The Empire (Underworld 3) MW

19: The Bonds That Heal

One evening, it was raining heavily. Wonwoo was alone in the penthouse he shared with Mingyu. Bedridden with a terrible fever, he was so ill that he couldn't even move. His body ached, and every breath felt like a struggle. He tried calling Chan and Jihoon for help, but his strength was failing him. The world around him seemed to spin, and he felt as though he was slipping away.

Wonwoo's vision blurred as he lay on the bed, shivering and drenched in sweat. He could barely lift his phone to make another call. A sense of despair washed over him, thinking he might die alone in the penthouse. His thoughts were muddled, and he could feel consciousness slipping away.

Just as darkness began to take over, he heard a familiar voice cutting through the haze.

"Wonwoo? What happened? Are you sick?"

Before Wonwoo could comprehend whose voice it was, he felt a strong pair of arms scooping him up from the bed. The warmth and strength of the embrace were oddly comforting, and he allowed himself to relax, knowing he was safe.

When Wonwoo opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. He looked around and realized it was a hospital room. The sterile smell, the beeping of monitors, and the cold, white sheets confirmed it. He was lying on a hospital bed, his body still weak but his fever significantly reduced.

He turned his head slightly and saw Mingyu dozing off on the couch beside him. Mingyu's usually neat hair was tousled, and there were dark circles under his eyes, indicating he hadn't slept well. Wonwoo's mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. He remembered the voice before he fainted – it was Mingyu's voice.

Wonwoo's heart swelled with gratitude. He knew Mingyu was the one who had brought him to the hospital, the one who had saved him. He tried to sit up, wincing at the pain, but the effort made him cough violently. The sound woke Mingyu, who immediately sprang to his feet.

"Wonwoo, don't try to move too much," Mingyu said, his voice filled with concern. He moved closer, gently placing a hand on Wonwoo's shoulder to keep him lying down.

"Mingyu... you... you brought me here?" Wonwoo asked, his voice hoarse.

Mingyu nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah, I came home and found you in such a bad state. You were burning up with fever. I couldn't just leave you there."

Wonwoo's eyes filled with tears, the overwhelming emotions breaking through. "Thank you, Mingyu. I... I thought I was going to die."

Mingyu squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't say that. You're going to be fine. The doctors said you just need rest and medication."

Wonwoo looked at Mingyu, his eyes filled with gratitude and something else – a deeper, unspoken feeling. "I owe you my life."

Mingyu shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. We're in this together, remember? And besides, I couldn't just leave you like that. You're important to me, Wonwoo."

The sincerity in Mingyu's words struck a chord in Wonwoo's heart. He realized that despite their complicated relationship, Mingyu genuinely cared for him. It was a moment of clarity that changed something fundamental between them.

"Mingyu, I... I don't know what to say," Wonwoo murmured, his voice choked with emotion.

Mingyu smiled, his eyes warm and kind. "You don't have to say anything. Just focus on getting better. That's all that matters right now. And I've informed Chan and Jihoon as well, they must be coming soon."

As Mingyu sat back down on the couch, keeping a vigilant eye on Wonwoo, the atmosphere in the room was filled with a new sense of understanding and connection. The rain outside continued to pour, but inside the hospital room, a fragile bond was beginning to form, one that neither of them could ignore.