Bloom in the darkness

Chapter 3

One morning, Jungkook found himself in the hospital garden, the place that had become his sanctuary amidst the sterile walls. The rain had washed away the grime of the city, leaving behind a freshness that seemed to breathe life into every leaf and petal. He sat on the bench, his eyes scanning the vibrant array of colors, searching for some semblance of peace.

"Hello," said a voice, startling Jungkook from his thoughts. He looked up to see Taehyung standing before him, the same man who had visited him by mistake a few days ago. "Oh gosh, you scared me," Jungkook exclaimed, his hand flying to his chest.

Taehyung's cheeks flushed with apology. "I am so sorry," he said, his eyes warm with kindness. Jungkook waved it off with a small smile. "It's fine," he assured, his gaze returning to the garden. "What brings you here?"

Taehyung took a seat beside him, his eyes following Jungkook's to the blooming flowers. "I saw you from my window," he admitted, his voice soft. "I just had to come down and apologize for intruding the other day." Jungkook nodded, the silence between them comfortable, a stark contrast to the chaos that usually filled his days.

"The flowers are beautiful," Taehyung said after a moment, breaking the quiet. Jungkook looked at him, his eyes holding a hint of sadness. "They remind me of the life I had before all this," he murmured. "The games, the laughter, the freedom."

Taehyung leaned closer, his voice low and understanding. "But life doesn't end here, does it?" he asked gently. Jungkook's gaze snapped to his, surprise flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Taehyung gestured to the garden, the flowers nodding in the breeze. "Look around you," he said. "Life goes on, even in a hospital. These flowers bloom despite the concrete, despite the sadness that often fills the air." Jungkook's eyes searched Taehyung's, finding a depth of wisdom that belied his youthful appearance.

"Every flower does have a meaning," Jungkook agreed, his voice a little stronger. "But sometimes, it's not about what they represent, but the joy they bring." He pointed to a patch of daisies, their white petals a stark contrast against the dark soil. "These are one of my favorite. They're simple, but they make me think of summers spent playing in fields."

Taehyung looked at the daisies, a smile playing on his lips. "They represent innocence and purity," he said. Jungkook nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But to me," he continued, "they're the smiles of the kids from the daycare, the way their eyes light up when they discover something new."

"Tell me more," Taehyung urged, his curiosity piqued. Jungkook took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving the garden. "When I was healthy, I used to work there," he began, his voice filled with the warmth of a thousand sunlit days. "Every summer, I'd watch them grow, just like these flowers. They'd come in shy and unsure, but by the end of the season, they'd be running around like they owned the place."

He chuckled, the sound a balm to his soul. "They taught me more than I ever could have taught them," he said, his gaze distant. "They showed me what it's like to live in the moment, to find joy in the smallest things." Taehyung's eyes searched Jungkook's, finding a quiet strength that seemed to radiate from within. "Everything you say is quite loving," he murmured, his voice a gentle caress.

Jungkook looked down at his hands, the IV tubes a stark reminder of his current reality. "I guess that's all we can do, isn't it?" he said, his voice filled with a quiet resignation. "Find joy in the little things, love the people around us, and hope for the best."

Taehyung nodded, his eyes never leaving Jungkook's. "Sounds like a good plan to me," he said. "And I'd be honored to listen to whatever you'd like to share." Jungkook took a deep breath, the words bubbling up from a place deep within him.