Work Text:
Lara looked at her phone and sighed, she was in her hotel room, they had just finished their third Latam concert, and she was missing Manon so much.
They never had this many shows without her; one was already difficult, and they could talk about her, call for her, and say they miss their unnie.
Hiatus was such a weird concept...they had to pretend this isn't insane, every interview pretending her absence isn't making her crazy.
She misses jumping with her in Tonight I might, doing the MIA outro together; she even misses just warming up quietly with her before the show.
Lara looked at the phone again the screen glowing with their messages
'I miss you too, I'm so so proud, love u Lali <3'
She sighed trembling and tried to write a cute response.
Sophia was checking in all the girls, to be sure they didn't need anything, if they were feeling good after their performance, leader things.
Lara's room was the last one, she already planned to spend more time with her than she did with the others, it was visible that the younger girl was feeling down lately, they all missed Manz but of course, she missed her more so maybe spending a bit more time with her could lift her a bit.
She knocked on the door carefully "Lara? It's mee" No response, weird she isn't an early sleeper. Another knock.
"Lara?" Still no response but she was sure that a small crying was heard "Lara, I'm going in"
Sophia quickly picked up the copy of the key, leaving behind the possible need for privacy, and opened the room door.
She glanced at the bed seeing a curled up Lara crying, already in pajamas and no makeup, looking ready to sleep, her hands covering her face. She approached softly
"Lara, what happened?" She asked with all her sweetness, sitting next to her and hugging the crying ball
"She's not here" The younger one mumbled before hiccuping and crying harder, and adjusted herself in Sophia's hug so she could hide her face in the leader's neck.
"Oh, sweetie" She said with empathy, using one hand to rub her back and the other one to scratch the back of her head.
Sophia could feel the tears dampening her shirt and Lara wasn't looking like she would stop soon
"I wan' manzie" She hiccupped gripping harder on the leader
"Shh...I know, soon we'll be at home with her" Sophia tried to gently rock the crying girl.
"No, she shoul' be here too... Manzie be here" The little mumbled, but even though it was confusing, she was able to understand
"Yes she should, and hopefully after our small tour we will go back to performing together, but still it is unfair" Sophia said softly, caressing her hair and hugging her even closer, if it is possible.
"Now I need you to breathe with me okay?" She wiped the tears with her hand, and exaggerated her breathing so Lara could copy her.
They stayed like this until the crying faded, leaving the little with tears streaks on her face and sometimes a trembling breath.
"Lali, did you bring your little things?" She nodded quietly, pointing to a bag between her things "Manzie made pack up" her lip wobbled again.
Manon had told her to bring in case she slipped, all these performances toghether was stressful and she could regress, even if she said that she wouldn't - and even if she hadn’t brought anything, Sophia always carried extras just in case - Well Manon was right
Sophia came back with the bag, pulled Lara back onto her lap sideways, opening it had a pacifier that still looked very new, it looked just opened, she probably only used it once. She offered to the regressed one who accepeted too tired and sad to be embarrased then refuse for now.
The caregiver also pulled a baby blaket, watching Lara clutching it close like it could take the feeling away from her chest.
"Do you wanna call her?"
"huh?"
"Wanna facetime Manz?"
Lara nodded finally looking at Sophia
She quickly explained through text and asked if they could call.
Manon smiled as soon as the call connected, it was still afternoon to her "Hi, Lali baby" She said in a cooing voice at the sight of her
Lara’s lip quivered and she pulled herself to say back "hii"
"How are you? Is Sophia taking good care of you?" She asked a bit playfully
"Yeah...she tryin" She mumbled through her pacifier trying her best to be understood and Sophia looked mock offended at her, Manon had to hold a giggle "miss Manzie..."
" Aww, I miss you too, very very much! I can’t wait for you to come back so I can give you a lot of cuddles and kisses"
Lara smiled at that, she couldn't wait to be able to be attacked by her kisses pretending not to like that much affection and attention; she wiped away her tears even though she wanted to cry more, looking at the phone and cuddling closer to the physical caregiver.
Sophia almost cooed at their interaction but held back.
They decided to stay in the face time, even if it was in silence until the little one fell asleep, which didn’t take long, she was very tired from their performance.
"Love you"
"I love you Lali"
That was the last thing the little one heard before peacefully falling asleep.