🍓Where the Fireflies Glow🍓
Summary: Arthur helps June relax after waking up from a nightmare
A/N: This is a rewrite of the first ever age regression story I have ever written. I was feeling nostalgic lately and have been looking for more reasons to write so I thought I'd share it here!
The long day faded slowly into evening, the sweltering heat settling to a gentle warm breeze as the burning sun began to rest along the horizon, the sky drifting from bright and fiery shades of pink and orange to a dreamy hue of dusk and lavender.
Inside the old wooden barn, the last of chores were being finished. Straw rustled softly as Arthur stacked the final bale of hay into the corner, dust floating between the last few beams of sunlight. Nearby, June moved slowly between the different animal stalls, filling each bucket with fresh water and securing the latches.
After double checking, everything was finally finished. June let out an exhausted sigh, shoulder sagging as she leaned against one of the doors for a moment, the wood creaking beneath the weight.
He took notice to her softness immediately. "You did good today," he said, his voice warm and low.
She gave back a small nod and a smile in response, though her eyes looked distant as if already trapped in a daydream.
After a moment of silence they both stepped outside, staring at the sunset and admiring the faint scent of spring settling in. Fireflies began to appear while they walked, their lights twinkling in the growing dimness like little stars. She paused on the path, her wide tired eyes following them through the air.
"They're out early this year," he murmured and she nodded, hand reaching out to catch one as it drifted past them, just a second too slow.
The farmhouse waited for them welcomingly at the end of the dirt path, it's windows glowing with flickering golden lamplight. Inside everything felt warm and still, the smell of fresh bread and herbs lingering in the air. The large pot of stew sat cooling on the stove as the loaf of bread she had baked earlier that day sat neatly in a basket, lightly dusted with flour on top.
June sank into one of the wooden kitchen chairs, her limbs languid as if they were made of cotton.
The sound of porcelain clicking brought her back from her trance as he placed a bowl of food in front of her, joining her at the table with his own dinner as well.
"Small bites," he reminded softly but her movements were absentminded, the warmth of the food spreading through her chest and stomach.
By the time she had finished, her eyelids were drooping heavily, eyelashes fluttering against the apples of her sunkissed cheeks, swaying slightly as she stood.
He noticed that too, gently grabbing her hand in his. "C'mon, let's get you ready for bed."
Upstairs the room was cool and dim, lit only by a few candles along the large vanity nestled along the wall. She retired her dust and dirt covered clothes for the clean smelling cotton of one of her nightgowns, running her fingers along the small ruffles and lace along the collar.
When she finished she sat on the edge of the bed, staring into space at nothing in particular. Arthur looked around the room and noticed where her brush had layed nearby, picking it up and walking over to her. "Turn around," he said gently.
She obeyed without protest, turning so that her back was facing him. As he began brushing her hair back, she visibly relaxed, leaning into the warmth of him pressed against her and his fingers occasionally petting the top of her head. The soft bristles moved carefully through the long strands, smoothing out tangles in patient strokes.
The repeated motion seemed to melt the last bit of tension from her body, her breath slowing and head sagging.
"There we go, almost done." He murmured. He still took his time, making sure every unruly lock was smoothed out.
She was already drifting as she climbed further onto the mattress, helping her beneath the blankets. She curled onto her side immediately, reaching instinctively for her plush bunny, fingers tightening around it as he pulled the covers over her shoulders. He tucked her in with care, making sure no cold air could slip inside.
Outside the crickets chirped in a steady rhythm, traces of moonlight slipping in through the crack in the curtains. He sat beside her a moment longer as she closed her eyes, his fingers playing with her hair until she fully drifted off.
He made sure to sneak away as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake her as he left to go clean up their mess from dinner and make plans for the day ahead of them tomorrow. Everything seemed still and quiet, almost too perfect.
But sometime later in the night she began to stir, her body tensing beneath the covers as a nightmare wrapped around her mind like heavy fog.
Suddenly she woke up with a sharp gasp, body jolting up as tears blurred her vision before she could register what happened. As she let out a choked cry the door opened almost immediately.
Arthur quickly crossed the room, the mattress dipping under his weight as he sat beside her, his hand coming up to cup her cheek with gentle warmth.
"Hey... Hey," he murmured just loud enough for her to hear over her heavy breaths. "It's okay, I'm right here."
Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, only managing a broken sob. The sound triggered everything at once, a cascade of tears rolling down her face as fear clung tightly in her chest like a fist wrapped around her heart.
He pulled her steadily into his lap, rocking her slowly and whispering reassurances. "You're safe, nothings gonna hurt you."
His hand gently patted her back, the motion helping to steady her breathing, her sobs gradually fading into shaky sniffles.
After a while he finally pulled back, offering her a small and understanding smile. "Wanna get some fresh air?"
She hesitated for a beat before nodding, her fingers slipping between his larger ones. They went down the stairs and outside, the wind blowing cooly. The grass was damp beneath their bare feet, soft and ticklish as they walked down a familiar trail.
More fireflies were glowing all around them, leading the way like a trail of tiny floating lanterns. After a few minutes the trees opened into a wide field covered in dandelions, their pale heads shimmering beneath the moonlight.
He led her to the center and plopped down onto the ground, leaning into the grass before patting the spot beside him. She curled down next to him, still loosely holding onto his hand.
Above them the sky stretched endlessly, decorated with scattered stars. He pointed upwards, calling out different shapes and constellations among them. Little by little she relaxed again, a faint smile returning to her face.
Lying there with him surrounded by the quiet hum of the night and the wind she felt small again. Not in a scared way, but in a safe way as if the world were holding her carefully inside it.
