ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 36

**JK**

Ever since you'd walked in, he'd been tense. The moment he spotted you near the counter, his heart started racing. He was praying you wouldn't recognize him. If it weren't against store policy to wear a mask during work hours, he would've hidden behind one. Instead, to avoid risking his job, he ducked into the storage room, pretending to look for something just to catch his breath.

When he came back, luck wasn't on his side. A customer dragged him over in a matter of seconds, and there he was, face to face with you, putting an Alice in Wonderland-themed ring on your finger. *Life's weird, huh? Maybe it's fate.*

And Yuna and Nami? When they shouted "Congrats to the newlyweds!"—they weren't completely wrong, were they? If you really thought about it, the whole setup looked strangely fitting.

Yoongi, standing between the two of you, dressed in black like a witness. You, in an oversized white shirt, and Jungkook, dressed all in black in his working uniform. It wouldn't have seemed so absurd if you looked at it from the right angle. The way he slid the ring onto your finger with such gentleness, the way you two stood facing each other— *it really did feel like a wedding setting.*

Jungkook, hearing their teasing, couldn't help but wonder: *Is this what a wedding feels like? * His mind drifted— *all that was missing was the kiss. God, I'd love to kiss you right now.* He could already picture you in a delicate white dress, a bouquet of nice colourful flowers in hand, a soft veil covering your face. He had a thing for veiled brides; something about it excited him. He imagined cutting the cake with you, dancing at the reception, and then, of course, going somewhere epic for the honeymoon.

Jungkook was a simple guy. He didn't need the bells and whistles that came with an extravagant wedding. What he wanted was something real—an intimate setting, surrounded by nature, fresh air, and the people who actually mattered. Just the right number of guests, the kind who would celebrate your love genuinely, without judgment or hidden resentment. He could already picture the cake, towering with different flavors, not because it was fancy, but because that's how he liked it—full of variety. *The sweetest one I'll ever taste*, he thought. *And probably the hardest to cut.*

He had a soft spot for sweets. In his head, he could see himself eating his slice and yours too, if you weren't up for it. Not that he'd judge you either way. *Who cares about a few extra pounds? As long as you're healthy, that's all that matters*, he mused. And he definitely wasn't the kind of guy who'd expect you to cook just for him, or only make what he liked. In his mind, the two of you would take turns at everything. And if you didn't know how to cook? No big deal. He'd teach you what he could, even though he wasn't exactly a pro in the kitchen. Worst-case scenario? Takeout or a cozy meal out somewhere. *It's not about the food; it's about the time spent together.*

But then, his thoughts drifted, pulling him back in time—years ago when things were simpler, when you were simpler. You might not even remember, but back then, you told Jungkook about your dream wedding. You were going to wear a princess gown, something straight out of Cinderella, at a beachside wedding lit with fairy lights and fireworks. It felt so vivid to him, but so distant now. So much had changed over the years, especially you. Maybe you didn't remember, or maybe you forgot about him altogether.

*How could she forget?*Jungkook thought, his heart tightening at the memory. You two were classmates in elementary school, and your friendship only blossomed after you stood up for him. He had always been the quiet kid, too into video games to bother with socializing, and that made him an easy target for bullies. But you? You saved him from that girl who picked on him, and from that moment, he was yours. He was so happy to be your friend.

But then, he had to leave. His parents' business took them out of the country, and you both made a promise. You told him you'd always be together, that you'd wait for him. Maybe for you, it was a casual, childhood promise. But to him? It meant everything. He clung to those words, carrying them with him through the years. *I'll come back for you*, he had promised himself, even when the world pulled him in different directions.