It wasn't long before Jeongin, still unconscious, was taken to Hyunjin's room.

"As soon as Mr. Yang wakes up, please call us! We don't want to risk another unconsciousness."

Hyunjin just nodded. He knew there was no point in contradicting the doctors. Although he maybe was the one who knew Jeongin and perhaps most likely knew how the younger one would react. They would only see the student in him who, in their opinion, had no experience.

"Thank you for agreeing to do this."

Again, Hyunjin nodded, hoping that the two would disappear soon. He wanted his peace and was sure that Jeongin would prefer the same when he woke up.

After checking Jeongin's vital parameters again, the two finally left the room and Hyunjin breathed a sigh of relief.

Groaning, he tormented himself out of bed. His chest still hurt like crazy, but he wanted to take care of Jeongin and tried to ignore the pain.

Laboriously and with clenched teeth, he sat down next to the younger on the bed. "Innie," he muttered softly, gently caressing the younger's arm. "They're gone."

He had no proof that the younger one only pretended that he was unconscious, just an indefinite feeling.

And indeed, Jeongin opened his eyes and looked at him. Sad and lost, as if the news had robbed him of every bit of happiness. "Why are you here too...?"

Hyunjin had expected a lot, but not this question. "I... uhm... found you... when he... did that to you..." he whispered and reached for Jeongin's hand. "I disturbed him.. he apparently didn't like that."

"That means you're here because you wanted to help me?"

Hyunjin nods hesitantly. It wasn't quite how the whole thing had happened, but he had definitely wanted to help him after he found the scene in the bathroom.

"Thank you..."

Helplessly, Hyunjin shrugged his shoulders. "I wish I could've done more. That I had stopped him sooner."

"It's not your fault... and it looks like you've been damaged a lot for trying to help..."

Again Hyunjin shrugged his shoulders. "It's nothing. Two broken ribs, a burst lip and a concussion."

Now it was Jeongin who looked worried.

"So you're definitely not allowed to go to work now, right? Who will take care of Chan!?"

Instantly, Hyunjin's expression darkened. "I have to stay in the hospital for three days and stay at home for at least two weeks before I can go back to work..."

Neither of them said what he thought. But they were both insanely worried about Chan.

Sighing softly, Jeongin sat up and leaned against Hyunjin. "Is that okay...?"

"Yeah... of course. Actually, I shouldn't do that, because you're theoretically my patient... But here we're both the patients so..."

"I actually was asking because of the pain..."

"Oh...", Hyunjin shook his head, giggling softly. How much the personal point of view could influence such a question. "I should tell the doctors when you're awake. Are you ready for this?"

Jeongin shook his head without saying a word. He didn't want to see the doctor again. He didn't want to talk about what had happened. Like it would change something about what happened if you talked about it over and over again. "Can we wait a little longer?"

Hyunjin shrugged his shoulders indecisively. "It's not like they trust my judgment... But I can just go back to my bed and fall asleep by chance. Just pretend I didn't notice that you woke up."

With his face distorted by the pain, Hyunjin wanted to climb off the bed, but Jeongin stopped him. "Or... or you could maybe stay here," he whispered, clinging to the older.

"Then it would be very obvious that I knew you woke up, but didn't tell them. Besides, they could definitely get the wrong idea of the situation...."

"At least for a moment...?"

Hyunjin couldn't help but give in to Jeongin's pleading. He looked so lost.

With a quiet groan, he let himself sink into bed and accepted that the younger lay down next to him. Or rather, snuggled up to him.

He realized how much Jeongin needed the support and although insane doubts plagued him, he still was ready to give him what he needed. That's why he didn't tell him that all this was absolutely inappropriate. That he wasn't allowed to lie in a bed with him at all, let alone cuddle with him.

Actually, he hadn't intended to break any more rules, then he had already done it with Chan. But he also just couldn't reject Jeongin. It just didn't felt right to cause him any more pain.

"Felix is coming to visit us tomorrow. And he promised to bring brownies."

"Really?", Jeongin's eyes shimmered hopefully, and Hyunjin couldn't help but notice how cute the younger was.

"Yeah maybe I forced him to bring some, but he said he will," Hyunjin chuckled.

Jeongin was thoughtfully silent for a moment. "It must be nice... to have such a caring, helpful best friend," he finally whispered.

"Oh Innie...", Hyunjin couldn't help but pull the younger one to him and caress his back. "You're not alone, you know that? I'm here for you."

"But we're not friends... that's just work for you..."

At first Hyunjin was insanely hurt by the words. And it cost him an incredible amount of strength not to just push Jeongin away.

But when he looked at him, he noticed that the younger's lower lip trembled. That tears were in his eyes and his hands were clenched into fists.

"In the beginning, maybe. But I wouldn't cuddle with someone who is "just" my patient," Hyunjin finally said quietly. "And I'm serious when I say I'm here for you!"

And although Hyunjin meant his words very seriously, he felt terrible. He had already broken so many rules with Chan and now he was breaking even more with Jeongin.

Nevertheless, he couldn't deny the gentle, fraternal feelings for the younger.

Silent and full of uncertainty, Jeongin looked at him and Hyunjin couldn't help but ruffle his hair.

"Why would you be serious? It can cause you so much trouble and I'm not even someone special..." Jeongin whispered and a tear ran down his cheek.

If Hyunjin hadn't known that Jeongin was in the psychiatric clinic, the comment might have shocked him more. But he already knew his fear of rejection.

"Yes, you are! You are an incredibly amiable, helpful person! And other than that, you're very cute."

Jeongin stared at him in disbelief and then had to chuckled. "Well, if you think so." And although, of course, it didn't make all his fears and doubts go away at once, he was at least a tiny bit, cautiously optimistic that Hyunjin could be serious.

With trembling fingers, he grabbed Hyunjin's hand and intertwined their fingers, although his fear that the elder would simply pull his hand away again was incredibly big.

Hyunjin just closed his eyes sighing. His ribs hurt and he really wanted to sleep. But with Jeongin in bed it really wasn't a good idea. Nevertheless, he stayed exactly where he was.

"Would you tell me a bit about yourself?"

And even though he was really tired, Hyunjin began to talk. About his parents and the dog, which somehow belonged to him. About school and his studies. And about Felix and the kittens.

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