Work Text:
Thomas is the only one answering his phone, and he knows that because he’s the one who gets the call.
Because when they turned eighteen, he and Minho added each other to their emergency contact lists.
Because the voice on the phone is telling him that he’s Minho’s emergency contact, and he needs to come to the hospital right away.
Teresa doesn’t let him drive.
He wouldn’t let him drive, either.
Minho’s parents are at work, phones either on silent or off.
Thomas doesn’t want to have to be the one to tell them that-that Minho’s dead.
But it looks like it's going to be either him or Teresa.
He clutches her hand as she talks to the nurses at the desk; Thomas can barely register anything they're saying. Teresa shakes him a little to get him to pay attention, and then they're following someone to a more private room.
“Yes, this is Thomas. I'm his sister.”
“I understand the news has been a shock, but I do need Thomas to communicate the patient's wishes.”
What?
Minho’s dead–he doesn't have any wishes left to communicate.
Thomas manages not to say that out loud.
“Weren’t we called here to identify the body?” Teresa asks.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I’m sorry about the distress that must be causing you. There are just a few things we need to know before we get too much further into surgery.”
They wouldn’t be asking if Minho’s life was at immediate risk.
Thomas doesn’t know if he needs to sit down and cry or start cheering.
This isn’t something he and Minho have explicitly talked about, but Minho’s parents would probably give the same answer Thomas does.
Minho would probably give the same answer Thomas does. “I know there are probably options you need to talk over with me, but I think the answer is if it saves his life, then do it.”
“That’s the most common answer, but you’re right, we do actually need to discuss the possibilities.”
Thomas’s head is swimming with medical terms by the end of it, and Teresa’s notes app is full, but he’s still sure of that answer.
“Not changing your answer?” The doctor–surgeon?–asks, and Thomas nods.
“No. Minho would rather never run again than die when it could be prevented.”
“Like I said, this is just to get your consent in case the procedure is necessary. It doesn’t mean that it will be.”
Thomas has to sign several forms, but once that’s done, he and Teresa are left alone again.
“I should try calling his parents again.” Thomas should take a nap. The chairs are terrible, but the floor might be nice.
“I can do that.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Why are you Minho’s emergency contact, anyway?”
“We did it when we turned eighteen. Mom and you are still on there, and Minho’s parents are ahead of me.”
“You’re literally his emergency contact, and you still haven’t kissed him? This is just sad, Thomas. Finally realized you’re not going to get another chance?”
“I know, I know.” The teasing stings a little more than it usually does, and Teresa lays off him.
For now, at least. When Minho’s recovered, she’s going to be worse than ever.
“Trade phones with me so I can call his parents. I might have a few texts from our friends, but probably don’t read them.”
Normally, that would make Thomas snoop, but he doesn’t think he wants to see what she’s had to say to their friends today.
He knows her password, but he doesn’t bother putting it in.
Minho’s… well, he’s not again, but he’s alive. He’s going to stay that way.
Thomas knows something’s still not quite right in his head, despite knowing Minho’s not dead, but he doesn’t know how to fix that.
“I got his dad, he’s going to handle getting the rest of the family here.” Thomas doesn’t know much about Minho’s extended family; he’s only met them a couple of times.
“And if you’ll give me my phone back, Thomas…” Teresa takes it when he doesn’t hand it over. “Our friends are coming, too. They’re bringing food and blankets, both of which you probably need.”
“Why?”
“You still look like you’re going to pass out, Thomas.”
“I’m fine.”
“If I looked like that, you wouldn’t let me stand up, let alone leave my bed. You weren’t this pale when you broke your arm in three places.”
“We don’t talk about that.”
“We do when it’s relevant.”
“Which is never.”
Teresa rolls her eyes, whacking at his shoulder. “It’s relevant when I say it’s relevant.”
“Did you call Mom and tell her where we are?”
“Bren’s stopping by to let her know and pick up a few things.”
“‘Bren’, really, is that the best you got?”
“You don’t want to hear the best I’ve got.”
Thomas starts counting the minutes in his head as they talk–he doesn’t know how long it’s been since they were left alone, and he certainly doesn’t remember how long the surgery was supposed to take–but it helps bring him back to himself, a little.
Brenda arrives twenty-three minutes in, with a faded sweatshirt for him (Minho’s, of course), and a kiss for Teresa.
Newt and Alby are next, thirty-five minutes in.
Minho’s parents, thirty-nine minutes in. Thomas wishes he had more to say to them, but they’re off to ask if there’s an update right after he and Teresa tell them what they know.
Gally, Sonya, Harriet, Frypan, with the promised food and blankets, forty-seven minutes in.
Thomas is forcibly wrapped in a blanket and fed, forty-nine minutes in. He’s got his wits about him enough to follow the different murmurs of conversation from his friends around the room, which is an improvement on earlier.
But it’s not until Minho is out of surgery that he really comes around, hanging on the doctor’s every word.
“He won’t be able to have any visitors tonight, so while I know that it will be difficult, I really do recommend that you go home and rest. Come back in the morning–you can even bring him some small things from home as comfort items.” Thomas doesn’t want to move, despite the doctor’s kind eyes and words. He wants to sit right here until he can go and see Minho for himself, make sure he’s breathing.
Thomas is very aware, right now, that this is not exactly how he would feel if this were Newt or Sonya or Brenda or Alby. None of their other friends would get this reaction out of him.
But he gets up and moves anyway. He’s no good to Minho if he’s dead on his feet.
“Thought I would have to fight you on that one.” Teresa says. “Brenda’s spending the night, we’re all sleeping in your bed since it’s bigger.”
“Haven’t had a sleepover in a while.”
“It’s not a sleepover, we’re not kids.”
“It’s definitely a sleepover.” Thomas wants to look at Minho, because Minho would agree with him, but he’s not there right now.
He will be, though. Not now, but soon. And Thomas will never let him drive ever again.
Teresa and Brenda take up most of the room in his bed, which isn’t even bigger than Teresa’s, really, and he’s pretty sure they actually sleep for most of the night.
Thomas dozes off, here and there, but he spends most of his time staring at the window, going over the list of injuries the doctor gave them earlier. Mom or Teresa must have locked it at some point, but it’s not like it’s hard to unlock. Just flip the latch, and anyone can come in.
Brenda wakes up first, just before sunrise. His window isn’t facing east, so he can’t see the sun, but he can see the early morning colors lightening.
“You didn’t sleep, did you?” She nudges him. “Dude, come on.”
“You’re not allowed to do that, you’re not Teresa.”
“I’m your sister-in-law in all ways but legally, I’m allowed to do whatever I want. I have sister privileges now.”
Thomas hates that she’s right.
“I slept some.” He admits. “We have coffee anyway.”
“You’re not allowed coffee on a normal day, what makes you think you can have it today?”
“I know how to use a coffee maker, Bren.”
“And I know how to hide one, and if you’re too tired you won’t be able to find it.”
Thomas rolls over and rolls his eyes. Better if Brenda doesn’t see it. “Fine.”
Teresa curls up next to him, now that Brenda’s gone, and Thomas feels like he’s five years old again.
If only having Teresa by his side could solve all of his problems the same way it seemed to then. It’s something they’ve grown away from, over the years.
He manages to fall asleep for real, after a while, and only because he knows that Teresa and Brenda will throw him out the window to wake him up if they have to.
“They’re allowing two people in at a time, his parents are in there now.” Thomas leans against the wall; he doesn’t want to sit again. “At least we know where his room is now.”
“Yeah.”
“I bet you could sneak in.” Brenda tilts her head. “Remember when Jorge had to have that surgery and we all hid around his room whenever the nurses would come by?”
“That only worked because we were like ten.” Thomas laughs. “It was kind of fun, though.”
“The nurses had to know we were there, we weren’t subtle at all.” Teresa says. “He can’t get kicked out of the hospital now, babe,”
Thomas doesn’t like the look they share.
“Stop plotting my love life and go get eloped or something.”
“Mom would kill us. You, too, because she’d know you encouraged it.” Teresa flicks him. “If you’d bother to plot your own love life, we wouldn’t have to do it for you.”
Minho’s parents come out about half an hour later.
“How is he? How are you?” Thomas asks, because he does have manners, Teresa.
“Awake already, though he’s not up for much talking. We spoke to his surgeon this morning and things went very well.” Mrs. Park says.
“It’s good to know that someone will be here with him when we can’t be.” Mr. Park wraps an arm around his shoulders. “You have our numbers. Text or call us if you need anything.”
“Yeah, okay.” Thomas won’t, they have enough to deal with.
“He’ll be fine, Thomas. We’re alright as long as we know that.” Mrs. Park tells him, smiling softly. “Go in and see him, I’m sure it was killing you not to be here all night.”
It was, though he doesn’t know how they know that. Teresa and Brenda, sure.
Teresa and Brenda opt to stay in the uncomfortable chairs in the hall, though he’s sure Minho would like to see them, too.
And Thomas doesn’t want to go in alone. He’s been picturing all sorts of things since he got the news–it’s hard not to. But Minho’s okay, he’s going to be fine, and that’s what he has to remember no matter what he looks like now.
“Thomas!” Minho’s sitting up, looking better than even the least-injured image Thomas has conjured up. “Was wondering when you’d stop by.”
“I got the call. I thought you were dead.” He says, mouth suddenly dry and voice hoarse. “I had to…” He doesn’t want to tell Minho how the world stopped, as soon as he thought Minho wasn’t in it anymore. How Teresa had to guide him by the hand like a child because he was so lost.
“You made the decision I would have wanted you to, Thomas, if it had come to that. It didn’t, though. I’m gonna be fine. Few more days here, lots of PT, and I’ll be back to climbing through your window.”
Minho’s the one who almost died in a car crash. Thomas should be comforting him, but he can’t seem to do anything other than stand and stare.
“Get over here, shank.” Minho smiles, and it’s one he only seems to direct at Thomas, despite the bandage wrapping around his head. It doesn’t seem like they had to cut his hair–Minho would be insufferable about that.
Thomas can’t help himself.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Thomas, now come over here.” Minho laughs, and Thomas wants to run back out–but he can’t do that to Minho, even if Teresa’s wrong.
“Gotta say, kind of shitty of you to only confess after you thought I died, Thomas. I mean it, come over here. Not like I can come to you.” Thomas listens, this time, and Minho moves over on the narrow bed. “I’ll sleep better if you share with me. I always do. I’m on too many pain meds to lie right now, and I was also justi n a car crash so that means you have to do whatever I say.”
“I don’t think it works like that, Minho.” Thomas does it anyway, careful of Minho’s injuries.
“It does. Ask the nurses.”
“If I do that, they’ll kick me out of your room.”
“Take my word for it, then.”
Thomas doesn’t have a choice.
“Dude, you’re not supposed to fall asleep in Minho’s bed.” Teresa shakes him lightly. Minho’s petting his hair–he does it sometimes when Thomas can’t sleep. “The nurses aren’t gonna let you visit again.”
“Minho wants me here.” Thomas says, rolling his shoulders. “Is anyone else here?”
“Yeah, the rest of our friends, and they wanna see Minho too. I’ve been in here for a while, so you and I are gonna go eat and let other people visit.”
Teresa drags him outside the hospital to eat, though she doesn’t make him go more than ten minutes away.
“I told him I love him.”
“What’d he say?”
“He’s high on pain meds, T, I can’t let it mean too much of anything right now.”
“He’s not gonna tell anyone else to get in his hospital bed with him, Thomas.” Teresa rolls her eyes. “You’re wearing pink to my wedding, by the way. Brenda and I are getting some planning done.”
“Is someone else wearing green, by chance?”
“Maybe.”
“Teresa, you can’t have people dressed up as Cosmo and Wanda at your wedding.”
“It’s my wedding, I can do what I want.”
“See if I show up, then.”
“I will kill you if you don’t.”
The fresh air and Teresa’s attempt at distracting him is nice, but she knows him well enough to let him leave while she picks up the check.
“You’re gonna have to wait, he can still only have a few visitors at a time.” Brenda warns him. “And Teresa and I are leaving when she gets back, we’ve got a few things to look at.”
“Pink suits?” Thomas guesses.
“And wedding dresses.”
“Isn’t that bad luck?”
“Window shopping, Thomas, not shopping-shopping.”
Thomas recognizes Gally’s laugh as the door opens. “Minho’s a riot on pain meds. And annoying. Only person he wants to talk to or about is you, Thomas.” Gally nudges him toward the door.
“We can take a bloody hint.” Newt says, leaning into Alby’s side. “Glad to se he’s alright, though.”
“Call if Brenda and Teresa don’t come back to pick you up.” Alby tells him. “Frypan couldn’t get off his shift, but he’ll be around before visiting hours end, too.”
“Thanks, guys.” Thomas says.
A nurse comes by to take Minho for imaging before Thomas can work up the nerve to go back in, and he’s glad no one is there to see it.
Minho’s awake when he comes back, and he grins when he sees Thomas.
“He’s gonna stay with me.” He tells the nurse, like it’s the best thing he’s ever heard.
“He’s been a lot, hasn’t he? What a good friend.”
“He loves me.”
“I’m sure he does.” The nurse smiles at Thomas. “Let me get him settled real quick, then you can come in and sit with him. Thomas, right? He was telling me all about you during his x-ray.”
Thomas is sure his face is bright red.
Maybe he and Minho talk about each other too much.
As much as Minho talks about him to everyone else, they don’t talk about it until Minho’s on less pain meds–Thomas doesn’t think he could take it.
“You know, I have a list.” He’s in Minho’s bed again, because Minho won’t let him sit in a chair.
“A list of what?” Minho asks. “Times you thought I died?”
“No, and I don’t want to have one of those. No more almost-dying for you.”
“I wasn’t even that close to dying, you just thought I was.”
“Same thing.”
“Does this list have anything to do with you loving me?”
“It’s a list of all the times I should’ve kissed you anyway.”
“Is it really?” Thomas can tell from Minho’s voice that he’s gonna be hearing about this for the rest of their lives. “Tell me more.”
“Do I really have to?”
“I want the full list, Thomas.”
“Fine.” Thomas doesn’t have to think about it. “The first time you climbed in my window, any time you climbed in my window, the first night you stayed over in my bed. The first weekend we saw each other after starting college, or the first time you used your key. The first time you picked me up in your car, the day you broke up with Alby. When you won a race, or lost, on the bus home from cross-country meets. On prom night, on our bridge, on that stupid couch in your basement, in the hallway at school. At any of the bonfires we went to, any of the times you’ve smiled at me like I'm the only other person in the world. When we sat in our field, under the stars, should’ve kissed you then.
“The first time we met–no, the first time I realized how much it hurt not to be kissing you.”
Minho stares at him for a long minute, and Thomas starts to panic. He doesn’t get up, not yet, but he wants to.
Wants to run far away while he still can.
“It sounds like we have a lot of lost kissing time to make up for, then. Because I have a list, too, you know. Sounds pretty similar to yours, actually.”
“We do.”
“Nothing but time on our hands now, though.”
“If I kiss you now, your heart rate will spike and the room will be full of nurses.”
“Then I guess you better keep telling me about all the times you wanted to kiss me, instead.”
“Or,” Thomas tilts his head a little, “We could go up to the garden on the roof, where your heart rate isn’t monitored.”
“Sneaky! I like it, Thomas. Maybe we should do a little dancing, too.” Minho’s allowed little field trips like that now. Thomas steps out to ask a nurse for a wheelchair, but Teresa’s already walking back with one.
Thomas doesn’t like what that means, but he’s willing to ignore it for now. Minho’s a little too giddy, grinning so much that the nurse has to know what they’re up to, but she lets them go anyway.
It’s sprinkling when they get up there, but the flowers are gorgeous, and so is Minho. He pulls Thomas onto his lap. Their first kiss is wet from the rain and interrupted by their giggling but it’s fearless in a way none of the first kisses they could have had would have been. It’s flawless. It’s theirs. And so is the second, and the third, and however many more they share.
They’re only allowed half an hour, but it’s a half hour very well spent.
“Thomas and Minho have been trying to crawl into each other’s skin since the day they met.” Is how Teresa begins their wedding ceremony. Revenge for Thomas’s Best Man speech at her and Brenda’s wedding the year before.
Giving her a year to plan it out was a terrible idea, really.
“I, probably more than anyone, am overjoyed that we are finally here today. They’ve written their own vows, Thomas with some help from a recording I captured the day they got together.”
She’s going to hold it over his head forever, but he’s grateful for it in some ways. Only some.
“Minho, there are a million times I should have kissed you anyway. Ignored the fear that I would ruin our friendship and took the leap. The first day we met, that would’ve been a good one, or in the back of the bus after a cross country meet while our friends acted disgusted around us. Maybe the first time you climbed into my bedroom window, stayed the night, used your key, picked me up in your car. In our field under the stars. Any time you smiled at me, whenever it rained.
“It took us years, but we got our first kiss. Sitting on your lap in a hospital’s rooftop garden while it rained and then poured around us. I regret all the times I didn’t kiss you, but I don’t regret any of the times I have. Minho, you’re the best friend and partner I could have ever asked for. If I’d kissed you in high school, we would have been married at the courthouse the day we were both eighteen.” Teresa’s the only one who’s heard his vows, in either the recording from the hospital or as he was writing them. Minho has to take a minute before he can say his, even though he’s heard the list before.
“I have a list, too, everyone. I won’t be reciting it, because it’s pretty similar to Thomas’s. I didn’t have a recording to help write my vows, either.” He jokes, before he glances at the worn paper in his hands. “I’d like to say I knew right away, but we were just starting high school then. Didn’t take long for us to be attached at all joints, though. Climbing through each other’s windows, sneaking glances all the time.
“I knew the first time I saw him kiss someone else. Thomas was it for me. I would have run away with him if he’d asked, stuck around for college if he’d wanted that. There’s a long list of little moments where I fell in love with you all over again, and now I get to keep writing it for the rest of our lives.”
Until Teresa pronounces them husband and husband, until their first kiss as a married couple, that very first kiss in the hospital garden was Thomas’s favorite. It’s an anniversary they’ll celebrate until they can’t.
But this one? With all of their friends and family cheering and clapping, rings on their fingers and married? This one is more than breathtaking, better than any other time he’ll ever kiss Minho.