2 years later.
Taehyung was playing with a small stuffed bear and a tea-set. He lifted an empty porcelain cup to the bear's mouth, pretending to make it drink. He smiled softly, placing the cup back down and holding the bear close to his chest.
A nurse knocked on his door. "Taehyung, you have a visitor. Put your slippers on and come to the visitors room." She left and Taehyung stood up, still holding his bear tightly. He slid his slippers on, shuffling down the hallway into the visitor area.
His face lit up once he saw Jeongguk sitting casually in one of the hard chairs. "Jeonggukie! You're here!" He dropped the bear, rushing over to Jeongguk and giving him a long hug.
Jeongguk hugged him back, kissing his forehead and flashing his bunny smile. "I told you I'd be here, didn't I?" Taehyung nodded happily, sitting himself in Jeongguk's lap. The nurse gave a short smile, closing the door and sitting outside of the room.
"What has my little Taehyungie been up to these past few weeks?" Jeongguk asked. Taehyung giggled, jumping off of Jeongguk and sitting at the craft station in the corner. He sifted through piles of paper, pulling out a few drawings and quickly handing them to Jeongguk.
Jeongguk had a shocked expression on his face- all of the drawings were of his face. And they were incredibly accurate drawings, almost as if a professional had drew his portrait. He couldn't help but smile at Taehyung, setting the drawings down and enveloping him in a big hug.
"Where'd you learn to draw like this?" He asked excitedly. Taehyung shrugged, another giggle escaping his lips. "All I ever do in here 's think about you, so I just thought of your face for a long time and let my hand do all the work!"
Over the past two years, Jeongguk would visit Taehyung once or twice a month in order to let Taehyung learn to become more independent. Once he turned 18, he was officially allowed to sign documents stating that Tae was his responsibility.
About a year after Taehyung was admitted, Jeongguk found out that Taehyung was actually 4 years older than he was. Taehyung's mother had been telling him for years that he was only 13, and she would treat him like he was even younger in order to preserve the memory of Taehyung's father still being in the picture.
No one found out about Taehyung's mother's murder. Anyone who knew her just assumed that she had moved away somewhere and taken Taehyung with her- she was always sort of unhinged, even at her job.
Jeongguk thought about the murder often- more often than he'd like. He could never fully get rid of the image of Taehyung's mother's blood all over the floor, staining his hands and ruining his clothes. He ended up asking Namjoon to help him buy Taehyung's house after his mother disappeared so when Taehyung was discharged, they would live there together and no one would go combing through the house for evidence.
Taehyung snuggled close to Jeongguk, placing his cheek on his shoulder and wrapping his arms around his neck. "I love you, Jeonggukie." Jeongguk's face felt warm as he held Taehyung close to him. "I love you too, Taehyung. You've been doing so well. I'm so proud of you."
Taehyung sniffled at Jeongguk's words, little tears rolling down his cheeks. He tried to pull himself even closer to Jeongguk, but they were practically in each other's skin at this point. For the rest of their visit, they stayed like that, stuck together.
Taehyung ended up falling asleep in Jeongguk's arms. The nurse came back and told them that their time was up in 5 minutes, so Jeongguk woke Taehyung up and told him over and over that he loved him.
Jeongguk took one of Taehyung's drawings and a crayon from the craft station and wrote him a long note. He told Taehyung to read it after he left, and Taehyung sleepily nodded his head in agreement.
Jeongguk folded the paper, putting it inside of Taehyung's pocket and asking the nurse if he could put Taehyung to bed. The nurse found them both to be extremely cute, so she agreed and followed them to Taehyung's room.
Taehyung was lifted up by his waist, and placed underneath his white sheets. Jeongguk tucked him in, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead and thanking the nurse. She smiled at him, leading him out of the room and back to the parking lot.
Jeongguk went home, happy knowing that Taehyung was getting better. Taehyung was happy in his sleep, dreaming of the day when he would finally be able to go home with Jeongguk again.
Two happy boys.
Jeongguk's letter.
Taehyung, I'm so so proud of you. We met in a weird way, but you've matured so much over these past few years and soon you'll be home with me and we'll be like a real couple. Your drawings of me are so amazing, you're so good at everything! I hope you're having fun and behaving yourself. Make sure to take your medicine and listen to the nurses so you'll get discharged sooner! I love you so much.
-Jeonggukie.
book one: completed. thanks so much for reading!
