On the day of Jimin's funeral, Nuri's shoulders hung heavy with grief as he approached the somber gathering. He could feel the heaviness in the air, the collective sorrow of everyone who loved and lost Jimin.
Nuri took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as he stood in front Jimin's photo, his heart aching from the pain of saying goodbye. Friends and family offered their condolences, their words a distant murmur amidst the overwhelming grief that engulfed him.
As the ceremony began, memories of their time together flooded Nuri's mind. He remembered Jimin's infectious laughter, warm embrace, and everything they shared. The flood of emotions proved too much to bear, and he found himself breaking down, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
Nuri could feel hiss chest tighten, his breaths becoming rapid and shallow. He clutched his chest, feeling the overwhelming weight of loss and sorrow. Panic set in as he struggled to catch his breath. The world around him blurred, and he felt trapped in a sea of anguish.
Kin, who had been standing by Nuri's side throughout the service, immediately recognized the signs of a panic attack. He gently took Nuri's hand, whispering soothing words, trying to ground him in the present moment.
"Take slow breaths, Nuri," Kin urged, guiding him through calming exercises. "You're not alone. I'm here with you."
But Nuri's panic escalated and he couldn't return to the calm state he usually found himself in. Concerned about his soulmate, Kin called for help, and some of his other soulmates rushed over to assist.
In the midst of the chaos, Daeshim watched with wide eyes. While he didn't understand the depth of his father's grief, he sensed something was terribly wrong.
Rushing to Nuri's side, Daeshim wrapped his tiny arms around his father. "Appa, please don't die," Daeshim begged, his voice trembling. "Don't leave me."
Mingyue's heart broke at the sound of his godson's plea. He knelt down to be at eye level with Daeshim, his hands still trembling. "Appa is not going anywhere, Daeshim. I promise. Appa is very sad right now. But we are all here to help him, and we love you so much."
He pulled the child into a quick hug before he stood up and placed him on his hip.
Amidst the flurry of worried faces watching the scene unfold, someone dialed for an ambulance. Nuri clung to Kin's hand, the physical touch grounding him as he was whisked away.
Daeshim's eyes welled up with tears, mirroring his father's pain as he watched his father being wheeled to the ambulance. When he realized that he wasn't following his father he started to scream for his father, arms outstretched in the direction he had last seen his father go.
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At the hospital, the medical staff attended to Nuri, providing the care and support he needed in his emotional turmoil. Kin remained by his side, offering a steady presence and a listening ear.
Hours passed, and slowly Nuri's panic began to subside. He was physically exhausted, but his heart still felt heavy with grief.
His soulmates arrived with Daeshim a few hours later and spent some time together before they had to leave. It was another two hours before Nuri spoke to his son alone.
Daeshim's eyes welled up with tears, mirroring his father's pain as he hugged his father. "I love you, Appa. Please don't leave me like Appa Mini left us."
Nuri's breath hitched, the pain of losing Jimin crashing down in waves. He held his son close, their tears mingling as they clung to each other for comfort.
"I won't leave you, Daeshim-ah," Nuri vowed, his voice shaky but resolute. "Appa will always be here for you. We'll get through this together, I promise."
As the panic attack began to subside, Nuri felt a sense of responsibility to be strong for Daeshim, even in his vulnerability. He knew that their journey of healing would be a long one. However, he promised himself that he wouldn't burden his young son with the weight of his grief.
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In the heart of the bustling city of Seoul, where the neon lights danced against the twilight sky, Nuri strolled through the crowded streets. His footsteps echoed in the quiet alleyway, his mind occupied with the events of the day as he headed back home after his first shopping trip out of the house since Jimin's funeral. He made it home in record time and as he reached into his pocket for his keys, his fingers brushed against a crumpled piece of paper. Curious, he unfolded it to reveal just three simple words: "I am sorry."
Confusion knitted his brow as he read the note again, trying to decipher its meaning. Suddenly, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. He knew exactly who had written it. The shaky Korean handwriting was a dead giveaway. He quickly pulled out his phone and called Kin only to be told that the line has been disconnected.
With a sense of urgency, Nuri rushed to their shared apartment, his heart pounding with worry. Bursting through the door, he found Mingjue and Momo, engaged in quite conversation. Without a preamble, he thrust the note into their hands.
"What's this about?" Momo asked, furrowing his brow.
"It's from Kin," Nuri replied, his voice tight with concern. "He's gone.I tried calling him and he didn't answer his phone. His line is disconnected."
Mingjue's eyes widened with alarm. "Gone? Just like that?"
Nuri nodded, his throat tight. "I found this note. He's apologizing, but he didn't say why or where he's going."
Momo's jaw clenched as he read the note. "We need to find him. Now."
Mingjue quickly took charge "Nuri, check Kin's room. See if you can find any clues to where he planing on going. Momo, check in with the boys and try to track him down electronically. I check with the family to see if anyone has heard anything."
Determined, they sprang into action, mobilising their resources to locate Kin. They called friends, searched social media, and canvassed the city streets, their hearts heavy with worry.
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In the days following Jimin's funeral and Kin's disappearance, his soulmates took turns taking care of him. They ensured he had everything he needed and that Daeshim was cared for. They had been spending time together and bonding. However, Nuri's insistence that he was alright and didn't need to bond worried them. He had come home the day after the funeral but refused to get out of bed.
A week after the funeral, as they gathered around his bed, Nuri looked at each of them with exhaustion etched across his face. "Thank you all for being here, but I need to be on my own now. I appreciate your support, but I have to find my way through this pain by myself."
His soulmates exchanged concerned glances, worried about his well-being.
Mingjue spoke gently, worried about Nuri's reaction to what he was about to say "Nuri, we love you, and we want to help you heal. You don't have to struggle through this alone. Let one of us stay, at least until you're feeling better."
Nuri shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "I need to learn to cope on my own, to process my grief without others' help. Please, I need some time to myself. Besides you all have to go to work. It is not fair to you."
"Nuri, we understand that you want to be independent, but isolating yourself like this isn't healthy. Please let one of us stay with you for a while. We can support you without smothering you." Ibuki said softly
Nuri sighed, torn between his desire for independence and his need for support. "I don't want to burden you with my pain. It's my journey to navigate."
"Nuri, we love you, and we're here because we want to be. We're not burdened by your pain; we're not burdened by the thought of you suffering alone." Du Feng looked like he was two seconds away from issuing a royal edict.
With tears streaming down his cheeks, Nuri finally looked them in the eye. "Please leave me alone."
Boss wanted to argue but a look from Momo stopped him. "Are you sure?"
Nuri nodded and watched as they all left his room. He hated hurting them, but right now he couldn't handle having people around him.
They followed their oldest soulmate into the living room and found various places to sit.
Boss, with a worried look on his face, spoke first. "I'm really worried about Nuri. He's been through so much, and the grief seems to be overwhelming him."
Ibuki nodded in agreement. "I've noticed that too. He's shutting himself off from everyone, and I don't blame him, but we need to find a way to be there for him without overwhelming him."
"We can't let him go through this alone," Momo said firmly. "He needs to know we're here for him, no matter what."
Mingjue nodded "Agreed. But we have to be careful about approaching him. He's going to be very sensitive right now, and we don't want him to feel like we're smothering him."
The rest of his soulmates nodded, understanding the delicate balance they needed to strike.
"Maybe we could take turns checking in on him. Let him know we're thinking of him without being too intrusive." Haesung suggested
Yuna smiled, appreciating the idea. "That sounds good. We can also try inviting him to a casual get-together once in a while, so he doesn't feel pressured but knows he's welcome whenever he's ready."
"Exactly," Boss replied. "And we should encourage him to talk about Jimin if he feels like it. It's essential to let him process his emotions without judgment."
"Maybe we could find a way to get him to bond with us. Or get him to visit Fēilóng" Junwoo got up and paced the length of the sofa.
"Yes, that's a great idea. We'll gently suggest it to him, but ultimately, it's his decision." Boss grabbed Joonwoo's arm and pulled him onto his lap. He buried his face in the older man's hair and sobbed quietly.
No one commented on his tears as they discussed their plan. They made a pact to keep an eye on him from a distance, ensuring he was safe and had access to help if needed.
In the weeks that followed, they put their plan into action. They alternated checking in on Nuri, leaving messages of love and support without expecting a response. They invited him to low-key gatherings, providing a safe space for him to open up if he felt like it.
Through it all, they made sure to let Nuri know that they were there for him, not just during the initial period of mourning, but for as long as he needed. Their unwavering love and understanding became a lifeline for Nuri, helping him find the strength to heal and move forward while always cherishing the love they shared with Jimin in his.
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As the days passed, Nuri spent most of his time in solitude, processing his grief and trying to find a way forward without Jimin. Nuri found solace within the confines of his home. It became a sanctuary where he could grieve and process the overwhelming emotions that had consumed him. On this particular day, Daeshim came into the living room with a book in his hands, his big, innocent eyes gazing up at his father.
"Appa, would you mind reading this story to me?" Daeshim asked, his voice soft and gentle.
Nuri's heart clenched as he looked at his son. He was a bittersweet reminder of the life he, Jimin, and his soulmates had created together. He took the book and pulled Daeshim onto his lap. As they read together, Nuri found comfort in the warmth of his son's presence, a tiny beacon of hope amidst the darkness of grief.
After finishing the story, they sat in silence for a moment; Daeshim nestled against Nuri's chest. Nuri could feel his son's small heartbeat, a poignant reminder that life still continued on, despite the void left by Jimin's absence.
"Appa, can we play outside?" Daeshim asked, breaking the peaceful silence.
Nuri managed a weak smile. Even though he hadn't been outside in weeks, he couldn't say no to his baby. "Of course, buddy. Let's go to the backyard."
As they stepped outside, Nuri felt a gentle breeze against his skin, as if nature itself was trying to console him. He watched Daeshim run around the garden, his laughter filling the air, lifting the weight from Nuri's heart momentarily.
But as the day wore on, Nuri's defenses crumbled. Grief surged back, and he felt an overwhelming desire to retreat further into his cocoon of pain. Friends and family had reached out; offering their condolences and support, but Nuri couldn't bear the thought of facing them.
When the doorbell rang, Nuri tightened his grip on Daeshim's hand, silently willing whoever was on the other side to go away. But Daeshim's eyes widened with excitement
"Appa, someone's here!" he said, pulling Nuri toward the door.
Nuri hesitated but followed Daeshim anyway. To his surprise, his soulmates were standing there, concern etched on their face, their hands fillied with food bags.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Mingjue sighed gently and said, "I know that you said you needed your space, but we were unable to stay away from you. We brought some food, and we thought maybe we could just sit together and talk if you're up for it."The tears welled up in Nuri's eyes as he realized just how much they cared about him. Despite his inability to talk, he nodded, grateful for their understanding and their presence.
The moment he saw the room full of people who shared the same love for Jimin as he did, he realised he had missed this moment very much. He took a deep breath, and tucked away hi heartache, determined not to let his disere to find the truth with or without his soulmates stop him, from enjoying his time with them.
He was about to join Momo on the floor when he heard his cell phone ring.
He quickly made a detour to the kitchen and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Nuri"
Nuri felt all the air leave his lungs as he grappled with the fact that he was hearing a voice he hadn't heard in two weeks.
"Hia Kin?"