“Jimin!” Jin’s voice broke through the tension in the hospital hallway as he spotted the younger man. Without hesitation, Jin rushed to Jimin, pulling him into a tight, fatherly embrace. The moment Jimin felt Jin’s arms around him, all the walls he had tried to keep up crumbled. He buried his face in Jin’s chest and began to sob uncontrollably.

“Shh, honey, it’s okay,” Jin murmured, his own voice thick with emotion as he stroked Jimin’s hair gently. “Your Jungkookie… that man you love... he’s the most stubborn fucker I know.”

Yoongi and Hoseok exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to give the family some space. With a nod to Namjoon, they quietly stepped away as the raw emotions poured out.

Jimin’s sobs grew louder at Jin’s words, but there was a small, almost reluctant smile hidden in the tears. Jin tightened his grip, knowing Jimin needed to hear every word.

“You know, when Jungkook first fell in love with you, he came home and told Namjoon and me that he was head over heels. Said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. And from that moment on, he was determined. He was ready to do anything to win your heart, Jimin.”

Jin’s voice cracked slightly, but he continued, his tone warm with fond memories. “He even bought that ridiculous Harley Davidson and those tight leather pants because he thought that’s what it would take to impress you. He knew there were others vying for your heart, but he was so damn stubborn, so sure that you were meant to be his. He’d have fought the world for you, and in a way, he did. That stubbornness? It’s what made him go after you with everything he had, even when it seemed impossible.”

Jimin’s breath hitched as he listened, tears still streaming down his face, but now there was a faint, fragile smile breaking through the grief.

“And when he became your Jungkook, he changed… for the better,” Jin continued, his voice growing softer. “He’s still stubborn, I won’t deny that. But that same stubbornness is what’s going to pull him through this. He won’t give up, not now, not ever. He’ll fight, and he’ll survive. For you, Jimin. Because you’re his life, his breath. And you know, this stubborn asshole? He’s determined to be the only man in your heart. He’s not going to leave and let anyone else take that place.”

A watery chuckle escaped Jin, and through his tears, Jimin managed a small, shaky laugh. The sound was fragile but real, a glimmer of hope in the midst of overwhelming fear.

“He’ll be okay, Jimin,” Jin whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Jimin’s head. “He’ll be fine. But it’s okay to cry, honey. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through in these last few hours, the pain and the trauma. You’ve held on so strong, but now, you’re safe. You’re safe, and it’s okay to let it out.”

Jimin’s body shook with loud, wrenching sobs, each one tearing through him as if releasing all the fear and anguish he’d been holding inside. Namjoon, who had been standing quietly beside them, reached out and rubbed Jimin’s back in slow, soothing circles. He didn’t say a word, knowing that sometimes, no words could truly ease the pain.

15 August 2024
To be continued...