30 not your fault

Jaemin woke up, his eyes squinting as it slowly adjusts to the light. The walls were white, and so was the ceiling. His surroundings felt too familiar to him.

He was back inside his room.

"Where am I? I.. Renjun?"

Jaemin stammers. His throat felt dry and itchy, the sensation of some kind of lump in his throat that it makes him choke on his words.

Renjun jolted up from his seat, sprinting towards Jaemin's cot to be of service to the boy.

"Nana…"

Renjun sighed heavily. He felt the need to tell the brunet, even when he was aware of how the boy will react.

"We're back inside your room. We had to cancel your therapy because you fainted. They agreed to push the therapy on some other day."

The brunet stared at Renjun in disbelief, sitting up in shock and burying his face on the palms of his hands.

"I.. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for burdening you, Renjun. I-I'm sorry for wasting your time on me. You could have used that time on much more important matters.."

Jaemin utters in shock, the shaking of his voice evident. Renjun broke inside at the sight of his best friend blaming himself, once again. It pains him terribly. He shook his head as he knelt a knee on the bed, pulling Jaemin into an embrace.

"Jaemin, no, don't say that. It's okay. None of this is your fault. And I didn't waste my time on you. I never did. I never regret spending my time on you and I never will. It makes me happy to see you happy. I was able to see that side of you yesterday, and it warms my heart to think I was able to cheer you up even if it wasn't much."

Jaemin was trembling throughout the hug. It made Renjun want to protect the brunet even more. Jaemin doesn't deserve to have any of this, and if he could only take half of the pain and burden Jaemin is carrying on his shoulders, he wouldn't think twice about taking half of it away.

"I'm sorry.."

"Hush, it's okay. Do me a favor and spend the rest of the day resting?"

Renjun whispered into Jaemin's ear, while drawing soothing circles on the brunet's back.

Jaemin sniffed, nodding his head in a hesitant manner as he grabbed Renjun on the wrist, pulling away from the hug to meet Renjun's gaze.

"Please.. don't leave me?"

Renjun softened.

"I won't. I'll be right here for you, Jaemin."

He knew he had to leave once the visiting hours are over. But maybe staying a bit longer would not be so bad.