....

Taehyung stood by the window, feeling the cold seeping into every cell of his body, but it didn't bother him. He simply watched as the world around him grew quiet, as nothing could disturb him. He wasn't sure what he felt, but he knew one thing - he didn't care anymore. Too many times he had hoped, too many times he had tried to find meaning in this world, and now he had simply stopped looking.

Downstairs, in the room, the voice of Jung, his Gook, sounded softly. That voice was always there, like a steadfast anchor, trying to keep him from disappearing into his own shadow. Taehyung knew that Jung was worried, that he still believed in him, but... how to explain that he had lost himself a long time ago? He was no longer who he used to be.

"What are you standing there for?" — Jungkook came up behind him, his cold fingers touching Taehyung's shoulder, and in that moment Taehyung felt the warmth of his body. It was the only thing that kept him from completely collapsing.

— I'm just thinking... — Taehyung didn't turn around. He didn't want to see that worry in Jungkook's eyes. — I think if I let go, maybe it will be easier. I'm tired.

Jungkook was silent, but Taehyung knew that at that moment his boyfriend felt every ounce of pain that Taehyung was experiencing. Jungkook had always been strong, but he didn't know how to deal with this dark part of Taehyung that was becoming more and more a part of him.

— You say that like it will help, — Jungkook chuckled slightly, but there was something tense in his voice. — You can't just disappear, Taehyung. I need you.

Taehyung turned to him, his eyes cold, like the emptiness he was trying to hide. He didn’t know why he said it, but the words came out on their own:

“I’m already gone. I just didn’t notice it before. And you probably will too… soon.”

Jungkook didn’t react right away. He stood in the shadows, tense but silent, like never before. His strong hands clenched into fists, but he didn’t say anything. He knew that words wouldn’t help now. He could only watch as Taehyung, his Taehyung, sank deeper into this fog, into this darkness from which no one could save him.

“You shouldn’t think like that,” Jungkook said, his voice soft but firm. “You’re not alone. I’m here.”

Taehyung smiled, not his usual bright smile, but rather the smile of a man who realized that he had lost everything, and now this was becoming the norm.

“Do you believe it?” Taehyung whispered, but there was no anger or reproach in his voice. He simply asked a question he didn’t know the answer to. “Or are you telling me this for yourself?”

Jungkook stepped towards him, touching his face. His fingers barely touched Taehyung’s skin, but the gesture was strong enough to keep him in reality, at least for a moment. And yet, Jungkook knew that for Taehyung, that moment was just another step into the abyss, and perhaps nothing could save him.

“I believe in us,” Jungkook said. “But if you want to disappear, I can’t stop you. I’ll just be there. In this world or the next.”

Taehyung smiled again, but this time there was nothing in his eyes except absolute, dark emptiness. He kissed Jungkook on the forehead as if saying goodbye and quietly whispered:

“Then you will watch me disappear.”