⚜ Demon Slayer One-Shots ⚜ Requests Open ⚜

An Oath of Flame and Sun

Ship: Rengoku Kyoujurou X Tanjirou Kamado (RenTan)

Warnings: Slight Angst and Fluff.

(This is a prologue to a story I wrote on Archive. Hope you enjoy)

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Tanjirou sat on the hills peak, watching the golden hues that enveloped the darkening sky. His hair shuffled slightly with each soft breeze that jostled his locks. The blanket beneath him offered slight comfort as his breathing was calm and serene, the fabric shifting just slightly as another body rested on the surface. A familiar scent like the morning sun and smoky ash filtered to his senses, stirring his own mind as his delicate gaze met piercing eyes. Tilted lips offered a smile, igniting a serenity within Tanjirou's being. His own mouth twitched before shaping to match, a hand shifting over his. Strong fingers, calloused and roughly built caressed the smooth skin on his hands top before fingers locked into his own. Those seemingly shimmering eyes held his gaze, the distance between the two closing with each passing moment. Gentle yet crisp words cut the evening silence, sending endless chills coursing through Tanjirou's spine. His slight trembles did not go unnoticed by his company. Even with the sudden shivers from the hungry gaze, his body felt radiant, overwhelmed in a comforting warmth that soundly soothed his heart.

"You seem troubled lately. What has got you so on edge and shaken your very foundation?" Those words left a looming silence that was slightly unsettling for the smaller of the two. Tanjirou bit his lip lightly, contemplating the hundreds of thoughts and questions that raced through his compact mind. His even breathing shifted just slightly, drawing the pillars attention. A sorrow crested the features of Tanjirou as he briskly sighed, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as truths came to light before him.

"I am worried about all of this. Saving Nezuko. Beating Muzan. Losing you... I have lost nearly everything in my life and you would be a bigger wound on my already broken heart. It would be as if the sun itself had been put out, leaving only an eternal darkness in my soul and mind." Firm hands traced his chin, turning the other's head gently as determined eyes met Tanjirou's.

"Tanjirou, death is always the end. We know that the day we take up a sword and offer our life to achieve freedom from the Demon's roaming the plains. Our duty is friends with Death, dancing around him with every action and step we take. That is just how our life is, but that is not who we are forced to be. Life will give a chance to those who deserve a second opening to a life they had not received. We serve to spare the world at the cost of our own life, yet Fate plays a hand in giving a second chance. If I die in this life, I will treasure my next. That is just how it has to be. This life or the next, I will always come back to you." Warm tears trailed soft cheeks as Tanjirou leaned his slightly, basking in the tender touch the Pillar offered. His voice was oddly broken, something most had never witnessed from the one who seemed happy without fail. Only Kyoujurou himself had seen each and every side of Tanjirou that the young Demon Slayer had hidden from prying eyes.

"It does not mean death does not hurt... I know well of the fate we all have, the price we must bear. Even so, it still inflicts a pain that crushes me."

"It makes me happy to know someone cares so much for me, but listen well. Tanjirou, I mean every word I am about to say. You must remember this, as an oath that I will always find you. You are the only one I love, no matter how much time I must struggle alone." Tanjirou sniffled slightly as he shifted his gaze to the evening sky, millions of stars illuminating the expanse of space.

"Kyoujurou, what is 'love' to you?" The pillar suppressed a laugh as he too viewed the beauty above them.

"Love is like a fire, something that will burn infinitely, so long as both feed the flame. My adoration will be undying, kindled by your pure and innocent heart. No matter the darkness that befalls you, I will light a path. You are the sun to my night sky, brighter than any moon the world may offer. For you, I'd track the depths of the deepest pits, because you are my heart's desire. In this life, or the next. No matter the time we may spend apart, someday, I promise my hand to rest once more within your own. You alone; are my tomorrow." Kyoujurou smiled brightly as he closed the space between the two, his lips inches away as his voice reached out as yet another soft whisper. "That is what my 'love' means. The person who bears my 'love' shall be above all, the only candle light in the shrouding darkness of man's heart."

"I really love you, forever and always. Try to be safe for me, so that you might not make me sad." There was a long silence as the other hummed lightly, closing the gap between the two lips. The kiss was gentle, yet enveloped in a passion that burst forth. The gentle touch deepened in seconds as the two fell to the blanket below, Tanjirou's arms cresting the pillar's neck and shoulders, tugging lightly to the cloth on the other's back. Only did the two pull back to breath as Kyoujurou smiled his strongest and most sincere smile, his tone layered in numerous emotions.

"I will do my best, but this promise is not one I can guarantee. So long as this world wills it, I shall remain beside you." Tanjirou's soft exhale let the other know some relief had been pressed, the smaller Demon Slayer smiling his usual manner as Kyoujurou moved in once more, his lips reconnecting as the night carried on in the two secret embrace beyond the eyes of others. For them, nothing mattered then the other before them. Their love was brighter than ever, warming the souls of each and urging a passion to grow and blossom in the days ahead.

It would blossom like a flower in full bloom, beautiful and thriving in the terrain it was grown in.

But all flowers eventually wilt and will return to the soil. That was a fact Tanjirou had always known.

That one day his love would not be strong enough and his loss would feel heavy and burdensome. That day had been the day he'd lost his light. His sun and flame within his heart.

It was the first day Tanjirou truly held no smile and all had bore witness to it.

Happiness is a blessing that the world ultimately will trample over, leaving nothing besides the lingering memories and traces. That alone is a wound that is hard to fix. Hard to stitch together. For Tanjirou, the wound was vast and impossible to repair, but it never stopped his movements. He had a promise to someone, even if they were not in a physical form, his promise was his own vow.

When the dust settled and the fight had been won, his heart still felt empty, but held a new peace within it. He could smile once more knowing that someday he would see his lost love once more. So he did just that. Years passed on, endless and long where he remained alone, his heart and soul bound to only one. Every year his hair greyed and his age increased, until one day it was finally his own time for his blossoming youth to wilt away. His last breath was at peace, knowing he would see his love once more. It ignited the flame that had been extinguished as the black void of his mind engulfed him, leaving him in a calming silence as the world around him became something of the past. His final words had been his own, but brought on by his heart's desire and hopes. His voice was weak and broken, but the words held a power of their own, even if no one heard them.

"You alone; are my tomorrow, Kyoujurou Rengoku. I will see you soon..."

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Hope you enjoyed this little story piece. This was by far my favorite thing I wrote on Archive. Leave me feedback! It is greatly appreciated and I always read the comments! (✿◠‿◠)