Chapter 16: The Letter

The sterile air of the plane pressed against Taehyung like a cold, suffocating blanket. He followed Jin down the aisle, his suitcase dragging behind him, a physical manifestation of the weight he carried in his heart. The plush seats, usually a symbol of comfort and luxury, felt alien and cold, mirroring the emptiness he felt inside.

Jin, ever the considerate brother, helped Taehyung stow his luggage in the overhead compartment, his brow furrowed with concern. "You okay, Taehyung?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "You look pale."

Taehyung forced a smile, a brittle, strained thing that did little to mask the pain in his eyes. "I'm fine, Hyung. Just a little tired." He settled into his seat by the window, his gaze drawn to the clouds gathering outside, their shapes shifting and swirling like a reflection of the turmoil within him.

He reached into his pocket, his fingers trembling slightly as he pulled out the letter Jungkook had given him. The paper felt cool and smooth against his skin, a stark contrast to the heat building in his chest. He unfolded it, his gaze falling on Jungkook's familiar handwriting, a stark reminder of the love he was trying so desperately to bury.

He began to read, each word a sharp, piercing blow to his already wounded heart:

Dear Taehyung,

I know you're leaving, and I know you're probably reading this on the plane. I wish I could be there to tell you this myself, but I can't. I'm not strong enough to see the person I love would leave me like this. I can't, I really can't do that. I messed up, Taehyung. I messed up so badly.

I'm sorry that I couldn't help you, I'm sorry for the things I did to you. I must have irritated you a lot, don't I?

I know you thought my feelings were childish, a silly infatuation. But they weren't. They were real, Taehyung. They were real and they were strong. I was scared, I was insecure. I didn't know how to express them, how to make you see them. So I acted like a fool. I did things I regret, things that hurt you. I hurt you, and I hurt Soojin, and I hurt myself. I don't know how should I express them without you thinking that I'm just messing with you. You kept thinking that I'm just a kid. I was desperate to make you realize that my feelings were genuine.

I thought that was bad but I didn't realize that something would be more painful.

I heard about your decision to leave. I was thinking to stop you, but I couldn't. I have no right to do that because I'm just no one for you. But, Taehyung, I really wish you would decide to stay here because I can't think how to live without you. I would help you, but I knew you wouldn't recover fast if you were with me.

I understand. I know you need space, you need to heal. But I'm so sad, Taehyung. I'm so hurt. I thought I had a chance, a chance to prove my love for you. But I couldn't believe that I lost you.

I just want you to know that I love you. I always have, and I always will. I hope you find happiness, wherever you go. I hope you recover quickly from your mother's passing. I hope you know that you are loved, even by someone who messed up so badly.

I will wait for you to come back, I promise that. No matter how long it takes, I will be here, waiting for you. Even if you can't reciprocate my feelings, that's fine for me. As long as you're happy, I would be happy for you. Thank you for existing, thank you for everything, Taehyung.

With all my love,

Jungkook

Tears welled up in Taehyung's eyes, blurring the words on the page. He tried to swallow, but his throat felt constricted, the pain a physical ache in his chest. He couldn't hold back the tears any longer. They spilled down his cheeks, hot and salty, a torrent of grief and longing. He felt the weight of Jungkook's words, the sincerity of his apology, the depth of his love. He had been so caught up in his pain, his own grief, that he hadn't truly seen Jungkook's struggle.

He had been so quick to dismiss Jungkook's feelings, to push him away, to protect himself from the possibility of heartbreak. But now, reading those words, seeing the raw vulnerability in Jungkook's confession.

The plane began to taxi down the runway, the engines roaring, the ground vibrating beneath them. Taehyung looked out the window, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as they sped toward the horizon.

He knew that the journey wouldn't be easy, but he knew he had to try.

"What are you crying for?" Jin asked as he noticed him controlling himself not to cry.

"Nothing... it was nothing... " he lied while literally crying.

"If there's something you want to say, just say it, and I'll listen to you." Jin said in a calming tone.

"I was confused... I don't know what to do. Someone confessed to me his love but I am sure that I couldn't reciprocate it." Taehyung mumbled.

"Why?" Jin inquired.

"Because he was someone whom I took care of. I always thought his confessions were nonsense. But now, I'm not sure what to feel." Taehyung uttered with trembling lips. "Jungkook had always cared for me but I was blind to notice that. But even if I were to reciprocate his feelings for me, I'm afraid that I will still reject him." He chuckled bitterly.

"Why would you do that?" Jin was curious.

"Because I wouldn't be able to make him happy. I believed he would regret everything if he decided to be with me and I don't want that to happen. I want him to live a happy and peaceful life. Loving me was wrong; his feelings for me were wrong, that's why I kept pushing him away to make him realize that." Taehyung stated. "But I hurt him instead; he must be crying right now, he giggled.

" Will you love him back if this kind of love isn't wrong?" Jin questioned him.

Taehyung was silent for a moment before he looked at Jin.

"Yes, I would, I would love him," he admitted with tears in his eyes.

Taehyung was sure, he would love Jungkook. But they aren't meant to be each other no matter what they do. Because everything was wrong between them.