Color of My Pain

34| A New Color

Minhyuk was leaning heavily against the wall of the hospital waiting room, throat dry and eyelids heavy. He wanted someone to hold him up even as he felt sicker and sicker with worry for the child of his estranged soulmate. He was currently alone. Moonbyul had driven Hwasa home to get some real sleep and Hoseok's parents were back and forth between their office and here.

He slid down the wall and let his head rest on his knees. Did Jooheon even know his son was sick? Did he care to know?

What kind of father had he been to have his son leave him? Who was he to be asking these questions?

Hwasa hadn't gone into much detail explaining Jooheon and Yoongi's relationship, but he could assume the type of father he had been based on the relationship Jooheon seemingly had with his uncle. It made his stomach turn with the memories of worry and pain he'd felt through their bond, weak as it became.

He was nodding in and out of a soft, warm dream, it was a fiery, hearth warm and there were the kids cuddled up on the couch, he was leaning on someone, their hands were running through his hair.

"Minhyuk," There was something cold in the way they spoke his name. They were trying to get his attention, to pry him from the warm feeling of family. He didn't want to speak to them, he wanted to ignore it.

"Minhyuk."

He jolted awake at the feeling of a warm hand gripping his shoulder rather roughly. He blinked his eyes open and looked up. The hand moved as suddenly as it had gripped him.

"Hon- Jooheon." Minhyuk felt like crying. "How did you get here? Who called you?"

He looked uncomfortable despite wearing a tshirt and sweatpants, his eyes were puffy and his hair was mussed. "You kept worrying." Jooheon swallowed, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"And it doesn't usually feel that kind of lavender. You were practically screaming it at me. So I asked Hwasa about it." He looked over his shoulder and Minhyuk's eyes followed, there was an officer in plainclothes in the doorway, badge visible on his belt. "I was allowed if he came too."

The officers eyes met his and a flash of midnight blue moved behind his eyes. Jooheon gasped. The man blinked between the two of them for a moment, confusion clouding his gaze.

"No." Jooheon breathed.

Minhyuk rolled his eyes, simultaneously reaching to grip the fabric of his pants as he pulled himself to his feet. "Let me ask if you can see them or if they want to see you."

"What do you mean if they want to see me?"

"Yoongi and Hoseok have the same room and maybe they're not up to seeing you is what I mean." Minhyuk said. "Don't get it twisted, you still have a restraining order and you're only here with Hwasa's permission and a hot police escort."

The hot police escort in question was now right next to them. "Um."

Minhyuk felt himself go red in the face. "I'll be back after I ask the doctor about seeing them."

He rubbed at the tension on his forehead. Had he been too harsh with Jooheon?

The doctor told Minhyuk they'd only be able to speak through the closed doors if the boys were up for it.

He explained through the door to Yoongi and Hoseok. Their voices were small and concerned, but Yoongi nodded his consent. Hoseok looked almost upset, but Minhyuk noticed the soft way their fingers intertwined, seemingly calming both of them. He noted that they were pale, Hoseok looked thinner and Yoongi's features were drawn.

He guided Jooheon over and the officer stood back to the side.

Jooheon's fingers rested on the glass. He looked so small like this, worried even. "H- How are you feeling?"

"We're getting better every day." Yoongi told him. "Dad, this is Hoseok. He's my soulmate."

Jooheon clenched his jaw, it wasn't angry, it was as though he were biting down his reflexes. "It's nice to meet you, Hoseok. I- I'm sorry Yoongi."

Minhyuk had to step away, he ached to be closer, ached to hold up Jooheon as he struggled through all of this. But Jooheon was nothing if not stubborn. And then a warm hand tugged on his arm, light, gentle, timid. 

"This." Jooheon kept swallowing, like his words were heavy on his tongue. "This is my soulmate. Lee Minhyuk."

"And that guy over there too apparently."

"Minhyuk shut the fuck up." Jooheon muttered, his face was red and he wouldn't lift his eyes. 

"You need anti conversion therapy."

"I think that's just called therapy." The officer offered, "It's time for us to leave Mr. Lee. The doctor asked us to let them rest."

Yoongi and Hoseok's eyes were wide even as they giggled through the door. It added some color to their cheeks.

"Yoongi," Jooheon whispered, "I really do love you."

"Thanks Dad."