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

* t h i r t y - s e v e n *

A/n: Extending the cover art contest due dates to the end of May since only very few sent some in :( PLEASE participate, it would make me so very happy!

(Plus coronacation do be giving us all a lot of time o.o)

Guidelines are in the last chapter, the Author's Note.

Sorry for the delay; as I had announced, yes the drafts of this and the next chapter got deleted so I had to rewrite them. Thank you for your patience and love you all <3

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When at last, you could stay awake for more than a couple hours at a time, it'd already been a week and a half.

Being bedridden for so long was one of your most frustrating experiences. You often voiced your grievances, which included but were not limited to the following: 'I feel perfectly fine,' 'Why are people too busy to see me,' and 'How come I can't have a ducking wheelchair or something.'

However, they fell on deaf ears; those who occupied the Butterfly Estate refused to grant you your wishes, especially Tanjiro.

"You were injured really badly," he scolded gently. "Take it easy."

You huffed and turned away. So were you, you thought, but instead only grumbled, "At least just plop me on a chair outside so I can get some air..."

But for some unfathomable reason, not even this one was permitted.

Something was up. They were trying to keep you from outside. Why? And was it to be that serious? People were permitted to enter your room, after all. Tanjiro came freely. The Insect Pillar, Shinobu, and her sister Kanao had checked up on you multiple times.

Or am I just overthinking things—?

Regardless, you decided not to press the matter. You'd find out eventually, once you'd fully fully recovered.

The boy, at least, was willing to sit and talk with you in your ennui. And in all honesty? Passing the hours in such a way wasn't bad at all.

Your first couple of chats were obligatory and informational. You came to know where you were — the Butterfly Estate. He told you how Giyu stopped the Shinobu, about the Pillar Meeting and Nezuko's resisting to Sanemi's tempting blood, and the forboding, yet touching contents of Urokodaki's letter.

"He didn't include me?" you couldn't help but ask, referring to the seppuku part. Tanjiro stared at you like you were crazy. "Maybe I was never his pupil, but my mother was. Therefore, my life is in his hands as well. Am I not worthy enough?"

Despite the serious implications, he snorted a little.

"Why would you even ask that? That's terrible."

"What? I just thought he would, but now I feel excluded. Unimportant," you added deliberately, to emphasize your sentiment.

"No. What the heck? Why are you hurt over something like this?"

He teased you, his gentle, slightly incredulous smile bright, a sight more beautiful than any wisteria bloom could ever hope to be. You felt your cheeks warm up in happiness and decidedly embraced the feeling with open arms.

Gradually, your talks turned more personal. Since you were seldom able to sneak outside your room, Tanjiro kept you up to date with the daily happenings. Often enough, he interjected with funny stories about Zenitsu or Inosuke, until you realized you actually started to miss them.