Fred was frozen. Tadashi, the supposedly fictional guy that he'd been crushing on for the majority of his life, seemed to have just been about to confess to having mutual feelings for him (how was that even possible?!) and Mr. Lee had just interrupted it. How was he supposed to focus on something like going to another world when the world that he was currently living in had just been turned on its head?
"I… Seem to have interrupted something," Mr. Lee says, glancing back and forth between the speechless Fred and a rather ticked off looking Tadashi.
"You could say that," Tadashi answers, his tone even but the annoyance that he was feeling showing in his eyes all the same.
"In that case, I'll leave you two alone," Mr. Lee tells them, having the grace to at least look apologetic for intruding. "I will just go pull the car around, and you two can join me whenever you're ready." He backs out of the room, carefully closing the door behind him.
"Y-You have feelings for me?" Fred cries as soon as he was sure that he and Tadashi had their privacy again.
"I was trying to explain that before we were interrupted, but yes," Tadashi answers, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Is that so strange to you?"
"H-How could you like me? You don't even know me!" Fred cries. "We literally just met!"
"So you don't want me to like you?" Tadashi asks, his voice betraying a tone of hurt and confusion.
"No! I mean yes? I mean- I have had a crush on you since I was eight, of course I want you to like me! But I don't see how it's possible for you to like me when you barely know me outside of a few meetings at conventions when we didn't even talk!" Fred replies, trying to wrap his head around all of this.
"I see." A wry smile crosses Tadashi's face. "Well, for one thing, I was able to pick up a lot about you from watching you interact with Mr. Lee at those conventions-much more than you probably realized. And for another thing-going by your logic, how can you say that you've had a crush on me when you haven't met me before?"
"Because I've been reading stories about you for years -that are apparently all true, as it turns out-so I know a lot about you from them. I-I'd say that's a pretty solid basis for a crush, right?" Fred answers.
"Then would you say that if I've been reading about you for quite some time as well that would be a solid basis for me having a crush on you?" Tadashi returns evenly.
"How could you have read about me?" Fred asks in disbelief. "I'm not in any books or comics!"
"That's true," Tadashi agrees. "But I was reading something a lot closer to the source than books or comics."
"Meaning?" Fred queries, still completely lost.
"Your blog." A triumphant look crosses Tadashi's face. "And given how thoroughly you chronicle your day-to-day life and all your thoughts and feelings, don't you think that's a good way to get to know you?"
'Y-You've been reading my blog?" Fred repeats, part in disbelief, part in relief as understanding starts to dawn on him.
"I have," Tadashi agrees with a warm smile. "You express yourself beautifully in a written format, you know."
"I can't believe you've been reading my blog," Fred whispers. "H-How did you even access it? Do you guys share an internet system with us? But no, that can't be right, or else you guys would realize that all of us over here think that you're all just comic book characters!"
"Mr. Lee allows me to use the internet in his house in this world from time to time if I want to look up something from over here," Tadashi explains with a chuckle. "And when I heard you mention your blog at a convention one time, I decided to look it up for myself. I've really enjoyed it-your journal and stories are always so imaginative and well written. I actually made myself an account so that I could comment on your posts, although I'm not sure that you'd remember me, even though we have actually DM-ed a lot…"
"Considering how few people comment on my posts, I can almost guarantee that I would!" Fred answers, his mind racing through the few accounts that regularly commented on his posts, trying to figure out which one of them could have been Tadashi. "W-What's your username?"
"I thought I was being pretty obvious, but I guess not," Tadashi says wryly. "Tadashi_Hamada66 ring any bells?"
"Y-Yes!" Fred cries, eyes going wide. "Oh my gosh, I thought you were just a roleplay blog!"
"No, that was definitely me," Tadashi laughs.
"Which means- Oh shit." Fred's feels his cheeks starting to burn. "Those roleplays we did of my character Fredzilla and Tadashi-I mean, you… Y-You read everything that I.. That we..."
Oh God, he had never felt so embarrassed in his life… But how was he supposed to have known that the nice guy he'd been roleplaying with-and admittedly been developing something of a crush on, especially after some of their less than safe for work roleplays-was the real Tadashi?!
"I quite enjoyed those," Tadashi answers, grinning as he gently squeezes Fred's hand. "And now I know exactly what you're into, which makes things that much easier for me if you're at all interested in actually dating…"
"I- You actually want to date me? After everything that you know about me?" Fred asks, barely able to meet his eyes.
"The more I learn about you, the more sure that I am that I want to date you if you're at all interested in me," Tadashi answers with a warm smile, gently tilting Fred's chin up so that they were looking at each other, and there was nothing in Tadashi's expression that hinted at anything except pure and utter sincerity.
"I- Yes. Of course yes!" Fred answers, laughing with something between shock and joy and, without even thinking about it wrapping his arms around Tadashi in a tight hug. It took him a moment to realize what he'd done, and when he had he half expected Tadashi to push him away like almost every other person in his life had.
But to his utter amazement, instead of pulling away or telling him to let go, Tadashi pulls him closer, gently pressing his head to his chest and whispering in his ear, "You've been through so much. More than most people in your shoes could have ever handled. But I'm going to take you home now, and I'm going to make sure that no one ever hurts you again like those awful foster families did, okay?"
"O-Okay," Fred agrees, nodding and allowing himself to soak in the sensation of finally being held after all of this time. Tadashi was so warm, and he smelled so good, it was like sinking into a hot bath after being out in the bitter cold for so long he couldn't even remember what being warm was like. His childhood dream was finally coming true-Tadashi had come to rescue him. But it wasn't a dream this time. It was true-amazingly, incredibly true.
"So, do you think you're ready to go see San Fransokyo?" Tadashi asks when he finally lets Fred go.
"Y-Yeah," Fred agrees, beaming up at him as Tadashi takes his hand in his own again. "More than ready."
The two end up walking out together hand in hand-Tadashi seemed extremely fond of holding Fred's hand, and Fred wasn't about to discourage it. They passed a very stunned looking Hannah and Andy on the way out, and Fred wasn't really sure how to explain any of this to them yet so he just sort of gives them an awkward smile and a half-wave before following Tadashi out of the shop, promising himself that he'd explain everything (or everything that he could without sounding insane) to them later.
Tadashi, gentleman that he was, opens the car door for Fred when they reach Mr. Lee's car outside, and, blushing slightly but feeling like he had his very own Prince Charming, Fred gets in. He didn't at all mind when Tadashi slides in next to him, again capturing his hand in his own as soon as they were both buckled in.
If Mr. Lee noticed any of this (and it was doubtful he would have been able to miss it), he doesn't mention it, just asking, "Everyone buckled up back there?"
"Yep, we're good to go," Tadashi confirms.
"All right then," Mr. Lee says, nodding to confirm that he'd heard him before pulling out into the street.
"Um, Mr. Lee, sir?" Fred tentatively pipes up as they start driving.
"Yes?" Mr. Lee answers, glancing back at him in the rearview mirror.
"Is your house far from here?" Fred asks. "I-I'm just asking because I'm trying to think about the commute to work…"
"Well, if you're going to be living in San Fransokyo with me and going to school there, it might not be the best idea to keep working here in this world," Mr. Lee answers gently.
"Oh, right!" Fred agrees, realizing that he had a point. "I guess I'll have to start looking for a job there. And I'll have to unregister for classes at college and figure out how to get out of my lease at my apartment…"
"Leave the classes and the lease to me," Mr. Lee tells him. "And as for a job, you don't think I expect you to have to provide for yourself while you're living with me, do you?"
"...Yes?" Fred answers uncertainly. "I-I guess I'm so used to having to look out for myself I didn't think there was another option…"
"Well there is, and while you are under my roof you won't have to work a job unless you really want to," Mr. Lee tells him with a warm smile. "And, just something to think about, in San Fransokyo, as the author, you're able to write yourself anything that you could want or need so working isn't necessarily something that you have to do at all."
"I'd feel really lazy if I wasn't doing anything at all…" Fred admits.
"Well, you won't be doing 'nothing'," Tadashi points out. "I mean, being a student is a full time job in and of itself. And since you're going to be a superhero as well, that's like having two jobs."
"And on top of that you'll be apprenticing with me learning how to write the comics, with the intent that eventually you'll take over the series completely," Mr. Lee adds. "So you definitely won't be idle. Think of it as an internship, if you will."
"And any free time that you do have can be a much deserved break," Tadashi finishes. "After everything I've read about your life that you've posted on your blog and that you've told me in our DM's, you need an R&R intervention before you have a breakdown."
"I guess that does make me feel better about things," Fred says, smiling at their affirmations. "I mean, I'll still want to give my work two weeks' notice-after everything that they've done for me, they deserve that much…"
"Of course." Mr. Lee flashes him a warm smile. "And it will take us about that long to get everything else finished out for you over here and to get you moved in as well, so two weeks shouldn't be a problem at all."
"I wish it could be sooner, but I can be patient," Tadashi playfully whispers in Fred's ear, and Fred has to bury his face in Tadashi's arm to hide his blush. In response, Tadashi wraps an arm around Fred's shoulders to pull him closer, and they end up staying like that for the remainder of the drive.
"Here we are!" Mr. Lee announces when they eventually pull to a stop.
Fred finally pulls his way away from Tadashi to take in his new surroundings. The house that they were parked in the driveway of looked much like it did in the pictures that Fred had seen of it-dove grey and simple but elegant. Not overly large, but then again Mr. Lee didn't exactly have the need for a large house.
The inside was much like the outside-impeccably decorated but minimalistic and spotlessly clean. It was almost a little too perfect-Fred couldn't quite believe that anyone actually lived here.
As if sensing his thoughts, Mr. Lee says, "I don't spend much time in this house. I mostly just keep it for appearances when anyone wants to meet with me to discuss business or for interviews. I think you'll like my home in San Fransokyo a lot better than this house."
"I'll take your word for it," Fred answers, feeling relieved-he would have been terrified to live in this house if this was how it always was, he was sure he would stain or break or otherwise horribly damage it without even trying.
"Right this way," Mr. Lee says, waving for Fred and Tadashi to follow him. They go up a stairway (Fred couldn't help but notice that it was devoid of the usual family pictures that he'd seen in most houses) and at the top and a little ways down the hallway Mr. Lee opens a door that leads into a bedroom. Like the rest of the house, it was tasteful and clean (it almost looked like something out of a magazine) but it was extremely boring for the room of the coolest comic book writer ever.
"Don't worry, I think my actual bedroom will be much more to your liking," Mr. Lee chuckles, seeing the expression on Fred's face.
"Okay," Fred agrees, deciding to trust him.
"Right this way," Mr. Lee says, walking over to what Fred had taken to be a closet door and opening it to reveal another room on the other side.
"Wait… That's it?" Fred stares at the doorway in disbelief. "The portal to whole other world... Is a door?"
"I assume you were thinking of a Stargate or a Tardis?" Mr. Lee smiles at him.
"Well… Yeah," Fred admits.
"I understand your disappointment," Mr. Lee laughs. "But I think you'll find after a time that it is a lot quicker and more convenient to be able to just walk through a door instead of having to go through a whole process if you forgot something in one world or the other."
"That is fair," Fred agress after thinking it over for a minute.
"Well, come on through." Mr. Lee steps through the door and waves for Fred to join him.
Fred takes a step forward and then pauses, staring at the doorway and suddenly unable to move forward.
"What is it?" Tadashi comes up behind him and gently puts a hand on his shoulder. "Is everything okay?"
"It's just… I've been dreaming of something like this for almost as long as I can remember," Fred admits. "When I go through that door… It's not just a dream anymore. I mean… What if it's not as amazing as I always thought it would be?"
"That's possible," Tadashi says reasonably. "But on the other hand… What if it's better?"
"I-I guess that it could be…" Fred nods slowly.
"I think it's pretty great place, and I've lived there my whole life," Tadashi tells him with a smile. "And besides." He leans in to whisper in his ear, so close that Fred could feel his warm breath ghosting over his skin. "It's the one place where you and I can actually see where this thing between us could go."
Fred could feel goosebumps on his skin as he stammers out, "O-Okay…"
God, he was so weak for Tadashi. But who could blame him? And apparently Tadashi wanted this as badly as he did…
"Okay then." Fred feels Tadashi press the gentlest and quickest of kisses to the skin behind his ear, and his knees almost went to rubber underneath him. But somehow, with some minor support from Tadashi, he manages to make his way through the door and, for the first time in his life, into San Fransokyo.
"Whoa…" Fred's eyes go wide as he takes in Mr. Lee's room. "T-This place is amazing…"
"I'm glad you approve!" Mr. Lee chuckles. "I thought you might like it, as a fellow comic book lover."
"I do!" Fred grins eagerly at him. The entire place was a nerd's paradise-there was more comic book and superhero memorabilia on display than he'd ever seen in one place before, and most of it looked like it was from original release, not just reproductions.
"Glad to hear it!" Mr. Lee grins back at him. "And if you like this, I think you'll like the rest of the house as well."
"Sounds good!" Fred agrees, now fully ready now to start exploring this new world, starting with Mr. Lee's home.
"Come on." Mr. Lee opens the bedroom door and walks out into the hallway outside.
Tadashi beams down at Fred, squeezing his hand as they follow after Mr. Lee.
"Holy shit-this place is amazing!" Fred gasps as they step out into the richly decorated corridor. "I-Is this a mansion?"
"One of the benefits of being the author-you can write yourself any kind of home that you want," Mr. Lee chuckles. "I know it's a bit extravagant, but call it an indulgence. And I've written myself enough of a story here to keep anyone from asking too many questions."
"Your story as Magnet Man," Fred says, remembering what Mr. Lee had told him earlier.
"Exactly," Mr. Lee agrees. "A bachelor millionaire running a lucrative world-wide business by day, a vigilante hero by night. Not a bad story for a superhero, right?"
"Right," Fred agrees before suddenly gasping in understanding. "W-Wait… Don't tell me-this is the Magnet Mansion?"
"Oh, so you recognize it!" Mr. Lee beams at him.
"A-Absolutely! I've dreamed about this place ever since I started reading you comics-which I started just about as soon as I could read!" Fred cries.
"Well good, because you're going to be living here now," Mr. Lee laughs.
"Holy shit…. I'm going to be living in the Magnet Mansion…" Fred breathes, glad that Tadashi had his arm wrapped around him for support.
"Do you want to see the rest of it, or do you want to sit down for a minute?" Mr. Lee asks, looking genuinely concerned.
"N-No, let's keep going!" Fred answers eagerly.
"All right then." Mr. Lee motions for him to follow and, stumbling slightly but still staying upright thanks to Tadashi, Fred does so, heart racing in his chest at the idea of actually living in the home of his childhood hero.
The house was as gorgeous as the illustrations in the comic, if not more so. And it was pure heaven for a nerd like Fred, from the extensive library to the fully-stocked in home theater to the game room which had all the latest gaming systems.
"I did update some of this in hopes that you would accept my offer," Mr. Lee admits. "I prefer a lot of the more classic gaming systems myself, but I thought you might enjoy some of the more modern ones. Tadashi helped me pick out what he thought you might like best since he's more up to date than me on this sort of thing."
"Wow… Thank you to both of you…" Fred whispers, unable to believe that anyone would go to this much trouble for him.
"And just wait until you see your room!" Tadashi says with grin, lightly squeezing his shoulder.
"M-My room?" Fred repeats in shock. "I-I have a room?"
"Of course you have a room-you're going to live here!" Mr. Lee answers warmly. "Although it was Tadashi who insisted on decorating it for you. I told him we should wait so you could decorate it yourself but-"
"I told him that I had a pretty good idea of what you'd like," Tadashi says with a shrug. "And if you don't like it, we can totally redecorate it! But what can I say? I was excited about you coming and I needed to do something to keep from going crazy until you actually got here. Besides, I wanted you to feel at home as soon as you got here."
"I-I don't know what to say..." Fred whispers, in spite of himself feeling tears welling up in his eyes.
"Fred, are you okay?" Tadashi asks, his voice full of concern as he sees one tear leak out and start to roll down Fred's cheek. "I-If you don't like the room it's not a problem-"
"N-No…" Fred shakes his head. "I-It's just… No one's ever done a-anything like this for me before…"
"Well then it's time someone started doing things like this for you because you deserve it," Tadashi says firmly, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "If anything, we've got a whole lot of spoiling you to do to make up for everything you've missed out on."
"I feel bad making you go to all that trouble for me..."
"Don't. Don't you ever feel bad for that." Tadashi, putting his hands on Fred's shoulders and looking him directly in the eyes. "Doing nice things for you makes me happy, so don't start guilt tripping yourself over it. Because there is one thing I'm not going to allow if we're dating, Fred, and that's you mistreating yourself. I understand it's going to take you awhile to get used to people taking care of you for once, but every time your brain starts trying to make you feel bad, I'm going to be there to tell it to go take a hike because you are amazing and deserve every good thing possible. Okay?"
"O-Okay," Fred agrees. He had no idea what he'd done to deserve someone as amazing as Tadashi, but if Tadashi wanted him to be happy here he'd do his best to try to do that for him.
"Good." Tadashi gently pecks his forehead. "Now come on. Let's go take a look at your new room."