[There's plenty of time for the tea to brew while Yosuke pours some disinfectant over his ass and tries not to curse too loudly in his head. Damn it, that really smarts.]

[It takes him even longer to struggle back into his jeans, and in the end he just holds them together instead of buckling his belt again. It's too complicated, and he's suddenly exhausted.]

[He wastes a few minutes sitting on the lip of the bathtub and holding his head, too. It's a good thing that Nill is patient, because it takes some real effort to work himself up to going back out and facing her again, at the moment. It's not that Nill is hard to be around. He's always liked being around her. It's just that right now, right here, bleeding from everywhere...it's just impossible not to feel inadequate. She doesn't need him here, she needs someone else. Hell, they both do. And what are they going to do about that?]

[When he finally emerges-it's lucky that Nill is so patient with him, really- he's quieter than usual. Somber. But he also knows that won't make her feel any better, either, and forcefully wrenches up a smile.]

I guess the tea must be ready, huh? Sorry. It's um. I haven't figured out the best way to do it yet, with one hand.