Chapter 68: Clay-Stained Kisses

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"I'd find you in every lifetime."

Taehyung exhales, his eyes fluttering shut for just a second before they open again, filled with something that makes my chest ache.

"Joon hyung," he breathes, barely audible.
I lift a hand, gently tracing my fingers along his jaw, my thumb brushing the curve of his cheek.

"I mean it," I murmur. "No matter what world, no matter what life-I'd find you. Again and again."

His lips tremble into a soft, disbelieving smile, his hands coming up to clutch at my hoodie like he needs to hold onto something real.

And then-
He laughs.

Soft, breathless, beautiful.
And God, I love him.

I love him.

We find a quiet corner of the museum, away from the soft murmur of other visitors, and sink onto a cushioned bench, still holding onto each other like we're afraid to let go

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We find a quiet corner of the museum, away from the soft murmur of other visitors, and sink onto a cushioned bench, still holding onto each other like we're afraid to let go.

Taehyung exhales slowly, playing with my fingers as he speaks. "You know... I never thought I'd have this."

I glance down at him. "Have what?"

He tilts his head, resting his cheek against my shoulder. "Soulmates."

I squeeze his hand. "You never thought you'd find yours?"

He shakes his head. "I never thought I'd deserve mine."

My heart clenches.
"Tae-"

He smiles, a little sad, a little soft.

"But then you all came into my life. You. Yoongi-hyung. Noona. Jin-hyung." He pauses, his fingers tightening around mine. "And I started thinking... maybe the universe didn't forget me after all."

I swallow thickly.

Because fuck, if that doesn't shatter me into a million pieces.

I shift, turning toward him fully, lifting a hand to tuck a stray curl behind his ear.

"Tae," I murmur. "You always deserved love. You always deserved us."

His breath stumbles.

And then, softly-
"I'm so glad you stayed."

I blink. "What?"

He inhales deeply, his gaze locked onto mine. "During my case. When everything was falling apart-when I was falling apart-you stayed."

I feel something sharp lodge itself in my throat.

"Tae," I start, but he shakes his head.

"No, let me say this," he whispers, his fingers curling around my hoodie.

"I was scared, hyung. I was so fucking scared. I thought-maybe if I just disappeared, maybe if I just ran-no one would have to carry me anymore."

I squeeze his hands, holding onto him like he's everything.

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