Love Me Back | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 8

The park was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows across the path as Jimin and Jungkook walked side by side.

The air was crisp with the hint of approaching autumn, leaves crunching under their  as they strolled along in silence. Despite the pesceful surroundings, a tension hung heavy between them, thick with unspoken words and emotions.

Jungkook couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong with Jimin. He had sensed it for months now.,

The way Jimin had been distancing, avoiding him, and putting on a brave face that Jungkook could see right through. It gnawed at him, this distance that seemed to grow with each passing day.

"Hyung," Jungkook finally broke the silence, his voice laced with concern. "You've been acting strange lately. Please, tell me what's wrong."

Jimin forced a smile, trying to brush off Jungkook's concern. "I'm fine, Jungkook-ah. Just stressed with work, that's all."

But Jungkook wasn't buying it. He stopped walking, turning to face Jimin with an intensity that made Jimin falter. "Don't lie to me, hyung. I can see it. You're not fine."

Jimin sighed, his shoulders slumping as he looked away. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Jungkook. I'll figure it out."

"Why won't you talk to me?" Jungkook's frustration was palpable now, his voice rising with each word. "We're supposed to be able to talk to each other about anything, remember?!"

Jimin closed his eyes briefly, trying to gather his thoughts. He didn't want to burden Jungkook with his own illness, especially when he couldn't even begin to comprehend his own feelings. But the pain of keeping it all inside was becoming unbearable.

"I'm sorry," Jimin finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I didn't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?" Jungkook's brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about, hyung?"

Jimin took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I didn't want you to find out... that I-I'm in love."

Jungkook's eyebrows farrowed as he asked Jimin, "with who?"

"I can't" Jimin whispered as Jungkook felt more frustrated.

"Tell me now! I swear if I find that fucking bitch-"

"I'm in love with you Jeon Jungkook!" Jimin shouted, he gasped soon after realizing what he had just said.

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with vulnerability and raw emotion. Jungkook stared at Jimin, his mind struggling to process the confession. It was as if the world had stopped spinning, leaving only the echo of those words reverberating in his ears.

"In love... with me?" Jungkook finally managed to choke out, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Jimin nodded, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I've been trying to hide it, Jungkook. I didn't want to ruin our friendship or make things awkward between us. But I can't keep pretending anymore."

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, his heart pounding in his chest. This was so much to take in, too overwhelming to process all at once. He had never considered the possibility that Jimin might feel this way about him.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Jungkook asked softly, his voice tinged with hurt.

Jimin looked up, tears glistening in his eyes. "I was afraid, Jungkook. Afraid of losing you, of making things awkward. I didn't want to burden you with my feelings."

"But you've been suffering alone," Jungkook whispered, his frustration now tinged with guilt. "I could have helped you, hyung. We could have faced this together."