A/n: This is a stand-alone one-shot which was written on a whim and has nothing related to Xương rồng không gai. Part of the reasons I wrote it in English is to avoid confusion between these two works. Thank you for your understanding and hope you enjoy this short piece.

***

- ...Do you take this man, Kim Taehyung, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?

- I do.

Putting one hand over his heart, Jungkook mumbles. He looks deep into the other man's unblinking eyes, enough to see all of his swaying emotions and swirling thoughts.

Enough to see the reflection of a woman.

Jungkook cannot recall her name, heck, he doesn't even know who she is, until these two magical words are voiced, softly.

- I do.

Ah, she is Kim Taehyung's wife.

***

'Jungkook ah, here are the invitations.'

'To where?'

'The newly-opened art gallery which I've told you before. Remember? Just right at that street corner?'

'Oh.'

'Let's go, Jungkook!'

'...Sorry, got to pass. I'm a lil' bit tired, Taehyung.'

Jungkook yawned, slightly sliding off the sofa, acting as tired as he could. From music, film to painting, they shared the same hobbies but not quite similar viewpoints. Taehyung always seemed to be looking at something farther than anywhere Jungkook's mind could wander off to, and that annoyed the younger sometimes, enough to make him selfishly turn down his bandmate's, his hyung's, and also his lover's offer with such an obvious lie.

Jungkook wonders where his selfishness went when Taehyung handed him the invitation for his wedding. He couldn't say no then, but nevertheless managed to blatantly lie in front of the older's face.

'Congratulations, hyung.'

***

How long did Kim Taehyung love Jeon Jungkook?

Taehyung supposes he must have lost count by now, but to his surprise, he doesn't. The day he handed Jungkook his wedding invitation marked the 3649th, one day short to fulfill the long lost promise, which was beautifully created then cruelly killed off by his and his words alone.

'I will be your lover for just 10 years, Jungkook.'

'Quite a far-ahead plan you got there', Jungkook sniffed, 'and it's good to know you aren't planning to include me in the 11th.'

'Don't pout like that. Lovers for 10 years, husbands for life, how'd that sound?'

'Why the long wait?'

It was hard to see, but behind Jungkook's sarcastic eyebrow-raising lay eyes full of innocent happiness.

'Dunno. Just like round number, I guess.'

'This explains your cheesy confession. Lemme recall - if our distance are 100 steps, just stay still and I'll come get you - something along this line right?'

'Ah, Jungkook, don't you dare bring that up now-'

Yes, Taehyung confessed his feelings first. He also got lost in the love maze first. Then, he got out of it, first.

- I do.

He had dreamt about this day countless times, only with a different person standing in front of him.

Taehyung promised to bring Jungkook eternal happiness at the 3650th day, then brought him endless despair.

Taehyung promised to take 100 steps towards Jungkook, but after the 99th, he turned to a different path.

A path without Jungkook.

***

Taehyung does love his wife, although his friends are rather dubious. He doesn't blame them, for even he doubts himself sometimes.

She is a nice girl. A pretty face, caring personality and an artistic mind - if he hadn't known Jungkook, Taehyung would have proudly declared her to be his soulmate at the very moment she stood besides him at the art gallery. Their relationship progressed quickly and by the seventh month, Taehyung believed he know her well enough to propose.

Well, certainly he didn't know the hidden side of her. She was also a smart girl.

She noticed how Taehyung started pushing the younger boy away just to steal glances at him later. She noticed how Taehyung desperately wanted her to hold his hands tight as if he would have run away right when she let loose. She noticed how much Taehyung loved Jungkook.

But, as she heard fate laughing next to her ears, she noticed how much she loved Taehyung.

So she took her chance, knowing the truth that he would never be her whole. 99% of Kim Taehyung's heart belongs to Jeon Jungkook, the other 1% belongs to his cowardice. She is the opportunist that sneaks into the crack between two parts, forcing a place to stay.

Even while hearing Taehyung's heart breaking in half.
Even while hearing Jungkook's heart breaking in half.
Even while hearing her own heart breaking in half.

- I do.

She says softly. The priest smiles and moves on, but afterwards she cannot hear anything else.

Except the glass-breaking noise ringing in her head.

end.