As Naruto regained consciousness from the drug that had been pumped into his system, he noticed his fever had receded and his body was lighter than it had been; allowing him to actually move his limbs. The first person he saw next to his bed was Sasuke; his posture was tense and his pale fingers where clenching the seats arms.
After speaking to his brother, the raven had made his way back to Naruto's room and situated himself on the chair beside his bed. Itachi had entered the room only once to inform Sasuke that they had allowed him to take the case and place the blonde in protective custody; he had departed after that, telling the raven that he had things to attend to concerning Mizuki.
Black eyes clashed with dazzling blue for the umpteenth time that day and it almost took Naruto's breath away at the intensity at which the dark orbs where gazing at him. Almost. His composure was near enough perfect, skilfully concealing the butterflies he felt racing inside of him, as he gave Sasuke a small grin; conveying to the raven that he was feeling slightly better.
"Hey." Naruto greeted hoarsely, his voice rough from being unused for a few hours yet his tone soft and pleasant. "Finally awake then?" Sasuke replied with a small smirk tugging at his lips. He could not remember the last time he had ever shown such emotion in another's presence aside from his brothers. It was a mixture of the blonde's attitude and the feelings Sasuke held towards him; even when Naruto looked quite weak and feeble in the hospital bed, he held a certain charisma about him that made Sasuke relax completely in his company. He was able to be himself unreservedly, without fear of being judged or taunted.
Grumbling to himself at the raven's haughty tone of voice, Naruto glanced to the side and allowed a slight pout to form on his lips; his arms crossing carefully across his chest. "It's not my fault that the drug they gave me was strong, Bastard." He mumbled, Sasuke's smirk only increased at the blonde's response, as mirth danced behind his dark eyes; he loved evoking reactions like this from Naruto, it was the sole reason he continued to tease him. His face slowly returned to his normal stoic expression upon hearing the blonde's next words.
"Sasuke, I'm sorry about forcing you to listen to my problems earlier. I was just so upset and I didn't think about how you would feel." Naruto murmured, a frown pulling at his features when his eyes became downcast in shame; he refused to make eye contact with Sasuke and pretended to pay particular interest to his bed sheets.
Regarding him coolly for a moment, Sasuke crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest before closing his eyes slowly. "Idiot, if I didn't want to listen to you or didn't care, I wouldn't be here." He stated bluntly, opening his eyes shortly afterwards to observe the blonde's reaction.
Returning his blue orbs to Sasuke's own dark pair, they widened slightly in surprise before a teasing grin wormed its way across his cheeks and his eyes began to twinkle in amusement.
"So the unemotional Bastard does have feelings! I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, I'm flattered Sasuke." Naruto said sarcastically, mockingly placing a hand over his heart whilst his grin only widened; secretly glad that Sasuke had not changed how he treated him after Naruto had told him all that had been weighing his shoulders down and willingly baring his soul to the raven. This banter was what he lived for. What he enjoyed the most. Sasuke snorted in response and he rolled his eyes in feigned irritation at the blonde's antics before slowly closing them once more and resting his head back against the chair; content with the comfortable silence that had enveloped them.
Although he would never confess this out loud Sasuke was relieved that Naruto was showing him pieces of his old self and acting in a way the raven would expect; from this Sasuke came to the conclusion that Naruto would eventually heal both his emotional scars and physical injuries, all it would take was time.
"Naruto, there's something we need to talk about." Sasuke said seriously, he released a small breath before opening his eyes; his expression matched his tone of voice and he leaned forward slightly, uncrossed his legs and rested his elbows on his knees; entwining his fingers together in front of his face. His body language expressed just how important the topic, that Sasuke was about to discuss, was.
Naruto's eyebrows furrowed at the raven's grave tone and his lips were set into a firm line; all traces of amusement wiped from his features. "…what is it?" the blonde said hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to hear what Sasuke was about to say.
"As you know my brother is a detective and I've informed him about everything that's happened to you. I know you most likely didn't want me to, but he had a faint idea about your situation anyway; when the nurse told him about your wounds." Sasuke said evenly, he watched Naruto for any reaction to his words and when the blonde gave a tense nod in both understanding and permission to continue, he did just that. "He's spoken to his superiors and they've allowed him to take on your case and keep you in protective custody until Mizuki is arrested; if you accept of course. But the main problem is that he can't actually prosecute the man unless you testify against him." He paused to gouge the blonde's response and noticed his posture had become stiff and his jaw was somewhat clenched.
"The choice is yours, Naruto. We'll try to protect you either way but for us to take this fucker down, we're…I'm going to have to ask you to help and give evidence to prove his guilt." Sasuke finished, his eyes flashed in anger upon remembering everything Naruto had told him about that man and everything he had done to the blonde.
There was a slightly tense silence before Naruto answered, his posture rigid and eyes hard at talking about his foster father and the hell he had put him through. "Sasuke, I would give anything for Mizuki to be put in jail, you know I would; even stand up in court against him. But what about after? Where will I go? How will I support myself?" His tone beginning with a growl yet ending with a hint of desperation, worry shinning in his blue eyes and the crease between his brows only deepening as he met Sasuke's gaze.
"That's already decided. You'll stay with me and Itachi until you've healed and while you are, my brother will find you a place to stay." Sasuke said firmly. "This time they will be people worthy enough to call themselves foster parents." Sneering slightly as he finished his sentence.
Casting his blue orbs back to the bed sheets, Naruto bit his bottom lip and contemplated Sasuke's offer. He could stay with him. Live with Sasuke until this hell was over and he was safe and Mizuki was behind bars, rightfully punished for what he had done. Perhaps something would even blossom between the two boys; something more than friendship. Perhaps he could finally have his life back.
Determination consumed his features and he looked up at Sasuke with a type of fire in his eyes that had not been present there for a long time. "Okay. I'll come with you and help put him in jail." Naruto said with renewed vigour and conviction.
Breathing out a small sigh in relief, Sasuke gave a slight nod, grateful that the blonde had decided to accept his offer and trust him. A warm feeling pooled in his stomach knowing that Naruto had faith in him and valued him enough to stand up against the man that terrified him. Against his better judgement he stood up, and gracefully made his way over to Naruto; reaching out with a pale hand to encase the blondes own, tanned one. His hand was warm against the blonde's and if Sasuke had had no pride he would have commented on how right, how perfect that hand felt inside his own. Naruto's eyes widening noticeably at the blatant display of affection and his lips parted as his eyes locked with Sasuke's.
No one spoke, or even breathed for a long drawn out moment. They both stared at the other and butterflies erupted throughout both boys stomachs; Naruto could not help the heat that radiated from his face and he almost clenched his teeth in agitation at its stubbornness to recede.
Even though he appeared completely stoic in his external expression, inside Sasuke was fighting the urge to lean forward and capture the perfectly parted lips that belonged to Naruto; every few seconds he would glance down at them and the urge would only increase. He knew this was not the right time to act, Naruto was hurt and vulnerable and needed time to heal but his own desires where in the way of rationality, consuming his every thought.
Breaking eye contact with the raven, Naruto glanced at their hands enclosed around each other's. "Thank you, Sasuke. For everything." He mumbled quite embarrassed at having to rely on another person yet not above showing his gratitude towards the dark haired boy. As Naruto's deep voice broke him out of his own thoughts, he registered the words the blonde spoke and almost gave a tiny smile at the sincerity he detected within them. Almost. Instead he gave Naruto's hand a light squeeze before walking to the door and breaking the spark that had, only seconds ago been flowing between both boys. "I'll just go and ring Itachi to tell him about your decision so he can pick us up and discharge you from the hospital. Wait here for a bit, you still need to rest Naruto." Sasuke said smoothly before walking out the door and closing it softly behind him.
Sighing to himself and grinning at the events that had just taken place Naruto, gingerly lay back in his bed and stared at the hospital ceiling. Perhaps this was a new start for him. Perhaps he had been granted a ray of light in this dark world. Perhaps he had finally found the person that would help him while he attempted to save himself.
Hope you enjoyed it, I love you all and thankyou for all the reviews; there very much appreciated.
Let me know if theirs anything you want me to change or if anyone's not in character.
Much love! : )