It was finally over.
Do Byeong-cheol was gone, and Taehyung felt like he could breathe again. He still had trouble sleeping alone, and when he did, it was behind a locked door, though even on those nights, he'd find himself crawling into the bed of one member or another when the memories and nightmares became too strong, but he was getting better.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Tae's body stiffened at the knocking on his door for a moment, before he willed it to relax.
"Who is it?"
"Hello my alien." Jimin sang from the other side of the door, causing Tae to chuckle and further relax. He unlocked his door and swung it open to see Jimin and Jungkook standing before him.
The trio made themselves comfortable on Tae's bed when Taehyung noticed the stack of envelopes in Jimin's hand.
"What is that?"
"Your fan mail."
Tae stiffened a bit, eyes glued to the stack of letters in the olders hand, his own hands tightly fisted to keep them from shaking. It had been over two months, yet he still couldn't find the courage to open the numerous letters Army would send. Jimin slightly leaned forward to gently rub a comforting hand on his back. Jungkook knew his hyung still got a bit nervous when they received fan mail, afraid of what he'd find inside.
Jungkook picked up one of the letters, tearing carefully into the envelope, removing the letter and began to read;
Dear Taehyung,
My name is Lee So-hee, and I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to my family. My grandma, Choi Yuri, has Alzheimer's, and the days she seems to remember me, or other family members, are becoming fewer and fewer, but then she discovered you. My kids were watching one of your V-lives, when grandma pointed to you and said, "Doesn't grandpa look so handsome." She remembered you, or at least, she remembered who she thought you were. She and grandpa Bong-ju were married for 60 years before we lost him. They were so in love, and the day her illness took his memory away was heartbreaking, but when she saw you, she remembered him, and their memories together. Though she mistakes you for grandpa, she remembers him, and that makes us happy. She smiles when you appear on screen, and she cries when you sing. Grandpa loved to sing, and grandma loved to listen to him. Mom and I have fond memories of grandpa dancing with grandma as he serenaded her.
Thank you Kim Taehyung, for giving grandma the man she loves back.
Jimin hugged Taehyung tightly as the boy softly cried at the heartwarming letter Jungkook recited for him. To think, his fear of what the letter might have contained, would've kept him from knowing what it truly held on its page.
"You look like him hyung." Jungkook said with a smile as he handed Taehyung a picture that was tucked away in the envelope with the letter.
Tae wiped at his eyes as he reached out to accept the photo. It was an old black and white photo taken of a young couple, who were clearly happy and in love, as they slow- danced in each other's arms.
"Wow, Tae, you do resemble each other," Jimin said in awe as he studied the picture, "that must be grandma Choi," he said, gesturing to the young woman.
"She's beautiful." Tae commented. He looked from the picture to the boy sitting in front of him, leaning forward to engulf the younger in his arms, pulling him close, "I never would've found the strength to open any of those letters, thank you."
"You're welcome hyung."
▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️
Jungkook stayed with Taehyung that night, at the olders request. They cuddled together in bed that night, Taehyung spooning the younger from behind, holding him tight. He breathed in the boy's comforting scent and sighed in content as he snuggled closer.
"Hyung?" Jungkook said quietly, his softly spoken voice breaking the peaceful silence.
"Yes?"
"How do you look at me?"
Taehyung sat up as Jungkook turned to face him. Tae stared deeply into the younger's bambi eyes, "Like a man in love."
Jungkook leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Taehyung's waist, burying his face in the elders chest, "I love you too."
From that night on, Taehyung was no longer plagued by nightmares, as he no longer slept alone, and though the memories of the letters still lingered, they began to fade from the forefront of his mind, losing their power over him. After all, they were just letters, and he was no longer afraid.
_____THE END_____
