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The next time Luke went to the hospital, he didn’t go alone. He realised that the moment they stepped through the automatic doors, something felt different. His chest still ached and his stomach still twisted with dread, but there was a hand wrapped firmly around his own this time. Youngjae’s. Solid. Warm. Unmoving. Luke clung to it like a lifeline, fingers laced together so tightly his knuckles were white.
His parents were there too, walking just ahead of them. His mom kept glancing back, checking on Luke every few steps, her eyes soft but tired. His dad walked with his hands in his coat pockets, shoulders set, like he was bracing himself for impact.
When they reached Gabe’s room, Luke hesitated in the doorway. He always did. The sight of his brother like this (still, pale, surrounded by machines) never got easier. Young squeezed his hand gently and Luke nodded to himself before stepping inside.
They pulled chairs closer to the bed, forming a loose semicircle around Gabe. Luke sat closest, as always. Young stayed beside him, shoulder brushing his, refusing to let even an inch of space open between them.
For a while, nobody knew what to say.
Then Luke’s mom spoke, her voice quiet but steady. She told Gabe about the weather, about how the garden was finally starting to look decent again after weeks of neglect. She told him the neighbour’s dog had got loose and caused chaos down the street. Mundane things. Normal things. As if Gabe might wake up any second and tease her for rambling.
Dad followed after that, talking about work, about how he’d taken some time off. He told Gabe there was no rush. That everyone was waiting for him. That he just needed to rest and come back when he was ready.
Luke listened, throat tight, eyes fixed on his brother’s face. When it was his turn, his voice wobbled at first. “Hey,” he murmured, leaning forward slightly. “It’s me.” His fingers tightened around Young’s hand. “You’re not on your own, okay? You never were. I know things got… messy. I know I didn’t say or do everything right. But I’m here. We all are.” His eyes burned, but he forced himself to keep going. “You don’t get to get rid of me that easily. I’m annoyingly persistent. You know that.” A weak laugh escaped him, half-sob, half-laugh.
Young spoke then, quietly and respectfully, his voice careful in the small room. He told Gabe he hoped he was resting properly. That he hoped he wasn’t in pain. That when he woke up, there would be no pressure. Just people who cared about him and wanted him back.
Luke’s parents nodded along, as if silently agreeing with every word.
They stayed like that for a long time. Talking. Sitting. Existing around Gabe’s bed as if he were simply sleeping through a noisy family gathering. Luke never let go of Young’s hand. Not once.
The door opened softly after that and a nurse stepped inside, a clipboard tucked against her chest. She paused when she saw all of them gathered there, eyes flicking briefly from Luke to his parents, then to Youngjae. “Hi,” she said gently. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Luke’s heart lurched anyway. He straightened in his chair instinctively, grip tightening around Young’s hand. “Is… is everything okay?”
The nurse nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile. “Yes. It’s actually a good thing you’re all here. I was coming to update the family.”
Luke’s mom immediately stood, anxiety written all over her face. “Update us about what?”
The nurse stepped closer to Gabe’s bed, lowering her voice a little, as if Gabe might overhear them. “The doctors have been monitoring his vitals closely, and he’s responding well. Stable heart rate, good oxygen levels, no signs of distress.”
Luke barely breathed.
“Because of that,” she continued, “the medical team has decided that tomorrow, we’re going to start bringing Gabe out of his medically induced coma.”
The words landed heavy and unreal in the room.
“Tomorrow?” Luke echoed, his voice small.
“Yes,” the nurse said kindly. “It’s not an instant process. They’ll reduce the sedatives gradually and see how he responds. He may be confused when he wakes up. Agitated. Very tired. There’s also a chance he won’t wake fully straight away, and that’s okay. Everyone reacts differently.”
Luke nodded numbly, his mind racing. Awake. Gabe awake. Gabe breathing on his own. Gabe opening his eyes.
Luke’s mom pressed a hand to her mouth, tears spilling instantly. His dad exhaled sharply, like he’d been holding his breath for days.
“Can we be here?” Luke asked, panic threading through the hope. “When it happens?”
“Absolutely,” the nurse said. “We actually encourage it. Familiar voices can help orient him. Just… try to keep things calm and gentle.”
Luke glanced down at Gabe, his chest tightening painfully. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over the back of his brother’s hand.
Youngjae leaned in close, his voice just for Luke. “Hey, it’s okay. He’s coming back,” he whispered.
Luke nodded, tears sliding silently down his cheeks.
————————-
The next day came too quickly and not quickly enough all at once. They were all gathered around Gabe’s bed again, the room fuller than it had ever been. Luke stood closest, one hand resting on the railing, the other locked tightly with Youngjae’s. His parents were on the other side of the bed, his mom clutching a tissue she’d already destroyed, his dad standing stiff and pale. Maddy hovered near the foot of the bed, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes never leaving Gabe’s face.
The machines hummed steadily, a sound Luke had grown uncomfortably used to.
Two doctors and a nurse moved quietly around the room, calm and focused. One of the doctors spoke gently, explaining what they were doing as they worked, even though Luke barely absorbed a word of it. Something about reducing the sedatives. Watching for responses. Taking it slow.
Luke’s heart thudded painfully in his chest as the nurse adjusted the IV.
“Gabe,” the doctor said softly, stepping closer to the bed. “We’re here with you. We’re going to start waking you up now, okay?”
Luke swallowed hard.
Minutes stretched. Every second felt too loud, too sharp. Luke stared at Gabe’s face, searching for anything. A twitch. A flicker. Proof.
His mom reached over the bed and squeezed his arm suddenly. “Luke,” she whispered, barely audible.
“I’m okay,” he said quickly.
She nodded quickly, leaning into dad’s side.
“Okay,” the doctor continued, looking down at Gabe as he finished what he was doing. “And now we wait. You can talk to him. It helps.”
“Gabe,” mom said first. “Honey.”
“We got you,” dad added.
Luke wanted to say something, but he couldn’t.
“Sometimes it takes hours,” the doctor explained, glancing around at everyone. “Sometimes days. It’s just a waiting game.”
Luke nodded wordlessly. So did everyone else.
They waited and waited.
Maddy went to grab some coffees for everyone. Dad went to the bathroom twice. Mom was doing crossword puzzles. Young was watching a lacrosse game on his phone, one hand firmly placed in his husband’s. And Luke, as always, was staring straight ahead at Gabe. Watching. Waiting.
The doctors filtered in and out every half an hour just to check on Gabe, and maybe even check on the family. She encouraged them to talk to Gabe as often as they could. It would help pull him out of the fog, she had said.
Gabe’s fingers twitched suddenly and Luke’s eyes darted downwards, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Gabe?” he whispered.
Everyone snapped their heads up immediately.
Luke stood up and rushed to Gabe’s side. “Gabe, can you hear me?” Luke asked in a rush.
“Did you see something?” mom asked in a panic.
“I thought I saw…” he trailed off.
Gabe’s hand twitched again.
“Mom!” Luke breathed. “He’s moving.”
“Oh my, God,” mom exhaled, eyes watering. “Gabe, honey. Can you hear us.”
Everyone stood. Youngjae came up behind Luke, resting a hand on the small of his back. Dad and Maddy stood next to mom on the other side. Everyone’s eyes stayed fixed on Gabe.
Gabe’s breathing suddenly shifted, no longer so perfectly even, but now a little uneven now. More human.
“Gabe,” Luke whispered. “Hey. It’s Luke. I’m here.”
Gabe’s face tightened, like he was fighting his way through something heavy. His head shifted a fraction on the pillow, lips parting as a quiet, rough sound escaped his throat.
“Call a nurse,” mom choked out.
Dad immediately left the room and came back a seconds later with the nurse in tow. She hovered near the bed and checked Gabe’s vital signs.
“Okay, he’s fine. He’s doing great,” the nurse murmured encouragingly. “You’re doing great, Gabe.”
Luke felt tears spill freely down his cheeks. He laughed weakly through them, overwhelmed. “Come on,” he whispered. “Please.”
Slowly, painfully slowly, Gabe’s eyelids fluttered. They didn’t open fully. Not yet. But they moved, trembling like they were remembering how.
Maddy covered her mouth, a broken sob slipping out. Luke’s dad turned away briefly, scrubbing at his eyes. His mom clutched the bedrail like it was the only thing holding her upright.
Gabe let out a hoarse sound again, confused and distressed, his body tensing.
“It’s okay,” Luke said immediately, voice shaking but firm. “You’re safe. You’re in hospital. We’re all here. You’re not alone. It’s me, Luke. Mom and dad are here too. So is Maddy. And Young. We’re here, Gabe.”
The doctor raised a hand gently. “He’s still very groggy. This part can be overwhelming.”
Luke nodded, never taking his eyes off his brother.
It took nearly another hour before anything really changed. The doctors came and went quietly, adjusting things and murmuring reassurance to the family. The room settled into a tense, fragile stillness again, broken only by the soft beeping of machines and the sound of everyone breathing far too shallowly. Luke didn’t move from his spot. His legs ached. His hand was numb from gripping the rail so tightly. He didn’t care.
Then Gabe blinked. Not a flutter this time. A real blink. Slow. Deliberate.
Luke’s breath hitched painfully in his chest.
Gabe’s eyes opened properly at last, unfocused and glassy, drifting aimlessly across the ceiling before slowly, clumsily tracking downward. Confusion clouded his expression, his brow creasing as if the world hurt to look at.
“Hey,” Luke whispered instantly, stepping closer again. His voice cracked on the word. “Hey, Gabe. You’re awake.”
Everyone rushed forward to stand adound the bed again in alarm and watched as Gabe tried to swallow. His throat worked around the tube, a faint distressed sound escaping him. The nurse was there immediately, murmuring something calm and soothing, reminding him to breathe, that the tube was temporary, that he was safe. Tears leaked from the corners of Gabe’s eyes anyway. They slid down his cheeks silently, soaking into the pillow.
Luke felt something inside him break wide open. “Fuck, Gabe,” he breathed, choking. “It’s okay.”
Gabe’s gaze drifted again at the sound of the voice. His eyes were unfocused, then they slowly settled on Luke and stayed there. He didn’t look at their parents. Didn’t look at Maddy. Didn’t look at Youngjae, even though Luke could feel him solid and steady at his side. He just stared at Luke. His eyes filled again, lashes clumping as more tears spilled over. His face crumpled slightly, like he was trying to hold something back and failing.
“Gabe,” Luke whispered, voice shaking. “No, don’t. It’s okay. I’m here. I’m right here.”
Gabe made a sound then. Rough. Barely more than air. His lips moved around the tube, struggling. He was trying to speak, but he couldn’t.
Luke sobbed outright. He leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against Gabe’s, careful not to jostle anything. “It’s okay. You’re okay now. We’re here.”
Gabe’s eyes squeezed shut briefly, another tear slipping free. When he opened them again, they locked back onto Luke like he was terrified he might disappear.
Gabe tried to say something else. It came out broken, slurred, and barely audible.
Luke shook his head immediately, tears streaming. “Don’t try and talk. Just wait.”
Gabe’s chest hitched with a shaky breath. His hand twitched weakly against the sheet, fingers curling like he was trying to reach. Luke caught it instantly, wrapping both of his hands around Gabe’s, holding on like his life depended on it.
“I’ve got you,” Luke whispered fiercely. “I’ve got you now. I’m never leaving you again. Ever.”
And Gabe cried harder then, silent tears pouring down his face, eyes never leaving Luke’s.
—————————-
They made Luke leave the room when it was time to take the breathing tube out.
He hadn’t argued.
The second the nurse explained what they were about to do, his stomach flipped violently and he was already shaking his head, backing away. Youngjae went with him, guiding him out into the corridor and pressing Luke’s face briefly into his chest while the door closed behind them. Luke could still hear the muted voices, the instruction of what they were about to do, the awful gagging cough that followed. He squeezed his eyes shut, nails digging into Young’s jacket until it was over.
When they were finally allowed back in, Gabe looked wrecked. His eyes were raw and red, his voice reduced to little more than a hoarse rasp. He drifted in and out of sleep, eyelids fluttering, breathing uneven but his own now. Everyone stayed close. Luke’s parents sat on either side of the bed, one hand always touching him. Maddy hovered near the headboard, brushing his hair back when he stirred. Young stood just behind Luke, solid and steady, one hand warm at the small of Luke’s back.
Gabe barely spoke.
Every now and then his lips would part like he wanted to say something, only for exhaustion to drag him back under again. When he did manage a sound, it was usually a weak, confused noise that made Luke’s chest ache.
Hours passed like that.
Then, slowly, something shifted.
Gabe’s eyes opened again, this time clearer. More present. He blinked a few times, frowning faintly, like the world was finally coming into focus. His gaze moved sluggishly around the room, taking in faces, the IV lines, the monitors, before landing on Luke once more.
Luke leaned forward instantly. “Hey,” he whispered. “Hey, you’re okay. You’re awake. Come on, it’s time to get up. You’re late for school,” he teased in a whisper.
Gabe swallowed painfully. His throat worked, a small grimace crossing his face. When he spoke, it was barely above a whisper, rough and cracked like sandpaper. “Lu…Luke.”
“Hi, yeah,” Luke rushed out. “It’s me.”
“Didn’t… mean to,” Gabe croaked.
Luke’s breath caught. “Mean to what?”
Gabe blinked slowly, tears gathering again. His voice shook with the effort it took to speak. “Didn’t… mean to scare you.”
Luke laughed weakly, a broken sound, tears spilling down his cheeks. He didn’t care that everyone was watching him be reduced to this weak, crying, baby of a mess. He needed to get his emotions out properly before they consumed him. “You idiot,” Luke whispered fondly. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Gabe’s lips twitched, the ghost of a smile. He inhaled carefully, eyes fluttering but staying open this time “Thought…” he rasped. “Thought you’d hate me.”
Luke shook his head hard. “Never. Not ever.”
Gabe’s eyes slid shut for a second, relief written all over his face. When he opened them again, he whispered one more thing, voice trembling. “Stay?”
Luke didn’t hesitate. He reached for Gabe’s hand, squeezing gently. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“He’s been here for days,” mom finally spoke.
Gabe’s eyes shifted over to her and it seemed to only dawn on him there that they had an audience. His eyes pinged from mom, to dad, to Maddy who were all stood on his left by the bed. He let out a shuddered breath. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“No, honey,” mom said instantly, pushing his hair back away from his face. “No. We just want you to get better now, okay? Focus on that.”
“We love you so much,” Maddy sniffled.
Gabe’s face scrunched up. “Mad,” he cried.
“It’s okay, baby,” she choked out. “I’m here. I swear, i’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I love you so much.”
“I love you,” he whispered back.
“You’re in big trouble when you get home, young man,” dad finally said in a joking voice, yet his voice shook and his eyes watered.
Gabe also let out a small soft laugh, but it ended in a wince. “Sorry,” he repeated.
“Just rest now,” mom whispered to him.
Gabe nodded, his eyes fluttering shut.
Nobody moved. They watched, and they waited.
authors note: I finally finished the support group so I can focus on this story now 🙂 although it’s nearly over too and that just means I can start writing a brand new one. yay
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