The Priest's Son

Hope is a fragile necessity

Third-person pov

All the 5 men had heard the situation, their hearts breaking hearing Jungkook whimper and sob as he confronted the man who caused them all unearned trauma. Well, karma's a bitch. They had all arrived huffing yet again as they entered Jungkook's room - only to see that there was no Jungkook.

Jungkook ran to them and hugged them tightly, gasping for air as he comprehended the events that just occurred. He almost collapsed if not for the nurses who quickly caught his limp frame, they all helped drag him back to his room, these activities having warn out his lungs as his breathing becomes patchy and uneven.

They carefully laid him back on his bed, fixing all of his needles and bandages before conducting a final blood test - leaving the boy to peacefully rest afterwards.

1 hour later

Jungkook pov

God my head hurts, and Jesus does my chest hurt. I slowly blinked my eyes open, being temporarily blinded by the room's light. I slowly wiggled my fingers and toes as I slapped my lips together, attempting to moisten it's cracked surface. I groaned as I sat up, alerting the visitors that were currently occupating my hospital room. Their eyes snapped open wide as they saw me flutter my eyelids, I offered a small smile, sheepish as I remembered the events prior to my quick nap.

"I'm okay," I said clearly, getting their attention. "I know that Tae is badly injured but he is free from his dad, and I know that my lungs are punctured right now, but I am okay. Promise," I finished, looking into their eyes with a gleam on my face.

Namjoon pov

There it is. That little sparkle in his eyes, happily returned after knowing that his other half was still breathing. 

I smiled, grabbing hold of his hand, "Yeah yeah, we see that. You couldn't of waited until we came back though? Your food has been sitting here for almost 2 hours you idiot! That was $12.65 I'm never getting back," I huffed clumsily. The others just glared at me, "What! hospital food is expensive! I even got you a fresh sandwich, I deserve at least a thank you." I rolled my eyes playfully, Jungkook humming a pleased 'thanks' as he reached for the food on the bedside table.

"We are proud of you Kook," Yoongi started. "That took guts to stand up to the big man, we should have done it sooner-" "What," Jungkook spoke darkly. "We-" "You fucking knew!" He shouted solemnly. "Not to that extent, Jackson said that his dad did something to him at the church, but w-we didn't know how bad it was," Hobi continued, looking down sadly. Jungkook huffed angrily, but then sighed. 

"It's okay, I get it," I whispered, understanding the situation, but bitter nonetheless. Before we could continue the conversation, the doctor walked into the room, informing us how badly Jungkook was injured. "So, Mr. jeon, you have punctured lungs, and you have the burns and sprains. Good news is that these burns did not go too deep and at the moment are not infected - but that is a risk. I have prescribed some surgical burn creams and tablets to help fight any harmful bacteria. Take these twice a day before food, and make sure to apply that cream after bathing - I recommend a bath as direct water streams could cause inflammation, and still water is easier to gently cleanse the damaged skin." He said, pulling out two sheets of prescription papers.

I quickly grabbed them as he bowed to all of us, "You will be able to leave tomorrow morning as physical therapy is not mandatory, but if your skin gets inflamed and excessively reddening, don't hesitate to contact me or the hospital, my number is on that sheet." He explained as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

Third-person pov

Jungkook released a breath he didn't know he was holding, thanking every being out there that he will be able to heal quickly. He smiled, knowing he would be able to also take care of Tae. But then the daunting realisation occurred, Taehyung was much, much, much worse than him. His skin could be peeled off of his meaty flesh, as if it was a layer of dried glue. The thought made more tears trickle down slowly. 

"B-But Tae, he is going to be in so much pain for so long," Jungkook whispered. And it was also incredibly likely that these scars would stay with him forever. They all looked at him upset, nodding hesitantly. "He will, but he will have us. He will have you, Kook," Jin whispered hopeful. That brought a broken smile to Jungkook's lips, "Yeah, yeah he'll have me."

----

2 days later

Taehyung pov

My almost eternal sleep ended with an abrupt sucking in of laboured breath. I reached for my chest as a cough threatened the back of my throat, little tears forming at the dryness of my mouth. As soon as I tried to my move my arms a soundless scream left my lips as the harsh stinging blazed up my arm. My whole body was shaking as I struggled to wiggle my fingers.

Finally acknowledging my state, my arms and legs covered in angry enflamed marks of melted skin and white gauzed bandaging. God I hate that colour. My eyes stung and glossed with water as I attempted to scan over the room I was in, it was quite bland for my taste. My bed sheets were a pale blue, matching the hospital gown that was untied from the back, almost as if it were a fancy type of apron. 

My right pointer finger had a clasp on it, measuring my vitals probably. Beside my right hip rested an emergency button, I painfully pressed the desolate red button, hoping that someone could come and help calm me the hell down. In the blink of an eye three nurses and a doctor fled into my room, smiling happily to see that I was awake. "Hello Mr. Kim," he said gently, walking over to my bed as the nurses began checking all of the machines I was hooked up to.

"H-Hi," I mumbled. He smiled up at me, flicking a page over his clipboard. "So, I'll give you a rundown of your injuries. You have extremely deep and inflamed burns, punctured lungs, 3 fractured ribs and both hands are heavily bruised. You will be on a heavy regimen to nurse your burns and to help heal your ribs quickly. After a week of monitoring at the hospital, you will get a burn vest to wear under your clothing - this is to be worn for at least 2 months with the proper moisturising and treatment with anti-inflammatory pills." He said as he focused on the page. 

"If you follow the regimen, you could be completely healed in about 3-4 months," he finished, offering me a small smile. I tried to reciprocate it, but I couldn't force the muscles to. "They are going to scar, aren't they," I whispered, looking at my arms. The nurses stopped what they were doing as the doctor looked at me sadly, "If it is okay, Taehyung, the scars will become a beautiful unique necessity that will inevitably remind you of the battles you have fought, they will map out your story like natural tattoos. Please believe me when I say this," he whispered. "They will be painful reminders, but they will also remind you of something greater than any pain....

...Hope."