Stand With You

Summary: He would always be there for his brother, no matter what. Even if Hiro's a little hesitant to have him by his side.

Tadashi breathed in the clean, warm air of another day, the feeling of content bubbling like a spring in him. He had managed to finish his course work and hand it up in time, gaining an approving nod from his professor. His calculations in maths had managed to prove yet another theory and the smug satisfaction that he was still able to do all that while juggling his other activities made him feel invincible, as if he could conquer anything if he put his mind to.

It was a heady concoction that kept a small smile etched on his face.

He wondered if his brother would be up for some lunch in his favorite ramen shop instead of heading back to the cafe to prepare their own. Besides, he wanted to get to speak his brother after a week of no contact because of his projects.

The sunlight filtered over the trees, casting lace shadows on his arms and he turned his face to feel the warmth streaming over his skin like a warm kiss from a loving mother or a hug from a loved one.

A sound of pain interrupted his thoughts and his eyes snapped open.

He recognized that voice.

Tadashi sped up, blood boiling when he saw his worst fears confirmed.

Hiro was on the ground, hands up in defense two boys advanced towards him, wolfish grins on their faces.

Without thinking, he charged forward, ignoring the stares of the other passerbys and literally collided with one of the boys.

"What the-"

"Stay away from my brother," he snarled, standing protectively over Hiro.

The boy – with hawk-like features looked like he wanted to argue but his other friend stopped him.

"That's Tadashi Hamada," he whispered, although it still carried over to him. "Dude, let's just go."

"Why?" Hawk Face asked, standing his ground. "We can take him."

Tadashi tensed up at his words, adjusting his stance so that his feet apart and his arms were braced to strike for the first sign of violence.

"If I were you, I would turn and walk," he commanded in a soft voice that did not conceal the threat underneath. His father had once told him that karate was only used for self defense, but for his brother, he wouldn't be afraid to kick their asses twice over.

Hawk Face's friend tugged on sleeve, hissing, "Dude, he has a karate black belt, what are you crazy?"

The other boy's facade faltered and he covered it up by glaring at Hiro.

"Whatever," he said callously, "that Asian kid ain't worth it anyway."

The two boys turned and walked away, leaving them alone. Tadashi exhaled a breath he didn't know he had been holding and gazed around to find people staring at him.

"What are you people looking at?" He didn't mean his words to come out sounding harsh but he was rattled. "Showtimes over."

The passerbys mumbled and dispersed, leaving the two brothers alone.

Tadashi looked down at his brother and helped him up. "Are you okay?"

Hiro nodded, mute as he picked up his fallen books.

"Why didn't you fight them off?" Tadashi inquired, helping his brother dust off some dirt from his hoodie.

"Just leave it be, Tadashi," Hiro grumbled.

He made to walk away, but his brother's firm grip on his shoulder stopped his progress. Tadashi was frowning, and underneath it all, he was confused as to why his brother didn't stand up for himself.

"Hey, easy there, okay? I just wanted to make sure you were fine."

"Well, I am," Hiro stated in a monotone. "Happy?"

He shook his head, bangs flopping into his eyes. He pushed them back with an impatient flip. "No. No, I will never be happy because you're hurting."

Tadashi followed Hiro as he walked away from the scene, hands deep in the pocket of his cargo shorts.

Hiro sighed, knowing Tadashi would not stop pressing the matter until he had an answer. His brother was annoyingly infuriating that way.

"They were just mad at me that I answered their question for them during maths class," Hiro grumbled, eyes peeled determinedly on the ground, kicking around loose stones.

Tadashi frowned. "That's it?"

"Was there suppose to be more?" Hiro didn't mean for his words to come out harsh; he knew Tadashi meant well but he wanted nothing more than to put this all behind him and forget that this day had ever happened.

His brother shook his head, staring at him uncertainly. Hiro could feel the anger building in his chest, a very rare sort of anger that made him want to lash out at something and punch it pieces, if only to satisfy his rage.

How was he supposed to tell his brother that he freaked out when two other boys attacked him and forgot his basic karate moves? How could he tell Tadashi that this was something in the norm, something that happened to him almost every single day?

His brother would think he was a wuss for not standing up to them, leaving Hiro silently wondering if he would ever measure up to Tadashi's perfection.

Sure, he wasn't as fast, wasn't as quick thinking as him. And he knew it.

"Hey," Tadashi said softly, gripping the back of his hoodie cover. Hiro rolled his eyes but stopped in his tracks, turning to give Tadashi an impatient glare. His brother was not put off by his hostile gaze, if anything, it made him want to help even more.

"If you need to talk, I'm here, okay? I won't judge you or think of you otherwise."

Hiro nodded, not giving a vocal answer, but that seemed to satisfy his brother.

They walked in silence before Tadashi silently steered them down a familiar path, one where he would be excited to take no matter what the day.

"Our ramen shop?" he asked.

Tadashi nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, something that would cheer you up."

Hiro snorted, mood turning around at the mention of his favorite savory noodles. "Food won't bribe me to tell you the whole truth."

"Then don't," the older Hamada replied simply. "Tell me when you're ready."

He fell silent, staring his brother in surprise. Tadashi just smiled and turned his eyes back to the road that they were walking, leaving Hiro alone with his thoughts.

The young boy then decided to let his brother know, in some way how much this problem was bothering him, if only to make up for his earlier rudeness. Tadashi wasn't pressing him to answer anymore, and for that, he was grateful.

However, if his brother did want to help...

"Nii-chan?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you teach me more karate moves?"

Tadashi looked over to his younger brother. "For offense or defense?"

"Defense," Hiro replied without hesitation.

That seemed to have made him content and he nodded.

"Sure. And this time, if you want me to do a demonstration on those bullies, I'll gladly help."

A/N: Another prompt done. Whoo. Suggestions are still opened if anyone wants to put in something :)

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