Always and Never

Chapter 3

"Wah, we didn't beat the rain at all," Tooru lamented, peeling off his coat. "Our umbrellas were useless too!"

"Ah, well it's the rainy season," Iwaizumi replied, taking off his own shoes and coat.

"Really you two, come on." Takeo sighed. At Tooru's insistence, he had walked him over to pick up Iwaizumi despite the threat of rain. Initially Tooru was going to walk there himself since he was going to be eight next month (he was going to catch up to Iwa-chan!). That meant he was old enough to walk a block and a half alone. He already walked to and from school on his own. Okay, so he met with Iwaizumi on his way there, but his point still stood. However he stopped himself at the door when his mother's earlier words drifted to the forefront of his mind. She told him that if he needed anything he was to ask Takeo.

Unfortunately Takeo was extremely busy these days. He was in his final year of university. So he ignored Tooru for nearly twenty minutes before he finally gave in, if only to get him to shut up. It would have been easier to ask Asami but she was out with friends herself.

Since Takeo was in such a foul mood Tooru and Iwaizumi quickly bolted to the former's room. It took no time at all for their playing to get loud and riotous. In fact they hadn't even stuck to staying in Tooru's room. They were running throughout the entire house, sounding like an entire herd of buffalo trampling through the prairie. Despite being told off by Takeo more than once both boys were quick to succumb to their playful mood again and again.

Iwaizumi was running back down the hall, Tooru fast on his heels when there was a sudden collision. They had run into Takeo who had been in the midst of bringing a diorama to the kitchen to dry. It laid in pieces on the floor as all three got to their feet.

"U-um, sorry," Iwaizumi said, shuffling sheepishly. He went unheard. Takeo was busy cursing to himself.

"Ugh! Like it wasn't hard enough to concentrate with you two hollering and running around everywhere, now this!" He tugged at his hair in frustration. "I have to start all over! It's not going to be the same."

"Nii-chan, we're really so—"

"Time out," Takeo yelled, his face going red.

Tooru shifted his gaze immediately to Iwaizumi. He found him stiffened, his eyes wide with fear. "A-ah, wait, Nii-chan I don't think—"

"Quiet Tooru," Takeo snapped. "Come on, both of you." Takeo took them both by their wrists, leading them to the living room. "Go on, Tooru in that corner. Hajime, over here."

Iwaizumi moved robotically. His gaze remained firmly on the ground. Tooru tried to reason with his brother again. "Nii-chan isn't there some other puni—"

"Quiet. Tooru." Takeo drew in a deep breath as he exited the living room. He stopped out in the hall. "You aren't to move until I say you can," he said with a tone of finality, stomping back to his own room.

When Tooru looked across the room Iwaizumi had slumped against the wall. The panic was still written all over his face. "Iwa-chan... Iwa-chan it's okay." Iwaizumi however didn't seem to have heard him. Instead he'd gone ghostly pale and began to shake. "Iwa-chan... Hajime-chan, you're not alone. I'm still here," Tooru's voice rose a little, attempting to get Iwaizumi to look at him. Instead tears rolled down Iwaizumi's face.

It was fruitless. Fifteen minutes later Takeo called to say that they could move. Tooru had not moved until then, not wanting to get into further trouble. He raced to Iwaizumi, grabbing his hands. "Iwa-chan. Look, I'm here. See?"

When Iwaizumi blinked his eyes were still filled with silent tears but he appeared to have come back to the present. Tooru greeted him again, this time with a bright smile. "See, didn't leave," he said gently.