Chapter Text
Taehyung woke up to warmth
A deep, quiet kind of warmth that didn’t belong to Jimin’s drafty apartment,
nor to the small heater humming tiredly in the corner.
It was a warmth wrapped around him , steady, heavy and familiar.
His lashes fluttered as he blinked away sleep
The first thing he felt was breath… warm against the top of his head
The second was a heartbeat, slow and deep, vibrating through the broad chest his cheek was resting on.
The third,
Taehyung froze, breath catching
A strong arm was around his waist
Not loosely or casually
But holding him, like Jin’s body had refused to let go even in sleep.
Taehyung didn’t move at first
He just lay there, letting the moment settle into his bones
Somehow, at some point during the night,
they had moved closer. Now Taehyung was tucked tightly against him, head under the man's jaw,
their legs tangled under the heavy blankets. Outside, the winter dawn looked cold and grey through Jimin’s window,
but here , here it was warm
Taehyung didn’t move
Didn’t dare
He just swallowed softly, his chest tightening with something too tender to name.
He shifted just a little, careful not to wake him
Now his forehead brushed directly against his throat, and his heart nearly burst
He could feel the man’s soft pulses under his skin…
could smell the faint traces of his cologne mixed with sleep, alcohol, and something warm and heartbreakingly familiar.
Jin’s jaw rested lightly against the top of his head, like his body had molded itself to Taehyung’s shape through the night.
God
Taehyung closed his eyes again, breathing him in
This was dangerous, because—
This was everything he’d ever wanted.
Jin’s fingers twitched once at his waist, tightening unconsciously,
pulling him a bit closer , as if he feared Taehyung might slip away again.
A small, helpless smile bloomed on Taehyung’s lips
His heart felt too full. Too soft. Too painfully, stupidly in love.
Every memory of last night replayed in slow motion
his trembling voice…
His ruined eyes…
His desperate confession…
Their kisses, their longing, their aching…
And then…
Taehyung’s own whispered truth, finally spoken into the quiet dark:
“I think I am in love with you"
He bit his lip now, feeling heat rise to his cheeks even though Jin hadn’t heard it.
At least…
At least not while awake.
He lay there, letting his eyes trace the soft curve of Jin’s throat,
the slow rise and fall of his chest, the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to his skin.
His mind felt strangely quiet, like everything inside him had finally fallen into place.
I love him
It didn’t scare him anymore
Not after last night
Taehyung lifted his head a little , just enough to see the man's face properly in the faint morning light leaking through the curtains.
He looked younger like this
Unarmored
Soft in a way he never allowed himself to be when the world watched
Brows relaxed
Swollen lips slightly parted
Hair messy from Taehyung’s fingers, falling over his forehead
The faint shadows under his eyes were still there, but the tension — the constant tightness Taehyung was used to seeing , was gone.
He looked peaceful
Taehyung’s heart clenched painfully
So fragile
So beautiful
So his
Taehyung didn’t move
Didn’t even breathe for a moment
He just watched him
God… he was beautiful
And Taehyung’s heart , it felt full. Too full.
He stayed like that for a while, eyes tracing every line of the man’s face, replaying last night in flashes he could barely control.
The whispered confessions
The way Jin held him like he was the only thing keeping him alive.
Taehyung swallowed hard, chest tightening painfully
He loved him
He really… loved him
He reached out without thinking, brushing a soft strand of hair off the man’s forehead.
The touch was feather-light, almost reverent
“Hyung…” he whispered, though he didn’t intend to wake him
Jin didn’t stir, just exhaled softly — breath brushing Taehyung’s cheek
Taehyung bit his lip, heart clenching fondly
He gently tried to close his slightly parted lips
“Seokjin-ah…” he whispered
He almost giggled , the man would scold him for dropping honorifics if he were awake.
But Jin was still deep in sleep
Taehyung let himself smile
Small, shy, overflowing
He tucked himself back into his arms, cheek pressed to that warm chest again, eyes falling closed.
He stayed like that for a long time — listening to the steady heartbeat under his ear, letting it soothe him, anchor him.
For the first time in months…
for the first time since everything broke at the campsite…
Taehyung felt safe
He felt whole
He felt loved — even if Jin hadn’t said it
Even if morning might change everything
Still…
He whispered softly into the quiet warmth between them:
“Please… don’t let this be a dream”
And held him a little tighter.
He stayed like that, still and breathless, until Jin shifted slightly,
humming under his breath — arms tightening unconsciously around his waist before his lashes fluttered open.
Taehyung looked up just in time to see the elder blink sleepily at the ceiling — then down at him.
For a few seconds, he simply smiled , sleepy, warm , the kind of smile that made Taehyung blush and look away.
Soft, dreamy and fond
Like he really thought Taehyung was a dream he didn’t want to wake from
He reached up, still half-asleep, brushing a stray strand of hair from Taehyung’s eyes with the gentlest touch Taehyung had ever felt.
Taehyung flushed immediately, heat blooming under his skin.
“Morning…” Jin whispered, voice husky from sleep and liquor.
Taehyung’s breath caught. He felt himself turn red.
“Morning…” he whispered shyly.
And that was when everything changed,
Jin’s eyes flew open , fully, sharply , panic flashing through them as reality slammed back.
Like he just realized he wasn’t dreaming anymore
He blinked rapidly and jolted upright , too fast , nearly slipping off the blanket pile.
He hissed in pain when his weight landed on his injured hand.
“Hyung!” Taehyung scrambled forward, catching his shoulders
“Careful, lov—… hyung,” he corrected quickly, face flushing
Jin didn’t seem to notice. His chest was rising and falling fast, eyes darting around the unfamiliar apartment.
He looked at Taehyung like he wasn’t sure if he was real
“What… where—? Taehyung… how did I… get here?” he stuttered, eyes wide, confused, terrified
He didn’t remember
Of course he didn’t
Taehyung swallowed hard, gently taking Jin’s wounded hand in his own, checking the bandages.
“You came last night… you were drunk,” he said softly, thumb brushing carefully along the edge of the dressing.
Jin’s throat bobbed as he stared at him
And Taehyung saw the moment the elder remembered something , not clearly, but pieces
Like he was trying so hard to remember last night’s events
Taehyung saw the moment it crashed back into him
Shards of guilt flickered across Jin’s face so fast Taehyung barely caught them
“Hyung… it’s okay,” he whispered, reaching out instinctively , then stopping himself mid-air,
unsure if he was allowed to touch him anymore.
Jin squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his good hand over them
“I’m… sorry,” he muttered. “I don’t remember everything. I don’t— I shouldn’t have come here. I shouldn’t have involved you in my mess”
Taehyung’s chest tightened painfully
He wanted to say, You’re not a mess
He wanted to say, You can always come to me
He wanted to say, I love you
Instead, he swallowed the words
“It’s fine, hyung. You weren’t feeling well. I just… didn’t want to leave you alone”
Jin finally looked at him then and Taehyung felt his knees weaken even though he was sitting down.
his gaze was Soft.,confused,..Hurting.
And still… so tender
“…Thank you,” Jin whispered
The silence stretched between them, heavy but not suffocating this time , like they were both afraid to breathe wrong.
He tried to stand, swaying from the hangover. Taehyung reached out fast and steadied him gently by the elbow.
“Just… sit,” he murmured. “I’ll get you water. And something light to eat”
Jin didn’t argue
He sat on the edge of the blanket, head in his hand like he was trying to hold himself together,
while Taehyung moved around the kitchen quietly ,soft steps, soft touches, soft breaths.
Jin watched him from behind his fingers
The way Taehyung tied his hair back, the way he reached for a cup,
the way he moved with such quiet care… like he was afraid of disturbing him.
Jin’s chest ached
A deep, guilty, longing ache
He didn’t deserve this gentleness
He didn’t deserve Taehyung
But God… he’d missed him
So much more than he could ever admit
Taehyung placed the warm tea and a painkiller in front of him with trembling hands.
“Drink this,” he whispered, eyes lowered.
“It’ll help the headache”
Jin looked at the cup
Then at Taehyung
And something inside him cracked, quietly
“…I’m sorry,” he whispered again, voice almost breaking.
Taehyung shook his head softly
“Don’t. Not today”
For the first time since waking, Jin’s shoulders loosened , just a little
There would be time later for the truth
For heartbreak
For choices they were both terrified of
But for now —
there was only the soft morning light, the warmth of blankets,
and Taehyung moving gently around the kitchen like he belonged there.
Like he belonged with him.
The small kitchen smelled like toasted bread, eggs, and freshly brewed coffee — but Jin only smelled him:
warm skin, soft shampoo, the faint sweetness he had memorized.
Taehyung moved gently, almost shyly, as if afraid any loud sound would break the fragile morning holding them together.
Taehyung finally placed the food on the table
“Come here, hyung… sit,” he said softly, guiding him by the arm so he wouldn’t hurt his injured hand.
Jin obeyed silently, swallowing the lump in his throat
Taehyung sat beside him instead of across, their knees brushing, close enough that the warmth seeped into Jin’s bones.
He could barely hold the chopsticks properly with his bandaged hand, and Taehyung noticed immediately.
“Give me,” he murmured
Before Jin could protest, Taehyung picked up the chopsticks himself and lifted a small bite to his lips
“Hyung… please eat”
Jin opened his mouth helplessly
And the moment the food touched his tongue
something inside him cracked. Not because of the taste, but because of the tenderness.
Because it felt like someone was still choosing him
Taking care of him.
Loving him in all the small quiet ways he had been starving for.
— which was absurd
His eyes burned
He blinked hard, but a tear slipped anyway
Taehyung froze
“Hyung…?”
God, that gentle voice
Jin shook his head, smiling in that small, broken way.
“I’m okay… just—”
A soft breath escaped him
Jin almost lost it again
While they ate, Jin kept stealing glances ,
the soft line of Taehyung’s jaw, the way he bit his lip when concentrating,
the way he turned every few minutes to check on him.
Warm and careful
So Taehyung
His Taehyung
By the time breakfast ended, Jin felt both full and hollow
Because the more he soaked in this quiet domestic feeling, the more reality crawled back
Like a hand tightening around his throat.
His right hand moved unconsciously to his pocket…
Touching the cold metal hidden there.
The ring
The engagement ring Hana put on his finger last night ,
the same ring he ripped off in the car and shoved in his pocket before coming here.
God
He closed his fingers around it, heart twisting painfully
Taehyung didn’t notice; he was wiping the pan, humming softly under his breath.
Looking so beautiful in the morning light.
And then—
Jin saw it:
A faint red hickey on Taehyung’s neck.
Jin had to look away.
A memory hit him, sharp and scattered:
God, I missed you so bad.
His own voice
Desperate
Broken
Taehyung’s breath against his lips.
Wet, frantic kisses.
And then—
Jin inhaled sharply, fingers tightening around the ring.
What had he done last night?
Taehyung turned, drying his hands.
“Hyung? Are you okay?”
Jin swallowed hard.
No
He wasn’t
He was the farthest thing from okay
But sitting here, with Taehyung’s soft morning eyes on him, the warmth of breakfast lingering in the air…
He wished, desperately, he could stay like this forever.
That he could pretend his harsh world didn’t exist
That he belonged here, beside him
That he was allowed to love him
Jin forced a shaky smile
“I’m… okay,” he lied gently
But his eyes were already filling again.
Taehyung’s expression softened instantly — worried, tender, close enough to touch.
Jin looked at him and his heart trembled violently, making it hard to breathe.
Why can’t I choose you?
Why can’t life be simple?
And yet…
This moment , soft breakfast, warm hands, quiet care , felt like the closest thing to happiness he’d had in years.
And he didn’t want to let go
Not yet
Not now
But instead…
he stood abruptly.
Taehyung looked up at him, confused.
“I… I need to go”
“What— but… we… I mean… I… hyung…” Taehyung stuttered nervously.
But Jin didn’t let him finish
He grabbed his jacket and left Jimin’s house
Not looking back
He ran away
Again.
The apartment hallway was painfully bright when Jin stepped in that afternoon.
His head still throbbed from the hangover; his heart hurt even more.
A few hours ago, he had woken up in Taehyung’s arms…
Now reality felt cold again.
He approched his door with a sigh—
only to freeze
Someone was standing there.
A tall figure, hands awkwardly clasped around a bouquet of white peonies.
Yeonjun
His eyes widened the moment he saw him
“Sun— Hyung…” he corrected softly, bowing fast
Yeonjun stood there
A bouquet of white freesias in one hand, a black envelope in the other.
His expression was a mix of surprise and something like worry.
“I— Mr. Choi asked me to deliver the engagement gift,” he explained softly,
lifting the envelope. “And… I wanted to congratulate you in person”
Jin’s heart clenched painfully
Congratulations
He had spent the morning wishing he could stay in Taehyung’s arms forever,
and now someone was congratulating him for belonging to someone else.
“Oh,” Jin managed, voice tight. “Thank you "
Yeonjun swallowed, eyes flickering over him.
“You look tired,” he said gently
Jin laughed once, a small, dry sound. “I didn’t sleep well”
Which was true—
He slept beautifully, but his heart didn’t.
“Can I come in?” Yeonjun asked.
Jin stepped aside
“Of course ....Come in”
Yeonjun hesitated, then entered quietly—
like he knew this home was full of ghosts today.
They sat at the edge of his couch, a careful distance between them.
The freesias lay on the table now, their soft scent strangely painful in the room.
Yeonjun fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve before he spoke.
nervous but sincere.
Then, finally…
“Hyung,” he said softly, “can I ask something?”
Jin looked up
Yeonjun’s gaze was gentle, hesitant, but steady
“…What about him?” he let a soft breath then "T....aehyung? "
Silence
Jin went still.
Like someone pressed fingers sharply over a bruise.
The room felt suddenly too small—too bright—too quiet.
His hand trembled, slipping over his mouth as if trying to hold in everything at once.
Yeonjun panicked slightly—
“Hyung—? Did I—”
“No,” Jin whispered, voice shaking
“You didn’t say anything wrong.”
He leaned back, eyes glistening, breath shaky.
“It’s just… I don’t know how to talk about him without falling apart”
Yeonjun didn’t speak
He only sat straighter, giving him the space,
the silent permission
to say everything.
Jin exhaled shakily
“He was… everything,” he began, voice rough
“And I ruined it. I ruined everything”
Yeonjun waited
Jin looked down at his bandaged hand
“I loved him,” he whispered
A confession he had never spoken out loud to anyone.
Not even to himself until last night
“And I think… I still do. God, I do”
His breath caught
“He was with someone else,” Jin whispered
“And I still went to him. I still begged him to choose me”
Yeonjun’s eyes softened painfully
“You must have been hurting a lot,” he said, so gently it nearly broke Jin again.
Jin let out a weak laugh—almost a sob
“Hurt doesn’t even begin to describe it”
“I don’t know how to stop loving him”
Yeonjun’s eyes softened
“I don’t know how to exist without him” Jin whispered.
“Every day I tell myself I should move on. That I should choose the life my family wants.
That I should let him be happy with someone else.”
His breath shook
“But every time I see him… every time I think of him… it feels like—”
His voice broke
“—like something in me is dying”
He looked at Yeonjun then ,at the young man who somehow ended up witnessing the rawest parts of him without judgment.
“You’re the only person who knows,” Jin admitted quietly.
“I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this, but… I feel like I can breathe around you”
Yeonjun’s heart clenched
His lips parted, but he swallowed his words
Because none of them were appropriate
Not when Jin was in love with someone else
Not when he was hurting so much
Yeonjun didn’t reach for him
He didn’t say empty comforting words
He simply nodded… slowly, deeply… acknowledging the pain
“You love him,” he murmured
Jin laughed, broken
“Too much”
“And he?” Yeonjun asked quietly. “Does he know?”
Jin looked away, his eyes glassy
“No,” he whispered. “And even if he did… I don’t deserve him”
Silence stretched between them—soft, understanding silence
Yeonjun leaned back slightly, undoing the top button of his shirt, letting out a small sigh
“Sunbaenim,” he said quietly, “you can tell me anything. I may not know you well yet, but…”
He offered a tiny smile
“…I want to. You don’t have to hold this alone”
Jin blinked at him, surprised
He hadn’t realized how desperately he needed someone—anyone—not from his family,
not from Taehyung’s circle, to just simply listen
He breathed out a trembling sigh
“Thank you, Yeonjun-ah”
The younger’s name slipped from his mouth gently, sincerely
Yeonjun lowered his head, hiding a blush
Jin didn’t notice
He only noticed the fragile swelling in his own chest—the relief of finally saying the truth out loud.
For the first time in months…
he didn’t feel completely alone
He shouldn’t have come,
He hadn’t meant to come here.
He told himself he just needed to check if the man got home safely,
needed to make sure he didn’t collapse somewhere alone with that injured hand,
needed… something
He just needed to see him
Just needed to make sure he was okay after last night… after everything.
But the moment he reached the familiar doorstep, he froze
The man wasn’t alone
Standing in front of his apartment door
And someone else’s arms around him
A young man, handsome, sharply dressed, holding a bouquet of flowers,
leaning close into Jin’s shoulder in an embrace.
Taehyung froze
His breath dropped straight out of his chest
A harmless hug
But Taehyung’s blood went cold anyway
The stranger stepped back politely, bowing "Take care hyung "
Hyung
The word sliced through Taehyung’s chest before he could stop it
The hallway blurred for a second, heat rising in his face,
in his ears, in his throat. His fingers curled until his nails dug into his palms.
And then Jin saw him
Like the world snapped back into place
he stiffened, abruptly pulling away from the young man the moment he turned and finally saw Taehyung standing there.
“Taehyung…” Jin whispered, voice cracking.
The younger stepped forward automatically, instinctively,
planting himself closer to Jin’s side without even realizing he did it.
A silent claim. A reflex he couldn’t stop
He didn’t look at the stranger again
The younger man—that man—stepped back, startled.
He bowed to Taehyung politely
“Sorry for intruding. I’ll head back now, Sunbaenim”
Taehyung forced a polite nod, rigid, expression blank but eyes burning
Jin watched him leave with a tight smile… and Taehyung watched Jin
Watched how he exhaled shakily when the door closed
Watched how guilt flickered on the elder’s face
Watched how something inside him snapped
The hallway felt too small suddenly
Yeonjun had barely left the building lobby when Taehyung finally took a full breath
The man entire expression changed, panic rising, guilt washing over his features.
But Taehyung couldn’t see anything except that image burning behind his eyes.
him in someone else’s arms.
Again
Was it that why he left that morning without looking back ?
“Who was that?” Taehyung’s voice was too soft, too controlled, than he intended, breath shaking.
He hated how it trembled
Jin swallowed
“A colleague… he just came to deliver—”
“Why were you hugging him?”
Jin blinked, startled. “Taehyung-ah, it—it wasn’t—”
“Is he your boyfriend? Did you… come out already?”
Taehyung whispered bitterly, stepping closer, eyes shining.
“Or was it just for him?”
“What?-Jin lifted both hands, trying to calm him. “No. No, it’s not like that—Taehyung, please—”
But the younger couldn’t listen anymore.
The jealousy, the hurt, the sleepless night, the fear of losing him — all of it burst at once the moment the last latch of self-control snapped.
“Please what?”
Taehyung’s chest was rising too fast, breath tight, burning.
“You disappear this morning. You run from me. And then I come here—worried sick—and you’re—”
His voice cracked, turning into a whisper.
“—you’re in someone else’s arms again”
Jin’s face fell, eyes filled with something desperate. “Taehyung,..."
Taehyung took off his coat slowly, waiting… hoping…
for an explanation.
It didn’t come
Not until Jin finally exhaled, voice thin.
“Taehyung… we shouldn’t meet anymore”
"What-"
“Why do you keep doing this to me?” Taehyung started to cry suddenly , voice breaking open
“Why do you keep choosing everyone else but me?”
Jin flinched,
“Taehyung—”
“I waited—”
A sob shook out of him
“I kept waiting for you to say something… anything. And you—you keep running.
Or hiding. Or hurting me without even knowing”
Jin swallowed, eyes on the floor, voice heavy and resigned:
“I’m… getting married”
Taehyung froze
It was quiet
The kind of quiet that kills
For a moment Taehyung stood completely still,
like his heart was trying to understand the words before it chose to break
Married
Choose me
you have said you wanted me .. and tonight I …I want to be yours …….
I want you
I don’t love her, I never did
His hyung was getting married
He didn’t blink or breathe or move —
he just stared at Jin, who couldn’t even look at him
Taehyung stepped back, almost stumbling
"What ?-"
he felt the room spined around him again
Then something inside him snapped
A quiet shatter
He stepped closer, without thinking, without breathing, standing between Jin and the world like he was claiming territory he had no right to claim.
“…so that’s it?” he whispered, tears keeps falling over his face
Taehyung stepped forward again, chest rising and falling erratically.
“Did you come to end it? To say goodbye? To make it easier before you put on a ring for someone else? Is that it?”
His vision blurred
His heart hammered painfully
Jin reached out, gently,trying to hold his arm, his voice breaking
“Taehyung, please… let me explain—”
But Taehyung shoved his hand away, fists pounding weakly—angrily—against Jin’s chest.
Jin finally looked at him then
Just for a second
And Taehyung wished he hadn’t —
because the pain in that gaze was too much, too raw, too real
It made everything hurt even more
I’m a coward
Taehyung’s throat closed
“You… you kissed me,” he whispered bitterly
“You came crying to me… you said you missed me… and now you’re standing here telling me you are getting married ?”
Jin inhaled sharply, “Taehyung-ah, please, listen—”
“No”
The word choked out of Taehyung before he could stop it
“No, hyung, don’t do this. Don’t—”
His voice cracked, breath shaking as he tried to swallow the tears burning his eyes
And then the dam broke
He pushed Jin’s chest with both hands — not hard enough to hurt,
but enough to show all the pain inside him.
“How could you?”
Another push
“How could you come to me like that?”
He hit Jin’s chest again, fists trembling
“Why did you kiss me if you’re marrying someone else?”
Another hit, softer this time, breaking
“You’re so cruel—”
Jin grabbed both of Taehyung’s wrists then, not roughly,
but like he was afraid Taehyung would crumble if he didn’t hold him together.
His voice wavered
“I’m trying to do what’s right”
Taehyung shook his head, tears falling faster now
“What’s right for who?!”
His voice cracked
“For you? For her? For them?”
He hit Jin’s chest again with both fists, but it was weak now
More like pleading than striking
“And what about me…?” he whispered
“What about what I feel…?”
Jin didn’t answer
He just stood there, breathing hard, trembling, eyes glistening like they held a whole ocean of regret.
Taehyung’s voice was barely a breath when it came out next.
“Say it’s just desire”
He swallowed
“Say last night meant nothing”
Jin squeezed his eyes shut
“I can’t”
“Then why—!” Taehyung broke completely, voice shaking apart
“Why are you doing this to me?!”
Silence
Painfully quiet
And then Jin whispered—
“Because if you stay… I won’t be able to walk away”
The confession sliced through Taehyung
Through both of them
Taehyung stood frozen, breath trembling, heart stumbling painfully in his chest
Then—
“Taehyung,” Jin whispered, voice breaking, reaching for him
Taehyung slapped his hands away violently
“Don’t touch me!”
He was sobbing now
“You don’t get to touch me and then tell me to forget you!”
Jin looked shattered, like Taehyung’s tears were knives
“Taehyung-ah… please… I didn’t mean—”
“YES YOU DID!” Taehyung yelled through tears
“Yes, you did. You knew what you were doing
You knew I—”
He bit his lip hard, but the truth forced itself out, raw and helpless:
“I love you, you cruel man!”
Everything stopped
Jin’s breath died in his throat
His knees wavered
His eyes filled immediately, painfully
“Taehyung…” he whispered, barely audible
But Taehyung shook his head, crying harder, weak fists keep hitting him
“I love you,” "I love you " he repeated, broken..
“And I hate that I do. I hate that you’re marrying someone else...
I hate that you came to me yesterday.....I hate that I saw you hugging someone -else
I hate that I can’t stop choosing you even when you keep destroying me”
......I hate you "
Jin reached out with a shaking hand, like he desperately wanted to cup Taehyung’s face but didn’t dare touch him.
“Please don’t say you hate—”
The words never finished
Taehyung choked on a sob and grabbed Jin’s collar ,
pulling him down, crushing their mouths together
The kiss was nothing like last night
No heat, no hunger
Just heartbreak
Just desperation
Just love
Jin kissed him back instantly, fiercely, almost violently—like a man drowning and Taehyung was the only air he had left.
His hands gripped Taehyung’s waist so tightly the younger whimpered, but he didn’t pull away.
Couldn’t
Taehyung tasted tears
His or Jin’s—he didn’t know
Didn’t care
It was their last kiss
They both knew it
Their breaths broke as they tearfully kissed through the ache,
through the truth, through everything they weren’t brave enough to say sooner.
When they finally tore apart, their foreheads pressed together,
breathing each other in like it was the last breath either of them would ever take.
Taehyung whispered first, voice trembling and raw
“…I love you so much”
Jin’s eyes squeezed shut, pain carving through every part of him
His reply came out shattered
“…please don’t"
Taehyung’s heart split so violently he felt it physically
He let go first
Hands falling
Body trembling
Tears sliding down his cheeks in silent defeat
He turned away, steps stumbling, vision blurry—
and left.
The door closed gently behind him
Jin stood frozen for exactly three seconds
Then he collapsed
Fell to his knees, hands shaking, breath breaking in painful chokes as the realization slammed into him—
Taehyung loved him
And now he had to let him go
He bowed his head to the cold floor, tears spilling freely
“I’m sorry…”
His voice cracked into a sob
“I’m so sorry, Taehyung-ah…”
He had lost Taehyung
His Taehyung
And now he knew that the boy had loved him too
But it was too late
Much too late