Our Halcyon Days || Reader x Tanjiro | RESUME 2022!

* e l e v e n *

Your fingers tingled. His hand was starting to become familiar to you. You didn't need to see it to know where his scars lay, or the calloused spots of his skin.

His hand fit snugly in your own.

You eased yourself up, ignoring the aches that spread all over your body. Tanjiro's eyes widened as he helped you into a sitting position. He was cut up and bloody, but his trademark smile still shone.

We're both alive...

His smile began to quiver, and he suddenly clasped you in an abrupt hug.

I guess miracles do exist-?

"Thank you," he finally murmured. "Thank you. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Thank you. Thank you."

Your arms paused for a moment before wrapping around his back in response.

Why hesitate?  you asked yourself.

You're not showing weakness by comforting him. You're only being human...

It was a habit for you to be on the more reserved side. It was a habit for you not to show your emotions at first thought. It was a habit for you to not get attached to anyone. You supposed that was why you hesitated.

But it appeared that Tanjiro and his kind self had influenced you more than you knew.

"I can't imagine how hard it must've been for you to surface with me in tow," you said softly. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I am in your debt as well."

Tanjiro's breathing was all out of sorts. A small part of you was immensely happy that you were the object of his concern. You were happy because he cared for you enough to the point where he'd risk his own life to save yours. At the same time, it was equally as bad of a sign. That meant he was incapable of placing limits on the extent of his own self-sacrifice.

You smiled bitterly.

...What a fool.

The skies were still claimed by the night, the only light coming from the stars above. You heard the faint sounds of footsteps, growing louder and louder in front of you. Approaching you were Nezuko and Kazumi. The woman you'd saved was not with them -- she must've been safely returned home.

Nezuko kneeled beside you and Tanjiro and placed one hand each on the tops of your heads. Was that gratitude?

Tanjiro only apologized.

"I'm sorry," were his words to her. "I'm really sorry. I could not ask the demon about Kibutsuji Muzan. Please, just hold on a bit longer. Your brother will definitely turn you back..."

Kazumi was still frozen in place. You looked up at him. His eyes were glossy, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Gently, you set Tanjiro aside with his sister and tiredly stood up to face the boy. Certainly, he was pitiful. He lost his fiancée, his lover. The one he cherished. His unending grief was justifiable, but still...

"Do not give up living," you told him steadily.

"Don't ever give up. You don't have a choice but to continue onwards with strength. No matter what blows you've endured, no matter how much you've lost."

Heated, Kazumi seized the scruff of your black Demon Slayer Corps uniform and yanked it.

"What would either of you know about any of this? You are only kids-!"

Against your will, something in you snapped.

I can't believe this guy.

You bit the inside of your cheek, forcing yourself to control your heart. A searing pain on your left shoulder and right ankle started up, and you winced. You ordered yourself to calm down. It was not Kazumi's fault for acting this way. It was the demon that took away the woman he loved.