• Hedonists •

21. The pleasant freedom

Jimin coughs and looks around, confused and not knowing where he is. A man in a fine suit dozes next to the hospital gurney. Clumsily, Jimin reaches out and unintentionally pulls him out of the long suit. The man awakens and relief along with anguish paint his entire face. Jimin coughs again. "Dad...?"

Even though it hurts, the man hugs him and Jimin squints, overwhelmed and surprised. He never thought he would have such a euphoric reaction from him. The more he reviews his life, the more he realizes that the only reason he prefers older men to spend time with is because they remind him of his dad, who has never given him affection.

Or has expounded in any other way than to tell him that he must do something concrete with his life, that he can't be a useless, a hindrance.

"I thought I was going to lose you forever... I thought I could never see you again."

"I'm alive... sorry. It was never good news to you." he murmurs hoarsely and Count Anthos squeezes him tighter.

"How could it bring me joy to lose my youngest child, it would never occur to me. I don't want to lose you Jimin, I'm sorry you thought that of me."

Jimin lays back a little, wow, this hurts more than the holes left in his chest.

~ * * * ~

For days, he's only seen the white ceiling of the hospital room. It surprises him to be here, really. Jungkook thought he would just die. He's never had an abysmal fear of death. he knew it would happen eventually. If it wasn't at the factory, it would be some bum wanting to take what little he earned. Eventually, he would die. He turns his head toward the door and his eyes slowly open wide. In a wheelchair enters Jimin, carried by Wooyoung and behind him, another man.

Who must be Jimin's father. The injured man carries a couple of huge bouquets in his lap.

"They finally let me out of my room!" exposes Jimin with a smile. "They won't let us have visitors because it's intensive care. Except... well" Jungkook is still transfixed, watching him. "These bouquets also came to me by accident. They're from Tae, Hobi, and even Yoongi. They sent for everyone, but they didn't bring them to you- Woo, please."

The boy arranges them on the previously empty nightstand and Jungkook opens and closes his mouth. Jimin is placed next to the gurney, holding his hand and smiling candidly.

"How have you been?"

Jungkook starts crying suddenly, squeezing his hand back. He never thought he would have someone concerned for his well-being, who after a terrible accident would come to see him. Jungkook sniffles and brings his other hand to his face. They even sent him flowers. More now than ever, Jungkook considers that his life really matters.

~ * * * ~

"How are you feeling, sir? You've been asleep for quite some time."

Namjoon listens to the nurse's muffled words. He doesn't know where he is or remember what happened. He only knows that he feels terrible. She is kind enough to explain his location, what brought him here and give him water, which made him extremely anxious.

For a few days he remained dazed and quite disoriented, but when he recovers, he just lets himself go with the calm that... He survived! Somehow. He could already see himself lining up to get on the boat and wait to be judged. At some point he wonders how am I alive to begin with? On his first exit from the room, still in a wheelchair, the answer comes.

"I'm glad you're okay."

Namjoon smiles at Jin, who on crutches has a cast on his entire right leg.

"I wouldn't be without you."