A/N: I know it's been over a month since the last update, but better than a year, am I right? (I am so sorry; trying to be a bit positive, but…well…). Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. Feel free to leave a comment in the towel section down below, and enjoy!
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Summer came and went, far too fast for Tadashi's liking. Hiro had graduated valedictorian and had given the most inspiring speech Tadashi had heard, as well as the cutest. But he had left that part out when he complimented Hiro after the entire affair was over; Hiro had reminded him time and time again that he wasn't a kid and no longer 'cute'. Two and a half months went by fast, in the blink of an eye, and tomorrow, classes at SFIT would begin.
Tadashi had passed his entrance exams, gone through quite a few meetings about financial aid, the core classes he needed to take, and what field of study he wanted to go into, among other things. Robotics was his major, just like Hiro's, partly because that was the field that appealed most to him, but mostly because he would be taking the same classes as Hiro. And when they received their schedules, Tadashi was pleased, and not at all surprised, that he had been right. A great wave of relief still washed over him regardless and Tadashi was able to sleep soundly for the first time since he had gotten his acceptance letter.
Though their summer had been spent helping Aunt Cass out at the café, getting Tadashi prepped for college, and having all sorts of adventures ranging from going swimming to hiking to attending a robotics convention and so much more, Tadashi was ready for college. He wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't excited to be in school and learn so much more than what books and the internet could teach him. Having always liked school and learning, Tadashi was looking forward to his classes. More than that, however, he looked forward to spending that time with Hiro, being with his mate in classes and pushing each other to their intellectual max. Just that was almost enough to make Tadashi relax completely, but he couldn't allow his guard to drop completely.
Attending SFIT would also help him find the girl responsible for hurting Hiro almost four years ago, or at least, that was what he hoped. From what Aunt Cass had told him about what Jun had said about the mysterious woman, Tadashi thought it was entirely possible that she was attending SFIT. He had little to go on, but he was confident that she lived in the city and that she was smart enough to create a suit that used electromagnetic wheel to move around or to use as weapons. No average person could concoct such a suit, so it made sense that the girl had to have some education higher than high school. No high school he knew taught stuff like that, not so in depth. Even if they did, how would they procure the funds to actually create a physical copy of the suit? If there was one thing Tadashi did know it was that that suit wasn't cheap and the materials weren't available in an average fabric store.
"Tadashi!" Hiro's voice came and he launched himself at the older vampire. Effortlessly, Tadashi caught him and, laughing, he rolled them onto their sides on the bed.
"How is it that you're never surprised?" Hiro grumbled against Tadashi's shirt. Tadashi smiled and he nuzzled his nose through Hiro's untamed hair.
"I can be surprised, but I've made it my life's mission to spoil your fun," Tadashi teased him before pressing a kiss to his hair.
"Yeah, I've noticed. You're a goody-goody like Superman, only you're cooler than he is," Hiro said. Tadashi laughed.
"Well, I'm glad you think so."
He pulled back and stared into those big brown eyes that always managed to captive him so. Hiro would be turning fourteen later this year and though he had been growing little by little with each passing year, he was still so much smaller than Tadashi, so much shorter. It amazed him even still that Hiro, his Hiro, his brother, his mate, was the Vampire King, the one who would change everything for vampires, who would bridge the gap between vampires and humans when the time was right. Such a responsibility would have turned any kid into a mess, yet Hiro had taken in one in stride, as well as he could. There were still times when Tadashi would look at Hiro and see his face twisted in apprehension and fear, but those moments had been few and far between.
"So, excited for the first day of classes, Little College Man?" Tadashi asked, his smile soft and warm. Hiro's pout, the one that had been one his face since he started grumbling his responses into Tadashi's shirt, increased, making him look too cute for words.
"Kind of. I just hope that the classes won't be boring," Hiro replied with a shrug. Tadashi chuckled.
"That was your issue in high school: you got bored quickly."
"You know a class is boring when a thirteen year old vampire is teaching the class because the teacher's information is outdated," Hiro said. His eyes lit up and he squirmed excitedly. "I am excited to take Professor Callaghan's classes, though. He is, like, THE name in robotics right now. His work has changed a lot of things and I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"So am I. He seems to be a pretty cool guy. I've heard he's an awesome teacher and that he pushes his students to the brink," Tadashi said.
"Cool. I look forward to it," Hiro said. He pressed his smaller body closer to Tadashi's, cuddling him as he continued, "So, are you excited for the first day of classes? It's been a long time since you've been in school. Aren't you nervous?"
"A bit, yes. Scared that I might be behind despite all of my studying. But mostly, I'm excited. I've always loved to learn and now that I'm going, I'm happy that I finally caved on Aunt Cass' demands to apply," Tadashi answered. He hugged Hiro, soaking up his body heat. "Plus, I get to spend my days with you, so it's a win-win regardless."
"Tadashi?" Hiro said softly, hesitance in his voice.
"Hm?" Tadashi hummed in response, eyes closed as he just enjoyed this moment with Hiro. His large hands rubbed up and down Hiro's back soothingly.
"Are you… Is part of the reason why you're going to college is to…protect me?" Hiro asked him, his words so soft that they were practically a whisper. Tadashi's eyes opened just a bit and he sighed softly.
"I'm not going to lie to you, not ever, so yes, part of the reason why is to protect you," Tadashi told him. "Aunt Cass and I have been trying to find out who that woman was who attacked you years ago, and we both agreed that it would be a good idea if I attended school with you."
"Why now? Why didn't you do it when I was in high school?" Hiro asked, his fingers fisting in his shirt.
"Up until you were ten, no one had tried to attack you since we moved to this city. Neither Aunt Cass and I had been expecting that to happen, and at first, we were at a loss as to what to do. The trail went cold quick. A vampire's sense of smell is strong, but in a city with millions of people and various other scents, it's easy to lose the trail," Tadashi explained. "The suit that woman wore was unique and easy to pick out, but with as fast as she was going, there wasn't a large percentage that someone might see her. Even if someone did, what were the odds that they'd remember after days, weeks, months, years? Or admit to seeing her altogether."
Tadashi paused and buried his nose in Hiro's hair. Holding him close like this made him feel more secure and certain about everything. He continued talking.
"Part of the reason why I waited so long was because I wanted to find the trail again, even if it was so small and seemingly unimportant. Another part was that I felt I wasn't ready to return to school. Yes, I help Aunt Cass out at the café, but that's different from college, from the rest of the world," Tadashi told him. "I guess that doesn't really make sense or answer your question." He added an almost humorless laugh.
"So…you were looking to find whoever tried to kill me and you were…overcoming your own insecurities?" Hiro asked.
"I suppose that pretty much sums it up," he said, a small smile gracing his lips. It fell as he moved just a bit. "I…may have left something out when I told you about why I never went back to school after becoming a vampire."
"What is it?" Hiro said. Then, after a moment, added, "If you're not comfortable talking about it, you don't have to, Tadashi."
"No, no, I think…I think this is something you ought to know. Just in case," Tadashi said and he inhaled deeply. Though the words were already out there and there was no taking them back, he still wished he could. He still wished he hadn't said that he hadn't been entirely honest about his past. But, there was no going back now and Hiro needed to know.
"Remember how I told you that I don't remember a lot after first being turned into a vampire? That my memories only start focusing after a few months? And that I pretty much spent decades in a depressive slump?" Tadashi asked him. Hiro nodded.
"During that time, I had..." Tadashi paused, unsure of how to continue. It wasn't easy to admit. Was there a way for him to explain without going into detail? Of course there was; he just needed to sum up the courage to do it.
"Changing into a vampire isn't always an easy process. Not everyone makes it out alive, and some have an easier time turning than others. I…wasn't one of those who had an easy time," Tadashi said. He took a deep breath to calm his shaking hands. "Some people who are turned…go insane. For most people, it doesn't last long; a few weeks, maybe a few months. For others, it's permanent. Regardless of how long it lasts, it always changes them.
"I'm no exception. During my first months as a vampire, I was…not myself. Those months I don't remember or that are fuzzy weren't because of the accident I hate beforehand. When you…are hysterical and…so darn out of it, there's not much you remember," Tadashi told him. "I'm glad I don't remember much of it. From what I've been told, I wasn't nice or pretty."
The only sounds in their bedroom were the beating of their hearts. For Tadashi, listening to Hiro's heartbeat calmed him down and made him feel like any darkness in the world wouldn't be able to reach him. With his mate warm and real in his arms, he felt whole and safe. It was funny: he was the elder vampire and the big brother, and yet Hiro was the one making him feel safe and secure right then. Part of him felt as though he ought to be ashamed for being so weak, but for the most part, he didn't care. He just drank up the warmth Hiro radiated.
"But…you eventually overcame it. You're here talking to me and you sound like a normal guy," Hiro said. Tadashi's embrace tightened around his body.
"Yes, but there are times when I'm…not myself. Something else kind of takes over and becomes dominant. It's like my mind and my instincts are two separate entities and while my mind if mostly in charge, my instincts will sometimes rear their heads, forcibly," Tadashi explained.
"Like when you're bloodlust kind of took over that one time?" Hiro said.
"Kind of like that, yeah," Tadashi said. "It doesn't happen often, but it is something that happens. And you need to know."
"Thank you for telling me," Hiro said. He shifted in Tadashi's arms and peered up at him, his large eyes so expressive, so full of love and warmth and kindness. It made Tadashi's heart swell.
"I think I get now why it took you so long to…rejoin society," Hiro said, giving him a slight smile and laughing a little bit. "I'm happy that you'll be with me, Tadashi. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have for a…mate." He blushed at the term. Even after almost four years had passed, it was still strange for Hiro to think of himself as a vampire. But he was getting used to it. Tadashi knew that. And his efforts were adorable.
"Thank you, Hiro. That means a lot, especially coming from you," Tadashi said and he leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to Hiro's lips. His heart skipped a beat when their lips connected and he instantly desired more. But not today.
"So, ready for classes tomorrow?" Hiro asked him when their kiss ended.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Tadashi laughed.
They continued chatting well into the night until it was time for bed. Tomorrow would be a brand new day and the start of something new for both of them. Whatever the college life held, Tadashi knew it would only get him closer to finding the girl who was out for Hiro's head. He wouldn't sleep until that task was complete; he wouldn't sleep until Hiro was safe.