Chapter Text
S-Fit Infirmary
"Am I good to go yet?" Varian asked the school nurse.
Everything happened in a bit of a haze, but somehow Hiro helped drag him to the infirmary. The nurse was kind enough to let Hiro stay, considering it was an emotional problem and figured it might be nice for Varian to have someone familiar with him. Which Varian appreciated, but felt guilty that Hiro was missing his class.
But Hiro was sent out of the room when the nurse announced that needed a moment to ask a few questions, and since Hiro wasn't family, he wasn't permitted to remain in the room.
"Well, you've calmed down and your breathing is normal," she began.
"So, is that a yes?"
"Depends." She pulled out a pin from the cup on her desk and picked up a clipboard. "Do you know the cause of your episode?"
He shrugged, pretending as if he didn't care about the sudden personal questions. But his father had always begged him to be honest with the doctor in Corona. "I guess I've always had anxiety, but I haven't always had episodes like this."
"I see... When do you think they started?"
"Well..." Varian felt his whole body tense. The answer would be after the snow storm when his father had been encased by the amber. Ever since then, he'd struggled with more emotions than just grief. Even with getting his father back and making amends with the kingdom, he still felt an over looming sense of doom for no particular reason.
The woman merely nodded. "No need for an explanation. I assume you've had these episodes quite a few times over the past few years?"
He nodded. "Since I was fourteen." Why was it so hard to answer? Why was he hesitant? Why was there a wall keeping him from talking freely?
"Have you seen a therapist?"
Varian blinked. "No?" He wasn't even sure he knew exactly what a therapist was.
"I see... Well, that's always an option to look into. Sometimes it's nice to have someone help you unfold your feelings," she explained. The woman glanced over at him. She must have noticed the uncertainty on his face. "I went to one for six years. There's no shame."
That wasn't what he was concerned about. He wanted to know what a therapist did and how was he supposed to benefit from one? Someone to help with his feelings? What was that supposed to mean?
"I'm going now..." Varian nodded towards the door after a moment's silence.
She nodded. He didn't need a second confirmation and slipped out the door. Hiro was standing in the hallway, waiting for him.
"Hey. You good now?" Hiro asked tentatively.
Varian nodded. "Yeah."
The younger teen opened his mouth and shut it again. "Do... Do you know what happened?"
The older teen shrugged as they slowly walked through the hall. Immediately, he decided to shift the conversation, not wanting to discuss it "This might sound like a stupid question."
"There's no such thing as a stupid question," Hiro smirked.
"Yeah? Well, I've heard many that beg to defer," Varian chuckled.
"Alright. What's the question?"
"Why does one go to therapy?"
The fifteen year old blinked. "Huh?" That was not the question he was expecting.
Varian shook his head. "Never mind. See? Dumb question..."
Hiro stepped in front of him, making him stop walking. "That is not a dumb question. It's serious. I just wasn't expecting it, sorry. Not everyone goes to therapy, but for those who do, the reasons are always different for each individual. Most common reasons is anxiety, depression, mental trauma, and the list goes on. Do... You think you want to try it?"
He thought about it for a moment. "No, just curious..."
The answer didn't seem like it satisfied Hiro. If anything, Varian would have almost thought that he was a little hurt by the comment. But either way, the younger teen didn't press him any further.
"Right..." Hiro awkwardly scratched the back of his neck as he glanced out the window to their left. "Soooooo, you free tonight?"
He shook his head. "No. Becker doesn't like it if I don't give a heads up before hanging out."
"Oh, I guess that's fair..." Hiro ran a hand through his hair.
Varian suddenly passed him a mischievous smirk. "But do you know who does have clear schedule tonight?"
"Who?" Hiro raised a brow. Then it appeared to click that Varian was referring to Karmi as the teen gave him a light shove. "Shut up!"
He laughed. "What? I'm just saying!"
The boy groaned, covering his face with his hands.