A moan was being heard from the hospital room. Not long after, another one.

Itachi stroke through sweaty hair, holding Sasuke's hand.

A few hours ago, Sasuke started getting a headache. At first, no one was worried. Sasuke had had headaches more often.

But when the pain just kept increasing and it was starting to get unbearable for Sasuke, Itachi had called a nurse.

Then she was worried and that made it even worse for Itachi.

Something was wrong.

Sasuke had been having headaches more often ever since he woke up, but none of them had been this bad.

And they had always gone away.

"It's ok." Itachi tried to reassure Sasuke, who was doing his best not to move to much.

Itachi was trying to reassure himself as well.

"They're setting up a CT scan." Itachi only hoped that would give them some clarity.

Then they could do something to get rid of this.

But he was worried. What if this meant Sasuke needed to get surgery or something.

Would they have to start all over again?

Itachi didn't want his little brother to go through it all once more. Or worse.

"Did you ask Neji?" Sasuke started softly, but didn't continue.

"I'll call him once they get you in there." Itachi replied, knowing Sasuke wanted him to.

Neji had been an essential part in Sasuke's recovery, seeing as he could calm Sasuke down like no other.

Itachi was really glad for that.

Sasuke put a hand to his head, indicating it was getting worse again. And Itachi hated that.

He sat even closer to his brother, still trying to get those wet strands of hair out of his face. Anything to make Sasuke even the least bit more comfortable.

They just kept falling back.

At that moment, their father came rushing in.

It was the first time Itachi had seen real concern on his face when it came to Sasuke. He had clearly been informed not too long ago.

Their father rushed towards Sasuke, putting a hand on his son's shoulder.

Itachi was glad that this time his father was there for Sasuke. Although he still so much resented him for all those other times, his father did seem to try at least.

"What happened?"

He clearly wasn't that well informed, Itachi noted.

"I don't know. His headache got worse." Itachi softly said.

His father nodded, then turned to Sasuke.

"Sasuke, can you hear me?"

Sasuke nodded in return.

"You're going to be ok."

Another nod from Sasuke, although this time it did seem a little hesitant.

Sasuke was nervous as well, understandably having such a headache would scare you.

Itachi honestly thought his brother was doing well for the situation he was in. If it were him, he didn't know if he had been going crazy from both the pain and the fear.

Sasuke had always been strong like that.

"Dad I." His brother started but their father interrupted him.

"Don't talk. We can do that later."

After that it had all happened very fast. Sasuke was taken to get a CT scan and then rushed to surgery.

Itachi had completely panicked, wanting to go after him, not knowing what was going on.

It seemed so serious and Itachi couldn't think about what he would do if Sasuke died on that surgery table.

He would not be able to handle that.

Then suddenly someone grabbed him by the arms and he looked at his father's face. It wasn't particularly a face of worry and that seemed to calm Itachi down somewhat.

Apparently, in all his panic he had completely missed the nurses explaining to them what was going on.

"Calm yourself down son." He had said in that stern voice only his father could bring up.

"Sasuke will be alright."

He was?

"It's a blood clot. Something that can happen after a concussion or brain injury."

"A blood clot?" Itachi asked as he was finally calming down a little.

Still that sounded quite serious.

"Yes. Rather large, but they found it in time."

"But he's in surgery." Itachi said.

How could his father be so convinced they found it in time and everything would be ok?

It was still a blood clot. It was still surgery on Sasuke's head. It could still go wrong and it scared the living daylight out of Itachi.

"Because these doctors have been great before. And your brother won't let a blood clot kill him after an accident with a truck wouldn't."

Itachi was startled by that statement. His father sounded so angry.

But also so convinced.

"Ok." Was all Itachi could bring out.

For the second time Itachi was glad his father was around. Just like the time with his mother, they could lean on each other.

This time, his father even actually acted like a parent, comforting Itachi in a time he most needed it.

No matter how much they butted heads, his father had always been right when he was this convinced.
And over the years Itachi had learned to trust him in those moments.

Not long after, they were taken to another waiting room and Itachi had to suppress the memories of those weeks ago.

Back then they were also waiting. Back then there was that same fear. And even though this might not be as severe as that time, Itachi still couldn't shake this nervousness.

He wouldn't be completely convinced, no matter how much he trusted his father.

Until he could see Sasuke himself and hear him talk again there would be the slightest of fear.

For now though, he just had to wait.

-.-.-

Deidara was sitting next to Itachi, beside the bed where Sasuke was still asleep.

He had gotten a phone call from a very upset Itachi some hours before.

Deidara didn't understand then what was going on then, because for the first time Itachi had been so out of it he couldn't even make any sense.

All Deidara knew was that he had to get over there fast.

So he had. He had hopped on a bus and gotten to the hospital.

Then it became clear to him that Sasuke was in surgery and some nurses explained why, not wanting to bother Itachi more.

He didn't really get it, he had never been great at biology. Something with a blood clot, but the nurses seemed convinced Sasuke would be alright.

Deidara had sat there, trying to distract Itachi a little, although he had failed miserably.

All his efforts to start up some kind of conversation were pushed aside by Itachi's short answers.

He had given up after while, deciding that right now, Itachi probably just needed him around.

Luckily, not long after he got there, a doctor came to inform them everything had gone alright and that Sasuke would be waking up soon.

Deidara was relieved and he could see Itachi letting out a sigh he had probably been holding this entire time.

Deidara felt bad for him, but at least things were going to be ok.

Then he spotted another person next to them. And it was only then that Deidara noticed Itachi's father was there as well.

And he was looking at him. Those eyes were truly terrifying.

It made Deidara nervous. He had never met Itachi's father before and from what he had heard this was a strict man.

He also knew Itachi hadn't told his father about him. Or about how he was gay.

Deidara tried to ignore the eyes that were prying into his head.

The three of them had gone over to Sasuke's hospital room, where he was laying, vast asleep still.

He didn't seem too bad and Deidara honestly was just glad he was going to be ok.

Not just for Itachi's sake, he had grown to care about that little asshole as well. Sasuke was a good kid, he did not deserve this.

Itachi was by Sasuke's side in the blink of an eye and Deidara smiled. He could not think of anyone that was a better brother then Itachi.

That guy was great in every way. He often wondered what he did to deserve a person like him.

He could never find the answer, but he would treasure it.

They sat in silence for a while, until Itachi's father decided to speak up.

"Care to tell me who this is?" He asked Itachi, who only now looked up.

Deidara swallowed. Shit.

He didn't know what to do. He was nervous in an instant.

Out of the corner of his eye he tried to see what Itachi was doing. Was he nervous as well?

"This is Deidara." Itachi bluntly said.

That was probably all he would say. After today, he couldn't blame Itachi.

After all, he wouldn't want to come out to his father after all of this.

"Nice to meet you Deidara." Itachi's father said, but right as Deidara wanted to speak, Itachi interrupted.

"We're dating."

Woah.

What did he just say?

Deidara turned to Itachi in shock.

Did he really just say that?

He saw Itachi looking at his father, determination in his eyes.

What was he thinking? This wasn't the time!

Deidara felt himself panicking and he swallowed once more. There was a big lump in his throat and he was unable to speak.

"Dating." Itachi's father repeated.

Deidara just sat there, not able to move a muscle. This was probably the worst moment Itachi could have come out.

Deidara wanted to be supportive in that moment, but what could he say?

He didn't want to end up in a fight with Itachi's father right after meeting him for the first time.

"Yes, dating." Deidara heard Itachi say. Deidara turned to look at him.

His gaze wouldn't waver and he could only respect that.
Even though this all made him feel completely uncomfortable, it was still a big step for Itachi.

It made Deidara feel very special, that Itachi was this determined about them. It was still very much awkward, but at least Itachi wasn't going to make this a secret.

That was certainly a good thing.

It stayed silent after that for so long. It was absolutely unbearable.

This was driving him crazy. Should he say something? Probably not, this seemed like something between Itachi and his father.

Even if it was about him in some way.

This was like a staring contest, except it meant a lot more. Tension was rising, and Deidara was almost thinking of finding a way to escape.

He couldn't just get up and leave though, that would only make this more weird.

Then Itachi's father suddenly broke the stare and looked at Sasuke.

"I hope your brother wakes up soon."

Deidara was so confused. Was he just ignoring it? Were they ok?

What was going on?

"Me too." Itachi said, although it sounded a little bitter.

And it was then that Deidara knew they were not ok.

And that he was being ignored. As if he didn't exist.

Deidara was ok with that himself, but he was upset for Itachi.

That seemed like the worst thing. Well he knew it was the worst thing, not being accepted by your parents.

It fucking sucked. He had experienced it himself first hand.

It made Deidara angry. And in his anger, he grabbed Itachi's hand.

Not just to support him, but also to make a point. This was not going to be unnoticed, he was going to rub it in his face if he had to.

He knew it was petty, but if this was his reaction, Deidara would up his game.

They were dating. And everyone would know it.

Itachi's father seemed bothered by it and Deidara secretly enjoyed that. Served him right.

He had half expected Itachi to pull away though, but instead Itachi held onto his hand tighter.

And to Deidara's surprise, Itachi was being petty too. He too was willing to rub it in his face. He too was willing to make his father as uncomfortable as they could get him.

Deidara felt a little glad. He would rub in into his face as much as Itachi would let him.

Hopefully one day he would accept it then.

-.-.-

"Follow my finger." A nurse told Sasuke.

He did as he was told.

Itachi watched his every move. Did he miss it for a second? Could he follow it perfectly?

After Sasuke had woken up the day before, he was met with a lot of cognitive testing and nurses had come to check up on him every hour.

He passed them all with flying color, but Itachi was still worried. They had thought he was fine before as well.

And he wasn't.

Luckily, Sasuke was doing well considering.

He was able to remember most things he could remember before, his headache was a lot better even though he still had one.

That was pretty logical considering his skull had been cut open.

"You're doing really well Sasuke." The nurse said and smiled.

Sasuke weakly smiled back. He was still not feeling to great, obviously.

He was rather sleepy most of the time and Itachi also noticed his brother not being as assertive as he used to.

That was what bothered Itachi most. Not seeing his brother being witty truly meant he was feeling like shit.

And Itachi hated seeing Sasuke like that. He remembered a time where Sasuke was sick when he was younger.

He had been a bloody mess and he wouldn't even laugh at Itachi's attempts at making jokes.

Sure they weren't ever really funny, but normally Sasuke would make fun of him for it.

Back then, he had been out of it and now was no different.

However, Itachi just had to have a little hope and things would be ok.

"Don't force yourself to stay awake. It's natural to be sleepy." The nurse told Sasuke sweetly, who nodded in return.

This nurse had been taking good care of his brother for a while now. Itachi knew Sasuke had taken a liking towards her.

She made sure Sasuke was feeling alright every time she came over.

Itachi would be eternally grateful.

"When will that be over?" Sasuke asked.

"Few days hopefully." She answered, then turned to Itachi. "Make sure he sleeps in about an hour ok?"

"I will." Itachi nodded at her. Not long after, she left.

Itachi immediately sat down next to Sasuke again.

His brother sighed.

"I feel like crap." He admitted.

Itachi smiled a little. This was more like Sasuke then he had heard in the last day or so.

"You'll feel better soon." Neji spoke, who was also in the room.

As soon as Itachi had contacted him, he had made his way to the hospital.

And he hadn't left since even though it was Monday and school had started again.

Itachi could understand. He too couldn't care less about school right now, which was a first.
But obviously his brother was more important then school.

"Just let us know if you need anything Sasuke." Itachi told his brother, who had just closed his eyes.

Sasuke mumbled a yes, but was clearly very tired.

Itachi watched as Neji softly stroke Sasuke's arm and seeing his brother get more relaxed. Calming him once again.

Eventually, Sasuke fell asleep. He himself let out a sigh.

Whenever Sasuke was asleep, Itachi would usually take out a book. Reading was a good escape from reality right now.

And although Itachi was managing, it was still nice to let go of his worries every once in a while.

As he rummaged through his back looking for his book though, someone called out to him.

"Itachi?" Neji suddenly asked and Itachi looked at him.

They hadn't really talked a lot, probably because neither of them were real talkers.

So any time Neji addressed him, he was always a little surprised.

"Yeah?"

He saw Neji look away for a second, checking if Sasuke was asleep.

Then he met Itachi's eyes.

"When did you know you were in love with Deidara?"

And it took Itachi a few moments before he realized Neji had really just asked him that.

Why was he asking?

"I don't know really." He answered truthfully.

Seeing how that didn't quite satisfy his brother's friend, because his eyes were averted and his lips curled downward ever so slightly, he decided to continue.

"He grew on me I guess. One day, I just realized my thoughts were drifting to thoughts about him a lot."

That was the truth. Itachi couldn't remember the first time he had really addressed his feelings for the blonde. They had crept up on him and then left him unable to get rid of them.

Not that he ever truly wanted to.

Neji nodded.

Now Itachi wasn't stupid. Rarely did anyone ask such questions if in fact they themselves weren't feelings these type of feelings for someone.

"Do you like someone?"

He saw Neji contemplating his answer and Itachi had to hold back a chuckle. Neji was a lot like him, very much focused on logic instead and emotions.

He was trying to rationalize his feelings.

"I'm not sure. That's why I asked." Neji finally said truthfully.

A smile formed on Itachi's face. He could understand that. Sometimes it was hard making out your feelings.

He wanted to give Neji a proper answer, but he found none.

"I'm trying to think of the moment I realized I liked Dei. But I just knew at some point."

Neji nodded again.

"Do you know her well?" Itachi asked, a little curious.

He saw Neji stiffen a little, which surprised him, but then he seemed to relax again just as quickly.

"Yes." He answered.

Itachi wondered what type of girl could get Neji to feel this way.

Since they were alike so much, Itachi wondered if Neji also was attracted to opposites.

But he decided to let it rest when he saw Neji getting slightly uncomfortable.

"I think you should just let it happen for a while. You'll know some day."

It was the best advice he could give and he wasn't sure if it was any advice at all.

He had only fallen for someone once before and he had no idea when it happened.

Neji thanked Itachi after that and then excused himself to go to the bathroom.

Itachi smiled after him then focused on Sasuke again.
Still vast asleep.

Maybe today he would be able to go home for a little while and freshen up again.

For now though, he grabbed his book and started reading.

A nice escape.

-.-.-

Author's note: Well a lot happened in this chapter and also not hehe. Thanks again for reviewing and those of you silently reading along, thank you as well!
Next chapter might take a little longer, busy at work. But it will be done, already halfway there.