You Belong With Me | Jeongcheol Fanfic

Chapter 53

The next day dawned with a dim light filtering through the hospital curtains, casting soft shadows on Jeonghan's still form. Seungcheol, despite feeling the fatigue weighing down his limbs, forced himself to wake up early. He had barely slept the night before, the anxiety and fear keeping him wide awake as he monitored the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor beside Jeonghan.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, fighting the effects of jet lag that clung to him like a heavy fog. Seungcheol had taken a red-eye flight, rushing to New York without a second thought, and the exhaustion was beginning to catch up with him. But none of that mattered—he needed to be there for Jeonghan.

Sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, he brushed a stray strand of hair away from Jeonghan's forehead, his fingers trembling slightly. He wanted so desperately for Jeonghan to wake up, to see those familiar, bright eyes staring back at him, filled with mischief and warmth.

"Hey, it's me," he murmured softly, even though he knew Jeonghan couldn't hear him. "I know you're in there, and I need you to come back to me. Everyone's worried sick. We can't do this without you."

Seungcheol picked up Jeonghan's hand, cradling it gently in his own, feeling the chill of his skin. He pressed a tender kiss to the back of Jeonghan's hand, hoping his warmth would seep through. "I'm so tired, but I'll stay right here until you wake up. You can't leave me, okay? I won't let you go."

Just then, a nurse entered the room, checking the monitors and adjusting the IV drip. Seungcheol looked up, grateful for the presence of someone who could help. "How's he doing?" he asked, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

The nurse offered a reassuring smile. "He's stable right now. We're monitoring him closely. The next few days are critical, but we're doing everything we can."

Seungcheol nodded, feeling a slight wave of relief wash over him. At least he wasn't getting worse. "Thank you," he said, trying to smile through the fatigue. The nurse continued her work, and Seungcheol returned his attention to Jeonghan, willing him to wake up.

After a few moments of silence, he took a deep breath and decided to talk about the things that had been weighing on his heart. "You know, I really miss you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I miss your laughter, your silly comments... everything. I can't believe you left me here all alone. We were supposed to experience this together, remember? You promised me that we'd conquer New York together."

He recalled the countless plans they had made, the dreams they had shared. Jeonghan was supposed to be there, exploring the city, navigating their new lives side by side. "It's just not the same without you," Seungcheol continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "I thought I could handle it, but I can't. You're my other half, Jeonghan. I need you to come back."

Time passed slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity. Seungcheol eventually leaned back in the chair, fatigue washing over him again. He closed his eyes for a moment, but sleep eluded him. Instead, he found himself reminiscing about their shared moments—cuddling on the couch, lazy mornings filled with laughter, and those late-night talks where they'd dream about their future.

After what felt like hours, the nurse returned to check on Jeonghan again. Seungcheol straightened in his chair, forcing himself to stay alert. "Is there any change?" he asked, his heart pounding.

The nurse shook her head gently. "Not yet, but he's still stable. Just keep talking to him. Sometimes hearing familiar voices can help."

With renewed determination, Seungcheol leaned closer to Jeonghan. "I know you can hear me. I won't give up on you, not now, not ever. We have so much left to do together. You promised to show me the best coffee shops in New York, and I want to see them with you. So please, just wake up. I need you."