#tomoten

She’d stayed up too late watching the news. Some program about the rise in villains with no fear now that the symbol of peace wasn’t around. About the destruction caused by a member of the Yakuza. How Sir Nighteye was in critical condition and Eraserhead, her kouhai and one of Tensei’s best friends, had been involved again. Those students – 

His hand tapped her shoulder, making her jump before she pulled the blanket that was wrapped around her tighter to herself. Yellow eyes sad as she continued to focus on the program, her fingers clenching and unclenching over and over again. Unsure what Tensei was expecting her to do as he rolled closer to the couch, taking her hand in his for a moment before she pulled her own away.

You should be in bed. She signed, slowly, her bangs falling to cover tear filled eyes. She’d been crying for a while now. Feeling so useless. Panicking when she’d heard that those same villains who’d done – god knows what – to her had been spotted again. Involved in the incident on the news. Her body both shutting down and going into overdrive for what felt like an eternity only to just be coming down now when Tensei reached to lift her face. His thumb brushing against her cheek, wiping away a tear. 

❝ You, my dear kitten, should also be in bed. ❞ Tensei spoke, his voice soft as his other hand moved to push her hair behind her ear, holding her face between both of his. 

Her head shook as best as it could in his hold, his thumbs sliding over her cheek bones to try and calm her as her breathing hitched, tears coming faster now as her habds moved to form words faster than she could think about them. How – how are we supposed to sleep when our friends are out there being attacked by those – that – that league. Those villains who hurt those kids who hurt Shouta-chan who hurt – who hurt me?

❝ Because … ❞ Her silent panic was stopped abruptly by the kiss he pressed to her forehead. His voice strong despite all the sadness she could see reflected in his own eyes.

❝ We’re safe now. You’re safe now. ❞ The words whispered didn’t fix the problem. They didn’t stop her tears, but they were enough of a start to the path of feeling okay, if only for a few moments, as he pulled her into his lap and held her tight. Those words on a continuous loop in her head as she spilt the last of her tears into his pajama shirt. 

We’re safe now. You’re safe now.

I took this as “Alyssa write something where Tensei tells Taiga to treat Tomoko well”

“Did’ya hear?” Nemuri asked one day at lunch. “Shiretoko and Chatora are dating now.”

“Uh oh.” Hizashi mumbled, as Shouta pushed Tensei’s plate away from him just in time for Tensei’s forehead to collide with the table.

“Whoa, what’s wrong with him?” She laughed, as Hizashi sighed dramatically.

“He’s in love with Shiretoko.”

“Is he? I’ve never seen him making a move on her.”

“I was trying to be a good friend!” Tensei called out, his voice muffled by the table.

“Well, you were a real good friend, buddy. So good, she probably doesn’t even know you have feelings for her.”

“Doesn’t really matter. It’s too late to do anything about it now.” Tensei said, his head shooting up, with Hizashi stifling a small laugh at the red spot on his forehead.

“I guess you have a point.” She hummed, waving her hand, plopping down next to Shouta, and changing the subject drastically.

A few days later, Tensei met up with Taiga outside of school, handing him a jacket.

“This is my extra uniform, all cleaned and whatnot.” He explained. “I…had to put patches on the elbows, because I had originally cut holes in them. But other than that, it’s practically brand new.” He promised, watching as the boy in front of him shrugged on the jacket, stretching out his arms. “It fits you pretty well. Maybe the pants’ll be a bit long, though, I’m sure you can just roll them up…”

“Thanks.” He smiled at him, and Tensei nodded, handing him the rest of the uniform, and giving him a small smile.

“So…” He hesitated, tilting his head. “Uh, I heard–you and Tomoko…”

“What? Oh, yeah.” He nodded. “I didn’t know people were talking about that.”

“Well, Nemuri told us at lunch the other day.” Tensei laughed, scratching the back of his head. “I-I mean, she’s, like, a really good friend of mine. She helped me out a lot last year when my brother was a newborn. I just…make sure you treat her well, alright?” He asked quietly. “She, um, deserves someone who is going to make her feel happy and loved and…if that’s you, then that’s great, but…”

Tensei hesitated, “I just hope you’re serious about this, and her. Because she’s a…great girl. And I-I care about her, and I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“No, yeah, I get it.” Taiga said, tucking the outfit under his arm as he nodded. “I’m serious about her, I can promise you that. And if I ever screw up and hurt her, I give you full permission to kick my ass.”

“I’ll be sure to take you up on that.” Tensei said, giving him a small, lopsided grin.

“I’m glad you guys are so close.” Taiga said, gently punching Tensei’s arm–but the younger man still nearly fell over from the force. “No wonder she says you’re like her little brother.” He glanced down at his phone, frowning a bit. “Shoot, I gotta run. Thank you for the uniform!” He said, before turning on his heel, and running off, leaving Tensei standing there, staring at the space where Taiga was standing moments ago.

She was crying.

Between the two of them, someone seemed to always be crying. 

It wasn’t always a sad cry. But it usually was. They had a lot to cry about.

It was bedtime. Or, at least, the socially mandated time of day in which people were meant to go to bed. Nowadays, the idea of them both falling asleep peacefully for a full eight hours was the closest thing to a nice dream either of them could have.

“I know.” He whispered as he pulled her close, fingers sliding through her hair as he kissed away the tears that rolled down her face.

Tensei very well couldn’t tell her “It’ll be alright” because he didn’t know if it would be. And he couldn’t say “It’s not real” because it was real. And he had been having the same nightmares enough to know that none of that provided any comfort. It didn’t really seem like anything did.

Lying wouldn’t do them any good. So, he had to speak in absolute truths.

“I love you.” Tensei finally whispered, and she nodded quickly as even more tears started to fall. He felt her hand on his chest, weakly gripping at the fabric of his shirt. So, he tugged her closer.

“I’m right here.” He mumbled against her skin as he pressed a few more kisses over her face. “Do you want some water?”

She shook her head.

“Want to stay like this?”

She nodded.

“Alright. We can stay.”

So they stayed, with Tensei’s fingers dragging through Tomoko’s hair as he periodically kissed her tear-soaked face. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” He promised, feeling her relax against him.

What felt like hours had passed, but eventually her eyes fell shut, and her breathing evened out, and Tensei was able to drift off shortly after her.

He woke up that next morning with a start–his breathing heavy as the same feelings he felt so many months ago came rushing back all over again. 

Her hand touched his arm, and he startled–she gently apologized, and opened her arms to him. 

Wow. Hi there totally not @idaten …. I guess she’s gotta smooch you anyway.