A/N: So, I know that this chapter runs a little differently than the events of In Shades of Forever, but I felt that this one, minor change was necessary for the sake of this story. I tried, at first, very hard to match it up exactly, but I didn't like the direction that chapter took. In my opinion, this one flows much more nicely, so...

I promise I won't make a habit of it for future series. 

Alice's POV

It's late, near eight at night when I get a call from Seokjin.

At first, I'd been surprised that he'd contact me, but I'd quickly pushed it aside after hearing the reason for his call.

The very same reason that has me rushing to the hospital like a woman possessed.

"Jeonguk is fine, " he'd told me, "but I think he could really use you for emotional support. Our oldest brother, Tae, has a heart defect, and he's about to finally have surgery. Thing's aren't looking too good though, and Kook's a wreck."

I'd been out the door before he'd even finished.

For the first time in a long time, I miss having my own car. The bus seems to take eons to finally arrive outside of the hospital who's address Jin had texted to me. My heart beats painfully against my ribcage, and my breath locks itself away within my lungs as I take in the sign.

Seoul Red Cross.

Ignoring the way my eyes burn, and the looks that I get as I nearly flee from my seat, I run. Run towards the hospital, and towards Guk, who must be hurting. 

I recall how little he'd seemed to care for his brother's girlfriend, Chloe, and realize that he must have been struggling with his brother's condition all this time.

A part of me is utterly devastated that he feels the need to suffer in silence, after all, it's Seokjin that has called me here, not Jeonguk.

It hasn't even crossed my mind that he might not want to see me, though now that I think of it there are a hundred different reasons as to why he might not want to. After all this time with Guk, if there's anything I've learned, it's that he hates being babied, and he hates feeling weak.

He must be feeling incredibly weak right about now.

As I rush across the grounds, and through the lobby towards the elevator, I steel myself for the possibility that my Guk might not be himself right now. He might try to push me away. And when I refuse to leave him alone, as I fully intend to, he might snap and say things that he doesn't mean.

But there's an equal chance that he might need me, might need arms to hold him, to soothe him in a way that his brothers just can't.

Finding the waiting room for the particular surgery that Taehyung is undergoing is easy, and I manage with only a little extra help, courtesy of one very friendly nurse. But the hard part?

Well, my heart stops, and breaks into a thousand tiny pieces as my eyes land on Jeonguk's slumped form. His head is buried in his hands, and though Jin and Jimin both are at his side, it's as if he can't sense them at all.

His other brothers, Hoseok and Yoongi, are mirrors of Jimin and Jin as they offer comfort to a young, blonde woman, who I assume must be Chloe. My heart goes out to her, even as I selfishly thank the powers that be that it isn't my man on the operating table.

I can't even imagine the pain she must be in.

I watch, heartbroken, as Jeonguk ignores his brothers' soothing words, and their comforting touch. And as his body shudders, I hear the faint sound of a sob escape from his lips. I can no longer hold myself back.

I rush to his side, grateful when Seokjin moves to allow me access to Guk's still trembling frame. At first, as I wrap my arms around him and lean my head against him, he doesn't seem to recognize me either.

It is my voice that breaks the dam.

"Guk, " I cry, fat tears of my own leaking from puffy, reddened eyes. "Guk, I'm here. I'm so sorry Guk, but I'm here."

And just like that, he breaks down in my arms.

"He's gonna die noona, " he sobs, abandoning his hands to bury his face into my chest instead. "He's gonna die and there's not a damn thing I can do about it!"

We cry together as I hold him tightly, allowing him to cling to me for dear life.

"The doctor says it doesn't look good, that it might be too late. Noona, he's gonna die!'

And that, is all he says.

We stay like that, and time seems to slow around us. Every second feels like hours, and the clock on the wall ticks ominously, reminding us all that behind those frosted doors, Taehyung is fighting against his own lack of time.

Even once the tears have stopped, and his breathing has slowed, Jeonguk doesn't release me. Nor I him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Night has fallen by the time we receive news if Taehyung's condition, andJeonguk has cried himself to sleep. Despite the ache in my limbs, a result of the weight of his body against mine, I hadn't the heart to wake him. Similarly, his brothers seem to have all passed out where they sit as well. Even Chloe seems to have worn herself out, and is currently slumped against Yoongi who holds her protectively, even in sleep.

But when the doctor arrives, clipboard in hand and a smile upon his face, I sigh in relief.

If the doctor is smiling, he must have good news.

"Guk, " I shake him gently, and smile fondly as he stirs. "Guk, the doctor is here."

His eyes snap wide open, as does every other pair of tired eyes in the room.

"How is he?"

Jin is the first to recover fully from his unintentional nap, and as such, the first to ask.

"The surgery went smoothly, " the doctor announces, smiling encouragingly. "Mr. Kim is going to be just fine."

The air around us seems to lighten, and I watch as everyone comes alive with joy.

Chloe begins crying anew, tears of joy no doubt, as she hugs Yoongi, who's hugging her just as fiercely in return. Hoseok has slumped back in his chair, a look of utter relief on his face as he absorbs the good news. 

Jimin and Jin are hugging, each crying loudly, overwhelmed by this turn of events.

But Jeonguk looks as if it still hasn't fully sunk in. Eyes wide, and glossy, he seems to be in complete shock. Understandable, given that he was clearly expecting the worst.

"Tae..." He stammers painfully, "hyung's gonna be fine? He's gonna live?"

The doctor nods, still smiling brightly and clearly pleased to be able to deliver such news.

All at once, the reality of the situation hits him full force and he is smiling and crying, and holding me more tightly than he ever has before.

A jumble of relieved, but unintelligible words spill from his mouth, but I know that they're not meant for me anyway.

They're words from his heart, meant for his heart, and it's enough that I hold him tight.

A/N(again): So, this is the last chapter of Maknae and the Man, although, as always, please look forward to the epilogue! This book has been one of the very few that I ended up being happy with from start to finish, even though I still feel there are some things I could have done differently, could have done better. It's been a real joy, and I've so enjoyed every step of the way with each of my precious Nimlettes.

So, thank you so very much for reading, and for giving this book a chance. I hope that you loved it as much as I do.

Sincerely,

Nim