UNDER HIS SPELL { taekook }

二 ; ７１

The sound of hurried footsteps, and wavering breaths. Accelerated heartbeats, worried brows.

The two step-siblings rushed down the bright polished halls, a pungent antiseptic scent lingered in their noses while they followed the simple path the hospital worker at the front desk had directed them toward; only to find a boy seated over a row of chairs against the walls, waiting in the empty hall.

He was leaned forward over his lap, face hidden into both palms, and it was only once he heard their approaching footsteps that Jeongguk lifted his head up toward them.

"Gguk!" Yerin called out the minute their eyes met. The younger boy let a trembling breath slip past his throat, body slowly rising to his feet to greet the two.

"Yerin.. Joon..." He spoke softly, then let himself sink into the feeling of his noona's embrace once the woman pulled him into her arms.

"I-... I got your message.." Yerin's words were careful against his ears. "We came here as fast as we could. What exactly happened..?"

Jeongguk bit down on his lip to stop his shaky exhales. "I-I don't know.." He said in a helpless reply. "It was so s-scary, noona. Dot just-... He just dropped d-down and fell unconscious, or-... I think he was h-having a seizure, I-.."

"Shh, it's okay, kid.." Namjoon spoke up from behind them, and Yerin removed herself from the hug so that the two could look at him. "Sadly this isn't the first time something like this has happened to all the Taehyungs." Jeongguk gaped at the older while he spoke. "The only good news I can offer to you is that he's been fine every time, so... Tonight won't be any different."

Jeongguk lowered his head and felt his stomach sink, images of what had happened not far from school grounds flashed through his head.

Something like that was normal for Taehyung?

That's how the gang leader spoke of it. And although Namjoon himself didn't seem as phased from the news as the other two, Jeongguk could still see a flame of worry burning in his eyes. Surely, only because this has happened before didn't make it any less scary.

Still, he appreciated the man's attempt at comforting him. And the trio fell into a short silence before a set of double doors burst open down the hall. Two nurses walked at either side of the doctor, each holding clipboards and blank expressions. The three straightened their shoulders and mentally prepared for whatever update the medics had for them on Taehyung's state.

"Family of Mr. Kim Taehyung?" The doctor spoke, a softened expression on her face.

Namjoon was quick to step forward and give a nod. "Yes, ma'am. I'm his legal guardian, Kim Namjoon."

The woman gave a nod before giving a respectful bow. "Hello Namjoon-ssi. We've stabilized Mr. Kim Taehyung from an overdose of drugs, and are currently monitoring him. We're hoping to keep him overnight just in case, and if all goes well we can discharge him tomorrow at noon."

The three visibly relaxed at the news, and Jeongguk felt Yerin's small hand squeeze at his arm reassuringly.

"That's-... That's great, doc. Thanks so much," Namjoon managed the words out. "Is he alright?"

The doctor gave a sympathetic smile and grabbed one of the clipboards that was passed to her from a nurse. "We'd like to check up on him once he wakes up, but his vitals are doing good. We ran a gastric lavage procedure and applied antidotes to negate the effects of the drugs, so we'll recommend soft foods for his meals once he's discharged. We'll give you more details when we run further tests."