I'm doing my best to catch up T^T I dont have time on work days to write
I decided to pick Hikari and Diala, I want to explore their relationship a little more so this will be a little experiment for me. I decided to take ‘comfort’ in the emotional support direction~☆
[Prompt by @oc-growth-and-development ]
Hikari clutched the cushion he held in his lap. Movie night was always a night he disliked, especially when the chosen movie of the night was horror. The fact that Dahlia, Kyrie, Kakozura and Diala had also joined the four this month made things incredibly frustrating.
He liked his space, so being pressed between both Eru and Diala was infuriating. Eru had linked arms with him, pulling him close as he eagerly awaited the jump scares. Alternatively, Diala couldn't resist teasing Hikari ever so slightly as the movie continued on; brushing his neck or gently pulling his hair when the silent, yet erie moments came on. He also had no qualms with embracing Hikari at any moment he flinched.
Needless to say, Hikari was irritated, though, he was grateful for the physical connections throughout the movie. It was the only time he really accepted them, albeit only from both Diala and Eru, as it allowed him to feel grounded; no menacing ghosts or evil demons could steal him away from his safety.
Standing up abruptly, Hikari let the cushion fall to the floor and muttered a blunt “Night.”
“Just a moment, we must arrange sleeping plans,” Ensio spoke up, looking at the various people that had accumulated in their abode.
Hikari glared harshly, glancing around the room as if repulsed by everyone's mere existences “Go home and we'll stay in our own rooms.”
“It's 3am, we can't let anyone go at this time!” Eru chirped up, standing beside Hikari and poking his shoulder.
A playful hum left Diala’s mouth as he also stood beside Hikari, pulling out what must have been his 13th lollipop and sticking it into his mouth “I'll stay with my little Ari then, let's go,”
Without allowing Hikari a moment to respond, the candy obsessed man clutched his arm and began dragging him to his room.
Diala took a moment to observe Hikari's room, they'd spent a vast amount of time together but this was the first time seeing it. To anyone else, the sight of Hikari's room would most likely be unexpected, however, somehow it all seemed very accurate to Diala. It wasn't quite what he expected, but it didn't surprise him by any means.
“Apologies for the mess…” Hikari muttered, “I'll clear some space,”
“This is somehow so like you! Don't worry about the space, we can just sleep together!” Diala smiled, throwing himself on the bed and laying on his back.
“Don't say such stupid things! Get off!” The shorter man yelled; though intimidation was something he was failing dramatically at, since his role model had brought a faint blush to his cheeks.
This caused a playful smirk to surface on Diala’s face, being the only one who can truly understand Hikari gave him many perks and advantages to the man that only he could revel in. Blushing being a reaction that's actually incredibly easy to draw from him, particularly for Diala as Hikari idolised him.
And as Diala was truly the only person able to understand Hikari, he'd opened up to the taller man, albeit a little. Eru and Diala were the he only people Hikari hadn't completely pushed out of his life. His harsh words had no effect on either man, and Diala could see through every and any lie that came from his sharp tongue.
Humming playfully, Diala reached out to the petite man, and pulled him beside him “You really are just so very adorable when you blush, I'm glad you're the one connected to my red string~”
Hikari's blush darkened as he attempted to break from Diala’s now forming embrace. “Shut up! Stop it with your goddamn nonsense, let go of me!”
Hikari's emotions were twisting within, his embarrassment from the compliments slowly sinking and distorting to something more akin to fear and anger.
Diala was delayed in noticing Hikari's emotional conflict, and instead got carried away with his teasing, perhaps even bordering on sadistic intentions.
His embrace tightened on the man, playfully tugging at his hair as he enjoyed the various facial expressions Hikari expressed.
That was until his grimacing turned into… crying?
Sympathy nor empathy were something Diala experienced often, but seeing Hikari cry in this moment definitely didn't sit well with him.
Releasing his grip on the emotional man, he hastily sat upright and sat Hikari up in front of him.
Listening to Lila’s words, Diala picked up the large, silver cat plushie and gave it to Hikari, it was almost as big as him!
Like second nature, Hikari clung to the cat, burying his head in it as he silently cried.
‘This is something he does frequently…’ Lila’s hushed voice whispered into Diala’s ear once again.
“Ari…” He reached out to touch the weeping man, but hesitantly paused as Lila spoke up once again ‘Are you sure you should touch him again, I think it would be best to avoid it…’
Lila was always right, but he couldn't help himself, he had to comfort the man he felt a genuine connection with. Continuing to reach out, he petted his hair; maximum caution and delicacy laced throughout his touch. The typically cruel man looked so vulnerable, as if he'd shatter upon such a touch. All Diala could see in this moment was a broken and innocent child, teeming with hurt.
Hikari flinched at the contact, yet he didn't pull away. His feelings were mixed, he enjoyed the soft ruffle through his hair but it didn't stop his fear from spiralling.
‘Stupid! So stupid!’ Hikari's grip on his cat loosened, his body falling limp and his eyes growing dark. The tears stopped as he brought his knees to his chest, he was lifeless.
Diala understood the situation straight away, Lila explained it very clearly.
Hikari was shutting down in this moment, and it disturbed him. His Hikari was so… broken.
Diala had returned from his swift house exploration. Hikari isn't one to be comforted by others words and actions, so instead, he retrieved ice cream from the freezer and brought Iris back with him.
Hikari hadn't shifted an inch, his facial expression still blank. His concerned cat started pawing at him; meowing soon followed as she didn't get the typical response from him.
“Hey, Ari, I brought Iris here, she wants to cheer you up, and there's ice cream too,” Diala eventually spoke up, sitting himself behind Hikari.
It took a few silent minutes, or an eternity to Diala, before Hikari finally moved. He picked Iris up with great care and rubbed his face against hers as she reassuringly headbutted him.
“I'll end you if you mention this scene to anyone,” Hikari muttered, leaning into Diala in his exhausted state.
“Of course, I'll keep it between us,” He smiled, bringing his arm around Hikari and playing with his hair.
It wasn't long before Hikari fell asleep; Iris also asleep in his lap. It was a sight that warmed Diala’s chest. He'd always had issues forming attachments and making friends, he genuinely didn't feel such emotions. However, in this moment, he was sure, Hikari was important to him, Hikari was a friend.
~~Dia didn't want to move since Hikari hadn't fallen asleep on him, but the ice cream needed to go away… the solution? He ate the whole 2 litres~~