"I'm not standing up for you, I'm just irritated that she was making assumptions."

?

"She initially thought you were an alpha because clearly only an alpha could stand up to another alpha like that, omegas are too meek and submissive and would never gainsay their partners."

"I am not—"

"I am aware, Yamada, that's part of what makes it irritating."

(Tōkan just watches this exchange with a small grin.)

Inori keeps staring at Subaru for a while longer, and Subaru just holds his gaze, holding his chin high, until Inori turns away to grab his phone and start tapping at it.

They get the X-ray in short order and everything is, as expected, fine; "It'll take more than a little scuffle to really hurt a healthy young alpha like you," as the doctor says, which causes Subaru to grimace again.

"That one was strictly biological," says Tōkan as they're walking out. "Alphas are on average much more physically resilient than betas or omegas."

"I know, but I feel like six people ganging up on us and using you as their personal punching bag is a lot worse than 'a little scuffle'."

"I suppose."

"For someone so bent on these social justice issues you sure are pretty forgiving of anyone you see doing anything bad."

"Hate the sin, love the sinner?"

"If I hadn't seen you in a fight before I'd have said you're too agreeable for your own long term health."

Inori snorts. "He fusses worse than you do," he tells Tōkan.

"But I am, objectively speaking, fine."

"You don't have broken bones," Subaru corrects him. "You still got beat up everywhere, you have a limp—"

"That was just for a bit!"

"You're confirming all the stereotypes, let the people who love you take care of you you numbnuts."

Sigh. "Well, fine, you wanna take care of me? Why don't we go to my apartment and I lie down with this ice," gesturing at the pack the doctor gave him, "while the two of you pamper me."

"Sounds good," says Subaru.

Inori nods along with it.

"—wait no you're not meant to agree!"

"Get fucked."

"You said 'not now'."