#assburg

A small noise made Iceburg stop, he got to where he was force to leave Franky behind. Rushing to his friend, Iceburg dropped to his knees. His heart ached, his throat tightened as his eyes watered, but he had a small plea of hope in his mind. A plea that this annoying brat brother of his was okay and just in an extreme condition that needed treating. Slowly checking Franky's wrist, he couldn't tell if that was a small pulse in Franky or if his own heart was racing.

With extreme care, after attempting to find a pulse and refusing to accept the other was dead until a doctor said so, Iceburg picked up the battered Franky. Bridal style, Iceburg held him close as he walked through the alley. Knowing if someone saw and knew it was Franky that they would summon Marines, but he hoped that people just thought they saw a Reaper taking a poor soul. Iceburg found a clinic, hopefully they would help him. Taking his friend inside, a nurse looked up and instantly rushed to get a doctor. They let Iceburg handle the boy he held in his arms, not wanting to jostle him too much incase he was alive and could feel the pain.

They took him back for hours, Iceburg got in touch with Kokoro. Telling her he found Franky, but he didn't know if he'd make it through the night. She comforted him over the Mushi, knowing there was pain in his voice. 

"Iceburg, don't blame yourself. Franky did that to protect you, he cared for you a great deal."

"I could have helped him though! He fought them after a previous pair drove a nail into his calf..."

"Stay by him until you get that final word, okay?"

He agreed to stay, and wouldn't admit that talking to her helped a bit. He waited, for five hours he waited, the nurse on duty brought him food since he didn't want to leave. The red light turned off and the doctor came out of the back room. Iceburg tried to see his friend, only for the doctor to make him stay put. "A nurse is moving him to a room, he's alive. He made it by a thread, and I've done what I can to keep him stable. I don't know what happened for him to be so broken, but he stirred just a bit when we were finishing some stitching."

Franky was fine, Iceburg only hoped he made it through the night. "Can I see him? Please." A small nod and Iceburg was lead to the room that Franky was taken too. He knew the bluentte wouldn't be awake, but at least he was alive. The doctor let the teen stay in the room, Iceburg pulled a chair to Franky's bedside. Watching the slow rise and fall of his friend's chest, Iceburg held his hand very lightly. 

He slept, his head resting on his arm and Franky's hand still in his, but Iceburg finally got some sleep. Nurses came and went as they kept tabs on Franky, making sure everything was stable. One put a blanket around Iceburg's shoulders and Kokoro came mostly to see if they were in the way but also to check on Iceburg. When they talked she made him tell her which clinic, once she got there she spoke to the doctor. She came into the room and saw Iceburg just watching over the younger one. Not speaking a word she put a hand on his shoulder, he looked up at her with a faint smile. 

Franky had to stay for a few weeks, Iceburg had to get back to working but came by every evening to see his friend. One afternoon he came by and saw Franky sitting up, smiling Iceburg walked over to the bluenette.

"You're awake." The quiet voice reached Franky's ears and he looked up at Iceburg. The elder didn't seem mad, rather he looked relieved. "Yea, feel like I got ran over but they said I could go home tomorrow. Kokoro's not freaking out, is she?" A light chuckle from Iceburg as he sat in the chair, "No she's too worried about me, I spent a week sleeping up here after they got you out of surgery." Small confession, but Iceburg didn't wanna work when he knew Franky was here connected to machines.

Franky watched Iceburg, taking his hand again and squeezing it lightly. "You should have slept at home, Bakaburg." That cheeky grin on his face as Iceburg laughed. "You can't tell me what to do, you were unconscious for weeks." He rested his cheek on his own arm as he watched Franky smile. Iceburg knew he'd miss that dumb grin, not that he'd admit it and get teased by the brat.

The following morning, the nurses unhooked him from the IVs and other machines. Giving Iceburg some bandages and medicine for the bluenette, who reluctantly tugged on some baggy shorts. Franky stretched once they got outside, leaning on Iceburg because he wasn't used to walking again just yet. "I don't want to rest, I was freaking sleeping for two weeks." Iceburg laughed and helped the shorter one walk, he'd eventually just carry him on his back. "Too bad, Kokoro is gonna be keeping tabs on you when we get home."

 That elicit a groan from Franky, "I wanna build ships, not rest!" Iceburg shook his head, taking a set of steps kind slow. "We could get lunch if you wanted?" There was more on his mind than food, but Iceburg wasn't going to just bring up the fact that Franky was so willing to throw his life away for him. That would be a conversation for later that night, for now he was simply happy that Franky was awake and moving about with him.

The spent most of the day walking, per Franky's request since he'd been bedridden for a few weeks and he was restless now. So they walked, Iceburg had Franky wear the cloak in certain areas of town, since Marines were still looking for them. Iceburg avoided the area of the fight on purpose, it made him feel ill. Once the sun started to set, Iceburg lead Franky home. Kokoro was already asleep, so the place was quiet and all theirs.

The shorter was still avoiding sleep, he claimed two weeks of bed rest made him bored. Though the real reason was nightmares from the fight, it scared him more than he'd admit to Iceburg. "Franky, what's wrong? You look kind of pale....." Concern was clear in his voice and Franky carefully sat next to him. Pulling those lanky legs up, resting his chin on his knees. "I thought I was gonna die and I was actually afraid of death." He leaned on the purple haired teen, "But I don't think I'd regret it if you didn't come back for me? I guess....I guess because at least you'd be alive." Turning his head to look at Iceburg, wondering what he thought about it. 

"Franky I don't think I'd have been okay had you died." Iceburg felt guilty as is with Franky as injured as he had been. "Do you wanna talk about it?" A quick shake of the others head, and Iceburg didn't press. Franky would talk when he was ready, but it was the next question that threw him off.

"Can I sleep next to you, Bakaburg?" Eyes looked hopeful, Iceburg guessed that he was more scared than he let on. "Yea, but if you elbow me, I'm pushing you into the floor." A cheeky grin and the electric blue haired kid was already getting comfortable on Iceburg's bed. Are you kidding me? Shaking his head, he moved to snag the pillow from the other's bed before climbing back onto his own. Laying on his back and comfortable, Iceburg soon felt Franky curl up on his side with his back to the wall. Draping an arm over the bluenette, Iceburg held him close. He knew they would talk about it, but it would only be when Franky was ready.

He could wait, as long as the young shipwright was alive.