Things We Used To Share

Aching

Kaname eyes him when he returns to the Moon Dorms early that morning.

It makes Hiro feel like he were a deer caught in headlights, awaiting death from a speeding truck.

Kaname wants to step forward, Hiro can tell.

But he's giving Hiro space.

...and he's thankful for that.

"The Council wishes to prosecute Zero for the death of Shizuka Hio."

Forget the truck.

He had just been hit by a plane. Maybe a boat.

Maybe a train.

Yeah, a train. He was backed into the train tracks and smashed by the weight and speed of a train.

His body goes cold like he were dead.

"...what?" Hiro asks.

"You had fainted. Akatsuki and Aido found you with Zero, who was holding a gun and had Shizuka's blood on his mouth."

Kaname finally takes a seat on the couch.

Hiro is still in awe at his calm demeanor.

"...What did you tell them?"

Kaname looks at Hiro.

"Did you tell them the truth?" Hiro asks.

"I reported what was seen, and the fact that Zero had every reason to want to kill her. That it's a large possibility."

The table in front of Kaname cracks and shatters to the ground.

Hiro steps towards, walking through the room and stepping on the glass with his shoes.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because if the Council found out you killed Shizuka, things would only get hectic." Kaname answers him like it were a simple question.

"So someone innocent can take my place?"

"Zero had planned to kill Shizuka originally. You just...got in the way." Kaname explained calmly.

Hiro was furious now.

He'd never been this angry.

Maybe he has, and doesn't remember.

The chandelier above them starts to crack.

"You peek into my memories...and now you're going to send someone to get killed in my place?"

Was that his voice?

It sounded shaky, filled by anger and shock.

"Zero's my friend."

It sounded so angry.

Kaname seemed amused by his expression.

"...the last time I've seen you this angry was when Yuki had torn up your favorite collection of novels because she thought you liked books more than her."

Hiro remembered the way she cried and how his father had promised to get him more books. He remembers how unfair it was she got off the hook so easily, and hated how he was stuck with her all the time. But he only nodded and stormed off, not talking to Yuki for an entire day. She was so sad.

He wished he could take that back. He'd give anything to be her brother again.

"You're going to defend him." Hiro says, his eyes unwavering. "If you don't, I'll tell the Council the truth."

"I had a feeling you would say that." Kaname looks to the side.

Hiro glares at him harder.

"They've already decided to spare him."

Hiro completely deflates.

Huh?

"...huh?"

"They agreed to spare his life for now, since I argued that Shizuka Hio has committed heinous crimes and was technically a criminal." He said with ease.

Hiro blinks.

He slowly takes a seat beside Kaname, sinking into a pile of surprise.

"...Why didn't you say that from before?" Hiro frowns, hearing Kaname laugh from beside him.

Two arms wrap around him, and Hiro tenses when he's pulled close.

"You care so much for others, while you've been hurt so much." Kaname says softly.

Hiro wants to sink into his touch. To feel protected and loved. He wants to hide behind Kaname and cling to him forever.

He instead says still, staring at the shattered table.

"It's why I love you."

Hiro looks up at him, unable to hide the soft smile that slowly crawls onto his lips.

"Even...even after seeing everything?" Hiro asks, confused.

Kaname pulls him closer.

"I'll always love you, no matter what."

Hiro buried his smile into the crook of Kaname's neck, hugging him tightly and giving a relieved sigh.

Kaname smiled, quietly listening to the thrum of Hiro's heart.

...an idea bloomed within his head.