The first thing you saw when you woke wasn’t the harsh white ceiling — it was Seongje, hunched forward in a plastic hospital chair, elbows on his knees, looking like he’d been carved out of exhaustion and caffeine.

“Finally,” he muttered, voice deep and rough.

You frowned, your mouth dry. “What… happened?”

“You passed out,” he said, like it was the most irritating thing you’d ever done. “One second you’re telling me to stop eating all your snacks, next second you’re on the floor.”

The memory flickered — the two of you sitting cross-legged on your bed, teasing each other over some dumb video game, and then… black. You touched your forehead. No bandages, no pain.

“You didn’t hit your head or anything,” he added quickly, reading your expression. “Doctor said you’re fine. Just… low blood sugar. Or tired. Or whatever.”

Your gaze shifted to the little table beside him — four crumpled energy drink cans, all different brands, all empty. “Did you… drink all those?”

He didn’t even glance at them. “Obviously.”

“Seongje…”

“What?” He leaned forward, sharp-eyed. “You think I’m gonna sleep here calmly while you’re lying in some hospital bed? I had to do something. The nurse wouldn’t let me smoke here, so—” He gestured vaguely at the cans. “This was plan B.”

You sighed, trying to push yourself up, but the room tilted. He was on you instantly, a steadying hand on your shoulder. “Don’t,” he ordered, his tone softer now. “Just… stay put.”

It was strange, seeing him like this — all the sharp edges still there, but buried under a taut, anxious focus on you.

“You didn’t have to—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.” His deep voice cut sharp through the air. “I’m not leaving you here with strangers poking you every five minutes.”

There was a beat of silence. He looked at you for so long you almost forgot to breathe, then muttered, “You scared me.”

You blinked. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said quickly, leaning back, trying for that usual bored expression. But his leg bounced restlessly, and his hand stayed close enough to grab yours if you so much as swayed.

For all his violence and chaos, right now he was just a boy who had burned through four cans of caffeine to make sure you woke up.