Chapter 7: chapter 6

Jungkook doesn’t text him that night.

Or the next morning.

Or the day after that.

Taehyung doesn’t think much of it at first. Jungkook is dramatic, emotional, easily swayed by feelings Taehyung doesn’t understand. Maybe he’s sulking. Maybe he’s waiting for Taehyung to reach out.

It doesn’t matter.

Or at least, it shouldn’t.

But by the third day, something begins to shift.

The silence is noticeable.

Taehyung is used to receiving messages at random hours. Jungkook complaining about professors, sending blurry pictures of his meals, or simply texting Hyung, eat something without context.

But now, his phone remains quiet.

And Taehyung realizes something strange.

He misses it.

Not in the way he understands missing an object or a routine. But in the way silence feels heavier when you know what should be there.

At work, Jimin notices.

“Are you okay, sir?”

Taehyung barely looks up from his screen. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Jimin hesitates. “You seem… off.”

“I’m fine.”

Jimin tilts his head, studying him. Then, slowly, he asks, “Did something happen with Jungkook?”

Taehyung stills. “Why do you ask?”

Jimin smiles knowingly. “Because if something were wrong with you, he’d be the first one nagging me about it.”

Taehyung doesn’t respond.

Jimin sighs. “Just fix it, sir. Whatever it is.”

But Taehyung doesn’t know how to fix something when he doesn’t understand what’s broken.

.

.

..

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The next day.

Jungkook still hasn’t called.

Taehyung isn’t waiting.

He isn’t.

But he does find himself staring at his phone more than usual. Opening his messages. Closing them. Checking for notifications that don’t come.

It’s irrational. Illogical. And Taehyung always be rational and logical.

He should be focusing on work, on the upcoming board meeting, on the new business expansion proposal.

Instead, his mind drifts.

Jungkook’s voice. His laughter. His presence that once felt like an intrusion but now....

Now it feels like something Taehyung has gotten used to.

And Taehyung doesn’t like when things change.

He exhales, pressing his fingers against his temples.

Then, before he can stop himself, he picks up his phone.

And calls.

It rings.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then.....

“Hello?”

Jungkook’s voice is quieter than usual. Not cold, but not his usual warmth either.

Taehyung doesn’t know what to say.

He isn’t good at this. At fixing things. At finding the right words.

So he settles for the truth.

“You didn’t text me.”

A pause. Then, Jungkook exhales a small, tired laugh. “That’s what you called me for?”

Taehyung grips the phone tighter. “Yes.”

Jungkook is silent for a moment. Then, he sighs. “Hyung, what do you want from me?”

Taehyung doesn’t know.

He’s never had to answer that question before.

“I don’t like when things change,” he admits.

Jungkook hums, soft but unreadable. “And I don’t like feeling like I’m the only one who cares.”

Taehyung swallows.

There’s a beat of silence between them, stretched thin, fragile.

Then, finally, Jungkook speaks again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Click.

The call ends.

Taehyung stares at his phone.

He should feel relieved.

Instead, all he feels is a strange, unfamiliar tightness in his chest.

And for the first time in a long time....

He wonders if maybe he does feel something, after all.

🐻🐰