Fang paced anxiously outside the hospital room, Marc's small form still being examined by the doctors.. His heart was pounding too loudly in his chest, his mind a swirling mess of exhaustion, anger, and worry. He couldn't understand why Tan wasn't here. Why hadn't he been by his side when their son needed him the most?
Fang finally snapped, his fingers flying over the screen as he angrily typed a message to Tan.
Fang: "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? You've been gone for hours, and I had to deal with everything on my own. marc's sick, and you're nowhere to be found!"
Fang hit send, but his hands were trembling, his stomach twisted into knots. Where was Tan? The frustration burned in his chest. He needed Tan. He should have been there.
Fang shook his head, almost throwing the phone in frustration. Caught up in something? This was his son, their son. How could Tan not be here?
Tears welled up, but Fang fought them back, holding himself together just enough to focus on Marc. He needed to focus on Marc right now. The baby was his priority.
It felt like hours before the doctor finally came out. He was kind, his face calm, but his words were a blur in Fang's ears. All he could think about was Marc. Finally, the doctor spoke.
Doctor: "He's stable now. We've given him fluids, and his fever's gone down. He's just dehydrated, but he'll be fine with some rest. We'll monitor him overnight to be sure, but he should make a full recovery."
Fang let out a long, shaky breath, relief flooding his body. He dropped his head into his hands, trying to steady himself.
Fang (muttering to himself): "Thank God..."
Before he could even process the relief, he heard a voice behind him.
Phum: "Fang!"
Phum and Tan rushed into the hallway, both panting as if they'd been running. Tan's face was filled with worry, but as soon as he saw Fang, a mix of guilt and frustration crossed his features.
Tan (breathlessly): "I'm so sorry. I-I didn't realize-"
Fang didn't let him finish. The floodgates broke open.
Fang (yelling): "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU, TAN?!"
His voice was raw, his words filled with so much pent-up anger and hurt. Why hadn't Tan been there? Why did he have to go through all of this alone?
Tan froze, shock on his face. He looked at Fang, but before he could say anything, Fang kept going, his voice cracking as the exhaustion and frustration bubbled over.
Fang: "I had to call Peem! I had to deal with Marc on my own. Do you have any idea how terrified I was? What if something happened to him, Tan? What would I have done?"
Tan's face faltered, guilt flooding in. But before he could apologize, he snapped back, anger seeping into his voice.
Tan (defensively): "You think I wasn't worried? What was I supposed to do?"
Fang's hands shook with rage. He stepped forward, his voice low and furious.
Fang: "You should have been here, Tan. You should have been here from the start! I don't need excuses, I need my partner. I need you!"
Tan flinched, feeling the sting of Fang's words like a slap. His own anger started to rise.
Tan (shouting back): "Don't act like you're the only one going through this, Fang! I've been dealing with this, too. I didn't know what to do. You never told me what was going on until it was too late!"
