Chapter Text
The only place Sou could feel calm anymore was in your arms.
Your hands running through his hair, your gentle humming, your arms wrapped around him like he was worth being held.
When Sou presses his ear to your chest, and closes his eyes, he could lose himself to the rhythm of your heartbeat. Strong, and steady, anchoring him.
He wants to hate you for what you’ve done to him. You’ve made him weak. You’ve filled him with an endless want.
But every night, Sou comes back. Back to your arms, where you hold him until he falls asleep. Sometimes, you stay up talking, skirting around personal topics he can’t answer. You talk about favorite books, school memories. Your voice is soothing, affectionate. Sou could bottle your laughter, listen to it forever.
Other nights, Sou holds you. Tentatively, tensely. Like you would break if he touches you. He’s never been good at this sort of thing. Clumsily, he’ll stroke your hair, kiss strands of it to see you blush. Tease you until you turn your head up to sneak a kiss on the underside of his jaw, his neck, his cheek. Sou delights in your kisses, like the press of a butterfly’s wing: precious, tender.
When did it start? One night, when he couldn’t sleep, and you had stayed over in his room. He wanted to blame it on the late hour for his sudden question. Nights left him with bad dreams. Bad dreams left him shaking, alone.
But really, it was you. You made him want an ineffable amount of things.
“Can you stay with me?” Sou whispers, against all better judgement.
“Of course,” you whisper back.
And so it had been from every night forward. He asks you to stay each night until it becomes so natural for you to be there, he no longer has to. The earth spun, the sun rose and set, and you stayed by his side.
Sou wants to hate you for it.
Happiness is fragile. It shatters before you notice.
Connection made you weak. It was just one more person who could betray you.
But in the dark, in the warmth of your arms, where no could see… would it be okay to seek comfort from you one more night?