best ex-lover

13

In the chaos of the emergency room, with nurses moving swiftly to attend to Fourth, Gemini's desperation peaked. He tried to follow Fourth, needing to be by his side, but was met with firm resistance.

"I need to be with him! Please, he needs me!" Gemini pleaded, his voice edged with panic as he attempted to push past the hospital staff.

"Sir, you have to stay back," a nurse insisted, blocking his path with a firm hand on his chest.
As the situation escalated, Dr. Mix, familiar with Fourth and his condition, quickly approached Gemini.

"Mr., please, let us do our job. He is in good hands," Seeing the desperation in Gemini's eyes, he continued, "I know you're scared, but you being here in the way isn't helping him. Let us take care of him."

When Gemini's distress didn't subside, and seeing his agitated state, Dr. Mix made a quick decision. He signaled for a nurse, who came with a sedative. "This will help calm you down," he explained before administering the injection with Gemini's reluctant nod. Once Gemini was more manageable, Dr. Mix guided him to his office, away from the bustling ER.

———

As Gemini stumbled to his feet, still dazed from the sedative, his first thought was of Fourth, his boyfriend, whom he had rushed to the ER due to a severe coughing. However, as he made to leave the unknown office, the doctor firm voice halted him.

"Wait, Mr..."

"Norawit."

"Right, we need to talk about Nattawat's condition," Dr. Mix stated, a serious undertone to his voice that immediately caught Gemini's full attention. The doctor gestured for Gemini to sit down again, signaling the conversation they were about to have.

"Nattawat is facing a severe allergic reaction, which has significantly impacted his respiratory system," Dr. Mix began, carefully crafting each word, "It's a condition that mimics many symptoms, but in this case, it's more about managing the allergic response."

"How do we treat this? What does he need?" Gemini asked, desperation threading through his voice. He was ready to move mountains if that's what it took to see Fourth healthy and smiling again.

"It's important to start on these medications right away and keep a close eye on his breathing. We want to make sure he gets through this without any complications."

"Anything doc. I'll do anything,"

As Gemini stepped out of Dr. Mix's office, his mind raced with thoughts of Fourth's supposed condition and the treatment plan laid out before him. He approached the nurses' station, seeking information about his boyfriend's current whereabouts.

"Excuse me," Gemini began, his voice steady, "Can you tell me where I can find Nattawat Jirochtikul?"
One of them, tapping quickly on a keyboard, looked up Fourth's location in the system. "He's been moved to a room for closer observation," the nurse explained, providing Gemini with the room number.

"It's just down the corridor to the left. Would you like someone to take you there?"

"No, thank you. I can find it."

As he turned to make his way down the corridor, his steps quickened with purpose. Reaching the door with the room number given to him, Gemini took a deep breath, steeling himself for the sight of Fourth, for the reality of his condition.

As Gemini settled into the room, finding Fourth looking long way awake and relieved to see him, the air between them was filled with unspoken questions and concerns. Gemini, still processing Dr. Mix's explanation, broached the subject cautiously.

"Fourth, the doctor mentioned you had a severe allergic reaction. Why didn't you tell me?" Gemini's voice was soft, tinged with worry and confusion.

Fourth, caught off guard by Gemini's sudden question and the made up story from Dr. Mix, realized the precarious situation he was in. With a moment's hesitation, he chose to play along,

"I... I didn't want to worry you more than necessary," Fourth improvised, offering a weak smile. "I thought it was just a bad cold at first."

Gemini, though puzzled, accepted Fourth's explanation, choosing trust over doubt. They shared moments of quiet conversation and tender cuddling, finding solace in each other's presence amidst the uncertainty.
However, this peaceful breal was abruptly interrupted by Dr. Mix's arrival. The doctor's entrance was firm, his demeanor signaling the seriousness of his visit.

"Mr., I need you to step outside for a moment," Dr. Mix said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Gemini stood, casting a worried glance toward Fourth before leaving the room.
Once Gemini had left, Dr. Mix turned to Fourth, his expression softening.

"We need to discuss your pneumonia," he began, finally addressing the real issue at hand. Fourth, now faced with the gravity of his situation, listened intently as Dr. Mix explained the severity of his pneumonia, the necessary treatments, and the potential risks involved.

"Did you lie to Gemini for me?" Dr. Mix, his expression thoughtful, nodded.

"...Yes, I did. Perhaps I shouldn't have, but in the moment, it seemed like the best way to protect you both. I thought it might spare Gemini some worry and give you a chance to tell him on your terms."

Fourth, understanding the doctor's intentions yet feeling the burden of the secret grow heavier, nodded.

"It's important, now more than ever, that you talk to Gemini. The condition... it's getting more serious, especially with the coughing up blood you have been mentioning. It's a clear sign that we need to be more aggressive in our treatment and that Gemini needs to be fully aware of what's happening."

Dr. Mix outlined the need for immediate, more intensive treatment options, emphasizing that time was of the essence. He spoke of precautions to prevent the condition from worsening, such as ensuring a sterile environment, increasing the frequency of medical check-ups, and possibly adjusting the treatment plan based on Fourth's response to the current regimen.
Fourth listened intently, the reality of his health situation sinking in.