#idk how long this is. i will mayhaps proofread it tmrw as it is midnight and i just dinisjed sniffling into snøfles fur JSJSJSJSJSJ

[alienaiver]

shinsou hears the tone of your voice change and looks up from his book from his spot on the couch. you're in the study, on the phone with your parent and the lilt in your voice disappeared in an instant. he strains his ears when you lower your voice - you dont do it because you dont want him to listen; its a mechanism. you cave in on yourself and grow timid in the wake of whatever fury's being unleashed on you this time. he absentmindedly scratches smoofie's ear while closing the book on his lap. you stop speaking in complete sentences and just agree with whatever you're being told and shinsou's heart aches in the way he knows that you're slumped now, the excitement of calling them to tell good news completely washed away.

he gets up and grabs the remote to go into netflix. while it loads he quietly goes to the kitchen to brew you some tea and grab the secret snacks from the cabinet. smoofie follows along curiously, hoping some food might be put in her bowl. it dismays her to learn that she must live another hour without sustenance.

as if planned in timing, you come out of the study the same time that shinsou passes with a tray of tea and snacks. the uncried tears you've been bravely holding back breaches and you sniffle out an apology. he balances the tray in one hand to wrap the other around your shoulder to pull you in and kiss your forehead, "it's okay." he whispers definitively before he tugs lightly to get you to the couch.

he lies down on his side with his arms stretched out, ready to welcome you into the safety of them and you eagerly comply, getting as close as possible, your back to the TV.

without a word he finds howl's moving castle and press play. you hum out a sigh and nuzzle your face into his neck, a silent thank you. he kisses the top of your head before he laughs out, "youre not going to watch?"

"nuh-uh, the sounds are enough."

and they are. its a movie thats always immediately calmed you down. you lodge your leg in between shinsous and he raises his to wrap around your hip, positively encasing you.

you're fast asleep before howl's even found sophie, and shinsou feels a wave of gratitude that he found you and that he's able to provide comfort for you whenever you need it. the tea goes cold but your hearts stays warm and connected.