Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

On first night you brought in Akaza, after he picked his place by your laundry machines, you talked to him about Tanjirou while unfolding some blankets and leaving them next to him.

He didn’t say anything but you swear he looked even more tense after that. So you brought him some food and with some coaxing managed to hand feed him while making him feel like he earned it. He wasn’t outwardly stressed anymore but you decided to take a few days off since you wanted to be present for your demons first meetings. 

Not today, though you didn’t want to put such a stress on Akaza.

To make the process as smoothly as you could, you took a blanket with your and Tanjirou’s scent and left it folded near Akaza. The plan was to have Akaza get used to Tanjirou’s scent before meeting him in person. And since he was slowly learning yours, you thought mixing yours and Tanjirou’s would help to not shock him.

You left him in the laundry room and went to find Tanjirou. Finding him in his nest, you called out softly to him.

“Tanjirou?”

“Mhm, owner..?” Was his sleepy reply. You did come home later than usual, you thought absent-mindedly.

“Can I join you? I need to talk to you.” Instantly, your demon was more awake. Unfurling himself from his blankets he wiggled to the side to let you sit down. When you where settled he wrapped a blanket on you and snuggled into your lap. More awake than before but just as relaxed.

“Yes, owner?”

Petting his hair, you tried to think of a way to bring it up, “Remember when you said you felt lonely? With me away at work or school?”

Tanjirou’s eyes perked up a bit before answering affirmatively.

You smiled, you loved seeing your friendly demon so happy. You’re so glad Tanjirou brought his feelings up with you so easily, that trust makes you happy and you don’t think you would’ve gotten another demon without his full cent on it. Mind drifting back to Akaza, you thought of a way you could summarize the report you read of him.

Fighting Ring Demon. Traumatized. Level 3.

That was Akaza’s report at its simplest. The fighting ring was on the news, stories of it constantly being shown, the treatment of those demons was worse than anything they’ve seen. Most demons didn’t make it to rehabilitation centers and all the humans who were involved where arrested (at least the ones that where caught). Out of 20 known demons apart of that ring only around 7 made it out and into shelters.

One of your friends at Akaza’s shelter reached out to you after you expressed to wanting to adopt another demon. Your glad they did, you have an incredibly kind and thoughtful demon, which your friend thought was great for Akaza since he was never going to be able to live in a normal home. They were planning to put him down.

That’s what the level 3 means—at least, thats what you think it means—Akaza had failed all of the rehoming test and had even refused his food. 

You wouldn’t have believed it unless you saw it for yourself that day—but you also saw how he cried for you to take it away, that he knew he hadn’t earned it. You shiver at the amount of ‘training’ it must have taken for this demon had to sit there for hours with a perfectly good meal right in front of him and not eat it. 

That’s why before bringing him home, you met up with him for weeks to hand feed him. Both to build trust and to make sure he was eating. The workers at the center were afraid to step into his room since he constantly growled at anyone who entered.

“I adopted another demon. His name is Akaza and he was in a fighting ring.” There the words are out. Flashes of emotions pass your young demons face, excitement, worry—maybe fear?— before settling on a look you could only describe as acceptance and trust in you.

“I’m going to take a few days off work so I can set some ground rules for when I’m not here. He’s…” A flutter of descriptions pass through your head, you feel a bit teary-eyed as you try to get your last words out, “Tanjirou, he’s been through a lot.”

Tanjirou's face softens and you pat his hair hoping to calm him a bit (and yourself too, really.) “It’s good that you adopted him… how is he? Around you?”

“He braced himself whenever I got close the first few times, only ever growled the first time I met him when I left out food for him…” You said carefully, studying Tanjirou’s expressions.

“I’ve been meeting him for weeks now at the shelter. I wanted to see how he behaved around me before bringing him here and risking you.” Tanjirou places his hand in yours as if to say ‘thank you’, you rub your thumb along the back in response.

The truth is you wouldn’t have adopted Akaza if you didn’t have proof—and maybe a little hope—that you and Tanjirou could make this work. That you three could make a home in this empty house.

“Was he in the fighting ring that was recently closed?” Tanjirou asked fearfully.

“Yes, he was. But he won’t hurt you,” you would make sure of it, “Just.. stay close to me if you're scared, you can grab my hand even.” Akaza seems to associate touch with pain so maybe him observing you and Tanjirou could distance that response?

“Okay. Thank you.” He said softly, “For getting another demon and…for being a really good owner.”

“No problem, Tanjirou. I don’t say it often enough but I care about you.” You pause before deciding to say, “You keep me from being lonely; taking care of you so thank you.”

You feel dampness on your clothes but keep quite about it, you focus only on consoling Tanjirou. The demon who you feel is like a brother —or maybe a son—to you. Neither of you say anything and you stay until Tanjirou falls back asleep.

It’s late in the morning when you pass by the laundry room to get to your room. The door is closed.

Chapter Text

You decide to leave Akaza alone in the morning. You were really busy with schoolwork but also you just didn’t want to overwhelm him.

It was Saturday, the day were you and Tanjirou did most of the cleaning in preparation for the new week! It was also the day that Tanjirou was in charge of cooking. You don’t really know how that came to be but the progression was natural. Tanjirou enjoyed to cook and he did it on the weekends.

The laundry room is right beside the kitchen and you’re sure that Akaza could hear—and smell— Tanjirou cooking.

“Food’s ready!” You hear from the kitchen and begin rapidly tidying up the couch before walking with haste to the kitchen.

All of this to stop Tanjirou from bringing your food to you on the couch. You remember the first times you allowed Tanjirou to cook, he’d serve you in bed or on the couch and whilst it was a nice and appreciated gesture, it did make you feel a bit uneasy. You could get up and walk!

You explained this to Tanjirou and he was a little shocked? Surprised? You weren’t good at reading him back then.

(”So…you don’t want me to cook for you?” “No! No, cooking isn’t the issue. It’s the…serving aspect? I don’t want you to do that.” “Hmm, are you sure it’s not the food? I can learn your favorites-” “Tanjirou, how about when the food is done, you call me.” “….I can shout at you?” “Yes, if necessary.”)

You pass by the laundry room and notice the light is on, unsure if you left it on yesterday or not, you decide to leave it it be and go eat breakfast with Tanjirou.

You take a bite out of your food as you and Tanjirou discuss the normal separation of chores for Saturday. Well, it’s mostly you talking about it because Tanjirou insisted on letting him do most of the chores for today.

He was being weirdly insistent on cleaning downstairs. You suppose it might be to get away from Akaza but Tanjirou wouldn’t avoid him right? Maybe he just wanted to leave him alone to adjust. If that was the case then he could go to his room—or yours—to give Akaza some space.

“Tanjirou, you don’t need to clean downstairs. The maids my mom hired take care of that area. It’s better if we don’t disrupt them, you know how-” you know how my mom gets.”—the maids… don’t like that.” Ouch, rough save.

Tanjirou’s slight grimace was all you needed to switch the conversation.

You lean in, a playful smile on your lips. “I know you’re much better but, please give the maids a chance.” At your praise, Tanjirou’s eyes light up and he smiles happily, completely forgetting about your mother.

Phew, good.

It was best not to bring up your mother, especially since you’re sure Akaza is eavesdropping on you (Not his fault, really. The laundry room and kitchen are right next to each other. You’re sure he must be bored… Hmm, you should bring him something. What would he like?)

Tanjirou’s face dimmed for a moment before asking, “Owner, could we do laundry today?”

“Mhm, is there a lot?” There couldn’t be, right? You think you remember doing it a few days before Akaza’s arrival.

“Well it’s not a lot but I’m asking because… it’s just..” His eyes darted away from yours as if he was slightly scared. His shoulders tensed as if bracing for impact. “I got a stain on one of my favorite shirts. By accident!” He added as if you would think he’d done it on purpose.

He’s asking you because of the demon who’s currently in the laundry room.

Mhm, you suppose having to do laundry would be a plausible excuse for Akaza to come out. After all, who would want to stay in a room with a loud ass washing machine?

But… Akaza isn’t ready for that.

“Could you wait a few days?” He seems to relax at your response.

“I can!” He says eagerly.

“Alright, later put the stained shirt on my bed. I’ll see what I can do.” You added thoughtfully. Getting the stains out before they dried would make sure there’s no residue.

You went back to your breakfast silently. Not noticing the slight shine to your demons eyes.

Looking up at the time, you froze. Eyes widening and chewing stopped as you realized something horrible.

You forgot to turn it in.

Jumping from you seat like something bit you, you dashed to your computer. You looked back at Tanjirou, speaking in a language only you two knew. He recognized the fear in your eyes, after all this has happened many, many times before.

“…you forgot it again. Didn’t you?”

A slight shriek builds up in the back of your throat.

Tanjirou sighed, rubbing his chin. “We can say you had to take me to the vet for an emergency.”

You nod appreciatively at him, unable to respond with food in your mouth but still wanting to thank him. God—what had you done to deserve him?

After you were done with your assignment—and turned it in—it was the afternoon, an hour or two before lunch. You decided to check up on Akaza and maybe do some light reading (just to spend some time next to him, really). He still wasn’t up for leaving his room—er, well, the laundry room.

Maybe you should introduce him to his room? He should at least be aware of it, right? But would he listen?

Hmm, such hard questions.

But, it’s only been a day. That can wait.

You knock on the laundry door as best as you can, a blanket wrapped around you and your book, a drink, and some meat in your hands.

“I’m coming in!” You say.

You put your stuff down first, not looking or speaking to Akaza but you can feel his stare. You ignore this though, getting settled in and only feeling a tinge of disappointment when you reach for your blanket and notice he didn’t use the ones you left out for him.

It’s fine, just… It’s fine.

You sigh internally, adjusting the blanket over your shoulders and finally looking at Akaza.

You must’ve not hidden the disappointment in your face well enough because he tenses up immediately. “What’s wrong?” Your voice comes out in a whisper.

He doesn’t say anything but you know he heard you so you say it again, “What’s wrong?” Your voice comes out stronger and more demanding. So demanding, it seems to draw out a response right away.

“You.”

Oh.

“N-no! I mean- I..” A strange sound leaves his lips, between a snarl and whine. “I- I didn’t mean to. I-” The rest that comes out is unintelligible to you and the only words you do catch are unsettling. It’s a little heartbreaking.

He backs away, breathing stuttering. The longer he sits with his bundler, the more panicked he gets.

Maybe this could be a learning moment? That you won’t hurt him? This could be good.

Putting your hands up, “It’s okay, It’s fine, I know you didn’t mean it that way.”

All sounds stop from him as his fearful eyes meet yours, you try your best to sound reassuring, “It’s. Okay.”

A second. “You’re okay.”

Two. “I know you didn’t mean it that way.”

You reach for the bag of meat. “You won’t be punished.”

You said these words to completely reassure him. You won’t lay a hand on him. You won’t let anyone hurt him. He won’t be punished.

His pupils constricted. His eyes started at you, wide and- not scared. But horrifically, terribly, shocked.

The expression stayed on his face for longer than a second before it became painful. He shuts his eyes and you inch closer.

His eyes snap to yours.

It was too much.

He was an animal cornered.

A low growl came from the back of his throat.

You stilled.

The scent of your fear permeated the air.

You remember seeing Akaza for the first time. Glowing yellow eyes in a pitch black room. It felt like you where in a horror movie, the way you weren’t allowed in the room at first, the way your first words had to be said between metal walls and a sliding panel.

Your eyes hurriedly searched his face, mind reeling. What could have gone wrong? What did you do wrong? Was it what you said?

Your unsureness strengthened the more you both stayed in that enclosed space, neither moving, neither looking away. What could you do?

An idea came to you and it felt horrible, like a betrayal. It was sickening to use something that hurt him so much but.. you had your own life to think about.

And Tanjirou’s, what if you weren’t there to protect him?

“Akaza, stop.”

He stopped growling. Your voice full of power and control cut through his growing panic.

You used a tone only used with ring-fighting demons. You tried to speak like someone was used to orders being followed. Someone who demanded obedience, someone so unlike you.

His tense and hunched form forcefully relaxed itself, melting down until it was below yours. You think he recognized your tone.

A slight awkwardness filled you. Now, what do you do?

“You have to punish me.” He muttered, tearing his eyes from yours and pulling them down to the floor.

“…what?”

“That.. behavior was unacceptable.” He struggles out, “I need to be- I need-” He quiets down, a faint tremble coming down his shoulders into his hands.

…

…you think.. you understand.

Akaza needs some form of regulation.

He’s never lived without it. The idea of- of not receiving any discipline when he’s thinks he’s done wrong goes against everything he’s been taught. Every rule, every command that was beaten into him, seared into him like a brand.

He needs rules to follow and he needs to have consequences if he disobeys.

You didn’t want to repeat the cycle. Akaza was here to be rehabilitated, not to be—mistreated.

What…what where you going to do?

It was clear to you now that Akaza needed much more help than you’d initially though. The same way you brought Tanjirou out of his shell wouldn’t work on Akaza. He needed more of an iron fist—something you didn’t know if you had in you—instead of your gentle hand. But, what would be the other choice? Give him away?

…No.

You refused. Maybe he didn’t know it yet and maybe he wouldn’t agree, but Akaza was a part of your family now. You weren’t giving up on him so easily.

If he needed something stricter, then you could do it. You would.

And when he got better, when he knew he could trust you—both of you—then things would be different. He wouldn’t need the same rules and regulations.

‘Okay,’ you thought assuredly, ‘what would be a suitable.. punishment?’ The word alone made you wince.

Shaking your head, you tried to get back on your train of thought.

Maybe petting him? The method worked for you to make him ‘earn’ his food… but you don’t want Akaza to connect your touch (however gentle it would be) with his punishments. And you weren’t even going to think about restricting his access to food or—god—hitting him.

A little thought creeped in the back of your mind; Tanjirou.

They haven’t met eachother yet.

Tanjirou has been waiting on you to give the okay and Akaza—well he definitely doesn’t want to meet anyone now.

Akaza seemed to still at your hesitation, as a prisoner would before his sentence. As more time passed, you saw his shoulders shake one last time before lowering himself completely to the ground.

Baring his neck to you, completely deferring to your will. You tried not to cringe.

You spoke, “Okay, I’m not going to- Do you want-“ and stopped, it had to be more firm. You needed to walk the line between demanding and firm, between gentle and harsh.

“Look at me.” You tried again, as expected his had snapped to you. Yellow-eyes avoiding your face but showing they were focused only on you.

“I’m going to bring Tanjirou here,” you spoke calmly, “You are going to behave. You won’t growl or snarl or show any indication of violence. And most importantly, you won’t fight.”

At your words, Akaza looked briefly uneasy.

You pressed on, “‘Behaving’ in this case, means being amicable. It means being friendly or non-threatening. Have you ever been in a non-threatening situation with another demon?”

He shook his head.

That is gonna make things so much harder.