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Troubled author

Summary:

A short story where Shun is exhausted from work, his thoughts keep trailing off. Mio brings him some comfort which ends in some vulnerability for once in Shun's life.

Notes:

I wrote this about a year ago, when I had recently discovered Stranger by the sea. I thought I might share it now. English is not my first language, and I am no author, so please be kind! I hope you will find some comfort in this story.

Work Text:

Shun was currently writing a novel. Or, rather he was supposed to be doing so. Instead his
annoying brain had decided to flash images of Mio, distracting him quite a lot. Both reality
and imagination. To be frank Shun hadn’t written more than two sentences, and they both
felt wrong. So very wrong. But he couldn’t quite figure out why, and it frustrated him.
But oh, how was he supposed to concentrate? Mio is so goddamn easy to daydream about
and get lost in. His thoughts had often gone to a place he would prefer they didn’t go when
writing. Not like he would write something like that. Or maybe he would. And then hide them
in a box with a key that only he had. But no. He had to write the novel. Right, the novel.
Shun shook his head as to gain concentration (that he never even had in the first place),
readied his hand to write and then…Stared blankly at the painfully empty piece of paper in
front of him.


He groaned while dragging his hand across his face, showing all signs of just wanting to go
into the sea to never return. His back hurt from sitting all day, and his stiff body from all the
pent up feelings. “Hi love” Shun jumped when the gentle voice brought him out of his
miserable train of thought, and two arms wrapped around him. In an instant the tension left
him and he lowered his shoulders. “Hi lovely” Shun replied, kind of drowsy but still loving.
The lonely sentences on his paper might’ve not felt right, but this sure did. He leaned into
Mio’s hug and sighed. “Writing not going so well?” Mio asked, already knowing the answer.
This wasn’t their first time, after all. “Noooo, everything goes wrong. Why am I even an
author?” Shun groaned. Mio laughed to himself, that was Shun for you. “Right, right, let’s go
for a walk.” He took Shun’s hand, simply demanding it. Mio’s slightly colder hand wrapped
around Shuns.


Mio and Shun had decided on going to their bench. Well Shun didn’t really have much of a
say in the decision, and he was aware. They were both stubborn. Shun was currently sitting
on the bench, elbows on his knees and his hands covering his face, hovered. Mio looked at
his seemingly tired and anxious boyfriend, not sure about how to comfort him. Mio knew that
even though Shun might be hesitant about physical touch, it was one of his love languages
among others. So Mio took a chance by gently and uncertainly grabbing Shun’s sides,
dragging him towards himself. Mio isn’t that strong, but thankfully Shun didn’t resist. Rather
the opposite.


Shun leaned into Mio’s touch once again, longing for it. Allowing himself to indulge. His eyes now slightly open, and in a
comfortable position next to Mio. He knew that Mio would listen if he talked. But the right
words didn’t come to his brain now either. “I just…” Shun felt the anxiety build in his stomach and throat, slight shivers making him shake. Mio noticed
his boyfriend shaking, and started
rubbing his back reassuringly. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m so tired, but I simply
don’t have time to be.” Shun was usually not a person who cried, or he made an effort to
hide it. But now warm tears were building up in his eyes, the frustration and anxiety washing
over him. “Shhh, it’s alright Shun. We’ll figure it out, I promise” Mio hugged him tightly and
kissed his forehead, Shun hiding his teary face in his hands, obviously embarrassed. Even
so, he curled up next to Mio, pressing his shaking body closer to the warmth gladly
welcoming him. The black haired boy played with Shun’s blonde hair, telling him that he
loves him with both his words and touch. It helped Shun calm down and he hid his face in
Mio’s chest, silently sobbing.


After a while, Shun seemed to stop shaking and calm breaths could be heard instead. Mio
smiled, happy but worried because of the previous event. Shun had fallen asleep on the
bench, definitely needing sleep and comfort. Mio looked up from his boyfriends peaceful
expression, and listened to the waves and their lulling dance. He almost fell asleep himself,
but Shuns sleeptalking snapped him back to reality. He carefully shook Shun at first,
knowing he couldn’t carry him back inside. When shaking him carefully didn’t work, Mio had
to shake him harsher, grabbing his shoulders to get a better grip.
Shun’s eyelids fluttered open, he was obviously still half asleep. “Morning sleepyhead, we
have to go inside.” Mio said teasingly, getting an annoyed face from Shun. They got up, walking
towards their bedroom. After some coaxing from Mio, Shun laid down to sleep. Mio wrapped his arms around him and they drifted off to sleep.