Chapter 17: chapter 16

Taehyung sits in his office, but his mind isn’t on work.

It’s on Jungkook.

On his words from last night.

You wouldn’t understand, hyung.

Taehyung doesn’t like that sentence.

He doesn’t know why.

But it lingers.

He picks up his phone.

For a moment, he just stares at the screen.

Then, before he can stop himself, he types:

Taehyung: Explain it to me.

Jungkook’s reply comes minutes later.

Jungkook: Explain what?

Taehyung tightens his grip on the phone.

Then, slowly, he types

Taehyung: What you meant last night.

A long pause.

Jungkook: Are you sure you want to know?

Taehyung exhales.

Is he?

He doesn’t know

Taehyung: Yes.

Another pause. Longer this time.

Then Jungkook’s reply appears.

Jungkook: Okay. Meet me after class.

Taehyung stares at the screen.

Something tightens in his chest.

But he doesn’t think about it.

Instead, he sets his phone down.

And he waits.

.

.

.

.

Jungkook sits on a bench, his legs stretched out, watching the sky darken.

He hears footsteps.

He doesn’t need to turn around to know who it is.

Taehyung stops beside him.

Jungkook tilts his head. “You actually came.”

Taehyung simply sits down beside him.

For a while, neither of them speaks.

Then, softly, Taehyung says, “Tell me.”

Jungkook stares at the ground.

Then he chuckles.

It’s quiet. Bitter.

“You really want to know, hyung?”

Taehyung doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Jungkook exhales.

“I want you.”

Silence.

Taehyung blinks.

Jungkook laughs, shaking his head. “See? You don’t understand.”

Taehyung stares at him.

He opens his mouth. Then closes it.

Because he doesn’t know what to say.

Jungkook sighs, leaning back against the bench. “It’s okay, hyung.”

Taehyung swallows.

But it doesn’t feel okay.

Not at all.

.

.

.

.

Taehyung stands in his living room, staring at nothing.

Jungkook’s words echo in his mind.

I want you.

Taehyung doesn’t know what he feels.

Or if he feels anything at all.

But he knows one thing.

For the first time in his life.

He wishes he did.

🐻🐰