The next day, Taehyung walked into class with his usual calm demeanor. He could feel eyes on him, but he didn't spare them a glance. He knew Gyungho was watching.
Throughout the entire lecture, Taehyung could sense the lingering presence behind himâGyungho, fidgeting in his seat, waiting for the right moment to approach him. But Taehyung didn't care.
He had nothing left to say.
The moment the professor dismissed the class, Taehyung swiftly gathered his things and stood up, heading straight for the door. He heard footsteps following him, but he refused to stop.
But Gyungho wasn't one to give up easily.
Right before Taehyung could step into the hallway, a firm grip caught his wrist, pulling him back.
"Tae," Gyungho exhaled, his voice almost relieved. "Finally, I have a chance to talk to you."
Taehyung's body tensed as he turned around, expression unreadable. He yanked his wrist back, trying to break free. "Let me go."
Gyungho tightened his hold, eyes desperate. "Tae, didn't you like me before? I promise you that we can be together now."
Taehyung's eyes darkened. He was tired of this.
"I told you a long time ago," he said coldly. "I stopped liking you. Stop plastering yourself all over me. It's annoying."
The rejection stung.
Gyungho's grip faltered for a second before his face twisted in frustration. And then, he snapped.
"No!" His sudden yell echoed through the hallway, making students turn their heads in surprise.
"You can't stop liking me!" His voice cracked with desperation. "Please, just be my boyfriend. Please."
Taehyung froze.
He could handle Gyungho's persistence, his arrogance, but thisâthis was something else.
For the first time, he saw something terrifying in Gyungho's eyes. A delusional belief that Taehyung still belonged to him.
A wave of unease settled in Taehyung's chest.
His voice was firm despite his unease. "I like Jungkook."
Gyungho's face crumbled.
Taehyung inhaled deeply before continuing. "I only like him. He is my boyfriend now. Even in the coming future I might marry him." His eyes bore into Gyungho's, unwavering. "It's not possible for us anymore. Just give up."
And with that, he pushed Gyungho away with all his strength.
Gyungho stumbled back, completely stunned.
"How can that be..." he whispered, his eyes clouded with disbelief. "Didn't you swear that you would only like me for the rest of your life?"
Taehyung scoffed. "I was young and stupid."
Gyungho clenched his fists. "I can give you anything Jungkook can give you."
A bitter chuckle left Taehyung's lips. He tilted his head, eyes filled with something unreadable.
"No, you can't."
Because what Jungkook gave me, you couldn't give me in seven lifetimes. The selfless love and respect. That no one can give me as Jungkook gave me.
Without another word, Taehyung turned around and walked away, leaving Gyungho standing frozen in the middle of the hallway.
Gyungho stood frozen in the middle of the hallway, watching Taehyung's retreating figure. His hands clenched into fists.
No. This wasn't over.
His heart pounded as he pushed past the students whispering about the confrontation.
Taehyung didn't mean it. He couldn't have meant it.
Ignoring the looks thrown his way, he quickened his pace, following the path Taehyung had taken.
He wouldn't accept this rejection.
But before he could reach himâ
A figure stepped into his path.
Jungkook.
He was standing at the top of the staircase, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other resting lazily on the railing. His expression? Cold.
Too cold.
Jungkook had been there. He had heard everything.
And Taehyung's blatant rejection of Gyungho had made him smile.
Gyungho gritted his teeth. "Move."
Jungkook didn't move. Instead, he let out a slow exhale, tilting his head as his sharp eyes met Gyungho's. "Didn't you hear him? He's not interested in you anymore."
Gyungho scoffed. "You think your little love story will last? It won't. You and Taehyung will eventually break up, and when that happensâhe'll come back to me."
The words made Jungkook's expression shift in an instant.
He saw red.
Before Gyungho could react, Jungkook had grabbed him by the collar, yanking him closer. Their faces were mere inches apart.
"Say that again."
Gyungho smirked. "You heard me."
Jungkook's grip tightened. "You're delusional."
Gyungho grabbed Jungkook's shirt in return, his own anger boiling over. "You don't deserve him."
And thenâ
It happened too fast.
Their struggle caused them both to lose their balance.
Gyungho's foot slipped first, throwing him off-balance. He instinctively gripped Jungkook's collar tighter, but that only dragged Jungkook down with him.
A sharp gasp echoed in the hallway.
The next momentâthey were falling.
Jungkook barely had time to react before his back hit the steps, the impact jolting through his body. Gyungho tumbled alongside him, both of them crashing down the stairs in a messy heap.
"JUNGKOOK!"
A voice rang through the air, filled with panic.
Taehyung.
He had seen everything.
His eyes were wide with fear as he rushed forward, heart pounding.
Gyungho, still groaning on the floor, looked up, a small smirk forming. He's coming for me.
But thenâhis smirk dropped.
Taehyung didn't even look at him.
He ran straight to Jungkook.
Sliding to his knees, Taehyung cupped Jungkook's face immediately, scanning him for injuries. His hands trembled slightly as he pushed Jungkook's hair back, his touch featherlight yet urgent.
"Are you okay?" His voice was laced with nothing but concern.
Jungkook groaned, shifting slightly. "I'm fine, baby."
Taehyung frowned. "You're not fine. You just fell down the stairs."
Gyungho, still sitting on the floor, stared.
Why... Why wasn't Taehyung looking at him?
His chest tightened as he watched Taehyung fuss over Jungkook, his eyes filled with nothing but affection and worry.
It wasn't fair.
Jungkook, despite the pain in his body, smirked at Gyungho.
He had won.
Taehyung's arms wrapped around Jungkook's, pulling him up gently.
"We're going to the infirmary." Taehyung said, his voice firm. Then, as if just remembering Gyungho's existence, he turned.
His eyes were cold.
Not a single trace of concern.
"Stay away from him."
Gyungho froze.
And just like that, Taehyung turned away, guiding Jungkook down the hallwayânever looking back.
____________
Taehyung's grip on Jungkook's wrist was tight.
Too tight.
But he didn't care. Not when Jungkook had just fallen down the damn stairs.
His heart was still racing, panic surging through his veins as he pulled Jungkook toward the infirmary. He didn't even realize how fast he was walkingâuntil Jungkook let out a small chuckle.
"Baby, slow down. I'm not dying."
Taehyung whipped his head around, his glare sharp enough to cut through steel. "Shut up, Jungkook."
Jungkook grinned despite himself. Angry Taehyung was adorable.
They finally reached the infirmary, and as soon as they stepped inside, Taehyung yanked Jungkook toward the nearest bed, pushing him down by his shoulders.
Jungkook barely had time to react before Taehyung started fussing over him.
"Take off your jacket."
Jungkook blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Take it off!" Taehyung snapped, already reaching for the hem of Jungkook's hoodie, his hands urgently checking for any signs of injury.
Jungkook raised an amused brow. "Muffin, if you wanted to undress me, you could've just asked nicely."
Taehyung's head snapped up, eyes blazing. "JUNGKOOK!"
Jungkook laughed. "What? I mean, you're all over me right nowâ"
"I swear to God, if you don't shut up, I will kick you off this bed."
Jungkook bit back a grin, deciding it was best not to push his luck. Taehyung was seriously worried.
And Jungkook... loved that about him.
With a sigh, Taehyung continued his inspection, pressing his fingers against Jungkook's arms, his shoulders, his waistâsearching for any sign of bruising or swelling.
When he reached Jungkook's forehead, his breath hitched.
A small red mark was forming near Jungkook's temple.
Taehyung's stomach sank.
Jungkook noticed the way Taehyung's fingers lingered there, his thumb gently tracing the injury as if trying to erase it.
"Tae," Jungkook murmured, his voice softer now.
Taehyung didn't say anything for a moment. Then, his lips pressed into a thin line, his hands dropping to his lap.
"You're so stupid."
Jungkook blinked. "What?"
Taehyung's head snapped up, frustration etched into every feature.
"Why would you fight him on the stairs?! What were you thinking?!"
Jungkook sighed. "I wasn't going to let him talk like thatâ"
"You could've gotten seriously hurt, Jungkook! Do you not understand that?!"
Jungkook blinked at him, stunned by the tremble in Taehyung's voice.
Taehyung was genuinely scared.
Jungkook exhaled. "Tae..."
"Shut up."
Jungkook smiled. "You just told me to shut up outside too."
"I'll say it again. Shut up."
Jungkook's grin widened before he wrapped his arms around Taehyung's waist, pulling him close.
Taehyung froze. "W-Whatâ"
"I'm sorry," Jungkook murmured into his shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
Taehyung let out a shaky breath, his hands gripping Jungkook's hoodie.
"...Idiot."
Jungkook chuckled. "Yes. I am. You are right."
Taehyung groaned, but his heart melted.
Still, he pulled back, lightly flicking Jungkook's forehead. "Okay, enough. Let me treat your injury before it gets worse."
Jungkook pouted. "You're being so mean to me."
Taehyung ignored him, grabbing the first aid kit from the counter. He poured some disinfectant on a cotton pad, then turned back to Jungkook.
"This might sting a little," Taehyung mumbled, pressing the pad gently against Jungkook's forehead.
Jungkook hissed dramatically. "Ow, owâTae, be gentleâ"
"I am being gentle, you dumbass."
Jungkook smiled fondly as Taehyung concentrated, his lips pressed together in focus.
The way Taehyung handled him with so much care made Jungkook's chest tighten with warmth.
Thisâthis was why Gyungho could never compare.
Because Taehyung chose him.
And Jungkook would never let him regret it.