Chapter 18: chapters 17

Taehyung wakes up earlier than usual.

Not because of an alarm.

Not because of a meeting.

But because of something else.

Something that sits heavy in his chest.

I want you.

Jungkook’s voice. Jungkook’s words.

They haven’t left his mind since last night.

He sits up, running a hand through his hair.

His room feels unusually quiet.

Almost suffocating.

He exhales and reaches for his phone.

He doesn’t know why.

But when he sees no new messages, something in him sinks.

Jungkook always texts first.

Always.

But not today.

.

.

.

.

Jungkook is in class, but he isn’t listening.

His fingers tap against his desk, his gaze unfocused.

He knows he made things awkward.

He knows Taehyung probably doesn’t know how to respond.

But still....

Would it have been so bad if Taehyung had said something?

Anything?

Jungkook exhales.

This is exactly why he didn’t want to say it out loud.

But it’s too late now.

.

.

.

.

Taehyung sits at his desk, staring at the untouched coffee Jimin placed in front of him.

His phone vibrates.

A message.

For a second, his heart jumps.

But it’s not Jungkook.

It’s Jimin

Jimin: Sir, your 12 PM lunch meeting is confirmed.

Taehyung locks his phone.

He doesn’t know why he feels disappointed.

It doesn’t make sense.

Nothing about this makes sense.

.

.

.

.

Jungkook walks out of his classroom, adjusting his bag.

He isn’t expecting anyone.

Which is why he freezes when he sees Taehyung standing by the entrance.

Dressed in his usual dark coat, perfectly pressed,  hands in his pockets.

Waiting.

For him.

Jungkook blinks. “Hyung?”

Taehyung looks at him. “Let’s talk.”

Jungkook’s fingers tighten around the strap of his bag.

Then he exhales. “Okay.”

.

.

.

.

They sit across from each other in a quiet café.

Two cups of coffee between them.

But neither of them takes a sip.

Taehyung is the first to speak. “About yesterday.”

Jungkook looks down at his cup. “You don’t have to say anything, hyung.”

Taehyung exhales. “But I want to.”

Jungkook glances up. “Do you?”

Taehyung doesn’t answer immediately.

Because he doesn’t know.

So instead, he says, “I don’t understand.”

Jungkook laughs, but it’s hollow. “Yeah. I figured.”

Taehyung studies him.

Jungkook, who always smiles. Always laughs.

But not now.

Not today.

And Taehyung doesn’t like it.

So he says, “But I want to.”

Jungkook stills.

Slowly, he looks up. “What?”

Taehyung meets his gaze. “I want to understand.”

Jungkook stares at him for a long time.

Then, quietly, he asks, “And what if you never do?”

Taehyung doesn’t know the answer to that.

But he wants to find out.

And maybe...

That’s enough.

For now.

🐻🐰