#lee!zenitsu

Tanjiro POV: The day I met Zenitsu was one of the strangest and most enchanting days of my life. I say strange because of how I found him, asking a girl to marry him, but also charming because he became my friend.

'Oni-Chan?'

'A-ah... I'm sorry Nezuko... I got a little distracted... Tell me, what happened...?'

'Zenitsu-San'

'A-ah?! Zenitsu?! He's here?! Where?!'

Well, maybe he became a little more than my friend... He became, in a way, my romantic interest. I wasn't against that; he was good and kind, what more could I ask for?

But honestly, I didn't know how to tell him. I'd seen him attracted to women, but to a man? It was confusing, but I hadn't given up hope that maybe we could be something.

'Nezuko... Do you think he could ever like me?'

'Oni-Chan good, kind and understanding'

'And you think that's enough for that...?'

'G-good luck! Oni-chan!'

Well, there's no going back now. I already had the moral support; all I needed was a subtle way to tell him, without being intrusive or sounding nervous.

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'Tanjiro, it seems we have the same day off together, what a coincidence...'

'Oooooh, really? Wow, it's great that you took a little day to relax and all. Would you like to go out?'

'A-ah?! Oh Tanjiro, you're very kind, but I couldn't possibly accept it, ahahahaha! Maybe another day! Okay, I'm off now, see you later, take care, bye, bye!'

'(ouch...)'

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'Don't be an idiot. You like the guy but you can't be with him?! He asked you out and you turned him down?! Is that how you expect to find a partner, you moron?!'

'WAAAAAAAAH! AOI-CHAN IS SO MEAN WITH MEEEEE!'

'Look, you're going to do this. You're going to go to the person, accept their invitation, and enjoy it. Otherwise, I'LL BEAT YOU UP!'

'I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO TALK TO HIM! I'M TERRIBLE AT TALKING TO PEOPLE I LIKE!'

'...Listen, I'll give you a piece of paper with exactly what you can say or do'

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'Tanjiro Kamado! Zenitsu Agatsuma said he would come to see you!'

'A-ah?! Matsuemon, who told you that?!'

'Oh, hello Tanjiro, how are you doing...?'

Zenitsu POV: Oh my god, I'm so nervous! He's my friend, but why is it so hard to talk to him?! I even seem to be more comfortable with Inosuke than with him. I hope Aoi-chan's advice helps me out.

'Wow, I thought you'd be busy... What prompted you...?'

'Aaaaam... Just... Eeeeeh... Ehehehehe... Just spending time with you...'

'Time... Time with me...?'

AAAAAAAAH, HOW HORRIBLE, I MUST HAVE SOUNDED LIKE AN IDIOT OR A STALKER WITH THAT PHRASE, HOW EMBARRASSING!

'Zenitsu...? Ah! Zenitsu! Hey, calm down, everything's fine! I don't mind spending time with you!'

HE CAN'T TELL ME EVERYTHING IS OKAY! I WANT THE EARTH TO SWALLOW ME UP AND SPIT ME OUT FAR AWAY FROM HIM, HOW SHAMEFUL!

'(he... He looks so cute when his face is all red...)'

'Sorry... I just... I just didn't think you'd actually want to spend time with me...'

'Of course I want to! You know I care about you a lot and I'm so happy you've finally decided to come and spend some time with me!'

'W-what...?'

AAAAAAAAH, HE CARES ABOUT ME AS MUCH AS I CARE ABOUT HIM, I'M SO HAPPY!!!

Tanjiro POV: Zenitsu's reactions have always been the most adorable; seeing him move his little hands, blush, grab his cheeks, and smile is divine.

'Can I... Can I hug you...?'

'A-ah... Sure... I don't see why not...'

I was finally able to hug him; it felt so comforting and peaceful. I could stay like that for hours...

'Aaaam... Tanjiro...'

'Yes?'

'I think I like you...'

Oh my god... My heart is about to explode! I wanted to make the first move, but he beat me to it! Okay, okay, I need to calm down and give a calm and confident answer...

'I do it too'

'R-really...?'

'Mhm, I've felt this way for a long time, I just didn't want to tell you... More than anything, I didn't know how to tell you. But now-... Why are you laughing?'

'I-I'm s-sohohorry... It's j-just thahahat... I h-have sensitive ehehehears...'

Always knew his sense of hearing was extremely developed, but this went beyond adorable, how cute, then...

'So you're saying it tickles you if I whisper like this in your ear?'

'T-Tahahahanjihihihirohohoho...!'

'I'll take that as a yes, how adorable... Who would have thought I could make you nervous without even moving my fingers...?'

'S-stohohohohohop...!'

'Why should I? Or rather, what should I do? Stop whispering to you? Tell you indirectly how adorable you are? Just tell me and I can stop.'

Zenitsu squeaked in discomfort, hands shooting up to cover his ears. When he realized what he had done, a tiny whine of protest escaped his lips as he defeatedly watched his tempura topple off of the roof and plummet into the pit of darkness below his feet. He sighed and stared at it, watching it disappear as it was engulfed by the void. His hands were folded in his lap, his feet stopped kicking, and his eyes that had previously been crinkling shut in joy were now dull and unblinking.

Tengen frowned a bit; poor kid…

He wordlessly held out his own second tempura, shaking his wrist in front of the pouting boy.

The sound pillar was shocked at what happened next. Zenitsu looked up at him with disbelief before smiling and taking it, breaking off a small piece and handing the rest back to the hashira. “Thank you!” He chirped.

Tengen smiled, “No, no. Just take it. I ate before we left this morning.”

“Yeah, but that was this morning. You’re super strong, and you need it more than me,” the blonde argued, shaking his wrist in the same way.

The white-haired male exhaled fondly. He picked up the tempura, but chose to hide it inside of the package. He feigned eating motions, side-eyeing the young slayer, who was much happier and chatting with his friends again.

After a few more minutes, the thunder breathing user’s tummy growled loudly, causing Tanjiro to giggle. “Sounds like someone’s still hungry!”

“Tanjirooooo!” The blonde whined, “don’t embarrass me when Nezuko might hear meeeeeeee!”

The hashira broke into boisterous laughter as Zenitsu hid his face in his hands. He whined as his tummy growled once more. Tengen shook his head with a smile as he tapped the boy’s shoulder. When the blonde looked up at, he was met with a grinning Mr. Uzui offering the other half of the tempura that Zenitsu was sure he had eaten.

He was about to take it when another firework flashed across the sky, causing the blonde to flinch violently.

Tengen frowned. That bad, huh?

The thunder breathing user simply carried on and hesitantly took the tempura, munching on it silently. The other two slayers watched in awestruck silence as the colors illuminated the dark air.

Mid bite, another one crackled, and Zenitsu’s breath hitched a bit. The boy began to cough, and Tengen’s hand found itself on the small of his back, rubbing reassuringly. “Are you okay, kid?”

Before the blonde could reply, a set of three loud fireworks popped and forced the poor slayer’s eyes shut as he whimpered quietly.

A look of remorse found its way to the sound pillar’s face when he heard barely audible sniffles.

“Tanjiro, Inosuke,” he called to the two novice slayers, “here’s some money. Please go get some more food for us; it is evident that our little friend here needs more food to be as flashy as he can!” He dropped a decent amount of coins in the brunette’s hands, shooing the two off. When he could no longer hear their footsteps, he turned to the blonde. “Hey, little man… how’re you hanging in?”

Just then, a giant firework exploded before them. The tears that had been pricking the young slayer’s eyes had fallen as he covered his ears. He buried his head into Tengen’s side, seeking any immediate comfort. “Make them stop… please.”

“Shit- it’s worse than I thought…” he breathed, “It’s alright…” the sound pillar soothed as he lifted his arm to let the boy against his chest. Tengen placed his own hands atop of Zenitsu’s hoping to further muffle the sound. Neither said a word as the boy choked out a cry every time another firework would explode. “I’ve got you, it’s okay…” Tengen would repeat.

The fireworks continued at a torturous pace, with each boom being sporadic enough to keep both on their toes, but routine enough to show both slayers that there would be more coming. Zenitsu blinked away a few of his tears, noticing Tengen’s right eye squinting whenever a firework would boom.

He could hear them tenfold too… and here was Zenitsu who was crying a baby.

It was almost as if the pillar could hear his thoughts too. “Don’t worry about me, kid. I’ve heard much louder through my time as a hashira.”

Zenitsu nodded, shoulders coming up as he cringed from another torturous sound.

Minutes passed and the show seemed to be calming a bit. The sound pillar removed his hands carefully, gently cupping the young boy’s cheeks and swiping his tears away. “Are you feeling any better?”

The blonde nodded, hesitating to pull his arms down. “T-Thanks, Mister Uzui, sir.”

“Don’t mention it.”

A solemn silence passed, and a quick glance from the hashira let him know that the thunder breathing user was still shaking like a leaf in apprehension.

“You know,” Tengen mused, “Kyo has this distraction method that he uses with Senjuro all of the time. Would you like me to try it on you?”

A hesitant nod from the boy—who was still squished against the sound pillar’s side— allowed Tengen to begin to plan his course of action.

“Okay, so I’m going to have to touch you for it, that okay?”

The blonde but the inside of his cheek as he thought. “Y-Yeah,” he finally answered.

“Okay! Time for the flashiest distraction you’ve seen, little man!”

With that, an arm locked over the young slayer, and five fingers found their way to his sides, wiggling with a gentle intensity. The thunder breathing user squeaked a bit and was holding in his giggles.

“I-Is - pffehehe- this a p-part of the- ehehe- the dis-distraction?” Zenitsu managed, body squirming from the ticklish touch.

Another belly laugh erupted from the hashira. “Kid, this is the distraction.”

Zenitsu’s face flushed as he kicked his legs, resting his cheek against the arm ensnaring him. “B-But it— kyeahaha- i-it ti-hihihickles.”

The white-haired male smiled fondly. “Does it? I don’t remember that happening with Senjuro…” he feigned a bit of innocence as his hand moved over the boy’s tummy, clawing at the softness.”

The poor young slayer couldn’t hold it much longer…

“M-Mihihihisteheher Uhuhuhuzuihihihi!”

“That’s me!”

“Ihihihihit- hehehehe- ihihihit tihihihickles!”

“Aw jeez, I would hope so,” the sound pillar replied with fake relief on his tongue, “If it didn’t, I would be letting Kyo down.”

Zenitsu, cheek still resting on Tengen’s arm, giggled helplessly as the hashira prodded around his tummy. His legs were still lightly kicking, but there were no signs of protest from the boy.

“You feeling any better, little guy?”

“M-Mhmhmhmhmhm!”

“Good, good! We’ll get you feeling flashy as ever, and then you can-“

A loud boom penetrated the playful atmosphere, causing Zenitsu to whine and both males to rest his hands over the boy’s ears.

“Damn… I was hoping they’d be over by now,” Tengen grumbled, removing one of his hands to rub the young slayer’s back. “It’s okay… just keep your hands up, alright?”

The blonde nodded; all previous giddiness that he had seemed to have evaporated.

“You’ve never been around fireworks before…. Have you?” Tengen inquired, grabbing Zenitsu and holding him in his lap.

The boy shook his head ‘no’, and Tengen sighed.

“Why don’t I keep distracting you, hmm?” A glint of mischief laced the sound pillar’s words as a smile found its way to his face again.

Zenitsu nodded, eyes still closed.

The white-haired male chuckled at the blonde before pushing some hair out of his face. While he was fourteen, he looked so young in the moment. “Alright, I’m gonna start again…” After the warning, Tengen’s hands descended back onto the boy’s tummy, wiggling against his uniform.

Zenitsu began to giggle softly once again, squirming out of instinct. His hands remained over his ears as his eyes remained shut.

Tengen continued to prod and squeeze at the little guy’s tummy, happy to provide him any relief from the amplified sounds.

As the fireworks boomed, Zenitsu’s own hands and giggling managed to successfully block out the amplified sound. “M-Mihihihisteheher Uhuhuhuzuihihihi! Ihihihits wohohohorkihihihing!”

“Great! Now you make sure you keep your hands up, or else we’ll be back in the same spot,” the sound pillar chimed. “Yep… just keep those arms up!” With that comment, Tengen moved his hands up to scribble at the boy’s ribcage.

The young slayer curled against the hashira, his giggles growing in volume. His legs came up to meet his chest, desperately not wanting to put his hands down. “Hehehehey! Thahahats nohohohot fahahahair!”

“Fair? Oh, kid, you should know by now that not a single bit of me plays fair,” the white-haired male chimed as he lightly prodded at the sensitive bones.

“Eep! Ihihihit tihihihickles!”

“But isn’t it helping? You seem so much more relaxed, little man!”

“B-Buhuhuhut! Hyeahahaha! Tihihihickles!”

“Just keep your arms up, and it’ll be fine!”

After a few more seconds on the young slayer’s ribcage, the sound pillar moved his hands up to scribble under the boy’s arms. Zenitsu squeaked and kicked his feet to the best of his ability.

“M-MihihiHIHISTeheheher UhuhUHUHUHUZui!”

“Oooh! Bingooooo!” Tengen cooed at the blonde, “Someone’s ticklish here!”

“Yehahaha! IhiHIHIHITs sohohohoOHOHO BAHAHad!” Zenitsu wiggled about, but never putting his arms down, or asking for it to stop.

“But would you rather be listening to those fireworks? They getcha’ pretty bad, Mm?”

“NohohOHOHO Wohohohorse thaHAHAHAN yohohou!”

“Ohoho! Some lip! Little guy’s got a bit of sass to him!” Tengen’s playful side—courtesy of Kyojuro—was fully out. “Looks like I’ll have to tickle the attitude outta ya’!”

“WahaHAHAHAIt! NoHOHOHohoho!” Zenitsu’s legs were kicking more rapidly, and yet he still seemed to be completely on board with the tickles.

“Mmm, shoulda’ thought about that, kid.” The sound pillar dug in with a bit more fervor, having to work against the thick uniform. “These damn element-proof suits are annoying… they’re also Tengen-tickle-proof!”

The blonde squealed, feeling the increased sensation instantly. “OHOHOHO MY GOHOHOD. DOHOHO NOHOHOT SAHAHAY THAHAHAT.”

“Oooooh?? Looks like they aren’t quite Tengen-tickle -proof after all!”

The boy’s arm threatened to fall many times, but he kept his hands safely planted on his ears. With little legs kicking, Zenitsu squirmed and laughed with his eyes shut, cheeks dusted pink with mirth.

“Soooo… You wanna tell ol’ Tengen why you haven’t asked me to stop yet?”

Ah! He’d been caught!

“Nohohoho reheheasohohon!”

“Mmm, someone forgets where he is…” the white-haired male brought one hand down to squeeze at the blonde’s side at the same time.

“OKAHAHAY- OKAHAHAY- IHIHIHIHIT MAHAHAHAKES MEHEHE FEHEHEEL SAHAHAHAFE!”

Tengen’s own eyes closed and his lips fell into a pouty frown at the adorable reaction. “Well, little man, seems like you came to the right hashira. This flashy guy is happy to make you feel as safe as you need.”

With both hands returned to the young slayer’s underarms, Zenitsu chuckled a few more times before his arms finally trapped Tengen’s hands.

The sound pillar chuckled. “Hey, I need those.”

“N-Nohohoho! Tihihihickles!”

“Well duh. That’s the whole point of-“ a familiar noise caught his attention, a sense of urgency came across his tone. “Zenitsu, give me my hands.”

“Noooo! You’re gonna tickle me agaaaain!”

“I’m serious, kid, quickly.”

With a look of confusion, Zenitsu hesitatedly freed his attacker’s hands. Within a second, he felt warm palms lightly smack over his ears.

He knew Tengen seemed frantic, but was this really necessary? What was he-

At that moment, the brightest firework the two had seen all night erupted into the air, producing an ear-splitting boom.

Zenitsu looked up at the flinching sound pillar with guilt. “Mister Uzui-“

“I’m okay, I’m okay,” the man answered frantically, more worried about the boy in his arms, “Did I get you in time? I heard the fuse going off, and I knew it would be a big one.”

The boy nodded as he moved to sit up, removing the hashira’s hands from his ears. “You cover yours. I’m okay now.”

The white-haired male chuckled. “No can-do, you’re clearly affected more.”

The blonde bit the inside of his cheek as he sighed. “Yeah… sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. We were blessed with one of the greatest heightened senses. It just sucks a bit during firework shows.”

“How’d you know what to do? I mean… you really knew how to take care of me.”

“Only a heartless human would let a little kid cry. Hina’s been helping me to be more of a caretaker; the four of us have been talking about having some kids of our own one day, and I need to be prepared.”

Zenitsu smiled at the thought of a baby Tengen toddling about. His smile soon turned to a frown when the man’s words registered. “Hey… I’m fourteen, not a little kid.”

The man chuckled and ruffled Zenitsu’s hair.

The young slayer sat between the Hashira’s open legs, his back turned while resting against the man’s torso. The two perked up when they heard Inosuke’s voice in the distance.

“You okay to be sitting here?” Tengen asked with a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Yeah. Inosuke shouldn’t notice, and Tanjiro won’t say a thing.”

After a few moments, Tanjiro’s chiming voice filled their ears. Zenitsu was right; Tanjiro noticed, but did not say a word about the blonde seeking comfort. Inosuke was too engrossed in getting his dinner to say anything.

“Welcome back!” The sound pillar chirped, “What did you end up getting?”

“We found so many inexpensive stalls! I got more tempura for us, mainly because Zenitsu accidentally dropped his; I got some bentos; a few orders of noodles; AND there was a dango vendor!”

The white-haired male smiled. “Is that so? Got any change?”

The sound of clinking coins and crinkling packages was soon heard, and the four were sharing a meal once again. Zenitsu was about to dive into his tempura when the fireworks began again.

The bursts were one right after another, each sound seeming to be louder than the next. He placed the bag next to him as he cried out loudly, ready to cover his ears. To his surprise, Tengen’s warm, calloused hands had covered them first. He looked back at the hashira, and was met with a patient smile. “Eat,” he mouthed.

Zenitsu sighed and slumped against the sound pillar, finally getting to eat the tempura he had been waiting for.

Inosuke looked up from his meal to see a teary-eyed Zenitsu finally enjoying his own. But… why did the god of festivals have his hands over his… his… uh… what was the word? His… um… listening holes? “TANTORO!”

“Tanjiro,” the brunette corrected, unfazed.

“Why is the god of festivals doing that to Monitsu?” A pointed finger brought Tanjiro’s attention back upon the action he had just missed.

“Oh!” he chimed, “You know how I have a really strong nose?”

Inosuke nodded.

“And do you remember how sick I feel when I smell something really strong? And how upset it makes me?”

Another nod.

“Well, Zenitsu’s ears-“

That’s it! That’s the word! Ears!

“-are really strong, maybe a little stronger than my nose. Do you think the fireworks are really loud?”

A nod.

“So if they’re loud for you and I, imagine how loud they are for Zenitsu. It hurts his ears, and it really makes him upset. It’s best for us to not take notice of it; he’s probably really embarrassed.”

A small “ohh” emitted from the blue-haired male. The two sat in silence once more, Inosuke offering Tanjiro a bite of his dango as the two never broke their gaze from the fireworks.

Zenitsu and Tengen watched as well. The colors illuminated the black sky, and to his joy, Zenitsu could barely hear the pops of sound.

He exhaled.

The colors really were beautiful… aren’t they?