Pairing : Tanjiro Kamado + Zenitsu Agatsuma
(Can be read as platonic or romantic)
Caregiver: Zenitsu
Age regressor: Tanjiro
Normal au
Request from: Byakuwuya_Towogami
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"Tanjiro! Get back here this instant!"
"Nuh uh!"
Zenitsu had to stop for a moment to take a breather, he knew Tanjiro was fast, but this was way too fast for him. It was so odd, Tanjiro was normally such a well behaved little, but lately, he's been acting more mischievous than usual. No matter how many times Zenitsu asked him about this, Tanjiro pushed the subject away, even when he was in his older headspace.
So for now, Zenitsu had to chase Tanjiro around to pack up his toys. Things only got more stressful when Tanjiro looked back and blew his raspberry at him.
"Tanjiro!"
Tanjiro ran into one of the rooms, for the love of God, why did he have to be so fast? Zenitsu followed him, but couldn't find him anywhere, great, now he's hiding.
"Tanjii, where are you?"
Zenitsu heard some giggles coming from under the sheet of the futon. He sighed and walked up to it, lifting up the sheet and revealing Tanjiro hiding underneath.
"Gotcha!" Zenitsu proceeded to pull Tanjiro from under the futon, causing him to squeal and squirm.
"What's gotten into you Tanji? You're usually better than this!" Zenitsu asked as he tightened Tanjiro's yukata a bit, causing him to squirm, since it got loose from all the running. Tanjiro only replied with "Nothing! Go 'way!" Before fidgeting with Zenitsu's blonde hair. Zenitsu just sighed, before saying "Look, you're usually less cheeky than this baby. Is there something bothering you?"
Tanjiro just continued to fidget with Zenitsu's hair, but this time, the smug grin on his face disappeared. He clearly was hesitant to tell him, but he also needed to. "Uh... I no know...". Zenitsu frowned a bit at the lack of elaboration, which made Tanjiro a bit worried. "
"Sorwy..."
"No, it's fine, if you don't want to, it's fine-"
"Bad dream..."
At that moment. Everything made sense.
"Ohhhh... I see, why didn't you tell me before? I could've helped you?"
Tanjiro only went silent for a few long seconds, before he opened his mouth to say something else.
"I also bad person..."
"...I'm sorry, what does that mean?"
At this point, Zenitsu had to be careful because Tanjiro looked like he was on the verge of crying. It was noticeable how his lip started quivering and how he started sniffling. He couldn't help but feel bad for him.
"I kill demons... I make them sad... I bad."
Zenitsu could see where he was coming from. When Tanjiro was on missions, after killing a demon he would practically beg God to not let them become a flesh-eating monster in their next life. Either that, or he'd give them an apologetic look. Inosuke would tell him that it was hopeless to give such a disgusting creature pity, Zenitsu honestly had no opinion on it.
"Tanji, I can assure you, you are not a bad person, you're doing what needs to be done, plus, you show them all mercy. You're being very kind to them, nobody else will ever do that."
That did it. Tanjiro took in one shuddering breath, before tears started falling down his face. He started sobbing, covering his face with his fists as he kept crying and sniffling. Zenitsu was a bit taken aback by the sudden crying, as he tries his best to calm Tanjiro down by jigging him and reassuring him that what he was saying was true. However, he was still sobbing, even after a few minutes.
Zenitsu picked him up and placed him on top of the futon. He sat down with him and took Tanjiro in his arms, cradling him as he sniffled. He had stopped crying a bit, but he was still shedding a few tears and letting out a few whimpers. "Are you feeling okay, Tanji?". Tanjiro only nodded his head slightly, snuggling into Zenitsu as he let out a content sigh.
"I sowry."
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry for being naughty to you."
"Oh, Tanjiro, it's all right, I understand why you acted that way. You were stressed."
Tanjiro smiled and giggled slightly before hugging Zenitsu. "I love you!". Zenitsu practically melted at those words. "I love you too Tanjiii!". Tanjiro smiled before yawning a bit and feeling his eyes become heavy and droop slightly. "Are you feeling tired Tanjiro?" Zenitsu asked Tanjiro. Tanjiro nodded a bit, before he felt himself slip even further into his regression, falling from toddlerspace to babyspace. He felt himself place his finger near his mouth before closing his eyes and falling asleep on Zenitsu.
Zenitsu smiled softly, before placing him on the futon and covering him with the blanket. Zenitsu then got Tanjiro's favourite stuffie (teddy bear) and tucked it in with him.
He made sure that Tanjiro was sleeping, before kissing his forehead lightly and putting out the oil lamp.
"Good night Tanji, sweet dreams."
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I'm so sorry, that took really long 😭
Thanks again for the request!
