A/N
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! You guys rock!
Tadashi wasn't sure how long he laid their comforting Hiro as he sobbed, but eventually Hiro's cries turned into soft whimpers before falling silent, Hiro drifting off into a restless sleep. Tadashi was reluctant to leave his brother when he was in such a vulnerable state, but he needed to talk to his friends. They shouldn't have to wait around here all night. So, he slowly lifted himself off of the bed, carefully watching Hiro for signs that he would wake up. Thankfully he only shifted before drifting off once more.
Tadashi carefully opened the door and slipped out before shutting it and heading back towards the waiting area. He walked into the area and saw Fred lying across a couple of chairs, Wasabi nervously pacing and Honey Lemon and Gogo sitting next to each other watching Wasabi as he walked back and forth in front of him. Fred glanced over at where Tadashi was standing and immediately sat up saying,
"Tadashi! What are you doing out here?" Tadashi walked over to them and said,
"The doctor told me Hiro would need to stay overnight…and I wanted to let you know so-"
"Tadashi listen," Fred said, standing up and taking Tadashi's hands, "I don't know what these other guys are doing but I'm staying right here with you until you and Hiro can go home."
"You don't have t-" Tadashi began but Fred again cut him off,
"I want to. You're going through some really hard stuff right now and it wouldn't feel right leaving you here alone."
"Thank you…" Tadashi whispered, squeezing Fred's hands. Fred gave Tadashi a warm smile as Gogo declared,
"I think it's safe to say we'll all be staying. Now go be with your brother."
True to their word they stayed in the hospital for the entire night, not that Tadashi knew until the next morning. He spent most of the night struggling to fall asleep curled protectively around Hiro. Every time Tadashi started to drift off he would jolt awake, terrified his brother was gone. Tadashi tightly held Hiro in his arms, wishing he could fall asleep, but the nightmares kept him awake.
Unfortunately, Hiro didn't even get a good night's rest. He woke up several times throughout the night, crying and calling out for their parents. Tadashi couldn't get much out of him besides that there had been a crash and mommy and daddy where hurt. It broke Tadashi's heart telling him the crash wasn't a nightmare and that it was real. A part of Tadashi kept wishing this was all a nightmare, but he knew better.
Eventually around three a.m. Tadashi drifted off and wasn't disturbed until a nurse shook him awake saying that Hiro could go home. The nurse insisted that Hiro leave the hospital in a wheelchair, so Tadashi rolled Hiro out on a wheelchair and started the process of getting him released. Behind him, he heard the others debating on how to get everyone home.
"Wasabi your car can't hold everyone," Gogo was saying.
"I can make multiple trips!" Wasabi argued.
"But do you own a booster chair?" Honey Lemon asked.
"No but Ta-….wait probably not…" Wasabi mumbled, guiltily glancing over at Tadashi.
"Guys its cool. You three can head home, I got me, Tadashi, and Hiro covered." Fred assured.
"Several problems with that," Gogo said, "One, you don't own a car, two even if you did why would you even own a booster chair and three…."
"Guys I called my parents and they have an old one Hiro can borrow," Fred assured. Before they could argue more, Tadashi finished and walked over to them saying,
"It's cool guys, Fred's got it covered." Gogo, Wasabi, and Honey Lemon looked between Fred and Tadashi skeptically.
"Are you sure?" Honey Lemon asked.
"Yes, I promise we'll be fi-…well as, as good as we can be…." Tadashi mumbled. Honey Lemon nodded and Wasabi pulled Tadashi into a hug saying,
"Hey if you need anything just call."
"Thanks…" Tadashi whispered, enjoying the feeling of being held, even if just for a moment.
"I mean it. Anything at all okay?" Wasabi said, pushing Tadashi back to look him in the eye.
"We're your friends Tadashi, we want to help!" Honey Lemon added.
"Thank you, all of you….this…this means a lot…" Tadashi told them. Wasabi smiled and gave his shoulders a squeeze before saying,
"Do you want us to stick around unt-"
"No!" Fred shouted a little too quickly. "I mean uh…."
"No, thank you though. You guys have been here all night." Tadashi said much more calmly. "Please just go home okay? I really appreciate all you've done for me already." Wasabi nodded and said,
"If you're sure…."
"I am," Tadashi assured, forcing himself to smile. Everyone gave Tadashi another hug and then left with Wasabi. Once they were gone Tadashi gave a weak smirk and asked, "Heathcliff?"
Fred sheepishly smiled and admitted, "Yea, when is it ever anyone else?" Tadashi let himself give a small chuckle before turning his attention back to Hiro. He had considered introducing him to everyone but he was worried it would overwhelm him. But it wouldn't hurt to let Hiro meet his big brothers boyfriend. Tadashi kneeled down next to the wheelchair and said,
"Hey Hiro, I want you to meet Fred. He's my…my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Hiro asked, unconsciously huddling closer to the side of the wheelchair Tadashi was kneeling by, "I thought boys only dated girls."
"Usually," Tadashi began with a smile, "But sometimes girls prefer to date other girls and sometimes boys prefer to date other boys."
"Oh…" Hiro mumbled before nervously looking at Fred. "Hi…" Fred smiled down at Hiro warmly before kneeling down in front of him.
"Hi, I'm Fred." Fred said, giving Hiro a wave which Hiro sheepishly returned. "I'm not a scientist but I am a major science enthusiast! Are you a scientist?"
"No…but I want to be…." Hiro mumbled, looking up at Tadashi for approval.
Fred's grin widened as he said, "That's so cool! I bet Tadashi will teach you everything you need to know! Right?"
"He's already inventing," Tadashi explained. He knew Fred knew this, but he also knew the conversation would help Hiro relax. "He's a natural." Fred was about to respond when he froze and reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone.
"Oh, Heathcliff is outside." He said.
"Great, let's get going…" Tadashi sighed, scooping Hiro up into his arms. "By the way…how did Heathcliff get a booster seat?"
"I was going to have him buy one," Fred admitted, "But then he remembered one of the cleaning ladies son just outgrew his so he asked to borrow it."
Tadashi let out a relieved sigh and said, "Thanks, that means a lot…hey um if she doesn't need it anymore….could I maybe buy it off of her. I imagine Hiro's…can't be used anymore…" Tadashi felt his heart clench and held Hiro tighter.
Fred smiled softly at Tadashi and whispered, "I'll ask."
The pair approached the curb and Heathcliff opened the door for them. As Tadashi leaned inside to get Hiro buckled he said,
"Thank you for coming and getting the booster seat for Hiro."
"It was no problem Mr. Hamada," Heathcliff assured. "And….may I offer my condolences for your loss?" He added, causing Tadashi to freeze. He took a deep breath to calm himself and forced his tears back saying,
"Y…thanks…" He would not cry in front of Hiro. No way. He was the eldest he needed to be strong. As Tadashi and Fred got into the limo, Tadashi had to fight the urge to dump everything he was feeling onto Fred's shoulders. He couldn't though, not in front of Hiro. The five year old was going through enough as it was. He'd have to wait until they were alone.
The ride back to Tadashi's house was painfully quiet, but Tadashi just didn't know what he could say that wouldn't result in him bursting into tears. Thankfully Fred seemed to understand this and didn't say anything during the ride to Tadashi's house. After what felt like an eternity they finally reached Tadashi's home. As he unbuckled Hiro it took all of his willpower to keep a calm and collected face on for Hiro. With shaking hands Tadashi approached the door while holding Hiro and tried to put the key in but dropped it. Fred instantly bent over and picked it up for him and said,
"I got it," before unlocking the door for Tadashi.
Tadashi gave Fred a weak smile and asked, "C-can you s-stay for a little?" his voice trembling. He was having a hard time keeping the façade up at this point. He knew any minute he'd crack and he wanted…no needed Fred there with him when he did. Fred seemed to understand this and said,
"Yea, you get Hiro settled and I'll talk with Heathcliff." Tadashi tried to smile at Fred, but Tadashi knew it was a pathetic one. Fred kissed Tadashi's cheek and added, "I'll be inside in a minute." Tadashi nodded his head and slipped inside, and carried Hiro upstairs and into his room. It physically hurt to be in his home, their where reminders of his parents everywhere. Pictures on the walls, his father's computer discarded on the coffee table…
Tadashi shook his head and focused on getting his brother up the stairs and into his room. Once in Hiro's room, Tadashi set Hiro down on the bed and heavily sat down next to him. It took a moment for Tadashi to be able to form the words he needed to say.
"Listen buddy…I…I…Fred and I need to talk…and we…I need you to stay up here…get some sleep maybe…"
"Am I in trouble?" Hiro asked, eyes watering.
"No, no buddy you're not." Tadashi whispered, running a hand through Hiro's hair.
"Are you guys fighting?"
Tadashi gave Hiro a weak smile and assured, "No. I promise it's nothing bad…I just need some time with him….like when we have a bro's night. Do you understand?"
Hiro nodded and mumbled, "Yea…" Before reaching up and tightly hugging Tadashi. "If you need me yell okay?" Tadashi gave a genuine smile and hugged Hiro back saying,
"Okay." Tadashi then released him and Hiro got settled on his bed to try and catch up on sleep as Tadashi made his way back down the stairs and found Fred settled on the couch. Tadashi collapsed next to Fred, trembling.
"Hey, it's okay," Fred soothingly said, reaching over to rub Tadashi's back. "I'm here for you."
"I don't know what I'm going to do!" Tadashi shouted. "I-I….I can't lose Hiro but…I can't go to school get a job and take good care of Hiro! I…I can't keep the house! I'll have to sell it all the while…while planning my parents funeral…I can't do it all alone!"
"Hey, hey," Fred said, grabbing Tadashi's shoulder with his free hand. "You are not alone. Me, Wasabi, Honey Lemon and Gogo, we are all here for you and are going to help you however we can."
"It's not enough!" Tadashi exclaimed. "What will happen when social services shows up? Even if I worked full time I couldn't afford college and food and rent! I…I have to-to drop out…"
"Drop out?" Fred asked. "But going to SFIT was-is your dream!"
"I can't lose Hiro," Tadashi whispered, tears streaming down his face. "He's more important…"
"If you drop out you won't be able to get a real job ever an-" Fred began, frustrating Tadashi. Why couldn't he understand? Why did he refuse to understand? His parents…would they understand? Tadashi didn't know, and now he'd never know. Before he could stop, Tadashi completely broke down crying. He couldn't do this! Fred wrapped his arms around Tadashi, tightly holding onto him in a comforting manner and started to rock him. Tadashi buried his face in Fred's shoulder desperately clinging onto him.
No words were spoken; Fred simply let Tadashi cry and held him. He knew he should try and be quiet so Hiro couldn't hear, but he just couldn't. Tadashi felt Fred start running a hand through his hair in a comforting manner, and felt a wave of relief wash over him. Fred was here, he wasn't going anywhere. He didn't need to have it all together. He knew Fred would never judge him for crying.
Having someone to hold him didn't make the pain go away though. His parents' absence left a gaping hole in his heart. And he knew Hiro was feeling the same. He didn't know a thing about raising a child, and now he'd have to do it all on his own. Fred tightened his grip around Tadashi reminding him that he wasn't completely alone. The thought should have comforted him, but his chest still ached and he desperately wished his parents would walk through the front door and tease him for overreacting.
Eventually his tears stopped flowing and his body stopped trembling leaving Tadashi slumped against Fred feeling completely drained. Tadashi wanted to curl up in his bed and fall asleep, but he didn't want to leave the comfort of Fred's arms. His grip around Tadashi hadn't loosened since Tadashi's cries had quieted and he wondered if Fred would mind if he fell asleep in Fred's arms.
Tadashi wanted to say something, but everything felt so heavy and he couldn't seem to find the energy to do anything but lay in Fred's arms. Fred didn't seem to mind as he leaned down to kiss Tadashi's forehead and continued to run a hand through Tadashi's hair. Tadashi felt his eye's drift close as Fred's gentle rocking slowed so he could shift Tadashi into a more comfortable position. He could feel Fred's chest raising and falling beneath him as his mind grew foggy. Maybe Fred could keep the nightmares at bay….
Loud knocking on the door shattered the moment and startled Tadashi into alertness. No, not now. He couldn't handle visitors….the knocking continued and Tadashi started to untabgle himself from Fred's arms and stand up, but Fred pushed him down saying,
"I'll get it." Tadashi shakily nodded his head and Fred hurried over to the door. Tadashi couldn't bring himself to care who it was. He just wanted Fred back holding him and telling him it was okay. After a minute, Tadashi heard Fred reluctantly call,
"Tadashi….you better come out here…." Exhausted, Tadashi slowly stood and dragged himself to the door and found himself face to face with a tall dark man wearing a suit and sun glasses.
"Tadashi Hamada?"
"Yes…" Tadashi said, getting nervous.
"The name's Bubbles, Cobra Bubbles."
"Apparently he's your social worker…" Fred said.
"We need to talk." Bubbles said.