Jungkook woke up with one thought burning clearly in his chest.
I won't let it happen.
The dream—the first one—still lingered in his mind. Taehyung standing too far away. The sound of an arrow cutting through the air. The way his heart shattered before his eyes even understood what was happening.
No.
Not this time.
If fate was cruel enough to show him the ending, then he would be reckless enough to change it.
That determination followed him as he stepped out of the Jeon estate. And for the first time in days, he didn't walk like an heir weighed down by invisible chains.
He walked like himself—like Jungkook.
When he reached their usual meeting place, the change was immediate.
Jimin blinked. "Wait—why do you look like that?"
Hoseok squinted, then grinned. "Like what? Alive?"
Namjoon smiled softly, relief clear in his eyes. Seokjin let out a dramatic sigh. "Finally. I was starting to think we lost you for good."
Jungkook laughed.
Not quietly. Not carefully.
He laughed the way he used to—head tilting back slightly, shoulders shaking, eyes crinkling at the corners.
The place filled with warmth again.
They talked about everything and nothing. Teased each other. Shared small stories. For a while, it felt like the world wasn't waiting to punish them for being happy.
Taehyung stayed close the entire time, his gaze never straying too far from Jungkook's face—as if memorizing each smile, each laugh, afraid it might disappear again.
When the sun began to lower, Jungkook gently tugged at Taehyung's sleeve.
"Walk with me," he said.
Taehyung nodded instantly.
They left the others behind, footsteps falling into a familiar rhythm as the path narrowed and the noise faded. The air grew cooler, softer, carrying the scent of grass and earth.
When Jungkook realized where they were going, his heart skipped.
They stopped before a quiet clearing, hidden from the main paths. Old trees stood tall around them, their branches weaving together like a shelter.
Taehyung smiled.
"You remember this place?" he asked gently.
Jungkook hesitated, then shook his head. "No… I don't. But it feels important."
Taehyung stepped closer. "We used to come here when we were kids. Whenever we wanted to escape lessons. Or the elders. Or the world."
He laughed softly. "You said this place felt like it belonged only to us."
Jungkook listened intently as Taehyung spoke—about laughter echoing between trees, about stolen naps on warm grass, about promises made without understanding how heavy they would one day become.
He didn't remember any of it.
And yet—
His chest ached like he did.
Taehyung finished speaking and looked at him carefully. "Even if you don't remember… it's okay. I'll remember for the both of us."
Something inside Jungkook broke open.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Taehyung tightly, burying his face into his shoulder. Taehyung froze for a heartbeat before returning the embrace, just as firm, just as sure.
They stayed like that—quiet, breathing each other in.
Jungkook pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him.
"I love you," he said, voice steady despite the way his heart raced.
Taehyung smiled, eyes soft. "I know."
Then he leaned in.
The kiss was gentle. Unhurried. A promise rather than a question.
When they pulled apart, Jungkook rested his forehead against Taehyung's.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Jungkook whispered. "No matter what fate says."
Taehyung brushed his thumb along Jungkook's cheek. "Then I'll stay by your side—wherever fate tries to take us."
They shared another soft kiss, sealed by quiet laughter and warmth.
As the sun dipped below the trees, the clearing held their love carefully—like it always had.
And for the first time since arriving in this past—
Jungkook believed.
Fate could be changed.