(1/2) Hello there ^ ^ Somehow my request cutten off by tumblr, so i need to resend it. I hope you dont mind TT^TT Can I request tanjiro saving a quiet reader from a demon, who's been a demon slave for a long time and also have a nocturnal routine. They barely asleep (a habit to avoid being eaten), even easily wake up from slightest touch. They didn't want to burden him because they're just a stranger.
(2/2) Imagine Tanjiro confused seeing them always asleep when he’s checking on them at day in secluded area (did his nose playing trick on him? They’re human, right?). When he found out, he’ll try help them get to get a normal sleep schedule and reassure that they’re safe I’m sorry if it’s too detailed, i hope you have nice day!!
Hey man, the more detailed the better!! This is a very interesting scenario!!! Here we go -Mod Beast
[Tanjiro x Reader- Nocturnal Habits]
It has been a week since you’ve been rescued. But no matter how safe you feel, you couldn’t fix your internal clock at all.
Being a slave to a powerful demon for kami knows how long will do that to you, you suppose.
Under the shade of the nearby wisteria tree that grew near Butterfly Estate, you slept restlessly. Even if it was your regular sleep time, which was around eight in the morning, you still feel like that demonic being would come at any second.
Which led to our worried protagonist, coming out on the engawa. Aoi steps behind him, holding a food tray along with medicine to treat your illness. Despite the stern look on her face, worry showed in her eyes.
“They’ve been like this ever since you brought them here. They barely sleep at night but sleep the day away.”
Tanjiro already knew this fact, but he didn’t want to believe it. He could smell your fear in the nighttime, as he also stays in the Butterfly Estate after such a fight with the demon. He, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were sent on a mission a week ago to go after a demon that was reported in a nearby city. While Zenitsu and Inosuke went after the demon, he followed his nose to you.
You were sickly, shaking in a closet. You were ridden with bugs, trying not to sob as globs of tears fell down your cheeks. When he finally gained your trust, he brought you to the Butterfly Estate and were swiftly taken away to be cared for.
“I can try to talk to them. They trust me; I can smell it whenever I’m around them,” Tanjiro says. Aoi nods.
“Here, make sure they eat and take their medication. I have to go check up on your friends,” she replies, handing him the tray. An annoyed look flickers on her facial expression as she walks away, knowing she’d have to deal with the more rowdy duo.
Tanjiro steps off the engawa carefully, carrying over the tray. He sets it down on the soft grass, sitting seiza style beside you. Sweat slicks your face, and you move fitfully through your sleep. He frowns; the smell of fear and unrest was palpable now that he was right next to you. He gently reaches out, not quite touching as he mutters your name.
You open your eyes almost immediately with a gasp, batting away his hands. Your breath is rapid, panic contorting your face.
“It’s alright,” he murmurs reassuringly, holding his hands up beside his head. “It’s just me, Tanjiro.”
“Tanjiro-san…” you mutter, taking in gulpfuls of air. He waits for you to calm down, knowing you couldn’t handle hugs just yet, and with your permission helps you sit up properly. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you,” you utter apologetically, looking at the food with an unreadable gaze.
“It’s alright, (y/n)-san. Are you hungry?”
You were. Knowing there was nothing in the food, knowing you were safe despite your pounding heart, you nod. He pushes the food tray carefully towards you, and you grab the chopsticks. With uncontrollable gusto, you begin to eat the food.
“I hear you’re not sleeping at night but you sleep here in the day time. Are you frightened?”
You slow down in eating the rice, a frown tugging down your lips.
“Sorry,” you apologize again. He quickly shakes his head, waving his hands.
“No, there’s no need to apologize! I understand,” he reassures once more. You sigh.
“It’s been a week, yet I still can’t escape her grasp. Even dead, she has a grip on me.”
Tanjiro frowns, shifting in his position.
“Have you tried fixing your schedule yet?”
You nod, feeling defeated.
“No matter what I do, even if I do the things like Kocho-san or Aoi-san or any of the girls said to do, I can’t find it in myself to fall asleep at night. It’s like she’s still there, staring at me with that smile… a-and threatening to kill me--”
You don’t realize you’re crying until Tanjiro reaches his hand out to your face, though is paused. He doesn’t even need to ask, you just nod. He wipes away your tears with his thumb, his movements so gentle you can only describe them as something akin to sunlight. Sun rays, specifically, on a spring morning as the snow begins to melt from the winter before.
You lean into his touch, eating a little more of your rice.
“Well, it’s only been a week. Recovery isn’t a straight line.”
“I know, but… I wish I was strong like you, or your friends, or anyone else really. You all manage to recover so easily and quickly, meanwhile I’m still here, afraid of touch.”
“You’ve still made some progress. Don’t lose hope just yet. You’re very strong,” he hums sweetly. “I can smell it.”
You manage a ghost of a smile at that. He smiles back. Progress!
“Thank you, Tanjiro-san.”
You finish your meal and take your medicine in comforting silence, and then lean back against the tree again.
“Would you like me to stay?”
“If I’m not taking away from your time!”
“Not at all. You’ve never wasted my time.”
You flush, and then close your eyes. Your fingers unconsciously find his, not quite holding onto them but they’re still touching.
Later in the day, Aoi finds you and Tanjiro, his haori covering you like a blanket. You’re both asleep, you in his lap. Aoi tsks, but doesn’t disturb you two as she takes the tray away.
