[ONGOING] ENDURING LOVE (JIKOOK)

04; Fractures Form

✧༺♥༻∞⋆˚｡⋆୨୧˚✧༺♥༻∞˚୨୧⋆｡˚⋆✧༺♥༻∞

The city skyline shimmers beneath the soft glow of the evening light as Jimin gazes out from their penthouse balcony. He sips his coffee, the warmth failing to dispel the quiet unease that has settled in his chest. The past weeks have been a whirlwind of professional achievements, but beneath the surface, a subtle shift has begun to take hold.

Jungkook's unexpected visits have become less frequent, replaced by late nights at the office and hushed phone calls. The once-animated conversations have given way to a more measured exchange of words, and Jimin can't shake the feeling that something has changed.

"Another late night at the office?" Jimin asks, turning to find Jungkook entering the balcony, his expression weary.

Jungkook nods, his shoulders tense. "Yeah, deadlines to meet. You know how it is."

Jimin frowns, concern etching his features. "You've been working so hard lately. Don't forget to take care of yourself, okay?"

Jungkook manages a weak smile. "I'm fine, baby. Just a bit tired," he goes to backhug Jimin with a soft hum.

But Jimin can't shake the feeling that something more is going on. "I miss us, you know," he admits softly, his gaze searching Jungkook's face for any hint of a response.

Jungkook's smile falters, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. "Me too, baby," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You'll be working overtime tomorrow as well?" Jimin leans against Jungkook's chest as Jungkook tightens the hug.

"Most probably yes." Jungkook's voice is almost inaudible to Jimin despite the closeness. "I promise we'll gain back our time together, okay?" He presses a soft on the crook of Jimin's neck.

"It's fine...I understand," Jimin's voice comes out so quiet and the hint of hurt in it doesn't go unnoticed by Jungkook.

Jungkook breaks the hug and gently turns Jimin around to make him face him. The silence is defeating as they look at each other without a word.

"I'm sorry, baby," Jungkook breaks the silence, wrapping his arms around Jimin's waist and pulling him closer. "I didn't mean to make you overthink things. But I promise you, I'm really fine. It's just fatigue that hits me lately."

"I know, My Love. I understand," Jimin forces a smile to mask his uneasy feelings. "All the late night work, of course, your body will get tired," he gently caresses Jungkook's bangs away, neatly tucking them behind Jungkook's ear.

"Let's not dwell on this and go to sleep, shall we?" Jungkook presses a kiss on Jimin's forehead.

"Yeah, sure,"

As they retreat inside, the silence between them feels heavier than ever. Jimin longs to bridge the gap that seems to be growing wider with each passing day, yet he can't find the words to express the turmoil swirling inside him.

As the night air wraps around him, Jimin wonders if the pursuit of their individual passions has inadvertently created a distance between them. It's an unspoken tension, lingering in the spaces between their smiles and the pauses in their conversations.

Little does he know, the uncharted waters of their relationship are just beginning to reveal their complexities, setting the stage for a journey neither of them had anticipated.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈The next morning

As Jimin enters the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, mingling with the faint scent of blooming flowers from the vase on the dining table.