What I love ✔️

Chapter 6

For what seemed the hundredth time in the short span of one-hour Yamaguchi shrieked as a thunder echoed. He, Shōyō and Natsu where in the gym after practise and they had discovered that Yamaguchi was afraid of thunder. He hadn't been acting any weird during practise except the occasional flinches and that was about it. To see such a side of the calm boy was really... something else...

"Are you sure you're alright with practising like this? Don't you want like headphones so that you don't have to hear the thunder?" Natsu asked, she was concerned. Of course she was concerned, when they were younger, she would always protect Shōyō from the thunder since he was afraid of it back then.

"I'm alright! I'm sure... I'd really rather not have headphones while practising. Plus, I want to hear the music you guys have on..." Yamaguchi smiled before it was switched out with a terrified expression when the thunder was louder. The twins sighed and looked at each other as if asking the other what to do.

"Look..." Shōyō began making his way to him and the younger male froze in his place. It was Shōyōs time to act, his sister had helped him get over it and he would help Yamaguchi get over it too "I get that it's terrifying... I was scared of it too when we were little so... let me help ya?" Shōyō asked, he stopped in front of Yamaguchi who was clutching a volleyball tightly in his hands. His eyes were darting from the shorter male in front of him to Natsu. She nodded and he looked back.

"Alright...?" he asked, as Shōyō stepped up and grabbed his hand tenderly, leading him to the door but stopped mid-way.

"Do you have a spare change of clothes?" Shōyō asked, turning his head to look at him, and his hand tensed around Yamaguchis who nodded "Alright." they continued to the door. Shōyō opened it and it was pouring down and Yamaguchi dropped the volleyball in his hand. His expression was an uncomfortable one, but it was slightly gone when he felt Shōyōs hand squeeze his. He looked down and Shōyō looked up at him with an encouraging smile.

"It'll be alright, I promise you! Are you ready?" Yamaguchi took a deep breath and nodded. Shōyō took a step outside and the rain was already soaking through his white shirt and black shorts that he was using to practise. He tugged Yamaguchi outside in the rain. Shōyō laughed as the rain fell around them, their hair wet and sticking to their face.

"It's alright!" Shōyō shouted and just then a thunder was heard. Yamaguchi almost crushed Shōyōs hand as he jolted, trying not to show his fear. His eyes were closed. Shōyō came closer and put a hand on Yamaguchis other hand which was clutched close to his chest.

"It won't hurt you, alright? You don't have to hold your fear back, it'll only make it worse...!" Shōyō informed and Yamaguchi nodded, he breathed deeply trying to calm himself down. A thunder went down, and he shrieked finding himself clutching the slightly shorter male close. Shōyō hugged back, the rain was cold, but they were warm in each other's arms.

"It'll be alright. Tell me Yamaguchi... why are you afraid of thunderstorms?" Shōyō whispered but the freckled boy heard him. He trembled in his arms "Do you want to head inside?" but the latter shook his head. Shōyō thought it was weird because when Natsu had done that to him he freaked out and she was forced to try another method. He was surprised that it worked on Yamaguchi.

"I'm afraid... the loud noise... and..." he almost shrieked but came out as a gasp when another thunder was heard "I'm... it's so loud... too loud... I don't know..." he continued between shaky breaths.

"See? There's nothing to be afraid of! It's harmless! I mean, it won't exactly hurt you like this!" Shōyō retracted his hands from around Yamaguchi as he screamed with a happy grin. He ran around in the rain and laughed. As if it was contagious, Yamaguchi began chuckling which soon turned into laughter. He was so distracted with running around, laughing and enjoying himself he didn't once notice the occasional thunders.