Work Text:
Skyhaven was a great place to visit. Caleb turned out to reside there, it was a gorgeous city, and it was the perfect place to get away from your work as a hunter. However, it was common sense that being so close to the sky would result in more aggressive weather.
Thunderstorms were always an issue for you, despite being in your twenties. The roar of an incoming storm only put you on edge as you lathered the soap in your hands. You knew, in your head, it couldn’t hurt you, but something within you kept the fear alive. It was an irrational fear, yet there was more to it.
As you dried your hands with a nearby towel, you noticed a notification on your phone. It’d been sitting on the edge of the sink, and thankfully, hadn’t fallen off yet.
Something about Caleb being home in less than an hour. It was already getting late, so you came to terms that you’d be asleep once he arrived. He was always leaving for work mid-day, or even mid-conversation: he was a busy man ever since became the colonel.
Even so, you understood that his line of work required him to be on-demand and available. You just wanted to spend more time with him before you left.
As you made your way back to your room, the thunder only got louder, rumbling the ground as lightning flashed outside the window. You tried your best to change and get ready for bed, pulling pajamas from your closet before shutting off the light.
Bad idea.
Within moments, thunder boomed through the room, lightning following as it flashed right outside the window. You couldn’t do it: being all alone, in the dark, and a massive storm tormenting you. It struck a chord in your head, like something flicked on.
You rushed to the closet, slamming the doors, and stumbling to the ground. You were alright, right? The horrible storm couldn’t reach you in the safety of your closet. It was…a safe haven!
Just as you were creating a better name for your new storm hideout, another strike scared you into silence. Then, a few tears slipped down your cheeks. Even if you were safe, it was scary hearing such loud ‘booms’ outside the house. You wiped your tears and hiccuped through the tears.
One thought rang through your sobs and the flashes of light that slipped through the cracks of the closet doors: Caleb. If he made it home before the storm, you’d be in the living room, watching a movie with him after he reheated dinner from the night before. But no…you had to eat alone, and handle the storm.
Alone.
Another sob left you as the closet doors swung open, causing you to freeze in place. It was like Caleb could hear your thoughts.
“What’re you doing in the closet?” He asked, crouching down to your level.
A few hiccups were all you could get out before crying out his name. Caleb seemed prepared as he pulled you into his arms, a soft chuckle at your childish sobs. He knew what was happening, but it was the question of if you’d figured it out yourself.
“T-The…storm…” You mumbled, pointing to the window through your sniffles. Caleb glanced at the window as there was another rumble. You gripped onto him tighter, noticing how he was still wearing his uniform. After a moment, the lightning flashed, then he looked back at you, the same smile as before.
“Was it hard here, pipsqueak? All by yourself against the storm?” He asked, earning a quick nod. “Well, I’m not leaving anytime soon.”
Your eyes met his; they were unreadable to you, at least, in this headspace. But from his words you knew he had good intentions, so you stayed in his arms. Besides, who else would recognize your regression when you didn’t even catch yourself? After all these years, he was both expecting this…yet surprised.
Caleb wasn’t complaining though. He’d be there for you, especially after his research on how to care for a little, and the stash of little gear he had piled in his room.
All it’d take was to tell you about your regression…but now wasn’t the time. He knew you only needed to be held, so that’s what he provided: dependence and an open pair of arms.