Chapter 4: The Coldest Room
Taehyung didn’t mean to see it.
He had only wandered upstairs looking for Jiwoo’s favorite bunny plush, which had disappeared during her pre-nap chaos. The door at the end of the hall was slightly ajar—a room untouched by time.
He pushed it gently, just enough to peek inside.
Soft cream curtains, tied perfectly. A crib tucked into the corner, dust-free but empty.
And framed photos on the walls—smiling, warm, glowing with the love of a family that no longer existed in the same way.
Taehyung stepped in slowly, heart pounding.
Everything was still where it must’ve been the day she died.
Her perfume bottle sat half-full on the vanity. A cardigan hung over the chair.
There was even a forgotten hair clip on the dresser—like she might come back any minute and scold Jungkook for touching her things.
He swallowed thickly and turned to leave—
But froze at the soft whir of wheels behind him.
Their eyes met, and Taehyung knew instantly—he wasn’t supposed to be here.
Jeon Jungkook
What are you doing?
Not yelling.
But his voice was sharp. Ice-cold.
Taehyung held up the bunny plush.
Kim Taehyung
Jiwoo dropped this earlier. I thought it rolled in.
Jeon Jungkook
You thought?
Jungkook repeated bitterly.
Jeon Jungkook
You thought you could walk into a room that isn’t yours?
Taehyung stepped back, ashamed.
Kim Taehyung
I didn’t mean to intrude.
Jeon Jungkook
You’re a babysitter. You stay in the nursery and the kitchen. That’s it.
Kim Taehyung
I didn’t know it was her room—
Jeon Jungkook
You didn’t ask.
That stopped him.
Because it was true.
Jungkook wheeled past him into the room, eyes flicking to the vanity—and lingered. He reached out and gently straightened the perfume bottle she always left crooked.
Taehyung stood in the doorway, unsure if he should leave or stay.
Jeon Jungkook
She liked lavender,
Jungkook said suddenly, his voice so low it almost startled Taehyung.
Jeon Jungkook
That smell… it was always on her.
Jeon Jungkook
Even after she died, I smelled it on Jiwoo’s clothes.
Taehyung didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to break the moment.
Jeon Jungkook
She used to sing Jiwoo to sleep.
Jeon Jungkook
I can’t remember the song anymore.
Jeon Jungkook
I’m scared I’m forgetting her.
Taehyung stepped forward, quiet as air.
Jungkook turned, expression unreadable. But something in his gaze softened—just a fraction. A crack in the ice.
He murmured, not harshly. Almost... tired.
He stepped back into the hallway and closed the door behind him. Not fully. Just enough.
Because some doors don’t need to be locked—just respected.
Downstairs, Jiwoo reached out from her crib, tiny hands grasping in the air.
Kim Taehyung
She smells like lavender
He murmured, tucking the bunny plush beside her.
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