Chapter Text
“Some nights feel like forever until you realize they were only borrowed.”
The air was heavy and thick with the scent of damp earth and something sweet yet decaying. A full moon hung low in the sky round and heavy like it carried an unspoken grief of its own.
Around it a thousand faint stars were scattered across the darkness struggling to shine through the thick night. The forest on the outskirts of the Busan lay still beneath it. It was quiet and untouched.
Almost forgotten.
No one came here anymore.
No one except him.
The narrow path leading into the forest was damp. The earth soft underfoot as if it had been holding onto the memory of rain. The air was cool brushing gently against the skin carrying with it was a strange lingering scent.
Roses.
It was roses
It was sweet.
It was delicate.
Out of place in the wild.
And yet… it had always been there.
A boy moved through the darkness his steps steady but heavy like each one carried something unspoken. His black boots crushed the dry leaves beneath him the sound sharp in the silence.
Jeon Jungkook.
Dressed in black from head to toe—leather jacket, fitted pants, worn-out converse he blended into the night yet his presence felt anything but invisible. He moved through the undergrowth like a man possessed. His hazel eyes shadowed with a devastated hollow moved restlessly between the trees. They were searching.
Always searching.
Not for a path.
For someone.
For him.
There was something restless in the way he walked like he was afraid that if he stopped even for a second everything would disappear. Like this place, this moment, this fragile illusion would slip through his fingers.
Then—
A deep voice.
Soft at first.
Barely more than a whisper carried by the wind.
On a street full of flowers
꽃들이 가득한 거리에
I see you again today, will you be contained within me?
오늘도 그대를 보네요, 내 안에 담
겨질까요
Jungkook froze.
The world seemed to stop with him.
Even the leaves under his feet fell silent.
His breath hitched chest tightening painfully as the sound settled into him, deep and familiar like something his soul had memorized long ago.
“…Taehyung.”
The name left him before he could stop it. It felt familiar but at the same time it felt foreign.
It wasn’t loud.
It didn’t need to be.
Because somehow… it always reached him.
The voice continued clearer now guiding him like a thread pulling him forward through the darkness.
In the park after the early morning moon
새벽 달이 지난 공원에
I'm putting my feelings right now, this song is towards you
지금 내 감정을 담아요, 이 노랜 그댈 향해요
illuminated by the moon in the night sky
밤하늘 달에게 비춰진
Jungkook moved again.
Faster this time.
Not running but close enough. His steps were uneven almost desperate as branches brushed against his arms and shadows shifted around him. His heart pounded violently against his ribs. They were loud enough to drown out everything else.
He knew this voice.
He would find it anywhere.
Even if the world collapsed around him.
The trees began to thin, the darkness slowly giving way to something softer silver light spilling through the gaps.
And then—
He stepped into it.
A garden.
Hidden deep within the forest like a secret no one else was meant to find.
The forgotten rose garden. It was their own secret spot.
Roses bloomed everywhere their petals soft and full. Their scent thick in the air. It wrapped around Jungkook instantly almost overwhelming—sweet but heavy. Like a memory that refused to fade.
The moonlight poured into the clearing painting everything in pale silver.
And in the center of it...
Him.
Kim Taehyung.
He stood among the roses as if he belonged there as if the entire garden had grown around him. A loose white silk shirt draped over his frame. The fabric shifting gently with the wind, paired with soft white pants that caught the light with every subtle movement.
His hair...
It was silver.
Not dyed.
Not styled.
Just… silver. Like moonlight had settled into it and decided to stay. A silver hue encircled him.
He didn’t look real.
He looked like something imagined. Something remembered too perfectly. Something ethereal.
An echo.
A dream that refused to break.
Listen to the sound of film
필름의 소리를 들어요
I still wonder, wonder beautiful story
Still wonder, wonder best part
I still wander, wander next story
I want to make you mine
His voice filled the garden deep and warm yet carrying a quiet sadness that lingered between each note. The roses swayed gently as if listening as if they understood.
Jungkook didn’t move at first.
He just stood there at the edge of everything and watching.
He was afraid.
Not of him.
But of the moment ending.
Because it always did.
Still slowly....he stepped closer.
Each step careful.
It was measured.
Like approaching something fragile.
Something he could lose all over again.
If you leave behind footprints
발자국 남기고 떠나가시면
I will protect the path, I will leave it in black and white
제가 그 온길 지킬게요, 흑백 속 에 남길게요
The closer he got the clearer everything became- the soft rise and fall of Taehyung’s chest as he sang the faint way his fingers brushed against the petals of the roses beside him, the calm expression on his face.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Jungkook’s throat tightened.
He missed this.
God he missed this so much it hurt.
When the last note faded into the night silence took its place again. Not empty but full. Heavy with everything that hadn’t been said.
Jungkook inhaled shakily.
“…Tae.”
Taehyung turned. His green bambi eyes settling on him.
Their eyes met.
And just like that....
Everything cracked open.
Time didn’t slow.
It stopped.
Jungkook didn’t think.
Didn’t hesitate.
He ran.
The distance between them disappeared in seconds as he crashed into Taehyung arms wrapping around him tightly. Too tightly as if he needed to make sure he was real.
As if he needed to prove to himself that this wasn’t just another cruel illusion.
Taehyung stumbled slightly from the impact but his arms came up just as quickly holding Jungkook back with the same quiet desperation. His touch light almost weightless yet grounding.
They fit.
Like they always had.
Like nothing had ever changed.
Jungkook buried his face into Taehyung’s neck breathing him in deeply.
And there it was.
That familiar scent. It smelt soft,warm and home.
His grip tightened.
“You’re here…” he whispered. His voice was like the rustle of dry leaves breaking against Taehyung’s skin.
“You’re really here…”
Taehyung didn’t pull away.
Didn’t correct him.
He only exhaled softly his fingers curling slightly into the back of Jungkook’s jacket.
“I’m here.”
Two simple words.
But they held everything.
They held Relief.
They held Pain.
And something unspoken that lingered quietly beneath it all.
Jungkook pulled back just enough to look at him, his hands still gripping Taehyung’s arms like he didn’t trust the world to keep him there.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
They didn’t need to.
Everything was already in their eyes.
Everything they lost.
Everything they couldn’t say.
And everything they still felt.
The night stretched on around them silent and endless as if it was giving them just a little more time.
A little more of something that was never meant to last.
Jungkook looked at him, his eyes shining with unshed tears. He didn't ask, he just leaned in.
The kiss was raw. It wasn't a sweet reunion. It was a collision of terror and longing. Jungkook kissed him like he was trying to breathe life back into him pouring every ounce of his grief, his love, and his unspoken fears against Taehyung's cold lips.
He sought permission, opening Taehyung's mouth to taste the familiar, intoxicating warmth hidden within. But beneath the passion there was a quiet, suffocating desperation, the feeling of trying to hold water in your bare hands.
When they finally broke apart Jungkook rested his forehead against Taehyung's both of them breathing raggedly into the quiet night. He reached up, his thumb gently swiping across Taehyung’s cheek. The skin was so pale, so impossibly cold.
For a while, they didn’t move.
They just stood there holding onto each other as if letting go would mean losing everything all over again. The night wrapped around them quietly, the roses swaying gently, their scent lingering heavy in the air.
It was Taehyung who pulled back first.
Not completely.
Just enough to look at Jungkook.
“You’ve been coming here again.” he said softly.
It wasn’t a question.
Jungkook let out a quiet breath something close to a laugh but without any real humor.
“Every night.”
Taehyung’s gaze softened but there was something else there too. Something deeper. Something that hurt.
“You shouldn’t.”
“I can’t stop.”
The answer came too quickly.
Too honestly.
Silence fell again heavier this time.
Jungkook looked away first running a hand through his hair as if trying to shake off the tension building inside his chest.
“Come on, you're freezing.” he muttered quietly.
“Let’s just… walk.”
Taehyung nodded.
They moved side by side through the garden, their shoulders brushing lightly with each step. Jungkook hesitated for a moment before reaching out his fingers slowly finding Taehyung’s.
They were cold.
But still there.
Taehyung didn’t pull away.
That was enough.
The path curved naturally leading them out of the garden and deeper into the forest again where the trees thinned just enough to reveal the lake ahead. The water reflected the moon perfectly still and untouched like a mirror holding onto the sky.
Jungkook stopped for a second taking it in.
It hadn’t changed.
Nothing here ever did.
“Race you?” Taehyung suddenly said, a small hint of his old playfulness slipping through.
Jungkook blinked caught off guard.
“What?”
But Taehyung was already moving, turning and running ahead without waiting.
For a second Jungkook just stood there. Then a real smile small but genuine broke across his face.
“Hey—! That’s cheating! wait baby…”
He ran after him.
Their footsteps echoed through the trees, laughter breaking the stillness of the forest in a way that felt almost unfamiliar now. It was messy, breathless and real.
For a moment—
It felt like before.
Like nothing had ever been lost.
By the time they reached the lake both of them had slowed their laughter fading into soft breaths. Taehyung stopped near the edge turning slightly his silver hair catching the moonlight.
Jungkook walked up behind him quieter this time.
He didn’t ask.
He just sat down against the large ancient tree nearby his back resting against the rough bark. Taehyung followed settling naturally between his legs leaning back into his chest like he had done countless times before.
Jungkook’s arms wrapped around him instinctively shielding him from the world.
Like muscle memory.
Like home.
For a while neither of them spoke.
The only sounds were the faint ripple of water and the soft rustling of leaves above them. The night felt calmer here, slower like time itself had decided to pause.
Jungkook rested his chin lightly on Taehyung’s shoulder his hold tightening just a little.
He didn’t want this to end.
Not yet.
Not again.
Taehyung closed his eyes briefly letting himself sink into the feeling—the warmth behind him, the steady rise and fall of Jungkook’s chest, the quiet comfort he had missed more than anything.
But beneath it all—
He knew.
Time was running out.
“How was your day?” he asked softly breaking the silence.
The question was simple.
Normal.
And somehow that made it hurt more.
Jungkook let out a quiet breath.
“At first… I thought it was fine,” he said slowly.
“I went through it like I always do. Work, people, noise… pretending everything’s okay.”
His fingers tightened slightly around Taehyung.
“But it’s not.”
The words came out heavier now.
“Nothing feels right without you.”
Taehyung’s expression faltered even if Jungkook couldn’t see it.
Jungkook continued, his voice lower more fragile.
“There’s this… emptiness. It doesn’t go away. Doesn’t matter where I am or who I’m with. It’s always there.”
He swallowed hard.
“Some days it hurts so much I can’t even breathe properly. Like something’s pressing down on my chest. And in those moments…” his voice cracked slightly,
“all I want is you.”
Taehyung’s hands curled slightly over Jungkook’s arms.
“But you’re not there, it always hurts tae. When i wake up you aren't there. When I come back home you aren't there. When I eat you're aren't there.” Jungkook whispered.
“And I can’t do anything about it.”
Silence followed.
It was heavy and unavoidable.
Jungkook forced out a small breath trying to lighten it even just a little.
“Oh… Tae today Yoongi hyung finally proposed to Jimin hyung.”
There was a faint smile in his voice now fragile but real.
Taehyung let out a soft huff of disbelief. A small smile forming on his lips.
“Really? That grumpy man actually did it?”
Jungkook nodded against his shoulder.
“Yeah. Took him long enough.”
Taehyung’s smile lingered but it didn’t fully reach his eyes.
“ Jimin must’ve been so happy. He was waiting for it so long…”
“He was,” Jungkook said quietly.
“They both were.”
A pause.
Then, softer—
“They fit.”
Taehyung nodded slightly.
“Yeah… they do.”
Another silence settled in but this one felt different.
More fragile.
Jungkook hesitated before speaking again.
“Just like us.”
The words slipped out naturally.
Honestly.
But Taehyung didn’t respond this time.
He only looked out at the lake his expression unreadable. His silence saying more than words ever could.
Jungkook noticed.
But he didn’t push.
Not yet.
Instead Taehyung spoke again his voice quieter now.
“How are Jin hyung and Namjoon?”
Jungkook’s hold softened just a little.
“They’re okay...” he said.
“They miss you.”
A small pause.
“We all do.”
Taehyung closed his eyes briefly.
The words hit deeper than he let show.
“You should come see them.” Jungkook added almost hopeful.
“Just once. They’d… they’d be so happy. Tannie and Bam also miss you Tae… please come back. you promised.”
Taehyung didn’t answer immediately.
Because he knew—
He couldn’t.
And soon…
Jungkook would have to understand that too. Because having him here is not good for Jungkook.
But unknown to them, somewhere on the ridge overlooking the lake two figures stood cloaked in the shadows watching a broken boy clinging to something that was already fading into the mist.
The silence stretched between them fragile and thin like it could shatter with a single word.
Taehyung didn’t answer.
He couldn’t.
Because anything he said would be a lie.
Jungkook felt it—the shift, the distance creeping in where warmth had been just moments ago. His chest tightened again that familiar ache settling deep inside him.
But he didn’t want to ruin this moment.
Not when he finally had him here.
So instead he held him a little closer.
“Do you remember..” Jungkook started softly his voice brushing against the quiet night,
“How you used to complain about my singing?”
That earned a small reaction.
Taehyung huffed quietly a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“You were loud.”
“I was passionate.” Jungkook corrected a weak smile forming.
“You were off key.”
Jungkook let out a quiet laugh under his breath. The sound soft but real.
“Yeah… maybe.”
The laughter faded just as quickly as it came.
Another silence.
But this one wasn’t empty.
It was full of things they weren’t saying.
Jungkook swallowed his gaze drifting toward the lake where the moon shimmered against the still water.
“…You always liked it anyway.” he added quietly.
Taehyung didn’t deny it.
“I do.” he admitted almost in a whisper.
Jungkook took a slow breath.
Then, softer—
“Can I… sing for you?”
The question lingered in the air uncertain almost fragile.
Taehyung’s body stilled slightly in his arms.
“…You don’t have to.” he said gently.
“I want to.”
That was enough.
Taehyung nodded even if Jungkook couldn’t see it.
“Okay.”
Jungkook shifted slightly his arms still wrapped securely around him grounding himself before he began. His heart was beating too fast his throat tight but he didn’t stop.
Not this time.
Not when it was for him.
His voice came out low at first a little unsteady—
But real.
Your faint voice that passes by me
날 스치는 그대의 옅은 그 목소리
Please call my name one more time
내 이름을 한 번만 더 불러주세요
The words slipped into the night soft and aching blending into the quiet hum of the forest. The lake reflected the sky like a mirror, the stars trembling slightly with the faint movement of water.
Taehyung’s breath caught.
Although I'm standing still under the frozen sunset
얼어버린 노을 아래 멈춰 서 있지만
I want to walk towards you one step at a time
그대 향해 한 걸음씩 걸
어갈래요
Jungkook’s voice wasn’t perfect.
It never had been.
But it was filled with something deeper, something raw, something that hurt.
Still with you....
Each word felt like a confession.
Like something he had been holding in for far too long.
His arms tightened around Taehyung unconsciously as if the song itself wasn’t enough to keep him there.
As if he needed more.
As if he was afraid.
Taehyung closed his eyes.
He could feel it.
Every word.
Every emotion Jungkook was pouring into the song.
And it made his chest ache in a way that didn’t belong to the living.
Although our steps may not match each other,
서로 발걸음이 안 맞을 수도 있지만
I want to walk this road with you
그대와 함께 이 길을 걷고 싶어요
Still with you....
Jungkook’s voice wavered slightly but he didn’t stop.
He couldn’t.
Because this....this moment, this song—
This was all he had.
Still with you…
A tear slipped down Taehyung’s cheek, unnoticed.
Jungkook rested his forehead lightly against Taehyung’s shoulder as he continued his voice growing quieter, softer like it was breaking under its own weight.
The forest seemed to listen.
The wind stilled.
Even the leaves barely moved.
Like the world itself was holding its breath.
When the last note finally faded, it didn’t disappear.
It lingered.
Just like everything else between them.
Jungkook exhaled shakily his grip loosening just a little but not enough to let go.
“…I missed singing for you.” he whispered.
His voice was small now.
It was vulnerable but real.
Taehyung didn’t answer right away.
Because he couldn’t trust his voice.
Because if he spoke—
Everything might fall apart.
So instead he leaned back slightly into Jungkook, letting the silence hold them one last time.
And in that silence—
Something shifted.
Something inevitable.
Something neither of them could run from anymore.