He looked like a zombie. His face pale, cheeks sunken in. Maybe that's because his life was snatched away from him by the very man he loved. His apartment was messy, blankets thrown over the couch in a haphazard manner. A couple of empty alcohol bottles rested on the floor. Some upright.

If you looked closer, you'd see dried tear tracks staining the man's cheeks. You'd see the way his lower lip trembled, the way his eyes turned moist.

And all because of one man; a picture of whom he held in his very hands. On the floor beside him laid an open album. The same man in those pictures had a bright smile on his face that caused his eyes to crinkle into little cresent moons. There was joy, love, and warmth that was radiated by the same man who now showed none of those emotions.

The reason for his smile in the album was the man that stood right beside him in each photograph. A doe-eyed man with striking features, his lips drawn into a bunny smile. A mole under his lower lip, another visible on his forehead. His chocolate brown locks fell onto his forehead in a fringe.

Jeon Jungkook.

Jimin's Jungkook.

Jimin's love, his life, his world.

One who was no longer by his side.

The door to the house entrance creaked open and in walked a male. His features softened when he saw the state of the man on the floor.

His soulmate.

Taehyung said nothing. Simply walked forward and took a seat on the floor beside his friend. It may have been a year since Jungkook's passing but he knew that the void he'd left behind in their hearts was one that would never be filled. The pain and hurt would only resurface but never truly go away.

He was well aware.

"I miss him," Jimin whispered, voice hoarse from screaming minutes ago.

"I miss him too," Taehyung whispered back.

"I hate him!" Jimin spat and tore the picture of Jungkook in half.

Taehyung let him but pulled the album away so the older wouldn't do it any damage.

"I know."

"He hurt me. He is still hurting me. I hate him," Jimin yelled as tears trickled down his cheeks.

Taehyung said nothing as tears brimmed in his eyes. Some days he hated Jungkook too. He hated him for leaving. Hated him for the pain and guilt he left behind.

"Why did he leave? Why didn't he come to me? Why didn't he tell me he was feeling this way?"

Those questions.

Those unanswered questions that haunted them all.

Those why's and what if's.

"He was hurting. He saw no way out," Taehyung said, devoid of any emotion.

The only rational explanation he could think of.

"Why didn't he tell me? Why did he fake a smile? Why didn't he cry on my shoulder? I'd have held him. I'd have kissed him. I'd have told him it'll be alright. I'd have assured him of my love for him. I'd have made him realise his value."

"I don't doubt you would have."

"He left me."

"He left us all because he let his inner demons take control and when they did, he didn't know where to go or what to do. He gave up because he felt that was the right thing to do."

"It was not! I want him back. Bring him back!"

"Jimin-"

"You're my soulmate! You said you would do anything for me. Bring him back!"

"You know I can't."

"Why can't you? Why?"

Taehyung said nothing, just pulled the older into a hug and let him sob into his shoulder. His body trembled.

He hated seeing Jimin in pain. He hated that Jungkook wasn't here to ease it anymore. But he said nothing. He didn't scream, didn't cry, didn't shout. He just held Jimin tight because he knew that was what his soulmate needed.

- 6 July, 2022 -