Boromir tried to focus in class.
He still remembered the countless times his father had mistreated his little brother.
A clear memory floated its way into his mind.
A few years ago:
"Dad! I made it into the school basketball team!" A younger Boromir announced excitedly to Denethor.
"Good son, I'm so proud of you!" Denethor smiled at him. "And what about YOU young man?" He shot at Faramir in the most un-fatherly way possible.
"I…I…" Faramir stuttered.
"You are nothing but a burden to my household, go up to your room."
Faramir hung his head in shame and limped up the stairs to the room he shared with Boromir, shut the door with a snap and flung himself onto his bed. Tears started streaming from his eyes and were rolling freely from his face.
What must have been a few hours had passed, and the door creaked open, and there he was, his older brother and protector standing at the doorway.
Faramir lay still, not moving an inch.
He heard the door shut quietly and his older brother was by his side.
"How was dinner?" Faramir asked, barely moving his lips.
"Bad," Boromir said grimly. "I didn't have anything since you weren't there, Dad was pissed."
"Oh."
Boromir sat on the bed, Faramir promptly sat up.
"Just so you know, whatever happens, I'll always be here for you." Boromir hugged his brother.
"I know," Faramir whispered and snuggled closer. Boromir smiled and hugged him tighter still.
Now tears were swelling in Boromir's eyes, he wiped them off with the back of his hand and stared out of the classroom window.
Another memory made its way to his mind.
Just two weeks before school started:
"You useless runt!" Denethor roared at Faramir. "You ungrateful bastard of mine! I do not need such a boy for a son! Now get out of my sight!"
Boromir found him lying limp on the floor of their room, covered in a few scrapes and a fair amount of bruises, breathing weakly.
"No!" Boromir yelled.
Denethor came at the sound and turned to him.
"Care not about your brother, we do not need him." And aimed a hard kicked at Faramir.
Boromir made sure his father was gone, before desperately trying to revive his little brother.
He carried Faramir to his bed, put a damp towel on his forehead and covered him with his blanket.
Boromir held his brother's cold hand in his, face frowning in anxiety.
"Boromir…" Faramir managed to choke out.
"I'm here, I'll take care of you…" Boromir whispered and poured a little water down his brother's mouth.
"Th..thanks…"
From that day onwards, Boromir had accompanied Faramir wherever he went, making sure he was safe from his father. He knew he was the only one Faramir can always trust.
The bell rang, and Boromir thought no more.