Day 18: Inseparable Siblings and Tetsuya's Shield
Summary: Seijuro has always been Tetsuya's shield, the one that would protect from the harsh responsibilities of being a member of the Akashi family and from his own insecurities.
Seijūrō had always been Tetsuya's shield. His protector from the onslaught and pressures of inheriting an entire corporation. Tetsuya was only a year younger than Seijūrō, but despite the small age gap, Seijūrō was the oldest, and therefore was named the heir of the entire Akashi Corporation and responsible to maintain the high status of the Akashi name.
Tetsuya, also being a son of this high esteemed corporation also had to maintain the integrity of the Akashi name, but for the most part, was shielded from the majority of the responsibilities and pressures that Seijūrō had to go through every day.
The brothers were inseparable and incredibly close. They took piano lessons together, learned to play the violin together, went horseback riding together, and they even went to school together. Even though Seijūrō was gifted and began his education at a young age, he didn't enter public schooling until a year later than usual, so that Seijūrō and Tetsuya could be in the same grade.
The next few years of elementary school were overall pleasant for the Akashi brothers. Coaxed into the life of homework but introduced to the thrill of basketball from their dearly beloved mother, Seijūrō and Tetsuya's relationship continued to flower. They enjoyed one-on-one basketball matches after-school and before they went to their study duties. Even though Seijūrō always won those matches and rose to become a basketball prodigy, Tetsuya still enjoyed playing basketball with him, his brother teaching him the basics and being his support, even when he believed that he would never rise to become a prodigy like his brother.
Seijūrō was Tetsuya's rock, his support and his shield all in one. He pours all of his insecurities, his fears and feelings towards his brother, for no one else will listen to him. Their mother grew ill during elementary school, forced to be bedridden and couldn't provide the motherly affection and attention that Tetsuya needed, forcing him to go to Seijūrō instead.
Situations such as these, where Tetsuya gasps awake, forehead sweaty, heartbeat racing and tears beginning to pour from his sky blue eyes; these are the situations where he desperately needs his rock. His brother who can quell the fears that plagued his dreams, and can protect him from harm.
The 11 year old crosses the hallway towards his brother's room, opening the grand door slowly and gently to see his older brother sleeping soundly in his king size bed. Trembling, Tetsuya walked towards his bedside, placing a shaky hand onto his brother's shoulder, softly shaking him awake.
"Sei…" he whispered, his voice shaky.
"Hmm," Seijūrō hummed, stirring in his sleep before crimson eyes opened wearily. He gazed in the direction of Tetsuya's voice before his eyes widened. "Tetsuya, what's wrong?"
Tetsuya gazed downwards, a blush forming across his face, which his brother couldn't see due to the lack of light and his eyes downcast, refusing to look at his older brother in the eye. He wished he could stop shaking but his body wouldn't listen to him. He was 11 years old now. He didn't want to keep fleeing towards the sanctuary of his brother every time he got scared. However, he already woke him up, there's no going back.
"I had a nightmare…" and that was all he needed to say. Seijūrō nodded in understanding, lifting the covers so that Tetsuya could get in the bed without trouble, which is exactly what his little brother did. The two snuggled close to one another, Seijūrō wrapping a protective arm around Tetsuya and pressed their foreheads together.
"Tetsuya, know that you're safe with me. Never be afraid to come to me when you're scared. Your big brother loves you and will always protect you," he whispers. Tetsuya smiles before closing his eyes, his shaking finally ceasing, relaxing into Seijūrō's hold and allowing himself to fall asleep, protected and safe in the arms of his older brother.
Rituals such as these were common with the brothers. Such close forms of intimacy weren't seen as anything unusual and were a part of their normal lives. Tetsuya loved the affection from his brother as he was the only person alive who loved him enough to give him the physical affection that young Tetsuya craves. His father was never home to give him that and even when he was, he acted as though Tetsuya was invisible…no as if he didn't even exist.
Tetsuya's father only cared about the studies of his older brother. To make sure that Seijūrō was keeping the pride of the Akashi name in check and excelling in everything given to him. Their father didn't give a damn whether or not Tetsuya was following these strict responsibilities that Seijūrō followed, for he wasn't going to inherit the corporation, making him, best-case scenario, just a waste of space.
Though their father never actually voiced this to the younger Akashi, the observant Tetsuya can easily decipher this from the lack of attention and cross glares that his father gives him. He knew that the man didn't love him, nor did he care for him in any way.
It was kind of sad actually, that his father didn't love him, his mother left him, and now he's only left with his brother, his shield to protect and care for him.
Later in life, when Tetsuya and Seijūrō were in their teens, Tetsuya began to understand just how unhealthy this is. He clings to Seijūrō like a lifeline, receiving all of his affection and love from him alone, for no one else would bother to give him that, much less acknowledge his existence. They will live separate lives one day, with Seijūrō taking over the Akashi Corporation and Tetsuya doing something else in his life, something that he wasn't quite sure what that would be. One day his brother will leave him…and he'll be alone.
But Tetsuya didn't want to be alone. Being alone means he'll be left unloved, and he wants to be loved.
Seijūrō is supposed to be his shield, the one that will protect him, but if there's one thing that he can't protect Tetsuya from, it's the harshness of reality.
Sitting in front of a plain table, he voices this to Seijūrō as he did with any other fear or insecurity that he had in the past. Seijūrō, sitting across from Tetsuya, listened intently as he always did, it was Seijūrō's duty to be Tetsuya's support and to give him the advice that he needs, but this one hit him in the heart.
With the release of these insecurities is when Seijūrō finally speaks.
"Tetsuya, give me your hand," he commands, causing Kuroko to blink in surprise. When Seijūrō orders his brother, it means that he's being serious, since he hardly ever commands his brother to do anything.
Tetsuya nods in understanding shortly after, taking his right hand across the table before Seijūrō grabs it with two, holding his hand gently but with a firm grip. His crimson eyes stared directly into Tetsuya with a level of seriousness that he's only seen when he's completing studies.
"Listen to me, we are two different people, and we will live two different lives. But that doesn't mean that I won't remain your brother. I'll always be here for you, even if we live separate lives. You can always contact me if you need me. You said it before, right?"
Seijūrō smiled, squeezing Tetsuya's hand gently.
"That I am your shield, your support and your rock, and I vow to make sure it stays that way, even if we don't see each other as much as often as we do now."
Tetsuya smiled softly but it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. Another fear began to strike him in the instant after Seijūrō's remark.
"But Sei…doesn't that inconvenience you?"
His brother only looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking about, Tetsuya?"
"I mean, being my supporter and my shield. Isn't that a burden to you? To your future? I don't want to get in the way of your life just because I have insecurities," Tetsuya mentioned, chewing on his lip after he said that. He loves his brother, but if these overflowing insecurities of his get in the way of his brother's life, he may as well be damned to live a life of loneliness and grief to atone for his selfishness.
Seijūrō tightened the grip on Tetsuya's hand, his gaze firm and even more serious than it was earlier.
"Tetsuya. You are my little brother. You have never been an inconvenience to me."
His words caused Tetsuya to look up at his brother, expression shocked.
Seijūrō continued, locking eyes with his little brother, "I love being with you. I love spending time with you, I love taking away your fears, quelling your nightmares and being that shoulder to cry on. I love being your shield, and there is no way in hell that will ever change, Tetsuya. So please, don't ever think for a second that you're a burden to me. Because you're not, nor will you ever be."
Tetsuya gazed at his older brother, a flurry of emotions racing through his mind. Relief, euphoria, shock, surprise, so much that he was at a loss for words.
"Sei…" was the only thing he could mutter before his body began to shake, just like when he would have nightmares when he was little, but this time, it wasn't from fear. Seijūrō removed his grip from Tetsuya's hand, standing up and walking the few steps towards his brother, pulling him into a tight embrace. Tetsuya could feel tears begin to stream at the realization of his words, his head nuzzling into Seijūrō's shoulder as he cried softly. It was true after all, that even with the path of reality leading to their evident separation to their own lives, his brother would always remain his brother. Tetsuya wouldn't be forgotten, he wouldn't ever be unloved, and he would have his shield.
Yes, Seijūrō has always been Tetsuya's shield. And that is something that will never change.
Notes: This was my 1st time writing a Siblings AU so I hope you enjoyed that, even if it ended up having more angst than I had originally planned.
Other than that, reviews, comments and so forth are welcomed and encouraged! :)