy and if happiness was putting up a fake tree to imitate some weird tradition overseas then so be it. It didn't turn out bad at all either, mesmerizing actually. At least between their hyper senses neither of them had amazing eyesight. Their retinas would surely burn from the colorful jubilee.

Tanjirou looked down below the skirt of the tree. A lone present met his gaze. Actually, present was a loose term as the bundle looked to be wrapping paper loosely spun around an unrigid item. Desperate strips of tape were the only threads holding the whole thing together. He chuckled with a smile that he couldn't stop from spreading. Zenitsu sputtered, waving his hands around wildly.

"I-it was really hard to wrap okay!?? I know I should have gotten a box-I swear it's not bad!," Zenitsu cried.

"Whatever it is I know it's wonderful," Tanjirou cut him off," you really didn't have to get me a gift though"

"Really? Really ?? Coming from the guy buying every single family member a gift can't get a gift back? If anyone deserves one it's you," Zenitsu said.

"I like giving gifts?"

"You're hopeless.....absolutely hopeless. I'm going to clean up my mess from all of this, will you start dinner?"

"Of course, can't have you burning down the kitchen again"

As Zenitsu stomped away, Tanjirou noticed how pretty his ears looked when tinged with red. The smell of peaches mixed with the sweet nectar of happiness that filled the warm home so contrasted to the frigid air from outside. 

This really was home.

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Tanjirou had prepared a quick dinner for the two. The two roommates did split most responsibilities, though cooking was something Tanjirou took great care in. Growing up, his family owned a bakery. His dutiful mother instilled many cooking skills to her firstborn that he enjoyed showing off now. Perhaps a little too happy to show off where Zenitsu was concerned. 

Zenitsu on the other hand. Well, he learned the other was raised near a peach orchard though his knowledge of cooking had ended at growing and picking said peaches. Once, the poor blonde may or may not have started a fire in the kitchen. It was an accident. There were still dark spots left on their countertop. Of course, Tanjirou didn't mind, but Zenitsu was always scared about being in the kitchen. 

"Ahhh another night of food made by Tanjriou. Surely the Gods smile upon me!," Zenitsu said.

His hands were clasped in front of him in a praying position over the kotatsu when Tanjirou handed him the food. It'd been over a year and yet Zenitsu still felt the need to gush to the heavens about his cooking. It wasn't anything special though. Just soba noodles with a few vegetables stirred in (the ones Zenitsu didn't like but Tanjirou felt he needed to eat). He wouldn't say it didn't make his heart race a little though.

They enjoy the meal together as always. Tv accompanied him in the background, but the two found comfort in talking to one another instead. It was right as they finished up that the familiar tone of Tanjirou's phone buzzed from his pocket. 

"Ah...sorry," he said as he took out the phone.

"Don't worry, you cooked, I'll clean. Talk to your family," Zenitsu smiled.

How lucky was he to find a roommate like him? 

Tanjirou stepped into the kitchen to take his call. The screen hovered a dark black until the video connected showing him a chaotic household. Several kids were squashed into the frame with more in the background. Disruptive static mixed with childish screaming and bickering. In the forefront was a girl in pink with silky long hair that'd turn anyone's head; Tanjirou's younger sister, Nezuko, to be exact. Nezuko was only one of the many Kamado children, but hands down the closest friend Tanjirou had. He confided in her. Learned what being a big brother meant because of her. She was his precious little sister through and through. The one who'd always offer the best advice and speak her mind all while hiding a fearsome strength underneath her unassuming looks.

Well, speak wasn't the best word in their case. It had been years ago, however Nezuko had lost her hearing in middle school. It was an accident only a year or so after his father's death. He could still recall the intense fear that gripped their family waiting in solemn gloom to hear Nezuko's prognosis. While losing one's hearing wasn't something to be taken lightly, they were 'lucky' as the doctors had put it. So as their family always did, they put their heads together to make life easier for Nezuko. They all learned sign language for their dear sister; months of funny accidents and head scratching hand movements. It wasn't easy, but as long as Nezuko wouldn't feel the cold chill of loneliness they happily sacrificed their free time for studying.

“Nezuko! Ahaha I can already see the house is a mess,” Tanjirou signed to Nezuko along with talking,” winter treating you guys well?”

‘There’s not as much snow. Hanako and I were really looking forward to building snowmen but it doesn’t look like it’ll happen,’ Nezuko signed back.

“Mini snowman then?,” he joked knowing his siblings loved to make snowmen big enough to fit in.

“Hey is that Niisan!?”

“Tanji? Wait, I wanna talk to him!”

And thus in one second the phone was stampeded and grabbed from one hand to the other. Tanjirou could barely keep his eyes on which sibling had the phone. In the vicious duel Hanako became the sole winner as she came into frame with Nezuko behind her and the rest of the siblings pushed rudely to the back.

“Niisannn, you haven’t called in so long we miss you,” Hanako talked and signed like everyone else.

“Actually Nezuko called me. I’m sorry though it’s been really busy, but my classes just finished for break so I’ll make sure to call me. I’ll make sure we can video chat on Christmas Eve for sure,” Tanjirou said.

“Hmph still wish you could spend it with us in person. It’s never the same without you. What are you doing for Christmas this year anyway?,” Hanako asked.

"Ah well Zen and I will spend it together. We'll probably open presents and have cake. Ah that reminds me though I'll send you gifts out in a few days so they should be there Christmas Eve. No peeking though, especially Takeo," Tanjirou chided. He’d spoken about Zen enough that his family knew of him fairly well Tanjirou would say.

He ended with a laugh expecting for his family to laugh along. Instead, the line went quiet. Much too quiet. Tanjirou held the phone away to make sure he still had a connection.

"Uh hello?," he said when no one answered him.

Then after sometime there were whispers that could be picked up from the other end getting louder, but just barely.

The phone’s camera shifted. None of his siblings were in view, only his mother, Kie Kamado with that signature maternal smile of hers.

"mom?," Tanjirou questioned.

"Ah Tanji, I'm so glad I could catch you!," she said as if he wasn't already on the phone with them.

"Listen, I had a little idea," she said," I was thinking...what if I brought everyone over for Christmas eve?"

Tanjirou's heart thumped in happiness; he did hinder the broad smile that spread across his face. A little idea? That was the best news he could ever hope to hear. Ever since moving, coordinating ways to see his family became difficult. Traveling was expensive and not something so accessible for a family of six. More so it was Tanjirou attempting to visit his family when he could during breaks from school. Excitement boiled in his blood thinking about getting to show his family his new home.

And Zen, a small part in his brain whispered. They'd get to meet Zenitsu too. 

"I-I'd really like that! Are you sure it's possible? there's no reason to overburden yourself....," he said.

"It won't be the easiest, but we'll make it work. I just think it's getting to that point you know? I'll be honest, we've waited very patiently for you to introduce us personally, but we're ready to meet him. What better day than Christmas eve? I thought I could hold on until New Years, but I simply can't. Ahhh my oldest is taking such big steps on his own, we're so proud of you," She said.

Her face was so heart stoppingly sincere. A polite smile and eyes scrunched up, Tanjirou wondered if he was hallucinating the glimmer of would be tears. 

"Uhm.....sure it's only my apartment but I'm really happy to show it to you guys," Tanjirou said.

His mother's laugh rang out clear as a bell. Was there a joke he didn't catch?

"We'll love seeing your house, but I'm sure you know what we mean. Actually you don't have to say anything, I know my children so well, but I never thought you'd be the one to be so shy about matters like these," she said.

"Shy.....about?"

"Are you really going to make your mother say it?," now his mother even looked more embarrassed for wear.

"She's talking about your b-o-y-f-r-i-e-n-d!," Hanako shouted.

His younger sister popped into frame right before his eyes. She used to be so short yet now obscured their mother completely. Tanjirou would love to reminisce on his siblings sudden growth spurt, but when the real issue at hand couldn't help but invade his mind first.

"My boy....boyfr-.....boyfriend!?," he almost lost composure.

"Tsk,tsk Niisan niisan we're your family. Even if you didn't outwardly say it, we know. We had thought it was weird when you suddenly said you were getting a roommate of all things. Then you kept talking about him and heck I feel like I've practically met the guy. I already know how cute you two are together, Nezuko and mom agree too!," Hanako chirped.

"Hana-chan we said we'd wait for your brother to announce it himself"

"Niisan's just being shy, besides there's nothing too announce when he's saying it so obviously!"

Tanjirou sputtered. He didn't talk about Zenitsu that much!......Right? He of course talked about him when they moved in together to let his family know who he was living with. He supposed he'd talked about him if something funny happened around the house (because of course the blonde would also be there) which more than often would be because of Zenitsu as well. And maybe said a few things to Nezuko about Zenitsu's reactions to his cooking (they were adorable, sue him?). Okay so he might have a habit of regurgitating any new information about Zenitsu to his family (but those little facts were so cool! Zen's hearing? His pet bird? The peach orchard he grew up on?).

Then somewhere along the way he'd stopped being the one to bring up Zenitsu only because his family would be the ones to bring him up first.

'how's that roommate of yours nii-san?'

'How's everything with you and Zenitsu?'

'I found this new recipe that'll totally knock that Zenitsu guy's socks off! I know you've been trying to impress him'

'Oh you signed another lease together? I'm happy for you two'

'That Zenitsu must be something huh?'

And so,so,so many other comments came flooding to mind. His head might be hard, yet Tanjirou had never realized just how thick headed he really was until that exact moment.

"Oh......We-listen , it's not what you think," he tried to say.

"It's okay Tanjirou, a mother always knows," Kie said," but I also understand that you'd want to introduce him officially yourself. When you're ready, we'll be there"

"No mom listen-"

"What? I don't think I can hear-Roku what are you doing? No, don't stand on that honey! I'll call you later when we're on our way, bye Tanji. Say hi to Zenitsu for us okay?-Roku I said not to do that!"

The line crinkled and went silent. Tanjirou was left to look at his phone like the tiny electronic itself betrayed him. Surely he'd get a chance to explain this whole misunderstanding right? Right? In fact he should go to the living room right now and tell Zenitsu what just happened. They'd sure to have a big laugh about it and Tanjirou could call his family back in the morning. 

' Right, that's right, it's alllll okay ' Tanjirou thought as he walked back to the living room.

Except Zenitsu wasn't waiting patiently on the couch like he thought. The blonde was jittery as he walked to and fro with a phone in his hand. Did he get a call too?

"Hey, sorry were you still on the phone?," Tanjirou asked.

Zenitsu must have jumped six feet in the air. His head almost grazed the ceiling. That would have been a bill they didn't want to handle right now.

"Whattt? Phone? Me? Nooooo, why would I be on the phone?," Zenitsu said.

"You....have it in your hand?," Tanjirou pointed out.

"Huh? Ohhhhh I do haha look at that...."

And people said he was a bad liar.

"....actually, I should go to bed...," Zenitsu said.

He looked like a deflated doll, lanking past him. Tanjirou shot a hand out to stop him when Zenitsu sped up. He always was quicker than he seemed.

"Wait I-......need to talk to you...." 

But Zenitsu was already down the hall. His door shouted with a creak when it shut.

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In the morning, Tanjirou was awoken by the smell of sizzling eggs and bacon. His body felt as light as a cloud as he sat up and stretched. There was nothing more relaxing than waking up to a hot breakfast afterall. Even more so after last night. He yawned imagining the delicious food that awaited him only feet away.

Then he blinked the last bits of sleep clinging to his eyes.

Then he realized he wasn't the one in the kitchen.

Tanjirou kicked at the blankets in a fit to race into the kitchen. Blankets that he lost to mind you, as he fell from the bed in an ungraceful lump. He must have looked hilarious scrambling on the floor like a worm just to open his door. It must have been equally amusing as he ran around the corner to the kitchen pajamas still clinging to his body and red hair a wild untamable mess.

"Oh Tanji, you're up!," Zenitsu greeted.

Only having past incidents to draw from, Tanjirou's worry was through the roof thinking he'd come to the scene of a blazing fire (again). In its stead was Zenitsu. Just Zenitsu. The kitchen behind him completely intact with the only smoke coming from the frying pan that must have produced that delicious smell. No fire, no billowing charred smoke, no screaming.

Tanjirou couldn't bother to hide his obvious disbelief while he pinched his arm hard.

"Uh.....yeah? I smelled something and thought maybe you...," he waved his hand around.

"That I? Ohhh you're so funny Tanji. You've taught me so much I can at least do this~," Zenitsu said.

His tone was so saccharine sweet that Tanjirou could nearly taste the fake sugar on his lips. It clogged his nose at the very least. He tilted his head wondering when the blonde would drop it. Except Zenitsu didn't, in fact developing a matching smile that looked down right painful to hold.

With no idea what was going on, Tanjirou pleaded it'd be over soon enough. Any longer this would turn concerning.

"Well that's good...."

He took a seat at their tiny table for two. Food instantly appeared in front of him and he had to admit, Zenitsu had done a wonderful job. The eggs were only slightly burnt while the bacon was pretty spot on. And to think, when they first moved in together the blonde's idea of home cooked breakfast was cereal. He wished he could dig right in, but something kept him on edge. Namely Zenitsu standing next to him with the same fake cheeriness as if waiting for something.

Ah, he got it now.

The happiness, the cooking, the staring.

"Zen"

"Yesss Tanji?"

"What do you want?"

"Ahaha you're sooo funny~"

"What did you do? You know I wouldn't be mad"

"Why do you think I did something?? I just wanted to cook for you"

Tanjirou made a big show of sniffing. The two already knew he'd smell out a lie; from a mile away the sour ting would force him to crinkle his nose. 

"Okay, okay! Gods why is your nose that accurate!," Zenitsu groaned.

His cheery attitude was dropped in favor of an exhausted and worrisome one. He took a seat at the chair across from him. After some fidgeting, Zenitsu leaned over to take Tanjirou's fork right out of his hand to start eating the food himself. Wow, stressed enough to try to bribe him and stress eat? It must be bad.

"Okay sho look," Zenitsu said between bites of Tanjirou's own food," we have a problem....er I have a problem-but it's about us"

"Oh did you forget to renew the lease again? I can always call to work something out-"

"No! it's not that. It's....it's-it's my family," Zenitsu said.

"Your gramps and your brother?," Tanjirou asked.

Zenitsu nodded his head to the affirmative. He stuffed more food into his mouth to the point Tanjirou worried he'd choke.

"Look it's ridiculous. It's totally crazy, but when you got the call from your family mine called me too. Uhmm they want to come over for Christmas Eve?"

Tanjirou felt a heavy sense of deja vu.

"Okay then we'll have them over then. I can help with cleaning if you want, but I think our house is nice as it is. Actually it's funny you say that because my family-"

"No Tanji you don't get it! They don't want to come over to visit, they think we're dating!," Zenitsu cried out with frustration. Not at Tanjirou, but at their situation.

Huh, he didn't think the deja vu could get any worse.

".....Oh?"

"I'm sorry! I don't know why they'd think that, but they've been assuming it for a long time I guess. It's probably because we're living together.....and maybe I talked about you a little too much.....," Zenitsu said," but I tried my best to explain it to them. They weren't listening though just said they'd already started driving here to make it by Christmas Eve"

"So that's why you were so gloomy yesterday night," Tanjirou realized.

"Yeah I mean I wasn't sure how to tell you. And then last night I got this crazy idea. Like reeaallllyyy crazy"

"Which is.....?"

"What if. Like an out there scenario. You just pretend to be my boyfriend for the day-NO only a night really! Long enough for them to get here and out. I promise they'll only be here a second to make sure I haven't been swindled out of all my money and made a rash decision again. That's it. It's just at this point I think even if I explained it properly they wouldn't believe me. They'd think I'm lying for you or worse think you're using me for some open relationship without a name. Knowing those two knuckleheads the second sounds more feasible," Zenitsu ended his long rant by knocking his head against the table.

Before his head hit the hard surface, Tanjirou put his hand out instead to cushion the blow. It may have hurt his hand a bit, though Zenitsu’s forehead was spared.

"Okay then," Tanjirou said.

His simple answer was not what Zenitsu was fishing for. The other's head snapped up, eyes looking as though they could burst out from their sockets.

"Okay!? I think I deserve a little more than that!," he cried," can't you see my crisis!?"

"Alright, alright stay with me. Remember the breathing exercise? Let's take one breath together. Innnnn,ouuuttt," Tanjirou directed.

Zenitsu followed his lead, breathing in then letting out a long exhale. It took quite a few before he seemed relaxed enough to work himself into another fit.

"That wasn't the only thing I was going to say. I only meant that your idea isn't necessarily a bad one," Tanjirou said.

"You....you would really go through with that? That was my grasping at straws plan," Zenitsu said.

"Well it does become a good idea with the other person in question also has a family coming over on Christmas eve that thinks we're in a relationship too"

It took a second for that to sink in. The moment it did, Zenitsu's eyes bulged again as he shot straight up, throwing the chair behind him to who knows where.

"You can't be serious"

"You know I can't lie" Tanjirou said," I was going to tell you about the misunderstanding last night, but you left before I could. Didn't think this is how I'd be bringing it up though"

"We......," 

"Are complete idiots?"

"And then some-hey wait don’t lump me in with you!"

Sure they were probably idiots, imbeciles, sheep without a shepherd. But now, they were idiots with a shoddy plan and families to fool.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

Step one, somehow trick one's parents into believing you're dating your roommate. Step two, panic. Step three, come up with a plan so convoluted it was hanging together by duct tape and prayers. Step four, prep yourselves for said bad plan.

They'd only a day and half before their families would torpedo into their house to see their fabled relationship. In the time they had, Zenitsu had been the one to think up ways to prepare. His latest, quizzing each other to seem more knowledgeable about one another. After all, one couldn't pretend to be in a relationship if they couldn't answer basic questions about one another.

One problem with that. Turned out, they knew one another faaarrr better than they thought. Small details, habits, secret moles? Throw the question and they'd serve back a perfect reply in return. What was Zenitsu's favorite type of food? Various Fruits, especially when Tanjirou would slice them into cute shapes. What scents did Tanjirou enjoy? Any spice like warm vanilla or pumpkin because it made him feel at home so far away from his family's bakery. It was as though a section of their minds had one and only use to be filled with endless amounts of information about the other.

Yeah after half an hour it was starting to get scary.

"Let's see Hmmm what's my favorite color?"

"Really, are we really doing this right now?? Green," Zenitsu rolled his eyes.

"Right, but that's not the only color I like," Tanjirou defended,"......I really like yellow too"

"Yellow? That's so bright, no offense but that's not really your color. Forget what I said, stick to green," Zenitsu said.

While he was shaking his head back and forth, Tanjirou only found himself helplessly staring at his roommate. From his own bright hair, to his yellow pajamas, Tanjirou found himself thinking ' it may not be mine, but it's yours '

"I don’t know if this is really helping us. What’s a question that could really help prepare us? Okay wait! hmm what's something I could do to get your brother and gramps to like me more?," Tanjirou asked.

He'd always hit it off with older folks well enough. Zenitsu's family didn't seem packed with the 'usual' personalities he'd encountered. He felt as though he were up against an unknown opponent. Or in Zenitsu's own words "a borderline sadistic old man and obnoxiously brooding guy that acted so high and mighty to hide an inferiority complex".

Yeah he hadn't a clue how to tackle a dynamic like that.

"Don't bother, they'll love you," Zenitsu said with an eerily point blank stare.

A strange response for someone who worried over the tiniest morsel of a problem. He said it so nonchalantly, as though that were the only possibility.

"Well we don't know for sure-"

"Are you kidding? The only reason they're coming is that the reality that I'm living with a happy, caring, unwaveringly nice guy-er boyfriend to them- for nearly a year without any issue is so astronomically impossible that they literally can't comprehend it. I think just seeing that you're an actual breathing person and not a figment of my imagination will be too much for them. Mmm maybe you should tone the niceness down so gramps doesn't pass out," Zenitsu said,” good thing he can’t hear you like I can”

"Well if you put it like that....."

"I am putting it like that. And have you even met yourself for that matter??? Any parent meeting you would probably have a heart attack from how-how-there's really no other word-perfect you are? You're the kind of guy anyone would dream about bringing home to their parents," Zenitsu said.

The way he fumbled over his own compliment was too loveable. On one hand, Tanjirou wanted to deny the compliment, on the other he wanted to hear what other nice things Zenitsu would say about him.

"Let's face it, I'm the one who should be asking that question. Tell me the truth, what do I need to do to get them to like this?," Zenitsu motioned to himself with dreadful self awareness.

"Nothing, just be yourself"

"Tan-ji-rouuu," Zenitsu groaned and punctuated each syllable with a growing exasperation.

"I mean it, they're just excited to meet you too," he said.

"Uh huh maybe until they actually meet me. How am I supposed to stand up to your other relationships huh?"

"Oh if that's what you're worried about....."

Tanjirou shook his head to point to the negative. It occurred to him that Zenitsu had talked in length about his exes; well, more like had to considering a past relationship is what caused them to meet in the first place. Tanjirou, however, had never returned the favor. 

Because there was nothing to, if he were honest.

"Don't be, I've never bought anyone to meet them. I meant it when I said they're just excited to meet you," Tanjirou said.

"What?.....mmm....I guess you must be picky about who gets to meet your family then. I don't put it past you though, your family means everything....urgh how do I stand up to those standards," Zenitsu cried.

"No, no, it's nothing like that," Tanjirou waved his hands,"....I just mean there was never anyone to meet.."

Zenitsu stared at him. At first there was no comprehension of what Tanjirou had said. Then the understanding set in. And then came the unfiltered disbelief. You'd think he'd just told Zenitsu that he actually hunted demons in his spare time.

"Wha-how.....you?," Zenitsu pointed a finger to point directly at him.

"Just never happened. Too busy you know?," Tanjirou said.

Zenitsu knew well about his overworking habits. How he strived to care for his family through sicknesses and then some. The blonde had always seemed amazed even if Tanjirou treated such things as nothing special. More like a duty. A duty he more than happily ran himself ragged for.

"Well I guess I understand, but you know Tanji sometimes you're a little too 'you'. Don't forget that you should be able to pursue things for yourself. Especially someone like you . You deserve to find someone for you-at least for real I mean. Urgh look at me I'm the last person who should be trying to give this kind of advice," Zenitsu slapped a hand across his face.

Tanjirou chuckled. He knew what Zenitsu was trying to say, but he didn't think any of that advice applied to him. There wasn't anything he needed to 'pursue' or 'find'. Tanjirou had his family, his friends, and Zenitsu. Zenitsu who wasn't family persay, though didn't fit into the 'friend' category, yet far surpassed roommate.

As long as things stayed the same as now, he never saw himself left wanting anything more.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

It was amazing how fast thirty six hours flew by when you were planning a fake relationship. Zenitsu and Tanjirou found that tidbit out the hard way it seemed.

"You're mom hates being called Mrs. Kamado-either Kie or m-mom"

"Uh huh, don't force yourself to call her that though"

"R-right. Uh Hanako and Takeo are going through their angsty teenage years. They'll probably be standoffish"

"If they don't warm up to you immediately don't take it personally"

"Rokuta is the youngest and he's really sweet"

"He'll probably hug you a lot. Yellow's his favorite color afterall"

"It is?.....IT IS-I already forgot and you told me that yesterday! Uhhhh I can't do this. Call it off I can't go through with it. If I forget that, what else am I forgetting!? AHhhhh the sign language for Nezuko-what if I mess it up and end up saying something horrible!?"

"Zeni-"

"There's no repentance good enough for a family like yours!"

"Zenitsu..."

The doorbell rang. It's cheery tune rang like a daunting dread for the first time. Well it could only be one thing behind that door. 

"No! Nevermind! Uh uh! Tell them I'm sick-or-or injured-OR OR sick AND injured. Yeah that'll work," Zenitsu nodded.

The blonde looked two steps away from throwing himself out a window. Looked like Tanjirou would have to hold down the fort for the two of them. He nudged Zenitsu’s shoulder with his hand. When Zenitsu turned to look, Tanjirou took the opportunity to pull him into a hug. The blonde's scent ripened in sweetness as he was nestled away in Tanjiriou's chest.

"No matter what you do, my family will absolutely love you. At the end of the day, you make me happy and that's more than enough for them," he said. One couldn't miss how romantic such a thing sounded, but to Tanjirou it was his basic feelings. Zenitsu did make him happy, so much he couldn't imagine starting the day without him there. Sure he can be bombastic and loud, however Zenitsu seemed to forget he was also loyal to a fault and caring to boot.

"You're really mean that? I make you happy?," Zenitsu sounded so small, it was heartbreaking.

"Of course I do," Tanjirou said.

His voice was resolute. Nothing could contradict him.

"Now let's meet my family"

Zenitsu still opted to stay behind as Tanjirou pressed forward to the door. His hand reached for the door and flung it open without a second thought. A gush of cold swept in from outside, but it was the last thought in his mind when he saw six wonderful faces that filled his heart with love. His family stood before him with smiles from ear to ear with unfiltered glee.

"Tanjirou!," his youngest siblings nearly screamed out.

Nezuko, in lieu of calling for him, spread out her arms wide and dove forward to hug him. Tanjirou had a second to return it before four other sets of arms engulfed him for their own hugs. He didn't think he could be anymore at peace until he felt his mother's presence, pressing a soft kiss to the temple of his head.

"Tanji, it's so good to see you. We've missed you," Kie said as she swallowed all her kids into a hug of her own. Her arms were stretched as wide as they could to fit each one of them.

"I've missed you all too. So, so much," Tanjirou signed along best he could for Nezuko,"...and there's someone I want you to meet".

Tanjirou pulled away from the hug, a tall order when you had six people grabbing onto you with all their might. He looked back to Zenitsu how was still standing behind them. His stance was unsure, hands fidgeting uncertain of what to do. Silly, he'd wished Zenitsu understood he didn't need to do anything, himself was more than enough.

His siblings walked towards Zenitsu. Their heads looked up in intrigue. To Zenitsu it must have seemed as though they were sizing him up. They all stood in silence for a beat too long before-

"Woah! Your hair really is yellow!"

"Is it true it's natural? Tanji said you got struck by lighting but I don't believe it"

"Is it true you smell like peaches?"

"Nii-san says you're really fast like booooommm and phhooo"

"No-no he definitely said it's more like a wooosshh like the wind"

"Or lighting"

"Kids, what did we talk about overwhelming?"

Kie came behind the chattering kids, putting her hands on the shortest ones heads.

"I'm sorry about them. You must know, but we're the Kamados. I'm Kie, this is Rokuta, Shigeru, Hanako, Takeo, and Nezuko. Thank you for having us," Kie greeted.

They waited in silence once again for Zenitsu's reply. When he didn't respond right away, no one pushed or filled the silence with more talk. The push Zenitsu needed to get his thoughts in order. When his eyes casted out to Tanjirou who nodded in return.

"It's nice to meet you, I-I'm Agatsuma Zenitsu. Tanjirou's boyfriend," he greeted.

Though he was able to get through the sentence, his hands told of his true nervousness. They fumbled through the sign language he'd prepare along with his greeting for Nezuko. His eyes screwed shut in fear he'd made a mistake, while Tanjirou stood firm in how proud he was. Zenitsu's eyes flew open in shock once again when his siblings were now rushing to hug him. Nezuko once again led the forefront of.

"Wow, did Tanjirou teach you that!"

"Wait until Nezuko gets to teach you more you'll be a pro in no time hehe"

"Hey, hey can I call you Zen-nii?"

See, Tanjirou knew there was nothing to worry about. 

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

It was a half hour into hanging out with Tanjirou's family when Zenitsu's phone buzzed. He took the phone out to check, face becoming pale with uncertainty.

" They're here," he said, referring to his family.

"Oh? At the door, they didn't knock," Tanjirou said.

"Yeah, Kaigaku texted me. He said they've been there for a minute now, why wouldn't they just come in?,” Zenitsu chewed on his bottom lip in a nervous fidget.

Tanjirou has his own theory. One that said the two were as nervous as the blonde himself was, though he already knew Zenitsu would deny that possibility. Instead, he linked arms with his roommate while readying his best smile.

"Well let's give them a good greeting okay?," he nudged Zenitsu into the door's direction.

They made their way to the door. Oddly the rectangular shape felt so daunting the closer they came or maybe it was because Zenitsu was nearly shaking with palpable anxiety. Tanjirou put a gentle hand on his shoulder reminding him he was there. It was after some minutes of mulling Zenitsu did the honors of opening the door.

Tanjirou had never seen a picture of Zenitsu's family, only half baked descriptions from the blonde. For instance, he explained Jigoro as a short stubby troll of a man with a good heart. Kaigaku, on the other hand only got tall with an angry face. Those descriptions, while loose, were pretty accurate all said. Jigoro was in fact short in stature with white hair that puffed up, though his eyes were soft like a grandfather's. Kaigaku was certaintly......scowling. At him. Great start, Tanjirou's ever optimistic side said.

He was dying to hold in a giggle though. He thought Zenitsu might notice his tight lippedness struggling to hold something in, though he couldn't exactly take the time to explain why. Which was the one feature the whole family had in common that Zenitsu failed to mention. 

Those large unmissable bushy eyebrows. Jigoro and Zenitsu's were almost one in the same besides color while Kaigaku's were more pointed with thicker width towards the middle. How adorable, he couldn't help but think. 

"Gramps, Kaigaku," Zenitsu said somewhat breathless and not sure what to say next. Tanjirou cleared his throat before taking over for him.

"Thanks for taking the time to come out. It means so much to Zen. I'm his partner Kamado Tanjirou, it's an honor to meet you," Tanjirou greeted.

He unlinked his arm from Zenitsu to properly bow forward to complete the polite introduction. Zenitsu had told him Jigoro was on the old fashioned side of things, so it was best he hit all the small details. For his effort, he was rewarded with both Jigoro and Kaigaku still speechless, but giving him equal looks of complete shock and disbelief.

Kaigaku was the first to speak.

"Holy shit you're real," the older boy said.

"Kaigaku!," Zenitsu hissed," can you not cuss for one night!? This night in particular!?"

At the same time Jigoro elbowed Kaigaku's stomach. It wasn't subtle at all and for as old as the man looked he must have some lingering strength because Tanjirou felt as though he could share Kaigaku's pain.

"He's right, save that language for another time," Jigoro spoke for the first time," my sincerest apologies for this hard head right here-"

"Oh do not act as though you aren't surprised too old man!"

"-doesn't know when to keep to himself. It's honor to meet you too Tanjirou"

Kaigaku fumed at being annoyed, though didn't retaliate. The four stood in curt awkwardness as Tanjirou blanked over whether or not he missed a crucial step. No, he'd introduced himself, bowed even, it seemed as if they were just at a standstill over who would invite the other in first. Was he supposed to shake Kaigaku's hand? As a show of respect from eldest son to eldest son? But, those two were still staring at him like he were a fairytale character come to life. Maybe they reasoned if they blinked thrice he'd disappear in a trial of smoke.

And then came a single light to disperse the growing awkwardness.

It was Kie running up behind them. Her eyes glimmered with mirth, her hand placed right over her heart, the cover of a plentiful mother. Zenitsu and Tanjirou were nearly pushed away as she squeezed her way through the doorway to stand right in front of the Kuwajima duo. The two were taken aback regarding Kie with blatant confusion and maybe a tiny bit of fear that they'd never admit to even on their deathbeds.

"Oh my you must be Zenitsu's family! We're so happy you could make it-I for one have been dying to meet you," Kie said," ah where I my manners. Forgive me this has been a big night for our family. I'm Kamado Kie, Tanjirou's mother. Now don't tell me....hmmm you must be Kaigaku and you're Jigoro right?"

Give it to Tanjirou’s mother to siphon all the information she could about Zenitsu’s family out of the blonde. The delight that’d overtaken her when she found out Zenitsu’s family would be joining them was through the roof.

"Uh....yeah.....," Kaigaku was becoming more rigid by the second.

"Ahem-it's wonderful to meet you as well," Jigoro said.

Tanjirou could hear his heartfelt attempt to return even an ounce of Kie's jovial energy, however the poor man couldn't keep up. In his defense, his mother was just that peerless. Jigoro must have figured that out first hand as Kie moved to hold his hands in hers, even bending over to better reach his shorter height.

"I have to say Zenitsu is such a wonderful boy. I could spend all day giving compliments and it'd still not be enough. I'm so blessed that he's in my Tanjirou's life," Kie said.

Zenitsu's scent raised to a light sweetness. He was almost preening at Kie's words. Here he was only hours ago worrying about messing up in front of them and look at him now? Tanjirou knew he'd have nothing to worry about. He always knew his family would love Zenitsu through and through even if the blonde himself didn't think so. Jigoro and Kaigaku on the other hand smelled of astonishment. From what Zenitsu had told him, those two were probably more accustomed to insults than praise. This whole meeting was more akin to turning their realities right on it's head.

“We’re uh still talking about that guy right?,” Kaigaku pointed a finger at Zenitsu.

Kie looked confused then broke into a laugh.

“Ahahaha Zenitsu didn’t tell me you were such a jokester. I think you’ll get along with my Shigeru very well. Come now, you two must be freezing,” she said.

Before pulling them inside, Kie gifted both of them with a hug. Jigoro accepted with poise, though Tanjirou could still tell his astute bewilderment. When she went to Kaigaku however, the older boy tensed up. His arms were stretched out like stone incapable of bending. He looked to the couple with pleading eyes that cried for help.

Tanjirou pretended to not notice.

Zenitsu flat out laughed.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

The night was in full swing, the two families intermingling good for the most part. Kaigaku and Jigoro insisted they weren't hungry without knowing that to Kie 'no' to food wasn't a real word. Despite protests, she loaded them up with only the best of her baked goods. Tanjirou would find himself smiling in pride at how the two's faces would shift to amazement after a taste of his hardworking mother's cooking.

His siblings had all but abducted Zenitsu. The blonde was at the mercy of the younger siblings who wanted nothing more than to ask him about anything and everything while playing little games here or there. Nothing warmed Tanjirou's heart more than seeing Zenitsu open up to them. He even became more comfortable in his sign language, now able to carry out more varied conversations with Nezuko. In return, the girl of course offered more tips and knowledge that Zenitsu soaked up like a rug.

Tanijrou sighed to himself, an absolute smitten smile glued to his face as he leaned against a wall. He was debating whether or not to fight his siblings for time with Zenitsu. The 'fight' option was weighing heavily in favor when a tap on his shoulder demanded it’s attention. It was Kaigaku, his face in it's perpetual scowl.

"Kamado, you, me," Kaigaku didn't elaborate, but nodded his head to an unoccupied corner of the room.

Jigoro was already there, also staring right at him. Tanjirou walked in the direction with Kaigaku following closely behind. The whole while as the distance shortened, Tanjirou had one thought in his mind. 

'It's the talk isn't it? Isn't it?' 

He felt envious of Zenitsu for having missed anything resembling a 'talk' in favor of his family hanging over his every word. He could handle it though. Eldest son after all and no reason to lie about a thing when it came to Zenitsu.

Except for the fact they were dating, but hey that wasn't something these two needed to know about right now. Or ever, if Tanjirou could manage it.

Tanjirou stopped by Jigoro. Kaigaku sat in one of the single chairs. He lazily plopped down onto the chair while propping his feet against the couch. Tanjirou hissed knowing Zenitsu would flip if he saw any feet touching furniture like that. Especially after having used that expensive fabric freshener on it too.

"So save us the trouble. Did he pay you to do this or something?"

"...........huh....?"

"No, you're right Zenitsu couldn't pay off you and your whole family to play along with this huh? Then....are you taking advantage of him. Making him pay all the rent or something in return for whatever this is?," Kaigaku tried again.

"I'm still confused-absolutely not," Tanjirou had his turn to scowl with blatant distaste for Kaigaku's words.

He took a breath to right himself before continuing.

“What I mean is no, to anything of that. I’m not using him. This isn’t a stunt. I care about Zenitsu, so much,” Tanjirou mouth twitched to say more,”....so much it confuses me sometimes, but I like even that”

The two stare him down. They laid in wait to watch him crumble under a presumed lie. Nothing happened though. Tanjirou stood firm in his feelings. In fact, he matched Kaigaku’s glare with an unwavering stare of his own. It simply read ‘ try me, you’re not going to scare me off ’.

“He’s….really not lying,” Kaigaku said, giving in.

“There’s no reason to,” Tanjirou gave a curt nod.

That was enough to satisfy Jigoro. He stepped in as if to tell Kaigaku to let up.

"Hmm well you seem like a dependable young man and though I find myself not speaking on my son's....relationship preferences, I feel as though I can speak on this with you. One man to another would you please look after my son, he can be quite the handful but I'm sure you already know he more than makes up for it in character. However....if you were to do anything that could upset him....," Jigoro said.

It was downright ridiculous. The old man was half his height. A grandfatherly figure by every meaning of the word. Yet, Tanjirou felt a shiver of something dangerous run up his spine. A promise of what would be to come.

"What the old man means is mess this up and your face will have a lovely discussion with the sidewalk," Kaigaku rolled his eyes though his intimidating figure softened along with his hard expression,"....and I'd really hate to do that because urgh that stupid way he looks at you. Like a lovesick puppy but...different from the other times''

Their deed was done, they’d set out what they wanted to do and so began to walk away as though this little chat never happened.

“Wait-uh different from the other times, hold on what do you mean?”

“Hah, that’s for you to find out lover boy”

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

"I-I think this is going good"

"It's going really good Zen"

"I can't believe this is actually working. Like are we dreaming?"

"Dreaming at the same time in the same dream?"

"Pinch me just to make sure"

Tanjirou snorted with a short laugh. He did pinch Zenitsu, though it was soft and delicate. More like gently pushing against his arm. They were standing in the kitchen, both huddled over the counter. It was their first second of free time from either of their families. That wasn't a bad thing though. The two had gone through every possible scenario that ended in disaster and somehow they landed in the one where everything was fine. Great. Perfect even.

"This is really real," Zenitsu sighed,".....it almost makes me feel bad...."

"Bad? Why?"

"I mean we're lying to your family. I-I know we agreed on this together but....they're just so nice-and they've met me now. W-what happens when I disappoint them when we'll have to fake a break up. Oh god I'm the only relationship you've ever let them meet and I-I'm fake," Zenitsu said. His Adam's apple bobbed as his lips tightened in disdain.

Well that was a way to drop the mood entirely. At first Tanjirou was confused until he came back down to reality. It was much too easy to forget this was all a lie and that they weren't actually dating. Because at the end of the day, they weren't acting (and if they were his family would see his face from a mile away). They were the same as they always were. Shared the same closeness, the same jokes, the same feelings as there'd always been. So maybe they acted more physically close, but to Tanjirou it felt right. As if it were something they should have been doing this whole time.

......That wasn't normal was it?

"But then we're lying to your family too, mine isn't the only thing that matters," Tanjirou said.

Zenitsu only shook his head with an ever present gloom.

"No....no they wouldn't be surprised. Sure they'll be disappointed-I mean they approve of you that's more than others ever get- but it wouldn't be my first time messing up a relationship.....," Zenitsu mumbled.

Tanjirou had to gulp down a large breathe just to swallow his words. To say none of that was fair. A part of him squirmed at the thought that Zenitsu believed if their relationship was real (real-real-could it be-maybe) that he'd be the one to mess it up. Never, Never would Tanjirou break off something so special. If anything happened they'd work through it. Talk it out. He'd never leave the other out to dry over a mistake like Zenitsu's last relationships.

Well, it wouldn't matter over what-ifs considering Zenitsu was right. None of this was actually real.

Why couldn't his mind just understand that one point?

"ugh, let's just go ahead back. They're going to start wandering where we went and I'd at least like our kitchen to escape a mess," Zenitsu said.

Zenitsu gathered himself before walking out of the kitchen. Like a lost puppy, Tanjirou raised a hand to stop him. His fingers only grazed the edge of his sweater. His resolve crumpled away like dust as he let his arm fall back to his side. 

It took a few moments of his own before he felt sturdy enough to follow after. He painted a smile across his lips as if the conversation they'd just had never happened. Tanjirou could only wish. Or perhaps he just wished it ended in a different way. Probably that, he decided by the way his heart thumped in reply.

"My, my we were starting to get worried," Kie laughed.

While the kids had huddled around in a circle, Kie, Jigoro and Kaigaku had made their own. Tanjirou already knew his mother was interrogating the two. By the end of the day she'd know everything about the Kuwajima family and then some. Tanjirou would be lying if he wasn't curious about what she'd learned either.

"Ohhh you know ahah," Zenitsu awkwardly returned with a wavering laugh of his own.

That's when a gaggle of new laughs came from his aforementioned circle of siblings. They were nearly falling over each other with knowing eyes and smug smiles. But what was there to know? Tanjirou tilted his head in confusion.

"I can't believe they haven't noticed," Shigeru said.

"Too busy looking at each other I bet," Hanako said.

"But they still don't know!"

"Know.....what?," Tanjirou decided to ask.

And then it hit him. So strong and strongly dense he had to wonder why it hadn't hit him before. A smell that reminded him of the fresh outdoors with a hint of mint. Sure enough, as his head tilted up he saw exactly what he expected. Mistletoe. That funny little Christmas tradition.

That funny little Christmas tradition. Tanjirou's mind blared with flashes of red.

"There it goes! Haha niisan looks so funny," Rokuta said.

His voice seemed so far away. Tanjirou didn't dare ask what made his face look so 'funny' as his younger brother put it.

"We got it from your tree, sure it's a little sneaky but what's the fun if it's not hanging up? Come on though you have to now," Hanako urged.

Tanjirou scrambled to look at Zenitsu with a shake of his head. Zenitsu was no better off. His bright gaze dare not to move from the single sprout of mistletoe above. His face was a stark red. No doubt he was screaming inside his mind. He should probably think of something, anything to say if only to get them out of this.....whatever this was exactly....

However, they had the mirthful eyes of everyone (and the sort of scary eyes of Kaigaku) staring at them with expectation. Every second that went by the more denser the air became with undeniable awkwardness. So much for thinking everything was going great. Tanjirou sighed for the tiniest shreds of relaxation.

"Tanji and Zen, sittin' in a tree-"

"K-i-s-i-n-gee"

"Haaa Roku you forgot the other 's'. Good try though," Hanako patted their youngest brother on the back.

The siblings still watched on expectantly and giddy. The adults weren’t looking, thank goodness, though he did see them glance here and there to see. There really was no way out of this was there?

"I'm sorry-uh just give me a second I'll think of something," Tanjirou whispered in the faintest of voices that only Zenitsu could pick up.

By thinking of something ' die of embarrassment to distract everyone ' was becoming more favorable by the second. Then Zenitsu made his move. He didn't run away like Tanjirou expected. Rather, he felt arms reach out to hook around his neck. His eyesight was overtaken by blonde hair and honey eyes that wouldn't look at him. His siblings went wild.

"It's okay," Zenitsu whispered back," if it's fine with you. I-it's just a peck right, it's no big deal"

".....You're sure?"

Zenitsu nodded. Tanjirou's throat closed up. His body was torn between becoming rigid stone or melting from the other's touch. Was this really happening? Couldn't be. Definitely not. He was imagining things and-

and that's Zenitsu leaning into him-

and that's lips on his own-

and that's Zenitsu kissing him.

Tanjirou seldom understood Zenitsu's eccentries. He'd never shown his emotions in quite the same way. Where Zenitsu was loud and abrasive, Tanjirou was reserved and steadfast. But at that very moment, he finally understood how his roommate felt. From just their awkward kiss he felt a hesticeny that'd never existed before. His legs shook. His heart hammered like a drum on a festival's day. His vision failed him outside of the one person in front of him. He felt as though he were screaming from joy on the inside.

It happened in a flash and ended just as soon. He stood there in a daze despite the applause of cheers.

Right, that shouldn’t be so odd. That’s what couples did right? Nothing weird at all. Or at least he told himself as he turned away with his fingers over his lips. The rough texture only made him miss the feeling of soft lips all the more.

Tanjirou felt a tug on his sweater. Though it was hard to tear his eyes from the lovely floor, he followed the pull of his sweater to Zenitsu's hands. His gaze traveled up the other's gaudy sweater to the blonde's own face. Tanjirou felt his cool facade crumbling all over again upon seeing Zenitsu's face flushed red with embarrassment. Not a bad embarrassment though, he noted. In fact, his lips were quivering at an attempt to make words and when all those fell through pouted in frustration.

"T-tanjirou," he eventually mumbled.

"Y-yeah?," Tanjirou could slap himself silly with how cracked his own reply came out.

"I-I.....urhg"

Zenitsu shook his head, though the next second tugged harder on Tanjirou's sweater. The red head faltered, falling forward. He barely caught himself. Just as he was about to combust at how close they found themselves once again, he felt lips against his cheek. He'd barely time to process it before realizing it was another kiss. Another kiss that Zenitsu had initiated without needing to.

His mouth opened while Zenitsu took the moment of awe to dart off like a flash of brilliant lighting, leaving Tanjirou to smell the wisps of a peachy scent that followed in his wake.

He wished he could say he'd played it cool afterwards. Walked away like nothing had happened or that it was no big deal (like any normal couple would, if he may add). However, the truth was much the opposite.

Instead, Tanjirou stood there like a tree, just as rigid as the gaudy wooden nutcracker. His heart was booming with enough force he'd thought it'd pop right out to present itself as Zenitsu's true gift of the holiday. While he couldn't see, he knew his face was none the better, probably a deep red with his lips pressed tight if only to keep himself contained.

They'd have to discuss this. Oh they'd definitely have to discuss this.

He certainly wasn't off the hook for his looks either as his siblings came around. It was sweet Rokuta that came to stand next to him. He took in his older brother's rigid posture and bright face and came to one conclusion.

"Niisan's silly, are you waiting for Zen to come back to kiss again? I can go get him!," Rokuta offered with such innocent eyes.

Tanjirou wondered if he hit his head against the wall if he'd blessedly pass out or would they just end up with an awful hole in the wall.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

It's surprisingly easy to get their families out of the door. It started when Rokuta's eyes began to drop and ended with Kaigaku loudly declaring to the room that he was much too tired. Supposedly. Tanjirou had a tingling sense he had also seen the younger kids losing steam. He'd file that tidbit away from later.

Much later, he rethought upon seeing Zenitsu sending the two families off. His cheerful demeanor was infectious. Tanjirou stupid heart backflipped once more as the blonde took to giving each of his family a proper goodbye. He hugged Rokuta. Pulled a laugh from Hanako by whispering something in her ear. High fived both Shigeru and Takeo. Struggled his shaking hands through a heartfelt message to Nezuko (who signed back with slow and precise movements so the other could follow along). And offered his hand to Kie with a nervously tight smile. 

Kie pulled him into a hug. Of course she did. Who did he think he was, thinking he'd pass without a proper Kamado hug? Something he'd just have to get used to. 

At least, Tanjirou hoped it was. Like how he hoped and wished this wouldn't be the last time Zenitsu would meet his family. 

They didn't stay long after. Tanjirou got his own hugs and goodbyes. The Kuwajima's goodbyes weren't nearly as long; rather they were fine with waving while giving tight nods to Tanjirou. Their tiny apartment had emptied leaving behind only the two roommates side by side in the sudden silence. 

Their shoulders bumped one another. Their fingers kept a bare length away from one another. Only an hour ago, Tanjirou would have made the move to grab it because that's what a couple would do. However, there was no one's eyes to fool any longer. Suddenly, the confidence he'd boasted all evening had dried up like a desert. Like a sunset, their ruse had come to an end.

Except, Tanjirou didn’t want it to.

Neither of them did.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

Christmas morning came in a flash. The night before had ended with silence. Not the dense kind that made it hard to breathe, but a quiet moment for each to think things over. Tanjirou had spent the whole night in his bed thinking about how to say what he was thinking. He never once felt worried though because he knew Zenitsu was doing the exact same.

The two sat side by side right underneath the tree. Chuuntarou had made themself a warm nest near the top of the tree looking down upon them with beady eyes that felt all knowing. Way to make Tanjirou feel all the more self conscious. He found himself staring at their knees that bumped together. The crackle of something that sparked at the touch. Nearly made him want to curl up beside the blonde and drift away in the moment.

"So uh...you wanna open yours first?," Zenitsu said.

His tone sounded so uncertain as his gaze jumped from snippy glances at Tanjirou to his present. The green paper he'd used was neatly tucked with a perfect bow on top, the picture perfect gift that belonged in a catalogue somewhere. Meanwhile, Zenitsu's gift to him still looked worse for wear . The two couldn't look any different from the other. Tanjirou could laugh at the sight, not from mockery, but pure pure joy. He'd have it no other way.

"How about we open them together?," he suggested with a smile that lit his roommate's cheeks with red.

Huh, he liked that. No he loved that. That he could get Zenitsu to make such cute faces. He'd pray there'd be more chances in the future.

When Zenitsu nodded to the idea, Tanjirou leaned forward to get the two presents. He handed the neatly tucked one to the blonde then placed the messily wrapped one in his own lap. Delicate would not even begin to describe how he handled the gift.

"On the count of three," Tanjirou said," one...two.....three!"

They ripped into the gifts. Paper flew around them like their own tiny snow globe jostled and shaken with glee. Tanjirou was more than excited to see what Zenitsu had gotten him, however his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Zenitsu as the blonde opened his with nimble fingers. His box was bit by bit peeled away to reveal the boxed gift underneath. Tanjirou felt his own happiness skyrocket upon seeing Zenitsu's wide eyes and open mouth slack in surprise.

"Do you like it?," Tanjirou asked.

"Ye-of course! Tanjirou this is amazing....thank you," Zenitsu said.

Between his hands was a simple box holding a pair of headphones. Not normal ones of course, noise blocking ones with extra padded comfort for ears. Not many people took Zenitsu's hearing seriously. Or at the very least believed it wasn't as debilitating as the blonde made it out to be. But Tanjirou knew. He knew better than everyone after sleepless nights where Zenitsu would beg for quiet. And the moments where the blonde would shut down from the cacophony of loud ringing that he just couldn't keep up with. Everytime was followed by an apology that never needed to be spoken. Because Tanjirou cared and he understood. To him, Zenitsu's comfort was everything. They'd tried ear plugs and muffs, headphones, and lower grade noise cancelling ones, this was the next step he thought to take.

"I hope they work for you. It's the best kind I could find," Tanjirou said.

"I'm sure they're more than enough. Really, thank you," Zenitsu held the box close to his chest," you're turn now. And don't you dare laugh at it!"

"Wouldn't dream of it"

Tanjirou wasn't as delicate as he wished, opening his gift. The duct tape refused to tear even as he tugged and tugged. Once the paper had been uncovered, Tanjirou had to stare at the small gift in lap attempting to piece together what it was exactly. A dark green cloth with black squares. Though it was folded, he could tell how long it was as if it was supposed to be wrapped.

A lightbulb came to life with renewed brightness. A scarf. To be exact, a replica of his childhood scarf. Words escaped his brain. He couldn't register a single thing to say despite Zenitsu being on the edge of his seat for a response.

"Before you say anything, I don't want you to think I'm replacing your old one. That one has a lot of memories, but I worry about you. Every time you're out I think about how cold you might be or I worry what if something happens to your scarf since it's so old. I just want, I just hope this would be okay," Zenitsu said.

Tanjirou held the scarf up. It's edges unfolded flowing down to show it's true length. It was certainly something that Tanjirou could wrap around him multiple times. For a split second, he felt young once again holding his mother's gifted scarf for the first time. His hands felt too rough to be holding something that felt so delicate. 

"You made this yourself?," he guessed from the knitting. Not as tight and precise as his mothers, but a valiant effort nonetheless.

Zenitsu nodded furiously.

"It took awhile to get right. You don't even want to see my first attempts, but I hope it came out okay. If I had known your Mom was coming I'd have tried to ask her for pointers"

Tanjirou held the scarf close to his face to feel the fabric against his cheek. A burst of peach scent hit his nose as he was admiring the soft texturing. That scent; it was everywhere as if the scarf was dyed in the smell itself. He could combust at any moment.

"It smells like you," he said, hoping it didn't sound too weird.

"That's on purpose. I-I know you probably don't remember but a long time ago you said you liked my scent. You said it was calming actually. I thought, it sounds really stupid actually, if I wore it some before giving it to you it might keep my scent," Zenitsu explained.

Zenitsu would only spare him glances, attempting to pinpoint whether or not Tanjirou would find him strange. Well, that ship had sailed much too long ago, however that had nothing to do with Zenitsu's angelic gift.

“Zenitsu,” Tanjirou said.

Zenitsu’s posture tightened awaiting the verdict of his gift.

“I love you,” flew past his lips instead loud and clear. Those words lingered in the air far after he spoke them. 

“You love t-the present?”

“You”

Zenitsu hugged his present close to his chest. Tanjirou knew he’d heard him. Knew those sensitive ears were probably replaying his words like an echo.

“I think I love you too,” Zenitsu said back,” no-you don’t deserve a ‘think’. Gods I’m so out of it right now. I love you. I know I do. I’ve known that since I don’t know a month after you moved in. And now I just feel like the biggest idiot”

“Maybe we both share that title,” Tanjirou said.

“No you’re an oblivious idiot. I’m...I’m a lying idiot. I told myself it wouldn’t happen. Against someone like you though my heart never had a chance huh? Should have known the moment I heard your heartbeat walk through that door. I was so afraid though. That you’d leave like everyone else. Heck, I thought it was over the moment I asked you to be my pretend boyfriend”

Tanjirou leaned over. His hand fell on top of Zenitsu’s. His stomach twisted in knots, getting to hold his hand once again. 

“I’m not going anywhere. Ever”

When Zenitsu looked at him with those honey eyes tinged with blossoming hope, Tanjirou gave in. Their first two kisses were initiated by Zenitsu. The third would be his for the taken.And so he did, a declaration of his feelings in the one way that mattered the most, actions. 

Zenitsu had no complaints when Tanjirou kissed him. No mistletoe, no audience, they were free to take their time savoring their first true kiss under the sparkling glow of Christmas tree lights.

“Merry Christmas,” Tanjirou whispered against Zenitsu’s lips before submitting to another lock of lips. Zenitsu had been driven far too impatient for words.

So, it may have taken a year. However, as long as their path ended together Tanjirou would forever be grateful. Maybe the person who thought roommates were a fleeting memory was correct. But, a partner was one that could last a lifetime.

͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

It was hours after while they were curled up on the couch with headphones and scarf wrapped around them that a thought hit Zenitsu.

“So we don’t have to fake a breakup then right?”

“Mm,” Tanjirou affirmed.

“And we don’t have to tell them we technically lied about being together right?”

“Maybe it could make a funny engagement story”

“En-engagment!? Don’t play with my heart like that I’ll die of happiness at least three times over,” Zenitsu huffed,” I was trying to say though, if we never tell them does that mean we’ve been dating for a year already? Like we’ll have to start counting from one year to keep it accurate”

“I’d say so, happy anniversary?”

“Urgh don’t say that it feels like I wasted a whole year”

Tanjirou smiled, shifting so Zenitsu fell from his comfortable spot on his shoulder to his chest. Zenitsu wrapped his arms around Tanjirou’s neck to steady himself.

“Wasted a whole year? Sure you could think of it like that….or you can think that’s just a year’s worth of catch up we have to do starting hmmmm now”

No red in the world could compare to the deep crimson that puffed from Zenitsu’s face. 

“Catch up? O-okay catch up sounds nice-really nice”