A few hours had passed and once you were sure Ushijima went home, you barged into Tendo's room.

"Oh hey (f/n)-chan! It's good to see y—"

"Oh don't you 'hey (f/n)-chan' me! What the hell were you thinking? Going home, alone, in the dark when you know our father is some weirdo psycho who likes to give us brain damage as a souvenir every time he drops by?"

"Okay, (f/n)-chan, before you flip out, it was to get you some food from outside the hospital—"

"Satori, I will shove that disgusting hospital food down my throat if I have to but I won't stand you getting hurt." You were giving out, but your voice broke near the end.

"Don't you understand? Wakatoshi-kun and I feel that same fear and worry when you go back home alone every night after your late shifts of work." He reasoned.

You hated that he made sense at that moment, but you weren't about to let him know that. "Yeah yeah, go ahead and be the doting brother that you are. But I swear if you get hurt like this one more time our cover gets blown. What are we gonna tell your mom?"

"Good question, I'll think about it." Tendo grinned.

"How the heck are you smiling right now?" You sighed.

"Must be a trait I inherited from our psycho dad. Smile at the wrong moments?" He chuckled.

"Ha, ha. Very funny." You responded dryly. "I'm just glad you're alive."

"Oi, I play volleyball I'm not a weakling. You've been to this hospital more times than I can count, our dad couldn't get rid of me faster than you. As long as you're alive, I know I'll last longer."

"Oh is that a bet?" You challenged.

"(F/n)-chan, please tell me we're not actually competing for who can outlive the other." Tendo groaned.

"I could say that but I'd be lying. You in or not, coward?"

"Fine I'm in. Loser has to— wait what can the loser do?" He muttered to himself.

"Rest in peace I guess." You shrugged.

"Sounds fair." He agreed. "Now go and get some sleep. Your eye bags are getting worse everyday."

"Don't actually point that out, asshole." You mumbled, rubbing your eyes. "But I guess I could use some rest. Good night Satori." You said on your way out of his hospital room and found your way back to yours.

Despite Tendo telling you to sleep, you couldn't. Your head was spinning and throbbing, and all you wanted was some rest but you couldn't fall asleep.

Deep down, you were still scared. You didn't want to be like your father, but if you wanted to protect those close to you, you'd have to stay away.

But you weren't certain that staying away from Ushijima would protect him. Knowing your father, he would use Ushijima and Ushijima's family's safety like some trump card to get you to suffer even more.

Mentally exhausted, you eventually passed out from the stress of overthinking.

Ushijima, whatever I decide to do, I'm sorry if it hurts you.

~•~

The next morning rolled around and Tendo's mom was at your side once again. "(F/n), I keep telling you to move in with us. We're basically family." She pressed, while rubbing your hand softly.

"Thank you, really. But I couldn't. Not until I manage to get that stalker out of my life." You said weakly.

"Stalker or not, we'll deal with it together. He's already gone after Satori, so now we're all involved. It's safer for you to move in with us sweetie."

Ah. So that's what Satori told her. That my stalker went after him too, most likely something to do with us being too close.

"I'm really grateful for the offer." You said truthfully. "But I couldn't put you at risk like that and not feel like crap every single day. And if anything were to happen to you, I'd never—"

"Forgive yourself, yes I know. But please, come by our house more often. Having a meal together won't kill anyone." She insisted and you sighed in defeat.

"There's no winning with you is there?" You chuckled, "alright I'll come around for dinner when I can."

That seemed to be alright with her, since she stopped trying to convince me to move in with her. "You know, (f/n)." She said softly. "Your mother was one of the greatest friends I'd ever had. She was so close she was basically family. She should've been angry at your father and at me for ruining your family but instead she just cut him off and stayed on good terms with me despite never having met me before."

"But you didn't know that mine and Satori's dad was playing you. Mama didn't know until she met you either, how could she be mad at you for something you didn't even know?" You argued.

She grinned, "You sound exactly like your mother sweetheart. If she were around, she'd be proud of the woman you're growing up to be." Tendo's mom stroked your hair soothingly and you found yourself shedding a few tears.

"Sorry. I'm not usually like this." You protested and wiped away the salty liquid escaping your eyes.

"Do you need some time to yourself, sweetheart?" She asked you and you nodded sheepishly. "I'll go see Satori then, that boy went right back to sleep after I left his room in the morning." She sighed. "And remember (f/n), you don't have to be strong all by yourself. Satori and I are here too. It's okay to lean on us."

"Thank you." You managed before she left the room, flashing you a smile on her way out.

You'd been a crying train wreck recently and in all honesty? It felt good to finally release all the fear and worries you'd been bottling up for ages. And so, you cried some more. Since nobody was going to stop you.

Your crying session was interrupted by your phone buzzing, though.

FarmBoi: are you okay?

Sleepyhead: aren't you in class

FarmBoi: Yes
FarmBoi: That's why I couldn't come see you
FarmBoi: I'll be there after volleyball training

Sleepyhead: What time will you be here at?

FarmBoi: Around half 5

Sleepyhead: Noted :)

FarmBoi: Anything you want to eat?

*Sleepyhead is typing...*

*Sleepyhead has stopped typing*

*Sleepyhead is typing...*

Sleepyhead: can you get me noodles?
Sleepyhead: The spicy ones

FarmBoi: and ice cream?

Sleepyhead: you know it :)