taekook's fate

Jungkook’s feet crunched softly on the gravel as he walked down the path leading to the villa. The evening fog had settled in thick, wrapping around the island like an unseen hand. The air smelled of salt and wet earth, and the breeze carried a whisper of secrets—some unspoken, others left to be uncovered. He couldn’t quite explain why he felt drawn here, but the pull was undeniable.

The villa loomed before him, towering and ancient, its stone walls dampened by the persistent mist. It looked almost alive, as though it was watching him approach, waiting. With every step he took, his heart beat a little faster, though he couldn’t say why. He’d only heard rumors of this place—the abandoned villa, the strange happenings—but something about it felt different. He needed to know what lay inside.

As he reached the gates, they creaked open, uninvited but welcoming. Jungkook hesitated for a moment, the feeling of unease lingering at the back of his mind, but curiosity overpowered it. He crossed the threshold and stepped into the villa’s shadow, every inch of his body screaming that he should turn back, but he couldn’t. Something was urging him forward.

Inside, the air was still, heavy with the weight of forgotten memories. Dust hung in the air, settling on old wooden furniture and forgotten relics. The silence was suffocating, as if the world had chosen to stop turning here. Jungkook’s hand tightened around the strap of his camera as he slowly made his way deeper into the villa. The floorboards creaked beneath his feet, each step feeling more like a trespass than an exploration.

Before he could take another step, he heard a voice—a soft, but commanding whisper that seemed to come from nowhere. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Jungkook froze, his body tense. His eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the voice, but all he saw were shadows, flickering with the dim light from the cracked windows. He stepped forward, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He wasn’t alone.

Then, through the haze of mist and shadow, a figure emerged. Tall, with an aura that seemed to shimmer like something otherworldly, the man stepped into the light. His presence was overwhelming, magnetic, and for a moment, Jungkook could do nothing but stare.

The stranger was breathtaking. His features were sharp yet soft, with eyes that seemed to pierce through Jungkook, catching him in a gaze that felt almost predatory. But it wasn’t the striking beauty of the man that left Jungkook breathless. It was the unmistakable sense of déjà vu, the strange familiarity that twisted in his gut like a knot he couldn’t undo.

“Who—” Jungkook’s words caught in his throat. He hadn’t expected to find anyone here, let alone someone who seemed as much a part of this place as the walls themselves. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”

The man’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost, and for the briefest of moments, there was a flicker of something unspoken between them. Surprise, recognition—was it fear? Before Jungkook could ask, the stranger spoke, his voice colder than the room itself.

“You need to leave,” he said, his words laced with an urgency that startled Jungkook.

Jungkook took a step back, his gaze not leaving the stranger’s eyes. “I’m not leaving until I understand what’s going on here,” he said, his voice steady despite the rising tension in the air. “What is this place? Why is it so... strange?”

The stranger’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing in disbelief, before he stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Jungkook’s breath caught in his chest, and his heart skipped as the man reached out to grab his wrist, pulling him towards the door with surprising force.

“You don’t belong here,” the man said again, his voice softening just slightly, though there was a clear desperation in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have come. It’s not safe for you.”

“Why?” Jungkook asked, his pulse quickening. The pull between them—something undeniable, magnetic—was intensifying with every second that passed. “What’s going on? I need to know. I... feel like I know you. Like I’ve been here before.”

The man’s grip tightened on his wrist, and for a moment, Jungkook thought he saw something like panic flicker across his face. It was gone before Jungkook could process it, but the brief glimpse left him more confused than ever.

“I don’t have time to explain,” the stranger said, his voice strained, barely above a whisper. “You need to leave before it’s too late. You don’t know what you’re stepping into.”

Jungkook’s mind raced, but his feet refused to move. “No,” he said firmly. “I’m not leaving without answers. You—” He stopped himself, his words faltering as the realization hit him like a thunderclap. “You know me, don’t you?”

The stranger’s eyes flickered for a moment, and it was as if the world had shifted just slightly. The intensity between them grew, palpable and heavy. For a second, there was a break in the stranger’s stoic exterior—vulnerable, unsure—and Jungkook’s heart lurched.

“I’m not who you think I am,” the stranger whispered, his voice breaking. His eyes fell to the ground, as though he were hiding something too painful to face. “I’m not... I’m not what you want me to be.”

Jungkook’s confusion deepened. “Then what are you?” he asked, his voice barely audible. “Who are you?”

“I’m sorry,” the stranger said, pulling away and stepping back into the shadows. “I can’t do this. You need to leave now.”

Jungkook stood there, heart pounding, as the door swung open behind him. The wind outside rushed in, carrying with it a sense of finality. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave.

“You’re not the only one who’s trapped,” the stranger said quietly, almost to himself, as though he hadn’t meant to say the words. “And neither are you.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched, and he turned toward the stranger, his eyes wide with the sudden realization that this place, and this man, were far more intertwined than he could ever have imagined.

Jungkook hadn't stopped thinking about the man who had saved him that first day. The hauntingly beautiful stranger with sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an air of mystery had left an impression that Jungkook couldn’t shake.

Their second encounter came a day later when Jungkook, driven by curiosity, ventured out to explore the villa and its surrounding grounds. He found Taehyung in the garden, kneeling among wildflowers that grew untamed yet beautiful in their chaos.

“Hey,” Jungkook called softly, not wanting to startle him.

Taehyung looked up, squinting against the sunlight. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then it softened, ever so slightly. “You’re still here,” he said, more of an observation than a question.

Jungkook nodded. “I, uh, didn’t get your name last time.” He hesitated, then added, “I’m Jungkook.”

Taehyung paused, brushing dirt from his hands before rising to his feet. He looked at Jungkook for a long moment, as if weighing whether to respond. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and velvety. “Taehyung.”

Jungkook repeated the name in his head, letting it settle. It suited him—unique, mysterious, and impossible to forget.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook echoed aloud, testing the way it felt on his tongue. “It’s a nice name.”

Taehyung gave a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t get too attached to it.” With that cryptic remark, he turned back to the garden, signaling the end of the conversation.

But Jungkook wasn’t deterred. Over the following days, he sought Taehyung out, whether by accident or design, and their interactions became more frequent.

The days that followed were a blur of strange occurrences, but they were also filled with moments that Taehyung had never expected to share with anyone, let alone with someone like Jungkook. Despite his initial hesitations and the constant war raging inside him, Taehyung found himself seeking Jungkook's presence more than he wanted to admit.

It started with casual conversations. At first, they spoke only about the villa—the strange aura surrounding it, the eerie stillness of the land, and the history of the place. But as the days passed, their talks shifted to more personal things: childhood memories, aspirations, fears. Taehyung, despite his natural inclination to keep things to himself, began to open up.

On the third night, they took their first late-night walk together. The moon was full, casting a silver glow over the fields that stretched endlessly around the villa. The air was crisp, and the world seemed to quieten as the night unfolded, leaving only the sound of their footsteps on the soft grass.

Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung, his face illuminated by the faint light. "It's beautiful out here," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Taehyung nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. "I used to come out here a lot when I needed to clear my head," he said, voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook slowed his pace, his curiosity piqued. "What do you think about when you're out here alone?"

Taehyung hesitated, the words sticking in his throat. He had never shared this part of himself with anyone—not even with his family. But there was something about Jungkook’s presence that made it feel okay. He sighed, looking up at the stars before answering. "Sometimes, I think about all the things I've lost. Things I can't ever get back. But... mostly, I think about who I could have been if things had gone differently."

Jungkook’s heart ached for him, hearing the weight in his words. He took a step closer, not sure if it was the right thing to do, but needing to reach out. "Taehyung," he said softly, "we can't change the past. But we can always work on the future. You don't have to be alone in it."

Taehyung looked at him, his eyes filled with a vulnerability Jungkook had never seen before. For a moment, Taehyung said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line. Then, unexpectedly, he spoke again. "I was never supposed to let anyone in. But somehow... you’re different, Jungkook."

The words hung in the air between them, like a bridge being built without either of them fully understanding it. Taehyung had always pushed people away, afraid of the connections that could bring him pain. But here was Jungkook, standing so close, offering a hand without judgment, without expectation.

Jungkook smiled, his voice steady. "I'm not going anywhere, Taehyung. And I promise you, you don't have to carry all of this on your own."

Their walk continued, but the distance between them had shortened, both emotionally and physically. As the days wore on, their bond deepened through late-night conversations about everything and nothing—talks that often lasted until the first light of dawn began to creep across the sky. There were moments when they simply sat in silence, comfortable in each other's presence, each knowing that words weren’t always necessary.

But through all of this, there was something Taehyung couldn’t shake—the deep, gnawing feeling that Jungkook didn’t belong here. He tried, again and again, to push him away, to convince him to leave before the villa’s darkness completely enveloped him. But every attempt felt weaker than the last.

On the sixth day, as they sat on the porch, the weight of Taehyung's words finally broke the silence. He had been thinking about it all day—the warnings, the signs, the lingering presence of something dark in the air. He couldn't keep pretending that it was fine.

"Jungkook," he said, his voice strained, "I think it's time for you to go back. You’ve been here long enough. It’s not safe anymore. You need to leave before—before it’s too late."

Jungkook turned to him, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion. "What do you mean? We’ve been talking about everything—about our lives, about the things that scare us. And you’re telling me to leave? Why now, Taehyung?"

Taehyung swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Jungkook’s gaze. "I’ve told you before. This place isn’t just a house. It’s... it’s something else. It has a way of consuming you. People don’t leave here unchanged. And I don’t want that for you. You’ve already been through enough, and I—" He faltered, feeling the weight of his own words. "I don’t want to be the one to drag you into something you can’t come back from."

Jungkook looked at him for a long moment, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Taehyung," he said softly, "I’m not afraid of what’s here. I’m afraid of losing the only person I’ve come to trust in a place that’s so full of mystery and secrets. You’ve become important to me, and if you think I’m going to walk away without knowing what’s really going on, you’re wrong."

Taehyung’s heart sank at his words. He wanted to pull Jungkook into his arms, to hold him and beg him to understand, but he couldn't. He had to push him away, even if it tore him apart inside. "I’m trying to protect you, Jungkook. You don’t understand. Please just go."

But Jungkook wouldn’t back down. "No. I’m not leaving you. Not like this."

They stared at each other for a long time, the tension thick between them. Jungkook's determination was unwavering, and for a moment, Taehyung felt the smallest flicker of hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as alone as he thought.

Later that evening, they ventured deeper into the forest surrounding the villa. The air smelled of pine and earth, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. They had been walking in companionable silence for a while when Jungkook broke it with a question that had been on his mind for days.

"Taehyung," he began, his voice hesitant, "I’ve been meaning to ask. What really brought you here? I know you said it wasn’t safe, but... why this place? What made you come here?"

Taehyung stopped in his tracks, his expression turning serious. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to reveal the full truth yet, but he knew Jungkook deserved to know something. After a long pause, he spoke, his voice quiet but steady. "This place... chose me. There’s something about it—something in the air, in the land itself—that calls to people like me."

Jungkook frowned, confused by the answer. "People like you?"

Taehyung turned his gaze toward him, his eyes dark and mysterious. "There are things in this world that most people don’t understand. Forces that we can’t control. This villa... it’s a place where things converge. Where paths cross in ways they shouldn’t." He paused, his eyes searching Jungkook’s for any sign of fear. "It’s not just the land. It’s me. I’ve been... bound to this place for longer than I care to admit."

The weight of his words settled in the air, and Jungkook felt a chill run down his spine. He wanted to ask more, to press him further, but there was something in Taehyung’s eyes that stopped him. Whatever it was that haunted him, Taehyung wasn’t ready to share it all yet.

Instead, Jungkook did something that surprised even himself. He reached out, placing a hand on Taehyung's arm gently. "Whatever it is," he said softly, "we’ll figure it out. Together."

Taehyung’s gaze softened, and for the first time since they met, there was no hesitation in his eyes. The walls he had built around himself were starting to crumble, and he could feel a warmth spreading in his chest—something unfamiliar, yet undeniably comforting.

Later that evening, they sat on the porch of the villa, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set. Jungkook had brought out two mugs of tea, the warm steam rising into the cool evening air. They talked about their dreams, their hopes for the future, and the things they feared most. There was laughter, but also an honesty that neither had expected to find.

Taehyung had never allowed himself to believe that such simple moments could feel so profound. But here he was, sitting beside Jungkook, feeling like maybe—just maybe—he wasn’t as alone as he once thought.

The next day, they took another walk—this time toward the lake. The quiet, tranquil beauty of the place only deepened their connection. With every step, Jungkook felt like he was learning more about Taehyung, not just through his words but through the subtle way he moved, the way his eyes softened when he spoke about the past. And with every passing day, Taehyung couldn’t help but feel a pull toward Jungkook—a pull that both terrified and exhilarated him.

As the days turned into weeks, they grew inseparable. Conversations became more intimate, their silences more comfortable. And every time they walked side by side, whether through the forest or by the lake, Jungkook knew one thing for certain: he wasn’t going to let go of this connection. No matter what secrets Taehyung was hiding, no matter how dangerous this place might be, Jungkook was ready to face it all.

They were no longer just two strangers in a strange place. They were something more. And whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

The villa seemed alive in ways Jungkook couldn’t explain. Over the week, he began to notice things that unsettled him. The piano in the parlor sometimes played soft, haunting melodies when no one was near it. Shadows flickered and moved in the corners of empty rooms, just out of sight, as if something unseen lingered. One night, he woke to the sound of muffled whispers, but when he stepped into the hallway, there was only silence, the air thick with an unnatural chill.

Despite these occurrences, Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to leave. Something about Taehyung anchored him, pulling him deeper into the villa’s mysteries. But the strangeness was growing harder to ignore.

One evening, as he wandered into the parlor, the piano keys moved of their own accord, striking discordant notes that made his skin crawl. He froze, watching the keys rise and fall without a visible player. The melody shifted abruptly, the tune now dark and chaotic, as though trying to drive him away.

“Taehyung!” Jungkook shouted, his voice trembling with both fear and anger.

Taehyung appeared almost instantly, his expression grim. “You shouldn’t have come here,” he said quietly, his tone heavy with warning.

“What is going on in this place?” Jungkook demanded, his fists clenching at his sides. “The piano plays itself, shadows move when no one’s there, and the whispers—what are the whispers, Taehyung?”

Taehyung’s gaze dropped to the floor. “You’re noticing them now,” he murmured, almost to himself.

“Noticing what?” Jungkook pressed, stepping closer. “Stop giving me half-answers! I need to know the truth.”

Taehyung looked up then, his eyes filled with an emotion Jungkook couldn’t quite place—fear, sadness, and something deeper, more fragile. “You won’t leave if I tell you, will you?”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “No. Not until I understand what’s happening here. And not until I know why you keep telling me to leave.”

For a long moment, Taehyung was silent, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, his shoulders sagging as though under a great weight. “Fine. Follow me.”

He led Jungkook to a room Jungkook hadn’t seen before, tucked away at the far end of the villa. It was dimly lit, the air inside colder than the rest of the house. A heavy curtain covered the wall, and the air carried the faint scent of decay.

“What’s in here?” Jungkook asked warily.

Taehyung didn’t answer. Instead, he walked to the curtain and hesitated for a moment before pulling it back, revealing an enormous mirror. The glass was tarnished and cracked, the edges blackened as though burned. At first, Jungkook thought it was just an old mirror, but then he saw the shadows within it.

They writhed and twisted, their forms vaguely human but grotesquely distorted, as if they were trapped in eternal torment. Their movements were slow and deliberate, as though they were aware of being watched.

“What… what is that?” Jungkook whispered, his voice trembling.

Taehyung didn’t look at the mirror. “That’s me,” he said softly.

Jungkook turned to him, confusion etched on his face. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, that’s you?”

Taehyung closed his eyes, his hands clenching into fists. “This villa is cursed, Jungkook. And so am I. Those shadows… they’re pieces of my soul. Fragments of me that the curse has taken. Every time someone comes here, they unknowingly take a part of me with them when they leave. And if I ever try to leave…”

He trailed off, his voice breaking.

“What happens if you try to leave?” Jungkook asked, though he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

Taehyung finally met his gaze, and the raw anguish in his eyes made Jungkook’s chest ache. “I die,” Taehyung said simply. “This place won’t let me go. It keeps me alive, but only just enough to suffer. The more I hope for freedom, the stronger the curse becomes.”

Jungkook stared at him, his mind reeling. “How long have you been here?”

Taehyung’s laugh was hollow, bitter. “I’ve lost count. Decades, maybe more. Time blurs together when you’re trapped like this.”

Jungkook turned back to the mirror, watching the shadows move. “This can’t be real,” he whispered.

“It is,” Taehyung said firmly. “And that’s why you need to leave. If you stay, the curse will take a part of you too. You’ll lose yourself, piece by piece, until there’s nothing left.”

“I don’t care,” Jungkook said without hesitation.

Taehyung froze, his eyes wide with shock. “What?”

“I’m not leaving you,” Jungkook said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest. “There has to be a way to break this curse. We’ll figure it out together.”

Taehyung shook his head, his expression pained. “You don’t understand. This curse is unbreakable. It feeds on hope, Jungkook. The more you believe we can escape, the more it tightens its grip. You’ll only end up hurting yourself.”

“Maybe,” Jungkook admitted. “But I’d rather fight and fail than leave you here alone.”

Tears welled in Taehyung’s eyes, but he blinked them away. “You’re a fool,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Then I guess we’re both fools,” Jungkook replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

For the first time, Taehyung allowed himself to smile back, though it was small and fleeting. “If you’re serious about this… then we have a lot to figure out.”

Jungkook stepped closer, his determination unwavering. “We’ll figure it out, Taehyung. Together.”

The mirror’s shadows seemed to twist more violently, as if angered by their defiance. But Jungkook didn’t flinch. He wasn’t going to let the curse win—not while Taehyung still had a chance.

Days passed in tense anticipation as the full moon approached. The villa began reacting violently, as if sensing that the end was near. Paintings fell from the walls, doors slammed shut on their own, and the air grew heavy with an unseen force. Jungkook felt it too—an oppressive weight that seemed to push him closer to despair with every passing hour.

While searching the library for answers, Jungkook stumbled upon an ancient, dust-covered journal hidden behind a loose brick. Its pages were fragile and yellowed with age, but the words were clear. The journal detailed the curse in its entirety—how the villa had been cursed to trap one soul indefinitely, tethered to its dark magic. The only way to break it was for someone to willingly offer their life in exchange for the cursed soul’s freedom.

Jungkook’s heart sank as he read the final line: “To free one, another must remain forever.” Without hesitation, Jungkook made up his mind.

That evening, as the moonlight filtered through the broken windows, Jungkook sat at the piano, his fingers hovering over the keys. He played a soft melody, one that reminded him of the fleeting moments of peace he’d shared with Taehyung. When Taehyung entered the room, his eyes immediately landed on the journal clutched in Jungkook’s hands.

“What’s that?” Taehyung asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Jungkook hesitated, then handed the journal to him. As Taehyung read, his face paled, and his hands trembled.

“No,” he said firmly, slamming the journal shut. “You’re not doing this, Jungkook.”

“There’s no other way,” Jungkook replied, standing to face him.

“Yes, there is,” Taehyung snapped. “You leave. You walk out of here and never look back.”

“And leave you behind? That’s not an option,” Jungkook said, his voice rising.

Taehyung’s eyes filled with tears, but his jaw tightened. “You think this is your decision to make? It’s my curse, Jungkook. My burden. You don’t get to sacrifice yourself for me.”

“I’ve already made my decision,” Jungkook said quietly.

Before Taehyung could argue further, the villa shuddered violently, throwing them both off balance. The shattered pieces of the cursed mirror on the floor began glowing faintly, and Jungkook suddenly clutched his head, groaning in pain.

“Jungkook?” Taehyung rushed to him, but Jungkook stumbled back, gripping the wall for support.

Images flashed through his mind—a life he couldn’t remember. A villa filled with light and laughter. A younger Taehyung, smiling shyly as Jungkook took his hand. The two of them dancing in the moonlight, stealing kisses under the stars. And then… the curse. Taehyung stepping into the shadows, his expression heartbreakingly resolute as he whispered, “Forgive me, Jungkook.”

Jungkook’s eyes snapped open, filled with tears as he stared at Taehyung. “You… you sacrificed yourself for me.”

Taehyung froze, his face crumbling under the weight of Jungkook’s realization. “I didn’t want you to remember,” he whispered.

“Why?” Jungkook’s voice cracked, his emotions spilling over. “Why did you do it? Didn’t you love me?”

Taehyung’s tears fell freely now. “I loved you more than anything. That’s why I did it. I couldn’t let you spend your life trapped here.”

“And you thought I’d be okay forgetting you?” Jungkook shouted, his pain evident. “You thought I’d be okay living without the one person who made my life worth living?”

Taehyung’s sobs shook his frame. “I didn’t have a choice, Jungkook. I couldn’t let you suffer because of me.”

“You should’ve let me decide!” Jungkook said, his voice breaking. “I would’ve chosen you, Taehyung. Every time.”

The air around them crackled with energy as the full moon reached its zenith, bathing the room in an eerie silver light. Taehyung stepped closer, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch Jungkook’s cheek.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice filled with anguish. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought you’d be happier without me.”

Jungkook grabbed Taehyung’s hand, holding it tightly. “You were wrong. My happiness has always been with you.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as they stood there, tears streaming down their faces. And then, without thinking, Jungkook pulled Taehyung into a kiss—desperate, aching, and filled with everything they’d lost and found again.

The kiss was like a spark, igniting a chain reaction that sent shockwaves through the villa. The walls groaned, and the floor beneath them cracked, but neither of them pulled away. The villa’s magic seemed to lash out in fury, but the love between them burned brighter, refusing to be extinguished.

As they broke apart, gasping for air, Taehyung looked at Jungkook with newfound determination. “We’ll face this together,” he said firmly.

Jungkook nodded, his grip on Taehyung’s hand unyielding. “Together.”

For a moment, they simply held each other, the crackling fire the only sound in the room.

But Taehyung’s resolve hadn’t wavered. “If anyone’s staying, it’s me,” he said firmly, pulling back to meet Jungkook’s gaze. “This curse started with me. It’s my burden to bear, not yours.”

Jungkook opened his mouth to argue, but Taehyung silenced him with a kiss—soft and fleeting, but filled with everything he couldn’t say.

“Thank you for loving me,” Taehyung whispered, his voice breaking.

And then he ran.

Jungkook’s heart lurched as he realized what Taehyung was doing. “Taehyung, no!” he shouted, chasing after him.

But Taehyung was fast, fueled by desperation. He made it to the cursed mirror, where the shadows writhed in anticipation.

“Take me!” Taehyung shouted, his voice echoing through the villa. “I’m the one you want!”

The shadows surged forward, their forms coiling around Taehyung like smoke.

“NO!” Jungkook screamed, throwing himself into the fray. He grabbed Taehyung, pulling him back with all his strength.

The shadows lashed out, their icy tendrils cutting into Jungkook’s skin. But he didn’t let go.

“If you’re taking him, you’re taking me too!” Jungkook shouted, his voice fierce.

The villa seemed to tremble, the walls groaning as if in protest. The shadows faltered, confused by Jungkook’s defiance.

And then, for the first time, the shadows spoke.

“Two cannot be claimed,” they hissed, their voices overlapping like a chorus of the damned. “One must remain.”

“Then take me!” Jungkook said again, his grip on Taehyung tightening.

“No!” Taehyung sobbed, trying to push Jungkook away.

The shadows writhed violently, their movements frantic. And then, as if reaching a decision, they released Taehyung and surged toward Jungkook.

But before they could reach him, the mirror shattered, shards of glass exploding outward in a blinding burst of light.

Jungkook and Taehyung shielded themselves, falling to the ground as the villa shook violently. The shadows screamed, their forms dissolving into nothingness as the light consumed them.

When the dust settled, the villa was silent. The oppressive weight that had hung in the air was gone, replaced by an almost deafening stillness.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung, who was staring at the broken mirror in shock.

“What… what just happened?” Taehyung whispered.

Jungkook helped him to his feet, his own body trembling. “I don’t know,” he admitted.

But then they noticed something strange—the shadows in the room were gone. The villa no longer felt alive with malevolence.

“It’s over,” Taehyung said, his voice trembling with disbelief. “The curse… it’s gone.”

Jungkook pulled Taehyung into his arms, holding him tightly. “We did it,” he whispered, tears streaming down his face. “We’re free.”

Taehyung clung to him, his sobs muffled against Jungkook’s shoulder. For the first time in decades, he felt hope—real, untainted hope.

They had won. Together.

The silence in the villa was deafening, broken only by the faint crackle of the dying fire. Jungkook and Taehyung sat together on the floor, leaning against each other for support, their fingers intertwined as if letting go would shatter the fragile reality they’d just reclaimed.

Taehyung's face was still damp with tears, his voice hoarse from screaming. “I can’t believe it’s finally over,” he murmured, his eyes fixated on the shattered mirror that had once imprisoned him.

Jungkook squeezed his hand gently, the warmth of his touch grounding them both. “It’s over because we faced it together,” he said softly. “Because we refused to let it win.”

Taehyung turned to look at him, his expression filled with a mix of wonder and lingering guilt. “But you could have walked away. You could have lived a normal life, Jungkook. Why… why didn’t you?”

Jungkook’s lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. “Because I couldn’t leave you behind, not again. I already lost you once, Taehyung. I’m not making that mistake a second time.”

Taehyung swallowed hard, his gaze falling to their joined hands. “I don’t deserve you. After everything that happened, after the choices I made—”

Jungkook cupped his face, forcing him to meet his eyes. “Don’t say that,” he interrupted, his voice firm but laced with tenderness. “You sacrificed everything for me back then, and I forgot you. But even without my memories, I still found my way back to you. That has to mean something.”

A tear slipped down Taehyung’s cheek, but this time, he didn’t try to hide it. “You make it sound so simple,” he whispered.

“It is,” Jungkook replied, brushing the tear away with his thumb. “I love you. I always have, and I always will. The curse is gone, Taehyung. We’re free to start over.”

Taehyung let out a shaky laugh, his smile finally breaking through the remnants of his sorrow. “Start over, huh? What does that even look like for two people like us?”

Jungkook grinned, his expression softening. “I don’t know yet, but I’m willing to find out—as long as it’s with you.”

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the weight of centuries melting away in the warmth of their shared gaze. Taehyung leaned forward, his forehead resting against Jungkook’s. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “For never giving up on me.”

Jungkook closed his eyes, his lips brushing against Taehyung’s in a kiss that was gentle yet full of promise. “You’re worth it,” he murmured against his lips.

When they finally stood, hand in hand, the villa seemed to exhale with them, its oppressive weight replaced by an almost serene stillness. The broken mirror lay in shards on the floor, its curse forever shattered.

As they stepped outside into the cool morning air, the first rays of sunlight bathed them in golden light. The world beyond the villa stretched out before them, unfamiliar yet filled with endless possibilities.

Jungkook glanced at Taehyung, who was staring at the horizon with a small, hopeful smile. “Where to now?” he asked, his tone light but filled with genuine curiosity.

Taehyung turned to him, his eyes sparkling with something that had been missing for far too long: hope. “Anywhere,” he said, his voice steady. “As long as it’s with you.”

And with that, they walked away from the villa, their steps in sync, their hearts finally at peace. The past had tried to tear them apart, but love—unwavering and eternal—had brought them back together.

This time, they wouldn’t let go.

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Just the bonus chapter left tbh I wanted to write this story in one chapter but then it got too long and I thought otherwise.... Anyways please like and follow and comment to support me I'm a new writer I really need it 🥹🫂

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