January 2020

"Mingi we gotta take her to the hospital," Seonghwa cries, he was practically shaking, "She's running a really high fever and she's having a hard time breathing."

"Have you called her doctor?" Mingi asks, grabbing his shoes and putting them on so he can go start the car.

"Yeah," Seonghwa nods, his eyes watering and he wipes them away, "He said to take her to the ER."

Mingi nods, "I'll go start the car."

Seonghwa moves quickly to pack a bag for him and Mingi and his mom, not knowing how long they'll be staying at the hospital for. Once he's ready, he sets the bags by the door and then rushes to get his mother ready. He dresses her in sweatpants, thick socks, a heavy coat, and finally a large blanket.

Mingi comes in and helps get her to the car, she was shaking the entire time and finally looks to them both, "W-Where are we going?"

"We're taking you to the doctor's mom," Seonghwa spoke softly, helping her card through the snow and carefully to the car.

"Why?"

"Because you're sick," Mingi spoke this time, knowing Seonghwa is struggling to say anything without breaking down. They get her in the car and buckle her up carefully, Seonghwa sits with her in the back while Mingi drives them safely to the hospital.

They arrive at the hospital, the roads were covered in snow and ice which made the trip even more treacherous. Mingi parks the car in the front and Seonghwa brings his mother inside and checks her in. He called her doctor before they left and he had everything ready for her to be admitted, and once she was in her room and in a gown he steps in, "Alright, let's do a series of tests real quick and see what we're dealing with."

After a series of check ups and tests, the doctor concludes his diagnosis, "Her fever is really high, high enough it's a good thing you brought her in. Any high and she could have a seizure and potentially hurt herself even more."

A nurse brought in another report and the doctor thanks her before he looks it over. He frowns, "Apparently she has an infection somewhere in her body, that will explain the high fever."

Seonghwa perks up, "You can give her antibiotics for that though right?"

"Yeah, I'll get her something in her system," The doctor nods, "We'll keep her over night though to make sure her body takes it. If her fever gets higher and she starts having seizures, we'll have to transport her to the ICU."

Seonghwa felt as if he has been punched in the chest as the doctor pages a nurse and they start hooking her up to many machines and an oxygen mask. He's read about infections being one of the main causes of death... and he was always careful about not getting sick around her and making sure everything was sterile.

Mingi wraps his arms around Seonghwa as he brings him out of the room and in the hallway so it wasn't as crowded. As soon as they were alone, Seonghwa wraps his arms around Mingi and buried his face in his shoulder, his heart shattering.

Mingi holds him tighter and kisses his head, "It's okay love. I'm here..."

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Seonghwa fella asleep in the chair by his mom's bed when Mingi left to go get food. When the younger came back, he sets the food on the counter by the sink and leans down, placing a soft kiss on Seonghwa's cheek. Seonghwa's eyes fly open and his blue eyes lock with Mingi's warm honey colored irises, "Hey baby."

"Hey," Seonghwa whispers, sighing and sitting up, "sorry I fell asleep."

"It's okay, you needed to rest," Mingi whispers, kissing his forehead and handing a warm cup of hot chocolate to his boyfriend. Seonghwa takes it gratefully and takes a sip, humming as the warm liquid hits his stomach.

Mingi sets up their food, ordering from a small Mexican restaurant that was down the street. They didn't say much as they ate silently, the monotonous beeping of his mom's heart monitor and the oxygen tank humming being the only sound they hear.

Mingi knew talking about this right now wasn't going to be easy for Seonghwa, but he couldn't get his mind off of it, "Baby."

Seonghwa looks up after eating a tortilla chip scooped into some salsa, "Yeah?"

"Have you planned out arrangements for when your mother...."

Seonghwa swallows, sitting up, "She's going to be fine."

"Seonghwa-"

"She's not dying," Seonghwa hisses, pushing his food away and sitting back, "The doctor's gave her antibiotics to fight through the infection and the fever. They have new medicine right now that can help with her memory. It's expensive as hell but I'll do whatever it takes to have my mother here-"

"Seonghwa," Mingi takes Seonghwa's hands but the older takes them away and Mingi sighs, "Babe, you know this disease isn't going to make her life easier... I've done some research-"

"What research? Research on precautions to take? Research on how people with Alzheimer's die? Different medications to help with her many symptoms and her dementia?!" Seonghwa shakes his head and stands, trying to get away from Mingi but Mingi stands and grabs his wrist.

"Seonghwa baby please," Mingi pleads, "I'm just trying to help you think about the future. You know with this disease she won't live for very long-"

"She's not dying!!!!" Seonghwa screams, jerking away from Mingi and ignoring the nurse that came in to scold them, "My mother isn't dying, she's getting help!!"

The sudden increase beeping of his mom's heart monitor goes off and he looks to her bed. And he is met with her body starting to seize. Seonghwa rushes over to her but Mingi holds him back, dragging him out of the way as nurses and the doctor suddenly pile in the room.

Seonghwa was sobbing as he reaches for her, "Mom!"

Mingi drags him to the hallway, Seonghwa was still trying to break through him to get to her but after a while the doctor exits the room. Seonghwa wipes his face and took in deep breaths as the doctor sighs, "Her fever hasn't broken and is actually higher. She's starting to have seizures. We have no choice but to take her to Intensive Care."

Seonghwa's lip wobbles and he nods, and soon after he watches as his mom is transferred in the hospital bed from the room. He tried to follow but the doctor stops him, "Why don't you guys go home? Visiting hours are over anyway and I will give you updates when you come in tomorrow."

Seonghwa nods, allowing Mingi to bring him back to the room and they gather their things. The drive home was silent as Mingi held Seonghwa's hand the entire way until he parks at the house. He turns the car off and was ready to get out when Seonghwa interrupts him, "Mingi?"

Mingi looks at his boyfriend, bringing his soft hand up to his lips, "Yeah baby?"

"Tomorrow, after we visit mom, will you come with me to talk to someone about her life plans?"

Mingi smiles sadly before bringing Seonghwa's head to him. His lips brush against Seonghwa's forehead before he places a gentle kiss there, nodding, "I'll be wherever you need me to be love."

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