@vioIau: For misunderstanding. For hopi...

For misunderstanding. For hoping. For believing in something that was never there to begin with.

For falling for someone who had never given him a reason to.

He had thought they were more than just friends.

He had convinced himself that the boy was finally going to confess, that he'd ask him out on one of the dates Taehyung had spent so many nights daydreaming about.

But instead, all he got was heartbreak.

When he leaned in, hoping for a kiss, his friend pulled away and rejected him. And just like that, his friend cut him off, saying they could no longer be friends. He insisted it would never feel natural again, that the awkwardness would linger and ruin everything between them.

That night, Taehyung cried harder than he ever had before. From then on, he couldn't let anyone get too close. He distanced himself from everyone, his friends, his family, those who had once cared about him.

Since then, his heart had remained cold, locked away.

His dreams of finding someone who loved him with the same intensity had faded completely.

Now, at twenty seven, Taehyung watched as his brother found his soulmate. The way Beomgyu spoke about his boyfriend lately made it clear that nothing could tear them apart.

After all, they'd been together for two years.

His sister, on the other hand, was dating a boy in high school. Despite their parents' disapproval, she held her ground. She even swore she'd leave the house if they forced her to break up with him.

And, of course, her parents couldn't bring themselves to let her walk out, so they relented, allowing her to stay with her boyfriend.

As for Taehyung?

He never found the one.

It had been nine years since his heart was first shattered. And ever since, he'd kept it closed off.

He was too afraid of the same kind of misunderstanding happening again. Too afraid of feeling that sting once more. So he'd convinced himself that loneliness was his fate, that he was meant to walk through life without anyone to love him.

He had always been alone, ever since the day he was born, and he convinced himself that he would stay alone forever.

Yet, even as he told himself this, a deep, quiet fear lingered. He was afraid of being alone—of truly feeling alone.

That's why he had stayed in his parents' mansion all this time.

He worked as an assistant manager in his father's company, turning down every offer for a higher position.

He didn't think he could handle the pressure.

He knew he wouldn't do a good job, and thankfully, his father understood.

For a while, his father had tried to convince him otherwise, but eventually, he accepted Taehyung's decision.

But now, as Taehyung caught the slight judgment in his parents' eyes, the unspoken words, he couldn't shake the feeling of being useless.

He felt like a burden, like someone who should be discarded because he couldn't contribute anything of value to the family.

He wasn't the CEO. He couldn't make his father proud.

And now, his father had started introducing Beomgyu as the future CEO of the company. Beomgyu, with his bright smile, responded with excitement, clearly eager for the role his father had chosen for him.

Taehyung knew his brother was smart. He never doubted that Beomgyu would do a great job as the future CEO.

His sister had once asked him if he planned on moving into an apartment and living on his own. She had always dreamed of having her own place.

Yet, even though she asked out of curiosity, Taehyung couldn't push the feeling that his presence was too much for them.

He had stopped participating in family activities, barely attending their charity events or any of their other gatherings.

He always felt out of place, like he didn't belong. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't erase that feeling from his chest.

There was a time when he had considered moving into an apartment, living by himself.

But even that idea felt too overwhelming.

He knew he wouldn't be able to handle the loneliness, the quiet, the emptiness, the space left for his thoughts to consume him.

He knew that if he was left alone with nothing but his mind, he would eventually lose himself.

Although Taehyung barely engaged with his family, whether at home or at their events, he still preferred it to being alone.

He had always feared being alone, ever since his childhood.

Now, as his father presented the arranged marriage proposal, that familiar feeling of being a burden crept back. He remembered when his father had offered him a higher position in the company, only for him to refuse.

The least he could do now was say yes, to finally give his father and mother something to smile about, to stop feeling like a weight they had to carry.

And at least he wouldn't be alone, right?

He'd get married, and his husband would fill the emptiness in his heart.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But he was wrong.

And by the time he realized it, it was too late to back out.

He realized his mistake the night before the wedding, when Jungkook texted him, telling him to cancel everything.

Jungkook was already in a relationship with someone else.

But this time, Taehyung's heart didn't break. He had seen it coming.

He had known, deep down, that this was his life, that he needed to accept it.

He had two choices.

Cancel everything, disappoint his father once again, or go through with it and bear the consequences of being married to someone whose heart already belonged to someone else.

After thinking it through, he made his decision.

He would marry Jungkook and leave his parents' house.

He would face it, just like he always did.

But as he sat beside Jungkook in the car, the look on his face—cold, distant—sent a chill down Taehyung's spine. But he couldn't bring himself to go back, to return to his parents.

His heart pounded in his chest as he sat there, silent, unable to find the words. He stole a quick glance at Jungkook, noticing how his hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly, his eyes not missing the tension in his posture.

Taehyung swallowed the lump in his throat, quickly looking away, his chest tightening with every second that passed.

The car ride was painfully silent, so quiet that Taehyung swore he could hear his own heartbeat pounding.

When Jungkook finally pulled up to his house—a sleek yet modest villa, just big enough for two or three people, it became clear that he lived alone.

As soon as they passed through the gate, Jungkook parked the car, turned off the engine, and immediately pushed the door open.

"Get out."

The coldness in Jungkook's voice made Taehyung shiver.

Taehyung swallowed again, his fingers stiff as he slowly opened the door and stepped out. He watched as Jungkook strode towards the house without so much as a glance in his direction.

Without thinking, he followed. By the time he stepped inside, Jungkook was already climbing the stairs, disappearing onto the first floor, leaving him behind without a word.

Taehyung had no idea what to do. He stood there in the middle of the living room,

frozen—confused, terrified—wondering if this had been a terrible mistake.

His heart jumped when he saw Jungkook coming down the stairs, moving towards him with quick strides.

Taehyung's breath stuttered, his pulse quickening as Jungkook drew closer, yet his gaze never once lifted.

And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, Jungkook walked right past him.

Not a glance. Not a word.

He simply rushed out of his own house, leaving Taehyung standing there, stunned.

Taehyung exhaled sharply, only now realizing he had been holding his breath.

His lungs burned as he sucked in a heavy breath.

"What the fuck have I done..." he muttered to himself. His legs felt weak as he staggered towards one of the couches, sinking onto it with trembling hands.

His lips quivered, eyes unfocused as he stared into nothing, his heart hammering against his ribs.

It was obvious.

Jungkook was furious.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

Hours passed. It was nearly midnight when the sound of the door opening made Taehyung flinch.

He turned his head sharply, his breath hitching as he saw Jungkook standing in the doorway.

Their eyes met for the first time that night, and Taehyung instantly regretted it.

"What are you doing in my room?" Jungkook's voice was cold, sharp enough to pierce through Taehyung's heart.

Taehyung's heart sank at the freezing tone. He inhaled deeply. "I didn't know where to sleep. I'm sorry."