Kakashi's hold on the medic was based more on sudden, violent desperation than it was on strength. Ryouma's grip around his wrist, weak though it was, still made his fingers jerk and slacken. The medic's other hand snapped down, using the flash of respite to peel Kakashi's fingers back.

Exhausted to the point of seeing things, Kakashi could only manage a feeble twist and a growl that was more of a whimper. In his mind's eye, wounds spilled like oil over Ryouma's skin. Over Tsume's face. Flesh peeling back and blistering away. That wasn't real. He yanked at his hand; the medic let go and stepped sharply back.

"Three in a bed it is, then," he said, apparently deciding to take things in stride. The nurse attending to Tsume murmured something vaguely disapproving, but relinquished her hold on the Inuzuka. Waki was talking in the background.

Kakashi had already stopped paying attention. His face was still against Ryouma's shoulder; his body rolling automatically closer. His arm locked tighter around Tsume, hand fisting into rumpled sheets and thin hospital clothes, trapping all three of them neatly together.

Ryouma smelled like misery again.

"Don'." Kakashi didn't have the strength left to open his eyes. He just pressed closer, rubbing his face blindly against warm skin. Twisting his wrist in Ryouma's hand, trying to touch back. "Don' do tha'. Need t'... need t'think good thoughts..."