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

* e i g h t e e n *

At first, your respite was pleasant.

Despite how you slept, you still had your wits about you, almost like a lucid dream (or something of the sort). Tanjiro was carrying you on his back, but you suffered from no pain. No burn scars, no hand wound, no gaping cut from your own sword.

Just you and Tanjiro, walking on in the warm sunlight that filtered through the pink blooms of the canopy above.

Ironically, it was you who picked up a nice, relaxing scent wafting from Tanjiro. His hair, maybe? The green and black checkered cloak resting on his shoulders? Just him?

You smiled.

Well, whatever it is, it smells good.

"Awake?" asked the dream Tanjiro, peeking back at you; his hanafuda earrings swished lightly against your nose.

"...Yes?" you replied hesitantly, not quite sure whether you qualified. "No? Maybe?"

He gave a soft laugh and faced forward.

"You needed a break," explained the boy, his gentle tones washing over you like a spell. "This is a specialty of Lady Tamayo's. She developed this Blood Demon Art to aid those in pain, such as yourself. It wards away nightmares and trauma, and instead replaces them with a relaxing dream. A dream you'd want to be true."

You frowned a little, your cheeks heating up slightly when you internally admitted that you enjoyed being carried by him.

"...How did Lady Tamayo know?" you mumbled after a bit.

While you couldn't see his expression, you knew Tanjiro had on a knowing smile. "She didn't," said he. "It's a powerful enchantment derived from your own disposition, experiences, and biases. This dream is being true to what you desire."

You sighed.

The existence of this dream itself is troubling. I've gotten too attached to Tanjiro.

You stared at his earrings, mesmerized by its swaying movements.

If things stay this way...

"I..."

You raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear him speak up.

"...don't think Tanjiro will mind any consequences that befall him, should he stay by your side."

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped your lips. You couldn't help but doubt his words -- they were too ridiculous to be perceived as the truth. "But that's only what I want to hear, no?" you responded wryly. "You're just a figment of my happy imagination. Of course you'd say such a thing."

And besides, you thought.

The point is that he shouldn't be in harm's way because of me, period.

"You forget I can read thoughts," said Tanjiro lightheartedly. If you could've shrugged, you would have, but you didn't quite feel like moving around.

"The words I speak are not only those you want. If you're a good judge of character, which I hope you are... then what I say is likely to hold true in reality as well."

"Doesn't change the fact I don't want you -- him -- to get hurt."

The dream Tanjiro halted in place.

"You think that's what would make him happy?"

You nodded, your chin touching his shoulder.

He lowered himself closer to the ground, and gently shifted you off his back. You sat back and watched curiously as he turned to face you. His dark and thoughtful eyes shone with a familiar kindness; they made him look like the real person, the real Tanjiro -- not just your mind's perception of him.