Then I Wake

Chapter 15

This chapter may make no sense whatsoever I'm tired and crying ok?

Yunho

"Mingi..." I whisper softly, taking his hand, "Mingi, I'm here..."

San says he's fine, and I desperately want to believe him. Just... I've never seen Mingi so weak. He's always been strong, he's always protected me. Even though I'm older.

I've always felt so safe around him. He always makes me feel loved. And now, he needs me.

"Hey, Yunho?" Hongjoong kneels beside me. "We need to head back. We can look after Mingi better at home. San will help you carry-"

"No." I pick Mingi up myself. "I'll take him alone. It's alright."

I barely feel his weight on my arms. I don't know if it's just the adrenaline, or the need to help him, but he's incredibly light.

Well, there is another possibility, but that worries me. I'm scared he's been starving himself for me. He always manages to give me some of his food when he doesn't finish.

Now I think about it, he never finishes his food. Even when it's Seonghwa's-

No, Wooyoung's-

No. No, no, no. Lee Know has been cooking for us while they've been staying. His food is delicious, but it's not the same. Nothing is the same anymore.

Right now, none of that matters. Just getting Mingi home.

He'll be ok. I know he will.

We'll be ok.

The only thing on my mind as we walk is Mingi. I'm oblivious to everything else, I just want him to be ok.

"He'll be ok, Yunho." Yeosang and Lee Know have rejoined us, Lee Know and Bang Chan carrying Han between them. "Do you want me to swap with Mingi tonight? I'll go with San tonight, and you can stay with Mingi?"

He's so thoughtful.

"You would? Thank you, Yeosang. Really, thank you."

He nods and goes to San to let him know.

As soon as we get home, I take Mingi into my room, laying him on my bed and gently wiping the blood away with a damp cloth.

I've been careful to keep the cloth at a comfortable temperature: not hot, but not cold either. Just a gentle warmth.

Today has really made me realise how much we've lost. We only just got Taeyang back, and she's gone again. Forever.

It seems so long ago, when we lost her. But it really wasn't.

We've lost so much. So many of our friends. Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Han, Hyunjin...

I can't lose Mingi.

I won't lose him.

My eyes feel heavy. I'll just rest my head, I'll stay awake...

"Yunho..."

I wake up to a gentle whisper and a hand brushing my cheek.

Opening my eyes, I see Mingi looking down at me, smiling softly.

"Mingi!" I exclaim, not lifting my head, wanting to stay in this moment forever. "I was so worried..."

He laughs, pure and gentle. "I'm sure you were. Please, don't be. That's my job."

God, I love him.

"Come on, Yunho, come up and join me." He offers me his hand, and I lie next to him, my head on his chest. His breathing is steady, and comforting. I hear his heart beating.