Disclaimer: The mention of the medical condition and disease for this chapter is all fiction and only in the author's wide imagination.

Chapter 24

Dr. Jin checks the email he receives from his colleague in Australia. He sent Doyoung medical records because of the news that he read online. His friend's patient has similar symptoms to Kim Dongyoung. He sent an email last night and he is glad that his friend replied to him about the details of the disease called Blue lilies. The symptoms are accurate such as Nausea, nose bleeding, long hours of sleep, bruises, muscle swelling, and vomiting blood. Dr. Jin experiences few symptoms aside from vomiting blood and bruises but after checking Doyoung records sheet, he sees bruises starting to form on his body and Dr. Jin thought that it was because of the low blood or medicine reactions. The article he read last night from his colleague gives him a distinct impression and from that moment, he sends his precious patient record and inquires for help.

Good thing that he receives an answer with a phone number overseas. Dr. Jin didn't waste time and called his friend. Two rings and he is already connected. "Hi. This is Jin, yeah... I want to talk about my patient, Kim Dongyoung. I hope to have your time Doctor Garcia." He grimaces and waits patiently for a reply. A small smile silhouette appears on his lips and they converse.'

--

Doyoung opens his eyes because of the sudden chills he feels, he glances to the quiet room he is residing in privately to see if a soul is harboring and gets disappointed after learning that he is alone. Mr. Baek is probably outside or working with NCT. He feels sad thinking of s getting busy preparing for the comeback. The song is really beautiful when they listen to the sample soundtrack. He wanted to sing it so badly but he also knows that his health comes first.

After the two older members visited him, he hasn't heard from them since. Doyoung expects that they will bug him after confessing the mortifying incident but Doyoung did not anticipate low reactions especially since he even told how his best friend rejected him. The negative feelings started to swell within him drowning him from his thoughts like being in the deepest part of the ocean, but Doyoung couldn't force it to get ahead of him because of the guilt and the lies he sustain them since the beginning because of his dumb illness. He sighs. Doyoung misses s, their noises, those times when he was teased because of something he said or did. The happy moments he treasures the most are slowly playing and dramatically occupying his memories.

Doyoung stops his gloomy thoughts when the door opens. He expected a nurse to visit him for a check-up but Dr. Jin's serious face greeted him. He wears a complicated look that Doyoung couldn't even decode, because of the sudden chills growing inside him. He catches it quickly... It was the look Dr. Jin usually used if he was delivering the news... Sad news and Doyoung hitch his breathing when the doctor sits before him.

"How are you feeling?" Dr. Jin asked, he gazed at his patient.

"Hm, I-I'm good... I feel, okay? I think, aside from being lonely like I always am." Doyoung is not sure why he was stammering and why he told Dr. Jin his true feelings. He just stares at the old doctor and waits for him to deliver bad news while fidgeting.

Dr. Jin sighs and coughs before meeting Doyoung's eyes. "I want to talk to you about the medication I mention before-." Doyoung grimaced, not sure what to answer to his doctor. He forgot about it and he hasn't decided yet, also his family is not yet informed. He thought he could take his time but looking at his doctor, he feels uneasy because of the pressure and lack of preparations.

"I... I really... I'm sorry, I haven't thought about it yet and my brother. I need to talk to him... But I'm scared." Doyoung bit his lip and avoided Dr. Jin's gaze. He fidgeted, telling him honestly is Doyoung consolation to himself. After his doctor told him about the treatment, he thinks about it over and over again. Spending long hours in it but whatever scenario Doyoung put himself in... he cannot choose between treatment and staying. He is anxious and frightened. Doyoung doesn't want to leave his group or the fans for long... It will break him.

Dr. Jin doesn't need an explanation while looking at his patient. Knowing him for years gave him an advantage because he could read Doyoung like an open book, aside from time to time wondering what he was thinking... Dr. Jin is certain that his patient changed and is now more open with his feelings that he was able to see through him.

"Forget about what I told you before." Doyoung looks confused but stays silent. "I talked with my colleague from Australia... I'm sorry that it took me this long to find out about your illness but Mr. Kim Dongyoung... You are diagnosed with a disease called Blue Lily." Doyoung is beyond surprising. He stays quiet, not moving, just fondly listening to the beats of his heart, reminding him that this is a reality, not a dream.

"And... I'm happy to tell you that it has a cure. Some people have the same symptoms as you and are diagnosed with the same disease. The healing time only takes a year or less depending on your dispositions. The doctor I talked to already saw your medical records and I received positive feedback. He likes to have you as soon as possible." Dr. Jin professionally explains everything. He slowly told Doyoung the procedure while the younger listened well without speaking.

"Thank you hyung... But can I think about everything first? It feels like I've been on a roller coaster ride... I-I... can't." Tears started to escape from his eyes. Dr. Jin watches Doyoung sob in silence, feeling sympathetic over his long-time patient. It was the first... first time that Doyoung received hope to be cured of his illness. They were together for so long that Dr. Jin could feel his patient's emotions. He smiles patiently waiting for him to sober up.

"Can we call my brother?" Doyoung mutters in a low sob without cracking the words.

--

Yuta is patiently practicing for the steps for the third verse and the chorus. He wanted to focus and finish the task fast so he could go and visit the hospital. He already talks with Baek hyung earlier when he purposely waited for s to go ahead of him to talk with his hyung alone. He badly needs to see Kim Doyoung. It doesn't matter if Doyoung doesn't want to see him but he is certain that the only thing to reduce his tension is to see the younger and make sure that he is fine. Yuta glances at Jaehyun who he knows is watching him from the start. The young male waited for him in front of the elevator but did not ask him anything. The daggers from his eyes make Yuta scoff but ignore it quickly when the instructor yells at them to fasten the face of the movements that he gladly did.

"Hyung! Can I come?" Jaehyun is fast to appear on Yuta's side while the latter is putting his things in his bag. Yuta did not glance at him but he was thinking. He knew that Jaehyun had eyes on him and waited for an opportunity to ask him directly. He stops putting on his towel and glances at the younger one standing on his side.

"You can." He whispers.

Jaehyun's eyes gleam while nodding his head. He quickly took his things while putting his black hoodie back with anticipation written all over his face. He gets ready in a snap that Johnny and Taeil peek at him with knowing looks.

"Everyone shapes a circle; I need to say something." Yuta halts his step after hearing Taeyong's voice. He impatiently walks back without saying anything and sits beside Jungwoo that looks stiff.

"Manager hyung told me about Kim Doyoung. He's been out for a long time and I was just informed this morning that Doyoung is in the hospital." Taeil's eyes are rounded from shock, not because of Doyoung in the hospital but the fact that manager hyung told lies to their leader.

"Is he sick, hyung?" Mark asked worriedly while Haechan gasped from surprise.

"No." Taeyong's expression is hard to predict but Taeil knows that Taeyong knows why Doyoung is staying in the hospital.

"Two weeks ago, a stalker attacked him... It was..." Taeyong's eyes darken, making the maknae flinch from fear. Taeyong is scary but Taeil did not get mad because of those reasons... They lied to him! Taeil clenches his jaw and utters a curse. Some members near him heard him such as Mark and Yuta while Johnny threw glances of knowing look.

"You're saying bull Taeyong," Taeil said and met their leader's formidable gaze.

"The only thing that bulls about this was that ing stalker attacking Doyoung and severely injured him by stabbing his stomach." Taeyong sneers, narrowing his eyes because of the aggressiveness of their older member.

"We didn't expect Doyoung to be alone on the street in the middle of the night and get attacked," Johnny utters, regret in his voice.

"It's unfortunate but I hope you guys care about him more." There is no remorse in Taeyong's voice or intent to blame but the members that were with him that night mirror anguish.

"No one wanted it to happen, Lee Taeyong," Taeil commented. Yuta is holding his hand, sending signals to stop and don't provoke more but Taeil is unstoppable.

"That night happened a ing month ago! We were from the intense practice and I know that I didn't think deeply and let Doyoung go alone! But I never.... Never wish for him to get hurt! Do you know what's funnier? Even after he was stabbed... bleeding and dying... He didn't call for any of us! He didn't call for Me! Or Johnny! HE ing called you Lee Taeyong! The person who was miles away to ask for help! And that made me more frustrated because we cared for him too... We love him and are worried about him! I regretted not coming with him... When I see him sick and weak in a hospital bed...? It hurts the off me! So, don't... Don't say that I didn't care for him because I love all of you here and for goodness' sake! Apologize to him before it's too late." Taeil was breathless after he spoke. Taeyong's eyes are big and dark, absorbing the information and tears start to fall when he realizes something... The call... The night when he chooses to neglect his best friend. Taeyong covers his face with his tears and keeps pouring a loud thud that occurs when Taeyong bends down and sits on the cold ground defeated.

"Hyung, what the hell are you saying? Doyoung called for Jaemin and Chenle... He didn't, right?" Jaehyun looks more broken as the realization hits him. The reason why Jaemin and Chenle fought, Why the management hid it from them, and the reason why Doyoung didn't want to tell them.

"Doyoung told me that he called Taeyong and... He was crying when he told me about it. He even said not to tell Taeyong because he knew that Taeyong would get hurt and blame himself. Doyoung apologized and did not want us to be worried because of his carelessness. That's why he asked Jaemin and Chenle instead. I-I told him it's okay but he keeps telling me to take care of Taeyong and convince him and the members that it wasn't anyone's fault. He... He comforts me even if he looks more vulnerable and weaker." Taeil's eyes are sorting tears but it was his least concern now. He wanted everything to be right and Telling Taeyong and the members the truth is the first step to achieving it. Taeil slowly tells them everything and how the members get involved in that incident. They were all silent after Taeil finished the story.