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helloescapist · 6 months

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Request:

-Headcanon prompt, SFW/platonic

-Uzui with a tsuguko whose personality is the complete opposite of him. They dress plainly, look plain, are very quiet, socially awkward, air-headed and seldom smile or show strong emotions. Still, they have good hearing and are very hardworking and loyal. The reader also enjoys playing the piano when they're not working.

Hello, hello!

*phew* for a moment there, I almost felt called out! This is a request that actually, hits close to home especially the plain clothes, and because of this, I had a lot of fun poking at the dynamics of the plain tsuguko versus the flashy hashira. 😂 So, please be fore warned, that these jokes are never intended to actually hurt you, or any other readers.

Counterpart Tsuguko Headcanons | Tengen Uzui

Word Count: 3143

Setting: Tengen x gn!reader [reader is his tsuguko, platonic]

Content Warning(s): brief mentions of combat, wounds, SFW, platonic.

Summary: headcanons of Tengen Uzui with a tsuguko is so unlike himself, the work relationship struggles, and room for growth for the both of you!

A/N: for whom it may concern (me, it concerns me), pianos entered Japan in 1823 making it fairly reasonable that reader can play piano.

To be honest, polar opposites will always have conflicts that occur in their relationships, whether you wish to pursue a romantic relationship, friendship, or just maintaining a friendly work atmosphere, and in Tengen’s case there are some exceptionalities to keep in mind.

Initially, you flew under his radar. No, you weren’t even on his radar, and any brief interaction whether it was brought on by a bump in the hallway upon the Ubuyashiki Estate, or the Butterfly Mansion, was quickly looked over.

Completely forgettable, the most he likely did was spare a passing thought for how sad your world must be, derived of even a hint of flashy presence.

No in fact, I believe there is only two circumstances in which you attracted his attention, such as the chance opportunity of running into one another on the field, your abilities would peak his interest and might tug his interest, but realistically. I still feel like the monotone combination of your haori choices in tune with your slayer uniform, not a single distinguishing feature met by the mutable lack of depths of your personality, he would pass you by.

Nothing personal, he is a man of flighty fancies, and anything that touches too close to his past will make him feel stifled.

Tengen Uzui’s days of living as a mere shadows on the frays of humanity are long gone, he will not allow his presence to be snubbed from existence anymore, and in some ways, I imagine the mute way in which you conduct yourself would bring forth painful memories of his clan, his siblings, his father. Best to skip you over, besides would you even give a reaction if he were to probe, or tease?

Probably not, there’s just nothing to be gained.

Therefore, I imagine that the retired shinobi would likely have to be forced to act as your master, to undertake you to training, and thrust the position of securing his Sound Hashira title upon your own shoulders. One in which he’s unsure if you’re even capable of living up to his standards, but for all his uncertainty, I was after all the Master who recommended you.

An unusual request of Ubuyashiki one in which he held such gentle regard over tea with the Sound Hashira as he gauged the sincerity of hopefully approaching retirement with his wives—a dream that the Shinobi had long since cultivated, and one that the Master wished to see through. To allow a man who had dedicated himself so much to the corps, the opportunity to relax, and taste a life of flashy normalcy.

The formal request for Uzui to consider taking a tsuguko, a tactful place on the Master’s part. The depths of his heart knowing that despite how easily Uzui could be drawn to wanderlust, he may never truly relent his ties to the Demon Slayers without someone to inherit his burdens.

Tengen of course, submitted, as any of the Hashria would if the Master inquired upon a favor. From one so minor, to one as particular as this. Allowing Rengoku to secure your meeting, the retiree ninja was of course curious. You have been on the receiving end of Rengoku’s caretaking a time or two, but who hasn’t?

How bold could one be to have garnished Ubuyashiki’s own recommendations, and the buzz of which Rengoku regarded you before undertaking the introductions had reassured him the promise you must bear.

The Flame Hashira is one of which kindles hope, energy, flamboyant in the very manner of his speech dripping to the vibrancy of his heart, and features. You must be full of promise.

What a disappointment.

Face to face with a blatant stare as stale as the one the Water Hashira so often carries. Head to toe, dressed in the standard uniform expected of the demon slayer.

No hint of individual embellishment such as the hairclips the Insect Pillar carries, nor even the touch of modification that Shinazugawa wears. No, the most unique aspect of your state of dress was the black montsuki that and women alike could be caught wearing routinely stripped of even the clan crest at the breast.

Boring.

So much to the point that the Sound Hashira was certain that if he were to sneak a peek at the in seams of the haori, there would not even be a touch of hidden pattern. Stale, practically robbed of any color, and the blank expression in which you appraised him.

Unaffected by the bold attributes of his dress, and the flex of his hard-earned muscles. The overtly formal, and polite bend of your back, if anything averting your eyes beneath the glistening of the many gemstone adornments.

The nerve of you, seemingly so unimpressed by the absolute god that stood before you.

If you’ve met him prior, Tengen will bluntly tell you that he cannot remember, it’s clearly your own fault.

No, the initial impression is likely that stale, left on the counter over night rice had more personality, but he accepted the annoying duty, nonetheless.

Only because of the Master’s request, but he will do everything he can to shake you from his care.

The beginning rounds of him trying to stifle his duty—by which I mean at your meeting, he had already come to the conclusion that he will force your resignation of tsuguko by any means necessary.

You’re haunting his presence with your plainness.

The first initiation the man will push you through is a strict raiding of your wardrobe. He will dress you head in toe with the most flamboyant clothing, under the strict opinion that if the Sound God is expected to tolerate your shadow, the least you could do is represent. How did you make a black monotsuki PLAINER than it is by default?

No, he will force you through a variety of outfit changes, adjustments, until he finds something that pleases him. The goal is entirely for you to lose your composure—either enough to humor Uzui, or to outwrite draw your resignation.

Literally, trying to force your hand, but little did the sound breather you are just as dedicated to your post as he is jiffing you. Begrudgingly, you’ve left the shop adorning your superior’s selection of a haori bearing a tiger, flame, and flowers.

It’s ugly.

You know it.

He knows it.

But who will fold first?

From there Uzui is likely to push you through so many horrible trials of training that Mount Sagiri is shamed of his tactics. Dodging kunai knives. Sampling minor poisons, forcing you through endurance run after endurance run, having elicited the assistance of his wives to force your retirement.

Each one dutiful, if not concerned as to the means in which he has determined your trials. Each one knowing that despite the way he expresses how plain you are, the reality is that he does not wish to endanger another person in his own affairs. So, they lament. Each contributing to their husband’s whims.

Makio falls more in line with Tengen upon your behavior. The stale state of which you appear unphased or unbothered is likely to agitate her from time to time, and because of this, she’s more likely to be combative.

The perfect person to force you through training in Uzuis opinion. The kunoichi is steadfast in safeguarding her family, that if Tengen has determined you are not up to par to be his tsuguko, she will carry his will into forcing your retirement.

Yet, the awkward way you shuffled around the kitchen, doing your best to begin the breakfast prep despite the way the sun has yet to rise. Your face littered with scars, scathing marks of the training of days prior, unafflicted as the way you wash the rice. She is softening.

Is likely the first to realize just how dedicated you are to upholding the position of Sound Tsuguko in all of it’s dignity—but she’s still going to push you until her husband alleviates her of her post.

Where Makio has been steadfast and temperamental, Suma will delight in the gentle way you regard her. The small blush or unsettled way you struggle when she draws near. Delighting in the obvious discomfort you have with her proximity, so unlike that of an of the Uzui clan.

She’s going to think you’re the most adorable tsuguko to have ever joined the corps. Especially in which the inevitable way you end up awkwawrdly soothing one of her tantrum spouts, the way you had successfully caught her off guard in training.

The obvious risk of disappointment Uzui may feel is in her inability to be a successful kunoichi even if she’s retired. Like he’s capable of feeling anything other than affection for any of them.

Yet, as illogical as the reasoning is, Suma cannot fight the way her tears spill over, and her wailing meets the trees ushering birds from the area. Nor can you fight the awkward shift of your blade, the internal war that has stricken between your nerves before you awkwardly pat her head, doing your best to sooth her tears in the most rigid of fashions.

Then, there is Hinatsuru who cannot ignore the gentle way Tengen says your name. The small touch of pride in his features after the wives report your progress—or well, lack of advancement to putting one sandal out the door.

The progress of your training drawing upon his esteem. The first of any of them to pick up on the real reason why it is Uzui wishes to push you from his services—the former shinobi never having been given the proper ability to communicate how having someone under his ward, under his care always leaves him unsettled.

The man is more aware of his own risk-taking behaviors than others, and as a tsuguko, your duties are to follow wherever it may be that he leads whether to the entertainment district, or to hell, and because of this, the Sound Hashira would rather you resign, or fall under another Hashira’s instruction. Like Tomioka’s.

It is in the small moments in which she bandages a scathed cheek at the end of the day, one of Makio’s kunais having successfully landed its mark in which the small slip of your mask has trembled out. The small confession that though Uzui’s methods are unorthodox, you cannot help but admire his confidence, and his pragmatic approach to life.

And in that moment, she is certain that you are more alike than either of you realize. Such as the way that you can be caught playing the piano late at night as a means to escape the way your thoughts may attempt to rob you of your confidence.

They have all heard you, yet none dare to confess their intrusion. Perhaps in fear that you may stop playing altogether, losing your resolve to combat each of Tengen’s whims.

The beautiful hit of keys, of emotions that dare to spill from your fingertips and lose yourself in the melody in the middle of the night is when Uzui has (not really) admitted defeat.

There is a touch of spark within you after all.

Though he will never state it out loud in this case, rather, he’ll allow the muted return of haori, one in which he had rejected upon your initial shopping trip to appear in your accommodations.

In the case of Tengen, you both will have to accept that your relationship will not do well unless you learn to let bygones be bygones, and try to remain open-minded to both of your needs.

Tengen is by nature, an exhibitionist.

He thrives under attention and praise. On one hand, there are perks in his ability to command a room, as well as your denial of the spotlight. In most missions, this means that Tengen will take the blows, draw all the rage of demons to his self, and allow you the opportunity to go for the kill.

He will put on a performance, while you perform discord from the shadows. Where he is the bellow of a drum, loud and demanding, Uzui sets the pace, and draws attention, you are a flute.

Quiet, outspoken, and carried by the wind. The notes are delicate and untouched allowing you to reach where others may not. But, just as with any band, timing is everything, and as time and trust solidifies, you will make for a lethal pair.

While you may at times become exasperated with his antics, and wandering, the Sound Hashira may at times feel the same way for your ability to remain in place--- he doesn’t get it, but that does not mean that either of your view points are wrong and without purpose.

In battle, in training, and even in the opportunity to ease yourself from demands, both are important. Uzui has the ability to strike first, to wander fearlessly, and blaze a trail. He can and will size vacation time without giving an absolute shit about how it may affect those around him.

The good news is, the Sound Hashira will encourage a voice you never imagined lurked beneath your surface—the ability to back talk the Wind Hashira if he has infringed upon your duties, or to allow yourself to actually take care of yourself with little remorse.

Okay, you actually feel really guilty, but Uzui is at your side shamelessly committing an escapade with little regard, and it’s kind of comforting.

You are two sides of the same coin. On one side, you have the Sound Hashira who does not hesitate to wander, and adore attention, and seize respite, and because of this, he’ll gift you the ability to take care of yourself more, without fear that you are disappointing others.

He’ll encourage bold questions, the smallest quip of a smile upon realizing that you have added a olive haori, or a small pin to your otherwise bland outfit.

Something that once would have provided you with internal discord, now a small touch of individuality upon your uniform. I mean, he thinks you could definitely use more, but baby steps. He’s so proud of you.

The Sound Hashira’s ability to step back and actually acknowledge that though it may feel like a small change to him, it is in fact a significant step for you—is all your influence.

Whereas, you have this ability to motivate him. To help him feel as though he is just a little closer and closer to retirement, and get his bones moving in a beneficial factor to the Demon Slayer Corps. Able to place a little bit more substance in his long-term goals.

On the other, while Uzui does NOT like to be tied down or stationary, as long as you allow him the ability to live life without a leash, he will actually enjoy how thoughtful you can be. The natural consideration you have for others, your ability to coordinate times, dates, in short his schedule—its all essential for him to be able to live life on the edge.

Someone is dutifully cleaning up his mess.

On top of it, he’s likely praise your ability to think out of the box, a side effect of your ability to balance life. In fact, it’s your natural ability to get along that helps to tidy up his dealings with the other Hashiras.

Connection and communication is something that as you can imagine from your initial interactions took quite some time to get off the ground. It likely resulted in a number of spats, your growing confidence giving you a touch of a backbone, and the ability to facilitate boundaries with the man, and because of this, it’s important to address how different your styles are.

Uzui is a blunt individual, and he doesn’t care if his words leave a little bit of a scar. He would much rather be to the point and scathing, than be askew, and coddle a situation rather than accept it for what it is. He is analytical, and is quick to rise to tensions.

While you may be more prone to approaching disputes from an emotional end—such as what led to the infringement. Where is it that tensions arose in the first place, and how might you approach this situation in a way that--- yeah he’s bored as hell and cannot cope with it, but as time goes on, he’ll learn to hear you out.

Just as you will adjust your own communication to details and practical applications without relying. You’re still communicating your needs, as well as acknowledging his own, but are learning that practical language and emotional language should be shifted to mee the others needs.

As time goes on, you will also have adapted to understanding that Tengen’s remarks are never personal, but rather informative ways to correct whether it’s how you handled a social interaction, or in your own swordsmen stance.

That being said, while the combination is one that you both likely met with extreme hesitation, it has the great potential to be one that is not only lethal, but allows you the opportunity to feel safe and secure in a balanced relationship.

Structured on trust, and dedication to one another, Tengen will take pride in giving you the means to meet conflicts head on, to dare to wear olive, or a mute pattern outside of solid neutrals, and you give him an unexpected place to ease into confessions. To quietly dispose concerns, confess the small nightmares of a past that crept up on him between drinks.

Similar to his wives, and the care he shows to the Kamado squad, I imagine that Tengen can and would put his life on the to protect you.

That he claims your accomplishments as his own, not in a narcissistic manner, but rather that of a father who is genuinely delighted to see how far you have come. You are the cat daddy didn't want.

Savors the rare opportunities in which you will follow his lead, the smile upon his face when he has introduced you to extravagant foods. The rare slip of a smile, and how you submit to the moments.

To laugh at his antics, to be dragged along into one of his whims. The moment in which you allow yourself to loosen up, and enjoy where the Sound Hashira will take you. The day in which you claim his position.

The day one that bears such significance to him. The distant memory of his distaste for someone so forgettable, now etched into his being. The widen of his dark fuscha eyes tucked under silver hair as he adverts his gaze with a knowing smile, drawn at the corresponding pattern seared into his face, at his eyes.

The buttons of your uniform, now golden in hue, and the faded amber haori with the faintest, familiar circular pattern at the corner of your sleeves, mirrored image of your sensei's unique marking.

He’s so proud of you.

damn it.

#🍡tsuyospeaks #demon slayer x reader #kimetsu no yaiba x reader #kny x reader #tengen uzui x reader #tengen x reader #tengen's wives #I will never write tengen without his wives #uzui clan #uzui x reader #tengen uzui

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