Thinner

13

Classified.
________________________

Unlike many of the prior days being stuck in a hospital, he actually felt more happier waking up today than the others, and he knew exactly why.

This morning when he woke up and saw the tape and sticker was still in his face, he couldn't help but to smile at his own reflection. He felt like the negativity in the whole tube thing was taken away by a kind gesture, and it got him smiling from cheek to cheek. He definitely had a great impression with Hyunjin, he seemed to bright and bubbly, but calm and relaxed at the same time. He was out of the box, but stayed within the red lines drawn. And Jeongin subconsciously respected that behaviour.

Knowing somebody like Chan and Hyunjin already, made him hope for a happy ending with getting discharged. He felt slightly more motivated, after hearing the story on how desperate someone like Hyunjin were to get a single organ. And Chan's story about recovering after a fatal accident. If made him keep his head a bit more higher up than usual this morning, feeling inspired by his peers.

Especially when he saw Chan sneaking into his room, sitting down at the guest  hair that was barely even used to begin with.

"What brings you here?" He asked, placing down his phone after mainly staring at his own reflection once again.

"I'm escaping nurse Lynwood" he sighed, smiling as he peeked at the younger's tube.

"Who is that?".

"A fucking Karen, I swear she is always after people".

Jeongin chuckled as he saw the slightly sweaty forehead of the older, who panted softly after most like jogging his way into his safe box. It brought yet another smile to him, and it made him feel valid that Chan voluntteringly decided to just visit him out of nowhere.

"I like your outfit" Chan complimented, causing Jeongin to look down on himself.

He wasn't wearing the most extravagant outfit. If was just some beige overalls with a light green and white stripped sweater underneath. It wasn't the most, and he believed he sort of looked childish in it..but he was trying to not let his insecurities get ahold of him.

"Thank you..where is Hyunjin?" He asked in curiosity, tilting his head as he fully faced Chan.

"He had a rough night, but he is feeling better" Chan smiled.

A worried expression fell upon the younger's face. He worried that Hyunjin was in pain, even before the transplant could take place. Even if they first met yesterday, he felt like Hyunjin was too kind to be experiences such amount of pain this early in life. It made him slightly mad at the world for hurting a potential friend.

"He's okay Jeongin, he is just a bit tired. How are you doing?" Chan switched the subject, focusing on the younger who switched in his seat.

"I got increased this morning. I don't like it, this tube is a pain in the ass" he mumbled, feeling upset that he was unable to control his intake.

The thought of consuming so much food made him want to genuinely rip the thing out of his body. But he couldn't bring himself to it. Hyunjin brought so much more flavor to the whole situation, that he felt guilty just thinking about cutting it off.

Staying in this place wasn't fun, nor exciting. But he met some new people, and he liked these new people. But he couldn't help but to feel insecure, invalidated. Scared to be hurt by the people surrounding him. It was a while different place, a whole different scenario. Here people wanted to help him, at home they wanted him dead. Here people promised gentle treatment, at home he had to get used to the rough one. Here people weren't exactly absent, at home his parents where out of sight and out of mind.

This wasn't home.

"Don't let it bother you too much" Chan stood up, approaching the younger who just sat confused at his statement. "Beauty isn't what's on the outside, beauty comes from the inside. And even so, I'm sure you are more than pretty enough whether if you are skinny or not" Chan stated, smiling softly as his hands ruffled through Jeongin's hair.

"I just don't feel safe here..I don't think the food is safe, I don't think the people are safe.." he mumbled, looking up at Chan who listened to his complaints voluntteringly.

"All foods are safe foods, but not all people are safe people. But no one plans on hurting you in here, if they did, they have to go past me first alright? Open up to the staff, that's the trick to get out of here as soon as possible" Chan comforted.

Jeongin sighed, not knowing how to respond to the whole situation. His heart hurted just by thinking about his parents, and his head would hurt thinking about food. It felt like everything consumed him, he felt eaten up, on full display.

"You are beautiful the way you are" Chan whispered as he brought the younger into a soft hug.

It took Jeongin by surprise when he was engulfed with rather strong arms, feeling the heat radiating from Chan body. He could feel the warmth in his heart as he let the older embrace him. He wasn't used to this kind of affection, hell, he couldn't remember the last time he ever actually got a proper hug. He felt the many years of neglect get refilled by a singular hug provided by Chan, who showed immense sympathy for the younger. And Jeongin could feel the genuine care, he could feel the trust already.

It made him feel...not alone. It sparked within him, like a light being littet after fixation. It was pure as it could become, feeling so satisfied by a single hug alone.

He didn't want to let go. He wanted to stay embraced, he liked the warmth, the true emotions displayed. It saddened him, knowing he had none of this at home. But in a strange place, everything just seemed to be provided with actual direct paths.

It made it less scary than what he had anticipated.

It made him feel safe.

"Thank you" he mumbled, engulfing himself further into the warm chest, earning a soft coo from the older who caressed his back softly.

"It's alright..take your time".