Ch 9 : A Thread Unraveling

[Present Day – University Courtyard]

Taehyung sat on a wooden bench under the large oak tree, watching the autumn leaves drift to the ground. The wind was cool against his skin, but it did nothing to soothe the storm brewing in his chest.

Jungkook’s words from earlier replayed in his mind.

"I’ll just have to make you stop avoiding me, then."

Taehyung exhaled, rubbing his temples.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

He had spent years keeping his distance. Years pretending he didn’t care. And now, Jungkook was getting too close.

Too familiar.

Too much like the boy he had once held in his arms, covered in blood, whispering his name with his last breath—

“Tae?”

Taehyung stiffened.

He turned slowly, already knowing who he would see.

Jungkook stood a few feet away, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, dark eyes locked onto him.

Taehyung swallowed. “What are you doing here?”

Jungkook tilted his head. “Looking for you.”

Taehyung sighed, leaning back against the bench. “You shouldn’t.”

“But I do.” Jungkook stepped closer. “And I will.”

There was a quiet determination in his voice that made Taehyung’s pulse stutter. He glanced away, trying to suppress the panic rising in his chest.

Jungkook watched him carefully. “Why do you always run from me?”

Taehyung let out a humorless chuckle. “I don’t.”

“You do,” Jungkook said firmly. “And I want to know why.”

Taehyung clenched his fists.

Because I know how this ends. Because I’ve lived it before. Because no matter how many times fate brings us together, it always takes you away from me.

But he couldn’t say that.

So instead, he said, “You’re imagining things.”

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re so damn frustrating.”

Taehyung smirked, trying to mask the ache in his chest. “So I’ve been told.”

Jungkook huffed out a laugh, but his gaze softened. “Tae… I don’t know why you keep pushing me away. But I’m not going anywhere.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched.

No.

No, no, no.

That was the problem. Jungkook never went anywhere—until he was ripped away. Until Taehyung was left behind, clutching memories that turned into ghosts.

“I should go.” Taehyung stood up quickly, brushing past Jungkook.

But before he could take another step, Jungkook grabbed his wrist.

The touch sent a jolt through Taehyung’s entire body.

Warm. Familiar.

Like a thousand nights before.

Jungkook’s voice was quiet, but firm. “You don’t have to run.”

Taehyung closed his eyes.

If only that were true.

\[Past Life – A Battlefield at Dusk\]

The air was thick with the scent of blood.

Bodies littered the ground, the dying whispering prayers to gods who no longer listened.

Taehyung stumbled through the chaos, heart pounding in his chest.

Where was he?

Where—

His breath caught when he saw him.

Jungkook lay on the ground, his armor slick with blood, a sword piercing through his side.

“No,” Taehyung choked out, running to him.

Jungkook’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. A weak smile touched his lips. “Tae…”

Taehyung dropped to his knees, hands trembling as he cupped Jungkook’s face. “You’re going to be okay,” he whispered, voice shaking. “You’re going to be okay.”

Jungkook’s fingers curled around his wrist. “You… always say that.”

Tears burned in Taehyung’s eyes.

Because every time, it was a lie.

Jungkook’s grip tightened. “This… isn’t the end.”

Taehyung swallowed down a sob. “You’re dying, Jungkook.”

Jungkook smiled faintly. “Then find me… in another life.”

Taehyung’s world shattered.

[Present Day – University Courtyard]

Taehyung yanked his wrist out of Jungkook’s grip, stepping back. “I can’t do this,” he whispered.

Jungkook frowned. “Do what?”

Taehyung forced a smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Pretend that this—” he gestured between them “—isn’t doomed from the start.”

Jungkook’s jaw clenched. “Tae—”