(JIKOOK) Texting Story Snippets

Sick

"He's tired." Taehyung says suddenly, as if he'd been preparing an excuse while he waited for them to arrive. Hoseok settles his fingers against the small of Taehyung's back. Taehyung's brother isn't much for resting often these days, so it's likely he's exhausted, but Hoseok knows why his boyfriend is mentioning that now.

"JeongGyu." Hoseok mutters, bringing them all together around the bed. He smiles down at the younger boy. A bit pale, but overall seeming well fed and content, Taehyung's brother appears to be of heightened spirits today. His gaze lifts to catch Hoseok's own and they flicker to find Jimin, the smallest twinkle in his irises making evidence of tears beginning to pool. "Sorry, I'm late today."

"You don't need to come every day." The boy responds quickly, but his tone is sincere. "I know you have a life. Hi, Jimin hyung." The smallest smile flashes across his lips, more for greeting purposes than having been emotionally driven. His emotions whirl around in circles behind his sinuses, threatening to turn him into a sputtering mess at the presence of a familiar face. He finally tests eye contact with the new face in his hospital room, a face that used to make his heart move unnaturally fast. "You didn't have to come."

"Stop telling people they don't need to be here." Taehyung scolds his younger brother, pressing his knees into the side of the bed. "Everybody wants to see you, they just don't want-"

"They don't want me to get overwhelmed. I got it, hyung." JeongGyu rolls his eyes, then turns them back up towards Jimin. His heart is still when he scours the soft features of the older now, sleeping on the feeling that once made it race. Whatever one sided love story he might have faced before, heartbroken for weeks over the loss of what was never going to be, it's hushed now by racing thoughts and distant emotions. "But, I'm getting better. Yoongi hyung is helping me."

Taehyung's lips curl naturally at the mention of his friend. Yoongi has been a great support for his brother, coming often with an abundance of snacks and a smile that, although rare, has become the only motivation for JeongGyu's laughter to come alive again. They enjoy spending time together, the two forming a bond not easily comprehendible when observed by an outsiders eye. Yoongi's demeanor is a bit stiff, cold to most, but his warmth spreads like a wild fire throughout the room the moment he steps foot into JeongGyu's space. JeongGyu's rain clouds lose their rain and skies are blue whenever Yoongi arrives. If it weren't for his brothers current situation, Taehyung might ask Yoongi to treat the boy well, but after seeing first hand how gentle Yoongi's touch can truly be, he finds it quite unnecessary.

Jimin laughs softly to break up the slight tension in the room. He bends closer to the youngest to reach for a hug, holding JeongGyu's shoulders for a moment. "It's good to see you again. I'm really sorry for taking so long to come."

"You were busy. It's fine." JeongGyu shrugs, leaning back a bit as the situation grows too awkward and heavy for him to handle comfortably. He hates feeling as if he could trip up on his words or say something he doesn't intend for it to be interpreted as it potentially would be. It's been a while since he's inhabited the same room as Jimin, and the older suddenly feels like a stranger despite knowing him for years. "The world doesn't revolve around a sick kid in a hospital bed."

The statement pierces through Jimin's heart like a heated blade, dimming him with despair and deep rooted regret. He could leave, accept himself as the kind of person who runs away from hurt feelings and the task of picking up messy pieces of what should have happened from the dirty floor of bad decisions. But, he's not interested in wallowing again in self pity or self loathing. He's not interested in leaving this hospital room without making a difference. Some kind of difference. "It does, actually. Of course it does, especially when you matter so much to all of us."

JeongGyu can hear the genuine emotion in Jimin's voice. It's always been like that, it's one of the reasons he developed a crush on the older without even realizing he'd fallen for him. Now, he simply appreciates the raw nature of it. Jimin is easy to read by a feeling. He makes it so words aren't entirely necessary to reveal the truth of his heart. JeongGyu smiles. "Can you visit for a while, hyung?"

Jimin's lips follow suit into a pleasant grin of his own. Without thinking much of his current situation, he responds quickly. "Of course."

-///-

An hour flashes by before their eyes, hands of the clock moving particularly fast it must be. Hoseok can't stop himself from anxiously tapping his foot against white glossy tiles, waiting for Jimin to finish his goodbyes. They've stayed too long, Jungkook must be almost finished. He's positive the man doesn't mind waiting, but Hoseok worries only for Jungkook's loss of motivation if they don't make it in time. Amongst all of his own hard work spent towards convincing the younger to proceed, he can almost see the worry lines crinkling his forehead. Jungkook is nervous, but he can't figure out why.

"I'll be back soon, I promise." Jimin declares, leaning in for another hug as JeongGyu moves to stand. As the youngest crawls back into his bed, the three others make their way to the hallway outside of the room, quiet for a moment.

"Thanks for coming, Jiminie." Taehyung whispers. He grabs Jimin's hand, squeezing it gently. "You still need your clue."

Truthfully, Jimin had forgotten the purpose of the hospital visit beyond seeing JeongGyu. He smiles softly at the reminder and looks down at his full hand when Taehyung's own leaves his grasp.

"I'll see you later." Taehyung takes them both in a rushed hug, smiling with squinted eyes as he disappears behind the hospital room door again.

Jimin is left a bit confused by the rushed nature of his friends goodbye. He blinks in Hoseok's direction, the man appearing just as impatient as Taehyung's sudden demeanor.

"Read it." Hoseok whispers, trying to be gentle. Jungkook isn't going to give up everything he's prepared, even if they are a little bit late. He knows this, but he hated ushering Jimin out of a visit that looked like it was doing JeongGyu good. Bad timing, of course. But, JeongGyu already knows the plan, as much as they know of it at least.

With a quirked brow, feeling a bit out of his element, Jimin decides to join the party of rushed actions, swiftly opening his next clue. The words fog his thoughts.

Your next destination is not much for me.
This ones for you and your best friend to complete.
I'm glad for the friendship between both of you.
Please make this memory a vision brand new.

It's branded with a night that didn't treat us all great.
Holding onto such trials should not be our fate.
He's trustworthy and good and he's always there for you.
In panic he'll follow and be always true.

So lets go to a terrible night.
One that ended in a terrible fight.
He found you when I couldn't see.
He cared for you instead of me.

-///-

A/N: ahh.. it's been a while 😥

I wouldn't say I'm okay, but I think I'm better. I'm going to try updating better again. Wow, I've done so bad, but it's been really hard lately. It's okay, really. It's going to be okay! 💕

I love you all soooo so much, and thank you for the comments on my post and for asking me to get better. I'm positive you've helped! Thank you for everything! You guys mean the world to me! 💕💕