Taehyung gazed at Jimin, scrutinizing his every expression. The nurse was already fast asleep. Feeling a strong urge to smoke, Taehyung stepped out. When he returned, Jimin was curled up on the bed, hugging himself and murmuring softly. Taehyung approached him.
"Mom, Mom," Jimin whimpered, his flushed cheeks wet with tears. Taehyung touched his forehead; he was still burning with fever.
He glanced at the sleeping nurse, ready to wake her, but Jimin grabbed his hand, clutching it desperately.
"Mom, please, Mom, don't leave me. Please, I'll be a good boy. I promise," Jimin sobbed like a child. Taehyung tried to pull back his hand.
"No, please, Mom," Jimin begged, hugging his waist.
A memory surfaced in Taehyung's mind: a young boy crying, watching his mother scream. He hugged Jimin, gently patting his back. Jin, arriving to check on Jimin, watched silently from the doorway as Taehyung caressed Jimin's hair, calming him. Once Jimin fell back asleep, Taehyung laid him down gently and wiped his tears with his thumb. Turning around, he saw Jin standing there.
"When did you come?" he asked, annoyed at Jin witnessing his vulnerability.
"I just came to check on him," Jin lied, gauging Taehyung's mood.
"Hmm, his fever is still high. Wake him up soon," Taehyung ordered. Jin noted the unrealistic demand but nodded.
"Don't worry, he's in deep trauma. He'll recover gradually," Jin assured.
"Who's worried? I didn't keep him here to take care of him," Taehyung retorted stubbornly. Jin sighed. After administering an injection to Jimin's drip, he left.
Jimin had been unconscious for two days, sometimes crying out. Taehyung's impatience grew. He rarely left Jimin's side, only stepping out to smoke and ease his anxiety. Jin's frequent checks revealed little improvement. It seemed Jimin was unwilling to wake up. When Taehyung demanded answers, Jin's calm reassurances fell on deaf ears.
"Why isn't he waking up?" Taehyung's fury was barely contained.
"He's in deep trauma, Taehyung. Give him time," Jin repeated calmly.
"How much time? It's been two days!" Taehyung shouted. "What's the use of you doctors if you can't even wake a person up?"
"Taehyung, keep your voice down. You'll disturb the patient," Jin warned.
"Let him be disturbed," Taehyung snapped. "If he doesn't wake up soon, I'll make sure he never does," he threatened, storming out, leaving Jin speechless.
---
In the living room, Jin sat tensely. Hoseok entered, unnoticed until he placed a comforting hand on Jin's shoulder.
"When did you get here?" Jin asked, surprised.
"When you were lost in thought," Hoseok smiled, his bright expression easing Jin's tension.
"What happened? Is everything alright?" Hoseok asked.
"You know the boy Jimin? He's been unconscious for two days," Jin explained.
Hoseok, surprised, asked, "What happened?"
"I thought you knew," Jin said. "Taehyung doesn't want anyone involved with his business with Jimin."
"I was out of town on business," Hoseok said, concerned. "Sometimes I feel bad for the boy. He's suffering just because he's Park's son."
"I'm worried about Taehyung," Jin admitted. "It's becoming more than revenge."
"What do you mean?" Hoseok asked, confused.
"I saw something in Taehyung's eyes that's not good for either of them," Jin said.
"Hyung, you're confusing me," Hoseok said.
"Taehyung is starting to like him," Jin said.
"What?" Hoseok exclaimed.
"Even if he won't admit it, I can see it. He's worried about Jimin."
"I'm waiting for Yoongi to come back. He's the only one who can talk to Taehyung about this," Hoseok said. Jin nodded in agreement.
"When is he coming back?" Jin asked.
"In two days," Hoseok replied.
"Good. I just hope the boy gets well soon."
---
Jimin stood in a beautiful garden filled with blooming flowers, the fragrance overwhelming his senses. Birds chirped melodiously, playing around.
"Come on, Jimin, catch me," a beautiful woman in a flowing white dress called, glancing back at him.
"Wait, mother, wait for me!" he giggled, running after her.
After a while, the woman stopped and looked at him, her smile disappearing. Jimin's own smile faded as he suddenly felt dizzy, the world spinning around him.
"Mom, where are you?" he called desperately. She was standing right in front of him. He ran to hug her.
"Where did you go?" he asked, fear creeping into his voice as he stepped back, almost falling. There was a hole in her temple, her face covered in blood. She smiled lifelessly and began to disappear.
Jimin's breath hitched, and he screamed, "No, Mom, no!" He sat up, breathing heavily, tears streaming down his face like pearls.
Taehyung got up before he could reach Jimin. The nurse rushed over, gently caressing Jimin's back. He flinched at her touch and tried to back away. Jin entered, quickly signaling the nurse to step aside.
"It's okay. Don't be afraid. I am a doctor. You can trust me," Jin said, approaching slowly.
Breathing heavily, Jimin looked at him. Jin smiled, "Take a deep breath," he said gently. Jimin did as he was told.
After calming down, Jin noticed Jimin was still shivering slightly.
"It's okay, Jimin. You are safe here," Jin assured him.
Taehyung, watching from a distance, sighed in relief. He ordered food for Jimin and then sat beside Taehyung, both of them watching Jimin, who sat with his eyes closed, pale-faced with dark circles under his eyes.
Aunt Lily entered with a tray. "Young master, have something to eat," she said. Jimin slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. She smiled warmly.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked lovingly. Jimin gave a half-hearted smile but didn't answer.
She sat next to him. "Come on, eat something. You need to take your medicine."
"I don't want to," he said weakly.
"Please, young master, you haven't eaten for two days," she pleaded.
He shook his head in denial. Taehyung stood up and approached them.
"Eat," he commanded sternly, his expression indifferent, his eyes ice-cold.
Jimin trembled with fear, his eyes wide with terror. Jin, noticing this, approached gently.
"Jimin, eat a little," he coaxed.
Reluctantly, Jimin extended his trembling hands to take the bowl.
"Aunt Lily, feed him," Taehyung ordered. Jin could see Taehyung's worry despite his stern expression making Jimin afraid.
Aunt Lily fed Jimin a few spoonfuls. Jimin looked at Jin. "I can't eat anymore," he pleaded.
"It's okay, just take your medicine," Jin said.
Jimin nodded, and after taking his medicine, he lay down again, closing his eyes.
Seeing Jimin asleep, they moved to the sitting room.
"You can now shift him to his room," Jin said softly.
"Hmm," Taehyung nodded, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"Taehyung, can I say something?" Jin asked hesitantly.
Taehyung looked at him sharply, releasing a cloud of smoke. "Of course."
"Jimin's condition is really sensitive. He won't be able to bear much more," Jin said, watching Taehyung's expression carefully.
"You're so worried about him," Taehyung taunted, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Tae, I still remember the time when Jimin and you..." Before he could finish, Taehyung cut him off.
"Hyung, I already told you I don't want anyone to talk to me about that," he said, his tone hard and each word deliberately stretched.
"I know, Tae, you suffered a lot, but..."
"Hyung, please," Taehyung interrupted again, not wanting to show disrespect but clearly setting his boundaries.
"What's going on?" Yoongi asked, entering the room with a curious look.
Both men turned to him, and Taehyung managed a smile. Yoongi walked over and embraced him tightly.
Jin watched, a smile forming on his face as well.
"I am also here," Jin said, pretending to be offended.Yoongi laughed and hugged Jin warmly.
"Where's Hoseok?" he asked, settling on the couch.
"Your hope is busy, but don't worry, when he hears of your arrival, he'll come flying," Jin teased, lightening the mood.
The maids arrived with refreshments.
"How did it go?" Taehyung asked Yoongi.
"Good. I've cleared every piece of garbage," Yoongi smirked confidently.
"That's what I expected from you," Taehyung said proudly, a rare note of approval in his voice.
Just then, Hoseok burst into the sitting room. The three men turned to look at him as Yoongi stood up. Hoseok ran towards him and enveloped him in a tight hug. Jin chuckled at the sight.
After a while, they all sat down.
"Didn't I tell you?" Jin said with a knowing smile.
"Yeah," Yoongi laughed.
"What did he tell you?" Hoseok asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Nothing," Jin said, still smiling.
"Tell me," Hoseok insisted, looking at Jin expectantly.
They all laughed at his persistence. In that moment, they seemed like a perfect, happy family, with no trace of Taehyung's underlying madness visible.