Ch 3 : A Fate Already Decided

[Present Day – University Rooftop]

The rooftop buzzed with music and laughter, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Students crowded around makeshift tables, their voices blending into a chaotic hum. Taehyung stood near the railing, a half-empty drink in his hand, staring at the city lights.

He hadn't wanted to come.

But Jimin had dragged him here, claiming he needed to “loosen up” and “stop looking like a tragic novel’s main character.”

If only Jimin knew how right he was.

“Spacing out again?” Jimin nudged his shoulder. “You should at least try to have fun.”

“I’m fine,” Taehyung said, though the lie felt heavier than usual.

Jimin sighed but didn’t push further. Instead, he gestured toward a group of students near the center of the rooftop. “They’re playing some dumb dare game. You should join.”

Taehyung shook his head. “Not interested.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Of course not.” He grabbed a drink and took a sip before smirking. “But guess who’s here?”

Taehyung didn’t have to ask.

He felt it before Jimin even spoke.

Jungkook.

He turned, and there he was—leaning casually against the rooftop wall, laughing at something his friend said. The neon city lights reflected in his dark eyes, making them gleam like something otherworldly. His sharp jawline, the way he tilted his head slightly when he laughed—it was painfully familiar.

Too familiar.

Taehyung gripped his glass tighter. Not again.

As if sensing his gaze, Jungkook looked up.

And their eyes met.

A jolt shot through Taehyung’s chest. He expected Jungkook to look away, uninterested. But he didn’t. Instead, Jungkook tilted his head slightly, as if trying to figure something out.

Then, to Taehyung’s horror, he started walking toward him.

“Oh, shit,” Jimin whispered beside him, barely containing a grin. “He’s coming over.”

Panic rose in Taehyung’s throat. He wasn’t ready for this. He needed to leave. He needed to—

“Hey,” Jungkook’s voice was smooth, deep. Too familiar.

Taehyung forced himself to look at him, keeping his expression blank. “Hey.”

Jungkook studied him for a moment. Then he smirked. “Do I know you?”

Taehyung’s heart clenched.

Yes. In another life, in a hundred other lives. You knew me better than anyone ever could.

But here, in this life, Jungkook didn’t remember.

Taehyung swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a casual shrug. “I don’t think so.”

Jungkook hummed, his eyes never leaving Taehyung’s face. “Strange. You seem… familiar.”

The words hit harder than they should have.

Before Taehyung could respond, a loud voice interrupted them.

“Jungkook!” One of his friends called out. “Come on, your turn for the dare!”

Jungkook sighed, but before leaving, he looked at Taehyung again, his gaze lingering. “See you around.”

Taehyung watched him go, his chest aching.

He had promised himself he wouldn’t fall again.

But fate was already tightening its grip.

\[Flashback – A Past Life\]

The wind howled through the mountains, carrying the scent of pine and blood.

Taehyung sat beside a dying fire, his cloak wrapped tightly around him. The night was cold, but the warmth in his chest burned hotter than any flame.

Because next to him, Jungkook lay asleep.

His breathing was steady, his face peaceful. In this moment, there was no war, no betrayal, no impending tragedy. Just them, hidden away in the mountains, pretending the world didn’t exist.

Taehyung reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Jungkook’s face.

He had sworn he wouldn’t love him again. That he wouldn’t let history repeat itself.

But as Jungkook stirred, his sleepy eyes meeting Taehyung’s with a soft, knowing smile—Taehyung knew.

He was already doomed.

[Present Day]

Taehyung clenched his fists as he walked home alone.

He had tried to keep his distance. He had tried to stop fate from pulling him in.

But it was useless.

Jungkook was already looking at him like he had known him before.

And Taehyung knew exactly how this story would end.

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