Chapter 70: Connection
Benedict counted in his head as Haruhiko snuggled close to him. He had a faint idea Mio would not wait to come to his apartment…but did the kid know—
Haruhiko's cell phone rang again as he took it and answered, "Hello? Mio…yes…here is his address."
Benedict stood still as Haruhiko hung up and said, "he is coming…I hope you do not mind."
Haruhiko looked stale, but his eyes…for once, he looked slightly emotional. His brown eyes begged and feared this kid coming…
Benedict sighed and said, "I suppose I can babysit, but you owe me too! Three dates!"
Haruhiko smiled and hugged Benedict close. He whispered close to Benedict's lips, "I can stay here with you while Mio stays…what do you say?"
Benedict gulped and nodded. They rubbed their lips gently as they smiled at each other. Since they had that little talk…Benedict felt a little better and closer to Haruhiko.
Same for Haruhiko…Benedict found out a little about Haruhiko's mother, their current family situations, and the reasons why the Usami brothers fight…but Mio. Mio was hardly covered in their conversations, but Haruhiko would either look the other way or breathe more quietly. Benedict expected the newest Usami intrusion made some waves…but the way Haruhiko acted made Benedict curious. What better way to understand the issue than having him in his apartment?
Benedict snickered at Haruhiko's intense stare. They kissed again as Haruhiko gently shoved him to the wall and spread Benedict's legs apart. Benedict gasped and gripped Haruhiko tightly as their emotions stirred together. They moaned as their lips gently reunited. Their bodies mocked sex, but their hearts fluttered and sped up to the regular sexual urges. Haruhiko's hands roamed up and down Benedict's sides as Benedict ravaged Haruhiko's mouth for more…
Knock, knock, knock, brought both men to reality as Haruhiko parted from Benedict. Haruhiko fixed his buttoned top as he went to the door. He opened it as Mio came in…the kid was covered in tears and embraced his older brother tightly.
Haruhiko stiffened for a few seconds, but he slowly embraced Mio. Mio sobbed hard as he tossed his bag into the apartment. Haruhiko backed into the apartment as he closed the door and led Mio to the couch. Mio clung to Haruhiko as he kept weeping.
Benedict could get a slight picture of Mio now…the confused, pained, and pushed around teen… He felt Mio's pain as well. Being in some many foster families, but Benedict always found compassion and love somewhere. Maybe Mio staying here was a good thing for the kid… Benedict could teach him a few things about strength for self and others when the heart breaks. He sighed and went to the kitchen to set a kettle of tea on.
Haruhiko turned to him and nodded. Benedict smirked as he took out three cups. Haruhiko cuddled Mio close to him as the teen kept sobbing. These were not faking or fighting tears…Benedict shed a few tears like this as well. These were tears of a breaking heart and confusion beyond all compare…poor kid.
Benedict watched the brotherly scene. Haruhiko cooed sweet words as Mio hid his face under Haruhiko's chin. They looked…like they knew each other for years. Benedict would have never suspected them only to know each other for a few months if he saw them like this. Haruhiko looked so calm but confused…even though his face showed little difference, but Benedict knew Haruhiko was feeling this way. Benedict knew quite a lot about Haruhiko now with their relationship developing and growing… He smirked as the tea kettle whistled.
He took the tea kettle off as he poured the tea into the cups. Benedict came over as he set the cups on the coffee table. He sat on the rug as he sipped the tea gently. Mio slowly calmed down and turned to the tea; he took his cup and stared at the coffee table.
Mio whimpered, "That's…a gemstone, right?"
Benedict smirked and nodded. He said, "Yep, its one huge piece…durmortierite."
Mio sniffed and slowly parted from Haruhiko. He said, "Sorry…"
Benedict could not help but like the kid already… He said, "no problem, so…tell us what happened."
Mio sighed and said, "I went to a club with my friend…" He placed the cup back onto the coffee table.
Benedict watched Haruhiko…he prayed for some kind of response for humor's sake. Haruhiko stiffened slightly, but his face remained still.
Mio continued, as his face turned to the floor, and said, "the club required attendees to be eighteen…so my friend made a fake id for me."
Benedict watched Haruhiko slowly breathe… He smirked as Mio continued, "I got some free beer and…one was drugged."
Haruhiko's face…it no longer kept a calm complexion. His eyes narrowed dangerously and turned to Mio's downturned face that turned to Haruhiko's face. Mio finished, "I met a man and had sex with him to remove the drug from my system."
Benedict held his laughter by biting his lips and staring at the Usami brothers. Haruhiko's face…was one of those priceless moments…blank from emotion then filling with slow rage. Mio looked firm and ready to defend himself. They stared at each other until Benedict said, "did you have fun?"
Mio stiffened and blushed as he turned to Benedict. He opened and closed his mouth as the words did not come out.
Haruhiko stood and paced. He took deep breaths and slowly said, "A club, drugs, sex, and you came here…what the hell…do I do next?"
Benedict snickered and said, "Yell, I dare you. I want to see you pissed off."
Haruhiko glared at Benedict and snarled, "this is serious…Mio…what were you thinking?" His face turned to his brother next.
Mio crossed his arms as he glared at Haruhiko and said, "I needed space and freedom…Misaki was drive me insane! He would always come to 'aid' me with anything! Sure, for a few days I was sore…some kindness was not bad. But he overdid the watching, asking, cutting my food to tiny bits, and not letting me cook or clean. I was bored out of my mind! So…I had my friend take me out."
Benedict stood and said, "good day fellas, I need to get to work. So, Mio you are on your own for a most of the day. Two rules, okay?"
Mio turned to Benedict as Benedict said, "no strippers and order enough food for three. Deal?" Mio smirked as he nodded.
Benedict walked away as he got dressed. He turned when Haruhiko came to the bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Haruhiko panted as he tried to say something. His mouth opened and closed as he clenched his fists and stiffened.
Benedict snickered and said, "You will make a great parent someday."
Haruhiko growled, "are you UNFAZED by this….this…idiopathic teenager?"
Benedict laughed hard as he put on his pants and started to put on a loose buttoned up shirt. He said after a few minutes, "You…do not get it…do you? You must have been the perfect child…I should have known."
Haruhiko released his fists and said, "I never made waves…it was expected of me to be the best son…the eldest…"
Benedict yawned and said, "No wonder you are dating me. You were bored to death by your calm surroundings and needed some action."
Haruhiko smirked and said, "This does not hide the fact that Mio is a teenaged delinquent."
Benedict left five buttons undone as he started to put on his various necklaces and Haruhiko's present to him… He smiled as the gemstone set against his heart. Benedict said, "Mio is not a teenaged delinquent; look at the way he cried…he is confused by his rash actions. He is…a reactor teenager. His actions are usually planned and thought out…last night was too fast for him. Please be nice to him. Teens like him are on the brink of turning bad if pushed, or they just wanted a thrill ride to get a hint of the dangers of the real world. That is why I joke with him. I was like that…young and stupid…also I got into some trouble. But…compassion is a gift easily given when you see the heart of the trouble. Be nice and talk to him." He went to Haruhiko and rubbed his lips over Haruhiko's.
Haruhiko sighed and said, "I do not know what to say."
Benedict snickered and said, "Be honest…and say what you said to me. Mio seems…very hurt. He needs a healthy, stable and kind brother right now. Be that man, Haru. I will be there to be comic relief, but I cannot intervene unless you want me to."
Haruhiko said, "Before you go, please say something to him…anything. I will finish from there."
Benedict smiled and hugged Haruhiko. He said, "This kid makes you nervous? Interesting notion…"
Haruhiko sighed as he hugged Benedict back. He said, "Mio…the more I see of him…the more I am confused and respect the teen… I really do not know what to do with him."
They kissed one more time as Benedict said, "watch and learn, my lover boy."
Benedict led as Haruhiko followed. He turned to Mio as Mio sipped the tea and got a little cozier. Benedict said, "Mio, we need a quick chat."
Mio groaned and turned to Benedict. He said, "You said plenty by walking away…go to work already."
Benedict smirked and took out his phone. He called Aikawa and said, "Can I have the day off? Yes…family emergency."
Mio's purplish blue eyes enlarged at the change as Benedict smiled and said, "Thanks…I asked Misaki. He might be in later, and see you tomorrow… Aikawa?"
Benedict's faced flushed as he said, "the book…already sold its first million! It's only been out for…wow. Thank you, no…I am looking at one of the coauthors right now. Yes…thanks." He closed the phone and said with a gentle smile, "Tanko's stories are selling very well. Also…a few reviewers have requested for more of your story."
Mio flushed and rubbed his tea cup. He mumbled, "I…really did not say anything special…why do others want to know more about me?"
Benedict crossed his arms and said, "We need to get to the point and find a reasonable ground for all of us to agree on. So, may I ask you a few questions?"
Mio blinked and nodded as he sipped on his tea.
Benedict said, "When did you start acting like this current situation? Ignore the onsen accident, the babying Misaki, and the last night's escapade. Explain how you developed into the teen you are now."
Mio grimaced and said, "Are you a therapist or something?"
Benedict chuckled and said, "Answer the question and I will explain later, deal?"
Mio set down his tea cup and move his legs into Indian style. He looked into Benedict's eyes and said, "I was always like this…reactive. I live for my friends. Since I always made friends that either have problems like me or find me during my worst times…I would give my all to help them. Also, I was always taught to help others since helping others will always come back as a boomerang… 'Kindness returns when you least expect it,' my mother always says to me. So…I believe my purpose in life is to help others and be a friend to all."
Benedict stared at Mio…for a full three minutes, silence filled the room. What could he say…he did not expect that. Benedict expected Mio to be an arrogant, confused, and lonely kid…but this? He took a few deep breaths and said, "Mio, do you understand the reasons for everyone's different reactions towards your behavior?"
Mio blinked and nodded. He said, "Everyone tries so hard to understand me…they call me reckless, silly, and a teenaged delinquent. But I am not! Well…not usually." He licked his lips and continued, "I just…bond with people naturally and quickly. I cannot help but connect with others. Since I enjoy my friends and making many others, I keep their secrets and protect them…also I ask the same from them. They help me when I need them; of course…as a teenager, I am limited to give them my help. But I want more…that is why I over do my ambition, aid, and zealous passion for being a homosexual. I am not afraid of whom I am, and I know what I want to do with my life."
Benedict gulped…yet again. He did not expect that reaction; but Mio was willing to speak…his eyes. Mio looked determined to get one person to understand him… Benedict said, "Tell me ten things about you that you want me to understand about you. Then, I want you to pick the top three. Go."
Mio grimaced again as he sat up. He said, "ten things…well, I am a homosexual, enjoys physical activities, adores the snow, seen pain of homosexuality but refuses to stop being one, loves to sing, enjoys having various jobs, has many friends, keeps a survival bag for every situation, wants dearly to be loved by a new man, and…wants a puppy."
Benedict snickered at the last part as Mio continued, "the top three… Well, I would say I am a homosexual, keeps a survival bag, and loves to sing…" Mio blushed at admitting the last part.
Mio smiled and said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Benedict nodded as Mio said, "Why are you asking these questions?"
He snickered as Benedict said simply, "to understand you, also…like you. I was a reactive teen, even to this day…certain things and people make me react in different ways that people question my motives. So…I thought this Q&A would help both of us to understand the teen prodigy before us."
Mio turned red and smirked weakly. He said, "Prodigy…please…me?"
Benedict snickered as he turned to Haruhiko…as expected; Haruhiko was in shock as his emotionless face tried to make some kind of face…blank. He said, "not many men have made the Usamis this confused, anxious and…excited before. Correct, Haruhiko?"
Haruhiko blinked and turned to Benedict. He slowly said, "You surprise me a lot too…some days."
Benedict and Mio snickered at Haruhiko as Haruhiko smiled. He admitted, "I only knew about this method of asking questions from my foster father…he would never scold or punish…he asked why."
Mio blinked when Benedict turned to him. Benedict said, "Misaki asked me to punish you, but I think otherwise. Do you want to return to school this week?"
Benedict blinked quickly when Mio raced to him and slammed him onto the ground. He gasped and breathed, "Damn…I take that as a yes…"
Mio looked at Benedict as he said, "can I have today off though…I need to do something at N G Productions."
Benedict blinked and said, "The music station? Why?"
Mio flushed and said, "I…am a song writer for a new song a group of singers there. Sakano-san told me that I can take all the time off I need; but I want to sing this song…it means a lot to me. Please…can I go?"
Benedict laid back and said, "who said I was stopping you? Also…if I let you go. Will you let me come to watch you?"
Mio turned red and hugged Benedict. He shrieked, "of course you can come! Haruhiko can too!"
Benedict laughed as he said, "If he can…" He turned to Haruhiko, who was on the phone and said, "I need a personal day off…yes, a family emergency. No…my father is fine. Thank you." Haruhiko hung up as he smirked at Benedict.
Benedict said, "We need a good breakfast then to N G Productions!"
Mio shrieked in delight and said, "Haruhiko, you better not break up with Benedict! He is so cool!"
Haruhiko smiled at Benedict and said, "I do not plan to…I love him."
Benedict blushed as he said, "can you get him off of me?"
Haruhiko snickered as he removed Mio from Benedict.
Mio clapped his knuckles and squealed when he jumped Haruhiko and hugged him. He sighed and said, "I am so glad I came now! YES! I am going to sing!"
Haruhiko said, "What a range of emotions? One minute sobbing then to raging then exploding happiness…"
Benedict and Mio laughed. He stood as Benedict said, "Have you forgotten what it like to be a teenager? A wide range of emotions is expected for all the hormones coursing in Mio's body right now…also the current situations that he have seen. I am not surprised by his reactions."
Mio released Haruhiko and turned to Benedict…such a sweet smile was on his face. He said, "wow…I thought I was the only one who could read other people…you are good."
Benedict snickered and said, "I am only seeing the tip of the gigantic Mio iceberg, so do not think I understand you completely. I just understand…a little."
Mio chuckled and said, "Well…yeah, you are right. But…I want to show you more! My song…" His smile slowly disappeared as he admitted, "its not happy like my songs in November…"
Benedict said, "I will listen, either way."
Mio turned purple as he hugged Benedict again and thudded to the ground again. He squealed, "you are not cool…you are AWESOME!"
Benedict moaned, "You are so…teen."
They laughed as Haruhiko giggled with them.
