Work Text:
I.
Jungkook couldn't remember. He couldn't remember the countless fights. The broken things, the shattered tables. The yelling and the tears and the petty misunderstandings. All he could remember were the soft words, the breezy kisses, the hugs and the cuddles, the rush of sex, the calmness after the storm had passed, Suga's taste on his tongue, and his tender smile. The smile that didn't waver even in the face of death.
He lay on the spotless white hospital bed, even the beeping of the machines muted out of respect for his tranquil sleep. The doctors had told him, it might take a few weeks, months, years for Suga to wake up... Or never. His physical injuries had healed a long time back, but Suga was still asleep. The monitor flashed a feeble pulse, and all Jungkook could do was hold on to his hand in an iron grip and try to breathe life into his Suga, pray to the Gods he'd never prayed before to for a miracle, his brows drawn tightly together and his eyes constantly wet, his lips mumbling a silent prayer against Suga's frail hand in his.
He had run out of all positive energy, all happy vibes four months ago. He just didn't have it in him, to muster enough light to send to Suga. But he tried. He tried harder than he ever had in their three years of love, and ten years of friendship. If only he'd tried even half as much, when Suga's gaze was still on him.
The ring lay heavy in his pocket. He'd been roaming around with it for weeks now, waiting for the perfect chance to slide it on Suga's slender finger, but that chance never came. He'd lost his temper over a stupid argument, he didn't even remember what it was they were fighting about. But Suga..... He'd really hurt Suga. Suga, who never raised his voice, he'd finally snapped and screamed at him and stormed out of the house, only to be hit by a car whose headlights were off. Jungkook's face crumpled up. Suga, who didn't even cross the road without checking both sides twice, getting run over by a drunk son of a bitch. The universe must be laughing at them both. An intense rage rose up in his core. Why did it have to be Suga? Why wasn't it him who stormed out, like he always did? Why wasn't he the one who got hit? The unfairness of it all sliced through his chest, ripping his heart out again and again mercilessly.
The nurse knocked. "It's lunchtime, Mr Jeon." She said quietly.
Jungkook's brain barely registered what she said. He merely nodded and reached out behind him, silently asking for the plate. The nurse placed it in his hand, bowed, and gently shut the door. Jungkook kept the plate down and wiped his face with his sleeve, his other hand still grasping on to Suga's.
"Look at what we have for lunch today, babe," he whispered, his voice shaking, the lump in his throat painful. "Tteokbokki! Though it's nowhere near as tasty as yours. There's this new shop too-" Jungkook paused, swallowed, took a deep breath, then rambled on, " I've heard the gimbap there tastes good, I'll take you there when you wake up. So," his voice cracked, tears overflowing again. "So please, Suga, my life, wake up already, please."
He buried his face in his hands, the lump in his throat coming out in choked sobs, his entire body racking. He was nearing his breaking point now. The sympathy of his friends, the support of the staff, the prayers of everyone around them, his own love and affection, nothing seemed to be working. Suga lay there, exactly like he was four months ago.
He was scared to admit it. He didn't want to. Every cell of his body cried out against it. He'd die before he said it out loud.
But Jungkook was running out of hope.
His sobs quietening a bit, he pressed his palms into his eyes, willing the tears to stop. He felt marginally better, and what if Suga woke up? He didn't want Suga to see him crying and in a mess like this. Suga would tease him to no end. The cloud lifted for a second, only to settle back again. Suga was still sleeping. He wouldn't see anything.
A small voice whispered from somewhere far away. "Crybaby."
A laugh forced itself out of Jungkook. He could practically hear Suga's voice in his head now, teasing him.
The feeble voice continued. "Gimbap would be nice."
Jungkook's head snapped up, eyes widening in disbelief.
Suga blinked slowly, and smiled.
II.
"How did you know what my ring size would be?" Suga snuggled closer, the gold ring on his finger glistening in the morning light.
"I guessed."
Suga punched Jungkook lightly. "You totally did not!"
Jungkook laughed, his own laugh sounding alien to him. It had been six months since Suga had been discharged, but it still seemed so..... Surreal. His arms reflexively wrapped themselves tighter around Suga.
"Kookie?" Suga called him, worried at the little pause.
Jungkook smiled, inhaling Suga's scent deeply. "Yeah, I might have measured it one day while you were peacefully snoring away."
Suga pulled back and looked at him. Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself for another punch, but that punch didn't come. Instead, all he felt was a pair of soft lips on his.