I'm kind of enjoying writing the conversations between the characters so sorry if there are a lot.
Comments are appreciated as always, good or bad!
Thank you for reading and for all the comments so far. I've really enjoyed them!
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When Akashi and the doctor returned to the room, Akashi made his way to stand by Kuroko with very careful and deliberate steps. Instead of grabbing Kuroko's hand, he held his own a few inches of away from Kuroko's and let the bluenette take his time in grabbing the hand.
"If something scares you or makes you uncomfortable, just squeeze my hand." Akashi reminded. Kuroko didn't respond, but the red head was sure he heard.
In truth, holding hands scared Kuroko, as did any physical contact. Still, the man who called himself Akashi had been kind so far. Akashi's hands were gentle and his movements were never sudden. He trusted Akashi, at least a little. He certainly trusted the red head more than the other man in the white coat. Perhaps he was just desperate to trust someone. It didn't really matter.
Kuroko squeezed Akashi's hand tightly whenever the doctor tried to get closer and he flinched when the man made sudden movements. Akashi never made any sudden movements. He always told Kuroko what he was going to do before doing it and he always asked. No one ever told Kuroko what they were going to do. They just did it. They didn't ask, because Kuroko was just a punching bag and a fuck toy. He was an item. But Akashi was treating him like a person.
It seemed like a long time passed before the doctor and Akashi left. It had been an hour. Kuroko hadn't uttered a single word. He wasn't sure he remembered how to speak, but his silence was more due to fear that the red head might stop being kind if Kuroko spoke. Kuroko wasn't supposed to speak. Punching bags and fuck toys don't speak. Objects don't speak. Even if one person treated Kuroko like a human being, many more had treated him as an object and majority won.
Akashi and the doctor stepped back into the hallway once the check up was finished.
"How is he?" Akashi inquired.
"Physically, he's healing. He's malnourished and it's still too soon to know if he will walk again, but he is healing. He should be able to be released in a few days provided that there are no further complications. Psychologically is another story. I understand you plan to take care of him. It won't be easy. His physical injuries are one thing, but the psychological damage is another. I'm not a psychologist so I can only help but so much, but I suggest you find him a good therapist."
"Thank you." Akashi bowed.
"Before I go.." Dr. Takama added.
"Yes?"
"If you still plan to take care of him, I'll have someone show you what you need to know to take care of his medical needs at home. Of course, if Kuroko will let others get near him, you can hire a nurse. You should probably talk to psychologist about his mental needs."
"I would appreciate that. Thank you." Akashi bowed slightly again and moved to open the door, but the doctor stopped him again.
"I know this is a lot to ask, but if you could stick around for the time being, it would be helpful, since he trusts you."
Akashi nodded and the doctor finally walked away.
*knock knock*
Akashi turned to seen a green head of hair poke through the door. It didn't take long for him to recognize his old teammate, Midorima.
"Is this a bad time?" Midorima asked seeing that Kuroko was asleep.
Akashi shook his head and stepped outside to talk. He briefly glanced at pink cupcake keychain dangling from Midorima's belt and assumed it was the lucky item of the day.
"I'm a bit surprised you don't have guards framing the door." Midorima teased as he gave the smaller man an awkward hug.
"You just don't see them. It would bring too much attention if they were visible enough for you to see them." Akashi teased back, although his voice and expression lacked any sense of humor. "Why are you here?"
"Kise called me several days ago. The hospital is slightly short staffed at the moment so I couldn't get away immediately. As it is, I can only stay two days."
"I see."
"Kise informed Murisakibara and a few others. Murisakibara is flying back from France on Friday in case Kise didn't tell you."
"He didn't." Akashi kept his answers short. He hadn't really thought to call the others. They didn't talk very often anymore. After high school, Midorima had gone off to become a doctor and rarely had any free time. Murisakibara had gone to France for culinary school which made it hard to stay in touch. Both of them had quit looking for Kuroko too which had created a bit of a rift as well. The only reason Akashi still had contact with Kise frequently was because of Aomine. He should have thought to call, but he hadn't.
"How is he?" Midorima finally asked as he pushed his glasses up.
"Physically, he's healing. That's what the doctor says." Akashi repeated what Dr. Takama has said.
"Then something else is wrong?" Midorima didn't miss how Akashi had specifically pointed out Kuroko's physical condition only.
"Tetsuya was being housed as a product by a certain gang. From what my sources have gathered, he was probably there since he disappeared. He's terrified of being touched and he hasn't spoken, at least nothing cohearant." Akashi leaned his back against the wall with a sigh. One knee bent to place his foot on the wall behind him and his hands were shoved into his pocket as he stared at nothing in particular. "The doctor couldn't even get near him without him freaking out. He's let me touch him, but barely, and it's obvious it still frightens him."
"So mentally…" Midorima let his voice trail off. He didn't know what he expected to find. Of course Kuroko wouldn't be the same way he was four years ago. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't help you guys keep looking for him." He offered his apology. Akashi brushed it off.
"You had things to do. It's in the past now anyway. I'm not mad at you. You're not the one….who did those things to him." Akashi tensed.
"May I see him?"
"He's sleeping."
"Then I can come back later."
Akashi shook his head. "I don't know how he will react if he is awake. It might be best to see him while he's sleeping. At least for now." Akashi pushed himself off the wall and opened the door to Kuroko's room, holding it to let Midorima in. Midorima walked in hesitantly.
Kuroko was covered in blankets, so Midorima couldn't tell much. He grabbed the chart instead and read through it, his eyes narrowing and his free hand turning into a fist with the more he read. When he was done, he placed it back in its spot and looked over Kuroko again. The charts told him what 'things' Akashi had been speaking of.
"I assume you have taken it upon yourself to handle his medical expenses?" Midorima broke the awkward silence that had formed and again pushed his glasses up. He continued after Akashi nodded. "If there is anything either of you need that I can help with….you will let me know won't you?"
Akashi nodded again and the silence resumed for several long moments.
"I don't know if he remembers me and if that's why he lets me near, but he might remember you too and he might let you near."
Midorima studied Akashi unsure of what the redhead was getting at.
"He's terrified of the doctors here and doesn't let them near. If he lets you near…." Akashi wasn't really sure how he was supposed to ask for Midorima's help. It wasn't in his nature to ask. It was in his nature to order. He felt awkward.
"We can transfer him if that is what you are asking."
"Yeah. I mean, he may not….but if he does…."
"It's fine. I get it. And it's the least I can do. I'm going to go now. Call me later okay?" A business card was handed to Akashi. On the back was Midorima's personal cell since it wasn't the same as it used to be. He watched the taller man leave and realized just how much had changed in the course of four years. Midorima had changed a lot and Akashi assumed he probably had too.
