[Multi-chapter] Change (10/??)

[tsuchi8562]

Title: Change
Authors: tsuchi8562
Bet: andreja1989 ArigaPYON~!
Pairing: SakurAiba, Aimiya (friendship), Yama (friendship), Junba (friendship)
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama, School
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: They are not ours, they belong to themselves...

*MASTERPOST*

“Didn’t you hear me? I said I don’t want you anymore! Don’t dare to touch me anymore, do you hear that?! You hurt me! You’re a monster!” Sho didn’t see such angry Aiba’s face before.

“But, Masaki….” He tried to explain; say anything just to make him understand. “Masaki, I…”

“Shut up! Shut the fuck up! I don’t want to listen to you anymore! Stop following me!”

“Masaki? Masaki, please… Masaki?”

***

“Masaki!”

“Sho-chan? Sho-chan, wake up…” The older boy felt somebody shaking him, so he opened his eyes, still half awake. With his vision still covered by images that happened to be only a nightmare he bit his lower lip so hard it started to bleed. “Sho-chan, stop… It’s okay now…”

“I am not a monster, Masaki… I promise I am not…” Sakurai whispered, looking straight in the latter’s worried eyes.

“Shh, I know… I know you are not…” The younger one hugged Sho tightly, trying to calm him down. When Sakurai’s breath evened and he realized that all those scenes were just a creation of his stupid imagination, he smiled gently, embraced his boyfriend and stayed in silence for a longer while. “Sho-chan?”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you okay?” Masaki moved away a bit to look in his lover’s face. "Sho-chan, did you have a bad dream? Somebody bullied you again?"

"It's okay, go back to sleep. It's only usual nightmare. I'll be fine." He didn't want to worry Masaki, especially when their relationship went on higher level now.

"You will be? That means you are not okay now?"

"You just can't leave it, can you? It's nothing much, just... I was called a monster again..."

"By me?" The taller boy’s eyes were piercing the latter.

"How did you..." Sho gasped surprised by the way they were already connected. Did Aiba read his mind that well? After such a short time? The younger boy sat up, took Sakurai's hands and squeezed them gently.

"You are not a monster. You are the most valuable person I've met... Maybe a bit mysterious but I am sure you wouldn't hurt a fly. Remember, even if everyone doubts in you, you are not alone. You have Ohno-sensei and you have me."

"Masaki, I..." Sho bit his lower lip, hissing from slight pain. He forgot about small wound he did himself and it started to bleed again. Could he ask Aiba for believing in him blindly, with all of his secrets? He can't tell the truth, that was for sure. It was making him shut his shell tighter and withdraw from any kind of relationship he had: friendship or love. Even now, only thinking about it made him move away from Masaki involuntarily. The older student was pulled in a tight embrace without any word and he understood he can trust Aiba fully. Sho hugged his boyfriend tightly and shivered, trying to stop tears from falling.

"You belong to me... You are mine..." He whispered, repeating the sentence like a mantra. "Tell me you are mine..."

"I am yours..." Gentle whisper invaded his ear and just then all dams broke. He started to sob so hard, he couldn't breathe, so Masaki loosened up the embrace but Sho clung to him tighter as if he wanted to become one. "Shhh, I am here. Just let me give you some space so you can catch some air..." Masaki looked at the older boy, smiling gently. Sakurai exhaled all the air he had in his lungs and calmed down, wiping his face.

"Sorry, I didn't want to be such a crybaby..." Sho smiled and sat up. "Since we're up anyway I will make some breakfast... Do you want..." He wasn't allowed to say anymore, because his lips were sealed by Aiba's in a sweet kiss.

___

The nightmares were coming back every now and then but Sakurai decided to ignore them, blaming his subconscious for playing some stupid games. He truly believed in his boyfriend; he had enough of suspecting everybody for the worst intentions. His so-called friends decided to leave him, but that doesn't mean Masaki will be the same, right? Sho shook his head and decided to focus on the teacher's lecture.

After the classes he, as always went to the gym where he was usually waiting for Aiba. The shock that hit him was more knocking than the punch he received. One of the bullies from the football team apparently was waiting for him. It was strange though, because there was only one person who knew about Sho's usual place where he had lunch... Aiba-kun... On the other hand he could easily be spotted by some curious eyes, and it was obvious that this guy wants to hurt Sakurai thinking about him as about enemy that has to be exterminated. Sho didn’t fight back, as always, limiting himself to self-defense. The next strong punch fell on Sakurai's head, causing him to fall. All Sho could do was to cover his face and pray that Aiba won't come. Unfortunately his pleads weren't listened; the younger student was skipping happily towards the gym. The older boy more felt than saw how smile disappeared from Masaki's face and replaced by shock. Another rain of punches and kicks fell on Sho's body and the older boy had to find the strength to stand back up and push the attacker away just to show his boyfriend that he is alright. He wanted so badly to yell at Masaki and ask him to run away, but the fear that the bully will find out about his relationship with his kouhai was bigger. The football team member was probably astonished by Sakurai's action, moved away and after throwing some curses he peacefully walked away fortunately without noticing Aiba. As soon as the attacker disappeared behind the building Masaki rushed towards Sho, looking at his boyfriend's face with worry.

"Sho-chan..." He whispered and reached out his hand to touch Sakurai, but the older boy grabbed it before it reached his face.

"I am fine. Come on, let's eat... "

"No, we're going to Ohno-sensei's office! You can have..."

"I am fine. It wasn't that bad, there were worse fights than that. Don't worry. Now let's eat, I'm hungry." Without letting Masaki oppose he went to their common place and sat down taking his bento box and slowly started to eat. Sho tried to hide the groan that left his throat when he picked up his chopsticks, but Aiba heard it anyway.

"Sho..." Sakurai probably didn't hear such worried and sad Masaki's voice before.

"I am fine." The older boy stated maybe a bit too harsh and his boyfriend finally sat next to him without any more words. The rest of the meal went in an awkward silence and when they finished Aiba gently pecked Sho's cheek and ran towards the locker room to get prepared for his training. As soon as Masaki disappeared Sakurai exhaled the air he held up in his lungs and touched his ribs. They shouldn’t be broken, but it hurt a lot and he probably started to have a fever. There was no way he can go to the classes in that state. He can't go home alone either... The only option was to go to the doctor's office. Sho stood up and slowly walked to Ohno's place, hoping he won't meet anybody on the way.

The doctor was talking over his phone but when he saw Sakurai he quickly excused himself and hung up. The words weren't needed, Ohno knew well that it was just another fight and Sho was aware that now he is safe.

"Sensei, I think I should go home..." The student gasped and winced from pain.

"No, Sakurai-kun. You should go to the hospital and that's my final word. I didn't care about your wounds until they got as serious as now. You have nobody who can take responsibility for your health, then I'm going to take it. Let's go to my car." Usually calm Satoshi was irritated this time. While he was helping Sho fasten his seat belt, the boy grabbed his hands and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Sensei, don't tell Aiba-kun about it. He knows about the fight but I don't want him to worry too much."

"You are aware that you may stay there for a few days? What am I supposed to say when he will ask me where you are? I won't lie, I want you to know that."

"I have to be in Kobe in two days... I promised that I'll be there."

"Sakurai-kun... Your health is important. You won't be able to keep your promises when you're dead. Now, I'll call Kobe and will tell them about your situation."

"No, Sensei! Please, don't!" Sakurai widened his eyes and straightened up in the seat, biting his lips from pain.

"Calm down. I will make sure she won't know. Now, rest and let them take care of you." Ohno parked his car next to the ER and stayed with Sho through all tests. Fortunately they didn't find any broken bones, but the doctors let him stay for at least one night for observation. The boy didn't like that at all, but after second thought he decided to relax and rest, giving up to painkillers which made him sleepy.

***

Sho had to stay in the hospital for another two days. The doctors wanted to make sure he is okay and ordered millions of tests, taking his previous fights under consideration. For all that time Sakurai didn't answer on Masaki's phones, being afraid that the background sounds will reveal where exactly he is. He just wrote one mail to his boyfriend, consisting only three words I love you. The reply came almost second after the message has been sent. Aiba wrote tons of questions, ending with somehow cute Sorry for asking so much, I know you have your matters you have to handle alone. I'm waiting, and at least seven heart marks. Sho also received a phone call from Kobe that everything is fine and he doesn't have to worry.

Finally, after what seemed to be ages he was released with no serious injuries detected and he came back home. The next day he went to school but couldn't find Masaki, who, as occurred later, had a visit at the orthopedist that day. The boys could meet only the next day, which they did, as always during lunch. Aiba didn't ask about any details, talking about random stuff and a competition he is preparing for. Everything seemed to be the same, however one gesture has scared Sho. When he leaned to kiss his boyfriend, Masaki moved away and almost immediately excused himself, dashing off the gym. Sakurai froze on the spot, trying to understand what was going on, but nothing came across his mind. Are his secrets trying to destroy his life again? Did his past caught him and now is having him in almost lethal grip? No, not this time. He won't allow anything or anybody steal the only tiny piece of happiness he managed to torn from the life's claws. With such decision he got up and went to classes, promising himself to talk with his beloved kouhai as soon as possible.

After school he was waiting for the younger boy but he didn't show up. Sakurai started to feel insecure. Is it possible that Masaki suddenly started to believe in those rumors? No, that's not it. Aiba said clearly that he sees Sho differently; that he doesn't believe that the older boy is a monster. Then? What could have happened? Did somebody take Masaki away from him? Did somebody dare to steal a person that belongs to him? Did some scumbag rob him from the only happiness he had?

He remembered the last time when his life became cold and lonely... He remembered that very well and now it was happening again. He won't allow that. Not this time. Sakurai started to feel rage filling his veins and covering his common sense. He went to the running track and stood in shadows, waiting for Aiba who was strangely slowly gathering his stuff from the ground. The younger boy wasn't alone; someone of his classmates was talking to him, laughing and tickling Masaki, who was giggling just like he does when Sho traces his naked chest with his fingertips.

No, you won’t take him away from me. He is mine. He belongs to me. Sakurai managed to stay calm until the other student left, but when he was passing by Sho the older boy stopped him and without saying anything, hit the latter. It was only one punch, not so hard. Sakurai only wanted to warn the other student, not seriously hurt him. The victim ran away, not looking around, tripping and falling, afraid that Sho will follow him. Shocked, Masaki came closer to his boyfriend, not able to utter a word. The older boy looked at the latter with pain written on his face and not caring about anything he pulled his kouhai in an embrace.

"You said you belong to me... I couldn't stand somebody else, touching you. You are mine..." Sakurai was whispering and hugged Aiba tighter. The taller boy didn't move at first, later pushing the other away.

"He is only my classmate. You had no right to treat him like that!"

"Masaki... You said..."

"You can't hit people!" Aiba was breathing faster, apparently mad; his voice even became more hoarse than usual. "I thought you are different than those terrible bullies, but you are just the same. If you state you are not a monster, stop acting like one!" The younger student rushed away in the same direction as his friend, probably to check if he is okay. Sho was left alone with one word echoing in his mind, said by his beloved Masaki's voice.

Monster…