Taehyung stood alone under the stage lights, his figure bathed in a soft glow that only heightened the loneliness etched into his features. The moment was supposed to be shared with Gyungho, his partner of three years, but the empty spot beside him spoke volumes. The cheers of the crowd that had greeted him moments before had faded into an anticipatory hush, leaving only the stillness of the venue. It was a silence that matched the hollow ache in Taehyung's chest.
This song, the one he was about to perform, was a mirror of his soulâa reflection of everything he had felt and endured in his relationship. He had written it in moments of quiet despair, pouring his heart into every lyric and melody. Tonight, he had planned to sing it for Gyungho, hoping the words would reach him, hoping he would understand. But Gyungho wasn't here. Instead, Taehyung was left with his own heartbreak and a sea of strangers who didn't know the full weight of his pain.
The stage dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated him as the first chords of an acoustic guitar filled the air. The sound was warm yet melancholic, accompanied by faint, subtle keyboard notes that created a dreamy, almost ethereal atmosphere. The crowd leaned forward, captivated, their cheers fading into silence as they became lost in the moment.
Taehyung closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying himself before his voice, tender and vulnerable, broke through the stillness:
I see you smile, and the sun comes through,
But the warmth fades fast â I'm cold next to you.
We laugh out loud, but it feels so thin,
Like I'm painting colors where gray's always been.
His voice trembled, carrying the weight of his emotions. Every word was a confession, an unfiltered glimpse into the pain he had hidden for so long. He sang of an illusion, of a love he had clung to even as it slowly unraveled, leaving him grasping at shadows. He had tried to convince himself it was real, but deep down, he had always known the truth. Gyungho didn't love him, and Taehyung had been chasing something that didn't exist.
The song's arrangement began to shift. A soft snare tapped in rhythm, joined by swelling electric guitar tremolos and faint vocal harmonies from the band behind him. The music built slowly, creating a sense of anticipation, as if echoing the unspoken words Taehyung had always wanted to say.
Then, the energy shifted. The music expanded into a fuller, richer soundâa steady drumbeat, rhythmic electric guitar, and a warm bassline giving the song an Indie Pop vitality. The tempo quickened, but the ache in Taehyung's voice remained, resonating with raw honesty.
I need love, the kind that breaks the night,
The kind that makes your heart take flight.
I need love, more than touch or words,
A fire that burns, a song that's heard.
Can't fake it, can't shake it,
I need love.
At this point, Taehyung wasn't just singing; he was pleading. The chorus rang out, a desperate cry for something real, something genuine. He couldn't keep pretending everything was fine, not when his heart was in pieces. His eyes scanned the crowd, their faces lit by the soft glow of waving lights. He knew they adored him, but even their love couldn't fill the emptiness he felt.
The song softened again, leaving the acoustic guitar to take the forefront. Taehyung's voice grew quieter, trembling as tears began to stream down his face.
We're in the same room but miles apart,
Talking in circles, it's breaking my heart.
I try to believe this can be enough,
But I'm chasing shadows when I need love.
His voice cracked as he sang, the vulnerability unmistakable. The audience watched, transfixed, as he poured every ounce of his heartbreak into the song. It was no longer a performance; it was a catharsis, a release of all the pain he had bottled up for years.
The music swelled again, this time more powerful than before. Strings joined the arrangement, their soaring melody adding to the emotional intensity. The kick drum pulsed softly in the background, mirroring the beat of Taehyung's aching heart. His voice strained under the weight of his emotions, yet he kept going, the tears falling freely now.
I need love, the kind that lights the dark,
That beats like thunder, ignites the spark.
I need love, more than just your hand,
A force that shakes me, makes me understand.
Can't fake it, can't take it,
I need love.
The music fell silent, leaving only Taehyung's voice to echo through the venue. It was raw and unfiltered, carrying every ounce of his heartbreak.
I don't want you to hurt me; I don't want to leave,
But I'm suffocating â I can't breathe.
We're just two strangers with a history,
And I'm lost, searching for what I need.
The quiet amplified his vulnerability, his broken voice filling the space like a confession spoken into the void. Then, as the final verse began, the music reached its peak, the instruments swelling together in a crescendo of emotion. Taehyung sang with everything he had, his voice cracking under the weight of his tears:
So I sing this song for you tonight,
Hoping you'll see what's wrong, what's right.
I need love, I need to feel it true,
But is that something I can find in you?
As the final note hung in the air, the venue erupted into thunderous applause. The crowd cheered and shouted, their appreciation pouring out in waves. Yet, Taehyung barely registered it. He stood there, tears streaking his face, his chest heaving from the effort. For a fleeting moment, he felt lighter, as if some of the weight had lifted.
But deep down, he knew the one person who needed to hear his song wasn't there to listen.
________
Taehyung's dreamscape was a whirlwindâa series of fleeting, blurry moments that moved too quickly for him to grasp. One second he was lost in a haze of familiar yet distant emotions, and the next, he found himself bound to someone he never expected: his childhood best friend, Jeon Jungkook.
It felt surreal, as if time had folded in on itself, placing him in a reality where Jungkook was no longer just a friend but his husband. The scene unfolded in vivid clarity now, every detail magnified.
Taehyung's back pressed against a cold wall, his breath hitching as he realized he was caged between Jungkook's arms. Jungkook loomed over him, his dark eyes smoldering with an intensity Taehyung had never seen before. The younger man's broad frame, barely hidden by a loosely tied white bathrobe, exuded confidence. The robe slipped just enough to reveal his toned chest, the sharp lines of his muscles illuminated by the warm light of the room. Taehyung's gaze betrayed him, wandering over Jungkook's exposed skin, and he cursed his inability to look away.
Jungkook caught him staring. A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, the sound sending shivers down Taehyung's spine. Slowly, Jungkook reached for Taehyung's hand, his movements deliberate. Taking Taehyung's trembling fingers in his own, Jungkook guided them to rest against his chest, right where Taehyung had been staring.
"You can touch it all you want," Jungkook murmured, his voice low and teasing. "It's all yours, Your Highness."
The title, spoken in a tone dripping with both adoration and playfulness, sent a jolt through Taehyung. Jungkook leaned in, his lips brushing against Taehyung's ear as he whispered, "Don't be shy."
Taehyung's breath hitched, his chest tightening as warmth spread across his face. Before he could muster a coherent response, Jungkook's hand found his chin, gently tilting it upward. Taehyung barely had time to process the movement before Jungkook's lips captured his in a soft, lingering kiss.
The kiss was gentle at first, Jungkook's lips moving against Taehyung's with a careful rhythm. Taehyung felt himself relax, his hands instinctively clutching at Jungkook's robe. When he tentatively responded, he felt Jungkook's smile against his lips, a moment of shared intimacy that sent his heart racing.
But the tenderness didn't last. Jungkook deepened the kiss, the intensity catching Taehyung off guard. It grew rougher, more demanding, leaving Taehyung breathless. His hands pressed against Jungkook's chest, trying to push him back, but Jungkook remained unmoving, his dominance unyielding.
When Jungkook finally pulled away, Taehyung was gasping for air, his forehead resting against Jungkook's chest as he tried to steady his breathing. His heart was pounding, his thoughts a chaotic mess.
"You need to learn how to breathe when you kiss," Jungkook teased, his deep voice laced with amusement.
Taehyung shot him a glare, though his flushed cheeks betrayed his embarrassment. "Oh, shut up," he muttered under his breath.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into something darker, more commanding. "My love," he said, his voice dropping an octave, "you might want to reconsider that tone. And your attitude."
Taehyung swallowed hard, the air between them crackling with tension. "H-husbaâ"
Before he could finish the word, the world around him jolted violently. The dream shattered as if someone had pulled him out of it, and Taehyung blinked awake to the sound of brakes screeching. The bus he was riding had come to a sudden stop, jolting him forward in his seat.
Reality flooded back in a rush, but Taehyung remained frozen, his mind still lingering in the dream. His heart was pounding just as fiercely as it had been moments ago, and he struggled to steady his breath.
What was that? he thought, his fingers gripping the edges of his seat. His dream had felt so vivid, so real. Could it have been a glimpse of a past life? Did people really dream about such things?
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the figure approaching him from behind until he heard a familiar voice.
"Tae, are you okay?"
Startled, Taehyung turned to see Jungkook standing there, dressed in his usual sleek black outfit, his features softened by the sweet smile he wore.
Taehyung stared at him, still dazed, the remnants of his dream clinging to him like a fog. Without thinking, he smiled faintly and murmured, "Husband?"
The word left his lips before he could stop it, and the effect was instantaneous. Jungkook froze, his smile dropping as his eyes widened in shock. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them charged with an unspoken tension.
"H-husband?" Jungkook echoed, his voice laced with disbelief and a tinge of something elseâcuriosity, perhaps, or amusement.
Taehyung's face turned crimson as realization dawned, his hands flying up to cover his mouth. "I-I didn't mean that! I meanâ"
But the damage was done, and Jungkook was already grinning, his initial shock melting away into pure delight. "Husband, huh?" he teased, his tone light but playful. "Care to explain, Taehyung?"
Taehyung groaned, sinking lower into his seat. What in the world just happened?