A Love Long Lost
The screen flickers in the dimly lit living room, playing a grainy home video. Soft laughter echoes from the speakers a younger Jungkook and Taehyung, eyes twinkling with love, recorded in a time when the world was kinder to them. The video loops endlessly, capturing fleeting moments of happiness now lost to time.
Empty bottles of alcohol litter the floor, the scent of whiskey lingering in the air.
Among them, Jeon Jungkook sits on the ground, his back resting against the couch.
His black shirt is wrinkled, his hair disheveled, but his expression remains blank.
A fork clinks softly against the porcelain plate in his hands, a half-eaten slice of strawberry cake, the red filling smeared against his lips
The heavy footsteps of Min Yoongi echo through the mansion as he steps inside
His sharp eyes scan the mess before landing on the drunken figure of his best friend
He sighs, hands slipping into his pockets as he stops a few feet away
YOONGI
(Same scene, different day.) What the hell are you doing, Jungkook?
Jungkook doesn't respond. His gaze stays fixed on the screen, his fingers mindlessly scooping another bite of cake into his mouth.
YOONGI
(His voice flat) Strawberry cake? You hate strawberries!
At this, Jungkook pauses. His jaw tightens, but his expression remains unreadable as he slowly chews
Finally, without looking away from the screen, he speaks
JUNGKOOK
(Coldly) None of your business
Yoongi exhales sharply, shaking his head
He’s used to this, used to Jungkook pretending he’s fine when he’s anything but
Used to the way he drowns himself in memories of a love that left him shattered
Yoongi strps closer, finally sinking onto the couch beside him
He watches Jungkook for a moment before speaking again
YOONGI
Taehyung loved strawberries… didn’t he?
His dark eyes remain locked on the TV screen, but there’s a flicker of something, something raw, something fragile
A long moment of silence stretched between them before he finally answers
His gaze drops to the cake, the red filling seeping into the sponge
His fingers tighten around the fork as he exhales, voicr barely above a whisper
JUNGKOOK
Its his birthday today
Yoongi’s expression softens, but he says nothing
He simply watches as Jungkook lets out a humourless chuckle, shaking his head
JUNGKOOK
It’s from his favourite cake shop
A memory crashes into him
Jungkook and Taehyung are sitting inside his favourite cake shop
Taehyung(past)
Kookie… try it… this is so good!
A delicate strawberry pastry sat on the table, its golden-brown crust glistening. Vibrant red strawberries adorned the creamy filling, their sweetness inviting a delicious bite. The pastry's aroma made it hard to resist.
Jungkook(past)
(groan) Tae you know I hate sweets… right?
Taehyung(past)
(frown and pout) Kookie..! For me? Just a bite..!
Jungkook sighed heavily avoiding Taehyung’s sparkling eyes… he was weak for them
Taehyung(past)
A bite won't hurt..!
Taehyung(past)
I’ll feed you!
He brings a spoonful of cake to his mouth while Jungkook, after giving up, finally tastes it and swallows.
Taehyung(past)
How is it? (excited)
Jungkook(past)
(he shook his head) too sweet…
Jungkook noticed the expression on Taehyung’s face, so he chuckled and leaned in closer. Then, he whispered to him
Jungkook(past)
Maybe because you’re the one feeding me (flirty)
Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, feeling flustered. In a playful gesture, he lightly hit Jungkook's arm.
The way Taehyung’s lips would curly into a pout whenever Jungkook refused sweets
The way he giggled and blushed
JUNGKOOK
(chuckling bitterly) He’d be proud, wouldn't he?
JUNGKOOK
Watching me eat an entire cake just for him…
But the chuckle fades as his eyes grow glossy, the weight of loneliness pressing down on his chest
His vision blurs as he stares at the screen, his voice breaking
JUNGKOOK
Only if… he was with me…
Instead, he reached out, patting Jungkook’s back in silent understanding
Jungkook finally turns to face him, his tears slipping past his lashes
He blinks at Yoongi, his voice trembling as he murmurs
JUNGKOOK
Yoongi hyung… I miss him so much
Across the ocean, in a dimly lit kitchen, Kim Taehyung stands at the sink, his slender fingers scrubbing dishes under the running water.
His sleeves are rolled up, revealing dark bruises marring his pale skin, his arms, his wrists, his legs hidden beneath loose pyjama pants
His body aches, but he keeps working, refusing to let the pain slow him down
He wipes away a stray tear with the back of his hand, sniffling softly
A sudden warmth wraps around his waist, making him freeze
He doesn't need to turn around to know who it is, the scent of expensive cologne mixed with something suffocating fills his senses
A heavy chin rests on his shoulder, lips brushing against his ear as a low voice murmurs
SEHUN
Why are you still working, sweetheart?
SEHUN
Shouldn't you be in bed, waiting for me?
Taehyung swallos hard, grip tightening around the plate he’s holding
His heart pounds in his chest
But he keeps his gaze lowered, hands trembling slightly
TAEHYUNG
(softly) I-I just wanted to finish cleaning…
Sehun hums in response, his arms tightening around Taehyung’s waist
His grip isn't painful, yet
But Taehyung knows better
He knows what happens when he disobeys when he hesitates for too long
SEHUN
You’re being obedient today
Taehyung bites his lower lip, silently
Sehun leans in again, his breath hot against Taehyung’s ear
Taehyung forces a small nod, his voice barely above a whisper
Sehun steps back slightly, reaching into his pocket
He pulls out a small black box, placing it on the counter beside Taehyung
Taehyung hesitates, wiping his hands on a towel before slowly lifting the lid
His breath catches in his throat
Confused, he looks up at Sehun, searching for an answer
But Sehunonly smirks, his chuckle dark and humourless
SEHUN
Did you really think you deserved a gift?
Taehyung’s hands tremble as he lowers his gaze
He should have expected this
Before he can react, Sehun grips his jaw harshly, forcing Taehyung to look at him
SEHUN
You don't deserve anything, you pathetic little thing!
With a sudden force, Sehun shoves Him backward
Taehyung stumbles, crashing onto the cold tile floor
Pain shoots through his arms Ashe catches himself, but he doesn't cry out
Sehun simply scoffs, straightening his cuffs before walking away, leaving Taehyung trembling on the floor
The moment the door clicks shut, silent tears slip down his cheeks
TAEHYUNG
Happy birthday to me…
Comments