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

* t w e n t y - s e v e n *

(Y/n), you thought to yourself,

what the hell was that?

The days that past while recovering were days you spent wondering what possessed you to do such a thing. While you tried desperately to erase it from your memory in embarrassment, your mind refused to comply, as if it were a punishment for overstepping your boundaries in the first place.

You're crazy, you berated yourself.

What makes you think that Tanjiro, the sweetest, most innocent boy, would ever like you back?

Thankfully, he never mentioned the incident to you or questioned your motives... much. He did try and bring it up casually in conversation once, but you feigned ignorance. After that, you think he got the idea.

On the eve of your release, your group of four received an emergency summon that called for your immediate aid at Natagumo mountain.

"No matter what may happen, please live with your heads held high," requested the owner of the Wisteria-marked house. "I wish you luck on your coming battles."

As the woman bowed her head low, you did the same. She'd granted you time and peace — such precious things that you desperately wanted, but could not always have. Your busted eardrum from way back at the Final Selection had finally made a full recovery. For the most part, your ribs had healed (though they still felt bruised at the touch) and the sword wound on your left arm had gone away, thanks to Lady Tamayo's wondrous salve.

It made you think of how many people you had to thank for your life. At the end of... whatever journey or path you were on, you'd need to remember that.

Tanjiro, Nezuko, Urokodaki, Lady Tamayo and Yushiro, the elderly lady. Zenitsu, certainly, and maybe you were generous enough to include Inosuke in that list.

Of course, there were a hundred names missing there —

a hundred people long departed.

As if sensing your mood, Tanjiro slipped his hand in yours. It felt so natural. It felt so right.

But there's no way he'd feel the same towards me... I'd be getting way ahead of myself.

That being said, you felt an unwarranted bitterness towards Tanjiro. You kissed his cheek, and now, it's like he's teasing you by holding your hand. Then you scolded yourself for your childish behavior, getting riled up over such a trivial matter as 'love.'

Quickly, you removed your hand and turned to leave.

You couldn't see his frown.

• • * • • * • • * • •

It had taken five hours to reach the base of Natagumo mountain, with the crows circling above acting as your guides. Night had already befallen, and the tall trees on the looming slopes above were completely shrouded in the eerie darkness.

It was the site for your emergency summon, and the mountain fit very well into that role.

"Wait!" yelled Zenitsu. "Can you please waIT!"

Sighing, you stopped walking and looked back at him. He was crouching pitifully on the ground, arms desperately hugging his knees.

"IT... FEELS... SO... SCARY—! ESPECIALLY AS WE GET CLOSER!"

Inosuke scoffed, the boar head back in its proper place. "Why is this guy sitting down? You really piss me off."

"YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR COMPLAINTS FROM, PIG-HEAD!"