Everchanging

Hypotheticals

!!TW!! Slight Panic attack/meltdown

"Just– Just hear me out, okay?"

"Genya..." Giyuu sighed, pressing himself closer to the farthest wall away from Genya and the animals. Suika hadn't moved from his spot in front of Genya, growling as the teen held onto him gently just in case the dog decided to snap. Genya brushed his fingers over smooth fur, his arms wrapping around Suika's undercarriage gently. He couldn't deny the tinge of happiness in his chest from the dog allowing him to be held.

Giyuu had stared at them, his eyes widening when he took notice of the Pitbull. Despite his initial hesitance, Genya batted his eyelashes enough for the man to let the animals in. Yuka dug her claws into the fabric of Genya's jacket, screaming from inside his hood until the boy lifted her to tuck the small kitten onto his shoulder. He could feel her nuzzle her wet nose into his neck, her claws digging into his skin.

Giyuu blinked at the boy, pressing his back into the wall before looking over at his phone on the table. Genya recognized the thought process and was quick to speak.

"They were left alone outside. They couldn't survive the winter. Yuka's only a baby and they're both so skinny." Genya hoped appeasing Giyuu's emotional side would garner his appeal, but his blue eyes only stuck on the big dog.

"Shinazugawa's not gonna agree to this." Giyuu mumbled, his eyes flicking up to Genya's. "And the dog seems slightly hostile. What if it bites you?"

"He hasn't yet. And plus, a dog bite won't kill me." Genya patted the dog's side gently. The gesture made Suika pause, turning his face to stare at the boy. Gray eyes met violet for a second before Genya was being licked. "See, Suika's nice. He likes me."

"Suika...he's growling and baring his teeth at me." A lazy hand motioned at the dog's mean gaze and Genya could only agree.

"Yeah, because he's scared. Look at all of his scars, he's been hurt." Genya pouted, feeling Yuka lick his neck before settling back down. An emotion rose in his chest so swiftly at the affection both animals had shown him. Just an hour ago they had been scared of him but now, Genya was the only human they could trust. He was their last line of defense. They needed him just as much as his little siblings had once needed him and Genya couldn't fail again.

"Genya...Suika's grown, he seems like he's managed this long–"

"They need me!" Genya could recognize the slight unhinged tone in his words but that didn't make them any less true. Giyuu's eyes widened at the tears beading the child's eyelashes and he so desperately wanted to comfort him but one look at the dog rooted him to his spot. "They were all alone and hurting. They need me. How can you expect me to just leave them out there to survive?!"

"Genya–" Giyuu could recognize a meltdown and Genya was on a fast track to one, but the child cut in swiftly, his voice wet and hiccupping as he held Suika and Yuka close.

"They were all alone and no one would help them . Yuka came to me. She came to me. I can't just abandon them!" Genya knew why this was so important to him. It was ridiculous and childish, but he knew. Somewhere, deep down, Yuka and Suika reminded him of himself and Sanemi. They were left alone to survive, and no one would save them. They only had each other to lean on. If everyone said that it was important for Genya to live instead of surviving, why was it any different for these two? What made Genya so different from these two? Why were their issues less important than Genya's? If no one else would save them, then Genya would. "I just want to help them. Why won't you let me? Why can't I help them?"

If Giyuu wouldn't agree, Genya didn't know what he'd do. He couldn't fail them. He'd already failed so many people who needed him. He already failed the kids and so many others. Not this time, he couldn't fail this time. He needed to help them. He wanted to. Suika and Yuka trusted him, and they needed him. Just like how Genya needs Nemi, they needed Genya.