(Warnings: Major Character Death)
(Edited)
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Even when a heart breaks, the world still goes on. Just outside the window, a town awakens with the sunrise. The monotony of life stops for no one except for one man. In a dark room, this man lifts his head. The rising sun cast an orange glow on the blank, white walls of the room. A rustle grabs his attention. A flock of birds takes flight, their wings stretching as they beat in perfect harmony. The current takes them further; before long, they are just small speckles against the large expanse of sky. Incessant, steady beeping brings the man back to reality.
Tears threaten to fall. He violently shakes his head, casting a sad glance to his left before quickly averting his eyes. He sighs before checking the clock on the wall. The door creaks open and light floods the room. A man and woman enter. He closes his eyes, terrified of the reality before him; perhaps, he's more afraid of the world inside his head. He sees death, loss, loneliness. A future without light, without happiness. Where he stands alone, overlooking the destruction of his love and his life. A helpless bystander. Suddenly, the man stands. The chair falls over. He's met with surprise. He ignores them.
"Jungkook?" He rushes out of the room. "Jungkook!'
Jungkook tears through the hospital. Nurses and doctors alike rush around him in a flurry of movement and desperation. No one glances twice at him. Running is normal, seeing Jungkook run by is normal. The hospital has fallen into terrifying normalcy with Jungkook's grief and struggle. He's been here for too long. Once outside, he can breathe again. Someone places a hand on his shoulder.
"Jungkook." The voice is soft, gentle.
"I can't." Two simple words and the other man understands. Two strong arms encompass Jungkook's body. They're not familiar. Jungkook begins to panic. "I can't lose him." The other man says nothing. The two men sit together watching the sky.
Jungkook looks around. He's lost all sense of time and space. The ground is hard and cold, but he doesn't mind; it grounds him, ties him to reality. Two tears escape his eyes, they race down his face catching on his jaw. The man next to him shifts.
"Come, it's cold." Jungkook studies his face. It's not the right one. Jungkook begins to struggle again. "Come," the voice is louder. "He's waiting for you." Jungkook stops, relaxes and begins to stand.
As the two men enter the hospital, Jungkook glances around. The decorations are simple, tasteful. Reds and golds, nature and animals. A large, gold crane stands on the reception desk. Jungkook stops, he found the key.
"Paper, I need paper." He turns to the man next to him. " Paper." He begins to run. And this is where our story begins.
Jungkook sits next to a bed, the beeping is still there. It no longer mocks him, it's comforting; he knows he is still alive, he is still there. A stack of paper sits next to him. Fold after fold, Jungkook toils away. The nurses watch, they whisper with each other; sharing words of sympathy, pity. The story of the devoted husband is passed from person to person. Soon, everyone in the hospital is yearning to catch a single glimpse.
A paper crane sits on the table. Jungkook turns to his left, he doesn't look away this time. He hesitates, he gently cradles the person's hand, his husband's hand.
"Jimin, I made something for you." Jungkook smiles gently through his tears. He proudly holds up the crane, "I hope you're proud of me." There is no answer. He doesn't expect one.
The days pass on and Jungkook continues to fold. His hands bleed and ache but he never stops. His faith is unwavering. The nurses begin to help, they each grab a piece of paper and begin to fold. Other patients come into the room; together, the number begins to grow.
999 cranes and Jungkook has to honor of folding the last one. His aching hands shake, his blood stains the paper. At the last fold, something catches Jungkook's attention. Those same birds take flight, those same wings being in tandem. As they disappear into the horizon, one bird lags behind. The sun caresses the bird's wings, it pauses before flying into the sun never to be seen again.
"Jimin." Jungkook smiles gently, he's finally free. After all his suffering, Jimin has been relieved of the pain and injustice he experienced in life. The cranes will lead him straight back to Jungkook.
The monitor flatlines.
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Inspired by the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, it's a terribly tragic story but lovely nonetheless. I wanted this story to capture Jungkook's devotion to Jimin and his acceptance with Jimin's inevitable death. In the end, Jungkook let him go and that's important. I wish more stories focused on acceptance when dealing and coping with grief.
Thanks for reading!
- Jojo ✌️
