Kyungsoo watched over Luhan’s prone figure like a hawk oblivious to the time passing by rapidly until the sun started to set casting shadows across the room and cloaking Luhan’s figure in black. The intern, Minseok, returned casually dressed probably done for the day. He beamed at Kyungsoo eyes fatigued but happy.

“Thanks for staying with him the whole afternoon, I was busier than usual today,” he pulled up a chair settling on the other side of the bed, knees bent and tucked under his chin expertly. Signs that it was not the first time he had done this.

“I’m back,” he announced momentarily puzzling Kyungsoo until he realized the intern was looking at Luhan, “Dr.Jung said I could stay in here as long as I come to my shift on time tomorrow, isn’t that great, Lu?” It was silent, Kyungsoo let out the breath he didn’t even know he was holding. Minseok lowered his eyes to his hands as Kyungsoo fixed his gaze on him in sudden realization,

“I’m not crazy,” Minseok mumbled mistaking Kyungsoo’s look for one of judgment, “I just don’t want him to feel lonely…I mean what if he can hear us? Wouldn’t it be nice to know someone’s waiting for you?”

‘Do you ever hear voices?’

‘Are they nice voices?’

‘Are they familiar?’

‘Who do you hear?’

‘I don’t know but I wish I did,’

Luhan’s words echoed in Kyungsoo’s mind suddenly making sense,

“Do you speak to him a lot?” he asked Minseok whose head was still lowered,

“Every day if I can,” the intern admitted glancing at Luhan’s hand, “he was my first patient. It was the only favor I asked of my father,” Minseok’s voice was small, Kyungsoo waited patiently for the explanation bound to follow,

“You see I met Luhan by accident while visiting my father, I was still in med school and had wandered into the ER out of curiosity. He was barely conscious when he was wheeled in, all I remember seeing before he slipped into his coma were the tears running down his face. Not of relief that he had been found and was going to be saved but at despair that he didn’t succeed.” Minseok paused reaching out to hold Luhan’s hand between his,

“I never wanted to become a doctor, it was just something that everyone…expected. I had originally planned to tell my father I wanted to quit med school,” Minseok chuckled to himself, “Whether it be fate or plain coincidence, seeing Luhan that day changed my mind,”

“How long has he been here?” Kyungsoo asked noticing the skinnier frame and unhealthy skin pallor,

“Close to two and a half years, our resident sleeping beauty,” Minseok joked trying to lift the mood, Kyungsoo smiled not noticing the vibrations against his thigh as his silent phone rang endlessly through his conversation with Minseok. Kyungsoo shut his eyes tired from the strain of staring and listened to Minseok as he continued to talk to Luhan.

“If you wake up we can play soccer,” Minseok said squeezing Luhan’s unresponsive hand.

“What if he doesn’t like soccer?” Kyungsoo questioned finding Minseok’s portrayal of Luhan interesting.

“His friend told me he did-“

“Friend?” Kyungsoo cut in confused, Luhan acted as if he had none, “he has a friend?” Minseok didn’t notice the slight change in Kyungsoo’s voice.

“Of course he does,” Minseok answered with a small yawn. Kyungsoo paused not knowing how to pry into Luhan’s life without coming across suspicious to the intern. He bit his lower lip reluctantly letting the conversation drop.

“I just want him to wake up,” Minseok whispered wistfully eyes lifting to look at Luhan’s face, “why won’t he wake up?” he questioned, Kyungsoo shrugged helplessly wondering the same thing.

-

“Where have you been?” Tao asked impressively calm for someone who had been searching the whole hospital wing for almost an hour.

“Out and about,” Kyungsoo answered tiredly, Tao’s lips parted in shock,

“Out and about,” he repeated voice hallow, incredulity etched across his face at the simple answer, “I-I-“ he shook his head clearly not knowing how to continue without ending up yelling at the other and getting into a fight. Tao sighed and gestured to Kyungsoo’s new room.

“Just go in and get settled,” he said making Kyungsoo frown,

“Where are you going?” he asked Tao who avoided his gaze, Kyungsoo’s heart skipped a beat at the familiar guilty gesture.

“I have something to take care off, if you need anything call me,” he said brushing by Kyungsoo who turned slowly to watch him walk down the hallway. Kyungsoo’s legs trembled as he walked into the room one thoughh running through his head, were the lies going to start again?

-

“What are you going to do today?” Tao asked as Kyungsoo played with the food on his tray, Kyungsoo shrugged, “I can skip the bakery today-“ Kyungsoo shook his head cutting Tao off, the younger of the two began to frown, “what’s wrong with you? You haven’t spoken to me since you woke up.”

Kyungsoo remained silent, he placed his chopsticks down as his hands started to shake,

“I’m fine,” he answered monotonous,

“It’s clear you aren’t fine,” Tao said slightly annoyed at Kyungsoo’s cold attitude, “I thought Dr.Shim said no more secrets,”

“You’re one to talk,” Kyungsoo mumbled lowly, Tao’s eyes narrowed as he caught the words he wasn’t meant to hear.

“What is that suppose-“

“Good Morning! Oh-“ Dr.Jung paused mid sentence catching onto the tension instantly, he eyed the two cautiously,

“Zitao, don’t you need to go to the bakery,” he said deciding to separate the two to avoid whatever that had just happened from escalating any further. Tao forced his eyes away from Kyungsoo to look at Dr.Jung,

“I think I’ll stay-“

“Go,” Kyungsoo whispered eyes trained on his tray,

“But-“ Tao began eyes clouding with hurt at the rejection,

“Please,” Kyungsoo continued voice shaky as he intentionally pushed Tao away, “just go,”

Tao stood up not even grabbing his bag as he left wordlessly, Kyungsoo’s lower lip trembled. He buried his face in the palm of his hands as Dr.Jung approached him,

“It’s okay,” Dr.Jung said hand rubbing circles on Kyungsoo’s back, “whatever it is, you can talk about it when you’re ready.”

-

Kyungsoo walked through the hospital’s therapeutic garden aimlessly, it was quiet and peaceful the exact opposite of Kyungsoo’s current state of mind. He couldn’t stop thinking once Tao had left and the thoughts that had surfaced were ones best left buried.

“Kyungsoo!” Kyungsoo paused both his thoughts and actions to look over his shoulder, “I’ve been calling out your name for a minute,”

“Sorry Jongin-“

“Jongin? You’ve met Jongin?” Kyungsoo felt his blood freeze as he took in the boy standing behind him, he turned fully to look at him properly taking in the familiar confident stance and sparkling eyes,

“Kai?” he whispered doubtful, Kai pulled at his blazer’s sleeves with an annoyed huff missing Kyungsoo’s shock,

“I look different, huh?”

“I-I don’t understand. Dr.Shim said you didn’t have a twin…but Jongin-“

Kai sighed at Kyungsoo’s confusion and mentioned for the other to follow him, they ended up under a tree. A chill ran down Kyungsoo’s spine as Kai sat, deja vu hitting him hard. He sat slowly waiting for Kai to talk.

“I don’t have a twin,” Kyungsoo frowned, “I’m Jongin,”

“You lost me,” Kyungsoo said brain starting to throb, “you’re Kai-and you’re Jongin?”

Kai nodded, Kyungsoo shook his head unable to accept it,

“We met a few days ago, you didn’t recognize me,”

“Jongin didn’t recognize you,” Kai explained making Kyungsoo’s brows furrow, “I-we-,” Kai struggled with his words groaning with frustration when he realized he had to admit his problem, “I have a disorder, a multiple personality disorder,”

“M-multiple personality disorder…” Kyungsoo let it sink in, Kai nodded seriously,

“According to Dr.Shim, it was developed when I was younger. My parents were beyond strict, ever since I could remember everything I did was monitored and controlled. What I did, what I wore, what I’d say, everything was done their way. They demanded perfection…. Jongin became that perfection, obedient, pliant, and nice. Kai-“ he paused with a wry smile, “Kai was not what they wanted. Kai had opinions, Kai stood up for what he wanted, Kai was rebellious,”

“So the time you were in feathered floor..” Kyungsoo trailed off,

“Were the times Jongin was out here,” Kai noticed Kyungsoo’s upset look, “don’t feel sorry, I’m used to it. I got used to being repressed, my parents prefer Jongin anyway.”

Kyungsoo felt the beginnings of anger simmer in his chest at Kai’s dismal acceptance of his fate,

“Well I prefer you,” Kai’s eyes widened at his words before a smile spread across his handsome face,

“You never fail to surprise me, I’m glad you’ve woken up,” a comfortable silence fell around them before Kyungsoo gasped remembering something,

“What happened to Luhan? After I left?” Kai’s nose wrinkled in disgust at the mention of the other boy,

“He came into my territory looking for you, I told him you went back. Didn’t see him after that-“

Kyungsoo grabbed Kai surprising him with his vigor,

“Kai if you go back, if you wake up in feathered floor tell Luhan he’s still alive. He thinks he’s dead-“

“I never understood why everyone there though they were dead,” Kai muttered, “I’ll tell him,” he continued grudgingly, “anything else you want to pass onto loverboy?” Kyungsoo pinched Kai’s arm warningly as the other laughed unaffected.

“Tell him that someone is waiting for him,”

Kai nodded laugh dying down quickly as he peered at something,

“I’m guessing you’ve reconciled with that boy of yours,” he said, Kyungsoo smoothened the sleeves of Kai’s shirt that he had wrinkled.

“I guess you could say that, how did you know?” Kai didn’t answer verbally, he cocked his head in a direction. Kyungsoo turned hand dropping to his lap at Tao’s glare. He tensed up as Tao approached them, the plastic bag in his hand was dropped at Kyungsoo’s feet, contents spilling over the grass

“I thought you would like something sweet, enjoy it with your friend,” Tao turned to leave,

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah.”

Tao was leaving! Kyungsoo’s mind screamed, voluntarily. Kyungsoo felt his body begin to shake as Tao walked away, Kai’s hand landed on his shoulder in a firm grip.

“Are you okay?” he asked trying to come off nonchalantly but failing as his worry for the other grew when he wouldn’t stop shaking as the pastries he kept trying to pick up slipped through his grip.

“Could you help me to my room?” Kyungsoo gave up not liking the sudden wide space around them. He felt too exposed, too free, as if he could topple over any moment and there would be no one to save him from hitting the ground. Kai nodded helping Kyungsoo to his feet, he bent down to pick up the strewn pastries.

“Leave it,” Kyungsoo managed to utter weakly before he collapsed.

-

“It’s completely normal,” someone said as Kyungsoo came to, “too much strain on his body after being in a coma, it isn’t unusual for him to faint,”

“Is he going to be okay?”

“He should be, but we’ll keep an eye on him just in case,” Kyungsoo opened his eyes when he heard Dr. Jung leave. Kai rushed forward when he saw Kyungsoo’s open eyes.

“Hyung! You should have told me you were tired,”

“Hyung?” Kai looked slightly sheepish, transitioning into Jongin for a second.

“I peeked at your chart,” he confessed, “you’re older than I am,”

“Oh….” Kai shuffled uncomfortably under Kyungsoo’s stare, “i-I like it,” the elder said after a though, “I don’t think anyone’s ever called me that,” Kai smiled in relief, he sat down making himself comfortable.

“Don’t you have to go home? Won’t your parents be angry?” Kyungsoo asked worriedly, Kai grinned,

“I’m the rebellious one remember, I’d stay the night but I don’t think I’d survive your boyfriend a second time,” it was said in jest but the twitch in Kai’s eyes betrayed him, Kyungsoo’s brows furrowed as he tried to decipher the words. He scanned Kai from head to toe eyes travelling back up to zero in on his collar, his eyes widened at the telltale marks around Kai’s neck.

“Did he strangle you?” his voice shook as he looked away, he always felt uneasy when he saw evidence of Tao’s violence.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Kai replied brushing it off, “he was pretty pissed, your doctor had to pry him off me and threaten to cut his visitation rights,”

“I’m sorry,” Kyungsoo apologised on habit,

“Don’t apologise for him,” Kyungsoo glanced at Kai surprised,

“You sounded like Dr. Shim there for a second,” they both smiled at the mention of their therapist,

“That dude’s pretty hard core,” Kai said, “he scares the crap out of Jongin-“ he paused awkwardly, “Wow, it feels so weird to talk about this out loud… I sound crazy,’

“You do,” Kyungsoo agreed bursting out into laughter at Kai’s shocked face,

“Do Kyungsoo, just when I think I have you all figured out, you say something that completely throws me off. When did you grow a backbone?”

Kyungsoo grinned shrugging his small shoulders before turning serious,

“Seriously though Kai, if you ever need to talk…about Jongin-or anything. You know where to find me, at least until I’m discharged anyway,”

“I-I appreciate that, thanks,” they smiled at each other, Kai’s smile faded,

“I’m sorry though, for causing trouble between you and that guy…”

Kyungsoo shook his head eyes avoiding Kai’s as they suddenly smarted with tears,

“It’s not your fault, things have been a bit strained between us lately. He probably won’t even come back tonight,” he said knowing Tao. Kyungsoo was right he didn’t come back that night. The only consolation for his absence was present the next morning, in the form of Kyungsoo’s favorite buns, arranged to form a heart on Tao’s empty chair. Kyungsoo folded the note of apology from Tao tucking it into his pocket as the door to his room opened. The person stuck his head in first and Kyungsoo squinted in thought.

“Kai?” he guessed getting a smile of confirmation from the other.

“I’ll be around for another day it seems,” he said unusually gleeful unable to hide his happiness. Kyungsoo offered him one of his buns as he took a seat.

-

“I’ve got to show you something,” Kyungsoo gestured for Kai to hurry as he pushed the door to Luhan’s room open. After two hours spent in the room, the two had gotten restless and decided to explore their floor. Kai’s eyes widened a fraction as they stepped into the room and Kyungsoo turned expecting to see Minseok, he froze making Kai hit his back.

“Tao,” he breathed in disbelief as the other stood mirroring Kyungsoo’s shock. Kyungsoo glanced at Luhan then back at Tao, he felt Kai place a hand on his back keeping him grounded.

“Do you know Luhan?”

A//N: Hey guys just a quickie before I slip back into the dark abyss of Uni life, pray for my soul!!!! <3