Farewell Appa

As they were returning home, Jungkook's hand found solace in holding the limp sleeve of Taehyung's shirt. When they were on their way to the riverbank for his father's final rites, Taehyung didn't have time or energy to keep Jungkook with him constantly. He grabbed a long sleeve beige chequered full sleeve shirt and tied it loosely around his waist. The loose hem that was hanging around Taehyung's thighs became a link between them.

Their connection was a unique silent symphony, where words were unnecessary and the world finally made sense to both of them. As Taehyung's neighbours were crying over Sunghun's death, Jungkook tagged Taehyung like he was the only way out of this confusing world.

That morning, Taehyung didn't pay much attention to Jungkook, but Jungkook was used to that. One could even say that it would have been hard for Jungkook to deal with all the attention on him. He felt secure just holding the end of the shirt.

It was mid-morning, and the last embers on the pyre were just beginning to fade away. Taehyung whispered a silent goodbye and thank you to his father. Thank you for not treating him differently. Thank you for making him a person that everyone loves, for putting food on the table every day, for being his best friend, and for being the wind beneath his wings. "Ashes to Ashes," Taehyung whispered in his mind. Something his father always said.

Jungkook remained by his side throughout , never causing a commotion, or demanding attention, or becoming anxious. It was just peaceful there. At times, subconsciously or instinctively, his hand would tighten around the edge of the shirt he was holding, causing Taehyung to feel a slight tug; it was a silent plea of sorts - not to let go.

As they left the riverbank, Jimin hugged Taehyung tightly. Jungkook continued walking behind him without hesitation, holding onto the edge of his shirt. The gates to the Jeon Mansion were soon visible ahead. Taehyung's footsteps, still heavy from his father's death, led the way.

He came to a halt at a small bend in the road and began to release Jungkook's hand from the shirt he was holding. Suddenly, Jungkook started shifting his weight back and forth between his feet. He appeared to be in excruciating pain from biting his own lower lip. Still, he persisted in attempting to free Jungkook's hold on the shirt's edge since he was unable to communicate with Taehyung and Taehyung could sense Jungkook's pain.

Taehyung, at a loss for what else to do following numerous unsuccessful attempts, untied the shirt from his own waist and reattached it to Jungkook's. As Jungkook held the cloth in both hands, Taehyung turned Jungkook's body towards Jeon Mansion and urged him to enter with a push on his back.

Jungkook walked hesitantly, looking back at Taehyung for guidance on what to do next. There was a silent, stern message to keep going from Taehyung's fingers and hand dancing in the air.

Jungkook hesitated as he opened the iron gate to the Jeon mansion. Taehyung gave one last gentle nod before turning back and walking away.

However, Taehyung watched from behind the bushes. His gaze  fixed on Jungkook, tracking each step, each hesitant shift of weight. Once and twice, Jungkook turned to look for a face that wasn't there.

With his shoulders slumped, Jungkook entered the house by himself.

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Detective Kim Seokjin's desk phone rang, its shrill tone cutting through the police station's hostile air. His face hardened in response as he listened. The call came from the hospital. The cashier verified that a substantial deposit had been received for one of the clients. Seokjin was required to investigate. He needed to ascertain whether any of the deposits bore the marks of bills that were used in the ransom money packet. Soon after he arrived and checked, he discovered that every note matched the ransom amount.

The patient's name, he asked, his voice tense."Sunghun Kim." The reply was prompt, his eyes lighting up with recognition of the name. He thanked the cashier for his vigilance. "This time, Aehyun, it's serious, you have got yourself into big trouble, mister". Murmured Seokjin as sat in his jeep and headed to Taehyung's house.

Seokjin had been there before, in the area, but never to this house in particular. The house was as unassuming as it could be, except for the triple doorbells. Seokjin became curious. After pressing the first button, there was no response. The second also resulted in silence. Three opportunities, three buttons, he thought. His thumb hovered over the last one before pressing it.

Seokjin's instincts pricked as he waited for a response but received none. He felt a tight knot of anticipation in his stomach. He stood for a moment longer before stepping back. He could tell there was something wrong.

In Taehyung's quiet house, the fan rotated to life, abruptly and out of place. It was the second doorbell, hooked to a fan rather than meant to ring. Sunghun tailored this for the times Taehyung was at home by himself. This would, Sunghun had reasoned, be a certain method for Taehyung to know someone was at the door without alarming him.

Taehyung stopped abruptly, looking at the movement. Nobody was expected to pay him any visits. His heart was beating fast against his ribs. He moved cautiously, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. He moved to the side of the room, where there was a small ventilation window with a crack in the wall. Taehyung used that crack as a quiet peephole. He stumbled a little at the sight. Right at this doorway stood Kim Seokjin. This was trouble, he knew.

With his thoughts racing, Taehyung stepped back a few strides. What is his option? He was broke, he could not buy his way out of there. Taehyung tried to relax himself by inhaling deeply.

Going to the back window of the house, the one facing Jimin's rooftop, he carefully unlocked the latch and slipped out of it; Taehyung had done it before, sometimes to get away from Sunghun and other times because he was too lazy to take the main road to Jimin's house. Hugging the wall's outside edge was a little staircase. Starting to descend, he took each step more carefully than the last.

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