You're My Light (Jikook/Kookmin)- COMPLETE

9

When Jimin regained consciousness and fully grasped the severity of his situation, his distress was palpable. The blurry world around him only heightened his anxiety and fear. Unable to come to terms with his condition, he broke down completely.

Tears streamed down his face as he cried out in anguish. His sobs echoed through the hospital room, and his voice cracked with desperation. “Harabeoji! Harabeoji, help me!” he screamed, reaching out blindly, his cries filled with pain and confusion.

Harabeoji, devastated by the sight of his grandson’s suffering, rushed to his side. He held Jimin’s hand tightly, his own tears mixing with Jimin’s. “I’m here, Jiminie. I’m here,” Harabeoji said softly, trying to offer comfort despite the overwhelming situation.

Namjoon stood by, feeling helpless but determined to support both Jimin and Harabeoji through this harrowing time. The road to recovery seemed daunting, but they would face it together, one step at a time.

“Harabeoji, I want to see. I can’t live like this...” Jimin cried bitterly, his voice choked with emotion. He rubbed his blurred eyes in a futile attempt to clear his vision, each movement only deepening his despair.

Harabeoji, heartbroken by his grandson’s anguish, grasped Jimin’s hand tightly. He pulled him into a comforting embrace, his rough hands gently rubbing Jimin’s back. “We will try,” Harabeoji said, his voice firm yet soothing. “We’ll find the best treatment for you.”

Although Harabeoji knew the financial burden of Jimin’s eye treatment was beyond his means, he was resolute. His promise was not just words; it was a commitment to exhaust every possibility for Jimin’s recovery. He would move mountains if necessary, driven by his deep love and the hope of giving his grandson a chance at a better life.

“I’m sure you’ll recover. You’re a good boy, and God will protect you,” Harabeoji said, his voice gentle but filled with hope.

Jimin, his emotions overwhelming him, cried harder. “No, God is so cruel to me. First, He took Appa and Eomma from me. Now He’s taken my eyes. Why is God so cruel? Why, Harabeoji? You said I was a good boy, but why is this happening to me?”

Jimin’s tears soaked his grandfather’s shirt as he clung to him, his heart breaking with the weight of his shattered dreams. His mind raced through the wreckage of his plans: his studies, his future, his hopes, and his relationship with Jungkook.

“Why does everything feel so hopeless now?” he sobbed. “What about my future? What about you? What about Jungkook?”

Harabeoji’s heart ached with each word, but he held Jimin tighter, trying to offer solace amidst the storm of despair. “I don’t have all the answers, Jiminie. But I believe in your strength, and I believe we can find a way through this. We’ll face it together, one day at a time. You’re not alone in this.”

He stroked Jimin’s hair, his own tears falling silently. Despite the crushing weight of their circumstances, he remained steadfast in his promise to support and fight for his grandson’s future.

After a week in the hospital, Jimin was finally discharged. The once cheerful and lively young man now bore a sullen expression. His usual smiles and infectious laughter were conspicuously absent.

Namjoon tried his best to lighten the mood, cracking jokes and reminiscing about happier times, but his efforts felt futile. Jimin remained unresponsive, his gaze distant and his words sparse. The vibrant energy that had once defined him was now replaced by a heavy silence.

The change was stark and painful. Conversations that used to flow effortlessly now felt strained, and the weight of Jimin’s struggles hung heavily in the air. Despite their best efforts to offer support and comfort, they found themselves grappling with the silence that had overtaken Jimin, struggling to reach the heart that seemed so far out of reach.

“Jiminie, do you want to eat?” Namjoon asked gently, trying to reach his friend despite the wall of silence that had grown between them. He was working alongside Harabeoji to care for Jimin, knowing that his presence and support were crucial during this challenging time.

Jimin simply shook his head, not responding verbally. His lack of interest in food reflected the deep sadness that had taken hold of him.

Namjoon, determined to help lift Jimin’s spirits, continued with a hopeful tone. “Let’s get out of town for a bit. There’s a food festival happening. They have many of your favorite foods on sale.”

He glanced at Harabeoji, who nodded in agreement. “A change of scenery and some fresh air might do you good,” Namjoon said. He hoped that a new environment and the excitement of the festival might bring a spark of joy back into Jimin’s life.

Namjoon tried to coax Jimin, his tone light and encouraging. “Come on, we’ll have fun there. It might help lift your spirits.”

Jimin’s response was sharp, his frustration evident. “I don’t want to go.”

Namjoon persisted, “Why? We—”

“I said I don’t want to go!” Jimin snapped, his voice filled with anguish. “In this situation, what can I do? Do you want me to pretend I’m having fun when I can’t see anything? There’s no point. Just leave me alone.”

Namjoon stood frozen, stunned by Jimin’s outburst. This was the first time Jimin had ever raised his voice at him. He knew his friend was deeply hurt, lost in depression, but the sudden intensity of Jimin’s frustration left him speechless.

He swallowed his own disappointment, forcing himself to remain calm. “Hyung is just trying to help you,” Namjoon said softly, his voice trembling with emotion. “Hyung and Harabeoji love you, Jiminie.”

Jimin’s face crumpled, and his anger faded into sorrow. “Hyung, you don’t know what I feel,” he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I’ve lost everything.”

The sight of his friend crying broke Namjoon’s heart. He moved closer, placing a gentle hand on Jimin’s shoulder, unsure of what else to say. The pain Jimin was carrying seemed too heavy for words, and Namjoon realized that sometimes, all he could do was be there—silent but present.

"Yes, Jiminie, I don’t know exactly what you’re feeling," Namjoon said gently, his voice filled with understanding. "But you need to tell me. I really want to help you."

Jimin’s lips quivered as he whispered, "Hyung..."

Namjoon smiled softly, sensing Jimin’s guilt for lashing out earlier. "I know, Jiminie. It’s okay."

"I’m sorry, Hyung," Jimin said, his voice small and filled with remorse.

Namjoon gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It’s okay. Hyung understands." He paused before asking, "Do you still want to go to the food festival?"

Jimin shook his head lightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not today, Hyung…"

Namjoon nodded, giving him space. "Whenever you’re ready, Jiminie. I’ll be here."

Namjoon stayed by Jimin’s side all day, talking about everything and anything in hopes of lifting his friend’s spirits. He shared stories about his new job, how Harabeoji was doing, and even a little about his new girlfriend. The more he talked, the more Jimin listened, though he remained quiet.

Despite the silence, Namjoon noticed something—a faint smile tugging at Jimin’s lips every now and then. It wasn’t the bright laughter he missed, but it was something. And that was enough for Namjoon. He didn’t need words or loud expressions. Just seeing Jimin smile, even for a moment, gave him hope that his friend would eventually heal.

They sat there together, and for the first time in a long while, the weight of the sadness between them didn’t feel so heavy.