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I did hint at writing here, and look! I followed through. I used this prompt, so enjoy the hurt comfort featuring Fera and Nala

“You don’t have to talk, we can just sit together.” Fera enveloped her girlfriend in a hug. Nala melted into her embrace as she succumbed to her silent sobs.

To anyone else, Nala could have passed as content. She was capable of masking her emotions and could do it well. No one could have seen her as cheery, but none but Fera would have sensed the turmoil underneath. Nala felt surprisingly small in her arms for someone usually so big and confident. Her normally self-assured stature was completely compromised; earlier that day her shoulders had been hunched in a plush hoodie. Anyone who knew her well might be able to read her sadness, although they couldn’t know the acuteness of the feeling. It was enough to make Fera stumble as she had skipped over to greet Nala that morning. Nala had straightened up quickly and plastered on a smile. They both knew that Fera was well aware of how awful Nala was feeling, but silently, they agreed to confront it later.

It had finally spilled over at lunchtime; Nala had pulled Fera aside from the garden and led her to a secluded spot in the school. The nook was picturesque, with fake grass cushioning Fera as she leaned against the live oak tree, basked in dappled sunlight. Fera watched the clouds move through the leaves, trying to anchor herself in the world. Nala’s emotions were an ocean, wave after wave crashing over her. Grief. Anger. Frustration. Hatred. Sadness. She struggled to stay afloat, knowing what would happen if she lost control. She rubbed Nala’s back slowly, relishing in the cloth fibers’ consistent texture on her skin. She let her fingers glide down her spine, tracing each ridge and steadying her thoughts and the emotions under her control. Slowly, Nala’s breathing leveled out, becoming measured and rhythmic.

“I’m so sorry. I hate to burden you. This must be so unbearable.” Nala’s apology was muffled by Fera’s cardigan-clad side. Her voice was quiet and raw with emotion.

Fera stroked her fingers through the dark curls, being careful to not get snagged. “You’re never a bother to me. For you, I could bear the weight of the sky. Besides,” she reassured, “I’ve felt worse. Do you want to tell me about it?”

Nala shook her head, her curls tickling Fera’s wrist.

“Okay. How about I tell you about my day?”

Fera felt the thrum of Nala’s agreement on her palm.

“Well, I woke up today to find Vera having a crisis with one of her plants. The flowers were wilting on one of them since its flowering season was over, but since she knows next to nothing about plants, no thanks to me, she was worried it was dying. Goodness knows why she hasn’t asked me before.” She paused, then said, “On second thought, I think that was one of Madelyn’s. I guess she didn’t want to ask for her help so it wouldn’t make her look bad.” She chuckled. Vera’s dedication to Madelyn was very sweet and made her prone to many comedic moments. “And when I got to school today, it was a bit of a roller coaster. I got to see my favorite person in the world.” She kissed Nala’s near-black hair. “But something ruined their day. So I’ve been a little distracted plotting to destroy whatever upset her.” Nala huffed as the tide of emotions ebbed. “And during lunch, I did busy work in the school gardens. Just weeding and turning soil.” Fera turned Nala’s head gently to gaze at her face. The intensity of her deep chocolate brown eyes never failed to floor her, but it broke her heart to see the roaring spirit behind them reduced to a barely flickering candle. Her eyelashes were clumped together with tears and her eyes were puffy. Fera planted a kiss on Nala’s forehead. “And then a beautiful girl invited me to a grove to let me do what I yearned to do all day. And that is to do anything I can to fix your problems. Be that listening to you venting, distracting you with my garbage storytelling of my average day, or just keeping you company as you collect yourself again."

Nala’s eyes softened, and Fera felt an almost imperceptible warm glow grow in her chest. She felt her cheeks redden to match.

“Thank you, my fairy,” Nala rasped, her throat still hoarse from crying.

Fera sprung up suddenly. “Just give me a minute!” she called over her shoulder as she dashed out of the area.

The rhythmic pounding of her feet against concrete was comforting as she ran through the school grounds. Reaching her bag by the gardening shed, she pulled out her reusable water bottle and started making her way back. Despite her comforting words to Nala, it was nice to be free of the intense emotions. She wasn’t lying when she’d promised to uphold the sky, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy peace for a few moments. Taking a breath of air, relishing in its clarity, she picked up her pace, eager to get back and spend more time with her girlfriend.

Tossing the bottle clumsily towards Nala’s still prone form on the plastic grass, Fera sagged in relief as she expertly caught the bottle. Nala twisted it open and took a long drink, sighing contentedly when she came up for air.

“Thank you again, sunflower. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Nala’s voice was a little clearer after the water, much to Fera’s delight.

Fera smiled warmly as she sat back down next to Nala. “Well, we both know it’s a mutual thing. And you know you don’t have to thank me.” She pulled Nala in for another hug. “Do you want to talk about it now? Or is it still too fresh?” Fera amended her question as Nala’s emotions reared once again.

“Maybe later.” Nala nuzzled into Fera’s shoulder, almost knocking her over. “Can I come with you to your next class?”

Fera giggled and pushed her away a little, stooping down to look nose to nose at each other, their foreheads pressed together. “Well, as smart as you are, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to miss class.”

 “I don’t want to leave you though,” Nala whined pitifully. 

A peal of laughter broke out as Fera caved. “Okay, okay. I have study hall next, so I’ll go ask my teacher if I can be out of the classroom.” The potentially overwhelming emotion from her teacher was made worth it to see joy bloom on Nala’s face.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Fera punctuated her sentence with a tender kiss. “If you let me go now, we can walk to class together.”

“Hurry back, okay?”

“Of course.”