Alone. All alone. Everything was black. Oh, but he wasn't alone, as for he heard many whispers. Too many whispers. All about him, about his mother, about his strange family. The voice was familiar. It was himself. No, his father. When did they sound so much alike? All harsh words of discipline, none out of care. The whispers slowly turned into loud screeches, and the darkness began engulfing him. Pain covered his body, like he had taken dozens of hits from a wrecking ball. He screamed and screamed, but nothing came out of his throat.

Help! Help! Help!

Then he saw it, or more so heard it. A streak of white light calling out to him. An angel, perhaps, sent to protect him. His mother? No, the voice didn't match. It was someone else, someone he knew all too well. Help has arrived, someone heard his muted cries. As it came closer and closer, his body began shaking, and finally, he opened his eyes.

The sudden light blinded the boy's sight, causing him to blink multiple times to get adjusted. He looked around to see that he wasn't in his shed but in a hospital room. Light snores at his left caught his attention. "The angel," a voice inside inside his head said, but he shook it away.

As Jeongguk got up from his position to lay back against his pillow, the door opened, revealing a blond with a bag of what seemed to be fruits.

"Oh, you're awake," Jimin said walking over and placing the bag on a table. He proceeded to take a seat on the stool to his right, as the one on the left was occupied. "Are you feeling better now?" He asked, and Jeongguk nodded slowly, not being able to meet the older's eyes.

"Doc said you fainted from malnourishment, and the fight you had with Tae sucked the last bit of energy you had," he explained.

Jeongguk once again nodded. He couldn't say a word to him, he just felt so much regret. The bandage placed on Jimin's cheekbone did not go unnoticed. "I-I'm sorry. For everything, all I did and said. When I saw my sister crying, it reminded of some terrible memories. And I was also really confused and shit was going on. Then you were there and I just took it all out on you. God, if I'd just used my brain. I regret it all. I'm sorry, Jimin."

Jimin flashed his signature smile as he reached out and ruffled the younger's hair. "It's alright. I see the sincerity in your words, and I get it, Somi explained a lot of it already. Oh hey! You didn't call me Shorty!"

The red-head awkwardly smiled and looked down. Maybe he just needed some food in his system to realize how stupid he had acted. He felt even more guilt now seeing how easily Jimin forgave him. He wished the blond had just given him a few hits like Taehyung. He looked at the sleeping silver-head, head held down him his crossed arms on the bed, noticing he had a bandage around his hand and wondered if he had any more wounds.

"Tae's fine. Just a couple cuts on that beautiful face of his, and his hand, but he's fine. Well, physically. Don't tell him I told you, but he was crying all night blaming himself. He wouldn't leave your side." There was a pause, before Jimin looked at him with a serious face. "Taehyung's a really good guy, please don't hurt him."

"I'm sorry," Jeongguk said, not knowing what else he could possibly do. No matter how many times he apologized, he knows he's blown it big time with everything.

"Tell that to him. The guys also hope you feel better. Also, your mom was here not too long ago, you needed a guardian and that's who Somi called. They left to eat at the hospital canteen, they should return soon." After informing him of all that he had missed, Jimin left leaving the two boys alone.

The red-head was surprised at the mention of his mom. She hasn't left the house in a very long time. It was even more shocking that Somi had called her instead of their father. Unless she did but he just didn't want to come. Jeongguk shook the thoughts out his mind, he really didn't want to be thinking of that right now.

Instead, he took the opportunity to rehearse what he would say to Taehyung once he woke up, but he couldn't help but get distracted. He just wanted to look at Taehyung as much as he could. Partially because he was just breathtaking but mostly because he was scared. Scared that Taehyung would leave him and return to not even wanting to see or talk to him. After all, the pain Jeongguk had induced on him wasn't small.

Bangs covered Taehyung's face, and being a little greedy for a bit of forehead action, Jeongguk went over to sweep them away. Taehyung's head sprang up immediately, causing the younger to retrieve his hand just as fast. The silver-head took a few seconds before becoming alerted of Jeongguk who was just staring at him.

"You're awake!" Taehyung was quick to cup the boy's face to examine it. "Are you alright? God I was so worried! How could you do that to me? Does it hurt? I'm so sorry, Gguk. Fuck, I don't know what came over me, I'm just–" He stopped midway when he realized he was probably invading personal space. He took back his hands and placed them back on the bed. "– sorry."

The younger frowned, preparing for Taehyung to leave the room, but he didn't. He just sat back down on the stool and fiddled with his own fingers without looking up.

"I–" they started in unison, but stopped wanting to let the other speak.

"You go first," Jeongguk said, buying more time for himself.

"I don't know why I did what I did. When I heard you hurt Jimin, I just got so angry, but mostly at myself. Everything was going so well for you, and then I ruined it all."

"No you didn't," the younger cut in. He didn't know if Taehyung was done speaking or not, but he heard enough. Jeongguk chuckled, looking around his own body and showing it to him. "A few days without you and I'm already a mess."

"But–"

"I really shouldn't have done that to Jimin. I've been in numerous amounts of fist fights but I've never felt so guilty like this. I'm sorry to you and Jimin. I really am, Tae. I'm just so confused right now. It's like my whole world turned upside down in a day. I really haven't been myself."

Taehyung features softened as he saw the regret in his eyes. With a smile, he said, "It's okay, Bun, I understand." Jeongguk smiled back, happy his apology was accepted. "Don't call me, Bun."

"There's our Jeonggukie!" the older said grinning, reaching out to pinch his cheeks playfully. Jeongguk began screaming in pain immediately. "Shit, does it hurt that much?"

"Dude, your hits aren't a joke. Now I know how Jae felt."

Taehyung laughed lightly. "I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?" Jeongguk pondered on the question seriously for a couple seconds before a light blush dusted his cheeks. "N-No."

"Hey! You thought of something! Tell me," the older began whining. You wouldn't believe that he was the same boy from the previous night.

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal Somi with mischievous smile, obvious that she was eavesdropping on their conversation. It was a surprise to see the girl so giddy after the events that had occurred. "When he was younger his mother would give him a kiss wherever he got hurt. Good to see you're awake, big  bro!" she quickly said, before shutting the door.

Both boys stared at the closed door with a wide mouth, not knowing exactly what happened. Taehyung snapped out of it first as he turned back to the younger with a playful smile, he understood why Jeongguk was blushing now. "Is that so?" Jeongguk turned his gaze from the door back to the older. "Huh?"

Taehyung cupped his face again but this time much more softly. The younger stared back, doe eyes big and wide, waiting to see what the silver-head was going to do, the blush from before only becoming more saturated. Taehyung leaned in slowly and placed the most delicate kisses on his face. The corner of his eye, his cheek, his forehead, his chin, and lastly his nose. Jeongguk had his eyes closed until he felt Taehyung's warm touch leave.

"You forgot one spot," Jeongguk muttered quietly.

He knew what the younger meant immediately. There was a slight hesitation in Taehyung's movement, but when he saw the reassuring look in the red-head's eyes, he took the leap of faith. Both eyes shut as lips connected for a passionate kiss. It was like no other, this was filled with actual emotions, love instead of lust, from both ends. Jeongguk placed one hand on Taehyung cheek, and kept it there even when they pulled away.

"That'll be the last one I give you," Taehyung said. The red-head's eyebrows knitted, confused. The older continued, "I don't like this whole friends with benefits shit we're trying to pull."

"I'm sorry..." Jeongguk whispered, so quiet.

The older frowned watching Jeongguk sigh and retrieve his hand. "That night, when you asked me to be your boyfriend, it was so sudden. I didn't know how to react, but it shouldn't have been that way. And no, it wasn't because you're a guy."

Taehyung shook his head. "It's okay, I get it. So, does that mean you have an answer now?"

"I..." he started but took in a deep breath before continuing. "Need some time, Tae. I'm sorry, I know, I know, I'm being really confusing and unfair, but please?"

"Y-Yeah, of course," Taehyung replied with a fake smile.

Jeongguk didn't know why he needed time. It was obvious he wanted something with Taehyung, for him to be beside him, but he just couldn't bring himself to say yes. There was just something blocking him from getting there. He was still not able to trust the older completely, a guy he's known for a little less than half a year. There was just so much you would have to put into a relationship, and he didn't know if he could do that. Jeongguk was most afraid that Taehyung would decide he's had enough of the boy. For how long will Taehyung be able to wait for Jeongguk to give the older his complete trust. 

Noticing the corner's of Taehyung's lips drooping even more, Jeongguk slowly moved his hand to place it on top of the other's resting on the bed. Taehyung flinched from the sudden contact. Jeongguk took a moment before taking the hand into his and intertwining their fingers and adding a light squeeze. Taehyung looked down at the hands then back at Jeongguk who showed off his bunny smile, what a rare occasion.

"Who's the Softie now, huh?" Taehyung asked playfully.

"Guess you've really rubbed off on me, Kim," Jeongguk answered. "Say, why aren't you at school?"

"Did you forget? It's a holiday today. Lucky you."

"How's that lucky?" Jeongguk groaned. He'd spend his long weekend in a shed and hospital, barely eating any food, how lucky can he be?

"Because I'm here! Want me to cut you some fruits?" Taehyung started, getting up but got yanked back down by the younger.

"Just sit there. That's enough."

"But you shou–" Taehyung stooped when two small knocks were heard on the door. Before it opened, the two unlinked their hands. Mrs. Jeon and Somi entered with a smile.

"Mom," Jeongguk called out once they walked over to him.

"How are you, Ggukie? Feeling better? Why'd you leave home for so long? I missed you," she spoke with a soft voice, caressing his shoulder. It was as if she was still oblivious to what happened in that house.

"Sorry, mom, but I don't think I'll be coming back."

"W-What?" Somi croaked from her side.

Taehyung felt like the odd one out in between the family. "I'm going to go eat something."

"Oh right, poor baby, you stayed here all night," Mrs. Jeon said, throwing the male a thankful smile. Taehyung nodded and quickly left the room to leave them with privacy.

"Wait what do you mean you're not coming back?" Somi brought the subject back.

"I can't live in that house, not with him. I feel like a prisoner in my own home." Jeongguk looked up to see the reactions of the two ladies, one was at a state of panic, the other was doing her best to hide it with a smile.

"Then where else are you going to live? That dinky shed they told me about?"

"I'll stay at a friend's house, Minki's probably, don't worry about me."

"What about money?"

"I'll find a job."

"You're a student."

"I can balance my life."

"You're not even eighteen."

"A lot of people hire young students these days."

"Jeong–"

"I think that's a good idea," his mother finally spoke in, shocking the siblings.

For that moment, Jeongguk understood his mother. She was telling him to escape, something she definitely couldn't do, wouldn't do.

"But Mrs. Jeon–"

"Please, darling, call me mom."

Somi instantly lost her voice when she said that. It's the first time she's ever really called her out for it. "R-Right, umm, m-mom, he can't survive on his own."

"Don't worry, Somi-ah, he's a fighter. A survivor. Just like your father."

Jeongguk's eye twitched at the mention of his father. He hated being compared to him, he hated that he was so much alike him yet so different. How he never managed to understand his own son even thought they were basically the same, Jeongguk never knew.

A nurse came in, requesting for his mother to sign a few papers and pay the bill, so she had left with her. That left Somi and Jeongguk alone.

"So, about Jimin-oppa."

"Somi, tell me the whole story. I did something I shouldn't have."

The girl sighed. "I know. I just took his kindness wrong. At that moment I just felt so lost and fragile. I just wanted someone to comfort me, and he was there to do so. Then reading the whole thing wrong, I leaned in to kiss him. My mistake. He wasn't even the reason I was crying at the time, it felt like my whole life was a mess. You left, dad's just been distant, my crush doesn't like me, I felt so alone. Jimin didn't do anything wrong, he's even in relationship. God he's just so nice, he sat me down afterwards and explained everything. I'm sorry, Gguk, it's all because of me."

"It's not your fault, don't worry. Just think of it all as just one big misunderstanding. And I'm sorry for leaving like that, I won't ever cut you out like that again. My anger got the best of me."

His sister nodded. There was a moment of silence before her frown curved into a smile. "You and Taehyung-oppa, huh?"

It was Jeongguk's turn to sigh. "I don't know. I really don't know."

She fisted her hand and threw them up in the air. "You've got my support." Jeongguk could only smile at his sister, but anyone could see the sadness that filled his eyes. Somi could only feel pitiful for her brother as she walked over to the bag of fruits Jimin had dropped earlier and began to peel an orange.

•—•—•

"Yeah, mom... My friend's fine, everything's fine... No I ate... What, dad, give the phone back to mom... No I'm not doing drugs! What? Milk? Okay, I'll buy some on the way... Alright, dad... Oh, mom... Yeah... Alright, bye. See you soon," Taehyung said, hanging up on the phone call that lasted quite long.

"Parents?" Jeongguk said, startling the other. Taehyung didn't expect to see Jeongguk in the males washroom, considering he had his own in his hospital room. He also was out of his robe, back into his very dirty school uniform paired with his infamous leather jacket.

"Why aren't you in bed?" Taehyung questioned first.

"I've been discharged. I'm good."

"Right. Um yeah, they're calling from work. Spent the night here so they got a lil' worried. They don't really trust Hana with the house."

Jeongguk nodded, washing his hands and his jacket sleeves. He accidentally spilt some of the pop he had gotten from the vending machine. He couldn't let thats sticky substance just sit on his skin like that, it just felt disgusting. "You should go home," Jeongguk said while drying up.

"Yeah, I'll come with you to drop you three off, then I'll head home."

"They already left."

The older tilted his head in confusion, not understanding why they would leave him alone when they're going to the same place especially when he's just been hospitalized.

"M'not going back to there. Gonna crash at Minki's or something," Jeongguk explained. Taehyung threw the same questions Somi had, and the answers were still the same.

"Stay at my place," Taehyung said, the thought coming out of no where. He surprised himself really, but he stood by what he said.

Jeongguk froze in shock, not knowing what to say. He wasn't expecting such an offer. Once he finally processed the words, he knew the answer was clear. "No, I'm good. I can't even imagine what your family wo—"

"Don't worry, my family's really welcoming. I've had friends sleep over for weeks, and they don't really care as long as my friend's parents are okay with it. They are, right?"

"Well obviously not my dad, not that he seems to be caring right now, but my mom is. Still, it's okay. Minki's place is good."

"Minki's family are standing on one foot trying to support themselves, Gguk. I assume you don't have any money on you right now?"

Jeongguk sighed, he couldn't do that to Minki, nor any of his Saejoon or Namsoon. He'd even rejected the money his mom had offered him, but only because she said it was from his father. Jeongguk thought about it long and hard, and decided Taehyung's house was his safest bet. He walked out of the washroom, Taehyung trailing behind him, then stopped abruptly when they reached the exit of the hospital.

"Alright. I'll stay at your place until I figure something out."

•—•—•
Soooooooo do you like how things are going? I've had that cute hospital scene planned out since I began this fic, I really enjoyed writing it.

Any guesses on what Jeongguk's father is doing, or how he's feeling?

Also... I was just scrolling through Twitter the other day, minding my own business WHEN I SAW THIS

(credits to @/hisasihun on twt)
BITCH I SCREAMED AND ALMOST DROPPED MY PHONE
you're welcome.

Bye<3