Brothers

27

Ages

Hiro: 10

Tadashi: 15

So this is a request from anomonist. They wanted one of Hiro getting bullied. I kind of wanted to write on this topic, but didn't at the same time for the fact that I've seen so many of them and I wanted to be more original. So I did the best I could on my take of what Hiro getting bullied would look like to me. Enjoy

Hiro's POV

"Guys c'mon, don't do this. Not today. It's Friday." I pointed out, hoping to lighten the mood. I doubted it did much though. The four guys in front of me didn't look like they wanted to show any mercy today.

"I don't think so Hamada. What you did was unforgivable." The one closest to me snarled. I gulped.

"It wasn't my fault you didn't know the answer and I did." I say with sarcasm, but regretted it as the kid pinned me against the lockers. I think his name was Jackson or something, but I wasn't sure.

"You wanna get smart with me pintsize?" He asked rhetorically.

"Please just let me go. I didn't do anything to you." I reason. He slams me against the lockers and I groan in pain.

"Just you wait Jackson. In a five and a half minutes, the bell will ring. Then, I'll have countless witnesses." I spit at him in distaste.

"Oh you wanna get cocky do you? Fine, let's see just how much we can accomplish in five and a half minutes." He challenges, glancing at his friends. They all just nonchalantly nod.

"Wait! I'll do your homework for a week if you let me go right now!" I bargain. I can see Jackson thinking over my deal.

"For every class?" he asks with a smirk.
"Yes." I reply, desperate for him to let me go.

"Wait. If you're that desperate to get away, I say we ask for more. What do you think guys?" He asks. They all bob their heads up and down dumbly. I mentally groan. What will it take for them to leave me alone? I'm just a little kid. I don't deserve this. But no, I had to be born a nerd.

"No Hamada. You'll do all of our homework for a month and you're gonna do two major projects for us. Also, you're gonna give us your lunch money for two weeks." He demands.

I weigh my options. Physical pain? Emotional pain? Having to starve? One on hand, physical only hurts for a while and then goes away. On the other, it leaves marks and bruises that will get Tadashi and Aunt Cass questioning. It's harder to hide. But, I don't want to do their homework for a month, let alone do projects for them at the same time.

"Forget it Jackson. Fail your lazy self for all I care." I say. That does it. He slams me harder against the lockers and I fall to my knees, eyes shut tight. I refuse to let out a noise of pain. I refuse to give them the satisfaction.

"What was that nerd?" He asks tauntingly.
"I hate you." I spit out.

He laughs heartlessly. "Oh and what are you gonna do about it? You little shrimp." He taunts, kicking my side before walking away. "C'mon guys, little brat's had enough. For now at least." He says as he leaves.

The bell rings as they get out of sight. I sigh and stand up painfully. I rub my side and get my backpack on and grab the book I checked out from the library. Tadashi approaches me a minute later to walk home together.

"'Sup baby bro. how was school?" He asked with a smile. I give him a smile back, though it's a bit forced.
"Just fine. You?" I ask.

"It was awesome! I got a 98% on my test and everyone was like 'Whoa! How did you get an 'A'?!" he exclaims happily. I give him a real smile this time. Tadashi loved school a lot. So much that he talked about it every single day. Even on weekends. To see him get excited made me happy.

"So how about you? It's Monday. You get any test scores back?" he asks.

"Yeah. Three." I say.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Geez Hiro, what'd you get on them?"

"Oh. Hundreds on all of them."

"That's great! Want to celebrate?!" he asks in joy.

I scan his face. He seems so happy. Who am I to destroy that?

"Yeah sure. If you want." I respond.

"It's settled. The three of us will go out for ice cream." Tadashi declares.

"Cool. An excuse to get my hands on some gummy bears." I reply with a grin.

"Hey you okay bro? You've been sort of limping while we've been walking." Tadashi notes. I get a bit worried, but decide I can play this off easily.

"Yeah, I'm just sore from P.E." I lie.
"Ugh, I know what you mean. The coach is bonkers. Making you run a mile as a warm up is insanity." Tadashi says understandingly. "Hey, you want me to carry you?" he asks. I give him a look.

"Hey, I won't judge." He says innocently.

"Tadashi, I'm not four years old." I say with a chuckle.

"Still act and scream like one." Tadashi retorts with a snicker.

"Scream?" I question.
"Yeah scream. Like this." He says, tickling me lightly on my rib. I squeal involuntarily and glare at him for it. He just pokes his tongue out at me. "That wasn't fair, you caught me off guard." I whine. He shrugs and reaches to tickle me again, this time on both ribs.

"I wince a bit when he tickles my left rib, but hold in the pain. It's easy to while I'm laughing so I thank my lucky stars that he's tickling me.

"D-Dashi! Stop! Okay I scream like a four year old now s-s-stop!" I stutter between giggles and squeals.

"Victory once more." He says goofily retracting his large hands.

"Whatever." I reply with a snort. Then, he grabs my book.

"Secrets to building a good robot? Wow Hiro, you're really into robotics, huh?" he questions, holding the book out of my reach. I jump up and down like a monkey trying to get it back.
"Oh! C'mon Tadashi, give it back." I beg, on my tippy toes.

"Make me." he teases.

"I hate you." I mumble, head down.

"What are you gonna do about it? You little shrimp?" Tadashi snorts playfully. I gasp at his words and how familiar they sounded. The déjà vu hits me and I fall to the ground. Tadashi immediately kneels down.

"Wow Hiro. You okay? What happened?" He asks.

"S-stay away." I say, backing up from him. I hold my head in my hands and try to calm myself, but the memories of those bullies comes back and I hold my rib.

'Tadashi was only messing with you. He wouldn't hurt you. Dashi isn't Jackson.' I tell myself over and over until I can breathe again.

When I open my eyes, Tadashi's sitting right in front of me with concern lacing his eyes.

"Sorry Tadashi. I just spaced out." I say, getting up.

"You call having a panic attack spacing out?! Hiro, what's wrong?" he asks me.

"Nothing Tadashi. I just spaced out. I didn't have a panic attack. I'm fine. Honest." I lie. Tadashi just sighs.

"Alright. But you'd tell me if something was really wrong, right?" he asks.

"Of course." I say.

"Yeah okay. Let's go." He says, heading to the door of the Lucky Cat Café.

"Hiro, you sure you're okay? You seem down." Tadashi asked me three days later.

Considering I had a black eye I had to hide from Monday, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy. I couldn't just tell Tadashi that though, so I flash him a smile.

"I'm fine Tadashi. Now c'mon or we're gonna be late." I say.

"Just give it back and leave me alone Jackson!" I yell as he corners me in the boy's locker room after snatching my book.

"Not a chance shrimp." He replies, shaking the book tauntingly. I want to smack that smirk off of his face for treating me like this. It's his fault I spazzed out at Tadashi the other day. He's the cause of my misery. I take all my anger and transfer it to my leg and kick Jackson's stomach as hard as I can. I wait for his reaction but he merely laughs.

"Ha! You think you and your chicken legs can hurt me? How pathetic. You're brother, Tadashi, is probably ashamed as hell to have a brother like you." He sneered, whacking my head brutally on my head for good measure.

"Shut up! Don't you DARE talk about my brother that way! Make fun of me all you want but when you talk ill of Tadashi, you cross the line you idiot!" I scream at him, rubbing my head. He just whacks my head again and laughs as if this is his favorite game.

"Stop!" I demand. He just keeps whacking me harder and harder and I groan in pain. I try not to, but I can't help myself. I'm sure I'll have bumps on my head after this, but I refuse to cry in front of him.

"Are you gonna try and kick me again?" He taunts.

"Please just leave me alone." I plead, cursing myself for how desperate I sound.

"Okay shrimp. I'll leave you alone if you do what I said last time." He bargains.

"Not in this lifetime." I spit at him. That's definitely not the response he wanted because he begins kick me on my sides and stomach and I'm sure he's leaving bruises. I still don't give in to him.

"You know what shrimp? If I was your brother, I'd beat you up every single day." He says with dark chuckles.
"Shut up!" I cry out between his kicks. Suddenly, he stops kicking me. I'm confused and shoot him a puzzled look. He has a knowing smirk on his face. Like he's figured some juicy secret out. I ignore it and reach for my book again. To my surprise, he hands it to me willingly.

"What the heck are you playing at?" I ask him with a raised eyebrow, frown still present.

"You know, I bet Tadashi's ashamed that he's related to such a loser." He says with a dark look. I clench my book against me and block his words out.

"Shut up you big fat liar. You don't know anything about Tadashi. He cares about me more than anyone. He is nowhere near ashamed of me." I fire back.

"Really? Is that why he hasn't confronted me? Because he cares so much about you?" He taunts. I clench my book even tighter.

"For your information, I didn't tell him about this because I didn't want him to worry!" I shout at him, getting angrier by the second. I try to escape, but he's stronger and stops me.

"Or…." He drawls. "Or you're scared that he won't care. You're being a coward. You're afraid that he won't be able to do anything about it." He says with a smirk.

"Stop it!" I shout at him, pushing him, though it's a failed effort. He just laughs at me.

"You're pathetic Hamada. Tadashi doesn't give two shits about your wellbeing. That's why he hasn't done anything. Anyone can see that you've put makeup on to hide that hideous black eye. If you think he can't see that, you're just lying to yourself. Tadashi knows. He just doesn't care." Jackson says coldly. I gasp and drop the book. I've clenched my fists so tightly that they've turned ghost white.

"SHUT UP YOU LIAR! Tadashi isn't like you. He has a heart that's bigger than anyone else's. He cares about me. He loves me!" I shout at him in anger.

"You tell yourself that shrimp. But you can't deny the truth from yourself forever. You're smart. Sooner or later you'll figure it out." He says in a sickeningly sweet tone, leaving me.

I drop to the floor and pick up my book.

"He's wrong. Tadashi cares about me no matter what. That's why he asks me how I'm doing every day. I'm just a good liar. Right?" I ask myself, hugging my book for comfort. I feel doubts coming, but I do my best to push them away. Tadashi cares about me. I know he does.

…Right?

"So you wanna play a game?" Tadashi asked when we got home.

I look up from my homework, biting my lip. I did want to take a break, but I just had to make sure of something first. I slide my paper across my finger, causing it to draw blood.

"Yeah sure, but can you get me a Band-Aid first? I kind of got a paper cut on my finger." I say, holding it up to show him. Tadashi immediately disappears to the bathroom to grab a bandage from the first aid kit.

"Here." He says, placing the Band-Aid on my finger gently. "You okay?" He asks when he's one.

"Yeah, thanks." I say, smiling.

"Why do you seem so happy?" He asks with a smile of his own.
"No reason. Hey Tadashi, if I was say…being bullied or whatever, what would you do?" I ask him, not making eye contact. Tadashi's eyes narrow before giving me a gentle gaze.

"Hiro, is there something you want to tell me?" He asks.

"Wh-what?! Tadashi c'mon. I'm just being hypothetical of course. I'm not bullied. No one can bully a Hamada." I say, puffing out my chest in an attempt to look tougher. I hope he's buying this.

"Oh thank goodness. You really had me worried there bonehead. That's my baby brother. A fighter! Not a wimp." He says teasingly, ruffling my hair. In my sorrow, I let him mess it up.

'Was Jackson right? Would Tadashi think I'm a wimp if I told him the truth then?' I thought to myself.

"So how about that game now?" Tadashi asks, holding up a Wii remote.

"Uh, I'd love to Tadashi, but I should really finish my homework. Sorry. Maybe later." I say, getting back to my math

. I can see Tadashi's a tad upset from the corner of my eye, but he brushes it off and opens his own backpack to do something as well. I feel a throb in my stomach from where Jackson landed a good kick, but fight the pain. After what just happened, there's no way in hell I'm telling Tadashi what's going on.

Normal POV

"What, no book today nerd?" Jackson sneered along with one of his friends. Hiro flinched at Jackson's sudden presence.

"No." He replied uneasily. He had returned the book to the library yesterday, not that he was going to give Jackson the details.

"I see your brother hasn't come hunting me down yet. He must really not give a shit about you." Jackson taunted.

Hiro closed his eyes and remembered that Tadashi had immediately come to his aid when he got his paper cut. He breathed in and out, reminding himself that Tadashi did care despite what the jerk in front of him claimed.

He felt a sharp pain shoot in his side and opened his eyes. Jackson had kicked him with a laugh. Hiro tried to run away, but Jackson's friend held him in place.

The young genius glared harshly at Jackson. Hatred and bitterness was shot at the bully, who wasn't fazed at all.

"What, am I not good enough to be your personal punching bag anymore?" He spit at Jackson who smirked in response.

"Nope, I just figured out how to rile you up better is all." He said smugly.

"Oh, you're so clever. Let me guess. The few brain cells that didn't die off in you at birth managed to find some other way to torture me?" Hiro bit back. To the younger Hamada's surprise, Jackson didn't kick him like he usually did when Hiro was being smart. Instead, Jackson leaned against the wall lazily and smiled.

"What are you playing at?" Hiro questioned, curiosity rising up in him.

"You know, for a super nerd, you're pretty stupid not to get it by now." Jackson said nonchalantly.

"What are you talking about?" Hiro asked, voice innocent and pure.

Jackson began laughing, causing his friend to laugh as well. Hiro's cheeked burned in anger and embarrassment. He wondered what the bullies were talking about.

"Your brother smart one. Whenever someone says anything about that loser, you get utterly defensive and scared out of your mind. Like when I mention the fact that he doesn't care about you. Then again, who would care about you? I mean, isn't it true that your parents died in a car crash with you in it? Tadashi wasn't in it was he? That's obviously because your parents were trying to kill you. They failed, so they just killed themselves. Pity really. I knew they were really famous scientists. NO wonder they wanted to keep Tadashi alive though. He probably wasn't as much of a disappointment." Jackson said darkly.

"STOP IT! STOP! SHUT UP!" Hiro screeched, covering his ears. He sunk to his knees. Jackson's friend had let him go as he fell down. Fat, hot tears poured down his face. The one thing he promised himself he'd never do was happening. He was bawling his eyes out in front of his bullies.

The kicks, punches, and beatings he could handle, but Jackson's words had deeply hurt him. What he said strangely made sense to Hiro's dismay. His words bounced around in his head, though he tried to push them away. This was it. He simply HAD to tell Tadashi about this.

"What's wrong Hiro?" Does the truth hurt? Because it tends to do that to people." Jackson remarked coldly.

Hiro shook his head. He was begging Jackson to stop with the jabs.

"Wh-what? What did I ever d-do to you?" He whispered out softly and delicately. Jackson raised a brow. A look of guilt seemed to pass through his eyes before the normal taunting look was back.

"Same thing you did to your parents and brother. You were born." He tossed out like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Hiro gasped and covered his mouth. He blinked rapidly, hoping to stop the fresh abundance of tears about to pour out, but no such luck. The waterworks came flooding out of his chocolate brown eyes and they wouldn't stop.

"That's how I can get a kick into your pathetic heart without even touching you. Hope you go crying to your brother. He'll just add fuel to this fire." Jackson said with a sneer, walking off with his friend.

Hiro sobbed in the corner for what seemed like forever.

'Well he's right. There's no way I can tell Tadashi anymore. He obviously doesn't care. He would've noticed me limping or clutching my rib in pain. If he really cared, he would've asked more questions. And maybe this is why he hates talking about mom and dad. He knows that they died because of me.' Hiro thought. He uncurled out of his ball and sulked outside where he was to meet Tadashi.

As soon as Tadashi caught sight of Hiro, he looked immensely relieved.

"Oh thank goodness Hiro. I was beginning to worry." Tadashi said, reaching for his younger brother's hand.

'Yeah you would worry after half an hour. No biggie. It's not like I was being verbally assaulted.' Hiro thought sourly.

"Wow Hiro, what happened? Your eyes are blotchy and red. Did you eat something with peanuts in it?! You know I told you not to Hiro!" Tadashi immediately assumed.

Hiro mentally cursed himself for not washing his face prior to meeting up with his older brother.

"N- I mean yes. I did. Sorry Tadashi, I just couldn't help myself." Hiro lied. He figured that this was the perfect lie to tell since Tadashi already assumed it.

Tadashi pointed an accusing finger at Hiro and smiled in slight victory.

"Ha! I knew it. Hiro, did you really think you could get away with it? Lying to me? I'm the one who taught you how to lie. Rule number 3 is that if it seems too easy, it is." Tadashi said.

"I'm sorry Tadashi. I won't eat peanuts again." Hiro mumbled. Tadashi face-palmed himself.

"Dang it Hiro. I'm not talking about the darn peanuts. I meant lying about whatever it is you're not telling me. I know you're hiding something. Did you think I wouldn't figure it out?" Tadashi asked in slight anger.

Hiro gulped and wiped at his eyes. How did Tadashi figure out he was lying? He thought he did a pretty good job in keeping it a secret.

"Hiro, please tell me what's going on." Tadashi asked gently, pulling Hiro into him. Hiro pulled out in a heartbeat though, causing Tadashi to flash a look of hurt to him.

"Nothing Tadashi. You always assume that something's going on. I'm fine." Hiro assured, slight edge to his voice.

"Bull crap Hiro. I know that something's wrong." Tadashi retaliated.

"Tadashi it's okay." Hiro said completely honestly this time. The older Hamada was confused.

"I don't understand." Tadashi admitted.

"It's okay. I know you don't care. No one does, but it's alright. I've come to terms with it. I can handle it. I'm tough, remember." Hiro said to him. Tadashi was flabbergasted.

"Hiro, what the heck are you talking about?! Of course I care about you! Why do you think I didn't press you into telling me what it is you're hiding from me until now? It's because I didn't want you to feel pressured. I noticed you limping on your legs and rubbing your sides and stomach. I noticed you were in pain. I wanted to help you. You wouldn't let me. Hiro please tell me what's going on." Tadashi begged.

Hiro was taken aback. His concern, sorrow, and melancholy mood transformed into anger and hatred. Bitterness and darkness replaced his features, all directed at Jackson. He was so stupid to fall into that idiots trap. He purposely used his weakness against him. He was dumb for thinking that Tadashi didn't care. His mom and dad loved him and so did Tadashi. He clenched his fists and furrowed his brows deeply.

"Hiro deep breaths." Tadashi advised, pulling him into an embrace which Hiro allowed this time.

"Tell me what happened otuoto." Tadashi pleaded softly.

"J-Jackson happened." He sobbed. Only this time, his tears were of anger, not sadness.

"Jackson Banks. The douchebag in my history class?" Tadashi asked, more to himself.

"I th-think so." Hiro said.

"Dark brown hair? Ugly piercing on his left ear?" Tadashi asks to confirm. He felt Hiro nod his head up and down from his hold.

"Hiro, why didn't you say something?" Tadashi asked.

"I didn't want you to worry at first. Then, I was going to, but you seemed so proud that I was a fighter and not a wimp. I couldn't bring myself to tell you. But the truth is that I'm a coward. A coward and a wimp" Hiro explained.

"Oh Hiro. It takes a lot of bravery to admit something like this. You still are a fighter. Telling me the truth takes a lot of courage. I'm glad you did. Now what did he do to you?" Tadashi asked.

Hiro didn't answer.

"I can't tell you." Hiro said softly.

"Excuse me a minute." Tadashi said quietly, walking into the building, leaving Hiro alone outside.

'Where is he going?' Hiro thought.

A few minutes later, Hiro heard girlish squealing, followed by Jackson running out with two black eyes, bruises on his arms, and a terrified expression on his face. He ran past the younger Hamada and was screaming in terror in the process.

Hiro blinked in disbelief. Rubbing his eyes, he watched as Jackson ran off, almost as if it were surreal.

Then he saw Tadashi walk out of the building calmly and toward him. Hiro backed away slowly and cautiously.

"T-Tadashi, you didn't do that to Jackson, did you?" He asked, voice cracking. Tadashi nodded, seeming satisfied and coming closer to his younger brother who backed away further.

"But Dashi, you're the one who told me that two wrongs don't make a right. How could you?!" Hiro questioned.

"He deserved it. I made him tell me everything he did or said to you and it pissed me off. I'm sorry if that scared you Hiro, but it had to be done. He made me so angry." Tadashi growled, clenching his fists. Hiro winced and backed up even more.

Tadashi noticed this and his face fell. Hiro had gotten scared of him only once before and he swore to himself he'd do everything in his power to make sure it didn't happen again. He had failed though. Hiro was afraid of him. He could sense it.

"D-does that mean i-if I made you a-angry enough, y-y-you'd h-hurt me t-too?" Hiro asked, wide eyed and trembling.

"No Hiro. Of course not. I'd never hurt you. I swear on it. Pinky swear." He said, holding out his pinky. Hiro however, rejected Tadashi's pinky and scooted away from his older brother.

"How can I trust you?" He asked in a voice that made Tadashi want to die. It was so vulnerable sounding. So innocent.

"Have I ever gotten mad at you before?" Tadashi asked. Hiro look at Tadashi directly for the first time since he exited it.

"Yes." He replied easily, cocking his head to the side.
"And have I ever hit you before?" Tadashi asked.

"N-no." Hiro said after thinking for a second. He perked up and hugged his brother.

"I'm sorry Dashi! I know you'd never hurt me. I don't even know why I questioned it! You're the best." Hiro said.

Tadashi sighed in sheer relief.

"Don't worry Hiro. As long as I'm alive, I won't let anyone hurt you like that jerk. He won't be bothering you anymore. I promise you that." Tadashi said, hugging back.

"Thanks Dashi." Hiro said as they walked home.

"Anytime." Tadashi said with a smile.

Oh! I wanted to mention that I won't be updating as often anymore because school started up again. Sorry! But homework calls. LOVE y'all

-girl you wouldn't expect