Four days later.
In the hospital room.
It was around ten in the morning.
Soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting pale streaks of light across the white walls.
Haneul sat quietly on the examination bed while the doctor reviewed the latest results.
Beside him stood Taekyun.
From the moment the doctor had entered the room, he hadn't let go of Haneul's hand even once.
Every few minutes he would squeeze it lightly.
Offering another reassuring smile.
Trying to ease the nervousness he knew Haneul was feeling.
The doctor finally closed the file in his hands.
At the same moment, the nurse finished attaching the IV line to Haneul's arm.
"Everything is set."
After adjusting the drip one final time, she quietly left the room.
The doctor then looked toward both of them.
"Mr. Taekyun."
Taekyun immediately straightened.
"Yes."
The doctor nodded.
"I've reviewed all of today's results."
His expression remained professional.
Calm.
"The baby is doing very well."
For the first time since the appointment began, some of the tension left Taekyun's shoulders.
The doctor continued.
"Heartbeat is stable."
"Movement is good."
"Growth is exactly where we want it to be."
Beside him, Haneul instinctively lowered his hand onto his stomach.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The doctor paused
Then his expression grew more serious.
"However."
The room immediately became quiet.
"As we discussed yesterday morning, your water broke approximately forty-eight hours ago."
Haneul nodded slowly.
His eyes unconsciously shifted toward Taekyun.
The doctor folded his hands together.
"Normally, after the water breaks, we prefer labor to progress naturally."
He paused briefly.
"But in your case, things are more complicated."
Taekyun's jaw tightened.
The doctor continued carefully.
"Your body is exhausted."
"We've been monitoring you continuously."
"Your blood pressure remains unstable."
"And you're significantly weaker than we'd like going into labor."
Haneul lowered his gaze.
He already knew.
The past two days had been difficult.
Even sitting up for long periods exhausted him.
The doctor gently placed the file onto the table.
"For the baby's sake....."
"And for yours..."
"I don't believe it would be wise to continue waiting."
Silence filled the room.
Haneul looked at Taekyun.
Immediately, Taekyun squeezed his hand.
A silent reassurance.
A silent understanding.
The doctor then looked directly at Haneul.
"We're recommending a cesarean section this evening."
The words settled heavily in the room.
The doctor waited patiently.
Giving Haneul time to process everything.
After a moment he asked gently,
"Do you understand the recommendation?"
Haneul swallowed.
Then slowly nodded.
"I..... do."
The doctor offered a small smile.
"The baby is healthy."
"That's the most important thing."
His eyes softened.
"And although you're exhausted, your condition remains stable."
"We are not facing an emergency."
"But I strongly believe proceeding this evening is the safest option."
Haneul tightened his fingers around Taekyun's hand.
The doctor noticed.
"Do you have any concerns?"
Haneul hesitated.
Then quietly asked,
"Will the baby..... be okay?"
The answer came immediately.
"Yes."
Without even a second of hesitation.
"The baby is strong."
A small smile appeared on the doctor's face.
"Very strong."
The doctor turned another page before looking back at him.
"Are you comfortable proceeding with surgery this evening?"
For several seconds Haneul remained silent.
Then he slowly nodded.
"Okay."
The doctor nodded.
"Good."
"We'll begin preparations throughout the day."
His gaze shifted toward Taekyun.
"You'll be informed of every step."
Taekyun immediately nodded.
"Understood."
The doctor studied both of them for a moment.
Then offered one final reassuring smile.
"Try not to worry too much."
"The baby is healthy."
"And we'll do everything necessary to keep Haneul safe as well."
After giving a few final instructions, the doctor left.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Silence immediately returned.
Neither of them spoke.
Taekyun simply stood there.
Looking at Haneul.
Then slowly placed his hand over Haneul's stomach.
He could feel the baby shifting beneath his palm.
A tiny movement.
A tiny reminder.
Even though the doctor had called the situation stable.....
Fear still refused to leave him.
A cold heaviness settled deep inside his chest.
He couldn't explain it.
Couldn't understand it.
Yet no matter how much he tried, the feeling wouldn't disappear.
When Haneul looked at him, Taekyun quickly smiled.
As if everything was fine.
Then he stepped closer.
Taking Haneul's hand once again.
"It'll be okay."
His thumb brushed lightly across Haneul's knuckles.
"I'm here."
Haneul looked at him quietly.
Taekyun forced another smile.
"Don't worry."
"I won't let anything happen to either of you."
The whole day passed strangely.
Doctors came.
Nurses left.
Preparations continued.
Yet the strange feeling inside Taekyun never disappeared.
With every hour that passed, it only became heavier.
As if his heart was trying desperately to warn him about something he couldn't understand.
(An hour before the surgery)
Taekyun left the room.
A few minutes later he returned.
Haru was walking beside him.
She held a teddy bear tightly against her chest.
Although she had officially been discharged yesterday, she had remained in the hospital because both Haneul and Taekyun were still there.
The moment she entered the room, her steps slowed.
Her eyes immediately found Haneul.
The nurse had just finished helping him change into a surgical gown.
The oversized blue gown hung loosely around his body.
His IV was already attached.
The medication they had given him moments earlier had left him looking slightly tired.
He sat quietly on the hospital bed.
Almost swallowed by the large gown.
Only the gentle curve of his stomach remained visible beneath the fabric.
For some reason he looked smaller.
Fragile.
Almost lost inside the white hospital room.
Haru stared at him.
Without moving.
Without speaking.
Taekyun quietly stopped near the door behind her.
The nurse looked between them.
Then smiled softly.
"I'll come back after a while."
She adjusted the IV one final time.
"Take your time."
The door closed behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
For several moments nobody spoke.
Haru simply stood there.
Holding her teddy bear.
Looking at Haneul.
And Haneul looked back at her.
A small smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Why are you.... standing all the way.... over there?"
His voice was gentle.
Haru blinked.
Then tightened her grip around the teddy.
Haneul opened his arms slightly.
"Come here."
Taekyun slightly give Haru a nod.
"Go."
The moment he said it, Haru hurried forward.
Almost running.
The teddy bear bounced against her chest as she climbed carefully onto the bed beside him.
Haneul immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Pulling her close.
"You come....to ...met..me."
Haru buried herself against his side.
Refusing to let go.
As if she had been waiting all day to do exactly that.
Taekyun watched them quietly from a distance.
Neither of them noticed the way his eyes lingered on the scene.
Trying to memorize every second.
Every smile, moment.
Because in less than an hour.
The surgery would begin.
And none of them knew how much their lives were about to change.
As Haneul slowly pulled Haru closer, she immediately curled against his side.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
The room was quiet.
Haru stared at him.
Then quietly whispered,
"Umma....."
"Yes?"
Haneul answered softly.
Haru's small fingers twisted around her teddy bear.
"Umma..... sad.....?"
The question came out broken.
Careful.
As if she was afraid of the answer.
Haneul immediately shook his head.
"No....."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm..... not....."
Haru continued staring at him.
Then slowly moved her hand toward his stomach.
Gently rubbing it.
"Umma....."
She looked down.
"Baby..... hurt?"
Haneul placed his hand over hers.
"No....."
His voice was soft.
"It.... doesn't hurt.... either."
Slowly, Taekyun climbed onto the edge of the bed beside them.
Wanting to stay close.
Wanting to keep both of them within reach.
The moment he sat down, Haru suddenly turned.
She pressed her face against his chest.
And started crying.
Small trembling sobs escaped her.
Taekyun froze.
Haneul's expression immediately softened.
"Ha....."
Before he could finish speaking, Taekyun had already wrapped both arms around her.
Holding her tightly.
His hand moved through her hair.
Slowly and gentle.
"Hey....."
He lowered his head.
"Calm down."
"It's okay."
Haru only cried harder.
Taekyun carefully cupped her cheeks.
Lifting her face.
"Huh?"
His voice remained gentle.
"Why are you crying?"
Haru's lips trembled.
Then she pointed toward Haneul.
"Umma..... hurt....."
The room became silent.
Haneul's eyes immediately got worried .
"I'm..... not."
He reached toward her.
"I'm not hurt."
But Haru only shook her head.
Still crying.
Taekyun slowly moved closer.
Holding Haru against his side.
Then he wrapped his free arm around Haneul's shoulders.
Pulling both of them close at once.
"He's not hurting."
Taekyun said quietly.
Haru looked unconvinced.
Then slowly raised her finger.
Pointing directly at the IV attached to Haneul's hand.
Taekyun followed her gaze.
Understanding immediately.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Oh."
"This?"
He gently pointed toward the IV.
"No."
"It's not hurting him."
"It's just helping give your little sibling some nourishment."
Haru blinked through her tears.
Looking at him carefully.
Still hiccuping between breaths.
Haneul slowly lifted his hand.
Despite the weakness in his body.
Despite the exhaustion.
He still reached for her.
His fingers lightly brushed against her wet cheek.
"I promise..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"It doesn't hurt."
Haru looked at him.
Watching him carefully.
As if checking whether he was telling the truth.
Haneul smiled.
Then slowly rested his hand over his stomach.
"I'm going to bring you..."
He paused briefly.
"A beautiful little brother."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Or maybe..... a little sister."
Taekyun's chest tightened.
Even now.
Even while preparing for surgery.
Even while exhausted.
Haneul was still thinking about Haru first.
Still comforting her.
Still making sure she wasn't afraid.
Haneul looked back at her.
"You'll have to..... take care of them."
Haru sniffled.
Listening carefully.
Taekyun gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.
Haneul's eyes slowly shifted toward Taekyun.
Only for a second.
Then back to Haru.
"You are....."
His voice grew softer.
"Very strong."
"Really strong."
"Right?"
Haru nodded.
A tiny nod.
Haneul smiled.
The next words were directed toward Haru.
Yet somehow.....
They felt like they were meant for Taekyun too.
"You have to.... take care of them."
"You have to be strong."
"I know you're..."
His eyes briefly met Taekyun's.
"more capable ..... than anyone."
Taekyun felt his throat tighten.
Haneul looked back at Haru.
"And remember....."
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Umma really..... loves you."
Haru's lips trembled.
Then she nodded.
"I'll... cale."
(I'll care)
Haneul let out a weak laugh.
His eyes growing warm.
"I know.... you will."
At that exact moment, there was a knock on the door.
A nurse entered.
Behind her was another staff member pushing a hospital transport bed.
The nurse checked the chart in her hands.
Then looked up.
"Patient number six, Haneul?"
The smile on Haneul's face slowly faded.
Reality returned.
The nurse nodded politely.
"We're ready for the cesarean section."
Her voice remained professional but kind.
"We'll be taking you to the operating theatre now."
Silence filled the room.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
Then Haneul slowly tightened his hold around Haru.
Knowing the moment he had been trying not to think about...
Had finally arrived.
Haneul smiled.
A small smile.
One filled with nervousness rather than confidence.
His fingers tightened around Haru's hand.
Then he slowly nodded.
"Okay."
The door opened wider.
Two more nurses entered.
Behind them came another doctor who would be assisting during the procedure.
The atmosphere inside the room immediately changed.
The final preparations had begun.
The doctor smiled warmly.
"Are you ready?"
Haneul looked at him.
Then lowered his gaze.
He couldn't answer right away.
Taekyun immediately moved toward him.
When Haneul tried to stand, his body wavered slightly.
The past few days had drained almost all of his strength.
Carefully supporting him.
"It's okay."
"I've got you."
Haru looked up from the bed.
Her eyes moving between the nurses and Haneul.
Confusion filled her small face.
"Umma....."
She pointed toward the door.
wheal..... going?"
(Where)
Taekyun looked toward her.
His chest tightened.
"Haru."
He crouched slightly.
"Stay here for a minute, okay?"
Then he turned back toward Haneul.
Carefully helping him slip into his slippers.
A nurse stepped forward.
"I can help him."
Taekyun shook his head immediately.
"I'll do it."
The nurse quietly stepped back.
Haneul never looked away from Taekyun.
Not even for a second.
The fear in his eyes was impossible to hide now.
His lips trembled slightly.
His breathing uneven.
As if he was trying desperately not to panic.
Taekyun stood.
Then gently took both of Haneul's hands.
Holding them tightly.
He lifted one hand to Haneul's face.
"It's okay."
His voice was low.
Steady.
"Calm down."
"Don't be nervous."
"I'm here."
His thumb brushed softly against Haneul's cheek.
"Nothing will happen."
Haneul shook his head slightly.
As if trying to believe him.
As if trying to convince himself.
But fear still remained.
His eyes slowly filled with tears.
Taekyun immediately wiped them away before they could fall.
Then he leaned forward.
Pressing a gentle kiss against Haneul's forehead.
As though he was silently pouring every reassurance he had into it.
Behind them, Haru's small voice came again.
"Umma...."
"Wheal... goin...?"
Haneul turned toward her.
The fear still remained inside his eyes.
But he forced himself to smile.
For her.
"Haru-ah....."
He reached for her hand.
Holding it carefully.
"Wait for me..... okay?"
His voice trembled slightly.
"I'll....."
He swallowed.
"I'll be back."
Haru immediately grabbed his hand tighter.
Refusing to let go.
Haneul looked at her for a few more seconds.
Trying to memorize her face.
Then slowly lifted his gaze.
Toward Taekyun.
Again.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the room seemed to disappear.
The doctors, nurses, machines.
Everything.
Taekyun suddenly pulled him closer.
His arms wrapping around him.
Holding him tightly.
Far too tightly.
Because at that moment...
It felt as though something was being torn away from him.
As though every fear he had ever experienced in his life was nothing compared to this.
Haneul slowly looked up.
Their eyes met once more.
Neither of them spoke.
There was nothing left to say.
Taekyun leaned down.
And after what felt like forever.....
He kissed him.
A soft kiss.
Brief, gentle.
Yet filled with everything they couldn't put into words.
When he finally pulled away, his thumb brushed lightly across Haneul's lips.
Then he took his hand again.
Holding it firmly.
"Let's go."
His voice almost broke.
But he smiled anyway.
For Haneul.
For Haru.
For himself.
Together, with the nurses' help, Haneul carefully lay down on the transport bed.
The moment he settled against the mattress, his nervousness seemed to grow again.
One of the nurses adjusted the blanket around him.
Then smiled kindly.
"Relax."
"Everything will be fine."
Another nurse checked the IV.
Making sure everything was ready.
The doctor then looked toward Taekyun.
"No need to worry."
He smiled reassuringly.
"Everything will go smoothly."
"Trust our process."
Taekyun nodded.
But he barely heard the words.
Because his attention never left Haneul.
All he could see were those frightened eyes.
Those uncertain eyes.
Looking back at him.
As though searching for reassurance one last time.
Behind him, Haru suddenly began crying again.
"Umma....."
"Umma....."
Taekyun immediately picked her up.
Holding her against his chest.
"Shhh....."
"It's okay."
His own voice sounded strangely distant.
He rubbed her back gently.
Trying to calm her.
Trying to calm himself.
Then slowly...
The nurses began pushing the bed toward the door.
The wheels rolled quietly across the floor.
Haneul's hand remained stretched toward them until the very last second.
Toward Haru.
Toward Taekyun.
The door opened.
The corridor beyond seemed endless.
Cold,bright.
Unforgiving.
For one final moment, Haneul turned his head.
Their eyes met again.
Neither smiled.
Neither spoke.
Yet somehow...
Everything they wanted to say passed between them.
Then the bed disappeared into the hallway.
And the doors slowly closed behind them.
Leaving Taekyun standing there.
Holding Haru tightly in his arms.
Watching the empty doorway.
As the terrifying wait finally began.