The room was dead silent, the kind of quiet that just sits heavy on you, like it’s pressing down on your chest. But then, out of nowhere, Jungkook’s quiet sobbing broke through. He was a mess, holding Grandma’s frail hand like his life depended on it, his fingers shaking like crazy against her cold skin. Tears were streaming down his face, and every now and then, a hiccup would cut through his crying as he blurted out stuff, his voice all choked up and desperate.
“G-Grandma, p-please,” Jungkook stammered, his voice cracking with every word. “D-don’t leave me, p-please. You know, na, I-I can’t live without you. P-please, Grandma.”
Taehyung just stood there, completely frozen, watching Jungkook fall apart right in front of him. His chest felt tight, and his own eyes started tearing up, but he clenched his fists, trying to hold it together. This wasn’t the time to lose it—Jungkook needed him to stay strong.
Seeing Jungkook like that was too much for Taehyung to handle, so he just went over, pulled him into a tight back hug, and held him there. He rested his chin on Jungkook’s shoulder, like he was trying to protect him from all the hurt.
Grandma managed a little smile at the sight of them. Even though she was so tired, she felt a little better knowing her grandson wasn’t going through this alone.
“T-Tae,” Jungkook managed to say, squeezing Grandma’s hand harder. His voice was so soft, barely making it through the sobs. “Y-you tell her... she’ll listen to you.”
Taehyung’s throat went tight, and he could feel the tears threatening to fall. He turned to Grandma, his eyes begging her to understand. She was already looking at him, her tired, kind eyes meeting his.
He mouthed, “Please don’t go.”
Grandma gave him a gentle smile, full of love and acceptance. She knew it was her time.
In a voice barely above a whisper, she called out, “Baby Bunny…”
Jungkook’s sobs softened a bit when he heard that nickname. He looked up at her, his face all red and streaked with tears, just full of heartbreak.
“Baby,” Grandma continued, her voice so weak that they had to strain to hear her. “Everyone has to go, and now… it’s my time.”
Jungkook shook his head frantically, tears spilling over once again. “N-no,” he said, his voice trembling. “Y-you c-can’t go. P-please, grandmaa… d-don’t say that.”
Grandma’s lips quivered as she watched her beloved grandson. She wanted to hold on, but she knew it wasn’t possible. “Listen to me, Bunny,” she said softly, trying to calm him. “First… come and sit beside me.”
Taehyung gently loosened his arms around Jungkook, giving him a small pat on the shoulder. “Go on,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Jungkook hesitated for a second, but then he got up and moved closer. He grabbed a stool, pulled it next to the bed, and sat down, still holding onto Grandma’s fragile hand.
Grandma’s smile grew a little brighter, though her face was still pale. “I know I have to go,” she said, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. “But, Bunny… I need you to promise me something.”
Jungkook’s tear-filled eyes widened slightly. He nodded, signaling for her to continue.
“Promise me,” she said, her gaze locking onto his, “that you’ll not cry. If you cry… I’ll cry too. And you don’t want to see me cry, right?”
Jungkook swallowed, his throat all tight from the lump of emotions. He nodded again, even though the tears kept falling down his face.
“I-I promise,” he whispered, his voice breaking.
Grandma’s fragile voice broke the silence again as she said softly, “I’ll always watch you from above, Bunny. My blessings will always be with you. Just remember… your grandmaa loves you so much.”
Jungkook’s lips shook as he nodded, too choked up to say anything. He squeezed her hand harder, like maybe if he held on tight enough, he could keep her there a little longer.
Grandma glanced at Taehyung, giving him a weak but pointed look, then motioned for him to come over.
Taehyung paused for a second, wiping the tears threatening to spill, before walking up and standing next to Jungkook, just there, solid and calm.
With effort, Grandma lifted Jungkook’s hand and gently placed it into Taehyung’s, her frail fingers resting over both their hands. She smiled softly and said, “I’m leaving my precious grandson in your hands, Taehyung. Please take care of him. Never make him cry, or I’ll come to your dreams and scare you.”
For a brief moment, both Jungkook and Taehyung chuckled through their tears at her playful words.
“I promise you, Grandma,” Taehyung said, his voice firm yet tender. His hand tightened protectively around Jungkook’s. “I’ll never make him cry. I’ll take care of him, always. I’ll be there for him in his ups and downs… in everything.”
Taehyung hesitated, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “But… can’t you—”
Before he could finish, Grandma interrupted him with a small shake of her head. Her voice was gentle but resolute. “Tae, you know I can’t. You have to understand, my boy. It’s not in anyone’s hands. This is God’s decision, and no one can change it.”
Taehyung swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly nodded, though his heart ached deeply.
Just then, the door creaked open, and everyone turned to see the rest of the Kim family entering the room. Jin was at the front, his eyes red and glassy from holding back tears.
“Aunty…” Jin said, his voice barely above a whisper, cracking with emotion.
Grandma’s tired eyes lit up at the sight of him. She gave him a faint but warm smile. “Jinnie… why are you crying, son? Why is everyone crying? I don’t want to see tears. I want to see smiles, please. That’s my last wish.”
Despite their breaking hearts, everyone managed to muster small smiles for her, their tears still glistening.
Grandma looked at Jin, her expression full of trust. “Jinie,” she said softly, “I’m leaving my grandson in your care. Please, take care of him for me.”
Jin just nodded, his throat too tight to say anything. He knew if he tried, the tears he was holding back would just pour out. So, instead, he moved closer and put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, silently telling him he'd make sure to keep Grandma’s wish.
The room was heavy with all the unsaid feelings, with tears quietly falling from everyone as they gathered around Grandma’s bed.
Grandma’s frail voice broke the silence, her words soft yet filled with love. “Jiminie, Yoongi… take care of yourselves,” she whispered, her breathing labored.
Jimin and Yoongi nodded quickly, their emotions barely held in check. Jimin managed a shaky, “We will… and we’ll miss you so much.” Yoongi’s lips trembled, but he stayed quiet, his nod conveying the feelings he couldn’t voice.
Grandma’s tired eyes moved to Namjoon and Jin, her smile faint but full of affection. “Namjoonie, Jinnie… look after yourselves. And take care of everyone too.”
Namjoon bit his lip, nodding as the tears just kept falling. Jin couldn’t bring himself to speak, so he just leaned in closer to Grandma, his face showing all the heartbreak he was feeling.
After a moment, Grandma’s eyes shifted to Taehyung and Jungkook, her face softening when she saw their hands together. With a lot of effort, she placed her hand over theirs, the move small but full of meaning.
“Tiger… Bunny,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, “it’s my time. Take care of each other. And Bunny…” Her breathing grew heavier as she struggled to finish. “Always remember, your Maa loves you.”
The room seemed to still as her words faded, the gravity of the moment pressing on everyone’s chest. But the stillness didn’t last long.
Grandma’s breathing became shallow and irregular, her body visibly weakening. Everyone in the room began to panic, the weight of reality crashing down like a tidal wave.
Jungkook’s heart sank, his voice breaking as he cried, “g-grandmaa… n-no… please, no!” His trembling hands gripped hers tightly, as if begging her to hold on.
Grandma’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles—a final goodbye—and then her eyes closed for the last time.
She was gone.
The air grew impossibly heavy. No one moved, their minds refusing to process what had just happened. It was as though the world had stopped, leaving them frozen in their grief.
Then Jungkook’s anguished scream shattered the silence. “GRANDMAA! NO!” His voice cracked as he turned frantically to Taehyung, sobbing uncontrollably. “T-tae… d-do something! D-doctor! Please, someone, help her!”
The door opened hurriedly as the doctor rushed in, his face grim as he approached the bed. He leaned down, checking her pulse and vital signs.
Everyone watched in silence, their breaths held, praying for a miracle they knew deep down wouldn’t come.
The doctor finally stood up straight, his eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at them. “I’m… I’m sorry.”
Those three words broke the fragile thread holding everyone together.
Jungkook fell apart, his knees buckling as he collapsed onto the floor, his cries echoing through the room. “Grandmaa! No… no…” He clutched at the side of the bed, his entire body shaking with the force of his sobs.
Tears streamed down everyone’s faces, their grief raw and uncontainable.
Taehyung, though, just stood there, frozen, his jaw tight and his eyes red but dry. He wanted to break down, to scream like Jungkook, but he knew he couldn’t. Not right now. He had to hold it together—for Jungkook, for everyone.
Taehyung cupped Jungkook’s tear-streaked face, his own heart breaking at the sight of the younger boy’s devastation. “Kook, don’t cry,” he whispered softly, his voice steady but full of emotion.
Jungkook didn’t respond, his sobs growing louder as he threw himself into Taehyung’s arms. “T-Tae… s-she l-left m-me…” he choked out, his voice cracking with each word.
Taehyung tightened his hold around Jungkook, gently rubbing soothing circles on his back. “I know, Kookie. I know… but I’m here, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”
Jungkook’s tears soaked through Taehyung’s shirt, but he didn’t even care. He just held him, trying to make it feel like his hug could block out some of the pain, whispering soft words of comfort in his ear.
After a bit, Taehyung shifted, slipping one arm under Jungkook’s knees and the other around his shoulders. Without saying anything, he lifted him easily in a bridal carry, pulling him close. Jungkook didn’t fight it, his body completely worn out from the grief, his face buried in Taehyung’s chest.
The room stayed quiet as everyone watched them leave, their own grief kind of fading for a moment, just taking in the unspoken connection between Taehyung and Jungkook. No one said anything—they all knew Taehyung needed to take care of Jungkook his way.
Taehyung carried Jungkook down the hallway, his footsteps barely making a sound on the floor. He found a small room nearby and pushed the door open with his shoulder before stepping in.
The room was dim, with a small couch against the wall and a blanket neatly folded to the side. Taehyung carefully laid Jungkook down on the couch, moving like he might break if he wasn’t gentle enough.
Taehyung was about to step back, thinking Jungkook needed some space to rest, but before he could, Jungkook grabbed onto his shirt with shaky hands, holding on tight.
“D-Don’t leave me…” Jungkook stuttered, his voice cracking with fear.
Taehyung froze, his heart breaking seeing how vulnerable Jungkook was. He leaned in close, gently cupping Jungkook’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice soft but serious.
Taehyung slowly sat down next to Jungkook on the small couch, pulling him into his arms and wrapping him up like he was trying to protect him from everything. Jungkook didn’t pull away, just held on tight, burying his tear-streaked face into Taehyung’s neck.
Neither of them said anything. It felt like words didn’t even matter right then. They just let the silence surround them, finding comfort in the warmth they shared.
Jungkook’s body started to relax, his sobs turning into quiet sniffles. The weight of his grief mixed with Taehyung’s calm presence, and soon he was drifting off, his breathing slowing down. Taehyung’s hand gently moved up and down his back, like a soft rhythm that helped him settle.
Eventually, Jungkook’s breathing evened out, and his grip on Taehyung’s shirt loosened. He’d fallen into a light sleep, his head heavy on Taehyung’s chest.
Taehyung shifted carefully, propping himself up a bit to see Jungkook’s face. His heart twisted when he saw the tear marks on his cheeks, a few stray drops still clinging to his lashes. Taehyung gently wiped them away with his thumb.
Leaning down, Taehyung pressed a soft kiss to Jungkook’s forehead. “Sleep, Bun. I’m here,” he whispered, his voice filled with a quiet determination to protect him.
Taehyung settled back down, pulling Jungkook closer, holding him like he was the most important thing in the world. His own eyes started to get heavy, and before long, he drifted off too, their breaths syncing in the quiet room.
🐯__________🐰
Outside the room, Namjoon, Jin, Jimin, and Yoongi stood quietly, looking through the small glass window in the door. Their eyes were red from crying, and their faces were weighed down with grief.
Jin’s voice trembled as he whispered, “Joonie, why is God so cruel to our Jungkookie? First his parents… and now his Grandma. How much more does he have to suffer?”
Namjoon placed a comforting hand on Jin’s shoulder, his own face etched with sadness. “Jinnie,” he said softly, “we can’t go against God’s decisions. Whether they’re good or bad, we have to accept them because we don’t have any other choice.”
Jin’s tears spilled over as he shook his head. “But it’s so unfair… He’s just a kid. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Namjoon sighed deeply, his voice heavy with emotion. “I know it’s unfair. It’s going to be hard for him, for all of us, but especially for Jungkook. Still, he has us, Jinnie. We’ll be here for him. He’ll get through this… because he has to.”
Jin wiped his tears and looked at the group with a determined expression. “We promised him that we’d be his parents,” he said firmly, his voice cracking slightly but still strong. “And now, we have to prove it.”
Namjoon placed a reassuring hand on Jin’s shoulder and nodded. “We’ll prove it, Jinie. We’ll never let him feel alone. We’ll always be there for him, no matter what.”
Jimin sniffled, stepping closer to his hyungs. “Yes, Appa,” he said softly, but his voice carried a sense of resolve. “We’ll give him everything he deserves. Everything.”
Yoongi, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms and added in his calm yet steady voice, “Yes, Jiminie. From now on, we’re his family. That’s a promise we’ll never break.”
They all turned to glance through the small window into the room, where Taehyung was holding Jungkook close. Jungkook’s tear-streaked face was pressed against Taehyung’s chest, and even while asleep, he held onto him like he was the only thing keeping him together.