Chapter Text
Natsume is used to dreams. It happens on a regular occurrence, where he views the youkai’s memory, revealing their history and their true desires. He didn’t exactly like it, but it aided him somewhat usually, so living with it became natural. The strange thing, however, is that he rarely had sweet dreams or nightmares from his own memory.
That’s exactly why, when Natsume appeared in his own body in a dark space, he was surprised. He hadn’t been in contact with any youkai lately, there should be no reason for him for having any strange dreams. Ahead of him lay a body. That was never a good sign.
“Hello? Are you okay?”
Stepping towards it greeted him with a scene that made all the blood in his body run cold.
There lay Tanuma, bleeding out from some attack, possibly and most likely from a youkai. He seemed to be weaving in and out of consciousness, eyes hazy and clouded.
“Tanuma! Hey, hey, what happened? Do you know what attacked you? We need to stop the bleeding quickly…” Natsume panicked, flustering about the gaping wound in Tanuma’s side, desperately trying to use his overcoat as a gauze.
“Natsume…”
“Don’t say anything, conserve your energy, stay awake!” But regardless, Tanuma’s eyelids flew close, and no matter how much Natsume prodded and jostled him, he would not react.
“It’s too late.” Nyanko-sensei appeared suddenly.
“Nyanko-sensei! What can we do to save him-“ Natsume frantically interjected, pulling Tanuma’s body closer to his own.
“Enough. He’s dead.” Nyanko-sensei replied solemnly, one paw on the pulse point of his wrist.
No, that can’t be true. Surely not, Tanuma was…Tanuma was…
Waking up with a start, Natsume struggled to catch his breath. Frantically looking around to regain his surroundings, he gathered that he was at Tanuma’s house and swiftly climbed out of his futon. Natsume knelt on his knees, grabbing Tanuma’s wrist to feel his pulse point. It was there, and yet his heart was still stuck in his throat as he gripped Tanuma’s wrist harder.
“…Natsume? What’s wrong?”
Cupping his face tenderly, Tanuma lifts his head to face him. There’s nothing but genuine worry and concern in those eyes, with a sort of warmth that makes one melt.
“See, you’re crying, now. Clearly something is off. “
Ah, he hadn’t even realised the wetness that stained his cheek.
Pulling Natsume towards him, Tanuma hummed discontentedly. He knew it was difficult for Natsume to verbalise things that he truly feared, but to be so afraid to the point of tears, it was no longer a matter he could push under the rug.
“You do know, I’m here for you, right? I’m not some mystical being that will disappear at any given moment.” Tanuma muttered, his arms curling around Natsume protectively, pressing a kiss to his hair.
“That…that’s what I’m worried for. I’m scared that…you’ll be attacked by yokai and I’ll be too late…” Natsume trails off, “I know it’s stupid, worrying about things that won’t happen…”, burying his face in Tanuma’s chest.
“Absolutely not. In fact, thank you for worrying about me, it shows that you care. But it’s affecting your sleep currently, so that’s not alright. Wouldn’t want my dear to not have enough sleep, would we?” Tanuma reflects, smiling down at Natsume.
“Tanuma…” And if Tanuma could describe the look on Natsume’s face, it would be of pure affection, like flowers blooming.
“Rely on me sometimes, won’t you? I recently red up on some ways that might scare away the more troublesome yokai. Although I haven’t quite got a hold of it, but trust me, it pains me much more to see you worry about me. I’ll be alright, promise. Besides, that’s enough worrying for tonight, shall we sleep?” Tanuma smiles, kissing Natsume’s tear tracks.
“Tanuma!” Going red in the face, Natsume blushes, batting Tanuma away from him.
“Hold me tonight? I kinda want you close tonight.” Natsume mutters under his breath, inching closer to Tanuma.
“Sure.” Tanuma struggles to hide his smile, all but pulls Natsume into his embrace.
Breathing in each other’s scent, Natsume lets out a quiet sigh of bliss, what had he done in his previous life to end up with such a sweet boyfriend.
Tanuma holds Natsume a bit closer, a bit tighter that night, but they don’t mention it.