theme #18- darkness
The darkness swarmed around him. Arms made out of night reached from the shadows and snaked around his frame. He squirmed and then let out a scream. Oh God, oh God, oh God…
His eyes snapped open. Strong arms wrapped around him, trying to comfort him, but he wriggled and let out a hoarse cry. A pair of lips gently touched his cheeks, his forehead, his temples, and a hand ran through his hair soothingly. They (Hiro) made soft shushing noises, trying to quiet his crying.
His eyes were wide and looked blankly ahead, not seeing anything, tears sliding out of them and leaving trails down his cheeks. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his breathing was erratic. Hiro wiped away the sweat, wiped away the tears, and murmured, "Take a deep breath."
Suguru just clung to Hiro, burying his face into the older boy's shoulder. A muffled whimper was issued. Hiro looked at his boyfriend sadly.
"Let me get a cold rag," he murmured to the distressed boy, trying to pull away. Suguru's hands shot out, wrapping around Hiro and staying there.
Hiro just shook his head a bit. Poor Suguru…what haunted him like this? He picked the younger boy up, who immediately wrapped himself around Hiro, hanging there, and started walking. They entered the bathroom and Hiro flipped on the light with his free hand.
Suguru's face was still buried in Hiro's shoulder, but he tried to bury himself deeper, his uneven breaths hitting Hiro's neck. Hiro set the boy down on the toilet and got out a wash rag, soaking it with cold water. After ringing it out, he crouched down and wiped Suguru's face.
His eyes were more focused than before but his breathing was still uneven. "Suguru," Hiro said, voice soft and quiet. "Take a deep breath." Suguru looked at him, chest heaving. It took a few tries, but eventually it got done. "Now hold it. Let it go." Suguru followed the instructions, his breathing slowly going back to normal.
He stared at Hiro for a moment, before slumping, head going back to Hiro's shoulder. "I'm sorry," Suguru whispered.
Hiro smiled, glad that Suguru was freaking out anymore, and ran a hand through the younger boy's hair. "Hey, it's okay." He brushed a kiss over Suguru's temple, tasting the saltiness of Suguru's sweat there. "You okay?" He pulled back, hands around Suguru's forearms, and looked at Suguru, concern in his eyes.
Suguru nodded, eyes fluttering, weighed down with sleepiness. Hiro saw this and scooped Suguru up, bridal style. Suguru glared, but did nothing.
As Hiro walked out of the bathroom and started towards the bedroom, Suguru fell back asleep, head lolling against broad shoulders. When Hiro looked down, instead of seeing the usual tight frown and furrowed eyebrows, he saw a soft smile.