He came back one day, but something was wrong. The face was familiar, the voice the same-yet Jimin knew in his bones that this wasn't the Taehyung he loved.
What Jimin once called home was only a sojourn-a fleeting refuge that felt safe until it di...
Jimin arrived home a bit late. The rain was pouring hard, so he ran toward the house after being dropped off by the taxi. The lights were off when he entered.
"Jungkook?" he called out.
He looked around before deciding to go upstairs. He checked their bedroom, but Jungkook wasn't there.
"Jungkook?" he called again, louder this time, but there was nothing—only the sound of rain pounding against the windows.
He sighed and checked the workspace, but Jungkook wasn't there either. That was when he noticed the canvas Jungkook had started. Jimin stepped closer, his brows knitting together.
What are the odds? He knows how to paint? So... he didn't lie about that?
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He placed a hand on his forehead and massaged his temple, his head still dizzy from the two glasses of wine. "Where are you?" he whispered to himself.
He pulled out his phone and checked for messages. Nothing.
He groaned in frustration. "Why am I this upset?" he asked himself, biting his lower lip as unease settled in his chest.
Jimin turned toward the closed window. Raindrops cascaded down the glass, blurring the outside world. Then his vision caught on a figure walking toward the house.
A man.
Jimin squinted, trying to see through the darkness and rain. His breath hitched.
Is that... Jungkook?
He didn't wait to be sure. He rushed downstairs, his heart pounding. At the exact moment he opened the door, Jungkook stood there—completely drenched, rainwater dripping from his hair and clothes.
⸻
Taehyung froze when he saw Jimin.
"What—" His voice caught in his throat. He cleared it roughly. "What are you still doing here?" he asked quietly.
Jimin stared at him, eyes already glistening. "What happened? And what do you mean? This is my house."
Taehyung lowered his gaze. Water pooled beneath his feet. "I thought you decided to stay with Taehyung," he said softly. "I understand that. He's your boyfriend."
"I didn't," Jimin said immediately. "Where have you been? Why were you walking in the rain?"
He reached for Taehyung's hand, but the taller man pulled away.
The rejection stung. Jimin's eyes lingered on the empty space between them.
"I'm sorry, Jimin, but I can't," Taehyung said. He didn't know if the drops falling to the floor were rain or tears.
Jimin looked up, and their eyes met.
Taehyung broke.
His face twisted as his composure shattered, a sob tearing free from his chest.
Without thinking, Jimin wrapped his arms around him, even as Taehyung weakly tried to push him away.
He gave up.
Taehyung collapsed into Jimin's embrace, his arms locking around Jimin's waist as he pulled him close. He buried his face into Jimin's neck, his cry muffled against warm skin.
He had always been second best. He had accepted that.
All his hardships growing up had made him strong—unyielding, composed, untouchable. He never let anyone see his tears.
Yet the first time he met Jimin, his guard had slipped.
Was it because Jimin never hid his weakness?
Jimin was always transparent. Always honest. Never afraid to express his feelings.
Maybe that was why Taehyung hadn't been afraid to love him.
Now, he wouldn't run anymore. If he was going to get hurt, he would accept it.
Taehyung slowly pulled away. Jimin's clothes were soaked now. "I want you to be happy, Jimin," he said at last. "Even if it's not with me."
He turned away, gripping the doorknob.
He was about to leave when Jimin hugged him from behind. "Jungkook..." Jimin whispered, his fingers clutching Taehyung's shirt. "Do you not love me anymore?"
Taehyung tried to turn back, but Jimin wouldn't let go. "Just because we can't be together doesn't mean I don't love you," he said hoarsely. "And if I stay... it will only become a mistake."
Jimin's grip loosened.
"I'm sorry, Jungkook," Jimin sobbed.
Taehyung bit back his own cry, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Maybe we just found love at the wrong time," he said quietly. "And someday... time will bring us back together."
He turned to face Jimin once more.
This time, Jimin saw Jungkook's face.
Whether it was a hallucination or not, he didn't care. Seeing the real Jeon Jungkook made his chest ache unbearably. Tears streamed down his face as he nodded, forcing a fragile smile.
I love you.
The words burned on his tongue, but he couldn't speak. He wanted to hold him. To beg him to stay.
He couldn't move.
Jungkook smiled gently. "And when that time comes," he said, "we'll be two people meeting again for the first time. So live your life the way you want, Jimin. Don't hold back. Until that day... I'll miss you every single day."
He reached out and wiped the tears from Jimin's eyes. Jimin blinked.
The illusion vanished.
Jungkook was gone.
Taehyung stood there instead, wearing the same faint smile and the same deep sadness. Maybe they shared that pain now.
Taehyung turned and walked away.
Jimin's face crumpled as he collapsed to the floor, sobs wracking his body. His chest hurt as he cried uncontrollably, the overwhelming urge to chase Jungkook tearing him apart.
But how could he?
He doesn't know how long he stayed that way. The rain stops almost at the exact time he calmed down, there was silence echoing around the empty house. A house that consists only of four walls, because a home to Jimin is where Jungkook is. He stayed there, on the cold floor, staring at the moon, "Someday..."
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Initially, they were supposed to do the 'thing', but I felt bad and revised it. Am satisfied with this tho :P I'll publish one or two chapters tomorrow, I wonder if I can finish the story this week 🥺🤗 Idk why but i'll miss this story.
