Chapter Text
Taehyung stared into the big mirror in front of him, straightening the jacket of his expensive suit, the one Inyeop designed for him personally. A small smile formed on his lips when he remembered the long nights Inyeop spent in their atelier to perfect Taehyung’s wedding suit. It was made with pure love and lots of effort.
Taehyung could still not believe he had survived until this day. The day when he was getting married to someone who had done nothing but love him. Someone who had never hurt him, never made him cry, and never made him feel like he was not worthy of love. Someone he had prayed for .. someone he had needed more than anything. Someone who showed up when he most needed him.
It had been eight years since his life had taken a hard, but beautiful turn. Eight years since he had managed to survive. Eight years since he chose to fight for himself. And eight years since he had lost his best friend.
It had not been easy. Not at all. It took him years to overcome all the pain of the past. To love himself again. To trust the people around him. To move on. But he managed to do it. All of it. And even though the hurt of losing Jungkook would never go away .. he had learned to live with it.
And it had all been possible because Taehyung chose to forgive. Forgiveness had brought him the biggest victory; the ability to move on. And he would never want to change that.
Everyone would be at his wedding. Jimin. Namjoon. Hoseok. Yoongi. And Jin. In the three years after Jin been released from prison, things had changed for the better for both of them. Taehyung had never expected he could look into Jin’s eyes again .. without feeling pain, rage, or fear. But he could. He could look into them and feel nothing but peace. Not because of Jin .. but because of himself. Because he managed to forgive and move on .. and didn’t let the past or Jin decide his future.
And it was also impossible to feel that way because Jin was a completely different person. Taehyung knew it was because of the loss of Jungkook. Losing a loved one changed a lot of people .. including Jin. It was as if the Jin of the past had never existed. And although he used to exist in Taehyung’s memories .. lately he had not thought about it. Not even once. That’s when he knew he had found peace.
Taehyung’s attention was stolen by the sound of his phone. He grabbed his phone from the dresser. It was Jin.
“Hyung? Did you arrive? I can’t believe you were almost too late, I’m going down in thirty minutes.” It was quiet for a few seconds until Jin started chuckling softly.
“Always in a worry about others,” he said, jokingly. Taehyung curled the corners of his mouth.
“Taehyung-ah .. I- .. I won’t be attending your wedding.” Taehyung’s smile dropped as soon as he heard those words. Deep down he had already felt it coming, but he still had hoped everyone would be present today. Just like the old times.
“Why?” Taehyung asked. His voice shook a little.
“It's just... I've been thinking a lot, and I realized that even though we've moved on from the past, I still feel this overwhelming guilt towards you for everything that I did. I don't want my presence at your wedding to bring back any painful memories or overshadow your special day. Not to you .. not to your soon-to-be husband. I don’t think I deserve to be there .. and I know you would have never accepted it if I had told you before, so I’m sorry to do it this way .. but trust me .. it’s the best .. for you.” A single tear slid down Taehyung’s cheek. He pressed his lips onto each other and tried not to cry. He knew Jin was right. He knew that even though they had moved on and Taehyung had forgiven him, nothing would ever be what it was. And even though Inyeop supported his decision, he knew that Jin’s presence made him uncomfortable. But still .. missing Jungkook at his wedding had already been a hard reality to accept .. having to miss Jin as well somehow felt worse.
“We have talked about this before, Hyung. I have forgiven you, you know that.” Even though Taehyung could not see him, he knew Jin was smiling now. He could feel it.
“I know, and I'm sorry, Taehyung-ah. I really am. But I think it's for the best if I don't attend. I don't want to ruin anything for you.”
“But .. we will all be here .. and you will be alone,” Taehyung said softly, struggling to fight the tears.
“I’m not alone, Taehyung-ah. I’m with Jungkook .. and we will celebrate your wedding from here.” Taehyung closed his eyes, more tears streaming down his face now. The sight of Jin sitting next to Jungkook’s grave right now, all alone, broke his heart.
“Don’t cry, please. It’s your wedding day, you should be smiling. Besides, I have a surprise for you. Look outside the window.” Taehyung opened his eyes again. What surprise? He rushed to the window, hoping to see Jin outside. But it wasn’t Jin. It was something else .. it was ..-
“Hyung ..,” Taehyung whispered. Outside, in the garden, someone was painting Jungkook on a huge canvas. He was wearing a navy suit, his long hair slicked to the back and his smile bigger than ever. Half of the canvas was still white .. and Taehyung could guess what it was supposed to be filled in with. With him.
“He couldn’t be there .. but this way .. maybe it will still feel like he is around.” Taehyung nodded softly as he wiped the tears off of his face.
“Thank you,” he cried out softly.
“You are more than welcome. Now .. stop crying .. and enjoy your wedding. I asked Namjoon to send me pictures and videos. And remember .. we’re both there .. even if you can’t see us.” Taehyung nodded. He couldn’t speak the words he wanted to speak, because he was both overwhelmed by sadness and happiness.
“You deserve everything you are living right now, Taehyung-ah. It’s what you have always deserved. And I- ..” Jin cut himself off, clearly fighting the tears himself now.
“I wish I could have been a part of your happiness. I can’t do that .. but enjoying your happiness from afar is enough for me.”
“Thank you, Hyung. Please take care of yourself. And promise to meet me when I’m back in Korea.”
“I will. Promise.”
“Goodbye, Hyung.”
“Goodbye, Taehyung-ah.”
Taehyung hung up the phone, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him. He took a deep breath, trying to process Jin's words and his decision. Despite his efforts to stop crying, tears were welling up in his eyes as he sat alone in the dressing room.
“Why does it still hurt so much?” he whispered to himself. He wiped away his tears, trying to gather his thoughts. Despite his sadness, he knew that he needed to focus on his wedding day. With a heavy heart, Taehyung stood up and looked at himself in the mirror. He took a deep breath, trying to muster up some strength and composure. Despite the pain of Jin and Jungkook's absence, Taehyung knew that he had to move forward and make the best of the day. For himself. For Inyeop.
“I can do this.” With a determined expression, Taehyung straightened his tie and wiped away any remaining traces of tears. Despite the sadness lingering in his heart, he put on a brave face. Right at that time, he heard a knock on the door.
“Taehyung-ah. Are you ready?” It was Jimin. Taehyung instantly formed a smile on his face.
“I am!”
The sun was shining brightly outside, casting a warm glow over the outdoor venue where friends and family had gathered to celebrate Taehyung and Inyeop’s wedding. Taehyung couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside him as he stood at the entrance, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
As the music started to play, Jimin stepped forward, offering Taehyung a reassuring smile before linking arms with him. Together, they walked down the aisle, their steps steady and filled with anticipation. Taehyung couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as he made his way towards Inyeop, who stood at the altar, looking resplendent in his suit.
When they finally reached the end of the aisle, Taehyung felt his heart swell with love and happiness at the sight of Inyeop's warm smile. They exchanged a tender glance, their eyes speaking volumes as they prepared to embark on this new chapter of their lives together.
As Taehyung and Inyeop stood face to face, their hands intertwined, they exchanged loving glances that spoke volumes of the deep connection they shared. With a sense of reverence and sincerity, they began to recite their vows, each word carrying the weight of their unwavering love.
"Inyeop, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. You've brought so much joy, laughter, and love into my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Today, in front of our friends and family, I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in all your dreams and aspirations, and to be there for you through thick and thin. I promise to cherish every moment we share together, to be your rock in times of need, and to always stand by your side, no matter what life may bring. You are my everything, my soulmate, and I vow to love you forever and always,” Taehyung, his voice filled with emotion, spoke first. Inyeop's eyes shimmered with tears of happiness as he listened to Taehyung's heartfelt words. Taking a deep breath, he began to speak, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
"Taehyung, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew that you were the one I had been searching for. You've shown me what it means to truly love and be loved, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. Today, as we stand here surrounded by our loved ones, I promise to love you with every fiber of my being, to cherish you for all eternity, and to stand by your side through the highs and lows of life. I promise to support you, encourage you, and uplift you in all that you do. You are my light, my love, and my soulmate, and I vow to love you for as long as I live.”
As they finished speaking, Taehyung and Inyeop shared a tender embrace, sealing their vows with a passionate kiss. As they exchanged rings, their love radiated throughout the venue, filling the hearts of all those who bore witness to their union. In that moment, surrounded by love and surrounded by each other, they knew that their bond was unbreakable and that together, they could conquer anything that came their way.
As the evening turned into night, the celebration continued with laughter, music, and dancing. Taehyung and Inyeop danced together under the starlit sky, their hearts overflowing with love and joy. It was a night they would never forget – a celebration of love, friendship, and the promise of a happy future.
Taehyung shared moments with Namjoon, Yoongi, Jimin, and Hoseok and already made plans to have them over for dinner in a few weeks. The rest of the members already knew Jin would be absent, but they made sure not to start a conversation about it. This was Taehyung’s day.
As the day was slowly ending, Taehyung made his way to the artist who had just finished the painting. He took a deep breath, gathering the courage to look at it. As he walked over to the painting, his heart skipped a beat. It felt so real. As if it was a picture. He was standing right next to Jungkook, both smiling happily. Something he would never be able to live as reality. Because Jungkook was gone. Tears welled up in his eyes, but more because he was happy to see Jungkook here. As if he had attended the wedding. As if they had shared a drink and danced the night away. As if he had never left his life.
“Thank you,” Taehyung whispered. The artist nodded with a smile and put his brush down. Taehyung stood there, staring at the painting. He heard footsteps behind him, multiple, and slowly turned around. The rest of the members were standing behind him, all looking at the painting. Taehyung couldn’t help but run towards them. He formed a group hug and kept them all close. And after some tears, they all went back to the dance floor. Jungkook would have wanted them to be happy. And as Jin said .. he would always be here .. even though they would not be able to see him .. because he would live on .. in their memories.
Jin sat beside Jungkook's grave. It was dark, the moon shining on his face as he stared into the sky. The weight of grief and loss pressed heavily upon his heart. It had been eight long years since Jungkook had passed away, yet the pain felt as raw and as sharp as it did on the day Jin had accepted his death. A day he would never forget. Sometimes he wished Taehyung had let him live in his delusion forever .. but he didn’t deserve that easy escape. He deserved to drown in the mess he had made which has caused Jungkook’s death.
Memories of their time together flooded Jin's mind. Their first kiss. Their first time together. Their trip to Jeju Island. The words they shared. Jungkook’s smile. His warm touch. His funny side. He missed it all. And the reality that he would never have it again was too hard to accept, even after eight years.
He couldn't help but think about Taehyung's wedding, a day he had chosen to stay away from, because he was still feeling immense guilt for everything he had done. The decision weighed heavily on him, knowing that he had missed out on celebrating this beautiful moment with the rest. But every day he was reminded of the mistakes he had made in the past and the pain he had caused. The things he had done to Taehyung were unforgivable .. and even though Taehyung did manage to forgive him .. Jin would never forgive himself.
Jin's thoughts drifted to his own life, a life filled with loneliness and regret. Despite the time that had passed, he still felt like he was drowning in emptiness as if a part of him had been lost forever. He couldn't shake the feeling that he deserved this unhappiness, that it was a punishment for the sins of his past. It was almost as if he enjoyed being in pain because it made him feel like he was paying off for the things he had done.
But as he sat there, surrounded by darkness, Jin found comfort in the presence of Jungkook's spirit. He spoke to him as if he was still there, pouring out his heart and soul in a moment of emotion.
"Jungkook," Jin whispered, his voice choked with tears,
"I miss you every single day. There's not a moment that goes by when I don't think about you. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you, and for all the times I let you down. I wish I could go back and change things, but I can't. All I can do is carry this guilt with me, knowing that I'll never be able to make things right.” He paused, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
"But despite everything, I want you to know that I still love you, Jungkook. And I can't wait for the day when we'll be together again, when this pain and this guilt will be nothing but a distant memory. Until then, I'll keep your memory alive in my heart, and I'll cherish every moment we shared. And I won’t ever leave you alone.”
As Jin sat there in the quiet cemetery, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. And though the pain of his absence would never fully fade, Jin found comfort in the knowledge that Jungkook would always be with him, guiding him through the darkness until they were reunited once more. And Taehyung was happy .. happier than ever.
The past was just a memory now. A memory that everyone seemed to have forgotten. Except for Jin. But that was okay. If he had to relive the past every single moment, so the rest of them would forget about it completely, he would gladly do that. And he knew that for some people, no matter what he did, he would never be able to redeem himself. And he was fine with that. He didn't expect forgiveness from everyone, but if he could take some of the negative emotions he had caused away, he would gladly do that.
Maybe that would somehow help him find his happiness one day.