hiraeth

Chapter Five: Butterfly

f i v e | B U T T E R F L Y

The members practically jumped out of their chairs and ran to the room beside the emergency room. Upon getting to the door, however, no one dared to open it.

How will he react? What do they say? Thoughts like those swam around in their minds but Yoongi was the first to push them aside and open the door without hesitation.

Inside the door was a pure white room, only hints of blue and purple were to be seen. On a hospital bed was a very groggy Taehyung, who seemed bewildered at the sudden appearance of his friends.

"Tae! Oh my god, we were so worried!" The members swarmed his bed without much warning, which made Taehyung uncomfortable to say the least.

"H-Hi guys..." His eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head, causing the group to laugh at his strange expression. "How's our little alien doing?"

His smile vanished almost immediately upon hearing that word. "I'm fine." Taehyung averted his eyes from their faces, deciding that the loose string on his shirt was more interesting.

A sudden pressure found itself on his right hand, causing him to look up at find Yoongi's hand on his. He looked up at the older male who mouthed, "It's okay." A faint smile made its way onto his lips. That's right, he thought, I'm not alone anymore.

"H-How about that hospital food, am I right?" Jungkook tried to make conversation to lift their spirits but it just resulted in everyone staring at him like he was an otherworldly creature.

Laughter shook Taehyung's body, drawing attention back to him. He tried to speak through his laughter, "What the fuck, Jungkook?"

Jin's mouth dropped open and he raised his hand in a threatening manner, "Kim Taehyung! Language!" Everyone bursted into laughter, except Jin, who was serious.

Seokjin's eyes softened, "We were worried about you, you know?" Taehyung looked up at him before looking down at his lap, realizing that Yoongi's hand was still there.

"Yeah, I know. I-I heard you."

Their eyes widened, "What do you mean you heard us?"

He looked at everyone's faces. "I heard your voices. At first I thought I was dead, but then I heard Jimin's voice. He told me to wake up. I was confused on why you guys were trying, why you cared."

They remained silent, wanting to let the younger continue.

"Your voices faded in and out sometimes, so I didn't hear all of it. I don't know how long I was there when I saw..." He gulped, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. "I saw the light.."

A chorus of gasps and sniffles filled the room, but no one dared to speak up.

"I ran towards it, wanting to get out of that endless black space when... When Yoongi burst into the room. I heard him yelling over the security telling him to leave. He called my name."

Tears started to well up into everyone's eyes, except Yoongi's. His grip on Taehyung's hand tightened as he spoke.

"He reminded me that you guys did care, if he didn't care why would he burst into the room like that?" He fell silent, but only for a moment.

"I'm sure that if Yoongi had come only a few minutes later... We wouldn't be having this conversation."

The tears welling up in his eyes fell as he tugged on Yoongi's shirt, signaling for him to hug him. "Thank you, Yoongi."

Everyone burst into tears, suddenly hugging everyone (though Jungkook just hugged the lamp beside him.)

The door opened, revealing the doctor in charge of Taehyung. "Even though you're fine right now, we have to have you stay overnight. To make sure nothing shows up."

The boy nodded in understanding. "Guys you can go back to the dorms for tonight. I don't want you to sleep here in the waiting room again." The group exchanged looks before looking at Taehyung with big grins on their faces, "We aren't going home unless you're with us, Tae!"

He looked at the members with a dumbfounded look on his face. "You guys..." A sudden jolt of pain shit through his head, causing him to flinch.

"Everyone move!" The doctor pushed everyone aside until he was by Taehyung. He checked the boy's vital signs before increasing his dose of morphine.

"Don't worry, it's just a side effect of taking too many pills. Good thing I was here, you probably would've passed out from the pain if not."

Everyone stood in the corner of the room, eyes wide. "He'll be fine. Call me if you notice anything strange." They nod slowly before making their way back to Taehyung.

"S-Sorry." A small smile tugged at Tae's lips. "I'm really tired..." Jin put a hand on Taehyung's lower back and slowly laid him down fully. "That good?" He nodded and felt his eyelids drift shut, the last thing he saw was the member's caring faces.

"He looks so peaceful." Yoongi silently nodded along with Namjoon's statement. "He had an encounter with death, I think this will be the most peaceful sleep he will ever have."

Jungkook sniffled and clutched the lamp (that he hasn't left behind) closer to his body. "You won't ever die on my watch, Mr. Lamp!"

Hoseok slapped the back of Kookie's head, "You need sleep more than anyone, Kook. Cmon, it's past your bed time. I'll get a juice box and a teddy bear for you." The maknae glared back at the dancer, though he secretly wanted the juice box.

Yoongi took his rightful place at the seat pulled up to the bed, his hands holding Taehyung's. Namjoon and Jin looked at each other and tapped Jimin's shoulder, gesturing that they should leave him alone. The door shut softly behind them, though Yoongi paid no mind to it.

"You're my little butterfly, okay? You scared me so much, Taehyung. I thought your wings were broken for good." He rested his forehead on the bed, "Don't leave me."

A/n: DOUBLE UPDATEEEEEE!!!! And awwwwww taegi!