Chapter 96 - Hinatas POV Something to Live For (1/2)

Hinata felt docile from the sake he had shared with Ryōsuke. Both men only drank enough to feel relaxed. Ryōsuke returned to his doctor duties as soon as he packed away the bottle.

Hinata made his way to Akira's side. Kneeling close to the man's sleeping form in his cot.

Soft rays of light graced Akira's shallow cheeks. His lips were twitching in his sleep. His complexion was pale and clammy. He tenderly wiped his skin clean with a damp cloth.

He sighed when he saw the fresh bandage Ryōsuke had wrapped around his stomach.

Earlier, when they were in the office, Ryōsuke had deduced Akira's wound was deep due to the type of knife that was used to stab him. He had managed to surgically seal the wound, but he wasn't sure if he was able to stop long term damages.

Without saying further, Ryōsuke had hinted that Akira was hanging on to his fleeting life. The chance of full recovery was one in a million.

”Akira.” Hinata whispered the man's name.

He flinched when Akira's eyes fluttered open.

”Hinata.” Akira weakly acknowledged Hinata. His lips twitching with a smile. ”Did you say my name?”

Hinata noted the hope to his voice. He nodded.

Akira sighed, which caused him to cough.  Hinata assisted water from a cup into his parched mouth.

”Thanks.” Akira sighed as he laid back to stare up to the thatched ceiling.

Sunlight was streaming through flower pattern cuts in the wooden ranma. He faced Hinata again. His lips stretched with a loving smile at the arrangement of shadows, depicting flowers, cast on the wall behind his lover.

”Beautiful Angel.” He muttered.

His heart raced with a fear that Hinata may no longer be within his reach. No one would.

”Hinata. Listen. Whatever happens to me. Don't blame yourself.” Akira forced himself to say aloud and clearly. ”I don't blame you for anything.”

”What are you saying?” Hinata tensed. He frowned, not liking the words Akira was saying. They were too final.

”You're going to get better and give me a hug when you do,” he said to give Akira some motivation for his recovery.

Despite what Rocko had advised him to do. He wasn't going to ditch Akira now. He'd be the man's something to live for.

He glanced about the recovery ward. Checking the bedsides and patients to ensure no one was paying them attention. He leaned towards Akira and tenderly kissed his lips.

Ryōsuke blinked with surprise when he stumbled upon their moment, as he was rising from the bedside of the patient nearby. He glanced about and realized no one else had seen their kiss. So Hinata was like him? He found the fact interesting.

Unaware, Hinata gave Akira more doting words to ensure the man's zest for recovery. He rose with reassurances of his return then left the ward and hospital to check on the others back at the house.