taehyung discovered that removing his paper bag was a terrible decision made by his parents. he had asked the teacher if he could work in student success, his teacher gladly sending him down, but was rejected because the staff said the children were too afraid to work with taehyung in the room. what's funny is that his school constantly brags about being a safe and accepting environment, yet the behaviors of the staff and students say otherwise. taehyung does not feel safe nor accepted. he feels exposed and overwhelmed and he wished there was another choice. he wanted to get plastic surgery to fix his face, but that was too much money. he also wanted to take his classes online, but his parents told him it was too much money as well. but maybe, just maybe, they could make a compromise.

it's been a week since jungkook was rushed to the hospital, and taehyung didn't know his condition. although he wasn't fond of jungkook, he still wanted to know how that coconut headass was doing. the whole situation was quite shocking, really. one minute he's watching one of the best performers he's ever seen, and the next minute he's calling the emergency line because that same performer smashed his back hard against the pavement. so taehyung took it into his own hands to welcome himself into namjoon's home to ask him to visit jungkook with him.

it was after dinner when taehyung made his way to namjoon's. the elder was quite surprised to see taehyung uninvited.

"tae? what's up?" namjoon asked, letting the younger through the front door.

taehyung took a deep breath, glancing over to the couch to see jimin reading some book, and said, "will you come with me to the hospital to visit jungkook?"

jimin choked on his breath while namjoon choked on his words.

"you... want to visit jungkook? i shouldn't be surprised, but do you think this is a good idea?" namjoon asked, rubbing his neck as he tried to think of ways to convince taehyung to not go.

"i fucking saved his dumbass so that junglebook better have some respect. plus i've never really talked to him face to face, so i'd like to give that a try," taehyung explained, giving a box like smile no one could win against.

"fine okay... but i can't go with you," namjoon sighed. "and i'm not letting you go alone," he added, which made taehyung's shoulders drop.

"namjoonie, why~," the younger whined, bouncing up and down is frustration with tears welling in his eyes.

"i have a shit ton of work to do. ask jin."

"but hyung," taehyung whined. "seokjin has work tonight."

"well looks like you can't visit jungkook," namjoon teased, shrugging his shoulders.

"you've got to be fucking kidding me," jimin whispered to himself, feeling himself sinking into the couch.

he knew that this was an opportunity to talk to the younger, but he didn't want to face his dumbass best friend.

"why are you even telling me what to do! i only invited you," taehyung huffed, crossing his arms.

"because you shouldn't be going to the hospital alone," namjoon argued, finding the younger's whining quite annoying.

"and why shouldn't i be going to the hospital alone?" taehyung inquired, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

before namjoon could answer, jimin spoke up.

"because i don't want you in a room alone with jungkook."

taehyung, "..."

"i-i mean i don't want you to be hurt! no one knows how jungkook will react seeing you, since he's been acting so different lately," the two 95z made eye contact for a second, jimin breaking it when taehyung smiled.

"i guess i understand. well, i'll be heading home now," taehyung sighed, disappointed that he couldn't visit the younger.

"wait!" jimin shouted, widening his eyes after hearing what he just said.

taehyung looked back to see jimin with a hand over his mouth.

"i ummm... i'll go with you!" jimin blurted, causing a smile to dance across the youngers face.

"really? you'll go with me?!" taehyung cheered, doing a little dance.

jimin couldn't hold back a laugh as he nodded.

"i'll be back in a few hours, joon," jimin sighed, to where namjoon only winked.

jimin was taken aback when he finally figured out the situation. namjoon planned this!

that damn brother of his.

____________

the whole car ride, taehyung only complained on not being able to walk to the hospital.

"kim taehyung! i already told you that by the time we leave, it'll be freezing outside!" jimin raised his voice, growling at the latter.

"i can handle cold!" taehyung huffed, slouching into his seat.

"yeah, well have you ever thought about me?" jimin kept his eyes on the road, taehyung didn't dare look at the older. his eyes widened. his heart ached. he didn't want jimin to think he didn't care, or only thought about himself. but if he's being honest, he's only ever thought of himself. taehyung has been alone all these years, pushing away his parents worries, begging them to believe he's fine and doesn't need help. he hid himself from humanity, finding peace with the stars in the sky and the grass beneath his feet. he did whatever he wanted, not needing to worry about anyone else as he cared for the animals. so i guess you could say he isn't exactly used to taking other people's feelings or opinions into
consideration. he made sure to keep notes on that for the future.

the rest of the car ride was silent, which lead jimin to cringing at what he had said.

when the two arrived, both got out and shut the car door, walking side by side to the building.

for a strange reason, taehyung was feeling quite uneasy as he stared through the hospital window. maybe because he didn't want people to think there was something wrong with him. or maybe it was because the last time he was here he was told that his right eye was almost completely blind.

as if jimin could read his mind, he took his hand and asked, "are you alright?"

"y-yeah. just a bit nervous." jimin knew he was trying to hide the truth. he knew taehyung was nervous, but not for the reason the younger wanted him to believe.

"you don't have to be nervous. i'm right here, okay? and if anyone even looks at you the wrong way, i'll punch out their teeth," jimin smiled down at taehyung, the blonde laughing in fear.

"we're hear to see jeon jungkook?" jimin said to the receptionist.

"and you are?" she asked.

"park jimin and kim taehyung. his friends," jimin politely smiled at the woman.

"alright. his room is the hallway to the left, number 134. i'll tell him you're on your way."

"thanks, ma'am!" and with that, the two headed to jungkook's room.

taehyung knocked softly on the door, a nurse answering and letting them in.

"i'll be on my way," she said and then left.

taehyung made his way to the end of jungkook's bed, while jimin stood near the side table.

"hello, jungkook," taehyung spoke barely over a whisper, but jungkook's eyes fluttered open.

"t-taehyung? what're you doing here? and jimin!" jungkook spoke in shock, trying not to show a hint of excitement seeing his best friend.

"i just wanted to see how you were doing... after the accident," taehyung began to speak with confidence as he felt more comfortable.

"yeah.. how is your condition?" jimin asked, which made jungkook put his head down. jimin looked over at the notes on the side table, eyes widening and pooling with tears.

"j-jungkookie! y-you're paralyzed from the waist down?!" jimin cried, coughing on tears.

taehyung's eyes widened in shock, also letting a tear escape. he may not be friends with jungkook, but he does know how much passion the younger puts into his dancing.

"y-yes," jungkook stuttered, trying to keep his tears in. "i-i'll never be able to dance again! i-i'll be a failure." jungkook couldn't keep it in anymore. he let all of his tears out. he's been crying for days, every time being reminded of his injury.

"i guess this is what i get for calling you crippled, taehyung," jungkook laughed through the pain, looking up to meet taehyung's red eyes.

________________

i can't wait for map of the soul: 7 🥺

also happy birthday hobi <33