Work Text:
It’s one of those days where the weight of the world is heavy in your heart. You may be far away from the United States, but you’re very aware that racism is still very real. Aware that people who look sit like you are suffering unjust deaths.
You come home to your shared apartment with Keigo and kick off your heels. Even your feet feel beat down by the world. Keigo wouldn’t be home for some time so you didn’t even feel the need to announce your presence.
You make it to the bathroom and turn on the warm water as tears swell in your eyes. The thoughts of the young black man that was killed due to police brutality stung deep in your soul. You ran your hand through the warm water and stared at your brown skin. It was beautiful. Right?
Why is it that the beautiful browns of our skin, that look as if it were sculpted by Earth herself, is still feared? There were so many Hero’s with melanated skin, we weren’t a rarity. You peeled the clothes off and tossed them aside and anger coursed through your entire being.
“We just want to live!” You screamed and punched the wall of the shower. Tears fell from your eyes and you ran your fingers through the curls of your hair. You wanted to pull them out and caress them all at the same time. You need to be held and kept safe yet you want to fight. You wanted to burn down the whole city and cry out his name. Cry out her name. Cry out their names. You punched the wall harder this time.
Keigo had gotten off of patrol a little earlier than normal, he planned to surprise you with a glass of wine but on his way to the store, something just didn’t feel right. He flew home immediately and entered through the balcony of your bedroom like he always did.
His feathers fluttered behind him as he heard a loud thud in the bathroom. In a panic, he rushed after you. When he opened the door and threw the curtain open he saw you sobbing in a roller coaster of emotions.
“Little Sparrow, what’s going on.” He turned off the water and pulled you into his arms.
You were still sobbing into Keigo’s chest. He wrapped a towel around you and brought you into the living room, sitting down on the couch and holding you tightly to him.
“They keep killing us and I’m scared, K.” It took him a moment to understand, but once he did, he held you tighter to him. He didn't know the correct words to say, because there were none. He couldn't fully understand but he swore to himself that he'd try. He promised that he would be there when this happened again. It hurt him to know that he couldn't save everyone from something even more evil than Shigaraki.
“I don’t know exactly how you feel but I understand how devastating this is.” He kissed your dampened curls and began to pat the towel over your soaking body. “You have a right to be angry and to cry. I am so sorry this keeps happening. I’m sorry I can’t make this all stop.” He lets a moment pass before lifting your face to meet his. His expression is full of anguish as he wipes away your tears and gives you a very delicate kiss.
“We won’t stop fighting racism until everyone is equal. I’ll be by your side until my last breath. I will keep you safe, little bird.” He kisses you again but deeper this time. “I love you and I’m here forever, baby. Do you want to talk about it?” He awaits your answer patiently. Seeing his baby smile is his only priority.
You nod your head softly and begin to mumble your feelings and frustrations. You tell him how terrified you are of being another person of color killed for nothing other than the color of your skin. You cry about how you’re tired of being afraid. You tell him how confused you are that people can’t see how racism still affects the black community. Keigo wraps his wings around the two of you and allows you this moment of weakness. He knows how strong you have to be but hopes you feel safe enough with him to know that he will be strong when you cannot. You will never have to fight alone.