Brothers
20
Ages
Hiro: 4
Tadashi: 10
Tadashi's POV
"Dashi get up! Wake up! C'mon wake up!" Hiro cried, jumping up and down like crazy on my bed. I groan and cover myself further with my comforter.
Hiro's mood doesn't waver as he tugs at covers, trying to get them off of me. It's a shame that I'm holding on as tightly as I can.
"Dashi c'mon, it's Christmas! Santa came! We have to go and see! Presents!" Hiro exclaimed.
My heart clenched at Hiro's bubbly words. Yeah, it Christmas. The first Christmas without mom and dad to be exact. I don't think Hiro fully understands that, which is good because I want him to be happy on Christmas. Too bad I can't say the same for myself.
I miss them so much. Mom would make hot chocolate. Amazing hot chocolate with cute little marshmallows in it. Dad would put up the Christmas tree and Hiro and I would decorate it like crazy, given that the kid would usually wrap himself up in wreath more often than not.
It was fun. Just the four of us. Now it's only three. I couldn't face Hiro. Not while I felt miserable. I didn't want to ruin his joy.
"Dashi! Come ON. You didn't even help decorate the tree! Come open presents!" He cried, yanking at the sheet harder. I smirk and let go of the sheets, causing him to go flying off of the bed. I look over my shoulder to see if he's okay, but the bonehead clutched the covers in victory and jumps up and down, high on adrenaline.
"Yes! Now c'mon. Let's see if Santa got me everything I wanted!" Hiro urged, pulling me out of bed. I shake my head and manage a small smile for him.
We head down to the living room and spot Aunt Cass with a camera. "Oh, this is going to be great. Stand together, let's get a picture!" Aunt Cass boomed eagerly.
"I'd rather not Aunt Cass, but thanks." I say, sitting on the couch. I watch as Hiro rushes to the tree to barrel into the gifts, but stops himself. He looks at me with a sad look. "Dashi, what's wrong? Usually you're more excited than me. Let's open em." Hiro says, gesturing to the gifts.
"You go ahead. I'll just watch first." I say. Hiro less eagerly pulls out a gift. It's blue with green stripes. He waddles his tiny feet my way and hands me the gift. "C'mon Dashi open it. It'll make you feel better." He says, practically shoving it into my hands.
I really don't care to open a gift right now, but I don't want to upset Hiro so I open it. It's a book on robotics. I smile halfheartedly. It's exactly what I wanted.
"Dashi, c'mon where's the bright smile?" Hiro asks, confused. I feel bad and ask to be excused.
Normal POV
Hiro frowned at Tadashi's retreating form.
"Auntie, what's wrong with Dashi?" He asks, joyful mood gone. "Oh honey, he's just tired." Aunt Cass lied. "Honey, why don't you open a present while I check on him?" She suggests, leaving.
Hiro stares underneath the Christmas tree, searching for the one special thing he asked for. He couldn't find it, so he grabbed a random purple box addressed to him. It was from Santa so Hiro gave it a go and tore open the box. Inside lay a toy robot. The one he had asked for.
He looked everywhere around the tree in pursuit of finding the gift he had specially asked Santa for. Not able to find it, Hiro frowned.
Suddenly, Aunt Cass and Tadashi came back. Tadashi's eyes were red.
"Dashi, what's wrong? Were you crying?!" Hiro asks in alarm. Tadashi ignored his younger brother, causing the little toddler to give a hurt look.
"He'll be fine sweetie. I'm going to go grab some eggnog from the corner store really quickly. I'll be right back." She said, leaving.
Tadashi wordlessly sat on the couch. Hiro looked for his special gift more time, but couldn't find it. The little boy couldn't help but feel a bitter question rise in his head. 'Is Santa even real?' he thought.
He climbed onto the couch with a grunt and crawled up to Tadashi, who looked at him with a neutral expression. "Dashi?" He asked with a sad frown. "What is it Hiro? Did you get your gifts?" Tadashi asked.
"Almost. I only didn't get one thing. Does Santa forget certain things sometimes?" Hiro asked. Tadashi gave a small smile.
"Nope. That's the beauty of Santa. He gives you everything you ask for." Tadashi replied, ruffling Hiro's hair. The boy pulled away from the gesture and glared at Tadashi.
"Dashi, are you lying to me? Because I want the truth." Hiro demanded, arms crossed. Tadashi looked surprised. "Wow Hiro, where is this coming from?" The older boy asked.
"Dashi, you're sad because of mommy and daddy right?" Hiro asks nonchalantly. Tadashi's eyes widened. "Hiro, how did you know?" he asked, bewildered. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. But Dashi, why did Santa forget my gift? I wanted you to enjoy it with me." Hiro said sorrowfully.
"What didn't you get?" Tadashi asked. Hiro ignored his brother's question. "Is Santa real?" He asked, almost desperate for the answer.
"Hiro…" Tadashi said trailing off.
Hiro slapped his head in frustration. "I KNEW IT! No one gets what they want just by asking for it from a made up jolly dude in a suit. I'm so stupid." Hiro shouted in anger.
"Whoa Hiro, calm down." Tadashi said, reaching for the boy, who clean dodged him.
"I asked for mom and dad Dashi. I asked for them to come back because I noticed you were upset. I thought Santa would bring them so you'd be happy again. But he didn't because he's not real. He's a false hope he is. I wanted mom and dad so you'd enjoy Christmas, because I'm not enough." Hiro admitted, bitterness lacing his tone.
Tadashi felt guilt rise in him. He had done exactly what he was afraid of. He ruined Christmas for Hiro. He couldn't keep his emotions bottled up enough.
"Hiro, I…You don't have to feel bad." Tadashi said lamely.
Hiro's face fell at his brother's lack of comforting words. He started to waddle over to the stairs.
"W-wait Hiro. I'm sorry!" Tadashi cried. Hiro turned to him expectantly.
"I am happy! I really am." Tadashi promised. Hiro didn't look convinced. "No you aren't. You're lying again Dashi. Stop lying." Hiro said sadly. Tadashi didn't know what to do. For once, he couldn't figure out how to comfort his brother and it hurt to admit it.
Hiro looked down. "That's what I thought." Hiro said gloomily, ascending upstairs. He closed the door to their room with a soft clink, leaving Tadashi feeling worse than he had when he woke up.
Tadashi remained on the couch, not willing himself to cry again. Aunt Cass tried to make him feel better in her own way, but it hadn't helped. He needed his mom and dad. He sighed and thought about what Hiro said.
The boy paid such close to him that he wished for his parents. The most shocking part was that Hiro didn't seem to miss them that much. He practically asked for his parents merely to please Tadashi.
"I'm an idiot." Tadashi said, covering his face with a pillow from the couch he was sitting on. In one Christmas he had; ruined Hiro's happiness, stopped him from believing in Santa at age four, made him miserable, and failed to comfort him afterwards.
"Gah, I honestly don't know what to do!" He cried in agony. His voice echoed around the halls, indicating that now he truly was alone on Christmas.
Aunt Cass POV
Sometimes, I don't know what to do about that boy. Hiro didn't give this much trouble and I assumed that the younger child would be more of a handful, but I can't blame his. Poor Tadashi shouldn't have to lose his parents at such a young age. Hiro probably didn't understand that they were never coming back so he coped a lot better.
I sighed and entered the café, not happy with what I saw. Tadashi was seated on the couch alone. Hiro was nowhere in sight. Presents were still strewn across the Christmas tree, untouched.
"Tadashi. Explain." I demand. Instead of an explanation, I receive a sad look. I immediately feel bad. I guess my comforting from before didn't help him as much as I had hoped.
"Aunt Cass, can I ask you a question?" He asks me.
"Of course. Anything Tadashi." I reply.
"Why do things still hurt when you know the answer?" He inquires.
"What do you mean by that"? I ask, confused.
"Like I know mom and dad are gone. I know they aren't coming back, but it still hurts me. And Hiro pretty much knew that Santa wasn't real, but it still hurt him when I confirmed it. Or when you knew that I ate the last cookie from the jar, but still were upset when I fessed up to it to your face." He explains slowly.
I blink, unsure of how to respond.
"Aunt Cass?" He questions worriedly.
"Honey I don't know." I reply quietly, tears poking through my eyes, and Tadashi face palms himself.
"I'm ruining everything! First Hiro, now you. I'm a scrooge." He whines painfully.
I stop myself from breaking down for Tadashi's sake and look him in the eye.
"Hey listen to me little man. You are NOT a scrooge. You need to cope with your loss and I apologize for not understating that as I much as I should have. I guess I was too busy making sure that I kept you happy, I forgot to impress upon you how to cope with a loss." I say.
Tadashi's face lit up and he rushed to give me a hug. I gladly accepted it.
"Aunt Cass you're brilliant. How do you always know what to say?" He asks, pulling away from the hug. I smile and pat his head. "Tadashi, you seem to know what to say to Hiro most of the time. Only age and experience can teach you more. But for now, I think you're doing a better job with the kid then I ever could. You always know what to say." I assure him. He smiles at my answer, but a small frown pushes its way onto his face.
"Yeah, except today." He grunts. I give him a puzzled look which he waves off. "Don't worry about it. I'm about to fix it anyway. Thanks again Aunt Cass." He says, running upstairs. "Anytime." I say, though he didn't hear it.
Tadashi's POV
I head to mine and Hiro's room and open the door. Well, try to open the door I should say. Hiro had locked it. I knock and hear Hiro's tiny footsteps approach the door.
"Who is it?" He demands.
"It's me, Tadashi." I say
"What's the password?" He asks.
I wrinkle my nose. "Hiro we don't have a password for our room. Just open the door." I say.
"I made one up while you weren't here." Hiro explains as if it were obvious.
"Well then how would I know what it is genius?" I ask. I hear Hiro smack his face in annoyance. "I guess you're right." He mumbles reluctantly, opening the door.
I'm a bit surprised to see that Hiro's back in his pajamas. He was wearing his casual wear a few minutes ago. He looks thoroughly upset which will make this easier. I mean, I can't possibly make things worse.
"Someone tired?" I ask with a tease in my voice. He rubs his eyes and glares at me.
"I want to sleep and then wake up to see it be Christmas again, but this time you wouldn't be so grumpy. You'd be happy and make me hot chocolate like you used to." He says, catching me off guard.
"Hiro, I never- I mean, c'mon I want to take you somewhere." I say, cutting myself off.
The nurses at the hospital mentioned this. Hiro would probably soon forget things that mom and dad used to do and assume that me or Aunt Cass did them. Him thinking that I made the hot chocolate instead of mom is an example of that. Soon, Hiro would probably forget mom and dad altogether. I couldn't let that happen. Not after what trouble I already caused.
"Where are we going?" He asks me as I toss him his hoodie.
"Surprise." I say mysteriously. Hiro cracks a small smile and puts his hoodie on. "Christmas surprise?" He asks hopefully. "You bet." I reply, grabbing his hand. He complies and we walk downstairs.
"Aunt Cass, can I take Hiro somewhere really quickly? I promise we won't be out long." I ask. Aunt Cass smiles at out hand holding and nodded. "Of course Honey." She answers.
Hiro and I head out. We stop at the flower shop and observe all the choices they have. "Are we getting these for Aunt Cass?" He asks. I shake my head. "Nope. Don't ask too many questions or you'll ruin the surprise." I tell him. He luckily agrees and stares at the purple died roses.
"You like those?" I ask. He nods and I pick up a bouquet of them. Paying for them, we head to a coffee shop and I buy two hot mugs of hot chocolate. Hiro gladly takes one and sips it greedily. Then I blindfold Hiro and carry him on my shoulders while he holds the roses so the surprise isn't ruined.
"C'mon Dashi, tell me where we're going." He begs. I don't budge. "Please Dashi?!' he begs again, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I laugh. "Is that supposed to get me to tell you where we're going? Because it really isn't working." I tell him plainly. He huffs and refuses to talk to me anymore.
I roll my eyes at the kid. Little bonehead won't be silent for long.
We finally get there and I let Hiro down easily. "Can I take it off now?" he asks desperately. "Yes you big baby. Take it off." I say with a grin. He yanks it off eagerly and looks around. Disappointment flashes across his eyes.
"Rocks? You brought me to see a bunch of rocks?" He asks, let down. I laugh at his ignorance and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Those rocks Hiro, are mom and dad." I say fondly. Hiro looks confused. "I'm confused." He says flatly.
"I know you may not completely understand it, but mom and dad are dead, but they'll always be in our hearts. We shouldn't mourn over them too much, but that doesn't mean we should forget them either. I don't want you to forget them no matter what people say, so I brought you here to see if you had any questions about them." I explain.
Hiro looks dumfounded. "So…Mom and dad are down there? They're here?" Hiro asks, not believing it. I nod and take the flowers from him. I place them in between mom and dad's graves.
"Dashi. Dashi I get it now!" Hiro cries as if he's made a fascinating discovery. "What do you get?" I ask.
He looks at me as if it's obvious. "Dashi, YOU'RE Santa!" He exclaims in wonder. I look at him in confusion.
"I asked for mom and dad and you brought me to them. That's what I wanted!" Hiro explains with a huge grin plastered onto his face. I suddenly feel a lot better. "Hiro, if that's what makes you happy, just call me Santa." I say with a chuckle. Hiro smiles in response.
"So why'd you think I forgot them?" He asks. "Because you did bonehead. I never made the hot chocolate, mom did." I explain. Hiro makes an 'oh' shape with his mouth.
"Alright then, what were their favorite colors?" he asks curiously.
""Mom's was red, dad's was blue." I say. Hiro smiles even wider. "That's perfect Dashi! We bought purple flowers and red and blue make purple. It's like we mixed their colors together!" He exclaims in joy. I smile at him and pull him closer to me as he asks me more and more questions. Maybe just maybe, I can handle being without mom and dad. Scratch that, they're always with me. I just realized it a little too late.
SO happy late Christmas! Sorry I didn't post this ON Christmas, but I didn't think about it because I don't celebrate it. Anyways, thanks for reading! I love you guys! Also, someone asked me this question a while ago. It was if my math questions and answers were legit from chapter 15 and the answer is; YES! I'm a math nerd so I made sure they were correct!
-the girl you wouldn't expect