Living Room — Later That Evening
Jungkook sat curled up on the couch, phone clutched tightly in his hands, his thumb hovering over the screen where a text thread with Taehyung sat unopened, unread. He hadn’t messaged since the night at the mansion. He didn’t know what to say.
A part of him wanted to thank him.
Another part still remembered the threat: “I’ll tell Jin.” But then there was that moment the hug, the quiet warmth, the protective arms wrapped around his trembling body.
He bit his lower lip, cheeks warming.
Across the room, Jin walked in with a tray of hot cocoa. He set it down on the table, stealing a glance at Jungkook before sitting across from him.
“You’ve been quiet all day,” Jin said softly.
Jungkook flinched a little. “I-I'm just tired…”
Jin hummed, sipping his cocoa.
“I talked to Taehyung.”
Jungkook’s head snapped up, eyes wide in panic. “W-What?”
Jin nodded, calm. “Last night. He called me.”
Jungkook’s entire body tensed. “Did he… Did he tell you… everything?”
Jin gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “He told me enough.”
Jungkook’s fingers curled tightly around his phone.
“I still don’t like him,” Jin added, voice firmer now. “He hurt you. For month, you came home looking like someone had dimmed your light.”
Jungkook looked down, ashamed.
“But…” Jin continued, voice softening, “I can’t ignore what he did for you either. He protected you. Carried you home. Stayed up watching you breathe just to make sure you were safe.”
Jungkook blinked fast. His heart ached.
“I see the way you look at him, Kook.” Jin’s voice was quiet now. “Even if you haven’t admitted it out loud.”
Jungkook opened his mouth, then shut it again, biting down on his trembling lip.
“I just…” he whispered finally. “I don’t know if I can trust what I feel. I hated him for so long. And now I when he’s nice, it’s worse. It hurts more.”
Jin reached out, gently squeezing his knee. “That’s because it’s real now.”
Jungkook’s eyes filled with tears.
“Whatever happens,” Jin added, “just promise me… you won’t lie to me again. About where you’re going. Who you’re with. I don’t want to lose you, Jungkook.”
Jungkook nodded quickly, tears finally slipping down his cheeks. “I promise, hyung.”
Jin pulled him into a hug, arms tight around him.
And somewhere in his heart, Jungkook realized Maybe this was the start of healing.
For all of them.
Kim Mansion — Taehyung’s Room, Night
The room was dimly lit only the soft amber glow of the lamp on his desk casting long shadows against the walls. Taehyung sat at the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees, head hanging low between his shoulders as he stared blankly at the floor.
His fingers fidgeted with the silver ring on his hand the one he always wore when he was anxious.
Jungkook’s flushed face from last night, his trembling fingers, the way he clung to Taehyung’s shirt like a frightened child it haunted him.
He didn’t sleep much. Not because Jungkook had been in his bed. But because he had been terrified.
Terrified of what could have happened.
Terrified of what he was feeling.
Taehyung let out a shaky breath and ran a hand through his hair, tugging it at the roots.
He thought ignoring Jungkook would make things easier. He thought pushing him away would be enough to erase the guilt and guiltier desires. But it only made things worse.
The more he avoided him, the more he missed him. The more he tried not to look, the more his eyes searched for him in every hallway. The more he lied to himself, the more it hurt.
“Why him?” he muttered, jaw tightening.
Out of all the people why did his heart choose the wide-eyed, pouty-mouthed, frustratingly adorable boy he once teased just for the reaction?
Because Jungkook wasn’t just cute. He was honest. Soft-hearted. He had this gentle glow about him like light trying to seep into Taehyung’s darker corners.
And Taehyung had bruised him. Over and over.
He didn’t deserve the way Jungkook had looked at him last night, even after everything confused, but trusting.
Yoongi’s words echoed in his head from the club:
"He clearly likes you, Tae. Even after everything. What’re you so scared of?"
Taehyung clenched his fists.
He was scared of breaking him again.
He was scared of losing control.
He was scared that if Jungkook ever truly gave himself Taehyung wouldn’t be strong enough to let go.
And most of all… he was scared that if he let himself fall, there would be no way back up.
A soft knock echoed on the door, but Taehyung didn’t answer.
He just sat there, still as a statue, heart aching with an overwhelming, terrifying truth:
He was already in love.
And he didn’t know how to make it right.
TO BE CONTINUE
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𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ
Fanfiction𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐆 "seon-bae wh-what ar-are y-you doing?" - Jungkook blushed "People call me red flag but for you I'll be that every color which you like" - Taehyung ➥ In which Jungkook a nerd coward boy became Obsession of a mafia bad boy Kim Taehyung...
