Everchanging

Understand Me

!!TW!! Talk/Discussion of the following topics: self-harm, suicidal topics, CSA/SA, CP, Rape, Rape Culture, Victim Blaming, Drugging, Grooming, Homophobia, Vomit

Hinatsuru didn't know who to thank for this opportunity. Honestly, she didn't expect the boy to actually look to her for comfort, considering his sexual abuser was a woman. Hell, Genya had been suspicious of her for the majority of her psych ward visit, it was only until when he realized how similar they were that he started to open up to her. And it hurt, to see how much the child yearned for connection but genuinely feared it at the same time.

"I don't want to be scared of you."

And, honestly, Hinatsuru understood him. She understood the inherent fear that came with opening up with people. She couldn't imagine having to do it after living your entire life isolated and abused like Genya had. Thankfully, Hinatsuru had understanding and loving parents, even if they were a little overbearing. She never had to fear them blaming her or hurting her more.

But Genya did. He had to worry that his own father would pin the blame on him. He had to worry that Kyogo would punish him for something Miyano did. And it instilled the need to keep every memory close to Genya's chest, so he wasn't hurt anymore, and now he had to slowly untangle himself from the prison he had been locked in.

He had to unlearn every bad habit Kyogo and Miyano beat into him. And honestly, Hinatsuru wondered if more than just those two had had a bad imprint on the child. Kyogo had dated multiple women, had one-night stands, friends over, multitudes of people came over to their house that Kyogo had invited. And if they could befriend Kyogo, then those people couldn't have been nice. Hinatsuru couldn't help but fear about the things they didn't know, how many people had hurt Genya.

But she couldn't focus on that right now. Right now, the boy was waiting for her in her living room, unfurling and floating. Sanemi had texted Tengen asking if Hinatsuru would be open to talking to Genya about something really serious. Of course, Hinatsuru readily agreed. She would give the baby the skin off of her back if he needed it. Anything to make his life just a little easier to live.

But then Sanemi had asked if they could hide in one of the rooms so he and his brother could run to the bathroom. Apparently, Genya wasn't feeling too well, which settled a stone in each adult's stomach. They could hear running water and muffled voices, door opening and feet shuffling. Then moments later, Sanemi peeked into Tengen's art studio with a pale face.

"Found you." He laughed emptily, shutting the door quietly behind him. It was obvious that he was upset and Hinatsuru watched as her husband's face morphed to mirror the pain. "Do you have a rubber band or something?"

"Yeah, of course. What for?" Tengen nodded, walking over to his desk to open the drawer. Sanemi's face pinched as he thought, his eyes fluttering around the room to greet the other women. Makio was the first one to speak, her steps steady as she placed a firm hand on the man's shoulder.

"Is the little dude okay? Make it to the bathroom in one piece?" Her words spurred Suma to also speak, desperate to liven the mood.

"Do we finally get to see him? I've been dying since Hina got to!" They clapped their hands, smile wide and laugh echoing. Sanemi winced at the sound and Makio rubbed a soothing hand across his shoulder blades. "She was telling us how adorable he is. Said he has the biggest puppy-dog eyes she's ever seen and the cutest little nose."

That got a bit of a smile from Sanemi, a huffed chuckled as he nodded before he looked down at the floor. Tengen was still rustling through the mess of his desk, cursing something as he pinched his finger in the drawer.

"Yeah, he is pretty damn adorable...." Sanemi nodded, hesitating a bit before he spoke again. "But I don't think now's a good time for you and Makio to meet him. Sorry, it's just...Something happened and Genya's really freaking out."