Cell No. 9 | TaeKook

10 | Turmoil of emotions.

The glow from the window cast a soft light across Jungkook's face as he focused on his book. The afternoon sun made his features look almost ethereal, the lines of his face sharply defined yet softened by the warmth of the light. Taehyung, who had been observing him for some time, stood up and walked over, unable to suppress his curiosity.

Crouching down to be at eye level with Jungkook, Taehyung said, "Did you know that? You look like a painting."

Jungkook, about to turn the page, froze at Taehyung's words. He stiffened, then abruptly stood up, ignoring Taehyung completely, and moved to sit on another spot away from him. Taehyung watched him, confused by Jungkook's odd reaction.

"The food is here," announced the food man from outside the cell. Daejung and Chulsoo got up to get the food, placing it on the table before sitting on the floor to eat. Jungkook joined them, sitting down silently.

Taehyung followed and sat next to Jungkook, but Jungkook immediately shifted to the other side. Daejung and Chulsoo exchanged puzzled glances as they ate.

"What's wrong with them?" Daejung asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chulsoo, with a mischievous grin, suggested, "Relationship conflicts?"

Daejung rolled his eyes and smacked Chulsoo on the back of the head, causing him to choke on his food. "Seriously?" Chulsoo managed between coughs, his eyes watering.

The afternoon found everyone in the workshop, each prisoner focused on their assigned tasks. Taehyung, deeply engrossed in his work, was unaware of the intense gaze fixed on him from across the room. When he finally looked up, he noticed Jungkook watching him. Their eyes met, and Jungkook, startled, jerked his hand back, cutting himself on a sharp machine.

"Ah!" Jungkook exclaimed, pulling his arm away quickly.

Taehyung's eyes widened in alarm. He rushed to Jungkook and grabbed his hand, inspecting the injury. "Are you okay?"

In a sudden, brusque movement, Jungkook yanked his hand away and walked off, leaving Taehyung standing there, bewildered.

Back in their cell later that day, Jungkook stood by the window, his back to the cell. The door creaked open as Taehyung was escorted in by a policeman, who then closed the door behind him. Taehyung walked over to Jungkook and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

Jungkook turned around, his expression unreadable. As Taehyung started to pull his hand away, Jungkook grabbed it, holding it tightly. Taehyung, taken aback, looked into Jungkook's eyes, trying to decipher the emotion there.

Jungkook stepped closer, their faces just inches apart. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "Who are you? Why do you keep doing this to me?"

Taehyung swallowed hard, his own confusion mirroring in his eyes. "I think that was my question. Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"

Jungkook averted his gaze, sighing deeply. "I'm not."

Taehyung's frustration grew. "Yes, you are."

Jungkook took a step back and said, "Think as you wish." He walked away and sat on the ground, opening his book again, his posture tense and defensive.