The rhythm of their lives continued to flow naturally, the initial excitement of their new relationship giving way to a deeper, steadier connection. Jungkook and Jimin had fallen into a comfortable routine—spending time together whenever they could, whether it was grabbing coffee between classes, studying in the library, or simply enjoying quiet evenings at Jungkook’s apartment. Each moment they shared, no matter how ordinary, felt special.
But as weeks turned into months, the honeymoon phase began to settle, and the realities of life started to seep back in. Midterms were approaching, bringing with them the stress of exams, projects, and deadlines. The once leisurely pace of their lives was replaced by the frantic scramble to keep up with their coursework, and their time together became more precious—and more scarce.
Jungkook could feel the strain. The late-night study sessions, the pressure to maintain his grades, and the added responsibility of his part-time job all weighed heavily on him. He had always prided himself on being able to handle whatever life threw at him, but now, with the added layer of his relationship with Jimin, he found himself struggling to find a balance.
Jimin, too, was feeling the pressure. As a dance major, his schedule was packed with rehearsals, performances, and critiques. He was passionate about his craft, but it was physically and mentally demanding. On top of that, he wanted to be there for Jungkook, to support him as much as Jungkook had supported him, but he couldn’t deny that he was exhausted.
They both knew that the next few weeks would be tough, but neither of them wanted to admit just how overwhelming it all felt. They had worked so hard to build their relationship, to navigate the new dynamics between them, and the last thing they wanted was for the stress of school to come between them.
But the tension was there, lurking beneath the surface, and it was only a matter of time before it bubbled over.
---
It was a Thursday evening when things finally came to a head. Jungkook had spent the entire day at the library, buried in textbooks and notes, trying to cram as much information into his brain as possible before his upcoming exams. His eyes were burning from staring at his laptop screen, and his head was pounding from the sheer amount of information he was trying to process.
When he finally dragged himself back to his apartment, all he wanted was to collapse on the couch and forget about everything for a while. But when he walked through the door, he found Jimin waiting for him, a concerned expression on his face.
“Hey, sunbae,” Jimin greeted, his voice soft but tinged with worry. “I was starting to get worried. You’ve been at the library all day. Are you okay?”
Jungkook forced a smile, trying to push aside his exhaustion. “I’m fine, just tired. It’s been a long day.”
Jimin nodded, but there was a frown on his face as he studied Jungkook’s expression. “You look exhausted. Maybe you should take a break, relax for a bit.”
Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I wish I could, but there’s just so much to do. I can’t afford to take a break right now.”
Jimin’s frown deepened, and he stepped closer, reaching out to touch Jungkook’s arm. “You need to take care of yourself, Jungkook. Pushing yourself this hard isn’t going to help you in the long run.”
Jungkook knew Jimin was right, but the stress and exhaustion were making it hard to think clearly. He felt like he was being pulled in a hundred different directions, and the weight of it all was starting to feel unbearable.
“I know, Jimin,” Jungkook said, his voice more clipped than he intended. “But I don’t have a choice. I have to keep up with everything, or I’m going to fall behind.”
