Chapter Text
It was just another cold day in the village. You were slowly progressing on the quilt you had been working on for the past two days, mindlessly sewing yet another piece to the large hodgepodge of fabrics. Your mother has gone off on errands, so you were alone. Just you and your thoughts, your ears drowning out every outside noise that could distract you.
Still, no matter how hard you tried to focus, your mind couldn't help but daydream about the face that had been causing you so much heartache for the past few weeks. The face that belonged to none other than...
"You smell like bean buns."
"Eep!"
You suddenly jumped forward from the startling voice. With a whimpery whine, you turned to face the perpetrator who just invaded your home.
"Oops, sorry (name) I didn't mean to scare you!" The boy standing above you said with an amused laugh.
Your cheeks bloomed at the young man's face, realizing that it was indeed Tanjiro. The Tanjiro who just so happened to be the same person who had you pining for him every night.
"No, no, it's ok, I...didn't hear you come in," you said placing your weight on your hand to get up. However, a sharp pain rose from your hand, making you wince and bring your hand in view.
Tanjiro's brow furrowed,
"What's wrong?"
You shook you head in dismissal,
"I'm fine it's just..."
Tanjiro instantly kneeled to see that your hand was bleeding from a small cut on your palm.
"I must've accidentally cut myself with the needle when I got scared," you said, Tanjiro unexpectedly grabbing your hand to inspect it thoroughly.
"I'll be right back!" He said as he shot up and ran straight for your backroom. Tanjiro had only been here a few times, yet he already knew where everything was. He certainly had an impressive memory.
With perfect timing, Tanjiro came trotting back with bandages and alcohol in hand, looking very determined for the task ahead. You stayed quiet as he kneeled and examined your hand again, your lips pursing at how warm his hand felt in your own. He quickly opened the jug of alcohol and poured some on a small piece of cloth, hesitating before placing it on your hand,
"It's gonna sting a little," he said before putting the cloth in full contact with your skin.
"Ow," you lowly muttered as a sudden burning sensation arose from the cut, Tanjiro apologizing gently.
Despite the slight pain, it was all so peaceful to watch him tended to your wound. Honestly, you felt guilty that he was having to take care of you like some child.
"I'm a little embarrassed," you said as he was finishing up wrapping your hand.
"Hm?" Tanjiro looked up curiously,
"Why?"
You looked away from his eyes,
"I'm so hopeless on my own," you said with downtrodden eyes clouded by your gentle smile,
"You're always here to help me. It makes me feel like a burden sometimes..."
Tanjiro stared at you for a moment, thinking before saying his words,
"You're not a burden."
You snapped your eyes back at him just as he was leaning into you with a reassuring smile, admittedly getting a little too close for your poor self to handle,
"I like taking care of you, (name)."
Your throat tightened at his words while your eyes fluttered wildly,
"You do...?"
"Well," you noticed the faintest shade of pink on his cheeks,
"Yeah,"
Tanjiro's eyes panned down, his free hand reaching up to nervously scratch his cheek,
"Plus, this is kinda my fault. I did scare you pretty good."
You hummed, causing Tanjiro to look at you again,
"Yeah, you did."
Tanjiro felt his face warm at the soft glow of your smile, the slight rushed beating of his heart catching him off guard.
"I won't let you get me next time," you said with slightly puffed cheeks.
Tanjiro chuckled, then lifted his nose into the air,
"So, do you still have some bean buns leftover?"
You rolled your eyes,
"I see your sense of smell is as keen as ever."
Tanjiro laughed heartily and seeing it made your heart skip a million times. You adored Tanjiro so much and wanted to be with him more than anything, yet it was moments like these that sent you into a blushing fit. When would the day come where you felt totally comfortable around Tanjiro, you didn't know, but it didn't matter.
Having these moments with Tanjiro, no matter how small, was enough to keep you happy.
You just hoped that somehow, someway, Tanjiro felt the same way.