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

* t w e n t y - f i v e *

You didn't know how, but in spite of the situation, by some odd happening, you managed to fall asleep.

Perhaps your body had grown weary of staying vigilant for so long. Or maybe Tanjiro's presence outside the mansion was comforting enough to allow you to doze off.

Either way, you didn't like it one bit.

Tanjiro had to gently shake you awake.

"You shouldn't have fallen asleep," Tanjiro said, his concerned expression being the first thing you witnessed upon opening your eyes. "Damn it. I knew I shouldn't have left you alone. What if something had really happened?"

I know, you thought miserably. It was a careless, rookie mistake.

Groggily, your hands fumbled about the ground for your scimitar, which had slid off your lap during your unexpected rest. After reaching it, you took another good look at Tanjiro. Besides his furrowed brow, he had sustained other changes -- namely, a bloody nose and dirt marks all over.

You instantly shot up to your feet, pulling Tanjiro up with you. You put your free hand against his smooth cheek, which was turning more purple by the second.

"W- What happened?"

He gave a pained little smile and clasped his hand over yours. "Boar-man showed up. He knew Nezuko was in the box, so he tried to attack her."

Anger flared up in your stomach, revitalizing you in an instant. That stupid Demon Slayer had the guts to raise his hand against a fellow swordsman? Though, it did make some sense that he went after Nezuko...

But still. Can he not stand to listen to reason?

"I managed to knock him out, so he's lying down now... We should be safe."

You sheathed your blade. Your hand still in his, he slowly pulled you along towards the exit.

"What about Zenitsu and the kids?"

"The kids are shaken, but fine. They were happy to reunite. And about Zenitsu..." You raised an eyebrow at his tone; Tanjiro cleared his throat.

"He is a good person. He is brave, and not as weak as we once thought -- both physically and mentally."

Absentmindedly, you nodded, a bit relieved to hear that your initial harsh judgement of Zenitsu seemed to be inaccurate. It was hard to believe, but you had already decided to trust Tanjiro's word, and thus pushed away any lingering doubts.

Tanjiro did say that Zenitsu killed a demon.

You gave a heavy sigh, and held tighter onto Tanjiro's hand.

What a day it's been.

• • * • • * • • * • •

The brilliant sun shone all of its rays to your face, and you welcomed it with a huge smile. The clean winds that blew by your skin felt like blessings. This world was not tainted with the smell or sight of blood.

Nezuko's box was safely shut. Relief washed over you.

Good.

Teruko, Shoichi, and Kiyoshi ran up to greet you -- tears threatened to roll out of the corners of little Teruko's eyes.

"I'm... so happy--!" she trembled, clutching onto your leg. "You made it out safe and sound. Thank you so much for rescuing us!"

The appreciation of the three children gave you a warm and fuzzy feeling. At that moment, you realized how beautiful the spirit of helping others truly was. You patted Teruko's head.