Trigger Warning: Death (I'm sorry)

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Actions speak louder than words.

All his life, Jungkook has learnt that people often say things they don't mean, or have any interest to fulfill. Words are just words. Empty promises that are said just for the sake of it.

For Jungkook, his mind only reacts to actions. If words are not backed up by actions, then there really isn't any point of it. If someone says elixir, but instead offers you poison, you would be fucking naive to blindly accept it, just relying and trusting the person's words.

Perhaps that's why, when Taehyung had promised to change and promised to fix his mistakes, Jungkook hadn't dared to hope. Hadn't dared to trust. Because again, words are simply words, empty promises that do not mean a thing, until, those words are backed up by actions.

So you can imagine how Jungkook must be feeling right now, seeing those words being put into actions, small gestures that are really warming his heart, slowly melting away the ice and making his heart bloom like cherry blossoms after a cold winter, indicating a new beginning.

Jungkook is happy. After a long time, he can finally say that he is actually happy. For many this may be a normal thing, to feel happy. For Jungkook though, it's not.

Ever since he was a child, Jungkook had been told how he will never belong. And somewhere in the middle of it all, Jungkook had started to believe it too. He will never belong.

He didn't belong in the group of cheerful orphans who spent their days playing while all Jungkook wanted to do was read. He was a shy kid. A social pariah since childhood.

He didn't belong to the family who adopted him. He wasn't really a Jeon, his bloodline was actually unknown, something he was often reminded of. He didn't belong in the life of luxury and the high-class society. He just simply, didn't belong.

Maybe that's why his naive heart, at the age of 16 had began to hope and dream that maybe one day he might belong. He had found out about fated mates when he was 16, being told by the Jeons about the incredible bond between mates.  The love that was sure to bloom and heal all cracks.

For the first time, Jungkook had held onto hope. For he believed, that even though he would never belong to his adopted family and friend group, he was sure to belong to his fated mate. Wasn't that how mates worked? Belonging to each other, navigating through the maze of life with each other.

Naive sixteen years old Jungkook had woven a dream that day, a dream where he would atleast, finally belong somewhere and not feel like a "nobody". He would finally be needed.

That dream, obviously crashed and burned when he found his fated mate.

Though, now, with Taehyung's actions and consideration, Jungkook was beginning to hope again. He felt like he could belong, finally. It was a tiny hope of Jungkook's, that maybe Taehyung is thinking that too.

And so, Jungkook, was finally feeling a little happy.

Taehyung has began to prove that his words were not mere words and that in itself, made Jungkook feel like he was needed.

You see, Jungkook didn't want to feel wanted. Being wanted is very different from being needed. Being wanted means you can be replaced easily if someone else comes in the picture, but being needed means you do not have to worry at all. Being needed means you are important.  That you belonged somewhere. That you held a place in that person's life. That you had a purpose.

And Taehyung, God only knows how, has managed to make Jungkook feel what he has always been hoping for.

To finally belong.

But as they say, happiness doesn't last long for those who crave it the most.

It was a little after midnight when he had received the call, an emotional Yoongi asking him to come to America, as his daughter, Nari, may not have more than 3 days to live.

It took him by shock. He had honestly believed that the new treatment that Yoongi had personally requested from South Africa, after spending thousands of dollars would have worked. But it didn't.

Nari's body had refused the new treatment, further deteriorating until the doctors gave up, informing Yoongi that they can't do anything else and that Nari may only have a few more days left.

Jungkook's mind worked on autopilot as he started packing, hands shaking as he called the flight centre, requesting for the earliest flight to New York. Unfortunately, all the flights for a week were fully booked, leaving Jungkook feeling helpless.

Perhaps it was Jimin who had informed Taehyung of the same, for his mate had ran into his room, pulling him into a hug without saying anything.

Taehyung had taken over the packing, before informing Jungkook that they would be taking his private jet, and going to pack his own clothes.

Jungkook's mind hadn't really registered that Taehyung was also going with him, until he was seated in the jet.

"You are coming too?", he whispered, voice thick with emotions.

Taehyung gave him a small smile.

"Ofcourse baby. I'm not letting you face this alone. I'll be right by your side if you need me"

That had shut Jungkook up, and the younger had fallen into a torturous silence as his mind wrecked havoc on his heart.

Min Nari. The daughter of Yoongi's sister, now Yoongi's daughter. And Jungkook's beloved niece and god daughter.

When Yoongi had officially adopted Nari, Jungkook was asked to become the godfather. And ofcourse, Jungkook had agreed without any hesitation.

He loved the sweet pup, who was always smiling despite the pain, always hoping for the best.

Before Jungkook got married, he would call Nari everyday, talking to the sweet pup for hours. After his marriage, even though the calls were still there, the happiness had dimmed a little. Sweet pup Nari could just tell by Jungkook's voice that Jungkook was hurting. And Jungkook couldn't bear the idea of little Nari being worried.

So the calls reduced to once a week. Jungkook always held onto hope that the little pup would finally be cured, that she will finally be healthy to live a life longer than his. But alas, hope is just hope.

Jungkook loves Nari like his own daughter. So the news of her declining health hit him hard. For once, Jungkook doesn't know what to do to calm his heart and stop the pain and fear of losing a loved one from consuming him.

The plane landed after 14 hours. Taehyung had already booked a hotel and asked them to provide transport. They didn't go to the hotel directly, but instead went straight to the hospital.

Nari was lying there on the bed, looking so pale and so, so fragile. The doctors had told Yoongi that it was only a matter of time now. Nari didn't have much longer.

Jungkook couldn't help the sob that escaped him, looking at the beautiful angel looking so weak.

"Hey angel", He whispered ever so softly as he took her hand into his, softly placing a kiss on the little girl's forehead.

"K-kooki-e", Nari croaked out, voice not cooperating.

"Shush angel. You don't have to talk okay? Save your energy", Jungkook soothed, releasing his calming pheromones in the air.

Nari smiled, albeit a weak one.

"I mi-ssed y-you", the little girl whispered.

Jungkook choked on a sob, "I missed you too angel"

Nari looked at the door, and Jungkook followed her eyes. Yoongi was standing outside the closed door, tears streaming down his face as he peered from the small glass to watch their interaction.

Nari raised her hand weakly, signaling Yoongi to come in. Yoongi obliged.

As both best friends stood on opposite sides of the bed, Nari smiled one last time.

"T-thank you for l-loving me"

Those words, were the last words the little angel whispered as she closed her eyes and slipped into eternal sleep.

The monitors showed a single line, a single long beep and both the bestfriends, cried loudly, holding onto their little angel as their hearts writhed with undescribable pain.

Outside, Taehyung and Jimin stood silently, hearing their mate's painful cries but they couldn't do anything.

They both knew that Yoongi and Jungkook needed this.

Both the Busan boys needed each other to grieve, for they both lost an angel today. Their little angel.

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I did say Nari only had a few months to live. Sorry!

I dropped a little hint in this chapter in regards to Jungkook's past. How many of you smart cookies figured it out?

And I know (before ekinahmd98_ lectures me) , I said I was on a break but my fingers were itching to write after a torturous day of cooking so... you are welcome!

Also, I love love loove cherry blossoms! They are so pretty!

Have a fun weekend!