The One I Loved

Chapter Nineteen

When Namjoon walked down the stairs, he wasn't expecting to see a missing Jungkook standing there. Heck, he didn't expect to see any of Jimin's high school friends. Jimin rarely brought over his friends seeing as they all either disappeared or died. Hoseok being the only one that came over nowadays. His friend group consisted of Namjoon, Jin, Yoongi, Hoseok, Taehyung, and Jungkook. Jackson was more of a classmate. Of course, Jin and Namjoon were his now parents but believe it or not, they were Jimin's parent's good friends before. Hence, Jimin became friends with them. Hoseok was still Hoseok and was alive and well. Taehyung, Taehyun was dead and Jungkook went missing with him. And last but not least, Yoongi. Yoongi was just there. Jimin still doesn't know when they became friends, they just kind of did.

"Where did Jungkook come from? I didn't see in the news where they found him. As of right now, they still believe he's dead." Namjoon stuttered, still utterly confused. "He's still missing technically but physically, he's here," Jimin responded all the while going to Jungkook's side to cling on to him.

Jin stood in the doorway that connected the living room to the dining room with his hands on his hips. "Come eat." Was all he said before turning around to sit at the table.

Jimin sat on his bed, sighing. The soft cushions enveloped him in a warm embrace. He had missed his bed, especially his favorite pillow. He looked around his well-decorated room, nostalgia apparent on his face as he saw himself in old photos from high school. He misses those days. The days where he was laughing with his friends like nothing in the coming months we're going to separate them. Separate most of them for good. Most of the photos were turned to where you couldn't see the picture. Those pictures were the memories that still hurt Jimin to look at. Most of the pictures had him, Taehyung, Hoseok, and Jungkook hugging each other while Jin or Namjoon took his picture. He had one of him and his parents, he was age five at the time they took the picture. They were in a park having a picnic. It was one of the memories of his parents he can remember, as they had died just a couple months later.

It seemed as though everything good in Jimin's life ends a couple months later. His friend group disappeared a couple months after being complete and his parents also died a couple months after he could actually remember things. That's why he didn't really look for new friends. He felt as though he was at fault.

Jimin stood up and went to his drawer. He turned a photo over so he could look at the photo and smiled sadly. It was a picture of him and Taehyung giggling to themselves. No doubt, Taehyung probably said something ridiculous and Jin just happened to snap a photo right after whatever was being said, was said. He turned the photo back over and picked up the next one. It was of him, Taehyung, Hoseok, and Jungkook with cake all over them. It was Taehyungs birthday. But it wasn't just his birthday, it was the day Jungkook had proposed. He looked down at Taehyung's finger and saw the ring pop on his finger. He laughed at the memory. Jungkook couldn't figure out Tae's ring finger size so he bought him a lollipop instead. He had planned to get the actual ring a couple days later but wasn't able to as Tae went missing.

An unwelcomed tear streamed down his face, reliving the fun and amazing memory. He can remember the laughter and tears of joy that day. It wasn't just the Taehyung's best day ever. It was also Jimin's. Him seeing two of his best friends so happy about each other. He remembers smiling and laughing and having the best time that day. He's never felt that happy after that day. He hasn't felt those emotions since and never would. His happiness went along with Taehyung. Probably never to be seen again.

Jimin was pulled out of his thoughts when a certain someone's arms hugged him from behind, pulling him into a warm embrace. Jungkook nuzzled his head in the crook of his neck, giving comfort to the sobbing boy.

Many staggered breaths, sobs, and cries came out at the touch. He missed Taehyung so much. A deep, sharp pain came from within his heart, hurting him. He felt his face become wet with his many tears, as they kept flowing. He had bottled up these feelings for a couple years now. Yes, he had cried at first when Taehyung died, but he had to move forward with life. He had stayed in his room for hours, days, and weeks crying his eyes out. He cried so much, so much so that no tears came out the following days. He would cry every time he would pass the playground just around the corner from his house where he and Tae use to hand out after school. He would cry every time he saw something that resembled Tae. Anything that reminded him of Taehyung made him cry. It was miserable the first few months and then he just became numb to everything. Jimin had just become a corpse walking and doing everyday things.

Jimin felt a wetness on his neck. He turned around and held Jungkook tightly. "W-Why are y-you crying," Jimin asked, still sobbing. "I'm crying because you're crying. What were you looking at?"

Jimin looked down at the picture, then held it up to Jungkook. "Tae's Birthday photo." Jungkook's eyes watered even more. He took the picture from Jimin and looked at it, tracing Taehyung's form with gentle hands. "I miss him," Jungkook said. "I miss him so damn much. It was hell without him the first few months. I couldn't even get around to call everyone and say that I was alive. I didn't even know where they put Tae's body. I didn't even get to go to his funeral. Fuck," A huge sob came from the doe-eyed male's mouth. He didn't even have to finish what he was going to say. Jimin understood him. "I know. It was hell for everyone here. The whole town was grieving his death. It's still a sore spot for everyone and will be until the day they die."

"Come on, let's go lay on the bed." Jungkook nodded in agreement and set the photo back on the drawer, face down.

Jimin snuggled up to Jungkook's side once they were on the bed. Both embracing each other for comfort. They needed this. They really needed this.

Jimin and Jungkook had some small talk here and there but it was mostly silent. Their presence was enough for each other. And at some point, Jimin had dozed off in Jungkook's embrace.

"Sweet dreams, Jimin," Jungkook whispered as he kissed the top of his forehead. "Sweet dreams." 

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Well, that was really angsty. I cried while writing this. The song that I listened to also made me feel the emotions even more. It was called Ain't I Good to You by Drug Restaurant. It's such a good song and the band is underrated. That's all I had to say.