Us | Taekook

5

The fragile silence between Taehyung and Jungkook lingered as they sat on the cold steps of the arts building. Jungkook could feel the weight of Taehyung’s emotions, unspoken but heavy, and for the first time, he saw past the teasing smiles and sharp wit. 

Taehyung had layers, and those layers were cracking. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jungkook asked after a long pause, his voice careful. 

Taehyung didn’t look at him, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. "There’s not much to say," he replied, his tone distant. 

"Your sister..." Jungkook pressed gently, leaning forward, "is she okay?" 

Taehyung let out a bitter laugh. "Define ‘okay.’ she’s been in and out of hospitals for years now. Sometimes it feels like I’m just waiting for the next call telling me—" He stopped abruptly, his voice catching. 

Jungkook’s heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in Taehyung’s words. "What’s wrong with her?" he asked softly. 

"Heart condition," Taehyung said after a moment, his voice flat. "It’s genetic. Runs in the family. My mom had it, too." 

Jungkook’s chest tightened. "That sounds...really hard. Your Parents? They....?" 

Taehyung shrugged, his lips curving into a hollow smile. "You get used to hard times also... and Parents..huh."  he chuckled bitterly "my mom left this world when Areum was just two years old...and dad...well he is a very busy person to even meet his own children...only Jong ki can meet him...because he is his ideal son...unlike me..." he paused "so I'm used to all this..."

Jungkook frowned hearing all this and just blurted..."Do you? Do you always bear all this." 

Taehyung finally turned to look at him, his eyes filled with an emotion Jungkook couldn’t quite place. "You tell me, Jungkook. You seem to have all the answers." 

Jungkook didn’t know how to respond to that, so he stayed silent, his gaze steady on Taehyung’s. 

After a moment, Taehyung sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry," he muttered. "I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just...been a long day." 

"It’s okay," Jungkook said, his voice soft. "I get it." 

Taehyung let out a tired laugh. "Do you, though?" 

Jungkook hesitated before replying. "Maybe not. But I’m trying to know. " 

And somewhat Jungkook’s words and company was made Taehyung relaxed that night...

The next morning, Jungkook found himself standing outside the hospital, his hands shoved into his pockets as he stared at the entrance. He wasn’t sure what had compelled him to come. Maybe it was the image of Taehyung sitting on those steps, looking so lost. Or maybe it was the way his heart had ached when Taehyung had spoken about his brother. 

Either way, he was here. 

Inside, the sterile smell of disinfectant filled the air, and the quiet hum of activity made him feel slightly out of place. He approached the reception desk, unsure of what to say. 

"I’m here to see Kim Taehyung," he said finally. 

The receptionist gave him a polite smile. "Room 214, down the hall to your right." 

Jungkook nodded, thanking her before heading down the hallway. His footsteps echoed softly as he walked, and he found himself feeling strangely nervous. 

When he reached the room, he hesitated outside the door, taking a deep breath before knocking lightly. 

"Come in," Taehyung’s voice called out from inside. 

Jungkook pushed the door open, stepping inside to find Taehyung sitting in a chair beside the hospital bed. His brother lay there, pale and fragile-looking, hooked up to various monitors and IVs. 

Taehyung looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. "Jungkook? What are you doing here?" 

"I...just wanted to check on you," Jungkook said, feeling awkward under Taehyung’s gaze. 

Taehyung stared at him for a moment before his expression softened. "You didn’t have to do that," he said quietly. 

"I know," Jungkook replied. "But I wanted to." 

They sat in silence for a while, the steady beeping of the heart monitor the only sound in the room. Taehyung’s sister stirred slightly in her sleep, and Taehyung reached out to adjust the blanket covering her. 

"She’s younger than me," Taehyung said suddenly, his voice soft. "But sometimes it feels like she’s the older one. She’s stronger than I could ever be." 

Jungkook looked at him, his chest tightening at the sight of the usually confident Taehyung looking so vulnerable. 

"You’re stronger than you think," Jungkook said. 

Taehyung let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, sure. That’s why I spend most of my time pretending everything’s fine." 

"It’s not pretending," Jungkook said firmly. "It’s surviving. And there’s nothing weak about that." 

Taehyung looked at him, his eyes searching Jungkook’s face. "Why are you being so nice to me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Jungkook hesitated before replying. "Because I want to be." 

Taehyung stared at him for a long moment before letting out a small, shaky laugh. "You’re full of surprises, Jeon Jungkook." 

They left the hospital together, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement as they walked. Taehyung seemed lighter somehow, the weight on his shoulders a little less crushing. 

"Thanks for coming," Taehyung said after a while, his voice sincere. 

"You don’t have to thank me," Jungkook replied. 

"I mean it," Taehyung said, stopping to look at him. "I...don’t let people in easily. But you...you’re different." 

Jungkook felt his heart skip a beat at the intensity in Taehyung’s gaze. "Maybe you’re different too," he said softly. 

Taehyung smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Maybe." 

As they continued walking, the space between them seemed smaller, the air warmer. Neither of them said it out loud, but something had shifted between them—a crack in the wall they’d both built, letting the light seep through. 

---

💜