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**Title: "The One Who Stayed"**
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The first time Jeon Jungkook laid eyes on Kim Taehyung, it wasn’t love at first sight. It was something more complicated, more aching — an understanding. Taehyung stood in the campus garden, sunlight dancing on his features, his laughter chasing after someone else.
That someone was Jungkook's younger brother, Jaehyun.
Jungkook, always the composed, responsible one — the one who cleaned up after Jaehyun’s mistakes — felt something twist inside him as he watched Taehyung run to Jaehyun, cheeks glowing, voice warm. Jungkook’s own heart, usually so still, whispered something foolish: **Stay.**
But he didn’t. He watched from the shadows.
Jaehyun, all smiles and effortless charm, welcomed Taehyung into his orbit. Taehyung fell, purely and fast. Every day they spent together only cemented Taehyung’s dreams—of love, of marriage, of a life worth living.
One day, Jungkook found the courage.
“I like you,” he said quietly, handing Taehyung a bouquet of blue hydrangeas.
Taehyung stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief. “Jungkook… you’re kind. Really kind. But I’m in love with someone else.”
He bowed, whispering an apology, and left.
Jungkook stood frozen in the courtyard, a soft wind scattering the petals from his bouquet. He said nothing. Just smiled faintly as though nothing had cracked.
---
Taehyung waited until winter to ask Jaehyun the question that had lived in his heart for months.
“I want a future with you,” he said. “Let’s get married.”
Jaehyun blinked, then laughed. “You’re serious?”
Taehyung’s face fell. “Of course I’m serious.”
“It was just fun, Taehyung. You’re sweet, but I never saw this going anywhere. Don’t take it so personally.”
He turned away, already on his phone.
Taehyung’s world collapsed without sound. Not a tear fell — not yet. He simply walked. Out of the room, out of the building, out of that version of himself who had once believed 'love would be enough'.
---
Years passed.
Taehyung reemerged in a new city, leaner, quieter, with eyes that didn’t smile easily. He crossed paths with Jungkook again at a bookstore.
“You’ve changed,” Jungkook murmured.
“I had to.”
They spoke over tea. Then again at a street fair. Then over long walks through autumn parks where leaves whispered secrets only wounded hearts could understand.
Jungkook never pushed. He just listened. Held space. Brought Taehyung warmth on days when everything felt cold.
Ayan found himself laughing again.
One evening, beneath soft yellow lights, he spoke.
“I was blind. When you offered me something real, I turned away. I hurt you.”
“You were in love,” Jungkook said gently. “That’s not something to apologize for.”
“I see you now. I see how good you’ve always been.”
Jungkook reached out. Taehyung took his hand.
They fell in love quietly. Not like fireworks. Like sunrise—gradual, patient, certain.
---
When Jaehyun saw Taehyung again at a family gathering, his smile faltered.
“You’re back,” he said, awkwardly.
“Just visiting,” Taehyung replied, polite but distant.
Later, Jaehyun cornered him.
“I messed up,” he confessed. “I never realized what I had. I want to try again. Marry me.”
Taehyung’s expression didn’t waver. “My heart isn’t yours anymore. It belongs to someone who sees me — not as a game, but as a person.”
Jaehyun clenched his jaw. “Who?”
“I won’t tell you. It’s not for you to know.”
Jaehyun’s temper flared. “You’re rejecting me? After everything?”
Taehyung’s voice stayed calm. “You made your choice. Now I’ve made mine.”
But Jaehyun wasn’t done. He followed. Watched. Put the pieces together.
The truth hit him like a blow.
“My hyeong,” he spat, cornering Jungkook one night. “You stole him from me.”
“I didn’t steal anything,” Jungkook said. “You lost him.”
“I won’t let you get away with this.”
Jaehyun stormed out, fury blinding him. He didn’t hear the cars. Didn’t see the red light.
“JAEHYUN!” Jungkook shouted.
He ran.
The screech of tires tore the night.
When Taehyung reached the street, he found Jungkook bleeding on the ground, chest rising in ragged gasps. Jaehyun stood frozen, horror painted across his face.
“No… no no no…” Taehyung fell to his knees. “Stay with me. Please.”
Jungkook’s hand found Taehyung’s, weak but firm.
“I’m sorry,” Jaehyun whispered, voice breaking as he helped lift his hyeong into his arms.
They raced to the hospital.
Hours passed.
When Jungkook finally opened his eyes, he smiled faintly through the pain. “You’re both here.”
“I’m sorry,” Jaehyun choked out. “For everything. For hurting him. For hurting you. I was selfish.”
“I know,” Jungkook whispered. “But you’re my dongsaeng. I can't let go!”
They embraced, both broken, both healing.
Taehyung stood beside them, wiping his eyes. “Let’s stop hurting each other.”
---
Months passed.
Jungkook and Taehyung married in a quiet ceremony under the winter sun, surrounded by only those who mattered. Jaehyun stood beside them — not as a lover, but as a dongsaeng learning to love again.
As the plane lifted off for their new life abroad, Taehyung turned to Jungkook and said, “Thank you. For loving me when I didn’t deserve it.”
“You’ve always deserved it,” Jungkook said, kissing his forehead. “I just waited long enough for you to believe it too.”
Together, they flew toward a future built not on fantasy—but on faith, forgiveness, and love that endured.
---
**The End.**
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[A/N: I DON'T KNOW WHATEVER I WROTE, JUST BEAR WITH IT. AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE SHORT STORIES LIKE THIS- I'LL UPDATE MORE FOR YOU, LOVELIES.]
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