Work Text:
Sometimes, Saiki wondered if he was just alive to prove how weakened someone could be despite “having it all” – While he probably could have everything, and he had it, right at his fingertips, yet as soon as the occasion presented itself, he chose the path that strayed him away from his idyll. Instead of enjoying normality, his palms were now full of star shards that burned his skin for a millisecond before automatically healing like a machine, executing and moving forward like nothing had ever happened.
Except that it has happened ; the meteorite did almost annihilate every town in a one-hundred kilometers radius, he did break free from the shell he created to save the world once more and he did realize that, no matter how much he fought, he could not tame his nature. And it is odd to live with the fact that no single force on this earth could surpass the monster that inhabited his veins. It is hard to taste heaven and fall head first on the pavement of hell. It was hard, very hard.
Kusuo passed his hands through his face to let darkness surround him for a few seconds more, although the voices of thousands rushing in his head had already ruined his morning. If he were honest, the various morning complaints sounded more pleasant (although still irritating) than the glimpse of the meteor that appeared night after night, nearer to the eye each time he dreamt of it. Maybe it was the only thing his body processed like a normal person, finally having nightmares without it being premonitory, simply out of fear. But he honestly wished he did not. Refusing his peace by regaining his powers was already violent enough, even more than he thought it’d be ; sure, it has been days since his body was fully healed from the fall, but he still felt like Sisyphus’s rock who continuously plummeted, over and over again.
A soft knock snapped him away from his reverie, he had no strength to talk yet so he hoped she would understand the silence still welcomed her in. He sighed, raising so his back would hit the bedframe and stared at the door.
– Ku ? I’m sorry I entered without hearing your answer…
He just nodded, a faint smile to reassure his mom whose worry was clear as a day. He could not blame her, the past couple days have been rough on him like on everyone. His brother who would not stay over for so long has stopped each of his activities to watch over his health, although he claimed it was simply out of scientific curiosity (there’s certainly a part of truth in this). His father decided to avoid work for the week, although the sentence for such disobedience would be severe. Kuniharu didn’t care, the state of his boy was a greater worry than the repercussions he’d face. As for his mother, she stayed at his side all this time, kneeled at his nightstand like she looked over a dying parent. Maybe he was dying, or at least it was a pain he had never felt before, even when he suffered from a mysterious illness on their cruise.
– How do you feel today ?
He attempted to lie, but Kurumi’s soft voice and his eyes locked in hers made him feel vulnerable. His lip trembled despite his teeth in it and he could feel his eyes water a bit, his nature stronger than anything, once again. His mother whispered his name plaintively before pulling him into her embrace, her hand in his hair to warm him up entirely.
Kusuo believed his mom had a superpower, as soon as she held him, the voices died down and only hers echoed in his head. Lots of “I love you”s ,“It’s going to be okay”s and other soft words sung like a lullaby in his head. He hid in the crook of his neck, few tears let the nape wet and he mentally noted to apologise later for staining her turtleneck. He tightened his grip still, a silent sob escaped his lips as soon as his mother kissed his skin. He felt like a kid and maybe he was right to feel this way, Saiki would always be Kurumi’s baby boy.
– Do you feel like talking about it, Ku ?
Saiki remained silent, leaving the question hanging for who desired to answer it. Except that his mom already broke the embrace and kneeled down the bed, eyes in eyes, hands held tight, waiting for a confession. He inspired longly, hoping that in the exhale, he would see words appear in thin air. Yet nothing came out but sobs, louder than before. He cringed when he heard the distress resounding in his room, angering his eardrums and destroying his ego. Dominos collapsed and he held out his arms like a kid for his mother to take him back in her arms.
– Mom…I’m exhausted…
She could only sympathize but never understand the severity of his pain. But him speaking directly showed how dire his situation was. It is in these moments that she’s reminded of how strong yet so vulnerable a mother can be ; it’s the first time her son opens to her that way, openly admitting that he was exhausted, which is so little compared to everything he endured. It was torture to hear the cries grow louder, but she had to remain strong nonetheless, hide her tears whilst her heart shattered - she tried not to think about the state of Kusuo’s mind if hers was so utterly destroyed. But as a mother, she had to raise above her own feelings for her baby’s sake. She held him tighter to dress his wound with love, if only it could cure any ill.
– You’re going to be okay, Kusuo, I will take care of you, I will look after you until you’re not tired anymore. Papa will be there too, even Kusuke decided to stay. We love you, Kusuo we…
Kurumi first slid her hands in his hair, falling softly to cup his face. She wiped his tears away, whilst hers fell. But they were going to be okay.