Chapter 25

The moment Namjoon saw Jin sitting up, his breath left him in a sob. "Hyung!" he cried out, stumbling into the room. He didn't even hesitate-he ran forward, dropping to his knees by the bed and burying his face in Jin's lap, clinging to him like a child.

"Hyung, I thought I lost you-I thought-" his words broke into hiccups, his entire body shaking.

Jin's hand, weak but warm, threaded through Namjoon's hair. "Namjoon-ah... I'm here. I'm right here."

Namjoon looked up, his face wet and desperate. "I waited, hyung... every day, every night... I never left you. I prayed, I begged... please don't leave me again."

Jin, though still weak, smiled through his own tears and whispered, "I won't. Not ever."

Namjoon broke down again, clutching his hyung's hand like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

---

After an hour of reunion, Namjoon was asked to step out and meet the doctor. His heart was still pounding from seeing Jin awake, but he steadied himself, listening carefully.

The doctor explained that because Jin had been in a coma for nearly four years, his body needed close observation for at least a week. There would be scans, neurological tests, and physical assessments before discharge. "Right now, he seems stable, and the good news is-he remembers his past. That's a very positive sign," the doctor reassured him. "But his body needs time. He'll begin gait training soon-physical therapy to help him walk, regain strength, and move normally again. It will take weeks, maybe a month before we can consider sending him home."

Namjoon nodded, absorbing every word. Relief filled him, but so did guilt. His hyung had woken up-and yet, he couldn't shake the image of the years Jin lost because of him.

Meanwhile, after Namjoon left, a nurse came to assist Jin. She checked his vitals, asked if he was comfortable. Jin's eyes wandered around the room. He noticed a neatly folded blanket and pillow on the extra bed, a few medical books on the side table, and at the entrance, a row of Namjoon's shoes-lined up with quiet care. His heart clenched.

"Nurse," Jin asked softly, "was Namjoon... taking care of himself all this time?"

The nurse gave a small, knowing smile. "Your Namjoon never left you. Apart from attending university before, and his hospital duties now, he was always here. These four years, we watched him. It wasn't easy for us either, seeing him so lonely, talking to you when you couldn't respond, breaking down when no one was looking. But he never gave up. Honestly," she laughed lightly, "if you hadn't woken up, I would've been mad at you myself."

Jin's chest tightened, his eyes stinging. "I... made him wait too long."

"Don't worry," the nurse said kindly. "Seeing you awake, he must be the happiest person alive right now. So rest-he'll be here soon."

A little later, Namjoon returned quietly. Jin wasn't asleep, just lying still, watching the door as if waiting. Namjoon walked in with careful steps, explained everything the doctor had told him about the therapy and recovery.

When he was done, Jin looked at him steadily. "Namjoon... how were you?" His voice wavered, and Namjoon felt his throat tighten.

"I was fine, hyung," Namjoon said quickly, though his voice cracked. "Because I knew you wouldn't leave me like that."

Jin reached out slowly, resting his hand over Namjoon's. But the younger flinched, withdrawing instinctively. The silence between them was heavy, but Jin didn't press. Instead, he whispered, "I know. It must have been hard. But... thank you. For staying with me. Still, Namjoon, you should've taken care of yourself more."

"Hyung," Namjoon shook his head, "you're my only family. Why wouldn't I stay? And I'm fine, really."

Jin's eyes darkened, filled with quiet pain. "You're saying fine, but look at yourself. You've grown so thin, your eyes are dull. Tell me honestly-were you eating? Sleeping properly?"

Namjoon opened his mouth, but the denial was weak, unconvincing. "No, hyung, I ate well..."

Jin cut him off softly. "Never mind. From now on... I'll take care of you."

Namjoon's lips trembled into a small smile.

"I heard you started working?" Jin asked after a pause.

Namjoon nodded. "Yes, hyung. After completing my master's in cardiology, I trained under a senior doctor... and later joined the hospital as a cardiologist."

Jin's lips curved into a proud smile, though his heart ached knowing how much Namjoon must have endured to reach there. "I'm proud of you, Namjoon. Always."

Namjoon lowered his head, hiding the tears threatening to fall.