Slave To The Rhythm

Chapter 12

Silence. 

That's all Hoseok heard. His heart dropped slightly. Was the boy really not there? Or did he simply not want to see him? His throat tightened as he thought about the second option. Was he that despicable to Jimin? He couldn't have been. Jimin helped him find a surgery for his inability. He must've just been stubborn. Laying his head on the door, and running his hand along it, he called once more, a little more pleadingly. "Chim..please..."

Jimin's heart broke at his tone. The plead in his voice, how he touched the door, leaning against it, all tore at his heart. He couldn't bear not responding and hurting him like this when he was already so broken.
"Get the surgery done. You have to dance again. I'm leaving, good luc-k."
He managed to say in a stable voice till his voice broke at the last syllable. He said he's going but he just sat there, unable to move even a bit. He heard the doctors speak now.
"Mr Jung, if you keep doing this, getting off the bed and dragging yourself, you'll hurt yourself even more. It can complicate the surgery furthur. Please try to understand."

So he had collapsed from the bed again, Jimin thought, all because of him. Even after trying to mend things as best as he could, he was still just hurting him till the end.

Hearing the boy's soft tone caused Hoseok's breath to hitch. It was him. He was here. He was leaving? Good luck?  Taking the doorknob in his hand, he twisted it, opening the previously shut door. Ignoring the doctor's calls, he cried out "You can't leave! Not when I'm like this! Chim, please stay with me!" He failed to see the boy that was already in front of him due to his closed eyes.

Jimin feels the door jerk open and nearly falls backwards. He is surprised and gets up quickly. He realises his eyes were all red and tears were running down his cheeks. He turns around wiping them as he looks back at Hoseok, on the floor, clutching the door for support. He ached to go and support him. To comfort him... but he knows he can't. Balling up his fists, he takes in a deep breath.
"Don't do this, it's best I don't meet you, Hoseok... just focus on getting better and get well soon." He turns to leave as Hoseok sat on the floor, staring at him.

Opening his eyes, he saw him. The beauty that he had been wanting to see all along. The beauty that now had tears on his face and bloodshot eyes, yet still managed to look completely flawless. Why hadn't he ever come in? The thought itself stung. He didn't know why, but it stung. Especially in a little place known as his heart. Seeing the boy turn to leave, he panicked, reaching out and grabbing Jimin's legs. Clutching on to them, be did what he never expected to ever do. He begged. He begged the boy, "Don't leave me! Why does everyone leave?!" he was unwilling to let go, even in exchange for his life.

As soon as Jimin feels his hands on his leg, he drops to his knees in front of him, his eyes wide with shock. Hoseok was literally begging him. Was he that desperate for him? Hoseok was a prideful man, for him to reduce to this state was unbearable for Jimin. He removed his hands from his legs, holding them instead.
"What are you doing, Mr Jung! Please don't do this! It doesn't suit you! Let's... let's get you up on the bed first."
He lifts him from one side as the doctor helps him from the other and together they settle him back on the bed. Jimin was pulling up the blankets over him as the doctors take their leave, assuring them that they'll contact soon about the surgery.

Becoming stubborn, Hoseok began to struggle against the doctors. "Please!" he continued to beg, looking at Jimin desperately. The feeling of the boy's hands in his calmed him slightly, as they felt like they belonged. They belonged entwined. He tightly wrapped his fingers around his hand, not letting go. He feared that if he did, the boy would run. Run from him like all those other times. Seeing the doctors depart, Hoseok looked up at Jimin. He was in bed now, so the boy had an advantage, but he sincerely hoped it he didn't take it and escape.