pastel [3]

epilogue

Third Person point of view

Jungkook circled the oversized Christmas tree that was now bedimmed. The lights once shining brightly now being packed away. It had been a long time since he had been able to sincerely enjoy Christmas. He spent it with family and friends. With all of the people that meant something to him. With all of the people he cherished and loved.

Since the night that had torn his whole identity apart, he had learnt to appreciate everyone who was willing to care for him. When the sun had finally risen and they had fallen into eachother with the relief of it all being over, dozens of people swarmed onto the beach in search of him and the two Kim brothers – as most now called them. Everyone that knew about him and his intricate fate tangled with the twins of Venus was there. The person that had surprised him the most was Sooyoung, standing by Namjoon's side with water and blankets ready to support in whatever way she could. He had greeted her with a silent nod, her eyes creasing under her relieved smile before helping to get Taehyung onto a stretcher.

They didn't speak, and after that night he didn't see her much at all. The closure of her compassion a needed end to their chapter. Her love had saved him, the darkness he'd been trapped in too heavy to bear alone. With her he could hold it long enough to see the sun's rise. It was never meant to last, she knew that the moment she stepped into his life. There was a fondness in her eyes as she watched the way Jungkook wrapped Taehyung in his arms, whispering reassurances to the boy who had clearly suffered. There was so much natural care and attention placed into every one of his movements, fingers gently entwining, lips soothing, warmth comforting.

He had found his lost love and he was finally free.

__

Jungkook wandered through the few shops that were still open, starting up conversations with everyone about their celebrations over the holidays and listening with a warm smile that contrasted the icy dew outside. His openness was reflected in the sentimental stories people shared, opening up their deepest feelings to a man who radiated the warmth of pure sunlight.

On his explorations that held an ulterior motive to simply making conversation, he bought a pair of fluffy gloves and a beanie that came with a shape like cat ears. Instead of wearing them, he placed them neatly in a box he had picked up at the convenience store, along with the additional gift he had bought a few days prior. He slipped it into his coat once the final item had been purchased, stopping to sit down on an icy bench outside after brushing away some of the freshly fallen snow. In the quiet he stared up at the slowly rising sun, smiling upon witnessing another day.

"Good morning." Every day he'd repeat the same phrase, a silent beckoning to the embodiment of half his existence. The night brought its own chilling serenity, a time to think and explore his mind and make sense of the experiences he'd lived through. He wasn't afraid of the twilight hours, though he was always grateful for the sun and day.

__

"The all powerful Jungkookie, asleep in the snow? Now that's a sight many would pray to see." The voice tore him awake, head jolting up ftom where his features had completely numbed and eyes had closed over. He'd fallen into one of those annoyingly distracting daydreams that had become a frequent occurrence since unlocking the full breadth of his heritage. They consisted of strange visions casting shadows on future thoughts beyond a human lifetime, taunting him of the destiny that awaited him. They were often filled with promises of things that his mind could not currently fathom, hints of transcending a physical form.

They were both a blessing and a curse, frequently ending with him collapsed on the floor. Or in this case, the snow.

His dazed and fuzzy head shot up to where the voice had come from, looking like he'd just stepped out of an ice bath
with his clothes soaked and his cheeks bright red from the painful cold.