Love Like This ( Taegi x Yoonmin)

Chapter 37: The Astronaut

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the windows as Taehyung and Yoongi stood in the hospital room. Their fingers intertwined, reluctant to part even for a moment. Taehyung's eyes were filled with concern as he looked at Yoongi, who was visibly exhausted.

"It's been three days, Yoongi. You haven't left my side for even a minute. You need rest," Taehyung said gently, his voice a soothing balm to Yoongi's frayed nerves.

Yoongi shook his head, a stubborn frown creasing his brow. "I don't want to leave you, Tae. Not even for a second."

Taehyung smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Yoongi's forehead.

"I know, hyung. But you're exhausted. Please, just go home, take a shower, and get some sleep. I'll be here waiting for you when you get back."

Yoongi sighed, the weight of the past days pressing heavily on him. He knew Taehyung was right, but the thought of leaving him, even for a short while, felt unbearable.

"Four hours, Taehyung. I'll be back in four hours," he conceded reluctantly.

"Four hours," Taehyung agreed, squeezing Yoongi's hand reassuringly. "I promise I'll be okay."

With a final kiss on Taehyung's forehead, Yoongi turned and left the hospital room, his heart aching with each step. The drive home felt longer than usual, the quiet of the car amplifying his exhaustion and the whirlwind of emotions he had been grappling with.

When he finally stepped into his apartment, the familiar surroundings offered a semblance of comfort. He took a deep breath, letting the stillness of the room wash over him. The emotional toll of the past days pressed down on him like a heavy blanket, and he realized just how drained he truly was.

Yoongi made his way to the bathroom, shedding his clothes and stepping into the shower. The warm water cascaded over him, easing the tension in his muscles. He closed his eyes, letting the water wash away the stress and weariness. Images of Taehyung's face, their heartfelt reunion, and the promises they made played in his mind, giving him a sense of peace amidst the chaos.

After the shower, Yoongi wrapped himself in a towel and padded to his bedroom. The bed, with its soft sheets and inviting pillows, beckoned to him. He climbed in, the coolness of the sheets a stark contrast to the warmth of the shower. As he lay there, the exhaustion took over, and he drifted into a deep sleep almost immediately.

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While Yoongi was away, Taehyung lay in his hospital bed, a dreamy smile spreading across his face as he replayed the morning's tender moments. He felt like a fool in love, but he didn't mind. Every touch, every whispered word, every kiss from Yoongi had filled him with a joy he hadn't felt in over a decade, not since his mother's passing.

Lost in these memories, Taehyung made a vow to himself. He would face any obstacle head-on with Yoongi by his side, loving and protecting him the way Yoongi deserved. The sheer strength of his love had finally won, filling Taehyung with a sense of triumph and genuine happiness.

He was so caught up in these nostalgic and blissful thoughts that he didn't hear the door unlock or the soft footsteps approaching his bed. His heart was too busy soaring, too full of love and joy to notice anything else.

He was jolted back to reality when he heard the soft sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Hyung!"

Taehyung shouted in delight as soon as he saw Jin, his mom's most precious gift to him. But when Jin's expressionless face was met with Taehyung's eyes, the younger's smile vanished. Jin didn't utter a word, he just stared at Taehyung with cold and unreadable emotions.