Taehyung learns that his grandma passed away.

~~~

The hotel room was unusually quiet that evening. The members were spread across their rooms, resting after a long day of schedules in Paris. Taehyung sat by the window, gazing at the city lights, his phone in his lap. He had called his grandmother earlier that week, promising to visit her once they returned to Korea. 

When his phone buzzed, Taehyung picked it up with a faint smile, assuming it was a goodnight text from his family. But as he read the message, the world around him seemed to collapse. 

"Taehyung-ah," his father had written. "Your grandma... she passed away this morning." 

The phone slipped from his trembling hands onto the carpeted floor. His chest heaved as an unbearable weight crushed him. 

"No," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. "No, no, no." 

His breathing quickened, and the first sob escaped his throat. It was raw and guttural, breaking the silence of the room. 

---

In the room next door, Jungkook was scrolling through his phone when he heard it.

A heart-wrenching cry that made him freeze.

He shot up and ran to Taehyung’s door, knocking urgently. 

“Hyung? Taehyung-hyung, are you okay?” 

No response.

The cries only grew louder. 

Jungkook pushed the door open and found Taehyung crumpled on the floor by the window, clutching his chest as though trying to hold himself together. 

“Hyung!” Jungkook rushed to his side, dropping to his knees. “What happened? Are you hurt?” 

Taehyung shook his head, his face buried in his hands. “She’s gone,” he choked out between sobs. “Grandma’s gone.” 

Jungkook’s heart sank.

He pulled Taehyung into a tight hug, feeling the elder’s body tremble violently. 

By now, the others had heard the commotion and gathered in the room.

“What happened?” Namjoon asked, his voice filled with concern. 

Jungkook looked up, his own eyes glistening. “His grandma... passed away.” 

The weight of the news settled over the group like a dark cloud. Taehyung’s sobs filled the room, raw and unrestrained. 

Jimin was the first to move closer. He knelt beside Taehyung, his hand gently rubbing his back.

“Tae, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his own voice shaky. 

“She was... she was waiting for me,” Taehyung cried. “I promised her I’d come see her as soon as we got back. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” 

“It’s not your fault,” Jin said softly, sitting on Taehyung’s other side. “You didn’t know, Taehyung-ah. You couldn't have known.” 

Taehyung shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “I should’ve called her more. I should’ve visited her more. I wasted so much time... I should’ve been there.” 

Hoseok crouched in front of him, his voice gentle but firm. “Tae, she knew how much you loved her. You didn’t need to be there for her to feel that.” 

“Hobi's right,” Yoongi added quietly. “She wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for this.” 

Jungkook tightened his grip on Taehyung, his own tears spilling over.

“Hyung, you’ve done so much for her. She knew how much you cared.” 

“I wanted to tell her I love her one last time,” Taehyung whispered, his voice breaking. “I wanted to thank her for everything... but now I can’t.” 

The members sat with him, their hearts breaking at the sight of their usually vibrant Taehyung so utterly devastated. 

Namjoon spoke gently, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. “Tae, the love you shared with her doesn’t disappear just because she’s gone. She carried that love with her. And you’ll always carry hers.” 

Taehyung nodded weakly, but the tears didn’t stop. Jimin wrapped his arms around Taehyung from the other side, holding him close. 

---

The night passed slowly. They stayed by Taehyung’s side, offering quiet words of comfort and simply being there. Jin brought him a glass of water, which Taehyung sipped in between sobs. Yoongi found a blanket and draped it over his shoulders. 

“Hyung,” Taehyung murmured after some time, his voice hoarse. “Do you think she knew? That I loved her?” 

Jin nodded firmly. “She knew, Taehyung. Grandmas always know. And if you feel like there’s something left unsaid, tell her now. She’ll hear you.” 

Taehyung closed his eyes, clutching the blanket tightly. In a trembling voice, he began to speak. 

“Halmeoni... I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I love you so much. Thank you for everything you did for me... for always believing in me, for loving me unconditionally. I’ll never forget you.” 

The room was silent except for the sound of Taehyung’s quiet sobs. 

Jin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “She heard you, Tae. I’m sure of it.” 

---

By morning, Taehyung’s tears had slowed, though his eyes were red and swollen. The members stayed close, their presence a silent promise that he wasn’t alone. 

As they prepared to head to the airport, Namjoon spoke quietly to their manager, arranging for Taehyung to return home earlier than planned. 

When they boarded the plane, Taehyung looked out the window, his thoughts heavy, heart aching from loss, but having his hyungs and Jungkook around made it a little better.

The end!