𝐌𝐘 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃 ✔

e l e v e n

A few days had passed since Jungkook's meeting with my father. The tension between us was slowly starting to ease, though we still kept our distance. The letter from my father had left a lasting impression, but Jungkook's reassurances had helped me find some semblance of peace. Still, the unease lingered in the background, like a storm waiting to break.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the apartment was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, I sat on the living room couch, lost in thought. The day's events replayed in my mind, the routine providing a small comfort. I heard Jungkook's footsteps approaching and tensed slightly, unsure of what to expect.

Jungkook walked in and sat next to me, closer than usual. I shifted a bit, trying to create some distance. He noticed my discomfort but didn't move away. Instead, he gently took my hand in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

"Jisoo," he began, his voice soft but steady, "can we talk?"

I nodded, my heart beginning to race. His serious tone made me nervous. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "I've been thinking a lot about us and our relationship. I know things haven't been easy, and we've had our struggles. But I care about you a lot, Jisoo. I want us to be happy together."

I looked down at our intertwined hands, unsure of what to say. His words were sincere, but I still felt a barrier between us, something I couldn't easily overcome.

"I know," I replied quietly. "I care about you too, Jungkook. It's just... complicated."

He nodded, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. "I understand that. But there's something I need to ask you."

I felt a knot form in my stomach. "What is it?"

He hesitated, then continued, "I was wondering if you're ready for... more intimacy. I mean, it's been a few months, and I just want to know where we stand. I want to be close to you, Jisoo."

His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation. I felt my pulse quicken, the weight of his request pressing down on me. Intimacy was something I hadn't really thought about, not in the context of our reluctant marriage.

"I..." I struggled to find the right words, feeling a mix of emotions. "I'm not ready for that yet, Jungkook. I need more time."

He looked disappointed but didn't let go of my hand. "I understand," he said softly. "I don't want to rush you or make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to be honest about how I feel."

I appreciated his honesty, but it didn't make the situation any easier. I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to give him what he wanted, but I also knew I couldn't force myself to feel something I didn't.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Don't be," he replied, his tone gentle and understanding. "I'll wait, Jisoo. I'll wait as long as it takes."

His words were both a comfort and a reminder of the complicated nature of our relationship. He was willing to wait, but I didn't know if or when I'd be ready to move forward. The uncertainty of it all was daunting.

We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the conversation settling over us. Jungkook's hand remained in mine, a silent promise of his patience and support. I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, in time, we could bridge the gap between us. But for now, I needed to sort through my own feelings.

As the evening turned into night, I excused myself and went to our bedroom, needing some space to think. Jungkook didn't protest, understanding my need for solitude. I closed the door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing.

I thought about our journey so far, the ups and downs, the moments of connection and the persistent distance between us. Jungkook's request for intimacy was a natural progression in any relationship, but ours was far from ordinary. We had been thrust into this marriage, and though we were trying to make it work, there were still so many unresolved emotions.

I lay down, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of my feelings. I cared about Jungkook, and I knew he cared about me, but love was something that couldn't be forced. It had to grow naturally, and I wasn't sure if I was there yet.

The night was long, filled with restless thoughts and unanswered questions. By the time morning came, I felt drained, but there was a small sense of clarity. I needed to be honest with Jungkook, to keep the lines of communication open, even if it was difficult.

When I emerged from the bedroom, Jungkook was already up, preparing breakfast. He greeted me with a warm smile, as if last night's conversation hadn't dampened his spirits. I felt a surge of gratitude for his understanding nature.

"Good morning," he said, handing me a cup of coffee.

"Morning," I replied, taking the cup and sitting down at the table. "Thank you for being so patient with me, Jungkook."

He sat across from me, his expression earnest. "I meant what I said, Jisoo. I'm here for you, no matter how long it takes."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "I appreciate that. And I'll do my best to be honest with you about how I'm feeling."

We ate breakfast in a comfortable silence, a small but significant step forward. The day passed in a blur of routine tasks and quiet moments, each one a reminder of the fragile balance we were trying to maintain.

As night fell once again, I couldn't help but think about our conversation. Jungkook's willingness to wait was a testament to his commitment, but it also highlighted the pressure I felt to meet his expectations. I needed to find a way to reconcile my feelings, to understand what I truly wanted.

We went to bed that night, the silence between us filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. I lay awake, listening to Jungkook's steady breathing, wondering what the future held for us. The journey ahead was uncertain, but at least we were facing it together.