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he had never been down this side of the hospital before. the hallways all looked the same and were somewhat familiar to him, yet somehow they were still confusing and had him feeling like he was trapped in a maze. the only way out of this maze was to follow the lead, the blue beanie guiding him past nurses stations and somehow knowing exactly where his destination was. taehyung didn't question it, after the boys question he abruptly got off the windowsill barely checking to see if taehyung was even following.

wanna see what i like?

the question repeated itself over in his mind. he's not sure if he'd ever have somewhere in a hospital that was likeable enough to want to show someone. maybe thats why he was curious, and why he picked himself up off the plastic chair to get lost through the maze with him.

the boy threw a glance over his shoulder, probably checking to see if taehyung was still following. "come on." he must not have been pleased with the pace of the other male. jungkook had checked his watch and frowned a little at what it told him. "or else we're going to run out of time."

taehyung saw the clock on the wall, visiting rights didnt end for a couple hours though. he didn't see how they could run that much time off the clock, then again he should see his mom before he leaves, have some dinner with her and maybe watch a game show before going home to his own bed. he figured the boy needed to spend time with his person as well. the thought had him quickening his steps.

"where are we even going?" taehyung finally asked, once the boy pushed open a door to a stairwell.

"why so eager to get all the answers right away? don't you like surprises." the ravenettes voice echoed as they walked up the stairs.

taehyung shrugged and realized he was catching up as they went up the stairs, the other seemed to slow after the first flight. "i like mysteries, books and stuff." taehyung said, "surprises, not so much."

the ravennette stopped on the fifth floor, a big number 5 written in blue paint on the door. he seemed to take a moment, and taehyung was going to ask him if he was okay, but the door was shoved open before he had the chance. "this is my second favorite place in the whole hospital." jungkook said, taking a deep breath once done with going up the stairs. it was refreshing to be outside for once.

the fifth floor had a courtyard in the middle of it, and if it was still daytime the sunlight would have been shining down on them. there were trees and bushes surrounding the small courtyard, flowers decorating the sidewalks with benches sitting ever so often. it looked like a path going around in a circle, not so big since it was in the middle of a hospital. there was a nurse and an older man going around on the sidewalk. it was a slow pace, but exercise nonetheless. taehyung thought about his mother, how much she would like to see the trees and flowers like they were traveling again – before their past surroundings of green leaves and soft breezes were replaced with white walls and the smell of hand sanitizer.

"its prettier during the day, warmer too." jungkook said, feeling the night creeping in and revealing the stars above that hid away during the day. pulling his hoodie sleeves down was nearly a habit at this point.

taehyung nodded, shoving his own hands into the pockets of his jeans. "its still nice now though." he said, looking up at the sky, but somehow still managing to glance over at the boy beside him. his eyes werent looking back though, not as they stared up at the starry sky, those orbs almost as dark as the night itself. taehyung realized he didn't even know the boys name. after the multiple times they've talked, a proper introduction was never made. at first it didnt seem necessary, he thought it was a tiny conversation in passing – there was no expectation for the two of them to keep meeting. but now he found himself wondering what the boys name was.

"hey." he started to say, waiting until those dark eyes finally looked away from what was above them to look over at the other beside him. "are you ever gonna tell me your name?"

the boy grinned, but didnt seem too keen on responding so easily. "i thought you liked mysteries." was all he said.

taehyung chuckled and leaned against the wall now, seeing the way the ravenette was smiling small, proud of himself. "well my names taehyung." he figured that could be a start, and maybe the other would follow suit.

nothing else was able to be said, their peaceful and borderline playful interaction was interrupted by the door to the fifth floor opening with a swing, a familiar red lipstick smile painted on neatly. "oh there you are taehyung." it was ms. aecha that interrupted them. he smiled and gave her a small wave. "and jungkook, good to see you out." she added.

the ravenette wished he could narrow his eyes at the nurse, but she was too lovely for that, even though he could picture taehyungs smug smile from right beside him.

"you're mother woke up from her nap, shes asking to see you." ms. aecha told him. her words had taehyung pushing off the wall and nodding, looking at the boy who he now knows as jungkook. they would both have to get going soon anyways, if they wanted some time before visiting hours ended. ms.aecha wasnt done though, this time looking at the ravenette who was doing his best to look absolutely anywhere else. "and you," she said to get his attention, "you have to be-"

"yeah, yeah." jungkook waved her off, but he did it with a smile so it wasnt so rude. "you think they'll do pizza tomorrow? im a sucker for those cheap cheese flavors all half-melted together." he nudged taehyungs arm, like he wanted him to agree or something. master of subject changes. jungkook smiled warmly at the two others, but it was such a contrast to the feeling of the cold that swirled in his stomach and shivered up his spine.

they were out of time.

he didn't see taehyung again, not as he pushed open the door to the stairs and made his way down to the third floor. it was easier going down than the hard work it took to go up the stairs. he could hear the other two behind him, talking about taehyungs mother and how she did well today. it made his stomach churn. taehyungs mother.

thats a horrible reason to be here in the hospital, and it made jungkook frown at the thought. he already knew he was never going to ask the boy why he was here. thats not something you really ask someone if you dont know them enough, it could be too sensitive of a topic. considering it was his mother, jungkooks frown deepened, hes really glad he didnt ask. he cant imagine if he had to visit his mom everyday here, trapped between four white walls and cotton sheets and a small window that didnt do enough. 

he noticed they all got off on the third floor, ms.aecha placing a hand on the ravenettes back. "you okay?" she asked the boy, his palm placed gently on the wall beside the door to the stairs. he was staring at the big 3 painted in blue, nodding and mumbling quietly, "im fine." he said.

taehyung had already left, walking down the hallway to disappear into the familiar hospital room. his mother was sitting up in her bed when he entered, a small smile sitting on her pale face. her eyes seemed to brighten slightly when she saw her son walking in. "my dear." she said, setting down the paper cup of water beside her.

"hey mom." taehyung smiled, leaning over the bed railing to kiss her cheek before settling into the chair that was too familiar. they stayed like that, sitting beside each other and talking quietly about the game show that was playing. the glow of the tv screen and the little light beside the bed was all they needed, until 7:30 came around and the alarm on taehyungs phone went off to remind him once again. he felt better leaving today though, because his mother was doing okay and he had a nice time with someone else.

jungkook.

he thought about the boy as he left his moms room, even casting a glance down the hallway of the third floor, wondering if fate would have then running into each other again, but taehyung just assumed that jungkook had already left for the night.

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