#Taejin: Designated Boyfriend

Chapter 15: A Keeper

Taehyung didn't have the heart to see Seokjin in pain. His heart broke seeing him like that, pretending to be strong, putting on an "I'm fine" expression, forcing smiles that didn't reach his eyes. And when Taehyung came back from buying dinner for both of them, he found Jin holding his daughter's hand with face down on the bed. As he heard Taehyung steps closer, he turned his head and hid his wet eyes.

Taehyung clenched his jaw. He saw more than what Jin was willing to show. And his heart hurt. Taehyung wanted to comfort him.... and hugged him.... "Eat your dinner first." He brushed his head affectionately. Jin got up and went into the washroom to clean up himself.

Taehyung sat on the chair and touched Yumi's forehead. Her fever was slightly down. Her left hand was hooked on an IV drip. Poor little thing! Taehyung sighed. The once-bubbly girl was now looking pale and frail. Taehyung leaned close to her ear, then sang a lullaby softly while caressing her hair. When Seokjin got out of the washroom and saw that, his eyes brimmed with tears. So he silently walked back inside.

Seokjin's phone vibrated in his pocket, he saw Yoongi's ID flashed on the screen.

"Yoongs..."

"Which hospital??!!" He demanded.

"It's okay, Yoongs. She's okay now. Don't worry!"

"Where are you? I'm driving there!"

"It's already late, Yoongs! And Taehyung's here to help me. Don't worry. You can visit her tomorrow, it's okay."

"DAMMIT JINNIE!! SHE'S MY DAUGHTER TOO!!! TELL ME WHICH HOSPITAL, DAMMIT!!!" Yoongi shouted into Jin's ear furiously.

Jin always bore everything on his own, didn't want to trouble and worry others, didn't want to ask for help even though he actually needed it. And Yoongi hated this particular trait of his.

.

Yoongi came with Hoseok that night. He looked worried. "What happened?"

"Food poisoning. We bought a take-out yesterday. She ate seafood ramyeon. I guess the seafood had gone bad. I'm sorry, I've been careless."

"No, Jin, no! You wouldn't have known! How is she now?"

"She's okay now."

Yoongi patted Jin's arm and smiled. "You're doing a great job! Thanks." He then approached Yumi who was still sleeping and caressed her head. "Hey, Honey. Appa's here." And kissed her forehead.

.

Later that night, when Jin had already drifted to sleep on the chair, Yoongi gave a signal to Taehyung to follow him out into the hallway.

"Thank you for taking care of them today. Seokjin always keeps things to himself and reluctantly asks for help even though he desperately needs it. He doesn't want to make us worry. He will try to solve everything by himself. He will do anything for the people he loves. I sometimes hate his gut of living so boldly. He might look weak, but he's very strong and resilient. But sometimes he doesn't realize his limits and keeps pushing through to a level where he can hurt and danger himself. So please, be there when he does!"

"Yoongi shi... I—-I don't know what to say... Jin and I don't... I mean, Hoseok Hyung told me a bit that Jin had a tough life, related to Yumi... And you might know my bad reputation in relationships, right?" Taehyung looked Yoongi in the eyes. "I'm a mess... And I don't wanna make Jin's life harder because of me...."

"Hoseok told me about you too, so I won't judge you based on your past. You care for Yumi, right?"

"I do..."

"And for Seokjin?"

"I... I don't know yet..."

"He's a keeper, Taehyung shi. Trust me, you won't regret it."

.

Taehyung was still standing alone in the empty hospital hallway, long after Yoongi was gone.

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