Day 5: "The Fear That Shakes You"
Whumptober 2024 Prompt: Fear / Loud Noises / "Hold me until it's over"
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Atsumu had always prided himself on being bold, loud, and fearless—at least, that's how he wanted the world to see him. The confident setter, brimming with bravado, always ready to face whatever came his way. But everyone had fears buried deep down, hidden behind walls of pride and bravado.
Atsumu's was thunder.
The storm had rolled in late at night, the sky dark and oppressive. The rain started as a gentle patter, quickly escalating into a torrential downpour. But the worst part, the part that made Atsumu's pulse race and his chest tighten, were the deep rumbles of thunder that shook the very air.
It wasn't something he liked to admit. Thunderstorms had always unnerved him since childhood—the sudden, loud crashes that felt like they were tearing the sky apart. He hated how powerless it made him feel, how something so far away could trigger such a deep-seated fear in him.
A particularly loud clap of thunder echoed through the room, and Atsumu flinched hard, his fingers curling into the blanket he had wrapped tightly around himself. He was on the couch, knees drawn up to his chest, trying to keep his breathing steady. He kept telling himself it was just noise, just sound—nothing that could actually hurt him.
But logic didn't matter when fear had its claws in you.
The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Sakusa Kiyoomi stepped into the dimly lit living room, his dark curls slightly tousled from sleep. His eyes were sharp as always, but there was a softness in his gaze as he took in the sight of Atsumu curled up on the couch.
"You're still awake?" Kiyoomi asked, his voice low, though there was a hint of concern beneath the usual stoicism.
Atsumu jumped at the sound of his voice, his body still tense from the storm. He quickly plastered on a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, just… couldn't sleep," he said, his voice a little too casual, a little too forced.
Kiyoomi's eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't stupid—he knew Atsumu better than that. He knew how his partner could be loud and brash to hide his insecurities. He also knew that Atsumu didn't just wake up in the middle of the night for no reason.
Another crash of thunder boomed outside, and Atsumu visibly flinched, his grip on the blanket tightening. He tried to laugh it off, but it came out strained, almost nervous. "Man, it's just a little storm, right?"
Kiyoomi didn't say anything for a moment. He simply watched Atsumu, his sharp gaze seeing right through the act. After a beat, he walked over to the couch, sitting down beside Atsumu without a word.
Atsumu stiffened, unsure of what to say, but Kiyoomi didn't give him the chance. He reached out and gently pulled Atsumu closer, his arms wrapping around him in a way that was firm yet gentle. Atsumu blinked, surprised by the sudden embrace, but the warmth of Kiyoomi's presence helped ease some of the tension in his chest.
"You don't have to pretend with me," Kiyoomi said softly, his voice low but steady. "It's okay to be scared."
Atsumu's breath hitched, and for a moment, he tried to brush it off again, tried to laugh, but the sound caught in his throat. Another rumble of thunder shook the room, and this time, Atsumu couldn't stop the shiver that ran down his spine.
"I—It's stupid," Atsumu muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just… thunder."
"It's not stupid," Kiyoomi replied, his arms tightening slightly around Atsumu. "Fear doesn't always make sense. But you don't have to face it alone."
Atsumu let out a shaky breath, leaning into Kiyoomi's embrace. He hated feeling vulnerable, hated showing weakness, but somehow, with Kiyoomi, it felt a little easier. Maybe because Kiyoomi never judged him, never made him feel small for his fears. Instead, he was just there—quiet, steady, and dependable.
"I hate it," Atsumu admitted quietly, his voice trembling slightly. "I hate how it makes me feel."
Kiyoomi rested his chin on top of Atsumu's head, his fingers tracing soothing patterns along his back. "I know," he murmured. "But it's just noise. It'll pass."
Atsumu squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on the steady rhythm of Kiyoomi's heartbeat against his chest. He didn't say anything for a long moment, simply letting himself be held, letting the warmth of Kiyoomi's presence anchor him through the storm.
Outside, the thunder roared again, but this time, Atsumu didn't flinch as hard. It was still there, still terrifying in its own way, but Kiyoomi's arms around him made it feel a little less overwhelming.
"Thanks," Atsumu muttered after a while, his voice muffled against Kiyoomi's shoulder.
Kiyoomi hummed softly, his fingers still moving in soothing circles. "You don't have to thank me," he said quietly. "You'd do the same for me."
Atsumu smiled weakly, his body finally starting to relax. "Yeah, I would."
They sat there in silence, the storm still raging outside, but the fear that had gripped Atsumu's chest was slowly loosening its hold. With Kiyoomi by his side, the thunder didn't seem quite so loud, didn't seem quite so terrifying.
And for the first time that night, Atsumu felt like maybe, just maybe, he could get through it.