~from (y/n)'s POV~
You and Himuro were sitting across from each other in a cafe roughly fifteen minutes away from Levi's apartment and the school.
"So. Do you want to tell me what happened?" Himuro asked, forgoing the drink and food in front of him and staring at you instead.
You avoided looking into his eyes, because you knew that he'd be able to read you better than anyone else. "Why don't you hate me?" you asked softly. "I broke up your family. I'm the reason you don't know your dad."
Himuro just kept staring at you. "Do you hate me, then? Because I broke up your family? Because I'm the reason that you haven't seen your mom in over a decade? How could I blame you for anything? Do I blame your dad? Maybe a little. But without our parents screwing everything up, we never would have been siblings. So no, I don't hate you. Do you hate me?" he repeated.
"You're too nice," you muttered. "That's your problem."
"And you're being gloomy. What's up? You haven't seemed this down in a while."
You finally met his eyes. "Someone found out."
Himuro didn't break eye contact with you, but you sensed him tense.
Without him even prompting you, you began to explain. "She was my friend, and she lives close by. She saw me go into the clinic and demanded an explanation."
Himuro gave you that look that made you glad he was fighting on your side. "You don't owe anybody anything. And you said was? She was your friend? What happened?"
"What do you think happened? I had to tell her, Himuro. She deserved that much. But...I can't go back to talking with her normally. It's just too hard."
He nodded slowly. "I can't judge your decisions, because I'm biased. Whatever you do, I'll support you, you know."
You nodded. "Thanks, Himuro."
He gave you a half-smile. "No problem. Was anything else bothering you?"
You shrugged. "Mainly that."
HImuro paused. "Does she know about...your illness?"
You hesitated in return, looking away. "I told her it was HIV. That's partially true, I suppose. It used to be HIV." You sighed. "You, the doctor, and I are the only people who know that I have AIDS now."
"Has he...has the doctor-"
"Told me how long I have to live?" you interrupted, but Himuro didn't look shocked. "Nope." You felt his eyes burning into the side of your head, and you looked up with an apologetic smile. "Yep. But it's a secret." You winked. "So I can't tell anybody, not even you."
Himuro just breathed in deeply before exhaling, a half-smile forming on his face. "All right then, little Miss Mysterious. Let's get you home before they start to worry about you."
You sighed and looked away. "I'm pretty sure nobody's going to worry."
"What do you mean?"
"I pushed Hanji away today, and..." You shook your head. "Levi hates me. It makes sense, I guess. I'm always freaking out about something, and I'm an annoyance to him."
Himuro was quiet. "You know, I wish you could stay with me..."
You laughed softly, but your bitterness was not lost on him. "But your mom hates me too. I get it, Himuro. It's fine. You've already done so much for me." You sat there quietly, hands clasped in your lap as you stared down at the table, and after watching you for a few seconds, Himuro stood up abruptly.
"C'mon," he said, reaching out a hand and helping you up.
"Where are we going?" you asked, walking next to him and looking up at him questioningly.
"I'm going to meet this brother of yours," Himuro said, the skin on his face pulled taut.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," you murmured, but Himuro just grinned at you.
"That's okay!"
***
"Maybe I should go in first, okay?" you said to Himuro. "Just so you don't freak him out. So...stand over there."
He nodded, and you went up to the door and knocked.
Levi opened the door a second later, scowled at you, and slammed the door in your face.
"What's his problem?!" Himuro asked angrily, and you smiled weakly at him.
"Like I said...he doesn't particularly like me." You winced but turned back to the door and knocked again.
"What do you want, freak?" Levi snapped, glaring at you. "Do you know how long I had to wait after school for your sorry ass, who ditched and didn't tell anyone?"
You cringed. "Sorry about that..." Just then, you felt a hand on your shoulder and turned to see Himuro next to you, glaring at Levi as he stood a full head-and-a-half taller than him.
"What do you want?" Levi said, turning to him.
"Only to chop your head off with an axe," Himuro said, eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Levi, this is my - our - step-brother," you introduced, cringing as soon as the words were out of your mouth.
"You mean I'm related to him?" both of them asked at the same time, looking equally pissed.
"Himuro, I thought you would've figured that out a while ago," you muttered. "Anyhow, you met him, so you can go, right?"
Himuro wasn't dropping his death stare at Levi, who was returning it with equal force. "Go? And leave you alone with him?" Himuro was practically growling. "Like hell I'm going to-"
"Ooh, who is this?" asked a familiar voice as Hanji appeared behind Levi. "Hi, (y/n)," she greeted shyly (was it even possible for Hanji to be shy?).
You didn't respond, just looked down at your feet.
"Oh...and this must be your brother," she added softly, and Himuro looked at you.
"So, she's the one, right?"
You nodded but still wouldn't look up. "Himuro, I think you should go now, okay?"
He hesitated, caught between glaring at Levi and considering your safety. Finally, "Call me later."
You nodded and waved as he left, and although he smiled at you, you could tell that it was forced from the tension in his shoulders. Then you turned back to the two people still watching you in the doorway.