But Beautiful

part 17

On the way to Dr. Yoo's office, Dr. Lim was walking opposite of him. The doctor gave him a suspicious look, moving to stand in front of Jungkook to prevent him from continuing on his way.

"What's so interesting in Taehyung's room that I always seem to find you there?" he asked, tone skeptical but somehow not accusing.

"I was communicating with him a little before he went to sleep. I don't stop talking to him when the sun goes down or anything," Jungkook replied, posture stiff as he tried to keep a professional attitude.

"And you can't say goodnight to him from the hallway? Or better yet, while he's still around others? You don't find it inappropriate to be alone with him in his bedroom?" the doctor asked, raising an eyebrow at the younger man.

"I don't find it inappropriate at all because nothing inappropriate happens," Jungkook replied. "Now, I've got to go get my things and get home. I hope you have a good night."

Dr. Lim stepped out from in front of him, looking back at him as he started towards Dr. Yoo's office again. "What happened to your clothes?" he called out.

Jungkook ignored the question, finally rounding the corner to the hall he was heading to. Just have to fill out the form, grab my suit, and go, he thought to himself, a little frustrated at the uncomfortable end to a pleasant day.

       ________________________

"I approved your request for leave," Dr. Yoo spoke, greeting Jungkook in the hallway as they went to the physical therapy area, "did you have a specific day in mind to take him out?"

"No, I just hoped it would be before the weekend," Jungkook replied, taking the tablet from the doctor and signing in to his account. "Maybe tomorrow or Friday? What do you think?"

"I don't mind either," the doctor began, pausing to gesture for Jungkook to enter ahead of him. "I just want to remind you that it is very important to keep him close and watch for any discomfort. He hasn't had direct contact with nature in two years, and he may be more prone to exposure. I'm counting on you to keep him safe."

Jungkook looked at his mentor, a serious gaze in his eyes. "You will never have to worry about his safety with me."

"That's what I thought! Now, you're taking the four of the left today, I'm handling the two on the right. Next time we have these patients, we'll switch."

"Yes, sir."

The day passed by in a blur. A new patient was admitted and there was a meeting with all of the doctors, residents, and assistants in the facility to delegate her treatment plans and divide up the initial tasks of getting her settled in. She was a kind woman, a little bit shy, who had suffered life-altering injuries from a building collapse where she was stuck under scaffolding and debris for hours before rescue. Jungkook was assigned to do her physiotherapy, which he was more than ready to provide to her. After being properly introduced to her team of caregivers, the new patient, named Hana, was taken to the social room to mingle with other patients at her discretion.

"Taehyung," Jungkook greeted, approaching the man painting in the corner, "I was wondering if you'd rather go out tomorrow, or Friday?" he asked, looking to the canvas before gasping. "Oh, wow..."

Taehyung looked up at him, smudges of black and blue on one cheek, a smear of red on the other. He furrowed his brows, cocked his head to the side, waiting for Jungkook to continue talking.

"Purple is so beautiful," Jungkook commented, crouching down beside the patient with a smile on his face. "It's one of my favorite colors," he added.

The patient looked over the canvas, paintbrush dragging through globs of red and blue that melded into purple, painting graceless lines around the canvas.