Raw Marks | KOOKV✓

Chapter 48

Waking up early wasn't something Jungkook was accustomed to, but today felt different. The moment he opened his eyes at 6 AM, sleep eluded him entirely. Groaning, he tossed and turned on the fluffy bed, glancing out the large window beside him that offered a sweeping view of his part of town. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, a faint glow in the gray sky, but the relentless rain poured down, filling the room with a cold, damp chill

Yesterday lingered in his thoughts. He had met Taehyung again. Every time the memory surfaced, butterflies fluttered in his stomach, his body tingling with nervous excitement. Was it all a dream? Everything felt surreal, like an echo from the past that was too perfect to believe. He found himself smiling, no longer weighed down by uncertainty now that he knew where Taehyung was. He rubbed his face and scratched his messy hair, his gaze once again drifting out the window, where the rain continued its melancholic symphony. His eyes, though focused on the distant town, were filled with guilt

The rain streaked down the glass, and Jungkook rested his chin on his crossed arms, staring out longingly. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for. But he had to try. Yesterday, Taehyung's behavior had given him a strange sense of comfort. Despite everything, the older man hadn't pushed him away. Jungkook wasn't completely satisfied with the half-hearted forgiveness, but he had made a silent promise to himself. He would earn Taehyung's trust again. He would make things right

That thought, fleeting yet hopeful, brought another smile to his lips. But it didn't last. The image of Taehyung's injured leg flickered in his mind, and the smile faded into something somber. Jungkook couldn't fathom how it must have felt for Taehyung, to have his normal life ripped away in an instant, as if everything familiar was stolen from him. The pain, the struggle-it must have been unbearable. Jungkook hated himself for not knowing sooner, for not being there. And worse, he hated Aoi. How could his own brother be so cruel, so heartless? But who was he kidding? He wasn't any better back then. He was the blueprint of Taehyung's suffering

If only he could go back, slap some sense into his 16-year-old self. But time didn't work that way, and regrets only echoed in the silence of today

"Be positive, Jungkook, be positive" he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath to shake off the negative thoughts. Dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything. He had to focus on the present, on today. Taehyung would be coming over soon with the puppy. The fact that the older man still trusted him enough to show up was enough to make Jungkook determined not to let him down this time. The thought made him smile again, a small but genuine smile, as he pushed himself out of bed and headed to freshen up

Just as he stood up, still feeling the lingering warmth of that smile, his phone rang. Startled, he rushed to grab it, his heart pounding a little faster when he saw the name on the screen. It was a text from Taehyung. The excitement was short-lived, though, as the content of the message brought a wave of disappointment

"I can't make it early morning. I forgot that the puppy was scheduled for a vet appointment today. I'll come at 11 PM after my shift is done. The puppy will remain with me until then"

Jungkook sighed, biting his lip as he stared at the message. He wanted to reply right away, but every sentence he typed felt wrong. He typed and deleted several times until he finally settled on something simple but sincere

"Good morning, hyung. Don't worry, I'll wait for you"

Then, almost impulsively, he added "Please be safe at work, and don't forget to take your meals on time"

After hitting send, he felt a wave of nervousness wash over him, anxiously awaiting a reply. He didn't expect much, but Taehyung's immediate response caught him off guard. The words were kind and thoughtful, and at the end of the sentence, there was a small heart. Jungkook's own heart nearly melted at the sight of it