Taehyung.

— Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

Taehyung couldn't remember the last time he'd felt the nicotine raking his throat. Seven years, three months, and eleven days. He'd been counting down the days, afraid of breaking down, and then… he had. He stood on the balcony of the hospital room, where Jungkook lay in the dim light behind the glass.

Smoke blew into his face, but he didn't turn away. He needed something that would burn his lungs and expel his fear.

"You again," a hoarse voice came from behind the glass. Jungkook stood leaning against the doorframe.

“It’s not me,” Taehyung squeezed the cigarette between his fingers. “It’s you. It’s because of you.”

Jungkook tapped on the glass, and Taehyung saw the veins appearing under the thin skin of his wrist.

"Come on," Jungkook said. "I didn't teach you to stop so you could turn into an ashtray again."

Taehyung stubbed out his cigarette on the railing too abruptly, angrily, sending sparks flying. He walked up to the glass and placed his palm against Jungkook's.

"I won't quit," Taehyung said, his voice lower than usual. "I'll smoke as long as you breathe. Got it?"

Jungkook laughed. Quietly, almost soundlessly.

“You’re an idiot,” Jungkook whispered, pressing his fingers to the glass.

Taehyung pulled out the pack again, but this time he simply held it in his hand. He looked at Jungkook, and Jungkook looked back at him.

"If you die," Taehyung said, "I'll smoke the whole pack. One after another. Until I choke."