The next day, Jimin couldn't shake off the restlessness that plagued him as he woke up early. The weight of his recent meeting with Jungkook lingered in his mind, leaving him feeling unsettled. His thoughts turned to his phone, as he opened Jungkook's WeChat profile, staring at it intently.
He considered reaching out to Jungkook,
Then a wave of doubt washed over Jimin. It was still early, and he wondered if Jungkook might still be asleep. But the remorse he felt after listening to Jungkook's words yesterday was undeniable. He realized that he had been foolish to ignore someone who had been such a crucial support in his life.
With a heavy heart, Jimin grappled with his own actions, questioning how he could do this to him. Taking a deep breath, Jimin contemplated the best way to approach Jungkook and express his regrets. He decided to ask jungkook for a meal.
Jimin stared at his phone, the dim light illuminating his face as he hesitated before typing.
[Jungkook hyung.]
Then he wondered if Jungkook was still asleep, considering how late he might have come home the previous night. It was only 6:00 a.m., after all.
Jimin clutched his blanket, feeling a pang of regret for reaching out to him so early.
But To his surprise, Jungkook replied quickly,
[You are awake at such an early hour?]
Jimin was taken aback by the response. The room remained enveloped in darkness, with only his phone casting a faint glow. Silence filled the air.
Feeling a sense of urgency, Jimin struggled to find the right words to reply. He didn't want to keep Jungkook waiting and wanted to convey that he was indeed awake. In the end, he opted for a simple nod emoji, hoping it would suffice.
Then another reply came.
[Are you feeling unwell after drinking too much alcohol.]
Jimin promptly replied with a straightforward. [No.]
Jungkook: [Next time you're out with your friends, if you can't drink beer, then don't drink it.]
Jimin pursues his lips and types: [Okay.]
Jimin hesitated for a moment before typing out his message to Jungkook.
[Hyung when are you free? I want to treat you to a meal.]
He pressed send and waited anxiously for a reply, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about how Jungkook would respond. but when no response came, Jimin's mind started to race.
Thoughts of self-doubt and worry flooded his mind.
What if Jungkook questioned his intentions?
What if jungkook asks if he regretted reaching out after ignoring him for so long?
The uncertainty made him feel like he wanted to cry.
But then his phone vibrated with Jungkook's reply.
[Okay.]
Jimin's heart skipped a beat as he received Jungkook's response. He couldn't believe that Jungkook didn't ask any further questions. It left him feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity. Gathering his thoughts, Jimin suggested,
[Is it okay on Thanksgiving Day?]
Jungkook responded with a simple
[Em, ]
Wanting to be flexible, Jimin offered,
[If not, you could decide the day.]
This time Jungkook sent a voice note. Jimin almost dropped his phone to his face. His heart beat grew, as he realized his earphones were not on the bed. He quickly lifted the blanket and hurriedly got off the bed, making his way to the balcony to listen to the voice note.
As he pressed play, Jungkook's voice filled Jimin's ears.
["Thanksgiving Day, But it's still next month. I don't know whether I'll be free that time."]
Jimin felt a hint of hesitation as he sent his voice note,
["Do you have anything else to do?" ]
Jungkook responded,
["Em, there's a possibility that I'll be working overtime."]
Before Jimin could reply, Jungkook sent another voice note, saying,
["Don't worry, I'll make time for you." ]
Jimin's heart fluttered at Jungkook's reply. He pondered for a moment, feeling a rush of warmth.
["Thank you, hyung."]
he replied, hoping his sincerity would be conveyed through the message.
~
That accidental encounter really helped their relationship become more relaxed and comfortable. Jimin no longer rejects Jungkook's calls and they even chat on WeChat during their free time. Jimin takes the initiative to share things with Jungkook, acting like an older brother. He tries to convince himself that his feelings for Jungkook don't exist, but deep down, he knows they're there.
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, Jimin finds himself with no classes. He spends the afternoon drawing on his computer, eagerly waiting for their meeting. Jungkook informs him that he's not sure if he'll have to work overtime, but he asks Jimin to wait for him at the university and promises to call when it's time.
When it's almost 6:00 p.m., Jimin gets up from his seat and changes into a full-sleeve shirt and pants. He even decides to put on some light makeup, something he rarely does. He adds earrings and rings to complete the look. But as he takes a moment to observe himself in the mirror, he realizes that something feels off.
It's as if he's trying too hard.
With a sigh, Jimin removes all the accessories and wipes off the makeup.
"Yes," he says to himself, feeling a sense of confidence. "Just like this."
Jimin returns to his seat in front of the computer, feeling a bit hungry. He sends a message to ask if Jungkook is free to grab a meal together. But there's no response. Jimin hesitates for a moment, then decides to give Jungkook a call. Unfortunately, there's no answer on the other end.
Jimin starts to worry that Jungkook might be busy working overtime and didn't see his message. But deep down, he knows that if Jungkook really was working late, he would have let him know. Determined not to let his hunger go unanswered, Jimin calls Jungkook again and again, until finally, the call is answered.
Jimin breathes a sigh of relief and asks, "Jungkook hyung, are you working overtime?"
Jungkook's voice sounds hoarse and slow as he apologizes, "I'm sorry, Jimin. I just saw your call. Let's not go out today, okay? You go and have a meal with your colleagues. Don't starve yourself."
Concerned by the strange sound of Jungkook's voice, Jimin asks, "Hyung, are you sick?"
Jungkook replies, "It's okay I'm fine."
But from his tone, Jimin can sense that Jungkook might be in pain. Without hesitation, Jimin grabs his bag and asks, " you are sick? Shouldn't you go to the hospital?"
Jungkook laughs lightly and declines, "No, thank you, Jimin, for caring about me. It seems to be a stomachache. Maybe I ate something bad yesterday. I'll take some medicine."
Frowning, Jimin insists, "You're not going to the hospital?"
Jungkook reassures him, "I don't want to."
Jimin walks faster to leave the dorm building, he spots the bus and gets on. Turning to Jungkook, he asks, "Jungkook hyung, where is your office?"
Surprised, Jungkook questions, "You want to come here?"
Jimin nods and replies, "Hm."
Jungkook doesn't say anything else and just tells his his office address.
Jimin notes it and asks seriously: "Hyung, are you feeling unwell?"
Jungkook shrugs it off, trying to downplay the situation. "It's not bad," he replies casually.
But Jimin isn't convinced. He knows him well and can sense something is off. "Then find a place to sit down first. I'll come over right now and take you to the hospital. If you're really unwell, we should call an ambulance, okay?"
Jungkook can't help but laugh at Jimin's overprotective nature. "It's not that serious, Jimin. Don't worry so much. I will be fine, I promise."
"I'll just stay here," Jungkook says, "and wait for you to come and get me."
Jungkook's office is located at the Bighit building, which is a pretty large office. Jimin takes the metro to get there. He uses the map on his phone to find the building, Once Jimin enters the building, he notices a lot of employees coming in and out. It was a bustling place.
But then he sees Jungkook sitting in the hallway, in front of the reception desk. He looks pale and worn out.
Jimin rushes over to Jungkook, his voice filled with concern as he calls out, "Jungkook hyung!"
Jungkook's eyes flutter open, a small smile forming on his face when he sees Jimin. He reaches out his hand and says, "Help me up, Jimin."
Jimin wastes no time, gripping Jungkook's hand firmly and pulling him up with determination. "We should get you to the hospital, Are you running a fever?" he asks, worries about lacing his words.
Jungkook slowly stands up, leaning on Jimin for support. "Maybe a little," he replies, his voice weak.
Jimin holds onto Jungkook's arm, guiding him towards the exit. "Is there a hospital nearby?" he asks, trying to figure out the best course of action.
Jungkook ponders for a moment before answering, "There's a community hospital not too far from here."
"Let's take a taxi there," Jimin suggests, determined to get Jungkook the help he needs.
Jungkook nods in agreement, his pale face showing signs of discomfort. "Okay," he says softly.
Jimin quickly flags down a taxi, helping Jungkook into the backseat with care. As they left to the hospital,
Jungkook settled into his seat in the taxi, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, glistening in the dim light. His lips, once rosy, now took on a pale hue. The onset of shivers coursed through Jungkook's body, causing him to curl up slightly.
Jimin looked at Jungkook, worry etched on his face. Seeing Jungkook's condition Jimin's heart raced with concern.
Without wasting a moment, Jimin reached out and gently placed his hand on Jungkook's forehead. The heat radiating from Jungkook's skin was alarming. Jimin knew he had to do something to bring down his friend's temperature.
Rummaging through his bag, Jimin's hand found the water bottle he had brought from his dorm. It was a stroke of luck that he had it with him. He quickly unscrewed the cap and poured some cold water onto his handkerchief. The water seeped into the fabric, making it damp and cool to the touch.
With a sense of urgency, Jimin folded the handkerchief and carefully placed it on Jungkook's forehead. The coolness of the cloth provided a momentary relief, soothing the heat that consumed Jungkook's feverish skin.
As the taxi sped through the streets, Jimin held onto Jungkook's hand tightly, offering him comfort and support. He whispered words of encouragement, assuring Jungkook that they would reach the hospital soon and that everything would be alright.
In that moment, Jungkook's body leaned towards Jimin, his head found a resting place on Jimin's shoulder. The warmth emanating from Jungkook's breath sent a tingling sensation down Jimin's neck, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
Jimin's eyes widened as he looked down at jungkook, who appeared to be unconscious, his eyes closed in peaceful slumber.
Jimin's senses heightened as he smelled Jungkook's scent, a familiar and comforting aroma that filled his nostrils. Jimin couldn't help but notice the subtle movement of Jungkook's Adam's apple as he breathed.
Finally the driver stops the car in front of the hospital, which thankfully wasn't too far away. Jimin pays the fare and helps Jungkook out of the taxi, guiding him towards the emergency department.
Once they arrive, the doctor examines Jungkook and determines that he is suffering from acute appendicitis. Jimin stands by, listening attentively to the doctor's assessment. The medical team administers medication and a vaccine to address Jungkook's condition. They stress the importance of rest and advise him to be hospitalized for a day.
After the doctor leaves and Jimin tells Jungkook, 'I'm going to step out for a bit. You just lay down and rest.' Jimin knows that Jungkook needs some peace and quiet to recover, so he wants to make sure he's comfortable. Jimin gives him a reassuring smile before heading out, promising to be back soon.
As Jungkook watched Jimin leave, a strange sensation stirred in his chest.
It was as if Jimin had become a new person in all the years they had been apart, and Jungkook couldn't help but be taken aback by the transformation. There was an undeniable allure to Jimin's newfound maturity and beauty, something that had never crossed Jungkook's mind before. He had always seen Jimin as a little fool, never considering any other kind of connection.
But now, everything feels different.
The door swung open, there stood Jimin, holding a plastic bag in his hand.
"Hyung, I got toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a spare towel for you," he said, extending the bag towards Jungkook.
Jungkook simply stared at him, not making a move. Jimin raised an eyebrow and gave him a knowing look, silently urging him to take the bag. Unable to resist Jungkook chuckled and reached out to accept it.
A bright smile spread across Jimin's face, happy to see Jungkook accepting his gesture of care.
Moment later after the awkward silence jungkook spoke.
"Jimin, it's getting late. I think you should head out," Jungkook said, breaking the silence.
Jimin's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern.
"No way! I want to stay with you. How are you going to manage with such a severe stomach ache? You can't even move without feeling the pain," Jimin replied, his voice filled with genuine worry.
"Jimin, I appreciate your concern, but really, I can handle things on my own. Plus, you haven't even eaten anything," Jungkook said, trying to reason with him.
Jimin quickly interjected. "I Already ate a sandwich from the hospital canteen. And whether you like it or not, I'm staying right here with you," he insisted, his voice filled with unwavering determination.
Jungkook couldn't help but feel exasperated. "Jimin, listen to me. You can't stay here, and there's no spare bed for you. Where are you going to sleep?" he questioned, hoping to make Jimin realize the practicality of the situation.
But Jimin remained resolute. "I'll figure something out, don't worry about it. And if the roles were reversed and I was the one admitted to the hospital, you would have stayed by my side too,"
Jungkook sighed helplessly, knowing deep down that he couldn't win this battle of stubbornness with Jimin.