The cool night air greeted them as Taehyung and Jungkook walked side by side, hands intertwined, the streets of Seoul familiar yet somehow different after their time away. The distant hum of the city was a stark contrast to the peaceful waves of the beach they had just left behind, but the warmth between them remained unchanged.
Jungkook, ever the gentleman, was pushing Taehyung's luggage with his free hand, maneuvering it smoothly over the pavement. The rhythmic sound of the wheels rolling against the concrete filled the comfortable silence between them.
As they approached the university dormitory building, Taehyung let out a small sigh. "We're back," he murmured, glancing up at the tall structure. His voice held a mix of nostalgia and reluctance, as if he wasn't quite ready to let go of the vacation just yet.
Jungkook, on the other hand, had a completely different struggleâhe wasn't ready to let go of Taehyung.
His grip on Taehyung's hand tightened slightly, his feet hesitating even as they stopped in front of the dorm entrance. He looked at the door, then back at Taehyung, his lips pressing into a pout.
Taehyung noticed immediately and couldn't help but chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Jungkook," he drawled, voice teasing.
Jungkook huffed, his fingers squeezing Taehyung's. "I don't want to let you go yet."
The confession made Taehyung's heart flutter. He knew Jungkook could be clingy at times, but the sincerity in his voice, the way his dark eyes held a silent pleaâit was endearing.
Taehyung smiled fondly before stepping closer, looping his arms around Jungkook's waist in a warm hug. "We literally just spent every second together," he mused, resting his chin on Jungkook's shoulder.
Jungkook sighed dramatically. "And yet, it still wasn't enough."
Taehyung let out a soft laugh before tilting his head, pressing a lingering kiss to Jungkook's cheek.
Jungkook turned his face slightly, expectantly.
Taehyung rolled his eyes but indulged him, pressing another kiss to the other cheek, then one on his nose.
Jungkook smirked. "You missed a spot."
Taehyung scoffed but complied, finally leaning in to press a soft, chaste kiss to Jungkook's lips.
The moment was brief, but the warmth lingered, Jungkook's lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"You happy now?" Taehyung teased, pulling back slightly but still holding onto Jungkook's waist.
Jungkook hummed, pretending to consider. "Mm... I guess it'll doâ"
Taehyung flicked his forehead. "Go home, Ggukie."
Jungkook groaned, rubbing the spot dramatically. "Fine," he relented, but not before sneaking one last peck on Taehyung's forehead.
Taehyung shook his head fondly before stepping back, grabbing the handle of his luggage. "Goodnight, Ggukie."
"Goodnight, muffin," Jungkook murmured, his voice dripping with affection.
Taehyung turned red instantly. "Stop calling me that," he grumbled, quickly turning around to enter the dorm before Jungkook could see just how flustered he was.
Jungkook chuckled, watching Taehyung disappear inside before finally sighing and heading towards his own place.
Jungkook turned on his heel, ready to make his way toward his own dorm, but his steps faltered when he caught sight of a familiar figure standing still in the distance.
Under the dim glow of the streetlights, Gyungho stood motionless, gripping a bouquet of flowers in his hand. His expression was unreadable, but the way his knuckles whitened around the bouquet betrayed his emotions.
Jungkook's brows furrowed slightly as he took in the sceneâthe way Gyungho's shoulders were tense, the bitterness etched across his face.
Meanwhile, Gyungho had been standing in front of the dormitory since the afternoon, waiting. Waiting for Taehyung, waiting for a moment to talk to himâto get him back.
But instead of the reunion he had imagined, he had been forced to watch every single second of Taehyung and Jungkook together.
He had seen Taehyung's eyes light up in a way they never did when he was with him. He had seen the way Taehyung melted so easily in Jungkook's arms, how effortlessly he responded to every touch, every stolen kiss.
And it made him sick.
The Taehyung he had known, the Taehyung who once followed him around, who looked at him like he was the only one that matteredâhe was gone.
Or rather, he had given that part of himself to someone else.
Jungkook, who was now walking toward him, gaze sharp and unreadable.
Gyungho straightened, schooling his features into something unreadable as Jungkook finally reached him.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Jungkook's dark eyes flickered down to the bouquet before settling back on Gyungho's face. His jaw clenched.
"Waiting for someone?" Jungkook finally asked, his voice calm, but laced with something unreadable.
Gyungho scoffed lightly. "You already know the answer to that."
Jungkook hummed, his gaze unwavering. "Taehyung's inside. But I don't think he's expecting you."
Gyungho tightened his grip on the flowers. He was never good at swallowing his pride, and tonight was no exception. "He will," he said, voice edged with certainty. "He always comes back to me."
Jungkook's expression didn't change, but something cold flashed in his eyes.
"Not this time," he said, his voice dangerously calm.
Gyungho's grip on the bouquet trembled, but he forced a smirk. "You're pretty confident for someone who's just a replacement."
Jungkook let out a quiet chuckle, but it wasn't amused. "Funny," he mused, tilting his head. "Because I don't think Taehyung ever looked at you the way he looks at me."
Gyungho's smirk faltered.
Jungkook stepped closer, lowering his voice just slightly. "You saw, didn't you?"
Gyungho didn't respond, but Jungkook caught the slight twitch of his jawâthe way his fingers crumpled the delicate wrapping of the bouquet.
Jungkook took another step forward, close enough that Gyungho could see the sharp glint in his eyes.
"Whatever you had with him," Jungkook continued, voice unwavering, "it's over."
Gyungho inhaled sharply. Jungkook wasn't saying it to convince him. He was saying it because he knew it was true.
Jungkook took one last look at the bouquet before giving Gyungho a final glance, eyes void of any sympathy. "Don't wait for someone who's already moved on."
With that, he turned around and walked away, not sparing Gyungho another glance.
Gyungho remained rooted in place, the weight of Jungkook's words settling heavily on him.
He looked down at the bouquet in his hand. The flowers were beautiful, carefully chosenâbut they felt utterly useless now.
Just like the place he once held in Taehyung's heart.