“I am so sorry,” Dr. Lee said, “time of death is at…”

.

.

.

Beep.

.

.

.

The room froze in silence.

Beep.

Everyone looked up at the heart monitor in shock.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

“Oh my god,” Dr. Lee said with and eyes wide, “that’s impossible.”

Baekhyun fell to his knees as the nurses stared at Dr. Lee in disbelief.  “Patient has resumed normal rhythm,” she said. “That’s not possible, this has to be a joke,” she continued, baffled by the medical miracle she was witnessing.

Everyone in the room jumped by a sudden choking sound that came from Chanyeol.

The next thing Baekhyun knew, his vision went black.

------------

“Chanyeol? Can you hear me Chanyeol?” Chanyeol groaned as Suho’s voice practically screamed in his ear. His eyelids felt like lead and he was in so much pain but he slowly flashed his eyes open. “Shhh…hyung,” he groaned. “Oh! I’m sorry. Here, drink some water,” Suho said as he held up a cup of water with a straw for Chanyeol to sip out of. “Ahh, thank you. Sehun? You’re here too?” “Hi hyung,” Sehun said. “Hi” Chanyeol whispered, “What happened to me?”

“You got punched in the stomach and it caused the artery in your kidney to burst again like when you got hit with the shrap metal during active duty,” Sehun replied. “Don’t worry, they’ve secured it again temporarily but they will have to operate again to make it something more permanent,” Suho added.

“Oh,” Chanyeol mumbled. He looked between Suho and Sehun, why did he feel like something was missing? “Where’s…where’s Baekhyun?” He sighed at his own disappointment that Baekhyun wasn’t there this time like he had been before.

“He’s in another room,” Suho replied. “What? Why? What happened?” Chanyeol asked, getting increasingly worried. “Um…well…” Suho stuttered, exchanging looks with Sehun, “so, your heart stopped again….and Baekhyun…well, Baekhyun was there…and um…this time your heart wouldn’t start beating after multiple attempts. The doctor was about to claim you as being dead which Baekhyun didn’t take to well…at all...and actually passed out.”

“And smashed his brain on the floor.” “Sehun!” Suho groaned, smacking him on the shoulder. “What?!” Chanyeol yelled. Chanyeol started pulling at the wires and tubes that penetrated his body. “Hey! No, Chanyeol stop!” Suho said sternly. “But Baekhyun needs me!” he whined. “He’s fine Chanyeol – he just has a minor concussion. You need to stay in bed or you could tear your artery again. Luhan is with him, okay?” Suho soothed.

“I want updates,” Chanyeol insisted. “Absolutely,” Suho confirmed. “So...if my heart wasn’t responding to the shocks…how did it start again?” he asked hesitantly, expecting some response about a new age science experiment. “No idea. Some are saying that it was a miracle. Dr. Lee went mental – she almost threw the heart monitor out of the window screaming something about a malpractice lawsuit. I guess she doesn’t believe in miracles…”

-------------

Several hours later Chanyeol woke up to the sound of someone entering his room. At first he thought that he was dreaming because it happened so quietly but as he blinked his eyes open, he realized that someone was there.

“Baekhyun?” he gasped, seeing Baekhyun staring down at him with his eyes twinkling in the light. Chanyeol stared back and smiled. “Oh, no puppy,” he pleaded, “please baby, don’t cry.” Baekhyun laughed, “Are you quoting our song lyrics to me?” Chanyeol just smiled, lost in thought as he stared up at his best friend. Baekhyun had a bandage on his head, with puffy eyes and paleness to his skin. “What did you do?” he asked, reaching up to graze Baekhyun’s cheek.

Baekhyun froze at the contact, closing his eyes. “Hey, it’s okay.” “I..I’m..sorry,” Baekhyun stuttered. “You have nothing to be sorry for. How did you get in here anyways? Aren’t you a patient right now?” “I snuck out,” Baekhyun admitted. “I needed to see you before your surgery tomorrow,” he said tearfully, sitting down on the bed and taking Chanyeol’s hand in his. “Do you see me?” Chanyeol whispered. “Yes,” Baekhyun whispered back. Chanyeol smiled and linked their fingers.

“What time is your surgery tomorrow?” “Um..I think they said 1:30 pm,” Chanyeol replied. “1:30 pm!? No! I wanted to be here before they took you back!” Chanyeol frowned, “I want you here too. Why can’t you be?” Baekhyun sighed, “We have an interview tomorrow at 8 am in Busan. I’m just going to call hyung manager and tell him I’m not going.” “What? Baek you have to go. Besides, Taemin and Key said they would sit with me.” Baekhyun sighed, “I know. Ugh! I’m going to leave immediately afterwards and come back here to see you!” he grinned. “Okay but please be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt because you’re rushing to get back here in time.”

“After what happened earlier, I refuse to not be here before you go into surgery. If something happens I…” Baekhyun choke, “I didn’t have a chance…before…”

“Puppy,” Chanyeol soothed, rubbing his thumb on the back of Baekhyun’s hand, “Shh, It’s okay, I’m right here. I’m going to be just fine.” There was a quiet knock on the door as Luhan poked his head in. “Hi,” he whispered, “I’m sorry to interrupt but you have to go back to your room now Baekhyun.” “Okay, I’ll be there in a minute,” he nodded as Luhan shut the door again.

He looked back at Chanyeol who was smirking at him, “You are so bad – dragging Luhan into your schemes.” Baekhyun smiled, “I know, I’m such a bad influence,” he said teasingly. Baekhyun leaned onto Chanyeol’s chest and whispered, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Hopefully, but please don’t get yourself upset if you can’t. I will understand.”

“I will be back in time. I promise.” He gently kissed Chanyeol’s left cheek, “I love you.”

Chanyeol’s eyes filled with tears – never expecting to hear those words out of Baekhyun’s mouth again.

“And I love you,” he said with a smile, “Forever.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location: Seoul National University Hospital
Time: Next Day at 1:40 pm

The moment Minwook pulled up in front of the hospital, Baekhyun jumped out of the car and ran inside. He dodged in and out of the crowd, almost knocking people over as he shouted apologies over his shoulder. He decided to save time by running up the stairs, instead of taking the elevator, rounding into the ICU waiting room. He skidded to a halt as he saw Taemin and Key. He didn’t even have to ask – the expressions on their faces told him that he was too late.

He fell into a chair, trying to catch his breath. This was so unfair! He should have been here with Chanyeol, not at some stupid interview! He glanced up as Taemin sat down next to him, “they took him back about 10 minutes ago,” he said quietly. Baekhyun kicked at the leg of his chair in frustration. Ten minutes!? He missed saying good bye to Chanyeol by ten minutes! Ugh! “Chanyeol wanted me to tell you that you better not get upset because you couldn’t make it and that you can make it up to him by being here when he wakes up,” Key added.

“I will be right here,” he said, throwing his face into his hands.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location: Room 61, Seoul National University Hospital
Time: 7:05 pm

Chanyeol was going in and out of sleep when he heard a knock on his door. He couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital tomorrow even if it meant spending the next month locked inside the EXO Dorm. After no one came inside the room he called out, “Come in!”

Chanyeol was surprised to see Lee Sooman walk in, “Hyung  Sooman?” he asked, confused. “Hi,” he said, “how are you feeling?” “Happy knowing that I’m getting out of here tomorrow,” he replied with a wide grin. “Speaking of getting out of here tomorrow, I was thinking perhaps you would like to spend your recovery period somewhere other than at the EXO Dorm. Would that be okay with you?”

“Why…?” Chanyeol asked hesitantly. “Well the dorm can be a little crowded. I just thought you would like to be someplace that was quiet, somewhere stress free where maybe you could also work on some of your personal music.”

“Okay…Where would I go?”

“Well there is this nice place in the United States called the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. They specialize in rehabilitating patients after major surgeries. They said that they could have you back to good health and ready to perform at the North America concert in 12 weeks. It is very secluded so you won’t have to worry about the paparazzi or fans bothering you.”

“Okay, that actually sounds really nice. But…what’s the catch? Do I have to pay for it?”

Sooman chuckled, “No, no, don’t be silly. SM will pay for it. But…” he hesitated, biting his lip, “the institute has a very strict policy on outside contact. While you are there, you wouldn’t be able to communicate with anyone outside of the institute.”

“So..you want me to go 12 weeks without speaking to my friends, my family, the fans, or the other members…? Are you serious?” he said, stunned.

“Yes, but!” Sooman said eagerly, “think about how much stronger you will feel, how much healthier and at peace in your mind you will be after this break.”

Chanyeol bit his lip. “Can you do this for me Chanyeol? Will you go to RIC?”

“When…when would I have to leave?”

“In about an hour”

Chanyeol paused for a moment, thinking about his options, “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“Not really,” Sooman replied.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location: Seoul National University Hospital
Time: Next Day at 11 am

“I can’t believe you did that on a V App stream!” Suho wailed as the four of them walked towards Room 61. “Wait, what happened?” Baekhyun asked. “When Chanyeol and I did a V App video that one time, I started dancing to Bangarang by Skrillex,” Sehun replied. “And then Jaewon called to scold you for almost showing your underwear,” Suho added. “I looked fabulous in my robe though didn’t I?” Sehun said with a smile. All four of the boys laughed. “Hey Chan-” Suho began before stopping suddenly in surprise.

Chanyeol’s bed was empty and someone was sitting in the guest chair. “Hyung Sooman? What are you doing here?” Baekhyun pushed forward to see, “Where is Chanyeol?” he demanded. “He’s gone,” Sooman replied.

“What?!” Baekhyun yelled. “Calm down Baekhyun. Chanyeol is fine, nothing happened. He’s just not here at the hospital anymore.”

“Then where is he?!” Baekhyun pressed. “I sent him away.”

“Away? Why?” Sehun questioned.

“I sent him to a special institute for his recovery time. He will be under the best of care to ensure that he is healthy and back in time for the North America concert.”

“But the North America concert is 12 weeks away…” Luhan said hesitantly.

Sooman smiled, “I know. And that is when you will get to see Chanyeol again.”