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Tanjirou can't quite sleep anymore, after Nezuko almost got burned by the sun, every time he closes his eyes that's all he dreams of.
It's a bad dream in which everything happens again, but this time Nezuko is not that strong. He wakes up crying, checks inside the wooden box and after seeing her inside, he takes a deep breath and lies on the futon again. But he can't–no, the truth is he doesn't want to sleep anymore.
He tries to pretend everything's alright and doesn't mention his problem to anyone, although Aoi and the butterfly girls start to notice how tired he looks all the time.
He gets a few hours of sleep sometimes because he's so tired he doesn't even dream. He just wishes it was like that all the time.
When he's back in the butterfly estate Tanjirou has the same nightmare again and he wakes up with his cheeks wet because of the tears.
Tanjirou tries to quietly wipe them off, but it seems they have no plans to stop right away; he checks on Nezuko again and goes back to the futon.
"Tanjirou?"
The Pillars have started to go directly to his room whenever they find themselves in the butterfly estate. This time, Tanjirou sees Tokito's face as he slides the door open.
"Hi!" He tries to smile, but it doesn't quite work, he just hopes the darkness is enough to hide how miserable he feels.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Tokito-san..."
"You're lying."
Maybe the dark room is not enough after all.
Determined, Tokito gets inside the room and kneels on the futon next to him.
"What is it?"
"It was just a nightmare," Tanjirou mumbles; he doesn't want to talk about it.
Tokito narrows his eyes with concern, cradles Tanjirou's face in his hands before pushing him all the way back towards the futon.
Tanjirou blinks in confusion at him for a second, before Tokito lies right next to him.
"You don't have to–"
"I don't want to sleep alone," Tokito cuts him off, nuzzling against his cheek. "So cuddle me."
It makes Tanjirou chuckle; he knows the mist hashira is doing this because of him, but it warms his heart that he tries to make it look like it's for his own benefit.
"Of course," Tanjirou says before putting his arms around him.
It feels so nice to be that close to someone who really cares about him that Tanjirou manages to relax a bit. He doesn't think he'd be able to sleep that night, but cuddling with Tokito certainly helps him feel better.
"We'll protect Nezuko together, from now on," Tokito promises in a whisper, making Tanjirou gasp.
How did he know? Well... He didn't actually see what happened to Nezuko because he was unconscious at the time, but he probably found out.
Tokito smiles at him before giving him a kiss on the cheek, it makes Tanjirou giggle.
He doesn't notice when his eyes close and he falls asleep until he wakes up in the morning and realizes that he didn't have nightmares.
"Good morning, Tanjirou," Tokito kisses his cheek before nuzzling against his chest like a very content cat. For a moment, Tanjirou swears he can hear him purring.
It's really cute.
***
Shinobu finds out Tanjirou is back in the butterfly estate that morning and as usual the first thing she does is to go to his room, the only downside is that Kyojuro, Giyuu and Sanemi find out as well and now she has another three very eager Pillars rushing towards the redhead's room right behind her.
However, they all stop when the door slides open and watch in shock as Muichiro comes out of it with a happy smile on his face and his hair as messy as Tanjirou's.
Their sunshine looks content and he even pulls Muichiro into a hug that makes the other Pillars jealous for a moment. Why is the mist hashira getting hugs?
"Can you sleep next to me tonight too?" Tanjirou asks quietly, but the other hashira hear anyway.
"Every single night if it's necessary, Tanjirou," Muichiro beams before kissing Tanjirou's nose. "Anything for you!"
The last words make Tanjirou blush in a way that makes him look adorable. He doesn't realize the others are right at the other side of the hallway until he turns around.
"Oh, hi! Good morning!"
They need to figure out a way to spend a night sleeping in the same room as Tanjirou.
Although judging by the way Tokito is sticking his tongue out at them over Tanjirou's shoulder, they have a feeling he won't make it easy for them.