6:
Hiro was surprised to how well he adapted to living in the shelter, even more surprised to how well he adapted to waking up alone- Tadashi having already left to go to work by then.
It was odd and disconcerting at first but was slowly starting to become routine. Normal.
The others, of course, had theories about it. Honey Lemon claimed it was because of his youth, that, because of how young he still was, he was able to adapt easier to his surroundings. Wasabi seemed to agree with the premise of that except he threw in losing his parents at such a young age, forcing him to learn how to adapt. GoGo didn't seem to have an opinion on the matter and Fred just nodded enthusiastically, agreeing with his friends.
They were, Hiro was quickly starting to learn in the rare moments he ended up alone with one of them, a close knit bunch that thought highly of each other- especially Fred who never seemed to stop praising them.
It wasn't all bias praise, though, he confided in Hiro once that his friends would be better if they stopped claiming all his ideas was a work of 'fantasy' and 'impossible.' Hiro just laughed and agreed, relishing the rare moments he spent with them.
He knew Tadashi would be beyond thrilled if he joined them whenever they huddled together before night fell, but he could never bring himself to. They were Tadashi's friends, not his, and Tadashi deserved something that was just his for a change.
He was starting to get used to that too- spending less time with his brother and his newfound clique of friends and more time by himself or with Mochi tinkering with some new parts he found or GoGo smuggled for him (she cared, he suspected, but was too proud to admit it).
"So why didn't you tell me the Imperial Guards showed up here?" Tadashi's voice suddenly demanded and Hiro froze, creepy chill crawling down the base of his spine as he realized Fred must have accidently told.
Not that Fred was at fault, Hiro never voiced how the two of them should keep it hidden. He didn't even think he told himself that, it was just something that kind of happened and several days had passed without Tadashi ever knowing.
"You never asked so I never answered," Hiro replied, voice calm as he gazed up from the robot he was dismantling so he could start over, to his brother practically glowering at him.
Tadashi rolled his eyes, seemingly not impressed. Hiro knew then that he was in trouble, though he wasn't entirely sure why he was getting in trouble to begin with. Tadashi had been the one who told him to stay indoors.
"Listen Hiro," Tadashi suddenly muttered, voice soft as he bent down beside his brother on the mattress, "I don't like the idea of you being alone with them."
"I'm not a child," Hiro snapped before he could consider the consequences, bolting upright to his feet so he could glower down at his brother and added, "I can take care of myself. Besides, I wasn't alone. Fred had been here with me."
"I know," Tadashi sighed wearily, as he ran an aged hand down his tired face.
He looked exhausted and a pang of guilt struck Hiro. He was the reason Tadashi always looked so worn and ancient all the time. His youthful stubbornness was the only thing keeping him from rushing to quick apologies.
So instead he stared down at his brother, shoving away the feeling in his chest, as he watched him closely. After all, he took quiet pride in being able to read Tadashi like a book.
"Hiro," Tadashi finally said after what felt like forever as he turned a dark expression up at him, "you understand why I feel uneasy about you being alone with the Imperial Guard, right? You know why I don't like them."
Hiro shrugged, "Sure."
"Hiro," Tadashi sighed again rubbing his face with tired hands, "they killed Aunt Cass."
Hiro froze at the words, always suspecting but never brave enough to voice his opinion vocally. Tadashi must be at his limits end if he willing just said something like that.
"What?" was all he could think of to say, eyes wide and skin pale though there was no way Tadashi noticed as he was still refusing to meet his gaze.
"That fire was no accident," Tadashi said and this time he did meet Hiro's gaze and the younger boy instantly wished that he hadn't.
Tadashi's eyes were hard and rough like coal and it made Hiro uneasy. Like he knew Hiro blamed himself for their aunt's death.
"I don't think it was supposed to cause any casualties, though," Tadashi continued, voice harsh and bitter as he gazed up at Hiro, "but Cass had been sleeping and neither one of us were home because I was too busy chasing my irresponsible little brother halfway across town."
"Irresponsible?" Hiro demanded, the only word that seemed to make sense at the moment as he waved frantic arms around him.
"Yeah," Tadashi agreed and there were no cushioning it as he brought his glare back up towards his brother and he continued, "Irresponsible. That's usually what you call someone who breaks the law by sneaking out at night, then again when he goes to forbidden bender fights and participates."
The last word was spoken in a whisper- like he was afraid of people overhearing them- but it stung all the same. Words of a viper, lashing out at its master.
"Tadashi-" and Hiro isn't sure what he was going to say; he didn't know if he was going to apologize or argue but he was so thankful when they were interrupted by the stranger.
"Hello boys," the woman practically purred, strange gaze narrowing in on Tadashi as she swooped forward speaking in husky tones, "Wanna have some fun for a little cash?"
"No," Tadashi spoke, shoving her off in a way that surprised Hiro.
Tadashi was never rude, especially not to women. Yet he pushed her back with a force that sent her sprawling on the ground unladylike. Tears gathered in her expression as she stiffened, turning to gaze back at him.
"Come on now," she pleaded, voice desperate as she latched back onto Tadashi nails clawing at his clothing in a desperation Hiro's yet to see in anyone, "I need some money and I'll unsure a good time."
She was ripping at his clothes now, trying to disrobe him in the middle of everyone and Hiro just watched in dumb shocked as Tadashi pushed her back to the ground.
"I said no," he snapped at her, "and I'll say it again: no. I don't have time to deal with the likes of you and I definitely don't have any money to waste on you."
"But," the woman blubbered, rising back to jerk him down with her, "you have enough to waste on him, and I'm better. I promise I'm better."
"No!" Tadashi screamed, struggling against her grip and it was then that Hiro realized they were drawing unwanted attention to themselves.
The woman ended up back on the ground, tears streaming down her face once again and a man Hiro's seen maybe twice in the bath walked over towards them. He was a tall man, with a wide girth and he always struck Hiro as friendly before. Now he looked downright lethal.
"Hey buddy!" he shouted stepping up to Tadashi with a glower that caused Hiro to shuffle uncomfortably, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I told her no," Tadashi explained still glaring in a way Hiro's never seen before, "and she won't go away."
"Then why don't you show some compassion and agree?" the man demanded like it was obvious, "Instead of shoving her to the ground like worthless trash."
"If she keeps it up," Tadashi replied, dangerous glint in his eyes as he bared his shoulders and practically snarled, "she won't be any better."
Hiro blinked at his brother's words, everything about this wrong.
He didn't go around insulting people, women especially, and he's never said anything so callus before. Whenever girls at the café flocked all over him, begging him for his number he'd politely decline with a patient smile and kind eyes.
"Yeah because you're so high and mighty, aren't you?" the man demanded, shoving at Tadashi's chest.
Tadashi stumbled but didn't fall as he all but snarled, "I respect other people when they say no and I don't pretend to cry to seek sympathy from dense blokes like you."
He shoved back; the man stumbled back in surprise.
Wrong. Everything was wrong.
"Tadashi-" Hiro spoke up in protest but his brother glared at him, eyes intense and burning.
"Stay out of this Hiro," Tadashi snapped and his voice was cold enough to burn and Hiro blinked dumbly back.
He didn't even know Tadashi was capable of getting this angry.
"I told her no yesterday," Tadashi explained back to the man who looked seconds away from hitting him, "and the day before that and every day since arriving here. I don't want to do it, and I never will. Now leave me and my little brother alone."
The woman sobbed something that didn't make sense while his brother's words processed in Hiro's brain. Every day since they arrived here. Hiro never even knew, never once suspected someone was throwing themselves at his brother that much.
"That gives you no right to make her cry," the man protested, unperturbed.
Hiro narrowed his expression, the words finally making sense and it made him angry that someone would pester his brother that much. That they would take advantage of his kind heart and endless patience in such an unforgiving way.
"He said no," Hiro spoke up, somehow ending up between the strangers and his brother as he glared in all his righteous fury, "So take a hint and go away."
"Hiro," Tadashi protested behind him, voice softer than it had been a few minutes ago and Hiro didn't bother turning around to look at him.
The man seemed stunned but was relentless and Hiro was certain they were about to have a fight they were surely going to lose when there was a flash of black and GoGo ended up between them.
"What's going on here?" she demanded, voice seemingly disinterested but her eyes were cold enough to cause frostbite as she took in the scene, "What's up with her?"
"Why don't you ask your friends?" the man suggested, growing uneasy when he realized a girl had stepped in.
A true gentleman at heart then. What a waste.
"No need," GoGo said after a pause, popping a bubble and continued in a bored tone, "I trust them, not her, so you both can take a hike."
"Now wait just a second-" the man never even got to finish.
Quicker than Hiro's ever seen anybody move before, GoGo's fist connected with his face. He reeled back, stunned at the force she exerted as he almost landed on the still sobbing woman. GoGo's impassive eyes turned to her, a sneer breaking across her pretty features.
"And you," she snarled and she no longer sounded calm but angry, "quit with the crocodile tears and get out of my face and never talk to either of them ever again. They're not interested in what you have to offer."
"I need the money though," the woman begged, like she was going to appeal to GoGo's feminine nature that way.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
"That's not their problem," GoGo growled, "so go away, and leave them alone."
To Hiro's surprise, both the man and woman left. The man's shoulders still seemed tense as he stormed away but, then again, so did Tadashi's. GoGo turned to eye Tadashi before stepping over to make sure he was alright, disregarding Hiro completely.
Hiro blinked, unaccustomed to being shoved aside, before he turned worriedly towards his brother. GoGo's hand was set against his shoulder as they stared into each other's eyes, seemingly having a silent conversation. It was strange, being locked out of the loop when it came to his brother.
"Tadashi?" he asked, breaking the silence and GoGo pulled away to stare at him closely while Tadashi seemed to refocus on his brother and the anger drained from his features.
"Hiro, I think you should go to bed now," he said and though his voice wasn't unkind it still sent something bitter coursing through his blood.
Instinctively, Hiro knew he wasn't angry with his brother- had never really been. He was just angry and he had no idea why. He wasn't angry anymore but scared. Terrified because until then he hadn't accepted their situation but now there was no denying it.
There was a reason they chose to avoid the shelters before.
"Okay," he said, much more meek and submissive then he had been before as he glanced between his brother and his brother's friend as he swallowed and nodded as if it made sense.
It didn't but he chose to ignore that thought as he stepped around his brother to go sit on the mattress. GoGo glanced down at him, eyes unreadable, before she turned back towards his brother and whispered something too soft for Hiro to make out. Tadashi nodded, moving away when she did.
Hiro let them go, not bothering to call after his brother like he very much wanted to, stomping on that possessive urge to beckon his brother back because he knew Tadashi would pick him. He's spent his entire life picking him, and all Hiro had to do was call for him.
Mochi meowed, making himself known and Hiro buried his face in soft fur as he felt the choking urge to monopolize his brother from people who care and are just trying to help. It hurt, more than he ever thought it would before.
"Am I a terrible person?" Hiro whispered softly to the cat, Mochi unable to do anything but stare up in his eyes with bright brown ones of his own.
Something that resembled a laugh bubbled out from his throat as he curled up on the flimsy mattress, face directed towards the wall as he tried to will sleep to overcome him all the while trying to convince himself that tomorrow everything would be better.
He was wrong, it wasn't.
Sometime during the night Hiro must have eventually fallen asleep because he was awakened by Tadashi shaking his arm lightly.
He blinked bleary eyes up at his stone-faced brother, light filtering in the oversized room by the holes in the walls. Morning, then, and by the looks of Tadashi's clear eyes he's been awake for a while though he wasn't showing any signs of sleep depravity so Hiro just yawned and blinked up at him.
"Tadashi, what-" he started to ask when Tadashi shushed him, kneeling down beside his mattress as he continued to gaze at him in a way that concerned Hiro.
"Come on, knucklehead," Tadashi urged as he whispered, "Let's go bathe."
Something that, because of Tadashi's early schedule, they haven't done together recently. Hiro had just assumed his brother trusted him into not getting into any more trouble, a feeling he relished because it was as precious as it was rare. Tadashi had never been able to let Hiro wander off by himself for very long.
"But," Hiro protested furrowing his brow as he tried to make the words in his brain make sense, "I thought you have to work."
"I do," Tadashi practically breathed and it concerned Hiro that he wasn't able to read his brother like he normally could, "Now, come on. It'll make me feel better."
There was really no arguing with that.
Hiro allowed himself to be led to the bathhouse, unsurprised to find it empty. Somewhere deep down inside, he could feel that it was too early for any sane person to be awake. Tadashi washed them both off quickly, his firm fingers gentle as they brushed against his skin.
"Tadashi?" Hiro asked after a prolonged silence as he shifted to glance back at his brother, "Is something wrong?" Something like the woman.
"No," Tadashi said bluntly, an obvious lie.
Hiro twisted, trying to lock eyes with his brother but Tadashi just shifted his shoulders so he was back to facing in front of him, a small frown crossing the younger boy's face.
"Tadashi, I thought we swore to never lie to each other," Hiro tried and Tadashi's hands faltered ever-so-slightly but it was there and Hiro detected it.
"We did," Tadashi said smoothly enough, voice barren of all emotions as he continued to scrub at Hiro's back, "and I'm not lying. Nothing's wrong. I won't let it be."
"Won't let what be?" Hiro pestered tilting his head back slightly but keeping the rest of him stiff and still.
"Nothing," Tadashi repeated, increasing the pressure he was using to scrub Hiro's skin, "Nothing so quit asking so many questions all the time-"
"Ow!" Hiro screamed, leaping up in the water when the pressure became too intense and he turned hurt eyes towards his equally stunned brother.
"Hiro, I didn't mean that," he said first, rising to his feet to inspect Hiro worriedly, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Hiro replied, voice sounding snappy as he folded his arms over his stomach and stared down at his brother with a pleading expression, "What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing," and there it was again. Lying.
"Tadashi," but then his foot slipped and he managed out an indigent squawk before he tumbled backwards in soapy water.
He blinked, looking up at the dark figure above the surface as they blocked out the light, bending down to help him sit back upright. He coughed on reflex, Tadashi's warm hand banging against his back firmly while his other stroked his hair with a gentleness Hiro hasn't felt since he was sick.
"Tadashi?" he finally managed out as he continued choking on the water in his lungs and nose.
"It's alright," Tadashi soothed, hands caressing him like they used to whenever Hiro was woken in the middle of the night, half-crazed from nightmares.
It felt wrong.
Hiro knew it did though he couldn't bring himself to pull away. To push his brother any further than he had already managed.
"Tadashi," he finally spoke once he regained his senses and no longer felt as waterlogged, "You're going to be late for work."
Tadashi's hands stiffened before his brother sighed, hands pulling away as he asked, "Will you be alright here by yourself for the day?"
"Sure," Hiro shrugged, "I might spend the day getting some fresh air, stretching my legs. The air in here always seem so stale."
"Yeah, well," Tadashi chuckled as the hands disappeared and his brother stood up to get his clothes, "Don't venture too far."
Hiro forced a grin as he said as innocently as he could manage, "Do I ever?"
"I wouldn't know," Tadashi replied as he turned back to him, beads of water dripping from his hair, "It's not like you ever talk to me anymore. Not like you used to."
Hiro tensed, aware of the argument precariously away from starting. He didn't raise to the bait.
"We grew up Tadashi," he said as sensibly as he could manage, "You know this."
"Well, I don't like it," Tadashi admitted as he walked back over to Hiro, stroking his face gently, "and I miss talking with you."
"Me too," Hiro admitted softly, bowing his head as Tadashi's long fingers carded through the dark strands of his hair, "but you're going to be late if you don't hurry."
"Yeah, yeah," Tadashi mumbled as he bent over to plant a firm kiss in Hiro's hair, "Stay safe. I mean it Hiro."
"It's like you don't even trust me," Hiro accused teasingly as he swatted his older brother away, "Now go before you get fired."
Tadashi smirked at him one last time before disappearing out the door, leaving Hiro alone in the bath. He sighed, sinking back in the lukewarm water until it reached his shoulders, lapping around his ears. He hadn't been sitting there that long before he was aware of another figure in there with him.
He went to turn around to check who it was when the water seemed to tighten around him, pinning him in the tub and he jerked weakly. No use, the water had somehow seemed to have been turned to concrete.
"Water bending," he gasped in surprise as he continued to jerk weakly, wondering why water benders keep seeming to attack him.
"Correct," a female voice purred from behind his ear, "Unfortunately, you won't be alive long enough to spread the news."
The water seemed to crawl up his body, towards his face and Hiro knew he was capable of stopping it but still afraid of what Tadashi would think if he did. Besides, it wasn't like he could hurt a woman even if she was trying to kill him.
He thrashed, water lapping around him, when someone else walked in and the water stopped. Sinking back harmlessly in the tub.
He turned, stumbling from the tub to stare at the newcomers.
The woman was the same one from yesterday, the one that had been harassing Tadashi. The other person Hiro didn't recognize but was still immensely grateful as he stumbled out from the tub, jerking his clothes back on.
"Hey kid," his savior started, the woman's eyes burning in fury as she glared at Hiro.
"Bye," Hiro grunted, finished redressing himself and bolting from the bathhouse.
He didn't care so much where he was going, only that he was getting away. His hands were shaking and his breathe was uneven but all he could think was to get away. Far, far away from the shelter and that woman and the fact that he was so close to fighting back.
If they hadn't been interrupted, if that stranger hadn't rescued him, then he had no idea how that would've turned out differently. He didn't know if he would be able to overpower his attacker nor how anyone would respond if he did.
"Hiro?" a familiar feminine voice asked and he blinked, tensing as Honey Lemon came into view dressed in bright clothes, long blond hair was tied back as concerned green eyes seemed to focus on him intently.
"Honey Lemon," he breathed with forced calm as he released a pent-up breath and asked, "What are you doing out so early?"
"I have work, silly," she told him with a bright grin and that's when he realized she was carrying a tray filled with various colored liquids in glasses.
"Oh right," Hiro murmured, heart calming down slightly as he shuffled uncomfortably and just blurted, "Are you aware of the water bender at our shelter?"
She blinked, not comprehending, before she asked, "What?"
Hiro blinked too, suddenly ashamed at having said that before he shook his head and lied, "Nothing."
"Hiro," and her tone was gentle, just like Aunt Cass's had been before she was killed in that fire; the reminder of that sending another pang through Hiro's chest, sucking his breath out and making him sway dizzily.
"Hiro!" and she sounded concerned and he shook his head, forcing himself to calm down for her.
"I'm fine," he reassured, locking eyes with her wide concerned green ones, "I just… have a lot on my mind."
"You said something about a water bender at the shelter," Honey Lemon urged, "How do you know? Did they try to hurt you?"
"I- it's nothing," he repeated because there was no way he could tell her- or anybody, really- that they had just tried drowning him and he wasn't even entirely sure why. Other than Tadashi constantly rejecting her advances but it didn't seem like anyone could be that petty.
"Hiro," Honey Lemon reprimanded gently enough as she gave him a disbelieving look, "You're about as terrible a liar as Tadashi."
At the mention of his brother, Hiro stiffened before pleading a little too quickly to be considered either calm or sane, "Please, please, please don't tell Tadashi what I told you. I'm just… overreacting."
Because the longer he thought about it, the more he realized it was silly to think the person that tried killing him was a bender. They were either all locked up or too afraid to reveal themselves to the rest of the world- him and Tadashi included.
"Hiro, something's not right," Honey Lemon protested anyways, obviously very concerned now as she reached out to touch his shoulder but he jerked away, a bolt of fear rushing through him again.
She blinked, retracting her hand so quickly he was afraid he'd hurt her. That he'd allowed his panic and fear to overcome him and he lashed out subconsciously. He didn't think he'd ever be able to forgive himself if he did.
Honey Lemon didn't look hurt or scared, though, she just looked concerned.
"I'm sorry," he panted, feeling as if his heart was going to explode from all the fear he felt.
"Sorry?" she asked before shaking her head and reassuring, "You have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, I should be sorry. I don't mean to pry I just… want to help you."
"I don't need help," Hiro gasped, practically choking on the words as he inched away, "I'm fine."
Then he was gone.
"What's up with you?" GoGo's voice asked suddenly, causing Tadashi to blink in shock.
"Huh?" he asked, turning his attention towards her.
"What's up with you," she repeated, patiently, as she came to sit beside him straddling the chair beside his and clarified, "You're looking kind of mopey."
"I'm not mopey," Tadashi protested with a slight frown before the slight worry lines in his face ceased and he turned back to her and asked, "I can't seem to get my mind off that woman."
"You mean that one who wanted to rob you blind?" GoGo asked, eyes intensifying to startling degrees, "Why are you bothering yourself so much over her?"
"I don't know," Tadashi admitted allowing his face fall back to the table, "Something about her seemed different. Off, and not in a good way."
"Is it ever?" GoGo snorted before she glanced back over to him and inquired seriously, "Does this have something to do about your brother?"
"Hiro? No," Tadashi responded shaking his head, "For the first time it doesn't concern him. Perhaps I'm just not used to worrying about something that didn't involve him."
"Overprotective," she grumbled with a dramatic eye roll before focusing back on him and asked, "He say anything? About what happened, what he saw?"
Tadashi paused, thinking seriously, before he shook his head and murmured, "No. He seemed concerned but that's normal, right? He kept asking if something was wrong."
"Is that normal?" GoGo asked in what sounded like a challenge as a dark eyebrow hitched up on her forehead.
"I don't know," and he started to sound like a broken record so he added, "He's always been able to read into stuff so well, and he's smart. I'm almost certain he's figured it out by now."
"Yeah, smart," GoGo agreed with another snort and eye roll, causing Tadashi to frown and turn back towards her.
"Are you insinuating Hiro's not smart?" and he tried not to sound too defensive but it was hard when it involved his brother.
"Please, you'd have to be a certified idiot to not be able to see that brother of yours is smart. More than that, he's practically a genius and could outdo any of us on our best days, and I once considered us the smartest bunch in the whole shelter," she replied and it sounded like she was just reciting facts.
"That's quite some praise," he pointed out, turning his attention back to the table.
"Yeah, well, it's true," she responded, "and Honey Lemon and Wasabi would agree. We've all seen what the kid's made out of a couple of scraps. It makes me wonder what Wonder Woman he sprouted out of."
At the mention of his mother, as slight as it was, Tadashi tensed.
"I'm sure that sometimes he does too," Tadashi finally said as he cut his gaze back towards her and elaborated, "They died before he was old enough to remember them. He just has stories and vague memories."
"Must be hard," GoGo muttered, voice dropping the slightest in sympathy as she turned her gaze to the table and added, "I can sort of relate. My parents were taken away when I was young, too young, and there's nothing like the feeling of being ripped away from those you love."
"I know that feeling all too well," Tadashi agreed, "My aunt died recently."
The tension in the room seemed to intensify as GoGo's sharp gaze cut over to him, awaiting for an explanation but kind enough not to pry. It was one of the many things he enjoyed about her (all of them, really). They knew where his boundaries lie and were considerate enough to not cross over them.
Hiro seemed to have no sense of boundaries but, then again, Tadashi suspected that he never really has any where it concerns his brother. All he had to do was gaze at him with those big brown eyes of his and Tadashi would bend over backwards to make him happy.
The others didn't have that luxury and had to work to get in Tadashi's good graces, something none of them seemed to have minded all that much. They seemed willing to accept him as he was, patiently and with bright smiles.
"She took me and my brother in after the fire," Tadashi explained, hands clenched in fists as he thought back to her and the warmth and love he felt with her around, "She was wonderful. Strong. I think you would've enjoyed her a lot."
GoGo snorted in what he assumed was agreement but didn't interrupt.
Tadashi sucked in another breath, ignoring the way his eyes were starting to grow misty, before continued, "She became everything you could ever expect from anyone, and she just dropped everything to save two nephews she hardly knew, and she loved us unconditionally which sometimes isn't the easiest thing to do."
"That's the funny part about blood," GoGo whispered, eyes sort of vague before she blinked and turned back to him and nodded, "Go on."
"She was great," Tadashi continued as he willed the tears away, the pain in his chest still fresh and once he was able to take control back over his emotions he finished, "and now she's gone. Dead and never coming back."
"That bites," GoGo hissed, avoiding his gaze, "It must be hard on the little guy."
"That's the thing," Tadashi whispered dropping his expression to the table, "I wouldn't know. I never even asked. It was like I don't care, I just don't want to share this pain I feel inside."
"I understand," GoGo nodded, "You want to be a sissy about and pretend like you're the only one hurting and that no one will ever understand because they're not you."
"That's not-" Tadashi protested, furrowing his brow as he considered her words and realized that perhaps she wasn't so far off; he hasn't talked to Hiro about it, except for yesterday and he just kind of forced it all on his brother at once.
"I know," GoGo said softer than before as she continued to stare him down, "but your brother needs someone to help him through this. That's the worst part about younger siblings."
"Nothing about having Hiro around is bad," Tadashi protested firmly, shaking his head and clenching his fists before forcing them to relax and concluded, "He's the one constant I seem to have. I can't even imagine anything bad happening to him."
"Even if that means to constantly be strong about every little thing?" GoGo challenged, bending forward to scrutinize him closely, "To never once be weak?"
"Hiro's worth it."
And that was all there was to it. He was worth it, and Tadashi wouldn't even dream of having it any other way because it was Hiro and Hiro was his younger brother and he'd protect him, even if that meant never being able to succumb to his mourning.
Someone knocked on the door, drawing them away from their conversation, and their boss's head peeked inside. He grinned slightly upon seeing them, probably imagining them together as anything other than friends which was too weird for Tadashi to even consider. He was a heck of a mechanic though.
"Hey crazy kids," he addressed with a bright smile that made his eyes sparkle, "It's getting pretty dark. You two should probably head back."
"Right," GoGo agreed, standing from her chair and turning towards Tadashi and gestured, "Come on before we get locked out and risk getting caught."
Tadashi nodded and followed her out of the room.
He made a quick stop for dinner before briskly walking back towards the shelter. They made it in the nick of time, the owner of the shelter sighing at the sight of them as he held the door cracked so they could both hurry inside.
"Young people," he snorted rolling his eyes as he clicked the lock in place, "working all the time it seems."
"Got to make a living somehow," GoGo replied with a shrug, "Sometimes you just got to remember to woman up."
"Right," the owner agreed though he didn't seem to really be listening anymore, returning to his desk.
Tadashi smiled at him before hurrying to where he knew Hiro slept. The bed was empty, though, and he felt something that resembled panic start to settle in as he turned to search for his brother among the rest of the residents. He caught sight of Wasabi, lounging tiredly while he flipped through an old book. Honey Lemon was combing her fingers through long blond hair, grinning up at GoGo.
No Hiro.
"Alright, don't panic," he murmured to himself though the way his hands were shaking he'd venture a guess and say he was way past panic.
Something wasn't right. He could feel it, and though he refused to accept the steadily overwhelming realization he knew he wouldn't be able to deny it for too long.
Hiro wasn't there.
Hiro knew he screwed up when the shelter came into view, bleak and depressing as always, and he sprinted the last couple of meters only to yank on the silver ringed doorknobs vainly.
"No!" he shouted desperately, resisting the urge to break down and cry in the middle of the streets, "Come on! You've got to let me in!"
No answer.
"I know you're in there!" Hiro screamed, rearing back to kick the door with the heel of his foot as he fought back tears of frustration, "Quit pretending like you're not! Please, let me in!"
"Nope. Sorry," the owner's voice denied after a long pause, followed by a bang as he struck the wooden surface from the other side; Hiro leapt back in surprise, eyes frantic with panic.
"But you can't just leave me out here," Hiro reasoned as he rested both his palms against the wood, pressing his face against the surface, "Please. I won't stay out so long again."
He'd just been so panicked from his attack in the bathhouse, and then again with his confrontation with Honey Lemon that he'd managed to get himself lost, and he hadn't managed to find his way back quick enough.
"Sorry, but you know the rules."
Hiro frowned. He didn't sound very sorry.
Then there was another noise and Hiro brightened as he heard Tadashi's voice ask, "Hiro? Hiro, please tell me that that's not you out there right now."
And he sounded so desperate and scared that Hiro swallowed thickly before forcing out, "Sorry but I can't do that. I'm sorry Tadashi."
"No, God no, don't be sorry," Tadashi begged, voice sounding broken in a way that concerned Hiro; his brother never begged.
"But I screwed up," Hiro reasoned as he stepped back up to the door, pressing his forehead against it longingly. Tadashi was just on the other side, waiting for him. So close yet so far.
"No," Tadashi choked again, closer now, "No you didn't, though I do recall telling you to not venture to far from the shelter."
"I'm sorry," Hiro repeated.
"Don't be sorry," Tadashi whispered before he shouted, "Open this door. Please, you've got to open this door."
"Can't," the owner replied and Hiro pictured him shrugging with indifference, "and if he tries sneaking in through the windows then I'll have to report him."
Hiro swallowed again, leaning his entire frame against the wood for support.
"Please," Tadashi continued to beg, "He doesn't have to come in, I just have to go out to him. He can't stay out there all night by himself."
"What? No!" Hiro protested, his brother's words shocking him into moving again as he slammed against the door with new vigor and shouted, "Sir, you can't let him do this. Please, don't let him do this."
"The door remains closed," the owner decided and Hiro let out a small sigh of relief at the words; at least Tadashi would remain safe.
"Hiro," Tadashi growled, voice pressed up against the wood now.
"Tadashi," Hiro muttered pressing his forehead against the wood as tears welled in the corners of his eyes, "I'll be fine. It's only one night."
Something in his voice must have alerted Tadashi as the door jumped again underneath Tadashi's fists as he warned, "Hiro, don't."
Hiro had already started to back away from the shelter, though, fighting back the urge to cry as he stared at the spot holding his brother from him. Tadashi was safe, and for a moment that'll just have to be enough.
Sucking in another breath, urging himself to be brave, he turned and disappeared into the night.
Not sure how I feel about this chapter but, ah well, the next one is where the good stuff starts happening. For those keeping tabs on this story, you guys are the best- I mean it. The reviews are love and all the favs and follows of this story are the best. So, again, thanks. You guys are the best.