aera: 07
jungkook: 17
jimin: 24
____
"koo, what's that?" aera peeks over jungkook's shoulder, still giggling from the previous laughing session when jungkook, the tickle monster, tackled her down and attacked her ticklish spots.
getting no response from the tickle monster, aera assumes he left and it's just her brother now, means play time might be over. although she stands up behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder and one of his head, trying to climb forward on his lap, to have a look at whatever paper had caught his attention. jungkook hisses in annoyance, shrugging aera off and stands up, gulping down the dryness of mouth along with the saliva. though nothing works for he feels himself being short on breath, as if someone had suddenly got a tight grip around his throat, squeezing the wind pipe with no mercy.
"hyung..." his voice whispers, glancing down at the papers in his hand, going through the words again and again until he can't make out the distincts at all. the lower lip caught in an unconscious tug of his teeth, nibbling so tight without even knowing that it makes the skin bleed for his tongue to catch the taste of ferrous.
"koo, what happened?" aera tugs on the sleeve of his hoodie and he ignores her quietly, shaking his head.
he rubs the tears from his eyes, folding the stapled papers and shoves them in the pocket of his pants, turning around hastily as a pair footsteps become evident from the front door. jungkook wipes his sweaty palms on the fabric of his pants, patting aera's head and smiles at her, "go and pick out a movie. we're gonna watch it later,"
aera smiles at the idea, nodding her head as she happily climbs up the stairs to jungkook's room probably. jungkook turns on his heels, seeing the eldest smiling at him as he enters the room, "hey, kook, you're home early from school today?" jin smiles at the boy, taking off his white coat and hands it to one of the staff lady, picking up a glass of water in his free hand.
"yeah," jungkook nods, "i didn't have any classes after lunch. where's uh, where's jimin hyung?"
"he's in the office, namjoon and yoongi are with him as well. they got a last minute meeting with a party," jin informs, sitting on the couch and nods for the younger to join him too. jungkook gulps uncomfortably, sitting on the edge of the couch and faces jin, eyes looking scared and seeking for relief.
the look doesn't go unnoticed by the elder for he pats the boy's shoulder, asking what's wrong and jungkook feels his throat tightening again. tears return in his eyes, brain going numb at the question for he doesn't know if he should be mad at jin or actually cry for help from him. he's a doctor after all, he'd know better than to hide this kind of stuff, but then again, he did hide all this and pretended like eveything was fine. like nothing was wrong, and like jimin wasn't dying every minute.
"kook, what's wrong, buddy? you good there?" jin voices out again, pulling the boy out of his trance but he still keeps mum, staring at jin even when a tear drops from his left eye. "hey, why are you crying, kid? are you hurting anywhere?" jin frowns in worry, turning his body to completely face the younger.
jungkook shakes his head, leaning forward to hug jin tightly, "hyung..." he whimpers, failing to control his tears and breaks into a sob, lowering his face in jin's shoulder.
the elder never says anything, rubbing jungkook's back to ease him a little and hopes he would calm down to tell him what made him look so distressed. jungkook, on the other hand, refuses to calm down for all his brain can think of is only his brother. jimin's dull face, less active lifestyle, frequent body aches, painful coughs that he always claimed were only because he was tired, was all making sense to jungkook now.
jimin's heart was giving up and no one was doing anything to help him. not even jin, who always said that it's his duty as a doctor, to make sure his patients are fine. jungkook nibbles on his lip, searching for jin's eyes for answers, but his tongue forgot how to frame questions, mind only bustled with hazy doubts and uncertainties.
"what happened, jungkook? calm down and tell me what's wrong," jin soothes the boy, stroking his hair, but jungkook shakes his head, wiping off the tears harshly from his face and pulls away, getting a frown from the elder. "what—"
"why didn't you tell me?" jungkook chokes out, "jimin hyung... he's not well,"
jin freezes in his spot, staring at the younger with sympathetic eyes and shifts closer after a minute of silence, "w-what are you saying, kook? jimin's absolutely fine,"
"no! you're lying! i saw it— those papers! you signed it!" jungkook stands up, pulling out the reports and prescriptions from his pocket, holding it in front of jin, who's stunned by the news as well. jungkook breaks into a sob, falling on his knees before jin, having his free hand planted on the carpet for support, "why... why hyung? why didn't you tell me? my hyung is— is he going to die? what happened to him?" jungkook stares at jin with begging eyes, shifting near the elder's feet and holds his hands, letting go of the papers, "i— i don't trust these, hyung, i swear. you tell me the truth. what happened to my hyung? he look's so tired these days... is he really sick that bad?"
jin stares at the boy, tears blurring his eyes as well, watching jungkook so uneasy and desperate before him. he blinks his eyes slowly, stroking jungkook's hair and decides that it's time, "he's sick," jin nods, taking a deep breath and holds jungkook's hand, hoping that he'd be the one to hold him together when the tragic news comes crashing down at him, "he has a heart condition, where uhm, the heart muscles get damaged due to a number of reasons. in your brother's case, it's because of his stressful life and overhectic schedules," jin explains his best to make jungkook understand the medical thing, getting a scared and confused look from him.
"but why? we're all so— so happy... he always said he's fine. i saw him, he's fine! you're lying... please hyung, don't— don't do this. i'll listen to you and jimin hyung and yoongi hyung— i'll listen to everyone, i promise! please don't say that. i don't wanna lose my hyung," jungkook cries, resting his head on jin's lap, holding his hand tightly, "where's hyung? call him home..."
"hey, relax," jin rubs his own eyes, leaning down to give jungkook a hug, "jimin asked me not to tell you or anyone about this. his condition is severe and he didn't want to spend his last few days worrying you. he wants to see you happy with him an—"
"this is how you think he's making me happy?" jungkook sniffles, "no, i don't know anything— just call him right now. i wanna see him!"
"kook, listen to me, please. just try to relax for now. jimin's okay,"
"no, he's not! you said he's going to die! why are you lying to me?! i'm not a kid anymore! i can see it hyung, he's not fine! he couldn't play with riri the other day, he couldn't attend my soccer match because he wasn't feeling well suddenly! why don't you help him...? y-you're a doctor, help him please..." jungkook begs, years streaming down his face, "please jin hyung, help my brother. i don't want him to die..."
"i'm sorry," jin hushes out, hugging jungkook and rubs his back, "i'm really sorry for this, buddy,"
"why? isn't there any way to— to help hyung? a surgery maybe? i've seen in movies... they put something in the heart and then the patient is fine. can you not do that too?" jungkook whimpers.
"we can. but it's too risky at jimin's stage. we already came to know pretty late, and the doctors handling his case said that installing a pace maker now might not be very helpful. there are chances that he won't make it through the surgery. jimin knows this, we've talked about this and he said that he can't risk his last days with you and aera, with us,"
jungkook stays quiet, hugging jin tighter and closes his eyes, never letting the tears stop. jimin's smiling face and warm hugs, crescent eyes and sweet voice, his scoldings and even his strict glares come alive all together in jungkook's head. like his whole life flashed before his eyes in a mere second, finding his hyung by his side always, all the time, whenever he needed him.
"what should i do...?" jungkook hushes out softly.
"give him what he wants," jin answers, "let jimin have his best days with you. make him happy and let him know how much you love him. that should be more than enough for your jimin hyung,"
jungkook nods slowly, pulling away from the hug and tries to wipe the tears away, but they only keeping returning with every thought about jimin. jin picks up the papers from the couch, not wanting jimin to see it and worry about his siblings any more than he already is, always telling jin to take care of jungkook and aera as they're both too young, especially aera, to face the world alone.
now it makes sense to jungkook as well, why jimin has been wanting jungkook to do his chores himself and be a little responsible, be more attentive towards aera and eat on time and many things like that. since last two weeks jimin made jungkook sit with him in the kitchen while he or any of the elder boys worked, claiming that he should know at least some basic recipies to cook so that in case he's alone, he won't have to feed himself and aera on pizzas and burgers every day.
now it all made sense.
as jungkook's still struggling not to cry, he hears the front door opening again and some laughing voices getting louder as the boys make their way in. jimin, yoongi, namjoon, hoseok and taehyung are home. jungkook stares at jimin, feeling his throat tightening again, then he glances at jin, who gives him an assuring nod stroking his back slowly in an easing manner.
"hey, jungkook," taehyung smiles, sitting with the elder boys and pulls jungkook to sit as well.
"hi..." jungkook is stiff next to taehyung, unable to take off his eyes from his brother, trying to figure out any sign or symptom of the heavy pain that jimin carries with him all the time.
"hey, what's up?" jimin chuckles, "why are you looking at me like that?"
"uh nothing," jungkook shakes his head slowly, lowering his gaze to his lap quietly and gulps down his fears with the aching lump in his throat.
"are you okay? did something happen in school?" yoongi asks.
"no, i'm okay," jungkook takes a deep breath, replaying jin's words in his head how he's supposed to be happy so that his hyung can be happy. so he smiles and stands up, "i... i told ri to look for a nice movie. we're going to have a movie night... and i think you should join?"
"sure," jimin agrees right away, followed by an enthusiastic nod from taehyung, jin and hoseok as well. then namjoon sighs deeply, giving in due to the four pairs of shining eyes staring at him, and so does yoongi.
"okay, cool. i'll get the snacks ready," jungkook stands up, turning to the kitchen instantly when he feels it's unbearable to hide his tears, dropping some on the way to the fridge. his hand clutches on the handle tightly, taking a few deep breaths like jimin always told to do when he was trying to calm him down.
"kook," jimin's voice makes the boy flinch, wiping his eyes from the back of his sleeve before turning around with a smile.
"hm?"
"are you okay?" the elder asks, picking up a bottle of water while jungkook zones out again, staring at his face, "what's going on? why do you keep looking at me?" jimin scrunches up his nose, tapping the younger's chin gently as he chuckles.
"nothing, i just feel weird today," jungkook hushes out, hating that he's so bad at hiding his emotions for the tears brim his eyes again. jimin notices them, frowning at the boy and gulps down the water in his mouth, putting the bottle away before speaking to the brother.
"what happened? are you not feeling well?"
"no uh, my head hurts. that's all,"
"ah poor boy, c'mere," jimin sighs and jungkook steps ahead quickly, going near his hyung. he closes his eyes, sighing softly as jimin's hand feels cold on his forehead and then on his neck, "it's not a fever," jimin concludes, stopping when he finds a line of tear coursing down jungkook's cheek. "is it hurting that bad? i don't think kook cries over a headache," he tries to lighten up the mood but jungkook just hugs him and takes a deep breath.
"i'm not crying," he states, making jimin chuckle.
"yeah? then what was that just now?"
"water. you know, i don't cry. i'm—"
"a man, i know," jimin sighs deeply, ruffling jungkook's hair and smiles, "it's okay to cry, buddy. i've always told you that showing your emotions and knowing how to rightly control them is what makes you strong, be it a man or a woman,"
"yeah, that," jungkook nods, scrunching his nose at the knowledge his hyung shared, "sometimes you just have to listen hyung. saying wise things always is boring,"
"yeah, but you need to know these things, kiddo. i won't always be there to teach you everything," jimin smiles softly, patting jungkook's head and watches his smile fading away, "oh— okay, i'm sorry, i won't talk like that. no more serious stuff. go, take the snacks and whatever you want. me and the hyungs will join in a few minutes after freshening up. tae already went to change,"
"okay," jungkook nods, "oh and, hyung, we should go out for a drive too. aera really wanted to go today, but i told her later,"
"alright," jimin pats his back, "now go,"
•••
"oppa," aera giggles, peeking from the door while jimin's drying his hair after coming out of the shower. the smile from his lips doubles up, letting out a soft, airy chuckle when he notices that aera's actually dressed in a puppy onesie.
she jumps towards him, raising up her arms, hoping he would carry her but he just kneels down instead, holding her by the waist and kisses her cheeks, "we have a cute little pup here, hm?" he smiles and aera nods excitedly.
"i'm a cute uh, puppy and koo will wear his bunny onesie! then we'll be a puppy and a bunny!" she laughs, stepping between jimin's arms and leans onto him, "you should wear your onesie, oppa,"
"aw i'm sorry, i don't have one,"
"no, you have it. it's a dinosaur,"
"it was old, princess. i don't think i'm gonna fit in that now,"
"why? you're not fat,"
"yeah, but— okay fine," he chuckles, "i'll find it later,"
"yes," aera smiles, holding his hand and pulls him towards the door, "let's go now, all oppa's are waiting for you,"
"for me or us?" jimin asks.
"uhm us," she says, looking up at him and tilts her head, "oppa, you don't love me now?" she asks out of nowhere, making jimin frown as he stops walking and crouches down, getting all his attention on the little sister.
"of course, i love you, honey. why would you ask that?" he holds her hands and aera shrugs her shoulders, "what is it? tell me. what made my little princess think that oppa doesn't love her?"
"you don't pick me up now," she mumbles, leaning onto his arm and fiddles with the fabric of his sweatshirt. jimin sighs on hearing that, forcing a smile and wraps his arm around her small body.
"i'm sorry, i'll carry you sometimes. but not always okay? oppa's getting a little tired these days," he lets out, staring at the little girl with glassy eyes, despite the soft smile on his lips, "but don't worry, i'll tell kookie and the other oppas to make sure my riri feels like the princess she is,"
"yes!" aera giggles, pecking jimin's lips and gives him a hug, "will you carry me now? just till the room? you won't be tired, you're my strong oppa,"
jimin nods for her, lifting her off the floor and takes a deep breath, kissing his cheek as she never lets go of the hug. "i wan' be so small always. then oppa can carry me everywhere," aera grins mischievously, getting a chuckle from jimin.
"yeah, but i think it'll be better if riri grows up. just a little bit?" he asks.
"nooo..." she pouts, "why?"
"because," jimin smiles, nuzzling his nose against hers, "riri has to be a big girl and make us proud right? don't you wanna go out and look around the world?"
"uhm like moana?"
"kind of, yeah," he chuckles, entering the theatre room after getting down the stairs, and he feels his breath getting heavier. in the corner of his eyes, he saw jin's worried figure approaching him quickly, taking aera down from jimin's arms. "i'm okay," jimin breathes out softly only for jin to hear, and smiling for the rest of the boys, "hyung, water..."
"here," jungkook's already there, holding a glass of water.
jimin hesitates, holding in his breath that felt like he had just ran a marathon. smiling normally, he takes the glass from his brother, turning around and lets out a deep breath, placing his hand on his chest where his poor heart is apparantly located.
"you can go rest if you want?" jin sneaks in a whisper, rubbing jimin's back, only for the younger to shake his head.
"no... i'm uh, i'm fine, really," he sighs, taking a few deep breaths and nods, "yeah, i'm fine. don't worry,"
"why did you carry her? i told you not to—"
"she thought i started loving her less because i don't carry her anymore," jimin lets out, "that's the last thing i want my aera to think of me before i actually leave,"
"you could've—"
"no, i couldn't. she's just seven, hyung. what am i supposed to tell her? so no, i can't. all i'm gonna do is what makes my kids happy, that's it. i wanna see them off with a smile,"
"jim..."
"don't worry, hyung," jimin assures.
"if jimin and jin hyung are done exchanging secrets then let's start our movie?" taehyung asks.
"sorry," jimin grins, taking the seat next to aera and pulls her on his lap, "let's sit like this hm?"
"no, like this," aera crawls up, making him sit with his legs crossed loosely and sits in between, "yeah, this is better,"
"is it?" jimin laughs, tickling her sides and leans down to kiss her, "my little baby, i'm gonna miss you so much,"
"why?"
"i-it's starting," jungkook interrupts, clearing his throat and passes a bowl of pop corn to his sister and hyung.
•••
two months later
it happened. jungkook's fear was coming true before his eyes as he heard aera crying, hugging yoongi's torso while he's trying to calm her down with hoseok's help. taehyung's shut down, staring at the empty ceiling and his right foot tapping aggressively against the tiled hallway of the hospital. namjoon is beside jungkook, saying something that he can't hear.
namjoon looks worried, and so does yoongi and hoseok for jungkook hasn't shed a single tear ever since they brought jimin here in the hospital. from what everyone saw, he had a severe pain in his chest— in his heart that was giving up on him. jungkook didn't like this. he didn't like that heart if it was just going to give up on his hyung like that. he shakes his head, glancing at his scared sister.
"ri," he calls out softly, kneeling down before her which is enough for aera to cry more, hugging him instantly, "don't cry..." he only manages to get out, lifting his gaze up to yoongi who has tears in his eyes as well, patting the boy's head.
"what happened to jiminie oppa?" aera asks between her sobs.
"he's just tired, aera. he'll get some sleep and jinnie will give him medicine, then he'll be fine,"
"kook," hoseok kneels down beside jungkook, patting the boy's head, "don't lose hope, jimin is very strong and he loves you both very much. he won't leave his babies like that,"
jungkook nods hesitantly, realising that these people still don't know the truth. he stands up slowly, patting aera's back, "i have to use the restroom..." he hushes out, "please don't follow me, hyung,"
the elders nod with a heavy heart, but taehyung stands up, rubbing the tears off his eyes and jogs up behind jungkook, "kook—"
"don't folow me, hyung. i'm okay," he says, "go back,"
"where are you going?"
"restroom," jungkook answers, entering the gents' room then locks himself inside the very first cubicle that his eyes find.
"i'm right outside, okay? don't worry about anything," taehyung lets the boy know, "i promised jimin that i won't leave you alone..."
"what?" jungkook whispers, staring at the door in front of him, "you knew...?"
"yes, jimin told me a few days back. then jin hyung said that you know it as well. i'm sorry,"
"yeah, right..." jungkook nods slowly, staring at his feet, "i love my jimin hyung a lot. i don't wanna lose him... what do i do...? riri's crying so much, i don't even know how to— ...what do i do?" he opens the door and taehyung steps forward, smiling softly through glassy eyes as he opens his arms.
"c'mere, buddy," he hushes out.
•••
"see? we told you jiminie will be fine," hoseok smiles at aera, holding her in his lap as she nods slowly and opens her mouth again for yoongi to feed her another spoonful of yoghurt.
"did jin hyung return?" namjoon asks, coming back from the reception where he had went to sign a few documents.
"no, but he should be here soon," hoseok says.
"and where are tae and kook?"
"i have no idea. taehyung said they're going to get some fresh air,"
hurried footsteps echo in the hallway, followed by a firm voice that belongs to jin, "where's taehyung?" he asks, anger clearly bubbling up inside him.
"he's out—"
"what happened? why are you mad?" yoongi asks, "jimin's fine, we should be happy,"
"tell me where the fuck is kim taehyung?!" jin raises his voice, not even minding that he's in the hospital where he's the doctor himself.
"hyung, what happened? please don't be like taht, you're scaring aera," hoseok says, hugging the child, "she's already cried enough for today,"
"dr. kim," another doctor approaches jin, "the surgery went well. your brother, taehyung, i mean, is in the waiting room. i think you should see him. he really needs someone,"
jin nods, while the other doctor takes his leave after letting the boys know that they can go in and see jimin. jin heads to the room taehyung is in, anger, frustration, guilt and most of all fear blurring his vision. taehyung looks up as soon as he enters the room, meeting his crying eyes.
"hyung..." taehyung breathes out, standing up to reach out towards jin, but is stopped by a tight slap across his face by the elder.
"how dare you?!" jin yells, grabbing taehyung by the collar of his shirt and slaps him again, "what were you thinking?! are you fucking out of your mind?! what are you gonna tell jimin when he's up?! that you just let jungkook... let that boy go like this?" he trails off, "huh? taehyung, i have no idea what you were thinking and what made you agree on this... jimin wanted jungkook and aera to have a good life. he was holding on with all that pain all for his jungkook and aera..."
"i'm sorry..." taehyung cries, "i— i told him this isn't a good idea. but he didn't listen. he talked the doctor in, he was crying a lot hyung. i don't know why, i— i just... i didn't want to lose my best friend either..."
"so you were okay with losing kook?" jin asks almost like a whisper in anger, "who the fuck are you to decide who should live or not?! the boy was barely seventeen, how can you—" he takes a deep breath, massaging his temples, "jungkook was a kid, taehyung. of course he would tell us to give jimin his heart for the transplant. but that doesn't mean we do it for fuck's sake! if i were in jimin's place and you jungkook's, i know you'd want to do the same. but do you think i would ever be able to live normally after that? knowing that my younger brother gave his life for me? do you think jimin will be able to live that? what will you tell him? and you didn't feel like you should discuss it with the hyungs?"
taehyung falls back on the couch, burying his face in his hands groaning as he cries his heart out, muttering sorries, "i'm more scared now..." jin says, "i wasn't in favour of jimin's idea but he was good at convincing me. and yes he had a point, there were thin chances of the surgery being successful. all of our lives, especially aera and jungkook's lives would be affected. all he wished in the last few months, tae, was for jungkook and aera to live well even without him. he knew that he won't wake up if he loses consciousness now...
"how are we going to confront him when he actually wakes up and doesn't find his brother? the brother he was so worried for, the brother for whom he had made me promise several times to not be mad at if he's a bit stubborn sometimes. can you even imagine how he's gonna react when he comes to know that jungkook isn't with us anymore...? when he comes to know his younger brother, who wasn't even an adult, was his donor... do you think he'll be able to handle such a big news? he just went a heart surgery, taehyung. you fucked up eveything,"
"i'm sorry..." taehyung looks up with bloodshot eyes, staring up at his hyung, "hyung, please help me. i hate myself for this, i swear i don't know what was wrong with me. i just— i told jungkook several times not to do this, i swear! he didn't listen to me and kept saying that jimin has to live for aera..."
jin shakes his head, closing his eyes as he remembers the last words jungkook had told him, "i wish i knew some magic, i can't see my hyung in pain," tears flow from his eyes as taehyung cries as well, holding his hand and begging out his mutterings for forgiveness.
"where... where's—"
taehyung stands up, hugging jin tightly and points on the door at the side of the room. jin follows quietly, opening the metal door and meets the cold temperature of the moderately bright room. there's just one bed right now, making his breath hitch as taehyung hugs him from the side, lowering his head in his shoulder.
jin sighs softly, removing the white sheet from the top, gasping silently, choking on a sob as jungkook's calmly sleping face is shown. with trembling hands, jin cups the boy's cheek, closing his eyes as he leans down, resting his forehead against jungkook's, "my boy... i'm so sorry," he cries out, caressing his face, "so sorry, kook, hyung wasn't there when you needed him,"
•••
"where's jungkook?" hoseok asks in a low voice as aera's sleeping beside him, eyes fixed on taehyung, "aera's been asking about him. we had such a hard time putting her to sleep,"
jin glances at taehyung, who looks down, taking a deep breath, "jungkook... uh he, he was jimin's donor... for the transplant,"
"what?" the boys frown.
"no, what are you talking about?" yoongi takes a step forward, "nobody knew about this. he's just a kid, he can't be—"
"he was the donor," taehyung confirms, "i'm sorry. i tried to stop him but he didn't listen,"
"no..." hoseok releases a breath, shaking his head as he turns to jin, "no, hyung, no! he's just a kid! how can he— no, i— i—"
"it's true," jin hushes out, tears dropping from his eyes as he hugs hoseok tightly, "he's no more... our kook..."
namjoon glances at yoongi, who's already staring at aera's sleeping, "who signed the consent?" yoongi growls, glaring at taehyung, "who the fuck decided that it was okay to let kook be the donor?!"
taehyung keeps his head low and namjoon frowns, "tae, what is this? who signed the consent? jin hyung was busy with another operation, yoongi hyung was here with us, me and hobi were here all the time. then who? you were with jungkook right?"
taehyung nibbles on his lip, nodding slowly. yoongi grabs him by his shirt, forcing to face him, "speak, kim taehyung. who signed the consent for jungkook to be the donor?!"
"i did..." taehyung lets out, "i'm sorry, hyung. i'm really sorry, but he wasn't listening to me..."
"so you did this?" namjoon asks, massaging his temples, "are you out of your mind?! what are you gonna tell jimin?! you do know jungkook isn't going to come back right?! taehyung, he... god..." he shakes his head, letting out the tears from his eyes.
"you didn't even think of asking us? for once, you didn't feel like maybe you should let us know, discuss it with us?" yoongi breathes out, rubbing his eyes, "god... jungkook... that kid, he... jin hyung,"
they all fall silent to aera's voice breaking into a tiny whimper, probably because they were being too loud. yoongi approaches the girl quickly, bringing her on his lap and hugs, "shh... appa's here," he says softly, patting her side.
"i wan' go to oppa..." aera whimpers.
"oppa's resting, baby," yoongi clears his throat, "we're here, okay? close your eyes. i'll let you know when oppa's ready to meet us,"
"where's koo?" aera pouts, "koo give me huggy..."
the boys stare at her with helpless eyes, not knowing what to tell her just yet. yoongi brings her close, hugging her like jungkook would have and kisses the side of her head, "appa will give you a huggy for now... just close your eyes sleep. you were tired right?"
aera nods slowly, peeking around to look at each face around her, not finding jungkook but she says nothing as a yawns stretches her lips and eyelids fall heavier gradually. resting her head against yoongi's chest, aera falls asleep before the elders fell apart or were forced to tell her the truth.
•••
next day
"where is kookie?!" aera cries, stomping on the floor as she rubs her eyes, refusing to do anything until the boys let her meet jungkook. "koo... i miss koo. call him, please appa," she cries, tugging on yoongi's jacket.
he nods slowly, carrying her up in his arms, letting her hug him and cry on his shoulder instead, "koo's with the angels, aera," he whispers softly, patting her back as he walks towards the window, "koo did a very brave thing, y'know?"
aera sniffs softly, frowning at yoongi's words as she pulls away and looks at his face, "what?"
"he gave his heart to jiminie oppa," yoongi speaks with pain of the heavy lump at the back of his throat, "jungkook gave jiminie oppa his heart so that jiminie can be here with us. you wanted jiminie to be fine and hug him right?"
aera nods slowly and yoongi wipes her tears, "jungkook wanted that too. he wanted jiminie to be happy and stay with us, so he gave him his heart. isn't kookie really brave?"
"yeah," aera nods, "koo's my brother. he's so brave and strong. my both oppas are strong,"
"they are," the elder nods, hugging aera gently, "so now, kookie's with the angels where your mamma and daddy are. he's gonna watch us from above and be happy when he sees that riri's happy,"
"with the angels?" the girl frowns, "but- but, appa that means he's dead..? i don't wan' koo to die... no, tell him to come back. angels are no' good. riri and all oppa love him so much,"
"he already went with the angels, sweetheart. we can't call him back now,"
"nooooo! tell him, go to angels later. riri wan' koo here... appa, please?" aera pouts, staring at yoongi with hopeful eyes.
"aera," namjoon approaches them, seeing yoongi having a hard time convincing the little girl, "kookie's always gonna be with us. do you know how?"
aera shakes her head and namjoon smiles a little, holding her hand, "he gave his heart to jiminie. so you can always hug jimin when you miss jungkook. you had two brothers before, and you still do, just in one body now,"
"jiminie oppa has koo's heart?" aera asks, getting nods from the boys, "so he's koo?"
"no, just that he has jungkook's heart. so don't think that jungkook left you. he would never leave you, you know that right?"
"yeah, he said i'm little kookie," aera says, "let's go to jiminie oppa. i wan' huggy. i miss my both oppa,"
"i know," yoongi sighs, walking to jimin's room where jin and jimin's doctor are present for he gained consciousness in the morning and now he was much more in his senses. taehyung and hoseok join them too when the other doctor leaves and jin inclines the bed until jimin's sitting halfway.
"are you okay?" he asks and jimin looks at him, nodding his head with a subtle smile.
"what happened?" he asks in an airy voice and clears his throat, turning to aera, "ri..."
"oppa," aera pouts, rubbing her eyes as yoongi leaves her on the bed watching her crawl next to jimin.
"careful, kiddo," jin says, "he's got stitches on his chest,"
"no huggy?" aera asks.
"of course, come this side," jimin smiles at her.
"no, jimin. not right now. she might accidentally hurt you,"
"i'm careful, jinnie oppa," the girl says, sitting a bit away from jimin and looks at him, "i'll give you a huggy later,"
"alright," jimin smiles at her, looking at the boys' teary eyes and scared expression, "guys i'm okay. you can relax now,"
taehyung releases a breath, dropping a tear from his eyes as he steps forward, holding jimin's hand and leans down to hug him, still being careful with eveything. jimin pats his back and smiles, "i'm sorry, tae. i know all of this must've been too much for you guys," he says before pulling away slowly and sighs deeply, "anyway, where's kook? he must be scared. where is he?"
the boys exchange glances unable to hide their tears as jimin keeps glancing at the door, looking for jungkook to walk in and give him a hug, probably cry in his arms, complain about how jimin scared him to death today. however nobody walks in and the elders find it hard to lie to jimin. still jin clears his throat, going to lie for jimin's sake, for he wasn't supposed to take any kind of stress right now.
"he... he fell asleep. he was too tired," the eldest says, getting glances from the rest of the boys and a confused frown from the little girl. "hobi, take aera out. she must be hungry. get her something to eat," he says quickly before aera said anything in front of jimin.
"y-yeah," hoseok nods, holding the girl's hand as he helps her down from the bed, "let's go,"
"koo is sleeping? i want to see him," she says, "appa said he gave his heart to jiminie oppa and went with the angels...?"
"what?" jimin frowns, feeling his breath getting stuck in his throat and aera turns to look at him, nodding her head.
"appa said that to me,"
"no..." jimin breathes out, turning to the elders, "no, hyung... what is she saying? tell me where is jungkook? he's okay right? he— he must be—"
"i'm sorry," taehyung breaks into a sob, falling on his knees as he grabs his hair in frustration, "i'm sorry... i couldn't stop him. he wanted you to be fine and the doctor said only a transplant can save you... so kook..."
"no... no no no, no! just— why?!" jimin cries, removing the sheets from him and gets off the bed, stumbling weakly.
"jimin! stay on the bed, you nee—"
"no, stop it for fuck's sake! i told you i'm okay with this! i spent four months not knowing when i might die and leave kook and aera forever! do you understand that?! every fucking minute felt like hell, seeing them coming back to me whe they needed help, i died a hundred times everyday thinking how they'll manage after me... all i asked you was to make sure my kids live well... you couldn't do that... you promised me right?" jimin wipes his tears, reaching over to taehyung and kneels down in front of him, "tell me, you promised me didn't you? you said you won't leave jungkook alone, you'll hold him like i did... then— then why? was my boy being too much? you couldn't look after him for one day, taehyung?"
then he turns to jin, shaking his head as tears keep glowing from him eyes, "you said you'll take care of him after me, hyung... what happened to that? i was gone for a few hours and you all just forgot your promises? you gave up on kook just like that...? i— i can't believe this..." he breaks into a sob, leaning back against the leg of the bed.
"jimin, i'm sorry i really—" taehyung tries, only to be pushed away by jimin, getting a frown from him.
"don't you dare, kim taehyung... don't you dare," jimin growls, glaring at him through red eyes, past the tears. he stands up slowly, touching his chest where it hurts and shakes his head, "ri," he takes a deep breath, holding his hand out for her which she quickly takes and comes near him, hugging his torso.
"don't cry, oppa. we still have koo with us," she says, recalling namjoon's words as she stared at jimin, "you have koo's heart. so you'll always have koo with you, and you won't be worried when he does something silly,"
jimin strokes her head, crying silent tears on hearing the words leaving aera's mouth. he sits on the bed, hugging her tightly, crying on her shoulder as he refuses to even be touched by the boys he called his friends and family. taehyung watches him with guilty eyes, fishing out a paper from his pocket slowly and rubs his eyes.
"kook wanted me to give this to you..." he says, placing it on the space beside jimin, who picks it up quickly, although he's unable to read the words due to his blurry vision. so aera takes it from him.
"to jiminie hyungie," she reads out, "i hope you're doing okay. you must be up since you're reading this. please don't be mad at anyone, i wanted to do this. i'm not a kid anymore. yeah maybe for you, but in reality, i'm a man hyung. smile please, and take care of yourself this time, i won't be there to give you my heart again. anyway, tell riri that her koo really loves her. tell her that i'm not going too far, i'll be with you and her in the heart that is now yours, hyung. you have to live for riri, she's too young to live without you. take care of my heart, riri, and yourself. love you hyungie. with love, kook,"
jimin cries louder, groaning with pain, frustration and guilt, as aera stays quiet, staring at the letter in her hand and tears blur her eyes too for some reason. she looks at jimin, knowing nothing other than hugging him tightly.
"jimin..." jin places his hand on his shoulder.
"go away," jimin mutters, breathing heavily with all the crying, "get away! leave me alone!"
"please jimin, you need to—"
"do you not hear me? just fucking leave me alone!"
the elder sighs softly, nodding his head and steps back, "please calm down. i know it's hard for you, but you just went through a major surgery, jimin. jungkook gave up his life for you... you have to calm down. jungkook's heart is with you and you have to let it keep you alive,"
"leave..." jimin breathes out.
"c'mon, aera," hoseok says softly, holding aera's hand.
"not her. i'm done seeing how you fulfil your promises," he says, sweeping his hair back and brings aera near him, keeping his one arm secure around her, "now that i'm alive, i can take care of her. you can go,"
"jimin, what are you..."
"yeah, you heard me,"
"guys, let's go," jin nods for the boys to get out outside, walking out first, followed by the rest. "it's okay, give him some time. we did hurt him... we did break our promise and he lost his brother forever. he has every right to be mad,"
•••
"kook," jimin gulps thickly, rubbing his eyes to see more clearly as he leans down near the bed his brother's lifeless body lays in. cupping his face, jimin cries, "why did you do this... idiot. did you really think hyung will enjoy living here without you? i wouldn't have let this happen, buddy... i'm sorry," he closes his eyes, lips trembling against jungkook's cold forehead, "my child... i'm so sorry..."
jimin strokes his hair once, sitting there in silence for a while until he can feel the heartbeat against his own chest, sighing softly, "yeah, right, this will keep reminding me of you," he says like a whisper, caressing gently over the fabric on his chest, "hyung loves you always,"
__________
a/n- ahh finally. it was so long! and the fact that i couldn't write it in one go because it was emotional yk 😩😩 anyway do let me know in the comments if you liked the chapter or not. don't forget to vote the chapter and share it with your friends. take care, see you soon! ❣️