Akashi trembled as his eyes stared into nothing while he, Aomine, Kise, and Murasakibara waited at the halls of the hospital while Midorima checked Tetsuya.
After a while, Midorima got out of the emergency room. Aomine was the first one to stand up and ask what the news was.
"Akashi found him on time," Midorima said, slinging his stethoscope over his shoulder. "But he's still suffered from hypothermia. He needs rest and needs to stay at the hospital for further examination,"
"His fever's still pretty high and he won't be waking up any time soon," Midorima continued when none of them talked. "Takao will be the one who'll take care of him as he's a pediatrician,"
"Shintaro," Akashi spoke, "Can... can Tetsuya spend his time recovering back at the mansion?"
Aomine looked at him.
"That can be possible, but... bringing the equipment can be—"
"I don't care how much it will cost," Akashi said, "I just don't want Tetsuya waking up and confused where he is,"
"Oh so now you cared about Tetsu being scared?" Aomine spat.
"Aomine-cchi," Kise said, trying to stop Aomine.
"You didn't see the fear in Tetsu's eyes when Akashi hit him," Aomine told Kise.
"I did," Akashi answered, making Aomine stop. "I did see it... and I deeply regretted my actions. I shouldn't have done it. But I can't bring back time. The only thing I can do is mend the mistakes I've done..."
Aomine walked towards Akashi and landed a punch at him, making Akashi stumble back.
"Aomine-cchi!" Kise said, pulling him back.
"Stop it!" Midorima said, standing in between Akashi and Aomine.
"That's for Tetsu," Aomine said, "Now you better straighten yourself up because Tetsu needs you more than ever."
Akashi looked at Aomine and stood up, wiping the blood off his busted lip. "Thank you," he whispered.
"Ne," Murasakibara said. "Can I punch Aka-cchin too?"
***
When his eyes fluttered open, Tetsuya immediately recognized the place as Akashi's room. Like how he woke up the first and last time he slept in it.
Lightheaded, the cyan-haired boy slowly sat up, confused whether what happened before him was just a bad nightmare or reality.
His stirring woke Akashi up, who spent nights sitting beside the toddler's bed, waiting for him to wake up.
"T-Tetsuya?" Akashi said, rubbing his eyes to see if he wasn't dreaming. "Are you... are you awake?"
At this point, Tetsuya figured that Akashi hitting him did happen and tried to back away from him. His eyes reflected the fear he was feeling.
Akashi was so heartbroken why he saw this. Midorima had warned him that Tetsuya might be back to his old self because of what he did. But Akashi had decided to take care of him this time, to be the big brother Tetsuya needed.
"Tetsuya..." Akashi said gently. "I don't know if you'll understand what I'll say, but... I want to say sorry. I'm sorry for letting you suffer alone. I'm sorry for not being by your side when you needed someone to stand by you. I'm sorry for not being able to protect you. I'm sorry for hurting you... when all you wanted was to make me smile. You completed my brokenness, Tetsuya. And now I understood why I was gifted with a little brother like you..."
Tears streamed Akashi's face as he gripped the bedsheet tightly. "I'm sorry... if you didn't deserve a brother like me," he whispered.
A pat on the head, made Akashi look up and meet Tetsuya's warm powder blue eyes.
"Nii-chan..." Tetsuya spoke, his voice bearing the same small tone and innocence the first time Akashi heard. "I love you..."
Tears welled up and fell from Akashi's eyes as he hugged Tetsuya with a smile. "Nii-chan loves you too, Tetsuya!" He said.
At that point, both boys understood that no matter how you fight or how your blood boils towards each other, brothers will always be brothers. Your family will always be family and that they will always guide you home.
