Our Girl Book 1 {Stray Kids Fanfiction}

Chapter 143: I Love You

During I.N's surgery, everyone kept telling her that he would be ok, but they were just comforting words to cheer her up at that point. When she finally heard it from Seungmin's mouth, she allowed herself to believe it. But the fear she felt was still real- still fresh.

She was terrified that she'd never hear his voice again- that she'd never hear the way her nickname rolled off his tongue- that she'd never see the love and desire that flowed from his eyes when he looked at her- that she'd never feel the gentleness of his touch or the warmth of his embrace. That she'd never again hear him say, 'I love you.'

When she felt his thumb graze across the top of her hand, her body froze. When the words, 'don't worry, darling' danced through her ears, her breath hitched. She couldn't explain the reaction. She couldn't explain the emotion. It was as if the earth's gravity lifted her and pulled her to directly into his arms.

He winced in pain as he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't care. He'd continue to hold her as tight as he could, never letting go no matter how painful it was. He knew she needed to feel him as much as he needed to feel her.

She was all he thought about. As their van crashed, he saw her smile. When the man approached their van as they tried to get out, he heard her laugh. When the bullet pierced through his side, he saw her cradling their baby. As he faded into the darkness, it was her voice telling him to fight. It was her kiss that kept bringing him back to consciousness.

When he slept through the anesthesia, he saw their future. He saw her stand before him in the white wedding dress that hugged her skin so elegantly. He saw her playing with their daughter as she cradled their son. He saw their children run and play together on the beach as he held her close to him. He saw every reason to fight for his life, so he did. And each time the images started to fade, he fought harder to get them back.

Despite the pain he was feeling, he pulled her closer, carefully and slowly guiding her into the small empty space beside him.

When he felt her tear fall onto his chest, he brought his hand to the back of her head as he pressed his lips into her hair. "Shhh. Darling, don't cry." He whispered softly.

He carefully raised her from his chest. His hands immediately hugged her face as their eyes met. "I love you." Was all he said before pulling her in for a passionate, purposeful, lingering kiss. Those three words. Those eight letters were all it took to settle the dense fog that had gathered inside her head.

The moment I.N woke, Seungmin walked back to his desk. As he watched the two, he smiled through his struggle to choke back the lump he felt in his throat. He had to contain his emotions that still lingered from the day's events. He and Han had agreed to never tell her how close she was to losing him.

If she knew what happened in the operating room, she'd never recover. It would haunt her. He, himself, was still haunted by the words that came from his lips. 'Time of death- 15:42.'

I.N had already flatlined three times. Seungmin knew his weakening heart couldn't withstand a fourth, so when that too familiar piercing tone invaded their ears, they knew it was over. They desperately worked to bring him back, but their hope was quickly fading. After several minutes with no results, Seungmin called the time of death.

Something triggered in Han when he heard those words. He was losing patience, and his desperation took over his actions. He angrily shouted as he relentlessly pounded his fists into I.N's chest.

Seungmin was stunned at the words coming out of Han's mouth. He had never spoken to him that way. His mind kept telling him to stop him, but he couldn't. He was frozen.

"You're not fucking leaving her you fucking son of a bitch! Wake the fuck up!" Seungmin knew he'd remember those words forever. Those were the words that Han spewed as he landed the final blow into I.N's chest. Then it happened. The long, drawn-out tone stopped and changed to a steady beep.

As Seungmin watched I.N and Lily, he was still in a state of disbelief. He needed to do a quick exam, but this moment was too important. Too special. For all three of them.

I.N slowly brought her back against his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around her while his chin rested against the top of her head.

They held each other, not saying a word. The contact was all they needed. Her tears had finally stopped, and her thoughts faded away, so she allowed herself to simply bask in his presence.

Seungmin picked up his phone to inform the others that I.N had woken up. Just as he sent the message, Leeknow quietly opened the medbay door and stepped in with a bowl of soup for Lily.

He smiled and let out a sigh of relief when he saw Lily in I.N's arms. "Thank God. It's about time you woke up. Maybe you can make her eat." He said teasingly as he placed the bowl on the table next to the bed.

I.N chuckled but quickly hissed at the pain, causing Lily to instantly pull away from him.

"Save the jokes, baby daddy." Seungmin said as he walked toward the bed.

Leeknow leaned down and gave I.N a hug. "I'm glad you're ok, man." He said in a suddenly serious tone just before smiling again. "But seriously- make her eat."

"Darling-" I.N said with a tired, quiet tone. "Eat."

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek before reaching for the soup. Just as she was taking her first bite, the medbay door swung open.

"Then can I be your boyfriend?" Changbin yelled to Hyunjin as they entered the room.

"Ew." Hyunjin said as he snarled his nose.

"Hyunjin is my wife! Leave him alone!" Han argued as he followed behind them.

Felix trailed in behind them with a puzzled expression. "That's disgusting, Changbin! Hyunjin is your mom! Stick with chasing I.N!"

"Oh, right. Forgot that part." Changbin scoffed. He snapped his gaze to I.N and he walked toward him with one hand stretched out and the other over his heart. "I.N! Can I be your boyfriend?"

I.N shook his head and smiled as he rested his head back against the pillow. "This, again?" He mumbled as he stifled his laughter.

"I'm gonna let you know- I'm never giving up!" Changbin continued as he dramatically gripped the fabric of his shirt over his heart.

Chan pinched the bridge of his nose as Lily rolled her eyes and laughed, welcoming the instantly chaotic atmosphere.

I.N closed his eyes, taking in the laughter that now filled the room. He took a deep breath and though his voice was quiet and weak, everyone heard what he said over the noise. "I love you guys."

A/N: In honor of Chapter 143, I've hidden Case 143 lyrics (or variations of the lyrics) all through the chapter. Happy hunting!