#5986

She didn’t say anything to him. Her only actions were staying by his bedside as he was recovering from another episode. There were no words of encouragement or eyes of judgment. All she did was take care of him and hold his hand.

One day, he has asked why she even bothered. “We’re not close.” He told her, and it was true. But she looked at him, tilting her head, holding his hand harder.

“You’re right. Hahi, but that doesn’t mean you should suffer alone. Everyone deserves someone to stay by their side, heartache and all. Now, open up Gokudera-san.” She says, bringing food closer to him (how did he miss a whole plate of food?).

“I can feed myself!” He blurted out, embarrassed by the action.

“Hee hee, yeah but nooo~! Say ‘ahhh’!”

“No! Stupid woman!”

She had shoved the spoon into his mouth anyways. Watching him chew slowly, he caught a hint of a smile on her. It was on the verge of turning evening and the hues of red, pink and orange from the setting sun made Haru look...just a little bit different.

And after that day, he had continued to pay more attention to her. He noticed little things about her, like how she let her hair down when she was stressed, or how she would stick her tongue out when deep in thought. How she would furrow her eye brows with fire in her eyes when she was determined and how she held hands with those she cared about. It made him think of himself, to be honest.

That they weren’t close but she still cared. And that thought was...

Comforting.

With cheeks turning pink at the thought, he huffed while sitting alone in his room. “There must have been something in that food.” He murmurs under his breath as he continues making samples of his work to present to the Tenth. The thought of Haru lingered in his mind, something that annoyed him but over time, grew to accept.

Maybe one day, he’ll be able to hold her hand. And be that person who can stay by her side.