CHAPTER 17

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he had been standing on the front porch of the hospital for a good fifteen minutes. to say that jeongguk was only excited to finally have taehyung joining him in their dorm was a major understatement. he could barely keep himself together and had to physically restrain himself from barreling inside the room, showcasing his overwhelming feelings in the form of somersaults and cartwheels to the elder. but he did manage to squeeze in one mini symbolic leap of glory at the hospital's entrance because he could really only hold himself back that much.

he has waited two weeks for this. he had plans ahead for the day and he would steal taehyung's time as much as he could after this, the hyungs be damned.

today was finally the day taehyung's doctor would let him go, apparently holding taehyung for a few more advice before he was set free. jeongguk didn't mind waiting long, even if it was a bit chilly, and the hospital's corridor was bustling with people in frantic pace, giving him a tired vibe, he was still drenched in vigor. he stole his looks on the glass wall, assuring his styled look good enough before whistling happily again. he put his left hand inside the pockets of his baggy pant black whilst the other one messed his hair into a messy style. he never bothered to try to look good when going outside, yet the black hoodie and the red timberland he wore were special things given by taehyung, and they made him look especially hot. today was an exception, indeed.

when taehyung was finally out, appearing in his glorious ethereal state with messy fluffy hair, swimming inside his oversize knitted jumper and scarf, jeongguk ran to welcome him in a big hug. taehyung hugged back tightly, basking in the warmth jeongguk gave him, snuggling to jeongguk's neck.

"you done talking to that old man?" taehyung giggled and nodded. and they trotted out of the hospital together.

---

"are you really sure you don't want a therapist?"

taehyung shook his head, going to a hospital was worse than he thought. of course the doctors would know but he was lucky enough that they deemed it as something so private to not telling his managers. "i am perfectly mentally stable. why do you think that i need one?"

the doctor sighed. "taehyung-shi, you should not lie to a professional. i know those cuts weren't to take lightly. everyone has their darkest time and it brings the tendencies of experiencing light to heavy depression. but your condition only tells me bad news and that you need help."

"please, doctor," taehyung said, exasperatedly. "i know myself just well. i am fine. it was just stress, idol life requires me to work in ungodly hours and it ruined my sleep schedule a bit. no big deal."

a few minutes passed with taehyung staring rebelliously at the man before the doctor nodded solemnly. "alright, i'll let you go this time," the doctor reluctantly said. "but if something comes up eventually, i'm just one call away, got it?" he smiled fatherly at taehyung and handed taehyung his medicines.

when the boy had proceed to leave the room, the man breathed out a heavy sigh and called someone. "i couldn't get him to tell me anything, i'm sorry, sejin-shi."

---

they were walking in a park now. taehyung looking like a lost puppy, followed jeongguk anywhere the younger led him. it was sneaky but jeongguk did lie that he would bring taehyung directly to their dorm. what was wrong with stealing him for a bit? it was their day-off and it was the perfect time with perfect weather for a dat--whatever you call it.

the only thing jeongguk wanted to achieve today was to see taehyung smile as freely as he did before again. he turned his head down right to taehyung who kept walking beside him with eyes downcast. his gazes still held deep sadness and it pained jeongguk so much especially when the elder tried to laugh off jeongguk's worried stare on him. taehyung might be a talented actor, yet his eyes held so much expression to cover his feelings. he knew all the time when taehyung acted as if there was really nothing wrong with his life, he held himself from things jeongguk didn't know that refrain himself to open up to anyone, that maybe, he was waiting for the perfect time, or the perfect one to finally able to lean himself onto them. he could feel taehyung's struggles but jeongguk couldn't do anything about that yet. but it was alright though, he already promised himself to be by taehyung's side always. he would lend his shoulders to cry on and ears to listen whenever the elder wanted. what they needed now was only time.

suddenly a dog ran into taehyung's legs quite harshly and made taehyung fell backwards because of the impact. jeongguk immediately put his strong arm on taehyung's waist to prevent his butt touching the dirt and it worked because taehyung only bumped to his hard chest rather than completely falling. the culprit, suprisingly, started to bark excitedly towards taehyung who was kneeling down to pet the dog.

it was a small jindo dog with fur as white as snow. the dog was so cute that jeongguk didn't even dare to scold it for running into taehyung. the said boy was now hugging and giggling together with the dog, seemingly having the time of his life with a dog he just met a minute ago. the view was so deathly sweet, with a smiley taehyung petting the dog who licked him nonstop, that jeongguk couldn't help but taking a picture of those two. the dog must be able to recognise taehyung's distress and tried to ease him off by playing with him.

after a good ten minutes that jeongguk mustered his courage to drag taehyung from the dog. it was a hellish struggle when both of them whined painfully at jeongguk but he finally won over taehyung's pout when he promised taehyung ice cream.

"the dog was so cute, right, gukkie?" taehyung dreamily said and jeongguk wholeheartedly agreed, cute just like you.

"he actually reminded me of soonshim." jeongguk hummed as question. "my dog back at my... home in daegu. i missed her so much."

jeongguk might be dense with many things but he was sure as hell that taehyung was a bit hesitant when talking about that one particular word. home. was it the thing that taehyung was so sad about? the sadness was back in his eyes and there was nothing else jeongguk wanted to do but hugging taehyung to ease the pains, so he just threw his arm over taehyung's shoulders and pulled him close.

---

"hey, tae, would you look at that? man, it's a fair!" jeongguk excitedly chirped at a bemused taehyung, dragging the elder with him to the entrance of the fair. "we can't miss this!! let's play for a while!" he saw taehyung hesitating for a flash but immediately nodded along with his suggestion, willingly getting dragged by an excited jeongguk.

it was actually not accidental that they stumbled into a fair. jeongguk knew the fair was held for a week here and he planned to bring taehyung along for a day. boy, was he happy when everything seemed to be doing so fine.

they brought a pair of couple hair band as jeongguk insisted. at first taehyung refused when jeongguk gave him the rabbit one, complaining that it was jeongguk's so he went with the puppy one and they off to go for the games.

jeongguk cooed as taehyung huffed for letting the younger winning him a game of balloon and darts. taehyung tried once but missed so jeongguk went down and won a game, getting him a small cat plushie. taehyung was still embarassed when he won another game yet started to jump in excitement as jeongguk promised him a lion plushie as the master price. he did won again, shortly, earning a very happy squeal from taehyung.

"just you wait, gukkie! i'll win you over something later!" taehyung mumbled out a promise.

---

jeongguk was not especially good in basketball, but having a muscled bulky athletic body really helped him out in the game. if not because of his body, he would've already cried in embarrassment for being so cocky back then, joining a street game just to show off to taehyung. his teammates probably played basketball their whole life, dribbling the ball with so much ease whilst there was jeongguk, who worried more about his team's winning than not enjoying the game.

taehyung was on the side, playfully acting like a cheerleader, shouting "GO GET THEM, JEON" and "WHERE'S THE TIGER" many times in high pitched voice embarassingly. jeongguk fake cringed as he stared at taehyung who giggled. he was sweating and wanted so bad to take off his mask and snapback, fortunately for them there were not much people here, and no one had uttered any word if they recognized them.

jeongguk didn't score many ball including one outstanding three-pointer shot that he exaggeratedly showed off to taehyung but he was so proud of himself. his team ended winning even if he wasn't the one who brought it and he rushed to taehyung with blinding smile, dragging him from the crowd to hug the hell out of him. of course, what could be expected more from the golden maknae, jeon jeongguk?

---

the third game was definitely jeongguk's favourite.

jeongguk (not so) secretly flexed his biceps in front of a flustered taehyung, preparing himself. who even didn't love high striker? taehyung apparently, who couldn't stop whining because he didn't want to embarrass himself for having a scrawny state. he sure as hell would lose from jeongguk in a matter of a second. taehyung still wanted to try the game, though, even if jeongguk nagged him that he was still weak, he used the age card and played first.

the score wasn't that high, but the blinding smile taehyung threw at jeongguk was so beautiful that he cheered with the elder as well.

when it was jeongguk's turn, he rolled up his hoodie's sleeves, showing off his veiny strong arms and noticed taehyung's pretty, reddened cheeks, he smirked evilly. jeongguk grabbed the hammer and opened his legs wider in position similar with taekwondo's squat stance. and by using his whole strength, he struck the puck strongly, earning a loud clashing sound. the puck went up almost to the top. and before jeongguk could turn back, taehyung already ran onto him, hugging him tightly as he gashed nonstop about how his gukkie baby had turned to be so strong now.

he won over the highest score.

---

well, taehyung did fulfill his promise to win jeongguk something. he was actually good at ring toss, much to jeongguk's surprise. it was now his third rounds and taehyung had won all of them. the elder was concentrating so much in the direction of the bottle as he scrunched up his nose and bros furrowed so adorably, jeongguk just wanted to kiss that spot while watching taehyung giving him more judy and nick plushies.

taehyung squealed for the forth time he won. the guard had ushered them to leave the game politely yet jeungguk was reluctant to pull taehyung aside because his smile was just too blinding to resist.

"did you see that, guk? aren't i great?" taehyung giggled prettily.

---

jeongguk would be lying if he didn't like skateboard. the truth was he actually loved  that sport.  so when there were also a skateboard stand where many skateboarders gathered, he ran ahead, ignoring taehyung's shouts to wait for him. he was so eager to try, veins pumping with excitement as he finally got on the board.

he put one leg on the board while the other pushed until it rolled on the pavement smoothly. he skated through the sliding arenas so freely, bailing, and heel dragging like a master. he used to play skateboard with his elder brother, who always taught him how to play. if he was this talented in skateboarding, his brother would be twice better.

he showed off another powersliding to taehyung who was in the middle of squealing in joy and getting worried for jeongguk's dangerous moves. kickflips, ollie, pop shuvit, and rail stands had he done until when he was about to roll again with his right foot dangerously placed too right for the balanced stance. he was nearing a slide and before he was ready to correct his position, he crashed onto it. fortunately, the protective gears could prevent him from crashing hard and he was quick to roll his body so his knees and elbows wouldn't get the impact.

he heard people who had been cheering on him moaned in defeat, another skateboarder lent him a hand and pulled him up, checking him. jeongguk was still high in excitement when a pair of hands dragged him backwards and a very worried taehyung appeared in his sight, his angry face was so adorable that jeongguk only grinned broader. taehyung must've thought him mad that he pulled jeongguk outside the arena immediately.

---

"for the nth time, taehyung, i'm okay!" jeongguk exasperatedly tried to calm down a distressed taehyung who wouldn't stop squishing his cheeks while checking his body from every possible damage caused by his fall. it was honestly so sweet and jeongguk just wanted to hide and cuddle taehyung for whatever valid reasons out there, yet he refrained from doing so because the elder was actually in the verge of crying.

"i can't believe you dared to pull such  dangerous move like that! i'd never even seen you play skateboard before then you just suddenly played like a master and then the next second i was finally sure that you were really good at it, you fell! you're still a baby, gukkie! what if you broke your arms? or legs? you're too heavy! i can't even bring you to the dorm! i don't even have money to get you to the hospital! you meanie how can you just play like that--"

"hey, hey, tae, calm down," jeongguk said softly, patting a frantic taehyung. tears blurred the elder's sight. "see? i'm okay, trust me."

"no! you're not okay! you can't even process the pain, oh my God, jeonggukie's hurt and he didn't even realise it! it must be the concussion! oh what do i do! gukkie, tell me how many is this?!" taehyung held out two of his fingers in front of jeongguk, teary eyes so wide as he stared at jeongguk.

"tae--"

"oh, no, he didn't even know how many two are! here!" he shoved three fingers now. "how many is this?!"

jeongguk sighed loudly and squished taehyung's cheeks to silence him. "gfukhie!! yhuf've tfu ahswher--" and taehyung finally shut up when a pair of lips were planted on his nose. slowly, he looked up to a grinning jeongguk with a bit of pink coloured his pale cheeks cheekily. he was still in daze that he lost the words he was about to speak.

"i'm fine, taehyung, i'm a big boy now, much stronger than you," said jeongguk, smirking when he saw that taehyung was as red as tomato, completely speechless by his action just now. as he noticed that the elder wouldn't be moving any time soon, he pulled taehyung up by hand and wrapped his arm on his shoulder.

"it's almost sunset. let's grab ice cream and go home for real now," jeongguk said to a still flustered taehyung. the latter swatted over jeongguk's hard chest a few minutes later, hand unconsciously stayed for longer.

---

"jeonggukie, i can walk just fine! put me down!" taehyung huffed, annoyed. the younger had just crouched down in front of him then pulled him down onto his back to force piggyback him. his feet just arched a bit because he hadn't walked that much in the hospital, but jeongguk was totally exaggerating for it. he probably just wanted to show off his strength again, taehyung scoffed.

"be a good boy, hyung, or i'll drop your butt off to the ground,"jeongguk threatened but tightened his strong hold impossibly more. and taehyung knew the younger may be piggybacking him until their dorm so he slumped down on jeongguk's back with a defeated sigh, throwing his dead weight to jeongguk to falter his resolution, which failed because jeongguk was actually way stronger than he thought he was. he whined instead, "guuukkkkkkiiiiieeeee..."

jeongguk scoffed. the nerve. so taehyung set off to ignore the younger all the way home.

"couldn't help when taetae-hyung was so light and weak nowadays, just wanna help you, you know," jeongguk guiltily said a while later. "how could i leave you when you were limping like that, hm? i promised i would always take care of you, didn't i?" he snickered as taehyung still kept quiet.

"hyuungie, don't ignore mee," jeongguk fake whined, snickering after. he heard taehyung huffed adorably before pulling his snapback to cover his eyes. "hey! pull it off! i can't see!" when taehyung didn't pull it up, jeongguk threw taehyung up, earning a yelp from the elder and then held him tighter, shaking him. "c'mon! tae, be responsible, please!" he begged which finally resulted in taehyung correcting his snapback.

they walked in silence for a few minutes before jeongguk said again softly, "did you have fun today, taehyung?" taehyung nodded onto jeongguk's shoulder, tightened his hold on jeongguk's neck adorably.

"i'm glad, then," jeongguk said.

"you?" taehyung mumbled, a yawn successfully escaped after. jeongguk chuckled.

"i had fun, too." jeongguk looked back at taehyung only to see the elder smiling sleepily.

"i'm so happy today, gukkie," taehyung said. "thank you." and just like that taehyung fell asleep.

jeongguk may not be the one taehyung lean on to yet and he wouldn't force himself onto taehyung. but jeongguk was a man, too, he couldn't hold himself back when taehyung was being this sweet and cute, making everyone wanted to dote and take care of him despite how strong he was inside. and jeongguk wasn't just the golden maknae if he was to give up right now. if home or shelter was what taehyung was looking for, jeongguk was a man with a large back to take taehyung home. he would take taehyung home whenever the elder wanted, the only thing taehyung needed was to lean on jeongguk. it was only about time.

the plan was succeeded, then. taehyung was happy today and so was jeongguk. even if they were a bit awkward at some moments, and jeongguk wasn't used to accept his hidden sappy self, it was enough. it was this moment with taehyung that jeongguk cherished the most. the elder used to protect him all the time before and now it was his time.

even with this awkward comfort that didn't make sense, it could make taehyung smile.

my favourite dorks^^