Strings of Fate

Chapter 23

Color Code:

-Bright Red= love for a significant other (it shines when they officially get together in some way whether it be dating or marriage)

-Dark Red= love between children and parents

-Pink= love shared by siblings

-Blue= Friendship (pinkies=superficial; wrist=meaningful; heart's= deepest level of friendship)

-Dark Blue= Platonic soulmate

-Purple= distaste (side=slight; shoulder=avoid as much as possible; heart=hate)

-Yellow= Respect that is earned for going above and beyond what one expected from you

-White= unknown

-Green= unknown (but is related to intelligence in some way)

-Orange= unknown

-Gray= a relationship that is broken beyond repair

-Black= dying

-Black Bow= The person who would have been on the other end is dead

-Salmon: love between relatives (grandparents and grandchildren or aunt/uncles to nieces/nephews)

Texture Code:

-Hot: extreme anger

-Cold: Sadness

Taehyung left around eleven PM, Jimin's mother dropping him off since she didn't want to risk the younger running into trouble while out even if it was only a ten-minute walk to his house. While waiting for his mom to return, Jimin went to check up on Jihyun and see what his younger brother was up to. He knocked on the younger's door before opening it. He saw Jihyun hunched over his computer with his headset on. Jihyun was staring intently at the screen and smashing the keyboard with vigor. Jimin padded towards the younger and came to stand behind him while placing his chin on the younger's shoulder. Jihyun glanced at him and smiled before continuing to focus on his game. Jimin recognized the game to be Overwatch. He'd never really understood how the game worked, but Jihyun was obsessed with it, and it was kind of fun to watch him play.

A couple of minutes passed and then the words Victory flashed on the screen as Jihyun let out a happy squeal and fist bumped the air. Jimin chuckled quietly at the joy that spread over Jihyun's face. Jihyun then took off his headset and set it aside as he spun his chair around, forcing Jimin to move back a little. Jihyun smiled up at his brother and asked if the elder needed anything.

"Not really, was just going to ask if you wanted to invite anyone over for my birthday party. I'll let you invite two friends," Jimin said, emphasizing the word because he knew his brother had a ton of friends.

"Hmm... two... Ok, then I'll invite Suho and Kito," Jihyun decided quickly. Jimin wasn't surprised by the choice, Suho was Jihyun's platonic soulmate after all. The two shared a vibrant dark blue string which had been there since the two met about three years ago. Suho was like a second brother to Jihyun and would go to great lengths to make sure Jihyun was well and happy. Jimin liked Suho for this reason, Suho was the perfect best friend for Jihyun just as Taehyung was for him. As for Kito, Jihyun didn't share a string with him, however, Kito did share a blue one with Suho. For this reason, it made sense that Jihyun and Kito had become close.

"Alright, can you let me know by tomorrow if they'll be coming or not?" Jimin asked.

"Sure thing hyung," Jihyun replied with a hum.

"Thanks. Also, that's enough playing for today, go to sleep silly!" Jimin scolded playfully as he ruffled Jihyun's hair. Jihyun pouted but nodded saying he'd stop after one more round. Jimin nodded allowing it and then left and went downstairs to the living room.

He played on his phone while waiting for his mom to get back. His mind a little distracted because he couldn't help but feel something was off with the string connecting him and his grandmother. He has first felt the weird feeling around the time Taehyung had finished telling him about the photo he'd found. But since Jimin didn't want to seem distracted, he'd ignored the feeling. After he'd helped Taehyung feel better and the two had been just lazing around, was when Jimin held the string to see if anything was different about it.

He wasn't sure what was wrong but something us up. Despite the fact that the string was still a salmon color and he couldn't see any black at the moment (most likely because of the distance separating them), and the texture still felt the same, it still had the soft cotton feel to it, and it was warm. Still, Jimin couldn't help but feel something was off and it was driving him crazy with worry. And the worry had only increased after Taehyung had left.

Approximately two minutes later, the front door opened and his mom came inside. She sighed as she took off her shoes and stepped into the living room.

"What are you still doing up?" she asked Jimin with a raised eyebrow.

"Wanted to talk a bit before I went to bed," Jimin mumbled while locking his phone and setting it aside.

"Oh... Is something wrong sweetheart?" Jimin's mom asked as she quickly approached the couch and sat beside Jimin, pulling her son close and hugging him.

"Kind of..." Jimin said as he relished in her embrace.

"What is it, honey?" She asked as she placed a gentle kiss on her son's forehead.

"I... I can't help but think about grandma. Something feels wrong... Has dad called to update you?" Jimin asked as he looked up at his mother with imploring eyes.

She sighed as she began running her fingers through Jimin's hair. "He has... Things aren't looking up. Your grandma had a mini heart attack yesterday," she began and continued before Jimin could panic, "But she's ok now. She survived... and I didn't tell you two because I didn't want to worry you... But none of us are really optimistic about her surviving another one should it happen."

Jimin was silent for a moment before he asked, "What about these treatments the doctor suggested? You said you'd look over them."

"I did look over them," she began while nodding, "but none of them show any real promise... And I think they'd be more harmful than helpful for your grandma, considering her age and the types of drugs they would be using."

"Oh..." was all that Jimin could say in reply. It was disappointing to hear all that. It made him feel like nothing could be done about his grandmother's state and that thought hurt.

"I'm sorry sweetie... I know you're worried but don't think about it too much... Whatever happens is for the best. And I promise I'll take you two down to see her again next weekend," his mother promised.

Jimin nodded while cuddling closer. His mom held him tightly sensing Jimin needed comfort from her, which she was always happy to give.

A little while later, Jimin's mom nudged him and said, "I think you should go to sleep now honey. You have school tomorrow."

Jimin yawned and nodded, tightly squeezing his mom one last time before extracting himself from her and bidding her good night as he made his way upstairs and got ready for bed.