⚜ Demon Slayer One-Shots ⚜ Requests Open ⚜

Endless Masquerades

Ship: Uzui Tengen X Zenitsu Agatsuma (UzuZen)

Warnings: Fluff.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zenitsu climbed the ladder slowly, peering to his aid below. That maroon hair he was so fond of shifted briefly as his gaze met the others. His only true friend. Tanjirou had been with him from the beginning, often carrying the burden of the hate. Zenitsu, while the youngest child of the family, was out-casted. His weak behavior had gotten him pushed to the side, overtaken by his own brother. In the end, it never bothered him much. He always had Tanjirou, who was like a guardian angel for him. When trouble followed, the maroon haired servant assured Zenitsu was spared. In truth, the blond owed Tanjirou his life on more than one occasion. 

"I heard the mistress is headed to that ball on the Court District, along with that brother of yours. Are you not attending?" Zenitsu sighed, shaking his head as he carefully snatched the paintbrush resting in the bucket. He lightly stroked the wall, assuring the paint was even. 

"You know better than anyone, I'd not be welcome there... I'd have no way to get in." Tanjirou hummed, stepping back slightly from the ladder. It startled the blond as it rocked briefly, his gaze narrowing. "You're supposed to support the ladder! I'm scared of heights..."

"Sorry..." He grabbed hold of it before leaning on one of the rungs. Those maroon eyes softened, a soothing voice reaching Zenitsu. "I still think you should go. Who knows, maybe it could change this miserable life you live."

"I appreciate the advice, but it's impossible. Only those who gain invites are welcomed, you know that." Tanjirou chuckled, letting Zenitsu finished painting. Both took a break afterward, Zenitsu sitting quietly. Paint was splashed on him from his slight mess-up, Tanjirou carefully wiping it off. "Do you ever hate working here? Wish for something more?"

"Well, I have more. Truthfully, I stay because you're here. I don't plan to leave you here alone, you know that." 

"What do you mean by that?" Tanjirou smirked, spinning around as he whipped out a letter. The seal forced Zenitsu's eyes wide, his jaw dropping. "WAI-"

"I am not entirely what I seem Zenitsu. You're like family to me, so I see no point in hiding the truth. You remember the Duke in the Inferno District?"

"Of course! That Duke nearly caused a massive fire, but is heavily wealthy! He apparently has some mysterious mistress..." The blond froze, meeting Tanjirou's gaze. "No... I refuse to believe it... This is a prank!"

"It's not. I am offering a chance, to see if this might change your future. Go out and live life. You deserve better and you know it. I am going to that ball tonight and you're coming along as my guest. I also won't take 'no' as an answer!" Zenitsu was speechless, but couldn't help but smile. It was truthfully startling to know his closest friend was so important in the world, but it didn't change a thing. Tanjirou was still the same. His one and only friend. "Let's finish up so we can head out. Your brother and that broad should be gone by now, most likely attempting fashion."

"You never cease to impress me. You surprise me with new information and disrespect my mother."

"True. But you never stop me. Let's be honest, I'm right with my wording. That woman is worse than evil. Now, let's hurry it up. We only have an hour at best!" Those words brought Zenitsu to reality as he hurried to his feet. He was slightly giddy, but overall happy. He never believed he deserved anything. Tanjirou had proven his thought wrong. Maybe, just maybe it was okay. That he might be able to find his own happiness.