Everchanging

Needs and Wants

!!TW!! Talk of seizures, talks of abuse, hospitals

The clanking of chopsticks filled the silence of Tengen's empty classroom. Kyojuro and the other man ate in familiar quiet, both content with eating their food in the presence of one another. However, it didn't last long when Mitsuri came barging in. And Tengen would have been irked at the woman for disturbing his alone time with the other if it weren't for the panicked expression she came wearing.

"Mitsuri? What's wrong?" Kyojuro was the first to talk, standing from his seat to help the wobbly woman take one of her own. She shook her head, heaving in breaths before finally choking out a sentence.

"Genya went to the hospital." Green eyes stared at the others, tears beading in her sympathetic gaze. "Apparently he was really sick. Obanai said that he was having seizures and stuff. So they called for an ambulance."

"Oh, so that's what the noise was." Tengen couldn't help the slight pang of guilt. While he was basking in the presence of Kyojuro, both eating their lunches, Genya had been sick enough to need medical attention. "I thought I heard sirens but I wasn't sure."

"Sanemi and Obanai went with Genya, so he's not alone. I'll be watching Obanai's classes until he returns though." Mitsuri looked down at her hands, feet tapping on the ground anxiously. She knew how unnerving hospitals were for her boyfriend. She could only hope that he was managing okay in the triggering environment. "Can one of you watch Sanemi's classes? I hate to ask but..."

"Yeah, no. I will, no worries." Tengen waved his hand, his mood dampening as he imagined his art class without his favorite student. "Should we keep it hush hush if any of his friends ask? I have Zenitsu in my next class and I'm positive that he'll be nosy."

"I don't really know? Kanao, apparently, saw the entire thing and so did other students so I think it might be useless to lie. But maybe just soften it a bit? Like tell the truth but don't be blunt with it."

"So don't be Giyuu, got it." Tengen laughed, even though the whole situation made him want to do anything but laugh. Mitsuri huffed out a weak chuckle, her hands fiddling with one another.

"Giyuu said he'd check on them after work so Obanai can go home." Mitsuri stood, her body swaying a bit but she remained upright. "I just...how did it get so bad, so quick?"

"Don't worry, Mitsuri. I'm sure everything will turn out fine." Kyojuro smiled, honest and bright. It seemed he was just about the only person who could stay positive. Tengen couldn't help but back in the warmth the man seemed to radiate even as Mitsuri stepped towards the door, the clock ticking closer to the bell. "Genya has a lot of people who care about him, so he'll get better quickly. Plus, healing takes time."

"Yeah... I guess you're right. I'm just..I..." Mitsuri smiled a little, abandoning her thought, fiddling with her bangs. "It's hard. I can't imagine how Sanemi must feel."

"Yeah but the best we can do is just be there when they need us." Tengen could sympathize with her. It felt like there was absolutely nothing they could do, but really that was their role. To do nothing until they were needed. And it sucked, but that was reality. It would only hurt the child more if they tried to force themselves into his life and his issues.

"Uhuh, I guess so...Well, I'll be off." Mitsuri forced a bright smile, clearing her face of her worries. "I'm gonna go annoy Shinobu until she has to head out. Don't make out too much while I'm gone, there's still children around!"

"We weren't even making out!" Before Kyojuro could defend them, the woman was gone with the door swinging. Both men flushed, trying to focus more on their food but it was becoming more difficult, the teasing from Mitsuri making the air seem hotter.