Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tanjiro just wanted sleep. Simply resting after a harsh days work of training was apparently not achievable for him. He kept tossing and turning in his sheets until he eventually gave up on trying to slumber overall. Sleep was not on his side tonight.

That was a little while ago, now he sat up in his bed aimlessly. The windows of the Butterfly Mansion let some gleaming moonlight in, signalling it being late in the night. It looked peaceful out there. The wind gently danced with the leaves that could be seen out the window. It's been a bit since Tanjiro was able to see the nature without gruelling training being bestowed upon him.

It wouldn't be too bad to get some fresh air.

Tanjiro fully stood from his position. Deciding that he'd had enough of simply sitting. He felt goosebumps ride up his legs from the cold flooring.

He walked slowly down the halls, careful not to wake anyone with his steps. His direction was to a nearby door that led to a spacious garden. It wasn't long until he made it to his destination.

Extending a hand to open the door he noticed that it was already slightly ajar. Between his rational thinking and his sleep deprivation, he just decided to pay no mind to it. Tanjiro fumbled with the door a bit, limbs still aching from working all day but he managed.

As soon as the door was open, a whiff of peaches and rain hit Tanjiros nose.

Zenitsu.

The scent was strong, never wavering. Zenitsu was definitely around here but Tanjiro couldn't see him. The garden was a bit big, enough for people to move around quite a bit but there was still obstructing shrub here and there. Zenitsu could've been here then left- no, the scent's too strong for Zenitsu not to be here.

Guess he would simply have to sniff him out.

He honed in a little more on the scent, peaches in soft rain. He wouldn't tell anyone this directly but Tanjiro thought Zenitsus scent was one of the best he'd ever smelt. It was like being in a light drizzle while eating fruit. It always helped his nerves for some reason beyond him.

He subconsciously followed the trail, which led him a little left to the centre of the garden. His feet made contact with the grass and it was a little uncomfortable but he didn't mind at the moment.

As stated before, the garden wasn't massively large so he didn't have to follow for long until it led him to a sizeable tree. A sizeable tree with a wafting smell of Zenitsu emanating from behind it. Tanjiro had to stifle a chuckle.

"Zenitsu? What are you doing out here?"

As much as it was amusing, it was also confusing. Tanjiro was sure by now that Zenitsu would be sleeping heavily on his bed. He felt a pang of concern in his chest. Was something wrong?

Nothing was said to respond to his question, just the sounds of nature filling the air. Tanjiro caught on. Zenitsu was trying to pretend he wasn't there which was already defeated by the way Tanjiro can smell the panic off him. He sighed.

"Zenitsu. I know you're there, I can smell you." At this, the blond made a noise of exasperation. He begrudgingly revealed himself to the other, walking out from behind the wood.

"You and your nose! So unfair!" The other whined. Tanjiro smiled, it didn't seem like anything was wrong- Zenitsu seemed the same. But another sniff proved him wrong. Under the smell of panic that was now annoyance, there was a smell of defeat. It didn't smell like defeat from Tanjiro finding his hiding spot, it was a lot deeper than that.

Zenitsu saw his face- which he guessed showed his concern- and tilted his head in confusion. He was about to speak but before he could, he was cut off.

"Are you okay?" The pure worry in Tanjiros voice made Zenitsu quiver with an unknown feeling. It was loud against Tanjiros regular sound.

"Yeah? I'm fine." An awkward chuckle. "why do you ask?"

"You smell defeated."

Huh.

Tanjiro could smell that?!!? Zenitsu suddenly went red and started stammering horribly. How embarrassing that Tanjiro smelt his failure. He was surely ashamed at having a friend so weak.

The blonds words kept coming out wrong, sounding more like random noises than actual speech. Tanjiro heard bits and pieces and it sounded like he was trying to explain himself but still Tanjiro could barely keep up.

"Zenitsu...?"

He didn't hear Tanjiro calling for him as more rambling kept spilling out.

"Zenitsu."

It still didn't stop.

"Zenitsu!"

He went silent at that.

The said person was looking at Tanjiro with a shocked expression before it contorted into one of angry-devastation if that was even possible. Guilt instantly made it way through Tanjiro. He didn't want Zenitsu to think he was upset at him.

"I'm sorry! It was the only way to get you to stop..." He tried speaking quietly to make up for his shout earlier. He really wishes he didn't wake up anyone else in the Mansion either.

At the explanation, Zenitsu looked just a bit more regular. Tanjiro saw him taking a deep breathe before getting his bearings together.

"I-I'm sorry Tanjiro. I just-" He trailed off. Should he tell Tanjiro about what he was trying to do? The red head was his most trusted friend and the most kindest. Zenitsu wouldn't be apposed to informing him, not to mention he didn't answer that question when he was behind the tree.

"I'm...trying to do something hard and I don't even know if I can do it."

Tanjiros gaze softened and his face took one of consideration. He knew of Zenitsus struggles with training or even fighting for that matter. He's glad Zenitsus trying to overcome it but he shouldn't assume.

"What is it?"

"I'm trying to make a seventh breathing form for Thunder Breathing.."

Silence fell upon them. The crickets were insanely loud for Zenitsus ears and he was starting to regret telling Tanjiro. Did he think it was stupid?? If he did then Zenitsu wouldn't know what to do. That thought alone made his anxiety increase tenfold.

Oblivious to Zenitsus inner conflict, Tanjiros shell-shocked face quickly morphed into one of pure amazement. Big grin shining in the moonlight and eyes so bright. It made Zenitsus head feel fluffy.

"Really?! Zenitsu that's amazing!" He won't lie that he flinched at the loudness of the other but the words said made his chest so warm. Tanjiro had reached out and grabbed both of the blonds hands, strong but delicate.

Maroon eyes quite literally sparkled with interest.

"Can you show me?" Ah, this is what Zenitsu was afraid about. Despite training every night, he still...hadn't done anything monumental yet. He didn't want to disappoint.

"Well- um.." Zenitsu started fiddling with his fingers, a habit he picked a while ago when he was nervous. Tanjiro still didn't lose his light, still extremely invested in what the other was working on. "I haven't really done anything big yet."

Tanjiro's grin simmered down to a smile but still not any less excited.

"That's alright! It does take a lot of work to create a new form." Zenitsu glummed. Tanjiro was always so kind and caring, it made him feel bad that he didn't have anything to show.

“You’re very brave Zenitsu.”

…What did he just say?

Zenitsu couldn’t believe his ears. Him? Brave? Never. But Tanjiro said it so clearly and so genuinely. He could hear the truth in the others voice. Tanjiro full-heartly believed that Zenitsu was brave.

Before he could help it, he felt his face rush with heat. His hands became clammy and if he could, he’s sure he’d be steaming out of his ears. How could Tanjiro say such things so easily? Zenitsu felt a pang of annoyance at his naiveness. Surely he knew the impact of his words.

All Tanjiro did in return was keep that carefree smile on his face. If it went a bit bigger at Zenitsu's reaction- that was only for Tanjiro to know. He knew Zenitsu was an extremely hard worker, even if he himself didn’t believe it. He was confident that Zenitsu would be able to create this form. But despite the confidence, he couldn’t help his eyelids feeling droopy nor the yawn that came out of his mouth.

Zenitsu noticed how all of a sudden tired Tanjiro was looking. He felt a little bit of that himself.

“Hey, let’s go sit down.”

They both made their way to the engawa and sat down on the wood. It was cold and it bit through their clothes but Zenitsu couldn't care less and he doubts Tanjiro did too. Despite the obvious tiredness between the two, Tanjiro still looked awe-struck, if not a bit inspired at Zenitsu.

"Will you promise me something?" Tanjiro spoke, it was quieter than before and it had a certain tone to it that Zenitsu couldn't decipher. The blond simply made eye-contact with Tanjiro and waited for him to continue speaking. At the view of him, Tanjiros eyes were half lidded and his smile was dopey. Clearly extremely tired. Zenitsu felt bad for keeping him up.

"If you...do something big...will you show me...?" His speech was drowsy and extremely slowed. It was obvious he was fighting off sleep from overcoming his mind. Zenitsu smiled and looked ahead of him, now eyeing the grass blades.

"Of course, Tanjiro."

The exact moment he finished speaking, he felt a lump of weight suddenly fall on his shoulder. He almost fell onto his side but quickly stilled himself against the force. He turned his head to see Tanjiro now in a deep slumber against his arm. Just the image of him sleeping on Zenitsu made the blonds face go pink and his knees weak. Lucky he was sitting down.

Zenitsu would enjoy the moment but a problem sprung into mind.

How was he supposed to get Tanjiro inside??

BONUS:

Run. That’s all he could do. He had to run. Giyu was just a little ahead of him and he couldn’t stop. His shoes against faux wood felt loud but not louder than the sound of his heartbeat. God, his lungs hurt. With every breath it felt like he was inhaling embers and lighting his body on fire. But he couldn’t stop.

“Caw! Caw!”

Tanjiro’s blood went cold. The last crow that came around was announcing Shinobu’s death. Did another Hashira die? He couldn’t bare it if they did. It wasn’t long until the screeching bird started again.

“Zenitsu Agatsuma has defeated Uppermoon 6! Zenitsu Agatsuma has defe-”

Tanjiro tuned the bird out from that point on. He did it. Zenitsu actually did it. His chest bloomed with pride at his friend. Defeating Uppermoon 6- alone as well is an insane feat. He almost didn’t believe it. He couldn’t have possibly won against such a demon with just the first form so…

Zenitsu really did create that seventh form. Tanjiro knew he could do it.