chapter fifty-seven ;; sparkling lights
third person
°☆.。.:*・°☆

"I shall shave my head shaved too!" Jimin proudly announces, formed fists rested on his small hips and chin raised high, chest pushed out. It'd been Jeongguk's fourth week on chemo, and his best friend was still defiant to make him feel better.

Jeongguk softly giggles, grabbing ahold of Jimin's squishy face with his small hands and pushing onto the soft skin. Mushed lips formed at the faint action, "You're not shaving your head." The younger firmly speaks, staring straight into brown eyes.

"We can tattoo on your scalp." Jimin continues after a few moments of thought, words mashed together and hard to pronounce.

They were the only two in the room. Everyone else was out and about, finally getting some fresh air. Taehyung needed a break from the hospital, and his wish to hang out a bit was understood. Of course Jimin felt bad for leaving the weak boy all alone and decided to stay behind.

"Not happening." Jeongguk states, squishing a malleable face even more, "Got it?"

Jimin slowly nods before speaking again, "Your phromish phring ish phreallyphold."

"Pardon?" Jeongguk tilts his head to the side in confusion. Jimin lifts a stubby hand, tapping on the cold one holding onto him. The younger gets the hint, letting go and sitting back into the plush pillow.

"Your ring was cold on my face." Jimin regularly speaks now and smiles brightly with crescents prominently forming once Jeongguk's cheeks had turned a shade of pink.

"Do you know when they're coming back?" Jeongguk hates how a hint of sadness laced in his tone, looking at the clock and noting it's been four hours already. He knows Taehyung needs time to himself, but the younger wanted to sleep and would feel bad if Taehyung came back while in a deep sleep. Nonetheless, Jeongguk couldn't help the drowsiness almost powerfully taking ahold, caressing his mind in such a tempting and relaxing way. A yawn was squeezed out, coughing slightly before beginning to slightly drift off.

Jimin didn't really have time to answer, listening to a soft beep slow down with an even movement of a small chest. The orange haired boy sat back in his plastic chair and gazed at the latter who was shifting to curl up into a loose ball but soon eyes were watching whatever was on tv.

SpongeBob displayed across the screen in bright colors, and Jimin had to hold back yet another bright smile. Every night at one in the morning, Spongebob would be on and the small couple would huddle together on Yoongi's plush bed to watch.

----

The heavy oak door slowly opened with the almost silent turn of the doorknob. Jimin and Taehyung both cursed at the creaking noise followed with a barely moveable sway. Jimin's small body slipped through the door and tried to close it behind him as effortlessly as possible, leaving Jeongguk to peacefully sleep on the other side.

"Is everything almost ready?" Jimin asks once Taehyung and him were a certain distance away from the room.

The elder nods and looks around with nervous eyes, "What if he doesn't like it?" His hands shuffle and accompany a clear worrisome timbre. They both continue to walk closely together down many hallways, leading to a certain courtyard currently filled.

Jimin rolls his eyes, "Don't be stupid." He doesn't mean to sound aggravated, "You can't do much to make Jeongguk anymore disappointed than he already is. The boy is only gonna love you even more, if that's possible."

"I get that, but you know how I am." Taehyung sadly speaks, meeting eyes with the shorter male.

"But the way you get can be so stupid." Jimin answers, emphasizing 'stupid'. He didn't want the one walking beside him to worry so much on a day like this one. There was no need.

"I know," Taehyung loudly sighs when running a quick hand through green bangs, "it's just...there's a feeling I have about tonight-"

Jimin stops walking and grabs ahold of Taehyung's broad shoulders, stopping them right outside the glass door to their destination, "Goddamnit, Kim Taehyung," the shorter had to look up at the latter, "you are going to shut up about your worries," a stubby finger was now pointing harshly onto a firm chest, "and you are going to give Guk one of the best nights he's ever had- you better clear those dirty thoughts of those, you horny fuck." Taehyung laughs while nodding.

"Fine, I'll shut up and give Jeongguk one of the best nights he's ever had...minus the bad thoughts."

"Good." And a happy rectangle met two bright crescents.

----

"Everything looks good." Seokjin mumbles while setting up the main table, which was dazzled with snacks and treats. A champagne bottle sat nicely in an ice bucket even though Jeongguk can't drink any, and a plethora of made up glass trays were strewn about the long table cloth. The color was maroon, of course, "Everything tastes good too." He adds with a proud smile, picking up a strawberry and taking a bite, "I even made Jeongguk's new favorite: green chili pepper pickles."

"Thank you so much, Seokjin, really."

"You don't need to thank me. I'd probably do anything for the two of you. I mean, it's the least I could do..." Seokjin sends a gaze maybe a little too guilt-filled, and Taehyung gets it.

"Don't put yourself down for all of that. It's in the past now, Jin. We've all moved on."

"I guess...but I can't help but still feel bad. There was a huge ripple thanks to me and then I fought you and then that other time I got drunk and did some really stupid things. Now Jeongguk's sick, and I feel like he could've been doing so much more than sulk because of me before all of this happened." Seokjin was finally pouring out to the younger boy who only kept silent and listened closely. He knew Seokjin of course felt guilt, but this stripped back side being shown still took Taehyung by surprise, "I don't wanna get the maroon suit ruined by crying on it." He lets out a sad sound for a laugh and quickly wipes under his eyes.

Taehyung still didn't know how to respond, so he simply lifted his arm to comfort Seokjin. He placed it on a broad back and gave an apologetic look seeming to hold everything that couldn't be spoken. After the short lived conversation, which was interrupted by Namjoon coming over to check in on everything, there seemed to be such a heavy weight lifted off of both their shoulders, and Taehyung was sure Jeongguk could feel it too, even though he was still in the room and kindly sleeping.

"Maybe you should get Jeon now." Namjoon tells Taehyung, glancing back over at Seokjin for a moment to check if everything was okay, "It's getting pretty late."

"Right, okay- Do any of you guys wanna go with me?" Taehyung asks and pleadingly looks towards the rest who were trying to figure out the DJ table. Yoongi had a furrowed brow and wasn't really paying attention to his brother's question, as Jimin breathes down Yoongi's shoulder to make sure he doesn't fuck things up. On the other hand, Youngjae and Hoseok were too engrossed into a conversation, standing close to each other and used to the small expanse of air between their two stances, "Okay then." Taehyung mumbles before hesitantly walking out of the courtyard.

The eighteen, soon to be nineteen, year old trails through the hospital's many hallways and back towards Jeongguk's plain room. He received many compliments on his suit since every nurse on Jeongguk's hallway knew the plans for today. Those same nurses had grown such a fond feeling for Taehyung and Jeongguk, becoming accustomed and used to the two boys easily. Having people like them take care of his important someone made the long stay seem a little less dull.

"Gukkie." Taehyung softly coos, gently shaking a small shoulder. Large brown eyes fluttered opened after a few seconds, and they instantly turned confused. Looking over to the boy who was sitting next to him and seeing the attire only made Jeongguk even more befuddled.

"Tae?" Voice faint and raspy, lips and throat dry, Jeongguk blinks up at the elder through the words. Taehyung hands him a cup of water before anything, "Wh-Why are you-?"

"Wanna go on a walk with me?" The taller asks and runs a light hand along his exposed forearm.

"Am I allowed to?"

"Of course you are, I already asked the nurses. They said you're doing significantly better."

Jeongguk just gives a stare, and it seems like he wanted to say something, but nonetheless, he nodded lightly and got help to sit up from Taehyung. The tanner stood up first and grabbed ahold of a small, pale hand. The elder closely watched with strong eyes as Jeongguk sits up and stands, and his hand wraps around the metal bar of his mobile IV.

The couple stroll down the hallways Taehyung had just been down and through. Jeongguk was quiet, brain full of questions and weak mind trying desperately to put everything together. Sure, he's been down this way before but never in this type of configuration. Hell, Jeongguk's walked the whole hospital with Taehyung, even gone out by himself on better days, but now he was simply dumbfounded and decided to not worry so much about it nor the pounding in his chest.

"Taehyungie," Jeongguk whines, causing the latter's heart to skip a beat, "where are we going?"

"We'll be there in a little, babe. Close your eyes." Taehyung covers his eyes for him, not trusting Jeongguk's usually curious mind. The shorter lets out a frustrated sound, wanting to stomp his feet but not having enough energy. In all honestly he felt like he needed to sit down for a moment.

The noise of a door opening and closing sounded, "How- How much longer?" The tone was worried, a small hand put on top of a tanned one.

"We're here but I don't want you to open your eyes quite yet." Whispers were quickly exchanged in a dumb attempt to be completely silent. Jeongguk could tell whoever was in the poorly kept quiet conversation was rushing around, causing him to let out a breathy laugh, "Wait, fuck, did you see?"

Jeongguk slowly shakes his head with a plastered smile, "No, I didn't see, but you guys are really bad at keeping your voices quiet and footsteps unknown."

"Jesus Christ, Guk," Taehyung mumbles and roles his eyes yet none of it is with malice, "you always sound professional when you talk. You're an eighteen year old, stop it."

"I'm training to be a nurse." He lamely jokes back, Taehyung having a strong urge to kiss the one he loves.

More silenced words were exchanged, and Jeongguk was walking just a little further until finally coming to a halt. Taehyung's strong arm left his small waist and dress shoes were clacking against the concrete. Jeongguk listened and kept his eyes clamped shut, wanting this to be as good as Taehyung wished it to be.

"Open your eyes!" Jimin shouts like a little boy. He wasn't able to hold back the outburst of excitement. Taehyung scolded him for a short moment, wanting to wait a little longer but was quickly distracted once seeing Jeongguk's widened eyes and gleaming smile which he swore stretched across the boy's face entirely.

The young boy was in complete awe when viewing fairylights that were wrapped around the branchless trees. A yellow sheen looked so beautiful across the skin of his boyfriend and closest friends, even smiling more once seeing Youngjae at the very end and next to Hoseok, happy that the one who was devastated now found happiness in another. Watching Taehyung walk over and take him into a light and sweet hug, Jeongguk was in all honesty trying not to cry.

"I...I wanted to bring prom to you. It's so cheesy and stupid, but I knew you secretly wanted to go even though you haven't mentioned it recently and do all the prom type things." Taehyung pulled back and looked at Jeongguk's still shocked face gazing at the scenery around them, "Yoongi got a DJ booth from his friend so we could have actual music to dance to, a-and Seokjin and Namjoon made food with the help of me, and Jimin and Hoseok and Youngjae put all the lights up."

"It wasn't just me who wanted to go to prom. You did too," Jeongguk smiles and runs his fingers through the back of Taehyung's soft hair, still trying to collect himself, "so don't make me sound like the only sappy one. Jimin really wanted to go to prom, isn't that right, Jimin?"

"Damn straight!" Jimin shouts from the line of people, crescents shining for what seemed like the nth time that day and receiving a gummy smile and sweet, quick kiss from Yoongi.

"I'd much rather have prom with less people. It means there'll more likely be eyes on me." Seokjin comments.

They all share a quick laugh, and Jeongguk's eyes once again go back to Taehyung's, "You really didn't have to do this. I mean, yeah, I wanted to go to prom and paint my nails and get a suit and see you go up on stage for Prom King, even though I wouldn't go up with you." He takes a deep breath before continuing, "But I was perfectly fine with this not happening." Jeongguk knew that what he was saying wasn't important. Taehyung was known to always go the extra mile for him.

"Nonsense, now come on, I want to dance with you." Taehyung returns once loud music had started playing. The nurses from their hallways walked out from the glass door and into their small area, followed by other doctors that had been asked to join.

----

Jeongguk enjoys the feeling of being gently pressed up against Taehyung, when he can just reach up and wrap his arms around the boy's neck and feel arms encasing his frail form in return. He breathes in the elder's cologne and closes his eyes into the male's radiating chest covered in maroon fabric.

"You look handsome in this color." Jeongguk says and glances up at Taehyung who seems to have been staring at him this entire time.

"I look handsome always." Jeongguk giggles and Taehyung swears he'll never hear anything more soothing and heartwarming. It's been a while since Taehyung's heard that raw squeaky giggle of true happiness and little to no worries on the brain. Slim brown eyes study a forehead with no wrinkles between the eyebrows and soft chubby cheeks with a wide bunny smile, "And you're always the cutest." He coos afterwards and receives a groan from Jeongguk while turning their bodies to one of those sweet slow songs that feels like bubbly champagne on the tastebuds.

"You're too much." Jeongguk's fingers play with the long hair at the nape of Taehyung's neck again, yet it's clear he finds the elder's attitude something to appreciate and cherish.

Taehyung's hand finds Jeongguk's hip while the other moves up to trace Jeongguk's cheekbone before pinching it softly, "Can I just call you my fiancé instead of my boyfriend now?"

"We're not engaged, silly."

Taehyung sighs serenely, and Jeongguk feels the way his chest falls in time with their slow footsteps underneath the yellow-strung lights and the stars way up above, "We can act like we are if you want."

"Alright, Taetae. I think I'd like that."

A big nose finds way into the curve of a tanned neck where comfort and affection is found. Taehyung squeezes the boy a little tighter and they breathe a little quicker when their heartbeats become more staccato than legato, even though the beat of the music remains slow and steady in the courtyard's crafted atmosphere.

----

The night was flying by with such ease. Jeongguk had been ordered to sit down for a while once he'd begun to shake. Taehyung would be lying if he said he didn't think the worst circumstances, but the surrounding nurses had quickly checked with the medical cart taken outside and all was well. The boy had only become tired from standing for so long.

Now, Jeongguk's happily watching Taehyung goof around with Yoongi. The Kim and Min brothers were acting like complete fools. The younger was being stared at oddly by the older, as he was hopping around and flailing his arms. Jeongguk's heart boomed at such a fast rate while watching, a quick smile forming on his face, and his small hands gripped tightly on the edge of the chair, and just like that, Taehyung was being shouted at for accidentally slapping Yoongi in the face.

Jeongguk did all he could to focus his eyes onto the orange haired boy who had just walked over in a rather bubbly manner. There's no lie Jimin's tipsy, "Do you wanna dance with me?" He happily asked, some words slurred, and for once, hearing slurred words didn't make Jeongguk's blood run cold. If anything, it made him at ease knowing his best friend was having a good time.

"I'd love to dance with you, Chim." Jeongguk speaks, slowly standing up and tightly gripping onto the metal pole. The two of them were standing in the corner together. Jimin's arms were around the younger's neck and thin arms around his own waist. They both smiled at each other, being everything good but in love, yet Jeongguk did give Jimin a quick peck on the cheek, as a way to say thank you for trying his best to become a better person than before, "Thank you for trying." He whispers.

Jimin tilts his head to the side, "M'What do you mean?"

"Just...thank you." Jeongguk's eyebrows knit together as his small body begins to shake again, matching a breathy voice and a terrified gulp towards the feeling of lead in his stomach.

"Are you feeling okay?" Jimin doesn't know what to do with himself when pulling away from their close quarters. He searches Jeongguk's distant eyes urgently, "Do I need to get a nurse?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. I- Where's Taehyung?" A wet sheen collects at the base of his neck and the sides of his face, an almost sickly paleness taking ahold, and Jimin's tipsy way was quickly shut off like a switch.

"Taehyung!" Jimin shouts, grabbing ahold of everyone's attention.

Nurses quickly rushed over once noticing how Jeongguk was grappling onto Jimin and breathing with a force too harsh to ignore. Taehyung, on the other hand, was rushing at such a urgent and fast pace. Taehyung knew that Jeongguk needed him and only him, although it's clear it wasn't quite that way. Sure, Jeongguk had shouted for Taehyung and wanted him, but all all he needed was nurses and high medical need.

----

i h8 this with such a passion but i'm feel like i've rly taken too long to update...and i low key just rly wanted to show and display these lovely photos to everyone.

he's so gorgeous, even in low res.

i'm whipped.

(two more updates after this)