Title: You Are Not Alone

By: EsTeLweNadia

Summary: Two-shot. Morinaga Tetsuhiro faces his worst nightmare yet; returning to his hometown after receiving an urgent call. What he doesn't know that he doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Angst!Tetsuhiro, Protective!Souichi. Appearances of Kunihiro/Masaki at later part.

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Friendship/Angst

Warnings: Senpai and his mouth… But I'll try to tone it down.

Disclaimer: Characters afflicted are not mine, and will never be. Except in my dreams, maybe. ^^

Author's Note: Okay, I'm back to tormenting Tetsuhiro. I'm really sorry! I know I am supposed to work on my 'Save Me' but before I know it, I got pulled along in another plot! And I am so excited! Because this time, I might find some closure for Tetsuhiro, and for myself.

Author's Note 2: Any mistakes seen are mine, and mine alone. I am not perfect, and I did the best I could. Reviews are immensely appreciated, so please have them coming! Now what are you waiting for? Get on reading! ^^

"What?!"

Souichi jerked at Morinaga's exclamation. He stopped whatever he was doing to look his partner in concern.

"Okasan is sick, and she wants me to come home?" There was a slight catch in his voice. "But… yes, I know that, Nii-san, but still!" Morinaga trailed off, clenching the edge of the desk so hard his knuckle went white. "Yes, I know…" He closed his eyes tightly, as if battling with his own emotions. Concern became worry, Souichi sidled closer, offering silent comfort by presence alone. "You are right… I guess I just visit her for a while, to make sure she's okay, then I'll be back here in no time. I can't… be there any longer than necessary… Yes, alright. I'll wait for you and Masaki-san to arrive, then I'll leave, okay? See you, Nii-san."

Morinaga lowered his cellphone slowly, before snapping it close with a soft click. He looked so down, so tormented, Souichi was tempted to pull the taller man in an embrace.

"Morinaga?" Souichi tried, keeping his voice soft. "Is everything alright?"

What a silly question, Souichi berated himself; of course it's not alright!

Morinaga jumped slightly at his voice, but still refused to look at him. He glanced down at his phone; the dark bangs carefully shielding his eyes. "You heard it, right, Senpai? My mother is sick, and she wishes to see me. I have to go back to my hometown… even if that place is the last place I want to go."

"Morinaga…"

"But my mother is sick… my mother. I can't just not go, you know… So that is why… that's why…" Morinaga took a deep breath, and that idiot still tried to force a cheerful smile on his face. "I guess you have to excuse me for a week, Senpai. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Souichi scowled. "That is not what I'm worried about, baka!" At that Souichi thwapped Morinaga carelessly on his head." So… your idiot bro and Masaki are coming back, too?"

Morinaga was startled at the sudden rough contact, but Souichi was glad to see that he had been shaken out of his gloomy stupor. "Yes, they are… but only a few days after my arrival… Nii-san insisted that I wait for them to arrive, then I can leave."

"So you are going to wait for them?" Souichi arched an impatient eyebrow.

Morinaga smiled, and it was all Souichi could do not to wipe that false smile off Morinaga's face. "Well, if it's going to be a family reunion, then I have no choice than to wait for him to come back, right? Besides, Okasan wishes to see us both… so..."

Souichi put a gentle hand on his assistant's shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. "I understand, Morinaga…"

The simple, kind gesture was enough to shatter what left of Morinaga's composure. He turned around and collapsed onto Souichi, clutching him desperately as he wept like his heart was breaking into millions of pieces.

Stunned but equally saddened, Souichi responded by hugging him back…

… tightly, as if that his hold alone was enough to hold Morinaga together…

… even as the man was falling apart.

That night, Tetsuhiro couldn't sleep.

He tossed and turned in his bed, yet sleep remained elusive.

He dreaded going back… he really dreaded going back home.

Home… could he even call it a home anymore?

Even after they had chased him out?

"I'm sorry, but I do not have a gay son. You are not my son."

Tetsuhiro flinched, burying deeper into his covers.

"You brought shame to our name. You brought disgrace and dishonor to our family. You are a disappointment. A failure."

Choking back sobs, he threw a pillow over his head, clamping it hard around his ears, desperately trying to drown out his father's condemning voice.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so, so sorry…"

But what haunted him most was the look on his mother's face.

The look of betrayal, hurt and sorrow was worse than his father's harsh words.

He had looked at her, searching for some kind of support, any kind, but he was only greeted with silence.

Her silence was what killed him inside, over and over again.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so, so sorry…"

But now, his mother was sick.

He loved them. He really, really did. Still did, no matter what had happened between them.

Even though they didn't love him anymore.

That was why he had to go back, just to see them, to make sure they were alright…

Even when he knew his arrival would not be welcome.

He would have to harden his heart and steel his nerves.

Yes, he would do that…

Just this once.

The next day:

The bus was finally here.

The bus that would bring him home… to Fukuoka.

He shuddered at the mere thought of his welcome.

Or rather, lack of.

He was scared.

And he was alone.

Facing the hostility of his own family, and everyone else back in his hometown... on his own...

Would he be strong enough to weather it all?

"Morinaga."

Helpless and lost in his own turmoil of emotions, Tetsuhiro almost missed it.

Startled, Tetsuhiro turned around.

Senpai was standing a few steps away, with a duffel bag slung over one shoulder.

"Senpai?"

Not that he wasn't happy to see his beloved but…

"What are you doing here, Senpai?"

Senpai fixed him a cool stare, but there was no mistaking of concern in the amber gaze.

And maybe, maybe a hint of affection?

"I've decided," Senpai answered, closing the distance between them and looking at him seriously. "I'm coming with you."

- To be Continued -

Yay! Another cliffie!

Okay, please don't kill me, or else I cannot finish this story, ne? ^^

But I am so happy that I have gotten this out of my system, really! ^^

I hope you're happy with how it turned out. I know I am!

Reviews are really appreciated! You have no idea how much they have helped me to keep going!

So please, be generous, okay?

Good night, and see you in the next chapter!

Thank you for reading, and take care! ^^