Genma POV:

"Hey Genma" Iruka said when I walked into the apartment. "Hey. Mind helping me with these?" I said holding up a hand of grocery bags. "I don't mind" he said getting a few bags from me and we went to the kitchen to put them away. "Kashi here?" I asked and Iruka shook his head. "Nah. He went to his karate class today" he replied and I nodded. Kakashi teaches a karate class at night in the evenings in a studio as a part time job. "I forgot about that. I think it's nice that he has one job that is something he likes to do" I said and Iruka nodded in agreement. We continued putting the groceries away and it was quiet between us. "So Kashi told me that you wanted to talk to me about something" Iruka said after a few minutes and I sighed. 'Kakashi runs his mouth too much' I thought rolling my eyes. "Umm yeah I do. But let's go sit in the living room since we are done here" I said and we went to sit in the living room. "What did you want to talk to me about Gen?" He asked and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. "I have nightmares sometimes that keep me awake at night but it's not just that. I also just can't sleep. I feel like my mind just won't stop and thoughts just keep running through my head" I said explaining. "Genma you know I'm here for you. What do you need me to do?" He said and I felt like my mind was running a mile a minute. 'Why do I have to depend on my friends like this? Why am I such a burden?' I thought. "Actually Iruka-" I started when the door opened and Kakashi walked in. "Oh. Hey Gen you're back. What are y'all up too?" He asked and I was relieved he was home. "We were just talking. I also bought groceries. I'm gonna go take a shower now and probably go to bed since it's been a long day" I said grabbing my stuff from the table as I headed to my room.

Kakashi POV:

I watched as Genma left to go his room before turning to Iruka. "What were you two talking about before I got here?" I asked and Iruka sighed. "Genma was telling me about how he can't sleep at night. I don't know what he was going to say next but he seemed relieved when you came" and I frowned. "I'm pretty sure he was going to ask you to stay with him some nights when he can't sleep. I suggested for him to ask you and Zumo but I think he decided to back out of asking you because he probably thinks it's going to be a burden" I said. "But it's not like that at all Kashi" he replied as I sat next to him. "I know Ru. That's not how it runs through Genma's mind though. If you want you can stay the night since it's late but also I know you're concerned about Genma" I said. "Yeah. I'll stay. I'm going to go take a shower" He replied leaving the living room. Then I heard a knock on the door. I got up and opened the door to see Izumo. "Izumo? What are you doing here?" I asked letting him in. "Genma dialed me and I don't think he knew he did. The voicemail I listened to after the call ended was him crying for five minutes straight. Did something happen?" He said and I sighed. "Well, when I got here him and Iruka were talking but then he left to go to his room. I need to check up on him now after what you said" I replied. "Let's go then" he said and both us headed towards Genma's room.

I knocked on the door and placed my ear on it trying to listen for movement. "Genma?" I said knocking again and that time I heard a noise that sounded like something falling and sniffling. "Genma. Can I come in?" I said knowing the door wasn't locked because he doesn't want to fight with it when he gets nightmares or can't sleep but I didn't want to just walk in making it seem like he didn't have any privacy. Izumo looked at me concerned and I was getting ready to knock again when I heard a quiet "come in" and I opened the door seeing Genma on his bed with his knees pulled up to his chest. "Genma!" Izumo said walking up quickly pulling Genma into a hug. "Zumo? What are you doing here?" He asked as I walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. "He told me that you called by accident and he got worried when he heard you crying. Genma are you alright?" I said and noticed how he tensed up even though Izumo was rubbing his shoulders gently. "I'm fine" he replied and both me and Izumo gave him the that's total bullshit look.

"Genma. I know you don't want to rely on us but if what's bothering you is going to cause wear and tear on you then it's okay to let us in. You know we are here for you" Izumo said and after a few minutes of silence Genma sighed. "That's the problem. I want to rely on you all but it's hard for me. I get thoughts of doubt and I feel like I'm a burden for y'all. And I know you will say that I'm not but it's really hard for me to believe that" he said voice cracking as his eyes watered as he leaned more on Izumo who moved his hands from his shoulders to wrap around his waist. "Genma. You should know us by now. We all grew up together and I know you know we love you and will always be here for you. I get that it's hard to believe that but we do. Even if we have to tell you a million times" we heard from the room door and we all looked to see Iruka. Genma chuckled voice a little hoarse holding a hand out to Iruka who walked up grabbing it as he sat on Genma's other side opposite me. "Thanks guys. I guess I get caught up in my thoughts sometimes and it's hard to get out of them. I know it's super late but I wanted to ask something" he said and I felt like I knew what he was going to say when he looked at me but I didn't say anything, knowing he was asking Iruka and Izumo. "What is it Gen?" Iruka said and Izumo gave a questioning look as well.

"W-well I wanted to ask if y'all would stay and sleep here with me" he said mumbling the last part and I kept myself from laughing as Iruka and Izumo looked at him confused. "What?!" They both said and I back in the bed laughing causing them to look at me. "Just ask Genma. Don't leave them confused. You know they'll say yes" I said after I stopped laughing. Genma glared at me and I shrugged making him roll his eyes. "I said that I wanted you to stay and sleep here with me," he said his cheeks turning a little pink. Genma yelped when Iruka and Izumo pushes Genma on his back before laying down next to him on either side. "All you had to do was ask. But you know we when to get you back for taking so long to ask" Izumo said looking at Iruka with a smirk and at first I didn't get it until Iruka smiled back while one of his hands shifted closer to Genma's hip. Genma's eyes widened as he realized what they were about to do. "NO! Hahahahahahaha-" he started to say before his statement was lost in giggles when they both began tickling him relentlessly. I chuckled watching, knowing they did it to cheer Genma up a little. After watching for about 5 minutes, I decided to save Genma by pulling him away from them. "Alright. Genma's suffered enough. Let him breathe" I said. Genma laid there for a bit trying to even out his breathing but he was smiling. "Y'all are the worst" he said and both Izumo and Iruka shrugged giggling. "You love us" Iruka said placing his head in my lap, my hand automatically running through his hair. "Unfortunately I do" he said laughing a little as he squirmed away when Izumo poked his side. I yawned a little as I checked my phone for the time. It was past midnight and I knew for a fact that we all had to go to bed.

"Okay kiddos. It's past midnight and all of us have classes so we have to go to bed unless we are going to live off caffeine. If y'all need me I'll be next door like always" I said ignoring the eye rolls from the other three knowing I sound like an old man. I pecked Iruka's cheek, and ruffled Genma's hair dodging when he tried hitting me with a pillow. I patted Izumo's shoulder as he talked to Kotetsu on the phone. "Goodnight.Y'all" I said ."Goodnight!" They said in reply as I waved closing the door behind me. "Raidou I hope you understand what you're about to get mixed up in" I said chuckling thinking of all of us a group as I headed into my room.