Us | Taekook

3

The week flew by in a blur of lectures, deadlines, and group project meetings. To Jungkook’s surprise, Taehyung actually showed up on time for every session. And, to his even greater surprise, Taehyung wasn’t just contributing—he was good. 

The library had become their regular meeting spot, the quiet atmosphere an unspoken truce between them. Despite his initial reluctance, Jungkook found himself paying closer attention to Taehyung, not just to his work ethic but to the person behind the façade.

The library was unusually quiet for a Friday evening. Most students had chosen to unwind elsewhere, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung with the place almost entirely to themselves. A single lamp illuminated their table, casting long shadows over the pages of books and scattered notes.

Jungkook scribbled furiously in his notebook, his brows furrowed in concentration. Across from him, Taehyung leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers as he stared at the ceiling.

"You’re awfully quiet," Taehyung commented, breaking the silence.

"Some of us actually care about finishing this project," Jungkook replied without looking up.

Taehyung chuckled softly. "Relax, Kookie. You’ll give yourself wrinkles if you keep frowning like that."

Jungkook froze mid-sentence, his pen hovering above the page. He looked up, his eyes narrowing. "I told you to stop calling me that."

"But it suits you," Taehyung said, his lips curling into a playful smile. "You’re like a bunny—small, cute, and always hopping around, looking like you’re about to explode."

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. "I’m not cute. And I don’t hop."

"If you say so," Taehyung replied, his tone teasing.

There was a brief silence as Jungkook returned to his notes, but he couldn’t focus. His mind kept drifting to Taehyung’s words, to the infuriating way he seemed to see right through him.

"Why do you do that?" Jungkook asked suddenly, his voice sharp.

"Do what?" Taehyung asked, genuinely curious.

"Act like nothing bothers you. Like you don’t care about anything."

Taehyung’s smile faltered, just for a second, but it was long enough for Jungkook to notice.

"Who says I don’t care?" Taehyung replied, his voice softer now.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You make jokes about everything. You don’t take anything seriously. It’s like...you’re hiding something."

Taehyung looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he laughed, but it wasn’t the carefree sound Jungkook was used to. This laugh was quieter, almost hollow.

"Maybe I am," Taehyung said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook blinked, taken aback by the honesty in Taehyung’s tone. He didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing.

They left the library together, the crisp night air a stark contrast to the warm, quiet space they’d just left. The campus was almost deserted, the occasional streetlamp casting pools of light on the cobblestone paths.

Taehyung shoved his hands into his pockets, his usual grin replaced by a more subdued expression. Jungkook walked beside him, the silence between them strangely comfortable.

"Hey, Jungkook," Taehyung said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

"What?" Jungkook asked, glancing at him.

"Why do you hate me?" Taehyung asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Jungkook stopped walking, his footsteps echoing on the empty path. "I don’t hate you," he said after a moment.

"Really?" Taehyung asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because it sure feels like you do."

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t hate you, Taehyung. I just...don’t understand you."

Taehyung tilted his head, his lips curling into a small smile. "Maybe you don’t need to understand me. Maybe you just need to stop trying so hard."

Jungkook didn’t respond. Instead, he looked at Taehyung, really looked at him, and for the first time, he saw something he hadn’t noticed before—vulnerability.

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