There wasn't much time to think about what happened that afternoon.

In the days that followed, Jeongguk's condition took a sudden drop. Irregular fevers, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, and the likes— all these crazy symptoms ravaged his system, and there was no way telling what it was. It was a medical mystery that left his doctors stumped, Sae frustrated, and with that, they all knew what it meant for him.

Jeongguk collapsed again during a meeting. He didn't pass out, but his legs gave up from beneath him as he was following Jimin during a harmless trip to the vending machine. Caused the poor guy quite a scare, and everyone in the group only worried more when he came to the next meeting in a wheel chair.

Sae said it was temporary until he was able to regain his strength, but they knew words were just words; they didn't mean anything. Not in this case.

Jeongguk hated it but what could he do? What could he say or change when this was his fate? He was going to die in less than three months. His body was giving up, time was running out, and the chance for a cure was incredibly slim. The world was against him, forcing him to remember he wasn't normal and he would never ever be.

But the only thing that made this bearable was Kim Taehyung.

Something changed— there was no denying that.

Whatever was said or done after that afternoon changed something within him. But it was a subtle change, something Jeongguk could have imagined. It wasn't like Taehyung was ignoring him. In fact, it was the opposite. As long as he was back at his side, smiling and laughing and being the dumb idiot Jeongguk came to know, it was okay to be selfish and live in this stupidly naive idea that everything would be okay.

Because this— this was as good as it would get.

And he was grateful. So, so grateful for him. Even if Jimim was right. But despite that, Jeongguk tried not to think about it. Taehyung, on the otherhand, seemed to be doing the same thing.

At least they were on the same page.

"Something on your mind?" Taehyung asked. He insisted on pushing him around the floor while everyone in the meeting took a snack break.

"Not really. Don't you think it's getting a bit cooler outside?" Jeongguk said, peering out the windows to see the April skies a vibrant blue, though there were still thick clouds plaguing the heavens.

"Are we really talking about weather?" Taehyung snorted, pushing him closer to the windows.

"Well yeah, I don't know what else to talk about. I'm being pushed on a fucking chair with wheels," He said, nose scrunching. "What else is there to say?"

"Well, you can offer me a ride," He teased.

"Please," Jeongguk scoffed. "You'd break the wheelchair if you sat on me. You'd break me."

"Are you body-shaming me Jeon?" Taehyung pretended to sound offend. He even added a sniffle for the extra dramatic effect.

"No," Jeongguk said, "I'm trying not to die."

"You're doing quite a fine job at it," Taehyung hummed.

"Shut up," Jeongguk's face flushed, hating how easy it was for his face to get all red and hot when Taehyung barely even tried to flirt with him. If this was even considered flirting, or alternatively, Jeongguk was a heavily affection-starved prude.

"Sae proposed physical therapy to regain some of your strength back, right?" He brought him to one of the sitting areas so Taehyung could sit across from him. It was probably tough pushing him around in circles.

"Yeah," Jeongguk shifted a little in his chair. "She said I could try if I really wanted to continue walking. They really don't know what's wrong with me, so it's one big shot in the dark I guess."

"I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try," Taehyung said, crossing his legs over the other. "You could buy more time."

"Or probably just kill myself faster," He muttered sarcastically, not really catching what he said until he noticed Taehyung tense.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow at him, "You sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine— I just. I don't know. The jokes don't hit the same anymore, do they?" He smiled sheepishly at him, his fingers toying with the edges of his hoodie sleeves.

"Not really," Taehyung shrugged, "but it's how you cope."

"Are you okay?" He didn't think it would hurt to ask, but judging by how Taehyung's smile fell and his gaze quickly averted to the ground, it did hurt.

Jeongguk never brought up what happened that day. He supposed it wasn't right to reveal he was listening in to some incredibly private moment, and there wasn't enough time left to get into a fight with Taehyung over something he could have prevented if only curiosity wasn't such a pain in the ass. So, he let it be. Let it become some dead weight between them, knowing there was no other choice but to carry on.

It still pained Taehyung. He could tell in the way his smiles never quite reached his eyes, and how he was back on the habit of keeping his phone out and checking it every now and then when his mind drifted back to its existence. Yet Jeongguk didn't comment on his odd behavior.

There was no point in doing so when he already knew how the conversation would end.

However, it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried that Taehyung didn't like him enough.

It was a foolish thing to worry about. Of all things, he was concerned over a boy not liking him the way he liked him. It was stupid and frivolous of him, but he couldn't help it. Couldn't help how his fingers drummed nervously over his thigh, or how every time he met Taehyung's gaze, he hoped he didn't see how worthless it was spending time with him. Not that he would think that— hopefully.

Feelings were confusing and dumb, and yet he just couldn't shut them out. He was too far into this to simply let go; it wasn't that easy. Crushes were truly ridiculous with how they consumed every part of you, making you all euphoric and miserable all at the same time.

"Yeah," Taehyung swallowed thickly, snapping Jeongguk out of his thoughts. "I'm okay."

"Good," Jeongguk murmured, nodding along like it was okay because it was. It was okay. "That's good."

Before the silence between them could grow anymore awkward than it should be, Jeongguk and Taehyung whipped their heads toward the sound of footsteps quickly approaching them. There, in a pair, was Hoseok and Jimin with matching wide smiles.

"Hey you guys!" Jimin practically threw his arm around Taehyung's shoulders and tugged him close, ruffling his hair with his small fingers. Taehyung didn't look too amused, but he managed a small grin anyway.

"What brings you two here?" Taehyung asked, jutting his chin at both of them. "Did Joon send you guys on a snack run?"

"Nope," Hoseok beamed, gaining all of their attention. "We have some news."

"Great news," Jimin echoed.

"What's the news?" Jeongguk's eyes narrowed when he noticed Jimin was struggling to contain himself beside Taehyung. He looked like he was seconds away from bouncing all over the walls.

"Namjoon and Dr. Jeon came up with the best idea ever!" Jimin squealed. Jeongguk and Taehyung exchanged wary looks.

"And that is?" Taehyung urged them to continue. They weren't very good at creating exciting suspense. It was more irritating than suspenseful.

"Since most of us missed out on our high school experience, we're gonna throw a party like how Americans do at the end of their fourth year!" Jimin clapped excitedly along with Hoseok.

"So... a prom?" Jeongguk lips tugged downward. That sounded like Sae was 100% behind this.

"More like a formal," Hoseok corrected. At that, he raised his hands in defense, earning giddy grins from Hoseok and Jimin. "But since we all didn't have a good high school experience 'cuz we were stuck in hospitals, Dr. Kim and Dr. Jeon thought it would be a great idea to transform the upper cafeteria into a small party!"

"I mean... Sure? This is all on short notice though," Taehyung said. "Like, what about Jeongguk?"

"What about me?" Jeongguk scowled, leaning over and shoving Taehyung back. It was Taehyung's turn to raise his hands up defensively.

"I'm just saying, we don't wanna overwork you again, especially when your state is this bad." Both Jimin, Hoseok, and Jeongguk deflated.

"You're such a goddamn party pooper Tae," Jimin scoffed, flicking Taehyung's forehead. He yelped, pushing his hand away to cradle his forehead behind his palm. "He'll be fine! Dr. Jeon said if Gguks over here tried physical therapy and rested up a bit, he could come!"

"Deal," Jeongguk blurted without thinking.

"You just told me it'd kill you faster if you did physical therapy," Taehyung frowned at him.

"Well, I changed my mind," Jeongguk crossed his arms, wondering why Taehyung was so hesitant when usually he would be the type to support this idea from the get go. Jimin seemed to be thinking the same thing when he met his questioning gaze.

"So you're in?" Hoseok asked Jeongguk. The poor guy was oblivious to the situation, but hey, it was better being ignorant sometimes.

"Sure," Jeongguk shrugged. "Physical therapy wouldn't be so bad."

"Great!" Jimin beamed, now turning toward Tae. "Now how about you? You wanna go? You can go with Jeongguk."

"Depends on the date," He murmured.

"It's going to be next friday," Jimin's eyes narrowed.

"I'll have to think about it," Taehyung replied.

"Think about it?" Jimin blinked rapidly at him. "Uh, you're going to go. You don't have a choice."

"I have a hockey thing," Taehyung said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Didn't you say you don't play in a league?" Jeongguk asked, remembering their conversation at the ice-rink. Taehyung shrugged.

"Jin wanted to scrimmage some guys from Incheon at the rink, so I was going to tag along," Taehyung explained. Jimin, on the otherhand, didn't look very convinced. "What? You think I'm making an excuse?"

"Not at all," Jimin pressed his lips together into a firm line. His gaze lingered on Taehyung for a second longer before he turned back toward Jeongguk, smiling at him like nothing was wrong.

"I'm glad you're going unlike that guy over there," Jimin grumbled as he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder to where Taehyung sat. He scowled.

"If you're gonna talk shit, at least don't do it in front of me," Taehyung sighed, but before Jimin could say something equally snarky back, his phone rang.

"You gonna take that?" Jeongguk gulped dryly. He could feel both Jimin and Hoseok staring right at him, while Taehyung kept his head low, attention now fixed at the phone ringing in his palm.

"Taehyung," Jimin said slowly, "Are you going to answer that?"

"Yeah," Taehyung said, sounding like he was in some sort of daze. "I am. Jeongguk, I'll be back."

He couldn't manage a proper goodbye as Taehyung was already on his feet, phone pressed close to his ear, leaving them behind without another look. At that, Jimin blew out a frustrated gust of air, his hands now placed on either side of his hip and attention focused solely on Jeongguk.

"Something's wrong with him, huh?" Jimin sighed.

"I wish I knew," Jeongguk barely glanced at the spot where Taehyung once sat. It wasn't exactly a lie but it didn't feel right to say it outloud, and luckily Jimin left it at that. The same way he had been doing all this time.

"He's been doing good. With all the odds against him, I'm glad he secured this little victory," Dr. Lee said as Jeongguk wobbled carefully to Sae's side, now being supported with crutches beneath his arms.

"Thank you, Dr. Lee," Sae bowed, a tired smile fitted over her lips when Jeongguk finally made it beside her. "I really appreciate your help."

"It's no big deal. Take care, alright? If you ever need anything, you know where to find me." He waved at the both of them, and with one last goodbye, Sae helped Jeongguk out the door.

"Look at you go," Sae teased him, watching him fondly as he hobbled forward with tiny steps albeit progressive. "I knew you have some fight left in you."

"Shut up," Jeongguk sucked in a deep breath, brows creased together as he focused on not tripping and eating absolute shit. "You're not in some melodramatic John Green novel, Sae."

Sae tossed her head back and let out a tired laugh, "Oh please. Let me have my little melodramatic moment."

"Your moment?" He looked up with her, eyes narrowed. "Look who's actually walking after your staff predicted I'd lose total motor ability by my fourth month." He gestured at himself with the best smug smile he could muster.

"Touché," Sae rolled her eyes, though she couldn't fight the proud smile toying on her lips. "You won this time, Mr. Jeon."

"Finally," Jeongguk muttered. "I was getting my ass kicked."

"Now you kicked it back," Sae replied. When they approached the elevator doors, she pressed the button for them.

"With crutches," Jeongguk snorted, following her into the elevator car once the doors parted. "I mean, technically I'd be wacking terminal illness with a crutch. Dunno if that's any better. Or cooler."

"It's still a little victory nonetheless," Sae said. "We should celebrate."

"That I can walk? I mean, sure. It's not everyday you repeat milestones I guess. Maybe next time we can celebrate the second time I learn how to talk." At that, Sae reached over and flicked his forehead. His nose scrunched together, "Uh, ouch?"

"Don't joke about things like that," Sae said cooly. He raised his crutch half way up in defense. "I was even going to offer to buy you some cake ."

"As if I can eat that," Jeongguk rolled his eyes.

"Maybe I can blend it," She chuckled softly.

"Oh fuck no," He lightly whacked the back of her calf with his crutch. "Don't you dare feed me a cake smoothie." Sae laughed. It was her turn to raise her arms up to defend herself, but to spare her, he didn't try to smack her again. Instead, he bit back his own smile.

The elevator ride wasn't too long, and for once, Jeongguk didn't feel like shit when they made their way out to Sae's floor. Or well, he didn't feel as shitty as he usually did. For the last few days, he was working hard trying to regain his strength after his health dipped. He pushed himself more than usual, even if it meant not being able to see Taehyung or anyone else.

If it meant getting better, even if it was temporary, he wanted this victory. Hell, he needed to win at least something once in his life , and he did. He was walking despite Sae's medical team saying he couldn't! Wasn't that a nice plot twist?

Furthermore, it meant he could go to the dance thing Jimin and the others were eagerly setting up.

Thanks to Jimin, Hoseok, Namjoon, and Sae (when she wasn't busy)'s combined enthusiasm, planning for the little party was going well from what he was hearing. Jimin wouldn't shut up about it whenever he dropped by to visit him or cornered him in the cafeteria.

The only person Jeongguk hasn't really seen much of was Taehyung. It didn't really bother him. He was busy with school, so there wasn't much they could do. However, Jimin made sure he was going to see him this weekend at their party, and god, he felt like a stupid preteen all over again.

His chest squeezed with this innocent, giddy feeling knowing he would get to tell Taehyung about this tiny victory. He wasn't really one to brag seeing he was a pretty unlucky guy, but he just couldn't wait to show him, to tell him how hard he worked and prove to him it paid off. It was a bit stupid the more he thought about it, but he wanted nothing more but to share this with Taehyung— after all, he cared about him. A lot.

"Have you seen Taehyung recently?" Jeongguk blurted without thinking, his face flushing with that familiar, embarassing warmth whenever he thought of Taehyung. Sae stopped by one of the nursing stations to check something, and fortunately she didn't comment on his strange behavior.

"I've heard Namjoon mention he was at the hospital the other day, why?" Sae said, focused on the clipboard in front of her. Jeongguk raised an eyebrow at her, the warmth immediately draining from his face.

"Why would Taehyung be at the hospital on a Monday?" Jeongguk asked carefully. "Meetings are on Thursdays."

"Didn't Taehyung tell you?" She glanced at him, a little confused. "He was here for a follow-up."

"A follow-up for what?" Jeongguk scowled at her.

"Taehyung had a pacemaker replacement last month."

"He what," Jeongguk nearly choked, his eyes splaying wide like saucers at how nonchalant Sae revealed it to him as if a pacemaker wasn't such a big deal. But first off; since when did Taehyung have a pacemaker?

And why was Sae so fucking calm about this?

"Did he seriously not tell you? I thought he did but judging by how you look," Sae chuckled, reaching over and shutting Jeongguk's hanging jaw closed for him.

"Isn't that a bad thing?" Jeongguk stammered, unsure how he managed to miss that after realizing he did see it. The scar. Of course, there was a scar by his heart, yet he couldn't put two together and figure out what it was.

"Nah," Sae shook her head. "Some babies have heart issues as kids that affect them later in life, so state of the art tech fixes it right up. Taehyung's a healthy, active young man so it's not a big deal. Why, are you worried?" She teased him, nudging his side.

"Worried?" He scoffed, shaking his head in a weak attempt to shake off the blush creeping over his cheeks. "No not at all. I'm just— I just don't know what to think." He admitted sheepishly.

"If it's anything bad, let me tell you: stop worrying. He's doing fine. Namjoon went with him and told me everything was going smoothly," Sae said, going back to her work.

"Goodness. I thought you knew everything about this kid since he's your friend."

Jeongguk didn't answer that because that was where Sae was actually wrong: he didn't know anything about Taehyung, save for the brief conversations they had in the past. But even so, anyone could say those basic things.