Rating: T
Characters: Koala & Sabo
TW: PTSD
Notes: This kiddo is 22 years old and he's the second in command of the revolutionary army. He's seen some bad stuff.
Sabo woke with a strangled scream, clawing at the blankets tangled around his legs and heaving in desperate breaths. Visions of the battlefield still hung in his eyes, screams filling his ears, and he doubled over, clasping his hands over his ears and unable to stop sobbing. His heart pounded, sweat hot on his skin, and when someone touched his back he lashed out, fear and memories still ruling his body.
His wrist was caught, and his eyes snapped open, sobs hitching in hysteria until his terrified brain finally reconciled the face in front of him with safety. He lunged forwards, burying himself in Koala's open arms. "It's okay," she whispered, the sound echoing through her chest, but Sabo still couldn't stop crying, clenching onto the back of her shirt desperately, as though she could hold back the monsters as long as he couldn't see them. "Oh Sabo, it's okay, you're safe now. I promise."
"They're always there-" he said, shivering as cold air cooled the sweat on his body, "God, Koala, they're always-"
He couldn't finish speaking, breath hitching into another soundless cry, and she pulled him even closer, gently rocking back and forth.
She stayed with him till the morning came, and the memories went away for another day.