Jaemin knelt down so he could touch the flowers, a big smile on his face. For a second Jeno freaked out when he couldn’t see the other but then noticed they were below them. He chuckled and got down, hugging the other and giggling.
“Yeah, they are very pretty, aren’t they.”
“Sir, you’re not supposed to touch the flowers.”
Jeno suddenly stood up, turning around to see a security guard in front of him. He smiled apologetically, about to respond when Jaemin stood up, holding a flower. If they weren’t allowed to touch the flowers, surely they weren’t allowed to pick them either.
“It’s so pretty!” His eyes shined, and he held the flower out. “Look!”
The guard glared, clearly about to say something when they noticed a wristband on Jaemin’s arm. They glanced back at Jeno, that same apologetic smile still on his face, before they sighed and smiled at Jaemin.
“It is very lovely, yes.”
“For you! Pretty things belong with pretty people!”
“Ah.” The guard took the flower. “Thank you.”
“We should get going.” Jeno put his hands on Jaemin’s shoulders, gently pulling him back. “Come on now.”
Jeno pulled Jaemin away, the two leaving the building, a nice indoor garden, Jeno dropping some money into a donation box on the way out. They stepped out into the afternoon sun, a bell suddenly catching Jaemin’s attention.
“Ice cream! Let’s have ice cream! Ice cream! ICE CREAM!
Jaemin had started jumping around, his voice getting louder and louder, drawing attention. Jeno smiled, grabbing the others hands, swinging them to the sides.
“Yes, yes, we can have some ice cream. Calm down now okay.”
Jeno kept a hold of one of Jaemin’s hands, going over to the man selling ice cream, getting the boy a treat. The two walked around the nearby park as they ate, finding a bench to rest on. Well, Jeno sat down, Jaemin was petting a dog next to him.
“Who’s a good boy… you are… such a pretty boy…”
Jeno watched the other fondly, smiling up at the owner when his phone buzzed. He checked the time, the smile fading. He leaned over, gently getting Jaemin’s attention.
“Hey, buddy, we gotta go.”
“I know, but we gotta go home now. Say bye to the dog.”
Jaemin took Jeno’s hand, walking back home together. When they got back Jaemin ran ahead, greeting a friend. Jeno on the other hand was stopped, approached by someone familiar he didn’t get along with, not that well anyways.
“Doctor, I do have a PHD like you, remember.”
They glared. “Dr. Lee, I’ve told you many times not to take the patient beyond hospital grounds.”
“And I’m the chief of this ward, he’s my responsibility as well.”
“I figured a change of scenery, even if for a while, would be good for him. Don’t you agree? He’s back unharmed isn’t he.”
“I see, well… he seems a lot more lively now.”
“Do get him back to his room before supper.”
Jaemin had wandered off into the healing garden, back outside, although he wasn’t as happy to see the same old plants as always, the same flowers. He was sat down, picking at some weeds, when Jeno found him.
“What are you doing? You’re gonna get your hands dirty.”
“I’m helping the flowers grow, get rid of the bad stuff so the good can grow.”
“That’s very kind of you. We gotta get back to your room now, come on.”
Jeno helped him up and the two went back inside. When Jaemin walked into his room he noticed the flowers on the desk. He went over and sat down, gently touching the pedals. Jeno had gone into the bathroom to get a rag to clean Jaemin’s hands with but stopped when he noticed the boy. He quietly walked over, seeing the tears on Jaemin’s face, hearing his soft mumbles.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
amandla
