TIME ─ JAEYONG

017⸰

the note was placed on his pillow when it was completed. ten bit back his choked up sobs as he placed one last kiss on taeyong's temple. leaving everything behind he slipped out of the apartment into the dusk.

. . .

"the note reminded me of my father's. i can recite every word he wrote down."

"tae you don't–"

. . .

thank you for making me happy. i thank god for meeting you in first grade. you made my life better. besides my family you were the only one who i loved more than myself. to our first hug, kiss and first time i cherished every moment. you're my soulmate, my one and only but i'm sorry i have to leave you.

as much as you make me happy the depression just won't go away. it's eating me alive. i have to go baby, but i'll always be with you. don't let my death affect you taeyong. i'm sorry i'm such a coward. i understand if you hate me.

i gave you the rest of my time while you were asleep. by the time you read this i'll be gone but i'll be with my parents. if you ever need help, mark lee... go to him. taeyong, i love you so much baby. i'm sorry.

taeyong felt more emotions than he's ever felt all at once swarm him. his head was fuzzy, his limbs numb. he dropped the note and rushed out of bed, tossing on the clothes he discarded on the floor.

he didn't have time to gather his thoughts as he raced out the apartment, nearly stumbling down the stairs. he jumped down the last few and took off in a sprint, calling out ten's name hopelessly.

a mile away from the apartment is where taeyong spotted ten. he called out his name, his sore legs pumping faster than they ever have as he ran towards ten. ten turned around, a sad smile on his lips.

even with tears clouding his vision taeyong could still see the tears streaming down ten's cheeks. ten mouthed something before looking down at his forearm. taeyong looked as well, still not slowing his pace.

5... 4... 3... 2...

on his last second ten met eyes with taeyong. he took in a sharp breath before falling to his knees. taeyong let out a scream, a heart wrenching scream as he fell to his knees, lifting ten's limp body in his arms.

"no! ten!" it was indeed a pitiful sight.

. . .

by now jaehyun was sobbing into his sleeve while taeyong cried into his pillow. jaehyun didn't want to hear anymore. this was all too much for his heart to handle.

"so now you know most of my story..." taeyong muttered after nearly half an hour of trying to get himself to stop crying. "sad how everyone who loves and cares for me dies, and vice versa. i think i'm cursed."

he chuckled, no humor what so ever. jaehyun didn't know how to respond, he truly had no words.

"it's why i'm so hesitant to people who want to help me, they always end up dead. i can never love again because of the constant fear that i won't be able to keep them happy and because ten... he's my one and only." he confessed.

jaehyun couldn't look him in the eyes, so much was going on he felt dizzy. "all i can say is, i'm so sorry. you had a tragic life taeyong but now, it'll be better. i know it's hard but from this point on, live freely with the new life i provided you with."

"heh. yeah. we'll see." taeyong rose and left into his bathroom. jaehyun felt paralyzed, he wanted to get up as well but he couldn't. it's as if his thoughts were weighing him down.

"oh tae..." he sympathized to himself. the shower water sounded, jaehyun wanted to show that taeyong wasn't alone anymore but maybe that's what he needed at the moment. "taeyong?" jaehyun knocked after finding the strength to lift himself off the bed.

"i don't know if you want to be alone but if you want to i'll leave, if not, i'll stay." no response. jae frowned and tried again. "if you want me to stay, turn the shower water off. if you want me gone, leave it on."

jaehyun's heart hammered as he gave it a few seconds. just when he was about to leave the shower water stopped. the door swung open, revealing taeyong who was still clothed.

"what were you saying? i couldn't hear you."

"oh um–" he felt embarrassed and disappointed. it was evident on his face. "i–"

"i was joking." he made an attempt at a small smile. "i want to take my mind off of this whole thing so stay... but first, let me take a shower."

jae could only smile and nod.