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A brisk wind rattled the hospital windows as Hyun-woo shoved his hands deeper into his hoodie pockets. The corridors were too bright, too sterile, but he’d long since gotten used to it. He didn’t like hospitals—not the smell, not the quiet hum of machines, not the way Luka always seemed smaller when surrounded by white sheets and wires.
He’d argued with his sister about coming today, not because he didn’t want to, but because she had that smug look she always got when she knew she was right.
“You’re the only person Luka listens to,” she’d said, slipping a book into his hands before they left the house. “Not that he’d ever admit it.”
She wasn’t wrong, but Hyun-woo didn’t need her rubbing it in.
Now, as they approached Luka’s room, Hyun-woo could already hear the faint click of a Rubik’s Cube being turned over and over in restless hands. Without knocking, he pushed the door open.
Luka was where he always was, sitting cross-legged on the bed, glaring at the cube like it had personally offended him. His blond hair was tousled, his cheeks pale except for the faint flush creeping up his neck as he looked up.
“Took you long enough,” Luka said, tossing the cube onto the bedside table with a scoff. “What, were you debating whether it was worth the trip?”
“Nice to see you too,” Hyun-woo said, rolling his eyes as he dropped into the chair beside the bed.
“You didn’t have to come,” Luka continued, crossing his arms. His tone was sharp, but Hyun-woo didn’t miss the way his fingers trembled slightly. “I’m not dying or anything.”
Hyun-woo snorted. “You sure about that? You look like a ghost.”
Luka’s glare sharpened, but Hyun-woo noticed how he adjusted his position, leaning slightly toward him. He always did that, even when his words pushed him away.
Hyuna walked in behind him, setting a box of snacks and the book she’d brought on the small table by the bed.
“Ignore him, Luka,” she said cheerfully. “He just doesn’t know how to express his feelings.”
“Feelings?” Hyun-woo scoffed. “I’m just here to make sure he’s not slacking on recovery.”
“You’re terrible at lying,” she said, smirking as she patted her little brother’s shoulder. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two alone. Don’t fight too much!”
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving an awkward silence in its wake.
“Your sister’s annoying,” Luka muttered, though his lips twitched like he was suppressing a smile.
“She’s your biggest fan,” Hyun-woo said, leaning back in the chair. “She even brought you a book. You should thank her.”
“I didn’t ask for it.”
“You don’t ask for anything.”
Luka’s gaze flickered to the window, his fingers tapping against his knee. Hyun-woo watched him carefully, noting the purple tinge creeping back into his fingertips.
“Seriously, though,” Hyun-woo said, his voice quieter now. “Are you okay?”
“I said I’m fine,” Luka snapped, but the edge in his voice cracked slightly.
“You’re a terrible liar,” Hyun-woo said, repeating his sister’s earlier words.
“Why do you even care?” Luka said, his voice rising slightly. “You don’t have to babysit me, you know. Go back to your basketball or whatever.”
Hyun-woo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You always do this, you know. Pretend like you don’t care when it’s obvious you do.”
Luka froze, his jaw tightening. “What are you talking about?”
“Look,” Hyun-woo said, his tone gentler now. “I know you don’t like asking for help, and you hate feeling like a burden. But I’m here because I want to be, not because I have to be.”
Luka’s eyes flicked to Hyun-woo’s face, then back to the window. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Hyun-woo sighed, leaning back in the chair. He let the silence stretch between them, waiting for other party to speak first. He knew Luka’s patterns by now—the way he lashed out when he was scared, the way his hands trembled when he was holding back.
After what felt like an eternity, Luka spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re an idiot, you know that?”
Hyun-woo smirked. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
Luka’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles, but he quickly turned his face away. “Whatever.”
“You want me to leave?” Hyun-woo asked, though he already knew the answer.
“No,” Luka said quickly, then added, “I mean, do whatever you want. I don’t care.”
“Right,” Hyun-woo said, settling deeper into the chair. “Guess I’ll stick around, then.”
Luka didn’t respond, but his shoulders relaxed slightly, and the purple in his fingers began to fade.
------
The hospital room settled into a familiar rhythm—the soft hum of machines, the faint murmur of nurses in the hall, and the occasional rustle of pages as Hyun-woo flipped through the book his sister had left.
Luka was still sitting cross-legged, fiddling absentmindedly with a loose thread on his blanket. He glanced at Hyun-woo, watching him out of the corner of his eye, though he’d never admit it.
“You’re quiet,” Luka muttered, breaking the silence.
“Maybe I’m trying to read,” Hyun-woo said without looking up.
Luka huffed, leaning back against the pillows. “You’re not even turning the pages.”
Hyun-woo smirked, caught but unbothered. “Maybe I’m waiting for you to say something.”
“I don’t have anything to say.”
“Sure you don’t.” He set the book down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“So, what happened this time? Why are you moody again?”
Luka’s fingers stilled, his gaze flickering to the window. “Stress, probably. Or the weather. Does it matter?”
“It matters to me.”
Luka turned his head sharply, his eyes narrowing. “Why? Why does it matter so much to you?”
Hyun-woo paused, his heart twisting at the frustration in Luka’s voice. He’d always known Luka was bad at feelings—too scared to let anyone in, too stubborn to admit when he needed someone. But Hyun-woo could see through it, through the walls B had built so high.
“Because you matter,” Hyun-woo said simply.
The words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. Luka stared at him, his expression unreadable.
“You’re so—” Luka started, then stopped, biting his lip. “You’re so annoying.”
Hyun-woo laughed, the sound breaking some of the tension in the room. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”
Luka shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m serious. You’re always barging in, acting like you know everything.”
“Because I do know you,” Hyun-woo said, his voice softer now. “I know you push people away because you’re scared they’ll leave. But I’m not going anywhere, Luka.”
Luka’s breath hitched, and he looked down at his hands. The purple was completely gone now, but his fingers still trembled slightly.
“Why?” Luka whispered.
“Because I care,” Hyun-woo said, leaning forward. “I’ve always cared. And I’m not going to let you sit here and pretend like you don’t need anyone.”
Luka didn’t respond right away, and Hyun-woo let the silence stretch between them. He could see the battle playing out in Luka’s mind—the push and pull of wanting to believe Gyun-woo’s words and fearing they weren’t true.
Finally, Luka spoke, his voice barely audible. “You’re an idiot.”
Hyun-woo smiled. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
This time, Luka didn’t argue.
-------
They’d met when they were kids, back when the world was simpler and illnesses weren’t something they understood. Luka had just moved into the neighborhood, his parents cautious and overprotective, his body already fragile.
Hyun-woo had been the loud, energetic kid next door, always dragging Luka outside to play, even when Luka insisted he couldn’t.
“Come on,” Hyun-woo would say, grabbing Luka’s hand. “You can sit and watch if you want. But you’re not staying inside all day.”
It was the same now, years later. Only now, instead of playgrounds, it was hospital rooms. Instead of scraped knees, it was purple fingers and heart monitors. But Hyun-woo’s determination hadn’t changed.
----------
Hyun-woo glanced at the clock, realizing how late it had gotten. He stretched his legs, wincing at the stiffness in his knees from sitting so long.
“You should go,” Luka said, though his voice lacked its usual bite. “It’s late.”
Hyun-woo shook his head. “I’m staying.”
Luka frowned, his lips parting as if to argue, but Hyun-woo cut him off.
“Don’t even try,” Hyun-woo said, leaning back in the chair. “You know I’m stubborn.”
Luka sighed, sinking further into the pillows. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”
Hyun-woo smiled, the small victory warming his chest. He picked up the book again, flipping to a random page.
“You’re not going to read that out loud, are you?” Luka asked, a hint of humor creeping into his voice.
“Do you want me to?” Hyun-woo teased.
“No.”
“Then I will.”
Luka groaned, but Hyun-woo caught the faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
And just like that, the night passed in quiet companionship, the kind only years of friendship—and something deeper—could create.
-------
The next morning, Hyun-woo was startled awake by a sharp knock on the hospital room door. He blinked groggily, realizing he’d dozed off in the chair. Hyun-woo quick glance at the bed confirmed Luka was still asleep, his head tilted to the side, his breathing steady.
The door creaked open, and his sister stepped inside, holding two steaming cups of coffee.
“You slept here again?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Didn’t want to leave,” Hyun-woo muttered, stretching his stiff arms. “He wasn’t looking great last night.”
She sighed, setting one of the coffees on the small table beside him. “You really care about him, huh?”
Hyun-woo shot her a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. “You know I do. Why are you even asking?”
She smiled knowingly, taking a sip of her drink. “I just like hearing you say it.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“And you’re so predictable.” She nudged his shoulder lightly. “But seriously, it’s sweet. He needs someone like you in his life.”
“Yeah, well...” Hyun-woo glanced at Luka, who stirred slightly in his sleep. “He doesn’t make it easy.”
Her expression softened as she followed his gaze. “You know, when we were kids, I used to think you two were just being competitive. But now? It’s obvious you care more than you let on.”
Hyun-woo’s cheeks reddened, and he quickly turned away. “Whatever.”
“You’re not fooling anyone, little brother.” She leaned against the wall, her tone lighter now. “Not me, not Luka, and definitely not yourself.”
Before Hyun-woo could respond, Luka’s voice cut through the quiet.
“Do you two ever shut up?”
Both siblings turned to see Luka rubbing his eyes, his usual scowl firmly in place.
“Good morning to you too,” Hyuna said, unfazed. “I brought coffee—though I guess you can’t have any. Too much caffeine for your fragile heart.”
“Ha ha,” Luka said dryly, sitting up with a wince. “You’re hilarious.”
“Thanks. I try.” She shot her brother a look before heading toward the door. “I’ll leave you two to argue. Call me if you need anything.”
Once she was gone, Luka turned to Hyun-woo, his glare softening slightly. “You don’t have to stay, you know.”
“You’ve said that a million times,” Hyun-woo said, rolling his eyes. “And I’m still here.”
Luka frowned, fiddling with the edge of his blanket. “It’s not your job to take care of me.”
“I know it’s not,” Hyun-woo said, leaning forward. “But I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m here because I want to be.”
Luka’s fingers stilled, and he looked up at Hyun-woo, something unspoken lingering in his eyes.
“You’re really annoying,” Luka muttered, but his voice lacked its usual bite.
“Yeah, well, I’ve been called worse.”
--------
Hyuna had always been the one pulling them together. When they were kids, she’d organize games and picnics in their backyard, insisting that Luka come along even when he tried to refuse.
“You’ll have fun,” she’d say, hands on her hips. “And if you don’t, I’ll tell Hyun-woo to carry you here.”
“I’m not a baby,” Luka would grumble, though he always showed up in the end.
One summer, when Luka was stuck indoors after a particularly bad asthma attack, she’d dragged Hyun-woo to his house with a board game and a tray of snacks.
“You can’t leave him alone all day,” she said, elbowing her brother as they walked. “He’ll get lonely.”
“He doesn’t get lonely,” Hyun-woo had said, though even then, he didn’t believe it.
When they arrived, Luka had scowled at them from his couch. “What are you doing here?”
“Visiting,” Hyuna said cheerfully, plopping down beside him. “Don’t act like you don’t want us here.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t—” Luka started, then cut himself off, his cheeks flushing.
From that day on, it became a routine. Whenever Luka was stuck inside, Hyuna and her brother would show up unannounced, bringing games, snacks, and their loud, chaotic energy.
Later that afternoon, Hyuna returned with lunch, balancing three trays on her arms like a seasoned waitress.
“Look at me, saving the day again,” she said, setting the trays on the small table by the window.
“Do you ever stop talking?” Luka asked, though he was already eyeing the food.
“Not when I’m around you two,” she said with a grin. “You’re like the world’s grumpiest duo.”
Hyun-woo rolled his eyes. “We’re not grumpy.”
“Speak for yourself,” Luka muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
As they ate, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—school, sports, the latest drama in their neighborhood. For a while, it felt almost normal, like they weren’t in a hospital room at all.
But then Luka’s hand slipped, knocking over his cup of water. He froze, his shoulders tensing as the liquid spread across the table.
“Relax,” Hyun-woo said quickly, grabbing a napkin. “It’s just water.”
Luka didn’t respond, his jaw tight as he stared at the mess.
“Luka,” Hyuna said gently, placing a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. We’ll clean it up.”
Luka exhaled shakily, nodding but not meeting their eyes. Hyun-woo and his sister exchanged a glance, unspoken understanding passing between them.
“I’ve got it,” Hyun-woo said, standing to wipe up the spill.
As he worked, his sister leaned closer to Luka, her voice soft. “You’re doing great, you know. Even when it’s hard.”
Luka didn’t respond, but they both noticed the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
------
After his sister left, the room grew quiet again. Hyun-woo glanced at Luka, who was staring at the ceiling, his expression unreadable.
“You okay?” He asked.
“I’m fine,” Luka said automatically, then sighed. “I hate this.”
“I know,” Hyun-woo said, his voice steady. “But you’re not alone in it.”
Luka turned his head, his pale eyes meeting Hyun-woo’s. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”
“Not a chance,” Hyun-woo said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Luka looked away, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For... staying.”
Hyun-woo didn’t respond, but he didn’t need to. The quiet understanding between them said enough.
-------
The hospital quieted down in the evening, the rush of visiting hours replaced by the distant hum of monitors and the shuffle of nurses. Hyun-woo had stayed long past the time most visitors would leave, and by now, he was accustomed to the rhythm of the place.
Luka was sitting up in bed, playing with the Rubik’s Cube again, his fingers deftly spinning the sides. The soft sound filled the room, blending with the faint buzz of the fluorescent lights.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you finish that thing,” Hyun-woo said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.
Luka glared at him, but there was no real heat in it. “Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Maybe you can’t.”
“Say that again, and I’ll throw it at you,” Luka muttered, though his lips twitched like he was suppressing a smile.
“You’d miss,” Hyun-woo teased, dodging an imaginary throw.
Their banter was interrupted by the door creaking open. Hyuna stepped in, carrying a small tote bag slung over her shoulder.
“I’m back!” she announced, her voice bright as she set the bag on the table. “And I brought reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements?” Hyun-woo asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Snacks,” she said, pulling out an assortment of chips and candy. “I figured you two idiots would forget to eat properly.”
“I’m not an idiot,” Luka muttered, but he grabbed a bag of chips anyway.
“Sure, sure,” she said, grinning as she plopped down in the chair beside her brother.
-------
Hyuna had always been the glue that held their small group together. She was the one who made sure Luka wasn’t left out when his health kept him from joining their neighborhood games.
One winter, when Luka had been stuck inside for weeks, she’d decided they were going to build him a snowman—inside his room.
“It’s impossible,” Hyun-woo had said, watching her pile ice from their freezer into a cooler.
“Nothing’s impossible if you’re creative,” she replied, sticking a carrot into the cooler like a makeshift nose.
When they’d brought the “snowman” to Luka’s room, he’d stared at them like they’d lost their minds.
“What’s that supposed to be?” he’d asked, his arms crossed.
“A snowman,” Hyuna said proudly.
“It looks like a pile of melted ice,” Luka had muttered, though he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, munching on snacks and occasionally trading sarcastic comments. Hyuna eventually pulled out a deck of cards, shuffling them with practiced ease.
“Let’s play,” she said, dealing out the cards.
Luka groaned. “I’m not in the mood.”
“You’re never in the mood,” she shot back. “That’s why I’m not giving you a choice.”
Hyun-woo chuckled, watching as Luka reluctantly picked up his cards.
As the game progressed, the banter grew livelier. Hyuna kept making outrageous bets—promising to do Luka’s homework or clean Hyun-woo’s room if she lost. Luka, despite his grumbling, seemed more relaxed than he had all day.
“You’re terrible at this,” Hyun-woo said, grinning as he laid down a winning card.
“Shut up,” Luka muttered, but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes.
“Looks like I win again,” Hyuna declared triumphantly, collecting the cards.
“Rigged,” Luka said under his breath, though his tone was light.
---------
Hyun-woo remembered the first time he’d seen Luka’s fingers turn purple. They’d been eight, playing soccer in the park. Luka had collapsed suddenly, clutching his chest, his hands trembling as the color drained from his face.
It was the first time he realized Luka wasn’t like other kids.
After that, Hyun-woo became more protective, even if he tried to hide it behind teasing and challenges. He never let Luka sit out for too long, always finding ways to include him without making it obvious.
“Stop hovering,” Luka would say, annoyed but secretly grateful.
“I’m not hovering,” Hyun-woo would reply. “I’m just making sure you don’t die on my watch.”
-----------
After his sister left for the night, the room fell into its usual quiet. Hyun-woo glanced at Luka, who was staring out the window, lost in thought.
“What’s on your mind?” Hyun-woo asked, breaking the silence.
“Nothing,” Luka said automatically, but his voice was softer than usual.
“Liar.”
Luka sighed, turning to face him. “It’s just... sometimes I feel like I’m wasting your time.”
Hyun-woo frowned. “Where’s this coming from?”
“You could be doing anything else,” Luka said, his gaze dropping to his hands. “But instead, you’re stuck here with me.”
Hyun-woo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Luka, I’m here because I want to be. You’re not wasting my time. You’re my best friend.”
“Am I, though?” Luka asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes I feel like... like you’d be better off without me.”
Hyun-woo’s chest tightened at the raw vulnerability in Luka’s words.
“Don’t say that,” Hyun-woo said firmly. “You matter, okay? To me, to my sister—hell, probably to everyone who knows you, even if you don’t see it.”
Luka didn’t respond, but his eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“You’re not alone,” Hyun-woo continued, his voice softening. “And I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, almost imperceptibly, Luka nodded.
---------
Back at home, Hyuna sat in the kitchen, scrolling through her phone. She smiled as she saw a picture of the three of them from years ago—Hyun-woo and Luka standing shoulder to shoulder, their arms crossed in mock defiance, with her grinning in the background.
She remembered how hard it had been for Luka to open up, how long it had taken for him to trust them.
“They’re idiots,” she muttered to herself, though her tone was affectionate.
But deep down, she knew they needed each other. Hyun-woo gave Luka the stability he craved, and B gave A a sense of purpose he didn’t find anywhere else.
-------
The Next Morning
Hyun-woo woke up to find Luka already awake, fiddling with the Rubik’s Cube again.
“You ever going to solve that thing?” Hyun-woo asked, sitting up and stretching.
“Maybe,” Luka said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Good morning, boys,” Hyuna said, stepping into the room with a fresh tray of food.
Luka rolled his eyes. “Do you ever stop showing up uninvited?”
“Not when you’re my favorite patient,” she said, winking.
Hyun-woo snorted. “Favorite? Since when?”
“Since always,” she said, setting the tray down. “Now eat up. Both of you.”
As they ate, the room filled with the easy laughter and warmth that only came from years of friendship.