Luminous (KNY X READER)

Thirty-Five

The bed is cold and empty when you wake the next morning, leaving your chest feeling hollow as your heart uncomfortably clenches. It was wishful thinking, but you had hoped Sanemi would still be with you in the morning just like when you had sleepovers as kids. He probably just didn't want to get caught in your room with you. If you had to guess, nobody knows you know each other. And he might want it to stay that way.

Pushing the thoughts away, knowing there's no point thinking about it, you get out of bed and make your way towards the door. You need to find the others to make sure that they're okay since you haven't been with any of them since the mountain- except Tanjiro but you were a bit too out of it to really pay much attention to him during the trial. You know that he's probably worried about you, and you want to let him know that you're okay.

Walking down the hallway, you try your best to maneuver around the unfamiliar territory without asking for help. You don't want to be a bother, knowing that everyone is likely very busy taking care of numerous patients since you're sure there were a lot of victims on the mountain even if you didn't find any yourself. You refuse to believe that out of the numerous slayers sent to the mountain, there were only casualties and no survivors. You also refuse to believe that any of your friends could've possibly died while there.

You never met up with Tanjiro and Inosuke while on the mountain as Rui stopped you before you could, so you have no idea if anything happened to Inosuke. You also don't know if Zenitsu ever went up the mountain, knowing he was last freaking out when you were with him. You won't know if he went unless you speak with him, which means you first need to find him and the others.

"Hm? (Y/N)? What are you doing here?" A soft voice questions just as they step out of a room, and you can hear very familiar voices on the other side.

"I'm looking for my friends." You answer honestly, not wanting the Hashira in front of you to think you're simply snooping around her home.

"I see." She moves out of the way of the door. "They're just through here. I'm sure they'll be very happy to see you." You quietly thank her before approaching the door, pausing a moment before sliding it open and stepping through. Shinobu watches you go, a pitying smile on her face.

"(Y/N)!" Zenitsu's voice is the first you hear upon entering the room. You half expect him to tackle you into a hug but he remains seated on his bed, unable to get up. You approach him, standing next to his bed as you allow him to wrap his surprisingly small arms around your waist. "I was so worried about you! I'm so glad you're alive!"

"I'm fine, Zenitsu. There's no reason to worry." You gently pat the top of his head, reassuring him. While you were injured, it was nothing serious and therefore nothing to worry over. There's no point in making them worry by telling them what you went through when they're dealing with their own injuries and problems.

You give him a few more moments to hold you before pulling away to head to the next bed where Tanjiro is sitting. He wraps his arms around you the second you're in front of him, his hands shaking slightly against your back. His thoughts have been filled with you since the previous day, leaving him unable to sleep properly. Seeing you so withdrawn and lifeless during the trial was pretty scary. Seeing you in front of him now makes him feel so much relief.

"I'm sorry." The whispered words make Tanjiro confused as he pulls away from you, looking up at you with furrowed brows.

"What for?"

"For not helping during the trial." Tanjiro's eyes widen, him immediately going to disagree only to be stopped as you gently press your fingertips to his lips. "I should've helped fight for your lives. You and Nezuko both could've died had the trial gone worse. And instead of trying to explain everything to the Hashira to prove your innocence, I just sat there silently, not doing anything at all. So, for that, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize!" Tanjiro takes your hands into his, his eyes trained on the bandages wrapped around your wrists that he had failed to notice previously. "I was actually really glad that you weren't speaking up during the trial. I was scared that once you did, they'd be even more inclined to sentence you to execution alongside Nezuko and I. I didn't want you to put your life on the line for us, even though you apparently did long before yesterday. I had no idea you, Urokodaki, and Tomioka were willing to commit seppuku just for us."

His grip on your hands tighten just slightly. "I really appreciate it, since it helped to convince them not to kill us. But please... never offer to sacrifice yourself for us again. I don't want you to die, especially because of me. So please, keep living, even if you don't want to."

"Okay." You softly voice your agreement, leaning down to press your forehead against his. You'll make the promise for now, but there will always be that chance that the promise will break at some point. It's impossible to fully promise such a thing when you have no idea what the future holds.

Pulling away, you make your way past Tanjiro's bed to Inosuke's, the boar boy laying completely still on his back. You don't hesitate at all as you lay down next to him, lacing your fingers with his as you rest your forehead against his shoulder. The two of you lay in silence, uncaring of the eyes curiously (and jealously) watching you both. It takes a while for him to finally say anything.

"I'm sorry." His voice comes out raspy and weak, and you already know it's not because of him being emotional. His throat must've been injured while on the mountain. You remain silent, letting him continue if he wants to. It's a few more minutes of silence until he speaks up again. "I wasn't strong enough. I lost against one of the spider demons, and then against some guy."

"It's okay." You shuffle a bit closer, hugging his arm to your chest. "You can always get stronger, and one day I'm sure you'll be able to defeat any enemy that faces you. But, even if you do lose, I will never hold it against you. You can lose every battle, and I wouldn't care as long as you stay alive. So don't worry about it. Just try your best and survive."

Inosuke doesn't respond, simply tightening his grip on your hand as he stares up at the ceiling. He'll think about your words, but he may never be able to change his mindset. For as long as he could remember he's been all about winning fights and defeating enemies. Losing just doesn't seem acceptable to him. But... he does know that he can promise you one thing.

To always survive, no matter what.

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🔆TAISHO SECRETS🔆

🔅Shinobu feels bad for you, though she's not entirely sure as to why

🔅Zenitsu was beyond relieved to see you alive, refusing to believe Tanjiro until he saw for himself

🔅Tanjiro hates that you're willing to die for him and his sister, not wanting you to sacrifice your life just for them

🔅Inosuke will never admit it, but having you lay next to him eased his worries

🔅Sanemi left early in the morning before the sunrise, not wanting to be caught and teased by Shinobu

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