Soonyoung wakes up to Seokmin sitting on the edge of the bed with his back turned, already dressed. Soonyoung raises a hand to touch him just as "I'm scared, Soonyoungie" breaks the silence, and it's the second time Soonyoung breaks, wondering just how much more he can take.There's a lot of things Soonyoung wants to say. 'We'll be okay'. 'There's nothing to be scared of'. 'You'll be back home in no time'. But he stays silent, sitting up to wrap his arms around his Seokmin's waist, wishing with every cell in his body that there was a way to freeze time like that. Seokmin grips Soonyoung's hands over his stomach like his life depends on it. Soonyoung wishes it did."We should go," Seokmin says in a tiny voice, the first time he sounds so broken in all the years they've know each other, and Soonyoung agrees, each arm feeling about a ton heavier as he gets dressed. There are no tears today.The way to the hospital is way too short, and when Seokmin is taken away so they can "prepare him for surgery," each word like a punch, Soonyoung feels as if his own heart is being ripped out of his chest. Soonyoung hates the clock on the wall and the way it ticks, hates the white walls, the smell of alcohol, and by the time one of the nurses calls him back into the room he already hates everything and everyone that is not Lee Seokmin.'This is it,' Soonyoung tells himself, and at that moment he's knows it's the end, trying to bury that little part of his mind that still stupidly dares to hope. "It's weird," Seokmin tells him, pulling at the edges of his hospital gown. Soonyoung stops him by entwining their fingers, squeezing until their knuckles are white. There are a lot of things to be said, but every word dies in their throats. Soonyoung puts his forehead to Seokmin's, hoping that all that overwhelming love he feels tearing at his guts is visible in his eyes. They kiss. One long, desperate kiss, and the knowledge that he'll never feel those lips again might actually kill Soonyoung.It's a lifetime and only a second before they have to part and Soonyoung is being asked if he wants to 'accompany the patient to the surgery room', but "I'm sorry, Seokmin-ah, I can't do it," and Seokmin smiles."Thanks for loving me, Soonyoungie."That's the third and last time Soonyoung breaks