Only On Paper / JJK

Chapter 22

"Y/n, this is the fifth time I've had to tell you to stop staring at me." Jungkook eyes you from his peripheral to where you stand beside him. You avert your gaze once more, cheeks flushing for the umpteenth time.

It's sufficient to say that Jungkook did all of the cooking. You, on the other hand, had been preoccupied with other things, one of which was glimpsing at him on multiple occasions when you were supposed to be doing something else.

Of course, you couldn't get anything done. How could you when this handsome doofus was always so close to you? Curse your kitchen for being so cramped. There's barely enough room for the two of you to move with all the appliances surrounding you. If you weren't a foot apart, you were brushing shoulders. The proximity between you two was a bare minimum. It was basically non-existent half the time.

Luckily, dinner's ready. All that's left is to set the table, which you willingly do to put some much needed distance between you and Jungkook.

You're so indecisive, wanting to be close so him but at the same time so far away. When you aren't with him, you can't think straight. Being near him isn't any better. Your mind is everywhere and nowhere all at once. The only constant thought is Jungkook.

God, what is wrong with you? Everything's that happened has you strung out on two different extremities. If you're not on one side, you're on the other. There's no in between.

"You need to get a hold of yourself." You jolt at the sudden intrusion and almost drop the glass bowls in your hands. Taehyung shakes his head at you. "I puked a little watching you fawn over Jungkook for the past hour. It's like you forgot I was here."

Truth is, you kind of did. It's not like he made his presence known throughout the entire time you and Jungkook prepared dinner. Taehyung didn't make a sound, which is odd for his character. He should've teased you a whole lot sooner, not right now.

You narrow your gaze at him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just a lot to take in and process everything I'm now suddenly remembering. There's some things I sort of wish would've remained forgotten."

At his words, you discern memories with new found clarity. Because when it all comes back, it's not just the good, it's the bad too. Like Taehyung, you will also experience it, and what's even more terrifying is that you're not going to be ready for when it does.

Taehyung is hurting. Whether it was something he or someone else did, the goofy man you've gotten to know in the past 48 hours isn't anywhere to be seen in his glassed over eyes. You can't imagine how heart breaking the recollection must be. You too wish it had stayed forgotten as you place the bowls on the table and comfortingly reach for his hand.

"Anyway," he shifts the conversation, "Yoongi is probably almost here. I'll help you set the table." He gives a soft, appreciative smile and pulls away to head into the kitchen to grab the utensils. You watch him go and catch Jungkook coming out.

As much as you like him and enjoy being around him, you're now leaning more towards keeping away from him. Though you want to remember, you don't want to feel the same kind of pain that Taehyung is.

Minutes later, Yoongi is at your apartment. The second he steps foot inside, he silently observes you to make sure you're okay. He won't say it aloud, he never does, preferring his cold and intimidating aura to how caring he actually is. He's been taken advantage of too many times, but you know how he truly is.

"You made ramyeon?" Yoongi inhales deeply, a corner of his lips tug upward at the delicious smell, but it quickly slips off his round face the moment his eyes land on Jungkook.