Love Me Back | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 7

Jungkook and Taehyung were focused on a heated match on their PS5, their competitive mood filling the room with energy.

It was a rare moment of relaxation amidst their busy schedules, but even in the midst of gaming, thoughts of Jimin ran in Jungkook's mind like an broken record.

As Jungkook moves his character through the virtual battlefield, his fingers moved mechanically while his thoughts strayed to Jimin. The way Jimin had been avoiding him lately gnawed at him like an itch he couldn’t scratch.

Suddenly, in a lull between levels, Jungkook blurted out, almost absentmindedly, "I miss Jimin."

Taehyung, who was intensely focused on the game, paused briefly, surprised by Jungkook's sudden confession. He glanced at Jungkook, noticing the slight furrow in his brow that betrayed his concern. Setting his controller down, Taehyung leaned back on the couch.

"Yeah, I miss Jimin too," Taehyung replied casually, unaware of the storm brewing in Jungkook's mind.

Jungkook's reaction was immediate, his competitive demeanor melting away as a possessive edge crept into his voice. "I miss him more," he stated firmly, perhaps more forcefully than he intended.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Jungkook's tone. "Hey, Kook, it's not a competition," Taehyung said with a chuckle, trying to lessen the tension. "We all miss Jimin. He's our hyung."

Jungkook's jaw tensed, his fingers gripping the controller a little too tightly. "I know, but... it's different," he muttered, more to himself than to Taehyung.

Taehyung studied Jungkook's expression, recognizing the familiar mix of frustration and longing. He had seen Jungkook's protectiveness towards Jimin grow over time, but now it seemed to border on possessiveness.

"Is everything okay, Jungkook?" Taehyung asked gently, his voice softening with concern.

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Tae. It's just... Jimin's been acting weird lately, and I can't figure out why. He's avoiding me, and it's driving me crazy."

Taehyung nodded, his own worry for Jimin surfacing. "Maybe he's just going through something. We should talk to him, figure out what's going on."

Jungkook hesitated, torn between his desire to protect Jimin and his need to understand what was happening. "I've tried, Tae. Every time I ask, he brushes it off like it's nothing. But I can tell something's wrong."

Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "He'll open up when he's ready, Kookie. Just give him some time."

Jungkook nodded, trying to relax his tense muscles. "Yeah, you're right. I just... I hate seeing him like this."

"We all do," Taehyung agreed softly. "But we're here for him, and we'll figure it out together."

As they resumed their game, the atmosphere was tinged with unspoken concern for their friend. Jungkook couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was happening with Jimin, something he couldn't ignore any longer. Deep down, he knew he needed to confront Jimin, to unravel the mystery that had been haunting them all.

That night, in the dimly lit living room of their shared dormitory, Yoongi, Taehyung, and Hoseok lounged comfortably on the couches, unwinding after a long day.

The soft glow of the lamp cast gentle shadows across their faces as they sipped on their drinks, the atmosphere relaxed .

Yoongi was the first to break the silence, his voice curious. "Have you guys noticed how Jungkook's been acting lately? He's been... different."

Taehyung nodded, recalling the earlier conversation with Jungkook during their gaming session. "Yeah, he seemed really possessive when I mentioned missing Jimin. Almost like he's trying to stake a claim."

Hoseok furrowed his brow, his mind racing through recent memories. "Now that you mention it, Jungkook has been protective of Jimin for a while. Remember during fanmeets? He would often switch seats with us just to sit next to Jimin, and he's always quick to shield him from overenthusiastic fans."

Yoongi chuckled softly, a hint of fondness in his voice. "Yeah, I remember. It's like he has this radar for whenever someone gets too close to Jimin. He's like a puppy, always following his owner."

Taehyung nodded in agreement. "Definitely. I've seen him do it countless times, even off stage. He's always checking on Jimin, making sure he's okay."

Hoseok leaned forward, his expression serious. "Do you think it's because he... you know, has feelings for Jimin?"

The question hung in the air, a weighty silence settling over the room as they each considered the possibility. Yoongi took a thoughtful sip of his drink before responding. "It wouldn't surprise me. Jungkook's always been fiercely protective of those he cares about. But with Jimin... it feels different, doesn't it?"

Taehyung sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. "I think you're right, hyung. Maybe Jungkook's feelings for Jimin go deeper than we realized."

Hoseok nodded, his mind racing with concern for both Jungkook and Jimin. "Whatever it is, we should talk to them. They've been our family for so long, we can't just sit back and watch this unfold without doing anything."

Yoongi glanced at his friends, his expression blank. "Let's give them some time to sort it out, but if things don't improve... we'll step in. They're not alone in this, and we'll make sure they know that."

Late in that evening, after the members had settled into their own rooms, Jungkook found himself standing outside Jimin's closed door. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering near the door handle, before finally knocking softly.

"Hyung, are you there?" Jungkook called out, his voice tentative.

Inside the room, Jimin paused, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of Jungkook's voice. He had been lost in his thoughts, staring at the ceiling as he wrestled with his feelings and the weight of his secret.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Jimin stood up and walked over to the door, opening it slowly to find Jungkook standing there, his expression unreadable in the soft glow of the hallway light.

"Jungkook-ah," Jimin greeted, his voice soft with surprise. "Is everything okay?"

Jungkook shifted slightly, his gaze meeting Jimin's with a mix of concern and vulnerability. "Can you accompany me outside? I... I want to go to the park," he said, his words hesitant but filled with a quiet intensity.

Jimin blinked, taken aback by the unexpected request. He studied Jungkook's face, searching for any hint of what lay behind his request. "The park?" Jimin echoed, curiosity and caution mingling in his voice.

"Yeah," Jungkook replied, his voice gaining a touch of urgency. "It's a nice night, and... I think we both could use some fresh air."

Jimin hesitated, torn between the instinct to retreat back into the safety of his room and the desire to understand what Jungkook was really asking.

But something in Jungkook's eyes, a flicker of raw emotion that Jimin couldn't ignore, urged him to step forward instead of pulling away.

"Okay," Jimin agreed quietly, offering Jungkook a small, uncertain smile. "Let's go to the park."

Jungkook's shoulders relaxed visibly, a hint of relief flashing across his face before he nodded. "Great," he said, his voice calmer now. "Let's go."

Together, they walked down the hallway in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. As they stepped outside into the cool night air, Jimin couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at the park and what Jungkook hoped to find there.

But for now, they walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly on the pavement, each step bringing them closer to a truth neither of them could escape.