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     Jimin wasn't breathing.

Granted, was he ever really breathing? Is it possible to be brain dead, but still physically alive, no machines attached?

Life was so much different a week ago. Exactly one week ago everything was okay. Everything functioned as it should. Everything behaved as normal. Nothing could've been a warning sign to Jimin that this is where he would be in only a weeks time.

     Now, Jimin couldn't get through a single day without a reminder. He couldn't even manage to do the dishes without suddenly bursting into tears out of nowhere, his boyfriend rushing to hug him until he stopped. He couldn't eat a single meal without tears soiling his food, food that his boyfriend had slaved over for him to make him feel better. Jimin couldn't even sleep at night until the tears glued his eyes shut and the convulsions tired his body out to a point of fatigue, and of course his boyfriend had to help him through it all.

     Jimin hated being a nuisance just as much as he hated the cruel ways of the world. No matter how much Taehyung would try and convince him otherwise or that he was more than willing to be there for him through the loss of his mother, Jimin still knew he was a nuisance, and he hated himself for it.

     And now that he was standing inside the funeral home once again for the day he had always dreaded the most since the diagnosis, he waited for another episode to hit. He waited for one more wave to crash into him, forcing him to inhale the roaring waters so that he could finally drown. He was watching the faces of people he and his mother once knew mope around just like himself. Though there was a clear difference in the energy each grieving person carried. It was true that nobody grieves the same. Could it be true that Jimin would never be done grieving?

     "Come on, Jiminie."

     The hand that collided with the older's spine restarted his heart and caused him to revive into the world he longed to hide from. Everything he wanted to escape was real. It was all very, very overwhelmingly real.

     Jimin finally looked up to his boyfriend who mustered up the best smile he could manage. It was weak which only made both mourning boys feel weaker. It was clear that neither one of them wanted to move forward into the room. The room that contained all of the familiar depressed faces and idle bodies. Not to mention the single body everyone attended to honor, Jimin's mom.

The beautiful casket that encased her lay perched towards the farthest wall from the couple, the sea of church pews facing the rose ocean. It was as if Jimin had forgotten how to swim and one step into the room would guarantee he would surely drown.

     Jimin felt funny.

     And not in the way he felt a second ago, or more so the lack of feeling he had moments prior. Now, it was physical.

     It was almost as if the mere thought of entering the room before him caused his entire body to go numb, feeling his knees lock in place. He went stiff like before, but this time a lot more intensely.

     Jimin could feel his heart punching his lungs, literally causing his air flow to run tight. It was like he was now aware of the blood that was rapidly coursing through his veins, his nerves stinging him from the inside as a warning sign almost.

     Now that the sharp pain finally reached his head, he found some movement in his arm, shooting it upwards to grab his right temple, massaging it gently. That's when he began to sweat, his body attacking him from inside out. Jimin didn't even need to see himself to know that his face had now turned a sickly pale tone, his vision fading along with his color.

     "Min, are you okay?"

     Apparently someone took notice of the boy's alarmingly off state, calling out to him from afar. The voice was familiar and feminine, perhaps it belonged to Jaehee. Though Jimin couldn't really tell as he felt himself fall deeper and deeper into the unexplainable sensation.

     Then came the familiar hand against his back once again, a deep, melodic sound accompanying the gesture. Jimin couldn't quite make out what he said, assuming it was a 'he', nor could he sense the hands enough to even familiarize them to a person.

     And that's when Jimin's entire world went black.

     "Guys, I think he's coming to."

     At last, the first sound Jimin was able to comprehend in a vague stretch of time rattled against his ear, communicating with his eyes to flutter open.

     The fluorescent lighting radiating from the ceiling above him intruded his pupils immediately earning them to shut again until they adjusted properly. The only places in which one would encounter such an obnoxious choice of light fixtures were either schools, hospitals, or workplaces, none of which Jimin was fond of.

     Once his drowsy eyes were working as regular again, Jimin looked up to see several faces hovering above his with either hopeful or concerned expressions. His head was still a little too foggy to tell the difference.

     "Hi there, angel."

     There was something recognizable. Jimin craned his sore neck towards the face closest to his while the rest faded out to find Taehyung smiling down at him while gently fanning the older with his hand. Clearly disoriented, Jimin trotted his gaze around the room to recognize Jaehee standing above him as well, mimicking his boyfriend in fanning her hand to generate a cool breeze that tickled his face.

The boy was lost, but slowly becoming more and more aware of his surroundings. "What... what the hell happened?" Jimin brought a curious hand up to his head to find that Taehyung was pressing a towel doused in cold water to his forehead carefully. He hadn't noticed until now that his head was resting in his boyfriend's lap, the rest of his body laying atop two chairs that had been lined up next to the one Taehyung currently occupied.

"You fainted, is what happened." Jaehee slightly chuckled, pressing another wet washcloth to his lips that had gone as dry as the Sahara. "You better be glad Taehyung was there to catch you when you started to fall."

Jimin furrowed his brows in confusion, trying to remember, but the last thing his memory recorded was him standing in front of that huge room where the funeral was being held. There wasn't a feeling more unsettling than not being able to recall events that had apparently just occurred.

The older looked up to his boyfriend questioningly who was still smiling so warmly down at him. "How are you feeling, darling?"

Jimin didn't really have an answer as he had no idea what the fuck was going on. He watched as Jaehee's face disappeared momentarily like the others had while the sound of running sink water could be heard soon after, but he didn't have the energy to turn his head and look.

     "I... I don't remember..." The oblivious boy began stuttering out a sentence as he distorted his face, trying to recall anything after feeling himself go weak back at the funeral.

     Wait.

     The funeral!

     But before Jimin could even begin to panic, his best friend came back into his line of sight with a drink in hand, her smile melting away most of his anxiousness.

"Here, have a sip of some water." The girl returned, motioning for Taehyung to help sit the boy upright slightly, just enough to swallow the water without choking. Jimin sat up somewhat, still leaning against his boyfriend's chest for support, gradually taking tiny sips from the plastic cup Jaehee was holding up to his lips.

Jimin finally became aware of his halfway unbuttoned dress shirt, revealing the middle of his chest and collarbones on full display. He quickly became flustered, a subtle blush bringing some color back to his pale face.

Fortunately for Taehyung, none of his markings were present across his boyfriend's smooth skin as they seemed to have faded since that one fun night on a rooftop a while back. Though, he would have done so regardless since getting his unconscious boyfriend to cool down as quickly as possible was the number one priority on his mind.

"How long was I out?" Jimin abruptly spouted a question, his speech less raspy and hoarse than before.

"Not too long," was the only answer Taehyung offered as he reached to reclothe the older fully. "But you scared me there for a minute. I'm just glad you're okay." He made sure to leave a kind kiss against Jimin's cheek once finished with buttoning his shirt back up. Judging by the relieved tone in the younger's voice, Jimin assumed they hadn't missed the occasion.

Now that the room was in full view, Jimin recognized it as a break room, most likely for the funeral home staff, that was closed off from the rest of the building so it withheld the most privacy. However, the boy still felt somewhat out of it, Taehyung doing his best at comforting the older by running his hand up and down the boy's sleeve and fixing his matted hair.

"Jimin, there's someone here to see you." An unforgettable voice rang in the boy's ears, causing him to look over to the group of people hiding in the corner of the room in order to give him some space that he hadn't noticed until now. Jaehee quickly tossed Jimin his glasses so that he could clearly lock eyes with the woman that called to him.

He instantly cheered up. "Mom!"

Taehyung helped Jimin to his feet, leading him over to Jaehee's mother who had her arms spread wide, inviting him into a hug.

Jimin felt like crying. He hadn't seen his second mother in entirely too long and finally being in her warm, loving arms almost caused him to pass out again.

"My Jiminie! I've missed you! You've gotten taller!" The woman grabbed Jimin's face delicately, planting kisses all around as he giggled happily.

Taehyung stood back with Jaehee, the two mirroring each other with their hands glued over their hearts, lips downturned adoringly.

Jaehee's mother finally released the boy only to hold both of his hands by their sides, out of both love and so he wouldn't topple over as he was still dizzy and lightheaded.

"My husband wished he could make it, but he's on a business trip in another city and couldn't get a plane ticket so quickly."

Jimin nodded his head in understanding, still overwhelmingly stoked after seeing Jaehee's mother and feeling her warm embrace after it being long overdue.

"But his brother and his brother's wife were able to come," Jaehee's mom motioned for the two other people in the corner to step forward. "You've met Uncle Lee haven't you?"

"I'm sure," Jimin traded his gaze over to the couple holding hands who waved kindly and—

Huh!?

"Mrs. Lee!?" Jimin almost choked as he locked eyes with his teacher who was smiling brightly at the boy.

"Mrs. Lee!?" Taehyung echoed, his jaw dropping in utter confusion.

"Wait, you two know my aunt?" Jaehee jumped in, eyebrows arched in shock.

"Jae, since when do you know my students, Mr. Park and Mr. Kim?" Mrs. Lee retaliated back to her niece, everyone in the room now lost.

"You're their teacher!?" Jaehee almost sounded offended that such information had never been disclosed to her.

"Yeah." Jimin cut in, finally answering a question after several were being thrown left and right as a disbelieving giggle escaped his taut throat. "So you two are related?"

"Pretty much," Mrs. Lee laughed, separating from her husband, who just so happened to be Jaehee's uncle, in order to make her rounds in hugging all three kids.

Since Jaehee and Jimin were so close she was practically a part of his family and knew just about every single one of his relatives, and vice versa, but for some reason Jimin had never pieced together that his teacher and best friend were somehow connected in all the years that he'd know Jaehee and her family.

"I'm still confused," Taehyung muttered off to the side.

Mrs. Lee arrived at the shocked boy and patted his shoulder. "Jimin might need to get back to tutoring you, it seems to be wearing off."

The younger scoffed at the tease, hugging his teacher back, the rest of the room feeling a mixture of smiles and surprises.

"Small world." A new voice approached, Jimin's aunt filing into the room, greeting Jaehee and her mother with a warm hug.

After making her rounds she shuffled over to her nephew who was standing up on his own, stroking his now lively face. "How are you feeling, honey?"

Jimin felt his smile grow to his eyes as he responded with a simple "good".

His aunt reflected one back, her face growing less serious and after confirming her nephew was in healthy condition.

"I meant to stay back and take care of you, but I was busy helping the funeral director, so I had to get back to the doors," Jimin's aunt explained. "But I think I left you in some pretty good hands."

The older woman winked at both Jaehee and Taehyung, evoking a shy smile out of both of them. Jimin smiled thankfully at them too, thinking of what blessings his best friend and his boyfriend were to him. He was truly surrounded by love that he'd be eternally grateful for.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Even though he seemed to be back in a stable headspace, Jimin's aunt couldn't help but concern.

Jimin hugged her promisingly. "Don't worry. I'm feeling much, much better."

After sharing a fond hug, Jimin retrieved his blazer from Taehyung who had been holding it for him until he was ready to go back outside of the room. The younger helped him put it back on, draping a loving arm across his tense shoulders afterwards.

Jaehee moved so that she could look her best friend in the eyes, offering her hand to Jimin. "I'm sure the service is about to start. You ready?"

At first the boy seemed reluctant because stepping out of that room meant stepping back into his reality that didn't end too well the last time. However, he laced fingers with the lovely girl's who was glued to his side, putting on a brave smile. "Ready."

Jimin's aunt smiled brightly at the sight, leading everyone out of the room and into the packed hallway.

There were so many more people now than before, and Jimin instantly felt a rush go to his head, but feeling the protection of the two people he loved the most on either side of him helped reign in his nerves this time around.

The trio made their way through the crowded hall of black clothed bodies talking almost themselves with the comfort of a tissue occupying every other person's hand. The atmosphere was indeed sad and heavy, but Jimin was determined to make it through the day for his mother. She would've been right there to hold his hand if she could. He was doing it for her, so he pushed on.

The looming doorway and Jimin met again, a brief pause allotting so that the boy could absorb his surroundings before they could consume him. His aunt made her presence known as she caught up with the group of three, "Taehyung, Jaehee, you two are more than welcome to sit up front with our family."

The youngest peered down at his boyfriend, squeezing his tiny hand reassuringly. "We wouldn't leave his side for anything."

Jimin couldn't help but lean his head onto Taehyung's shoulder, smiling softly to himself.

With that, everyone took their first steps into the room, approaching the beautiful flower arrangements and photographs accenting the casket placed front center of the rather large, open sanctuary accompanied by the low hum of a soulful organ off to the side.

Jimin could feel his breath starting to catch the closer they got to their seats at the very front of the room. He could hear every pound of his heart screaming in his burning ears. No matter how beautiful the display was, Jimin couldn't manage to look past the daunting aspect of it all. There was his mom. She was right there. Dead inside of the center piece. How could the son of the deceased see anything past that?

As soon as the group reached the front pew, they took their seats so that Jimin was still sandwiched between Taehyung and Jaehee while his aunt sat on the other side of Taehyung and Jaehee's family spread along her right. Moments after, waves of people began to enter the sanctuary as the service was set to start very soon, sniffles and greetings dying down by the second.

Jimin took a look around, finding so many loved ones that impacted he and his mother's life at some point. Seeing so many faces he once knew from different periods of his life packed into one room to mourn the loss of his mother was nothing short of moving. So far, he was holding himself together pretty well, but after realizing his mother's passing not only affected him and his close circle, but so many other's who had the blessing of meeting the wonderful woman that she was at some point in their lives caused that sickly feeling in his stomach to churn. Though he continued to fight the urge longer.

A wise woman once told him that 'It takes a strong man to be able to show emotion. It's the ones that try to hide it that are the weakest.'

     This he knew. Very recently, actually. He looked over to Taehyung, recalling the time he found him curled up in a ball, sobbing over the many things that went wrong after the fight. He looked to Jaehee, reminiscing in the countless breakups, breakdowns, and heartbreaks he's helped his best friend through. He then remembered the way his aunt clung onto the very casket before them, willing to do anything to have her beloved sister back. And then Jimin thought of himself. That one night in the hospital. The night he lost his mother. The night he remembered the wise words that he now realized applied to everyone. He hadn't truly thought about it until now, what strong people he had by his side, and he was no exception. Jimin was one of the strongest people he knew. He made it through the diagnoses, he made it through the various doctor visits bearing worse and worse news, he made it through not having a father, he made it through heartbreak, he made it through many other trials, and now he was making it through his mother's death. And so did she. His mother made it through every single thing with him. 'Strong' would never be a word fit enough for the Parks.

     Finally, the preacher made his way to the front, capturing the attention of the funeral attendees. Taehyung made sure to gently place a comforting hand on Jimin's thigh before the service started, just a simple reminder that he was here.

     Jimin closed his eyes and drew in a deep, slow breath. He was here to celebrate the beautiful life his mother once lived. And that he would do.

     The preacher opened with a ramble about the preciousness of life and some other bullshit that Jimin didn't really care to tune into. Instead, he actually took a moment to look at some of the displayed photos illuminated by the lilac and carnation overheads.

     His mother was always so beautiful. Even in her youth she stuck out in the best ways possible. How Jimin won the mother-lottery, he would never conclude. But it would always act as a reminder to just how lucky he is. Whether she left him prematurely or not, those eighteen years of having her as a mother were worth every

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