BETWEENUS//taekook//vkook // Yoonmin

PART 23

LONG CHAPTER

Taehyung's eyes narrow as he reads Jimin's message. A mix of emotions swirls inside him - confusion, hurt, and anger.

He thinks to himself, "Why is Jimin messaging me this? What's his motive?"

Taehyung decides not to dignify Jimin's message with a response. He puts his phone down and continues preparing lunch, his mind preoccupied with Jungkook's sudden change of plans.

As he cooks, Taehyung's thoughts drift to Jungkook. "What's going on, Kookie? Why aren't you coming home?"

The silence is filled with the sizzle of vegetables and the aroma of Jungkook's favorite dish.

MEANWHILE.

Jimin's eyes well up with fake tears as he clings to Jungkook's arm. "Please don't go, Kookie. Stay with me. Ever since Taehyung comes between us, you don't want to hang out with me anymore. Now I'm not letting you go today."

Jungkook tries to gently pry Jimin's grip loose. "Jimin, stop. You're being dramatic. I promise I'll hang out with you soon, but today I need to go home to Tae."

Jimin's hold tightens, his voice taking on a desperate tone. "No, Kookie. You can't leave me. I need you."

Jungkook's eyes widen as Jimin's grip becomes almost unbearable. "Jimin, let go. You're hurting me."

But Jimin refuses to release his hold, his eyes flashing with determination. "I won't let you go."

Jungkook reluctantly agrees to stay with Jimin, feeling guilty for abandoning Taehyung.

"Okay, I'll stay," Jungkook says, trying to placate Jimin.

Jimin's face lights up, and he pulls Jungkook into a tight hug. "Thank you, Kookie," he whispers.

Jungkook's mind wanders to Taehyung, wondering how he will explain this to him.

---

Taehyung sits on the bed, staring blankly at the wall. "Come down, Taehyung. Don't let Jimin define you," he tells himself.

But his mind lingers on the question: "How does he know I'm cooking for Jungkook?"

Taehyung's thoughts swirl with suspicion and unease.

Suddenly, he remembers Jimin's message: "Jungkook says he's not coming back home today. You can eat what you cooked for him by yourself."

Taehyung's eyes narrow. " fuck you Jungkook " you already tell him.

Taehyung takes his phone and messages Jungkook: Hi love, what time are you coming? The food is getting cold.

Jungkook replies: I'm sorry, love. I think I'm gonna be late, Jimin he needs me now. You can eat without me, but I promise I will come as soon as possible.

After Taehyung reads Jungkook's message he closes his eyes, tears streaming down his face. "It's okay," he whispers to himself, trying to calm the ache in his heart. "I need to trust him."

Taehyung takes a deep breath, feeling the sting of disappointment and loneliness.

"But why Jimin?" Taehyung's thoughts whisper. "Why does he always need Kookie?"

Taehyung's eyes open, gazing blankly at the wall as he struggles to shake off the doubts creeping into his mind.

ON OTHER SIDE.

Jimin turns to Jungkook with a bright smile. "Kookie, what do you want to eat? Let's order something."

Jungkook hesitates, his thoughts still lingering on Taehyung and the lunch they are supposed to share. "Whatever you want, Jimin," he replies softly.