Archive of Our Own

The room was filled with the steady rhythm of the music, their bodies moving in sync. Everything was going smoothly—until it wasn’t.

It happened so fast that at first, no one processed it. One second, Hyunjin was dancing, focused as always. The next, he staggered mid-step, his hand flying to his chest as a sharp gasp tore from his throat.

“W—wait,” he choked out, barely loud enough to be heard over the music.

Then he dropped.

Lee Know saw it first—Hyunjin’s knees buckling as if someone had knocked the air out of him. His palm slapped against the floor as he tried to steady himself, his chest rising and falling far too quickly.

“Hyunjin?” Chan’s voice was sharp, cutting through the music as he reached to pause it.

Hyunjin didn’t respond. His fingers clutched at his shirt, his whole body trembling with the effort to breathe. His eyes were wide, frantic. He was gasping—no, struggling—for air, like he was drowning on dry land.

“Hyunjin!” Felix was already moving, rushing to his side. The moment he knelt down, he could hear it—the way Hyunjin’s breaths came out in shallow, wheezing pants. The way his lips parted in desperation, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to get enough air.

“Hey, hey, breathe! What’s wrong?” Felix’s hands hovered over him, unsure if he should touch him, if it would help or make it worse.

Hyunjin tried to speak, but only a strangled sound came out. His face was tight with panic, his body trembling as he forced another breath in—only for it to get caught halfway, making him cough violently.

Seungmin’s stomach twisted at the sight. This wasn’t just exhaustion. This wasn’t Hyunjin being out of breath after a long practice. His breathing was shallow, erratic, like each inhale was a fight.

“Shit, shit—what do we do?” Jeongin’s voice cracked, his usual composure breaking as he stared, frozen.

Lee Know crouched beside Hyunjin, his own heart pounding. His chest rose and fell so quickly it was terrifying to watch, and his eyes—God, his eyes—were filled with sheer panic.

“Hyunjin, look at me,” Lee Know said firmly, gripping his shoulder. “Try to slow your breathing, okay?”

“I—I can’t—” Hyunjin wheezed, his hands clutching at his chest.

Something inside Chan snapped. This wasn’t just panic—this was real. This was serious.

“Call an ambulance,” he ordered, his voice shaking but firm. “Now.”

The practice room had never felt so suffocating.

Moments ago, the air had been filled with music, their synchronized movements, their steady breaths. Now, the only thing anyone could hear was the ragged, choked gasps coming from Hyunjin as he struggled—desperately—to breathe.

Chan was on his knees in front of him, gripping his shoulders, his heart hammering so violently it felt like it was shaking his entire body.

“Hyunjin!” His voice was sharp, urgent. “Look at me. Just breathe, okay? Slow, deep breaths.”

But Hyunjin couldn’t. His fingers clawed weakly at his chest, at his throat, like he was trying to physically force air into his lungs. His wide, terrified eyes darted around the room, his body trembling so violently that Chan could feel it under his hands. His lips were parted, but the air wasn’t coming in—just sharp, wheezing sounds that barely counted as breaths.

Lee Know’s stomach twisted at the sight. He had seen Hyunjin out of breath after intense performances, seen him exhausted to the point of collapse—but this? This was different. This was wrong.

“Hyunjin,” he said, stepping forward quickly. “You’re okay. You just need to—”

Hyunjin suddenly let out a sharp, strangled wheeze, his entire body tensing as he tried—and failed—to inhale. His chest spasmed violently, his hand gripping Chan’s arm in sheer desperation.

“Holy shit,” Changbin cursed, his face pale. “He’s—he’s not breathing.”

“What the fuck?!” Jisung’s voice cracked, panic laced in every syllable. “He’s trying, but—it’s not working! Why isn’t it working?!”

Jeongin, standing frozen in the back, felt his entire body go cold. He had never seen Hyunjin look like this before—never seen the pure, unfiltered terror in his eyes as his own body betrayed him. His hands shook as he took a step back. “I—what do we do? What do we—”

Felix suddenly jolted into action. “Oxygen mask—where’s the oxygen mask?” His voice was frantic. “We—we have one in storage, right?”

“YES!” Seungmin shouted. “Fucking hurry up and get it!”

Felix bolted from the room, nearly tripping over himself as he sprinted toward the storage area.

“Hyunjin, just hang on,” Chan pleaded, shaking him lightly. But Hyunjin barely seemed to hear him. His head tilted back slightly, his jaw trembling as his chest struggled against the invisible force suffocating him. His lips—

They were turning blue.

“Oh my God,” Jeongin whispered, horror sinking deep into his bones. “He’s turning blue.”

Chan’s breath hitched. His entire body stiffened. “No. No, no, no—” His grip on Hyunjin tightened.

Lee Know felt something inside him snap. “FELIX, HURRY THE FUCK UP!”

“I’M TRYING!” Felix’s voice was frantic from the hallway.

Hyunjin let out another horrible, gasping sound—his fingers twitching, his entire body seizing with the effort to breathe. He looked so, so exhausted.

“Hyunjin,” Lee Know said sharply, dropping to his knees beside him. His hands hovered over Hyunjin’s, unsure whether to grab them or not. “Don’t you fucking dare pass out. Stay with us.”

Jisung let out a sharp breath, his hands gripping his own hair. “He’s—he’s fucking suffocating, and we’re just standing here—”

“WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING,” Changbin snapped, his own voice shaking.

“What do you think we’re fucking doing?!” Seungmin shot back, his own panic rising.

“I DON’T KNOW—JUST FIX THIS!” Jisung nearly screamed.

The air in the room felt thick, heavy, like it was pressing down on all of them.

Then—Felix came barreling back in, an oxygen mask clutched in his trembling hands.

“Here—here, take it!” He practically threw it at Chan.

Chan caught it with shaking fingers, fumbling with the straps as he pressed it over Hyunjin’s nose and mouth. His hands were trembling so hard that it took him a second to get it in place.

“Breathe, Hyun,” he urged, his voice raw. “Come on, just take a breath. Let it in, okay?”

Hyunjin’s chest stuttered as he tried. His body still trembled violently, his eyes still filled with sheer panic. His fingers twitched against Chan’s wrist, gripping weakly, desperately.

“Come on, Hyunjin,” Felix pleaded. “Please, please—just breathe.”

Jeongin was still standing stiffly in the back, his hands clenched so tightly they hurt. “It’s not—it’s not working.”

“He’s still turning blue,” Changbin whispered, his voice hollow.

Jisung collapsed onto his knees beside them, his eyes glassy with panic. “Why isn’t it working?” His voice was a whisper.

Hyunjin’s chest rose—a fraction more than before. Barely anything. But still too fast, still too shallow. His fingers were still trembling, his entire body struggling.

Chan’s grip on the mask tightened. “No. No, no, come on, Hyun. You can do this.” His voice cracked. “Just breathe.”

Hyunjin was trying. He was trying so fucking hard.

But it still wasn’t enough.

“WHERE THE FUCK IS THE AMBULANCE?!” Chan’s voice tore through the air, raw and desperate. His grip on Hyunjin’s shoulders tightened as if he could physically stop him from slipping further away. “WHY THE HELL IS IT TAKING SO LONG?!”

Hyunjin’s body convulsed with another choked, ragged attempt to breathe. His fingers twitched, clutching at the empty air before falling limply to his side. His eyelids fluttered dangerously, his pupils blown wide with panic—but they weren’t focusing.

“No, no, no, stay awake!” Chan shook him slightly, his voice cracking.

Felix’s breath hitched. “He’s… he’s barely reacting—”

Jeongin took a shaky step forward, his vision blurring. “He’s gonna pass out—”

“NO, HE CAN’T!” Lee Know grabbed Hyunjin’s face, his hands ice-cold. “Hyunjin, LOOK AT ME! OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES!” His voice was loud, commanding—but it wavered with sheer terror.

But Hyunjin’s body wasn’t listening. His chest still fought for every single breath, each one shallower than the last. His throat made a horrible, strangled sound—like he was drowning, like his lungs were closing in on themselves.

His head tilted slightly to the side. His eyes started to roll back.

“Oh my God,” Jisung whispered, his knees buckling. “Oh my God, oh my God—”

“He’s losing consciousness—” Seungmin’s voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Changbin made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. “No—NO, FUCK—” His hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles went white. His entire body was trembling, rage and helplessness crashing into him all at once.

The room felt like it was spinning.

Then—

Sirens.

Distant at first, but growing louder.

“They’re coming,” Felix gasped, his voice shaking. “They’re FINALLY—”

The moment the paramedics burst through the door, everything exploded into motion.

Two of them dropped to their knees beside Hyunjin, their faces sharp with focus. The others started barking questions at Chan and the rest, but no one’s brain was working properly.

One of the paramedics pressed two fingers against Hyunjin’s neck. “Weak pulse,” she muttered. “How long has he been like this?”

Chan’s throat was dry. “I—I don’t know—”

Lee Know forced himself to speak. “A few minutes. Maybe—maybe more?” His voice was barely steady.

Another paramedic checked Hyunjin’s oxygen levels, and her expression darkened. “His O₂ stats are CRITICAL. We need to intubate, NOW.”

Felix froze. “Wait—what?”

“He’s not getting enough air,” the paramedic said firmly, already reaching for equipment. “If we don’t secure his airway, he won’t make it to the hospital.”

“No, no, no—” Jisung stumbled back, his face pale.

Jeongin covered his mouth with both hands, his entire body shaking. “He—he HATES this, he’s gonna—”

A paramedic pulled out a laryngoscope and a breathing tube. Another started preparing an oxygen bag.

Hyunjin’s chest spasmed violently, his back arching slightly from the lack of oxygen. A strangled sound ripped from his throat—a desperate, last attempt to fight against the suffocation. His fingers twitched weakly against the floor.

“We need to sedate him,” one of the paramedics instructed, pulling out a syringe. “He’s too distressed to intubate properly.”

“NO,” Lee Know snapped, his voice shaking. “NO, HE’S STILL FIGHTING—”

“He’s CRASHING,” another paramedic cut in. “We don’t have a choice.”

Hyunjin’s body jerked again, his lips parting like he wanted to say something—but no words came out. Only another sharp, wheezing gasp.

Then—his eyes fluttered.

And his body went limp.

The moment Hyunjin’s body went limp, a horrifying silence filled the room.

For a split second, the members could almost believe he had fallen asleep—but then they saw it. His chest, still rising and falling in those same shallow, agonized movements. His fingers, still twitching weakly even as his body refused to respond. His lips, still unnaturally blue.

And then—

The paramedics moved.

“Starting intubation,” one of them announced, immediately tilting Hyunjin’s head back and adjusting his jaw. Another paramedic placed the laryngoscope into his mouth, their movements swift but firm.

And that was when Hyunjin’s body reacted.

A horrible, involuntary jerk ran through him, his throat making a strangled noise even though he wasn’t conscious. His entire body shuddered, muscles stiffening, as the metal instrument forced its way down.

Chan lurched forward instinctively. “H-Hyunjin—”

“His body’s resisting it,” one of the paramedics muttered. “Even sedated, the reflexis too strong.”

Lee Know felt his stomach drop. He’s still feeling this.

The paramedic didn’t stop. With practiced efficiency, they guided the laryngoscope deeper, forcing Hyunjin’s airway open. His throat made another strained noise, his chest convulsing slightly as if his own body was trying to push the foreign object out. His fingers twitched harder, a painful shudder wracking through his limbs.

“Oh my God,” Felix whispered, his voice trembling. “It—it hurts him—”

“Hyunjin, please, just—” Jeongin’s voice cracked, his hands gripping his own arms. He knew Hyunjin wasn’t awake to hear them. But it didn’t matter.

Another paramedic carefully maneuvered the breathing tube, sliding it in past his vocal cords. Hyunjin’s throat spasmed violently in protest, his body jerking despite the sedatives in his system. His fingers curled slightly, his entire form tense.

“He’s still resisting,” one of the paramedics muttered, adjusting their grip. “Bag him.”

A moment later, an oxygen bag was attached to the tube. The paramedic squeezed it rhythmically, forcing air into Hyunjin’s lungs. His chest rose unnaturally with each forced breath, the motion stiff and unnatural. Another shudder wracked through his body as his throat strained around the tube, his muscles tightening instinctively.

Jisung took a shaky step back. “I—I can’t watch this—”

“He needs this to live,” one of the paramedics said, their voice firm.

Changbin ran a hand through his hair, his nails digging into his scalp. “I KNOW THAT—” His voice cracked, raw with helpless anger. “I know, but—” He gestured to Hyunjin’s body, trembling under the invasion of the tube, his chest still spasming slightly as his body fought against it.

Seungmin exhaled sharply, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It looks like he’s in pain. Even unconscious, even sedated—his body is still suffering.

“Tube is secure,” the lead paramedic announced. “He’s oxygenating now.”

Hyunjin’s body was still trembling slightly, his fingers twitching even as the paramedics stabilized the tube. The rise and fall of his chest became more controlled, but the unnatural stillness that followed was almost worse.

Chan dropped his head into his hands. He’s breathing—but he’s not breathing on his own.

Felix let out a shaky breath, his hand covering his mouth. “Oh my God.”

Jeongin’s legs finally gave out, and he sank to the floor. “He’s—he’s really—” His voice broke.

Lee Know didn’t move. His gaze was locked on Hyunjin’s face, on the unnatural rhythm of his chest moving with each forced breath. His body was still occasionally twitching from the discomfort. Even now, he’s still fighting.

Jisung exhaled shakily. “Please, Hyun,” he whispered. “Just—just hold on.”

For a moment, there was silence.

The rhythmic rise and fall of Hyunjin’s chest under the forced breaths of the ventilator filled the room. The tension was still thick, still suffocating—but at least he was breathing now.

At least he was alive.

The members weren’t fully relaxed—how could they be?—but their frantic panic had eased slightly. Felix let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his damp hair. “Okay. Okay, he’s stable now, right?”

The paramedics exchanged glances. “For now, yes. The ventilator is doing its job.”

Chan exhaled, his body trembling from exhaustion. His hands were still shaking, still stained with the memory of Hyunjin’s desperation. But at least now, his chest was moving.

Lee Know stared at Hyunjin’s face—pale, lips still faintly blue, body still shivering slightly despite the sedation. His fingers twitched every now and then, muscles reacting involuntarily to the breathing tube. He looked fragile. Small.

Seungmin swallowed hard, his eyes locked on the unnatural rhythm of Hyunjin’s breathing. “I don’t like this.”

Jisung let out a shaky, humorless laugh. “What part of this would you like?”

Seungmin didn’t respond.

But then—

A noise.

A low, strained sound, almost like a strangled gasp.

Felix’s head snapped up. “What—”

Hyunjin twitched. His body tensed suddenly, his fingers flexing weakly before curling into fists. His chest shuddered as if struggling against the forced breaths.

The paramedics were already moving. “Something’s wrong.”

Hyunjin’s back arched slightly off the floor, his muscles seizing. His legs jerked, his arms trembling. His throat made another horrible, gurgling sound against the tube.

“Hyunjin?” Chan’s voice was sharp, panic flaring instantly. “What’s happening?”

The paramedics didn’t answer. One of them grabbed a stethoscope, pressing it to Hyunjin’s chest. Another checked the ventilator, their hands moving swiftly.

“He’s—he’s not supposed to be moving, right?” Jeongin’s voice was small, barely above a whisper.

“He’s still sedated,” Seungmin muttered, his stomach twisting. “He shouldn’t be reacting like this.”

Then—

Hyunjin’s body convulsed.

A violent shudder ran through him, his limbs jerking uncontrollably. The breathing tube shifted slightly as his chest spasmed, his throat straining around it.

“Shit—he’s crashing!” one of the paramedics barked.

Everything exploded into motion.

Hyunjin’s arms twitched violently, his fingers clenching and unclenching. His back arched again, his body trembling so forcefully that even the paramedics had to hold him down.

“HYUNJIN!” Chan’s voice cracked as he reached forward instinctively, but Lee Know grabbed his wrist, pulling him back. “Don’t interfere—they need to—”

But then—

Everything stopped.

Hyunjin’s body went limp.

His arms dropped uselessly to his sides. His chest, which had been rising and falling in panicked, erratic movements, stilled.

The beeping of the monitors—too fast just moments ago—slowed.

Then—

A long, continuous tone.

The paramedics froze.

Chan felt his entire world tilt.

“No.”

One of the paramedics cursed under their breath, pressing fingers to Hyunjin’s neck. Checking for a pulse.

Seconds passed.

Then—

They looked up.

"He's in cardiac arrest!"

Everything stopped.

For a second, it was like the entire world had gone silent.

Something inside Chan shattered.

No.

Not this.

His hands wouldn’t stop shaking. His vision blurred. His body wouldn’t move. Someone was screaming—but it took him a second to realize it was him.

“No. No, no, no, NO!”

Chan’s voice broke. His chest felt like it was caving in. His knees nearly buckled.

The paramedics were already on it—one of them climbing onto the stretcher, hands locking together over Hyunjin’s unmoving chest.

"Starting compressions!"

The first push sent a violent jerk through Hyunjin’s body.

"One, two, three—"

“Fucking—DO SOMETHING!”

Lee Know’s voice was hoarse, somewhere between a growl and a sob. His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms so hard it hurt.

“You can’t do this, you bastard!” His voice cracked. “You don’t get to fucking leave us!”

"Ten compressions."

Felix’s breath came out in short, panicked gasps. He reached for Hyunjin’s arm, fingers trembling as they curled around his wrist. His skin was—

Too cold.

He yanked his hand back like he’d been burned.

"Fifteen compressions."

Jisung was whispering frantically, his words slurred and jumbled, like his brain wasn’t even registering what he was saying.

“No, no, no, no, please, Hyunjin, please, please, wake up, wake up—”

"Twenty compressions."

CRACK.

The sound sent a violent shudder through the room.

Changbin let out a sharp breath through his nose. Turned away. Pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes like he could block this out. But he couldn’t—not when Hyunjin’s body was jerking under their hands, not when the fucking sound of his ribs breaking was still ringing in his ears.

Felix flinched. So hard his head hit the wall behind him.

Jeongin’s stomach twisted violently. He pressed a shaking hand to his mouth.

"Thirty compressions."

“Epinephrine—NOW!”

The paramedic’s voice was sharp, urgent. A needle plunged into Hyunjin’s chest.

Nothing.

The monitor stayed silent.

Chan’s hands curled into fists. His breathing was ragged, erratic.

“Again.”

The paramedic pushed harder.

Hyunjin’s body jerked with each compression.

Felix let out a shaky, broken exhale. His nails dug into his arms.

“Come back, you asshole.”

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Seungmin’s hands gripped his own hair, pulling hard. “I swear to God, if you die, I’m gonna fucking kill you myself—” His breath hitched, his voice breaking at the end.

"Twenty compressions."

“Hyunjin, please!”

Changbin’s voice was raw. He wasn’t even sure what he was saying anymore. Just that the words kept pouring out, desperate, shaking.

“You always talk about how you’re so fucking stubborn, huh? Then FIGHT, DAMN IT!”

Another push.

Another.

Another.

Lee Know squeezed his eyes shut, pressing the heels of his palms into them. His chest was heaving.

“You’re such a goddamn drama queen, you piece of shit—” His breath hitched. His fingers curled into fists. “Wake up.”

Seungmin stood rigid, his jaw locked so tight it ached. His hands trembled at his sides, nails biting into his skin.

“Please, Hyunjin. Please.”

The paramedic counted under their breath. Their hands were slick with sweat.

Hyunjin wasn’t moving.

Felix let out a shaky exhale. “Don’t do this to us.”

“Hyunjin, please—”

“Don’t fucking leave—”

“Come back, damn it!”

The monitor spiked.

A tiny, weak blip of movement.

Then another.

Then—

Beep.

Felix let out a sharp breath, his entire body shaking.

The paramedic exhaled. “We have a pulse.”

Chan’s head dropped forward, his shoulders trembling. His hands fisted the fabric of his shirt.

Jisung let out a choked, broken sob, his forehead pressing into his knees.

Jeongin collapsed onto the floor. His hands were still trembling.

Changbin’s fists unclenched. He pressed his hand against his forehead, his breath coming out in uneven gasps.

Seungmin squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a wounded exhale.

Lee Know’s arms wrapped around himself. His nails dug into his sides.

Hyunjin was still unconscious.

Still fighting.

But he was alive.

“We need to move—NOW!”

The urgency in the paramedic’s voice snapped everyone out of their daze.

Hyunjin was still unconscious, pale as death itself. His chest was barely rising and falling, the oxygen mask fogging up ever so slightly with each weak breath. The paramedics worked quickly—securing the IV, checking his vitals, moving the stretcher.

“Careful—CAREFUL!” Lee Know’s voice was hoarse as he hovered over them, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. His entire body was tense.

Felix was walking backward, his eyes locked on Hyunjin’s unmoving form. He looked like he was about to collapse.

The doors of the ambulance were yanked open.

“Listen up!” One of the paramedics turned to the group, their voice firm but not unkind. “We’re taking him straight to the hospital. If one of you wants to ride with him, you can—”

“Me.”

Chan’s voice was immediate.

The others didn’t even argue.

But Jisung took a half step forward, his eyes wide, panicked. “Hyung—”

Chan turned to them, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. “Get in the car. Follow us. Don’t—don’t be late.” His voice wavered at the end.

“You better not let him die in there, Bang Chan.” Lee Know’s voice was sharp, but his eyes were red-rimmed, his lips pressed together so hard they were white.

“I won’t.”

It wasn’t a promise he had any control over. But he said it anyway.

The paramedic motioned to the ambulance. “We have to go—NOW.”

Chan climbed in.

The moment the doors slammed shut, Jisung let out a sharp breath—then turned on his heel and bolted toward the car.

“MOVE!”

Felix was already fumbling with the car keys, his hands shaking violently.

Changbin’s breath was ragged. He pressed his hands against his temples. “He’s gonna be okay. He’s gonna be okay. He’s gonna be okay.”

Seungmin grabbed his wrist, yanking him toward the car. “Shut up and get in.”

Jeongin scrambled in after them, his legs barely holding him up.

Lee Know stared at the ambulance, his nails digging into his palms.

Then he turned.

“Drive.”

++++

The inside of the ambulance was a blur of red and white lights, flashing through the small windows as the sirens wailed above them.

Chan sat rigidly on the small seat beside the stretcher, his entire body tensed like a coiled spring. His fists were clenched so tight that his nails were digging into his palms. But he didn’t care.

All he could see—all he could focus on—was Hyunjin.

The plastic tube was taped to the corner of Hyunjin’s mouth, his chest barely moving as the ventilator forced oxygen into his lungs. His face was pale, almost grey. His lips were dry, cracked. His body looked so still.

Too still.

Chan swallowed, but the lump in his throat wouldn’t go away.

A paramedic was adjusting the IV, checking the monitors. The soft beeping of the heart monitor filled the space, a cruel reminder that, not long ago, that same heart had stopped beating.

“He’s stable for now,” the paramedic said, glancing at Chan. Their voice was calm. Practiced. “We’re monitoring him closely. The ventilator is doing its job.”

Chan nodded stiffly, his throat too tight to speak.

But then—his gaze drifted back to Hyunjin’s face.

His chest rose. Fell. Rose. Fell. The machine did the breathing for him.

Chan felt something inside him snap.

A sharp breath tore out of him, and before he could stop it, his eyes blurred. He squeezed them shut, pressing the heels of his palms against them, but it was no use.

The paramedic noticed.

“Hey.” Their voice was softer now. “He made it through the worst part. He’s still here.”

Chan let out a shaky exhale, his hands dropping to his lap.

Then, his voice cracked.

“It—It was normal. Everything was normal.” He let out a breathy, humorless laugh, shaking his head. “We were practicing. He was fine. And then suddenly, he wasn’t.”

His vision blurred again. He sniffed hard, looking up at the ceiling of the ambulance.

“Why—” His hands curled into fists. “Why does he have to fight like this? Why does he have to—” His breath hitched.

He turned his head back, staring at Hyunjin’s unnaturally still form.

He looked so different from the Hyunjin he knew. Where was the brightness? The laughter? The energy?

All that was left was this.

A fragile, unconscious body, breathing only because a machine forced him to.

Chan bit his lip, hard.

“I should’ve noticed.” His voice was barely a whisper. “I should’ve—”

“Don’t.”

The paramedic’s voice was gentle, but firm.

Chan blinked up at them, his face tight with emotion.

“You did everything you could,” they said simply. “He’s alive because of you.”

Chan let out a shaky breath, his fingers twitching.

But he didn’t argue.

Instead, he turned back to Hyunjin.

He reached out—hesitated. Then, slowly, carefully, brushed the damp strands of hair away from his face.

His fingers lingered.

“Just hold on, Jinnie.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

The ambulance sped through the city, sirens wailing.

And Chan didn’t take his eyes off him.

++++++

The ambulance screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, the tires skidding slightly against the pavement. Even before it had fully stopped, the back doors were thrown open with urgency.

Several hands moved in perfect coordination, pulling the stretcher out as medical personnel rushed forward. The harsh fluorescent lights of the emergency entrance cast a cold glow over Hyunjin’s pale face, his body still, the ventilator forcing air into his lungs in mechanical, rhythmic motions.

“Move, move, move!” one of the doctors shouted, leading the way as they wheeled him inside.

The members scrambled out of their van, barely giving the vehicle time to park. Chan was the first to bolt toward the stretcher, his heart hammering against his ribs.

“We’re coming with him—” Felix started, his voice shaking.

“You need to stay back,” a nurse instructed firmly, stepping between them and Hyunjin’s stretcher as the team maneuvered him down the hallway.

“No—no, we can’t just—” Jisung tried to push forward, but a firm hand pressed against his chest, stopping him.

“We need space to work,” another doctor said, voice sharp with urgency. “Give us room.”

But stepping back felt impossible. Watching Hyunjin disappear behind a wall of scrubs, hearing the beeping monitors and the rushed medical jargon—it was too much.

“Hyunjin,” Jeongin whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, his knuckles white.

Changbin took an instinctive step forward, only to be yanked back by Lee Know. “Let them work.” His voice was tight, his grip firm. He wasn’t unaffected—far from it—but he knew that getting in the way wouldn’t help.

“But—” Felix’s throat tightened, his eyes burning.

“I know,” Lee Know cut in. His voice wavered just slightly, betraying the sheer panic he was trying to contain. “I fucking know.”

The stretcher rounded a corner, and then—

The doors slammed shut behind Hyunjin, cutting them off.

Silence swallowed the hallway.

The members stood frozen, staring at the closed doors, their breaths shallow, uneven.

Jeongin was the first to move. His hands trembled as he took a shaky step closer, his fingers ghosting over the cold metal of the door. “He’s in there,” he murmured, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

“We should be in there too,” Jisung whispered, his voice raw.

Chan let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, his shoulders shaking. His hands were clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He should say something. Reassure them. Tell them Hyunjin was strong, that he’d pull through.

But right now, all he could do was stare at that closed door and pray it wouldn’t be the last time they saw him alive.

+++++

The hallway was suffocatingly quiet, except for the occasional beep of a distant monitor and the sound of their own shaky breathing. They stood frozen in front of the closed doors, their eyes never leaving them, as if staring long enough would make Hyunjin walk out, perfectly fine, telling them they were overreacting.

But he didn’t walk out.

Jisung let out a harsh breath, running a trembling hand through his hair before gripping the back of his neck. “This is… this is insane. One second he was fine, and then—” His voice cracked, and he squeezed his eyes shut. “How the hell did this happen?”

Felix was pacing, arms wrapped around himself. “He’s gonna be okay, right? I mean—he has to be okay. It’s Hyunjin. He’s—” His voice trailed off into a whisper, uncertainty lacing his words.

Jeongin hadn’t spoken. He just kept staring at the door, barely blinking, his lips parted like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Chan swallowed hard, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. “They said to wait,” he mumbled, half to himself, half to the others. “We just… need to wait.”

“Fuck waiting,” Changbin snapped, suddenly shoving a hand against the wall. The impact made a dull thud, but it didn’t do anything to relieve the pressure in his chest. “He stopped breathing. He fucking—” He cut himself off, shaking his head as his breath came out uneven.

Lee Know exhaled sharply. “We should’ve noticed something,” he muttered. “We should’ve—”

Then, finally, the door did open.

Every head snapped up.

A doctor stepped out, still in his scrubs, pulling off his gloves as he exhaled.

The members surged forward at once.

"How is he?!"

"Is he awake?!"

"Is he—he’s not—" Jeongin’s voice cracked so violently that he couldn’t finish.

The doctor held up a hand, trying to calm them down. "He’s stable for now."

A collective breath was released, but the tension didn’t leave the air.

"For now?" Lee Know repeated, his voice dangerously low. "What the hell does that mean?"

The doctor hesitated. "We suspect he suffered a pulmonary embolism."

Silence.

Dead, suffocating silence.

Felix blinked, his lips parting, but no sound came out. Jeongin swayed slightly, as if his body had just realized how exhausted he was.

"Pulmonary… embolism?" Changbin’s voice was hoarse, like the words hurt to say.

"A blood clot," the doctor explained. "It traveled to his lungs and blocked blood flow. That’s what caused his respiratory distress and cardiac arrest."

Jisung suddenly stumbled back a step, as if the weight of the words had physically hit him.

"Why?" Chan’s voice was barely a whisper.

The doctor sighed. "We don’t know yet. We’re running tests to determine the cause."

A shaky exhale from Seungmin. "Can we see him?"

The doctor’s expression softened, but he shook his head. "Not yet. He’s still sedated. And considering your status, I assume you don’t want news of this getting out?"

Chan stiffened. "Not if we can help it."

"Then you can’t stay here," the doctor said simply. "After the nurses finish monitoring him, we’ll arrange a private room where you can be with him."

The doctor’s words were meant to reassure them.

But all they could think about was Hyunjin—unconscious, hooked up to machines, fighting a battle none of them could help him with.

++++

The room smelled like antiseptic. The soft beeping of monitors filled the silence, accompanied by the rhythmic hiss of the ventilator. The members hesitated at the doorway, their feet refusing to move forward, as if stepping inside would make this nightmare real.

But it was real.

Hyunjin lay in the hospital bed, still and fragile, swallowed by wires and tubes. His chest rose and fell in sync with the machine, each breath eerily mechanical. The oxygen tube covered half his lips which was still too pale, his hands limp at his sides.

Chan was the first to move. He swallowed hard and stepped forward, his legs unsteady like he had forgotten how to walk. The others followed, each movement slow, hesitant. It felt wrong to be here, to see him like this. Hyunjin was never still. He was never this quiet.

Felix was the first to break the silence. His breath hitched as he reached for Hyunjin’s hand, tracing his fingertips lightly over his knuckles. "Your hands are always warm," he murmured, voice trembling. "Even when you're freezing, somehow your hands stay warm." He gave a weak chuckle. "Now they're cold. That’s not fair, Hyun."

Jisung let out a shaky breath, rubbing his face before sitting on the edge of the bed. "You look like a mess, dude," he muttered. His voice was light, teasing—but his hands were trembling where they rested on his lap. "Like, I know you love the dramatic aesthetic, but this is a little much, don’t you think?" He tried to smirk, but it fell apart before it even formed.

Lee Know stood stiffly at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. His gaze flickered over Hyunjin’s unconscious form, taking in every tube, every monitor, every unnatural rise and fall of his chest. His fingers twitched at his sides. "You’re so annoying," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You always have to do things the hard way." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I should’ve made you sit down earlier. Should’ve forced you to rest."

"Like he would’ve listened," Seungmin muttered, finally speaking. He scoffed, but it was weak—empty. His hands clenched into fists. "Remember when he sprained his ankle but still tried to do a full routine? We had to lock him in the dressing room to keep him from going on stage."

Jeongin let out a short laugh, but it cracked midway. He rubbed his eyes with his sleeve before stepping closer to the bed, his fingers brushing against the blanket. "And he still tried to escape. He literally climbed out the window, remember?"

Felix sniffled, shaking his head. "That idiot."

"Yeah," Changbin murmured, his voice tight. "But at least he was an idiot that could breathe."

Silence settled over them again, heavier this time. Jisung swallowed hard, reaching forward hesitantly before gently pushing Hyunjin’s hair back. "You look weird without your stupid headbands," he murmured. "You’re always messing with your hair, saying it has to be perfect. Look at you now." He forced a chuckle. "Bet you’d be pissed if you knew how flat it looks right now."

Chan let out a shaky breath. He sat down beside the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together. "You have to wake up soon," he said quietly. "Not just because we need you. But because I don’t think you’d forgive yourself for making us see you like this."

Hyunjin didn’t respond.

Didn’t even twitch.

Just the steady, mechanical rise and fall of his chest.

Felix wiped at his eyes roughly. "God, I hate this," he muttered. He squeezed Hyunjin’s hand, as if he could force warmth back into it. "I hate seeing you like this. I hate not knowing if you can even hear us."

"You can hear us, right, Hyun?" Jeongin whispered. His voice was small, uncertain. "You always tell us we’re too loud. No way you’d ignore us now."

Lee Know exhaled sharply, his fingers pressing against his temples before running through his hair. "If you don’t wake up soon, I swear, I’m going to kill you." His voice wavered.

Changbin nodded, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "Yeah. And when you do wake up, you better get ready, because I’m gonna punch you. Right in the arm. Maybe twice."

Jisung let out a breathy laugh, sniffling. "We should all get one free punch when he wakes up."

Felix hummed. "Agreed. He owes us."

The joke should have lightened the mood. But it didn’t.

Because Hyunjin wasn’t laughing with them.

Wasn’t rolling his eyes, wasn’t making a snarky remark, wasn’t throwing a pillow at Jisung for being annoying.

He was just… lying there.

Unmoving.

A tear slipped down Chan’s cheek. He didn’t wipe it away. Didn’t try to hide it. He just squeezed Hyunjin’s hand a little tighter and whispered, "Please, Jinnie."

No response.

Only the sound of the machines keeping him alive.

++++

Darkness.

Heavy. Suffocating. Unyielding.

Hyunjin felt like he was sinking—no, drowning. His chest was tight, squeezed by an invisible force, like someone had wrapped iron bands around his ribs and was pulling, pulling, pulling—

He tried to breathe.

Nothing came.

Panic flared instantly, sharp and all-consuming. His lips parted instinctively, desperate for air, but—nothing. His lungs refused to expand. No matter how hard he tried, no breath filled them.

Something was wrong.

His head pounded, a deep, splitting pain radiating from his temples and drilling into his skull. His chest ached, not just with the lack of oxygen, but with something deeper—a searing, raw burn spreading beneath his ribcage, each pulse of pain like fire licking at his insides.

His throat—God, his throat. It felt stretched, raw, like something was lodged deep inside it, holding it open in a way that wasn’t natural. The foreign object pressed against the back of his tongue, heavy and invasive, making his stomach twist violently. A sharp plastic taste coated his mouth, sterile and cold, clinging to his tongue like poison.

What is this? What’s happening?

He tried to move—to lift his hand, to claw at whatever was choking him—but his limbs were sluggish, unresponsive, weighed down as if his own body had betrayed him.

A distant sound—steady, rhythmic. A beep. Then another. And another. The pattern was hypnotic, looping endlessly, pressing into his brain like a dull hammer.

Somewhere beyond the suffocating haze, something warm pressed against his fingers. A touch—faint, but there.

He wasn’t alone.

But he still couldn’t breathe.

And the darkness kept pulling.

+++++

Time passed in a slow, suffocating haze.

It had been hours now—long, dragging hours of waiting, of watching Hyunjin’s unmoving form, of counting the seconds between each forced breath from the ventilator. The nurses had come and gone, checking his vitals, adjusting the IVs, murmuring reassurances that his condition was improving. That the treatment was working.

But no one could relax. Not until he opened his eyes.

The room had grown eerily quiet, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on all of them. Felix had given in at some point, slumping forward onto the bed, his head resting near Hyunjin’s arm. Jisung sat beside him, fingers tapping an anxious, restless rhythm against his thigh. Jeongin curled into the chair by the window, knees pulled to his chest, staring blankly at the floor.

Chan hadn’t moved from Hyunjin’s side. His fingers remained loosely wrapped around Hyunjin’s hand, his grip tightening every now and then, as if grounding himself. As if silently reminding Hyunjin that he wasn’t alone.

Then—

A sound.

Soft. Strained. A quiet, breathy whimper.

Chan’s head snapped up. His breath caught in his throat.

Another noise—a weak, muffled whine. Small, but enough to send a shock through the room.

Felix jolted upright, eyes wide. "H—Hyun?"

Hyunjin’s brows twitched. His fingers curled weakly against the sheets. His lips parted slightly, but instead of words, only a strangled, choked noise escaped.

Then—his body jerked.

A small, weak movement, but panic flared instantly through his fragile frame. His chest hitched, his throat working as he tried to breathe—tried to suck in air—but something was stopping him. His expression twisted, his lips trembling around the foreign object lodged deep inside.

Jisung swore under his breath. "Shit, shit—he’s freaking out."

Hyunjin let out another strained, desperate noise.

Felix’s eyes widened. "The tube—he’s realizing it’s there."

Chan leaned forward, gripping Hyunjin’s hand tighter. "Hyun, hey—it’s okay," he murmured, voice gentle but urgent. "You’re safe. Just—just try to stay calm, okay?"

But how could he?

His breathing turned frantic, his chest rising unevenly, his throat bobbing in an attempt to swallow around the tube. His lashes fluttered, his fingers twitching against Chan’s grip, his body shifting slightly like he was trying to escape something invisible.

Lee Know cursed under his breath. "Someone get a nurse—now."

Seungmin shot up immediately, practically stumbling in his rush to get to the door. He threw it open, his voice sharp, urgent. "We need a doctor in here! Now!"

Hyunjin let out another small, broken noise, frustration and fear clouding his features. His lips parted slightly like he wanted to speak, but nothing came except a weak, strangled exhale.

Felix swallowed hard. He hated this. Hated seeing Hyunjin confused, scared, in pain. He reached out hesitantly, then—very gently—ran his fingers through Hyunjin’s damp hair. "You’re okay," he whispered. "I promise, you’re okay."

A shudder ran through Hyunjin’s body. His lashes fluttered again, slower this time. He was trying—trying so hard—to fight through the suffocating fog, to push past the disorientation gripping his mind.

His breathing hitched—then, finally, finally—his eyes cracked open.

Just barely. A sliver of hazy brown beneath heavy lids.

Jisung let out a shaky breath. "Oh my God—"

The door swung open behind them. A doctor and two nurses rushed in, moving swiftly toward the bed.

One of them placed a gentle hand on Chan’s shoulder. "We need space," she instructed. "Step back, let us work."

Chan hesitated—just for a second—before forcing himself to let go of Hyunjin’s hand.

Hyunjin blinked sluggishly, disoriented, unfocused. Confusion flickered in his expression, then something softer—relief. He barely noticed the medical staff moving around him, too dazed to understand what was happening.

Felix wiped at his eyes roughly. "You took your damn time, Hyun," he muttered, voice thick with emotion.

Hyunjin’s gaze flickered toward him—just slightly. His lips twitched, barely a movement at all.

"He’s responding," one of the nurses confirmed, already checking his vitals.

"Good," the doctor said. "Let’s get that tube out."

Hyunjin barely registered the words, but the hands on him—steady, careful—grounded him. A nurse adjusted his head position, while another prepared a syringe to flush his IV.

"Hyunjin, sweetheart," the nurse closest to him said softly. "We’re going to take the tube out now, okay? I know it’s uncomfortable, but we need you to try to stay as still as possible."

Hyunjin’s lashes fluttered. His fingers twitched weakly. He wanted to nod, to respond—but his body wasn’t listening.

"Okay," the doctor said. "On three. One—two—"

Then—

The tube slid free.

A horrible, wet gag tore from Hyunjin’s throat as the plastic was pulled from his airways. His body jolted weakly, his chest stuttering with the sudden rush of air. The sensation was awful—raw and foreign, his throat burning like fire. He let out a ragged, hoarse cough, his lungs convulsing as they tried to remember how to work on their own.

Felix flinched at the sound. His hands curled into fists. "Shit—"

Hyunjin gasped, his body trembling, his breathing rough and uneven. The air felt thick, sharp against the rawness of his throat, every inhale like swallowing glass.

Chan was already moving, reaching for his hand again. "Breathe, Hyun," he murmured, his voice shaking. "Slow, deep breaths, okay? You’re okay."

Hyunjin tried. He really did. But his chest felt tight, too tight, his body still weak and trembling. Another broken cough rattled through him, his fingers clenching weakly against the sheets.

"Easy," the nurse soothed, adjusting the oxygen mask now secured over his nose. "You’re doing good. Just focus on breathing."

Hyunjin’s lashes fluttered again. His vision was blurry, his head heavy, exhaustion pressing down on him like a weight.

His gaze flickered across the room, hazy, unfocused. Faces swam in and out of view—Felix, teary-eyed but smiling shakily. Jisung, biting his lip, looking like he was holding back a sob. Lee Know, arms crossed, jaw tight, his fingers curled into his sleeves. Jeongin, wide-eyed, his hands clenched in his lap. Changbin, rubbing his face, his chest heaving with relief.

And Chan.

Still holding his hand.

Still there.

Hyunjin let out a soft, breathy exhale. His eyelids drooped again, his exhaustion too much to fight.

But this time, when sleep pulled him under—

He wasn’t afraid.

++++

The room had settled into a heavy, exhausted silence.

Hyunjin had drifted back into sleep, his breathing steadier now, though still shallow. The oxygen mask over his nose fogged slightly with each slow exhale, his fingers twitching faintly now and then. He was still pale, still fragile—but at least he was here. At least he was breathing on his own.

The members hadn’t moved much since he had fallen asleep again. Some sat slumped in their chairs, drained from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few hours. Others stood close to the bed, unwilling to put any more distance between themselves and Hyunjin.

Then, the door creaked open.

The doctor stepped inside, a clipboard in hand, his expression calm but serious. He scanned the group before exhaling quietly. "I wanted to give you all an update now that he’s stable."

Everyone straightened slightly, eyes locked onto him.

The doctor glanced at the monitors before speaking again. "Hyunjin is responding well to treatment, and his oxygen levels are improving. That’s good news. But…" His expression turned slightly grim. "There is something you all need to be aware of."

Chan’s stomach twisted. "What is it?"

The doctor hesitated for a moment before continuing. "During the resuscitation, four of his ribs fractured due to the chest compressions. It’s a common occurrence in cases like his, but it means he’ll be in significant pain—especially when breathing."

Felix swallowed hard. Jisung muttered a quiet curse under his breath.

"To manage the pain," the doctor continued, "we’ve administered a controlled dose of morphine. It will help keep him comfortable, but it does mean he’ll be drowsy and out of it for a while. Even when he wakes up, he won’t be fully alert at first."

Jeongin frowned slightly. "So he’s going to be like this for a while?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes. He needs rest, and the pain medication will keep him sedated enough to prevent unnecessary strain on his body. That’s why I’m going to ask you all to let him sleep undisturbed. The best thing for him right now is uninterrupted rest."

A quiet pause settled over the room.

Then—

"We’ll leave," Lee Know said, arms crossed. "But not yet."

The doctor raised an eyebrow.

"We’ll go," Chan clarified, running a hand through his hair. "But only after he wakes up again. Even if it’s just for a minute. We need to—" He exhaled sharply. "We just need to talk to him first."

Felix nodded, his fingers tightening in his lap. "Just for a little bit. We won’t disturb him too much."

The doctor looked over their faces—tired, drawn, filled with lingering worry. He sighed. "Fine," he relented. "But keep it brief. He needs all the rest he can get."

They nodded in agreement, quiet murmurs of thanks slipping from their lips.

The doctor gave one last glance at Hyunjin, then at the exhausted group, before turning toward the door. "I’ll check in on him again soon."

Then he stepped out, leaving the members alone with their sleeping friend once more.

++++

The room was quiet.

Not the heavy, suffocating silence from before—just a deep, exhausted stillness. The kind that settled after hours of chaos, wrapping around the members like a thin layer of relief.

A full hour had passed since the doctor left, but none of them had moved much. They sat slumped in their chairs, their bodies weighed down by fatigue, but their eyes never strayed far from Hyunjin. He had been out cold, his breathing slow and steady under the effects of the morphine.

Then—

A sharp inhale. A faint twitch of his fingers.

Felix noticed it first. His head snapped up, eyes widening as he watched Hyunjin’s brows furrow slightly, his lashes fluttering against his cheeks. His chest rose shakily—too shaky—and then—

A quiet, pained whimper.

Felix shot forward. "Hyun?"

The others stirred immediately. Chan was at his side in an instant, gripping Hyunjin’s hand gently but firmly. "Hey, hey—take it easy."

Hyunjin’s face twisted as he let out another strained noise, his body tensing. Something was wrong—his chest ached, a deep, searing pain spreading beneath his ribs with every shallow breath. It felt like someone had driven a knife straight through him.

His fingers twitched weakly, clutching at the blanket. His head turned slightly, his lips parting—but the moment he tried to speak, nothing came out.

Not really.

Just a rough, broken rasp—barely above a whisper.

Jisung swore under his breath. "Shit—don’t talk. Don’t even try to talk."

Hyunjin’s brows furrowed slightly in frustration, his throat bobbing as he swallowed against the raw, aching burn left behind by the breathing tube. His voice—where was his voice?

Chan squeezed his hand lightly. "It’s okay. Your throat’s just recovering. You had a tube in for a while, so it’s gonna feel awful for a bit."

Hyunjin swallowed again, his breathing still uneven. His mind was a blur, thick with exhaustion, his body too heavy to move properly. He felt like he was floating—like nothing was really real.

Then—another sharp stab of pain.

His breath hitched, his chest seizing up, and this time the noise that tore from his throat was less of a whimper and more of a strained, pained gasp.

Changbin was at his side instantly. "Hyunjin—shit, don’t move."

Lee Know exhaled sharply, pressing a hand against his temples. "God, you’re such an idiot."

Hyunjin’s lashes fluttered, confused, disoriented.

Felix ran a shaky hand through his hair, his throat tight. "Your ribs," he murmured. "You—" He hesitated, looking at Chan. "Tell him."

Chan took a breath. "Four of your ribs are broken, Hyun." His voice was careful—gentle, but firm. "That’s why it hurts. You need to stay still, okay? No sudden movements, no trying to sit up, no—no anything."

Hyunjin blinked sluggishly, trying to process.

Four.

Four ribs.

A deep, aching pressure settled in his chest, making it hard to even breathe without feeling the sharp, stabbing pain radiating through his entire body.

His eyes burned suddenly. His fingers curled weakly in the sheets.

Jisung scoffed, shaking his head. "You’re actually so fucking stupid, dude." His voice cracked halfway through the sentence. "Do you have any idea what you just put us through?"

Seungmin let out a breathless, almost hysterical laugh, swiping at his eyes. "You asshole," he whispered. "You actual piece of shit."

Lee Know finally stepped closer, leaning over the bed slightly. "You died, Hyunjin." His voice was sharp, tight with emotion. "For a whole fucking minute, you were gone. And we had to stand there and watch." His jaw clenched. "So yeah, I hope it hurts. I hope you remember it next time you try to be dramatic about something."

Felix let out a shaky breath, laughing softly. "You scared the shit out of us," he muttered, rubbing at his face. His eyes were still glossy, his shoulders trembling slightly. "I swear to God, if you ever do that again, I’m never forgiving you."

Hyunjin swallowed again, his lashes lowering slightly. His throat burned, but—he had to say something. Had to—

He forced out a sound. A hoarse, barely-there whisper.

"...Sorry."

And that was it. That one, broken word was all it took.

Jisung let out a choked noise, pressing the heel of his palm against his eyes. "Oh my God, you’re such an asshole," he muttered.

Changbin exhaled shakily, rubbing the back of his neck. "We know you’re sorry, idiot."

Hyunjin blinked slowly, his gaze flickering across their faces. His vision was blurry, but he could see it. The exhaustion. The relief. The tear-stained cheeks, the shaky breaths.

He let out a small, weak exhale.

Felix reached forward, brushing his fingers through Hyunjin’s hair again, softer this time. "Just—don’t do it again, okay?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

Hyunjin hummed softly—a weak, tired sound of acknowledgment.

Then his lashes drooped again. His body sagged slightly against the pillows. The exhaustion was pulling him under again, too strong to fight.

Chan let out a slow breath, squeezing his hand one last time before letting it rest gently on the blanket.

"Get some rest, Hyun."

And this time, when he fell asleep—

It was peaceful.

+++++

Hyunjin had drifted back into sleep, his breathing slow and steady beneath the soft hiss of the oxygen. His body was still tense, his face etched with traces of discomfort even in unconsciousness, but at least he was resting. At least he was safe.

The others, however, were nowhere near as calm.

Chan exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face before turning toward the rest of the group. "Alright," he murmured. "We should go."

Jisung frowned. "Go? Like—leave?"

Chan nodded. "We’ve been here for hours. He’s stable now. He needs to rest, and honestly, so do we."

Felix stiffened beside him, his eyes widening slightly. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "Wait—no."

Chan turned to him, brows furrowing.

Felix swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Let me stay," he pleaded. "Just—just me. I’ll stay with him."

The others exchanged glances.

"Felix…" Chan hesitated. He could already see the desperation in Felix’s face, the way his fingers twitched like he was physically holding himself back from gripping Hyunjin’s hand again.

"Please, hyung," Felix whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "I—I need to."

Chan studied him for a long moment before sighing quietly. "Fine," he relented. "But only if you promise to stay calm. No freaking out, no panicking, no keeping yourself awake all night watching him breathe."

Felix nodded quickly. "I swear."

Chan gave him a pointed look, searching his face for any sign that he might break that promise, but eventually sighed in defeat. "Alright. You can stay."

Felix exhaled, his shoulders sagging with relief.

Lee Know stretched, rolling his stiff shoulders. "Well, if we’re actually leaving, we better go before one of us passes out on the floor."

Jisung grumbled under his breath but didn’t argue.

Changbin gave Felix a light pat on the shoulder as he passed. "Take care of him."

"I will," Felix murmured.

Jeongin, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, hesitated by the door. He glanced back at Hyunjin once more before exhaling through his nose. "Make sure he doesn’t wake up alone," he mumbled.

Felix nodded. "I won’t."

Chan was the last to move toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at Hyunjin’s sleeping form. Then, with one final nod toward Felix, he turned and followed the others out.

The door clicked shut behind them.

And then—

It was just the two of them.

Felix let out a shaky breath, rubbing his hands together as he settled into the chair beside the bed. His gaze flickered over Hyunjin’s face, taking in the peaceful rise and fall of his chest, the way his lashes fluttered slightly even in sleep.

"You really scared us, Hyun," he murmured softly. "But I guess you already know that by now."

He let out a quiet, breathy chuckle, resting his chin against his arms as he leaned closer.

"Just… keep resting, okay?" he whispered. "I’ll be right here."

And for the first time in hours, the room felt a little less heavy.

+++++

The hospital room was quiet, bathed in the dim glow of the monitors. Outside, the world was still, the city wrapped in the silence of early morning. But inside, the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the soft hiss of the oxygen filled the air, grounding the fragile sense of peace that had settled over the room.

Hyunjin stirred.

Pain greeted him instantly—a deep, sharp ache radiating from his chest, pulling at his ribs with every shallow breath. His head felt heavy, his limbs sluggish, but none of that was what truly woke him.

It was the quiet, broken sound beside him.

A soft hiccup. A shaky inhale.

Slowly, Hyunjin turned his head, his lashes fluttering against the weight of exhaustion. And there—

Felix.

Curled up beside the bed, his arms folded beneath his head, his cheek resting against the mattress. His shoulders trembled slightly, his breath coming in uneven gasps.

Hyunjin’s chest ached—not just from the broken ribs, but from the sight in front of him.

Felix was crying.

Silently, like he was trying not to wake anyone.

Hyunjin’s fingers twitched weakly, then, with great effort, he lifted his hand and rested it gently on Felix’s head.

Felix stiffened instantly. His breath hitched.

Then—he lifted his head so fast that his hair was a mess, his tear-streaked face bathed in the low glow of the monitors. His eyes—red-rimmed, wide, glassy with fresh tears—locked onto Hyunjin’s.

"Hyun," Felix breathed, voice trembling.

Hyunjin’s lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. His throat burned like hell, but he forced the words out anyway. "Crying again?" His voice was barely a whisper—hoarse, fragile—but the teasing was there, however weak.

Felix let out a shaky breath, half a laugh, half a sob. He wiped at his face with the sleeve of his hoodie, sniffing hard. "You’re such a piece of shit, you know that?" His voice cracked in the middle. "Do you even realize what you just put us through?"

Hyunjin swallowed against the raw ache in his throat. His fingers curled slightly in Felix’s hair before falling limp again. "Sorry," he rasped.

Felix exhaled sharply, his fingers clenching against the mattress. "You better be sorry," he muttered. "I thought—I thought we lost you, Hyun. You died. Do you—" His voice broke. "Do you even get what that did to us?"

Hyunjin blinked slowly, his breath uneven. His chest hurt—not just from his ribs, but from the sheer emotion in Felix’s voice. The way his hands trembled slightly as he clenched the sheets.

"I didn’t mean to," he whispered.

Felix let out a humorless laugh, rubbing at his face again. "Yeah, well, you did a great job scaring the shit out of us anyway."

Hyunjin exhaled slowly. He wanted to say more—to comfort him, to tell him everything was okay now—but every word felt like sandpaper against his throat.

Instead, he did the only thing he could.

He reached out again, his fingers just barely grazing Felix’s wrist. A silent reassurance.

Felix inhaled sharply, his eyes flickering down to where Hyunjin’s hand weakly touched his own. Then he let out another breath—this one softer, shakier—before shifting his hand so that his fingers curled lightly around Hyunjin’s.

Hyunjin hummed quietly. His lashes fluttered. "You… should sleep," he murmured, his voice barely there.

Felix shook his head immediately. "I’m fine."

Hyunjin gave him a look—exhausted, but pointed.

Felix huffed, trying to shake off the weight pressing against his chest. "I am."

Hyunjin’s lips quirked up in the faintest of smirks. "Liar."

Felix scoffed, running a hand through his messy hair. "You’re one to talk."

Hyunjin’s fingers curled slightly against the sheets. He inhaled slowly, then, ignoring every warning his body screamed at him, he shifted slightly—just an inch to the side.

Pain exploded through his ribs.

A sharp, searing agony that stole his breath instantly. His jaw clenched, his nails digging weakly into the blanket, but he refused to make a sound.

Felix immediately noticed. "Hyunjin! What the hell are you doing? Stop moving—"

Hyunjin exhaled shakily, swallowing the pain down as best as he could. "Just…" He sucked in another careful breath. "Move… over."

Felix blinked. "What?"

Hyunjin shifted again—barely a fraction of an inch, but enough to open just a little space beside him. He lifted his trembling fingers and pointed at the empty part of the bed.

"Come here," he whispered.

Felix froze.

His breath caught in his throat. "Hyun—"

"Please," Hyunjin murmured, voice hoarse, weak.

Felix hesitated. His gaze flickered from Hyunjin’s tired eyes to the empty space beside him. His fingers twitched at his sides. "I—"

"You need sleep," Hyunjin whispered. "And I don’t… want to be alone."

Felix’s lips parted slightly. His chest ached—not from exhaustion, not from stress, but from the quiet vulnerability in Hyunjin’s voice.

Slowly, hesitantly, he moved.

He climbed onto the bed carefully, mindful of Hyunjin’s fragile state. He hovered slightly, still unsure.

Hyunjin exhaled, barely able to keep his eyes open. "You’re so stubborn," he mumbled.

Felix let out a small, breathy laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look who’s talking."

With one last glance at Hyunjin—checking, just to make sure—Felix finally laid down beside him.

He was careful. So, so careful. He didn’t let his weight sink into the mattress too much, didn’t shift too suddenly. Instead, he lowered his head just over Hyunjin’s heart, resting lightly against his chest—far away from the broken ribs, avoiding anything that might cause him more pain.

Hyunjin let out a slow, relieved exhale, his fingers barely brushing against Felix’s sleeve.

Felix swallowed. He could hear it.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

The steady rhythm of Hyunjin’s heartbeat.

Proof that he was still here. Still alive.

Felix closed his eyes, his breath finally evening out. "Is this okay?" he whispered.

Hyunjin hummed softly, the corners of his lips tugging up in the faintest smile. "Yeah."

Felix let out a quiet breath. "Good."

And for the first time since this nightmare started—

He slept with the sound of Hyunjin's heart.

++++

The morning sunlight filtered in through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the hospital room. The air was quiet, peaceful, only disturbed by the soft beeping of the monitors and the slow, steady rise and fall of Hyunjin’s chest.

The door creaked open.

Lee Know and Chan stepped inside, moving cautiously, expecting to find Felix wide awake, fussing over Hyunjin—or maybe even Hyunjin struggling to stay conscious despite the pain.

Instead, they froze.

On the hospital bed, curled up like two exhausted kittens, were Hyunjin and Felix—both still fast asleep.

Felix’s head was resting lightly against Hyunjin’s chest, his body tucked in close, his breathing slow and even. And Hyunjin, who had looked so weak and fragile just hours ago, now had the most peaceful expression on his face. No tension. No pain. Just calm.

Lee Know blinked. Then smirked. "Huh. Didn’t know we were filming a K-drama in here."

Chan rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile forming on his lips. "Felix is literally using Hyunjin as a pillow."

Lee Know crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Honestly, I’m impressed. Didn’t think Hyunjin had the strength to carry this much emotional damage and Felix’s weight at the same time. Think we should take a picture? You know… for blackmail purposes."

Chan elbowed him lightly. "Come on, don’t ruin the moment. You think we should wake them up?"

Lee Know scoffed. "Are you insane? Felix will bite us. And Hyunjin might die again just to get out of dealing with reality."

Chan hummed in agreement, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Fair point." His gaze lingered on Hyunjin for a moment before he turned to Lee Know, his smile shifting into something more teasing. "Sooo… I’m guessing this means you’re not planning on putting Hyunjin in the air fryer anymore?"

Lee Know huffed dramatically. "Tch. I was considering it, but since he technically already got roasted by life itself, I’ll let him off the hook. For now."

Chan snorted. "Wow. That’s so generous of you."

Lee Know smirked. "I know. I should get a medal for this level of restraint."

Chan rolled his eyes before nodding toward the door. "Let’s let them sleep. They deserve it."

Lee Know sighed, giving one last glance at Hyunjin’s face—the peaceful expression, the slow, steady breathing. His fingers twitched at his sides, as if fighting the instinct to reach out, to check one last time that Hyunjin was really okay.

Then he nodded.

"Yeah," he murmured. "They do."

And with that, they slipped out of the room, leaving behind the two people who had scared them half to death—now tangled together in the safest, warmest sleep they’d had in days.

And for the first time, it truly felt like things would be okay.