Ch 8 – The Weight of Memories

[Present Day – University Library]

Taehyung sat at the farthest table in the library, eyes glued to the open book in front of him.

Or at least, he was pretending to read.

His mind was elsewhere—still stuck on Jungkook’s words from earlier.

"So stop running, Taehyung."

As if it were that easy. As if fate wasn’t already writing their ending before they even began.

“Tae.”

Jimin’s whisper snapped him out of his thoughts. Taehyung looked up to see his best friend slide into the chair beside him, a playful grin on his lips.

“So…” Jimin leaned in. “What did Jungkook say to you outside the café?”

Taehyung sighed. “Nothing.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Nothing? Because from where I was sitting, it looked like he was either confessing his love or asking why you keep running away from him.”

Taehyung stiffened.

Jimin’s smirk widened. “Ah. So it was the second one.”

Taehyung groaned, dropping his forehead onto the table. “Why do I tell you anything?”

Jimin chuckled. “Because I’m your best friend, and you love me.” He nudged Taehyung’s arm. “But seriously, Tae. You like him, don’t you?”

Taehyung hesitated.

Like?

No. This wasn’t just ‘liking’ someone. This was something deeper, heavier. Something that had followed him across lifetimes.

But none of that mattered.

Because Jungkook was never meant to be his.

Not in this life. Not in any life.

Taehyung exhaled. “It doesn’t matter.”

Jimin frowned. “Why not?”

Because he’s going to die.

Taehyung forced a smile. “Because I said so.”

Jimin looked unconvinced, but before he could argue, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Taehyung froze.

Jungkook stood at the edge of their table, hands in his pockets, eyes locked onto Taehyung’s.

Jimin smirked. “Not at all. Tae was just talking about how—”

“I wasn’t,” Taehyung cut in quickly, shooting Jimin a glare.

Jungkook hummed, amused. “Right.” He glanced at the chair across from Taehyung. “Mind if I sit?”

Taehyung should say no. Should make an excuse.

But for some reason, his voice betrayed him.

“…Fine.”

\[Past Life – A Candlelit Room\]

The war had ended.

But at what cost?

Taehyung stood at the edge of the bed, staring at Jungkook’s sleeping form. There were fresh wounds on his skin, bandages wrapped around his torso, but he was alive.

Barely.

Taehyung clenched his fists.

They had won the war, but the victory was hollow. Jungkook had nearly died on the battlefield, and it had taken everything in Taehyung not to break down when he saw him collapse.

If Jungkook had died…

No. Taehyung didn’t want to think about it.

He reached out, fingers hovering over Jungkook’s cheek.

A soft touch. Barely there.

Jungkook stirred. His eyes fluttered open, gaze hazy with sleep. When he saw Taehyung, a small smile tugged at his lips.

“You’re still here.”

Taehyung swallowed the lump in his throat. “Of course I am.”

Jungkook’s fingers found his wrist, weak but steady. “Good.” His voice was barely a whisper. “Stay.”

Taehyung’s heart ached.

If only he could promise that.

[Present Day – Library Table]

Taehyung didn’t know why Jungkook was here.