Savage (An Oikawa Story)

You're Here, I'm Here, That's All That Matters

Word Count: 1087, edited June 2nd

Trigger Warnings: mentions of physical/mental abuse.

Oikawa's POV

I steal a glance at Y/N, worry coursing through my veins like liquid fire. (so lava, I guess) We somehow managed to make it back to my house, where we collapsed in my living room, the adrenaline having worn off. My parents found us sprawled across the couch, me using a stress ball as a pillow and Y/N staring into space, her eyes bloodshot.

I hadn't said anything to Y/N after her mother retreated, but it wasn't necessary. My actions spoke for themselves.

My mom and dad, both situated on either side of me, quietly lead me into the hallway. Once we're out of ear shot and out of view, my mom places a gentle hand on my shoulder. Her soft touch is such a vivid contrast to Y/N's mother, who's writhing arm I restrained mere hours ago.

For the first time in a while, I can't help but feel lucky. It's not fair- why was I given everything the world had to offer while Y/N was forced to live with the hand she was dealt?

My mother rubs my shoulder in a soothing motion. She and my dad both talked to Y/N shortly after we arrived, and based on their swollen eyes, I can tell they've realized the weight of the situation. "Tooru, this girl has been abused both mentally..." her hand goes still, as if the next words require all her strength to say. "...and physically."

I feel my heart sink to my toes and have to fight to keep my voice steady. "What do you mean?" I ask. My dad lowers his head, not meeting my pleading gaze. I press on, raising my voice as much as I can without Y/N hearing. "Come on, I know Y/N and I aren't exactly close- heck, I don't even know if she considers me a friend- but I want to help her. You know I do." I tell them, dreading the same verdict I'm begging to receive.

I hate letting my friends suffer through their problems alone, and this is no different.

Besides everything, that is. I can't imagine what Y/N's been through, and for once I'm not sure how I can help. But despite all this, I'm going to help. Not try to help, but I will help. I have to. Maybe it's my chivalrous nature or maybe it's Y/N herself, but I refuse to turn my back on her after catching a glimpse of what she's had to endure all her life.

My dad finally meets my eye. "She has numerous bruises on her legs, specifically her thighs. Uh- according to your mom of course, I'm no perv. I hate to tell you this Tooru, but the abuse has probably been going on for at least a year. Some of her contusions are fairly recent, but most of her contusions are old. Moreover, the strategic placement of the bruising shows that her parents know how to inflict abuse without drawing unwanted attention."

His voice is even, having dealt with situations like this before. Ah, doctors. "She's going to have permanent trauma. And I don't mean for this to sound accusatory, but how did no one know?"

I want to protest and tell him it wasn't my fault; I only had one class with Y/N last year- first period, same as this year- but I know he's right. If someone had been more aware, maybe Y/N's abuse would've been put to an end before it could escalate.

And that someone could've been me if I'd stopped calling her 'Savage-chan' for one fucking second and taken the time to befriend her.

I'm overcome with the urge to throw up, though my stomach feels hollow. Was her strong willed, savage attitude a cover? A defense mechanism? Whatever it was, I hadn't noticed, and that makes me feel even worse. "What can I do?" I ask, desperate to do something right for once.

"We have to call the police and file a lawsuit against her parents. And once we win, we can start the process of finding her a new home." My mom explains, cool as a cucumber.

All her time spent in the ER has prepared her for situations like this, and this affirmation lifts some of the weight off my shoulders. "I'll call the police. As for you... go help your friend. " She sends me a smile, blinking back tears as she pulls out her phone. "And Tooru? I love you. I've saved a lot of lives, but seeing you save one yourself has made me the proudest mom alive."

Unable to speak, I express my gratitude by pulling her and my dad into a bear hug. All my past regrets melt into the air, replaced by a sense of confidence. Y/N's here, and I'm here, and that's all that matters. I can make it right.

_______

Y/N's fiddling with her fingers when I emerge from the hallway. I take a seat beside her, making sure to give her ample space, and for a moment we wordlessly coexist.

I break the silence. "First things first, I'd like to apologize."

Y/N shifts to face me, mild confusion etched on her skin. She seems remarkably calm considering everything that happened. Relief, I realize, noticing how her eyes aren't narrowed and her lips aren't drawn into a thin line. I take her in, wondering if her features were always this delicate. It's like she's become a completely different person.

"What could you possibly apologize for?" she asks, cracking a smile. I guess I'd smile too if I'd just escaped the house from hell, but I'm still taken aback by how... chill she's being.

"I've been rude to you since the beginning of high school, and I had no idea what you were going through!" I exclaim in frustration, running a hand through my hair. "I just wish it'd been different, that's all. I really do like you, Y/N. We could've been friends."

She lowers her gaze, a contemplative half smile tracing her lips. "It's alright. It's my fault, really. I don't think I've ever had a real friend before, being a savage nerd and all." She tries to laugh, but it comes out strangled. "Is it bad that I'm more upset about that than almost being stabbed by my own mother?"

Tears prick my eyes, and I instinctively pull her into a hug. She stiffens before gradually relaxing into my embrace, her eyes shut tight.

"You're going to be okay." I manage to get out, both of us sniffling uncontrollably. "I'll be your friend."

A/N: Sheesh! This chapter just got another 700 words added to it. Editing my work has been pretty fun cause I have an outline to work with, but seeing my old writing is something I could live without. If you want more writing like this (but way better and far lengthier, since I'm actually writing not editing) I recommend my Sakusa fanfiction. Have a good day!