Daisuke sighed as he reached his front door. It was unlocked, so he gently pushed it open. He peered inside and found everything completely dark. He turned on the light in the front room in case his father had decided to pass out on the floor. He looked around and, finding the front area empty, decided to creep to his father's door to see if he could hear anything.
He never made it that far. As he passed his room he noticed his own door slightly open. He stood there for a moment, until realization hit him. Not wanting to assume the worst, he scanned his memory to see if he could have possibly forgotten to close his door. He quickly discarded that thought. He always locked his door with his key, and always followed the same routine when leaving the house for exactly the reason that he wouldn't leave his room open.
He wondered if perhaps he had left his key at home until he actually looked at the door. One of the hinges was broken and his doorknob was busted. Someone had forced their way into his room, and he knew exactly who it was. Bracing himself, he pushed open the door. What he saw completely shocked him. His entire room was a mess. All his clothes were out of his drawers, his closet had been emptied, the hamper was turned upside down, his sheets were completely undone, and his mattress was hanging off the bed frame. He scanned his walls and noticed things had been tossed from the shelves to the floor.
Before his shock could even be turned to anger, he heard the front door slam shut. He turned to the sound of approaching footsteps. His father stopped at his doorway and glared at him. "Where are you hiding it?"
Daisuke could only stare at the man.
His father reached forward and grabbed the front of Daisuke's shirt. He pulled him close so that their faces were only inches apart. "Where the hell is the money?" he yelled.
Daisuke swallowed hard. "What do you mean?" he croaked.
The older man swung around and slammed Daisuke into the wall. "Don't act stupid! I know you work! Where's all the money from that?" Daisuke just continued to stare at him, in total disbelief that he had once called this man "dad". "Answer me when I ask you a question! Where's the fuckin money? You're the reason I got fired, the least you can do is fuckin pay me for my all the trouble you've caused!"
When Daisuke still didn't answer his father dropped him. "You are worthless! You're a worthless piece of shit just like your whore of a sister and that bitch, your mother!"
The comment shook Daisuke out of his trance and he glared at his father. Soon a hand struck against his face. "How dare you look at me like that? I'll teach you to respect your father!"
A second hand came toward his face, but Daisuke blocked it with his own hand. This only further enraged the older man. He soon began yelling incoherently and Daisuke chose to seize this opportunity and start inching away. He began to scoot along the wall toward the front door. His father advanced on him, still screaming. Daisuke could make out only a few words like "money", "fired", and some few choice words that he wasn't even sure Webster dared print.
Daisuke saw the door out of the corner of his eye. He prepared himself while keeping an eye on his father. When it was obvious that he was completely caught up in his yelling, Daisuke jumped up and bolted out the door. He ran down the hall and bypassed the elevator. He could hear his father bellowing behind him and he only increased his speed as he reached the stairs, skipping steps and raced down. He ran and ran, ignoring the strange looks and indignant cries as he pushed past people. His mind was no longer thinking. All he knew was that he had to get away.
Ken sat in shock as Hikari finished her story of the previous night. He had known Daisuke would confide in Hikari eventually, just not so completely or so soon. Of course, given the circumstances, Daisuke couldn't really hide a whole lot from Hikari much longer. Still, the Daisuke he knew would normally have come up with some cover-up story. He supposed Hikari had that affect on people. He shook himself out of his thoughts and looked at Hikari.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Hikari's reasoning for telling Ken the story was that he was Daisuke's best friend and should therefore know when important things like this occurred. But Ken was no fool. Hikari had received quite a shock last night. She very well couldn't talk to Daisuke about it, and no one else was supposed to know what was going on.
Hikari took a deep breath, perhaps to calm herself. "I think so," she said slowly. "I mean, I'm worried about him of course."
"When you saw his father?" Ken interrupted.
She didn't respond immediately. "I'm okay now," she said firmly, as if trying to convince herself. "He…was just…scary, I guess. I really thought he was gonna hit me. It was like I had no idea what he was capable of. And he smelled so bad. I…I couldn't…." she trailed off and hid her face. Ken didn't press it and the room was silent. Finally Hikari looked up with unshed tears in her eyes. "Why doesn't he just leave, Ken?" she begged.
Ken sighed. "I wish I could convince him, believe me I've tried. He doesn't want to be a burden on anyone."
"How would he be a burden?" she asked.
Ken shrugged. "This is Daisuke. The idea of taking up space, eating other people's food, it just doesn't sit right with him. He hates the idea of someone going out of there way to do something for him. Birthdays and holidays are impossible!"
Hikari smiled. Suddenly her eyes went wide as if she just realized something. "You know what?" she asked excitedly. "I just remembered something Taichi told me. Yamato's dad is taking a position in Nagoya. He has to move!"
"That's…too bad," said Ken cautiously, not quite sure why Hikari was excited about this news.
Hikari looked at him strangely before laughing. "His dad's moving! Yamato's staying here."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Yamato doesn't want to leave Odaiba, especially with his band finally getting some major recognition. He's keeping the apartment, but he's looking for a roommate to help pay the rent. Taichi and Mom got into an argument when she told him he can't move in with Yamato."
"What about his dad?"
Hikari shook her head. "He basically said Yamato could stay, but he's on his own." Ken silently appreciated his parents and their generosity. Then the real point of the news finally hit him. "Daisuke can move in with Yamato!"
"Exactly," said Hikari grinning.
Ken quickly thought through all of Daisuke's possible objections. "H can't complain that he'll be a burden because Yamato needs him."
"And he'll e paying half the rent," Hikari added, "which he can afford." Hikari's smile fell. "I just thought of something: school."
Ken considered this for a moment. "Daisuke can stay there for the summer. I know not everyone who goes to school here lives here. During the school year a student from out of town can stay with Yamato. They can switch for vacations."
Hikari's face lit up again. "That's why you're the smart one," she declared.
Ken laughed. Suddenly things were starting to look a lot better.
"Now all we have to do is convince Yamato," said Hikari. "You have to admit, switching roommates is a bit of an inconvenience."
"Something tells me that won't be a problem," said Ken. From what Daisuke had told him about his cooking lessons, it was obvious Yamato had taken a liking for the younger boy and had taken him under his wings, whether the blonde admitted it or not.
The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Ken shrugged at Hikari's questioning glance. He got up and opened the door to reveal a very breathless and bruised Daisuke. Ken took one look at his best friend's condition and quickly pulled him inside. Ken hadn't even closed the door when Daisuke collapsed against his shoulder and began to sob.
Ken looked over at Hikari who was staring in shock and concern. He sighed and closed the door. He made his way over to the couch, keeping a tight hold on his friend. They sat down and Ken held onto Daisuke until his sobs eased. Daisuke's shoulders finally stopped shaking, but he kept his face hidden in Ken's shoulder. This worried Ken more than anything else. Very rarely did Daisuke have a breakdown in front of him, and when he did he usually dried up very quickly and tried to act as if it didn't happen. The Daisuke now before him seemed tired and defeated.
"What happened?"
Daisuke shook his head.
"Do you want some water?"
There was a pause before Daisuke nodded slowly. Ken pried his friend off his shoulder and Daisuke turned and buried his face in the couch. Sighing again, Ken got up to get some water and a box of tissues.
When he walked back into the room, Daisuke still faced the couch. Hikari hadn't moved from the chair and she sat quietly watching Daisuke. Her lips were shut in a thin line and her eyes were full of extreme worry. If Daisuke's current actions were a little odd to Ken, they must have been frightening for Hikari.
Ken gave her a small smile before dropping back on the couch next to Daisuke. He touched his back lightly, and Daisuke slowly turned to face Ken. Ken made sure he was positioned in a way that Daisuke could see Hikari, but could chose to ignore her if he wanted.
Daisuke gingerly took the cup from Ken and sat up to take a sip. He glanced at Hikari before looking back at Ken. He glanced at Hikari again before staring at the floor. "I can't take this anymore," he whispered.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ken asked quietly.
Daisuke's face was red with anger. "The bastard tore up my room looking for money. He fuckin broke into my room and tore it apart. Then he fuckin attacked me for not having money in my room." His hand was clenched tightly around his cup. Suddenly he flung the half empty glass across the room and put his face in his hands. The glass hit the wall and shattered. Ken cringed and looked at Hikari, who was now trying to hold in tears.
"Do you need to stay here for the night?"
Daisuke nodded. "I can't go back there Ken," he said quietly. "I can't."
"I know," he replied. "You can stay here as long as you like."
He looked up again, this time focusing on Hikari. They stayed locked in a staring match before Hikari smiled faintly. Daisuke smiled grimly in return and Hikari got up and walked over. She kneeled down in front of Daisuke and took his face in her hands. "It'll be okay," she said. Daisuke made a disgusted noise and moved to turn away, but Hikari kept a firm hold. She forced him to look at her. "It'll be okay," she repeated, staring into his eyes. "Trust me."
Ken stood up abruptly. Neither of his friends paid any attention. He turned around and walked away from them and toward his room. Perhaps it was time he let someone else do the comforting for once, and Hikari was the best someone else for the job. Besides, he had a phone call to make.
A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update this one. I'm not stopping this story but it will probably take me longer to update from now until December since I'm studying abroad. That's right, I'm in Tokyo! Unfortunately I left my muse at home (not enough room in my luggage) so until he can find a fish to ride on, I'm left on my own. I'll try not to take too long, but there's so much to do here that I can't promise anything.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You make me happy. Now all you have to do is click that review button again…
