Firemen Jeon and Paramedic Kim | vk✓

Thirty Seven - The tone of flatline -^------

Two weeks passed.

Jeongguk is cleared from injuries and he's back to the fire department. But he seems workaholic. Don't get him wrong, he was truly passionate and took pride in his work but now, he seemed to just... drown himself in it.

He looked like death warmed over, and he wasn't even sick. But what could he do?

He sighed refilling his coffee for the umpteenth time that day at the hospital cafeteria. Honestly, he had no idea how many cups he'd had, but he didn't care.   As long as it gave him the energy to keep going, and avoid sleep as much as possible, he would drink it.

Because sleep only meant dreams, and dreams meant reliving the night of the horrible fire at Taehyung's apartment, over and over again.

He was glad that NamJin and YoonMin had been giving him ample space as of late. He really was not in the mood for any lectures.  Without even realizing it, his feet stopped in front of an all too familiar door.

He pushed the handle down, carefully entering the room. It was eerily quiet, except for the low hum of machines and the regular beeps of a heart monitor. Walking the last few steps towards Taehyung's bedside, he took a seat.

He clasped his own warm hands onto Taehyung's cold ones and rubbing a gentle thumb over the back of the male hand. It was so... smooth compared to his own palms which were rougher, due to his line of work.

Feeling the familiar lump forming in his throat, he took a deep deep breath to calm down the sudden onslaught of emotions. He didn't want to cry anymore. Seeing Taehyung every night in his comatose state was both a relief, but also a cruel curse.

Taehyung's presence helped settle his mind, but it also threw it into a chaotic storm of..
"what if's"

Then he realized, how much he missed Taehyung's voice and the soft dip of concern when he was worried. Closing his eyes once more, he tried to relax into the uncomfortable hospital chair and took this moment to just appreciate the fact that Taehyung was still here with him.

And for now, Jeongguk decided that would have to be enough. He had no intention of falling asleep, deciding he should probably take his leave. He let go of Taehyung's hand, but not before tucking said hand back into the sheets with a tenderness and he peck a kiss on Taehyung's forehead and his adorable cold nose.

Reluctantly, Jeongguk making his way towards the door. Giving Taehyung one last longing glance, he put his hand on the handle. The door opened and he stepped out of the room with heavy heart.

But before the door could click closed, an alarming ring filled Jeongguk's ears; and he felt his stomach drop!   Quickly, he whipped around, eyes wide with horror as his mind registered what that noise meant.

The tone of a flat-line. No no no, it can't be!

His heart hammered in his chest wildly as he sprinted back into the room, frantically double checking the monitors and wires, praying it was just some sort of mechanical error, but they were still attached!

Taehyung's heart had stopped.