LOST // BAKUGO X OC

Attack On USJ

Estelle started off her day screaming awake from a nightmare. She, unfortunately, gave Nona a heart attack from shock as she ran upstairs to Estelle's room.

Estelle shook while Nona helped her down the stairs and turned on the pot to warm up some tea. Estelle slumped on the floor in front of the couch while staring into space as time ticked away. It was five o'clock in the morning.

Estelle awoke from her mind when the tea was placed in her hand. Nona sat behind her on the couch and tugged Estelle's head onto her lap. Her fingers trailed through Estelle's long black hair as if she was comforting a small child. In a way, she was. The girl laying on her lap was a far cry from the way the old woman had ever seen her, clutching onto her knee like a child struggling to let go.

They sat there for a while, Nona stroking her head as Estelle gathered her broken pieces and placed them back together. Once enough time had passed, Nona gained the courage to break the silence. "Do you want to talk about it?" She queried with a soft voice, aware and wary of the young girl's fragile state of mind.

Silence lingered on, and Nona accepted that as an answer. Estelle pondered on what to do. Throughout the short journey so far, Nona had been her sunshine. The old woman brought a warmth to her that she had long lost. With that thought, Estelle decided to trust her.

Estelle opened her mouth, and the words toppled out. Nona's hand froze on her head for a moment, taken aback at what she was hearing before continuing her hand motions and soothing the traumatised girl.

Estelle told Nona about life in a world surrounded by spirits and the battles Estelle had to survive, the people she lost, the people Estelle saved, those she couldn't, waking up in a new world and feeling lost.

Nona listened to it all without a word. She soothed her with just her fingertips as the words fell out of her mouth. At the end of it, they both sit in silence.

Estelle felt vulnerable, her wounds were wide open for Nona to see, and all of her hidden trauma was now brought up to the surface. This was the first time she had ever spoken of it.

Nona was astounded. To her, it all seemed like a fantasy. But Nona knew Estelle, and she knew that this girl would never lie about something serious like this. Her heart clenched for her. The pain that she went through could be felt by the empathetic woman. Nona silently cried for her. Because she knew Estelle wouldn't do it for herself.

Standing up, she took Estelle by the hand and dragged her into a gut-wrenching hug. Her tears fell on the younger girl's shoulder while they held each other like a lifeline.

"It's okay, I understand", Nona began, sniffing away her tears. "You have me now. We'll get through it. Just like you have been there for me, I want to be there for you. So, I'll support you in whatever you decide to do. In this short time, you have brought me so much joy. You have become like a daughter to me."

Estelle gripped Nona tighter, appreciation pouring out of her and into the hug. Once they let go, they stayed by each other's side, talking until the sun rose up and it was time for the cafe to open. "I can open the doors later. It's no problem, you know?" Nona asked.

Estelle shook her head. "No, it's okay. I need to get ready for school anyway."

Nona felt uneasy but agreed; before leaving, she reassured Estelle, "Whatever you tell me will never be said to another soul. I'll back you every step of the way."

Estelle's heart melted once again. She shyly beamed at the woman, thanking her profusely and pushed her out the door to go to work so she wouldn't be late.

Once the door clicked shut, Estelle let out a loud and exhausted sigh before dragging herself up the stairs to get changed. She hadn't escaped her funk yet, and it was time to leave. She didn't have time for this.