On the other hand,
Jungkook sat slumped in front of the shattered mirror, the glass shards glinting in the dim light of his room. His knuckles were split and bleeding, crimson streaks staining the wooden floor beneath him.
His chest heaved, his breath uneven as his tear-streaked reflection stared back at himâa reflection he hated.
The clock ticked ominously, the digital display flashing **12:19**âthe exact moment his world had crumbled four years ago. His brother, his sister-in-law... gone. The guilt consumed him every year on this night, burning through his veins like fire.
He let out a shuddering sob, gripping the edge of the dresser tightly until his bloodied knuckles turned white.
*Why couldnât I save them? Why wasnât I there in time?* The self-blame echoed in his mind, louder than the silence of the room.
A sharp knock on the door jolted him from his spiral. His first thought was Jimin. Of course, Jimin.
Heâd warned his cousin to leave him alone tonight, even using his alpha voice to force compliance. But Jimin always worried too much.
"Jimin, how many times do I have to tell you toâ" Jungkook yanked the door open, ready to lash out, but the words died in his throat.
It wasnât Jimin.
"Taehyung?" he breathed, frozen in place.
There stood Taehyung, panting heavily as though heâd run a marathon .
His hair was slightly disheveled, his cheeks flushed, and his hands were gripping the straps of his bag tightly. His wide eyes searched Jungkookâs face, his concern evident.
"Can I come in?" Taehyung asked between breaths.
Jungkook blinked, his mind struggling to process the sight in front of him. He quickly shifted, trying to hide his bloodied hands behind his back and angle the door to block the view of the mess in his room.
"I... um... what are you doing here?" he stammered, his voice harsher than he intended.
Taehyung straightened, his breathing evening out as he stepped closer. "IâI needed to talk to you," he said, his tone soft but determined.
"Itâs late," Jungkook replied, his tone defensive. "You couldâve waited until tomorrow."
Taehyungâs jaw tightened, and he gave a small shake of his head. "I couldnât."
Jungkook swallowed hard, his throat dry. He stepped back, his resolve weakening. "Thereâs nothing to talk about, Tae. Iâm fine."knowing what Taehyung meant.
Taehyung frowned, his sharp gaze catching the slight movement of Jungkookâs hand behind his back.
He pushed the door open further before Jungkook could stop him. His eyes immediately fell to the shattered glass, the blood splattered across the floor, and the trembling in Jungkookâs frame.
"Youâre not fine," Taehyung said firmly, stepping inside without waiting for permission.
"Mr Jeon!!." His voice softened as his gaze flicked between the mess and Jungkookâs bloodied hands. "What did you do to yourself?"
"Itâs nothing," Jungkook muttered, looking away.
Taehyung didnât buy it. He set his bag down and carefully approached Jungkook, his movements slow and deliberate. "Let me see your hands," he said softly but with authority.
Jungkook hesitated before reluctantly holding them out. Taehyungâs breath hitched at the sight of the torn skin and dried blood.
He grabbed Jungkookâs wrist gently, his touch warm against Jungkookâs cold skin.
Taehyungâs breath caught as he saw the damage up close. Blood was smeared across Jungkookâs fingers, dripping steadily from the gashes on his knuckles. The deep red contrasted starkly against his pale skin.
"Mr. Jeon!" Taehyung gasped, his voice filled with alarm.
"Whereâs the first aid box?" Taehyung asked urgently, his fingers lightly grazing Jungkookâs wrists, trying not to cause more pain.
"Taehyung, itâs fine," Jungkook said hoarsely, attempting to pull his hands back. "Just go. Itâll get better on its own." He tried to sound detached, but the shakiness of his voice betrayed him.
Taehyung tightened his hold, his expression firm yet gentle. "Mr. Jeon, youâre not fine. You donât have to pretend with me. Let me help you."
"Why do you care?" Jungkook shot back, his voice rough, almost desperate.
Taehyung ignored his question, his eyes softening as he whispered, "You know youâre not alone, right? Everyone is here for you.
You donât have to go through this pain by yourself." His words were quiet but resolute, his hands still cradling Jungkookâs trembling ones.
Jungkook let out a shaky breath, his defenses crumbling. "You donât understand, Taehyung..." His voice wavered, and the vulnerability in his tone made Taehyungâs chest tighten. "It was my fault."
Taehyung stilled, his brows knitting together in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Taehyung stilled, his brows knitting together in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"If Iâd been there just a little earlier..." Jungkookâs voice cracked, his shoulders shaking as he fought to hold back his tears. "If I hadnât been late, I mightâve saved hyung and noona." His head dropped, his messy hair shadowing his eyes.
"Mr Jeon..." Taehyung whispered, his own heart breaking at the sheer weight of guilt in Jungkookâs voice.
"They were my family. My responsibility," Jungkook continued, his voice barely audible now. "And I failed them. I....failed them when they needed me the most."
Tears streamed down Jungkookâs face despite his attempts to hold them back. He didnât want to cryânot in front of Taehyung. But he couldnât stop himself anymore.
Taehyungâs hands moved instinctively, reaching up to cup Jungkookâs face. He gently tilted Jungkookâs head up, forcing him to meet his gaze.
"Listen to me," Taehyung said softly, yet there was an intensity in his voice that made Jungkook pause.
"It wasnât your fault," Taehyung said, his thumbs brushing away the tears falling down Jungkookâs cheeks. "You did everything you could. Sometimes... things happen that are out of our control."
Jungkook shook his head, his eyes filled with anguish. "You donât know that. You donât know what itâs like to lose them and know you couldâveâ"
"I do know what itâs like," Taehyung interrupted, his voice trembling now. "Iâve lost people too, Jungkook. And the guilt never goes away. But blaming yourself doesnât bring them back. It only hurts you more."
Jungkook stared at Taehyung, his walls completely shattered. He hadnât realized how much he needed to hear those words until now.
For the first time in years, Jungkook let himself break, collapsing into Taehyungâs arms. And Taehyung held him, his embrace steady and warm, like a lifeline pulling Jungkook back from the edge.
In the quiet of the room, with only the sound of Jungkookâs muffled sobs, Taehyung whispered, "Youâre not alone, Jungkook. You donât have to carry this burden by yourself anymore."
Jungkook cried harder, clutching Taehyung tightly as if his life depended on it.
His bloody hands stained the pristine white satin of Taehyung's shirt, but neither of them cared.
Taehyungâs hand moved in soothing circles on Jungkook's back, grounding him as his sobs wracked his body, dampening Taehyungâs shoulder.
When Jungkookâs cries began to soften, Taehyung spoke, his voice gentle but firm. "Now... tell me where the first aid box is."
"In the cupboard," Jungkook mumbled, his voice barely audible.
Taehyung began to pull away, but Jungkookâs arms tightened around him. "Donât go," he whispered desperately against Taehyungâs shoulder.
Taehyung smiled softly, his voice a quiet reassurance. "Iâm not going anywhere. Iâll be right back, I promise."
Hesitantly, Jungkook loosened his grip, his hands lingering as if afraid Taehyung would disappear. Taehyung moved quickly, returning within seconds, the first aid kit in hand.
Taehyung gently took Jungkookâs trembling hands in his own and led him to the bed.
"Sit," he said softly, guiding Jungkook to sit down as Taehyung settled on the floor in front of him.
He opened the kit and carefully began cleaning the blood from Jungkookâs knuckles. His touch was deliberate, tender, as if he were afraid of causing more pain.
Jungkook flinched slightly when the antiseptic stung, but Taehyung murmured soothing words, his fingers moving with utmost care as he bandaged the wounds.
The room was silent except for the occasional rustling of bandages. Jungkookâs eyes never left Taehyungâs face, watching the concentration etched into his features, the way his brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a soft line.
When Taehyung finished, he looked up, his warm eyes meeting Jungkookâs. "Are you alright now?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Jungkook stared at him for a moment, his mind still in disarray. "I donât know," he admitted, his voice raw and honest.
Taehyung reached out, his hand resting lightly on Jungkookâs knee. "Thatâs okay," he said softly. "You donât have to be okay right now. Just...let yourself feel what you need to feel."
Jungkookâs throat tightened at the words. He had spent so long bottling everything up, pretending to be strong for everyone else. But now, under Taehyungâs quiet gaze, the walls he had built began to crumble.
As Taehyung finished bandaging Jungkook's hands, he stood, brushing invisible dust off his pants.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, he gave Jungkook a soft smile. "You know what? Iâll bring some food for you to eat. A good meal might cheer you up a bit,"he said, already turning toward the door.
Before he could take another step, Jungkookâs hand shot out, grabbing Taehyungâs arm.
With a sudden pull, Jungkook brought Taehyung close, his face burying deep into the crook of Taehyung's neck. Taehyung froze, feeling Jungkookâs warm breath against his skin, accompanied by the faint trembling of his frame.
"Donât leave me, Taehyung," Jungkook murmured, his voice raw and almost breaking. "Not tonight. Not even for a second." His arms tightened around Taehyung as if letting go would make him crumble completely.
Taehyungâs heart clenched, and for a moment, he stood there, stunned by the vulnerability Jungkook was showing.
Slowly, he softened, his hand coming up to gently stroke Jungkookâs back. "Iâm not going anywhere," he whispered. "Iâll stay as long as you need me."
Jungkookâs grip didnât ease, but his breathing became steadier, his face still pressed against Taehyungâs neck.
They stayed like that for a moment, the silence in the room broken only by the sound of Jungkookâs deep breaths.
Eventually, Taehyung guided Jungkook to lie down on the bed. Jungkook refused to let go, clutching Taehyung like a lifeline, his head resting against Taehyungâs chest.
Taehyung leaned back against the headboard, his fingers instinctively running through Jungkookâs hair in a soothing rhythm. Jungkookâs body slowly relaxed, his breaths becoming even as the weight of the night seemed to melt away.
As Taehyung felt Jungkook's grip loosen slightly and soft snores escape his lips, he reached for his phone, careful not to
disturb the man clinging to him. Unlocking it, he quickly typed a message to Yoongi.
**"Hyung, I wonât be home tonight. Jaybum isnât letting me go,"** he wrote, maybe lied for now.
Moments later,Yoongiâs reply came in.
**"Okay, take care. Call me if you need anything."**
Taehyung locked his phone and placed it aside. He glanced down at Jungkook, whose peaceful face now rested against his chest.
Letting out a soft sigh, Taehyung resumed stroking Jungkook's hair, silently promising himself that he would stay by his side through the night, no matter what.