Taking a deep breath, Taehyung quickly composed himself, pasting on the brightest smile he could muster as he turned around. "Jungkook! Why are you here? You should be downstairs," he said cheerfully, though the effort it took to maintain his facade was excruciating.
Jungkook stepped closer, his gaze locked on Taehyung. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his lips pressed tightly together as though he was holding back something he desperately needed to say.
"I... Tae, Iâ¦" Jungkook started, his voice faltering.
"You must be so excited, right?" Taehyung interrupted, his voice unnaturally high-pitched. "Itâs your chance to find your mate tonight! Isnât that what youâve been waiting for?"
Jungkook flinched, the pain in his chest intensifying as he saw the forced smile on Taehyungâs face.
The slight quiver of his lips, the way his hands trembled as he tried to act unaffectedâit was breaking Jungkook apart.
"What if I donât find them tonight?" Jungkook asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Taehyung blinked at him, taken aback. He quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in the moon light up the sky.
"Then maybe next year⦠or somewhere in the near future. Itâs your destiny, Jungkook. Itâs bound to happen."
The word *destiny* felt like poison to Jungkook suddenly. He stepped closer, his tone firmer this time. "What if⦠what if they donât treat Jaybum well? What if they donât love him the way he deserves?"
Taehyung turned back, forcing a chuckle despite the tears welling up in his eyes. "Jungkook, no one can resist Jaybumâs innocence. You donât have to worry about that."
Taehyung then cupped Jungkook's face and said,
"And youâll be happy too. A mate is a gift, after all."
Jungkookâs composure snapped. "Stop it," he said sharply, grabbing Taehyungâs shoulders.
His voice was trembling, filled with frustration and desperation. "Stop saying things we both know arenât true. Donât deny whatâs between us, Taehyung. Donât act like you donât feel it too."
Taehyungâs breath hitched. He avoided Jungkookâs gaze, his lips quivering as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "Itâs⦠itâs nothing, Jungkook," he whispered. "Let's forget it....Let's just call it a heat of the moment. Thatâs all it ever was."
"And if you'll be uncomfortable then... I'll leave once you find your mate" Taehyung whispered.
Jungkookâs grip on his shoulders tightened slightly. "A heat of the moment?" he repeated, his voice rising.
"Then why do you always go out of your way for me? Why do you take care of me when no one else does? Whyâ¦" His voice broke. "Why do you make me feel like I can breathe again, Tae?"
Taehyung closed his eyes, tears spilling over despite his efforts to hold them back. He let out a shaky laugh, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "Youâre my sworn enemy, Jungkook," he said, his voice cracking. "Of course, I donât feel anything for you."
"You don't?" Jungkook asked making eye contact.
Taehyung shook his head as a no.
There was scilence for a moment before Taehyung spoke again,"what about you....do..do you feel anything?" Taehyung asked hesitately.
Jungkook stared at him, his own tears falling freely now. "If you don't feel anything then i don't either Kim. Don't forget i hate vampires."
They stood there in silence, their tears falling as they avoided each otherâs gaze.
Both of them were hurting, both of them knowing the truth but too afraid to say it out loud.. something that might shatter them even more.
A loud boom echoed in the sky, drawing their attention. Fireworks exploded above, lighting up the night with vibrant colors. It was New Yearâs.
Jungkook cursed under his breath, fumbling for his phone. "I should tell Hoseok to cancel it," he muttered.
"wait what?" Taehyung asked ashe frowned.
Before Jungkook could say anything,A loud boom echoed in the sky, drawing their attention. Fireworks exploded above, lighting up the night with vibrant colors. There was another firework with a confession....
"Taehyung, I love you. Will you be mine forever?"
The realization hit Taehyung like a tidal wave. This was Jungkookâs surprise.
Tears poured down his cheeks as he turned to Jungkook. "Jungkookâ¦"
Jungkook turned around ,his own eyes red. His thoughts were lost if someone is not his destiny then why bring them closer? Why...? Was it fate to blame? Or was it his own self to blame?
Jungkook saw how Taehyung was trembling as he cried. And just then the words left Taehyung's mouth sent draggers to his heart.....
Taehyung's voice cracked. "I wish⦠I wish I was your mate... Jungkook."
Jungkookâs heart shattered at the words. "Taeâ¦" he started, but his voice trailed off as something hit him.
A scent. Unique and intoxicating, unlike anything heâd ever experienced before. His wolf stirred, recognition coursing through him.
Taehyung stiffened, feeling it too.
Their eyes met, wide with realization.
They were each otherâs mate......
The air between them grew heavier with realization, thick with emotions neither could put into words.
Taehyung stood frozen, his tears streaming down his face as he stared at Jungkook. The scentâthe undeniable pullâmade everything feel both impossible and inevitable at once.
âWhy⦠why do you smell different, Jeon?â Taehyung whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of the truth. His hands trembled at his sides as he tried to process what was happening.
The overwhelming scent of his mate filled his senses, and he couldnât believe it was real.
Jungkook, who had been standing just as still, let out a shaky breath. His own tears rolled down his cheeks, but his lips quirked into a bittersweet smile.
âBecause you are my fucking mate, Kim,â he said, his voice raw with emotion. âYouâre stuck with me foreverâwhether you like it or not.â
Taehyungâs resolve shattered completely at Jungkookâs words. Without a second thought, he closed the distance between them, throwing his arms around Jungkook and burying his face in his chest.
His sobs grew louder, unrestrained, as the weight of everything theyâd been through, every moment theyâd shared, came crashing down on him.
Jungkook immediately wrapped his arms around Taehyung, holding him tightly as if letting go would make this all a dream. He inhaled deeply, the scent of his mate calming the storm within him. âTae,â he whispered, his voice soft but filled with relief.
Taehyung clung to Jungkook desperately, his tears soaking into the otherâs shirt.
âWhy now, Jeon?â he asked through his sobs. âWhy after everything? After all the fighting, the running, the pretending?â
Jungkook chuckled softly, though his own tears didnât stop. âBecause the universe is dramatic like that,â he said, his voice thick with emotion. âAnd maybe⦠maybe it wanted us to stop being idiots.â
Taehyung pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at Jungkook. His face was streaked with tears, but a small, hesitant smile began to form. Jungkook looked down at him, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears as he reached out to brush Taehyungâs cheek with his thumb.
âWhy are you hugging me now, Kim?â Jungkook teased, his tone light even as his voice wavered. âArenât I your sworn enemy?â
Taehyung let out a breathy laugh, though his tears didnât stop. âYouâll forever be my enemy, Jeon,â he said, his voice playful but laced with affection. âBut I guess fate has other plans.â
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. âSo itâs just fate, huh? Thatâs the only reason youâre with me now?â
Taehyung chuckled, leaning his head against Jungkookâs chest. âYes,â he said with mock seriousness.
Jungkook shook his head, a soft laugh escaping him. âThen Iâm glad for our fate,â he murmured, leaning down to press a tender kiss to the top of Taehyungâs head.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each otherâs arms as the world around them faded away.
The fireworks continued to light up the sky, but neither of them paid it any attention. In that moment, it was just the two of themâtwo souls who had spent so long fighting their connection, only to realize they were destined to be together.
Jungkook tightened his hold on Taehyung, his lips brushing against his temple as he whispered, âYouâre mine now , Kim Taehyung.
Taehyung smiled against Jungkookâs chest, his heart finally feeling at ease. âI am Jungkook...I amâ he echoed softly.
The moonlight bathed the balcony in a soft glow, illuminating the tender moment shared between Taehyung and Jungkook.
Their emotions were raw, unspoken words hanging in the air as they gazed at each other with newfound understanding. Neither of them noticed the small figure standing quietly at the doorstep, his tiny frame silhouetted against the dim light from inside the house.
It was Jaybum.
The little boy stood there, a wide, knowing smile spread across his face as he watched them.
His bright eyes sparkled with a mixture of mischief and satisfaction, as if he had been waiting for this very moment. Clutching his favorite stuffed toy to his chest, he leaned slightly on the doorframe, observing them in silence.
After a few moments, Jaybum turned his head upward, his gaze fixed on the sky where the fireworks had finally fizzled out, leaving only the glowing moon as a witness to the night. His smile grew even wider as he whispered softly, his voice carrying only to himself,
âIâve finally got another job done.â
-------------------------
But wait! What job are we talking about?
Well.....
Read more to find out ~