The Girl by the Sea (Countryhumans AU)

Aggressive Support

Written: February 24, 2024

I lay in my bed, tears slipping down my cheeks and onto the sheets. Can't Habu Babu just bite me already? Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door. Before I could respond, North walked in, weariness and concern etched on his face. 

"Oki?" He steps into my room and sits by me. "Why are you crying?" North's voice carries a hint of agitation. He gets anxious dealing with emotions. All I can respond with is a choked sob.

North's concern deepens as he observes my distress, his own weariness momentarily forgotten as he focuses on comforting me. He reaches out tentatively, his touch gentle as he brushes away the tears from my cheeks.

"Hey, it's okay," he murmurs softly, his voice soothing in the midst of my turmoil. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here for you."

I take a shaky breath, struggling to find the words to convey the overwhelming emotions coursing through me. Finally, I manage to speak, my voice trembling with raw vulnerability.

"I...I don't know how to say it," I admit, my words barely audible between sobs. "Something happened...with America."

North's brows furrow in concern, his expression darkening with the mention. He hates America and everything he stands for. Without asking any further questions, he pulls me into a tight embrace, offering silent solidarity and support.

"It's okay, Oki," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm here now. Whatever it is, you're safe."

In that moment, enveloped in North's comforting embrace, I allow myself to release the flood of emotions that have been building inside me. The weight of my trauma feels slightly lighter, knowing that I am not alone in facing it. With North by my side, I find a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, a beacon of strength to guide me through the long road ahead.

"Talk to me about it, Oki." North's gravelly voice was soft like a kitty. I take a deep breath, steadying myself as I prepare to recount the harrowing events that transpired with America. With North's unwavering support beside me, I feel a sense of courage welling up within me, a determination to confront the pain head-on.

"It was...horrible," I begin, my voice trembling with residual fear and anguish. "He...he attacked me. I tried to fight back, but..." My words falter as tears threaten to overwhelm me once more.

North's grip tightens around me, a silent reassurance that he is there to listen, to bear witness to my pain without judgment or condemnation. His presence alone gives me the strength to continue.

"He...he said awful things," I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "He...he forced himself on me, North." The words hang heavy in the air, laden with the weight of unspeakable. 

North's expression darkens with rage, a fierce protectiveness igniting within him as he listens to my account. His jaw clenches, his hands balling into fists at his sides, but he remains silent, allowing me to speak uninterrupted. When I finish, he talks in a strained voice, yelling louder than I've ever heard before. 

"I SWEAR I'M GOING TO FUCKING SLAUGHTER HIM!" North hollers. Instinctively, I flinch, my hands protecting my head. North's eye softens slightly. He fixes his eyepatch and takes me into his arms.

In North's embrace, I find a sense of safety and security, his fierce protectiveness serving as a shield against the horrors of the outside world. Despite his initial outburst, his touch is gentle, his arms offering comfort and solace in the midst of my turmoil.

"I won't let him hurt you again, Oki," North murmurs, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "I'll protect you, no matter what."

His words resonate within me, a promise of unwavering support and steadfast loyalty in the face of adversity. With North by my side, I feel a renewed sense of strength and resilience, knowing that together, we can overcome even the darkest of trials.