Yunho coughed and gagged, clawing his neck as he doubled over caused by the pain of the flowers that pricked and blooming inside his chest. He hates it when this happens while he is in the campus and to make it worse, it happened when his friends were with him so he had to schooled his face and excused himself as fast as he could to the bathroom. Yunho coughed and gagged again until the petals were out of his throat and dropped into the toilet bowl as he blinked the pain tears away. Yunho greedily took some deep breaths once his airways cleared up while running his hand on his chest to lessen the pain.

Yunho sniffed, sighing dejectedly every time this happened because the universe just wants him to know and remember how his love for Mingi won't be reciprocated. Smiling sadly, Yunho watched all the petals that had come out of his mouth, red Petunias. He had googled about the flower once it came out of him a month ago and found out that Petunia flower symbolizes anger and resentment but it also represents feelings of desire and hope. Yunho knew about this disease, he had witnessed it a few times before in his life, some of them died because of it, some of them went through surgery to remove them but they also lost all of the love that they had towards those who had caused them to have that disease forever.

Hanahaki Disease.. I never thought I would have this.. Yunho thought sorrowfully while still trying to catch his breath. Yunho reminisced about the first time he felt the prick in his chest, followed by a coughing fit before a single petal flopped out from his mouth. Fortunately, he was sitting alone at the table in the library when it happened so none of his friends saw him. Though it happened because he saw Mingi was flirting with one of his classmates, whom Yunho knew how much Mingi talked about him all the time when they were hanging out together a few weeks before. Once the petal was out of his mouth, Yunho had fled to the bathroom before Mingi could see him and he broke down in one of the stalls, fully aware that his doubt about loving his best friends is now true.

Yunho sighed once again, flushing all the petals before washing his hands and looked at the mirror, checking his face properly. He doesn't want any of his friends to know about this. He'll just struggle with it himself. Deeming that his friends wouldn't be suspicious, he went out of the bathroom and went back to the cafeteria where his friends were waiting for him. Mingi frowned as soon as Yunho sat back on the chair next to him, putting his hand around Yunho's shoulder.

"Are you okay, bub? You've been gone for 20 minutes. A stomachache?" Mingi asked with concern and it made Yunho's chest tightened once again but he ignored it and nodded instead, giving a small smile to Mingi. "I'm fine. It's nothing serious." Yunho mumbled, making Mingi pursed his lips into a thin line as he didn't really believe the former's word. They've been friends since childhood so he would know whenever Yunho tried to lie to him. "Are you sure?" Yunho pouted at Mingi's question, he knew Mingi would realize that something is wrong but he really doesn't want Mingi to know about his disease, let alone Mingi was the cause of it.

"I'm sure, Min." Yunho said, giving Mingi his wide puppy eyes so Mingi would stop pestering him and the latter did, huffing slightly as he patted Yunho's head. "If you say so, bub. I'm here though if you need me." Mingi said and Yunho tried to smile but it didn't reach his ears like how he used to smile to Mingi and it didn't help when Mingi kept calling him 'bub' though MIngi had used those words since forever and he only did that to Yunho. It sounds so special but if it really is special then why do I have this disease then..? Yunho thought sadly, staring at his food that was left untouched since he went to the bathroom. He's not hungry anymore and his throat still hurt so he pushed his food to Mingi.

"Min, you can have this. I'm not hungry anymore." Yunho said and blinked when Mingi instantly put his hand on Yunho's forehead. "No fever.. You usually finish your food." Yunho smiled softly and shook his head, pushing Mingi's hand gently from his forehead. "I'm fine, Min. I'm just not hungry anymore." Mingi nodded his head and finished Yunho's food as Yunho started talking to Wooyoung to stop Mingi from worrying about him.

"Hi handsome."

Yunho tensed when he heard the voice as his chest tightened and pricked painfully that he had to double over, wrapping his arms around himself and gritted his teeth as Mingi smiled brightly, looking up at the guy. "Hey yourself, handsome." Mingi flirted back and Yunho scrunched up his face in pain but he had already tilted his head down so no one could see his face. That was what he thought but Wooyoung and San saw him as they both quickly looked at him in worry while Mingi was being oblivious and kept talking to the guy.

"Let's go on a date this weekend?" The guy asked and Mingi nodded his head, "Sure, babe." The guy smiled, "Great! I'll pick you up at 8. We're going on a night date and maybe after that we could crash at my house instead?" Mingi chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, "Kim Joowon, it's only been a few weeks and you already want to get in my pants?" Joowon smirked and shrugged. "Hey, I didn't say anything. We could just hang out and sleep only if you want." Mingi shook his head, "Fine, see you this weekend." Joowon nodded and waved before nodding his head a little to the others and walked out of the cafeteria.

Yunho wheezed when his chest started hurting more and Mingi finally realized and put his hand on Yunho's shoulder. "Bub?? What's wrong??" Yunho shook his head slowly, trying to breathe properly again as he sat upright. "N-nothing. My s-stomach hurts a little. T-that's all.." Yunho stuttered out and Mingi tilted his head, "You only had milk this morning. Is the milk expired already..?" Mingi said, trying to remember when he bought the milk. "But we bought groceries like last week though.." Yunho could only shrugged silently and pursed his lips when he felt the need to cough. Looking at how pale Yunho had become, Mingi frowned in worry before standing up. "Let's go to the clinic, bub." Yunho widened his eyes, looking up at Mingi and quickly shook his head. "No! No need for t-that!"

"What? You're obviously in a lot of pain right now, bub."

Yunho bit his lips as he tried to think of any excuses so that Mingi won't take him to the clinic or Mingi will know about his disease. "Y-you have classes after this! It's fine! I can go by myself!" Yunho said hurriedly but Mingi only huffed. "It's fine if I didn't go for one day, bub. Your health is more important than my classes." Yunho frowned but before he could speak again, Wooyoung suddenly cut in. "We can take him, Mingi. You go ahead to your classes. You have 2 tests, today didn't you?" Wooyoung said and Yunho looked at him gratefully. Mingi bit his lips, looking down at Yunho who had given him his full puppy eyes. "Is it okay if WooSan takes you, bub?" Yunho quickly nodded his head. "Yes! Go take your tests! I'll be fine, Min." Mingi sighed, nodding his head as Wooyoung and Sand stood up and helped Yunho to stand up as the latter stumbled a bit.

"We'll take care of him." San said and Mingi nodded his head, watching the trio walk out of the cafeteria. Once they were a bit far from the cafeteria, Yunho wheezed again and started coughing, closing his mouth with his hand and doubled over while Wooyoung ran his hand on Yunho's back slowly. "It's not a stomachache, is it pup?" San asked and Yunho sighed after the coughing fit stopped and looked dejected at his palm where a few red Petunias' petals lay there. Wooyoung and San sighed when they saw it, making Wooyoung hugged Yunho. Yunho instantly burst into tears, putting his head on Wooyoung's shoulder. "Please don't tell Mingi.. I want him to be happy.." Yunho mumbled, making WooSan frown. "But what about your happiness, pup?" San asked and Yunho shook his head, his tears wetting Wooyoung's shirt.

"It's f-fine.. I'll be f-fine.."

"Are you getting the surgery then?" San asked with one of his eyebrows raised when Yunho said that he's going to be fine. "N-no.. I d-don't want to lose whatever I am feeling about h-him.." Yunho mumbled softly, pulling himself away from Wooyoung and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. "But you'll die pup!" Wooyoung exclaimed in surprise as Yunho's lips wobbled. "I k-know.. J-just please.. Don't tell him.. Please.." Yunho begged them and they sighed. "For now, pup. For now.." San said and it was enough for Yunho. Wooyoung and San took Yunho home and took care of him until Mingi came back that day.

Yunho gradually became worse because he couldn't even stay near Mingi or he would end up with the coughing fit and he even coughed up blood 3 days after that day. Mingi had become worried at how paled Yunho had become and he swore that Yunho had become thinner so quickly. "Bub? Should I stay tonight?" Mingi asked, caressing Yunho's warm head as he had developed a fever that morning. Yunho shook his head weakly, "N-no.. I'll be f-fine.. Go to your d-date, Min.." Mingi pursed his lips, "But no one will watch you.. I'm worried.." Yunho smiled as best as he could in his weakened state, "I'll survive for one n-night, Min." Yunho assured Mingi.

"I'm not going to sleep at Joowon's house. I'll be back later tonight, okay bub?" Yunho nodded his head as the bell rang. "H-have fun." Yunho said and Mingi planted a soft kiss on Yunho's warm forehead before going to the front door. Yunho started tearing up when he heard the door closed and he couldn't hold it in anymore, clutching his shirt over his chest as he burst out crying. "M' s-sorry, Min.. I might be g-gone when you c-come back.. It hurts t-too much.."

--

"How long should I pretend to be your boyfriend, Joowon-ah? I can't keep hurting my bub this way.." Mingi said as he and Joowon waited in line for their popcorn and drinks. Joowon hissed at Mingi, "Shush, Minwoo might hear you, dude." Mingi rolled his eyes before subtly looked at the figure who had been watching them behind the big pillar a few feet away from them. "He won't hear us. He's too far, shithead. My bub is sick right now but here I am, pretending to go on a nice date with you just so you could make your Minwoo jealous. I told you to just confess to him weeks ago yet you bribed me into this." Mingi huffed and Joowon slapped Mingi's chest lightly, giggling slightly as to act like they were being playful with each other.

"I told you he rejected me when it was obvious, he liked me too, okay?! Just helped me until he gave in and you can go back to your bub!" Joowon said and Mingi sighed, nodding his head. "Fine fine. Let's do this shit so I can go back home to nurse my bub." They got their popcorn and drinks, walking into the cinema while Minwoo stayed at the entrance, still watching them while pouting.

They just walk out of the cinemas 2 hours later when Mingi's phone rings. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered it. "Hell-"

"MINGI? GET YOUR ASS BACK HOME RIGHT FUCKING NOW! DITCH THAT SON OF A BITCH AND IF YOU'RE NOT HOME IN 10 MINUTES I SWEAR I WILL FUCKING CUT YOUR DICK OFF!"

Mingi frowned, "Wha-? What the fuck Woo? What happened?"

"YUNHO HAPPENED! HE'S DYING BECAUSE OF YOUR FUCKING OBLIVIOUS STUPID IDIOTIC SELF!"

"Huh..? Did something happen to my bub??" Mingi said before telling Joowon that he had to go before started running to his shared apartment with Yunho. "HE CALLED US SAYING SORRY AND TO TELL YOU THAT HE'S SORRY AND THAT HE LOVES YOU! JUST FUCKING GET HERE ALREADY! HE GOT THE HANAHAKI DISEASE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS YOU WHO TRIGGERED IT!" Wooyoung screamed on his phone before ending the call, making Mingi paled and started running at his full speed.

"FUCK!"

Mingi pants but he didn't stop and ran up the stairs, the elevator took too long for him and he was shocked to see the others in front of his door while Jongho seemed to try breaking down the door. "Do not break down my door! I'm here!" Mingi said while rushing to open the door and he left the others, running to Yunho's room and he gasped when he saw his bub, unconscious on his bed with blood on his mouth and shirt as flowers scattered around on his bed.

"No no! Bub!" Mingi screamed, rushing to Yunho and pulled him up by the neck by putting his arm underneath it. "Bub, wake up please! Don't leave me! FUCK THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT JOOWON!" Mingi hissed, tapping Yunho's cheeks gently for a few times but the latter didn't budge at all. "No baby.. Please wake up.." Mingi sobbed and without thinking, he kissed Yunho's bloody lips, closing his eyes as his tears dropped down onto Yunho's face.

Nothing happened for a few minutes before Yunho suddenly gasped and Mingi quickly pulled away, threading his fingers through Yunho's lock as he waited for Yunho to open his eyes. The others let out a relief breath once Yunho gasped, Seonghwa had fallen to the floor as Hongjoong comforted him while the others stood watching Yunho in worry. "M-min..? W-wha.. H-how..?" Yunho muttered weakly and Mingi was quick to shushed him down. "Don't talk yet, bub. Save your energy. I'm so sorry, baby.. I wouldn't have agreed to pretend being Joowon's boyfriend if I knew you're this bad.. I was going to tell you the truth once it's over and I'm so glad that I'm not late.."

Yunho blinked, breathing shakily as he pondered on Mingi's words. "I'm a-alive.. D-does this mean t-that you l-love me too, M-min?" Mingi nodded his head, caressing Yunho's head gently. "Yes, bub. I love you, so so much. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.." Yunho teared up, wrapping his arms around Mingi's neck albeit weakly. "It's o-okay, Min. I'm s-sorry I didn't tell you too.. I only want y-you to be happy.." Mingi huffed, tightening the hug, "I won't be happy if you end up dead, bub. Don't do this to me again, please.. " Mingi begged, making Yunho giggle weakly.

"The ambulance is on its way." Yeosang announced suddenly, making both Yunho and Mingi looked over to him. "Thank you, Sangie." Mingi said as Seonghwa, who now had recovered from his shock of seeing one of his pups dying, huffed slightly. "Take Yunho to the living room, Mingi. I'll clean this place up while Yunho get treated in the hospital." Mingi nodded, picking Yunho up gently and brought him into the living room as Wooyoung and Yeosang stayed to help Seonghwa.

"You really scared us, pup.." Hongjoong sighed, running his hand through his hair before glaring at San who flinched because he knew he was going to get yelled up by the older. "And you! Why the fuck didn't you tell us that Yunho had been suffering for weeks??" Hongjoong hissed, making San pouted, fumbling with his hands as Jongho crossed his arms over his chest. "Yunho didn't want anyone to know.. Wooyoung and I knew about if because we witnessed him coughing up the flower petals.." San explained quietly and Yunho coughed, making them looked over quickly to him in worry.

"D-don't be angry at S-sannie.." Yunho mumbled, he felt exhausted and still in a little bit of pain caused by the flowers spewed out of his mouth in generous amount. Hongjoong sighed, dropping his angry façade and went to sit near Yunho. "You're very lucky that Mingi was just in time to save you, pup. From now on, I forbid the both of you to be this stupid and to tell each other what is on your mind every time you guys had any doubt or anything about each other. Do you guys hear me?" Hongjoong warned them, making Yunho and Mingi quickly nodded their heads. They let Yunho rest while waiting for the ambulance to arrive quietly afterwards.

--

"Dude! Minwoo's coming! Quickly! Hug me!" Joowon said as soon as he got to Mingi in the middle of the hallways but Mingi pushed him away. "I'm not doing this anymore, Joowon. I nearly lost Yunho because of this." Mingi explained, making Joowon frown. "What? What happened to Yunho?" Joowon asked and Mingi sighed, "He got the Hanahaki Disease because he watched me flirting with you and all and he almost died the night we went out. Sorry Joowon. If you're still doing this game, find someone else. I'm done. I need to focus on healing Yunho right now. He's still in the hospital with a high fever and a very weak body."

Joowon gasped and quickly clasped his hands together, apologizing furiously to Mingi. "Fuck! I didn't know it would be that bad! I'm so sorry, Mingi! Tell Yunho that I'm sorry I bribed you into this.. I'll just do something else then." Joowon said and Mingi nodded before walking out of the campus and heading to the hospital.

Yunho stirred once he felt someone caressing his hair, opening his eyes slowly and smiled when he saw Mingi looking down at him with a fond smile. "Hey, bub. How are you feeling?" Mingi whispered softly and Yunho smiled, sighing softly. "Better now that you're here." Mingi hummed, sitting on the bed near Yunho's waist as he gently caressed Yunho's hand with his thumb. "But I heard from the nurse that you refused to eat and told them to put the food outside." Yunho pouted, refusing to look at Mingi as he mumbled, "I don't want to eat it.. My throat still hurts and I don't like the food.."

Mingi shook his head, chuckling slightly before tilting his head at the take out on the table, "I figured. I bought your favourite food whenever you're having a fever, will you eat now? You need to eat, bub." Yunho looked over to the table and beamed up, nodding his head cutely before making grabby hands at Mingi, "Help me up, please." Mingi helped Yunho up, putting his pillow upright behind his back and tilting the head of the bed up a little before pushing the table towards the bed.

Mingi fed Yunho as the latter happily munching on his food, albeit slowly and he scrunched up his face whenever he had to swallow but he finished his food, making Mingi praise him and kiss his forehead. "That's my bub. You finished everything." Yunho smiled cutely as Mingi pushed the table away from the bed and slid next to Yunho on the bed. Yunho lay his head on Mingi's shoulder, wrapping his arm around Mingi's arm as he sighed softly. "If I know that we both love each other, I wouldn't have to suffer for weeks.." Yunho huffed, making Mingi chuckle slightly.

"I'm a coward. I was afraid that you won't love me back although it was obvious that I only called you bub and would throw a tantrum whenever someone tried to call you that too." Yunho giggled, "Well, I'm stupid because I thought that you only call me bub because we're friends since kindergarten. At first I thought that I am special but when you and Joowon started flirting in front of me.. I thought that it was just because we're childhood friends and nothing more." Yunho explained as Mingi huffed when he heard Joowon's name.

"I told him that I'm done with his game trying to woo Minwoo right after my class ends today. He said sorry for bribing me into it. When did it trigger, bub?" Mingi asked and Yunho hummed, tilting his head a bit. "That day at the library, like a month ago? I saw you guys were giggling and touching each other and I fled to the bathroom because I felt like puking. A single petal fell out that day." Mingi sighed, kissing Yunho's head and intertwined their hands together on Yunho's lap. "I'm sorry, bub.. Minwoo was watching us whenever you saw us act lovey-dovey. I wanted to tell you but Joowon won't let me. I shouldn't have listened to him." Mingi huffed.

"It's okay. I'm fine now. We're fine. That's what matters the most." Yunho said, burying his head in Mingi's neck and yawned. "Tired? Get some sleep, bub." Mingi said softly, already trying to tuck his bub in