Stay With Me

Kyung-jun had always thought he was tough.

Pain didn't scare him. Fights didn't faze him. He had taken punches, bruises, broken knuckles—none of it mattered.

But this?

This was the first time he had ever felt true fear.

His legs burned as he sprinted through the hospital halls, shoving past people without a second thought. His breathing was ragged, his pulse hammering in his ears.

The moment he got the call, the moment he heard the words Minji and car accident in the same sentence—his mind had gone blank.

And now, all he could think about was getting to her.

Please be okay. Please be okay. Please—

Finally, he reached her room.

Kyung-jun nearly crashed into the door as he pushed it open, eyes immediately landing on the small, fragile figure lying in the hospital bed.

Minji.

His Minji.

Bandaged. Bruised. Hooked up to machines that beeped steadily, confirming she was alive—but barely.

Kyung-jun's breath caught in his throat.

She looked so small. So wrong.

Minji was supposed to be full of light, always smiling, always warm. Not lying here, motionless, her face pale against the stark white hospital sheets.

He forced his feet to move, stepping closer until he was right beside her bed.

His hands trembled as he reached out, hesitating before gently brushing his fingers against hers.

"...Minji." His voice cracked.

She didn't move.

Kyung-jun swallowed hard, his throat burning.

"I-I told you to be careful, didn't I?" he muttered, forcing out a shaky breath. "You're always so reckless. Running around, not watching where you're going..."

No response.

His grip on her hand tightened.

"...I can't lose you." His voice was barely above a whisper.

He didn't care that he sounded desperate. Didn't care that he felt weak.

All that mattered was that she woke up.

"I swear, if you don't open your eyes, I'll be so mad at you," he said, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You still have to annoy me for the rest of my life, remember? You can't just—"

His voice broke.

He clenched his jaw, trying to breathe past the suffocating weight in his chest.

Then, slowly, he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.

His voice was barely a whisper now.

"...Please."

Silence.

A long, agonizing silence.

Then—

A small movement.

Kyung-jun froze.

His heart nearly stopped as he felt the faintest twitch of fingers against his own.

Then, a soft, barely-there voice.

"...Kyung-jun?"

His head snapped up, eyes wide.

Minji's eyes were half-open, unfocused, but alive.

Relief slammed into him so hard he nearly collapsed.

"Minji," he breathed, his hand gripping hers tight. "You—God, you scared the hell out of me."

Minji blinked slowly, her lips parting in a weak attempt at a smile. "M'sorry..."

Kyung-jun exhaled shakily, pressing his forehead against hers again, his hand never letting go of hers.

"I don't care," he muttered. "Just—just don't do it again."

Minji let out a soft, tired giggle. "Bossy..."

Kyung-jun huffed, pulling back just enough to gently press a kiss to her forehead.

This time, when he spoke, his voice was soft.

"I don't care how bossy I sound," he whispered. "I just need you to stay."

Minji squeezed his hand weakly.

"I will," she murmured.

And for the first time since he got that awful call—Kyung-jun finally let himself breathe.

Stay With Me (Part 2)

Kyung-jun didn't leave her side.

Even when the nurses told him visiting hours were over. Even when Seungbin and Jin-ah tried to convince him to go home and rest.

He stayed.

Because every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was the wreckage. The twisted metal. The blood.

He hadn't been there when it happened, but his mind tortured him with what ifs.

What if he had been there to stop her from getting in the car?

What if he had called her a second earlier, made her stay just a little longer?

What if—

Kyung-jun clenched his fists, staring at Minji's sleeping face. The bruises on her skin. The IV in her arm.

His chest ached.

She looked so fragile.

And Kyung-jun had never felt so helpless in his entire life.

He was supposed to be strong. The guy no one messed with. The guy who didn't care about anything.

But Minji wasn't just anything.

She was everything.

And the thought of almost losing her?

It was unbearable.

A small noise broke through his thoughts.

Kyung-jun immediately sat up. "Minji?"

Her eyelids fluttered. Slowly, she stirred, a quiet groan leaving her lips.

"Hey, hey," Kyung-jun whispered, his hand instantly finding hers. "I'm here."

Minji blinked up at him, her gaze dazed.

For a moment, she just looked at him. Studying his face.

Then, her lips curled into the tiniest, weakest smile. "You look awful."

Kyung-jun huffed out a breath that was almost a laugh. "Yeah? Well, you're not looking too great yourself, sunshine."

Minji chuckled softly, but it turned into a wince. Kyung-jun immediately leaned forward.

"Hey—are you okay? Does it hurt? Should I call the nurse?" His voice was rushed, panicked, but Minji just squeezed his hand weakly.

"I'm fine," she murmured.

Kyung-jun swallowed hard. He didn't believe her.

"Minji..." His voice was quieter now. Rough. "I thought I lost you."

Her expression softened.

"I'm still here," she whispered.

Kyung-jun exhaled shakily. "Yeah. But what if you weren't?"

Minji's fingers brushed against his, slow and gentle. "But I am."

Kyung-jun stared at her, his throat tight.

Then, finally, he broke.

His head dropped, forehead pressing lightly against her hand as his shoulders shook.

Minji's heart twisted.

Kyung-jun never cried.

But now? Here, in this dim hospital room, holding onto her like she was the only thing keeping him grounded—he was breaking.

And it shattered her.

With the little strength she had, she lifted her other hand, reaching out to touch his hair. Stroking it gently, like she always did.

Kyung-jun let out a shaky breath, leaning into her touch.

For once, he didn't try to act strong.

And Minji, through the pain, through the exhaustion, only whispered one thing:

"I'm not going anywhere."

Kyung-jun lifted his head, his dark eyes raw and desperate. "Promise me."

Minji held his gaze.

And even though she was weak, even though her voice was barely above a whisper—she meant every word.

"I promise."