Y/N-

The ride to the airport with Tzuyu was filled with excitement. She was thrilled about seeing Jungkook again, going on and on about everything they'd been missing since he moved to the States. I was also excited, but in a calm, grounded way. Jungkook had been such an important friend, and though we'd kept in touch, it felt different to finally have him back.

When we arrived, Tzuyu spotted him first. There he was, blending into the crowd but somehow still unmistakably Jungkook. He looked happy, a little more mature, like he'd found success in the time he'd been gone. When his eyes met mine, a familiar warmth spread through me. It was just like old times, but with a difference I couldn't quite place.

As he reached us, Jungkook's face lit up. "Y/n! Tzuyu!" he called out, pulling us both into a big, friendly hug. I laughed, feeling all those memories rush back but also noticing that I felt purely happy to see him. Any lingering feelings I'd had for Jungkook in the past were gone; what remained was a strong, comforting friendship.

"How was the flight?" I asked, watching the bright expression on his face.

"Long but totally worth it," he replied, grinning. "I've missed you guys so much!"

We spent a while talking, exchanging stories and catching up on everything we'd missed. Tzuyu teased him about his new look, while I filled him in on the general details of my life. I didn't bring up my marriage right away; it felt like something I'd want to mention in a quieter moment when we were alone.

Finally, after he updated us on his business and all the work that had gone into it, I told him about Taehyung. I watched as his expression shifted from surprise to something unreadable, but his smile quickly returned.

"Wait, I can't really believe you're married now?" he asked, a little stunned. "That's...wow, Y/n. That's huge!"

I smiled, nodding. "It all happened fast, but yes. Taehyung and I are married. He's...a wonderful person, Jungkook."

Jungkook nodded slowly, looking at me in a way that felt thoughtful. "Well, congratulations," he said, smiling softly. "Taehyung is lucky to have you."

There was something bittersweet in his voice, but I didn't dwell on it. Jungkook was my friend, and no matter what, I knew we'd always be connected in some way, supporting each other's happiness.

As we drove home, I felt a sense of closure settle over me. The lingering question of "what if" that I'd once had about Jungkook seemed to dissolve. I had found love in Taehyung—a kind, steady, and compassionate love that felt right in every way.

When Tzuyu dropped me off, I walked inside, feeling the warmth of home settle over me. Taehyung was waiting in the living room, looking up from his book as soon as he saw me enter. His face lit up in a smile, and he stood, crossing the room to greet me with open arms.

"Welcome back," he said, pulling me close.

I melted into his embrace, feeling a warmth and comfort that only Taehyung could bring me. "Thank you for being so understanding," I said quietly. "Seeing Jungkook was nice, but it only made me realize more how right this feels—being here, with you."

Taehyung held me a little tighter, kissing the top of my head. "I'll always be here for you," he murmured. "I trust you, Y/n. I always have."

His words filled me with a deep sense of love and gratitude. I looked up at him, feeling lucky that life had led me here. We stayed in each other's arms for a while, not needing to say anything else.

When I pulled back, Taehyung brushed a lock of hair from my face, his eyes soft and full of affection. "So, how was he?"

"Good," I said, smiling. "He looked happy, and his work is going well. I'm happy for him. But I realized that my heart... it's only yours, Taehyung."

His face softened even more, his eyes warm. "And my heart is yours, Y/n. Now and always."

With a gentle kiss, he reassured me of everything I needed to know. That night, as I lay in his arms, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. The past was behind me, and the future with Taehyung felt bright and full of possibilities.

JUNGKOOK-

As soon as I saw Y/n at the airport, my heart skipped a beat. I tried to hide it, to act casual as she and Tzuyu came up to greet me, but the sight of her knocked the air out of me. Y/n was... glowing, for lack of a better word. There was a brightness in her eyes, a lightness in her step, and an ease in her smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. It was clear that she was happy, and I couldn't help but notice how different she seemed.

A pang of regret twisted in my chest, like a whisper reminding me of everything I'd lost. It's strange—seeing her face right here in front of me, I realized how many times I'd replayed my decision to let her go. When I rejected her confession, I thought I was doing the right thing for both of us. I thought it would be easier for her to move on if we kept things as friends. But watching her now, hearing her speak with such lightness, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I'd made the wrong choice.

"Jungkook! Welcome back!" she said, pulling me into a warm hug.

"Thanks," I replied, forcing myself to focus. I held her a little tighter than I meant to, hoping she wouldn't notice the rush of feelings that came crashing over me. Pulling back, I noticed the subtle changes—the calm confidence in her smile, the way she carried herself now. And when she started telling me about her life here, I knew it wasn't just time that had changed her. It was him.

"So, you're really... married now?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound as rattled as I felt.

She nodded, her face lighting up as she spoke. "Yes, I am. Taehyung and I... it's been wonderful, Jungkook. He's really amazing."

I managed to smile, but it was hard not to focus on the way she looked when she mentioned his name. There was something in her eyes, a warmth that wasn't there before, and it made my stomach twist with an ache I couldn't ignore. She spoke about Taehyung in a way that made it clear he wasn't just some guy she'd married. He was the one she'd been waiting for all along. And I hadn't realized until this very moment just how much she truly meant to me.

"I'm... happy for you, Y/n," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray me. "Really."

She smiled, and for a second, everything felt like old times. But it wasn't the same. She was right in front of me, yet I felt a million miles away. The memories of the times we'd shared came rushing back—the laughter, the conversations, the quiet moments. And in the midst of all that, I kept asking myself... what if?

What if I hadn't rejected her? What if I'd been willing to give us a chance, to overcome my insecurities and fears of not being enough? Would it be me she looked at with those sparkling eyes? The thought gnawed at me, and I knew it was too late to change anything now. I'd made my decision, and she'd moved on. And she was happy. That's all I ever wanted for her, right?

The drive back was a blur of voices and laughter, but my mind was stuck in that moment when she told me she was married. It hurt, but I couldn't be bitter. How could I be when she was happier than ever?

At some point, Tzuyu turned to me, teasingly asking, "So, Jungkook, when are you planning to settle down?"

I laughed, brushing off her question, but inside, it hit me. My life had been all about ambition, about making something of myself, but in chasing my dreams, I'd let go of the one person who mattered most. Now, sitting here with my friends, it struck me just how hollow all of it felt without Y/n by my side.

When we reached her place, Y/n turned to me with that same gentle smile, the one that once made me feel like I could do anything. "Take care, Jungkook," she said, giving me one last hug.

As she walked toward her door, I felt an overwhelming sense of finality. This was the moment I'd lost her, and nothing could change that. I'd be her friend, of course. I'd support her happiness from the sidelines, just as she'd done for me so many times before. But it would never be the same.

Once I got back to my place, I found myself sitting in silence, replaying our conversation. She hadn't mentioned Taehyung in a way that sounded forced or uncertain; she spoke about him with love, admiration, and a sincerity I couldn't ignore. Taehyung was everything I hadn't been willing to be for her. And as painful as it was, I couldn't bring myself to feel anything but gratitude that she'd found someone who truly saw her, valued her, and made her as happy as she deserved to be.

Still, as I lay there in the quiet, I couldn't shake the haunting thoughts: What if I hadn't walked away? What if I hadn't let her go?

There's an ache that comes with regret, a lingering pain that settles deep. And as the night wore on, I realized this feeling wouldn't fade anytime soon. But maybe that's the price I had to pay for the choices I made. I'd have to carry this with me, move forward, and accept that I'd lost her forever.

But if she was happy, I'd learn to live with it. Because that's what you do when you love someone—you let them go, even if it means they're not yours anymore. And maybe, just maybe, I'd learn to find my own happiness, even if it took a while. For now, I'd focus on being the friend she needed, the friend she could count on, just as she had been for me.

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