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

* t w e n t y - s i x *

A/N: Sorry for my absence! Family, school, and volleyball held me up. I appreciate your patience with me, and your eagerness for the story's continuation. As a thank you, this chapter is quite a bit longer. Enjoy! :)

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After saying your goodbyes to the siblings, Inosuke (for some unfathomable reason) decided to tag along with you. He kept calling Tanjiro 'Kamaboku Gonpachiro,' or other names along the same line of incorrectness. With a little bit of prodding, you learned Inosuke never learned to write his own name, being raised in the wilds of a mountain. He'd heard of the Demon Slayer Corps when one of its members stumbled across his home.

What an unfortunate soul, you thought, imagining what had happened to the poor Demon Slayer in your head. Zenitsu seemed to share your sympathies; they had reflected quite clearly onto his expression.

Your group of four — five, including Nezuko — was on its way to 'rest,' as the talking crows had said; while you did not know where exactly that'd put you, the very idea of it was welcome.

The black-feathered companions circled lazily above you, moving forward at a steady, slow pace. For a good while, you had tried to walk, but soon realized you needed assistance.

Tanjiro was quick to appear by your side. "Here," he said, lowering into a crouch and extending his arms behind him. You realized that he intended for you to hop on his back. It made you reminisce upon the strange but warm dream you had under Lady Tamayo's spell.

You shook your head, vanquishing those thoughts, and gingerly set yourself on his back.

"Hup!" Tanjiro stood, linking his arms around the backs of your knees; your own arms, as if by nature, hugged his torso.

It just felt... right.

So much so, that you ended up drifting off into a peaceful slumber, your chin resting on the top of his shoulder.

Of course, while you couldn't see it,

Tanjiro was smiling.

• • * • • * • • * • •

When you came to, past the wisps of Tanjiro's burgundy hair, you saw a house with the black insignia of the wisteria printed upon the wooden planks of the door. Day had turned to night. The air was tranquil, and for the most part, silent, save for the usual quiet mumble-jumble of Inosuke.

You winced as you moved. It must have been a long trek -- staying so still for that long had made your joints and muscles ache in one collective effort to make you miserable.

You cleared your throat and slid painfully off of Tanjiro's back. "Sorry," you said hoarsely. "I didn't mean to make you carry me all this way. I fell asleep on accident."

He seemed fine at a glance, but you knew he was winded. After all, you were not the only one who had fought hard against the demons in the big mansion. Even so, he turned to you, his eyes kind, gentle, and forgiving.

"I'm glad to be of help," was his response. Gratitude filled your body.

Just then, the door opened, and an elderly woman with white hair tied into a bun slipped out. You bowed your head, and Tanjiro did the same.

"We apologize for disturbing you so late at night," you said formally, to which she replied, "it is so trouble. You are Demon Slayers, correct?"

Tanjiro nodded, and the woman swung the gates wide open.

She lead you through a small courtyard towards the entrance to the house. It looked modern enough, and well-maintained. To your surprise, the lady walked extremely fast despite her short stature and legs.