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The door clicked softly as Sethos stepped inside, the evening air still clinging to their coat. They called out like always, warm and casual,
“Kuni? I’m home.”
No answer. Not unusual, but… the silence felt different today. Heavy. The kind of quiet that pressed against the walls.
Sethos set their bag down and walked farther in, shoes barely making a sound on the floorboards. It wasn’t until they reached the living room that they saw him; Kuni, curled up on the couch with his knees to his chest, sleeves swallowed over his hands, eyes unfocused and too big for his face.
His breathing was small. His posture even smaller. Sethos paused, recognizing the signs immediately.
“Oh, sweetheart…” They murmured, voice melting into something soft and careful.
Kuni didn’t look up, but his fingers twitched like he’d heard. He always got like this when things overwhelmed him, days where the world pressed too hard, memories too loud, emotions too tangled to hold together. A rare, fragile state he never admitted to, but couldn’t always hide.
Sethos approached slowly, sitting on the edge of the couch.
“I’m right here,” They said quietly. “You don’t have to talk.”
At that, Kuni's eyes finally lifted, glassy and confused, like he wasn’t fully in the present. Like he’d slipped somewhere younger, somewhere safer but lonelier.
A tiny sound left him, barely a whisper.
“…Sethos?”
Not sharp. Not sarcastic. Just small.
Sethos’s heart cracked. They opened their arms just a little, not a demand, just an invitation.
“Come here, little star.”
Kuni hesitated only a moment before shifting forward, climbing into the offered space and tucking himself against Sethos’s chest. His hands fisted lightly in Sethos’s shirt, holding on like he was afraid they'd disappear.
Sethos wrapped him up, warm and protective, one hand cradling the back of his head.
“There you go… I’ve got you. All day if you need.”
Kuni didn’t reply, but his breathing deepened, the tension in his shoulders slowly unraveling. He pressed his forehead into Sethos’s collarbone, soaking in the familiar scent of that warm, vanilla safety.
“Long day?” Sethos murmured. A tiny nod. Then, after a pause,
“…I'm sorry I'm like this.”
It was barely a whisper, shame edging the words. Sethos kissed the top of his head.
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re allowed to have bad days. You’re allowed to be scared, too. Especially with me.” Kuni didn’t speak again, but he curled closer, sliding his hands into his sleeves like he was trying to hide inside them. Sethos smiled gently.
“You hungry? Thirsty?” Another tiny head shake. “Okay, that's fine. We can stay.” They shifted to hold him more securely. “I’ll take care of everything else. You just rest.”
Kuni let out a small, shaky exhale, then his fingers loosened, body relaxing fully for the first time all day. Sethos rocked him slowly, thumb stroking soothing lines along his spine.
“My little Lotus,” They whispered, “you never have to face the world alone. Not while I’m here.” Kuni fell asleep against them a few minutes later, breathing soft and steady, suddenly sleepy, safe.