He feels weary, every step is filled with lead, taking all the strength in the world. Yet his heart is light and wide open, like he's finally finished a marathon, relieved and proud of the most arduous achievement.

When he finally steps into the space, there's nothing in it. He's not surprised. Over the years, the furnishing became more and more sparse. The shelving went, then the walls. When the lights disappeared, Taehyung shone from within, illuminating just the two of them with a small sphere of amber glow. So Yoongi half expects this, an empty void with nothing in it, saved for the figure squatting on the nonexistent floor.

He drags himself over, and gasps for breath, "That literally took all the energy I had left, if you weren't here, I'd probably throw a fit."

"So dramatic, down to the very last moment." Taehyung looks up at him, eyes gleaming with the dying sparks of a million stars. He's in all black this time, black hoodie, black jeans, raven hair long and tucked behind his ears.

"So, are you proud of me? Did I achieve all I was supposed to achieve?" Yoongi sits down next to him, trying not to look into the void beneath.

"But you already achieved everything the very first time you met me. And I am proud, so very proud." Taehyung murmurs.

Yoongi grins, toothy and bright, "It was a fun ride. Crazy, but fun. You were right, damn it, you're always right."

"So it was all worth it, you'd say?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"You guess?! C'mon, all these years of listening and making drinks, waiting at your beck and call. It better be." A pout.

Yoongi just looks at him, back hunched, happiness seeping out of his pores, "Now what?"

Taehyung pauses, his eyes dulling a touch, "Um, I'm not sure."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, I wasn't even sure I'd see you this one last time. I usually don't, because I guess I'm supposed to help along the way? And the end is just the end, help is no longer needed." Taehyung fidgets with the string on his black hoodie.

"What..."

Taehyung lifts his arm and flutters his hand, and a ball of glowing light appears. Yoongi spots the familiar ruby red swishing inside.

"I still get a drink this time? Do I drink it?"

Taehyung is hesitant, words slurring a little, "Well, I feel like this drink is meant for something else. I think it's meant to help you forget."

"Forget what."

"All of this. Your life, this space... me. You have to forget to move on, you see."

Yoongi's head snaps up, "What? Don't I get a say in this? Tae, I was so happy to come here, to find you and to share this moment with you. I'm not forgetting this, screw that, I'll let everything else go except this."

Taehyung continues with the string, loosening it into a million threads, "It's not up to you or me. I may be able to see the past and the future, but I can't go where you're meant to go next. Only mortals can."

"Then- then I'm staying here. Put that drink away, Tae, I'll just stick around here until they kick me out."

A weary chuckle, "You silly man. Ok, there's one last thing that we can try, the chances are slim but it's not like we have many options-."

"No shit. Spill it, Tae, you better tell me now."

Taehyung straightens his back, "I was once told that promises are very powerful things, when you truly want to keep them. So powerful that the universe bends just for your will."

"Go on."

"That's what brought you to me now, and I wonder if it'll take us further. You agreed to come to me 'til the end'. This is not your end, not really."

"What do you mean, what do I need to do?"

"Yoon, do you really want to remember me? Do you want to come to me, even after life ends, beyond the edge of time?"

"Well, yes, of course. I know what you always say, that life is a solitary journey from start to end. But I don't want to, I'm spoiled and I need to have the best cherry cordial in the universe with me, damn it." Yoongi's vision is blurred, but he wipes away the mist hastily, ignoring it, "Please Tae, and whomever is listening out there, please let him come."

He reaches towards Taehyung, towards the soft glowing hands that shine from within. Nothing's there, just warmth and comfort, radiating into his being. But Yoongi tries and tries again, reaching for the hands holding the fragrant drink, trying to hold onto nothing.

And slowly, to his shock, he begins to notice something. The glow fades, first from the fingertips, then from the hand. It dims along Taehyung's arms, receding like string lights flickering off in sequence. And there's resistance under his palms, Taehyung's slender hands materialize, becoming simple and plain, just like his own.

When Yoongi looks up again, Taehyung is no longer glowing, his features cast in shadow from the ball of light containing the drink. Darkness descends all around them, like a comforting shield protecting from harm.

"What happened?" Yoongi rasps.

"A promise is a promise." Taehyung stares at his own hands in disbelief.

Yoongi holds onto him, not letting go, "Should we try then?"

Taehyung shrugs uncertainly.

They get up slowly, fingers intertwined. Taehyung eyes the ball of light in his hand, "What should I do with this drink?"

"Toss it, for fuck's sake, get that thing away from me."

"You gotta stop cursing like that, where we're heading, they might not like it." Taehyung looks down at his now very physical feet, and steps out tentatively.

"I could care less. They can suck it. Now help me figure out which way we should go."

"Yoon..."

They stride away and disappear into the darkness, two heads huddled next to the ball of light in hand. Together.