[Name] was in his room, finishing his homework when the smashing of glass and the raising voices. Sprinting out of his chair [Name] flitted down the stairs and into the kitchen. There was a smashed plate and his father was about to strike Akimitsu.
It all became a blur for [Name], he launched himself in front of his brother, bringing him into his embrace, he felt the pain but he barely flinched. He brought up his arm as the father brought down the shattered beer bottle, scarifying up his arm. [Name] let out a loud screech of shock, something he would later never admit, he grabbed his brother and his phone from the top of the cabinet and dragged his brother out the door. Ears still ringing from their fathers shouting.
The two ran down the street with Akimitsu still in shock from what had just happened, when they reached the street corner [Name] sat his brother down before going into the corner shop and buying a drink with the spare cash that he had in his pockets. When he walked out of the shop he saw that his brother had curled in on himself and was crying silently. He saw how his shoulders were shaking, and his breath was going ragged from holding back his cries.
"Hey, hey. It will be alright I promise," [Name] paused, bringing the boy into a tight hug, "I know that I have not been the best, and have not always been there. But I promise you, that I will never allow you to get hurt after this."
[Name] rubbed away the tears, "I need you to promise me something," Akimitsu looked at him with teary eyes, nodding slightly, "That if I am gone, I want you to be able to look after yourself, alright?"
Akimitsu felt his throat close up when he heard what his brother said, his grip on his brother tightened, "D-don't go. I promise, but please... don't ever leave me."
[Name] sighed, hating the lie that he was going to have to tell again, "I won't."
He helped Akimitsu up, ignoring how his arm flared up with pain and called Ayano.
"Hey [Name]? What's up?"
"Would you be able to pick me and my brother up? If it's not too much trouble."
"Oh, sure. Where are you guys?"
"We're at the corner shop."
"Alright, I will be over in a few minutes."
"Thank you!"
True enough to her word Ayano was at the corner shop in a few minutes, and Akimitsu started falling asleep.
"Hey," [Name] shook Akimitsu awake, "Don't fall asleep here lil bud."
Akimitsu pried his eyes open and sat upright, holding his breath and waiting for his head to clear. He looked at his brother and did not know what changed, it was still his brother. His brother was someone who usually stayed away from home as their father was abusive, but that meant leaving him home alone with their father, something he tried not to do as often. But that then meant the people his brother picked fights with would track him down. Akimitsu knew how his brother tried his best, but could not help but resent his brother sometimes; more often than not for leaving him alone at home.
He looked at his brother, he interacted with the girl, Ayano he noted, with so much more affection than he had ever seen his brother give.
"Thank you for your help, Ayano-chan."
"It's really no problem. Come back with me, we need to get your arm checked."
[Name] looked at his arm and then back at Ayano, "Thank you for your hospitality."
Ayano nodded and unlocked her car, she waved for the both of them to get in. [Name] turned back and gently grabbed Akimitsu by the elbow, helping him up and guiding him to the car, [Name] getting in after shutting the door, and went into the front passenger seat.
Ayano turned up the temperature in her car and put on some music, filling the car and making both brothers woozy. Akimitsu fell asleep and [Name] was close, until he felt the car stop; they had stopped in front of a big house, [Name] turned and looked at Ayano with awe.
"This is yours?"
"Yeah, it is."
[Name] and Ayano both got out of the car, he went to the back and gently opened the door and shook his brother awake.
"Hey, bud. We're here, wake up now."
"Nii-chan, it's cold," Akimitsu whispered.
He was not cold, he just wanted his brother's attention, the same warmth when [Name] regarded the girl. It was something that he had always wanted, he wanted recognition from his brother.
[Name] smiled softly, he took off his jacket and put it around Akimitsu's shoulders and got him out of the car.
They walked up to Ayano's house, she unlocked the door and took off their shoes and went into the living room. Akimitsu sat down on the couch and accepted hot chocolate quietly from Ayano. She smiled at him and tried to engage in small talk with him, but he ignored her.
"Where's Nii-chan? Is he alright?"
"Oh! Crap, one moment let me go check on him."
Ayano felt her face flush with embarrassment and went into the kitchen to see [Name] bandaging the nasty looking cut that was located on his left arm, just below the elbow. The sink was red, and there were bloody clothes strewn around the edges of the sink.
"Oh gosh! Let me help you!"
"Nah, it's alright, I have gotten into a lot of fights myself, there is no need. Why don't you go and keep my brother company?"
"He's ignoring me. I don't think he likes me so much."
"Oh, I am sure he does. He must have just been quite shaken up about the whole incident."
"Do you want to tell me more of what happened today?"
[Name] looked at her, and Ayano looked away. She didn't want to drive the other away.
"You don't -"
"I can tell you a bit. Although before we do that, could I trouble you for a hot chocolate?"
"That's fine!"
They were left in silence, both were shrouded in their own thoughts; a harmonious silence had fallen between them and it was something that they both needed, as words would disrupt the peace. So, in silence, they soaked up each other's company and presence. [Name] felt at ease, it reminded him of the many times he had held Lucifer and Lucy before he left. He observed Ayano, her mannerisms were all really reserved and shy.
[Name] blinked once, beaming at Ayano as she handed him the cup.
"Thank you."
Ayano stayed silent and observed [Name] intently. She desired to listen and be a friend of [Name]'s considering that she had never had anyone else be so sweet and stand up for her.
[Name] started vocalising the abuse that they had received from their father. He talked about his emotions that still came from the original owner and told her, [Name] could feel that the original owner of the body was happy with finally finding a genuine friend.
The sound of little footsteps made the two both stop and turn and look at Akimitsu who said that he heard the sound of a car rolling up the driveway and parking. Ayano gasped with a look of severe panic, then the look of mortification was shown clearly in her green eyes, her face now had a ghostly pallor to it, looking almost sickly.
"Kumiko is coming back home with Tamaki. You should go, I don't want him to hurt you."
"It will be alright, we will be just sitting in the living room. I will just set up the guest room."