As far as timelines go, it's actually been about a month or so since Hiro and Tadashi have met, maybe a week more. I'm trying not to make things go too fast so I hope my pacing is ok.
And as always, hank you all for the follows, favs, and reviews! I really appreciate them! Just know I am hoping to have this story finished by its 2nd year anniversary, but we shall see...
[Also if anyone notices any grammatical errors, please don't be afraid to tell me. I went over this chapter a few times, but when I check back weeks later I always find something that slips through].
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!
Much to Hiro's surprise, their next encounter was met with no bumps. After the embarrassing incident at his house the previous day, he thought things with the med student would be a bit awkward, but the two just picked up like nothing had ever happened. It was rather nice.
Hiro had to admit that when it came to Tadashi, everything was nice. He never talked down to Hiro or treated him any differently because of his age. In fact it seemed as if they were able to connect on a level that Hiro had never shared with someone before. Sure, he enjoyed some of the guys and girls down at the bot fighting scene, and he had a few online people he interacted with on occasion, but things with Tadashi were different. Their minds were so in sync it's as if they were on a whole other wave length.
The soft clicking sounds of the older student typing away at his keyboard had Hiro drifting deep into these thoughts. It was a Thursday evening and the library was pretty much dead. The two of them were off in one of the study rooms; Tadashi working on one of his mid-term papers and Hiro occupied with his big project. Well at least that what he was supposed to be doing, before thoughts of a handsome nerd interrupted him.
Now said nerd was staring at him.
Oops!
"Is something wrong?"
"Nope, I was just admiring the view." What?!
At this Tadashi's eyes slightly widened.
"…of that grammatical error you made in that last sentence. Everyone knows the period goes before the quotations, duh." Nice save!
Tadashi glanced back to his screen before returning his gaze to Hiro, a small smirk playing upon his lips.
"It seems you're right. My, what amazing observational skills you have."
Seemingly caught in his bluff, Hiro rolled his eyes and moved to begin packing up his things.
"Whatever. I got to go anyways, so enjoy the rest of your evening alone nerd."
Tadashi also got up from his seat and moved so he was hovering over Hiro's work space. "Wait you're leaving already?"
"Wow, what amazing listening skills you have."
Tadashi was not impressed.
"Fine smarty pants, but at least let me give you a ride." He went back to his computer to save his file and pack it away.
"Thanks, but no thanks."
"Are you sure? It wouldn't be a problem."
He faced the med student's concerned expression with a cool one of his own. Looking at the care etched into the older males face made Hiro feel guilty, which is something he hadn't felt in ages. Why did he have to be so caring? Why did he have to be so perfect?
"Yeah I'm sure. I brought my board with me and besides it's on the whole other side of tow_
Shit.
He had come to know that look.
"Where exactly are you going Hiro?"
Despite knowing full well that Tadashi meant no accusation in his question and no harm in his tone, the inquiry hit a nerve with Hiro.
"Why does it matter?" He knew he was being more snippy than necessary, but he felt as if their wave length was cracking in places, and it bothered him.
Tadashi turned to face him fully and gave him the most stern look Hiro had ever seen on his handsome face.
"No."
No?...
"Excuse m_"
"I know you're going to go bot fighting and I said no."
The wave length was practicing shredding itself a part now and Hiro could no longer hold himself back.
"I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but you have no right telling me what to do! You think I'm just some kid, that you can parent me around however you please? Well the answer is no! Robotics is my passion, the one thing that gives me the motivation to keep on living in this shitty world, and you just expect me to give it up because you say so?! Well tough luck!"
Hiro was fuming, his breaths coming heavy and his face a light shade of red. The shock on Tadashi's face was nothing compared to the evident hurt in his eyes, and Hiro had to look away before the reality of the situation hit him harder than the words he had unconsciously spewed out.
Tadashi was supposed to be the one person who understood him the most, who liked him just the way he was, odd hobbies and all. The fact that he wanted Hiro to change, even if it was for the safety of his own well-being, made Hiro's chest ache. He just couldn't take it.
Quickly, he slung his book bag over his shoulder, grabbed his skate board and made his way out of the library.
~ ~XxXxX~ ~
The rest of Tadashi's evening went by in a sickening blur. He replayed Hiro's words in his head over and over again as he waited for his shift to end. When the clock reached 8 o'clock, he turned off the lights and locked up for the night.
The cool wind felt good against his face as he drove his moped through the quiet streets of San Fransokyo.
What had he done? Where had he gone wrong?
He contemplated the situation as he made his way into his apartment and ignored his stomach's need for food in lieu of taking a hot shower. The steamy water did nothing to help clear his mind, as images of the teen's livid face kept circling about, with his harsh words playing in the background as some sort of soundtrack.
More than Hiro's words, it was the hidden emotions behind them that hurt. He thought the two had a stable relationship, one of respect and trust. For Hiro to think that Tadashi treated him any different because of something as trivial as his age, upset him. In all honesty he saw Hiro as an equal. Aside from some of his medical peers, he was one of the few people who were on his intellectual level, and shared his same quirky sense of humor. In fact if it wasn't for his age, Tadashi wished they could be equals in a different sort of way…but that was getting ahead of himself. How could he even think about that in a time like this?
"Damn it!"
Tadashi raised his fist and slammed it into the shower wall. The pain was instantaneous, but it did well to remove his negative thoughts, at least temporarily.
After toweling himself off and getting dressed he made his way over to the fridge and grabbed a frozen bag of green beans. Walking over to the couch, he plopped down and set the bag on the small coffee table, then placed his injured hand on top.
Looking back, he realized he could have handled that conversation a lot better. Just because they're friends doesn't mean he can tell Hiro what to do. Instead of demanding things of the boy, he should have calmly talked to him and explained his reasoning first. It's not that he didn't respect Hiro's hobby, but he just worried about him too damn much. And after what happened last time, the thought of Hiro being in situations like that again made him sick to his stomach.
In retrospect, he could have voiced his opinion, but still have been a supporting friend and offered to go with him. At least that way he'd be there to help Hiro if he did get in any trouble. Tadashi hadn't had a close friend for a while, so he guessed he was a bit rusty in some areas. And despite Hiro's intelligence, he was still young and might not see the bigger picture as easily as Tadashi was able to. But life experience had conditioned him that way, and through time Hiro would come to see things like that too.
But now was not the time, Tadashi needed to find Hiro and apologize.
Using his other hand he pressed the 'Find Friends' app on his phone and quickly found Hiro's location. As if they were on the same wave length, his phone started to alert him of an incoming call.
"Hiro?"
"Tadashi, can you come get me?"
"Hold on, I'll be right there."
~ ~XxXxX~ ~
They rode back to Tadashi's apartment in silence. Hiro's grip on his waist was lighter than the previous time, but Tadashi figured it was due to the circumstances.
I should have been there! I should have been there!
That was the constant thought screaming through Tadashi's head since the moment he found Hiro in some downtown side street pretty beaten up.
He had said nothing as he gently fastened his extra helmet on Hiro's head and helped him over to his moped.
Now they were pulling into his garage and Tadashi once again made to help Hiro when the teen gave him an outstretched hand.
"It's ok, I got it."
It pained Tadashi but he simply nodded his consent and made his way over to unlock the door. He waited until Hiro crossed the threshold before he closed and secured it behind them.
He then disappeared into the bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit as Hiro made himself comfortable on the couch.
They sat in easy silence as Tadashi tended to Hiro's wounds, and it brought back memories to their first encounter those many weeks ago. A small smile crept upon his face at the thought.
Hiro eyed his expression and seemed to pick up on the older male's thoughts. "It kind of feels like forever ago doesn't it."
Tadashi nodded in response. "Yeah, it kind of does."
Hiro gave a little smile of his own and turned his gaze to concentrate on Tadashi's hand dabbing antiseptic onto a cut.
"I'm sorry _"
"I'm sorry_"
They both blurted at the same time and stared at each other in surprise. Hiro broke the contact and returned his eyes to Tadashi's smooth movements.
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. You were right after all." He sounded tired and defeated and his tone alone broke Tadashi's heart.
"No, it's my fault. I should have supported your interest and gone with you. I should have tried to keep you safe while letting you enjoy something you love."
He continued wrapping a bandage around Hiro's wrist when a small water droplet shattered upon his skin. They were silent tears, but tears none the less, and they slowly streamed down the young boys face and dribbled off of his chin onto Tadashi's now stilled hand.
Silently he began to wipe the tears away, trying to soothe Hiro in the process.
"Hey don't worry about it, it's gonna be ok."
Hiro shook his head and grabbed Tadashi's hands in his own.
"It's not that. It's just no one has ever cared about me as much as you do."
Tadashi knew of Hiro's rough past, but to hear Hiro voice such a thing out loud truly devastated him. Without thinking, he gently cupped the boy's tear-stained cheek and slowly moved his face closer. Just mere inches away, he suddenly stopped. What one earth was he doing?
Hiro's doe like eyes met Tadashi's own shocked expression and the two remained still for a second longer before Hiro noticed his bruised hand.
"Woah what happened to your hand?" The teen took the hand back into his lap and turned it over to examine the swollen skin.
"Nothing, I just um…knocked it against a bookshelf at the library as I was locking up, it's not a big deal."
Hiro's attention never left his hand.
"You're such a bad liar."
Tadashi let out a long sigh. "You can read me like an open book."
Hiro looked at him then, as if he was considering something, but decided against it. Instead he gazed back at the hand he held in his own before placing a light kiss upon it.
Tadashi's small gasp seemed too loud in the quite room, and Hiro gave him a soft smile before releasing his hold.
"Thank you."
Tadashi gaped at the boy in front of him, unable to form any real words and ended up giving him a nod in response. Hiro then quickly looked away, probably surprised by his brazen move, and began to awkwardly rub the back of his neck.
"Um do you mind if I possibly...stayed the night? I don't think my aunt would be too happy if I went home right now."
At the request Tadashi regained his composure. "Of course, you're always welcome here. Although I think it'd be best if you at least call her first and let her know where you are."
Hiro nodded in agreement and got up to make his phone call in the privacy of the bathroom.
As soon as he had closed the door Tadashi roughly dragged his hands over his face and sat there in contemplation.
Of all the times to make a move, really?! And he's still a minor!
"Damn it!"
Well things were certainly escalating quickly, but Tadashi was an adult and he could handle a little attraction. He would never let an incident like that happen again. Hiro trusted him too much and he was not going to let him down, unlike everyone else in the kid's life.
He mentally agreed with himself before getting up and collecting his belongings to bring to the couch. Hiro was in rough shape so Tadashi didn't mid giving him the privilege of having the bed.
By the time Hiro had excited the bathroom Tadashi was already changed. He offered Hiro an old shirt and pair of shorts for him to change into if he'd like and Hiro just looked at him as if he had three heads.
"Are you serious? Do you really think your clothes are going to fit me?"
Tadashi shrugged. "I figured anything might be better than staying in those dirty clothes."
Hiro rolled his eyes and made his way back to the bathroom to change. When he returned he had his shirt and pants in one hand with the other hold onto the edge of his make shift night gown.
Tadashi couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up big guy."
He placed his clothes near the bed and gave Tadashi his old shorts back.
"There is no way in hell these would have ever stayed on."
The med student continued to laugh as he accepted the offending shorts and Hiro gave him a sharp punch in the arm, only causing the student to laugh even more. He was glad to see Hiro back to his usual self.
"You're unbelievable." The teen grumbled as he made his way over to the bed and settled in, completely ignoring the laughter from the other side of the room.
Once Tadashi had calmed down, he made himself comfortable on the couch and casually glanced over to the bed noticing Hiro had already fallen asleep.
The teen had had a tough night, and Tadashi had almost made things worse with his wavering control.
He looked over once more at the lump on the bed before slowly drifting to sleep himself.
He would be strong for Hiro.
A/N: Thank you all for reading and please tell me what you think!
