The training was exhausting to say the least. Jungkook had been here for only two days and he was already feeling like his entire body was about to break. Ever since they came here, they had little time to eat or sleep. Most of their time, they had to make repetitive motion like sewing a mannequin, dressing up a broken ankle and going through countless x ray in which they had to not only find the disease but also plan out a way to extract the failing organ or disease with the least complication as possible. Whilst, the professor or the teams mentor had their own hardship. To not penalize their students, they also had their share of task that they had to do in order to lighten their interns’ burden. In case one of his intern was punished it was the mentor that had to be punished. In other word, they had more to do. What the mentors were tested for was their endurance overall. Therefore most of their task revolved around that particular trait. Jungkook didn’t bother looking more into it though. He had more important things to think about anyway.

Over midnight, Jungkook was still in the study room where each team had been given their own to work in. His friends were also with him, but after hours of working on a particular complicated case, they had fallen asleep. Jungkook couldn’t blame them. He himself was getting tired.

With a sigh, Jungkook stretched his head above his head, yawning tiredly when the door of their study slid open. Gazing tiredly at whoever it was, Jungkook turned away from the man at the recognition. Without even greeting him or saying so much as a word, Jungkook replayed once again the surgery that had been conduct on the failing organ but had strangely failed. He wanted to check if he had seen enough mistake to build a refutable case, but no matter how many time he rewatched it, the more confused he got. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he was surprised, only just a bit, when a hot steaming coffee was placed in front of him. Frowning at the benefactor of the hot brew, Jungkook finally asked

“What’s this?”

“Can’t you tell? Coffee.” Taehyung replied blankly, much to Jungkook’s annoyance. Jungkook just couldn’t understand why he was always feeling this moody when he was in the older man’s presence. Why did he always feel the need to provoke him? Jungkook tried not to think too much on it anyway. Instead, he smirked darkly at the obvious smartass comment and spat bitingly

“Oh wow I would have never guessed if you didn’t tell me, Dr Kim. But no thank you, I’m good.” Taehyung looked completely uninterested in Jungkook’s response and sipping on a strawberry milk, something that made Jungkook eyes narrowed, he stated his eyes fixed on Jungkook’s laptop

“Oh I know that case. It happened last year. The doctor who conducted the surgery was a famous physician but somehow after doing the operation, which he had done dozens of time, the patient reacted differently from the rest. It wasn’t due to an allergy of any sort, so many had thought he had made a mistake for once, but even after going through the video we have on the operation, no one could deny how precise he was. There were little chances for him to commit a mistake yet something went wrong on the second postoperative. If I remember correctly it was an abdominal aortic aneurism repair.” Taehyung thoughtfully brushed his thumb on his lower lips and still studying the video in front of him, he continued

“A relaparotomy was performed with ligation of fistulae as well as omentoplasty. But I don’t think you’ll see much with that video. The doctor that performed the surgery did an impeccable job anyway. Try looking into the reports we’ve given you on the patient instead.”

Forgetting to be mad, Jungkook answered willingly

“I’ve went through this a dozen times. And there’s nothing on it that can help.”

“I see, then what did you write down?” Looking at the notepad he had been writing down his notes on, Jungkook reacted

“Well, first the man was above sixty years old. He had been suffering from aortic aneurism for years now. After the surgery, the patient’s development seem to be doing ok until the second day. There’s a lot of points that had been omitted from the report, so I can only guess he had developed something like an infection somehow, but I’m not sure.”

“Ok, let’s take it from the top then.” Walking towards the white board that was in their disposition, Taehyung uncapped the marker and writing down the notes Jungkook had gathered, he inquired

“Here’s the information that we have. First of all, the man is over sixty. The operation had been planned for the 27^th of July. The man had been closely watched for three months before that and the doctor in charge of him hadn’t seen anything that would prevent him from performing the surgery.”

“We also know that the man had no other issue beside the abdominal aortic aneurism. Hang on what if it was… ” Jungkook suddenly interrupted himself then walking up to the board with the report in his hand, he whispered to himself

“Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? A Chylous Ascites. Rare but it can explain the conservative treatment he got later on.” Taehyung, who only gave him lopsided grin, said

“I see that you’re not called a genius just for show.” At the words, Jungkook was instantly shook to reality. After all, he had just allowed Taehyung to help him. Even had managed to solve the case with his intervention. Jungkook was more shocked by that fact and even more at the compliment that came with it. Well if Jungkook could call that a compliment. Still, he liked it. He must surely be suffering from lack of sleep for even thinking that. Regaining his composure, Jungkook cleared his throat and turned away as a sign to end whatever this moment was. Taehyung took it as cue to leave but not before saying, ironically

“No need to thank me.” Somehow Jungkook had a curve on his lips at the comment. But of course, Jungkook will never acknowledge as being a smile. After all, why would be Happy? Besides having been able to solve the case? Realizing that he was being childish, Jungkook breathed out

“.” How can that guy be hateful one time and just awesome the next? A question that was left without answer alas.

Taehyung was relieved and impressed. To think that he had been the one fearing this training overall, in the end his interns were doing far better than what he had initially thought. Jimin was right. He should really stop underestimating them. Taehyung wasn’t consciously doing it though. It was just in his nature to worry. Call him overprotective but he was born that way. And anyone he considered his people should get used of that side or him. Anyway, it has been two days since they’ve been here and Taehyung couldn’t be happier. Even Minho, another doctor he knew from their rival, the hospital Han couldn’t ruin his mood even if he rolled on the ground Taehyung wouldn’t budge. Taehyung mood fell instantly however when he returned in his room. Losing his smile at the sight of an emotional Jimin on his bed. Jimin was sitting upright, his hands tightly clasped together and a sad look looming on his soft expression. With a frown, Taehyung gently closes the door behind him and without detaching his eyes from Jimin, he asked

“What’s going on? Why are you still up?” Jimin looked hesitant for a second but eventually he answered, whereas with another question

“What happened to your phone?” Even though Taehyung was intrigued, he didn’t question Jimin’s motivation, instead, he walked to his night table where he had forgotten his phone on toi absorbed by his duty to even bother checking if he had it with him, he went through his phone was more than surprised to see missing calls from her mother. From his mother?! It had to be the end of the World for her to call him. Once was amazing enough but...

“What the hell? Over twenty three miss calls? All from my mom? The hell!” Taehyung exclaimed with his jaw dropped so low, Taehyung was surprised it didn’t get disconnected from the rest or his mouth. He was going to call back his mother, if it weren’t for the voice that gravely told him

“You don’t need to call her back.” Confused, Taehyung frowned deeply at the words and so Jimin took it as cue to explain in that same troubled tone Taehyung wasn’t used of him using

“Because you weren’t answering, she called me.”

Silence.

“So?” Taehyung pressured impatiently. Jimin gulped.

“Taehyungie… I… The thing is… Grandma…” Before Jimin could even finish his sentence, Taehyung was already out the door, guessing yet hoping that what he was now fearing wasn’t true. Barely hearing Jimin calling after him, Taehyung checked that he still had his wallet with him. Fortunately he did. Thus, he hastily composed the number of a guy who he knew that worked twenty four hour in the car location. It was one of the advantage for being well acquainted with the area, since it wasn’t that far from Daegu. Hanging up after exchanging several words with the man who he hadn’t talk to for a while now, Taehyung made his way to where he was supposed to get the car he had rented when he felt a hand on his wrist, forcing him to turn around. Doing so, he met Jimin’s weary eyes that literally pleaded him to come back to his senses, regrettably Taehyung was too far gone for that. Jimin tried nevertheless

“Taetae, just what do you think you’re doing?”

“Don’t worry Chimchim I won’t be long. I just want to make sure grandma is alright.” Missing the pained look Jimin wore then, Taehyung continued optimistically, well he tried

“I’m sure grandma is just pulling a joke on me because I haven’t been visiting much. So I’ll go for a bit and return right after.”

“I’m going with you then.” Jimin states determined but Taehyung softly shook his head in refusal and said

“No, I’ll be fine. The kids, however, won’t be on their own so can you stay and keep an eye on them? I need someone I trust to look after them. Someone that can be my eyes and my ears while I’m gone. Only you can fill that role Chimchim.”

Jimin understood Taehyung's reasoning but somehow it just didn't sit right with him. Truth is he didn’t want to leave Taehyung alone. Especially not when clearly the man was being reckless, but Jimin also knew how stubborn Taehyung could be. Therefore, he reluctantly agreed

“Fine but make sure to call me when you get there. And if you want me to come to Daegu I’ll race to you in a heartbeat. Got it?” Taehyung only nodded in response for a car stopped in front of them. The man behind the wheel got out of the car and stretching his hand with the keys to both man’s, he asked

“Which one of you two is Kim Taehyung?” Taehyung took a step forward and reaching for the keys, he answered curtly

“Me.”

“Oh hello, here can you just sign here and here please?” Complying silently, Taehyung quickly finished the formalities then paying by credit card, he briefly talked to Jimin about his interns, whilst the man who had brought him the car, detached his bike from Taehyung’s now rented car. Thanking the man, who clearly couldn’t be older than him and also giving him a tip for the hard work he supplied, Taehyung finally headed to his hometown and more specifically home. He wasn't sure what was waiting for him home but he hoped his grandparents. Healthy and well.

Jungkook was pissed off to say the least. Yes, his good mood from yesterday was once again ruined by the same person that had lighten it up to begin with. It was really nerve wrecking just how much Kim Taehyung can make him feel in a short period of time. It was a first for him for someone to actually make him feel anything at all but right now Jungkook was just so done with it. He was damn done with Taehyung. If the guy really wanted to leave to who knows where, clearly because he didn’t give a about them, Jungkook sure wasn't going to cry over it. He could jump off a cliff for all he cares.

“Jungkook?” He suddenly heard a voice calling him out of his thoughts. Not even trying to hide the fact he hadn’t been listening, Jungkook asked

“Huh? Were you talking to me?” Ahn looked annoyed. She crossed her arms above her chest and with an expression that demanded attention, she questioned

“Why are you spacing out?” Jungkook didn’t respond to the question whatsoever. Instead, he grabbed the report they had reviewed together earlier the day and walked away to where they had to present their work. No matter his disappointment, he still had to live to his reputation. And by that, he had no intention to fail. Even without a mentor, he’ll do just fine.

Around 9 Am, Taehyung had arrived at Daegu. In front of the house he had been living in for the past fourteen years of his life. The neighborhood hasn’t change much. Taehyung didn’t take the time to admire the said neighborhood however. He parked his car, well rented car, outside the gate and rushing over to the house, he used the keys who he easily found in an empty bird cage, don’t ask him why they still had that hanging outside their porch, Taehyung then walked into the house, calling out loudly

“Grandma? Gramps?”

No answer. Walking to the back to check if they weren’t sitting outside the garden like they often did in a hot summer, he was once again left dissatisfied when he found no one. Pulling out his phone, he composed his mother’s number then waiting for the other to answer the phone, he checked the other rooms of the house. And every time he realized they weren’t there, made the knot getting at the bottom of his pit more and more unsettling.

“Taehyung ah, finally you’re calling me.”

“Eomma, where is grandma and grandpa? I’m at their house right now but they aren’t here. Are they with you?”

“You’re at their house?” Mrs Kim sounded shocked but she recovered rather quickly and continued

“Taehyung ah, didn’t Jiminie tell you?” Again. He noted bitterly the sadness. Just like Jiminie, she was making endless pauses and it frustrated Taehyung more than anything. He tried to remain calm whatsoever and asked calmly though his voice came hoarser than intended

“What does have to tell me? Eomma, what’s going on? Where are grandma and grandpa?”

“Taehyungie, your grandfather is ok.” At those words, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief, alas, it lasted only a mere second. With a frown, he asked

“And grandma? How is she?”

Silence.

“Eomma!” Taehyung insists sternly.

“Taehyung ah, she’s not here anymore. I’m so sorry sweetie…” She cried, yet Taehyung couldn’t understand a word. Why was she crying? She couldn’t be talking about his grandmother? The strongest person he knows beside his grandfather. Taehyung can’t, no, won’t believe that his grandmother could… His mind immediately stopped functioning at that. For some unknown power, he managed to mutter

“Where are you?”

Taehyung has never felt number then the very moment he walked into the white space that was the hospital. Normally, he would feel almost immediately at ease when walking through these halls, but at that very moment, those walls that were Daegu hospital made him want to throw up. Was he really walking through these halls to…? Once again, his brain refused to register the information. Ignoring the look of appreciation the gent of women threw his way, he stopped in front of room 203 where his mother had assured him he’ll be able to see his grandparents in. He hesitantly reached for the door knob as he wondered for the hundredth time if he was really awake right now. Or on the contrary, he was just having one of his bad dreams. But no matter how much he wished he could wake up from this dreadful situation, his legs seemed to have a mind on their own. For before he could even know what he was doing, he had just pushed open the door and spontaneously walked into the room as if he was being possessed. And maybe he was. After all, even when his mother ran into his arms he hadn’t budge at all. Instead his eyes traveled unconsciously on an unmoving body covered under a white blanket, lying motionless on the only bed of the room. Taehyung knew his mother was talking to him. He guessed from her moving lips. The problem is he could barely decipher what she was saying. Even when he crossed his grandfather’s devastated look, he still couldn’t comprehend anything. Slowly making his way to the body hidden under the white sheet, Taehyung stretched out his hand with uncertainty towards the white sheet and just when he was about to uncover the body, he felt a hand grabbing his. Turning to whoever it was that had stopped him from doing what he felt like he ought to do, his frown only deepened when he recognized his grandfather. Silently shaking his head as to tell him, he didn’t have to do that, the older man then pushed what seem to be an envelope in Taehyung’s hand and finally said

“I’m sure she wouldn’t want you to remember her like… Like that but as the strong, healthy woman she was.”

Taehyung didn’t agree with him however. Pulling away his hand from his grandfather’s grip, he stubbornly uncovered the sheet and God help him, he wished he never did.

Seeing his grandmother motionless and looking so pale punched the air out of him. Like literally. He hadn’t been aware that he’s been holding his breath until he was gasping for air did he realize it. Biting his inner cheek to not start bawling like a child, he breathed out with difficulty, his hand holding onto the side of the bed to support his now weakened legs

“What happened?”

“Taehyung ah…” His grandfather sadly called his name but Taehyung was too far gone to actually hear him. Instead, he repeated this time firmer

“What happened?!”

“She was sick. At first we thought it was a cold but then, she got worse. We were going to call you but she forbidden us to do so. She said that it wasn’t necessary since she was surrounded by capable hands so there was no need to worry you. We didn’t know she actually had cancer. She didn’t tell anyone.” His mother explained and Taehyung felt a dark feeling rise on his chest. The kind of feeling that immediately made him dig his finger in his palm to avoid saying something he’ll later on regret. Shoving the letter in his back pocket, he walked out of the room and, regardless of his peers calling after him, he made his way to the reception desk and asked his expression hardening with every word

“May I have Mrs Kim’s file?” The nurse behind the desk looked at him weirdly and sporting a smile who seem to hesitate between being firm and flirty

“I’m sorry but who are you?”

“Mrs Kim’s doctor. So now can I have those files?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t just give those files to just anybody like that. You’ll have to see with Mrs Kim real doctor.” Ignoring the way she was emphasizing on the doctor, Taehyung said spitefully

“And where may I find him then?” The woman didn’t need to say more for at that precise moment a man, not older than him approached him and asked

“And who is asking him?” Taehyung coldly looked at the new comer and, unconsciously noting the darn pale skin that drastically highlighted his dark hair and onyx eyes against the white complexion, he answered condescendingly

“Dr Kim Taehyung. Mrs Kim’s doctor. I’d like to have her report.”

“Ah so you must be the infamous Kim Taehyung that she couldn’t stop talking about, I’m sorry I can’t give you the report.” Taehyung was honestly not in the mood for arguing. And especially not now. Glaring darkly at the man, he said

“And why is that?”

“Your grandmother knew you were going to ask, so she told me not to give in no matter what. She said you’ll blame yourself if I do. I’m sorry but I’m only following her last wishes. I hope you understand.” By the end of what Taehyung figured were sincere excuses, he took in a deep breath and letting his grandfather drag him elsewhere, he tried to recollect his thoughts but somehow, he couldn’t think of anything right that instant. He didn’t even have the need to cry anymore or to be angry. He was just void of emotions. Nothing seem to be seeping in at all.

Back in the room, Taehyung let himself slip on the floor, his back against the wall, and his eyes hidden by his bangs, he heard though it felt far, his mother tell his grandfather

“Don’t worry dad. I’ve got everything under control.”

“Ok…” He heard his grandfather mumble as a reply before he heard shuffling beside him. Taehyung didn’t bother looking up to see who was now sitting beside him. He had a pretty good guess on who it was.

Running a hand on his burning eyes, though no tears were falling from them, he listened to his grandfather asked

“How is the red and blue training going? You told us your interns were doing great, but can they manage without you though?”

“I guess.” Came the curt answer. Taehyung heard his grandfather sigh heavily and it made him feel worse. After all, if his grandfather was the rock of the family, his grandmother was his rock. It must be ten times worse for him than it is for Taehyung.

“I’m sorry grandpa.” He suddenly said, meeting his grandfather’s now very tired eyes. It was the very first time in Taehyung’s life that he realized just how old his grandfather was. And it scared him. No, it terrified him to have that knowledge. His grandfather was after all not supposed to look so marked by the years he’s lived. In Taehyung’s memory at least.

“Why are you apologizing?” the older man asked, a slight frown on his face. Shrugging in response, he answered in a way that broke further the older man’s heart. After all, it wasn’t in Taehyung’s nature to wear such a lifeless expression. Especially not with those eyes that seemed to hold absolutely nothing.

“I don’t know. I just feel like apologizing.”

“Taehyung ah…”

“I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry for the bills or the funeral. I can take care of that. You and mom should rest. You both look tired.” Taehyung interrupted blankly.

“Taehyung ah, stop. You don’t have to be strong.” Her mother softly chastised but honestly, Taehyung couldn’t relate to her words. He wasn’t trying to be strong at all. He wasn’t. He simply just couldn’t tap into his emotions for some reason.

And in the eyes of the head of the family, it was much worse than seeing his grandson cry. It pained him even more to see his grandson handling all his emotions so differently from theirs. It was like, Taehyung had somehow turned off his ability to feel and no matter how hard the greyed hair man tried to reason with him, the more his grandson was on retreating mode. Seeing as his daughter was about to smack some sense into her son’s head, the older man stopped her and instead said

“Ok. I’ll trust you with that then Taehyung ah.”

At the man’s word, Taehyung only nodded in response and walked away to prepare the formalities with the doctor in which it allowed him to safely moved his grandmother’s body home for the wakening. The funeral was small but intimate and Taehyung liked it that way. So did his grandfather by the way. He didn’t feel like hearing people go on and on, on how great of a person his grandma was anyway. He knew that already. And hearing from other people made it sound more like an insult than actual sincere thoughts. Taehyung was too unstable for talking anyway. During the church ceremony held for his grandmother, he was very silent. While many cried, he remained stoic. His expression seem to be doing the exact opposite of what he thought he was supposed to do.

But he simply couldn’t bring himself to cry. Everything happened so slowly for Taehyung that for a minute he was convince he hadn’t slept for days when actually, only 24 hours had passed. 24 hours in which everything had just slowed down. In Taehyung’s opinion at least.

After the funeral, his mother took his grandfather back home thus, Taehyung was the only one standing alone above the place he had been buried. Oddly enough, he suddenly began laughing. For a second he thought he was possessed and maybe he was but honestly nothing made sense to him at all. Only yesterday he was living what he thought was contentment and here he was now. Past 7 at night looking at his grandmother’s grave. Grave which while doing all the paperwork, he found out she had already planned and paid for. To find out that his grandmother had meticulously prepare her funeral and even where she was going to be buried in was making him by all means euphoric. But at the same time, it was all of a sudden tired. Brushing his hand on the word written on her tomb stone, he silently read

“There’s never an ending, only a continuation.”

Bitterly remembering the insufferable words she’ll never fail to tell him, he spat angrily

“You even designed your headstone beforehand. You bad woman.”

Pulling up the hood that was under his black suit, he sat on the ground, his back against the gravestone, staring blankly at the cloudy the sky who was reflecting his own feelings.

Jimin was worried for Taehyung. He hadn’t heard from him since he left. And no matter how many times he tried to reach him, his phone was always unavailable. Thankfully he managed to get through Mrs Kim’s phone and from what she could say, Taehyung was doing well. That was what she said at least, but Jimin knew Taehyung too well to know that if he wasn’t talking to him yet, it meant that he was anything but fine. Jimin tried to be patient though and give Taehyung some space. After all, he knew just how much Taehyung’s grandmother meant to his best friend. So awaiting his best friend’s return, he focused in doing what Taehyung had asked him to do before leaving. But after two days, Jimin wanted to strangle the rich heir Jeon. The kid was just so difficult and so reckless that Jimin wondered just how did Taehyung managed to handle him so well till now. It was one of those surreal achievement Jimin just couldn’t see himself doing alas.

Sighing heavily, Jimin hoped earnestly that for today’s trial the troublemaker would somehow stay calm. Unfortunately some prayers took longer to happen for just halfway through the trial, Jungkook pounced on an intern of the opposite team, leaving a remarkable mark on his cheek. Running furiously his hand through his hair, Jimin whispered exasperatedly

“Aish, seriously this punk!” Why couldn’t the-said-uncontrollable-heir ever finish a trial without doing something that will only penalize further the team? In other word Taehyung. Was it his way to show his discontentment for Taehyung ditching them? Jimin immediately pushed those questions that were only adding to his migraine aside and climbed up the stage where each team had to perform a tracheotomy, he went in between Jungkook and Minho’s student (not so surprising)

“What’s going on here?”

“He hit me that’s what’s going on.” Snapped angrily the intern that had been punched and Jimin slightly cringed at the awful color his bruise were slowly taking.

“Right. Uhm Jungkook ah, apologize.”

“What? No. He deserved the punch.” Came Jungkook’s firm reply and Jimin would lie if he said he didn’t flinched at the menacing tone. But only slightly. Steadying his erratic heart, Jimin repeated this time harsher

“Apologize.”

“I won’t.” Countered just as stubbornly Jungkook. Jimin tried to retort but was interrupted by Minho who said, a little too happily

“Dr Park. Move away then. You know what undisciplined student deserves.” Of course he knew. But Jimin also knew that if he allowed Minho to humiliate Jungkook openly, Taehyung would flip. After all, he knew his best friend all too well. And by that, he means how possessive he is over his people. If there was someone that can mess with those interns or just about anyone who Kim Taehyung considered his responsibilities, it was he, Kim Taehyung, alone. Definitely not someone like that annoying Minho.

"Step aside Dr Park.” Minho repeated and Jimin gritted his teeth.