Almost

The 2nd of January 2026

Jungkook shut the book, an overwhelming amount of several emotions flaring up. He had no idea you felt this way, the way he did, from the very start. All those years apart and still both your hearts yearned for the other.

"Thank you." Jungkook politely returns the diary to none other than your grandfather, placing it on the side table in his hospital room. 

Said grandfather, now weak and frail, living only on borrowed time, gently took hold of Jungkooks hands.

"All I've done is cau.. cause trouble for my son and my grand... daughters, especially (Y/n)," a tear rolls down his eye, one Jungkook wipes away with a tissue, barely holding in his own tears "Thank you so much for supporting her and being there for her and her little sister when I couldn't."

A sting burns Jungkooks eyes, tears slowly blurring his vision as a small puff of air leaves him, listening to her grandfather.

"Ever si... since we've met you've been always help... ing us and our family, for tha... that young man I am forever.... in your debt."

Our family....

"It was really no problem, I was happy to help." Jungkook forces a smile, the action finally pushing his tears over, even with a grin frozen in place tears continually roll down his cheeks, little burning droplets creating darker patches on the leg of his black suit.

With a heavy sigh, now the old man grabs a tissue from its box, handing over to Jungkook, a small act of gratitude that could barely encompass how grateful he is towards the younger man.

"I'm sorry..." Jungkooks voice shaky, trying to hold back the tears but his chest only shudders harder, small whimpers of restrained sobs escaping his sealed lips.

"You have noth.... no.. nothing to be sorry about, it's that blast...ed drunk driver who sho..should be sorry. He should've died instead of...," Grandfathers heart rate increasing on the monitor hooked up to him as he thought about it.

Jungkooks worried eyes flash up to the monitor upon hearing the beeps become more rapid and your grandfather takes it upon himself to calm down even if he didn't want too. He didn't want to burden poor Jungkook anymore.

"I should be sorry... if it we.. weren't for me, she would have had a normal life with her parents ..and you..." 

With a shake of his head Jungkook grasped the frail hands of the old man, the both of you had only met because of him after all. 

"...you love... loved her didn't you?"

Jungkook nods, his face sinking into his palms, wetting them with his tears. He loved you, he doesn't know how it happened it just did. He thought you were cute the first day you transferred over, he was ecstatic about getting to sit next to the new cute girl and as he got to know you thats when everyday he found himself looking forward to the next to talk with you a little more than the day before, to see you a little longer each time, to just be around you.

"I cou...could tell. The w...ay you look at her it's exa...exactly how I used to loo... look at her grand... mother and I ca.... can also tell... she rea...lly loved you too," your grandfather is briefly reminded of the past "fro...m the way she looked at... at you,"

How desperately Jungkook wishes he could turn back time, if he'd just almost reached your house earlier on New Years eve. Or even back when you pushed him away, he should have stayed or kept in touch the very least instead of just packing up and leaving.

Perhaps he could have gone out last minute to grab something from the store instead. Perhaps then the both of you would be planning your first date right now. Your sister would be grinning widely, promptly saying 'i told you so'.

He really almost  had it all.

But instead ...

"I'm sor..ry, all I can ..d...do is give ....give you her... di..ary," The old man apologised once again, Jungkook could only shake his head and clutch his palms tighter, barely being able to stop crying for even a second. Jungkook is grateful for it, everything that happened with your life that he missed the chance on asking about was all documented down in writing. 

It was the last thing he had of you, to really get to know you and how you felt. 

"Thank you for giving me this," Jungkook sniffles, wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his suit. 

But the old man shook his head "it's.. not what I ..I wanted to give-" a lone tear escaping his tired eyes, letting them fall shut as he breathes silently while listening to Jungkooks soft whimpers "The thing I want...wanted to.. to give you. I wanted... to ..walk her down... the aisle ..o.. on your wedding ...day."

Jungkooks whimpers fall silent, jaw hanging agape as he could do nothing but allow his tears to fall.

The hospital door slides open, Taehyung entering the room dressed in similar black formal attire. He nods once at your grandfather, his lips twitching into a pained frown upon seeing Jungkook shaking uncontrollably.

His own tears pricking his eyes once more, him barely having the heart to say what he's about to.

"Jungkook, it's almost time for her funeral."

(THE END)

(A/n: thank you for reading <3)