Work Text:
“Can't sleep, Tanjirou-kun?”
Tanjirou looked behind him, surprised.
He was sitting on the veranda, watching the stars, waiting for sleep to claim him with no luck.
“Hello, Shinobu-san.” he smiled at the Insect Pillar, “I thought to take a walk around, but even that didn't help. So now I am just waiting.”
Shinobu sat down beside him.
“I could give you a sleeping pill, if you want.”
Tanjirou shook his head, turning his eyes back to the stars.
“Mmm. It's fine. It's probably pent-up adrenaline. It'll settle down.” he said calmly, “Thank you, though.”
“It's my job to make sure you return to the field healthy.”
They were quiet for a while.
“Do you know the names of the stars?” Shinobu-san asked suddenly.
Tanjirou turned to look at her, then back to the night sky.
“Only the North Star, really. Used it to find our way home if we got lost in the woods. We were a family of coal burners; stars were pretty to look at during the nights, as we rested.” he explained, “What about you, Shinobu-san?”
“I needed something to take mind off my everyday life.” she replied, ruefully, “Do you want me to teach you?”
Tanjirou smiled at her.
“Ah, yes, please.”
With a soft smile, Shinobu sat closer to him. Tanjirou blushed with the proximity, but listened to what she said and looked carefully at the sky, raising his hand to point to the star Shinobu-san was naming each time, repeating their names after her.
Shinobu smiled as she listened to his soft whispers and slowly leaned on his shoulder.
Tanjirou looked at her surprised, his blush returning.
Then he softly smiled.
“I apologise.” he said quietly.
“For what, Tanjirou-kun?” Shinobu turned to look at him.
Tanjirou leaned back against the wall, then wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
“Shinobu-san is warm.” he sighed, closing his eyes.
Chuckling softly, Shinobu made herself comfortable in Tanjirou's embrace.
“I should be telling you to go to bed, Tanjirou-kun.” she whispered.
“Mmm.”
“Sweet dreams, Tanjirou-kun.” she whispered softly, lightly running her fingers through his hair.
Then, she looked up to the stars, letting her hands hold on to Tanjirou's.