The Truest Of Love (Jikook)

Bare Faced

Chapter Summary

It's time for Jimin to take off his mask.

-----

Jungkook hears the skittering footsteps of doctors, nurses, patients, and family members. He hears the conversation of a young girl and her sick dad, of the two ahjummas discussing blind date partners for their sons, of the nurse who's arguing with an aggravated man.

He is sitting in the hospital waiting area with Jimin by his side. Both of them tapping their feet in anticipation.

"When did you say our appointment was?" Jungkook asks Jimin for the third time that morning.

"Ten o'clock. But the head doctor will call us in when he's ready." Jimin answers for the third time that day. And just as Jimin finishes his words, a nurse comes out of the office and calls Jungkook's name. With lightning speed, the pair shoots up from their seat and power walks their way into the office.

"Hello Mr. Jeon." The doctor greets once Jungkook and Jimin have settled down onto their seats. "I don't think you know just how fortunate you are. It's not common to find a donor or receive an eye donation so fast. Some people wait for years and years."

Jungkook cannot help the smile that spreads across his face. "I know that fully well doctor and I'm grateful."

"Alright then, let's get to the point. We'll have to perform a series of test to access the compatibility between you and the eye tissue. If everything goes smoothly, we can schedule a transplant right away. Does that sound good?"

"Yes. Thank you." Jungkook nods his head in eagerness.

The following week passes by in nervous anticipation as Jungkook and Jimin wait for the results from the hospital. The two are out for their weekly walk by the river when Jungkook's phone vibrates.

Quickly handing his phone over to Jimin, Jungkook asks "Is it the hospital?"

"Yea." Jimin accepts the call and returns the phone for Jungkook to take.

"Hello, this is Jeon Jungkook speaking." There is a small pause. "Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you very much." And Jungkook lowers the phone from his ear.

"So? What did they say Kookie?" Jimin asks nervously.

"The test results are good. I can get the surgery babe!!!" Jungkook flings himself at Jimin, both of them laughing in each other's arms.

-----

After cooking up a celebratory dinner, Jimin returns back to his house, his mind racing with too many thoughts. Climbing up the stairs, he heads to Taehyung's room instead of his own.
"Tae, can I come in?" Jimin knocks gently on the wooden door. Getting no response, he slowly turns the knob and peeks in.

Taehyung is laying on his bed reading a manga, earphones plugged in both ears. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Jimin at his doorway. Sitting up on the bed, Taehyung quickly removes his earphones.

"Jiminie...." He has been wanting to apologize to Jimin for his outburst but hasn't gathered up enough courage to do so. Surprised by his twin's sudden room visit, Taehyung asks "What is it? Do you need something?"

"Tae, Jungkook's going to get an eye transplant." Jimin goes straight to the point.

"What...? But they said it'll take years, even decades..."

"Yea. Even the doctor said that Jungkook is lucky."

"That's good...no, that's great! I'm happy for him." Taehyung says, regret mixed in with his relieved tone.

"That's all you're gonna say? You're not going to go back to Jungkook?"

"What. It's not like I can just crawl back to him now that he'll be able to see again. I'm a coward but I'm not that shameless." Taehyung laughs bitterly.

"No, Taehyung. Please. I know you still love him! He still loves you too! Just go back to him... like how it was before. If you stay away, it will only hurt the both of you!" Jimin is coming closer to Taehyung, sitting down besides his twin on the bed.

"That's not possible Jiminie. I've abandoned him all these months, when he needed me most. Jungkook...Jungkook will never take me back." Taehyung shakes his head dejectedly.

"No. It's possible. Jungkook will take you back." Jimin says with unprecedented certainty.

Taehyung looks up at his twin questioningly. Just like how Jimin can read Taehyung like a blank sheet of paper, Taehyung can do the same. The dots start to connect together and Taehyung's eyes widen in shock.

"No....you couldn't have."

-----

Within the familiar hospital room, Jimin is standing besides Jungkook's bed. He runs his hand through the other's brown hair, reassuring the younger with comforting words. Today is the last day Jimin will wear Taehyung's mask. The last day to be the subject of Jungkook's love and affection.

It's almost time for the surgery and as if on cue, the nurses appear. They start wheeling away Jungkook's bed and Jimin follows right beside them, his hand still holding Jungkook's in a firm grip. Looking up, he sees the operation door getting closer and closer.

"You'll be just fine Jungkook." Jimin tears threaten to fall. The nurse gives him a glance to let him know this is as far as he can go. He needs to let go of Jungkook's hand now. But before Jimin can slip his hand away, Jungkook brings it to his lips.

"I love you." Jungkook kisses Jimin's palm before letting it go. "Make sure you're the first person I see after I open my eyes!" Jungkook says before he disappears behind the closing door.

Standing alone in front of the operation door, Jimin finally lets his tears fall. His voice comes out in broken sobs as he drops to his knees, his legs too weak to support his convulsing body. Jimin lifts up his trembling hands to stifle his cries, to no avail.

Unknowing to Jimin, his twin is standing at the end of the hall, watching him cry.

>>>>>

All Jungkook sees is black. He moves his eyes from side to side under his closed lids. Giving it his all, Jungkook slowly forces his heavy lids up. A streak of light enters and Jungkook scrunches his eyes together again from the brightness. Tentatively, he tries again.

Millimeters by millimeters, Jungkook opens his eyes. He makes out a familiar silhouette before his vision comes into focus, revealing the face of no one other than the person he loves most.

"Taehyung."