FORGOTTEN

CHAPTER 10

"Ji-hoon-hyung, did you really want to stay with me during those nights?" Jimin finally asked in a timid whisper. He didn't know what he wanted the response to be. 

"I did. Bang P.D.-nim was going to hire someone, but I begged him to be the one." Ji-hoon responded. "I just couldn't let some stranger who only cared about you because they were being paid to be by your side." 

"And you..."

"I care more than that; I love you."

"I-"

"Before you freak out, I'm not confessing undying love to you, but I do love you, I love all you guys. Jin, Yoongi, Hobi, Joon, Tae, and JK too." Jimin relaxed into Ji-hoon's embrace. 

"I'm sleepy," Jimin sighed. 

"Okay, sleep. You need your rest." Ji-hoon pulled away from Jimin. He'd sleep in the chair, as was his custom.

"Don't go." Jimin caught Ji-hoon's writs. "Stay, please."

"Umm, of course. I was going to get my blanket and settle in the  chair." Jimin shook his head. 

"No, I mean, please stay here," he patted the bed. "I'd like you to hold me as I sleep. I don't want to be alone. If nothing else, please be my friend." 

-----

The sun broke through the dark cloud banks. The very first day in weeks where thunderstorms weren't pummeling the city. Six members of BTS ate breakfast and readied themselves for what they would be doing for Jimin. 

"Hyung," Joon turned to Jin. "Tae and I are heading out in a few minutes. We will have lunch with him then JK and Suga-hyung can spend the afternoon and have dinner with him. You can go with Hobi-hyung tomorrow morning. " Jin's eyes began to fill with tears.

"Do you think he will ever forgive us?"

"I don't know, hyung," Joon shook his head. "But I'll be damned if I sit back and do nothing."

"At least you have an idea of how to go about it." Jin sniffled sadly. 

"Jin-hyung," Joon sighed.  "We have to court him. You know, like if he was a potential boyfriend. We can say all kinds of things, but if we don't show him what he means to us..." Jin nodded. 

"Court him, pursue him. Are we talking romantically?" Jin asked. 

"I'm not sure. I don't know how realistic a romantic relationship is with him right now. But I know we have to get our friend back first before we can do anything else."

"Okay," Jin sighed. 

"Now," Joon chuckled. "We have to get going. Tae, let's head out!"

-----

Jimin couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well. He'd only just started to stir when he felt an arm around his waist pulling him back. Startled, he froze for a moment before remembering the previous night. At Jimin's request, Ji-hoon had climbed into the bed beside the younger. Both felt the awkward tension at first. But soon, they relaxed as they shared stories of childhood adventures and how they came to work with Bang P.D. Jimin snuggled into Ji-hoon's side and rested his head on Ji-hoon's chest. The slow rise and fall of his manager's breathing lulled the younger into a deep, restful sleep. Jimin relaxed against Ji-hoon's chest and smiled. Once upon a time, he'd shared this feeling with his bandmates. Whenever he was stressed, sad, or just lonely, he'd been able to count on them for comfort. 

His heart clenched at the thought that he could no longer count on them for anything. He shifted slightly, and Ji-hoon once again tightened his hold on the younger. But this time, he pulled Jimin back and whispered. 

"Go back to sleep, little one; you need your rest." Jimin's heart swelled, and he cuddled back into Ji-hoon and quickly fell asleep again. 

-----

Joon and Tae checked in with the nurse and continued to Jimin's room. 

"I hope he talks to us today. I mean, I know it won't be the same right off, but..." Tae frowned. 

"I know TaeTae. We have to be patient." Joon opened the door the quickly shoved Tae back before closing the door as softly as possible.

"Ouch!" Tae cried out, rubbing his chest. "What-" Joon clamped a hand over Tae's mouth and dragged him away from Jimin's room.

"Keep it down!" Joon hissed.

"Why'd you hit me?" Tae pushed Joon.

"Jimin is still sleeping. I didn't want to bother him. Now, why don't we get coffee and pastries. Maybe he'll be up by the time we get back." Tae frowned but shrugged.

"Okay, if you say so." Joon sighed in relief. He wasn't sure what the relationship between Jimin and their manager was, but he didn't want to out them or make them uncomfortable if they weren't ready to reveal said relationship. Tae would have been scandalized and loud. Jimin didn't need that right now.

-----

"Time for your vitals and your I.V. to be changed." The nurse came in, waking the two men.

"So early?" Jimin groaned.

"It's nine-thirty. I let you sleep late," the nurse chuckled. "Now, Mr. Ji-hoon, could you please release Mr. Park so I can get my work done?"

"Do I have to?" Ji-hoon groaned into Jimin's neck.

"If you don't, I'll just have to give you a vitamin shot right in your tush," the nurse laughed out loud when Ji-hoon practically fell out of bed in his hurry to avoid the injection. Jimin sat up and rubbed his eyes, smiling at Ji-hoon, who still sat on the floor. "Very good then. Now I can get to work."

-----

Joon approached Jimin's door for the second time that morning; this time, he knocked first.