Before You Go • VHOPE [On Hold]

Chapter 25: Request

The haste of life had come to a halting stop for a moment, filling the room where Taehyung and Mr. Jung found themselves seated, with a dreadful silence. Heavy hearts as their eyes lingered upon the only person that mattered to both of them more than anything else in the world right now.

Hoseok laid unconscious in his hospital bed, his breathing so feeble and soft that it wasn't audible, but as the warm air of his mouth fogged the oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, it was a relieving sight to see. More so relieving as the ECG monitor beeped at a normal rate.

Taehyung had a hard time keeping his eyes from watering the whole night. It surely wasn't the kind of New Year he had anticipated. After the doctor's treated Hoseok in Emergency and transferred him to the normal chamber, Taehyung or his dad hadn't left his side ever since.

Both of them expectedly and silently looked at Hoseok to wake up again.

And Taehyung, it broke his heart to see Hoseok's veins being penetrated by needles, the tubes of which facilitated the IV drip, something which was supposedly helping Hoseok get better, yet the sight of which is plain cruel and painful.

Taehyung gazed at Hoseok's face, his eyes peacefully shut and his face which had a calm expression. He could remember the unsettling look on Hoseok's visage when he was coming down the stairs, and how it brought about a dark intense gush of fear inside Taehyung. Just remembering the sight made him want to cling closer to the person who had just agreed to be his boyfriend and be happy together for however long time allows the night before. It wasn't fair, their time can't be this short-lived. He raised his gloves-worn hand to hover over Hoseok's face before bringing it to light brush over his hair.

"Please.. wake up.." is all he could manage mutter after hours of keeping himself silent. Tears falling from his face to down on his thighs.

Hoseok's dad breathed out tremorously, not wanting to tear up again. He cleared his throat, "Taehyung.. let's get something to eat. It's almost day."

"No." He said sternly, trying to sound polite but defensive enough, not wanting to leave his side.

"I can't bring food in here.." Mr. Jung said sadly, "You know that. And, you shouldn't be starving yourself."

"I'm not hungry anymore. Sir, don't worry about me, please go eat something. I'll look over him."
Taehyung smiled sadly at him, persuading him.

The man wanted to say something, but he didn't want his son to be left alone either. He pressed his lips before nodding his head, "Okay, thank you, Taehyung. I'll go and check with his doctor as well, then. Please take care." He said and left.

───※ ·❆· ※───

It had been a while, Taehyung waited patiently, looking carefully at Hoseok for even one flinch or movement. He sighed every while and then when his beloved remained still. Taehyung dared to hold his hand lightly, though he had been afraid for hours that he may injure him in some way, something that he wanted to avoid at all cost.

It was uncertain if the coldness he felt on his skin was from the cold pale skin of Hoseok or the rubber gloves he wore. Maybe both, or maybe just the gloves. He pondered for a minute before taking his glove off, interlacing his fingers softly with Hoseok's. The chill of cold touch he felt against his warm hand, made his heart beat faster in anxiety.

Attempting to calm himself down with mumbling soft whispers, pleading Hoseok to wake up. Reminding him they are yet to go on dates, to enjoy the fireworks, to graduate high school. To have more shared memories of love, laughter and happiness.

All these rambles were followed with deep silence, soft sobbing, and dark fears for half an hour more.

And it was no miracle, because life doesn't give you such liberty. It was just a mere coincidence, when Hoseok's breathing turned more regular and deeper, and his fingers flinched slightly. Taehyung had his head down, not noticing.