Corrosion || BTS Jung Hoseok (J-Hope) ✓

Corrosion Episode 19

Karen paced quickly back and forth in the room with a man named Lincoln. Lincoln hadden spoken at all, but Karen didn't seem to care at the moment. They were in the hospital, waiting for J-Hope to wake up.

J-Hope was moving in the hospital bed, twisting and turning, as if he was in pain, constantly repeating, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to leave me. I won't disappoint you ever again, I promise," His eyes weakly fluttered open, but he shut them again, as tears began to trickle down his cheeks. He was quietly sobbing as his memory was seared devastatingly into his poor brain again. Karen jumped at him and held his hand, worriedly, "J-Hope are you okay?" she asked. Lincoln stared at her in surprise.

J-Hope opened his eyes and asked Lincoln to leave them for a while. "Have they been released?" He asked weakly trying to sit up.

"Yes, the prisoners are free. Most of the Master's were caught. The rest are being tracked down as right now," she replied, helping him sit up as comfortably as possible.

"Karen, I know this is probably long overdue, but would you give me a chance to tell you my story, now?" He asked, tears still rolling down his face, his hands grasping tightly onto hers, as if she'd disappear if she let go.

Karen sat silently beside him, still holding his hands. "I'm sorry for keeping the truth from you. I thought, if I kept it away, you wouldn't see me as a monster and leave me. However, I have to face my problems head on, so I can overcome them, and move on," He whispered, "I'm sorry never told you, I hope you can forgive me, and perhaps stay?" He questions hesitantly, looking into her adorable eyes. Karen didn't answer, she had been so worried about his condition, she was afraid if she opened her mouth, she would start sobbing.

J-Hope sighed, "My real name is Hoseok. I was a gladiator like you, six years ago. I tried to free people. I got the nickname Bright Savior by the other prisoners, since I helped free them. I met you the day I got caught, one year into fighting and freeing people. I was lucky you took my place to help those people all the years I was gone. I came back to uproot the society because it's nothing but suffering and death. Ironfist used to be my friend when we fought together. We grew up together. We would help people escape. His real name is Clayton, but I call him Clay.

The day I got caught, he was alone with just a bunch of other scared prisoners who didn't know what to do. He didn't want to leave me so he got them on the truck and ran back inside for me. I didn't know he was still there when I ran away. By the time I saw him, he was already caught. He was tortured. Eventually, he accepted his fate and fought his way to the top through the gladiator battles, and soon to freedom. But he was never the same. It seems like he can barely remember his real name. And he was the one who told you I loved a woman, who was killed before my eyes.

That's true, I still love her though, I forever will. Her name was Jung Dawon. She had recently gotten kidnapped when I first met you. She was engaged to Lincoln, the man who just left the room. He used to be the driver of the truck to free people, he was a free man. D-Dawon...Sh- she's my sister," he whimpered, "I got her killed, my mistakes. When I was holding her in my arms, of the elders tried torturing me, but I had enough. I stabbed his stomach with a piece of glass, but I killed him in front of Dawon and she seemed so sad. Why am I such a disappointment to everyone I care about?" He wept, closing his eyes as tears of sadness and relief fell down his exhausted face. All his burdens, his emotions, he let loose as he cried.

Karen hugged him, patting his upper shoulder, so as not to hurt him, "I'm so sorry," she whispered gently to him, as she rocked him back to sleep. "You've done well, Hoseok. You've been hurt enough. Rest, we'll all start a happier life tomorrow."

Hoseok waddled out of the hospital, squinting at the bright sun. He was shocked to see a large number of people with real, kind smiles waving signs, saying things like: "Thank You!" and shouting his name. Tears welled up in his eyes as he smiled, a real smile of joyfulness. He pushed himself over to the car. Lincoln was holding the door open for him. Karen was in the driver seat smiling at him. "Where are we going?" Hoseok asked.

"We are going to Hawaii to go hiking and see the beautiful wildlife," Lincoln said, walking to his own car, "By the way, I don't mind being your best man when you decide to ask her," he whispered, winking at Hoseok before bouncing off. Hoseok laughed and sent a weak air slap after him.

"Ready?" Karen asked.

"What if I said no?" He asked, patting his stomach hungrily.

"I wouldn't care, it was a rhetorical question," she teased, before texting Lincoln where they'd stop for lunch.

***

I used the real name of Hoseok's sister.