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Donghyuck was consumed by an aching sense of hopelessness.
He leaned forward in his creaking chair, pressing his knuckles to his forehead. He sighed for the nth time that day as if sighing could relieve him of the stuffiness in his chest. The hospital hallways were constantly busy with people flooding in and out yet they were nothing but a blur to him. The only thing on his mind was how he'd never forgive himself if his dad never woke up again.
It had been a couple of months since he moved out and last saw his parents; he had spoken to them maybe twice or thrice on the phone since then, each conversation focused on what they could do to make him come home. Each time as well, Donghyuck would refuse. He didn't have it in him to see his parents together as a couple, not after it took his entire adolescence for him to heal from the consequences of their poorly lived marriage. He had managed to maintain a close bond with both his parents separately and he was content for the rest of his life. He never cared for their dating lives as long as it was a safe and healthy relationship. Them dating each other was not something he wanted—it was much more the opposite.
Deep down, he knew he should hear them out and he knew they'd listen to his concerns too. But he couldn't, especially not when he was a suspect of cybercrime on top of all the other messy things going on in his life. Now that most of his issues had been resolved or disposed of, he had no excuse to ignore his heavy parents problems anymore. He vowed that he'd reach out to them the moment he was done with his finals which was three hours ago, but time caught up with him first. Right as he was cheering with his classmates over submitting their last paper of the semester, he saw the concerning number of missed calls from his mother.
The phone on the empty chair next to him buzzed and he immediately picked it up, hoping to see the response he wanted. A small smile grew on Donghyuck's face seeing texts from his Renjun's Husbands groupchat; he had opened up to his best friends about his family situation recently, so as he informed them about his father's unfortunate accident, the boys were frantic on his behalf. He assured them that no, they didn't have to come see him and yes, Jaemin should still take a shower.
He appreciated seeing their concern and felt a twinge of guilt from ever being hesitant about sharing his problem with them. Yet that wasn't what he was hoping for. Donghyuck opened the text message he just received from Chaeryeong and he was neither disappointed nor surprised.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Hyuck :( But I'm helping out with my cousin's bridal shower and I can't leave :( We can meet tonight if you want?
Donghyuck scoffed in somewhat humorous disbelief. He wasn't hoping that she'd drop everything for him despite his gentle request of giving him some company—he hoped she would respond exactly the way she did. Some part of him was numb, but a good majority of him was relieved that Chaeryeong was still the same. At least he wouldn't feel guilty about what he would be saying to her that weekend at their dinner date.
