Random KNY one shots [REQUESTS CLOSED]

You're worth more than gold | {TanZen}

Theme: Angsty Fluff but mostly fluff

Note: Writing this for personal comfort

This can be taken as a ship or platonically

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Nobody liked Zenitsu, really. People abandoned him near to always, never staying long. They used him for money, to do their errands. They gaslighted him into thinking they liked him then left him alone. Nobody found worth in him then to use him, they were disgusted of him whilst stealing his money, they didn't care. They were all heartless. But he didn't care either, really. He let them do this. He pretended he didn't hear the lie in their voices when they told him they cared about him. Because he loved thinking that he was loved, that it was all true. That this illusion he'd created for himself was a reality, wasn't some stupid, flawed coping mechanism.

But then Tanjiro came. He was... different. Zenitsu could tell, from the moment he'd met him—which was not at Final Selection, given they hadn't spoken then—that Tanjiro was kind. The way he sounded when he spoke was overflowed with care, despite having been scolding Zenitsu.

They became friends, quickly after that. Tanjiro was in pain as they walked, yet he had given Zenitsu his food. He'd spoken as if he was alright, but he sounded in discomfort, as if the simple motion of breathing hurt him.

If he listened closely, Zenitsu could tell it was somewhere around Tanjiro's rib cage—or the rib bones themself—that were injured. Yet, Tanjiro made no visible sign of it, tolerating it. 

He was carrying a demon, as well as all of this. In a box he had on his back. Zenitsu didn't know why Tanjiro had a demon with him but he figured the reason would be well since he sensed no ill intent from the Demon Slayer at all.

Of course, it could've been that illusional wall Zenitsu had placed to block out anything he didn't wish to hear, but it couldn't have been that, right? He'd never heard anyone sound so... genuine before. So honest and... kind.

For a long while, Zenitsu believed this was some man who could decieve his ears so efficiently, finding it terribly hard to open his eyes and realize that Tanjiro was truly as kind as he appeared. After all, Tanjiro possessed the ability to smell much more than the average human, similar to Zenitsu's inhumane hearing. Perhaps he had figured out a way to decieve others?

One day, upon this wondering, Zenitsu brought the topic up to Tanjiro, a curious gaze written up on his expression.

"Why are you so nice?" he'd asked, his elbows propped up on his knees and his head resting on his hands.

"Hm? Am I?" Tanjiro said, tilting his head.

The question had been genuine. Both of them, Zenitsu's and Tanjiro's response. It was odd, in a way, almost silly.

"Very. More than a normal human should be," Zenitsu had replied, letting out a gentle sigh.

"Aren't lots of people kind?" Tanjiro asked.

"No. They always use you. Am I of any use to you?" the blond asked, then, his curiousity getting the best of him.

Tanjiro had smiled. It was strange, he was strange. So different. "You make me happy because you're my friend! I'm sure you make Inosuke and Nezuko happy as well," he commented. "I don't understand why people would 'use' you, or anyone, really. I think being in the company of loved ones is best, for me, at least."

Zenitsu went silent, mulling on this thought. "So... you don't..." He faltered. How was he supposed to ask this person who had just said that he valued him as a friend and nothing more? Albeit, when he thought it like that it sounded bad. But it wasn't. It was... wonderful. "Nevermind. Thanks."

Tanjiro nodded. "I worry for you sometimes, Zenitsu," he said, after a moment.

"Why?"

"You don't appear to have many people you're close to. When you speak of other people, it's only two. Your trainer and the person you trained with. I can tell you look up to them both, but I'm concerned for the fact that they're the only two people you seem to know, or who seem to know you," Tanjiro said, a crease of worry appearing between his brows.

God, he was worrying about Zenitsu. No one had ever done that before. Save for, maybe, Jigoro. "I..." Zenitsu looked down at his lap, flushing. He wasn't used to such care. "I'm fine. I don't think Kaigaku really cares about me anyways, so it's just Gramps." 

Tanjiro moved closer, placing a gentle hand on the blond's shoulder, smiling reassuringly. "Well, me and Nezuko and Inosuke care for you!" he told him. "A lot!"

Zenitsu laughed. "Inosuke? Really?"

"I can smell it," Tanjiro said, tapping his nose. "He may not show it, but he does see you as a friend." 

"Right, okay," Zenitsu said, not necessarily believing it, although he could hear the truth in Tanjiro's words. "Thank you."

"Mhm!" Tanjiro smiled. "You may not think so, but you're worth more than anything in the world. Like... gold."

Zenitsu shook his head. "I doubt it."

"No, no, really! If I had to pick between you or mountains of gold, I'd pick you. I value a lot, Zenitsu. Maybe more than you'd realize," Tanjiro told him. 

"Okay, you can stop," Zenitsu said, covering his face with his hands.

Tanjiro laughed. "Alright, then. But everything I said is true, okay? I want you to know that."

Zenitsu nodded, embarrassed. "Thanks."

Tanjiro patted Zenitsu then moved away, a smile wavering on his lips. "Of course."

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« Word count: 919 »

When that character not that many people like (Zenitsu) is actually relatable as fuck 💀

Sorry, this is short... and the ending is goofy