Epilogue

May 13th, 2020.

As he ran through the corridors, Taehyung could hear the excitement of the hall. The floor was shaking with excitement, thanks to the shouts of the fans. He sped up, he was late. When he finally arrived backstage, at the stage doors, Namjoon shook his head in disappointment. He proceeded to unbutton Taehyung's ill-fitting shirt.

"You're a journalist, be professional" Namjoon said, buttoning his shirt correctly. "If you're late for your boyfriend's concert, how can I trust you for other events?"

"I'm not late" Taehyung retorted, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I was in Jungkook's dressing room. I helped him get ready and fell asleep. He didn't wake me up. He's the one who should be reprimanded."

Namjoon looked at him from head to toe.

"I guess you have your own way of de-stressing him..."

Taehyung glared at him.

"You're cruel."

"Your salary depends on me."

"Quiet, I have to capture the images that will close the documentary."

"I can't believe, with everything that's happened this year, that this documentary hasn't been canceled."

"The whole truth will finally come out. People want to know what the Investors did to Jungkook and Jung Eun-Chae, now she can rest in peace. It all ends here, at the biggest concert of Jeon Jungkook's career."

Suddenly, the shouts of the audience died down, as Jungkook had demanded their full attention.

"Recently, the dark side of my life was revealed after the arrest of all those who had contributed to the investment fund that made me... that made singer Jeon Jungkook. In recent years, I've been forced to lie, to lie to you and to lie to myself. But my deep respect for you has always been real in my heart. Your support enabled me to survive the hell I was forced to live through. I love to sing. I love sharing songs with you. Even if they're not my songs."

Everyone held their breath. Taehyung had focused his camera on the young man, but it was with his mind that he wanted to capture this moment. He didn't know what Jungkook would say next. His boyfriend had simply asked him to film and listen.

"Now I want to rebuild my life with the people I love. Does my career end today forever? I can't say for sure. I don't know what my life will be like now, but I hope it will be a good one."

Jungkook bowed with all the respect he was capable of showing. A tear rolled down Taehyung's cheek at the beauty of what was unfolding before his eyes. All the fans were absolutely silent, some were crying but most were smiling benevolently.

"I'm going to protect what makes me happy" he concluded.

"Jeon Jungkook! Jeon Jungkook! Jeon Jungkook!"

Cheers filled the space as well as the hearts.

"Thank you" Jungkook whispered into the microphone.

He was crying. With joy.

***

May 14th, 2020.

Huddled together, Taehyung and Jungkook watched the seconds tick by on Taehyung's cell phone screen. 2:11 am. By this time that day, Taehyung had lost Jungkook four times. But it had all started on that day, at that hour. That was when he'd first seen Jungkook.

2:12 am.

May 14, 2020.

Taehyung could only burst into tears. He did it. He had saved Jungkook. Jungkook hugged him tighter and kissed his forehead gently. Now they had their whole lives ahead of them to love each other.

***

May 14th, 2020.

On the morning of May 14th, just as the sun was rising again, Lee Yoo-Jin gave birth to her second son, Kim Ji-Hoon. It was with determination that Jimin entered the hospital room, holding Yoon-Gi's hand tightly to prevent him from running away.

Jin held his son in his arms and rocked him gently. Yoo-Jin smiled as she watched them. When she turned her head towards her eldest son who had just entered, her smile widened. Jin approached Jimin and Yoon-Gi. Jimin took Ji-Hoon in his arms. Yoo-Jin had burst into tears and hugged Jin's waist, standing beside her.

"My two babies have finally met" she murmured.

***

May 14th, 2020.

Hoseok opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Min-Ah's smile and eyes. He tried to articulate a few words, but his throat and mouth were too dry. Min-Ah helped him drink some water, supporting his head with her other hand. Hoseok raised his hand and placed it on hers, holding the glass. The touch of the young woman's skin felt so good.

"Let's get married."

It was the first thing he said to her.

***

Namjoon saw Na-Eun walking towards the newspaper offices. He ran to catch up with her.

"Kim Namjoon" she greeted him.

"Are you still angry with me?" he asked.

She stopped, looked at him for a few seconds, took his face in her hands and pressed his cheeks. She withdrew her hands.

"Who knows?" she asked, smiling.

Namjoon shook his head before putting an arm around her shoulders. She put one arm around his waist.

"Let's hurry, we'll be late" Namjoon told her.

"Don't worry, I'm going out with the boss, he won't tell me anything."

"That's true" Namjoon conceded with a smile.

***

When Taehyung opened his eyes, he was in a big, sunlit room. On the bed lay a very old man, his eyes half-open. He was dying, but smiling. Another old man was sitting in a chair beside him, holding his hand. They both wore identical rings, silver and sparkling on their wrinkled skins.

It wouldn't be long before the one lying there died; he had only a few hours left, perhaps even minutes. Yet the two men weren't sad. Taehyung turned around. The wall was covered with pictures. Most of them were of the two men as a couple, at all ages. They were both smiling broadly in the pictures. His eyes fell on the picture where they were the youngest. It was a selfie. The handsomer of the two was proudly showing off his left hand, which bore the same silver ring he now wore. The other kissed his cheek.

The old man died, his hand in those of the man in his life.

When Taehyung opened his eyes, the sun had long since risen. Seeing him awake, Jungkook dropped onto the bed beside him. He was wearing one of Taehyung's T-shirts, and Taehyung had never found him so handsome. Taehyung straightened up and put his arms around Jungkook's body as he tried to free himself. When he finally did, he grabbed Taehyung's hand and slipped a ring onto his finger. Taehyung looked at it for a few seconds, then at the hand Jungkook was holding out in front of him. He was wearing the same ring. He smiled so broadly that Taehyung could only smile back.

"Now everyone will know we're together" Jungkook said.

Taehyung didn't know exactly how to react, and Jungkook placed a quick kiss on his lips.

"Let's immortalize this moment" Taehyung finally said.

Jungkook nodded and picked up his phone. Taehyung moved closer to him. Jungkook smiled, proudly showing his hand to the lens. As the picture was taken, Taehyung placed his lips on Jungkook's cheek.

Taehyung looked again at the ring that would be on his finger until the day he died. Because it all began here, in this room, with this picture and this ring. Because their love would only grow. Because, paradoxically, the only event the owner of the Gift could witness and not avoid was his own death.

"I love you" Taehyung told him.

"I love you too."

THE END.