SWEETS AND CIGARETTES | TAEKOOK

13.Closure and Confrontation

Nurse Kim Seokjin had been the first to recognize Jungkook when he rushed in carrying Junghe. The nurse had dropped the clipboard and immediately taking over, his usual playful aura replaced by urgency.

"He is in good hands," Seokjin had assured them earlier, gently placing a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "Dr. Kim is the best with kids. Just breathe, okay?"

Jungkook now sat slumped on a bench, elbows on his knees, face buried in his palms. His whole body trembled, not from the cold, but from the guilt.

"I should've seen it coming," he muttered, voice cracking. "He was acting off these past days. He kept saying he missed his Dadda, and I just..."

"You were trying to protect him," Taehyung said, gently sitting beside him. "But sometimes... trying to protect someone means not letting them carry the weight alone."

Jungkook didn't reply. His breath hitched again. His fingers clutched the hem of his shirt like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

After a moment of silence, Taehyung pulled something out of his jacket pocket.

"Jungkook... I still have this."

The familiar envelope. The one with Yoongi's handwriting. Jungkook stared at it for a second. He had refused it before but now it sat in front of him like a sealed piece of the past that refused to go away.

Jungkook hesitated before reaching out and taking it.

Taehyung stood up, offering a small, warm smile. "I'll get us some water."

Left alone in the quiet corridor, Jungkook stared at the envelope for a long second before finally opening it.

Kook,

I'm sorry.

I know sorry isn't enough for the things I didn't say, for the way I let the silence between us grow into something ugly. I was a coward—not for falling out of love, but for pretending I hadn't. I thought I could stay and make things right, that giving Junghe a family was more important than either of us being happy.

But I see now that wasn't kindness. It was cruelty disguised.

You were always the better one, Jungkook. You were always the one holding everything together when I was the one letting go.

When I met Jimin, I felt things I hadn't in years. And it scared me. But the truth is, it also made me realize how unfair I'd been to you—to Junghe. You didn't deserve to be the second choice in your own home.

You deserved love. Not tolerance.

I hope someday, even if you don't forgive me, you find someone who looks at you and sees how brightly you burn, how much warmth you carry.

Because even after everything... I see it too.

–Yoongi

Jungkook sat still for a long time. His chest was heavy, not with rage but something more bitter. Closure.

"I hated you for never choosing me," he whispered. "But maybe you did, in your own way. And maybe... I'm finally ready to let it all go."

Just then, a soft voice cut through the hallway.

"Mr. Jeon?" A tall man in a white coat approached, holding a clipboard.

Jungkook stood up immediately. "Yes, that's me."

"I'm Dr. Kim Namjoon," the man said with a small, reassuring smile. "Your son is stable now. He had a stress-triggered asthma attack, but we've managed it. He's sleeping, you can see him now."

Tears welled up again in Jungkook's eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"You should thank our nurse too," Namjoon added with a soft chuckle. "Seokjin-hyung didn't leave his side for even a second. "

From behind, Seokjin waved with a bright grin. "Told you he's in good hands. Now go see your baby before I cry too."

"And Tae he called me asking to take good care of Junghe. Tell him I said hi" Namjoon added as he walked away.

As the doctors turned back down the hallway, Jungkook looked down at the letter still trembling in his hands. The ink had smudged slightly where his tears had fallen. He wanted to thank Taehyung properly. He felt indebted to the man.

Then he heard a voice. A familiar one.

"Is he okay?"

Jungkook turned toward the voice.

There, standing in the hallway under the harsh white lights, was Park Jimin

Wow. It's been a year.. Idk why but today I'm in the mood for writing and so here you go. Chapter 13 after soo much of a wait.... Hope yall are happy and well. See ya later alligator. With love,

-Ash