Snowflakes & Fireweeds

3. Shelter from the Storm

"Are you sure that you don't want to  come back to the city with us," Jimin once again asked.
Tae shook his head.
"I'm good, Chim, really."
"And what if .."
"My heating? I have enough wood, Chim. Food? There's also plenty..."
"Water! What if the pipes freeze?"
"Then I just take some of the snow and melt it. Jimin, I will be alright. I will text you everyday if that calms you down."
Following that Jimin's face lit up. "Yes, you're obliged to!"
Taehyung couldn't help the smile that placed itself on his lips when he saw his best friend beaming. But Tae was Tae, and so the smile quickly disappeared.
Hoseok stepped forward and pulled Taehyung into a tight hug.
"I won't ask you to text me daily as well, but if you need anything, please let me know."
He placed a soft kiss on Taehyung's head.
"I'll come back through the thickest snowstorm for you if I need to. Remember that. So you better stay healthy and don't freeze!"
Taehyung, still engulfed in the hug, pressed a little tighter to Hoseok and nodded.
"Thank you Hoba."
Alghough he felt that he didn't deserve this kindness, he still knew his manners.
"And also thank you for delivering the painting!"
"No problem Tae. I'll tell her to wire you the money as soon as possible."
After Hoseok had stepped back, Jimin literally jumped on Tae, who had no chance but to put his arms around him, so Jimin wouldn't fall down again. He probably wouldn't have either way, as he clinged to Tae like a koala.
"Kim Taehyung, I love you with all my heart. Please stay healthy and warm, eat enough food and cuddle Yeontan when needed. If it gets too cold, please call me. I will come back immediately."
Taehyung was really touched by his words, so he closed his eyes and gave his best friend a little squeeze.  That surprised Jimin, he lost his strengh to hold his legs locked around Tae's waist, and stumbled back to his feet. Hoseok reached out a hand to steady them both and smiled warmly.
"Let's go, Chim. It's already noon and I need to be back at the dance studio by 5."
Jimin nodded and squeezed Tae once again before walking out the door with Hoseok.
Tae and Yeontan stood at the door and watched the car make a turn and leave between the trees, following the path to the street.
The ground was already lightly covered in white, although right now it wasn't snowing. He turned around and closed the door.

Jungkook had slept surprisingly well last night. It was as if his body knew that he was coming close to his destination and decided to relax. When he woke up in the morning he had decided to just continue this relaxing feeling and not rush to the scene of the accident, but rather go there slowly. Thus, he had only left the inn he stayed in at about 10am. The old lady at the counter had tried to talk him out of it, as a heavy snowstorm was approaching, but Jungkook was sure that he would be back in time to be save. On his way he had stopped by a coffee shop to grab some breakfast, and at some spots to take pictures.
It was noon now and, according to his GPS, he had around 5 more miles to go until he would arrive at the place where his father died.
He took in a deep breath. What would the feeling be? Returning there after a year? Seeing the scene once again? But this time all the traces of the accident would be gone, washed away by the rain and snow.
Jungkook didn't know what exactly he was looking for but he was sure that he needed this trip to calm the inner turmoil, to maybe find answers to the questions he still had. Questions like why his father had changed or why he had gone to exactly this place to die. And Jungkook knew that his father had decided to die. That it hadn't been an accident, he wanted this ending of his life, and Jungkook just wanted to know why.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when a car appeared from the opposite direction and passed him on it's way down to the valley. He wondered where it came from as he thought that there was nothing for the next 40 miles or so. Also, he remembered that the police officer that had showed them the scene of the accident one year ago, had said that not many people used that road up on the mountain anymore since a new road had been built about 10 miles to the east. This made the appearance of the car even stranger and he paid a little more attention to his surroundings.
Then, about one mile further up the mountain, he saw it. On the left side, behind some trees was a little house. He passed it rather quickly, and he wouldn't have even noticed it if he hadn't been paying attention, but it was enough for him to conclude that the two men must have come from this house. Maybe they were on the way back from a romantic get-away during the weekend.
Jungkook decided to check the house out on his way back.