Chapter Text
Tadashi was exhausted, his mind-whirring from the first days of programming his would-be health companion robot. He slung his satchel over his shoulder, groaning when he noticed the time. Normally, he didn’t mind working late, but on a day when he didn’t have his moped and was relying on public transport, he quickly realised that he’d missed the last bus and would have to do the two-hour walk home. He rubbed his face tiredly, making his way slowly out of the building and considering his options. While it wasn’t the best of ideas, he knew that if he took a shortcut through a few of San Fransokyo’s darker allies, he could cut at least forty-five minutes off his journey, so long as Aunt Cass never found out of course; she’d kill him if she ever found out he took the allies home. Still, he doubted much would actually happen; despite stories of monsters in the dark, San Fransokyo was a pretty safe city.
Happier in his decision to take the shortcut, Tadashi had a little skip in his step, even through the shadier part of town, which was quiet much as he’d suspected, until he saw you. He couldn’t see much in the darkness but as a violent scene like something from a bad cop-drama unfolded, Tadashi knew he had to do something. At first, you were simply talking to a man about his size, no signs of anything wrong to Tadashi who would have happily squeezed past the pair of you. Then the man grabbed your forearm, apparently trying to drag you somewhere while you roared fiercely for him to let you go. It was only when you bit at the man’s arm that he went to punch you, which is exactly when Tadashi ran to your rescue.
He wasn’t in time to stop the hit which knocked you roughly to the ground, but he did stop any more damage by way of yelling as he charged down the alley.
“HEY, GET AWAY FROM HER!”
“Shit!” The man spat, running away hastily before the kid’s yelling could get the attention of a cop or somebody who he wouldn’t be able to beat down.
When Tadashi was sure the street thug wasn’t coming back, he moved to turn his attention to you, only to be surprised when you weren’t there. He spun around quickly, dark eyes scanning for you and quickly locating you turning the corner to another side-street. He ran to catch up with you, somewhat breathless from adrenalin, “Hey, Miss, are you alright?”
You sighed, speeding up slightly, “I’m fine.”
Tadashi gave you a once over while he kept pace. You were about his age, wearing a skimpy black dress that left little to the imagination, long boots that came up to your thighs, and makeup so dark that the blood coming from a cut on your cheek looked almost light in comparison. Tadashi was no doctor but looking at your cheek, he could tell it would be swollen in the morning. Taking everything in, he wondered what the hell had happened back there and why you were so eager to get away from him.
“Miss, do you need a doctor?” He asked unsurely.
You laughed harshly, “For this little thing? Please, my gran could hit harder.”
“Then do you need me to walk you home?”
“I don’t need anything from you. Go away.”
“But-”
You stopped dead, turning to him angrily, “What? You want money or something? Cos’ I got nothing. Sure, you helped me out back there, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle, so what do you want?”
Tadashi’s brows furrowed, and he answered quietly, “I don’t want anything.”
“Don’t lie to me…” You wrapped your arms around yourself, looking to the floor, “Everybody wants something.”
“I- I only want to help you.”
You risked a peek at him from the side, unsure of what to say or do, instead you merely asked, “Why?”
Tadashi didn’t have an answer for you; somehow, he didn’t think you’d believe it was a form of basic human decency. “Hey um- Let me start again, I’m Tadashi, and you are?”
You sighed, shaking your head slightly at the weird turn the night had taken. Tadashi didn’t seem to want trouble like the other guy and to be honest, you could use the business. Surely, to be in the red-light district of San Fransokyo, Tadashi had to have come for the kind of business you had to offer before he’d seen you attacked. If that was so, you should be treating him like a potential client. Putting on your best fake smile, you answered playfully, “Whoever you want me to be.”
Tadashi frowned again, “I’m sorry.”
You rolled your eyes. He was either one of the dense clients, or one with little imagination, “(Y/N). My name’s (Y/N).”
“That’s a nice name.”
You laughed. Was he for real?
Tadashi smiled, “Hey, if you don’t mind me asking… What did that guy want?”
“Oh, him. He wanted me to perform for free, and I don’t give anything away for free sweetie.”
“Perform? Are you a singer or something?”
“A sin- Oh,” You dropped your client act, offering a sympathetic smile in place of the fake one. Evidently, the naive young man in front of you really didn’t know what kind of alley he was in. You began walking again, forcing Tadashi to keep pace once more.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, you’re just out of place and out of time. You should go, you clearly don’t belong here.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Obviously.” Tadashi reached for your arm which you pulled away defensively, hissing, “Don’t touch me.”
He put up his arms apologetically, “Sorry, I- I just want to know what’s going on.”
You stared at him coolly, preparing yourself for the slew of insults that were about to come your way, “How shall I put this? I’m a lady of the night, a prostitute, a whore, a jezebel, a slut… Did I miss anything? Anyway, he wanted my time for free and I’ve already told you, I don’t give time away for free; yet you insist on trying to waste mine.”
Tadashi blushed a deep shade of crimson; the pieces had all fallen into place, though he wondered how he’d missed it before. “I- Um- I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Look, you probably won’t believe me, but I really want to help you. Maybe there’s someplace I can call that will help you off the streets or-”
“Oh my God. Stop, just stop with the crazy talk. What kind of good Samaritan are you? Nobody cares this much.”
“Well maybe if people did, the world would be a better place,” Tadashi said resolutely.
You stared at him like he was delusional, wondering what kind of sheltered life he’d led. Then again, it wasn’t so long ago that you were like him, if not as pure of heart; maybe that was why you actually wanted to believe in his dream, if only for a minute.
A gust of wind blew through the alley, making you shiver, and within a second, Tadashi had taken his cardigan off, placing it gently around your shoulders. Your eyes became glossy with tears at the unexpected act of kindness. You were suddenly aware of how easy it was to become comfortable in Tadashi’s supporting presence. Forcing your expressions to be neutral, you pushed hard into Tadashi’s chest, making him fall to the floor.
You looked down at him calmly as he watched you with a confused gaze. As emotionlessly as you could manage, you spoke, “Run home little boy; you don’t belong in my world.”
And with that, you walked away, leaving Tadashi alone once more.