"I'll do it instead! I can hug you! I can even kiss you too! I'll do anything so long as you stay happy and leave Nezuko alone!" Tanjiro's cheeks began to burn a fiery red as his words began to settle in.
"Have me instead, Zenitsu!"
(Sorry, I'm not...
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(Chapter 9: Have Me Instead) •°•°○●○°•°○●○°•°•
Zenitsu was hesitant with his movements before cupping the right side of Tanjirou's cheek, gently caressing it before wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close. His calloused hands playing with the long strands of hair that framed Tanjirou's face, quietly breathing in his scent as he tightened his grip around him.
"I want you as more than a friend, Tanjirou..."
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Before anything else could be said, Zenitsu had woken up from his dream, his mind fuzzy as he couldn't tell if the scene playing out in his mind was truly a dream or if it were a memory. Though soon enough, he got his answer.
Unlike the usually happy and outgoing Tanjirou that he'd been used to, he was met with a timid Tanjirou instead. He stood away from him by the door, in his hands a tray of food and as well as medication. The sound coming off of him showed doubt and anxiety, as well as content and relief.
Tanjirou was most likely afraid of him. And he didn't blame him, he would be afraid too after what took place between them.
The air surrounding them was tense and awkward as Tanjirou glanced between the tray in his hands and Zenitsu while the blonde kept his gaze down.
"Uhm..I brought you some food and medicine," Tanjirou cleared his throat, taking a deep breath before carefully walking closer to Zenitsu, his hands shaking as his mind screamed at him to run away and escape the awkwardness in the air.
"...what happened?" Zenitsu brought a hand to the side of his head, scrunching his nose slightly from the throbbing headache he was experiencing.
"Inosuke knocked you out after you came into my room,"
He scoffed, of course it was Inosuke, who else could it have been?
"Why am I not surprised," The blonde laid his head back down, doing his best to avoid looking at Tanjirou as he settled himself down just a couple feet away from him.
Silence.
"Do you need help with eating or will you be okay by yourself?"
Even more silence.
"I'll be fine, thank you," he tucked his bottom lip between his teeth, his grip on his clothes tightening as he waited for the younger to leave the room. Zenitsu let out a shakey breath, his teeth clenching tightly after.
He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his nerves before dragging the tray closer to him.
He ate dinner alone.
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Three weeks.
Tanjirou, Zenitsu and Inosuke had to stay and recover from their injuries for three weeks.
