Dreaming Alone | taekook ✔️

s e v e n t y - t w o

I can't take back the things I said
And I won't say that I regret
Any day that I was yours

dreaming alone
~ atc

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People often described waiting rooms like this one big ball of dread and Jeongguk could see why. Misery and despair took up every square inch of the area, his included.

Ahnjong sat quietly next to the ravenette, who fidgeted uncomfortably in the plastic chair. Every once in a while she'd ask if Jeongguk was tired, offering her shoulder as a pillow, and he would shake his head no.

"Thank you but I don't think I'd be able to sleep without knowing how Tae is doing," Jeongguk explained and she easily agreed.

Seokjin was on the phone with someone, pacing around a few meters away and nearly bumping into strangers twice.

"Yeah... yeah, I know. I love you too. Call you later."

Once his finger tapped the end call button, Seokjin buried his face in his palms and exhaled loudly before heading back to where Jeongguk and Ahnjong were sitting.

"Hun, can you stay with Jeongguk for a while? I want to check in with them again," His mother requested.

"Yeah of course."

The ravenette felt the tension radiating off Seokjin as he twisted around in his seat, apparently finding it just as uncomfortable as Jeongguk did.

"Are you hurt?" Jeongguk asked, his voice small.

It took a few seconds for Seokjin's brain to register the question. "No. I can breathe fine. I had my window closed so— I didn't breathe in that much smoke compared to Tae."

"Why'd he leave his open?"

"Well, he uh, kept it open in case... you wanted to talk to him."

Jeongguk pressed his lips together, sinking deeper into regret. "Fuck."

"Jeongguk." Seokjin hesitantly placed a hand over the ravenette's shoulder and the boy was surprised, knowing that he didn't like touching anyone outside of family. "I can't imagine how it feels to lose a mother. I don't know what I'd do if I lost mine."

Jeongguk glanced up at the older boy, a little puzzled at the mention of his mother.

"But, I do understand trauma. I do understand what it's like to have one moment in your life torture you forever."

The ravenette nodded.

"I just want to say— it's okay lean on other people." Seokjin smiled at him sadly. "It's okay to share the weight of things you don't want to talk about. Like how I did with my therapist, with my mom, with my partner, Tae."

"I think you're a very brave person," Jeongguk told him sincerely.

Seokjin allowed himself an exhausted chuckle. "I think you're a very brave person too, from the things my brother tells me about you."

A smile twitched at Jeongguk's mouth, his heart growing fuller and warmer with each passing second.

"That thing with your ex... I know it's a painful thing to look back at. But sometimes leaving things in the past isn't enough. You have to learn and heal too. If you trust someone enough, talk to them about it. Understand?"

Jeongguk was just about to speak when Ahnjong interrupted them.

"Boys. We can go see him."

Jeongguk felt his throat tighten with every step as they were taken to one of the hospital rooms. Seokjin and Ahnjong entered first.