Work Text:
He yanked the blanket over himself to shield him from the outside world, unable to stop his rapid breathing and his body from trembling without end. The rain tapped against his window as if it were pouring pebbles. His eyes darted everywhere, even though there wasn’t much to see under the sheets. There was no sound except the rain’s knocking and his heavy panting.
Trying to get a grip, he attempted to calm his breathing. He did so by counting, slow and steady, for a couple of seconds. Just as he was on the brink of a regulated heartbeat, there came rolling and crackling followed by a deafening roar. Repetitive and blinding flashes appeared at that exact moment. He gave out a small yelp and felt his heart skip a few beats as he sucked in empty air. He started wheezing again.
He couldn’t understand; he was almost twelve years old. He should be able to handle difficult and terrifying situations. In fact, he shouldn’t be afraid at all. He should be the one to look after his younger siblings when they are frightened. He should be assisting his uncle and reducing his workload. He should always insist on helping him in any way, even if his uncle told him, with that vibrant smile and bubbly voice of his,
“Oh, that’s alright, Mike! I can do it, so there’s no need to worry! You know I’m not old!”
He shouldn’t be adding another problem on top of him just for one stupid fear that consumed him for who knows how long. He was practically an adult; he wasn’t supposed to be disturbed by little things. He wasn’t supposed to be weak.
Another blood-curdling rumble arrived, disrupting his thoughts. He shifted under his blanket and brought his knees to his stomach. He was now facing the other side of the room, opposite the window. More flickering flashes came. Although he couldn’t see the window now, the lighting was so intense and bright that its presence was noticed while looking elsewhere. The rain continued pounding like a threat, ready to burst into his room. More ear-piercing thunder and eye-wrecking lightning interfered. Now, it was continuous. He could barely hear his own gasping, let alone the slight creaking noise as if someone had opened a door. He shook himself back and forth as another boom echoed outside. He bit his nails in a failed attempt at comfort and felt water droplets forming around the corners of his eyes. As he started whimpering, the tears had fully developed.
His dread devoured him into a daze, that he didn’t think when he confessed, assuming it was loud enough for only him to hear,
“I-it’s too loud! I-I- I’m scared.”
He choked on his sobs and slapped a hand over his mouth after realization. Tears were unstoppable as they made their way down his red face.
A shadow came into sight. He stared at it for a couple of moments, before he began shaking again, and blocked it from his gaze, not wanting to make himself vulnerable to anything that was out of order. Shame welled up inside him at the inability to stop weeping as he tried to wipe his watery eyes and drenched face. He squeezed his eyes closed to get rid of any more tears left to form.
When he opened them again, he saw a hint of light. Although his vision was blurry, he realized the side of his blanket was held up.
A pair of compassionate eyes gazed at him. Eyes that looked much too familiar; Green eyes filled with love and care.
He knew who they belonged to. Yes, one of the only people he could hug for hours without feeling a hint of embarrassment. A person he could share all of his problems with and not be judged. Someone he loved more than his own life.
The eyes of his beloved mother.
But no. It couldn’t be. His mother had pure, emerald-green eyes. The pair he was glancing at was a peaceful, forest-green color. It was difficult to see the whole person due to the tears that clouded his vision. But that blur of blonde was definite proof that the person did not have his mother’s dark chocolate hair. The mouth began to move; it sounded like it was saying something. But all he heard was a distant echo that rang in his ears. Gradually, the more he forced his focus on the voice, it was getting clearer and clearer.
“..ke…ike…Mike…Mike!”
He shot up from his bed, causing the hand that held his blanket to retreat. His vision improved as some tears left his eyes. The person he was staring at was not his mother. It was someone who resembled her and who he cared about just as much. But the bubbles in that voice were deflated when it called his name. Sadness and sympathy were written over his uncle’s face. He said no words. His uncle knew.
He didn’t say anything either. He couldn’t; his voice, mind, and body restricted him. Instead, he broke out in tears again, choking as he tried to wipe them like a 5-year-old. He couldn’t stop.
He felt himself get pulled into an embrace. He didn’t withdraw. It was something he needed more than ever as he hugged his uncle back, still bawling his eyes out. Without words, his uncle told him that he didn’t need to worry; he was right there with him.
More thunder rumbled, and more rain hit the window. But he didn’t care anymore; he didn’t need to. At last, he was safe…
*FIN*