A/N: So this is my first fanfic on here. The characters might be a little bit OOC, and I apologize for that. Also this will be in alternating POV's, and it hasn't been beta'ed. And I'm sorry if the title sucks, but they're not really my strong point.
1: Hiroki POV
Wide, fearful green eyes stare up at me. The boy they belong to shrinks further back from me like he expects me to hurt him. All I had done was ask him why his grades were so horrible. I hadn't even thrown anything at him.
"Takahashi-kun, what's going on?" I ask.
"I'll bring my grades up, Sensei. I promise!" he mumbles, running out the door.
Sighing, I gather my papers and trek to the office. I still don't understand why a simple question triggered that sort of reaction.
"Why the long face?" Miyagi asks, leaning on the back of my chair.
"Student issues. Don't you have your own work to do?" I reply shortly.
The rest of the day goes well, but the reaction I got from Takahashi-kun still bothers me. He can't be that terrified of me, can he? I mean, I've lightened up on them a lot. Whole days go by now without me throwing things at them or yelling at them. It isn't that I've gotten softer; I've found better ways to keep their attention.
Someone running by bumps into me outside the university, knocking me to the concrete. My briefcase tumbles open, spilling my papers everywhere.
"Sorry, Sensei," Takahashi-kun yelps, helping me up.
"Why the hurry?' i ask, stooping to pick up my papers.
"I didn't want Ni-chan to be angry with me."
He bends to help me pick up my papers. The look of pain on his face at the movement bothers me, but I brush it aside as maybe strenuous activity early at home or at his job. His fingers brush mine by accident a few times as he helps me. I notice the way he blushes and quickly looks away each time.
Is he gay? Do I just make him uncomfortable? I wonder.
"Does your brother get angry with you often?" I ask.
Looking away, he nods.
"Does he hurt you when he's angry with you?" I press, shutting the briefcase.
Even though he's eighteen, he still shouldn't have to put up with being hurt.
"Sensei, he'll be even angrier if I don't get home sooner," he tells me worriedly.
"Do you need a ride home?" I offer.
He seems genuinely surprised by my offer.
"Thank you, Sensei, but I don't wanna burden you," he replies, smiling.
"It'll get you home faster," I add.
He agrees.
The closer I get to his home, the more nervous he becomes. I don't know what he deals with at home, but, if my suspicions are correct, he needs out of the situation desperately.
Do you mind if I walk you to the door?" I offer.
Watching me warily, he agrees.
Takahiro is irate to say the least. His ragins has his brother terrified. And listening to his tirade isn't doing my temper any favors. I want so badly to chew him out for the way he's treating his brother, who Akihiko had told me Takahiro adored. If this is adoration, I don't wanna see hatred.
You're that homo teacher, aren't you?" Takahiro spits, turning his attention to me for the first time.
"My sexuality has what to do with this exactly?" I reply evenly.
After losing Nowaki, I've tried to become a better person. I've tried being nicer to my students and keeping a better hold on my temper. It's the only way I really have to honor his memory.
"You teach Misaki, don't you?! How do I know your homo germs didn't rub off on him?!" Takahiro snaps.
"I do, but it's not spread by germs. You should know that" I retort.
"Misaki, are you a homo?!"
Takahashi-kun nods slowly. He looks so ashamed.
"You're probably a little whore, aren't you? I thought I beat you enough you'd know better," Takahiro growls.
Past the shame, I see the hurt on the kid's face. He doesn't deserve being treated this way. Who knows how long he's been abused by his brother?
"Takahashi-san, why not let him move in with me?" I offer, forcing myself to be polite.
Fifteen minutes later, Takahashi-kun is back in my car. He keeps watching me fearfully.
"I don't bite. Really," I tell him.
"What made you decide to rescue me?" he asks.
"I couldn't leave you with him. I'm sorry you had to come out like that. It should've been on your terms."
"It's okay, Sensei. Things have been worse between us."
"I'm guessing, since you weren't really out, you don't have a boyfriend?"
"No, I was afraid to. I didn't want Ni-chan to be ashamed of me."
"I don't care if you date."
He glances around my apartment nervously. His eyes come to rest on the picture of Nowaki and I kissing on the beach.
"Is he your boyfriend?" he asks.
"He was. He died last year. He had cancer," I reply, swallowing thickly.
"You both look really happy. I'm sorry he died."
"We were. I still miss him sometimes."
He works quietly on his homework while I do my grading. Every so often, he sighs or rakes a hand through his dark hair.
"Are you having trouble?" I ask, looking up from my work.
Nibbling his lip, he nods timidly. He looks like he might start crying from his frustration.
"Come over here and I'll help you," I offer, patting the seat next to me.
He acts like I'm gonna hurt him for needing help.
"I'm sorry, Sensei," he murmurs, sitting beside me cautiously.
"It's fine. What do you need help with?" I reply.
"My math homework. I don't understand it," he explains, showing me the textbook.
The kid needs a 101 course desperately. He has no idea what he's doing.
"Did you miss a lot of school?" I ask.
"The classes in high school, yeah. I haven't missed much college," he replies.
"Why'd you miss in high school?"
"Ni-chan."
This is the answer I was afraid of. I had been worried he cut school simply because he didn't want to do the work.
"What happened that made you miss?" I press gently.
He won't answer me. He just stares at the floor, blinking rapidly. It takes me a moment to realize he's trying not to cry.
"I'm sorry," I offer, unsure of what else to do.
He's hugging himself tightly. He's sniffling softly.
"Takahashi-kun, I wasn't trying to upset you," I murmur gently.
How would Nowaki handle him? I wonder, watching helplessly as tears stream down his sunken cheeks.
Gently, I touch Takahashi-kun's shoulder. The first thing I notice is how horribly skinny he is. THe second is how he cringes away from me like my touch burns his skin.
"Takahashi-kun, do you want me to make some tea?" I offer.
He looks up in surprise.
"You don't have to take care of me," he mumbles.
He seems almost horrified by the thought of someone taking care of him.
"You don't like being taken care of, do you?" I ask.
"No. If you have to take care of me, it means I'm a burden," he replies.
"Why do you think that?"
"Ni-chan."
I really don't want to know what his brother did to make him think that. I just want him to stop crying.
He wipes his eyes tremblingly. He's still crying silently.
I go back to grading my papers while he cries. There's nothing I can do for him because he won't let me. Part of me wonders if I made a mistake moving him in.