Chapter 26

The week after Jin's awakening was filled with endless scans, bloodwork, and daily evaluations. Doctors had assured Namjoon that Jin's memory was intact and his vitals were stable, but because he had been in a coma for nearly four years, he needed to stay under close observation. His muscles had weakened from years of inactivity, so therapy began immediately. Gait training, stretching, balance exercises-everything to help him move again.

During the first week of his recovery, Jin was only allowed to take liquids as his body adjusted after years of being in a coma. It was a slow process, but step by step he was improving. By the second week, he began eating softer foods-soups, porridges, and small portions that helped ease his digestive system back into function. Each meal felt like a small victory, and Namjoon was there for every one of them, watching carefully and encouraging him with quiet words.

For the first two weeks, Namjoon took complete leave from work and never left Jin's side, tending to every little need. But once he resumed his duties, he arranged his schedule to the evening shift, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., so that every morning he could accompany Jin to his physical therapy sessions.

Namjoon was there for every session. He stayed by Jin's side like a shadow, watching closely, worrying over every small wince. When Jin first tried to stand with a walker, his knees trembled and his arms shook. A nurse encouraged him, but Namjoon instinctively rushed forward, holding him at the waist. The moment Jin leaned on him, Namjoon froze as if burned, then pulled away too quickly. Jin swayed dangerously.

"Namjoon!" Jin scolded breathlessly, gripping the walker. "You can't let go like that. What if I fell?"

Namjoon lowered his head, ashamed. "I... I didn't mean to, hyung. I just... I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?" Jin frowned, still steadying himself. "You're helping me. Why would that be uncomfortable?"

Namjoon didn't answer. His jaw tightened, and he stood back with his hands folded stiffly behind him. After that, he avoided touching Jin unless absolutely necessary, always letting the nurses guide him instead.

But Jin noticed.

He noticed how Namjoon would set the food tray carefully on his lap but never bring the spoon near his mouth. He noticed how Namjoon adjusted the IV stand from a distance, his fingers brushing metal but never skin. He noticed how, at night, when Jin asked him to sit close, Namjoon dragged his chair nearer but sat with his hands locked tightly in his lap, as though afraid they might betray him.

It broke Jin's heart.

One evening after a long therapy session, Jin lay against his pillows, too exhausted to move. Namjoon sat across from him on the other bed, pretending to read a medical journal though his eyes hadn't left the same line in ten minutes.

"Namjoon," Jin called softly.

"Yes, hyung?"

"Why do you flinch every time I touch you?"

Namjoon's hands froze. His throat bobbed as he whispered, "Because my touch hurt you before. For years. I don't want you to ever feel that again."

"Namjoon..." Jin's chest ached. "That was the past. You've already paid for it more than you should have. Don't punish yourself every day for something that's already over."

But Namjoon shook his head, tears threatening. "No, hyung. Every scar in your heart-I left them. If I touch you now, I'll only ruin you again. I don't want to touch you."

Silence fell. Jin didn't push him further, only said softly, "Then don't touch. But stay close. That's enough for me."

And Namjoon did-always close, always watchful.

Jin had made this decision seeing Namjoon: if Namjoon wouldn't take care of himself, then he would.

From that day, Jin kept his eyes on Namjoon as much as Namjoon kept his on him. When meals arrived, Jin refused to eat until Namjoon sat beside him with his own plate. Namjoon would protest at first, saying he had already eaten, but Jin was stern.

"Don't lie to me. Sit and eat, or I won't take another bite."

Defeated, Namjoon would finally pick up his chopsticks, and only then would Jin begin his meal.

At night, when Namjoon looked ready to collapse in the chair by his bed, Jin patted the empty mattress. "Lie down. Properly. Don't tell me you're fine. You look like you haven't slept in years."

"Hyung, I-"

"No excuses. Doctor's orders. I'm your doctor now."

Reluctantly, Namjoon lay down on the spare bed in the room. Some nights, when his insomnia crept in, Jin would scold gently, "Close your eyes. You're not keeping watch anymore-I'm awake now. I'll call you if I need you." Slowly, Namjoon began to sleep a little more, though still lightly, as if one sound from Jin would snap him awake.

Every small step in Jin's recovery-lifting his arms higher, walking an extra step, feeding himself without help-Namjoon celebrated quietly, clapping with watery eyes from a safe distance. He never let himself share the warmth of touch, not even a pat on the back.

But Jin saw the truth. He saw the pride hidden in Namjoon's eyes, the way his hands sometimes twitched forward as though aching to hold him, only to retreat at the last second. He saw the guilt Namjoon still carried like chains.

And in those weeks, Jin vowed something silently to himself: once he was strong enough, he would break those chains for him. He wouldn't let Namjoon live in fear of his own hands anymore.

---

After almost six weeks of therapy, the day finally arrived-Jin was being discharged.

His progress had been remarkable. From shaky first steps with a walker to now walking steadily on his own, albeit slowly, Jin had pushed himself with fierce determination. Every stumble, every bead of sweat had been worth it for this moment. The nurses who had grown fond of him gathered to see him off, clapping as Jin took his first steps outside the therapy ward without anyone holding him.

Namjoon walked beside him, hands twitching as though ready to catch him at the first sign of imbalance. He didn't dare touch unless absolutely necessary, but his eyes never left Jin, his body angled protectively around him as if shielding him from invisible dangers.

"Hyung, careful with that step," Namjoon murmured when Jin approached a small dip in the floor.

Jin rolled his eyes but smiled. "Namjoon, I'm not a baby. I can walk on my own now."

Namjoon lowered his gaze, guilt flickering in his expression. "I know... I just don't want anything to happen again."

Jin paused, leaning slightly on the cane the hospital had provided. He reached out and brushed Namjoon's sleeve-not a tight grip, just a touch. Namjoon stiffened immediately, panic flashing across his face. But Jin's voice was firm, steady.

"Stop flinching every time I touch you. This isn't the past anymore. Namjoon I want you beside me, not running away from me."

Namjoon's lips parted, but no words came. His throat tightened, and his eyes stung. Slowly, he nodded, though his hands still remained clenched at his sides.

Outside, the air felt fresher than Jin remembered. Nearly four years had passed since he last breathed freely beyond the hospital walls. The world had moved on, but for him and Namjoon, this was a rebirth.

At the car, Namjoon opened the door carefully, almost nervously, as though every action might break Jin. Jin chuckled softly.

"You're too tense. Relax. I'm not going to crumble if the wind blows."

Namjoon smiled faintly but said nothing, focusing instead on adjusting the seatbelt gently over Jin. His fingers accidentally brushed Jin's hand in the process, and as always, he jerked back instantly. But this time, Jin caught his wrist before he could retreat.

"Namjoon," Jin said firmly, meeting his eyes. "I told you already-you don't need to fear me. I want you here, with me. Always."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Then Namjoon lowered his gaze, tears brimming. "Hyung... I'll stay. Always."

Jin smiled, finally letting go of his wrist. "Good. Now drive me home. I've had enough of hospital food."

Namjoon started the car and drove carefully, his hands steady on the wheel. Jin watching the familiar streets pass by. But soon he realized they weren't taking the usual way home. Instead, Namjoon was turning toward a road that was close to their neighborhood, but not the exact route Jin expected.

For a second, Jin's brows furrowed, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Still, he didn't say anything. He simply leaned back in his seat as he watched.