Darkness. It was the first thing he was made aware of. He remained still as he attempted to recall what had happened but failed. A soft beeping caught his attention, he knew know where he was, a low painful moan escaped him as he tried to raise hispale hand to his abdomen.
"Ryuzaki," a faint voice called from beside him, he felt a hand grasp his, holding it comfortingly.
"You shouldn't do that. Just try to rest, can you open your eyes?" The male voice pleaded.
'It would seem not at this moment, no.' Ryuzaki thought to himself sleepily. He began to drift back into his deep sleep.
"Ryuzaki,come on now, I know you hear me." The voice called again.
'Yes, I hear you. However, at this exact moment in time, I have neither the strength nor the will to grant your request.' Ryuzaki noted the genuine concern in the voice.
"Please, wake up."
'You just told me to rest, and yet you are not willing to allow me to do so.' Ryuzaki could no longer fight it, he drifted back to sleep
He couldn't be certain how long he had slept, but this time, he made the decision to open his eyes. It took him a while, but when at last they opened, he regretted it. A bright light shone over the bed, forcing him to close them again.
"Ryuzaki, thank goodness, we were all so worried about you." Watari said as he dimmed the light, allowing the detective to have a proper look at the older man.
"Thank you Watari." He said faintly.
"You are most welcome. How are you feeling?" Ryuzaki considered the answer. He was feeling very weak, tired and ill. He didn't like to lie to Watari, but the level of concern that was visible on the old man's face wasn't something that Ryuzaki wanted to continue.
"I feel better." He decided since Watari wasn't one to question him, the answer would be enough for now. Watari looked at him skeptically.
"Do you know what happened?" The younger man thought back once more, shifting his head on the pillow.
"I was..on my chair...at the computer when I felt a terrible pain, that's all I can think of."
"That's right, you were, right before you scared the hell out of me." The young detective looked up in shock, Watari had never spoken to him like that. A moment passed in silence.
"I'm sorry. That was not my intention."
"I know it wasn't. You should have told me you didn't feel well."
"I've never been one to complain, you know that. It accomplishes nothing." Watari sighed.
"There's a difference between complaining and telling me you're not well. Do you realize you could have died today, you came very close to it." Ryuzaki felt suddenly ashamed for the pain he had caused Watari. He attempted to sit up but found that Watari wouldn't allow the attempt. The older man placed a firm hand on Ryuzaki's chest.
"Don't. You need to save what strength you have, rest. You will be in bed for a while, you might as well resign yourself peaceful. No use fighting."
"How long exactly?"
"That depends solely on you, if you take your medications, and do as the doctors ask, I may be able to get you out of here in a few days, but you would still be on strict bed rest and be very closely monitored."
"I need to finish the investigation. I can't just stop in the middle of it." Ryuzaki protested.
"That's out of the question. Near and Mello are now on the case. They are acting under your name, no one will suspect."
"Have you told them?"
"No. They were not informed of your condition." Ryuzaki closed his eyes unable to hide the pains any longer."
"What's the matter?" Watari asked in alarm.
"I'm sorry Watari. I'm just not feeling well right now. But please don't worry. I'll be okay." Watari reached over to the side of the bed and handed the ailing detective a small round button.
"If it hurts you so much, I want you to push this button. It's to help the pain."
"I can't have my thoughts clouded by-"
" you are not on a case, you just had emergency surgery, no one will think differently about you if you have to take some down time. You are not invincible. Sooner or later everyone gets ill.
Ryuzaki pressed the button and settled back into the pillow, Watari smiled encouragingly.
"Try to rest now. I will be right here when you wake up, as I always am." Ryuzaki allowed his eyes ro close as fatigue took over. He could feel the cool cloth being placed on his head and a second later, Watari began to stroke his hair affectionately.
"Watari, I can't-
"Shh, yes you can."
"But I-"
"Ryuzaki, if you don't get well for yourself, do it for me, please." The young man seemed to think it over.
"Alright Watari, for you." As he drifted off Ryuzaki couldn't help but feel grateful to the man next to him. Watari had always made him feel important, he would even go so far as to say he felt loved. To Watari, he was more than the legendary L, he was the son he had always wanted.