You tell me hold your head up
Hold your head up and be strong
'Cause when you fall, you gotta get up
You gotta get up and move on
Tell me, how the hell could you talk
How could you talk?
'Cause until you walk where I walk
It's just all talk

~ Lady Gaga, "Til It Happens to You"

Naruto was on the couch, searching for something to watch on Netflix when there was a rapid knock on the door. For a second, he wondered if they were expecting anyone. He got up and prepared for the fact that it would be a salesperson or, if he was lucky, someone selling Girl Scout cookies, so he was surprised to find Ino standing in the hall, eyes red and mascara streaks on her cheeks. Seeing her like that, his heart plummeted into his stomach.

"Ino?" He asked, trying to keep his voice calm. "What's wrong?"

She looked at him while biting her lip and burst into tears, unable to answer. Naruto immediately gathered her into his arms and cupped the back of her head protectively. He gave one quick glance around the hallway before pulling her into the apartment. With Ino shaking in his arms, he led her to the couch, and for about five minutes, she cried on his shoulder. Sasuke, who'd been in the shower, came into the living room but stopped when he spotted them.

Naruto looked up at him.

"What's going on?" Sasuke asked, appearing concerned.

"I'm not sure yet." He kept his arm around Ino.

"I'm s-sorry," Ino picked her head up off of Naruto's shoulder. "I didn't know what to do."

"So, what's going on?" Naruto asked. "Is it Kiba? Did you have a fight?"

"No, no," she waved her hand at him. "It's… something else."

"I'll make some tea," Sasuke murmured before disappearing into the kitchen.

He'd never seen her like this, so he wasn't entirely sure what to do first. The thought of anyone hurting her made his blood boil. He was relieved to find out it wasn't a fight because even if Kiba was his best friend, Naruto would pummel the crap out of him if he'd done anything. Except, Kiba wasn't like that. He would never do anything that would make Ino cry like this. Sighing, Naruto reclined against the couch back, taking Ino with him. She kept her head on his shoulder, her bangs covering half of her face as she sniffled. He gave her time to calm while running fingers through her hair and keeping her as close as possible, as if he could protect her from any more hurt. A few minutes later, Sasuke came in carrying a mug of tea, which he offered to Ino.

She shifted away just enough to accept it with a grateful nod. Sasuke, who looked slightly awkward standing there, shoved a couple of tissues at Naruto. He smiled at his boyfriend and used them to wipe the mascara from off of her face.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I really am."

"Don't be sorry," he whispered gently. "Take your time. We're here for you."

"Sasuke," she said. "Don't just stand there. You're making me feel more awkward." Ino gave the cushion on her other side a pat. "Sit down."

Sasuke removed his hands from the pocket of his hoodie and obediently went to sit next to her. Ino stared at him before laughing at him again, the sound more genuine this time.

"It's fine. I mean, it's not fine, but no one died and no one is sick," she said. "I mean, someone is sick, but not in the physical sense…"

"Sick?" Naruto asked. "What do you mean?"

She took in a deep breath, gripping the mug more tightly in her two small hands. He gave her shoulders another reassuring squeeze.

"Before you and I started hanging out in college," she started. "Before Kiba and I dated, I dated someone else. I was only a freshman, so I guess I didn't know any better, but—"

He could feel her begin to shake again.

"I remember you datin' someone else before him, yeah. But, you didn't talk about it a lot. I remember gettin' the feeling that Kiba didn't like the guy. Was he a jock?"

"No, he wasn't. He was kind of a nerd, really. But, personable." She added grimly, "At first, anyway."

"Okay." He shared a brief look with Sasuke, and then nodded for her to continue.

"He was having a lot of issues at home. Sometimes he had a temper. We dated for over six months, and in those six months, he changed a lot. I think he had a lot of issues." She gazed down at her lap, playing with the hem of her sweater. "I tried to be supportive. I guess I felt sorry for him, and because I hadn't had a lot of serious relationships before that, I… didn't know it was abnormal? Do I sound stupid talking like this? I don't want you to think I'm weak."

"No," he replied earnestly, shaking his head. "Whatever issues he had, that doesn't give him the right to take it out on you."

"I know. I knew that at the time, too. I guess I felt like if I dumped him when he was struggling, it would make me a bad person. Even when things got worse." She gave a sigh and, though she turned to smile at Sasuke and tug at the string of his hoodie, there were tears in her eyes. "I never thought I'd be one of those women who can't leave a bad relationship. But, I had a group of girlfriends who convinced me that the relationship was bad for me, abusive even."

"He didn't hit you, did he?" Naruto asked on impulse. "Because if he did—"

"No, no," Ino reassured him. "It didn't ever come to that. It was a lot of him making me feel like I was crazy for thinking the things he said, or the way he treated me were wrong. Even stuff that I knew to be not okay—yelling at me, deceiving me, and accusing me of cheating or being the reason he acted this way. Really strange, manipulative things that made me question my own sanity. I honestly can't explain it to you, but it's taken me a while to get over it."

"Okay, even if he didn't hit you, this is really pissin' me off just hearin' about this trash—"

"—Let her finish before you try to find him and put him in the hospital," Sasuke interrupted.

"Aren't you pissed?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, if I'd been there at the time, I would've cut his head off, but obviously something new has come up, but we can't find out what that is until you put your fists away."

"It's fine," Ino said timidly. "I mean—it's not fine. The thing is… he messaged me the other day. Several times. He sent friend requests on accounts I didn't even know he knew about. The messages aren't friendly either. In fact, I think he's stalking me. He mentioned things I'd posted about on my Twitter. People I talk to, things I've tweeted—it's… kind of scary."

"Wait, so did you go to the police?" Naruto's face was hot from his spiking blood pressure.

"I did… when it didn't stop. But, he keeps making new accounts whenever I block him. I think… maybe he's got a friend helping him, too. Because it's online, the police don't seem motivated to do much. They suggested I get a restraining order—"

Ino sighed again, brushing her hand through her hair. It was the first time he noted the dark bags under her eyes.

"Have you been sleeping?" He asked.

"Not really. The thing is... I haven't told Kiba yet. I'm scared about how he'll react."

"Kiba will want to muder him." Naruto cracked his knuckles. "We can go with you. He needs to know, we'll talk it out together and make sure he doesn't lose his cool."

"He's going to lose his cool, regardless," Sasuke added helpfully. "We should definitely go with you. You went to the police alone?"

"Yes… I tried calling a friend, but she couldn't, so I—" Ino bit her lip. "They really didn't care. It's like the guy has to beat you in the face with a bat before they'll do anything."

"Pretty sure we'll be the ones beatin' him in the face with a bat," Naruto replied, not bothering to hide the disgust from his voice. "So, we'll talk to Kiba with you, and then we'll go with you to file for a restraining order tomorrow. I—uh. Can't say I know how that works. Do you?" He asked Sasuke.

"I don't know much, but I'll look it up tonight. I'm sure there's a form she'll have to submit, and she'll have to present all the messages she's received."

"I don't have anything from when we dated. I threw all that stuff out," Ino admitted.

Naruto grunted. "I mean it's not like you should've expected years down the road that sorry ass would be stalkin' all your social media after you dumped him for treatin' you like shit."

"Why are men like this?" Ino asked them, her tiny hand forming a shaking fist. "I feel so lucky to have Kiba and you guys… but honestly, a lot of men are fucking gross."

"I can't argue with you there," Naruto replied. "I want to say we're not all bad, but some of us are—yeah, there's a lot we need to work on."

Sasuke, brow deeply furrowed, responded in a somber tone. "It's not limited to men. But I agree that it's sad things like this have become the norm."

"It's not the norm," Naruto argued. "Guys who treat women this way are and should be seen as abnormal. I'm not gonna say any of this behavior is okay. And, yeah. It can be whatever gender. I'm so tired of these people who have whatever issues, feel so sorry for themselves, so entitled, so insecure that all they can do is take it out on other people. And especially when you stayed and tried to help, and that's how he repays you? Like, okay. Wow, way to be an utter fuckhead."

When he was done, Ino and Sasuke were both staring.

"Maybe we'll leave Naruto at home," Sasuke suggested, an arch to one eyebrow.

"I'm fine," he snapped. "But I don't think Kiba's gonna like that we knew before him."

"He's not going to focus on that. He's going to focus on the fact that some psycho is harassing his girlfriend," Sasuke muttered, clearly as upset as he was. "We're all angry, Naruto. But, more importantly, we have to take the next steps to make sure Ino is protected."

"Should we get her a gun?" Naruto asked seriously. "You still have that pepper spray thing?"

"Naruto." Ino put an arm around his shoulders. "I don't want a gun. Hopefully it won't come to that. I don't know for sure if he's in the area. I'll have to ask some old college friends."

"We can help," Naruto volunteered. "To call or figure out how we can track him online."

"Can you do things like that?" Ino questioned hopefully.

"Yeah, I'll look into it. I know some of the guys who work at the police station, too. Whoever was a dick to you today, I'll sort it out. The courthouse, yeah. I know that place can be shitty."

"I think our justice system in general could use some work," Sasuke commented. "But one thing at a time. We'll drive her to their apartment. Is Kiba home?"

"He went out with a friend, but he'll be home in an hour. I was going to tell him when he got to the apartment, but I don't think I could handle having to be upset for myself and calm him down."

"Yeah, he's even more hot-headed than me," Naruto mumbled. "I'm sorry you have to go through this. I really am. I hate when people try to do the right thing and people shit all over them for it."

"I believe he's talking from personal experience," Sasuke said in a joking manner.

It broke the tension somewhat. Naruto, though still angry, managed a crooked smile. He was, after all, hopeful that they could do whatever they needed to keep a best friend from harm.

"Promise me, though," he said. "That if the justice system fails, we try the bat idea."

"I don't think you need to go to jail over some scumbag," Sasuke replied.

"We could still have conjungle visits?"

"Conjungle?" Sasuke teased.

Naruto waggled his eyebrows. "I didn't misspeak, babe. It'd be wild."

"Why am I not surprised that even at a time like this you two can flirt with each other?" Ino was looking between them and even gave into a quick giggle, which she hid behind her hand. "Thank you. I was afraid this would be awkward, would make you both feel awkward, but—"

"It's nothing," Sasuke assured. "We're glad we could be here for you."

Naruto nodded, eyeing Sasuke with affection for saying it that way. "What he said."

"We should get going, though," Sasuke suggested, getting to his feet. "I'll change into some jeans, and we can talk about how to approach this with Kiba on the way."

"Yeah, we're gonna need a plan." Naruto decided to stay with Ino on the couch since he hadn't showered yet and still had on his clothes from today. "Did you eat? Did I ask that yet?"

"I'm not super hungry." Ino twirled her hair around a finger.

Naruto took hold of it and squeezed. "We'll figure this out together. I won't let you deal with this on your own. Kiba will help, too. He'll be mad, but it's only 'cause he loves you and worries."

"I know, but you know how he gets." She set her head on his shoulder again. "Sasuke was cute earlier. It's so funny, you know? I remember when you were dating Shion, and never would I have expected you would end up with a guy—that's true. But, also. That you would find someone so perfect for you. It's too bad you're moving all the way to Europe in the fall."

"I know. I wish we could take the both of you with us, but, like… I guess we have to do grown-up things sometimes? And we'll be back eventually. Maybe by then you and Kiba will be married?"

Ino smirked. "He'd have to ask me first."

"You could ask him. Women's lib and stuff."

She barked out a laugh and slapped him on the arm. "Shut up. You're so silly."

"I am silly," he said, throwing an arm around her again and pulling her into hug. "Everything is so serious all the time. Someone's gotta be here to make the fart and poop jokes."

"Ah, and that person has to be you?" She asked, pushing his hair back off of his forehead. "Don't I already have Kiba for that? Is that why the two of you get along so well?"

"Part of it," he answered. "Sasuke loves my fart jokes."

"No, I don't always," Sasuke replied, coming out of the hallway at just that moment. "Especially when he tells them at business dinners for the company."

"Oh, don't lie," he said, getting up so he could swat him on the butt. "I would never do that at one of your business meetings. Most of those guys are too stiff for it, except your admin assistant—"

"Admin assistant…?" Ino asked.

"Don't get him started," Sasuke answered. "He's got a thing for her."

"I do not. Don't say that. Sheesh. She's just got a sense of humor. He thinks it's flirting because we joke around. It's sexist. If I joke with Kiba, he doesn't think I'm flirting—"

"—No, I do think that on occasion," Sasuke replied. "But you two are, luckily, oblivious idiots."

"Wait, what are we oblivious about—?"

"I feel the same sometimes, Sasuke," Ino admitted. "You get used to it."

"You know," he said, helping Ino with her jacket. "It's sexist that two bros can't just have a platonic soulmate relationship without someone suggestin' they're doin' it in secret."

"Remind me never to introduce you to the world of fanfiction," Sasuke remarked before grabbing his keys off the hook and shoving Naruto out the door once their shoes are on.

"I've heard of it," he muttered, sliding between his boyfriend and Ino, putting an arm around each. "Surprised you've never written any since you're such a nerd."

"Who says I haven't?" Sasuke offered a sly smirk.

"Seriously? What's your penname?"

"If that were true," said Ino. "I bet Sasuke would write some amazing gay porn."

"Yeah, 'cause he could use our sex life for examples."

Sasuke snorted; Naruto was satisfied. They were able to make Ino laugh.

Even though his blood was still boiling at the thought of this loser out in the world with nothing better to do than harass someone as precious to him as Ino… it was reassuring to know that all of them could pull together in times like this, and even though Kiba was likely to not take any of this very well, eventually he would calm down so that they could figure out the next step they would need to take. Together.

a/n: I wrote this about my own personal experience in a really toxic relationship that became even more abusive after I left it. I've recently shared that experience on my Tumblr (razzbean).