Audi was propped up against the hard wall of his bedroom. His sheets tangled in and around his legs. A layer of cool sweat drifted all around his torso. He shook slightly, eyes pinned on his door. He couldn't get rid of the feeling; he had a dream about him again. It wasn't as horrible as the others had been, but it was still enough to make him wake in tears.
The room filled with momentary light. Followed by the loud boom of thunder. He didn't move, still staring at the door. Another burst of lightning clashed in the air. His door started to open slowly. His jaw dropped slowly, clenching his fist around his sheet. A little boy popped his head in. "Audi … I can't sleep … when it storms."
Audi took in a deep breath. Letting his head fall. He was being foolish. Childish. He released the sheet and stood on his bed, jumping down and grabbing a towel from the back of his door. He patted his chest with it, seeing as he was only wearing boxers. He bent down and gave the boy a hug, "It's alright, Kaspar." He picked him up and carried him down the hall back into his room. He set him down on his bed, whispering, so that he wouldn't wake Kaspar's twin; Durin. "Try to sleep. I'll stay with you?"
Kaspar shook his head. Audi sighed and picked the boy up again. "Fine." He closed the door behind them and then ran down flights of stairs. There were three, so it was a bit of a walk for the three year old. He then opened the door that led to the basement.
"But … Audi … I don't like the basement …" Kaspar said, shaking slightly.
"There aren't any windows in the basement entertainment room, and you won't be able to hear the thunder." Audi flicked the light switch and jogged down the steps. The basement was like a maze, narrow hallways with various closet type rooms, in the centre was the entertainment room, and then the remaining rooms were for the staff; Maids, Butlers, whatever. He entered the room, which had speakers all around, a large projector that cast on a large screen. There were large couches and a pool table. It was one of the cheaper rooms in the mansion.
He set the boy down on the couch. Walking over to a large collection of DVDs and VHS tapes. "What you want to watch?" Audi asked, looking for the children's movies. This kid didn't need to see the types of movies he watched, which made up the majority of DVDs, zombie movies and gore. That is what he preferred.
"Lion King …" Kaspar said slowly, as if he was going to get into trouble for saying it. Audi pulled out the Lion King VHS.
"It's in German, that okay with you?" Audi asked. They had bought it when they were still living in Germany, and Kaspar wasn't fluent. Their mother didn't want him to learn too much, too young. Kaspar nodded. Audi popped it into the player. "I'm going to go get food."
He walked out of the room, running straight into Hatsu, one of the maids. "Audi-Kun. What are you doing up? It is four in the morning."
He shrugged, "Kid couldn't sleep, there is a storm." He walked past her and ran up the stairs. He enter the large kitchen, the cook wasn't awake yet. He opened the fridge and grabbed a block of cheese. He closed it and walked over to the breadbox, pulling out four pieces. He cut the cheese nice and thin and then layered it on the bread, after buttering them. He threw them onto a pan and cooked them to perfection. He put them on a plate, dumped an abnormal amount of ketchup onto it and then headed back down stairs.
"You're eating that so early, Audi-kun?" The maid asked.
He nodded, walking into the entertainment room and plopping down next to Kaspar. "Eat up kiddo."
They finished up the food, watched the movie and then headed up stairs again. He walked the boy into the kitchen; he wanted to clean the plate before going to get dressed. His mother was sitting at the kitchen counter, glaring at him as he walked in. She rose her nose up when she saw Kaspar with him.
"Audi, what are you doing?" She hissed, her voice snaking into his ears. Brittle and cold. He clenched his teeth. "Last time I checked, I asked you to not be alone with your brothers. After, what you say happened, and … well … you therapist said-"
"I know what he said, Ma." Audi barked. Walking over to the sink and rinsing the ketchup off the greasy plate.
"The why, why do you put your brother at risk like this?"
Audi laughed, "He came in my room cause of the storm. Why? Cause he knew you would get pissed if he ruined your beauty sleep. And, for the record … I was going to sleep in the same bed as him, but instead I-"
"You took him down there. Where no one could hear … where he was secluded." Her eyes dug into him like cat claws.
"You know what. Fuck you. I am not going to do nothing to that kid. I'm not like him." Audi walked over and picked up Kaspar. Started to walk away.
"Put him down, child." She had turned to face him. He set Kaspar down, not looking at his mother.
"See you later, buddy." Audi said with a little smile of his face. "I'll be home late tonight, just to warn you."
His mother said nothing. He ran up the stairs, to go back to his room and get dressed. He walked past a group of girls, already in their uniforms. There were four of them, his stepsisters.
"Hey Audi. You know, it is rude to walk around a lady's house in just that." One of them with blond short hair squeaked at him.
He didn't want to put up with them today. "Hey, Bridget. Oh sorry, well … I could be wearing less." He started to pull down the front of his boxers. The group's jaws dropped at the same time. They all started to walk down the stairs.
"Impolite. Besides, I'm sure you're not that impressive under there for use to care." Bridget bellowed, they all giggled in unison.
He let go of his boxers, and headed back up the steps. Going into his room and getting his clothes together. He grabbed his towel again and pulled off his boxers. Wrapped the towel around his waist and walking out to the bathroom. Two girls walked down the steps that went to the top floor, where their room was. They both raised their eyebrows at him and continued down the steps. His biological sisters, not including Jo. Everyone in this house hated him, except for Jo and Kaspar. Everyone. He was definitely out numbered.
He showered and got dressed. Ran down to the garage and looked around the large number of expensive cars that would never be driven. He found his motorcycle behind the black Spyder. He mounted it and headed off to school. He was in class 1-A, and was just on time. He rushed into the class and took his seat.
"He showed …" Hikaru said, going to Audi's left.
"And on time …" Kaoru said, going to his right.
"For once." They both echoed.
"Back off." Audi growled, looking down at his desk. The twins slithered away smoothly to their seats. Audi looking around slightly, his eyes catching on that cheap boy. He huffed and turned back to the front. The professor began to speak, but he didn't listen. He was too caught up in this morning. The dream towering over him and his mother … a shiver ran down his spine.
"Braun-san. Are you alright?" The teacher was watching him. He looked up. Everyone was looking at him.
"Huh?" He asked, kind of confused.
"Your hands …" The teacher commented, he looked down. Blood was streaming from his palms. He had dug in his nails. He quickly stood and ran out of the room. He ran into the washroom, placing his hands under the streaming water. He dried them off and pulled out a black bandana from his pocket, he had it for hosting purposes. He ripped it in half and tightly wrapped on have around one hand. He couldn't tie it very tight though, even when he used his mouth. A moment later someone walked into the washroom. That boy …
"I was sent to check up on you, …" He said slowly, staring at Audi.
"I'm fine, now you can go back to class." He tugged at the cloth.
"Need help?" He asked.
"No. I don't need a mutts help." Audi looked down at his feet.
The boy approached anyways, grabbed his hand and tightened the cloth. This sent a wave of pain up his arm. Audi numbly stared down without reacting anyways. He put his other hand out. The same thing repeated.
"I am Haruhi, by the way." The boy exited the boy's washroom.
He sighed. Kicked one of the stall doors. It smashed into the wall and swung back and forth. Audi had tears bundling up in his eyes. He swallowed them down though and opened the washroom door, sprinting down the hall. He ran up to the third music room and sat down in the seat in his little area. He pulled out his MP3 player, blasting Nine Inch Nails into his ears. He gently fell asleep a few moments later.
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
He woke up slowly. The light giggles of teenage girls surrounded him. He yawned, everyone gasped. He opened his eyes quickly. Looking around him in a slight panic. When did all of them get here? He sat up, and looked around. Everyone else was here, only they were all bundled together.
"Audi-Kun …" One of the girls said shyly. "Are you going to try the coffee as well?"
"Coffee? I don't like coffee … what coffee?" He asked, it seemed like a random question to him. He stood, and looked over at the morons.
"Audi! You must try this!" Temaki said in amazement.
Audi stared at them. "Picture it. Instant … Coffee." Temaki was being dramatic, as always.
Audi shook his head, "You're amazed by … instant coffee? And here I was thinking, that maybe it was actually something to get excited about."
"Your … not impressed? How can you not be impressed?!" Temaki jumped up and down like a raving lunatic.
"Whoa, chill Blondie …" Audi took out his cigarette. Took off his jacket. And went back to his chair. Hunny walked up with a glass of instant coffee for him.
"Try it?" he made his eyes go big and puppy like. Audi narrowed his eyes and grabbed it. He went to take a sip and dropped it. The china shattering on the floor.
"Ops. Clumsy me." He bellowed. "Must be the hands … they hurt … So much …" He was cheesing this up. Playing the sexy, in constant pain role. The fan girls swooned. A fan girl took one of his hands.
"Do you need any help, Audi-Kun?" She asked.
"I'm … sorry darlin'. But … I take care of myself." He looked away dramatically.
Another girl took his other hand, "are you … sure?"
"Yes, I am positive. Thank you … ladies … for your concern … It … can be so difficult … to find people who … truly … love you." He looked the girl on the right in the eyes, "Do you know what I mean?" She melted.
"I do." The girl on the left proclaimed. He turned to her.
Gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you. It is good to know … I am not alone … I feel … so alone sometimes …"
"He is acting …" Kaoru.
"Abnormally sensitive …" Hikaru.
"Today." Together.
He stood, "I apologize … my fair ladies. But … I have … things to attend to. You understand? Right?"
They all nodded, sadly. He blew them a kiss as he walked away. He walked past Kyoya, "I need to go home and get some rest." Kyoya gave a nod and he exited the host club.