Taehyung's pov

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I took a shaky breath, "He's back, hyung. Jungkook's back and I can't handle seeing him again! My heart breaks every time I see him!"

He looked at me, sympathetic but confused, "Who's Jungkook?"

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I gave a bitter smile as I explained, "He was the one for me... the love of my life. He understood me in ways even Jimin can't. He made me feel loved... We were supposed to be endgame, hyung. We were supposed to grow old together, riding on his bike, coloring his tattoos, eating strawberries, and smoking cigarettes!"

Hyung patted my back gently and asked again, "He was your boyfriend?"

I chuckled through my tears, "He was much more than that. He was my love, my best friend, my caretaker, my everything..."

He asked, "Why'd you guys break up then?"

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to relive the memories. "It's a long story... I'll have to tell you from the start. It was 10 years ago. I was 17. After school one day, I followed this kitten, not realizing where I was going. I accidentally walked into a very dark and creepy alley. There I met him for the first time. I was very innocent and didn't understand anything then. I trusted him blindly to take me home. And he did. We became friends.

"He taught me how to live. You know how Mom and Dad are. They had made me believe that life was all about money, business, studies, and success. And I did believe them. Until Jungkook came along. He taught me how to fly. He showed me the world. He was the best man anyone could ever ask for. He taught me how to drive. He showed me the full city at midnight. He showed me how to sneak out of the house. He showed me what it was like to lay under the stars. He showed me the thrill of driving at 200m/h."

Hobi hyung listened intently, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "He opened your eyes to a different way of living," he said softly.

I smiled, feeling a rush of warmth at the memories. "You wanna know the first time I snuck out of my house?"

He nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Yeah, tell me."

10 YEARS AGO

I was sitting in my bedroom, on a call with Jungkook on my phone. We couldn't meet today after school because he had plans with his friends. We had been friends for over a month now and were practically inseparable. My day wouldn't end without meeting Jungkook or FaceTiming him. It was all very difficult because I had to hide everything from Mom and Dad, but it was worth it. Being with Jungkook made me feel... free. It made me feel beautiful.

We were talking on the phone as I sat on my bed, giggling at his jokes. I was missing him. I wanted to see him. He was talking about seeing the city from a special cliff he frequently visited, and he described the view as amazing.

I whined, feeling jealous, "I want to see it too! Can you take me there right now?"

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Jungkook's voice came through, filled with excitement, "You really want to go? Right now?"

"Yes!" I said eagerly, not thinking about the logistics. "I want to see it with you."

"Alright," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Meet me outside your house in fifteen minutes. But you'll have to sneak out. Can you do that?"

I frowned, I had never sneaked out before. I voiced out my concerns, "Kook, I've never sneaked out before. I don't know how to do that."

Jungkook thought for a moment before coming up with a solution, "How about... I come into your bedroom? I'll sneak in somehow and help you sneak out."

I quickly agreed and he elaborated the plan. As our plan was fixed, we hung up the phone and I went out of my bedroom, down to Mom and Dad's room. I went in and hugged Dad, kissed Mom on the cheek while yawning and saying, "Mom... I'm tired. I think I'll go to sleep now."

Mom nodded and kissed my cheek before I walked back into my own room, closing the door. I looked down at my outfit. Should I change? I was wearing a grey T-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. It's okay... It's good enough.

I walked to my balcony and stood there, waiting for Jungkook. He appeared below our house a few minutes later, his bike parked a few meters away to avoid alerting my parents. I watched him as he skillfully climbed the side of the house, using the latticework and drainpipes like an experienced climber. My heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement. This was really happening.

As Jungkook climbed onto my balcony and stood in front of me, I couldn't help but look at him with a foolish grin, admiring him. He smiled at me and took my hand. "Ready for the adventure?" he whispered, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I nodded, feeling a rush of adrenaline. He then showed me how to climb over the railing of the balcony. We both were now on the metal bar of a drainpipe beside my balcony, holding onto it for dear life. Jungkook moved with practiced ease, and I did my best to mimic his actions, my heart pounding in my chest.

We both successfully climbed down, landing softly on the grass below. I quietly giggled, the thrill of our escape bubbling up inside me. Jungkook turned to me, his expression filled with pride and affection.

"You did great," he said, his voice low and encouraging. "See? Sneaking out isn't so hard."

I smiled up at him, feeling a mix of triumph and gratitude. "Thanks, Kook. I couldn't have done it without you."

He winked, taking my hand again. "Come on, let's go. The night is ours."

As we walked to his bike, he handed me a helmet, which I quickly put on. He then gestured for me to get on the bike behind him. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. Jungkook noticed my uncertainty and smiled, understandingly.

I smiled gratefully as Jungkook effortlessly lifted me onto the bike, my heart fluttering with excitement and a hint of nervousness. Once seated behind him, I adjusted my helmet nervously, feeling a rush of exhilaration mixed with a delightful sense of anticipation. This was the first time I had ever been on a bike, and Jungkook's reassuring presence beside me made my heart skip a beat.

As he settled onto the bike in front of me, I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles flexed beneath his shirt, sending a wave of warmth coursing through me. The faint scent of his cologne enveloped me, and I couldn't help but blush as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. My heart raced as he guided my hands to grip onto his waist tightly, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

With a playful pat on my head, Jungkook revved up the engine, and we set off into the night. The cool breeze tousled my hair as we zoomed through the city streets, the sensation of being so close to him making my cheeks flush with warmth. With each turn and twist of the road, I found myself clinging to Jungkook's waist, my face buried against his back, reveling in the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

As we rode, Jungkook pointed out various landmarks, his voice soft and comforting in the darkness. My heart swelled with affection as I listened to him, his laughter filling me with joy and warmth. It felt as though we were the only two people in the world, lost in our own little bubble of happiness.

We finally reached the cliff that Jungkook wanted to show me. As he stopped the bike and gracefully dismounted, he turned to me with a warm smile. With his strong arms wrapped securely around my waist, he effortlessly lifted me off the bike, gently helping me down to the ground below.

Once I was safely on solid ground, Jungkook reached for both of our helmets, placing them carefully on the bike before turning back to me. The soft glow of the city lights illuminated his features, casting a warm, ethereal glow around us. With a gentle hand, he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

For a moment, we stood there in silence, the only sound the soft rustle of the breeze and the distant hum of the city below. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the night, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment wash over me, knowing that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

I couldn't believe my eyes as Jungkook led me to the edge of the cliff. The view was breathtaking, the city lights twinkling like a blanket of stars spread out beneath us. My breath caught in my throat at the sight, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder wash over me.

Lost in the beauty of the moment, I barely noticed as Jungkook slid his hand into mine, our fingers intertwining seamlessly. Heat rushed to my cheeks at his touch, and I couldn't suppress the shy smile that tugged at my lips. His warmth enveloped me, comforting and familiar, as he gently tugged on my hand, urging me to turn and face him.

As I turned to him, my eyes widened in surprise at the sight before me. On the ground, amidst the soft, cool grass, a bedsheet was spread out, illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights. My heart fluttered with anticipation as Jungkook grinned at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief and affection.

With a playful twinkle in his eye, Jungkook gestured toward the makeshift picnic setup before us. "Surprise," he said, his voice carrying an infectious enthusiasm. "I thought we could enjoy the view together, just you and me."

My heart skipped a beat at his thoughtful gesture, a rush of warmth flooding my chest as I took in the scene before us. The soft glow of city lights illuminated the night, casting a mesmerizing sheen over the landscape. It felt like a dream—a moment suspended in time, meant only for us.

As we settled onto the bedsheet spread out on the grass, I couldn't help but steal glances at Jungkook, his eyes alight with anticipation. It was as though he had orchestrated this entire evening just to see me smile, and the realization filled me with a sense of gratitude that bordered on overwhelming.

Jungkook reached into his bag and pulled out a small box, his grin widening as he handed it to me. With eager fingers, I lifted the lid, revealing an array of sandwiches nestled inside. My stomach fluttered with excitement at the sight of Jungkook's homemade creations, each one a testament to his thoughtfulness and care.

Taking a sandwich, I bit into it, relishing the familiar blend of flavors that danced across my taste buds. It was more than just food—it was a tangible reminder of the bond we shared, a connection forged through countless moments like these.

As we sat in companionable silence, the world around us faded into the background, leaving only the soft murmur of our conversation and the gentle rustle of the wind. I felt a sense of peace settle over me, knowing that in this moment, everything was as it should be.

But then, I noticed the way Jungkook's gaze lingered on me, his eyes soft yet intense, as if trying to convey a message that words alone could not express. And when he reached out to take my hand in his, the contact sent a jolt of electricity coursing through me, igniting a fire that blazed brighter with each passing moment.

He spoke softly, his voice merely above a whisper, " Tae... Can I tell you something?"