Maybe it should have been you (kt ff)

19. New Horizons

Taehyung's P.O.V.:

I let out a heavy sigh as Y/n urges me to talk to Jimin, my reluctance weighing me down. I can feel the tension in my shoulders as I walk over to him, my expression cold and guarded. This isn't a conversation I want to have, but for Y/n's sake, I'll endure it. Standing in front of Jimin, I take another deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Y/n told me to hear you out, so I'm going to," I begin, my voice steady but firm. "But that doesn't mean we're going to go back to the way things were before."

Jimin's gaze drops to the floor, his face etched with guilt and sadness. The weight of everything unsaid hangs between us like a thick fog. "Well, there's a lot to say, especially to you," he finally speaks, his voice laced with regret. "But I guess I should start off with... I'm sorry." He looks up at me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of forgiveness.

My jaw tightens as I fight to keep my anger in check. "You're sorry? That's it? That's the best you could come up with?" I scoff, my disbelief evident as I shake my head. How could he think a simple apology would be enough?

Jimin's expression shifts, his pain bubbling to the surface. His voice rises as he shouts, "Why did I even expect you to listen?! You never understood me! You never even tried!"

His words cut deep, but they only fuel my anger. "Yeah, that's right, I never understood! I never understood!" I shout back, my voice trembling with the intensity of my emotions. "How could I have?! You know I spent the majority of our lives wishing I was you! Wishing that I could have what you acted like you never wanted!"

Jimin's eyes fill with tears as he yells back at me, his voice raw with emotion. "You wanted to be me?! Well, I wanted to be you!" His words catch me off guard, and I can see the pain in his eyes, pain I never realized was there. "I knew I was never good enough for her! Do you think I didn't know that? Do you think I was just playing with her, or playing with you? You, Mr. Perfect Kim Taehyung!" He points at me, his finger shaking with the intensity of his feelings.

I stand there, stunned by his outburst. "What are you talking about?" I ask, my voice softer now, my anger giving way to confusion.

Jimin lets out a bitter laugh, shaking his head as if he's been holding this in for far too long. "Do you think I didn't want to tell Y/n how I felt every second of every day? Despite whatever you may think, I did love her—I do love her." His voice softens, the regret clear in his tone. "I had to fight the urge to tell her all the time because I knew I would break her heart. I also knew that even if she thought she loved me, she would realize that the one she really loved was you. It was always you. And though I would never say it out loud before, I was waiting for you to take her."

His confession leaves me speechless. "You were? But... then why did you do all of this? Why didn't you say anything?" My voice is quiet now, the anger that once fueled me now replaced with a deep sense of sorrow.

Jimin sighs, rubbing his face with his hands as if trying to wipe away the pain. "I was young, and even though I knew she was better off with you, that you would take care of her, I just couldn't let her go. Every time I thought about it, she would smile that beautiful smile, and I just couldn't bear the thought of her smiling at anyone else that way. Could you?"

I look down, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. He's right—I wouldn't have been able to let her go either. The thought of her smiling at someone else the way she smiles at me is unbearable.

Jimin looks up at me, his voice calmer now, but still heavy with the weight of his mistakes. "You know, if anyone knows I fucked up, it's me. I'm the one who lost her, after all. And, Taehyung, I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry that I just couldn't let her go and that I hurt her because of it. I'm sorry for everything, I really am. I'm glad she's with you now, and I can tell she's happy again. And though she's not mine, and I couldn't be the one to make her happy, the only other person I want for her is you. You deserve her more than anyone, and I promise that I won't get in your way anymore."