Haru was once again left in the dark when everyone took off to the island. She knew it happened quickly, but that didn't mean she liked how she was feeling or being left behind. At first she was angry at them but that anger shifted to worry and fear as the days passed. She stopped sleeping, instead spent her nights worried, crying or praying for everyone to come home safe. She took time off from gymnastics because she couldn't concentrate, school became a blur, and she couldn't find any joy in her usual hobbies. Kyoko being the only person to understand what she was feeling was the only one who didn't question her behavior. Though Kyoko's brother did tell her what was happening, Haru found out through her. Haru was glad Kyoko was informed when it happened, she had wished someone had told her just as quickly.
She was walking home one day, her worries filling her mind when she thought she caught sight of some silver hair. She all but ran towards the person, but it seemed like that person was never really there. Haru was starting to question her sanity as she often thought she saw glimpses of him around town and in school when he wasn't really there. Disheartened once again she turned to continue heading home when she ran into someone, dropping her things and falling to the ground.
"Hahi, Haru is so sorry. Haru should have watched where she was going" She rushed to pick up her stuff, but she paused as her concern increased again. She hadn't realized she started crying until the person in front of her placed a hand on her cheek.
"What are you crying about now stupid woman." Haru blinked, not sure she heard that right but also not daring to look up.
"What?"
"Seriously, how stupid are you?" The more she listened to his voice the more she didn't believe it, so she risked looking up.
There, squatting in front of her was one Gokudera Hayato with his hand outstretched on her cheek. His eyes watching her, calculating what she was going to do next. She tried to believe she wasn't imagining things, but didn't really believe it either. Hesitantly tried to reaffirm what she was seeing.
"Your home?" Her voice came out in a whisper, sure he would disappear if she spoke too loudly. Her own eyes quickly scanning any of his exposed skin to see if he had any injuries, which he did but it seemed they were minor. She reached a hand out touching his face, solidifying his existence in her mind.
"You're really home." She started to cry harder and reach forward. Relief flooded her body, as she tried to ensure once more it wasn't a dream.
"You're safe." She babbled between sobs.
"Yeah, everyone is home." Was all he said to her softly, as she pulled him into a hug he wrapped his own arms around her. Crying into his neck on the ground in the middle of the street, she was really happy.
"Hey Gokudera, are you still co-" the sound of Yamamoto's voice reached her ears but she didn't let go of the person in front of her. After some time Haru slowly began to let go of him, her tears still running down her face but no longer a sob. Looking at both boys she smiled through her tears.
"Welcome home." It was all she could do until she was deemed able to fight. She would smile her biggest smile and welcome everyone home, every time there was a mission, even if the mission was close to home.
Slowly but surely she got better at hiding her tears, when she was relieved to see them, except whenever Gokudera came home she always ended up crying in his arms as she greeted him and made sure he was safe.
What she didn't know was her smiles and tears were what kept him coming home after every mission. She became the reason he started valuing his life and it all started the day he came home from the island.
