Moving Forward

13. In Jimin's Room: 🥳

Hobi sat beside Jimin as he scrolled through their old pictures in his phone. He was planning to sleep over and it was past midnight, Jimin's birthday. He had ordered a small cake with Jimin's Tiny Tan character on top. He lighted the candle beside it and sang to Jimin the birthday song.

"Happy birthday, Jimin-ie," he said softly, stroking his hair. "I'll post this cake in my IG and read you ARMY's comments later." He designed the photo a bit before uploading it to his timeline.

In the months that passed since they had been coming over, he had noticed subtle changes in Jimin. His color was improving and he was looking healthier, rosier. He also sometimes caught Jimin opening his eyes slightly, with the pupils moving, but he wouldn't respond when he was called.

It's okay, Jimin-ah," Hobi patted his chest gently. "Take your time." He stood up from the bed and arranged his blankets on the couch. He would help out with preparations later in the morning. Mrs Park had invited all their parents over for lunch to celebrate Jimin's birthday. It had been years since they had last caught up. Namjoon said that this was the perfect time to tell their parents what they had decided, and to ask for their blessing.

Except for Jimin's vote, their decision was unanimous. They would reach out to ARMY again and engage. They had something to say and they also wanted to listen. There were no details yet on how, they would decide on that if they got permission. Although they were all adults, their families were the most important part of their lives. Any consequence their actions may have would affect them greatly.

The families started arriving past noon. Mrs Park had set up their tables in their flower garden, which could be seen from Jimin's room. Although autumn was fast approaching, the flowers had remained and were fragrant and uplifting. The boys were all present too, and were seated together.

The afternoon wore on as each family tried to catch up with each other's lives. By 3 PM a light drizzle began falling and the Parks asked everyone to come in the house for tea or coffee. Namjoon took this chance to address them after they had all settled in the living room. He had prepared his speech days beforehand. He had prepared even harder than he did for the UN. For although this audience was not composed of heads of state or global dignitaries, this was the most precious audience for them.

Namjoon stood in the middle of the room and asked for their attention. He spoke to them formally.

"Dear parents, you do not know how happy I am - we are - to see you gathered together again. It's been a long time. As you already know, thanks to Mr and Mrs Park, we have been meeting here regularly since April of this year. The events of 2022 may be far away now but they have affected us deeply and, regardless of how we try to ignore it, we left something of ourselves in 2022 and we cannot move on without tracing our steps back. This is what we have been doing every week since April.

"From our discussions, we arrived at three truths. The first, that we need to formally say goodbye to BTS and as BTS. Even back then, we've always known that BTS will not go on forever, but the abruptness of our disbandment has cut more deeply than it would have, had it taken a more natural course. The second, that we have to apologise to our ARMY who have been loyal to us since our debut and who propelled us to the summit of our success, but whom we cut-off willfully, without regard to how it would affect them. The third, that we have to forgive those who caused this pain, not just to us seven but to all of you who have gone through all the hardships with us. We will not do this to point out fault, but to provide a way for everyone's redemption - including ours.

"To address these three truths, we have to put ourselves out there again as a group, to engage ARMY, HYBE, and all the people who were a part of us as BTS. We're not sure how to do it, but we want to try, if you will give us your blessing. Connecting again will always bring an outcome. It may bring out the closure and healing that we need, it may open new doors, or it may open old wounds that have not healed. We are willing to face all these. We need your permission because, in the end, it is you who will be there to cheer us on if we succeed or pick us up and mend us if we fail."

Namjoon stopped there and waited. The parents looked at each other, seemingly asking if each knew about this before coming. Finally, Jimin's dad spoke and said he believed their family was the most affected by the accident but they had already accepted what happened and they were willing to trust their sons - he had joked often that he suddenly had six more sons, since they were coming home regularly and raiding his kitchen.

Namjoon smiled and looked at his mom, who was looking back at him directly with a threatening glare. He knew his mom though, and that she would eventually give in.

Mr Kim looked at his son, Taehyung, searching for confirmation that he was okay with this. Although it appeared that Taehyung was doing well, he knew that he was deeply traumatised. Either this move would help him or make things worse. Taehyung caught his eye and gave him a boxy smile. His mom wouldn't look at him though, and was reasonably worried.

"Personally, I don't want anything to do with that time again after what happened to Taehyung and Jimin, to all of us," Mrs Kim said. "But this is what you've decided, and you're old enough. We're happy that you asked us first and we will always support you, regardless of the outcome. I will trust you, Namjoon, to lead our boys as you've done in the past. You're all precious sons to us and we care for you more than you will understand. If this will heal you, then you have our family's permission."

With the consent of the two families that were more severely affected by the accident, the other parents sounded off their agreement. Later that night, the six of them gathered around Jimin's bed and told him what happened during the day.

"Jimin, you should have seen your dad." Jin was awed by how resilient the Parks had been. They were devastated ten years ago.

"My parents wish you a happy birthday, Jimin-ie," Hobi added that they left a big cake and that Jimin should wake up to taste it.

"Can I have some?" Jungkook asked. "Jimin-hyung, my parents came too. They came to your room, did you hear them? They wish you well."

"Namjoon, I thought you were speaking at the UN back there," Suga said and they all laughed.

They moved to the couch and left Taehyung sitting on the bed beside Jimin.

"Taehyung-ah, what gift did you bring Jimin?" Namjoon asked.

Taehyung didn't answer but held Jimin's hand in his. He started singing in his signature soulful voice...

At a dusky park
A nameless bird that sings
Where are you
Oh you

(Credits to BTS BEING BTS for the video above)