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Taehyung took a deep breath.

He had always run from his past, always tucked it behind forced smiles and quiet strength-but look at him now. Standing still. Ready to let it all out.

To someone who mattered.

To someone who stayed.

He was finally going to speak the truth-to Jungkook.

Taehyung trusted him with every piece of his shattered soul, and Jungkook had earned it. Not by force, not by words, but by the way he loved. By the way he held him.

Jungkook had shown him what it truly meant to be cared for, what it meant to matter. And now, for the first time in years, Taehyung wasn't going to run.

Not when someone was willing to give up everything-even his life-for Taehyung's well-being.

He stood on the rooftop of his office building, the cold breeze brushing against his skin, whispering against the silence of the night.

But the storm inside his heart burned hotter than the wind could ever chill.

The door creaked open, and Jungkook stepped in.

He didn't say much-he didn't need to. His eyes locked on Taehyung, and in a few quick strides, he was in front of him, cupping his cold cheeks gently.

"It's freezing up here, hyung," Jungkook murmured, concern laced in his voice.

Taehyung didn't respond with words. Instead, he took Jungkook's hands in his own and led him silently to a bench near the edge of the rooftop. They sat, and Taehyung drew in a shaky breath, the kind that carries years of things unsaid.

Without hesitation, Jungkook slipped an arm around Taehyung's waist and pulled him close.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetcheeks," he whispered into his hair. "That you're finally letting it all out."

Taehyung's fingers curled into Jungkook's shirt as he buried his face against his chest, breathing him in like he needed him to survive.

And tonight, he wouldn't stop himself.

Tonight, he would speak-everything he had kept locked away.

"I only had my father in this world," Taehyung started, his voice barely above a whisper. "The man I hate the most."

He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat refusing to go down. Jungkook, without saying a word, shrugged off his jacket and gently wrapped it around Taehyung's trembling frame.

Taehyung looked up at him, eyes glistening. Jungkook leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, a silent encouragement to go on.

"I... I don't know anything about my mother," he continued, voice cracking. "No one ever talked about her. No one even talked to me. From as far back as I can remember, people kept their distance. Servants, guests-everyone."

Taehyung's fingers gripped Jungkook's shirt tighter, like clinging to a lifeline.

"I wasn't allowed to speak unless my father gave permission," he whispered.

"And I tried so hard to make him happy... I really did. I used to come up with excuses to talk to him, thinking maybe he'd smile at me... maybe he'd see me."

A shaky breath escaped his lips.

"I did everything a child could-be good, be quiet, be perfect. But all I got in return was silence... and those cold, dead eyes."

Jungkook didn't say anything-just pulled him tighter, wrapping him completely in his arms.

Taehyung let his head rest against Jungkook's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart like it was guiding him home.