Little ficlet to the tune of “What if Haruka was afraid of storms?” ~575 words

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A shock-white flash and a roar of thunder yanked Haruka out of sleep. Her heart raced ahead of her groggy brain and banged against the walls of her chest to get her moving. Quiet, quiet, up! Up! Who’s home? Who will hear you cry? Closet! Muffle! Go!

Haruka had her hand on the doorknob before she woke up enough to remember. She was safe. She was older now, out of that house, and too old to be afraid of storms.

Another sharp crack of thunder made her jump. Maybe that last bit wasn’t quite true.

She turned back to the empty bed. Where was Michiru?

Her stomach churned as she crept out to the living room. Would she be mad, if she knew? Would she think Haruka too childish? Maybe she just wouldn’t tell her. She’d just… claim hunger? Grab a snack and a kiss and hope it calmed the panic bubbling inside her? Maybe she should just go back to bed.

Thunder shook the house. Haruka yelped. Damn it.

“Haruka? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Haruka stuck her head around the corner. Michiru sat by the rain-splashed window, a cup of steaming tea on the table at her side. She rose, brow knotted.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, I just… I… I just wanted to see you.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to have left you alone. I like to watch the storms.” She glanced back to her vacated perch. “Would you like to join me?”

“Um…” Haruka jumped at another rumble.

“Haruka, are you—“

“I just got a chill, I’m fine. It’s fine.” She fought to stay still as a flash lit the room with a boom.

“Oh, love.” Michiru reached up to stroke her cheek. “It’s okay to be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid!”

She let out a small chuckled. “Haruka, dearest, you have far more transparency than you’d like to believe. There is little you could ever hide from me.”

“Well…” Her body betrayed her again with a wobbling lip. “It’s just very loud. And storms always meant everyone stayed inside.”

“Come here.”

Michiru led her gently to the couch and pulled her head into her lap. “I’m going to keep you safe, Haruka.” Her hand stroked back and forth through Haruka’s hair. “I love you, and I’m here when things get scary.”

“But you shouldn’t have to not watch the storm if you want to because I’m being a baby.”

“You’re not being a baby.” Michiru kneaded Haruka’s scalp with her fingertips. “We’re all afraid of things.”

“Not you.”

“Mmm.” Michiru looked out into the storm. “I have many fears, perhaps the biggest of which is letting you see I am afraid.” She bent over kiss Haruka’s forehead. “”You are the bravest person I know, Haruka.”

“Yeah sure,” Haruka scoffed. “So brave that I’m laid low by a little rain.”

“You were afraid and still came to me. I want to be that brave someday.”

The thunder crashed again. Haruka pressed herself deeper into the comfort of Michiru’s lap. “You’re really not mad I’m like this?”

“Not at all, love.” She rubbed her hand slowly along Haruka’s back. “I’d like you to stay here until the storm passes. I want to protect you.”

“I want you to protect me,” Haruka whispered. Michiru did not pull away. Her hands and body were warm and calming against Haruka’s skin. She drifted back to sleep slowly, the storm fading away under the strength of Michiru’s quiet.