Present

Jimin looked at the younger sleeping peacefully beside him. The previous night's happenings resurfaced to him like a ton of bricks. He smiled softly to himself, thinking about Jungkook's replies and the immediate acceptance.

After all, he wasn't as bad as he had speculated.

As he gazed at the morning sky, the rich hues with cottony layers of clouds hovered over the blanketed puddles that laid dead in front of the neglected houses throughout the listless stress in the dark alleyways.

Dew drops were visible on every leaf that hung lifelessly from the barked and wet trees. The plantations resembled a marshy land as the rains made sodden messes in the grounds and had uprooted some fragile trees.

The air was freshly saturated with rain and the refreshing smell of mud lingered. The dewy petrichor gave a pleasantly feel, as Jimin relaxed back into the blankets. 

When he closed his eyes, he found brightness.

When he opened his eyes, he found absolute darkness and solitary confinement. It was the solitary confinement that lurked him into an unknown world where he strived to live.

It seemed that he knew everything, but at the same time, everything was unknown.

It was the feeling of something unknown that triggered his fear alarm. He was unknown to the world, but he wanted to be known to his mind and heart.

"Had a good sleep?"Jimin heard Taehyung's voice beside him, and he jumped up, widening his eyes.

"Tae, what the hell? What are you doing here?" Jimin questioned, aghast at his presence.

"Cut that shit out. I knew you both were a match made in heaven," Taehyung stated, smirking lightly.

"We just slept!" Jimin retorted, waving his hands in air.

"It's that sleep that leads to various things," Taehyung winked, and Jimin snarled, about to throw hands.

"Stop talking shit," Jimin muttered softly, making sure not to wake up Jungkook.

"It's me who's talking shit? Come on chim," Taehyung playfully hit Jimin's shoulder.

"Talk softer. Jungkook is fast asleep," Jimin hushed, while Taehyung mockingly placed his finger over his lips and laughed.

"Wait a minute," Jimin squinted. "Place your fingers together as in the shape of the letter v over your lips."

Taehyung hesitated for a minute, but after looking at the scornful glare etched on his roomate's face, he quietly brought up his fingers to meet his lips and made the sign like Jimin had demanded.

"That looks vaguely familiar. Wait-"

"Hyung?" Jungkook cut Jimin off, his drowsy voice filling the room.

"Oh, you're awake," Taehyung said, removing his hand cautiously, making sure that Jimin was not seeing him.

Jungkook nodded slowly, but after looking at Jimin's hand hanging in the air along with Taehyung's various glances, he questioned, "What happened?"

"Nothing... Why?" Jimin rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly.

"You sure, hyung? Both of you don't look like that..." Jungkook trailed off, slightly pouting.

"Everything is good. Go freshen up. We need to go visit the head." Jimin ordered, but his voice composed.

When Jungkook was not looking, Jimin sent Taehyung a glare to which he gulped nervously.

It was all a game; a forgotten game.

-

Taehyung looked around stealthily. No one was around. The silent darkness and shadowless echo shook him, but he had learnt to face it.

It was a game he had picked. It was a vicious cavern that he was falling into.

There was no ending to a futile ending.

Jimin and Jungkook had gone to enquire about the murders, and this was his chance to complete the task.

In the absolute darkness that devoured the room, he crept up to Jungkook's room. A crumpled up black and white photo was clutched tightly in his hand, and he gulped nervously.

He was going to reconnect the hearts.

All the hearts were inclined towards one supreme goal and he was going to fulfill it.

Wrapping his slim fingers around the door knob, Taehyung opened the door to Jungkook's room, as it made a slight crease before revealing the bed and the closet inside.

Closing the door behind, he strided over to where Jungkook's suitcase was placed and opened the heavy bag.

It was just one picture that was inside the suitcase, yet it felt heavier.

It was because it was soaked with Jungkook's tears.

Taehyung was forced to conceal everything, and he could not help but bring this into daylights. After all, he was subjected to work under him.

A crumpled up piece of paper along with a picture was placed neatly, and it looked as if Jungkook looked at the same picture everyday and read the note written exclusively for him.

Anticipating for what lied ahead, Taehyung unfurled the piece of note and read it over and over again even though he knew the words by heart.

The note was written in blood, but now, it had turned white, presumably because of centuries in the suitcase which Jungkook cherished. Wiping away the specks of dust that had filled the note within a minute, he read it once more, as a tear rolled from his cheeks.

Dear Jungkook,
                      I remember I told you that I would come back. But with blood staining my shirt, I don't think I can see your beautiful face again. He had betrayed me, but don't say this to byeol. She will be heartbroken. Just remember, I love her and you more than the universe. I'll always be watching you and guiding you through the darknest sunshines and brightest shadows. Till then, Goodbye.

With love,

Taehyung's filmy eyes could not read any more of the letter as he convulsed into tears. Every tantalising drop of tear hit the cold surface with a soft thud as he vented out all his emotions.

While sobbing, he took out the crumbled up paper from his pocket and at the same time brought the picture in Jungkook's suitcase. His hands were trembling and his eyes were still teary, with his cheeks puffed up.

Whimpering in the mental pain he had never experienced, he brought up the two pieces of torn pictures together. They fit together perfectly, as if they were pieces waiting to be fixed for eternity. They moulded together with one another, emanating beauty.

A picture of Jungkook, Jimin and byeol together in hanbok. To be more precise, it was a painting.

********

If I could only go back in time-

______________

A/N's note: I bet you're really confused now.

Anyway, who do you think Taehyung really is?