No matter how many times it happens, however little it has happened in recent years, Asta will never get used to Yuno ever getting hit by a gunshot. Asta has half a mind to say that anyone who gets used to their loved ones getting hit by a gunshot, are incapable of loving people.
Getting shot at should never be someone's normal day; he's had enough experience in his childhood alone to know that people simply can't get used to it. It can be normalized, and it can be a habit to prepare for it. People can get used to the sound, and the pain, but the actual gun shooting off? The gun pointed directly at them, or their loved ones?
Yeah, no. That's not something people can get used to.
"Yuno, you fucking idiotic, foolish, dumb jerk!" Asta slaps Yuno's head without barely any heat or anger behind it. He sniffs loudly and furiously wipes away the tears that haven't fallen, yet.
"What have I told you about getting shot? What have I told you?" Asta continues his tirade, leaning back to let the EMTs do their checking on Yuno's well-being.
Yuno slowly blinks and turns his head. He scrunches up his nose when one of the EMTs points a light in his eyes, again, before he pouts at his brother.
"T' be careful... but how's I supposed to know I'd get shot today?" Yuno asks with another slow blink. The morphine always works fast in Yuno's system.
"Be aware of your surroundings, idiot!" Asta exclaims, moving back to hold Yuno's hand once the EMTs finish what they were doing on his side.
"Sorry..." Yuno slurs out. Asta shakes his head with a watery laugh and bows his head to press Yuno's hand against it.
"You're okay. I'm sorry. Just don't die, okay? You can't die." Asta sniffs again and looks down at Yuno's other hand, and the phone loosely held in it.
"You–you were going to work tomorrow, right? Do you want me to call them for you?"
Asta stands up to press his hand against Yuno's shoulder when he almost bolts up. Yuno grabs his hand‒or tries to and grabs his wrist instead, staring at him with wide eyes and a rapid shake of his head.
"N-nooo... No. I don' want you too... Not safe. Don't w-want you hurt," Yuno vehemently declines. Asta smiles softly and lifts his hands to grab Yuno's head, stopping it from moving anymore. Yuno blinks, looking absolutely adorable with his cheeks squished in Asta's hands.
"It's okay, little brother. I shouldn't have asked..." Asta blinks before he stares into Yuno's eyes. "I still need to call Father and Sister‒and my phone's dead. Can I use yours?"
Yuno blinks slowly at him before he narrows his eyes. Asta lets the black haired man lean closer, still smiling.
"...m'kay. But only Sister and Father." Yuno nods his head once like he negotiated business terms instead of agreeing with his older brother.
Asta makes sure his smile doesn't widen as Yuno accepts his... not-quite a lie lie. He grabs Yuno's phone as the EMTs gently push Yuno back against the stretcher.
He easily unlocks the phone and goes to Yuno's contacts. Asta stares at Father Orsi's name for a long minute before he slowly scrolls through the rest of the contacts.
Father Orsi, Sister Lily, their younger sister Recca, Asta himself, and their landlord. Those should be the only contacts Yuno has on this phone. So, the three contacts with only their actual phone numbers as their name is strange. Asta smiles wryly and huffs quietly. Of course.
He presses the first one and holds the phone up to his ear. Yuno was staring straight up, clearly not in the physical world at all.
The phone rings twice before someone picks up the call. "Yuno? Why are you calling me? Have you found information about who wanted a hit on the Hapshass heir?"
Asta blinks at the soft-spoken woman who immediately speaks through the phone. He knows better than to judge gangs and gang members based off of their voice... but she sounds incredibly nice and sweet. Is he just being paranoid and Yuno actually has a legal job?
"Hello? Yuno?" The woman on the phone speaks again, clearly worried that Yuno hasn't answered.
"A-ah, I'm so sorry! Is this one of Yuno's co-workers?" Asta asks politely.
The phone line is completely silent.
Asta licks his lips after a full minute of silence and speaks again, "I-I don't know if Yuno's mentioned me... but I'm his older brother. Asta. Yuno... we were eating out when‒when the restaurant got shot up. Yuno was hit in the chest. We're on the way to the hospital now, but I wanted to let you know that he won't be able to make it to work tomorrow."
The phone line is still quiet, but Asta hears a hitch in someone's breath. Asta hears what sounds like rapid footsteps before the woman finally speaks again.
"I... thank you for letting me know... Asta, is it?" It sounds like the woman slams open a door in her quick sprint. "What‒what hospital will Yuno be in? And room number? Everyone here at the Golden‒"
"We'll be in the Royal Capital Hospital. I'll text what room we'll be in to this number after Yuno gets out of surgery. I'm glad everyone at Yuno's job cares for him. He doesn't really know how to take care of himself... so I worry," Asta interrupts the woman with a slight smile. He stifles a chuckle when he hears nothing on the other side of the phone; the woman probably stopped running in her shock.
So, Yuno's work doesn't know who he is... and he doesn't know who they are. Hopefully, he hasn't gotten his idiotic little brother in trouble.
"Y-yes... I... I look forward to your text. Me and Kl‒one of Yuno's other... friends here at his... job will drop by tomorrow. If that's alright with you... Asta," The woman speaks up after a moment.
Asta smiles softly and hums in affirmation. "He'll be happy to see some friends. I'm sorry for suddenly calling you... I hope you have a nice evening..."
"O-oh! My name is..." The woman weirdly hesitates before she clears her throat. "My name is... Mimosa."
"I'll text you Yuno's room number when I know it, Mimosa."
"Yes... I hope your evening gets better, Asta." Mimosa immediately hangs up, leaving Asta with a phone to his ear sitting inside a badly rocking ambulance.
A sigh leaves Asta's mouth before he runs a hand through his hair. He lowers the phone and scrolls all the way back up to Father Orsi's contact and almost presses it to call.
Asta stares at the name for a long moment before he goes to Yuno's messages instead.
Hage's Star: Father, this is Asta. I'm sorry for not calling you, but Yuno is in the hospital right now. He's going into emergency surgery, but I'll let you know about everything that happened when I have the chance.
Hage's Star: I don't know what Yuno's room number is, but I'll let you know as soon as posible.
Asta shuts off the phone before he can even see if Father had even seen the texts or not. He grabs Yuno's hand and squeezes.
Everything will be fine. Everything is going to be fine.
He can't stop running. He won't.
The footsteps chasing after him and the curses and shouts are slowly catching up, but Asta doesn't dare to look behind him. If he slows down–if he gets distracted, even for a split second, they'll catch him. They'll kill him.
He just has to run.
BANG!
A scream is ripped out of Asta's throat as the bullet rips through his abdomen. He trips up from the pain and tumbles down the slope the road takes. He slides across the exit wounds and cries out loudly, pressing a hand against it.
"There he is!"
Asta slowly sits on his feet, hyperventilating, and leaps forward. His feet trip up and his momentum almost sends him crashing back down, but he keeps his balance. He starts running.
BANG! BANG!
Asta ducks his head when he feels something zip past his ear. He chokes a cry when something hot burns across his bicep. He barely stumbles and starts to sprint.
He has to run. Faster. He has to run faster! They can't catch him. They can't!
Yuno. Yuno! He has to run for Yuno. They can't know where he hid him. They can't know!
BANG! BANG–
BANG!
Asta jumps awake and grabs the switchblade he hid in his jeans. He hovers his body over Yuno's prone one and holds the switchblade with the blade parallel to his wrist.
Unhinged emerald eyes glance around the entire hospital room before glancing through the open door. A nurse is rambling apologies with a sheepish smile outside of the room, helping another nurse with a toppled over tray.
Safe.
Asta swallows thickly and slowly sinks back into his chair, putting up the switchblade. He rubs a hand over his face before glancing over at Yuno.
He wore a hospital gown, but he had pulled it off the top part of his body at some point while Asta was sleeping. Probably didn't like the fabric rubbing against the bandages wrapped tightly over the left side of his chest and shoulder.
He was out like a light with drool falling from the corner of his mouth. Asta smiles and leans over again with the hospital gown and wipes the drool away.
Yuno makes a sound mixed between a grunt and a whine when Asta pulls back his hand, making Asta chuckle quietly. Asta releases the hospital gown to press his hand against Yuno's cheek. Yuno hums and tilts his head to squish his face further into the hand.
"If you were awake, you'd be begging me to cuddle you," Asta teases with a warm smile. Despite his aloof nature, Yuno can never say no to one of Asta's hugs or cuddles. It's too cute.
"–ber 405! This is Yuno's room!" Asta snaps his head up at the somewhat familiar voice and leans back into his chair, taking his hand away from Yuno's face.
Asta grabs his hand when Yuno whines. There is a gentle knock on the door and then silence, making Asta blink.
"...you can come in," Asta speaks loud enough to be heard over the background noise that always fills the hospital. The door is quickly opened and two people rush in.
A young woman rushed in first, slightly frantic and clearly worried. She had long, bright vermillion hair pulled back into a ponytail with bangs covering her forehead and framing her fair face. Her yellow eyes shone with unshed tears and immense relief at the sight of a breathing Yuno. She wore a white, turtleneck sweater tucked into a brown and red leather corset belt and a white skirt that ended at her mid-thighs in a flare. She wore brown leather boots that ended above her knee with dark red socks ending just above those.
In her hands were a pile of books, three different sets of clothes, two gift baskets, and a pillow.
A man briskly marched in next, closing the door as he entered the room. He wore a hard expression, but was clearly worried behind his black framed glasses and his cold exterior. He had light blue hair, most shaved off as an undercut with the rest brushed over to fall on the left side of his pale face. His eyes were fuschia and filled with anger and worry. He was dressed immaculately in a white dress shirt, a dark red vest, white slacks, and a pair of black dress shoes.
He had a white suit jacket hanging over his arm; two blankets, another gift basket, a laptop, and a briefcase sat on top.
The woman freezes before she can rush to Yuno's side. She stares at Asta with wide eyes before glancing at where he held Yuno's hand.
Asta smiles and stands up, releasing Yuno's hand. "Mimosa?"
The young woman startles and steps forward. She smiles with bright red ears and nods once.
"Y-yes! And you are... Asta?" Mimosa asks in confusion.
Asta tilts his head before he blinks in realization. Ah. He never said that he and Yuno were foster brothers.
"Yes–sorry. Yuno and I are foster brothers, but we've been together since we were just a month or so old. I should have said something, but... well..." Asta waves a hand towards the unconscious Yuno with a sheepish grin.
"Yes... I'm sorry. It–it's nice to meet you!" Mimosa almost takes a hand away from the pile filling her arms before she almost makes it all fall to the ground. She's quick to keep everything in her arms and grins at the silver haired man sheepishly.
"Forgive me for my rudeness! I would shake your hand, but..." She trails off and lifts her filled arms.
Asta startles and walks forward with wide eyes. "Oh! I'm so sorry. Let me help! Are these for Yuno? He'll appreciate it, once he wakes up!"
"Oh, no! You don't need to! I don't want to bother you!" Mimosa exclaims, making Asta smile.
"It's no bother. You're visitors!" Asta says brightly before he glances at the other visitor. "Oh! I'm Asta! Are you the friend from work Mimosa told me about yesterday?"
"I am not Yuno's friend. I'm Klaus Lunettes, his senior–senior co-worker," The man, Klaus, almost sneers while his free hand pushes up his glasses. Asta blinks in confusion and slight offense, helping the giggling Mimosa set down all of the gift baskets, books, and clothes on one of the other chairs.
"Klaus is a big worrywart. He was the one to buy all of these gift baskets," Mimosa reassures the silver haired man.
"Why would I worry over such a childish and petty man? He has no respect for me!" Klaus denies vehemently while Asta walks over to grab the things balanced precariously in one arm.
"That just means he likes you a lot!" Asta leans forward and covers his mouth from Yuno's view, even though he was still unconscious. "But don't tell him I told you!"
"...is he going to be okay?" Mimosa asks quietly, making Asta glance over at her before he places some stuff next to the filled chair.
"The doctors claim it missed his heart. He'll need to stay in the hospital for at least a week, but afterwards he'll hopefully be cleared to go home," Asta answers calmly.
"...claim?" Asta winces at the question and keeps his face directed away from the two visitors.
Hage is a small town and the closest hospital is a 45 minute drive to Saussy. But, Hage has a doctor. A doctor that hates Asta, because Asta never reciprocated her daughter's feelings.
It caused a lot of problems. Too many.
"Such a stupid little brat, Dr. Zazou. Why did you bring him to this hospital?"
"And have a child's death on my hands? That will ruin my career!"
Asta clears his throat and rubs his forehead to force the memories away. "I don't have good... memories with hospitals, or doctors."
"They 're th' stuupid ones. Not you." Asta snaps his head towards the hospital bed to see Yuno's gold eyes staring at him.
"Yuno! You're awake!" Mimosa exclaims brightly, making Yuno slowly turn his head towards her.
"...why're you here?" Yuno asks slowly before he slowly blinks, noticing Klaus standing on the other side of his bed.
"Asta called us from your phone yesterday–when you were in the ambulance," Mimosa answered softly, reaching over to grab Yuno's hand.
Yuno blinks before he pouts at Asta. "Y' promised you'd only call Father an' Sister."
"I never promised," Asta points out with an eye roll. "I simply called them after I let Father know."
Yuno crosses his arms and turns his head. Asta blinks before laughing softly.
"Are you pouting?"
"No."
"I think you're pouting."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Nu-uh."
Asta laughs again before glancing at Klaus and Mimosa. His smile falters at their serious expressions. He tilts his head thoughtfully before he walks towards the door.
"Asta? Where are you going?" Mimosa asks, somewhat surprised.
Asta turns and points his chin over at Yuno with a knowing smile. "I'm gonna get some tea. And I know Yuno will crave some God awful sweet drink at some point... It shouldn't take longer than five or six minutes."
He leaves the room without another glance.
Everything is squiggly. Very squiggly.
Yuno blinks, watching the swimming ceiling before he lifts his head from where it hung. He blinks again when he sees Mimosa and Klaus and no Asta. Where is Asta?
"He went to go get some tea... and a drink for you," Mimosa answers Yuno's thoughts, making him blink at her with wide eyes.
"When could you read minds?" Yuno asks, making Mimosa giggle.
"You said it out loud," Mimosa points out. Yuno blinks again, his mouth slightly open.
"Oh."
Mimosa giggles again and smiles softly. Yuno smiles back before he turns his head towards the massive pile of gift baskets, books, and a lot of different clothes and blankets.
"What're those?" Yuno asks curiously. They weren't there when he was in the ambulance. Well, the ambulance wouldn't bring that with them.
"Letoile wanted me to bring you some books, Sir Vangeance had me bring the blankets and the laptop, Klaus bought all of the gift baskets with David's and Hamon's help, and I bought you some clothes for when you're able to leave, but I didn't know what kind of clothes you would prefer, so I bought three sets, but if you don't like any of them I can–"
"You all got this for me?" That's weird. It's always his family back in Hage and Asta who gives him things. No one in Golden Dawn gets him things–well, except for Klaus and Mimosa, but that was because he really wanted those chocolate birds. They were so cute!
Mimosa continues to smile. "Yes. When your brother called me and told me you had gotten shot... we all feared the worst. It was your day off, so you didn't have a partner to watch your back–"
"And despite everyone trying to get you to take home your–" Klaus glances back towards the closed door before he leans forward with a stern glare "–weapons... And I hope you know that no one in Golden Dawn is going to let you go home without one, Yuno."
"Yes. You didn't have any... form of protection.with you. God, Yuno we were scared!" Mimosa continues quietly, her hand squeezing Yuno's.
Yuno blinks slowly before he looks down at his hand being squeezed. He turns it around to squeeze back.
"...don't know why th' restaurant got shot up. Asta an' I just got there. He did something stupid, but he made a friend..." Yuno frowns and glances towards the window. "Everyone who wanted to be Asta's friend always wanted him hurt. Always wanted things. Back home. Hafta make sure he's safe. Hafta make sure no one hurts 'im again."
"Is that why... is that why you never told any of us about him? About Asta?" Mimosa questions gently.
Yuno shakes his head vehemently and looks over at Mimosa. "Everyone in Golden Dawn are nice. I trust you. I do. Asta an' I had to do things back home. Things that kids shouldn't do. I didn't want him caught up in any danger 'cause of me... not again... I don't want to bring him any danger again."
"Aw! Even Alecdora and Langris?" Mimosa teases, making Yuno blink. His face burns hot as he slowly realizes what he said.
"...they wouldn't hurt Asta... at least not enough to stop Asta from giving 'em payback," Yuno speaks before he could stop himself.
He turns his head to glare at the IV drip. Traitor.
"Did you see anything suspicious? Anything that will tell us who shot up the restaurant?" Klaus asks, pulling them all back on track.
Yuno raises his head to stare at the swimming ceiling again. He continues to stare as he thinks.
The old hag trying to flirt with him, the interrogation, the really sweet drink that he's craving right now. Asta was possibly lying about his friend–no, where he had met his friend. Hm.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Yuno hits the floor before he even realizes what he was doing. Dark clothes. Masks. Something silver. It looked like a–
Yuno looks over and grabs Asta's hand. He'll worry about whoever is shooting at them later. They need to leave, now!
"Yuno?" Mimosa calls out in concern, leaning forward to gently have Yuno face forward.
The black haired man blinks with wide eyes before he looks up at Mimosa. "Silver... I think they were wearing silver skull pendants."
"Pendants? As in more than one–"
The door opens, causing both Klaus and Mimosa to stand protectively over Yuno. Mimosa reached into the back of her corset belt while Klaus reached into his vest.
They quickly sit back down with their hands in sight when Asta walks in with a drink carrier full of drinks. He was grinning brightly like the ray of sunshine he is as he uses his foot to swing the door closed.
"I realized that I never asked you two if you wanted anything... so I hope you don't mind me getting both of you some coffee!" Asta exclaims loudly, raising the drink carrier. He winces and smiles sheepishly while walking closer.
"Sorry, I can get loud sometimes," Asta apologizes before he hands Yuno's... friends their coffee. Yuno blinks before he smiles at the expressions of shock on both Mimosa's and Klaus's faces.
"O-oh! Asta, you didn't have to get us anything!" Mimosa exclaims with a hand over her mouth.
Asta simply smiles at her before handing Yuno an iced drink. "And I got you this."
Yuno frowns at the pink color and looks at his older brother in suspicion. Asta rolls his eyes and leans forward to take a sip from the straw.
"It ain't medicine, you idiot. Now, drink." Yuno still stares at Asta with a narrowed gaze before he leans forward. He has a small battle with the straw and getting it into his mouth until Asta chuckles and holds it still for him.
Yuno takes a large sip and immediately hums in delight at the taste. His eyes are bright and wide as he quickly downs half the drink.
"Easy, little brother!" Asta laughs loudly and takes the drink away from Yuno.
"Gimme! You got it for me!" Yuno whines and holds out his hands.
Mimosa giggled loudly and even Klaus was covering his mouth to keep himself from laughing. Asta laughs unashamedly and sets the drink just out of Yuno's reach before he walks over to one of the gift baskets.
"If you can eat some of this fruit, then I'll let you have the rest of the drink."
Yuno huffs and crosses his arms.
Asta rolls his eyes as he walks back with the fruit gift basket. "I promise I'll give you the drink back if you can eat some of this fruit, you big baby."
Yuno glances at him, then at the fruit. He grumbles under his breath and gives a slight nod. As long as he can have the rest of the drink.
"There's my good little brother!" Asta praises.
Yuno does not remember preening under the praise and he will forever deny it as long as he lives once Mimosa and Klaus tell the others. He does not preen when his brother praises him. Nope.
Hey! Hope you all like the new chapter! So, Yuno's not dead! Woo! I still hope you all liked that little cliffhanger. ›:3
Anyways, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! Bye.
WhovianWhoudini
