4

"Ah!" Screams Johnny as the panic attack kicks in again. "It'll be okay, it'll be okay." He hears Koneko's soothing voice, but all he can focus on is how much he needs it to stop.

"Ryan, need help over here!" Koneko yells over to Ryan, who nods quickly before sprinting towards Johnny and the two of them collapse next to him. "He's having another attack. This isn't going to end well." He says worriedly.

The other three nod in agreement, before moving in closer around him. He feels their warmth radiating off their bodies.

"You keep laying with Johnny, I'll go get Asia, Kunou, Adam and Jack" Ryan said to Koneko

"I get why you're getting Asia and Kunou, but why Adam and Jack?" Koneko asked confused

"Adam's smart so he may be able to help and if I'm getting Adam, I might as well get Jack while I'm at it" Ryan said confidently as he dashed off to fetch Asia, Kunou, Adam and Jack.

Koneko nodded, then turned her attention back to Johnny. She didn't know if Kunou would be helpful, but she could probably figure out what they were trying to do, right? Maybe even making it better for Johnny? Yeah! With Asia and Kunou with her laying next to Johnny, Adam and Ryan talking it through with Johnny, and Jack being Jack, Johnny should be calm in no time!

"I'm back!" Yelled Ryan while jogging over with Asia, Kunou, Adam and Jack behind him. Kunou was carrying a bottle of medicine with her and handed it to Koneko as she sat down. Adam held the book he had been reading to Johnny while they talked about his anxiety. Ryan placed a hand lightly on Johnny's knee, before speaking.

"Hey guys, we've found that sometimes when your anxious or upset, it helps to talk things through with others, especially your friends. So, we figured it would be best to take some medication to try and help you relax-"

"And I'm not giving up on you!" Koneko added

"-so here it is. Asia and Kunou join Koneko on the ground with Johnny. Adam, Jack and Ryan all pull up folding chairs and start reading the story aloud to him, trying to keep his breathing under control.

When everything seems okay for now, Koneko turns towards Johnny. "What's got you freaked out so badly? You haven't done this before have you?" Johnny shakes his head, tears pooling in his eyes.

"Nn..No. It just happens sometimes" His voice breaks in the last word. He buries his face into his knees"

Hey don't worry Johnny. We're here for you. Now what happened? What did you see?" Koneko asks softly as she pulls her legs onto the floor so she can sit closer to Johnny, who flinched away a little at the sudden movement. Koneko frowned at Johnny's action and gently patted the spot next to her. Once he saw that she was offering to let him lean into her, he relaxed, allowing Koneko to wrap him up in her arms, Asia take Johnny's other side and wraps her arms around him like how Koneko did, while Kunou sat on Johnny's lap.

Johnny cried against Koneko's shoulder "Was there anything in particular you saw?" Ask Koneko

"Y-Yes" Johnny said while sniffling "Go ahead, tell us." Koneko encourages gently while patting Johnny's shoulder encouragingly.

Johnny looked from one face to another. There was hope. No matter what was going on, there would always be people willing to listen. He breathed heavily, feeling safe in their grasp. "It's my family." Johnny says quietly.

"What did they do?" Ryan asks.

Johnny takes a shaky breath and starts explaining,. "They used to call me crazy. They'd yell at me for being weird, saying I wasn't normal and that I was insane because I am smart but can't understand human emotion. But lately... lately I... I...I..." The words stick in Johnny's throat.

"Hey, it's okay," Kunou reassured and hugged him tighter. Jack nodded reassuringly. "You don't have to say any more than you want to, but I promise we won't judge you for it"

"Okay, um... I just want to say thank you... for listening and understanding what I'm saying.... I'm sorry...." Johnny looks back down at his knees. Tears start falling down his cheeks and he tries to swallow the sob that threatens to escape him.

"Shhhh, it's okay. Don't be sorry. We love you" All three of them repeat in unison. They're each hugging Johnny by now.

As they lay there together, Johnny finally begins to calm down and his heart rate starts to return to normal. By now, Kunou is rubbing gentle circles on Johnny's back while the rest of them lay there. While Adam, Jack and Ryan continue to read the story to Johnny and the others, Asia and Kunou are whispering sweet nothings in Japanese to Johnny. They both smile softly at him and he smiles back shyly Koneko, Kunou and Asia. They are both very protective of Johnny.

In the midst of all the chaos that is their lives right now, they don't want to ever think about leaving Johnny's side. After the incident, it becomes clear to everyone involved that Johnny isn't ready to go out in public yet. But the group knows that they have to move forward. Johnny needs help dealing with the anxiety attacks. They're slowly but surely becoming more frequent. And Johnny needs support. So, they begin training him for it. A good way to learn is to practice until you get it right.

Though it may be hard on them, Johnny's happiness is more than enough to keep them going.

"Alright," Adam said while stretching, "This chair is getting uncomfortable, lets take this to the bedroom so we have a more comfortable place to sit. We may even be able to get Johnny to sleep"

They all head over to the bedroom and find somewhere comfortable to sit or lay"

"C-C-Can you a-all s-sleep with m-me to-tonight?" Asked Johnny

"I don't see why not" Replies Asia

"If this happens move often, we'll need a bigger bed" Jack states jokingly

Everyone laughed at that

"Wait" said Kunou, "We haven't eaten yet!"

"Good thing I microwaved these!" Ryan exclaims while walking in while carrying microwave pizzas.

With Johnny, Koneko, Asia and Kunou lying in the bed with pizza. Adam, Jack and Ryan sit down to finish the story.

While reading the final page, Koneko sees the clock on the nightstand. "Hey guys, what time is it? I think it's late" She calls.

"Oh shit!" Jack curses, as everyone jumps.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you" Kunou laughs nervously

"Are we good?" Asked Koneko and Kunou. Johnny nods

The boys put Johnny to bed. It will still be early when they wake up in the morning, but Johnny has already drifted off asleep. They leave Johnny alone for a moment.

"Do you think Johnny likes pineapple on his pizza?" Koneko asks excitedly, making the other boys laugh.

"We should probably head to bed now" Asia said tiredly

"Looks like Kunou has already beaten you to it" Replied Koneko

They all look over to Kunou sleeping on Johnny's chest as Johnny sleeps on Johnny's stomach.

"Yeah.."

"He seems really happy" Said Jack, looking at Koneko, who had the same smile on her face.

"Yeah he does seem happy. He loves hanging out with us and having us protect him, which makes sense since we're older and stronger, and he feels safe with us, but it's nice to see how happy he gets, even without knowing why..."

"That sounds about right" Said Adam.

"Alright let's get in" said Koneko as she climbs into bed

"H-Hey, wait for me!" replied Asia as she follows after her

"Night you two" Adam, Jack and Ryan say before leaving.

After joining Johnny and Kunou in bed, Koneko and Asia drift off to sleep.