Blatant plagiarism? Yes. I've wanted to read a polished version of 'Support' by FireHero since I first read it. The plan is to fix grammar, spelling, and tinker a bit with the dialogue. Hopefully give 8man back a little bit of his cynicism and Yukinoshita a bit of rationality.

I reached out to FireHero a couple months ago asking if I could do this. No response, so I'm just gonna send it. Sorry.

"Onii-chan, look!"

I glanced over from my favorite spot on the couch to see my precious imouto standing in the kitchen, holding a familiar broom. Well, what was once a broom. It had snapped near the attachment point of the handle to the brush, rendering it nearly unusable.

I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Go buy another one, please."

…

That's how it all started. On what seemed to be an ordinary Friday night, my life took a drastic turn.

Not that I let myself be easily swayed. I had just managed to find the perfect positioning with my body and its relation to the cushions so that I could ascend to the next realm in terms of comfort. Even if it costs me a hefty sum of Hachi points, I won't give this up!

"Nope, I refuse. Too tired, too comfortable. I'll do it tomorrow."

Komachi shot me a cheeky grin. Oh, no.

"I thought you might say that. As expected of my neet Onii-chan. But I need that broom now. I dropped my hand-mirror and it shattered, so I have to use a broom."

Damn. That's true, actually.

"Just use the broom part that bro-"

"Oh, and Kaa-san was the one who broke it this morning, while we were at school. She told me to tell you to get one.

Tch.

"Tch. Then, at least, why didn't you tell me to grab it earlier? For example, I don't know, when the sun was still out?"

Komachi just stared at me knowingly.

Geh. Last ditch effort, here I come.

"It's way too late. What if something happens to me and you lose your one and only Onii-chan!?"

Her cheeky expression turned into a deadpan.

"Would you still be able to get the broom?"

Ouch. I can feel both my heart and soul shattering into a million pieces. I'll just roll over and die now.

I did roll, just not to my death. I rolled myself to the edge of the couch, using my tired arms to push myself into a sitting position, before forcing my poor legs to once again support my body.

I started my way to towards the front door, checking my pockets for my wallet and phone. They were there.

"Oh, and Onii-chan?"

I threw a glance over my shoulder at her. Has she realized the damage she's done? The cruelty she has shown her Onii-chan? Ah, my lovely imou-

"Make sure to get one of those two-piece ones with a little scooping tray"

And on that note, I'm leaving. Nothing out there can hurt me more than I've already been hurt.

I gave Komachi a lazy shooing motion with my hand to show acknowledgement. She understood and went off to enjoy her free time. Rude.

I snagged my winter coat on the way out. It was a bit cold out, after all.

Closing the front door, I got hit by what felt like a wall of ice. I saw my breath, and suddenly became conscious of my extremities. I stuck my hands in the pockets of my coat.

Silver lining? Well, normally I'm not an optimist... but the nearby convenience store is 30% off MAX coffee last time I checked.

Let's do this.

The streets felt longer in winter. The air felt less welcoming. Nonetheless, I still preferred winter to summer. In winter, you just bundle up in blankets. Nice and comfortable. Summer? What am I supposed to do? Walk around naked?

The door of the convenience store rang as I opened it. A loud beep sounded to notify the cashier. The aforementioned worker looked up from his magazine, acknowledging my presence, before looking back down in disinterest.

I walked over to the domestic section first. That way I could get my MAX at the last moment and have it be as warm as possible when I left.

There was a surprisingly generous variety of brooms, rags, and all other kinds of common cleaning instruments. There were wood brooms, plastic brooms, and metal brooms. I grabbed a metal one with Komachi's requested 'little scooping tray' since we had broken our wood one. Hopefully this one will last so I don't have to trek out again like this.

Next was my beloved MAX. The sale was over. I had to pay full price.

Eh, whatever. While cheaper max is always a welcome commodity, MAX is worth full price any day of the week.

I went to the cashier and paid for my two items. I opted not to get a bag and instead carry one item in each hand. I cracked open my MAX as soon as I left the store, taking a satisfying swig to combat the cold.

Shuffling both items into my left hand and checking my phone with my newly freed right hand, I saw that it was almost midnight. Damn it, Komachi. I'm supposed to be asleep by now.

Returning to my original configuration, I continued my trek back home.

I kept my ears and eyes open and alert, despite my lack of energy. You never know what's going to happen.

…

It seems the Gods wanted to prove my right today. A couple blocks away from the convenience store, I heard an unwelcome sound.

Crying, muffled. Then a small scream, quickly cut off. I heard the desperation clearly.

I picked up my pace, but my open can of MAX held me back when it sloshed out of the can and onto my hand. I dropped it unceremoniously and broke out into a fast jog. Sorry, MAX.

I rounded the corner of the dirty back alley that I heard the sounds coming from. What I saw was worse than I thought it would be.

The aggressor was overweight, short, mid-fifties. Suit, probably a businessman. He had a massive weight advantage on me. I doubt I could beat him in a straight fight.

The victim was the exact opposite. Decently tall, teenage girl. Slim, with long dark hair that blended into the night.

The girl was being pushed up against a rusty metal fence by the man. He was ripping at her clothes with his left hand and holding her to the fence with his right hand, which also covered her mouth.

She had obviously fought, seeing the scratch marks on the man's face and buttons missing from his blazer. He had obviously fought back seeing as her face was red from what I presumed to be slaps and she was only standing on one leg.

Before I could even consider the best course of action, I was moving. A dead sprint. I was never athletic, but in this moment, I felt like I could very well be the fastest man alive.

I closed the distance between us in an instant. I heard the man snarl and open his mouth to talk. Anger rose from deep within me, helping me along.

I placed my left hand under my right hand on the broom handle. Right at the end, maximizing leverage. Using my momentum to my advantage, I turned my left side towards them and channeled every bit of energy I had into a wide, overhead swing.

Which landed right on top of his head, slamming into his balding skull like a judge's gavel.

The broom wasn't weak at all. It was made of surprisingly thick metal, I found out later.

Even so, I bent it over him like a rolled-up newspaper.

…

His eyes had rolled up into the back of his head and he was out before his body even hit the dirty pavement.

Now, I'm no hero. If anything, I don't want the attention and expectations that come with being one. What I am is a decent human being. You don't have to a hero to do what I did. Just someone with a functioning consciousness.

I had just changed another's life for the better. That was for certain. That I could stand behind.

In my adrenaline filled state, I briefly considered continuing my assault. I looked at the broom in my hands, it was bent in a perfect 90-degree angle. Not bad, Hachiman.

I let the broom drop and took a couple deep breaths to calm myself down. With how hard I hit him, anything more would probably kill him. Then I'd have to go and deal with that entire legal issue, especially since it might not be considered self-defense once he's unconscious.

Instead, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and promptly called the police. After a brief description of the events that transpired and description of my location, I hung up.

The fence clinked as it shifted from outside forces. I looked over, suddenly remembering the victim.

It seems she had sunk to the floor, leaning back against the chain-links for support.

What I saw made me miss my pocket when I tried to return my phone to it.

An undeniably beautiful face. Even with the injuries that it had. Her lip was bleeding and her face a bright red from the slaps. Her hair was an absolute mess, some of it sticking to her face from the sweat while the rest looked like she had been hit by lightning.

She was hugging herself in an attempt to hide her now partially exposed skin. Her uniform no longer doing its job. Her Soubu uniform.

I looked into familiar blue eyes that held an emotion I had never seen before.

In front of me was Yukinoshita Yukino. My club president. The 'Ice Queen' of Soubu High.

Her eyes were hollow. Lifeless. If I couldn't see her breath due to the cold, I would have told you she was dead.

She was still as a statue. I couldn't even notice her chest moving up and down.

The girl in front of me looked completely broken. Barely a shadow of the strong, witty Yukinoshita that playfully insulted me five days a week. The discrepancy between the two hit me like a slap to the face.

…

"Yukinoshita...?"

"..."

She didn't say anything. She didn't even look up at me.

I slowly took off my coat, careful not to do anything too suddenly. I wasn't sure exactly what to do in a situation like this. Especially since I didn't exactly know what our relationship could be described as. Friends? Probably not. Acquaintances maybe. Debate partners?

I inched closer to her and closed the gap between us. Kneeling on my right knee, I tried to put my coat on her.

As soon as my hands got within a foot of her, her eyes snapped up to my face and she let out a helpless shriek. Her eyes suddenly a storm of hurt, fear, and uncertainty as she pushed me away from her.

Or at least, she tried to. She could barely manage enough force to topple a cereal box.

I snatched my hands back along with my coat, scooting away from her.

I gave her a moment to calm down. She eyed me warily, hugging herself tighter.

"Yukinoshita...?" I asked once again.

"..."

"It... it's me. Hikigaya. Hikigaya Hachiman."

"..."

"It's cold out, isn't it? Here, wear this. I'm too warm to need it right now." Which was true. The physical exertion had raised my body temperature a considerable amount.

I held out my coat, draped over my right arm, to her.

"H-Hi-Hikki?"

Close enough.

"Yup, I'm Hikki. The one and only. You know me, right?"

She nodded.

"I'm not going to hurt you, okay? Let's just go step by step, at your pace."

Another nod.

"Here, take the coat. I promise that it's nice and warm."

I pushed my arm out another couple of inches towards her. She reached out hesitantly, sliding the coat off my arm gently and slowly working it around herself. It was a bit big for her, as expected.

Seeing her like this, I don't even want to think about how she would be affected if I hadn't come by when I did. It's a good thing that I came when I di-

She latched onto my pinky finger. I had unconsciously left my hand extended once she took my coat. Once she had gotten that protective layer onto herself, she had reached out and grabbed my pinky with hers.

I could feel the heat rapidly rising to my face but stayed completely still. If I pulled back now, it'd probably destroy her mentally.

She ventured a little further, intertwining her pinky with mine to create a better connection. Then she slid her hand towards mine and grabbed it like a lifeline. She inched a bit closer to me by pulling with herself closer, while she used her free hand to hold together the unzipped opening of the coat currently on her.

She looked into my eyes pleadingly, shoulders slumped.

"H-Hachi?"

If you listen really carefully, you can hear my heart burst. Go on, I doubt you'll ever get the chance to again. 'Gap Moe' is indeed a formidable foe.

Well, this is a bit better than 'Hikki'.

"Yes..." What to call her? Hmm... just to be safe, I'll match her. "Y-Yukino?"

She gripped my hand a bit harder and shot me a small smile. Correct choice, I guess. Suddenly I was very conscious of our proximity. However, her safety is worlds more important than my comfort right now.

Focus, Hachiman. Focus.

"I'm scared, Hachi" she whimpered out.

I scooted a bit closer to her.

"I know. I do. But don't worry, I've got you now. I won't let anything happen to you."

She hesitated for a moment, glancing down at her feet.

"M-my body, I..."

"I know." I said firmly "But it's okay now. It really is. I'm here for you."

Cheesy, yes. But I don't think my normal, cynical, responses would do any good here.

She stayed silent, choosing instead to draw closer until her right and my left shoulders were touching. She shuddered when they did, then leaned into me fully.

While we waited for the police, I called Haruno. All the while connected with Yukinoshita at the hands. Haruno's initially chipper, joking attitude disappeared the second I started speaking. I kept my tone low and even, as to not concern Yukinoshita. I told her everything I could, with her staying dead silent the entire time.

Upon completion of my story, she used a voice I've never heard before.

I thought I had heard her serious voice before. I hadn't.

"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun, for saving Yukino-chan. Please, could you take her home? To her apartment, that is. I've got some calls I have to make to take care of this. Sorry to put this on you, but I'm nowhere near Chiba right now. Earliest I can be there is tomorrow."

"Wait just a second. The police haven't even arrived yet. There still had to be a whole witness' and victim's account and all that."

"Oh, that? Don't worry about it. I've got that covered. Calls, remember? Just take her home."

"Y-yeah, sure. No problem I guess."

I heard the phone go silent. I was so surprised by Haruno's attitude that I just agreed automatically. Scary stuff, man. Scary stuff.

Well, either way I wanted to stay with Yukinoshita. I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly tonight if I left her right now.

I felt a tug on my sleeve. Yukinoshita had zipped up her, well my, coat and used her newly freed hand to get my attention while her other was still intertwined with mine.

Tugging on my sleeve, in an over-sized coat, Yukinoshita looked like a lost child.

"Ah, that was just Haruno." I answered the unasked question.

She continued to stare.

"I'll be taking you back to your apartment."

She cocked her head to the side slightly.

"Why?"

"Hmm, well we need to get you off these stree-"

"No... why? Why are you helping me, Hachi? Why are you here? I-I just... I don't understa-"

She was starting to look panicked again. Oh, no.

"A-ah, well I just happened to be passing by. And we're... friends, right? So, of course I'd help!"

Well, actually she rejected my friendship proposal. Twice.

She quieted down, returning to her stare once again.

"Come on, let's get going then. It's way too chilly out here for my liking."

I stood up slowly, our hands still connected. Halfway up, I noticed she wasn't getting up with me.

"What's wrong?"

"H-he broke my leg when he c-caught me" Yukinoshita replied with a wavering voice. She was rubbing her left leg tentatively.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.

I crouched down as close to the ground as my inflexible ankles would allow, putting the hand not currently being held by Yukinoshita out behind me to indicate what I was doing.

Yukinoshita understood, as she released my hand and instead grabbed both my shoulders with her hands, and pushing herself onto my back using her good, right leg.

Once she had 'boarded', I stood up carefully and started my slow walk to her apartment. I knew which building was hers, and thankfully it wasn't too far from here.

Soon enough, Yukinoshita wrapped her arms around my neck and settled against my back.

"Hachi, you're warm." she said as she rubbed her face into my back like a cat.

Ah, well, good. Now anything within a five-mile radius with ears could hear my heartbeat.

Get yourself together man! Now is not the time to suddenly be aware of how shapely Yukinoshita's thighs are!

I'm not a pervert... I'm not a pervert... I'm not a pervert...

We got to the apartment ten minutes later. By this time, the police surely would have arrived at the crime scene. I'll let Haruno deal with all that.

I waited for Yukinoshita to fish the keys out of her pocket. It's a good thing she kept them in a zipped one so that it was hard to lose them. It's also a good thing that she only keeps her keychain simple so that I don't have to fumble around. All she had was an ID and a singular key attached to her wallet.

I swiped the ID at the scanner by the door, which granted us access to the high-rise building. Yukinoshita told me her apartment number and we took the elevator to the top floor. I got her door open and brought her to the couch in her living room. I tried to leave her there so I could look around for some medical supplies, but she refused to let go of my hand. After a bit of quiet talking, we compromised that I would stay within her sight at all times and she let me go. I went and rummaged around her kitchen, as she eyed me with laser precision tracking.

Like a cat. Sticking her head just high enough above the couch's backing for her to see me. Unwavering. Unblinking.

Luckily, she had a pretty comprehensive medical kit in one of her cabinets. Band-aids, Neosporin, wraps, tapes, isopropyl alcohol, the whole nine yards.

I'm no doctor, but Komachi sprained her ankle when she was younger, so I knew what it was like and how to treat it. She was able to move her foot around, albeit with pain, meaning she probably just bruised the bone and sprained her ankle. I just bandaged her ankle in place for now, as well as wiped away the blood from her lip and patched up her other small injuries best I could.

Afterwards, I let myself sink into her couch a bit. The adrenaline had worn off, and the exhaustion was setting in. If Yukinoshita were her normal self, I'm sure she's have made a comment about my bandage wrapping methods by now. But she didn't.

…

Yukinoshita was sitting there, very still. And very close to me. I couldn't really relax.

What's a good ice-breaker? Hmm...

"Ah, would you like some tea?"

Nice one. Offer her tea in her own home.

But she didn't make any sort of a snide remark. Instead, she just nodded.

I got up, this time without resistance. She watched me silently as I fumbled around her kitchen, searching for tea and figuring out how to work her fancy hot water machine.

I brewed two cups of black tea and served them in two Pan-san cups, which she of course had. When I brought them back, Yukinoshita preoccupied herself with her tea, allowing me to rest once her attention wasn't on me. My cat's tongue getting the better of me, I blew on my tea as I took a moment to recall the events of the night.

So, these things really happen in real-life, huh? Well, of course I knew they did but it's shockingly to have it happen so close to you. To someone you know. It's eye-opening, in a way.

Oh, wait. I should call Komachi... Actually, why hasn't she called me yet? I've been gone for an hour at this point!?

I slipped my phone out of my pocket, catching Yukinoshita's attention. She watched me attentively as she sipped her tea.

"Hey hey, Onii-chan!" Komachi said as soon as she picked up.

"Yeah, hi."

"So, where are you? What store did you go to that took you so long?" she asked cheerfully.

"Some... stuff came up. I'm spending the night at Yukinoshita's. Nothing like what you're thinking, I'll message you later with a full explanation."

Komachi was silent for a moment.

"Did something bad happen? You're awfully serious Onii-chan."

"Yeah. I lost, well broke, the new broom as well. Sorry, Komachi. I'll get you another one tomorrow..."

I wanted to say 'when this is all over' but I feel that wouldn't be a smart idea right in front of Yukinoshita.

"Okay, Onii-chan" Komachi responded "But you're totally cleaning up tomorrow, not me."

I could feel my face curve into a wry smile.

"Yeah, yeah. You got it."

"Okay! Bye bye, Onii-chan!"

"See ya." I responded lazily.

"Oh, and Onii-chan."

"Hmm?" I said while sipping my now acceptably cool drink.

"Make sure to use protection."

I spit my drink out. Oh, not because it's bad or anything, Yukinoshita. Stop giving me that look, it actually tasted great for the 3 milliseconds it was in my mouth.

I heard Komachi start to cackle up before the phone went silent. Yukinoshita looked uncomfortable, her mouth opening and closing slightly as she debated what to say.

Oh, looks like she's a bit better now. She's trying to talk to me instead of staring at me like I'm the fourth coming of Jesus Christ himself.

"Oh, it's just Komachi being Komachi." I waved off her concern lazily.

She nodded and turned back to finish her tea.

The movement caught my eye. There was nothing unique about the movement itself, but the state of her clothing caused me to face away. They really weren't doing much.

She had unzipped her coat, as sitting down in an over-sized coat was nearly impossible when zipped up.

Her torn up clothing left little to the imagination.

Yup. She could not stay in this state.

Well, it worked out well. She needed to get clean anyway. Her bandages were starting to bleed through just a bit.

"Yukinoshita?"

She looked over at me. I had to force my eyes from dropping lower than her face.

"Would you like to take a bath?"

"..."

"Yukino..."

"Huh?"

"Call me Yukino like before."

"Ah, well I reall-"

"Please, Hachi."

I stopped and looked at her. Her eyes were pleading again.

"Okay then Y-Yukino. Would you like to take a bath?"

Damn, I'm weak.

She refused to lose sight of me. I refused to watch her shower. Well, maybe one day but not when she's vulnerable like this...

Focus, Hachiman. Focus.

The compromise? She'll shower normally. Except for me helping her into the bathroom due to her ankle.

Afterwards? I'll stay stuck to her like glue.

I brought her a random set of pajamas and a towel from her room. I tried to just clear my mind and bring her underwear alongside the pajamas... but I couldn't. I'm still a guy, after all. My morality won't let me go rummaging through that specific drawer.

I carried her into the bathroom. Once she was in there, she could get herself into the shower herself. She could stand and support herself with her arms and good leg. While she showered, I washed the two used cups and put them back in the cupboard. Then I just let myself rest on her couch for a bit.

…

The bathroom door creaked open just a bit. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it.

"Hachi, I'm done." I heard Yukinosh- I mean Yukino say from the shower.

"Alright." I called back, dragging myself off the incredibly comfortable couch. I mean, damn. Money rules.

She had gotten out of the shower by herself and dressed, thankfully. She just needed me to carry her from the bathroom to the bed. For shorter trips, I just carried her bridal style as it was easier to pick her up and put her down.

I took Yukinoshita to her room and placed her on the bed. Just as I had turned around and was about to leave, her hand grabbed mine and pulled me back.

"Hachi."

"Yeah?"

"Don't leave me alone."

I signed internally. Who can deny a request like that?

Yukinoshita Yukino was a drop-dead beauty. As gorgeous as a human being could be. The only problem? She's vulnerable right now. I just happened to be the one there to save her. By chance. She wanted me there because of chance, but the end result still ended up with me and her in the same bed...

"Please."

"Alright."

Shit. I've gotta work on my mental fortitude.

Sleeping next to a girl is the dream of every high school student. The grand goal of youth itself.

But I didn't feel anything. I was simply here to help her. Not to take advantage of her.

I distanced myself as much as I could so that Yukino wouldn't feel uncomfortable. With the size of her bed, I was quite far away. I was turned the other way, to further distance myself. I heard shuffling from behind me and felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. Yukino pulled herself parallel to my body, hugging me tightly.

I felt her head rub into my back, leaving a wet spot.

"I-I was so scared, Hachi."

"..."

"Right before you reached me, I had lost all hope. I felt completely helpless. Anytime I tried to resist he hit me. Again and again, until I just couldn-"

I spun around and hugged her back, drawing our chests together. In response, she simply hugged harder and sobbed into my shoulder.

After a moment of stroking her head as I do with Komachi, I spoke.

"You may feel like that now. Helpless, that is."

Sorry, I'm not the greatest with comforting words.

"But don't forget that you aren't alone. Haruno dropped everything at a moment's notice to help. She's taking care of the entire legal mess for you. Yuigahama and Komachi would be here in an instant if you asked! And your par-"

She pulled back to look into my eyes.

"What about you?" she asked quietly.

"Huh?"

"Would you? Come to me in the middle of the night if I asked?"

I looked back at her in surprise. Then I gathered my thoughts.

"Yes. I would. Without a second thought."

I gave her a smile. A genuine smile.

"You can rely on us. You can rely on me."

She cried out in relief. Once again burying her head into my shoulder.

I said nothing and just kept stroking her hair. Eventually, she fell asleep in my arms. In her sleep, it was like all her worries were gone. Her sleeping face was happy, it was innocent.

I drifted off with her in my arms,watching her sleeping face. Without a worry in the world.

God, this took way longer than I thought it would.

Sorry for (re)defiling Yukinoshita.