Chap 3

After the doctor's departure, Taehyung sat in silence, his mind churning with the doctor's words. The phrases echoed in his head like a haunting melody, each one carrying the weight of doubt and fear.

"Critical condition... stable... close observation... injuries... surgery..." The words danced before his eyes, blurring together into a cacophony of worry and tension.

Despite his best efforts to focus, Taehyung found himself fixating on one phrase in particular: "Mr. Jeon drove into the car." The implications sent a chill down his spine, stirring a storm of questions and doubts. Could it have been an accident? Or something more deliberate.

As his mind raced with questions and doubts spawned by those words, Taehyung's anxiety peaked, compelling him to grasp Jungkook's hand instinctively, seeking comfort and distraction from his swirling thoughts.

Squeezing Jungkook's hand tightly, Taehyung felt a sense of grounding wash over him as if the physical connection provided a brief respite from the chaos within.

However, as he shifts his gaze to Jungkook's pale and still face lying amidst the plain surroundings of the hospital room, the comforting feeling begins to crack.

His hands instinctively reach for his pocket, where he keeps his cigarettes, but he stops himself mid-motion. A surge of guilt washes over him as he scolds himself for even considering leaving Jungkook's side to calm his nerves and satisfy his craving for a smoke.

Restraining himself from smoking inevitably dredges up memories he desperately wants to avoid, especially with Jungkook beside him in this vulnerable state.

Each urge to reach for his cigarette is a cruel reminder of their situation. After their break-up, would Jungkook even want him here? What if Jungkook hated him? What if Jungkook asked him to leave as soon as he woke up?

These haunting questions gnawed at Taehyung's resolve, amplifying his inner turmoil as he struggled to reconcile his desire to be there for Jungkook with the fear of rejection.

As he wrestled with his own demons, Taehyung made a silent vow to push past his insecurities and stand unwaveringly by Jungkook's side, whatever the outcome. All he could do now was wait, holding onto the fragile thread of hope that their love stood on.

*

Jungkook slowly opens his eyes and is momentarily blinded by the brightness of the white space. Blinking, he tries to make sense of his surroundings.

His mind is foggy, memories fragmented, yet the sensation of his body hurtling through the air, the sudden jolt as he's thrown off his bike, lingers-a vivid replay of the accident that occurred before he woke up here.

Struggling to sit up, he takes in the emptiness around him. No walls, no floor, just an endless expanse of white. Panic starts to rise within him as he realizes he has no idea where he is or how he got here.

Then, as if in response to his unspoken plea for clarity, the white space begins to shimmer and fade, like a mirage dissipating in the desert heat. Slowly, the emptiness transforms into the familiar surroundings of his own living room.

Confusing Jungkook as he floats weightlessly in the air, his mind struggling to comprehend the sudden shift in reality. Before he can process what's happening, another version of himself storms into the room with an angry expression on his face.

"Where is your bike, Taehyung?" Another version of himself screams, the words resonating with a bitter familiarity. Jungkook's heart clenches as he immediately recognizes those words as the beginning of the end of their relationship.

Taehyung steps out of the kitchen, his brows furrowed in a deep frown. "I've sold it," he states simply, his tone matter-of-fact.

"What? How could you?" the other Jungkook exclaims, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.

"We already talked about this, Jungkook," Taehyung explains, his tone unwavering. "I needed the money, and someone was willing to buy it at an unreasonably high price."

"Of course, it sold for a high price. It was a limited edition bike, Taehyung, one you cared for with so much money," the other Jungkook replies, frustration evident in his voice.

"The bike meant a lot to me, and I know it did for you as well, but it's okay. It was my decision. I wanted the money " Taehyung responds.

"Why the sudden need for money? You could've just asked me," he said, his tone laced with a hint of accusation.

"I..." Taehyung muttered under his breath, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "It's a gift, well sort of," he added.

"Gift? What do you mean?"

"It's a car, I bought it for us,"

"What? Why would we need a car?"

"I know it might seem sudden," Taehyung began, meeting Jungkook's puzzled gaze with determination. "but I have been thinking about buying a car for months-"

"But you never discussed that with me," the other Jungkook cut in, his tone betraying a hint of hurt mixed with surprise.

"Because I wasn't sure if you would agree with me," Taehyung admitted. "After all, you love biking so much, and change isn't exactly your thing," he continued, his tone gentle yet firm."But I believed it was time for a change, for both of us,"

"W-wow," Jungkook managed to utter, his voice barely above a whisper, his astonishment evident in his wide-eyed stare. "So, you decided for both of us, huh?" he added, a hint of incredulity coloring his tone.

"That's not true, you're misunderstanding me," Taehyung clarified, his tone earnest. "It's kind of a gift for our relationship, so we can try something new like road trips-"

"We could just go on road trips with our bikes like usual," Jungkook interjected, cutting off Taehyung's explanation.

"Yes, with two bikes, where we need to pay attention to the road while driving, and where we can never talk without stopping," Taehyung explained, his voice tinged with frustration.

"I want to go on car rides with you, talk with you while driving, and hold your hand. Can't you understand? And It's not like I sold your bike; you can still use it." he emphasized.

"That's not the point," Jungkook countered, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "You sold yours, Taehyung. That bike meant everything to us, to me. Riding together was our thing." he expressed, voicing his concern.

"Jungkook, I get it, those memories mean a lot to me too. But can't you see our relationship has become stagnant because of it?" Taehyung's voice quivered with a mix of frustration and desperation. "I just wanted to add some excitement into our lives. Why is it so difficult to make you understand?"

"Did you just say our relationship became stagnant, Taehyung? How dare you!" Jungkook's voice crackled with indignation and hurt.

"It's the truth, Jungkook, don't even think of denying it. Our lives have become like a routine; we do the same thing every weekday and weekend," Taehyung replied sharply.

"Maybe it's routine for you, but I don't see it that way," Jungkook retorted, his tone defensive. "We've had plenty of adventures together, Taehyung. Don't discount that,"

"There you have it.. 'had'," Taehyung replied. "When was the last time we did something different on the weekend other than either being at home or you dragging me on bike rides?"

"Dragging you? Don't you enjoy biking?" Jungkook replied defensively, his tone revealing a touch of hurt.

"I do, I did," Taehyung trailed off. "I just don't enjoy them so often anymore," he admitted, his tone tinged with a hint of regret.

"So you sold your bike because of that?" Jungkook queried. "Shouldn't you still hold onto it for memories, even if you don't want to ride anymore?"

"I have you for our memories together, Jungkook. I love you, and yes, the bike brought us together. But I chose to sell it for our sake too. You matter more to me than the bike. I just wish you feel the same way about me," Taehyung confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Well, there is no 'us' anymore," Jungkook says cruelly. As The floating Jungkook repeats after him, with tears in his eyes, filled with regret.

Taehyung's eyes widened in shock, The words hitting him like a sudden thunderclap, shaking him to his core. "You didn't just say that," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

Jungkook nods on a whim to reply, while the floating Jungkook furiously shakes his head.

"You can't break up with me right after I said I loved you and wanted to improve our relationship," Taehyung protested, his voice pleading and filled with desperation.

"You stopped enjoying biking and then sold the bike, something that brought us together. Who knows what else you'll sell without telling me or stop liking?" Jungkook said without thinking, the words tumbling out of his mouth impulsively.

"Jungkook, I didn't sell the bike to hurt you or diminish what it meant to us. But Sometimes change is needed, and it doesn't mean I'll start selling everything we love. I still care about our relationship deeply, and I wish you'd trust me on that."

"How can I trust you when you sold the most important part of our relationship? What else could you even sell after this?" Words flow out of Jungkook with no mercy.

"Okay, I understand," Taehyung murmured, clenching his fists, his voice heavy with heartache. "If you feel that way, maybe it's best if we take some time apart to figure things out," he added, his patience with the argument wearing thin.

Looking at the face Taehyung makes, the Floating Jungkook sobs, guilt eating away at him as he flies towards Taehyung, who is packing his essentials. He tries to grab him to stop him from leaving, but his hands pass through him, making him feel miserable. Then, he glares at his past self, which remains fixed in place, contemplating all he said, unable to move or react.

"Call me when you trust me again," Taehyung says through gritted teeth as he leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Darkness envelops the floating Jungkook as tears blur his vision, mirroring the space around him as it fades into an abyss of blackness, swallowing him whole as unconsciousness consumes him.

He opens his eyes again after what feels like a journey through memories, greeted by the sterile embrace of white walls encircling him. The rhythmic beeping of medical equipment fills the air, intertwining with the sharp scent of antiseptic.

As he shifts, he feels the gentle pressure of someone's hand grasping his own, a comforting presence amid uncertainty. Blinking against the harsh brightness of the room's fluorescent lights, he tries to piece together his surroundings. The hospital bed beneath him feels foreign, its stiff sheets are unfamiliar against his skin. Tubes and wires snake from his body to various machines, their hum punctuating the silence.

With a furrowed brow, he turns his head to the side, catching sight of a figure sleeping with his head resting on their hands, their fingers intertwined with his own. Recognition floods his senses as he realizes the figure is Taehyung, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of his familiar face.

Attempting to speak, he finds his throat constricted, a tightness gripping him with an invisible force. Panic wells up within him as he struggles to utter Taehyung's name, but the words catch in his throat, silenced by an unseen obstruction. Gasping for air, he fights against the constriction, the urgency of his need to communicate overwhelming him.

Taehyung's eyes snap open suddenly, startled by the choked noise emanating from Jungkook. Panic grips his chest as he quickly assesses the situation, realizing the distress Jungkook is in.

"Jungkook, baby, hey, it's okay," Taehyung murmurs softly, his voice urgent yet gentle. "You're on a ventilator, don't panic. Just breathe normally, okay? Calm down."

Taehyung locks eyes with Jungkook, his gaze emitting reassurance. His touch is tender as he cradles Jungkook's cheeks, the warmth of his palms a comforting presence against Jungkook's skin. With each gentle stroke, Taehyung seeks to ease the tension etched on Jungkook's face, calming him down with a whispered assurance, "I am here."

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