The mission was over.
The air felt lighter, the gold thread gone, and the couple saved—but Luna couldn't shake the image of Rae Jin's face when he said, "I've seen what happens…"
That night, she sat on the rooftop of her apartment, a blanket over her shoulders, holding a mug of lukewarm tea. The city lights below flickered like fireflies.
She didn't expect him to show up.
But he did.
Rae Jin appeared without a word, sitting beside her like it was the most normal thing in the world. She didn't speak either. Just handed him her other mug.
After a long silence, she asked, "Was there someone before me?"
He didn't look at her. "Yes."
Luna held her breath.
"She was a Threadbearer," he said quietly. "Like you. But she believed in changing fate. Believed that love was stronger."
"And you?"
"I believed her."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "We ran. Hid. Broke every rule. We thought we were clever."
Luna swallowed. "What happened?"
Rae's eyes dropped to the city. "I hesitated. Just once. And I lost her."
The red thread between them trembled faintly.
"I swore I'd never fall for another thread," he said.
Luna turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"So what now?"
Rae finally looked at her.
"Now?" he said. "I break that promise every time I see you."
Her heart skipped.
And for once, she didn't try to hide it.