𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 | 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿.𝟮 ✓

18

The hospital room was heavy with tension. The sound of Ho-Seok’s cries and whimpers could be heard from the hallway, raw and filled with pain, echoing off the sterile walls of the hospital. His suffering was unbearable, but there was nothing anyone could do to ease it. Outside of the room, Yoon-Gi’s heart shattered with each agonizing sound his lover made. His face was streaked with tears, his expression a mix of pain, worry, and self-blame. The guilt weighed him down like a heavy stone, his mind repeatedly replaying the events that led to this moment—how Ho-Seok had fallen because of him.

Beside him, Woo-Seok’s face mirrored his pain. His expression was grim, worry etched deep into his features as he looked toward the door, listening to the cries coming from inside. Both brothers stood there, helpless. Their parents were standing behind them, exchanging worried glances, unsure of what to say or how to comfort them.

The sound of the door opening interrupted the tension. A doctor emerged, her face drawn, her eyes tired but calm. Yoon-Gi’s body went rigid, his eyes locking onto her immediately.

Before he could even speak, Woo-Seok stepped forward, his voice cutting through the air. “Is he okay? And the baby?” He asked urgently, his worry betraying his calm façade.

The doctor looked between the two brothers, her expression softening. “They’re both stable,” she said, her tone professional yet reassuring. “But we need to do an early delivery. By early, I mean right now. We need to act quickly.”

Yoon-Gi’s breath hitched at the words. His heart raced, but a wave of relief washed over him. His loved ones were safe. They were going to be okay. The baby would be born.

“Okay, doctor, do it,” Woo-Seok said, his voice steady, though it trembled slightly with underlying concern.

The doctor nodded, turning toward the door. “You can go in if you wish to be with your husband.”

As the doctor stepped aside, Woo-Seok walked toward the room, while Yoon-Gi watched him with sadness. Just as Woo-Seok was about to enter, he stopped, his gaze shifting to his brother. A quiet sadness passed through his eyes as he placed a hand on Yoon-Gi's shoulder. "Go," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper.

Yoon-Gi’s eyes widened. “Hyung?” he murmured, his voice breaking.

“You need to be with him,” Woo-Seok said, his voice steady despite the emotional weight of the moment. “He’ll need you now more than ever.”

Yoon-Gi’s face crumpled with emotion. “Thank you,” he whispered through his tears, then wrapped his right hand around Woo-Seok in a brief but tight hug.

With a final, tear-filled glance at his brother, Yoon-Gi walked past him and into the delivery room.

Woo-Seok felt his eyes welling with tears, but he quickly wiped them away. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, a silent comfort.

"I'm okay, Dad," Woo-Seok murmured, knowing his father was feeling sympathy for him. He glanced up, his voice tinged with frustration. "He's back. Why didn’t anyone tell me?"

His words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. His parents exchanged a quiet look, their silence speaking volumes.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the tension of a life hanging in the balance. Ho-Seok was in pain, his face contorted as he clung to the edge of the bed. His breath was shallow and uneven, and his body trembled with every contraction. His hand reached out, instinctively searching for Yoon-Gi’s touch, and the moment their fingers met, he gripped onto him desperately. His eyes met Yoon-Gi’s with a mixture of exhaustion and fear.

“H-hyung...” Ho-Seok’s voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

“I’m here,” Yoon-Gi said softly, his voice full of tenderness as he held his lover’s hand tightly. His fingers pressed against Ho-Seok’s, trying to offer as much comfort as he could. “I’m right here.”

Ho-Seok squeezed his hand in response, though his face twisted with the effort of the next contraction. He gasped for air, his body trembling, and Yoon-Gi could feel the sweat beading on his lover’s skin as he struggled through the pain.

“It’s too much, hyung. I can’t...” Ho-Seok’s voice faltered, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Yoon-Gi leaned closer, wiping away the sweat from Ho-Seok’s forehead, his eyes full of empathy. “Yes, you can. You’re so strong. We’re in this together, okay? Just a little more, sweetheart. Our baby will be in your arms soon.”

The doctor was at his side, adjusting equipment, checking vitals, and preparing for the birth. The nurse worked quietly in the background, moving with efficiency to ensure everything was running smoothly.

With each new contraction, Ho-Seok’s grip tightened around Yoon-Gi’s hand, his face contorting with the pressure. His eyes locked onto Yoon-Gi’s, and for a moment, everything else in the world seemed to disappear.

“You’re almost there, Ho-Seok,” the doctor encouraged, her voice firm but comforting. “Just a few more pushes, and you’ll have your baby.”

Ho-Seok nodded, tears streaming down his face as he focused on the task at hand. He took a deep breath and pushed with all his strength. Every muscle in his body strained, his voice breaking into a cry as he fought through the pain.

Yoon-Gi’s heart ached with each sound, each strain. “You’re doing so well. Just keep going.”

The doctor moved quickly, pressing gently on Ho-Seok’s belly to guide the baby into position. A soft whimper of relief passed from the nurse as she checked the baby’s heartbeat, signaling that everything was proceeding as planned.

Then, with a final push, the room was filled with the loud, piercing cry of a newborn. The sound of life.

The doctor immediately placed the baby on Ho-Seok’s chest, wrapping the tiny body in a soft, warm blanket. Yoon-Gi watched in awe as his lover, exhausted and tear-streaked, gazed down at their newborn son.

Ho-Seok’s voice was shaky but full of emotion. “Our baby... Hyung, look. Our son.”

Yoon-Gi’s own tears fell freely as he looked down at the tiny face, still red from birth, but already full of life. His heart swelled with a love he hadn’t known was possible.

“Our son,” Yoon-Gi whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He placed a gentle kiss on the baby’s forehead, his heart overwhelmed with pride and joy. “Ji-Min. Our little Ji-Min.”

Ho-Seok looked up at him, his eyes full of love, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a peaceful smile spread across his face. “We did it, hyung,” he whispered, his voice soft with relief. “Our little miracle is here.”

Yoon-Gi leaned in, pressing his forehead against Ho-Seok’s, and for a moment, the world outside the delivery room ceased to exist. It was just the three of them, their hearts intertwined in a bond that no one could break.

🌷🌷🌷

Please give me feedback, but not as a Sope shipper. I want a logical perspective—what would you do if you were in Ho-Seok, Yoon-Gi, or Woo-Seok's position? I want your opinion as a reader, not as a shipper, because it will help me develop the story further.

The endgame will remain Sope, but I want to do justice to every character.

Check previous chapter in case you missed it.