To build a nest

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/31961041.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: M/M
Fandom: 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime)
Relationship: Kamado Tanjirou/Tomioka Giyuu, Kamado Tanjirou/Rengoku
Kyoujurou, Kamado Tanjirou/Uzui Tengen
Character: Kamado Tanjirou, Tomioka Giyuu, Rengoku Kyoujurou, Uzui Tengen
Additional Tags: Omega Verse, Omega Kamado Tanjirou, Alpha Tomioka Giyuu, Alpha
Rengoku Kyoujurou, Alpha Uzui Tengen, Everyone Loves Kamado
Tanjirou
Language: English
Collections: KNY TikTok Recs That Were Actually Good
Stats: Published: 2021-06-15 Updated: 2022-07-11 Chapters: 6/? Words:
7106

To build a nest
by silverynight

Summary

"Ah, Tanjirou. You smell so sweet right now," Uzui mumbles, always so perceptive. He's
bonded to two omegas and a beta already so he's more aware of certain things than the other
Pillars. "I guess your heat is coming, right?"

Blushing, Tanjirou nods, feeling as the three alphas stare at him.

Tomioka tenses and looks around while Rengoku gets closer to him, almost like the flame
hashira wants to shield him from everyone else.

***
Tumblr prompt: Hi! Could you possibly write something about omega Tanjirou, while
preparing for his heat, approaching one (or more) of the Hashira to ask if he can borrow
their haori for his nest? When questioned why, Tanjirou shyly confesses that he's always
found their alpha scent soothing. An added bonus would be the Hashira then falling all over
each other with offering to scent mark Tanjirou too and eagerly awaiting to see who he says
yes to first, while he gets adorably flustered with all the attention.

Notes

See the end of the work for notes

 Chapter 1

The battle is long and exhausting. Tanjirou ends up with a couple of scratches and laying on the
ground, looking at the sky. It's morning at last.

"Are you alright, Tanjirou?" Zenitsu sobs, looking down at the omega. He's constantly worrying
about him; Inosuke worries too, but in his own way. "Your face is red! Do you have a fever?"

Tanjirou smiles at him when he feels the beta's hand over his forehead, sometimes Zenitsu forgets
he's friends with an omega.

"No, it's not fever," he chuckles. "My heat is coming."

Zenitsu blushes immediately and takes a few steps back, staring at Tanjirou nervously.

"That's why you smell like that? Your scent is very... sweet."

If Zenitsu can smell him, it means this heat is coming stronger than the last one. Tanjirou will have
to stay at the butterfly mansion for a couple of days.

"Don't worry, I already took–"

"STAY AWAY FROM SANTARO!" Inosuke yells, before tackling the blond to the ground.

"Inosuke, don't be like that! Zenitsu is just trying to help!" Tanjirou pleads. Inosuke is a very wild
alpha and sometimes he becomes really protective of Tanjirou when the omega is close to his heat.

Fortunately, Zenitsu is not hurt by that. Besides, Inosuke is already so exhausted by the battle that
he passes out almost immediately. The kakushi arrive just in time to start patching them up.

An alpha girl approaches Tanjirou; she starts putting a bandage over his arm while she asks a
couple of questions. The omega feels a little bit better so he manages to sit down.

That's when he notices the kakushi girl is blushing.

"Do you h-have someone to spend your heat with?" She stammers, looking up at him. "If you don't,
I can help y-you."

Tanjirou blushes. No one has ever offered him such thing before... Well, they had, but when he
was living with his family. The offers stopped as soon as he met the Pillars... Actually, since he
met Tomioka.

"I'm flattered you want to help me," he says sincerely. "However, I don't think I'm ready for that
yet. I've already taken my suppressants."

"Oh, I see..." She mumbles, looking a little bit disappointed. "Well, next time, if you feel like you
want to–"

An omega boy hits her on the back before she can finish.

"What was THAT for?" She growls.

"Are you new here? Do you wanna die?" The boy hisses. "Do you want to get us all killed? Don't
you know who he is?"
Before she can get even more pissed, the boy leans to whisper something in her ear. She steps back
like she's been burned. Fortunately, she had already finished patching him up.

"You're... Kamado Tanjirou?" She stammers again.

"Yes! What's your na–" Tanjirou stops almost immediately though because his nose smells those
soothing scents he's always liked so much.

"They're here," the other omega shivers at the same time the alpha girl flees.

Only three hashira arrive this time, three out of the five alphas among them. Tanjirou has always
felt better knowing that the Pillars are not all alphas; it makes him feel hopeful.

He'd like to become a Pillar someday.

"How is he?" Tomioka's voice is not demanding, however it always ends up intimidating
whomever he's talking with. Even though the alpha is speaking with the kakushi boy, he's staring at
Tanjirou.

"He doesn't have serious injuries, he's just tired," the boy mumbles, looking at the ground.

"I see!" Rengoku approaches, grinning at Tanjirou as he kneels in front of him. "You can go now!
We'll take care of him!"

The kakushi boy doesn't need to be told twice. He basically runs away from them.

"Ah, Tanjirou. You smell so sweet right now," Uzui mumbles, always so perceptive. He's bonded
to two omegas and a beta already so he's more aware of certain things than the other Pillars. "I
guess your heat is coming, right?"

Blushing, Tanjirou nods, feeling as the three alphas stare at him.

Tomioka tenses and looks around while Rengoku gets closer to him, almost like the flame hashira
wants to shield him from everyone else.

"We should take him to the butterfly mansion," Uzui says. His alpha scent getting even stronger.
"There are many alphas here."

Actually, for a moment, Tanjirou is overwhelmed by those three scents.

"I'll be fine," he assures them. "I took my suppressants."

However, Tanjirou knows this one is coming stronger so he'll probably have to build a nest
anyways.

They're still tense though, specially when an alpha walks close by.

He knows what he's about to say is probably disrespectful, because he's just a demon slayer that is
at the lowest rank and they're Pillars, but when he's close to his heat he can barely control himself.

"Can I please borrow your haori or something of yours for a couple of days?" Tanjirou blurts out,
before he can stop himself.

For a moment, the three alphas just stare at him; if it wasn't because they smell really pleased,
Tanjirou would have believed they were pissed at him.
"Why?" Rengoku asks, looking surprised for the first time. However, his cheeks are slightly pink
now.

"I like your scents, they make me feel protected," he admits shyly, looking at his own hands.
"They're soothing... I want to build a nest with–"

Before he can even finish, the alphas have put two haori around him. Uzui even takes his vest off
and hands it to the omega.

Tomioka growls at him.

"Seriously, Tengen?" Rengoku hisses, rolling his fiery eyes.

The sound hashira grins.

"What? I don't wear a haori and Tanjirou needed something of mine," he says, feeling perfectly
comfortable even though he's shirtless now.

Tanjirou has to admit that it's a little bit distracting. He didn't know Uzui was so... strong.

Smiling, the omega hugs the three garments, holding them close to his chest. Suddenly, the scent
of the alphas smell even more... pleased. They're very happy.

"I can scent you," Tomioka offers, almost shyly. His face is pink, but he doesn't look away from
the omega.

However, Tanjirou can't even think about what to say to that because Rengoku is already taking
both of his hands in his.

"Would you let me mark you, my boy?" He smiles, eyes glimmering with hope.

Those are very serious words. It's almost like he's proposing to Tanjirou right then and there.

"Are you s-sure?" The omega mumbles. He knows the flame hashira can do better than him.

"I've never been so sure of anything else in my–"

Suddenly, Uzui pushes him away, making Rengoku growl.

"Tanjirou, I think you'll fit quite well in my household..."

"Wait, Tanjirou... You–I've wanted to mark you for a very long time," the water hashira admits,
cutting the other alpha off. "Before you choose, please consider me as well."

Overwhelmed, Tanjirou buries his face in his hands. All the attention has made him really
flustered. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't even notice that a couple of people have stopped
what they're doing in order to watch.

"I-I don't think I'm ready for a mark at the moment," he stammers. "I'd like to be scented though...
However, I can't–I can't choose!"

"If you're not ready for a mark, it's completely fine, my boy!"

The words make him better enough to look up, only to gasp when Uzui winks at him before
grabbing one of his arms. He starts nuzzling his wrist.
It feels so good to be slowly covered by the alpha's scent that Tanjirou almost purrs, he doesn't
though, not until Tomioka and Rengoku start scenting his neck at the same time.

"You even make our combined scents smell good on you," Uzui tells him, looking a little bit
surprised.

He doesn't get to say anything, not only because he doesn't have a response, but due to the fact that
Tomioka rubs the tip of his nose against his affectionately before taking him in his arms.

Rengoku takes Tanjirou's hand and kisses it, grinning from ear to ear at him.

"Let's take him to the mansion," the water hashira says.

Tanjirou holds the garments even closer, already longing for a bed so he can start building his nest
with them.

"The others are going to get jealous of us when they see Tanjirou," Uzui comments, although he
sounds really amused.
 Chapter 2

When the alpha that runs the butterfly mansion, Shinobu Kocho, watches as Tomioka arrives with
Tanjirou in his arms, who smells way sweeter than usual, she knows there's going to be some kind
of trouble.

However, the sign that something is going on comes in the form of the other two alphas behind
them, Rengoku and Uzui, who look way too smug for their own good.

"You scented him you monsters!" Tokito, one of the two omegas among the hashira, narrows his
eyes at the three alphas, looking outraged.

Of course, being a Pillar gives him advantage over other omegas, so Tokito does have suitors, most
of them alphas, but he seems more interested in Tanjirou even though the younger demon slayer is
an omega.

Although it doesn't surprise Shinobu. She looks at Tanjirou, who's hugging three garments close to
his chest like he wants to bury himself in them, and feels the corner of her lips quirk up at the sight.
His cheeks are slightly pink and his eyes are open wide, glimmering with the warm sensation that
comes with a heat. He looks absolutely adorable, no wonder why the Pillars are always all over
him.

Shinobu feels a sudden need to protect Tanjirou, so she gets closer to him to touch his forehead.
However, Giyuu takes a step back and growls at her before she can reach out to him.

"I thought we had agreed that Tanjirou was different!" Mitsuri Kanroji mumbles, her omega's scent
turning a little bit bitter, like it always does when she's sad.

"You can't be possessive over him, Tomioka!" Iguro hisses, already putting a hand over the love
hashira's shoulders to calm her down. He's one of the two betas in the group.

"I'm sorry, it was... I couldn't help it," Giyuu mumbles, blushing. Even though he's an alpha, he's
usually in control of his instincts. The fact that he got lost for a moment worries Shinobu because it
means Tanjirou's heat is coming stronger this time.

"It's because he's been carrying him for too long," the flame hashira says, spreading his arms.
"Give him to me."

"Very clever, Kyojuro," Uzui chuckles, watching with amusement as Tomioka reluctantly hands
him a very confused Tanjirou.

How an omega that oblivious has survived for so long is beyond Shinobu. But it doesn't matter
now.

Tokito takes Tanjirou's hand in his and Shinobu notices how hard is for Rengoku not to pull the
young demon slayer away from the mist hashira.

"Muichiro, I need to check on him," she says, and even though Tokito moves a little bit to the side,
he refuses to let go of Tanjirou's hand.

Fortunately, he's not that warm, which means he's not that close... yet.

"Is he in heat?"
Shinazugawa's words make everyone freeze on their spots, none of them noticed when the alpha
arrived because they were too focused on the sweet omega in Rengoku's arms.

The wind hashira moves in the blink of an eye, prompting Rengoku to growl, Tomioka to stand in
front of him to protect Tanjirou and Uzui to block Shinazugawa's path in order to stop him.

"What are you doing, Tengen?"

"Easy, Sanemi," the other alpha smiles; he's clearly tense. "I could ask you the same question."

It's kinda funny how threatening Uzui can look even though he's shirtless.

Finally, Shinazugawa snaps out of it and looks at his own hands, almost in shock.

He doesn't apologize, but he looks a little bit worried.

"Is Tanjirou alright?"

"I'm fine, Shinazugawa-san!" The omega smiles, oblivious to the tension around him. He looks
really comfortable in the flame hashira's arms. "Don't worry, I took my suppressants!"

"No way," Shinobu whispers to herself, although she's not the only one in shock. If Tanjirou took
them then why is his mere presence provoking all those reactions among them?

His heat is coming strong and the hashira are particularly weak around him, although that's
something she knew a long time ago.

"Let's take him inside."

***

They all end up giving him something of theirs to build his nest. It makes Tanjirou feel better and
it erases a bit of the tension that had formed among the hashira.

When the omega is pretty much satisfied with the result and is about to lie down, he stops
suddenly and looks around quickly.

His distressed smell makes all the Pillars feel protective of him; they try to get closer to him to ask
what's going on.

"Where's Nezuko?" Tanjirou sobs with concern. "Where is she? I need to be with her!"

Shinobu makes a kakushi bring the box inside as Kanroji and Iguro close all the curtains.

Slowly, the demon girl gets out of her box and turns even smaller because she probably knows
what her brother needs at the moment.

He wants to hold her like a baby.

Beaming, Tanjirou takes her in his arms, lies down on the bed with all the Pillars clothes
surrounding them and purrs, content.

"I need to get out of h-here," Shinazugawa stammers, he's closing his hands into fists in a way that
Shinobu is sure hurts a lot.

"I think you all need to get out," the beta boy in charge of taking care of Tanjirou tells the hashira,
after bowing at them a couple of times.

It doesn't surprise her at all, especially after looking at the unbearable longing in Tomioka and
Rengoku's eyes. Even though they keep staring at Tanjirou like he's the best thing that could've
happened to them, they also look like they're doing their best not to get closer to him.

"My teeth hurt, so I suppose you're right," Uzui comments, taking a few steps away while Tanjirou
looks at all of them in confusion.

Alpha, beta, and omega's teeth can hurt if the desire to bite someone else is strong.

"Let's go discuss our next missions," Shinobu suggests, trying to fight the need to stay close to
Tanjirou.

It doesn't surprise any of them to get different missions at the same time. It almost looks like the
master is trying to keep them away from Tanjirou for a couple of days. Probably one of the crows
told him about the current situation.

Although she knows most of them are going to try to finish their missions quickly to come back to
Tanjirou as soon as possible.

They're all hopeless.

 Chapter 3

"I'm hungry," Tanjirou mumbles out loud even though there's no need to. He's tired and hungry and
even though he feels better now that his heat finally ended, he's not entirely recovered yet.

Nezuko is back in her box, safe, and since the beta boy had to help a few injured demon slayers,
the omega decides it's time to get out of his nest.

After taking a bath, he eats a few rice balls before cleaning the room and washing the garments he
was given by the hashira to build his nest. He was told they were on different missions at the
moment so he probably won't see them before he starts traveling again.

He finds Aoi outside and thanks her for everything with a smile as he starts hanging all the clean
garments.

"What did you do?" She asks, almost in shock. "Did you wash them?"

Tanjirou blinks a couple of times, confused.

"Well... yes? I mean I used them for my nest and they all smelled like me... The hashira were kind
enough to let me borrow them so I thought it was the least I could do," the omega explains,
flustered. He doesn't understand why Aoi looks so concerned.

She looks up at all the haori; she touches Tomioka's with her fingers and sniffs it.

"There's almost nothing left of your scent..."

"There's still some left?" Tanjirou looks alarmed. "Maybe I should wash them again–"

"No!" She almost screams and blushes when she realizes what she just did. "I'm sorry. I meant to
say that's fine. They would probably want it to smell like you."

"Why would they want that? That would scare off potential mates," Tanjirou mumbles, worrying
himself even more. He takes a few steps forward, but Aoi moves with her back towards the clothes.
She looks like she's determined to protect all the garments from him. "I have to wash them again..."

"Leave everything to me," she insists, although he knows there's nothing he can do, she smells
really determined.

"Alright, thank you. I just don't want them to lose any potential partners because of me..."

Huffing at that, she facepalms herself. She really sounds frustrated.

"Why are you so oblivious?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, Tanjirou," she sighs. "Listen, why don't you look for your friends? They must have
missed you."

The omega nods, beaming at her. He certainly has missed both Zenitsu and Inosuke; he's glad
they're still in the butterfly mansion.

***
"YOU DID WHAT?"

Why everyone is so upset about him washing clothes? Isn't it what everyone is supposed to do?
Tanjirou doesn't understand; he's still embarrassed about asking them to give him their haori or
some garments for his nest.

It was probably disrespectful.

"Your mates are not going to be happy, Gonpachiro," Inosuke tells him.

"The Pillars are not my mates, Inosuke!" Tanjirou says, feeling the blush spreading down his neck.

He shouldn't have asked for their haori in the first place.

"It doesn't matter now," he continues, trying to change the topic. "Well... How are you feeling?
Ready to go?"

"We can't go right now," Zenitsu argues, even though he's trying to calm himself down. "The
hashira will probably want to see you before you go."

"Why would–"

"By all the gods above, Tanjirou!" The beta groans, looking like he wants to grab his blond hair
and pull until it hurts. "Didn't they offer to mark you?"

"Y-Yes," the omega remembers, flustered. Then, he looks at Zenitsu with a frown. "How do you
know that?"

Wasn't he being patched up by the kakushi when that happened?

"Everyone here is talking about it," the beta says like it's obvious. He points at his own ear. "And I
can hear everything."

"Anyway... I know what they said, but I was close to my heat then... Sometimes alphas are not
entirely aware of what they say in those–"

Zenitsu makes a gesture with his hand to interrupt him.

"I can't believe I'm feeling sorry for the Pillars."

***

They convince Tanjirou to stay one day more; his crow hasn't told him anything about a new
mission so he supposes it's fine to stay a little bit more.

When the water hashira arrives, Tanjirou is shocked to see him hurt; it's nothing serious, but it still
worries him, especially since he doesn't let anyone get near him.

Not even the omega kakushi manage to calm him down enough to patch the alpha up.

"Imagine when he's finally bonded to you, it'll probably be a nightmare," Zenitsu comments in a
whisper, but loud enough for Tanjirou to hear.

The omega ignores him in order to get the alpha's attention. He gets closer to him quickly, unlike
everyone around, he's not afraid of him.
"Tomioka-san, let me help you," he mumbles softly. It's curious how the alpha relaxes as soon as
their eyes meet.

He nods, sitting on the ground. He smiles fondly at the omega.

"Are you feeling better?" Tomioka asks, in a soft whisper. He doesn't hesitate to take Tanjirou by
the waist and sitting him on his lap.

"Yes... Uhh... Thanks for the haori," the omega mumbles, flustered. As if she was being
summoned, a kakushi girl approaches them with the garment in question. As soon as Tanjirou takes
it, she flees, looking in the alpha's direction with fear. "There you go."

However, Tomioka frowns and it's not because Tanjirou has started to clean the wound on his
forehead.

"It doesn't smell like you anymore," he comments, not even trying to hide his disappointment.

"Well... I washed it, I didn't think you'd like–"

"My boy, I'm so glad to see you again!" Rengoku rushes in the backyard, quickly taking the omega
in his arms.

The water hashira suppresses a growl.

"You came back from your mission?" Tanjirou asks, eyes already roaming over the alpha looking
for injuries; he looks fine, but tired. "But... You returned so quickly!"

"I wanted to see you again."

It seems the omega will spend the rest of his day blushing. He manages to convince the flame
hashira to let him go so he can give him back his haori.

"Thank you," he bows respectfully. "Both of you."

Tomioka nods, still looking a little bit sad. Rengoku frowns at his own haori though.

"Your scent is gone," the alpha observes. Then he takes a deep breath as he touches it with his
fingers. "I wanted it to smell like your heat."

Tanjirou feels like his cheeks are going to burn at any moment. That's such an intimate thing to say,
just by thinking about it again makes his inner omega purr. When he stares back at Rengoku
though, the flame hashira's cheeks turn slightly pink.

"Did I say that out loud?" He asks, looking embarrassed. The water hashira bares his teeth at him
in response. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, my boy."

"It's... Actually it didn't make me feel uncomfortable," Tanjirou admits. "It's alright."

"Then... would you scent my haori?"

Confused, the omega is about to ask if that wouldn't ruin his opportunities with other omegas when
Tomioka takes off his own haori and asks him to scent his as well.

"Oh... Alright," he mumbles shyly. After all, it's the least he can do... They were kind enough to let
him borrow their haori when he needed them.
"Great. It seems I arrived just in time," Uzui jumps from the roof, scaring a few kakushi as he does
it. He watches Tanjirou intently as the omega rubs his cheek against Rengoku's haori. "Scent my
vest too."

"That wouldn't... upset your wives?"

"Are you kidding me?" The sound hashira chuckles. "They love your scent. They have asked a
couple of times when I'll bring you home."

"Never," Tokito says, appearing out of nowhere, startling Tanjirou. "We have an agreement."

"I don't see the problem with me visiting Uzui-san's mates," Tanjirou mumbles, feeling a little bit
confused.

"I didn't mean to visit," Uzui grins, puzzling him even more.

Kanroji and Iguro both take the omega in his arms when they arrive, they both rub their cheeks
against his and stay like that for a while as Kanroji tells Tanjirou how cute he is.

It's late so they all go back inside to have lunch.

"I can't believe you all finished your missions before Gyomei and I," Shinobu complains, looking a
little bit irritated. "Anyway, we'd like you to scent our clothes too, Tanjirou."

The omega nods, even though he wonders what everyone will think when they realize his scent is
all over the Pillars.

However, he doesn't have time to worry because Shinazugawa is there already, growling at the
kakushi that try to get near him even though his leg is bleeding.

"That alpha has no manners," Shinobu shakes her head disapprovingly. Then, she turns to Tanjirou.
"Would you patch him up? He'll only let you do it. Besides, he's probably desperate to see you."

Even though he doesn't quite believe her, Tanjirou gets closer to the alpha, because he can't stand
to see anyone hurt.

When Shinazugawa does exactly everything Tanjirou asks, the omega feels even more puzzled,
almost lost. It's true that he's improved lately, but he doesn't look exactly like the type to do as
other people say.

Shinazugawa doesn't say a word the entire time Tanjirou's patching him up, but he does stare at the
omega.

"It's done! Don't move your leg for a couple of days though because–" he stops, gasping when the
alpha nuzzles his neck.

The other hashira don't look really happy about it.

***

"I don't understand, Zenitsu," he tells his friend when they're back on the road. Inosuke is running
ahead of them, but they know he'll be back eventually. "Why are they acting like that? My heat is
gone."

Instead of answering, Zenitsu pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath, like he wants
to gather all the patience in the world.
"I shouldn't feel sorry for them really..." He tells himself, but Tanjirou hears anyway.

They can't keep talking about it though, because Tanjirou's crow arrives to inform them about their
new mission.
 Chapter 4

They find two little children during their last mission, they quickly decide to take them to the
butterfly estate while they wait for their parents. A crow lets them know they were alive and that
they'd be escorted to the mansion to retrieve their pups.

Of course, Tanjirou is the one who actually takes care of them; Zenitsu has noticed that he's great
with kids and he genuinely likes them.

He manages to calm them both down in seconds while the kakushi make sure they're not injured;
the omega is constantly talking to both, telling them stories about himself and Nezuko when they
were kids. He also runs his fingers through the little girl's hair and pats the boy's shoulder gently as
he releases his omega calming scent.

Even though Zenitsu is just a beta he can tell the difference; Tanjirou smells so much sweeter now
and his expression is so gentle as he looks at the kids like they were his own pups.

No wonder why the Pillars' hearts have gone crazy all morning; they have been watching the
omega with the pups in his arms like he's the most beautiful thing in the world.

Zenitsu doesn't read minds but he is sure Rengoku is imagining Tanjirou carrying pups with yellow
and red hair.

Sighing, the blond wonders why his friend is so oblivious to all the hashira's affection. Tanjirou
has a gifted nose and yet he doesn't seem to notice that the alphas are very much ready to form a
family with him.

At the moment their scents have turned into something more protective, especially around Tanjirou
and the pups. When the children finally fall asleep in the omega's arms, the Pillars decide to get
closer to them.

Zenitsu chuckles, thinking that the pups actually have no idea they have never been more safe in
all their lives. No one could harm them right now.

"Do you want me to help you carry them?" The water hashira offers and Zenitsu rolls his eyes
because that alpha clearly wants to show Tanjirou that he can be a good father.

"You're very kind, Tomioka-san!"

At the end Tanjirou agrees to give the kids to Rengoku and Tomioka while he sits in the middle of
them as he releases his calming scent in case the pups wake up again.

The truth is that they look really good together, like a family, also is really fun to see the other
hashira get a little bit jealous because of it.

"Would you like to have your own pups, Tanjirou?" Uzui asks probably what every single Pillar is
dying to know.

"Yes!" The omega beams, making Tokito blush and stare at him adoringly (even though he's also
an omega himself) "I want to have at least 6!"

Everyone seems to have loved the answer by the way their hearts seem to beat inside their chests.
In Zenitsu's opinion, this is getting ridiculous. He knows some of them are about to suggest
Tanjirou that he should consider looking for someone (a few someones in fact) to mate, but they're
interrupted by the arrival of the kids' parents.

Even though Tanjirou smiles when the children say goodbye to him and the parents thank him for
taking care of their pups, his scent changes a lot when they're gone.

"What is it?" Shinazugawa is the first one to approach the omega, he looks like he's ready to kill
whomever dared to make Tanjirou sad.

"I just miss them already," the omega mumbles, unconsciously leaning into the alpha's arms.

Zenitsu is almost in shock when he watches Shinazugawa soften before holding the omega gently
in his arms. His alpha's scent has changed, is protective but calming at the same time.

"I'm sure you'll have your own pups soon, Tanjirou," Kocho tells him, trying to make him feel
better.

"But I don't even have a mate..."

Zenitsu wants to facepalm himself. How could an omega be so oblivious?

"You could have a mate whenever you want, my boy!" Rengoku says, eyes glimmering with hope.
"You just have to ask."

Tanjirou looks back at the alpha in confusion as the others hold their breaths, waiting.

If Zenitsu wasn't so afraid of the hashira, he'd step in the middle and explain to them that Tanjirou
doesn't actually understand what they're trying to offer.

"I need to focus on finding a cure for Nezuko right now," Tanjirou finally says. "I can't think about
pups at the moment."

Right there and then, Zenitsu decides that he fully approves of the Pillars because none of them
look irritated or impatient, they stare back at the omega like they would wait as many years as he
wants.

"We'll help you," Tomioka promises and Tanjirou smiles at him in response.

The omega's scent changes, it becomes more intense and more sweet. As Uzui manages to take
Tanjirou in his arms (Shinazugawa looked like he was tempted to bite the other alpha for a second)
Zenitsu realizes that even if his friend is not entirely aware of the Pillars feelings at the moment,
the way his omega's scent changes whenever he's with them and the way he trusts them tells him
that there's still hope.
 Chapter 5

Tanjirou is not sure if it's because of what happened the other day and how empty he felt when the
kids left, but he has a sudden need to make his room look a little bit more cozy now. He decides to
change his blanket first, but doesn't want to throw it away.

He finds Tomioka in the butterfly mansion that morning so he decides to ask him first right after
washing his old blanket.

However, he regrets it when he realizes that the water hashira looks tired, like someone who hasn't
slept well in a while.

"Perhaps I should ask Aoi," Tanjirou finds himself saying. "She'll know what to do."

"Don't go," the alpha blurts out, grabbing Tanjirou by the arm. "I can help you."

He takes Tanjirou's old blanket and presses it against himself. Tomioka's nostrils flare as he closes
his eyes for a moment.

"It still smells like you," the alpha observes, looking at Tanjirou with a fond smile.

"Perhaps I should wash it again," the omega mumbles, but the water hashira shakes his head and
takes a step back when Tanjirou makes an attempt to reach out.

"That won't be necessary, I'll take care of this," Tomioka assures him. "I think it's better if we give
this to someone who might need it."

"You're right, Tomioka-san!" Tanjirou beams. "It's really nice of you to think about donating it!"

Tomioka's cheeks turn slightly pink before he nods and walks away when he notices some of the
girls in the estate getting closer to them.

Tanjirou doesn't think too much about what happened then until a few days later.

***

The next time she's in the butterfly estate, Kanroji runs directly at Tanjirou while spreading her
arms to pull him close to her.

"Why do you spend so much time with Giyuu and not us, Tanjirou?" She pouts as soon as she says
it, he notices Iguro looking down at him from a tree and Shinazugawa scowling in the opposite
corner. The alpha looks grumpier than usual.

Tanjirou looks at the other omega with confusion.

"I haven't seen him in days..." He mumbles, wondering why she came to that conclusion.

"But he smells so much like you!" Kanroji insists, tightening her arms around Tanjirou.

"You're squeezing him!" Shinazugawa growls, before Tanjirou can say anything else. He's still not
sure what's going on.

"This is just a hug!"

They would have kept arguing if Tanjirou hadn't mentioned he didn't like to see them fight.

***

Tanjirou knows something's going on the moment he walks into the butterfly estate and Aoi
welcomes him with a desperate, worried expression on her face.

"I'm so glad you came!" She says, even though she looks more concerned than happy. "Come with
me! I need your help!"

"What is it?" Tanjirou asks, hand ready to pull his katana out.

"No, it's not that!" Aoi says, noticing his movements. "We need you to calm Tomioka-san down... I
know you're the only one who can do it."

"Is he alright?" Tanjirou can't help but ask, trying not to panic.

"He's in rut. He probably forgot to take his suppressants. The problem is that some of the other
hashira are here and he's growling at the other alphas and doesn't listen to anyone."

As soon as she mumbles the last words, they reach the backyard and Tanjirou notices him, holding
the blanket he gave him against his chest, while baring his teeth at Rengoku and Uzui.

Something must've triggered him and that's why he's consumed by his instincts at the moment.

To distract him from starting a fight, Tanjirou begins to release his scent; the air fills with the
sweetness of it as he gets closer to Tomioka.

"Alpha!" He says and regrets it immediately as not one, but three alphas stare directly at him.
Blushing to the tip of his ears he mumbles: "Tomioka-san!"

The other two alphas look so disappointed until they realize what he's trying to do, then they start
getting worried.

"Tanjirou, it's dangerous. He's in rut..." Rengoku tries to put himself in between the omega and the
water hashira so the later doesn't see him.

"Don't get any closer!" Uzui almost snarls, glaring at Tomioka as the other alpha starts walking
with the blanket pressed against his chest.

"Tomioka-san will never hurt me," Tanjirou assures them, confident. "Now please let me through,
I can handle this."

Reluctantly, Rengoku nods and moves away, prompting Tomioka to tense and growl until his eyes
meet Tanjirou's.

His scent becomes stronger; it's salty, like the sea and the omega has always found it relaxing.

When strong arms pull him closer, the other two alphas tense.

"I'm sorry for keeping this," the water hashira apologizes, nuzzling Tanjirou's neck lovingly. "But
your scent is all over it and I couldn't let it go."

"It's alright, Tomioka-san," the omega mumbles, running his fingers through the other's hair. "I'm
not mad."
"Please be my omega, Tanjirou," Tomioka begs, pulling the boy closer to him.

Tanjirou knows he's just saying that because he's in rut, however he is aware he also needs to hear
a positive response.

"Of course, Tomioka-san," he smiles at him. "But first you have to drink this; Aoi gave it to me,
it'll make you feel better."

Trying not to gasp in surprise, Tanjirou watches as Tomioka does what the omega told him without
hesitation. He feels a little bit bad when the medicine starts taking effect and Tomioka falls asleep
next to him.

"He'll be fine in a couple of days," Aoi assures him, after two kakushi leave him in a room. "Thank
you for helping, Tanjirou."

After nodding and watching her go, Tanjirou turns around to see Tomioka sleeping peacefully on
the bed, however, he gets distracted by the scents of the two other alphas in the room.

They don't smell happy, but Tanjirou still doesn't know exactly what's the emotion that's causing
that strong, almost burning scent.

He takes a few steps when he's lifted from the ground with ease and pressed against Rengoku's
muscled chest.

"Are you alright, Rengoku-san?"

Uzui laughs next to them.

"Of course he is!" He assures Tanjirou as the flame hashira starts nuzzling his cheek in a way that
makes the omega wonder if he's about to go into his rut as well. "We both are! We just got a little
bit jealous of Giyuu for a moment."

Tanjirou blinks at the sound hashira over Rengoku's shoulder, confused; what Uzui says doesn't
make sense to him.

"Tanjirou, my boy. We are so fortunate to have you," Rengoku mumbles softly, looking at him
almost adoringly.

"Don't be so selfish, Kyojuro!" Uzui scolds him. "It's my turn!"

As the other alpha takes Tanjirou in his arms, the boy keeps wondering why the Pillars are always
so nice to him.

Uzui must've seen some of Tanjirou's confusion reflected in his big, dark red eyes because he
chuckles with amusement.

"You adorable, oblivious omega..." He mumbles fondly. "You'll be the death of all of us."

Tanjirou wants to say that he'll never hurt any of them but Kocho arrives in that moment and
demands Uzui to put the omega down and leave Tomioka's room.

Tanjirou will have to ask Uzui what he meant by that later.

 Chapter 6

When Tanjirou feels dizzy and his skin becomes cold suddenly, he realizes his heat is coming. But
it's too early, his last heat was not that long ago; he's not sure why his body is acting that way.

Fortunately, he arrives to the butterfly estate just in time, Aoi sees his pale face, worries and takes
him to a private room.

"I need suppressants," the omega mumbles, shivering on the bed, wrapping himself in a couple of
blankets, but it's not enough. He hasn't felt something like this before, his heat feels like it's coming
stronger this time.

One of the butterfly girls helps him take the medicine, but it doesn't make him feel any better; he
wants someone to hold him.

"Where are the Pillars?" He blurts out, not exactly sure why those words are coming out of his
mouth. "I want them here... Please, I need..."

The omega stops, blushing to the tip of his ears; why does he need the hashira? Why does his body
wants his friends to hold him?

"They'll be here soon," Aoi assures him, stroking his forehead gently.

When beautiful tears start falling from his eyes, everyone around him almost panics.

"Tanjirou? What's going on? Where does it hurt?"

"I want someone to cuddle me," he mumbles, trying not to sob. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm
saying these things! My heat is not usually like this... I don't know what's going on!"

"We need to give him another dose," Aoi whispers to a kakushi boy next to her. "Also, can you
bring the medicine we use for the alphas when they... Yes, that one."

He takes more medicine, but he can't stop the tears; he wishes he had at least the Pillars' haori or
something to cover himself with. He needs their scent.

"What's happening to me?" Tanjirou shivers again.

"You're ready to mate," Aoi mumbles, looking at him with a gentle, but concerned smile. "You
probably have developed feelings for someone and that's why your heat is getting worse."

Tanjirou blinks in confusion; he's... Whom he's in love with? He's not sure. He cares about a lot of
people, he hasn't stopped to actually analyze his own feelings.

A scratch on the wooden box is the only sign they get before the beta demon girl gets out of it; it's
a relief that the curtains are already closed. Nezuko ignores everyone around and jumps next to
Tanjirou on the bed before hugging him.

Even though the omega feels a little bit better, it's not enough.

"I want the hashira here, I want all of them here," he sobs, still not sure why he keeps calling out
for them.

"Where is he? How is–Oh!" Kocho stops before actually walking in the room. Her eyes grow dark
before she says: "Your scent is so sweet! You smell–"

"Delicious!" Rengoku cuts her off, closing his eyes before taking a deep breath. "My boy, have I
ever told you how perfect you are?"

Tanjirou beams, immediately feeling better after seeing them.

"Sorry," Aoi stops both of them. "But you have to drink this if you want to come inside. Tanjirou's
heat is different this time, his scent can be overwhelming, especially for you."

Both alphas agree immediately; Rengoku looks particularly desperate to get closer to him.

However, as soon as he takes a step inside, Nezuko jumps from the bed, becomes taller and starts
growling at them.

"Nezuko... They don't want to hurt me," Tanjirou mumbles, although he knows it's useless, the
demon girl must've sensed that they're both alphas.

It gets even worse when Shinazugawa and Tomioka arrive; Nezuko starts pacing around the room
without taking her eyes away from the alphas.

Even though Tanjirou needs someone to hold him, he doesn't want to cause his little sister pain or
distress.

"It's alright," the omega mumbles. "I'm fine. It'll be better if you go."

"Tanjirou... I..." Tomioka tries to talk to him, but Nezuko cuts him off with a growl.

That's when Tokito rushes inside; he's so fast Aoi doesn't have time to stop him. However, as soon
as she sees him, Nezuko relaxes and lets him get closer to Tanjirou.

"She knows I'm an omega," he tells the others, not even trying to hide his smug grin.

Tanjirou is so happy to have one of the hashira so close to him, he doesn't hesitate to reach out to
him with both hands.

"Hug me, please," he mumbles softly.

"Anything for you," he says as his expression softens; he stares at him fondly before jumping on
the bed next to him and curling himself around the other omega.

Tanjirou sighs happily when Tokito starts nuzzling his cheek.

"I'm an omega too!" He hears the love hashira outside the room before everyone moves out of the
way to let her through.

She cuddles him as well and Tanjirou's body starts getting warmer as Kanroji kisses him on the top
of his head.

"Thank you," he says; he would've wanted to have everyone with him, but this is so much better
than to be alone and cold on the bed.

Nezuko doesn't let anyone else inside; Tanjirou knows he should be apologizing on her behalf, but
he's too tired to think properly. He falls asleep quickly.
End Notes

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