Luminous (KNY X READER)

Twenty-Nine

The kind old woman named Hisa welcomes you all into her home despite Zenitsu and Inosuke being quite rude. She leads the boys to their room first before leading you to a separate one under the assumption that you'd like some privacy. She isn't exactly wrong. It's not that you would mind sharing a room with the boys. It's just that you need to think about a few things- some thoughts that have been accumulating over the past few weeks. You need a clear mind before you face the others.

After a much needed bath, you change into the clothes provided before sitting on your futon, your knees pulled to your chest as you rest your chin on them while your arms hug them close. Your blurred vision takes in the room, barely able to make out any details other than color through your right eye. Everything on the left is just black, much like it was when you first acquired the mysterious injuries so many years ago. Yoriichi had mentioned once the possibility of you gaining your sight back in your right eye but so far nothing has changed. It remains blurred, unable to properly see anything.

Sighing, you close your eyes, allowing your mind to drift towards the thoughts that have been plaguing you recently. Ever since your first mission with Tanjiro the thoughts have been there, slowly growing with each passing day. You always try your best to ignore them but they've been a lot more frequent and loud making it nearly impossible to push them away. You've tried to act as if everything has been normal but you know it's only a matter of time until Tanjiro or someone else notices the difference.

It seems you're correct in that assumption as there's a light knock on your door followed by Tanjiro's quiet and somewhat timid voice calling out your name. You remain silent, not really in the mood for company. You know Tanjiro is too kind and respectful to just barge in uninvited but it would appear that you've forgotten a certain important detail.

Your eyes snap open at the same time the door does, your blurred vision barely getting a chance to see a pink blur before you're tackled into a hug. "Nezuko!" Tanjiro calls after his sister in a panic. "She didn't say we could come in!"

Nezuko simply huffs as she ignores her brother, nuzzling against you happily. You can't help but to smile softly as you stroke her hair, unknowingly aiding her in falling asleep. Tanjiro hesitates outside of the door for a moment longer before entering and closing it behind him. As he sits down, you listen as he sets Nezuko's box beside himself showing that she was likely still hiding inside of it until they reached your room.

"They're going to be serving dinner soon. I wanted to come let you know so you could join us." Tanjiro explains, knowing you're likely curious as to why they're there.

Your smile falters, slowly turning into a frown. "Do I deserve to eat with you?"

"What? What do you mean? Of course you do!" Tanjiro tries to keep from raising his voice but your sudden question really caught him off guard which made him answer a bit too hastily.

"Don't you think I'm weak? A nuisance? Someone who only gets in your way?" The thoughts that have been slowly building all come pouring out at once. Tanjiro doesn't get the chance to answer any of your questions as you simply continue blurting more. "I should've never become a demon slayer, right? I'm not strong enough. I'm of no use during fights. Don't you hate me? For never being able to help? Every fight we've been in until this point I've done nothing. I've had to rely on somebody else for all of them. You, Nezuko, Inosuke... I don't deserve the title of demon slayer. I should've never joined you and Nezuko on your journey. I'll do nothing but hold you back."

"Stop that!" Tanjiro finally snaps, cutting you off from saying anything more. Scooting closer to you, he places his rough hands on your cheeks before gently placing his forehead against your own. "You are strong enough, (Y/N). You're amazing! Since the very beginning you've done nothing but amaze me. You protected Nezuko from Tomioka! You were able to keep up with Urokodaki- a former Hashira! You were able to create your own breathing technique when none of the others fit you. You protected Zenitsu for an entire week during Final Selection. And you've survived every battle despite being at a disadvantage. Yes, you need help sometimes and that's okay. So do I. So does Zenitsu. And I'm sure even Inosuke does. There's nothing wrong with having weaknesses. Having weaknesses doesn't make you weak- it makes you human. Please never doubt yourself. You're the strongest person I know."

Tanjiro's words make your heart clench tightly in your chest and you're almost certain you'd be crying if your tear ducts weren't destroyed. Shakily, you raise your hands, carefully grasping his wrists as you look up at him. Despite your blurred vision you swear you can see him perfectly. His gorgeous eyes that are watering, shining with so many emotions. His soft reassuring smile. The faint blush on his cheeks. For the first time in years you can see someone clearly, and you're beyond glad that person is him.

"The others are probably waiting for us." He clears his throat as he pulls away, moving to wake up his sister long enough for her to crawl back into her box.

You stand up as well, moving to hold his hand as the two of you go to exit the room. Just before he slides open the door you tug on his hand in order to pull his attention back towards yourself, giving him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Tanjiro. I really needed to hear that."

"I'll always be here to remind you of how amazing you are (Y/N). Never forget that."

~~~~~~~~~
🔆TAISHO SECRETS🔆

🔅Tanjiro could smell all of your emotions as you opened up your him, and it pained him that he never noticed your struggling emotions before

🔅Nezuko was really happy to see that you were alright after hearing you get beat up

🔅You feel a bit better after Tanjiro's talk but still have some lingering doubts

🔅Tanjiro silently makes the promise to pay more attention to your feelings so he can help you whenever you're feeling like that