Bound by Fate

Chapter 68: Hearts Reunited

Envi: A little puffy 18+ scene ahead! 🌸💋 Read with love, blush responsibly

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The day at the academy is bustling with excitement as the students gather for their daily training. Jungkook stands at the center, his presence a mix of calm authority and encouragement. He's known for his patience, a quality that makes him especially popular among the trainees, some of whom are still learning the basics of power control. One girl in particular has been struggling with a certain move, and Jungkook has been guiding her, gently instructing and correcting her stance.

"Okay, let's try this again," Jungkook says, standing behind her to adjust her form. His voice is soft yet focused, and he reaches out to catch her when she stumbles, the two of them falling to the ground in an unplanned tangle. They laugh it off, and the student apologizes, dusting herself off with a blush.

In that instant, Taehyung arrives at the academy, carrying a basket of food to surprise Jungkook. But the smile he wore as he entered fades when he sees Jungkook on the ground, tangled with the girl, laughing in a way that cuts right through his heart. He freezes, feeling an unwelcome pang of jealousy that grows into something more as he watches. Unable to contain the hurt, Taehyung storms out, his heart pounding with an ache he doesn't fully understand.

Jungkook, noticing Taehyung's departure, quickly excuses himself, sending the rest of the students home for the day. His heart sinks, fearing Taehyung's expression held more than hurt—it held a sense of betrayal.

Jungkook catches up to Taehyung just outside the academy. Taehyung stands stiffly by the road, his arms folded tightly as he stares ahead. The air between them is charged, heavy with unspoken emotions. Jungkook approaches cautiously, his voice gentle. "Taehyung, can we talk?"

Taehyung scoffs, not meeting his gaze. "Talk? Or should I just watch while you... entertain others?" His voice is thick with bitterness, a contrast to his usual warmth.

"It wasn't like that," Jungkook tries to explain, reaching out. "She's just a student. I was helping her with—"

"Helping her? It looked a lot like... something else, Jungkook," Taehyung interrupts, his voice breaking. "You're so kind, so gentle with everyone. Sometimes, I wonder if it's only me that feels this way... or if I'm just another person in the crowd for you."

Jungkook's heart aches at the words, and he steps closer, placing his hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "You're not just anyone, Taehyung. You're everything to me. Can't you see that?"

But Taehyung pulls away, his voice rising with frustration. "How can I know that when I'm always left feeling like this? I can't stop others from being close to you, but I can't stop myself from feeling jealous either. It's tearing me apart, Jungkook."

Their argument grows, both raising their voices until the palace walls seem to echo with the pain of their words. Jungkook's shoulders slump as he watches Taehyung walk away, retreating to his room with silent tears streaming down his face. Jungkook, left alone, feels a familiar loneliness creep in, a loneliness he thought he'd left behind.

Back in the palace, Namjoon and Jin notice Jungkook's forlorn expression and approach him with concern. Jungkook is sitting by himself, staring blankly at the floor. Namjoon sits beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, I saw what happened. Are you alright?"

Jungkook sighs, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know, Hyung. Taehyung... he's hurt because of me, and I don't know how to fix it." Tears begin to well up, and he wipes them away, frustrated. "It's like he thinks I don't love him enough. But I don't know how to make him understand that he's the only one for me."