Chapter Text
1
Tooru stared at the grave of their grandfather.
Tooru looked towards Tobio who was standing to his right. He looked so sad- far too sad for someone of only nine years, his eyes were puffy from crying and he was slouching where he stood. As if he didn't have the strength to stand.
Tobio and his grandfather had always been close- the old man seeming to understand the quiet boy more than anyone else in the world. Tooru had also loved their grandfather but it had been different. More hesitant, Tooru wasn't related to the man and his mother had never liked him. Only allowing Tobio and him to spend so much time together because they were related.
Tooru would be lying if he said he hadn't been jealous.
He glanced at the watch around his wrist, knowing that they would have to leave soon. As if summoned by the thought he felt a hand on his shoulder, manicured nails pressing lightly on fabric covered skin.
“Its time to go boys.” Their mothers soft voice said. To anyone else it would sound gentle- the voice of a grieving daughter-in-law comforting her children. Tooru knew better. He felt the thinly veiled threat in the tightening of her grip on his shoulder, the silent threat of pain if Tooru and Tobio didn't listen.
Tooru looked to his little brother, to the way his shoulders were hunched and just how small he seemed in the black suit their mother had dressed him in with a sharp warning not to ruin or stain.
Tooru took a steading breath, knowing that what he was about to do was stupid and would probably have kneeling on rice for hours in punishment- but he couldn't stand that look on Tobio's face and the thought of forcing the boy to leave so soon.
“We’ll stay behind- we can take the bus back home- I’m not done saying goodbye.” Tooru said with a fake smile. He felt his mothers grip tighten on his shoulder, nails digging into his skin painfully. She hated when Tooru or Tobio disobeyed her- especially in public. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a tight line.
He wincied internally at the face, she was in a bad mood. Her mind twisting up any reason or logic in Tooru's actions into him being disobedient, trying to undermine her and ruin her reputation. Even when he wasn't.
“Tooru, I have work- and you know that you both have Volleyball training at one.” Her voice was gentle but he knew what she was actually saying. ‘I do not want you to spend any more time at the old bastard's grave.’ Their mother had hated Tobio's grandfather. There had never been a reason- not a real one anyway. But there never needed to be a reason with her.
Tobio had shrunk back at the conversation. Tooru hated how small he looked- how defeated he seemed- Tooru took another breath and stood his ground.
“Mother- I’ll make sure we’re back in time for volleyball and that we don't miss it- I promise.” He glanced at his watch. “And I’m pretty sure you have to leave now- I don't want you to miss work.” He smiled at her. He could see the anger in her eyes, how she was already twisting his words in her head and knew that by the end of the day she would be yelling and screaming about something he hadn't done.
“Fine. Make sure you're not late- I love you both.” She finally let go of his and Tobio's shoulders, leaning in to give them both quick pecks on the cheek. She whispered in his ear when she got close, “This isn't over Tooru.” With that she left. Tooru let out the breath he had been holding. Slumping slightly. He was not looking forward to when their mom got home- but one look at his grieving brother justified everything.
Tobio had started crying again, looking at the grave and weeping. Tooru could hear his small hiccuping sobs as the boy's shoulders shook.
“Oh Tobio-” Tooru murmured, he pulled the younger boy close, cradling him slightly as Tobio wept into Tooru's chest. Tooru rocked back and forth, letting Tobio cry until he had nothing left in him.
When Tobio had finished crying he looked up at Tooru and murmured “thanks-” quietly.
Tooru ruffled his hair. “Your welcome Tobs- lets head for the bus, we don't want to be late getting to practice.” Tobio nodded, sparring one last look at the grave before following Tooru.