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"I missed you so much, y/n!!" Zenitsu cried into your shoulder.
You patted his head lazily. "Same, same."
There was a soft knock.
"Can I come in y/n?" Kanao asked quietly.
"Kanao? Yes, duh! Come in, cutie!" you grinned.
She walked in with a small smile and a bag in her hand.
"I brought snacks," she said.
Your eyes lit up. "You're an angel."
Zenitsu sniffled, still clinging to you. "I want snacks too..."
"Let go of me first" you muttered, trying to wiggle free.
Tanjiro, still sitting beside you, chuckled. "Looks like you're the most popular person here."
You stretched your arms. "Duh. Always have been."
Then Inosuke popped up again, eating something he stole off your plate. "What’s this? It’s good."
You smacked his hand. "Not yours, pig boy."
"Rude!" he yelled, crumbs flying.
Genya sat silently in the corner, watching everything with a small frown. You caught his eye and raised a brow. "You good?"
He looked away quickly. "Yeah. Just...watching."
You squinted. "Weird."
Zenitsu clung tighter "No one loves you like I do y/n!!"
You looked around the crowded room.
"This place is turning into a zoo.." You mumbled.
"Also… you’ve heard of the Hashira training, Tanjiro?" Zenitsu said, crossing his arms. "We have to train under all the Hashira!! One by one!! "
"Oh? I didn’t know! Sounds great!" Tanjiro replied, way too cheerful for your liking.
"Great…??" you repeated, and smacked the back of his head. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN GREAT, HUH?! YOU THINK I’M READY TO FREAKING SUFFER?! "
Tanjiro rubbed the sore spot with a small wince. "Sorry..."
Zenitsu sighed dramatically. "Well, we’re gonna start the training while you keep healing Y/N. Unfortunately! "
Then he threw himself back onto you. "I don’t wanna leave you thoughhh!!!! "
You groaned. "You’re heavy bro "
"Let’s just spend the day together then?! " Zenitsu said, sitting up and holding both your hands with sparkly eyes.
You blinked. "You’re acting like we’re about to be separated for years."
"I feel like I am!!! " he wailed.
Tanjiro smiled gently. "Sounds like a good idea!! "
You sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I expect hugs like lots of hugs before you leave. "
Kanao was looking at you shyly, holding a small flower she picked from the garden. "I brought this for you, y/n...I’m glad you’re okay.. "
Your whole face lit up. "Kanao, stop being adorable for no reason!" You reached out and took the flower, pretending to sob. "I love ittt. You’re the best flower girl ever!! "
She smiled softly and sat by your side, quiet but clearly happy to be near you.
Nezuko peeked from behind Tanjiro’s shoulder, then hurried over and gently hugged you, her small hands patting your head.
You melted. "Nezuko-channn!! My sweet baby!! "
She let out a happy little sound as you hugged her back tightly.
Inosuke, already squatting on your windowsill like a chaotic raccoon, shoved Zenitsu off you and yelled, "SHE’S MY FRIEND TOO, YOU CRYBABY!! "
"STOP TOUCHING HER YOU WILD BOAR!! " Zenitsu shrieked, trying to push him back.
You groaned as the two started yelling over each other, shoving and growling like animals.
Genya stepped in, looking at the chaos with his usual deadpan face. "Can you guys not fight for five seconds? "
He walked up to your bed and set down a peeled apple. "I cut this for you. Thought you’d want something fresh."
Your eyes sparkled. "GENYA MY SWEET ANGEL!! "
Zenitsu gawked. "WHY DOES HE GET A SWEET NICKNAME-!"
"Because he brings me food," you said, biting the apple dramatically. "Try it sometime."
Tanjiro laughed gently and took a seat on the floor. "It’s really good to see you smiling, y/n. We were all so worried."
You looked around at everyone surrounding you some yelling, some quiet, some clinging and smiled softly. "I’m not that much healed yet… but with you guys around, I think I’m healing faster"
Nezuko tilted her head and patted your arm again, and Kanao gave your hand a little squeeze.
"Alright, now all of you shut up and cuddle me before you leave for that hell training" you said, opening your arms wide.
Zenitsu dove in like a missile. Inosuke followed immediately with a loud yell. Genya hesitated but gave in with a sigh. Tanjiro chuckled and joined, pulling Nezuko gently along. Even Kanao leaned her head on your shoulder.
You were squished, but you were warm. And for the first time in days, you felt safe.
"...Okay but seriously," you muttered, barely able to breathe, "someone's elbow is in my ribcage-!"
"IT’S MINE!! " Inosuke proudly declared.
"WHY ARE YOU PROUD OF THAT?!?!! "
"Because it's a strong elbow! " Inosuke yelled, flexing despite no one being able to see it.
"You’re gonna crack her ribs, idiot!! " Zenitsu screeched, trying to shove him off.
"Guys, she’s still recovering " Tanjiro reminded gently, trying to un-squish your arm from under Genya.
"I'm fine" you groaned, voice muffled by Nezuko's cheek against yours. "This is the price of friendship and I accept it"
Nezuko let out a small giggle, and Kanao sat up a little, her voice quiet. "We should let y/n rest soon... even if she says she’s fine."
"But-but-!! " Zenitsu whimpered, clutching your arm like it was the last ramen noodle on earth. "What if I never see her again?! What if she dies from being lonely while we’re gone?! "
"I'm literally surrounded by people right now," you said, staring at him blankly.
"You don’t count, you’re the main character of my heart" he sniffled.
Genya gagged. "That was disgusting."
"Agreed," Kanao mumbled, still resting near you.
Tanjiro smiled, eyes soft as he looked at everyone. "We’ll visit as much as we can, okay? Promise."
"Yeah, yeah," you waved your hand dramatically. "I’ll be here, being pampered like a princess. Someone better sneak me snacks or I’ll haunt you all."
"I WILL! " Inosuke shouted, standing up and flexing again. "I’ll break into the kitchen and bring you ten rice balls! "
"You don’t even know how to sneak, you absolute drumstick" you muttered.
"Then I’ll smash the wall down and run in!! " he grinned.
"...Please don’t," Tanjiro begged.
Kanao stood, brushing off her skirt. "We’ll come back tomorrow morning before we leave for training..just to say goodbye."
You nodded, a small pout on your face. "Okay. But I want hugs. From all of you. No exceptions."
Genya sighed but nodded.
Tanjiro smiled warmly. "Of course."
Zenitsu looked ready to cry again.
And Nezuko gently leaned in to boop your forehead with hers, her eyes full of love.
You whispered "You're my favorite"
Zenitsu gasped. "WHAT?!! "
Zenitsu had been dragged out by a Kakushi, crying about how he didn’t want to leave you. Inosuke jumped out the window without a word. Nezuko gave you a tight hug before walking off with Kanao, who smiled and waved. Tanjiro and Genya were the last to go both giving you soft looks before they stepped out.
Now it was just you.
You let out a breath. After all the noise, the silence felt weird.
Then the door creaked open again.You turned your head and saw him, Salami Shinazugawa
He stood there with his arms crossed, not saying anything. His face was as cold as usual but his eyes weren’t. They looked tired? Wonder why!
"You look like shit" he said.
You gave him a half smile. "Missed you too tuff guy!! "
He walked in and shut the door behind him"Didn’t think you’d still be here.."he mumbled.
"Aww, were you hoping I’d be gone? "
He scoffed. "Don’t flatter yourself."
But his eyes kept flicking down to your arms, the ones still wrapped in bandages. His jaw was tight.
"You’re lucky" he said.
You raised a brow. "Didn’t really feel lucky."
"You’re lucky I wasn’t there," he said. "I would’ve smacked some sense into you before you went and did something that stupid..."
"I had to help, Sanemi. I couldn’t just stand there."
"I don’t give a fucking damn about the others."
You blinked. "...What?"
"I care that you almost died."
It came out fast,he looked annoyed with himself after saying it.
You stared at him, caught off guard.
He looked at the floor, then back at you. Then away again, you glared at him 'why's he moving his eyes SO DAMN MUCH LIKE KEEP IT ON ME OR THE FLOOR!! '
"Don’t do that again," he muttered. "Don’t scare me like that"
You went quiet for a second.
"...Didn’t know you were scared."
"Wasn't" he snapped quickly. Then added, quieter "Just don’t do it again"
You watched him step a little closer "I’m fine now" you said and he didn't reply
"Salami"
He glared at you
"Are you staying? "
He hesitated. Then sat down in the chair next to the bed, arms still crossed, looking anywhere but at you.
"For a little while... "
You smiled "Thanks bbg"
He sighed and said "Don’t say anything. I stole this from Mitsuri’s kitchen," he said, setting it down on the nightstand.
"Ooooh, a criminal? You shouldn’t have no really, you shouldn’t have. She’s gonna kill you."
He gave you a look. "She can try. I’ve survived worse."
You popped a grape in your mouth and raised an eyebrow. "Stealing fruit for me? That’s romantic."
He scoffed, turning his head. "It’s not for you. I just didn’t wanna eat alone.
"Oh, so you decided to eat silently beside a wounded person in bed? "
"I figured you'd be asleep. "
"You knocked, Sanemi."
"...Shut up"
You grinned. "I think you just missed me."
He side eyed you. "Don’t make me regret this... "
You leaned closer, whispering, "Too late"
He stared at you for a second, then shoved an apple slice in your mouth. "There. Shut up and chew brat!! "
You just laughed, your mouth full of fruit, while he looked away but not before hiding a small smile.
You took a breath and looked at Sanemi "You know Genya really helped a lot back there he didn’t just act tough he actually did"
Sanemi blinked surprised,his usual scowl softened a little like when he talks about his brother but then he quickly crossed his arms and looked away "Hmph he better have don’t expect me to say it again"
You raised an eyebrow and smirked "Aw come on you’re acting just like a big brother proud but won’t say it"
Sanemi grunted "That’s none of your business!! "
You laughed softly "Yeah sure but I can tell you care more than you let on don’t worry your secret’s safe with me"
He scowled harder but you caught that small twitch at the corner of his mouth the closest thing to a smile he gives "Don’t make me regret talking to you! "
You leaned back smiling "I won’t but if you ever want to brag about Genya I’m here to listen!! "
He shook his head still trying to look tough "Like I’d ever do that shit... "
"So... what’s next for you anyway? You’re not gonna sit around here all day looking cute"
You laughed a little "Yeah I’m itching to get back out there but gotta heal first, don’t wanna mess up again.. "
He snorted "Smart"
You poked him in the ribs "Don’t think I forgot how grumpy you got earlier"
He swatted your hand away "I’m not grumpy. "
"Sure sure" you teased "More like secretly worried and annoyed. "
He gave you a fake glare but you could tell he was smiling inside "You’re impossible.. "
You smiled wide "That’s why you like me!! "
He muttered something under his breath but you caught it "What was that? "
He quickly looked away "Nothing. Now stop talking and rest.. "
You rolled your eyes but leaned back happy he stayed "Okay okay but only if you promise to stay too!! "
He paused then grumbled "Fine"
You laughed softly closing your eyes.
He sat there for a while… arms crossed like always, but his leg bounced a little. He wasn’t good at sitting still, especially not in quiet rooms. "You wanna say something, don’t you?"
"No" he said too quickly
You grinned "Liar"
He clicked his tongue. "Tch. Fine. I just..." he paused, scratching the back of his neck, "Genya. You said he helped… during the fight"
Your smile softened. "He did. A lot actually. If he hadn’t jumped in when he did, we might’ve been done for"
Sanemi stayed quiet...
"He’s really strong now.. "you added gently. "And brave. You should’ve seen him. He didn’t even hesitate"
"...Hmph" he muttered
You tilted your head. "You’re proud of him aren’t you?"
He shot you a sharp look but didn’t say anything
"You can just say it. He deserves to hear it someday" you said, your voice quiet but firm. "He’s trying so hard to get your respect"
Sanemi looked away, staring at the wall like it offended him. "It’s not that simple"
"Yes it is" you said simply. "You’re just scared"
His eyes snapped to yours. "I’m not scared"
"Of caring" you said. "Of getting close again. Of losing him..? "
"..."
"I get it. I do. But he’s not going anywhere. And neither am I!! "
That shut him up real fast
You smiled again, reaching over and poking his knee. "See? I told you you liked me!! "
"Tch... annoying brat.. " he grumbled under his breath and left.
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