Truths of Florid Nebulae [NamKook]

•Chapter 3: For Him•

The room's door was surprisingly open when Jimin arrived at the threshold. He even heard soft murmuring coming from inside, one of the voices (much breathier and young) belonging undeniably to Jungkook.

Knocking politely on the wooden surface, the small omega slowly entered the expanse, welcomed by the calm view of his friend being checked by one of the doctors, his slightly muscular back exposed as the medic examined his heart beat with a stethoscope.

The older man finished his inspection and put away the medical instrument, nodding and smiling at Jungkook in gratitude. The doctor turned around to reveal an exceptionally surprised expression over his handsome features when he saw Jimin staring at him, the man's dark chocolate alpha scent suddenly spiking around in response to the younger's gaze. The small omega watched in his peripheral vision as Jungkook craned his neck around to see him, hands grabbing the fabric of his gown to desperately cover his naked skin.

 The doctor raised his hand awkwardly to shake Jimin's, his huge palm hiding the omega's almost completely.

 "Um, hello? I don't think we know each other, you must be Jungkook's brother, right?", the tall alpha asked in partial shyness, letting his hand go delicately. Jimin was about to correct him about the whole 'brother' part of the sentence, when the older man immediately continued to blab nervously while picking up his equipment, "I'm Dr. Choi Seongcheol, I'm covering Dr. Kim's shift. Oh! But don't worry, he'll be coming back soon! Um, now if you'll excuse me, sorry!"

Jimin stood unmoving as the doctor sprinted hurriedly out of the room, leaving soft chocolate pheromones behind.

The short omega face palmed as he heard Jungkook's muted scoffs next to him.

"So now you're my brother, hyung? We don't look anything alike. You're too short for that."

"Oh, shut up, Kookie!", Jimin immediately regretted it when he saw Jungkook curl up in himself at the volume, shoulders still bare, with light bruises staining his skin like paint drops.

 "Hey, hey... I'm sorry... I guess I'm kind of frustrated for... you know...", the shorter male gestured around him, speaking quietly. "Everything..."

Jimin pursed his lips, gulping worriedly at the whole situation, at the risky medical condition his youngest friend had been found in because of his stubborn refusal to tell Jimin and the others he had finally presented as an omega. Frowning at Jungkook's injuries. At his traumas.

 At the loneliness, the desolation he must have felt when it happened.

But Jimin knew how it was like.

Jimin perked up suddenly when he noticed the younger's continuous struggle with putting his hospital gown on back again.

"Kookie, let me help you with that, please..."

With pleading eyes, he stepped closer to sit next to Jungkook on the bed, placing his gentle hands on the boy's stiff shoulder blades. He sighed in relief when he felt them relax at the touch instead of running away from it. Jimin watched as Jungkook's slightly pale skin grew goosebumps from the low temperatures of the room, then began to carefully pull the gown's fabric out from the younger omega's grip, detangling one finger at a time patiently. His hands offered warmth and protection the teenager had missed for the last couple of days he had spent alone in the immaculate, frigid hospital environment.

 Jimin started small talk with his adored young friend, hoping to help him loosen his guard while he accommodated the lone piece of clothing.

"So how's it been around here until now? Have they been treating you nice?", he smiled when he felt Jungkook nod softly, "And tell me: who was that doctor that was checking you? I don't think you've mentioned him."