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. UPDATED! Part 1.5: Special guest appearances of Yatogami Kuroh, Isana Yashiro and Neko, from Project Anime K.
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: Thank you for your reviews! I know I said this story will be a two-shot, and guess what? THIS happened! The part in between Part One and Two. I know, I know you all are waiting for the confrontation, but I don't want to have to rush into the confrontation… I need Tetsuhiro to prepare himself for it, and I need to prepare myself for it because it is going be really intense, and I have to think and tread carefully. Besides, I just adore Yatogami Kuroh too much to NOT include him in this fic, and if you notice, KurohShiro is actually a mashup of our favorite KSB couple. Really! Please don't get mad for this little, erm… filler? Erm, what do you call it? Teaser? Haha! I don't know. I just hope you will enjoy it anyway.
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! ^^
Previously on Part One:
"What are you doing here, Senpai?"
Senpai fixed him a cool stare, but there was no mistaking concern in those golden eyes.
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."
Part One Point Five (1.5):
Just what have I gotten myself into?
Annoyed, he glanced at a dark head resting on his shoulder, snoring softly.
Almost immediately, his features softened.
He heard it, last night; Morinaga's muffled sobs.
If he didn't think of checking up on him, Souichi would never know.
So he had stood outside the door, hand still poised to knock.
Apparently, the call from his brother and the decision to return home had rattled Morinaga more than Souichi thought it would.
It wasn't fair! Other people would be happy to be going back home to visit their family! They shouldn't be dreading to go back home!
Home, and family; two very important aspects in a person's life.
Yet when the two turned against him…
But they shouldn't be turning against him! No matter what, they are a family!
Morinaga, for all his idiotic smiles and a horny personality, actually had a fragile heart. He would cry over the stupidest things, like being lashed out by his idiot bro, or when Souichi had asked him to stay. If he was already this shaken by a phonecall and the thought of going home, Souichi couldn't even to imagine the state Morinaga would be in if he faced his past on his own.
So that's why Souichi wouldn't let him face it alone.
"I've decided. I'm coming with you."
As soon as he had said that, he saw how Morinaga's eyes widened in disbelief, before relief set in and happiness took hold.
"Baka," Souichi whispered to the sleeping head.
He looked out of the window and gazed at the passing scenery, and for once, allowed his thoughts to be filled with nothing but the slumbering kouhai beside him.
"Tetsu-chan!" An excited voice yelled. "Over here!"
Startled, Morinaga glanced up and around, before finally settling on someone waving frantically at them.
Souichi followed his gaze.
He was young man, no, boy, Souichi corrected, with messy gray hair (Why do Morinaga always pick friends with weird hair color?) big, twinkling amber eyes. He had a small stature, dressed in white collared shirt with an upturned collar, connected to a loose red ribbon around his neck. His shirt was untucked, its tails hanging untidily over dark blue pants. But what captured Soiuchi most was a blinding smile on the youth's face.
"Shiro-kun, I told you not to call me that!" Morinaga complained. When his friend had come up to them, Morinaga began introducing them to each other. "Senpai, this is my friend, Isana Yashiro. Shiro-kun, this is my senpai, Tatsumi Souichi."
Isana Yashiro beamed. "Nice to meet you, Tatsumi-san. Tetsu-chan couldn't stop talking about you the last time he was here."
At this, Souichi shot Morinaga a dark look. "So, this is the acquaintance that recommended you to sit for the entrance exam in a grad school here, isn't he?"
"Oh," Morinaga blinked, surprised. "You remembered that? Yes, he was. I stayed over at his place the whole time I was there…"
Souichi felt a flash of irritation, which didn't go unnoticed. Morinaga caught it and hastily amended, "… but he isn't living alone, so don't worry."
"That's right!" Shiro chirped. "I have a roommate, and a pet."
Roommate? Souichi arched a suspicious eyebrow. "Are you two by any chance…?"
The smile didn't falter. Shiro even blushed. "We're getting there. He's grumpy and stubborn and shy so I have to be really patient. But I'm telling you, he is a chef! Really, he can cook! And do housework and the dishes… he'll kill me if he catches me calling him 'waifu'. Oh, and he has a fetish for swords! He owns one, and it's hanging in his room now. Its name is Kotowari, I think. He can fight, too, and he fights well! I always somehow manage to get into trouble, so I think that's why he sticks with me, so he can protect me. Oh, and he doesn't quite like Neko, our pet. Those two always quarrel until I play referee." He ended his story with an amused laugh.
Souichi really, really wanted to hide somewhere, never to show his face again.
"Shiro-kun!" Morinaga chided sternly, but a grin on his face ruined the effect. "That's too much information!"
Laughing, Shiro dismissed Morinaga's remark. "No harm in that. Come on, let's go to my apartment. You must be tired from the long bus journey. I'm pretty sure Kuroh will whip up something for us."
Souichi frowned. There was something nagging him…
"Wait a minute… I understand that Fukuoka is a backward town… so how do you…"
"It's okay," Shiro answered, turning to lead the way. "I told you we aren't a couple yet. Besides, the whole town knows we are orphans, and best of friends, and that we're living together. It's not like we are doing anything indecent in the public. Kuroh will kill me before anyone else does. Haha!"
Souichi sweatdropped, and Morinaga flashed him an apologetic smile.
Fukuoka, Souichi decided after they had been walking for some time now, is not a bad place after all. It was the first time he set foot in the prefectural, but for Morinaga…
Souichi glanced at the man in question. Morinaga was walking beside him, his expression wistful and pained. But there was a gentle smile on his face, as if saying that no matter what had happened, it was good to be home.
It was good to be home.
Back in his hometown, where everything was just as he had remembered. Nothing had changed much during his five years of absence, even though new buildings had sprung up and even the old ones didn't look that old anymore.
When they came across a park, Tetsuhiro stopped walking.
"Oi, Morinaga?"
"Ah, Senpai," Tetsuhiro smiled sheepishly. "I remembered this park. Nii-san, Masaki-san and I used to play here together every afternoon after school. Then we would stay to watch the sun set. We would buy ice-cream on our way home, and sometimes, we would challenge on who would reach home first. Nii-san always won, though. If I had enough of him always being the first, I would pretend to cry, and Okasan would scold Nii-san for bullying me. Then, the next day, Nii-san would let me win."
He let out a small chuckle at that memory. Those were the times… happy times.
"Morinaga…"
And that was so long ago.
Too long. He had even forgotten what it was like to be in a family.
"Oi, Morinaga," Senpai nudged him. "Are you okay?"
Tetsuhiro tried to smile. "Yeah… I'm fine. Just got caught up with my memories."
"Oi!" Shiro-kun yelled from somewhere ahead. "Hurry up! Or Kuroh will get mad if we're late!"
Senpai gripped Tetsuhiro's shoulder, then gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Don't worry, his eyes seemed to be saying, I'm right here with you.
Tetsuhiro felt his smile widened, becoming less stiff, less painful.
"I love you, Senpai," he mouthed.
And laughed as Senpai froze, with a blush darkening his cheeks.
Still laughing, Tetsuhiro quickly walked off towards the waiting Shiro, leaving Senpai to shake off the daze and rush after him.
They were greeted by a tall man with long black hair tied back in a low ponytail, with his bangs swept away from his face, further accentuating his steely gray eyes. He wore a white shirt like Shiro's, only with his sleeves rolled up halfway. It was left untucked over black pants, with an unorganized tie of similar color hanging from the collar of his shirt.
His gaze was severe on Shiro, but gentled once he shifted his attention to them.
"I am sorry for my brashness," he apologized, bowing his head slightly. His hair slipped from his back to fall over his shoulder. "My name in Yatogami Kuroh. Isana Yashiro never fails to bring out the worst in me." At this he leveled Shiro with a glare. Shiro just endured it with a sheepish chuckle and a hint of blush on his cheeks. "Please, come on in and do make yourself at home."
He's beautiful, was the first thought that crossed Tetsuhiro's mind as he stared at the said person in awe.
"He's beautiful, right?" Shiro elbowed him and whispered. When Tetsuhiro looked at him, Shiro threw him a sly wink.
Thank goodness Senpai had walked into the apartment first, because Tetsuhiro was pretty sure that he would be killed on the spot if Senpai was to find out what he had been thinking.
Or maybe, Tetsuhiro mused, maybe I should go ahead and make him jealous. Then I'll make him admit that he's jealous.
…
Nah. Knowing Senpai, he would probably leave me in a nanosecond flat. After beating the daylights out of me. Ugh, no fun at all…
Sighing, he slipped off his shoes by the doorway, slipped into the house slippers, and then entered the apartment.
"So, how do you get to know Morinaga?" Souchi asked, blissfully sipping his tea while staring intently at the boy seated across from him.
Morinaga had volunteered to help Kuroh with their dinner, much to Souichi's annoyance, and to his horror, jealousy. Morinaga, alone, with that guy… in the kitchen? Souichi felt his brow twitching. He really, really wanted a cigarette!
And to make things worse, he could feel Shiro's amused gaze on him.
He glared at him, and the amusement quickly evaporated. Hah! Good!
He turned to glower at the small white kitten beside Shiro, but the kitten wasn't even afraid. Instead it hissed at him, as if launch itself at him anytime.
"Neko!" Shiro admonished the kitten. "Please behave yourself, or else I won't be giving you any rice crackers!"
As Souichi watched smugly, Neko the cat mewled pitifully in response.
"You give your cat rice crackers?" Souichi arched an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Well…" Shiro scratched his cheek sheepishly, blushing. "It's her favorite food. She accidentally ate some of the crumbs on the floor before Kuroh could clean the mess… then rice crackers have become her favorite ever since."
Souichi snorted, unimpressed. Not only Morinaga made friends with weird hair color, his friends (and apparently, their pets, too!) were as weird as their hair!
Then he remembered something. "You didn't answer my question!"
"Oh…" Shiro sweatdropped. "You're just as scary as Kuroh!" Immediately he slid his gaze to the kitchen, as if expecting Kuroh to come flying out brandishing a dripping ladle threateningly. The mental image made Souichi quirked a slight grin of amusement. When no such thing happened, Shiro heaved a sigh of relief before focusing back on him. "It was raining heavily that time, when we first met. My favorite Japanese red umbrella was carried away by a gust of strong wind, and while running after it, I slipped and somehow managed to sprain my ankle pretty badly. To make things worse, I forgot to bring my phone and I almost thought that it was the end of me."
Shiro's gaze went distant as he absently stroked the kitten on his lap. "Then, in a flash of lightning, suddenly he stood before me, like an angel! And with my umbrella! He saw me sitting so miserably in a puddle and immediately came to help. He helped me to my feet and escorted me home. Luckily Kuroh was home, because my ankle was already hurting so badly and Tetsu-chan was beginning to show hints of fever. Kuroh took care of us both." He finished it with a bright smile.
Morinaga was like that, alright, Souichi thought, always willing to help others even at the expense of his own health.
Without realizing it Souichi recalled the times when Morinaga had actually fallen ill because of his selflessness. He remembered keenly a few years ago, the time when he had irresponsibly dropped all his work on Morinaga so he could travel to Tokyo to teach his idiotic little brother and landlord a lesson. He was somehow forced to take a train home, and it was just in time to find out that Morinaga had passed out in a terrible combination of exhaustion and a bad cold. Later he had learned from Yamaguchi that Morinaga had not taken any rest at all during the whole time he was away in Tokyo. To make matters worse, Morinaga was also stressed over his Masters' exams and whether or not to profess his love for him…
Then, there was also a time when Yamaguchi had collapsed from a bout of fever, rendering him helpless and confined at home. Morinaga had been the one covering for him in his research team and part-time job. Morinaga had been so busy for a week straight he hardly had time to sleep and he looked totally exhausted. The week after that, he was overcame with fever.
He was suddenly alerted by a delicious smell wafting in from the kitchen.
Startled he glanced up.
Kuroh was wearing a pink (pink?!) apron, balancing dishes of food. A few steps later, Morinaga trailed behind him, bringing in another lot of dishes.
"Dinner is ready!" Morinaga announced cheerfully. "C'mon, let's eat!"
As soon as everyone had settled down, they chorused, "Itadakimasu!"
They ate their dinner in revered silence.
"Dinner is as yummy as usual, Kuroh!" Shiro beamed happily once they had finished eating.
Kuroh just snorted, but Souichi could see a look of pleased sense of accomplishment on his face. "You have to thank Morinaga-san, as well. His help was most efficient and greatly appreciated. He has apparently more skills in the kitchen than you do, Isana Yashiro."
Shiro just laughed, while Morinaga blushed and chuckled sheepishly, "Nah, I really didn't help much. You were the one did who most of the work, Kuroh-kun."
Souichi tried very hard not to let his annoyance show.
Kuroh dabbed at his lips politely. "So what do you plan to do after this, Morinaga-san, Tatsumi-san?"
Souichi had no idea, so he glanced at Morinaga.
His kouhai opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the beeping of his cellphone. All eyes were on him as he withdrew his phone, flipped it open and looked at the screen.
After awhile, he looked up and found Souichi's questioning eyes. "It's from Nii-san. He said he and Masaki-san will arrive here tomorrow."
Souichi was impressed. "That's fast…"
"Yes," Morinaga looked relieved. "Thank goodness. The faster they come, the faster I can deal with this, and the faster I can go home…"
"Say…" Shiro said suddenly. "Why don't both of you rest here for the night? It's too late for you to search for rooms now, right?"
"But Shiro-kun!" Morinaga protested. "Won't we be a bother to you and Kuroh-kun? We are already imposing too much of your hospitality and have certainly overstayed our welcome!"
"Nonsense!" Kuroh cut in sharply. "Please wait here for a moment while I prepare the room for you. Isana Yashiro, please clear the table for me, but do not wash the dishes. I cannot tolerate anymore breakage or mess from you."
Without another word he left the dining area.
"Even old ladies are not as fussy as you!" Shiro flung back at the disappearing back.
"I heard that, Moyashi!" came the sharp retort.
"Don't call me Moyashi! I am not a beansprout! My name is Shiro!"
Moyashi… Souichi coughed and nearly choked trying to stifle his laughter.
Morinaga's face was already turning a dangerous shade of red, his entire body shaking as he desperately tried to hold his laughter in.
"Just clear the table, Isana Yashiro!"
"Yes…." There was a sudden gleam of mischief in Shiro's eyes, "… waifu!"
Out of nowhere there was a flash of steel, and suddenly Kuroh was there, pointing his sword (a real sword, Souichi realized in amazement) at his roommate. "Isana Yashiro… you…!"
In the end Souichi found himself grinning at the hilarious sight of Kuroh chasing Shiro around the apartment.
Beside him, Morinaga had doubled over with laughter.
Souichi felt his grin softened. It had been a long time since he had heard Morinaga's laughter.
Genuine and free of pain.
And it felt good… listening to him laugh.
"Senpai?"
The voice was soft, hesitant and almost afraid.
Yet somehow it managed to filter though the thick fog of sleep, and into his consciousness.
"What the hell do you want, Morinaga?" Souichi mumbled, without opening his eyes. They were simply too heavy, but the distress he heard in Morinaga's voice was just too hard for him to ignore.
"I'm really sorry, Senpai…" Regret could clearly be heard, now, and Souichi hated himself for putting it there. "But… may I… may I sleep with you tonight? I won't do anything to you. I promise! So please… may I sleep with you?"
For a long while Souichi didn't say anything.
Because he had never heard Morinaga sounded like this before…
Like a child.
Like a child seeking for comfort after a nightmare.
It was heartbreaking.
"I guess it's alright, Senpai," Morinaga was saying, this time there was a false cheer in his tone. "I guess I'm just being silly…"
Only then he realized that he had silent for too long.
Souichi didn't say anything; he just shifted to the back, allowing an empty space in front of him.
He didn't trust his voice at the moment.
"Senpai?"
"Just get in," Souichi finally grunted.
"Senpai…"
"Hurry, before I change my mind!"
Faster than he could count, Morinaga had quickly settled into the space Souichi made for him.
Contentedly he burrowed deeper into the warmth.
"Thank you, Senpai…"
Within seconds, Morinaga was fast asleep.
After awhile, Souichi reached out and pulled Morinaga closer to him.
He wrapped his arms around Morinaga and held him tight…
And even he was asleep; his hold on Morinaga did not loosen.
So when Tetsuhiro woke up next morning, he was surprised to see himself in Senpai's embrace.
Yet he didn't dare move… he didn't even want to dislodge the precious hold.
And so he drifted off to sleep, right in Senpai's arms.
Until Senpai kicked him off the bed.
"You're leaving already?" Shiro asked as they accompanied their guests to the door.
"Yes," Tetsu-chan replied, smiling brightly. "Nii-san is arriving very soon. I hope to have some time alone with my family to try to talk things out on my own first, before Nii-san reaches home. Thank you very much for your hospitality."
"Please do not mention it," Kuroh brushed off the gratitude with a slight shake of his head. "I wish you all the best in reconciling with your family, Morinaga-san."
"Yeah!" Shiro cheerfully piped in, "And don't leave without seeing us, okay? Or else I'll go to Nagoya to look for you and hit you with my umbrella!"
"And I, with my Kotowari," interjected Kuroh, deadpanned.
Shiro laughed when Tetsu-chan sweatdropped, and a few annoyed tics appeared on Tatsumi-san's forehead.
"We promise! See you soon, Shiro-kun, Kuroh-kun!"
And so, the two of them waved before turning to leave.
Once they were out of earshot, Kuroh took out his PDA and tapped out a string of numbers.
"Hello, Masaki-san? This is Yatogami Kuroh. Please hurry. They are already on their way to Morinaga's Residence."
- To be Continued -
Somehow this turned out to be crossover…
But I am so happy because I managed to put all my favorite and most adored characters in one story! *excited*
I also couldn't resist inserting the famous Moyashi remark from Yuu Kanda to Allen Walker from -Man. They're also my favorite couple! ^^
Part TWO will be the part that you are waiting for…
The Confrontation.
So please hang on for a little bit longer.
Thank you so much for your continuous support! ^^
