Chapter Text
“We’d like to throw a party!” The leader of the three little shitlings, Tanjirou, had appealed to Master Ubuyashiki, kneeled in front of him with the rest of the hashira at either side of the young boy. “To celebrate how far we’ve all come as slayers!”
The boar-headed boy beside him spoke up too. “Yeah! All we do is train these days, it’s fuckin’ exhausting! We need a night with good food and music and shit!”
“Please mind your language in front of the master.” Tomioka sighed, shaking his head. Sanemi snorted but turned back to the kids quickly before the other man could catch his gaze. He needed to pay attention.
“Y-yeah.” Yellowhead stuttered from behind, still bowed low enough to touch the ground with his nose. “All the slayers have worked hard! S-so let us do this!…please.”
“We’ll arrange everything.” Tanjirou smiled back up at the leader of the hashira, who was watching on with that patient smile of his. “The girls at butterfly estate have agreed to help out with the food, music will be played by a few slayers who volunteered and decorations will be handled by me and Kanao! All we need is a venue, which we hope you can provide us.”
“This is a very well thought out plan, Tanjirou.” Master Ubuyashiki tilted his head in interest. “What do the hashira think of this?”
“It’s stupid.” Sanemi rolled his eyes, looking back at the kids. “Your training is important for your future. We’re not getting anything out of this, so you better not-”
“It’s a great idea!” Mitsuri clapped her hands enthusiastically, cutting across Sanemi as if he hadn't spoken. “Our lovely students deserve a break after how hard we’ve pushed them and this is just the thing we need.”
“And I haven’t been to any parties, so I wanna go.” Muichiro nodded, idly flipping a few rocks around as he spoke.
“They are children, after all.” Shinobu hummed, smiling poisonously right at Sanemi in a way that made a chill go down his spine. “So they deserve a break.”
“Let’s take a vote.” Master Ubuyashiki clapped his hands together once, bringing silence upon the others. “All for hosting party?”
Shinobu, Mitsuri and Muchiro shot their hands up immediately. Looking towards Mitsuri, Obanai followed suit, shrugging at Sanemi’s scowl as if to say “judge me if you will”. The last to raise their hands were Tomioka- Tanjirou visibly brightened- and Gyomei.
Sanemi sighed, throwing them all a look of betrayal and, reluctantly, raised his own.
“Well that settles it.” The leader of the hashira spoke after one of his children, who was sitting behind him, relayed the results to him. “Tanjirou and the other young demon slayers may throw their party.”
The three little shits whooped, rising to their feet.
“On one condition.”
They sank down again.
“The hashira must all be present as sorts of…chaperones.” He smiled. “That way, we can assure the safety of the children. That is all I have to say to you kids. You may go.”
And then they were off, celebrating between themselves and the master began relaying them the details of what they were expected to do.
‘Honestly.’ Sanemi admits to himself a week later, looking around the area as he approaches. ‘This isn’t half bad.’
The sun has set, leaving the rocky field to be illuminated by a few paper lamps, burning beautifully against the cold night. Tables arrayed with all kinds of piping hot foods and paper plates are set across the floor. Sanemi side steps as a few girls come running in with even more trays. Bright red streamers are strung around the lamp posts, along with string lights.
Yellowhead is sitting cross-legged on a mat at the edge of the field with shamisen on his lap, surrounded by a few other slayers with their own instruments. The kid shoots him a glare as he passes, which Sanemi returns whole heartedly.
“Shinazugawa-san! You’re early!” The annoyingly chipper tone of Tanjirou catches his attention, and he turns his head, scowling at the kid. Next to him is the little girl that Shinobu takes care of and…Genya. His younger brother shifts uncomfortably under his gaze, looking away.
“What do you think of the place?” The young slayer asks, leaning forward excitedly.
“It’s alright.” Sanemi grumbles, looking around again. “Lamps were a good choice.”
“They were Genya’s idea!” Tanjirou grabs the taller boy’s arm and pulls him forward, practically presenting him to Sanemi. “Right, Genya?”
“…right.” He looks down shamefacedly, clearly still upset about their previous conversation.
Ah fuck.
Sanemi, despite his internal struggle, finds himself raising a hand…and patting his brother’s head, immediately turning away. “Good job.” He grumbles, keeping his eyes on the streamers around them.
Genya stutters, turning bright red before looking down again and nodding. Fuck, he missed this kid.
“Ooh!” The bright voice of Mitsuri pops up behind him and he sighs, backing away. “You have a lot of food here!”
The other kids talk to her excitedly, blabbering on about something he couldn’t care for.
Sanemi decides to station himself at the edge of the field, far enough that no one will pay him any attention, but close enough that he can see each and every thing.
An hour passes.
The party is in full swing now, loud and bustling. Tanjirou passed by with a small plate of ohagi in hand and Sanemi almost smacked him, but took one gratefully, snacking on it now as he watches the crowd.
Obanai, the pining fool, is staying close to Mitsuri, eyeing her as she stuffs her face with food. Shinobu is in a corner too, but accompanied by Tanjirou and Kanao. Muichiro is talking to…is that fucking Genya?
Sanemi reels forward.
Yup. That’s him, blushing and smiling bashfully as he speaks to the bite sized hashira. Oh god.
Someone from the distance calls out to Muichiro and he turns to look at them uninterestedly for a moment before grabbing his brother's hand and leading him to them.
What the fuck?
Are they dating? Is this a thing? He didn’t even know Genya liked men.
He needs to have a talk with this child.
Sanemi sighs, leaning back against the lamp post. Damn. His little brother has more game than him.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts. The song is now sweet and slow, an old tune that almost makes him smile. It’s nostalgic, something his mother used to sing as she washed the dishes.
The lights are a lot dimmer and everyone’s broken off into pairs. He looks back at Obanai and Mitsuri. His best friend meets his eyes from across the field, raising a brow at him. Sanemi rolls his eyes and gestures to Mitsuri.
The serpent hashira snaps his head to her and back at Sanemi, shaking his head rapidly. Suddenly, the taller woman grabs his hand with a quick “Come on, Iguro-san!” and pulls him away.
Sanemi chuckles to himself, shaking his head as they rush away. Tanjirou’s with Kanao. Yellowhead is still strumming. Boar head is at the table, snacking like a starving man.
There. His job here is done.
“Fancy meeting you here.” A cold, smooth voice cuts across his thoughts as a familiar figure approaches.
Dark, silky hair. Pale skin. Deep, gorgeous ocean eyes.
Of course it’s Tomioka Giyuu, the most pretentious fuck you’ll meet. Fuck him for being beautiful.
“I’m chaperoning.” Sanemi deadpans, looking back at the crowd, but Tomioka’s in front of him now.
“So am I.” He hums, getting dangerously close. Sanemi inhales sharply. His pupils are dilated and his face is tinged with pink. He wouldn’t even recognise him if he didn’t know Shinobu had a small flask with her. The lightweight must’ve taken a sip.
“You’re drunk.” He states, something like disappointment pooling in his gut. Of course. Pretty boy Tomioka wouldn’t approach him like this if he was sober.
“Just some sake Shinobu gave me.” Closer. “What are you doing all alone? Everyone has someone to dance with.”
“So? Go tell your Shinobu that.” He scoffs, but doesn’t look away. Tomioka’s so close he could reach over and…
Fuck. He shouldn’t be thinking these things. Not about how he wants to pull him in by his pretty little waist. Not about how something bitter rises in his throat when Giyuu speaks to the insect hashira. Not about how he’s thought about fucking him nice and hard yet still kissing him softly over breakfast. Not about how he’s so…smitten.
“I don't want to dance with Shinobu.” Tomioka’s breath fans over his face as he speaks, a sensation that stops his heart right then and there.
God, this man’s gonna kill him.
“What’s that got to do with me?” Sanemi whispers, he’s so close now that it only feels natural. And Tomioka…that fucking bastard giggles. His face is flushed, probably from the alcohol, as laughter bubbles from him. He leans back for a moment, covering his mouth with the back of a hand that he just wants to reach over and kiss before closing in on him again.
“Sanemi.” Holy fuck, there’s no way this man isn’t trying to seduce him. Tomioka lifts a hand and presses it to his chest, smirking slightly as he whispers. “I want to dance with you.”
Sanemi’s brain short circuits. Here he is, Tomioka Giyuu right in front of him, probably high off his ass as he practically drapes himself over him. His hand is still pressed firmly on his chest, fingers just brushing over the exposed skin in a way that makes it burn deliciously.
“Why?” Sanemi swallows and doesn’t miss the way Tomioka’s eyes shift down to his adam’s apple. He decides to keep at this little charade, raising a brow. “Ya got a crush on me or some shit?”
The raven haired man laughs again, but this one is more breathy. “Maybe.” What? “Plus, you heard what Tanjirou said. We deserve a break.”
Did…did he just confess? Was that a confession?…or was it a challenge. Tomioka, who can apparently read minds, raises a brow challengingly. Oh, he knows.
“He was talking about the kids.” Sanemi rolls his eyes, trying to find every and any will to turn this man away.
“Same thing.” Tomioka waves him off hurriedly. “Come on, Sanemi.” The way his smooth, refined accent curls around his name is intoxicating. “Dance with me.”
Sanemi, the curious fool he is, takes the bait.
“One dance.” He sighs, resigned, folding his arms. “That’s all you get.”
“That’s all I need.” He whispers back, taking Sanemi’s hand.
‘What am I doing?’
The music seems to have gotten louder by now. They aren’t in the middle of the dance floor, but it still seems like they’re at its heart. Sanemi looks around, suddenly hyper aware of the fact that he’s in the middle of a packed party and dancing with Tomioka Giyuu.
Ugh.
And of course, like the nosy brat he is, Tanjirou catches his eye. There’s a moment he does a double take and then brightens, shooting him a thumbs up.
‘I don't need your approval, you little-’
“Sanemi.” He whips his head back to look at Giyuu, who’s glaring back at him impatiently. “If we’re going to be dancing together, you better keep your eyes on me.”
Sanemi shivers. Who is he to deny that request?
Tomioka smiles, satisfied when he obeys, and snakes an arm around his waist, taking his hand as he does.
Fuck. Fuck, he’s in too deep.
Sanemi does so too, body moving on its own as he pulls him in closer until their bodies are pressed together. The shorter man smiles up at him, tilting his head playfully.
“You’re not this confident when you’re sober.” Sanemi chuckles, adjusting his grip on the other man’s waist and it hits him that, holy fuck, he’s actually doing this with Tomioka.
“I’m not drunk, per say.” The water hashira hums idly, slowly stepping on beat with the music. “I’m just…tipsy.”
“You don't even talk to me outside of the meetings, tipsy wouldn’t do this to you.” Sanemi stops him with a hand to his shoulder, shaking his head at his bad he is at this and taking the lead.
“Maybe I’ve been watching you for a while.” Tomioka smiles as Sanemi spins them around, swaying to the music slowly. “Maybe I just needed some liquid courage.”
“So you do have a crush on me.” He smirks, but stops short of another retort as Tomioka rests his forehead on his shoulder, breath ghosting over his neck. The sensation sends shivers down his spine.
“How did you get so good at this?” Giyuu asks instead of answering him, something that makes Sanemi smirk internally. Another point for him in their little game. “I swear, you walk around like you can’t physically keep your back straight, yet here you are swaying me like a knight in shining armour.”
“My mother,” Sanemi begins, tucking his own head over Tomioka’s, partly because he can’t bear being nose to nose with him without thinking about pressing his lips to his cheek as they dance. “When I was young, she would dance with me in the kitchen as she sang. Taught me everything I know about it.”
“That sounds…peaceful.” Tomioka hums, tilting his head and resting it against Sanemi’s chest as they sway to the music. The feeling of his hair against his bare skin is nothing short of right. “I wish I knew you back then.”
Sanemi raises a brow even though the shorter man can’t see it. “Tell me why.”
“The way you talk about your childhood. You seemed so…happy back then.” Tomioka tangles their fingers together and Sanemi knows he’s blushing. “I want to know a happy Sanemi.”
“That was a long time ago, Tomioka.” He sighs, inhaling the sweet scent of the night air. “No use in mourning over what didn’t happen.”
Silence ensues after that, but not uncomfortably. Sanemi takes the moment to reach up with his hand, which was pinned idly to the other man's waist and, out of pure curiosity, card it through his hair.
Soft. Just like he imagined.
“Sanemi?” He almost jumps, clamping his hand down again.
“Hm?”
“Could you…spin me around?” Tomioka pulls back, meeting his eyes with a curious look that has his heart beating faster. “I’ve always wanted to try it.”
He sighs. “Sure. Why not.” With that, Sanemi manoeuvres Tomioka’s hands, pushing him back before lifting his arm over his head, effectively twirling him around as he pulls him back into his arms. “How was that?”
The water hashira laughs that sweet bubble of laughter, giggling like a maniac. God, he’s in love with this man. Sanemi can’t stop a smile from spreading over his own features.
He looks across the room again and, thankfully, no one is paying them any attention…except fucking Shinobu. The insect hashira, who’s leaning against a pole on her own, lifts her flask to him, raising a brow.
He swears, Tomioka surrounds himself with all the most nosy pieces of shit.
The night seems to be coming to an end. Couples and groups of people are leaving in hoards. The place seems to be emptying up, even some hashira have left.
“Hey, the party’s over.” He hums, smacking the side of Tomioka’s head, but he doesn’t move. “You should be heading home and getting some rest.
“No.” He pouts- he fucking pouts- and practically buries his head in Sanemi’s chest. “Don't wanna.”
“Go on. I’ll be here tomorrow too. No missions this week.” He sighs, pushing the shorter man away gently, but keeps his grip on his hand.
“Sanemi.” Tomioka’s suddenly serious as he leans forward, almost nose to nose with him. “I have to tell you something.”
“Which is…?” But he knows what he’ll say. Of course he does. It’s practically written all over his face and burned into his own mind.
“I really like you.” He breathes, cupping Sanemi’s cheek.
Wow. Oh wow.
Tomioka looks gorgeous like this, illuminated by moonlight, eyes hooded and full of nothing short of desire as he gazes at him. His cheeks are still red and lips are glossy with…whatever, he doesn’t care. But they look so kissable. He looks so kissable.
Every cell in his body is screaming at him to make this move.
But his common sense exists too.
“Tomioka, look at me.” He tilts his chin up, looking into those criminal deep eyes. “I like you too, okay? But you’re drunk. I’m not kissing you while you’re under the influence of anything.”
“But-” Sanemi cuts him off with a thumb to his lips.
“We can talk about this tomorrow. For now, you need rest, and if your answer doesn’t change, I’ll kiss the daylights out of ya.”
“Ugh.” The shorter man pulls away, turning his head back. “Fine.”
“Need me to walk ya?”
Tomioka snorts. “I’m a hashira. I can walk while drunk.”
“Good.” Sanemi smiles, satisfied, when a thought hits him.
He leans down, bringing a pretty pale hand to his lips and presses a delicate kiss to his knuckles. “I’ll see you tomorrow, ‘kay?”
“…’kay.” The other man nods, dazed as he begins walking away. “Good night, Sanemi.”
“Good night, Giyuu.”