24

Jungkook slowly opened his eyes, the remnants of the crushing pain from earlier still lingering in his temples. As his vision adjusted to the dim light of the cabin, he realized he was lying on something soft—a lap.

He blinked, his eyes drifting upwards to see Y/n fast asleep, her head tilted awkwardly against the wall, her breathing deep and steady. His head was resting on her lap, and he noticed how tightly he had clutched the fabric of her dress, his fingers entwined in the material.

Her other hand rested gently on his head, as if she had been soothing him in his sleep.

For a moment, Jungkook lay still, trying to piece together the events that had led him here. The storm of thoughts and realizations that had engulfed him before passing out came rushing back, but now, in this quiet moment, they seemed distant, muted by the warmth of Y/n’s presence.

He stared at her, the lines of tension on her face, even in sleep, telling him that she had stayed with him despite everything he had done and said.

He couldn’t understand it—this warmth, this care she was showing him. It was different from anything he had ever felt before, even more comforting than the love he had known from his Gumeun eomma or the brotherly bond he had shared with Jimin.

This was something deeper, something that touched the broken pieces of his soul in a way he couldn’t quite comprehend.

Carefully, Jungkook began to slip his hand out of the grip he had on her dress, trying not to wake her. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her hand slipping off his head as he slowly moved away.

He gently lifted her, cradling her in his arms, and carried her to the bed. She looked so peaceful, even with the weariness etched on her face.

As he laid her down and pulled the duvet over her, he couldn’t resist brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his fingers lingering on her skin.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Jungkook felt a flicker of something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel—hope. He patted her head softly, whispering, “Sleep well,” before stepping back.

His eyes fell on her phone lying on the bedside table. He picked it up and used her fingerprint to unlock it, his mind racing with the need to understand more, to do something.

Scrolling through her call log, he found Mr. Kim’s number. With one last glance at Y/n to make sure she was still asleep, he slipped out of the cabin, his heart pounding as he made his way to a secluded washroom at the far end of the hallway.

Once inside, he locked the door behind him and took a deep breath before dialing Mr. Kim. The phone rang twice before the frantic voice of Y/n’s father came through.

“Y/n? Y/n, where are you? Are you safe? Please, tell me you’re okay!”

Jungkook tightened his grip on the phone, trying to calm the man down. “Mr. Kim, it’s Jungkook.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a mix of relief and confusion. “Jungkook? Where’s my daughter? Is she safe? Aish, this girl didn't even let me finish off last time... they’re saying she’s a wanted criminal—”

“She’s safe, Mr. Kim. She’s with me,” Jungkook said, trying to keep his voice steady. “They’re both safe.”

He could only hope that her baby was safe in the chaos.

Mr. Kim frowned, Why would Jungkook refer to himself and Y/n as 'they' and not 'we'?

He didn't have the time to think of the grammer for now.

The relief in Mr. Kim’s voice was palpable. “Thank God… Thank God she’s with you. But what’s going on? Why is my daughter involved in this madness? She only went to Russia for an internship. Why would she steal the Pheonix? What’s really happening, Jungkook?”

Jungkook took a deep breath, his mind racing for the right words. “A few weeks ago, Pheonix was stolen from the Korean weapons facility at Jenesis Corps’ by the Russians. I’ve been on a mission to destroy it before it can be used but your daughter intervened a little. That’s why we’re here.”

“Wait, what?” Mr. Kim’s voice was a mix of shock and disbelief. “Pheonix? You mean that old project Jimin and I worked on? But Namjoon told me the weapon was safe in a facility nearby. But you’re saying it’s been stolen for weeks?"

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to piece together a coherent explanation.

"Maybe Namjoon didn’t want to cause chaos or let the news of the theft get out. Keeping it under wraps was probably his way of preventing widespread panic. If word got out that Pheonix was missing, it could have triggered mass hysteria."

Mr. Kim paused, seemingly considering Jungkook's point. "That makes sense, but I still don’t understand why you are after such a trivial weapon? Even if it is stolen, why are you so worried that you're both declared as wanted criminals?"

Jungkook’s brows knitted together in confusion. “Mr. Kim, this isn’t just any common weapon. Pheonix is capable of massive destruction. It can destroy cities across the globe. Ofcourse I would be after it!"

“No, Jungkook, you must be mistaken,” Mr. Kim insisted, his tone growing more perplexed.

"That weapon was nothing more than a prototype, a small-scale weapon designed for localized use. It’s not lethal at all, Jungkook. It’s a trivial weapon, with limited range and impact. Jimin and I… we didn’t make anything that could destroy entire cities.”, Mr. Kim added.

Jungkook’s heart pounded as Mr. Kim’s words clashed with everything he had been told, everything he had come to believe.

Jimin said that the weapon could destroy multiple cities.

Mr. Kim is saying that he didn't build anything like that?

Both of them worked together on the weapon then how come Mr. Kim doesn't know about the weapon's destructive capabilities?

Nonetheless, Jungkook thought it might be some kind of misunderstanding. So he took upon the task of telling Mr. Kim what the capabilities of Pheonix are.

Jungkook took a deep breath, knowing he had to explain it clearly. "Pheonix isn’t just any weapon. It’s capable of firing multiple missiles simultaneously, targeting major cities like New York, New Delhi, Doha, Seoul, Tokyo, and more. The Russians stole it because they wanted to use it to obliterate these cities in the blink of an eye. Their strategy is to cripple nations, take out key locations, and essentially bring the world to its knees."

Realisation dawned upon Mr. Kim and he realised how he had been kept in dark by Jimin.

Mr. Kim himself worked on a little part of the weapon, but Jimin had very cunningly never told him how destructive the weapon is.

Because Jimin knew that if he will tell about the destructive capabilities to Mr. Kim, Mr. Kim would never agree to work on the project.

Mr. Kim inhaled sharply on the other end. “I worked on Pheonix, but I was kept in the dark about its true capabilities. My role was to develop a safety mechanism to destroy it if needed. Jimin was the one who built the core of the weapon—its firing system and all the destructive components. He always assured me that Pheonix was a localized weapon, with limited harm. He lied to me, Jungkook. He made me believe it was something far less dangerous than what you’re describing.”

Jungkook felt his heart drop as Mr. Kim continued, “The mechanism I designed was supposed to make deactivating the weapon easy. All you had to do was pull down the bromine bars and cut the wires, and it would automatically become a ball of non-reactive uranium in five seconds. So why steal it and run? Why didn’t you just destroy it when you found it?”

Jungkook was stunned. He blinked, his mind racing to process what Mr. Kim had just revealed.

“There were no bromine bars to pull out. No wiring that could stabilize the uranium and render it harmless. The weapon wasn’t designed that way—or at least, not the version I was told about.”

Mr. Kim’s voice wavered, “But I did install a safe mechanism to destroy the weapon. That was my only job in the weapon, believe me Jungkook — I'm not lying. That was the only thing I had to do—"

Mr. Kim's voice faded in the background of the noise in Jungkook's head.

He didn't doubt Mr. Kim at all.

Because he knew that Mr. Kim was a righteous man.

That left Jungkook to only 1 conclusion — The safe mechanism that Mr. Kim built in the weapon to destroy it, was removed from the weapon by someone.

That someone being no one other than Mr. Kim Namjoon.

The guy who manipulated Jungkook into keeping away the secret that 'whoever destroys Pheonix, gets killed in the process.'

"I believe you, Mr. Kim.", Jungkook voices out.

"So you agree that there is a safe mechanism in the weapon to destroy it. You saw it, right?", Mr. Kim asks hopefully.

Jungkook walks out of the washroom, and proceeds to his room, looking at the small weapon lying around.

The weapon did not have any safe mechanism.

"No, Mr. Kim. There is no safe mechanism.", Jungkook replied, looking at the weapon blankly.

His voice was inaudibly low, “Mr. Kim… Jimin deceived you. I'm sorry, but this is true. My brother deceived you."

Mr. Kim's breath hitches. "How....?"

"I didn't know that you were not aware about Pheonix. But Jimin told me about the destructive capabilities of the weapon, and that he’d keep that information from you because he only needed your expertise for certain parts. He himself approached me to get you to work on the project because you're the father of a student who studied in Mt college. He thought I could help him and I did...... "

"You knew about how dangerous the weapon was, then why did you let Jimin keep me in dark and make the weapon?", Mr. Kim accused.

"Because he is my brother, Mr. Kim. We are weapon manufacturers. We create weapons. This was another one of Jimin's ventures. I did wrong by trusting him. He misused my trust and made this weapon even more deadly than the nuclear weapons. But more than Jimin, you and I have been deceived by someone else.", Jungkook replied calmly.

"By who....?", Mr. Kim asked.

"Kim Namjoon."

There was a heavy silence on the other end, the weight of Jungkook’s words sinking in. Jungkook’s mind raced as he connected the dots, piecing together the truth that had been obscured for so long.

“When Jimin sent me on this mission, he knew the weapon could be destroyed safely because he had you design it that way. Jimin loves me—he wouldn’t have sent me if he knew it would cost me my life. He was so casual about Pheonix because he knew that destroying it wouldn’t harm me.”

“But Namjoon… Namjoon must have removed the safety mechanism you built. He knew that I carry the guilt of what happened to Gumeun eomma and that I’d do anything to protect Jimin, even if it meant sacrificing myself. He manipulated me into believing that only I could destroy the weapon, and that if I didn’t, Jimin would be blamed for the theft by Russians and the destruction that would follow because you didn't have any part to play in making the weapon so dangerous”

Mr. Kim’s voice was faint as he asked, “But why, Jungkook? Why would Namjoon want you to die?”

"Not just me, Mr. Kim.", Jungkook takes a deep breath, "He wants both of us dead—Jimin and me. Namjoon removed the safe mechanism you built into Pheonix just so he could manipulate me into destroying the weapon. He knew that if I succeeded in destroying the weapon, I'd die in the process. My death would send Jimin spiraling into a mental state from which he might never recover."

Jungkook paused, his voice growing thick with emotion as he continued, "Jimin may come off as heartless, but he loves me. After Gumeun eomma, I'm all he has left. I know people see him as cold and calculating, but that’s not the whole truth. Jimin didn’t become this way just to save himself. He hardened himself because of the pain of losing Gumeun eomma, and the fear of losing me, too. He became the way he is to protect me, to make sure I survived—even if it meant turning me into someone who could kill to stay alive."

Mr. Kim listened intently, his breathing steady but concerned. “Jungkook… I had no idea. But what does all this mean? What’s the connection?”

Jungkook sighed, wiping away the tears that had started to form.

"Jimin may have used harsh methods, but his intentions were always to keep me safe. The brother who put a gun in my hand to protect myself would never want to kill me. Namjoon is the one who orchestrated this. He removed the safety mechanism you created and then manipulated me, knowing that if I died trying to destroy Pheonix, it would break Jimin. And if I failed, the blame for the weapon’s theft and the devastation it could cause would fall squarely on Jimin's shoulders. The international community would hold him responsible, and he’d be tried as a criminal. Either way, Namjoon planned to destroy us both."

Mr. Kim’s voice was filled with dawning realization, “So Namjoon set up a checkmate, no matter which way you went, he would win?”

Checkmating Jeon Jungkook and Park Jimin, so soon?

In your dreams, Kim Namjoon.

Jungkook’s eyes hardened as he wiped the last of his tears. “Not so soon, sir. Jimin and I are the brothers who built Jenesis Corps into what it is today. No matter what rivalry exists between us, we are ONE when it comes to the world. Namjoon may think he has us cornered, but he’s underestimated us. He won’t succeed in his plans.”

Mr. Kim hesitated, his voice uncertain. “But how? How can you stop him now?”

Jungkook’s lips curled into a determined smirk, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “He wanted one of us dead, right? Fine. Let’s see what he has to say when the two of us stand united against him. Namjoon’s been playing his games in the shadows for too long. Now, it’s time we show him what happens when he tries to come between us.”

As he ended the call, Jungkook knew one thing for sure: Namjoon might have started this game, but it was Jimin and Jungkook who would finish it.

--

Jungkook returned to the cabin, with one objective in mind : he needed to be with Y/n, to tell her everything and figure out their next move.

As he pushed open the door, he was met with an eerie stillness. The bed, which should have held Y/n sleeping peacefully, was empty. The sheets were neatly folded, almost as if she had never been there at all.

She was gone.

Heart pounding, Jungkook rushed out of the cabin and onto the deck of the cruise ship.

The evening sky was a deep shade of purple, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the endless expanse of water.

His search felt like an eternity until he finally spotted her. She was standing near the railing, her silhouette framed against the backdrop of the fading sun.

But she wasn’t alone.

Standing close to her, almost too close for Jungkook’s liking, was Yoongi. The older man’s white flowy shirt was unbuttoned, the fabric fluttering in the breeze as he leaned toward Y/n, his posture relaxed but intimate.

Their bodies were close enough to cast a single shadow.

Yoongi’s shirt, once pristine white, was now carelessly open, revealing a glimpse of sculpted skin.

His hand, casually resting on the railing, was inches from Y/n’s.

There was something in the way Yoongi held himself, in the way his eyes lingered on Y/n, that sent a spike of jealousy coursing through Jungkook.

Yoongi’s voice, low and seductive, carried on the wind. “Remember the night under the olive trees? The moon was full, just like tonight. And you, my dear, were a goddess bathed in silver light.”

Y/n shivered, not from the cold but from the memories his words evoked. “I remember,”

“You were different then,” Yoongi purred. “Wild, untamed. Mine to explore.”

Wild.

Untamed.

Yoongi's to explore.

The words rang in Jungkook's ear like a fire burning the forest.

Jungkook’s grip tightened on the railing.

It was nothing short of a physical pain.

"You were fire, Y/N. Burning, consuming. I’ve been chasing that high ever since.” His voice was a dangerous low rumble, a promise of storms to come.

“It was different then. I was just a young teen in love with the thrill of exploring new stuff,” she managed to whisper.

“Different, but unforgettable,” Yoongi countered, his eyes burning with intensity. Yoongi's arm snakes around her waist, slowly yet gently pulling her closer.

“I want to recreate that magic, just one more time. For old times' sake.”

A bitter taste filled Jungkook’s mouth.

Old times’ sake?

Y/N’s voice, when she spoke, was laced with rejection, which Jungkook couldn't decipher. “Yoongi, you know why I’m here.”

Yoongi placed his fingers on her lips, as if not wanting to hear anything from her, but just let them go with the flow.

“I know. But a man can dream, can’t he? For just one night, let’s pretend we’re back there, just you and me.”

Jungkook’s heart pounded in his ears. He wanted to lunge, to claim her, to take her away from this man. But he was trapped, a silent witness to a private drama.

Yoongi leaned in, his breath ghosting over her lips. The moment stretched, heavy with anticipation.

Jungkook’s gut clenched.

This was it.

The kiss that would seal their fate.

But then, Y/N moved.

Her hand found his, a gentle touch that belied the storm within her. His heart soared.

Was this it?

A declaration of love?

Then, she placed his hand on her stomach. The world stilled. Yoongi’s face, once filled with desire, turned ashen.

Her eyes, filled with a tender light, met his. “There’s a new love growing inside me,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Yoongi's hand hovered over her stomach, his mind racing. He tried to focus on the sensation, but his thoughts were a whirlwind. He knew her body intimately, and this... this was different. A cold dread seeped into him.

The sight of Yoongi's hand on Y/n’s belly was a physical blow for Jingkook. Every fiber of his being screamed in denial, but the evidence was irrefutable.

A wave of nausea washed over him. He turned away, unable to bear the pain of watching the scene unfold. With heavy steps, he walked away, his world shattered into a million pieces.

On the other hand, the realization that dawned on Yoongi was a cold, hard truth. He'd been clinging to a ghost of a past, a hope that was now extinguished.

Y/n squeezed his hand again, her eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and finality. "I cherish our memories, Yoongi. But this is a new chapter. One that doesn't involve us in the same way."

The words were a dagger to his heart. He wanted to reach out, to pull her back into their world. But he knew it was futile.

"I'm happy for you, Y/n," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

She smiled, a bittersweet expression on her face. "Thank you, Yoongi. I hope you'll be there for me, as a friend."

Y/n's eyes were filled with a dreamlike quality as she continued, "I imagine him or her running on the beach, building sandcastles, laughing. Maybe they'll be a painter, or a dancer, or a scientist, exploring the stars." Her voice was filled with a childlike wonder.

"I want them to grow up surrounded by love and laughter," she continued. "I want them to know they are loved unconditionally."

Yoongi nodded, his heart aching. He wanted to be that source of love and laughter, but fate had other plans.

She knew this wasn’t fair to him.

But she couldn’t bear to see the longing in his eyes, the flicker of hope that ignited every time he looked at her. She knew their paths were diverging, and letting him believe there was a chance of reconciliation would only prolong the inevitable pain.

As she walked away from Yoongi, down the dock, she knew she was walking away from a closure both her and Yoongi needed.

But once she had crossed a fair distance, the man of her dreams returned to her thoughts.

Jungkook.

Where had Jungkook gone after she woke up?

The memory of his rough grip on her neck, followed by a sudden collapse, filled her with a sense of unease. She'd woken up to an empty bed, a cold loneliness settling in her heart.

There had been no note, no explanation, just an abrupt absence.

A peculiar photo booth caught her eye. It was smaller than the typical ones, designed for a single person.

Curiosity piqued, she approached it. A silhouette was visible inside, a pair of boots peeking out from beneath the curtain.

It was Jungkook.

What was he doing in there, alone?

With a hesitant hand, she pulled the curtain aside. The sight that met her eyes was heart-wrenching.

Jungkook was sitting on the small stool, his head bowed, tears silently tracing paths down his face. His shoulders shook with silent sobs.

"Jungkook?" Her voice was soft, filled with concern.

Jungkook wiped away the remnants of his tears, forcing a tight-lipped smile. "Hey," he managed, his voice hoarse.

Y/n's heart ached at the sight of his red-rimmed eyes. "What happened, Jungkook?"

He shrugged, his eyes avoiding hers. "Just needed some space. A place where no one could see me fall apart."

She sat down on his lap, her arms wrapping around him. He stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, his hands finding her hips cautiously. Their bodies were close, a comforting warmth amidst the emotional storm.

His hands involuntarily held her waist, careful of her baby.

"I'm sorry if my words about Jimin hurt you," she said softly.

Jungkook shook his head. "It's not that. You were right. I just... I wasn't ready to accept it."

A heavy silence settled between them. Y/n knew he was hurting, and there were no words that could truly comfort him.

Jungkook swallowed hard, his throat tight as he struggled to find the right words. “I… I don’t know how to say this,” he began, his voice cracking slightly. “But I think I need to. Before everything else gets in the way.”

Y/n tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing in confusion. “What is it, Jungkook?”

He took a deep breath, looking down at the deck for a moment before lifting his gaze back to her. “Once all of this… madness is over, I promise I’ll have you back at home. Where you belong, with the people you belong with.”

His voice was soft, each word carefully chosen, laced with a pain that cut through him like a knife.

She opened her mouth to respond, but he continued, his words pouring out in a torrent, as if he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to say them if he stopped.

“I know… I know I’ve caused you so much trouble, Y/n. So much pain. And I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Never wanted to drag you into this mess. But once this is over, I swear to you, I’ll never cause you any more trouble again. I’ll stay out of your life, and you… you can finally be free.”

Y/n’s eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head, opening her mouth to protest, but Jungkook gently raised his hand to stop her, his gaze intense and pained. “Please, just… just let me finish,” he whispered, his voice breaking.

He glanced down at her belly, his heart clenching painfully. “I know… I know this is your decision, Y/n. To keep the baby or not. And… and I want you to know that no matter what you choose, I respect it. I’ll support you from afar, in any way I can.”

He forced himself to look into her eyes, his own glistening with unshed tears. “I just… I just want you to be happy. To live a life that’s full of love and joy, with… with the baby daddy, whoever that is.”

Y/n stiffened at his words.

“I had… one concern, Y/n. Just one. That the baby doesn’t grow up in a loveless environment. That’s all I wanted. And I… I know the baby will get the environment it deserves. A home filled with love, with care… with someone who will protect it.”

He paused, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breath. “My work here is done, Y/n. I… I’m not needed anymore in your life. You’ll be fine. You’re strong, and you have your baby daddy by your side.”

The words tasted bitter on his tongue, but he forced them out, knowing he had to. “Once all this is over… everything will be good again. You’ll be happy, and… and that’s all I ever wanted for you.”

Y/n’s confusion deepened, her lips parting as if to speak, but Jungkook continued, his voice now trembling with the weight of his emotions.

“I know you probably hate me right now. For everything I’ve done, for dragging you into this. But I hope… I hope one day you’ll understand why I did what I did. I never meant to hurt you, Y/n. I never wanted you to suffer because of me.”

He wiped at his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

“I’ll be gone, Y/n. You won’t have to worry about me anymore. You won’t have to deal with the mess that is my life. I’ll leave you in peace, to live the life you deserve.”

There was silence for a long moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air between them.

Y/n finally found her voice, though it was barely a whisper. “Jungkook… what are you talking about?”

He smiled weakly, the pain evident in his eyes. “I’m talking about letting you go, Y/n. I’m talking about making sure you’re safe and happy. About making sure you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

She shook her head, a mix of frustration and confusion crossing her face. “But you don’t have to leave. You don’t have to… to disappear from my life.”

He shook his head, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I do, Y/n. I do because I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I don’t want you to suffer because of me. You deserve better. You deserve a life free from all this chaos."

"We talked about this in the train, Jungkook. Why are you bringing up Yoongi and again talking of leaving me?"

Jungkook’s eyes met hers once more, his voice cracking as he spoke. “I’m so tired, Y/n. So tired of fighting, of running, of… of being this person that I never wanted to be. I’m tired of hurting the people I care about. And if leaving means that you can finally be happy, then… then that’s what I’ll do.”

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m not needed anymore, Y/n. You have Yoongi, you have… a future. A future that I’m not a part of. And that’s okay. It’s better that way.”

“But what if I need you, Jungkook? What if I need you in my life?”

He smiled sadly, his heart breaking even more at the sight of her tears. “You don’t need me, Y/n. Not anymore. You’re stronger than you think, and you have people who care about you. People who will take care of you.”

Jungkook reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek as he wiped away a tear. “I’m not saying this because I want to leave. I’m saying this because I have to. Because I can’t keep dragging you into my mess. You deserve so much more than what I can give you.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes searching his for any sign that he didn’t mean what he was saying. “But what about… us?”

"There was never really an ‘us,’ was there? But that’s okay. It’s okay because I know you’ll be happy, with Yoongi Y/n. And that’s enough for me.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she shook her head, her voice thick with emotion. “But Jungkook… you don’t understand. You don’t know—”

He interrupted her gently, his voice barely above a whisper. “I do, Y/n. I do understand. And that’s why I have to do this. I have to let you go.”

Just when Jungkook was about to leave from the photobooth, he felt a hand grab his arm, halting him in his tracks. Before he could react, Y/n turned him around with a force that surprised him, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and frustration.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she glared at him, the intensity of her emotions hitting him like a wave.

"Shut up, Jungkook," she snapped, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "Just shut up!"

He blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in her demeanor. "Y/n, I—"

But she didn’t let him finish. "You speak too much these days! Always talking like you know everything, like you have it all figured out, but you don’t!" Her voice rose, and she stamped her foot in frustration, reminding him of a child throwing a tantrum.

"I’m not with Yoongi!" she practically yelled, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "I never was! I went to clear things up with him, to let him know that whatever we had in the past is over. Done! Because I don’t want him, Jungkook!"

He froze, his mind struggling to catch up with the torrent of words she was hurling at him. "Y/n, what are you—"

But she cut him off again, stepping closer, her eyes flashing with something that made his heart stop.

"I want you!" she declared, her voice cracking on the last word, but there was no mistaking the conviction behind it.

"You, Jungkook! How can you be so blind?"

His mouth went dry, and for a moment, he couldn’t find his voice. Her words echoed in his mind, bouncing around like a pinball, each one striking a different chord within him.

She wanted him.

Not Yoongi.

Him.

"You… you want me?" he finally managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he didn’t trust the words to be true.

"Yes, you idiot," she muttered, her tone exasperated but laced with affection. "Why do you think I’ve stayed with you through all of this? Why do you think I’m still here, despite everything? Because I care about you, Jungkook. Because I… I love you."

The words hit him like a freight train, leaving him breathless. He stared at her, his heart pounding in his chest, as if trying to break free. "Y/n, I… I had no idea…"

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, looking for all the world like a pouting child.

"Of course, you didn’t. You’re too busy assuming things and deciding what’s best for everyone without even talking to me. But guess what, Jungkook? I get a say in this too. And I’m saying that I want you."

Jungkook’s mind reeled, struggling to process everything she was saying. The thought that she wanted him, that she had chosen him, was almost too much to comprehend.

But there it was, plain as day, in her eyes, in her words, in the way she looked at him with such intensity that it made his heart ache.

"I thought…" He swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I thought you were happier with Yoongi. That you would be better off without me in your life."

"You’re wrong, Jungkook. Yoongi and I… we had our time, but it’s over. I’m not that person anymore, and neither is he. We’ve both moved on. I don’t want him, I want you. I want a future with you."

Jungkook felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, the emotions he had been holding back now rushing to the surface. "Y/n, I…" He trailed off, his voice catching in his throat.

She squeezed his hands, her gaze never leaving his. "Stop pushing me away, Jungkook. Stop deciding what’s best for me without asking me what I want. Because what I want is you. I’ve always wanted you."

His heart swelled with a mixture of relief, joy, and overwhelming love. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, couldn’t believe that she was standing there, telling him that she loved him, that she wanted to be with him. It was everything he had ever dreamed of, and more.

But just as he starts speaking too much when he's anxious, he goes total silent when he's happy.

Because he has hardly ever felt that emotion.

Happiness.

He just doesn't know what to say, how to say when he feels happy.

Which is precisely why he hears a scoff from the lady standing in front of him who says, "Here I'm shamelessly exclaiming all of my love for you and you are just going like - Y/n I— , Y/n , no —. You don't even have the guts to say it back."

Jungkook stood there, staring into Y/n’s eyes, the weight of everything they had just shared settling in his chest.

Words failed him; they seemed too small, too inadequate to express the depth of his feelings.

So instead, he acted on instinct.

He reached out, cupping her face in his hands, and without a second thought, he captured her lips with his own.

The kiss was intense, desperate even, as if he was pouring all of his love, fear, and longing into that one act.

His lips moved against hers, firm but tender, as if trying to convey everything he couldn’t say out loud. He sucked on her lower lip, drawing out a soft gasp from her, and the sound only fueled the fire inside him.

It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her on his lips, and the warmth of her breath mingling with his.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet as he deepened the kiss, his heart pounding with a fierce, overwhelming love.

Y/n let out a surprised giggle into the kiss, the sound so pure and joyful that it made his heart soar.

He spun her around, the soft breeze of the cruise brushing against their skin, the golden light of the setting sun casting them in a warm glow.

As they spun, the world seemed to blur around them, and all that mattered was this moment, this feeling.

Y/n’s arms wound around his neck, holding on to him tightly, her laughter bubbling up between kisses, and it was the sweetest sound Jungkook had ever heard.

Finally, when the need for air became too much, he slowed the spin and gently set her down, their foreheads resting against each other as they both caught their breath, chests heaving with the intensity of the moment.

They were both smiling, eyes locked, and in that instant, everything felt right in the world.

Behind them, unnoticed, a photobooth clicked, capturing the image of the two of them frozen in that perfect moment.

The picture showed Y/n in Jungkook’s arms, both of them bathed in the warm light of the sunset, her head thrown back in laughter, his gaze filled with nothing but love.

It was a snapshot of pure happiness, of a love that had finally been confessed and accepted, and it was as if the universe itself had conspired to capture that memory forever.

Jungkook knew that he didn’t need to say anything more. That kiss, that moment, had said everything.

It was the first moment of their true love, and it was nothing short of magical.

.....A/n : Calm before the storm~