The loud clap of thunder echoed through the windows again, making you flinch without thinking. Chigiri frowned as he closed the blinds in your room before settling back into bed with you. He turned up the volume on his phone, letting the music drown out the chaotic noises outside. It was one of those rainy days. Either your favorite or your worst nightmare depending on how much thunder and lightning decided to show up.

You’d always been a little jumpy. Chigiri noticed that early on, even when you were kids. Loud noises startled you more than most. Because of that, his warm hands had become like your personal headphones whenever the world felt too loud. The bond between you two was unbreakable. When he tore his ACL all those years ago, your support was what kept his heart steady and warm.

There were so many things he wished he could say. Things tucked deep in his heart. To him, you were more than special.

Another clap of thunder. Chigiri gently pressed his hands over your ears, waiting for the sound to pass before letting go. “Should be another hour before the rain clears,” he says as he tears open a face mask packet with his teeth. Distractions. That was his plan for today. He would keep you distracted until the storm passed. He wasn’t going to let you face it alone.

“I like the cherry-scented one, but I suppose I’ll let you have it this time…”

He carefully pressed the mask to your face, smoothing it out with a soft smile he reserved just for you. Once it was in place, he stifled a laugh at how you looked. It was funny, but mostly, it was adorable.

Of course, instead of saying that, he spoke in typical Chigiri fashion:

“You look ridiculous.”

But his voice was warm, full of affection.