#zengen

'Stop worrying, Zenitsu. I trust you'll be in good hands. Besides, it's good that you've been paired with someone else; that way you can make more friends. Isn't that great?'

Oh, but of course it would be great, to be with a guy who looks like he could kill you just for breathing. And if you're wondering, nope, them two had never exchanged a word, but Zenitsu believed the rumors and wasn't going to want to find out.

'TANJIRO, I WANT TO GO WITH YOU AND INOSUKE! DON'T LEAVE ME WITH THAT GUY! PLEASE! I HAVE TO PROTECT NEZUKO-CHAN TOO! LET ME GO WITH YOU!!!'

'Zenitsu, it's already been decided who our partner will be. Listen, we might get lucky and be assigned to patrol the same area. I trust you'll be alright. If anything happens, send your crow and we'll go for you'

But even Tanjiro's kind words, which exuded confidence and assurance, weren't enough for Zenitsu. He, if it were up to him, would cling to both of their legs and go with them.

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'(GOD... HE SHOULD BE HERE BY NOW...! AND NOW?! Although... If he doesn't come, I can go with Tanjiro and Inosuke, yesssssss)

'Agatsuma Zenitsu? That's your name, isn't it?'

All of Zenitsu's illusions vanished when he heard him. He took a deep breath to keep from screaming and turned around. What a surprise, he was exactly as he had imagined.

But he didn't seem so scary since I had him right in front of me. Perhaps intimidating because of his height, but he didn't seem to be bad; even his voice was pleasant. It was confusing...

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'Oh, you think you're in love with Genya? And you were afraid of him, look at you now. I'm so happy for you!'

'I don't know what happened to me... I never thought I would have so much love, and that even men could attract me...'

'Oh come on, it's not a bad thing. Who knows, maybe the love of your life was meant to be a man all along. Don't feel bad about expressing yourself, just do it, right Inosuke?'

'Weak Monitsu, just say it or I'll kick you!'

Well, maybe it wasn't what he wanted to hear, but his friends were right; he had to be brave and tell him, even if the truth hurt.

But how would that work? There was no way to communicate, and he doubted he could understand Chuntaro, though he could send Tanjiro's crow to meet up or wait for the next joint mission.

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'A crow told me I had to come because you needed to tell me something. What's so urgent? I mean, if it started pecking at me insistently because I refused to come, it must be...-'

'I think I like you... There, I said it. I've been practicing using my normal voice and not yelling. I know it's weird, but I don't know, I just liked you. That's it, you can go now...'

'Aren't you even going to wait for an answer? What if I have something to say to you too?'

If he was to be honest, Zenitsu never believed anyone would give him an answer, although he already anticipated what it would be...

A resounding "no," perhaps with some nice phrase, but with the message clear. It was so obvious, at least in his mind.

'A-ah... Go ahead, of course, I'm listening'

'You're a crybaby, you scream, lose patience very quickly, you get scared very easily... But you're adorable and funny when you do that'

'Your point?'

'I think I like you too, I don't know, every time I hear a scream or see a cat running when it gets splashed with water, I see you, heh'

Everything happened so fast that Zenitsu didn't know whether to cry or shout with joy, maybe a combination of both, but that would look weird.

'So, you want us to try some-?'

'YES!!! OF COURSE I WANT!!!!'

'Okey, but, calm down... So lo-'

Nope, Zenitsu didn't shut up; rather, he seemed to shout even louder, at least until Genya covered his mouth for fear of attracting people's attention in such a scandalous way.

And no, Genya isn't ashamed of himself; he's embarrassed by the attention of others, but not Zenitsu himself.

'Hey man, shut up, someone's going to hear us!'

'AFF PHANP THIAP FIF, MMMM PUUU CHAPEF!! (I CAN'T HELP IT, I'M SO HAPPY!!'

'If you keep shouting, I'll give you a good reason to do it, do you want that?'

The threat wasn't enough; Zenitsu's shouts would continue for a long while. Genya just shrugged, sat down with him on the floor, and smiled, clearly a little annoyed.

'Well, since you seem so excited for everyone to know about this, I'll help you too... In my own way...'

Forming his hand into a claw, he began to scratch his belly, squeezing his hips and his ribs, smiling at the immediate effect on him

Although Zenitsu tried to push him away, he only chose to cover his mouth more tightly while shaking his head and kicking like a child throwing a tantrum, trying to break free.

'What's wrong? You don't want to talk now? You seemed so excited before. Ignoring when I told you someone could hear us, why aren't you talking now?'

'MHMHMHMHMH!!! MMMMM!!!'

'Oh, and now you're ignoring me? Well, blondie, we'll see how long you last. I know you'll eventually break, and everyone will hear you.'

Zenitsu's eyes widened, shaking his head so quickly he could dislocate his neck. He knew his tickle resistance was very poor and that it wouldn't be long before he couldn't stand it anymore and started laughing like crazy.