In the Aftermath of Crisis

by A Small World (Datawolf39)

Summary:

The Aftermath of the landslide affects Souma a bit differently

Notes:

Not working from a prompt just was searching through my fandoms for a Little CG pair.

“Souma…”

“Don’t worry, Liscia, I’m alright.”

The princess looks less than convinced, but she lets it go. “Understood. Rest well.”

Souma gives her the best smile he can muster, and then enters his room.

With a door firmly between the world and himself, he breaks. 

Tears flowing as he berates himself once more. How could he have been so foolish, the kingdom could not survive on food alone. Why hadn’t he planned for any of this?

Maybe everyone was wrong. 

They praised him for his choices, but maybe it was just the current peace that had them seeing him in a favorable light.

He moves towards the bed, half blinded by tears.

It’s no surprise he trips over his own feet.

As far as falls go, he’s had worse, he probably wouldn’t even have a bruise to show for his clumsiness. He should be more than capable of getting up, and into his bed.

Apparently his body doesn’t get the memo, and the tears rain heavier leaving him to cover his mouth with both hands in an effort to muffle the sobs.

A knock on the door sends a bolt of fear through him.

He can’t be seen this way!

“Your Majesty, it’s me, Juna Doma. May I come in?”

Heart racing he scurries under the bed, hoping she wouldn’t find him there.

“Sire?” her voice is louder now.

He squeezes his eyes shut, hardly daring to breathe.

“The princess said he had retired,” Juna says, coming further into the room.

A fear fuelled whimper escapes him, as her shoes pass his hiding place and he cuts it off hoping she hadn’t heard.

“Sire?” she asks, dropping gracefully to her knees and looking beneath the bed.

Souma scrambles away, uncoordinatedly, and ends up pressed against the side of the small sofa. His chest heaves as he tries to stop the sobs yearning to break free.

He feels small, like a child playing dress up in his father’s clothes.

A soft hum reaches his ears, and he feels Juna come closer, and he flinches.

Would she laugh at him? Or demand that he stop the useless sniveling? 

The hug takes him by surprise, and makes him cry harder.

“There, there,” she soothes softly. “You’ve been so strong and brave, taking on such big responsibilities with no complaints, you deserve a break from it all. Rest now, I am by your side.”

Souma yawns. Between the stress, tears, and relief that Juna doesn’t hate him, all his energy seems to be gone.

“Let’s get you to bed,” she says.

He lets her pull him up, and guide him to his bed unable to do anything else.

His body relaxes in the softness of the mattress, and with Juna’s sweet lullaby in his ears, he falls fast asleep.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 11 of ASW's Regressuary 2024 + 2025