Work Text:
It was a warm Spring night, months after taking Crimson Production down.
Tetora looked out at the night sky on the roof of Yumenosaki. drawing in a deep breath and letting it out.
He was lost in thought, his mind buzzing with the feelings of self hatred, his depressive thoughts beginning to take over him.
Tetora looked down at his fist, shutting his eyes.
“Nagumo?” A familiar voice made Tetora open his eyes, turning around to see his friend Chiaki.
“Ah, Taichou, you’re here.” Tetora smiled weakly at Chiaki. He turned back around to look up at the sky.
Tetora felt Chiaki’s hand on his shoulder.
“Everything okay?” Chiaki’s sweet tone melted any barrier Tetora had up.
Tetora sighed and leaned against Chiaki.
“I’m s-“ Tetora cuts himself off, refusing to keep apologizing.
“Taichou… Is it okay to feel like this?” Chiaki was silent. “Is it okay to hate myself this much? Is it okay to feel depressed because of everything that’s happened?” Tetora clenches his fist.
“Nagumo, do you remember what I told you back in Okinawa? Do you remember what I told you about myself?” Chiaki began. Tetora nodded silently, keeping his gaze down.
“It’s okay to feel helpless, it’s okay to feel depressed about things that have happened.” Chiaki began to comfortingly rub Tetora’s upper back.
“I understand, Nagumo. I know how this feels, even now sometimes I’ll feel hopelessly depressed.” Chiaki looks at Tetora.
“But it’s all going to be okay. We will always have each other, even when we’re older. You’ll be 18 soon, Nagumo. There’s a lot of life to live, a lot of things to do.” Chiaki reassured.
Tetora bit his cheek. “I miss the old times, Taichou. I miss being 16 and feeling like I have no worries or responsibilities. I miss happily performing with everyone, without any problems. No Crimpro, no Ryuseitai-N, none of that. Just the five of us.” Tetora’s voice shook with emotion.
“Nagumo I-“ Chiaki was cut off by Tetora turning around and tightly hugging Chiaki, burrying his face in Chiaki’s chest.
“Nagumo…” Chiaki wrapped his arms around Tetora, rubbing his back.
Tetora began speaking, but his voice was so muffled in Chiaki’s chest that Chiaki couldn’t understand.
Chiaki laughed, “I can’t hear you, Nagumo.”
Tetora pulled away from the hug and avoided Chiaki’s gaze, his face red from embarrassment.
Chiaki softly laughed, “You’re not immature for hugging me, Black. You know that, right?”
Chiaki ruffled Tetora’s hair. “Now what were you saying?”
“Thank you for being a hero, Taichou.” Tetora pushed his embarrassment down and smiled at Chiaki.
“Ha Ha Ha☆! All in a days work for the hero of justice! Ryusei Red!” Chiaki beamed.
Tetora began to laugh.
“Lets get some rest, Taichou.” Tetora punched Chiaki’s arm lightly.