Work Text:
There's nothing that could make Genya cower back into a shell more than PDA.
Throughout he and Tanjiro's blossoming relationship, Genya has slowly evolved away from his flustered and shy outbursts when it comes to affection. No longer do his ears twitch and turn red when Tanjiro grasps his hand or nuzzles his side, eyes glimmering with unbridled love. He doesn't shy away from cuddles on the couch, nor avert his gaze when Tanjiro leans in and whispers sweet nothings between kisses.
Tanjiro has absolutely adored watching Genya slowly peek his head out of his shell, taking tentative steps out and nestling further into their comfortable, happy relationship. A squeal of joy nearly burst out of Tanjiro's mouth the first time Genya cupped his cheek, thumb gliding tenderly over his sun-kissed skin before pulling him in for a wonderfully soft kiss. Nothing could best Genya's kisses, slow, but appreciating every moment of the passionate intimacy. Every movement of his lips burned with purpose, never sloppy or lazy, and always considerate to meeting Tanjiro's pace. Sometimes he'd cautiously slip his fingers around Tanjiro's waist, holding loosely and rubbing lovingly.
At first, when Tanjiro began to slowly introduce more ambitious kisses, tentatively slipping his tongue between parted lips -- Genya choked and his face puffed red, eyes screwed shut and sweat pooling down his face. Now, he smiles and chuckles against Tanjiro's lips, parting his own and shyly meeting Tanjiro's advancement with a determined passion that Tanjiro thought was the cutest thing.
Tanjiro was more than happy seeing Genya grow into their relationship, figuring things out at his own pace and being equally as understanding with his partner.
However, the one thing that Genya still scrambled away from, was PDA. Public displays of affection. Sure, Genya could fall back onto the couch, lips meeting Tanjiro's again and again, but if Tanjiro dare peck his cheek in public? The end of the world. Genya squawked and spluttered, face firing up like a burning kettle, then he would swat Tanjiro over the head and growl like an irate dog.
Something about peering eyes and close proximity to others repulsed his tall boyfriend. Perhaps it's because while they were in highschool, couples would fall against Genya's locker, tongue's tied and oblivious to the angry boy desperately trying to grab his books. He'd complain about hallway kissers constantly, or couples that would be indecently sitting on one another's laps at lunch and making out like nobody was trying to eat. Tanjiro figured that when they started dating, Genya loathed the idea of being the couple that sixteen year old him had hated.
Whatever the reason may be, poor Tanjiro couldn't kiss his boyfriend in public, not even in a dark movie theatre, sitting in the corner with nobody next to them. Forget the idea of laying beside each other at a beach and cuddling while the sun sets, or kissing at the tippy top of the ferris wheel while fireworks sparked across the sky. The only small bit of contact Tanjiro could muster was limited hand holding and maybe a small peck if absolutely nobody was in view.
Praying for a change was highly optimistic. Although Genya was getting comfortable, Tanjiro doubted he would ever make peace with the idea of PDA.
One could only hope.
XXX
Genya scrolled languidly on his phone, eyes dragging lazily over reels and clips while his stomach churned and weeped. Their waiter had breezed on by their table without glancing back at least six times and they hadn't even gotten their appetisers. Only their drinks, but they didn't even put ice in Genya's water. He groaned.
Kanao had invited them all out to brunch, busy classes had kept them apart, but with midterms coming to a close, their packed schedules had slimmed and Inosuke's incoherent texts had resumed their insistent spamming. Although Genya could act as short-fused and pissy as he wanted when Zenitsu whined over his love life, or when Aoi bickered with Inosuke over his manners, he really did miss getting together. Even if the place they picked was kinda sucky.
He placed his phone to rest in the pile at the table's centre and tuned into the conversation.
"I'm telling you, some of them aren't as bad as the news says. It's sort of like a loud minority. I've been checking them out and they don't seem like psychopath dungeons." Zenitsu rested his head down on his hand, the other shooing away Tanjiro's concerned, frowny expression.
"Are you sure? I'm not saying they're.. psychopathic dungeons.. but I'm worried about you getting involved. Especially since you're so.." Tanjiro paused.
"Weak-willed." Kanao finished, taking a small sip of her latte and promptly ignoring Zenitsu's gawked face.
"I am not weak-willed! Do you really think I'm gonna get hazed or something!?"
"Monitsu always gets lazed. Lord Inosuke is always ready to go!"
Zenitsu cocked an eyebrow. "What are you even talking about, weirdo! Nezuko, you don't think I'm weak-willed, do you?" His beading eyes pleaded at her. She averted her gaze from his whining face. "Zenitsu.. I wouldn't say weak-willed but.. Tanjiro just isn't sure a frat is exactly the crowd you'll fit in with. Why don't you join the music club?"
Zenitsu frowned. "Nobody thinks music kids are cool! If I'm ever going to make it in college, I need to find a crowd! And if I make it in, I can help you guys too!"
Genya leaned back in his seat, eyes glancing beside him to Tanjiro's worried, but relaxed expression. Their hands met under the table, secret and private in the way their fingers tangle together. Genya's gaze lingered for a moment, before he turned back to join the discussion.
"You said you were checking it out, right? Why not go to a party and see the feel of it? If the vibes aren't it then you'll know it's not for you." Genya lifted his straw to his lips, cool liquid pouring down his throat and settling in his stomach. Content pooled through his gut, a light smile resting on his face. Zenitsu pondered for a moment at his reply, lips screwed shut and eyebrows knitting together in thought.
"First of all, thank you Genya for being the only person to bring something HELPFUL to the table, but secondy, I'm not sure how I could even get into the party. Don't you need connections? I don't know anyone in a frat. Well, Besides Kaigaku but-"
"I know a guy." Inosuke wretched his food from the newly appeared waiter's arms and stuffed his face with some fresh tempura, greece and sauce dripping from his chin like a pig. He promptly ignored the puzzled expressions directed towards him, and dipped a piece of tempura in his coke before engulfing another.
"Ew! Tempura and coke? Mind your manners!" Aoi grimaced, politely taking her food from the waiter whilst Tanjiro apologised profusely for Insosuke's behaviour. "And what do you mean you know a guy? What frat boys are talking to?"
"Owie, Lord Inosuke knows everyone! Everybody wants to be friends with the king of the mountains! He can get us into a party no problem. You minions can count on your boss!" Half-chewed food fell from Inosuke's cackling lips, three different drinks sloshing around in his mouth whilst Kanao and Nezuko carefully moved their plates away.
Tanjiro chuckled, already picking up a napkin to calmly clean up after his explosive friend. "That's really nice of you, Inosuke. Are you able to get the rest of us in? I want to make sure Zenitsu is being safe." He swirled his fork around a plate of pasta, holding it up to Genya's stubborn lips. Genya's face melted into a tomato red, tilting his head to avoid the fork until it stuffed itself in his mouth.
"Mmf! Tanjiro don't feed me!" He barked.
Tanjiro laughed. "I can't help it. You're just too-"
"A-Anyway. Does this mean I'm getting dragged to a frat party with you, Zenitsu, and Inosuke? I was planning on taking a trip to a bonsai shop near campus today. Mr. Himejima runs it." The skin under his lip crinkled with discontent, a shudder crawling down his spine at the idea of attending such a party with Inosuke and Zenitsu of all people. Inosuke would probably wreck the booze table and Zenitsu always ends up crying in the corner of parties. Even when they were in High School together. He wasn't exactly looking forward to standing in a corner while people got drunk and made out next to him.
Genya differed from his older brother in that aspect. While Sanemi and his boyfriend were constantly together with their group at different parties while they were in college, it's something Genya tends to stray away from. Not exactly his cup of tea, if you will. He much preferred to settle down into the couch on a quiet night, arm around Tanjiro's neck while his chest sizzled with the warmth from Tanjiro's content breathing. Then Tanjiro would take out his phone, angling the camera in the dim light before snapping a photo of the two of them snuggled closer than two peas. Such a photo was currently Genya's wallpaper.
"Well, you don't have to come. Offer is open if you want it." Tanjiro squeezed his hand twice, their own small loving gesture. Genya squeezed back.
Zenitsu dug into the table's basket of fries. "You sure you don't wanna come, Genya? Tanjiro's a pretty good-looking guy, he might get snatched away from you." The blonde snickered, his tone light and teasing, but Genya still shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh stop it, Zen. No guy at a party will ever get my attention unless it's Genya. I'm there to keep you and Inosuke safe, nothing more." Tanjiro spoke reassuringly, gaze focused intently on Genya's lip, gnawed on by an anxious tooth. "Right, Genya?"
"I know.. but I should still be there. You're too nice, and people tend to mistake it for you flirting. If I'm next to you, they'll leave you alone." His muffled voice burned with resolute decision. He could feel Tanjiro's weight shuffling closer to him on the booth seat, hand hooking around his waist and fingers gripping his side.
"Alright, I'll take you out to that bonsai store tomorrow, okay? If you're not hung over." He booped Genya's cheek teasingly, earning a small jab at his side in return. "Oh shut it, you know I don't drink."
"I know, I know. I'm only teasing." Tanjiro smiled.
"Really? I could've sworn I've seen you drink a little, Genya." Aoi interjected, dabbing her chin clean and placing her leftovers onto Nezuko's awaiting plate. Nezuko eagerly dug in.
"I mean sometimes I'll take a sip of what Tanjiro or my brother orders. But besides that, not really."
Aoi shrugged. "Hm. If you boys are all going out, me, Nezuko, and Kanao will have a girls night. I don't feel like getting hit on by drunk college boys tonight." Beside her, Kanao and Nezuko nodded, already eagerly grabbing their phones from the pile to browse some potential day-out ideas. "Why not try some axe throwing? There's a place nearby that's been getting popular lately." Nezuko presented her phone screen to the table, swiping through some example photos that made Inosuke's eyes sparkle.
"Lord Inosuke wants to come!"
Zenitsu grumbled. "We can go another time. Stay focused!"
"Fine! Just this once, for my minion of course!"
Inosuke slapped his palms down on the table, knocking over a few cups and cackling like a rabid boar. Zenitsu thrust his hand over his mouth, tussling with him in the booth to pacify him while Tanjiro handed his card to the waiter.
Genya's eye twitched.
He's regretting agreeing to this.
XXX
"Are you sure about the sweater?" Genya's index finger nagged on the turtleneck, eyes focused on his figure in the mirror, and Tanjiro's giddy face beside his. They'd been getting ready for the past half hour, combing one another's soft locks of hair and picking our clothes for a night out.
"Yeah! We got that for your birthday last year. You look very handsome in it." Tanjiro slipped off his street clothes, shuffling through his drawer in their dorm and pulling out a simple white shirt. "All my nice clothes are in the washer, so I'm going for something simple. What do you think?" He held the shirt in front of his torso, flashing Genya a giddy smile and a small pose.
"Well you have to put it on first. All I'm looking at is your chest."
"Oh, whoops-" Tanjiro stuck his tongue out and manuvered his arms through the shirt, nearly slipping it on over his head before a hand held it back.
"Hold up a moment." Genya spoke, eyes focused down to Tanjiro's chest and stomach. His gaze traveled with a shy hunger, other hand moving down to feel his sides. Tanjiro spluttered, a blush rocketing to his cheeks, but no movement to get away. "Genya!" He shrieked, a giddy laugh on his lips. "Where did this come from?" Tanjiro wasn't complaining. He adored when Genya gained the courage to flirt with him, and he would happily indulge if now was the time.
"I'm just thinking about the party. You're a magnet for male attention so keep close by me." Tanjiro adored the slight protectiveness coating his voice, the slight whine of worry stringing him down. Genya was never a guard dog, necessarily, only in subtle ways -- like stepping in front of Tanjiro if someone got a bit too interested at a gathering, or slightly raising his voice if someone remained too close for comfort. He never overstepped boundaries, but Tanjiro did notice the weary gaze of jealousy every now and then. It was cute.
Tanjiro slipped his fingers around Genya's wrist, guiding his hand to slot around his hip and grab gently. "Are you wearing that cologne I bought you?" He cooed. "You know, Zenitsu never said anything about when he'd be getting here to pick us up-" Tanjiro tugged Genya down by the turtleneck, eyes brimming with affection and intent before a knock startled the two out of their haze.
"Hurry up!" Inosuke barked, pounding his fist on their door without a care for the obnoxious disruption. Genya groaned, and Tanjiro called to the door. "Uh- coming! We'll be out in a second!"
Tanjiro turned back with a frown on his face, disappointed but still amused. "Can it wait till after the party? I have a rom-com Nezuko recommended. We can sit together on the couch and watch it if you want. I got some ice cream in the mini fridge." He snickered as Genya's face melted, eagerly nuzzling into Tanjiro's neck and pressing a tentative kiss. "This is why I love you. I can't wait. Now let's get going and get this over with so I can have you to myself."
Slipping his shirt over his head, Tanjiro hustled over to the mirror, fixing up and slicking back his hair before returning to Genya's awaiting side. Genya smiled at him, eyes lingering on his face. "You look great. Simple looks good on you." He held out his hand for Tanjiro to take, and the two of them walked out of the dorm to join Inosuke.
"Finally! Lord Inosuke isn't going to wait while you two suck face!"
Genya spluttered, a snarl on his lips. "WE WERE NOT-!"
"Mobitsu is outside!" He shoved the two of them towards the stairs, recklessly sliding down the rails himself and running down the rest of the way, his sneakers squeaking at the sharp turns. He bounded out the door and whipped Zenitsu's passenger door open and planted his feet up on Zenitsu's dashboard. He snarled and swatted them away.
"You are not about to dirty my car! Get in the back!"
Inosuke huffed. "I called botgun!"
"It's shotgun, and no you didn't!"
A grumble rumbled through Genya's throat as he slid into the backseat with Tanjiro, rolling down his window while Tanjiro buckled himself in with a sharp click. The car began rolling, and Zenitsu flipped on his blinker to get themselves over to the FRAT house. The radio hummed in the backround, a calm atmosphere washing over the quiet car. Genya shifted himself to the middle seat, a heat rising to his cheeks as Tanjiro's weight settled to rest against his shoulder. Zenitsu and Tanjiro engaged in small conversation, stuff about the upcoming party and what not.
Genya understood the concern for Zenitsu's presence in a FRAT. He's witnessed the mess Zenitsu can turn himself into when it comes to bending over backwards for a girl's attention, and he got screwed over countless of times when they were in high school. Pledging to a FRAT? He's bound to get sniffed out as the weak linked. Did he think Zenitsu was going to get hazed? No. But Genya figured Zenitsu wouldn't vibe with the party and this would be over in half an hour.
Until the end, he would hug the corner and play some mobile games on his phone until it was time for them to leave.
Tanjiro tugged gently on his sleeve, drawing his attention. "Thanks again for coming with us. I was a bit nervous myself, If I'm being honest."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'm not a big fan of loud parties either. A lot of unpleasant smells and it can get kinda overwhelming." Tanjiro rubbed his hand over Genya's arm. "Let's both try to enjoy it, okay?"
Genya sighed, and nodded. "Okay."
XXX
Blinding disco-colored lights assaulted Genya's eyes the moment they opened the door and stepped into the party. Vibrant rays shone across the walls like lasers, speckling the room and beaming from the floors. The dim atmosphere was illuminated purely by strobes, flashing greens, yellows, reds, blues, multiple colors all blending together in loud pulses. Music blared from maxed out speakers, jarring and piercing his eardrums. The living room was crowded with people, red solo cups clutched in their hands and liquid sloshing against the rim. Voices garbled together into a cacophony of sound, loud and abrasive.
Within a moment, Inosuke's hand latched around Zenitsu's, yanking his trembling form through the crowd and promptly disappearing into the kitchen. Zenitsu's grumbled complaints vanished along with Inosuke's cackles into the buzz of the music, the crowd filling into their vacant space and cramming too close for comfort. Shoulders bumped against arms, and alcohol reeked like a skunk. Tanjiro tensed up beside Genya, feet stuttering with hesitation as their friends faded from view. His eyes drew up to meet Genya's, a shared, uncertain feeling between the two.
"Can we find a corner to go stand in..?" Genya drew his face down, his voice a mumble in Tanjiro's ear. Tanjiro quickly nodded, hooking his arm around Genya's and excusing his way through the crowd of drunk college students. People squeezed into their sides, drops of alcohol spilling on their shoes, and Genya was already hating every minute of it. Even when they found the most secluded spot, it was still considered crowded on his terms, but at least he could hear his own thoughts.
They sunk against the corner, huddled together like a pack of anxious ducks.
"Jeez." Genya groaned. "Are you sure we have to stay here? It's been two minutes and I already don't like it."
"Me neither," Tanjiro sighed. "But I'm willing to give it a try. Parties like these aren't exactly for sober people. I'm here to make sure Zenitsu and Inosuke don't get into any trouble." Tanjiro leaned back against the cool wall and scanned the crowd, eyes narrowed and intent. Genya could see worry creeping into his bones, a more panicked hurry in the way he whipped his head around to try and locate them. Genya sighed.
"You should go find them. I'll be here."
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you by yourself."
"I'll be fine, you know me. It's those two you need to keep an eye on."
"But-" Tanjiro paused, indecisive as always. His fingers laced around Genya's, tying them together and squeezing tightly like a soft warm embrace. His thumb kneaded the skin of Genya's palm, unwilling to let go. Yet at the same time, he knew the best thing to do was to ensure his friends were being responsible. "Okay. I'll come find you as soon as I can. I'll make it up to you, okay?" Tanjiro leaned up and pressed a chaste kiss to Genya's temple. He scurried into the crowd before Genya could swat him over the head.
And with that, he was by himself.
"Great.." Genya grumbled to himself, sinking back into the corner and pulling out his phone to pass the time. He didn't exactly have a ride home to dip, and even if he did, he wasn't enough of an asshole to abandon two of his friends, and boyfriend alone at a party. Unfortunetly, the best thing for him to do was sit and wait until Zenitsu had enough and wanted out.
He wasn't sure what Sanemi found appealing about all this. His older brother wasn't a party animal, but near every college weekend Genya would be unable to get a hold of him because he was at a party, or hung over from one. He learned his lesson not to FaceTime Sanemi on the weekends after he was projected to something he absolutely didn't want to see. He never looked at Sanemi's boyfriend the same way again.
Maybe the appeal was the connections, even if that's corny. Sanemi had brought home a lot of friends from college -- Genya's favourite was probably Kanae or Obanai -- so maybe Sanemi had met them at parties like these. Although, Genya wasn't sure the people here were exactly his crowd. Loud, obnoxious, clumsy.. actually, that's half of his friend group.
Regardless, he didn't want to engage in any conversation. The last thing he wanted was to make someone think he was interested or end up cornered by a bunch of guys trying to sell him coke, or something. Does that even happen? Probably not.
Maybe it's what Tanjiro said, people don't have fun at these types of parties if they're sober.
Genya shrugged and swiped open his messages app to a notification from Aoi.
Aoi Kanzaki
How's the party going?
Genya Shinazugawa
Inosuke and Zenitsu ran off, and Tanjiro's trying to find them.
Aoi Kanzaki
Ouch.
Aoi Kanzaki
Well, make the best of it I guess. Have you talked to anyone new?
Genya Shinazugawa
Nah. Should I?
Aoi Kanzaki
Kinda depends. Do they look like a crackhead? If not I'd say give it a shot.
Genya Shinazugawa
I'll let you know If I accidentally get involved with a crackhead. How did your axe-throwing thing go?
Aoi Kanzaki
Kanao threw the axe so hard it bounced back at us. But other than that, It was fun.
Aoi Kanzaki
We're about to go out for dessert. Keep me updated.
Genya Shinazugawa
Got it. See ya.
XXX
The blaring lights and music were starting to get to Genya. Like a nagging little sibling you can try your hardest to ignore until you just explode. Nearly half an hour had gone by of scrolling through videos, battling terrible service, and searching the crowd for a patch of messy burgundy hair. It all came up with nothing. Some people were starting to give him weird looks for standing in the corner, by himself, like a creep.
Above anything, by now he was just bored. His phone was at 3% and it didn't seem like he was going to be getting out of there anytime soon. For all he knew Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tanjiro could be at the bottom of the pool or drunker than a skunk.
No, Tanjiro had a high alcohol tolerance, and he wasn't the type to get hammered, ever.
Genya sighed.
He slotted his phone snug in his pocket and finally left the sanctuary of his corner, unsure of exactly where he was heading but determined to at least make something of his time stuck here. He made his way past groups, people trying to get his attention, and found his way into the kitchen, which as he expected, looked like a shithole. Surely the cleanup was not worth the party. It was actually repulsive at whatever junk people had stuffed (or puked) into the sink and even spots on the floor. The kitchen connected to the dining room, and at the center, was a long table filled with different bowls of vibrantly colored liquids.
Nothing was labeled, the only difference between the bowls being the cooler and how full or empty they were compared to the one beside them. He sniffed and grimaced at the tangy smell. His hand reached for the stack of solo cups and pulled one from the rest.
Maybe he'd have just a little bit- I mean he was at a college party, and this wasn't getting any more interesting. He's probably the only sober man here anyway, and what's getting a little alcohol in his system?
Genya dipped the ladle into a bowl of glossy pink liquid and filled up his cup. He sloshed it around, observing intently before tentatively raising it to his lips.
XXX
"Genyaaaaa?" Tanjiro called out, eyes narrowed to focus through the thick crowd and flashing lights. He'd been searching for Genya for nearly ten minutes, and despite having enlisted Inosuke and Zenitsu to look with him, they couldn't locate his boyfriend.
"Are you sure he didn't just dip?" Inosuke crossed his arms with a huff, shoving away a couple that was practically making out on top of him. Zenitsu was behind him, scanning the top of the crowd for a raven-colored mohawk.
"No. I have his location, and he's still here at the house. Where could he have gone? He told me he was going to stay over here.." Worry dripped off of Tanjiro's lips, a sinking feeling roiling deep in his gut as his surveying of the area slowly turned frantic.
"Well, we've been here for like.. two hours. He probably got bored and started to mingle with some people. He's probably out by the pool taking with some others." Zenitsu pat Tanjiro's shoulder, trying to ground his friend from spiralling with worry. His adventure into discovering FRAT culture went exactly how everyone except him predicted it would. Horribly. The sheer amount of puking and loud noise was far too much for him to ever get used to.
"How about me and Inosuke go outside to check it out. You keep looking in here. I'll text you if we find anything." Zenitsu manhandled Inosuke away from the drink table and shoved him out the screen door. Tanjiro's teeth dug into his lip, chewing profusely until a metallic taste pooled onto his tongue. He grimaced.
Surely he wasn't just a lousy looker. He had always been great at finding things for his little siblings! Yeah, he'd had a drink or two, but at most he was slightly tipsy, and he would always recognise Genya's face in a crowd, sober or hammered. The overwhelming mix of smells was infringing upon his keen nose. Normally he would be able to locate Genya within a moment, a ripe aroma of watermelon and bonsai always clinging to his clothes and hair. It had vanished the moment they had parted.
Tanjiro wanted to punch himself. He was a horrible boyfriend, leaving Genya alone was stupid. What if he was cornered, or was pressured into taking something? What if some weirdo was alone upstairs with him? Tanjiro's thoughts spiralled, and his feet quickly hurried him up the stairs.
The scent of alcohol reeked even more potently, although it was slightly less crowded. Each door was slammed shut, some locked, and others hardly concealing some interesting sounds that made Tanjiro gag.
"Genyaaaa! Are you up here?" Tanjiro called out once again. What if he had passed out somewhere? Or fallen asleep? He could've wandered upstairs to take a nap or- no that doesn't sound like Genya at all.
No amount of checking the upstairs proved helpful at all, if anything it just led to Tanjiro walking in on things he definitely did not want to see or hear. His eyes repeatedly kept glancing down at his phone, Life360 open and assuring him that Genya was still here. So where the hell was he?! He'd even gone as far as to check the basement, but still nothing! Was he in the bathroom? But he wouldn't have been in there for that long.
Relenting, Tanjiro made his way over to an open couch, and sat down. A long sigh exasperate from his lips, and he leaned back on the plush cushions, staring up at the ceiling.
"EEuugghh.." He groaned, pulling out his phone to send Genya the thousandth text of the past ten minutes.
Tanjiro Kamado
Where are you? I'm worried.
Genya had a bad habit of always forgetting to plug his phone in throughout the day, so there was a good chance it was near dead anyway.
"Genyaaaaa.." Tanjiro sank deeper into the cushions with a whine.
"mmmyyyeah?" a low, hummed voice spoke right in the redhead's ear, hot breath tickling his skin. Tanjiro shrieked and whipped his head around to see -- Genya. Relief washed out through his body, tension leaving his shoulders like a wave "Ah! Genya! There you are!"
He quickly wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, hugging his head to his chest to reaffirm to himself that he had found him. Or rather, Genya had found him.
"Where were you? I've been looking for the past ten or fifteen minutes with Zenitsu and Inosuke and we couldn't find you! What have you been doing? I mean I'm glad you mingled a bit but-" Tanjiro's eyes trailed down, landing on the red solo cup clutched and near empty in Genya's hand. Genya's fingers were curled around the cup, trembling and unable to keep it exactly upright. He lifted it up to his lips, nearly missing his mouth and spilling some liquid down his chin.
Tanjiro cocked an eyebrow. "Is that.. alcohol? You don't normally drink."
Genya's eyes slowly turned to meet his, gaze lingering for an abnormally prolonged amount of time before registering what Tanjiro had said to him. "Yyyeah. Fffrom the.. table." his finger dragged up, pointing at the wall, before slowly angling towards the vague direction of the dining room. Tanjiro was..concerned. Genya's words slurred together like melted jelly, his attention unfocused and balance unsteady as he sat on the couch beside Tanjiro. The strangest part was when his hand sought purchase on Tanjiro's thigh, missing a few times before landing and squeezing possessively.
"Genya.. are you- okay?"
"Yyyyes. I ammm perfectooo." A chuckle babbled from his stomach, slamming down the cup on the coffee table, empty and clean. Tanjiro knew it was wishful thinking to believe that was the only one Genya had. Since when does he drink? Never, or hardly at all. Tanjiro's so stupid. Genya got bored enough at this dumb party to make his way over to the drink table.
Tanjiro sighed. "Come on, let's go get Zen and Ino so we can take you home." He stretched his arms, mustering up the energy to lift himself off the couch- before he was yanked back down by the neck of his shirt. His butt landed not on the soft cushions, but snuggly on Genya's lap.
Now that was concerning. Genya hated PDA.
"Genya-"
"Nnno. Stay." His voice slurred right up against his ear, voice dripping with a huskiness that Tanjiro had never heard come from Genya in their time dating. Fingers tightly gripped his hips, keeping him planted in his lap while a face nuzzled deep into his neck and inhaled. Tanjiro would be lying if he said he wasn't into it, Genya's body was warm against his back, and he had never been this bold with him before.
Still, he needed to get the both of them home. Inosuke and Zenitsu were probably on their way back inside the house to come get him.
"Genya. Let's go you big giant." Somehow, he wriggled himself from Genya's muscular arms, nearly face planting onto the other end of the couch. His balance was still off-put, alcohol simmering in his system and fuzzing his systems just slightly. He turned himself onto his back, hoping to sit up but- Genya loomed above him, eyes narrowed and staring down at him like prey to be devoured. Tanjiro gulped. "We really should get- mmf!"
His protests were swallowed when a hungry, eager tongue slipped between his lips and slotted itself into the wet heat of his mouth. Tanjiro's eyes rocketed open, warmth exploding like a fire in his chest as lips moved against his, tender, soft, and starving. Genya's arms wrapped around Tanjiro's back, holding him close as he hummed and whined into his mouth, inexperience quickly melting away into a roaring passion that made Tanjiro's head spin.
"Mmf.." he murmured, struggling to catch his breath between a feverish assault of kisses that started to trail from his lips, down to his neck. Lips sucked against skin, claiming red marks imprinting and adorning down Tanjiro like little lovebites. Genya wasted no time to crawl up onto him, looming now becoming laying overtop of as their legs tangled together. Tanjiro found himself grasping at the back of Genya's sweater.
"Genya.." He panted, breath still light from lack of air. "You're-"
"Ssshhut up-" A hand lightly tugged on the back of his hair, not painful in the slightest, but insistent. Tanjiro's heart pounded against his chest, face hot with a sudden craving that bloomed inside of him and spread like wildfire. Genya's breath was panting, face coming up to meet his with eyes dripping with desire. Genya cupped Tanjiro's face, his intention clear. Perhaps it was the alcohol in Tanjiro's system, or maybe Genya really just looked that hot above him, sweat collecting on his neck and eyes wanting him -- but he crashed his lips against Genya's, and their backs fell against the couch with Tanjiro on top.
Hands grasped at bodies, tongues tangling together messily inside wet caverns. Thought melted away, the only coherent thought floating in the lazy stream of Tanjiro's mind was Genya. The feel of his strong arms tightly pressing Tanjiro up against his chest, his usually shy, tender lips hungrily devouring his own like a demon eating its meal. He clutched desperately at Genya's shirt, clawing to bring him closer, breath dwindling as he feverishly stuck his tongue deeper into Genya's mouth.
They parted for a moment, a string of saliva connecting their swollen lips and tongue, gazes locked as they panted once, twice, before diving back in for more. He tangled his fingers through Genya's hair, fervor boiling through his blood like hot fire. He couldn't press his body closer than it already was. He wanted to feel and adore everything Genya possibly had to offer him, the buzz of the music and lights felt so distant, only Genya's tongue meeting his again and again truly felt real.
Was he more tipsy than he thought? Maybe
"Tanjiro.. mmf- ffuck-" Genya slurred against his lips, saliva mixing together and lips tasting entirely of each other. "G..Genya-" Tanjiro mumbled in turn, repeating his name like a mantra every time they briefly parted, only to gasp for air or turn attention to marking necks with red, puffy hickeys.
Nothing ever felt so right. He could lay here forever and swallow Genya's tongue till he passed out from lack of air. His weight felt so good on top of him, his arms slotted so nicely around his body. How come they've never made out like this before? This was better than heaven. "Mmff... ah.." He panted. "Genya mmf-"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO DOING." The two were startled out of their haze by an irate, seething hiss. Messy hands tugged at the both of them, forcing their lips apart and tearing them in different directions. A blurry blob of yellow identified that it was indeed, Zenitsu, with Inosuke beside him, tasked with handling Genya.
"Zzenitsu- mmmfine.. don't mind us.." Tanjiro didn't remember his own voice sounding so funny, or Zenitsu having more than two eyeballs on his face.
"Wh- DUDE! Talk about alcohol setting in! Come on, asshole! I have to get the two of you home." Zenitsu grumbled, muttering angrily to himself as he hoisted Tanjiro halfway onto his back, and kicked open the front door, dragging Tanjiro behind him. Tanjiro's bleary eyes searched for Genya, who was being dragged out by the arms by Inosuke. "Stttopp.. I want Genyyaaa.." He whined, trying to fuss himself out of Zenitsu's grasp.
"SHUT UP! I'm already not looking forward to this car ride home so keep it QUIET!"
"Noooaaaa..."
The next few moments were a blur. He felt himself shoved into the backseat of a car that smelled vaguely of peach. He felt himself pressed up against a car door, tongue wet and tangled with another while a familiar voice screamed at him. He thinks he remembers being carried up a few flights of stairs, but the last thing he could definitely remember, was a warm breath on his neck, and a body cuddling up to him in bed, mumbling his name.
XXX
The next morning, Tanjiro's head pounded like a drum, eyes hardly able to focus on a very harshly-worded message from Zenitsu.