Chapter 13

You can't hurt me

Takao was petrified. His blood was cold as ice. His bones and muscles frozen. He couldn't move, or think, or speak. His skin started to crawl with the nightmarish memories.

"I said: open the door, little cunt." Toujiro said with a sultry voice that held an edge of menace.

NO! His mind screamed. He wouldn't open. He had no reason to. He was safe behind this door. Toujiro held no power over him with the door between them.

"I wonder if Shin-chan appreciated the fine work I did on you last time. Now if he wants to fuck you he'll have to remember how I made you enjoy my dick first."

His stomach twisted in disgust and the words carved on his back started to sting. He should walk away from the door, stop listening to those words that were like poison to him.

"Y'see, your precious Shin-chan is trying to ruin me. Can you believe it? After everything I've done for you, the ungrateful bastard! Without me, he would've never known how much of a whore you are. And I even went out of my way to drop you at his door, like the useless pile of trash that you are, and how does he repay me? By calling some big shots and getting me in trouble, that prick!" Toujiro kicked the door and Takao jumped back, even though it wasn't strong enough to kick it down . "And not just any big shots, oh no. That fucking coward couldn't even do anything by himself, he must've gone and whored himself out and get the fucking Akashi Group on my ass. But unlike him, I'm not an ungrateful shit, I'll make sure to repay every. fucking. thing. back." He kicked the door again and snarled. "You'll understand that, since he clearly didn't appreciate my little present, I came to take it back. I can't blame him, really. Who would appreciate a filthy slut, even as a gift? You should be grateful, I'm the only one who would waste their time on a disgusting bitch like you."

The venomous words started spreading over his mind, going around in circles again and again.

Whore.

Filthy.

Disgusting.

Whore.

He tried to breathe like Shin-chan always told him to do every time he had a panic attack.

"N-n-nooo." His voice was broken and almost inaudible. "It's not like that. S-Shin-chan's not like that. I am not like that!" He slammed his fist on the door, panting heavily.

The man in the hallway snorted dismissively. "Oh? Getting a little feisty, Kazu? It's like I thought, you get unruly if I don't discipline you. Open the door already. If you behave I'll give you some cock as a reward. We can even let Shin-chan watch while I fuck your slut hole."

Slut.

Slut.

Slut.

Slut.

He bit his lip and tears started prickling at the corners of his eyes. "No! I…" he wanted to say something, to let Toujiro know he wasn't his property, but the poisonous words were now constricting his throat. He dug his nails into the palms of his hands, feeling that disgusting sensation creeping up his skin and getting that horrible urge to try to claw it away.

"Alright, I'll make this decision easier for you. You can open the door, come with me and I'll fill all your cunts with my dick, I know it's your favorite thing. Or you can play hard to get and I'll kick down this door, fuck you bloody on Shin-chan's bed and make a nice mark on your slut face for the world to see."

His knees gave in from fear. He couldn't form any coherent thought anymore. All he could think about was the pain, and the darkness, and his scars, and his own screams. And the shame. All the shame he'd tried to bottle up and put away. Shame for letting himself become this messed up, pathetic shadow of who he'd once been. Shame for being seen by Shin-chan when he was at his worst: broken, pitiful, humiliated, dirty, disgusting.

"Please stop." He whimpered through his tears as he imagined how Shin-chan must've looked when he'd found him, remembered how disgusted he'd felt when he'd looked at his own reflection and couldn't find himself in it.

"Oh, don't play coy, Kazu. You worthless slut really think you can tell me what to do? I know you like it. You like the pain. You like it when I make you bleed. You like it when I tell you that you're a disgusting slut. Don't worry, I know all the things you like. Open the door and I'll give'em all to you."

Disgusting.

Slut.

Filthy.

Worthless whore.

He covered his ears, trying to block out the sound of those words, to no avail.

What will Shin-chan say when he realizes what a filthy slut you are?

You're precious to me.

Takao slammed his fist against the door and gritted his teeth. What had happened to his resolve, his hope? After everything Shin-chan did for him, was he going to give up and let that man break him again? He couldn't just sit and cry and wait for Shin-chan to save him every time. If he was to start his life anew and get his peace and freedom back, he'd have to stand up for himself.

"NO!" he screamed, his voice hoarse. "Go away! You can't hurt me. You won't hurt me again. You have no power over me!"

The door shook violently, most likely from a strong kick, and he heard Toujiro snarl and roar in the hallway.

"I see. So that's the game we're playing, Ka-zu." His voice punctuated each syllable of his name with viciousness. "You think this little door can protect you? You think I can't touch you while you're hiding in your precious Shin-chan's skirt? It would be rather unfortunate if something happened to Shin-chan, though, wouldn't it? Doctors get targeted by resentful ex-patients all the time. And that lovely shop his family owns… what a pity if some delinquents were to set it on fire when everyone's inside, don't you think so? All sorts of tragedies can happen so easily…"

Takao's voice got caught in his throat. He was threatening Shin-chan, and he was perfectly capable of going through with it, Takao knew. And even if Shin-chan had the support of Akashi, if anything happened to him or his family, it'd be too late. What if… what if… He didn't even want to think about it but if that happened, not even all the money and power in the world could make things right again. His chest clenched painfully, but even as he told himself to breathe, he could feel his resolve crashing and burning, and his legs started shaking again.

His hand reached for the door. If he had to choose between himself and Shin-chan the choice was obvious.

Disgusting slut.

Slut.

Slut.

I'll keep you safe.

Words started making him dizzy, and his whole body trembled violently, his vision turned blurry.

Filthy cunt.

Filthy.

Filthy.

Filthy.

You are beautiful.

It was as if two voices were calling for him. His head was pounding, and the noise made him deaf.

Who would want a disgusting, worthless whore like you?

He thought about Shin-chan. Shin-chan, who had been so kind, so caring, who'd comforted and protected him, who held him close and scared his nightmares away; Shin-chan, so beautiful, so intelligent, so gentle, the person Takao loved most in the world…

You're precious to me.

He could never let Toujiro lay a hand on him.

He slammed the door open, his fists clenched tight, his eyes ablaze in ire.

"I won't let you. I won't let you hurt him!"

Toujiro's face split into a sickening smirk. "See? Was that so hard? Now come here and I'll reward your dirty little cunt like you deserve." He stretched his arm to grab Takao's wrist, but the shorter man swatted him away, cringing away from the venomous touch.

"I already told you, you have no power over me. I won't let you."

The taller man clenched his fist and threw a fast punch to Takao's face, making him bite his tongue and draw out some blood. His cheek swelled and pounded in pain. Toujiro laughed and grabbed him by the collar, drawing him so close he could smell the alcohol in his breathe.

"And I said you're coming with me, you filthy whore, unless you want me to break you down in your boyfriend's door."

His skin was crawling with disgust upon feeling that man's hands on him. He gritted his teeth. No more. He was not going to let him control him with pain and fear. He'd allowed this to go on for too long. He spat blood on his attacker's face and took the moment of confusion to knee him in the groin. Toujiro let go as he howled in pain, and Takao took the chance to make a run for it. He wished he had his cellphone so he could call the police, but that not being the case, all he could do was run and hope his athletic build would give him even the slightest advantage.

When he was about to exit the building, he heard Toujiro's heavy steps coming down the hallway, hollering insults.

"I'M GONNA CATCH YOU AND I'M GONNA KILL YOU. STUPID FUCKING WHORE, YOU'LL REGRET THIS. I'M GONNA-"

The roars were suddenly cut by a loud thud, and, against his better instincts, Takao stopped in his tracks. He looked back, only to see Toujiro lying on the floor unconscious, and Midorima Shintarou standing there, his fist held up high, his emerald eyes burning with fury. And maybe he was riding a white horse, Takao wasn't really sure about that one.

Midorima panted heavily, trying to catch his breath. He'd felt that terrifyingly familiar chill going up his spine. Takao needed him. Last time he had been completely powerless, but this time, he wouldn't let that despicable man hurt Takao. He'd rushed out of the hospital without even telling anyone and raced all the way to his apartment, where he'd found Takao running away from the building as if the devil itself were chasing him, and that detestable Tozai Toujiro's voice coming from the doorway, horrible words spilling out of his mouth. His blood boiled and he saw red. Midorima couldn't hold back and before he could rein his emotions in, he'd struck a strong punch across that man's face, his jaw making a sickening crack.

It briefly crossed his mind that he had never actually punched anyone before. In fact, he couldn't recall a single instance of himself reacting violently to anything. He had always considered himself a man of words and rationality, rather than one to solve his problems with his fists. But with this man, this pile of filth, it was all different because there were no words to let out his anger, no rationality that would be enough to make this garbage pay for what he had done. And it was with great satisfaction that he felt his knuckles connecting to that man's jaw and hearing him roar in pain.

It wasn't enough, though. Not enough to atone for hurting the one he held most precious in the world. His vision blurred and all he could see was red as his fist kept crashing and cracking against that man's face. Again and again and again. His knuckles were covered in blood now, he couldn't feel the pain in his own fist, and that man wasn't moving. And it wasn't enough.

"Stop! Stop, Shin-chan, STOP!"

His eyes regained their focus and he turned to where the panicked voice had come from, to find Takao standing frozen on his spot, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. His left cheek was red and swollen, and there was a faint trail of blood on his mouth. The man on the floor didn't matter anymore. He rushed to his side and pulled him in to an impulsive embrace, thanking all the gods for letting him arrive on time.

"Takao! Takao…" he said softly, pulling away from the hug and cupping his uninjured cheek with one hand. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

Takao was pulled out of his daze and his clear eyes focused on Midorima's emerald ones, and he felt a rush of emotions pour down on him that brought him to his knees. Fear and confusion, pain and anger, relief and gratitude, and he couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Midorima kneeled too and held him gently, leaning his raven head to his chest where he could feel his heartbeat. For some reason, this always seemed to calm him down.

He could hear a string of tender words, Midorima's voice whispering in his ear. It's alright. You're safe. He can't hurt you. And the world around him seemed to disappear, all that mattered was this warmth, this feeling of safety, and knowing everything would be okay.

The next few hours went by in a blur. Someone had called the police –perhaps a neighbor- and they'd taken Tozai into custody. Once Midorima regained some sense of self-awareness, he'd called Aomine, who met them at the police station and helped them through the process of submitting an official statement and having Takao's injuries examined and treated.

Much to Midorima's surprise, this time Takao didn't even hesitate to press charges. The look in his eyes was different, although his hands still trembled occasionally, his clear eyes sparkled with defiance and determination.

"Would you… would you stay with me? Please?" He'd asked a little dubiously, glancing briefly at Midorima as the officers told him they'd take his statement in a separate room.

"Of course."

He'd sat by Takao's side holding his hand for the two hours that the questioning lasted, barely ever opening his mouth and just listening to Takao's story. From time to time, he'd notice how his fists would clench so tight his knuckles turned white, furious at himself for never noticing all the pain Takao was going through and for having been so powerless to help him, and some other times, his stomach twisted in anger and disgust at hearing all the horrific things that man had put Takao through.

They took Midorima's statement afterwards, although there was not much he could say aside from mentioning all the times he'd suspected Takao was injured and about that nightmarish phone call. When they asked him to talk about his encounter with Tozai earlier, he found he could barely remember it at all, and if it weren't for the pain on his hands, he'd probably think the whole thing was a dream.

Midorima wasn't sure of how much time had passed when they came back to his apartment. Aomine, who had driven them back in his police car, exchanged a few words with his colleagues before approaching him with a tired expression and making a sign that meant Takao shouldn't listen to the conversation.

"I just got a message on the radio." He said, his brow scrunching in a displeased frown "That guy's all lawyered up. The company's giving him an army of those detestable corporate lawyers. I'm afraid they'll try to strike a deal to get out of this. They're even threatening to charge you for assault. That was dangerous, man, you could've killed him."

Midorima flexed his fingers, his hands swollen and in pain. "I would've." He said simply, almost regretful. He had no doubts that, had Takao not called out for him to stop, he would now be facing murder charges, and he probably wouldn't have felt remotely guilty about it. Not about the man that hurt Takao. He briefly wondered if he should feel scared of himself for thinking like that.

Aomine shook his head and decided to change the subject. "I've told the officer in charge to stall as much as he can, but I'm afraid he'll walk unless we can prove he killed the prime minister or something. Of course Takao's testimony should technically be enough to put him behind the bars for a long time, but you know those rich bastards, they think they can get away with anything and that's usually the case. He'll probably get bail and be back in the streets soon, at least until the trial."

Shintarou sighed. He knew that dealing with big powerful companies wouldn't be easy, and he'd made sure to have all the right weapons to come out victorious. That man would never lay a finger on Takao again.

"Could you try to stall a little longer? Akashi just called to say the Tozais are about to cave in. I suppose it's hard to stand against the threat of economic blockade." In any other circumstances, he would not feel right about using his friend's power, and such underhanded tactics to achieve his goals. But not this time. There was nothing he wouldn't do to make sure that man paid for what he'd done. "If you need physical evidence, my boss collected all sorts of samples from that day, I'll tell her to get in touch with you." His original plan had been to wait for Akashi to make sure that man couldn't use his family's influence to protect himself and then convince Takao that it was safe to press charges. Things hadn't progressed exactly as he had hoped for, but the end result would be the same no matter what.

"I'll see what I can do. I'll tell the officer in charge about it; I'm sure he'll hang in there a little longer if he knows Akashi will get rid of those goddamned lawyers and keep him from receiving bail."

"And I will be very grateful for that. I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble."

Aomine shrugged dismissively. "No biggie. I guess I would want hell and worse for anyone who hurt someone that's so important to me. My guys will be done soon, he'll need some peace and quiet; it's been a long day." He said, nodding in Takao's direction before exiting the apartment and shutting the door behind him.

Takao watched as the two former miracles talked, and it dawned on him everything that Shin-chan was doing for his sake, even going as far as to ask for his former comrades' help, something a prideful man like him would usually never do. The realization made him warm and fuzzy inside, and for a moment, he even allowed himself a hesitant smile.

Aomine left and Midorima came back to sit beside him on the couch. He handed Takao a new bag of ice –of which he'd already used four to diminish the swelling on his cheek- and for a moment, seemed to hesitate on what to say.

Kazunari pressed the bag against his skin and winced from the coldness on his bruised face.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't get here sooner. I couldn't stop him from hurting you again." Midorima mumbled painfully.

Takao looked at him and managed to pull off a small smile. "You've got nothing to apologize for. I… I think I needed to face him on my own… to fight for my own freedom, I guess?" he couldn't really explain it, but he felt so liberated now. Even if Toujiro came back to torment him, he felt that he wasn't afraid of him anymore.

He tentatively grabbed Shintarou's hand, softly gliding his thumb over the back of its palm, his eyes resting on the torn skin of the knuckles. "I'm sorry… that you had to do this… you're a doctor, your hands are very important. You shouldn't hurt them over something like this."

Shintarou's hands squirmed away from Takao's touch and he twisted them, holding instead both of his friend's pale hands in his. He looked into Takao's clear eyes sternly. "Between you and my hands, which do you think is more important?" he breathed.

Kazunari's eyes widened and then, suddenly they got glazed over with tears. He squeezed at the larger hands holding his, carefully, as if trying not to injure them further. And then, without him noticing it, his lips started to curve upwards, slowly, faintly and Midorima stared in awe as the gleaming smile he had come to love appeared on his friend's face. He hadn't seen him smile like that in such a long time, he briefly wondered if he was dreaming. But he wasn't and in spite of the wounds, the bruises, the dark circles under the eyes, Takao looked breathtakingly beautiful once the smile reached his lovely clear eyes, making them sparkle like stars.

He'd heard somewhere (perhaps in one of his sister's Disney movies) that the flower that blooms in adversity was the most rare and beautiful of them all.

Takao's smile was that flower.

To be continued

I may or may not be in the middle of binge-watching CSI (Las Vegas version, the others suck) in the past few months and that may or may not have influenced some parts of this chapter. Anyway, it is finally the time for some comeuppance, so I hope you guys are satisfied with it. I plead guilty of Akashi-ex-Machina, hopefully you'll forgive me for it. I'm usually not a fan of Policeman!Aomine (I'm usually not a fan of policemen in general whoops), but it was convenient for this particular case, sorry Aho. Since I'm not knowledgeable of Japan's justice system and how deeply it may be influenced by rape culture (would it be enough with Takao's testimony to convict his rapist without physical evidence? Heck, could the case be dismissed because 1) the victim is a male and 2) the rapist was their boyfriend?), we won't be going too deep into that process, we'll just assume we live in an ideal world where this kind of shit is not tolerated and all will be fine.

This chapter was actually one of the last I thought about, because I didn't want Takao to be helpless and always dependent on Midorima to save him. (in the original draft, this final confrontation never happened and Akashi just made Toujirou disappear with the magic of money). I wanted Takao to have a chance to face his demons and free himself. Since early on in the story, he had this determination of fighting back and not waiting to be saved, and I wanted to honor that wish of his, confront his abuser and break his own shackles. Which is not to say he's now magically cured, he went through a traumatic experience and it's left behind big ugly wounds, but I thought this would be an important step in his healing process, a step he needed to take.

Anyway, sorry for the huge notes, I just felt I had to clarify some of the themes I'm working with. Thanks a lot to all of you for all the amazing positive messages, they're really encouraging and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. Talk to me on tumblr (liamatsuoka) I'm always in for raving about MidoTaka