Torn Between Hearts

The atmosphere backstage was buzzing with excitement. BTS had just finished another successful concert, their energy still lingering in the air as they made their way to the dressing room. Taehyung plastered on his best boxy smile, keeping up the illusion that everything was perfect. But inside, his heart ached as he watched Yoongi's small but genuine smile directed at Jungkook, his boyfriend."Hyung, you were amazing as always," Jungkook said, bouncing on his feet as he wrapped an arm around Yoongi's shoulder. Yoongi leaned into the touch, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.Taehyung's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he quickly recovered, joining the others in their laughter. "Yeah, Yoongi-hyung, your rap really killed it tonight.""Thanks, Tae," Yoongi responded, his gaze warm but distant. It was a simple exchange, one they'd had countless times before, but the words lodged themselves in Taehyung's chest, heavy and painful. He wanted more—needed more from Yoongi—but the man's affection was reserved for someone else.Taehyung had been in love with Yoongi for years, ever since they debuted. But timing had always been their enemy. He had watched as Yoongi grew closer to Jungkook, their relationship blossoming into something beautiful and real. Taehyung had tried to be happy for them, but it was impossible to fully bury the longing in his heart.

---The van ride back to the dorm was filled with playful banter and teasing as they reflected on the night's performance. Taehyung stayed quiet, laughing when appropriate but keeping to himself for the most part. His mind was elsewhere, swirling in thoughts he wished he could forget.In the dorm, they went their separate ways to unwind. Taehyung retreated to the kitchen, mindlessly pouring himself a glass of water as he leaned against the counter. The sound of quiet footsteps drew his attention, and he turned to see Yoongi entering the room."Can't sleep?" Yoongi asked, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. His voice was soft, almost gentle."Just...thinking," Taehyung answered, his eyes locking onto Yoongi's. He could see the dark circles under his eyes, the exhaustion Yoongi hid so well from everyone else. He always worried about him."About what?" Yoongi's question hung in the air, but before Taehyung could respond, Jungkook appeared, a sleepy smile on his face as he leaned against the doorframe."Hyung, come to bed?" Jungkook's voice was barely a whisper, but it cut through Taehyung's thoughts like a knife. He watched as Yoongi's expression softened further, a tenderness reserved only for Jungkook."I'll be right there," Yoongi murmured before giving Taehyung a small nod and following Jungkook out of the kitchen.Taehyung's chest tightened painfully as he stood alone in the now-empty room. He gripped the counter until his knuckles turned white, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill. He didn't know how much longer he could keep pretending.

---Days turned into weeks, and the weight of Taehyung's unspoken feelings grew heavier. It was hard enough seeing Yoongi and Jungkook together during practice and in public, but it was unbearable during the quiet moments in the dorms when they'd share affectionate glances, or when Yoongi would rest his head on Jungkook's shoulder while they watched a movie.The others began to notice Taehyung's unusual quietness. Namjoon tried to talk to him, thinking it was stress from work, while Jimin and Hobi tried to cheer him up with their usual antics. But no one knew the real reason behind his mood.Except Yoongi.It was late one night when Yoongi found Taehyung on the balcony, staring blankly at the city lights. The cold air nipped at their skin, but neither of them paid much attention to it."You've been avoiding me," Yoongi said, leaning against the railing beside Taehyung.Taehyung tensed, his grip tightening on the metal railing. "I'm not avoiding you, hyung.""Don't lie to me, Taehyung. I know you better than that."The honesty in Yoongi's voice was both comforting and devastating. It took every ounce of strength Taehyung had to keep his composure. "I just have a lot on my mind.""Talk to me. You used to tell me everything." Yoongi's voice was soft, almost pleading. He hated seeing Taehyung like this—so distant, so unlike the vibrant person he knew.Taehyung let out a shaky breath, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "What if...I told you there was something I couldn't tell you?"Yoongi's brow furrowed. "Why can't you tell me?""Because it would change everything," Taehyung whispered, his voice barely audible. He finally turned to look at Yoongi, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm in love with you, Yoongi."The confession hung in the air, raw and vulnerable. Yoongi's breath caught in his throat as the weight of Taehyung's words hit him. He didn't know what to say—how to respond. He had never seen Taehyung like this before, so broken and exposed."Tae...I—""You don't have to say anything," Taehyung interrupted, wiping away a stray tear. "I know you're with Jungkook. I don't want to ruin what you have. I just—I needed to say it because it's been tearing me apart."Yoongi's heart ached at the sight of Taehyung's pain. He reached out, pulling Taehyung into a tight hug, feeling the younger man tremble in his arms. "You should've told me sooner."Taehyung buried his face in Yoongi's shoulder, letting the tears flow freely now. "I couldn't, hyung. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you."Yoongi's grip tightened. "You're not losing me. You'll never lose me."

---For days, things felt strained between them. Taehyung tried to distance himself, giving Yoongi and Jungkook space, but it only made the void in his chest grow wider. He hated how complicated everything had become, how he couldn't even look at Yoongi without feeling his heart crack.Yoongi, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about Taehyung's confession. He had always cared for Taehyung deeply, but he had never considered the possibility of them being more than friends. He loved Jungkook, that much was clear, but there was a part of him that couldn't ignore the bond he had with Taehyung—a bond that had always been special, even if it had gone unspoken.The tension finally came to a head one night when they were all gathered in the living room, playing games and joking around like they used to. But the tension between Yoongi, Taehyung, and Jungkook was palpable, even if the others pretended not to notice."Hyung, are you okay?" Jungkook asked Yoongi quietly when the others were distracted. He had noticed Yoongi's distant behavior lately, how he seemed preoccupied even when they were together.Yoongi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to talk."Jungkook's heart sank at those words, fear gnawing at his insides. "About what?"Yoongi's gaze flickered over to Taehyung, who was laughing at something Hobi had said, but there was no joy in his eyes. "About us. About what's right for all of us."

---Later that night, Yoongi and Jungkook had a long, honest conversation about their relationship, about Taehyung, and about where they stood. It was painful, but they both knew it was necessary. Jungkook had seen the way Taehyung looked at Yoongi, and while it hurt, he knew that Taehyung's love was something deeper, something that had been there long before he entered the picture.Jungkook's eyes were glassy with unshed tears as he finally said, "Hyung, I think you need to figure out what you really want. I don't want to be the reason either of you are unhappy."Yoongi pulled Jungkook into a hug, his heart heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry, Jungkook. I never wanted to hurt you.""I know, hyung. But maybe it's time for you to stop running from what's in front of you."

---It took time—days of reflection, conversations that left them all emotionally drained—but eventually, Yoongi made a decision. He couldn't keep denying the connection he had with Taehyung, couldn't keep pretending that his feelings hadn't shifted over time.One evening, Yoongi found Taehyung sitting on the rooftop, lost in thought as he stared at the sunset. The golden light bathed him in warmth, making him look both ethereal and heart-wrenchingly sad."Hyung?" Taehyung's voice was soft, laced with confusion as Yoongi sat beside him."We need to talk," Yoongi said, the words heavy with meaning.Taehyung nodded, bracing himself for whatever was about to come. "About what?""About us. About how I've been an idiot for not seeing what was right in front of me." Yoongi's voice trembled slightly, uncharacteristically emotional.Taehyung's eyes widened, hope and disbelief warring in his chest. "What are you saying?"Yoongi reached out, taking Taehyung's hand in his. "I'm saying that I've been scared—scared of hurting Jungkook, scared of messing things up between us. But I can't keep lying to myself. I care about you, Tae, more than I ever let myself admit."Tears welled up in Taehyung's eyes, his breath hitching as he searched Yoongi's face for any hint of uncertainty. But all he saw was sincerity, a raw vulnerability that made his heart swell. "You really mean that?"Yoongi nodded, squeezing Taehyung's hand. "I do. I want to be with you, Tae. If you'll still have me."Taehyung couldn't hold back the sob that escaped him as he threw himself into Yoongi's arms, clinging to him like he was afraid this was all a dream. "Of course I will. I've been waiting for you for so long, hyung."Yoongi held him close, letting out a shaky breath as relief washed over him. "I'm sorry for making you wait."

---Things weren't perfect after that. There were still awkward moments, lingering feelings that needed to be resolved, and a lot of healing to be done. But for the first time in a long time, Taehyung felt like he could breathe again, like the gaping hole in his chest was finally starting to close.Jungkook, though heartbroken at first, eventually found peace in seeing the two people he cared about the most happy together. It took time, but they managed to remain close, their bond as brothers stronger than ever.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in shades of pink and orange, Yoongi and Taehyung sat side by side, hands intertwined, as they watched the world settle into night. There were no more secrets between them, no more unspoken words. Just the comforting silence of knowing they were exactly where they were meant to be—with each other.

*THE END*