This one is going to be angst again but a little fluffy. I'm sorry 😭
**************
Kim Namjoon and Kim Seokjin were the power couple. The couple that everyone wanted to be like. They had been together through thick and thin and always made it out stronger and better. By the time they reached fifty, Seokjin started to forget the simple things he did. From forgetting where the bathroom was to forgetting ingredients in his meals.
Namjoon noticed how the others would be late to things, forget to go to work, and even forget sometimes how to spell things. Namjoon was growing concerned for the other, and they both decided to go to the doctor to see what the problem was.
"I'm sorry to say, but you have early on-set alzheimers disease"
Alzheimer's.
The word kept ringing in both their ears. Seokjin cried for hours after they found out, sobbing into his pillow. Namjoon held him, letting himself cry as well.
"I-I've ruined everything!" Seokjin sobs, his whole body shaking.
"No, you haven't-"
"-How can we grow old together? What if I forget you?"
"Then I'll be here every single day to remind you"
This makes Seokjin cry harder, he doesn't deserve Namjoon. The two cuddled in bed together, Namjoon comforting the elder as they drift off to sleep.
**********
People had asked Namjoon why didn't he just leave, why go through all the pain and heartache. How could he? Seokjin was the love of his life, no matter who he was or how he was. He vowed to be with him through sickness and in health. That motivation kept Namjoon doing everything he could to make Seokjin's life more comfortable.
Life had flipped for both of them, soon Seokjin had forgotten areas of the house. The worst memory Namjoon has was when Seokjin was looking for the bathroom and couldn't find it, leaving the other male distressed and having an anxiety attack. Namjoon couldn't calm down the elder, who was ashamed of himself for not being able to hold it in and locate the bathroom in their own home.
After Namjoon put Seokjin in the bath and dried his hair and dressed him, he made the other a hot chocolate and sat him with their dog RapMon ("what a stupid name for a dog") to calm him down. He got straight into work, writing down the layout of their home and where things were located. He printed off various documents to give to Seokjin to keep with him at all times. He then wrote on the walls in large writing, saying where he was and where to go if he needed a certain place.
"Remember sweetheart, this map is here to help you around the house"
Seokjin nods meekly.
"And when you need RapMon, this bell you ring it. Okay? He will come and help you"
Seokjin nods again but looks confused still.
"But don't worry, if you forget I've written everything on every wall of this house okay?"
Seokjin looks up at Namjoon, smiling slightly.
"You're handsome. Are you married?"
Namjoon chuckles, flashing the ring on his finger.
"Yes I am, to the most beautiful person in the world"
"Ah, they are very lucky" Seokjin looks back at the map, tilting his head slightly.
"If you look at your finger, you'll see a matching one"
Seokjin looks at the ring on his finger, gasping.
"Oh wow! I am lucky" Namjoon chuckles at Seokjin, lightly kissing the top of his head.
This helped Seokjin massively, and Namjoon was happy to find that Seokjin had adjusted well to these new changes. Namjoon had also left little notes saying how handsome the other looked and little motivations to make the other smile. Even though most days Seokjin had forgotten who Namjoon was, Namjoon still loved him. Even if he looked at him like a total stranger, Namjoon would look at him with love. Namjoon's heart ached, it had hurt to see his partner not remember who he was. But he still did everything to remind him of who he was.
************
"This was our wedding, technically we aren't married here but you know, it's just a piece of paper" Namjoon points at the photo of them showing off their wedding rings.
"Wow, blond hair suits you" Seokjin comments, looking back at the photo, "you look happier there"
Namjoon doesn't say anything, he looks at the picture. He was happy, he was over the moon to finally be with Seokjin.
"I'm still happy"
"I've seen you cry a lot recently" Seokjin comments quietly.
Namjoon doesn't reply, he had been crying a lot more often. It was stressful taking care of Seokjin, but he wouldn't do anything differently. He would never leave. He loved Seokjin, and it wasn't his fault that this was happening.
"I don't want you to stay here...if you're unhappy. I can go to those homes with the nurses-"
"-don't say that. I would do anything for you." Namjoon carefully takes Seokjin's face into his hands, seeing tears in his eyes.
"Seokjin, I owe everything I have to you, everything I've become has been because of you. I love you, I will never leave you."
Both males cry, even when Seokjin doesn't remember him, deep down that connection between the two was too strong.
************
Namjoon was washing the dishes, humming to himself quietly. Ordinarily, Namjoon would never be allowed in the kitchen.
"Joonie?"
Namjoon turns to his lover, his eyes looking directly at him. Namjoon smiles brightly, even when his heart is aching. These rare moments when Seokjin looks at him the same way he looks at him make him happy. Seokjin's eyes light up when they see him, a gaze that Namjoon almost forgets. A gaze that had only been for him.
"Yes, my love?"
"I've been looking for you everywhere! I wanted a kiss" The shorter male walks closer to Namjoon and hugs him.
"Anything for you"
Even if he only remembered him for a few minutes, Namjoon was happy.
"I'm sorry"
"Why are you apologising?"
Seokjin unwraps his arms around Namjoon, silent tears falling down his cheeks.
"I can't remember things. I'm sorry."
"It's okay" Namjoon quickly engulfs the other, letting his own tears fall on the head of the other. He grips him tighter, allowing his overwhelming emotions to take over.
"I remember this one thing."
"Mm?"
"That I love you no matter what, even when I forget...I still love you. Thank you for helping me"
Seokjin looks up and see's Namjoon crying.
"I'm so sorry Joon, I don't deserve you" Seokjin cries, Namjoon quickly wipes the tears from Seokjin's face.
"You are so worth it. Even when the time comes and you completely forget me, I will always love you"
The two embrace one another, basking in the company of one another like old times. Namjoon takes Seokjin to bed, stroking his hair to help him sleep. Every day brought new challenges for the two, and every day Seokjin began to remember him less and less.
Namjoon smiles sadly, watching the elder asleep in his arms. Life was hard, but he was worth it.
