Tanjiro frantically pressed a finger to his lips to silence his wild friend. To his relief, Inosuke relented and instead mouthed, "What are you doing?"
Tanjiro wagged the finger in front of his face for emphasis and then cupped one of his ears in a gesture to tell Inosuke to listen.
The other boy copied the gesture with a questioning face.
His friend nodded and pointed to the door behind them.
Tanjiro felt guilty about what he was doing, but when he stumbled upon the situation and heard the words sung, he became increasingly worried for his emotional friend. Also he would admit that Zenitsu's voice was nicer than he expected, but that is besides the point.
He's worried. The heavy smell of sadness seeped through the door. He could feel the weight of it in his spirit.
"I hope he's okay..." he whispered in his mind.
The sounds of the koto started again. A new melody dancing on the notes.
Tanjiro glanced over at Inosuke. He noticed the boy's jade eyes grew wider with curiosity.
"Say you're there when I feel helpless.
If that's true, why don't you help me.
It's my fault. I know I'm selfish."
Zenitsu's voice was soft and clear as it harmonized with the strings of the koto.
Inosuke was taken aback.
"What the heck, Zuitsu?" he mouthed in surprise.
"Stand alone my soul is jealous.
It wants love, but I reject it.
Trade me joy for my protection."
"I don't understand..." Tanjiro wondered, "He sounds like he really means what he's saying. I can feel the weight of the words... but why? Why do you feel like this, Zenitsu?"
"Grab my hand I'm drowning.
I feel my heart pounding.
Why haven't you found me yet?
I hold you so proudly.
Traumas they surround me.
I wish you just loved me back."
Something in Tanjiro's chest twinged painfully.
"Who- Who is he talking about? Is he talking about us? His scent is lonely. It- It's stifling!"
He glanced at his friend, who was strangely tame, he also looked uncomfortable.
"Say you're here, but I don't feel it.
Give me peace, but then you steal it.
Watch them laugh at all my secrets.
Scream and yell, but I feel speechless.
Ask for help you call it weakness.
Lied and promised me my freedom."
Guilt was written clearly on Inosuke's face. He lowered his head as he found himself reflected in some of the lyrics.
The other boy winced. His brows furrowed in worry.
"Have I not been as good of a friend as I should be? Maybe not... I left him alone at the foot of the mountain that one time. He said he was scared and I just left him... and then he ended up being the most injured after the mission! Stupid! I feel so stupid. I should been more patient. I was scared too so why? Why didn't I..."
"Grab my hand I'm drowning.
I feel my heart pounding.
Why haven't you found me yet?
I hold you so proudly.
Traumas they surround me.
I wish you just loved me back."
"He cares for us, but he thinks we don't care for him," Tanjiro's eyes gathered tears as he came to that realization. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Grab my hand I'm drowning.
I feel my heart pounding.
Why haven't you found me yet."
Zenitsu's voice wobbled with the last lines.
More tears leaked from Tanjiro's eyes when a muffled sob escaped from behind the door.
He couldn't take it anymore.
With a cry, he burst through the door and enveloped the surprised boy with a hug.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" he cried into the blond's shoulder.
"T-Tanjiro? Wha-" Zenitsu stammered in shock.
"I'm sorry I haven't been there for you! I'm sorry that you don't know I care! I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend!" Tanjiro rambled off his apologies as he held the other teen close.
"I... I am sorry too, kuitsu." Inosuke mumbled as he sat down next to them.
"I- you- I don't understand," Zenitsu choked out. He inhaled shakily and his face was wet from crying.
"He's overwhelmed," Tanjiro noted inwardly.
He carded his fingers through the blond's hair in an effort to calm him down.
"Tanjiro, what are you doing?" Zenitsu asked in frantic confusion. "Don't you only do this to Nezuko?"
Now Tanjiro was confused.
"What? You've never been hugged before?"
Zenitsu shook his head.
The other boy's heart broke a little at that. He couldn't imagine living without the affection of his family. The sheer lack of closeness seemed unbearable.
He held Zenitsu a little tighter.
"That's not right. No wonder you seem lonely." Tanjiro explained, "Hugs are gestures of love and affection. They're very good for you."
"Affection? What is that? Can I fight it or eat it?" Inosuke questioned.
"EH?!" Tanjiro exclaimed aghast. "Why?! Not you too!"
He dragged the youngest into the embrace as well.
"I guess you would call this a group hug?"
"Gampachiro! Stop whatever this fuzzy feeling is!" Inosuke wriggled out of the warm fuzzy prison. "HAHAHA! Your weird fuzzy tricks won't work on me! The great Inosuke desires tempura!"
As he left, he placed a gentle hand on Zenitsu's head and flashed a grin.
Tanjiro turned his attention back onto the blond who was still as lost as a lone child in subway station.
"Are you alright, Zenitsu?"
"H-how long were you listening for?"
"Sorry about that too..." Tanjiro glanced down. "I feel bad about eavesdropping, but I was worried about you. I think it was two or three?"
"Oh..." Zenitsu paused. "It's alright."
"Zenitsu, are you okay?" The boy with hanafuda earrings questioned slowly, placing his hands on his friend's shoulders. "That's all I care about right now."
"Okay? Yeah... I think so. It's just... I wrote those songs to help me deal with emotions and... I think I feel vulnerable and exposed because you heard them."
"Sorry..." Tanjiro apologized again.
Zenitsu frowned disapprovingly.
"You apologize too much. Seriously."
"Sor-"
"Tanjiro!"
"Ssssssssssss..." the boy hissed as he struggled to not apologize once more. Embarrassed he hides his face in his hands.
Zenitsu chuckles at his friend's predicament. Also he doesn't mind when Inosuke bursts into the room screaming the word tempura. The beast like boy plopped down next to them with an armful of the food and shares with them.
Zenitsu smiled fondly. Maybe he could write a new song.
This isn't my best, but eh maybe someone will like it. ~HoC