"A Love Beyond Spotlight" | Taekook ✨💜

2. Jamais Vu

The buzz of Paris Fashion Week was like nothing Taehyung had ever experienced. The city thrummed with life, each corner overflowing with artists, designers, and celebrities whose presence made even Taehyung, a global star himself, feel a little dazed. Amid the excitement, he couldn't shake the feeling of being observed, each camera's lens trained on him with a new intensity. But none of it compared to the evening's unexpected introductions.

He first met Jennie at an after-party for the fashion event. She appeared amid the flashing lights, effortlessly chic in her designer outfit, and extended a hand with a smile that was polite yet somehow calculating. Taehyung couldn't deny the respect he held for her—a fellow idol navigating the industry's highs and lows. She was charming and carried an aura that commanded attention, instantly making her the center of the room.

As they settled into their seats for a team dinner with artists and influencers, Jennie took the seat beside Taehyung, leaning in close with an ease that made him slightly uncomfortable. She would ask him about his thoughts on Paris, his experiences as an idol, then laugh warmly at his responses, her hand resting on his arm just a fraction longer than necessary. From time to time, she would tilt her phone toward him, subtly snapping photos that seemed casual to anyone watching, though Taehyung sensed a certain intent in her actions.

Later that evening, scrolling through his social media, Taehyung's feed was flooded with notifications. Jennie had posted a series of photos, one with her cheek resting against his shoulder, another where she smiled warmly in his direction, and yet another where he was mid-laugh at something she said. Fans immediately latched onto the images, speculating, commenting, and shipping them as a new power couple in the K-pop world.

Across the ocean, Jungkook lay in his hotel room, phone in hand, scrolling through the same images. Each picture of Taehyung and Jennie felt like a jab, his heart squeezing with an ache he couldn't articulate. He knew he had no claim over Taehyung, but seeing him with Jennie felt like watching something precious slip from his grasp. He tossed his phone onto the bed, running a hand through his hair as he took a steadying breath, willing his emotions to quiet.

A few days later, Taehyung and Jennie crossed paths again. She approached him with a visibly troubled expression, her eyes filled with what looked like exhaustion.

"Taehyung," she murmured, her voice soft. "Do you have a moment?"

"Of course," he replied, instinctively concerned. She looked genuinely worn down, the spark in her gaze dulled.

Jennie let out a shaky breath. "This industry...sometimes, it feels like I can't breathe. The pressure is so intense, and I feel like I'm constantly being watched, constantly judged. I'm sorry, I just needed someone to talk to, and I thought maybe you'd understand."

Her words struck a chord in Taehyung. He had felt those same pressures, the same sense of being confined by expectations. Despite the uneasy feelings he'd had about her earlier, he couldn't ignore her plea.

"I get it," he said, his voice sincere. "It's hard, and sometimes you feel like there's no escape. But remember that you're not alone. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

She smiled, a fragile smile that tugged at his heart. "Thank you, Taehyung. Actually, would you mind going for a walk with me? Just for a bit? I think it would help clear my head."

Taehyung hesitated, glancing around the bustling streets. A part of him was reluctant, feeling that their closeness could be misinterpreted. But seeing the look of vulnerability on her face, he couldn't turn her down.

They walked along the Seine, the soft glow of street lamps casting their reflections on the river. At one point, Jennie stumbled slightly on the cobbled path, her hand instinctively reaching for Taehyung's arm. She clung to him for a moment, her grip firm, and he felt a flicker of discomfort as her fingers lingered.