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English
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Good Timezone Flash - Round 1
Stats:
Published:
2025-02-28
Words:
561
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
15
Kudos:
63
Bookmarks:
7
Hits:
393

safe with you

Summary:

“Chouji had a nightmare,” Jou said, voice pitched low and soft. “I'd go, but… I think he needs you tonight.”

Hajime’s heart tightened, the last clouds of sleep leaving him in an instant.

Notes:

A treat for good timezone flash! Hope you enjoy :)

 

Sakura is technically here, but he's just a sleepy cat hehe

Work Text:

Hajime woke to a large, warm hand on his shoulder.

“Jou?” he mouthed, bleary but conscious of Haruka tucked tight against him, still peacefully asleep.

As he blinked away the haze of sleep, Jou's face came into view in the darkness, leaning over Haruka from the other side of the bed. Hajime hummed, turning his face to press a sleep-clumsy kiss against Jou's hand.

Jou smiled, but his eyebrows were drawn together in the middle. “Chouji had a nightmare,” he said, voice pitched low and soft. “I'd go, but… I think he needs you tonight.”

Hajime’s heart tightened, the last clouds of sleep leaving him in an instant.

“Chouji,” he repeated, raising his head to confirm that there was no compact body curled in the centre of them all, basking in their combined warmth. He met Jou's worried gaze, and smiled. “Don’t worry, I'll find him.”

It was good to see Jou's expression relax, and even better to ease himself up and bundle Haruka across the bed and into Jou's arms. Haruka grumbled wordlessly at the disturbance but his eyes stayed closed, and he curled easily into the broad warmth of Jou's chest, like a cat settling before a fire.

Hajime smiled, watching Jou settle his nose into Haruka's hair, the final lines of tension bleeding from his face. Jou would be alright, with Haruka tucked safely against him.

“Cute,” Hajime whispered, and leaned over to kiss them both on their foreheads before rolling out of bed.

He found Chouji in the kitchen, perched on a stool with his knees drawn up, staring into a full cup of water on the table in front of him.

Hajime made sure to scuff his feet across the floor so he didn't spook him. Chouji's head jerked up, eyes wide, and a visible shiver ran through him.

“Chouji? You okay?”

The moment Chouji turned, revealing the tight, terrified look on his face, Hajime was striding across the kitchen, arms opening wide. Chouji practically threw himself at Hajime, all four limbs winding tight around him, clinging so hard Hajime almost didn't need to hold him up.

“Hey,” Hajime soothed, heart aching. “Rough night?”

He rested his cheek against Chouji's tousled head, one arm wrapping around his waist and the other sliding to the back of his neck. Chouji made a wordless noise, face pressed hard against Hajime.

The apartment was dark, but Hajime knew the way to the sofa without looking. He dropped onto the cushions with a huff, and for a long few moments they just sat there, breathing quietly together. Hajime could practically feel the buzzing in Chouji's brain, anxious thoughts swarming like bees. He held him firmly, squeezing his love into Chouji and hoping he could feel it.

Eventually Chouji stirred, face still hidden in Hajime's neck.

“You won't let me hurt everyone again, will you?” he asked, in the tiniest, most heartbreaking little voice Hajime had ever heard.

Hajime held him tighter. “No,” he said warmly. “‘Course not. But, more importantly, you won't let yourself, will you?”

He felt the truth of his words go through Chouji like a shudder of relief. Chouji’s grip tightened and then relaxed all at once, melting into Hajime until they were one comfortable puddle.

Chouji took a deep, renewing breath. “No,” he stated, fierce and sure. “I won't.”

Hajime smiled; he had never doubted it.