Title: Bouncing Back
Author: Mosh
Pairing: Sanzo/Goku
Rating: PG
Summary: Truth in the unconscious, spoken aloud.
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki. No money being made, no copyright or trademark infringement intended.
Email: moshesque(at)gmail(dot)com
Website: http://mosh.snarky-slytherin.net/
Author Notes: A ficlet idea that struck suddenly and wouldn't let go. With thanks to Akuni for the beta! Approx. 700 words.

 
"I think 'bout you all th' time."

Eyelids snap open; breath ceases its measured but shallow hush. Sanzo blinks, seeing nothing in the darkness. Across the room, bedsprings babble as Goku moves fitfully – even in sleep, he is noisy.

It's not the noise that bothers Sanzo, though; it's the words. I think about you all the time. What the hell?

"Saru, I thought I told you about talking when I'm trying to sleep." The warning is soft, Sanzo's vocal chords so relaxed he can't muster any growl. "Go back to sleep. You're not funny."

Blessed silence for all of five minutes, then, "I think... 'bout you all th' time. But 'specially in th' bathroom."

Even if there had been anything amusing in it the first time, Goku's joke is now going too damn far. Flipping back the bedcovers, Sanzo rises from the mattress, groping under the cloak of night for his lighter. Igniting the flame, he hastens over cold floorboards to Goku's bed.

The lighter's mellow orange glow reports to Sanzo that Goku is, in fact, asleep, which would explain why he didn't listen to Sanzo's warning. Not that what Goku's talking about is any easier to digest. Drawing the flame light first up over Goku's face, then down to his bared neck and chest, Sanzo maps the white lines of bandages and plasters, smudged bruises and red scrapes. The monkey is healing, and he'll heal nicely – he always does, the ghosts of his scars eventually disappearing altogether.

But it's still early days. He only regained consciousness four hours ago, and only for a brief while, before slipping back under the surface of wakefulness into a fevered slumber.

"He needs a few days rest, but he'll be all right. You know Goku better than anyone, Sanzo – he always bounces back."

It's easy for Hakkai to put on that reassuring tone of his. He hadn't been there. Hakkai hadn't held Goku in his arms and listened to the slick rattle of his laboured breath, hadn't seen the golden brown tan drain from Goku's features like he'd been suddenly doused in flour, hadn't seen the fear in his eyes, the questions and declarations and billion other things a man must realise he's never said that moment before the end.

"Sanzo... you 'member I said... I said I didn't want ta be – be b-brought back...?"

"Hush. Be quiet, monkey. Don't even think about saying it. You're fine."

A series of small, incomprehensible mumbles escape the gap between Goku's lips, a steady stream of nonsense that tugs at something hot in Sanzo's gut, something that's been bubbling there a while. Something he has no name for and doesn't particularly want, thanks very much.

"... think 'bout you, didn't wanna stop... didn't wanna leave you..."

Frowning, Sanzo leans down, staring at the soft curve of Goku's cheek. Damn boy's no doubt dreaming about food. Or maybe some girl he's spotted in one of the towns they've passed through. Or possibly some boy?

No. Food. Or girl.

It's delirium, that's all – brought about by the fever following Goku's injuries and his time spent lost in the desert. He'll bounce back, even if his wounds had been so deep Sanzo's robes had been soaked in blood after lugging Goku's limp body into the inn. The monkey will be fine, because he always is – he can't die anyway. Can he? Not that Sanzo had thought he would.

He'll be fine.

Plus, this shit he's spouting is just rubbish, typical Goku idiocy that Sanzo suddenly realises he's standing there listening to. Che, who's the idiot?

With an inaudible huff, he lets the flame die, turning in preparation for his journey back over the chilly boards. But before Sanzo takes a step, a sound stops him in his tracks, his body going rigid, the hot well in the pit of his stomach rising higher, burning hotter.

"Sanzo..."

Goku will bounce back, sure. Now it's Sanzo's ability to recover that comes into question.

~Fin~

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