【 Taehyung 】

An almost haunting echo of a clock ticking filled the otherwise tranquil waiting room you restlessly were seated inside; leg anxiously bouncing as you eyed the very same doors they hurriedly had wheeled Jungkook through when you first got here.

It had almost been over an hour now yet there still had been no updates on his condition, which certainly didn't help ease your uneasiness in the slightest— he was going to be okay... right?

Rushed footsteps could soon be heard approaching the bench you were seated on, making you finally tear your gaze away from those damned doors you had been helplessly staring at and instead over to the rest of your friends whom finally got here— their complexions all visibly ghostly pale as they were still utterly horrified and in disbelief from what had happened

Jimin: A-any updates yet?

A sigh left your lips whilst you lowered your head, shaking your head slowly as a 'no' before speaking up in a discouraged whisper

Taehyung: Nothing yet... How was the situation back over there?

Yoongi: Chaotic as you probably could've imagined... Everyone was baffled by what happened and the cops were still busy collecting evidence and interviewing people when we got the all-clear to leave

The waiting room soon fell into yet another suffocating and dreadful silence whilst your friends quietly sat down on the empty seats next to you— the frustrated groan that emitted past your lips eventually breaking the stillness as you clenched your fist tightly; feeling how a blazing fury boiled up in your chest once again at the mere thought of whoever that murderous bastard was who had the nerve to do this to another human being

So you cursed softly under your breath before mumbling out a vengeful ''Whomever did this to him will fucking pay''— earning small nods from the rest whom were equally as pissed about the crime as you despite evidently being overpowered by the worry they felt for the youngers well-being right now

Namjoon: Y-yeah and I'm sure they'll be able to track down whomever did this in no time Tae— after all, the event was filled with eyewitnesses, cameras and CCTV left and right. There's no way they'll get away with it.

You sighed softly as you ruffled your hair whilst shamefully lowering your head; sensing how your gut uncomfortably twisted from the immense guilt and regret you currently felt— knowing this all possibly could've been dodged in the first place, had you just done a better job in protecting him.

Taehyung: I'm s-sorry guys, this is all my fault... If only I wouldn't have left his side, then maybe this all could've been avoided...

With that confession instantly came a gentle nudge to your shoulder, accompanied by a gentle smile from none other than Hoseok as he shook his head slowly— mouthing out a ''Don't apologize Tae'' before sighing and speaking up in a glum yet factual manner

Hoseok: The sad truth is you couldn't have predicted nor prevented something like this Taehyung-sshi— not even if you had been by his side at all times. Gguk was obviously handed that seemingly harmless drink during the meet&greet earlier, meaning it went under all of our radars... Not just yours, okay?

Everyone yet again slowly nodded in agreement to his words whilst sad smiles tugged at their lips, Jin then gently reached over to pat your back in a reassuring manner— forcing a brave smile despite the clear uncertainty of the situation; though his voice ended up breaking softly towards the end as the very last part of his sentence sounded far more doubtful rather than certain

Jin: Hobi is right Tae, there's also no time nor use in mourning regret about what possibly could've been done differently— what Jungkook needs now is for us all to be brave, a-and once he wakes up we'll just make it up to him somehow...

| A bit later...

Time appeared to pass at a painfully slow pace whilst the wait gradually ate away at the little energy that any of you had left, some of you even accidentally dozing off momentarily against each other's shoulders since was nothing else to do other than to anxiously wait for any updates on how the younger was doing— every so often jumping up in alert whenever the doors finally would open; only to disappointingly slump back down every time upon realizing it had merely been some other nurses and doctors that just so happened to be passing through the intensive care unit.

Though once those doors opened for the nth time that night, you all immediately jumped up from your seats after finally hearing a voice call out ''Family of Jeon Jungkook?''— instantly nodding as you all stumbled your way closer to the doctor whilst messily uttering out a hesitant ''H-how is he?'' 

Doctor: We're still waiting on the toxicology screen, but you should know he stopped breathing and also ended up having a seizure when we were in the midst of treating him. We'll have to keep him hospitalized for a few days under observation— however, he should be out of danger now.

Breaths of relief immediately left your lips upon hearing that he at the very least should be out of danger, though you all understood that it also meant he was entirely in the clear either— nonetheless, it at least helped you feel more hopeful that the younger was on the right track of recovering

Jimin: So w-when can we go see him?

She sighed softly as she hesitated for a moment, eyeing the tablet in her hand containing the patient information before looking back up at the six of you

Doctor: I'm afraid only one person would be able to stay with him while he is in the ICU tonight. If all goes well then you can all pay him a visit once he gets moved down to a regular ward tomorrow morning, you can find out the visitation hours both online or at the reception downstairs

The six of you all wordlessly glanced at each other hesitantly; and even though you selfishly wanted to be the one to stay by his side, you quickly pushed that wish aside and were instead just about to suggest that either Hoseok, Yoongi, or Jimin could stay with him since they were the closest— however, Hobi gently placed his hand on your shoulder knowingly whilst swiftly cutting you off before you had the chance to voice out your suggestion

Hoseok: Taehyung you can stay if you want to— I'm sure Jungkook would want to see you once he wakes up.

You widened your eyes slightly in surprise whilst looking at them all hesitantly, uttering out a soft ''W-what? I— a-are you guys sure that's okay?'' which immediately earned nods and encouraging words of reassurance from the rest whom surprisingly seemed to like the suggestion of you staying a lot

Yoongi: Yeah stay with him tonight Tae, just keep us updated on how he's doing yeah?

A faint and grateful smile tugged at your lips as you nodded, whispering out a soft ''Of course'' as they all returned that smile before pulling you into a short yet warm and comforting group hug

Doctor: So who's staying tonight?

They then gently proceeded to nudge you forward as you raised your hand slightly, earning a nod of acknowledgment from the doctor as she swiftly noted something down onto her tablet before looking back up at you with a soft smile

Doctor: Alright then you can go ahead and follow me inside once you're ready— but for the sake of other patients staying in the ICU, you will have to wear a mask and a visitor gown that goes on top of your clothes, you're okay with that right?

You immediately nodded understandingly before briefly turning towards your friends one more time, letting out a soft ''Thank you guys, I promise I'll keep him safe this time'' whilst gently waving goodbye— immediately earning smiles from the rest whom nodded and waved whilst watching you finally follow the doctor inside

After having gowned up and put on the mask which you had been provided with, you were then taken over to the room that Jungkook was in— though the second you walked into the room and saw the wries, IV, breathing tube, and heart monitor the younger was connected to, your heart dropped; something which seemingly didn't go unnoticed by the doctor as she soon spoke up behind you

Doctor: He'll have to stay on the ventilator overnight but we'll hopefully be able to switch to a regular oxygen mask tomorrow morning— assuming he's able to breathe properly on his own then. The wires and IVs he's connected to right now may look scary, but I can assure you they're not as bad as they may look.

You silently nodded as you slowly walked up to his bedside, sitting down on the empty chair next to his bed before glancing back over at the doctor whilst bowing your head subtly to show your gratitude

Taehyung: Thank you for keeping him alive and safe Dr.Jang...

Doctor: Of course, that's what we're here for— anyway, I better get going now but let us know if there's anything.

Once she left the room to go continue with her duties, your gaze slowly traveled back down and over to Jungkooks unconscious figure; his complexion and lips were paler than usual, and despite his seemingly peaceful state right now, you knew he had felt anything but that earlier— so you sincerely hoped he wasn't feeling any form of discomfort right now while he rested and recovered from the internal abuse his body had suffered earlier

Taehyung: Oh Gguk... Please be okay, yeah? I really need to talk to you and clear up that misunderstanding dummy— n-no wait s-sorry, you're not the dummy, I am— I am the dummy for causing the misunderstanding... S-so you better wake up and scold me for it, yeah petal?

A breathy chuckle stifled past your lips as you automatically found yourself envisioning the youngers face whenever he grumpily would scold you or anyone about something; that subtle and cute pout that would linger on his lips whenever he frowned and spoke in a strict tone never failing to both look intimidating yet also absolutely adorable all at the same time— though that's something you highly doubt you'd ever admit out loud.

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