Slave To The Rhythm

Chapter 13

Seeing him leave his hand and turning away at Jimin's words stung him more than he thought it would. An awkward silence ensued. Jimin sighs heavily, why is the atmosphere always so unstable when they are around each other? He felt a compulsion to say something but couldn't think of anything. Why is he not saying anything? Jimin wonders.
"Don't... Don't just turn away. Say something... If there's something on your mind."
It's better to hear it out, no matter what it is, he needed to know what exactly he is thinking.

Hoseok laughed humorlessly. "Why? So you can decide to walk out on me? So you can put more distance between us than there already is?" He knew how Jimin could be. The boy was fearful. Fearful of many things. "There's no point in saying anything. It'll only make matters worse." he mumbled, looking out the window of his hospital room. Watching the life out in the city, Hoseok sighed to himself. How he longed to be able to be out there.

Jimin flinches slightly at his bitter words, but he knew they were true. He did put distance between them, as much as he could. But, could anything be any worse than it was? This kind of a strained relationship that they shared... But yes, there were things that could be worse. If they take it any furthur, it'll be the worst.
He looked up to see Hoseok looking out of the window, longing written on his face. He knew he missed it. Did his mom take him out for strolls enough? Where was she anyway? He knew she was helping Hoseok, standing in for him at the company, carrying out his instructions. His secretary helped her run things in his absence but Hoseok needed someone with him. Someone to care for him. If his mom also can't be there...
"Let's go out for a stroll. Do you... Do you want to go? We could go to the park outside..."
He looked at him hesitantly, wondering how he'll react.

Hoseok was surprised at the boy's offer. Sure, they weren't at each other's necks, but the atmosphere around them was pretty gloomy. Part of him told him to say no. To maintain his pride, and turn the boy down. The other part begged him to say yes. It had been so long since he had a whiff of fresh air. Was he really going to let his pride override his heart? Remaining silent for a minute, he decided. "I want to go out."

Jimin's eyes light up a little at his affirmative answer. He gives a small smile. At least Hoseok didn't hate him that much as to not want his presence around him. He was thankful he hadn't asked why he never came, maybe he understood.
"Ok..! I'll-I'll just go get a wheelchair...!"
He gets up and runs out to get a wheel chair. Carefully, he pulls back his blankets and lifting him from one side, holding his waist, he helps him down on the chair. He gets a blanket and folding it in half covers his legs and tucks in the corners. He turns the wheel chair and starts to walk out of the hospital building. He was happy, to at last be able to do something for him openly. He was tired of being in the shadows. If only they could just leave this whole situation and just be together.

Jimin's smile was enough for Hoseok to slightly forget about his inability. That all changed at the mention of a wheel chair. Slightly frowning, the realization came to him. He couldn't walk. He had to be stuck in that wretched chair. He felt useless, as Jimin had to help him sit in the damn chair. The boy's contact with his waist slightly lit his skin on fire, but it wasn't enough to push away the dread of having to be chained to this chair. He focused solely on Jimin, and his happy aura. It'll at least attempt to distract him from the harsh reality.

Jimin walks him out of the building and towards the gardens. It was a hospital with huge grounds. He walked along the roads, looking around and observing Hoseok as he took it all in. Has he come out after a long time? Jimin felt terrible, thinking about him stuck in the room alone, day in, day out. He felt terrible that he wasn't there. It seemed to be the right thing at that time but now, he was starting to doubt it. He sighs and continues to walk. He looks at Hoseok and can practically read his dread and frustration at being stuck in that chair on his face.
"It's ok, it's just a matter of a few months now. You'll get back up on your feet, I feel... No...I know it." He speaks in a soft voice. 'I'll make it happen, even if it's the last thing I do.' he adds in his mind, as they continue to stroll.