Work Text:
Noah had fallen asleep at dinner. At least he had finished his own meal and drifted off as Manima worked on his own food.
Majima had forgotten how young the kid really was. He wasn't used to being around kids in general; he felt pretty sure of that, even if the details were still lost to him. And then, Noah, in particular, had such an assertive, fiery personality that almost made him seem older than he was. If he wanted something, he let you know it. He would run and keep up in their shared Hawaiian adventures. He even found ways to make the old captain laugh. But, at the end of the day, Noah was only ten years old. Running around in the sun all day was bound to tire him out. It had been a long while since Majima was anywhere as young, let alone carefree, as Noah, so he often had to take a moment to think about how quickly a kid would get exhausted from just a day out in Honolulu. Not that Majima could recall his own youth, regardless of how long ago it was, but he was trying all the same. He knew kids didn't have the same stammina as grown-ups, no matter how much Noah tried to prove otherwise.
Majima shook his head. This wasn't the first time Noah had fallen asleep. Maybe they ought to take it a bit slower? That was a thought for later; right now, Majima was focused on taking care of the boy.
Chuckling, Majima carried him upstairs to the loft above Revolve, where they were staying. It wasn't the best place, especially for a young boy, but with no money for a hotel (thanks Jason), they had to make do while the Goromaru was being upgraded and fixed up. The upstairs storage of a bar was at least a roof over their heads. It was dry, it wasn't the steerts. It would have to do. Noah didn't stir as he was lifted from the table and brought upstairs. Goro followed happily along, trying to weave around Majima as he walked. Huh. Maybe he was more of a cat than a tiger after all. Then again weren't tigers just a kind of cat? Catm tiger. Didn't matter. He was a good little companion. Majima placed Noah on one of the two couches in the loft and removed his sandals. He tossed a lightweight blanket over the boy. Goro jumped up and curled beside his owner. Majima pet Goro. "You'll keep a good eye on your human, right, boy?" The animal made a happy sound, which Majima took as a form of agreement. He turned back to Noah, "Sleep well, kiddo" he whispered. Majima figured he'd turn in for the night as well. He couldn't leave Noah alone and didn't have anything to do from the loft. Might as well sleep. Right?
Majima was jarred awake, a sound had rattled his ears. He was confused at first until everything came flowing back. Right. He was in the loft of Revolve, where Noah and him were staying.
What time was it?
He glanced at his phone, the bright light harsh on his eye.
Nearly three thirty in the morning. Ugh. It was too early for this. And what the hell was that sound anyway? Suddenly, that clicked as well.
A child crying.
Crying child? Noah? Noah! Oh shit! He was fully awake and alert now.
But he was not met with any threats or danger. No intruders or injured boy. No disasters or emergencies. Noah was still on the second couch where he had been placed, but the blanket was tangled around him as he kicked and twisted in his sleep. Oh. The poor kid was having a bad dream.
What the hell were you supposed to do when a kid was having a nightmare? Or anyone for that matter? Fuck, he didn't know! He always dealt with his shit by himself. It had been far too long since anyone had been there to comfort him, and even longer since he had been willing to accept said comfort. Not that he could really remember any of that. His memory was still on the piss train. Amnesia sucked... But also not important right now. He had to deal with this.
He tried to rack his brain for ideas. Wake him up? Leave him be? No, that didn't sound right. He couldn't just sit here and watch this. Noah's cries of fear of something just broke Majima's heart, even if the distress wasn't real physical harm.
Majima decided to wake Noah up.
"Noah, hey, Noah, wake up. You're having a bad dream kiddo."
Noah woke with a start. His eyes searched the dark around him, confused and frightened. Oh right. He was asleep when he was put to bed, and this loft is still new to the both of them. They only spent a single other night here before, and he was put to bed asleep then, too. He wouldn't be familiar enough with the room to find comfort through the sleepy haze. That, combined with the dream, would leave anyone a little shaken. The kid might just work himself into another coughing fit if he wasn't careful.
Thankfully, he didn't cough. His gaze settled on Majima, and he calmed down. He might not have recognized his surroundings, but he knew now that he was safe. It was clear in his face. Majima's heart melted at the look in the boy's eyes. Ah hell. He knew it for sure now, he made Noah feel safe. Who the hell would have guessed that this amnesiac, literally washed-up Yakuza, could be a pillar of safety to anyone?
Then Noah's expression shifted from relief to one that showed he wanted to ask for an explanation even if he didn't voice it. His mind was still cloudy with sleep, so it hadn't clicked what had happened.
"You were having a bad dream," Majima explained. The boy nodded, everything coming together in his mind, but he still looked troubled. His dream must have been a real nasty one.
"You, uh... do you want to talk about it, kiddo?" They were still learning to communicate through their language barrier; they only knew a little bit of each other's language, so it might be hard to talk it out, even though it probably would help. Even if Majima couldn't understand, maybe just saying it out loud would be enough to help Noah settle down and get back to bed?
But Noah simply shook his head. At least that gesture was something easily understood; a head shake meant no in Japan, too. Noah didn't say anything as he sat up and scooted over. He gestured for Majima to sit down beside him. Majima sat and waited for whatever it was the boy had planned.
Noah still remained silent but scooted back over and rested his head on Majima's shoulder. Ah. He just needed Majima close by, was that it? Being close is what would bring him comfort? Before either knew it, Noah had drifted back off to sleep, and Goro mewed as he climbed into Majima's lap. Looks like with these two, Majima wasn't going anywhere any time soon. And he was okay with that. He needed Goro for comfort as much as Noah needed Majima. He wouldn't admit it but, damn was it hard to sleep. Fragments of what once was, who he was, memories of days long gone crept up as he slept and he wasn't ready to see it again. He could only hope Noah's bad dreams weren't Hellish as his. He was pretty sure the go with the flow, mostly happy-go-lucky and innocent boy wasn't able to imagine the truest depths of hell like he could, but it offered little to rest his nerves. But maybe now, all together, they could finally get some good sleep. They'll need for another busy day tomorrow. Who knew being a pirate was so exhausting?