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At this point, Zenitsu is used to the attention that's fortunately not directed at himself but his friend Tanjirou. Everyone's at the butterfly mansion because Tanjirou is there (still recovering from his fight with the dream demon) and the hashira were all desperate to see him.
Rengoku is getting better as well, he was the most injured of everyone (his left eye is useless now) and yet he looks more worried about Tanjirou than himself. He's been trying to get the boy to eat more (sometimes he sits him on his lap and tries to feed him himself while looking at him like he's the most precious thing in the world) but he's not the only one that's constantly fussing over the boy with dark red hair.
"How did you manage to wake up from your dream?" Kocho asks what Zenitsu has been dying to know, because to him it was like jumping from one dream to another.
Everyone around the table stops whatever they're doing in order to look at Tanjirou, even Shinazugawa forgets to pretend he doesn't care and actually turns his head towards him.
There's a slight blush spreading over Tanjirou's cheeks as he scratches one of them nervously. He looks at Inosuke for help, but the other boy is too busy shoving one rice ball after another into his mouth.
"I killed myself in the dream. It's the only thing I came up with in order to wake up," Tanjirou mumbles, still looking a little bit flustered.
Zenitsu feels a sudden wave of concern that's seconded by all the Pillars' hearts. Not exactly for the first time, because Tanjirou is sometimes too good not to want to take care of him, but perhaps with more intensity now he feels protective towards him.
All the hashira must be dying at the moment.
"The demon tried to trick him into doing it for real," Inosuke finally cuts in, mouth still full. "I stopped Santaro before he cut his own head."
He's really proud of himself and Zenitsu is sure the Pillars are really happy he was there next to Tanjirou in that moment, but right now the fact that they almost lost Tanjirou is too real for them to think properly.
"Are you alright?" Kanroji sobs, trying to reach out to the boy.
"Yes, don't worry Kanroji-san, that happened a while ago," Tanjirou assures her with a smile, but it's not enough for any of them.
Rengoku takes him in his arms and embraces him like he doesn't want to let him go. Tomioka gets closer to them to cup Tanjirou's face in his hands.
"I'm fine!" Tanjirou mumbles again, nose twitching as he finally realizes how worried they are about him. "Inosuke saved me!"
"It's a shame you killed the demon," Shinazugawa says then, his eyes darkening with hate for a moment. "I would've loved to kill him myself."
"Maybe you should travel with one of us from now on, just in case," Uzui suggests right before taking one of Tanjirou's hands to kiss it.
Although everyone knows Tanjirou is not going to allow them to give him special treatment.
"I can deal with my own missions, don't worry."
"But now that you're Kyojuro's tsuguko you have to go on missions with him," Tokito comments, prompting everyone to nod.
Zenitsu rolls his eyes, he remembers that not long ago they were fighting over who was going to train Tanjirou, but he supposes that his safety is more important than anything.
And honestly? He likes them a little bit more just because of that.
"That's right!" Rengoku grins before leaning to press his lips on the top of Tanjirou's head, Tomioka narrows his eyes at the flame hashira but the boy doesn't notice it.
"Oh... Well, if that's the case then it's fine."
The relief he can hear in everyone's hearts is overwhelming, Zenitsu is still not sure how Tanjirou doesn't realize what's going on; there must be something in their scents, right? Or perhaps all the scents together are too much for Tanjirou at the moment.
It doesn't really matter, Zenitsu is glad that Tanjirou has so many people that would do anything for him.
