My mom, whether it be fortunately or unfortunately, is too tired and full with meds for her to process that Baekhyun has just called himself my boyfriend. Sehun watches me, mustering a curious look but I pay no attention to him, instead focusing on making my mom as comfortable as she can be. She watches me, lids half shut as she mutters something to my father.

“Sleep, honey. I’ll be here when you wake up,” I hear him tell her quietly as I fluff the pillows behind her head. She manages a tiny smile, feeling too tired to do much else. Once I get everything comfortable for her, I return back to my place on the side of her bed, watching her intently. She sighs lightly, and I reach over to hold my hand over hers, not pressing too hard because of the needle inserted into the back of her hand and the oxygen clip on her finger.

“Sleep now, mom. It’s okay,” I almost whisper, smoothing my thumb over hers. Within a few seconds, her eyes are fully shut, and she is already drifting off to sleep. Within minutes, she is fast asleep, and the room falls into a silence. My eyes begin to well again, watching my mom like this. I bite hardly onto my bottom lip to stop any noise coming out as hot tears fall from my eyes. Baekhyun seems to notice this, however, as he steps a little closer to me. I look up at him, tears streaming as his face drops into a sad smile. His eyes flicker from my mother, my father then back to me again; as if trying to figure out what he should do in this situation. He settles for reaching out his palm to cup it around my cheeks, wiping away my tears as they fall. I let out a choked sob at the affection, how overwhelmed I am and the situation I am in. My father calls my name softly, coming out a little choked as I tear away from Baekhyun’s grip to move to him. From his sitting position, I bend down to hug him tightly, as he holds the back of my head closely to him, my hair. He shushes me gently.

It’s been almost an hour since my mother fell asleep, and the room is mostly silent save for the beeping of machines and bustling of nurses outside. Baekhyun is leaning against my chair, hand on my shoulder as he smooths over it gently.

“Do you want something to drink? I’ll go get it for you,” he talks softly so he doesn’t break the tense atmosphere, talking down at me. My eyes are red from crying, as I blink up in response.

“I’ll come with you,” I tell him quietly, standing up slowly from my seat, brushing my hands against my thighs as I do so. He watches me with a soft gaze.

“Baekhyun and I are going to the cafeteria,” I tell the two other men in the room, and their attention immediately snaps to us. “Do you want anything?” Both my father and Sehun softly shake their heads no. I nod in recognition, pulling myself away from the room with a long exhale. As soon as Baekhyun and I walk out the door and into the general ward of the wing, he grabs my hand tightly, pulling me in for a hug. He says nothing but wraps his arms around me, allowing me to bury my face into his neck. I sigh into his skin, making him squeeze me a little tighter. After almost ten seconds, he pulls my head away from him, looking down at me worriedly. Once he is satisfied, he gently tugs me away, leading me to the cafeteria. I trudge behind him, not really having the spirit to allow me to get myself there. He doesn’t seem to mind, though, as he constantly glances back at me. When we reach the familiar food hall, he leads me to an empty table in the corner of the room, segregated from the few other people surrounding us.

“Hot chocolate?” he asks, checking for confirmation. I give him a tight lipped, lazy smile in yes and he nods, walking away to the order desk as I sit. I don’t focus on anything. I don’t even think about it, I just stare into the distance. I don’t even know how long Baekhyun has been gone for, until he comes back with a tray, two drinks and a muffin sat on top of it. He places the hot chocolate in front of me, and the black coffee in front of himself, the muffin between us.

“Eat. You haven’t eaten in a while,” he pushes the food before me and I cringe, feeling too sick to eat.

“I feel sick, Baekhyun,” I tell him, voice sounding almost fed up. He sighs, watching me.

“Try, please. Not having food in you is probably making you feel even sicker,” he stares at me pointedly, gesturing slightly to the sweet dessert in front of us. I watch him for a while, him watching me back, but give up and sigh. I take a piece from the top of the muffin and pop it in my mouth, staring at him as I do so.

“Good girl,” he praises, and even if it doesn’t make me feel extremely better, I manage a tiny smile at his earnest praise. “Try and finish it for