Just a Dream

Hiro x Tadashi

Chapter One

"Welcome to nerd school, nerd."

"Hey I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you so…thanks for not giving up on me."

This was nice…everything seemed to be falling into place. My future seemed bright. I'd be attending SFIT with Tadashi and sharing a lab with his, I mean our, friends. I was finally using my big brain for something positive like Tadashi had always wanted. Wait…what's that sound? An alarm? I look over at Tadashi, confusion and worry plastered on my face. He was looking towards the auditorium. Before I knew it, we were running towards the building which was now engulfed in flames.

"Are you okay?" He asked a woman who came stumbling towards us.

"Yeah, I'm okay bu-but Professor Callaghan is still in there." She pointed in the direction of the building before running to safety.

I just looked at Tadashi, not knowing how to react...but he did. He dashed towards the building. "TADASHI, NO!" I latched on to his arm and looked at him, silently pleading for him to not do what he was planning to do.

He looked back and forth between me and the building. "Callaghan's still in there. Someone has to help." He ran into the building, his SFIT cap flying off of his head and landing in front of me.

Please…let him be ok. Please…I take a few tentative steps forward and before I realized what happened, I was waking up on the ground, staring into the inferno. No…No…NO!

"TADASHI!" I look around frantically and realize everything that had just transpired…was a dream. The heat I felt, the shock of being thrown to the ground, the feel of Tadashi's cardigan in my hand, and the firm arm that it covered, all of it was just a dream…a nightmare.

"Hiro? You okay bu-" I didn't even let him finish. I ran full speed into him and almost sent both of us tumbling down the stairs.

I started sobbing into his shirt trying to catch my breath. "Ta-Tadashi." I just sobbed harder and harder, clutching at his shirt. I started to sink down towards the floor as he held me and tried to calm me down. I hadn't lost him. He was still here, I could still touch him, I could still hear him, and I could still breathe in his scent.

After about 20 minutes I had stopped crying. It gave way to small hiccups every now and then, but I'd stopped crying. Tadashi kept rubbing my back and had found a comfortable spot on the wall to lean against.

"You okay now? What got into you knucklehead? You scared me."

"I'm sorry…I had a dream. A bad dream. We were-were at the showcase and…after our talk the building caught fire. Y-you went in to save Professor Callaghan and…"

"I died…Is that what you were gonna say?" I didn't respond. I just buried my face into his chest. "It's okay. I'm still here. I promise." He rested his head on top of mine and continued to rub my back. "Tell you what, how about we stay in and spend the day together. Just us. Sound good?" I nodded and looked up at him.

Tadashi helped me to my feet and into the bathroom to shower and start the day. He called everyone and told them that he'd have to reschedule our celebration for me attending SFIT. He's such a good brother…I can't imagine not having our parents and not having him.

I start my shower making sure I get nice and clean. I have no clue why I'm trying so hard to get cleaned up, maybe I'm trying to scrub off the feeling that dream left. Sure, I'll go with that. Maybe…I should…no. Not after that dream, usually it helps but it'd just feel weird. I'll just do it tomorrow or later today. In the meantime, Tadashi is waiting.

After exiting my shower with a towel around my waist, I see Tadashi waiting for me on his bed. I feel my face heating up and walk over to my side of the room, making sure I pull the divider enough so that I can't be seen, and change into sweat pants and a comfortable t-shirt. "Ready."

"Alright. I had Aunt Cass make us some snacks, which includes hot wings, and I streamed a couple of movies too. Anything else you want to do today Hiro?"

I walked over to him and hugged him tight. "I just want to spend time with you Tadashi."

"I'm not going anywhere. Today is about making you happy."

"Thank you big bro."

"AWWWW! That's adorable! Don't move, I'm getting the camera." Aunt Cass had wandered up the stairs and caught our tender moment. I didn't care that much because I was glad that I could still have these moments.

"Oh come on Aunt Cass is that rea-" Tadashi started to pull away but I pulled him back. He looked down at me quizzically because of that.

"I-it's fine. Yea it's embarrassing but we rarely have moments like these. So why not enjoy it?"

"That's a very grown up thing to say little bro. Guess you aren't as much of knucklehead anymore."

"Smile!" Aunt Cass had found the camera and returned in a more giddy state than when she left. I was happy to indulge her in this moment because who knows how many more we'd have left? *click* the camera flashed, capturing this moment between Tadashi and I. I'd have a permanent reminder of it. I look at the picture on the camera's screen and trace over every detail: the smiles gently molded into our faces, how our bodies fit together perfectly, my arms around the small of Tadashi's back, everything is so right about it. I look up at him and smile a genuine smile. I love my older brother and I'm so glad he's here.

The rest of the day was pretty great. We stayed in watching movies, streaming more and more as we finished movies, consuming the copious amounts of food graciously made by Aunt Cass who seemed to be happy that we were getting along. Tadashi indulged my clingy nature without protest. Normally I'd be scampering away from him and not the type to show affection, but after that dream about losing him, I don't care how it may look, I'm glad he's here.

Around 9:30 at night, after such a nice day with Tadashi, I was resting my head in his lap on the couch in the living room trying my best to stay awake.

"You okay there sleepy head? We can call it a night if you want." He looked at me with a small smile gracing his features.

"No, I'm okay I promise." I nuzzled my cheek against his thigh like Mochi used to before he got fat.

"Sure, whatever you say." Tadashi shifted slightly and scooped me up in his arms.

"Dashi, where…what are you doing?"

"We're going to our room and you're going to sleep."

"But…I told you I wasn't-" I was interrupted by a yawn.

"I know what you said and I know what you meant." He placed me down on his bed and pulled the covers over me.

"Wait…this isn't my bed."

"I figured you'd want to sleep with me tonight."

"I-"

"I know you're not a baby. But seeing as how…your dream and all…I thought you could use it."

Is…is he blushing. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. "Thanks Tadashi." I placed my head on his pillow and shut my eyes. "I love you."

"Love you too little bro. I'm gonna go say good night to Aunt Cass and brush my teeth then I'll be back up."

"Tell her I said good night and I love her too."

"Will do."

I casually stroll down the steps and see Aunt Cass cleaning up the living room. "Thanks for cleaning up."

"Thanks for being a good big brother. I know Hiro had a nightmare and you were looking out for him today."

"I was just doing what anyone would have. You're the best Aunt Cass." I walk over and kiss her on the cheek. "Night Aunt Cass. Love you, oh Hiro says he loves you too."

"Night Tadashi, I love you boys too."

I ascend the stairs and brush my teeth before returning to my bed. I strip out of my pants and socks before climbing into bed next to Hiro.

"You awake?"

"Mmhmm…I was waiting for you."

"Well I'm here now. Get some rest."

"Alright. Thank you for today Tadashi. I love you." He pulled himself into my arms and I happily embraced him.

"Anytime little bro. I love you too." I felt a gentle squeeze before his body got heavy and that made me realize he was on the border of sleep when I got back.

I rest my chin in his messy hair and take a deep inhale, finally relaxing enough to go to sleep. Hiro's hair smells like…vanilla beans. Weird, I never noticed before. Oh well. I'm glad we spent today together and I hope he feels better.