⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔

⚜ ~ 11 ~ ⚜

Tanjirou had been lost to reality after everything. He could still feel Giyuu above him, but made no attempt to respond. His voice in the end had betrayed him. His mind and heart were no longer obeying the other, leaving his body to move on it's own. Of course, it also led into quite pleasant opportunities. The first being the second kiss he got. It left him feeling bubbly afterward. The lasting taste of Giyuu that was bitter while still holding a sweetness that left more being desired. One kiss had turned into two, into three before Tanjirou felt like his heart would explode from the new feelings that rushed forward. He was at his wits end and the heat of his body was higher than he'd ever seen before. From anyone's view, he'd have been deemed sick.

Giyuu on the other hand was struggling to calm his raging mind. Being older, he knew more. His mind lingered into the regions of ideas Tanjirou was not yet ready for. He was a realistic individual. He knew the feeling he held in his heart, so he'd promised to leave them settled till Tanjirou came to him willingly, or until the other was of the age where he felt it allowed. He didn't feel like going too far with someone who in his books was still underage. That of course, didn't mean he couldn't taste a sample of what he sought. Tanjirou was like a drug to him. Not only his blood, but those soft lips that greeted his. They sent his heart surging wildly, pushing him further from the safe zone he'd made. He'd planned to stop at that one kiss, but the desire had remained. Of course, Giyuu knew there was a point to call it. 

After the near fifth kiss, he finally pulled away before smiling. Tanjirou was breathing roughly, his complexion bright and highly flustered. His eyes were hazy, but it was a lovely look to the Demon. Giyuu couldn't help but feel even more drawn to the other. Tanjirou truly brought out his feelings with ease, even aiding him to act on them. 

"I think that's enough for now. Why not get some sleep and I can wake you later in the evening." Tanjirou hummed, Giyuu planning to get up. He found it quite difficult as soon as Tanjirou pulled him closer. The maroon haired male has slid a bit, offering a spot for Giyuu. The Demon sighed, knowing there wasn't really a choice. Even if there was, he wouldn't just deny the other. So he laid beside him, pulling him close to his chest as the other breathed softly. His heart beat was calmer than before, easing him gently into slumber. Giyuu remained silent, merely watching the other as he whispered out a thought. Even if Tanjirou hadn't heard, in the end, it made no difference. "Sweet dreams, Tanjirou."

The iron that clung to the air was potent, those lifeless eyes that bore into his back. The stale voice that shattered his heart with each word. Sweat rolled down his body, granting him knowledge of his pain. He wanted to turn, to view the scene. But he couldn't. His body stayed glued, frozen in place. The sick sounds of something moving through a pool filled the silence, only briefly giving him the ability to turn. So he did. The moment his gaze fell on the scene, it was like the world fell from below him.

Fear, that was his main emotion. The blood that had stained the rooms was shifting, pooling. Filling the room slowly. The bodies of those he treasured, the family he once had, all sunk away from view. Their screams were piercing, stabbing into him as eyes watched through the murky red. He scurried to get away. To flee. To escape this nightmare. But it was no use.

"You were a burden to us all!"

"You were a failure as the older brother!"

"A brother who couldn't protect his family. How useless!"

"Why couldn't you save us? I thought you loved us?"

"Why did only you survive?" Those words were like poison, etched into his conscious. He struggled to ignore it, to find freedom, but that was a pointless ambition. The blood that rested hauntingly had shifted once more. The temperature rose higher, burning into his legs. It forced his need to scream, but his voice was raspy. Broken. The boiling blood soon burst before settling once more. Those eyes that watched had vanished. The voices had stilled. It was finally over.

That was where he was wrong. The calm had died in seconds, arms reaching upward. Fingers dug into his body, drawing more blood as he felt the floor beneath vanish. He sunk lower, screaming out for help. For anyone to notice. Each second felt endless, his doom growing closer. The red caressed his body, enveloping him as his vision sunk below the surface. His mouth was open, the feeling like he was drowning. It was excruciating. His tears were not seen in that pool as he clawed to reach the surface. To be free. He could hear a voice so distant, yet familiar. 

"Wa- Tan- Ple." His mind was fuzzy. His senses felt broken. 

"Wake U- Tanjirou... Please!" Those words. That voice. It brought an ease to him as death felt like his best friend. Maybe it was karma. His fate. Even though he'd accepted that, he could see something like a shadow above. His hands instantly reached out, fingers grabbing his hands as he felt a force pull him upward, the words like thunder, resonating in his heart, shattering the fear.

"WAKE UP TANJIROU! PLEASE!"

Tanjirou shot forward in the bed, his heart rate a million miles per hour. His body was drenched in sweat as his breath clung to his lungs. Tears had stained his face as his senses were still in disarray. His panicked gulps of air filling the silence as his mind was still screaming out. He could smell the calm ocean, mixed with the nightmare's smell. It left his dreading it was true. His fear was highly potent, dripping off him and staining the air. His whimpers were soft, but broken.

"Tanjirou... Take a deep breath for me." The smaller male struggled to comprehend the words. His surrounding flashed between the red he'd just seen, leaving him to panic more. He tried to run, to flee. To escape. Hands had once more grabbed onto him, pulling him back into a warm embrace. The calm heartbeat was an ease as Tanjirou finally drank in his surroundings. He took in smaller breathes as he trembled heavily. His head turned slightly, seeing Giyuu. His expression was panicked and restless. Tanjirou felt weak, sick to his stomach as he leaned into the other. 

"I-I'm S-sorry, G-Giyuu..." The Demon hushed him, stroking his hair as he tried to calm the other. He was only aware Tanjirou had witnessed a nightmare, not the severity of it. It had woke him with a start, the scream that shattered the evenings silence. He had fallen asleep from the comfort, but that had crumbled in seconds. It took far too long for Tanjirou to wake, Giyuu fearing he wouldn't. He had to hold the other down at a point, to keep him from harming himself. The sight left him uneasy and pained. Seeing Tanjirou so defeated. So lost and broken.

"Just calm down. Take it easy. I am here, I promise. No one is going to hurt you." Tanjirou was seated in the center of Giyuu's lap, hugging him as he tried to calm down. The tears wouldn't cease, but Giyuu expected that. Whatever had happened in the nightmare had effected Tanjirou on a mental level. It broke the Demon's heart. That was the one place he couldn't protect Tanjirou and it infuriated him.

"I'm s-so sorry Giyuu-san... I'm sorry..." 

"Shh. Just breath. Calm yourself. I am going nowhere, nor do you need to apologize. Everything is okay, I promise." He held the other's head gently, feeling those warm tears. He bit back his ache in his heart, the flip his stomach offered. His fingers played delicately at the hair, a low hum leaving him to block out any voices that lingered in the others mind. He played a small melody, lulling the boy to relax as he held him close. "I am right here. I will never go anywhere, nor let anyone harm you. I promise you as many times as you desire to hear it. I will never leave you."

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Hope you enjoy. I was sad writing that nightmare, but oh well! Give me feedback and looking forward to posting more! (✿◠‿◠)