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It surprises Tanjirou to see Tomioka arrive to the butterfly mansion; he knows (thanks to Kocho) that there’s not going to be a hashira meeting any time soon. Also, and he feels relieved when he notices, Tomioka doesn’t look injured.
His surprise only grows when the water hashira looks around, almost desperate. As soon as his deep blue eyes find his though, his shoulders relax.
Taking a deep breath, the Pillar sits right next to him on the floor. The sun is shining brightly over the backyard; everything looks green there.
It’s really a beautiful day.
“They told me you were hurt.”
He nods, although realizes quickly that it’s useless because Tomioka is not looking at him.
“Nothing serious,” he says, smiling because Tomioka’s presence always makes him feel better. “It’s just my arm and leg.”
Turning his head at him, Tomioka frowns, glaring in disapproval at the bandage under Tanjirou’s white pants. Then, he looks at the one under his sleeve like it has personally insulted him.
“Are you sure you don’t need to be in bed right now?”
Shaking his head, Tanjirou chuckles; even though Tomioka looks irritated, his nose tells him he’s not angry with him; he’s worried. Around them, the people working in the mansion start looking in their direction every now and then with curiosity.
“I’m fine. I’ll probably get another mission soon.”
By the way he grimaces, Tomioka doesn’t seem to like the idea of him going into battle at the moment.
Tanjirou is about to ask him what he’s doing there when the hashira moves and puts his own haori on the young demon slayer’s shoulders.
Blinking in confusion, Tanjirou glances up at Tomioka again only to see that he’s looking away from him again. His cheeks are slightly pink.
“You looked like you were cold.”
He’s not. The weather is amazing. However, he doesn’t want to make him feel bad (after all he’s done for Nezuko) so he thanks him and puts it on.
Besides, his uniform and his haori are being washed at the moment so he supposes it’s fine to borrow Tomioka’s for a while.
It smells just like him; like ocean water, like salt… Like a river. All at the same time.
“It’s huge,” Tanjirou chuckles. It’s only natural since Tomioka is taller and stronger than him.
“My haori looks perfect on you,” the water hashira says and only then Tanjirou looks back at him, noticing the fond expression on his face.
He sounds almost proud and his eyes glimmer with triumph when he notices the others are watching them.
Aoi gets closer to them and (to Tanjirou’s shock) bow at them both. Tomioka nods in approval for some reason.
No, she’s never bowed at him. Tanjirou is sure her rank is superior to his.
“I’m sorry to interrupt such an intimate moment,” she mumbles, prompting Tanjirou to narrow his eyes in confusion. “But I need to check on Tanjirou-san injuries.”
San? Since when she uses an honorific to talk to him?
“Of course,” Tomioka says. “I’ll go with you.”
***
Looking unusually nervous, Aoi does her best to change Tanjirou’s bandages quickly. It seems like Tomioka’s intense look is making her less confident for some reason.
She looks almost scared.
“You should get something to eat,” she tells him, moving away from as soon as she finishes. Relief is written all over her face. “Well, I’m done here.”
“Thank you!” Tanjirou grins, but doesn’t have time to say anything else because Tomioka takes him in his arms and carries him to the main room.
They eat together; he’s so focused on the food that doesn’t realize he’s still wearing the haori or that Tomioka is staring at him with a fond smile.
When they finish, Kocho tells Tanjirou she has important things to discuss with Tomioka so the young demon slayer goes to Nezuko’s room to check on her.
He manages to catch a few sentences of their conversation however.
“You have to tell him, Giyuu! Otherwise you’re doing this for nothing! You know it’s not fair…”
“I will tell him eventually.”
“Probably on your wedding day…”
Tanjirou narrows his eyes, he’s not sure if Kocho is just joking or if she’s being serious, but thinking about Tomioka getting married makes him feel sad for a moment. He shakes his head though, reminding himself to be kind. He should be glad for his friends.
After seeing that Nezuko is still asleep, Tanjirou decides to go back to the yard, but finds himself in front Murata instead. They almost bump into each other, however, thanks to his nose he could move away in time.
“Tanjirou!” He says, smiling as his cheeks turn slightly pink. “Just the person I was in looking for!”
“Really?” He chuckles. “What do you need from me?”
“Well… Since both got some free time right now I was wondering…” He stops as soon as his eyes fall over the haori Tanjirou’s wearing. “Is that Tomioka-san’s?”
“Yes,” Tanjirou nods, looking down at himself, still amused. “It’s really big for me, don’t you think? Oh, sorry! You were about to tell me something! What was it?”
Murata shakes his head, looking pale.
“N-Nothig. I didn’t know you were already–that you had…” Again, he stops when he sees something over Tanjirou’s shoulder. He bows. “I was already leaving, Tomioka-san!”
“Wait!” It’s too late, he’s already gone before Tanjirou can say anything else. He smells a bitter scent coming from Tomioka when he moves right next to him. However, when the water hashira looks down at him, the smell is replaced by a sweeter one.
“Let’s go to the backyard,” Tomioka mumbles, trying to hold back a pleased smile.
***
Tanjirou gives him back the haori when it’s time for him to leave. With a soft smile, he puts it back on slowly, almost like he wants everyone to see him.
“I’ll be in contact,” Tomioka promises, caressing Tanjirou’s hair, surprising the young demon slayer. “I’ll find a way to see you soon, no matter where you are.”
Feeling excited at the possibility of seeing him again soon, Tanjirou beams at him. However, his smile vanishes when the water hashira leans, takes his hand and kisses it softly.
It’s a shame the Pillar goes away right after that, leaving Tanjirou in a flustered shock for a couple of seconds.
There’s something going on. Something he’s missing.
He has to find out what it is.