Title: 26mm
by lancenerd
Fandom: Canucks Bertuzzi/Naslund (implied)
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: Don't know them, don't know anything, don't mean any harm.
THANK YOU Frala for beta and support and everything. And Arami for getting me interested in hockey again. You both rock.

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Todd let out a huff of air as he got out of the cab, his breath turning into a cloud before him. He walked through the automatic doors of the hospital, letting them swish closed behind him as he caught his bearings and turned right toward the elevators, his leather jacket creaking loudly as he walked toward them.

Hospitals all smelled the same. They looked the same, too. Like there was some huge sale on floor tile, waiting room chairs and wall paint or something and every hospital in North America decided to buy some on that very day.

The elevator let him out on the 3rd floor with an electronic beep and told him to have a nice day. The smell of disinfectant was stronger here. He let his breath out of his nose and walked toward Markus' room. A few of the other guys were just leaving and he talked to them for a bit before they left. He noticed the nurse giving them the evil eye as he went into the room, probably from all the noise they were trying not to make.

Markus was alone, which surprised Todd. He thought Crawford would still be there. Markus looked up at him and smiled, "Hi."

His face was a mess. There was a large bandage on his head and stitches ran down his nose. The right side of Markus' face, especially around his nose was swollen and he had some light bruising starting to come up under his eye. Todd sucked in his breath and pursed his lips together and counted to five.

"You look tough." Todd's voice sounded unusually calm.

"At least the press will stop calling me 'pretty boy'."

Todd smiled and his voice dropped. "How you feeling?"

"I have a headache, but other than that I'm fine."

"We were worried, man. When you didn't come back, it was the worst feeling ever. Crow made me sit out two changes I was so pissed off. Sami had to hold me back."

Markus laughed, "I don't doubt it. It would have turned into a CSI episode out there."

Todd smiled and laughed, despite the rage that welled inside. . "May defended your honour."

Now it was Markus' time to laugh. Todd noticed he was squinty and in pain and that pissed him off even more. Markus didn't deserve to be in this stupid place looking like that. He'd have those scars forever. Todd also noticed Markus was wearing a hospital gown and he mentally kicked himself for not swinging by the hotel and getting Markus' bag for him. Those gowns weren't very comfortable and they never give you any extra blankets and what if he wanted his walkman or something...

"Todd?"

"Yeah."

"Everything alright?"

"Of course."

"I don't want you guys plotting anything. You have to focus on the next game and not let this setback affect the play. We've had guys injured before, we just have to deal with it and play hard like we always do. Going after someone and racking up penalties isn't going to do any good."

"Relax, we're not plotting anything. We'll deal with it when the time comes."

"Bullshit!"

Markus moved to sit up, but Todd pressed his hand down on Markus' chest. It was warm. He resisted the urge to caress it. "Don't get all agitated. You shouldn't move."

"Yeah, well keep calm out there okay. Besides, it's only a bump on the head."

"They're keeping you overnight. You're going to be out a week, it's more than just a bump on the head."

Todd frowned at the bandage on Markus' head. He reached out and caressed the edge of the gauze and clear tape. Markus reached up and took his hand and forced Todd to look into his eyes. "Really. I'm fine."

Todd sank down into the chair beside the bed and gripped Markus' hand between his own. Markus started telling him about how he didn't remember the hit or anything and suddenly he was in the locker room and everything started spinning for awhile and he didn't know he was bleeding until the trainer told him. Todd nodded, but wasn't paying attention; instead he was worrying about how they were going to get through the rest of the week on the road without him. How was *he* going to get through the rest of the week without him? And what if Markus was out longer than that? They had a real good chance this season even if they'd had a bit of a slump lately and that fucking punk screwed with their shit. He had a damn bounty on his head now. Todd was going to personally make him pay the next time he saw him, no matter what Markus said.

His stomach rumbled. He should have picked up some food for them. They probably hadn't fed Markus, it being so late. Todd couldn't remember if you were supposed to eat or not after a head injury, but still, it was late and they hadn't eaten since that afternoon and Markus was probably hungry. He looked at Markus and stifled a sigh, the bandage and stitches annoying him beyond all means. Markus was still talking, his voice low and smooth, saying something about getting hit by tennis balls and laughing that he'd have to wear a helmet in the shower in case he fell.

They both laughed at that and Todd started telling him about the rest of the game, noticing that Markus kept rubbing the same spot on the back of Todd's hand over and over again in a soothing circle with his thumb. Typical Naslund, always trying to comfort the other guy even when he's down.

"Are you staying?"

Todd jumped in his seat and pulled his hand away from Markus. He turned to see the nurse frowning at them in the doorway, blankets and a pillow in her hands. "They said you could stay, but he really needs his sleep."

"Yeah, I'm just..."

The nurse handed Todd the bundle and stepped back. She pointed to the corner where a comfortable chair was waiting. "That folds out."

Todd nodded at her. He noticed that this was actually a pretty nice room for a hospital. In fact it looked more like a hotel room.

"Lights off in 5 minutes, okay".

Markus thanked the nurse as she went out the door.

Todd shucked his jacket and leaned down and hugged Markus, squeezing his shoulders. "I was so worried," he whispered into his ear. Markus squeezed back then rubbed the stubble on Todd's head. Todd released him and gently kissed his forehead. "Goodnight."

He turned out the light and made himself comfortable on the lounger. He could hear Markus' breathing slow and grow deeper as he drifted off into sleep. Todd wasn't going to sleep; he knew that for a fact. Instead he got himself comfortable and stared at his friend, knowing that if the lights from the hallway were a little brighter, he'd be able to see Markus' face. Whether he realized it or not, Todd's body was tired and fatigue started to take over from everything else he was feeling and he drifted off, the hiss of oxygen from down the hallway the only other sound. The back of his hand still tingled from Markus' thumb.

End

The title refers to the size of needle commonly used for PDS sutures.


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