The next week passed in a blur for Wooyoung. The radiation therapy seemed to be going well according to Dr. Fields' reports. The cancerous cells weren't spreading for now, which he said was a win in his book.

But Wooyoung was feeling worse as each day went on. His nausea was almost always present and it was getting harder and harder for him to keep food down.

Because of this, his body was also getting weaker.

Jongho was with him as much as possible to help him out. There were only a few times that he needed to leave to go check on the farm, but he would always time it so he was gone for the evening and then get back early the next morning.

And San was hardly present at all.

He would call at least once a day to check in, but it was becoming more and more obvious that his company couldn't function without him.

Wooyoung could always tell just how sorry he was and that he genuinely wanted to be here. But this just validated his choice even more.

Jongho had always been there for him when he needed it.

When San finally did manage to get an evening off, Wooyoung felt the dread building in his stomach as he waited for the older to arrive.

It grew even more when San walked in with his usual wide smile and holding a bag of food from a nearby restaurant. "Hi Youngie! How are you feeling? I wasn't sure if you'd feel up to eating or not so I brought some food just in case."

Nova lifted her head from where she was laying on Wooyoung's lap to watch him with large, curious eyes.

"San, before we do that..." Wooyoung started. He knew he had to do this now otherwise he may never be able to do it. The thought of hurting San was tearing him apart inside, but this was something that was going to happen at one time or another. "I need to talk to you."

The older tilted his head to the side and sat down next to him. "What is it? Did something change with the doctor?"

"No, everything is fine there fo row. But things have changed... with me..." Wooyoung cringed, then turned to look directly at San. He saw the older's face fall a little bit. "San, I-"

"It's ok. You don't need to explain." He sighed and leaned forward so that his elbows were pressed into his knees and brought his fingers to his lips. "I think... I think I saw this coming."

A shadow moved at the door that stole Wooyoung's attention for a moment and he couldn't help but smile a little when he realized it had to be Pierre.

"Can I ask what the main reason was?" San whispered.

"I don't really know if I could pick... but really, I think the biggest this is that-"

"We never really fit together." San sighed once more, but then smiled. Wooyoung was surprised to see this reaction coming out of him and he didn't quite know what to make of it. "Did you already talk to Jongho?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'm glad you two worked it out."

"San... How are you taking this so well?"

The older laughed. "I have no idea. I think it's because I was expecting it after you couldn't give me an answer when I asked you to marry me. And even though I haven't been here, I have been thinking about you, and that turned to thinking about us." San leaned back so he could stare up at the ceiling. "And... I think I knew that we would work from how you reacted to seeing Jongho at the benefit."

Wooyoung felt his mouth open a little in shock. This was not how he was expecting this conversation to go at all.

"I may not seem like it, but I'm a very selfish person sometimes. And seeing how you were after I introduced Jongho to you as my brother... I wanted to do everything I could to make sure you would pick me. Making you move in with me... Giving you Pierre to drive you around... Proposing... I wanted you for myself and I wanted to prove for once that I'm better than my brother."

"San... What are you talking about?"

When San looked at him again, he had an almost sad look to his eye. "Jongho's always been the favorite out of everyone we've met, and I know it's because he's a better person than me."

"San, that's not true." Wooyoung sat up a little more and shook his head.

"Yeah, it is. I do everything I can to help others, but the only way I know how to do that is through money. Jongho knows how to help others by actually being with people. Even my mother prefers talking to him over me." San let out a nervous laugh. "But then again, she is always trying to win his favor because of everything that happened with his mom. That, and she says I'm always too busy. Can I ask though, did you care for me at all?"

Wooyoung felt his chest constrict at the question. "Of course I did, San. Being with you is thrilling. I never knew what to expect. And I do, I do love you. But just, not in the same way... You gave me a life that I had dreamed of with the penthouse and the money, but it's... not me."

"And there's nothing I can do to change your mind?"

"No. I'm s-"

San held up a hand to silence him. "I don't want to hear any apologies. I just want you to be happy. My life isn't meant for everyone."

"San, you deserve so much more than what I can give you." Wooyoung felt his words catching in his throat.

"Wooyoung, it's ok. I promise. Yes, I'm sad that you don't want to be with me, but like I said, I kind of saw it coming." San rubbed the back of his head. "And don't worry, I'm still going to be here to support you through all this, but probably not as much."

The younger nodded and glanced at the door one more time. Pierre was leaning against it with his arms crossed. He was just far enough back that San wouldn't be able to see him, but he nodded to Wooyoung and gave him a grateful smile.

"You better not hurt my brother any more though. I miss seeing him." San winked at him before moving to get some food.

Wooyoung watched him full out a few to-go containers and select what he wanted to eat. He couldn't help but admire just how much of a good man San really was. San had always been attentive and showed that he cared, and Wooyoung would always be grateful for that. He was good in all the right ways, he was just the wrong one for Wooyoung and what he wanted out of life.

They ended up spending the rest of the evening together, Pierre included after San invited him into the room, chatting peacefully about everything except for the reason why they were all gathered in a hospital room.

At one point, Jongho even showed up carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder. He paused in the doorway when he realized San and Pierre were there and almost turned away, but San noticed him and ran forward to pull him into a hug.

Jongho gave Wooyoung a surprised look over his brother's shoulder and patted San's back awkwardly a couple of times. Wooyoung smiled and shrugged. He was still baffled by the day as well so he didn't even know how to start explaining it.

San and Jongho ended up stepping outside to talk about things, leaving Wooyoung alone with Pierre. "Thank you." The bodyguard said after a few minutes. "I know that wasn't easy for you, but I think it's going to be better for both of you in the long run."

"He deserves someone better than me. Someone who understands and accepts the lifestyle he's chosen for himself." Wooyoung whispered. "I'm not cut out for that life. No matter how hard he tried, I never felt comfortable."

"And there's nothing wrong with that." Pierre gave him a kind smile. "But you don't need to worry about that. You just need to focus on getting better."

"Don't worry, I will."

And Wooyoung did try. For a few weeks, his levels stayed the same and he did his best to stay as positive as possible.

Dr. Fields worked furiously to try and find a donor so they could perform the surgery and get Wooyoung back to full health.

But about a month after he started the chemo and radiation therapy, Wooyoung took a turn for the worse.

His cancer levels spiked and it got to the point where he was barely able to move without feeling any form of pain.

He also couldn't stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.

"Wooyoung." Dr. Fields said one morning before he was due to start radiation. "Wooyoung, can you hear me?"

All he could manage to do was hum in response. He felt so weak...

"Wooyoung we are going to do a longer treatment today. The cancer is spreading so we need to try and contain it, ok?"

"Why is this happening?" Jongho's voice came from somewhere in the room.

Wooyoung turned his head to try and find him, but he could barely open his eyes. He needed to find him though. He needed Jongho...

"We never know why this happens. Our understanding of cancer is still very limited. But I'm doing everything I can." Dr. Fields sighed. "I'm hoping the longer treatments will work."

"Is there news of a donor yet?"

"No. I'm trying though."

Wooyoung hummed and tried to lift up his hand. His entire body felt heavy, though, and he couldn't tell if it was actually moving or not.

He was vaguely aware of when his bed started to move and when he was rolled onto a hard, cold surface to lay on his stomach.

The pressure on his back demanded his full attention when the radiation beam started it's attempts to treat him.

He was so tired of the pain...

After some time, he was wheeled back to his room. Still barely conscious, he could hear the doctor asking him if he wanted something to eat. Food sounded appalling right now, but he knew he needed to eat at some point.

Some time passed, Wooyoung was never sure how much, and he felt a warm hand take his. He instantly knew it was Jongho and he attempted to squeeze in acknowledgment, although he had no idea if it actually worked or not.

"Woo, I've got some applesauce here for you. Can you try eating some for me?" The younger asked. His voice was distant and seemed to shake a little.

Wooyoung tilted his head to the side. "Jo..." He whispered.

"I'm here, I'm here Woo. Please, I need you to eat for me."

"Tired..."

A hand gently caressed his cheek. "I know." Jongho said. He pressed his forehead to the side of Wooyoung's head so his lips were next to Wooyoung's ear. "I know baby. But you need to take your medicine and you need to try and get something in your stomach. Please, Woo..."

He cringed, but worked to open his mouth. He could feel the spoon slip in and he did appreciate how sweet the applesauce tasted, especially with how dry his mouth was.

"There you go. A few more bites for me, please."

"Jongho..." Wooyoung managed to open his eyes a little. Everything was still blurry, but he could kind of make out Jongho's outline.

"I'm here. I'm here baby. I need you to eat some more for me, ok?"

Wooyoung nodded and opened his mouth once more to accept more applesauce. He was worried about throwing it up later, but for now his body seemed to be accepting it.

He didn't last long though, soon he was too tired and lost the ability to control his body and he felt his mind slipping away from him.

Everything seemed to be slipping away and the pain was taking over...

A small voice would sometimes penetrate his thoughts. It was always so far away, but he was always searching for it. Right now though, no matter how hard he tried... he couldn't get any closer to the voice.

"Woo... Please... Keep fighting."

It was so far away. Wooyoung tried reaching out for it, but he couldn't move.

"Please, Wooyoung. You're strong. You can do this. Please... I need you. I just got you and I can't lose you now." The voice was shaking, like it was trying not to cry.

Wooyoung wanted nothing more than to comfort the voice. It hurt him to hear the pain.

But he felt like he was getting further and further away...

"Wooyoung... Please..."

Drifting... He was drifting.

He was heavy, and yet so light.

"Don't leave me..."

Everything was going black.

"Please... I love you... Don't leave me..."