NaruHina: Postscripts

Forty-two

I hope you're up for a challenge because I'm thinking of something a bit sad or even angsty. I'm thinking Hinata helping Naruto through the aftereffects of the war (like survivor's guilt, nightmares). Maybe even convincing him to seek professional help or something like that.

plus

Hiii. Hope you're good and safe❤️. Can I ask a drabble in which Naruto is still haunted by nightmares but he luckily has Hinata sleeping next to him?

When the mind was unguarded, it was difficult to hide from the past. The demons inevitably blasted through the gates he'd built to keep them out, especially in the deep of the night when his dreams became too intense.

She felt him thrash on the bed, whimpering the names of the people he'd lost, or the names of those people he still thought he needed to save.

Hinata would often reach out and lay a palm over his chest or over his back and rub gently, soothingly, to still him.

Then she would sigh and burrow deeper into his arms that would wrap around her when he inevitably calmed down.

She wished Naruto would talk to her about it, but every time she'd bring up the subject, his eyes would crinkle momentarily and he'd just laugh it away.

"Don't worry, Hinata! I'm fine!" he would often say and laugh light-heartedly as if nothing really bothered him.

But as she rubbed at his back and felt him sigh unconsciously, she thought that there was still obviously something wrong. Not only that, she wanted him to be more than just fine. She wanted him to be at peace.

Since he wouldn't talk to her in the daytime, she'd taken up the habit of talking to him in his dreams, while he was asleep. Maybe then, he would hear her voice subconsciously, to listen to her so that he could at least try to find the healing he so needed.

"I love you, Naruto," she whispered.

Always, this was what she started with. No matter what he decided, she would love him and stay by his side.

"You don't have to go through this alone. We would still love you if you ever decide to open up and let us help you."

She felt his arm tighten around her. Hinata stiffened in surprise and looked into his face, but his breathing was still deep, eyes still closed. He was still asleep then.

She continued on despite feeling that twitch of his. He sometimes did that, but he never woke up.

"I've talked to Ino about my guilt for surviving Neji's death. I think you two can really learn something from each other. She wants to talk to you about her father but she just doesn't know how to approach it with you."

Hinata continued rubbing his arm and shifted on the bed so she could press her ear to his heart. "And Shikamaru, too, has told me he's concerned about you, so he'll listen to you. He's found some peace. I know you and him are similar, so if you don't want to talk to me about it, Shikamaru would be a good person to approach."

She yawned just as she felt him take another deep breath. But Hinata only kept her arms around him and didn't look into his face.

"I wish you would unburden yourself. You don't have to carry all the guilt by yourself, Naruto," she murmured against his skin, unable to resist the kiss she pressed against his chest.

"Sometimes it's good to let the grief go. You find yourself lighter and you'll have more to give, more joy to share with others if you don't feel so pressed. And I know that's what you want to do, to spread the light, because that's part of your dream of being Hokage."

Then she became philosophical—especially when he never responded and she felt she could indulge in airing out her feelings in the silence of the night.

"You know, Naruto, light can only exist in the dark. And sometimes darkness must meet the light. Those two are twins of each other. You'll exhaust yourself being so bright all the time. Even the sun takes a break, too." She smiled again, pressed another kiss against his heart, then rubbed his arm.

"It's just inhuman, dear, what you're doing, keeping everything inside you. So I guess I'm just asking you to let us carry the burden, sometimes—not all the time. I'm here and I'm willing to do it for you. So just talk to me, if you ever feel like it, okay?"

Then Hinata sighed as she felt her eyes drifting close and the silence stretched on. She was falling into her own slumber, but she was content to feel Naruto so close to her.

"I'll be your strength, Naruto. If only you'd let me," she whispered, her voice drifting off into sleepy tones. "Good night, my love."

She wasn't sure but maybe she felt his lips press against her head and heard him softly say, "Thank you, Hinata."

But sleep was finally claiming her and she was sure he was still asleep.

Because he never ever responded to her whenever she went on these monologues she hoped he would listen to.

"I love you."

She smiled in her sleep, thinking that sounded like his voice.