When Haruka came downstairs the next morning she found Setsuna sitting at the table, obviously deep in thought, her garnet gaze burning a hole into the fridge.
"rough night?"
Haruka guessed, earning a sigh from the older woman who turned toward her.
"I found out why Hotaru is so scared of us. She was beaten before, just for the simplest things. waking someone up even if she was sick or terrified...She had night terrors all night last night...kept waking up screaming and in tears. I have never felt so helpless."
Haruka moved to put a hand on her friend's shoulder, her own brow furrowing at that information.
"we will help her pass all that. she needs to learn that we aren't like that but we will have to take it slow."
the blonde stated just s a crash was heard upstairs.
Both of them ran upstairs then, finding Michiru knelt beside a crying and visibly shaking Hotaru who was surrounded by shards of broken glass.
"is she alright?"
Haruka asked, earning a sigh from Michiru who nodded.
"just carpet burn and a bit of a fright is all."
she responded, picking the little girl up and moving her away from the glass.
Setsuna watched how Hotaru wrapped her arms around Michiru's neck, burying her face into her shoulder while whimpering out an apology.
"it's okay princess. accidents happen all the time, why just last week I broke a hall mirror while dusting."
Setsuna tried to sooth, remembering far too well what they had talked about earlier that morning.
"yeah, it was just a glass firefly. nothing to be upset about."
Haruka spoke up, exchanging looks with Setsuna before glancing over at Michiru before adding
"why don't you go get her patched up and get her a cup of cocoa while Sets and I clean up this mess?"
she suggested, hoping that Hotaru would be calmer by the time they were done.
Hotaru was expecting to look up to see Michiru glaring at her but to her surprise the aqua haired girl was just rummaging around in a first aid kit, producing a bottle of salve and a bandage.
"this shouldn't sting...or at least the bottle says it doesn't. If it does I'm sorry."
she stated simply, moving to treat the small wound on the girl's leg. Hotaru sniffled, surprised at how kind she was being toward her, despite how many times she had ,messed up.
"I...I'm not in trouble?"
she sniffled, unsure though Michiru only shook her head before smiling warmly.
"it would be unfair of us to be angry over a accident now wouldn't it? Especially since no one is perfect and even I drop things now and again."
Michiru responded before ruffling her hair a bit, something that usually only Haruka did.
"come on, You can pick what you want for breakfast love. After that we're going to spend the day at the park as a family."