The Change Within

⑧What Did You Mean?

 
Taehyung wouldn’t lie; the words Jeongguk said before he left him alone on the balcony stuck with him, preventing him from finishing the next chapter of his novel and sleeping with ease.

He usually slept late since only at night he had time to write, but yesterday, he slept two hours later than he should. That was one reason he was in a bad mood the moment he woke up. He needed his sleep to function, and with only four hours of sleep, he didn’t even want people to breathe next to him.

Brows firmly knitted in a scowl and lips set in a hard line, he plodded towards the door fully ready, backpack in hand.

“Good morning?” Hoseok uttered while he observed his moody expression, not knowing what was happening.

“Yeah,” Taehyung mumbled as he rested his forehead against the wall, closing his eyes.

“Are you okay?” Yoongi asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Sleepy.”

“I see.” Yoongi chuckled lightly, giving him a few pats on his back. “Wait, I forgot to take a book. Be right back.”

As the three waited for the boy, Taehyung forced his eyes open and leaned with his back against the wall. His eyes fell to Jeongguk’s hands, and he tilted his head in confusion as he scanned the elastic bandages around his knuckles.

“What happened to your hands?”

The younger pulled his sleeves lower at the unexpected inquiry and cast him a glare. “Nothing. From boxing.”

“When did you box? I saw you like nine hours ago.”

“I have a punching bag in my room, okay?” Jeongguk spat out peevishly.

“That doesn’t really answer my question.”

“And I don’t really care.”

Taehyung gritted his teeth as he grasped his backpack tighter, striving not to lash out at him. “I’m just saying, did you box at five in the morning or something? Because I didn’t hear you.”

“What’s up with all these questions?” Jeongguk snarled as he neared him with one stride, wanting to intimidate him, but Taehyung didn’t seem fazed by the proximity. “Didn’t you understand what I said yesterday? Do I have to repeat myself with you?”

“First, back off because I’m gonna punch your dumb face,” he shot back, voice rumbling with a warning Jeongguk ignored. “And second, if I want to ask something, I will. You can’t tell me what to do. But then again, I don’t know why I even bother.”

“Okay, okay.” Hoseok sighed as he set a hand between them and gently pushed Jeongguk back, who was still shooting daggers at the other.

“I wasn’t even gone for one minute and you guys are fighting?” Yoongi asked as he trod closer, shaking his head in frustration.

“If he could just stay out of my business, we wouldn’t have to fight,” Jeongguk muttered while glaring at the violet-haired boy, receiving the same fierce look from him.

“Yeah, like you need a reason to fight with someone,” Taehyung said under his breath and yanked the door open, bolting out of the house without waiting for anyone.

   
Everything at the university flowed by as usual. Jeongguk was in his own bubble while Taehyung bantered with the others, something that elevated his mood. By the end of their classes, he returned to being the high-spirited boy he was despite the lack of sleep.

The glances and glares between the two boys carried on strong until the very moment they finished eating at home and went to their rooms.

🥀