Sasuke had only been half-asleep; the transition from T&I quarantine to hospital had been the first time he'd seen daylight directly in two weeks, and it had startled him with how direct it could be. And then, immediately after, with how quickly he could forget something his body knew as familiarly as how sunlight felt. The lack of a lock on the door and the presence of large, open windows had been disconcerting as well, even as the rational part of his mind reminded him that he was an Uchiha and known to hospital staff besides; they could hardly have put him in the basement rooms used only when in dire need of space.

He'd noticed the seals, however, triggered to alert staff if he left by the window or the door. It shouldn't have made him relax.

But he had, up until his dozing mind registered a voice he knew, and not just any voice -- one that made him straighten up in bed as if he were about to be inspected and, most likely, found somewhat disappointing. That it lingered made him step out of bed after a moment, concerned mostly for whatever night staff might be unaware that Fugaku was unlikely to be deterred by things like "visiting hours".

Yet, oddly enough, when he cracked open the door (making the orderly down the hall jump at her station and direct a startled glance in their direction), Fugaku appeared to be leaving. The nurse, her arms full of linens at what was an odd time for a change, gave him a look no less surprised, but Sasuke only stared at the retreating back.

"... Father?" The address finally slipped out, more hesitant than he ever liked to sound around his father.