As soon as Deidara had walked in the door of Sasuke's hospital room, Itachi had gotten up and the both of them had wrapped their arms around each other.
Deidara suddenly felt like a steady pillar, he was unwavering when Itachi grabbed him full force and just allowed the other to hold him.
His arms were comforting, his touch was comforting, heck even his smell was comforting.
Deidara was comfort.
It was also said blonde that broke the hug and finally looked at Itachi.
Not with a look of pity, like Itachi had expected.
No, it was a look that said 'you'll get through this'.
And right now that was exactly what Itachi needed.
He then saw Deidara looking past him and nodding to Neji.
"So." The blonde started. "Have you eaten something?"
Itachi nodded.
"Neji got us something to eat. Have you?"
"Of course yeah."
As the two of them sat down, Deidara took Itachi's hand.
"So when do they think Sasuke will wake up?"
"They don't really know. He's stable, but it could be days before he wakes up."
That was actually the worst part. The not knowing.
They also didn't know how bad his concussion would be.
"Well, we'll just have to wait yeah."
To Itachi's surprise, Deidara pulled up another chair, pushed it next to Itachi's and sat down.
This kid always seemed to surprise him.
Was he really going to wait with him?
"It could be days." Itachi said as he sat down next to Deidara, subconsiously placing a hand on Sasuke's head and stroking through his brother's hair.
"What's your point yeah?"
Deidara looked at him with big eyes. Was this guy for real? He couldn't stay by Itachi's side for days?
Didn't Deidara have other things to do? Like school?
Not that Itachi minded. In fact, he very much appreciated it.
Normally, he would've told the blonde to go home after tonight and get some homework done or something.
But now. Itachi couldn't help but smile at Deidara's words.
He was there. Someone was there for him when he was on a slippery slope.
Going through this alone was terrible and he pretty much was alone. His father sure as hell wasn't going to step up and take care of things.
Having Deidara by his side was the most comforting thing in the world.
Not anyone would do. Only Deidara would.
"Nothing." Itachi finally responded. He grabbed hold of Deidara's hand, who smiled at him.
Itachi just looked at him.
This was going to be a rough time. It was not going to be over when Sasuke would open his eyes.
It was going to be hard, for all of them. Itachi knew that very well.
But he also knew that Deidara would have his back.
And that would make the time bearable.
-.-.-.-
It had been two days. Two days of no progress in either Sasuke nor their mother.
Itachi had gone back and forth between the two. Seeing his mother was still very hard.
And he became increasingly concerned that Sasuke might not wake up either.
The doctors were still optimistic. But it had been two days.
Deidara had been with him, not leaving his side for a second.
Neither had left the hospital at all.
Neji had left the second night and Itachi understood. He had to pick up life. School especially.
But his brother's friend had come back for visiting hours.
Itachi was still greatfull for him. For being there for Sasuke as well.
Itachi was tired. He wasn't sleeping well. Sleeping on a small couch wasn't comfortable, but he just didn't want to be away or asleep when Sasuke would wake up.
It was hard staying awake now though. He was sitting on the couch, Deidara slouched against him, vast asleep.
Itachi listened to the beeping sound of the heart monitor. As long as he heard that he was a little more at ease.
He slowly started to drift off. For a moment it didn't register when he heard noises.
Small grunts, the movement of a hand. But then he heard someone breath in heavily and some rummaging and he was wide awake.
It was coming from Sasuke's bed.
Itachi jumped up from his seat and took a few large steps.
Sasuke's arm was over his eyes, he was breathing a little heavier.
Itachi panicked. Was this good or bad? Was he in pain?
"Sasuke." He said as he put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. His brother didn't respond, but tried to sit up, only to fall back.
That must've been painful.
"Sasuke I'm here." Itachi said, trying to reassure him.
He saw the look on Sasuke's face. And it wasn't just pain. It was fear. Confusion.
It was a logical reaction. Sasuke probably was hurting. He didn't know where he was or what was going on.
Sasuke tried to take of his breathing mask, but Itachi was quick to stop him.
"Don't." He said as he pulled down Sasuke's hand. "You need it."
The look in Sasuke's eyes when he finally looked at Itachi was horrible. Itachi felt so bad.
The poor kid was so confused. And scared. That was probably worse then the pain in his body.
"It's ok." Itachi said. It was then that the doctors and nurses came in.
Itachi was pushed aside, much to his dismay. He wanted to be there for Sasuke. Make sure he was alright.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back slightly. Annoyed, he turned around, wondering who was keeping him from reaching his brother.
He looked into two concerned blue eyes.
"I called them." Deidara softly said. "I thought he needed a check up."
He looked almost apologetic. But Deidara was right. The doctors needed to examine it. Needed to make sure he wasn't in too much pain.
He hadn't even thought of it, nor had he heard Deidara getting up and calling for help.
All he had been focused on was Sasuke.
"Thanks." He quickly said and turned back to his brother.
He could barely see what was happening.
They examined him, looked at his vitals, looked at his eyes. They made Sasuke follow a light, move his fingers and toes, all kinds of tests.
Sasuke seemed quite reluctant. And who could blame him? He was already scared when he woke up, now he was surrounded by people telling him to do stuff.
Itachi would want to run. But in Sasuke's case that was impossible.
They asked him if he knew who he was, but when Sasuke wanted to answer, he started coughing.
Which clearly hurt him even more, with his broken ribs.
Itachi hated seeing him like this. He wanted to take it away, but he knew he couldn't.
This was just something they had to deal with.
He felt a comforting squeeze in his hand. Deidara, who had taken his hand, holding it tightly in both of his.
Itachi squeezed back.
It probably didn't take that long, their examination of Sasuke. But it felt like ages.
When they were done, they called out to him.
"He's in a lot of pain. We've given him painkillers, he should be feeling a little better in a few minutes." Their main doctor said.
Itachi nodded.
"He's not paralized, he seems to be functioning well. His voice is still hoarse from not talking for so long and his collapsed lung is still recovering." The doctor continued.
"One of the nurses will be back soon. For now, he needs some rest."
Itachi heard it all. It was noted. But now all he wanted was for them to leave.
He wanted to talk to Sasuke.
The doctor nodded to him and slowly everyone started to leave.
Itachi didn't waste a second and took his familiar spot next to Sasuke's bed.
He took Sasuke's hand in his and stroke some sweaty bangs out of his face.
His brother was looking at him. Still confused. And Itachi didn't know where to start.
"Just tell him yeah." Itachi looked next to him. Would he ever get used to it?
Someone supporting him. Nudging him on.
He turned back to Sasuke.
"You were in an accident." He started. "In the car. When you drove home from the camp. Do you remember the camp?"
Sasuke seemed to think on that. It seemed like it rang a bell to him, but he questioningly shook his head no.
Itachi wasn't sure if he didn't remember anything or just not being picked up.
It didn't matter for now though.
"Mom came to pick you up. Apparantly someone ran a red light. A truck." Itachi stopped talking. That was still something on his to do list.
Find out who that man was. Who hurt his family so bad. He wanted to speak his mind to that person.
Sasuke seemed to understand what Itachi was saying. He looked away for a moment, seemingly thinking of something.
He was probably full of questions, but couldn't find a way to ask them.
But there was one question Itachi was scared of answering. And he knew Sasuke must want to know at some point.
How was he supposed to tell his brother that their mother was in a coma?
Instead, he settled for telling Sasuke about his injuries. The broken leg, arm, ribs. The collapsed lung. The possible concussion.
When he asked Sasuke if his head hurt, the younger boy nodded yes. It worried Itachi, but Sasuke was awake at least.
He knew who he was, he knew who Itachi was.
But as Itachi continued talking, trying to see if Sasuke remembered anything from the camp, he mentioned their mother again.
And the look on Sasuke's face was a desperate one. Itachi couldn't get out of this one.
It was clear. Sasuke wanted to know.
Itachi opened his mouth but no words came out. He hated this. He absolutely hated having to do this.
He had to give Sasuke an answer quickly. It was unnecessary to leave Sasuke in the dark.
To make him think their mother was...
She wasn't. And she might not have to.
"She's in a coma Sasuke." Itachi finally managed to say it out loud.
He pinched the bridge of his nose to prevent himself from shedding a tear.
Sasuke stared at him in disbelief.
"The doctor's, they don't know if she can." It was almost a whisper now. "If she'll wake up."
Sasuke turned away from them, pulling his hand loose from Itachi's grip.
He rubbed his forehead as his face turned grim. Then came the tears.
Itachi immediately grabbed Sasuke's hand again, placing his other one on his cheek.
"It's ok. It'll be ok Sasuke." He said. It had to be.
As Itachi let Sasuke cry, he himself was having a hard time not to. But he had to be strong. They both had to be.
Sasuke would need all of his strength to recover. Itachi would help him with that, every step of the way.
They would have to support each other when it came to their mother. Hoping for her recovery.
Sasuke finally stopped crying after a while, whiping his tears away. He still looked so defeated.
"Can I." Sasuke tried talking but immediately started coughing again. It took some deep, painful breaths to stop.
He wanted to open his mouth again, but Itachi stopped him.
"Don't. Just wait a little longer before talking."
Sasuke rubbed his eyes in response.
Itachi smiled. After all the sleeping Sasuke had done, he was still tired. Although it wasn't really sleeping.
And recovering all of the damage was taking up lots of energy.
"You should sleep Sasuke."
First Sasuke shook his head. But when it was silent for a moment, he turned his head a little and closed his eyes.
Itachi again refused to let go of Sasuke's hand as he drifted off to sleep.
Itachi wouldn't though. No matter how tired he was, sleeping right now was not an option.
-.-.-.-
The next morning, Itachi had apparently fallen asleep anyhow, because he was being woken up.
Someone was gently pulling on his shirt, shaking him and calling out to him.
It wasn't Deidara.
"Itachi. Get off me. You're heavy."
Get off me? Who was he laying on?
Oh.
He drowsely pulled himself off.
Then he looked to the person talking to him.
"Took you long enough."
"You're talking." Itachi said surprised. "Where's your mask?"
Already up to find the thing, Sasuke stopped him.
"It's fine. The nurse said I didn't need it as long as I was feeling ok." He said.
Itachi sat back down.
"Are you?"
Itachi could understand if he wasn't.
"I guess. I mean, I still feel beat up, my body hurts." Sasuke took a breath. "It's just... mom. You know."
Itachi stayed silent for a while. He had had some time to adjust, Sasuke barely had.
"Why did mom have to come pick me up from camp?" Sasuke asked suddenly.
Right. Sasuke didn't remember everything.
"What's the last thing you remember?"
Sasuke seemed to think on that.
"We went to camp together. I remember some activities and having to cook thanks to Neji making me sign up for it."
Sasuke furrowed his brows.
"It gets blurry after that."
"I see." Itachi started and sighed. "Well, you got into a fight with some guys. You hit one untill he bled and the teachers had to send you home."
At first, Sasuke raished an eyebrow, but then he seemed to remember.
"Oh yeah." He said softly. "And we were fighting." He looked at Itachi, who nodded.
"We were."
"I remember that. I remember what you said. Mom picked me up, but I don't remember after that."
"Maybe that's a good thing."
If Sasuke in any way had seen this coming, it might be better for him not to remember.
The look on Sasuke's face suddenly changed and Itachi didn't like it one bit.
He couldn't pin it down.
"What is it?" He asked concerned. "Does anything hurt? Should I call a nurse?"
"No." Sasuke quickly said. "It's just." He hesitated.
Sasuke was thinking something bad. Itachi could see it on his face.
Was that. Guilt?
"No Sasuke."
His brother looked at him confused.
"It's not your fault." It made Itachi angry that Sasuke even thought that.
"But it is." Sasuke immediately countered.
"It's not."
"If I hadn't done that, she wouldn't have had to come pick me up." Sasuke angrily said, then grabbed to his ribs.
Itachi's anger immediately died.
"Shh. Calm down." He said. Sasuke did as he was told.
But he was still upset.
"There is only one person to blame and that was whoever was behind the wheel of that truck."
"But if I hadn't." Sasuke started, but he stopped talking.
His brother blaming himself for this, Itachi wouldn't have it. There was enough sadness in their lives now, Sasuke didn't need to deal with guilt.
"Not another word about it Sasuke." Itachi started. "What did you want to do, never ask anyone for a ride again?"
Sasuke didn't respond, just looked away.
"You did nothing wrong. Got it?"
For a while it stayed silent between the two of them.
Untill Sasuke finally responded.
"Okay."
Itachi truely hoped he had gotten through to Sasuke. Time would tell.
As it would with many other things.
"Can I see her?" Sasuke then asked.
"I don't know Sasuke. You can't get out of this bed for a while."
"Then when?"
To Itachi's surprise Sasuke didn't protest. He was a little irritated, he could hear it in his voice, but he didn't protest.
"As soon as we can get you in a wheelchair." Itachi promised.
He only hoped he didn't need to show Sasuke all of that. It was hard for Itachi to see their mother the way she was now, let alone Sasuke.
It was probably going to be a trauma for Sasuke as it was, being confronted with their mother's state as she was now.
Itachi didn't know if Sasuke could handle it.
"Is dad with mom?" Sasuke then asked him and something inside Itachi made a double turn.
The mention of his father right now made him feel sick.
He didn't know realise it before, but the fact that his father hadn't come to see Sasuke just once made him mad.
In his worry, he had shoved it aside, but now that Sasuke was awake.
"Itachi?"
Sasuke snapped him out of his thoughts.
"He's with mom yes." Itachi answered. This was another thing to explain to Sasuke.
He didn't even have an explanation other then their father was an asshole.
"Don't ask him to come here." Sasuke suddenly said as he turned his head away.
"What?"
"He hasn't been here yet right?"
Itachi stayed silent, not wanting to admit it to Sasuke. Not wanting to hurt him.
"I honestly don't want him hear just because you tell him to. And just so he can yell at me 'cause that's all he will do."
Itachi saw the flash of hurt in Sasuke's eyes, but his brother quickly covered it.
It pained Itachi to see.
"So don't ask him."
"I won't." Itachi agreed.
It stayed silent between the two brothers for a while. Until the door opened and Itachi looked to see Deidara standing there.
He was holding a tray with some sandwhiches and drinks.
Itachi had forgotten Deidara was still there. And somewhere he had assumed Deidara had gone home or something like that.
But he hadn't.
"You're up yeah." Deidara smiled at Itachi as he got into the room and put the tray down.
"Took you long enough." Sasuke said.
"Hey I had to go all the way to the other side of the hospital just to get you your juice." Deidara defended.
Itachi couldn't help but wonder how long he had been sleeping while Sasuke was awake.
"Thanks Dei." Itachi said and gave his brother a glare.
Although he had to admit he was glad Sasuke was up to his regular antics.
Deidara handed Sasuke his glass of juice now.
"Here you go you ungrateful brat." He said with a big smile.
"Thank you." Sasuke returned the smile and drank some.
Itachi smiled and helped Sasuke to a sandwich as well.
But as he was about to take one as well, Deidara stopped him.
As Itachi looked at him, his smile faded. Deidara looked kind of bothered.
"Can I talk to you in the hallway yeah?"
Itachi was surprised but nodded.
"We'll be right back Sasuke." His brother just waved them off as he clearly enjoyed eating something again.
Once the two of them were in the hallway, Itachi actually got nervous.
What did Deidara want to say? Did he change his mind?
"I think I have to go talk to Sasori today." The blonde said.
"Oh. Yeah." Itachi must have looked pretty dumb in that moment. He had totally forgotten about that.
Sasori was still in the picture. Deidara was not single.
They were not an item.
"He's been texting and calling me non stop. I think he might know what's coming but I have to do this properly. And also..." Deidara hesitated.
Itachi could tell by the way he fidgetted with his hands again and his mouth curled down a little.
"I get it if you don't want to jump into this now yeah. Because, you know this might not be the right time to start a relationship or even date or... yeah."
Itachi swallowed. He was kind of confused now. Was this scaring Deidara away?
Even though he was still going to break up with Sasori, but that was just the kind of guy Deidara was.
"Do you not want to do this?" Itachi hesitantly asked.
Deidara immediately threw up his hands.
"No! I mean, yes I do!" He said. "It's just I would understand if you wouldn't want to. If it's not something you can be bothered with right now, you know yeah?"
So that was it. Itachi had to admit he had been a little out of it the past days.
But Deidara being around had only made him feel better.
Besides he was kind of head over heels for this guy. It would be stupid to give that up.
"I want to try this with you Dei."
Deidara just looked at him for a moment, but just as he was about to talk, his phone rang.
"That's Sasori." He softly said as he checked his phone.
Itachi stroke a piece of hair behind Deidara's ear, making the other blush slightly.
"Just go to him." Itachi smiled, hoping it would reasure Deidara a little.
He knew this was going to be hard for the blonde. Him and Sasori had such a history and Itachi knew in a way Deidara loved the redhead.
It made him feel good and bad at the same time that Deidara was willing to give that up for him.
Deidara nodded. Then suddenly his faced turned to one that reminded Itachi of his mother.
"You'd better go home for a while and freshen up. Take care of yourself."
What?
"'Cause you know, you've been here non stop and you can't keep that up yeah."
He hadn't even realized that. All he had cared about was making sure Sasuke wouldn't wake up alone.
Deidara was probably right. He could come back after a shower and getting something to eat.
"I'll make sure to pass by my house once Sasuke decides to sleep again." He smiled at Deidara fondly.
This guy was taking care of him and even though Itachi prided himself on being able to take care of himself perfectly fine, it was still a nice change.
"Good." Deidara took a deep breath after that. "I'll text you when I'm done yeah."
In that moment, Itachi could see just how nervous Deidara was about this.
"I'll make sure to check it. Good luck Dei."
Itachi wondered how this would go. He had never dealt with a break up, but he knew they were barely ever pretty.
He only hoped it wouldn't affect Deidara too much.
Because still all he wanted for the blonde was for him to be happy.
-.-.-.-
Itachi was walking through his house, drying his hair with a towel.
After Deidara had told him to go home, he had stayed with Sasuke for a while longer before asking his brother if he could go home for a while.
His 'lovely' brother had informed him to certainly do so, since he smelled.
It had been quite refreshing though, even though he felt kind of guilty to feel more at ease.
Sasuke was far from recovery and he didn't even want to think of his mother for a moment.
It was nice being home, but he wanted to get back to the hospital as well.
But first he would eat some real food and make sure to do a few chores.
As he was busy getting some eggs ready, the doorbell rang.
Itachi frowned. There was rarely anyone at the door. Mostly his parents, Sasuke, Deidara or the mailmen.
He didn't expect any of them now for obvious reasons. He didn't order anything and Deidara hadn't texted him yet.
As he turned of the gas he made his way to the door.
When he opened it, Deidara was in his doorway, red stained eyes and suitcase in hand.
-.-.-.-
Author's note: Sorry guys! This story is going to take years to complete but still haven't given up on it yet. Just going very very veeeery slowly.
Thanks for always reading and commenting though!