Cold Daughter of Taekook

CDT 24

Taehyung found himself standing in the middle of a vast meadow bathed in a soft, golden light that stretched endlessly in all directions. The sky above was a deep shade of lavender, streaked with hints of rose and amber, casting a dreamlike glow over everything. The air smelled faintly of jasmine, a scent that tugged at memories he thought he had long forgotten.

As he walked slowly through the meadow, his hand brushed against the tall grass swaying in the gentle breeze. It felt familiar, almost comforting, and yet something was missing. His heart ached with the same emptiness he'd carried since the accident, the weight of the world pressing down on him, as if urging him to let go and succumb to this peaceful limbo.

Then, as if summoned by his very thoughts, he saw a figure emerging from the horizon. His breath caught in his throat as Jungkook, his late wife, appeared before him, walking toward him with that same gentle grace that had always been his. Dressed in white, his soft hair framed his face, and his eyes shone with a light that seemed to pierce through the haze surrounding them. Taehyung felt a lump form in his throat, an overwhelming wave of emotion crashing over him.

"Jungkook..." he whispered, his voice raw with both longing and disbelief.

Jungkook smiled, that same smile Taehyung had missed every single day since his passing, and closed the distance between them. He reached out, cupping Taehyung's face with both hands, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt through him. It felt so real, so tangible, that Taehyung's chest tightened with the hope that maybe this was more than a dream.

"You look tired," Jungkook said softly, his voice as soothing as Taehyung remembered. "You've carried too much for too long."

Taehyung's eyes welled up, his hands trembling as he covered Jungkook's with his own. "I've missed you," he choked out, his voice breaking. "I'm so tired, Jungkook. It feels like I've failed them... failed you."

Jungkook's expression softened, and he shook his head gently. "No, Taehyung. You haven't failed anyone. You've done your best for Varisha and Jungsoon. But they still need you."

Taehyung's brows furrowed, his heart conflicted. "But you're here now... maybe it's time for me to come with you."

Jungkook's smile faltered for a moment, and he gently pulled Taehyung into an embrace, holding him as though he could shield him from the world. "I know it's hard," Jungkook whispered into his ear, his voice trembling just slightly. "I want nothing more than to take you with me. But you can't come with me yet, hubby."

Taehyung pulled back, searching Jungkook's eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "Why? Why can't I stay here, with you?"

Jungkook's gaze softened, and he caressed Taehyung's cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped. "Because our daughters will be alone if you do. They need you, Taehyung. Varisha... she needs you, even if she doesn't say it. She's hurting, just like you."

Taehyung lowered his head, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. "She hates me. She won't even call me 'Dad' anymore..."

"She doesn't hate you," Jungkook reassured him. "She's confused. She's scared. But deep down, she still loves you. And she needs you to be there for her and for Jungsoon. They're both struggling without you."

Jungkook took Taehyung's hands, guiding them to his chest, where he could feel the steady, rhythmic pulse of life. "Do you feel that?" Jungkook asked softly. "It's the love you still have for them, and it's that love that will help you wake up."

Taehyung felt the warmth spreading from Jungkook's touch, a warmth that seemed to anchor him back to reality, but he wasn't ready to let go just yet. His grip tightened, fear lacing his voice. "I'm scared, Jungkook. What if I fail them again? What if I can't be the father they need?"

Jungkook's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Taehyung's. "You won't. You are their father, and you've always been stronger than you think. You've given them everything you could, but now it's time to give them your presence, your love. That's all they need."

Taehyung's heart ached, torn between the desire to stay in this peaceful dream with Jungkook and the pull of reality, where his daughters waited for him.

"Please," Jungkook whispered, his voice filled with both love and urgency. "Wake up. If you come with me now, they'll be alone. I don't want to see that, Taehyung. They've already lost one parent... don't make them lose another."

With that final plea, the meadow began to fade. The soft breeze stilled, the warm light dimming as the dream slipped away. Taehyung felt himself being pulled back, but before he was completely gone, Jungkook's voice echoed one last time, filled with gentle encouragement.

"Wake up, Taehyung. They need you."

Back in the hospital, the steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the air. Taehyung's eyelids fluttered, and slowly, he opened his eyes. The world felt heavy, but the moment his vision cleared, he saw Varisha standing at the foot of the bed, her cold demeanor faltering.

For a moment, the two stared at each other in silence. Then, in a soft, almost tentative voice, Varisha whispered, "Dad..."

It was a single word, but it held a world of emotion behind it. Taehyung's lips curled into a faint smile, the first genuine smile he'd had in what felt like ages. He had done it. He had come back for them.

Jungsoon, who had been watching anxiously, let out a sob of relief before rushing to their father's side. She threw her arms around both her sister and Taehyung, pulling them into a tight embrace. "You scared us," she cried, her voice muffled against Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of his daughters' presence. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice weak but filled with love. "I'm here now."
———-
Word Count: 1003
Date written: 09/27/24
Date Published: 09/27/24
Author: Kheliyesh

Sorry for such a short chapter. I am busy with college and on medication which end up making me so drowsy that it's hard for me to focus.