Bound by Fate

Chapter 33: The Healing Heart

The soft glow of the moon filtered through the curtains of the healing chamber, casting a silver hue on Taehyung's pale face. He stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open as he blinked against the darkness. The first thing he felt was a warm hand holding his, fingers trembling slightly. His gaze shifted, and there, beside him, sat Jungkook. His head was bowed, silent tears streaming down his cheeks as he clutched Taehyung's hand tightly.

Jungkook had been watching over Taehyung all night, barely daring to move. He hadn't slept, his heart heavy with the fear of losing him. The moment Taehyung awoke, relief and sorrow crashed over him, and he couldn't hold back his tears.

"Jungkook..." Taehyung's voice was soft, filled with concern. He gently squeezed Jungkook's hand, his thumb brushing against his skin.

Jungkook looked up, eyes red and puffy from crying. "Tae... I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I never wanted this to happen. I've failed you... again. I should've protected you."

Taehyung shook his head weakly, tears welling up in his own eyes. "No, Jungkook," he said, his voice raspy. "I'm the one who's sorry. I... I pushed you away when all you wanted was to protect me. Everything that happened, it was because of me... and I'm so sorry for it."

Jungkook swallowed hard, shaking his head. "No, don't say that... please. You didn't deserve any of this, and I've been so afraid of losing you..."

Taehyung offered a small, sad smile. "You won't lose me. I'm happy that my firsts—everything—was with you. And that's something I'll never regret."

Those words melted the last of Jungkook's restraint. He couldn't hold back anymore, the emotions flooding through him too strong to contain. He leaned down, tears still flowing as he pressed his forehead to Taehyung's, their breaths mingling in the shared space between them. "I love you, Taehyung," Jungkook whispered, his voice cracking. "I've loved you for so long... please don't leave me. Never leave me alone."

Before Taehyung could respond, Jungkook closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in a tender, desperate kiss. It was his first real kiss with Taehyung, not born of heat or necessity, but of pure love. The moment their lips touched, everything else faded away. The room, the pain, the fear—none of it mattered.

Taehyung hesitated for only a second before he kissed Jungkook back, his hand reaching up to cup Jungkook's cheek. The kiss deepened, filled with all the emotions they had kept locked away for so long. There was no more fear, no more guilt—only the love they both had been too afraid to express.

Meanwhile, outside the chamber, Namjoon and Jin were making their way down the hallway to check on Taehyung. Namjoon was in the lead, walking with a determined pace. As they neared the door, Namjoon caught sight of something through the small gap—a glimpse of Jungkook and Taehyung sharing their kiss. He froze in place, his eyes widening. Jin, following closely behind, almost bumped into him.

"Namjoon, what's wrong?" Jin asked, confused by Namjoon's sudden halt.

Namjoon quickly composed himself and turned to face Jin. "We should get some food for Taehyung, just in case he wakes up. He'll need his strength back," he said, steering Jin away from the door with urgency.

Jin raised an eyebrow but didn't question Namjoon's suggestion. "Alright, but—"

"No buts," Namjoon interrupted gently, but firmly. "Let's go."

As they walked away, Namjoon's heart raced. The sight of Jungkook and Taehyung together stirred something deep within him. Seeing their affection reminded him of his own unspoken feelings for Jin, feelings he had been too afraid to act on. The fear of rejection, of ruining what they already had, kept him silent. But now, seeing the courage Jungkook had, Namjoon resolved to find the right moment to confess his love. He couldn't wait forever.