You're the brave one - dashing off to the rescue.
I catch up, panting and staring at your back as you smile for the world - hiding your own pain and fear.
I always have something to say, but I swallow it down.
Fear.
I'm afraid too.
So I follow, watching closely, but never too close.
But I know.
I know the battles and decisions that haunt you, the cries of those too far from your reach. I try to lift some of the burden.
Your shoulders shake. You can't.
You look at me with those sad, knowing eyes. You can't share this burden, just as I hold back.
So I watch you stand. I watch you walk away. I watch as you take a deep breath, square your shoulders and smile for the world again and again.
My hands stay clenched at my side.
How could I reach...?
You're too bright.
I'm too afraid.
And yet...
There are soft, quiet moments when the fear is replaced with something else.
I watch you breathe deeply, sound asleep on my couch where - seeking a safe place of rest - you thought of me...
Naomasa scratched out the words on his notepad, pinching the bridge of his nose. I'm hopeless.
He looked over his shoulder, and a small smile pulled at his lips.
Tossing the ruined page into the wastebin, he walked toward the couch and whispered, "Toshinori..."
"Mm?" Toshinori stirred, calloused fingers pulling at the blanket around his shoulders.
"You'll hurt your neck sleeping like that."
Turning away, Toshinori groaned and pressed his face into the pillow, "'ve m're minutes..."
Naomasa chuckled and backed away.
"If you insist."
And I wait - watching, listening - for what I'm not sure. But my chest aches. So I sit down across from you, hugging a pillow to my chest.
This is fine for now.
This pain will fade, and you will smile, and everything will be alright.
But the fear returns - an ice cold hand gripping my heart - a challenging voice that crumbles my resolve.
A choked laugh escaped from Naomasa's lips. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked up.
Undisturbed, Toshinori took slow even breaths, returning to sleep as if Naomasa had never spoken.
Naomasa frowned. The shadows under Toshinori's eyes had deepened recently.
He was pushing himself too hard. Again.
"Damnit, Toshinori."
Take care of yourself.
It's not - He shook his head, It's not alright.
But you are here, and it's…
It's enough.
For now.
For my lovely writing buddy, Swiftwidget, who wanted more Naomight content.
Thank you for reading! Please review!
May or may not continue with a Toshinori POV. Not sure yet!