Lunar Sacrifice || Kim Taehyung [Mon, Fri]

The passing days felt heavier for Y/n, each moment a tug at her heart as she continued to watch Taehyung and Mary grow closer. It was subtle at first—shared glances, casual conversations that lingered a little longer than necessary. But Y/n saw the signs. She knew Taehyung was starting to open up, whether he realized it or not.

It was everything Y/n had wanted for him, yet nothing she could have for herself. The pain of it gnawed at her, but she swallowed it down, reminding herself of the bigger picture. This was the only way to ease Jimin's relentless revenge. If Taehyung truly loved Mary, Jimin would have no choice but to spare him.

Taehyung found himself gravitating toward Mary more often. Her presence had a strange calming effect on him, like she was a small light in the dark, even if he couldn't fully understand why. He still didn't let himself get too close—there was a wall he refused to break—but being around her was...different.

They'd often meet in the library, exchanging quiet conversation amidst their studies. Sometimes they'd walk together across campus, though neither of them ever addressed the odd pull that seemed to draw them closer.

One afternoon, as they walked through the courtyard, Mary noticed Taehyung's distant expression. His eyes were fixed ahead, but his mind was clearly elsewhere, lost in thoughts she couldn't reach.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, stepping in front of him to stop him in his tracks.

Taehyung blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. He looked down at her, his usual mask of detachment slipping for a brief moment. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...a lot on my mind."

Mary tilted her head, her eyes filled with concern. "You always seem like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

He didn't respond right away, unsure of how to explain the storm of emotions constantly raging inside him. The curse. The guilt. The feeling that he was never meant to find peace or happiness.

"Sometimes, I guess I am," he finally admitted, his voice low.

Mary frowned, stepping closer. "You don't have to carry it alone, you know. You can talk to me. About anything."

Taehyung's jaw clenched as he tried to push down the growing urge to let someone in, to let her in. But he couldn't. His curse wasn't something anyone could help with, especially not her. He needed to protect her from the dark cloud that followed him.

"I appreciate that, but...some things are just too heavy to share," he said, forcing a small, strained smile.

Mary held his gaze for a moment, searching his eyes for something, anything, that would explain the sadness she saw in him. But when she found nothing, she nodded, though it was clear she wasn't giving up.

"Okay," she said softly, taking a step back. "But if you ever change your mind, I'll be here."

Taehyung watched as she turned and started walking again, the distance between them growing. He clenched his fists in frustration. He wanted to tell her. He wanted to let her in. But the fear of his past—of his unknown sins—kept him silent.