SWEETS AND CIGARETTES | TAEKOOK

14.Light on the wound

"Is he okay?", Jungkook's eyes met Jimin- the one who he thought ruined his life. 

"Come in" he called for Jimin going into the room. 

Junghe was lying in bed. The IV drip attached to his tiny hands as the lines went on in a steady rhythm. Jungkook walked closer touching his hands trrying his best not to cry.

"Jungkook" Jimin called him from behind. 

"I am" he didn't turn around "I wanted you to know that I'm sorry. It's okay if you hate me but please hear me out"

Jungkook looked at him. "I never hated you Hyung" 

"I just..." he paused "...I hated myself" he said softer.

Jimin looked at him confused from the response. "What do you mean kook?"

"I- I felt like I wasn't enough" he admitted.

Jimin put his hand on Jk's shoulder- an attempt on consoling him. 

"It's okay now. I think I get it" Jungkook sniffed. 

Jimin was about to say something when he was interrupted. "Wate-" Tae dropped the bottle. 

"Tae-" Jimin called as his silhouette disappeared into the halls.

Jungkook looked at his son once more, brushed the hair from Junghe's forehead, and sighed. "I'll give you both a moment," he said quietly.

Jimin followed Taehyung eventually finding him standing by a window at the far end of the hallway. The morning light cast soft patterns on his face, but his expression was anything but calm.

"Tae," Jimin said softly.

Taehyung turned slowly. "Wow. Park Jimin," he said with a dry smile. "Of all places."

"I didn't know you'd be here," Jimin said truthfully.

Taehyung chuckled under his breath. "Yeah, well. What a small world, huh?"

"Tae, I didn't come to cause trouble. I didn't even know—"

"That Yoongi's ex is my coworker too? I- You really left me for Jungkook's ex-husband," he said, biting his tongue. 

"Tae..." Jimin winced. "Please don't make this worse."

"Worse?" Taehyung snapped. "Jimin, I thought we had something real. I thought—" His voice cracked, and he took a breath. "You could've just said you didn't want me anymore. That you found love."

"I didn't know how to say it," Jimin admitted. "I was confused, and I was scared. I liked you, Tae. I really did but-"

"....It wasn't enough" Taehyung completed his sentence. Bitterness oozing in his tone.

"No, I loved him and I... I didn't know if I was just chasing comfort or love. And when Yoongi said he— I panicked."

Taehyung crossed his arms, leaning against the window. "You just vanished. I kept wondering if I did something wrong. If I said too much. If I said too little."

"I'm sorry," Jimin whispered. "It wasn't your fault. You deserved to know"

There was silence. 

"I know humans make mistakes. So, I don't blame you" Taehyung finally said, eyes still staring out at the parking lot below. "But I'll never forgive you either."

Jimin nodded slowly. "I get that. I really do. And I'll stay out of your way."

Taehyung turned his head just enough to look at him.

"You always said you hated drama," he murmured. "And yet here we are."

Jimin let out a breathy, regretful laugh. "Yeah. Here we are. I ruined both you and him, didn't I?"

Taehyung looked toward the hospital room Jungkook had walked into. "I'll be fine, and I'll make sure he feels the same. And as I said, I don't blame you. You shouldn't either. " He said. Jimin's eyes teared up. 

"He doesn't know, does he?" he asked.

"No," Taehyung replied. "It doesn't matter."

And with that, he walked away — hands in his pockets, holding onto the pieces of his pride.

Inside the room, Jungkook sat beside Junghe, brushing his fingers gently over his son's bandaged hand. The machines beeped softly, like a lullaby.

Light on the wound still burns — but maybe it means it's healing.'  They thought as they looked into each other's eyes exchanging smiles. 

I think Imma update regularly from now on. And thanks y'all for the 1k reads. No matter how small the achievement, it deserves celebration yay! Anyways, take care y'all

-Ash