Jungkook's sudden outburst sent a jolt through the detective, his eyes widening in surprise. Jungkook's mind raced with the revelation that had been buried deep within him, a desperate hope that had been festering since Taehyung's passing.
The detective leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Jeon?" Jungkook's gaze met the detective's, a wild look in his eyes. "I've been working on it," he said, his voice filled with a strange mix of excitement and despair. "A way to go back, to save him before it was too late."
The detective's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "A time machine? That's not possible." But Jungkook's conviction didn't waver. "It's not just a theory," he insisted. "I've built it. I've tested it. I just need to perfect it, and I'll go back to the moment before it all went wrong."
The detective stared at Jungkook, trying to gauge if he was being serious or if grief had pushed him to the brink of madness. "How does it work?" he asked tentatively. Jungkook leaned in, his eyes alight with passion. "It's based on quantum mechanics, time dilation. I've been working on it in secret, using my knowledge of physics and engineering. It's complex, but I've made breakthroughs that no one else has."
He spoke with a fervor that was both fascinating and concerning. The detective scribbled notes, his mind racing with questions and doubt. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, his voice measured. Jungkook took a deep breath, his eyes searching the detective's face for understanding. "Because I need your help," he said finally. "I can't do this alone. I need someone to keep it a secret, to protect it."
The detective leaned back in his chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Mr. Jeon, even if such a machine existed, changing the past is..." He trailed off, not wanting to crush the hope that seemed to be keeping Jungkook afloat. "It's complicated," he finished lamely. Jungkook's eyes didn't waver. "I know it's risky, but I can't live with this guilt anymore. I need to save him."
The detective studied Jungkook for a long moment, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. He knew he should be focusing on the murder charge, but he couldn't shake the desperation in Jungkook's voice. "What do you need from me?" he asked finally. Jungkook leaned forward, his eyes shining with a mix of hope and determination. "I need you to keep this between us," he whispered. "And if I succeed, I need you to help me cover it up."
The detective sighed, the weight of Jungkook's request pressing down on him. "Mr. Jeon, I can't promise you that. My duty is to uphold the law." Jungkook's expression fell, but he nodded, understanding the detective's position. "I know," he said. "But please, just hear me out."
The detective leaned in, his curiosity and concern for Jungkook's mental state overwhelming his skepticism. Jungkook took a deep breath and began to explain the intricate details of his time machine, the late nights and endless experiments that had consumed his life since Taehyung's passing. His words painted a picture of a man driven by love and grief to the brink of obsession.
"I've seen the future," Jungkook said, his voice low and intense. "A future without Taehyung, a future where I'm lost without him. I can't live like that. I have to go back and save him." The detective's pen stilled on his notepad, his eyes never leaving Jungkook's. "And if you do go back, what then?"
Jungkook took a deep, shaky breath. "I'll stop him from smoking that first cigarette. I'll tell him how much I love him, how much I need him, and I'll make him understand the cost of his addiction." His eyes were wet with unshed tears, his voice thick with emotion. "We'll grow old together, just like we planned."
The detective's expression was a mix of pity and admiration. "And what if you can't change the past?"
Jungkook's shoulders slumped, his eyes momentarily losing their fire. "Then I'll... I'll deal with that when I get there." He took a deep breath, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "But I have to try. I can't just sit here and do nothing."
The detective studied him, weighing his words. "Alright, Mr. Jeon. I'll keep your secret," he said finally. "But you must promise me one thing." Jungkook looked up, hope sparking in his eyes. "What is it?"
"If you go back, you cannot interfere with the natural course of events," the detective warned. "You can't prevent any accidents or illnesses that may happen to anyone else. Do you understand?" Jungkook nodded solemnly. "I only want to save Taehyung. I promise."
The detective stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "I'll think about it," he said, his voice gruff. "But for now, you need to focus on the reality we're in. You're under arrest for the murder of Park Bogum." Jungkook's eyes grew wide with panic. "But the time machine, you have to believe me!"
The detective's expression softened slightly. "I'll consider it," he said, placing a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "But you need to get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Jungkook nodded, his thoughts racing. He knew he didn't have much time. If he was going to save Taehyung, he had to act now. He couldn't risk someone discovering his machine, not when he was so close to changing the course of history. He waited until the detective left the room, then he made his escape.
The cool night air hit him like a slap in the face as he stepped out of the station. His heart pounded as he made his way home, the sirens and flashing lights fading into the distance. His mind was a whirlwind of doubt and hope, fear and determination. When he reached his apartment, he hurried to the back room where he had hidden the time machine.
It was a jumble of wires and metal, a testament to his obsession. He had worked on it tirelessly, pouring all his love and grief into its creation. The detective's words echoed in his mind, but he couldn't bear the thought of losing Taehyung again. He had to try. He had to save him.
With trembling hands, Jungkook climbed into the time machine, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and dread. He set the coordinates, the date and time burned into his memory like a brand. The moment he had lost everything. The moment he would get back. The machine hummed to life, the lights flickering and the air around it crackling with energy.
The room grew darker, the edges of his vision blurring as the world around him began to distort. The once-familiar surroundings of his apartment twisted and contorted into a maelstrom of colors and shapes. He gripped the controls tightly, his eyes squeezed shut, praying that he had done everything right. The noise grew deafening, a cacophony of power and displaced time.
❊
-lxnnie
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Cigarette Duet ✓
Historia Corta"It's just a cigarette and it cannot be that bad" - KTH
