TEMPESTUOUS TIES

UNSTRUNG

Jungkook had made a firm decision-he wouldn't interfere in Taehyung's life anymore. Not in person, not even through social media. He withdrew from their usual gang too. The truth was, Jimin and Seoyoung were nearing the end of high school, and they'd soon be off to college with Jin. Jungkook decided to leave things to fate. He believed they were meant to be together, and if that were true, destiny would bring them back together, right?

For a month, Taehyung tried to reach out to his online friend, @eat<-i'murs (Jungkook), but received no response. Except when a new song from their band was released or when Taehyung posted one of his song covers. Then, like clockwork, his online friend would message with comments about the music. And he never forgot to wish Taehyung on his birthday. Even though Taehyung sometimes felt neglected, there was always a small comfort in knowing someone out there remembered him.

Jin, on the other hand, took good care of Taehyung. Their other hyungs were there too, supporting him. In fact, Taehyung had become the pampered one in their circle. Their parents rarely contacted them, but when they did, it was usually something like, "We're thinking of getting a divorce." Jin and Taehyung had long since decided not to let such things affect them. Music had always been their escape. Slowly, the Kim brothers were finding their own freedom-from their dysfunctional family life. But one thing still eluded them: finding a real home.

---

After one year:

Seoyoung and Jimin were nearly done with their first year of college. Jungkook, however, had one more year of high school left. By distancing himself from the gang, he had become incredibly close to his classmate, Cha Eunwoo. They were inseparable now, even having regular sleepovers to "study." Seoyoung hated how her brother was acting, believing Jungkook was once again being immature because of Taehyung. The rest of the gang felt the same way.

In college, Jimin had joined the band- Bulletproof Boy Scouts - with his hyungs and they became famous. Only Jungkook was missing. The band had even started writing their own songs.

Seoyoung, meanwhile, was pursuing civil engineering, in the same college as others.

Jin approached Taehyung, urging him to finish his last year of high school. It had already been two years of delays, and Jin was worried. After some thought, Taehyung agreed, promising to enroll when the new academic year began.

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A few months later:

Taehyung was now finishing his last year of high school in Seoul, while Jungkook was also, in their hometown. In three months, both would be headed to Konkuk University, where their hyungs studied.

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In the cozy chaos of Jin's apartment, the group gathered, instruments scattered across the room. Jin, Yoongi, Namjoon, Hoseok, Jimin, and Seoyoung were all killing time, waiting for Taehyung to return for their music practice. The air was buzzing with lazy conversation and occasional strumming, though Jin's mind wasn't really on the music. No, his mind was on Seoyoung.

For weeks now, Jin had been making these subtle - or at least what he thought were subtle - efforts to catch Seoyoung's attention. And oh, she noticed alright. But Seoyoung, ever cautious, wasn't ready to assume anything until he made things official. Yet, Jin was hesitating, mainly because of the awkward tension between their brothers. Seoyoung was just as torn, but neither had the guts to make the first move.

Seoyoung sat on the sofa with Jimin, while the rest sat on chairs with their instruments. Jin, unable to take it anymore, casually - or at least what he thought was casual - stood up and strolled over to the sofa. He plopped himself right between Seoyoung and Jimin, the picture of nonchalance.