Chapter Text
Cold.
That was the only feeling that ran through Ten’s body as his fingers twitched slightly around nothing. His entire body felt frigid despite the small weight on his body that most likely resembled that of a blanket.
His body was slowly recovering its senses, his ears picking up a small beeping sound from the left of him. It was soon replaced by the buzzing sound and suffocating feeling at the base of his arm.
A blood pressure cuff. Ten thought to himself, eyebrows furrowed slightly as he tried collecting his thoughts all while keeping his eyes closed. Even with his eyelids shielding his eyes, the area he was in was sure to be bright from the visible light peeping though his skin. The more he took in his surroundings, the more confused he grew.
It wasn’t until he opened his eyes where he was faced with reality. The cuff, the blankets, the beeping noises, they all belonged to a small hospital room that he was currently in. With an attempt to lift up his head, his eyes immediately screwed shut at the pounding at his temples, a pained noise leaving his lips as he brought his hand up to cup at the front of his head.
”Fuck—You’re up, let me just..” The voice didn’t sound familiar. It was completely foreign. Or maybe he did know it, but wasn’t well aware of it since he was too consumed in the way his blood rushed to his head and pounded against his ears making him whine.
Footsteps were the only thing he could make out as he lowered his hands from his face. He heard a soft click of a button, a remote that he wasn’t aware was next to him now being placed back onto his lap. His eyes scanned the little device before he looked over to who had left it there.
Beside him in a chair was a man in a dark, baggy hoodie. He had faded jeans with rips at the knee. His hair was slightly ruffled, almost has if it was pushed against the seat for a large around of time, black stands lifted slightly at the back of his head. Taking in the entirety of the situation, he slowly grew more panicked. It wasn’t until his eyes locked with the boy next him where his breathing calmed.
”Hey, relax a little. A nurse should be on the way over here. Lay back a little.” His voice was soft, a hint of annoyance, but it was overthrown by the concern laced in it.
“H-How?” Was all he managed to croak out, throat dry and aching.
The boy cocked his head to the side slightly, glancing over at the water bottle at the table before he reached over and unscrewed the cap, gently placing it into Ten’s hand. Ten gratefully took the drink, gulping down some water before continuing to look at the boy next to him.
”You don’t remember much? I guess that’s understandable, you hit your head pretty hard.” He mumbled. “You’re an idiot that can’t look both ways before crossing. I have no idea what was so important that you didn’t look, but I guess that doesn’t matter now that got hit by a damn car and rammed your head onto concrete.”
The tone made him flinch slightly, eyebrows furrowed as he took in the information. “Did you bring me here?”
”I was the one who called the ambulance. I saw it happen.”
Ten gently nodded his head, hand going up to press against the bandage he was now aware of that was wrapped around his head.
“Thank you…” Ten spoke meekly, spaced out as he stared at the little ‘Help’ button on the remote on his lap. There was a small laugh that left the man beside him making him turn his attention back over to him. “What’s funny?”
”You thanking me. Never thought I’d see the day where you’d be remotely nice to me.” The black haired boy muttered before glancing out the window that was on the right of him.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Something about his question caused an automatic stiffness to the boy’s posture. He looked back at him with curious eyes. “Ten.”
”Ten? Did I say ten bad things?” That seemed to further panic the boy, eyes now wide as he shifted his entire body so he was closer to the bed. “No. What’s my name?”
Ten parted his lips to speak, but whatever he was about to say was caught at the back of his throat as he stared at the boy. It felt like his name was on the tip of his tongue, but nothing clicked in his mind the more he looked at his face. He slowly closed his mouth when he had nothing to say, a frown settling on his lips as he looked back at the remote on his lap.
“You’re messing with me. You’re playing some game, aren’t you? Ten, you wish you could forget me.” His voice was panicked and persuasive, almost like he was he was trying to convince himself rather than him.
”Is my name Ten? Like, the number? You keep calling me Ten.”
”Fuck.” Was all that left him as he suddenly shot it out of his seat, grabbing onto the remote that was on Ten’s lap, repeatedly clicking at the help button until Ten was sure it wouldn’t work anymore.
Ten drowned out the sound, still staring at the boy as he paced around the room with his thumb wedged between his teeth. Forcing his gaze away from the boy, he looked around the room, a frown on his lips when realizing it was just them two. No one else was in the area. Now that he was given an explanation of what had happened, he couldn’t help but slump his shoulders at the fact that only one person was in his room waiting for his recovery.
Where was everyone else? Did he know anyone else? Did his parents not care for him? Did his siblings care? Did he even have siblings? The questions made his head spin causing him to wince and grip at his temples again. With eyes screwed shut, he willed himself to calm down, the sound of footsteps echoing again making him look up to see a woman at the entrance of his room, white lab coat over her shoulders as she smiled at him.
Before he could even utter a word, the panicked boy beside him rushed up to her and started explaining the situation while looking close to ripping his hair out.
This was going to be a long day.