Us | Taekook

6

The fragile understanding between Taehyung and Jungkook was like a new bridge—strong enough to hold tentative steps but vulnerable to even the slightest tremor. The days following their visit to the hospital were marked by a tentative camaraderie. But as the campus prepared for the annual group project presentations, the first real test of their budding friendship loomed large. 

Professor Choi clapped his hands together, drawing the attention of the students scattered across the lecture hall. 

"Alright, everyone," he began. "Your final presentations will be done in pairs. The list of partners is on the board. Check it before you leave." 

The announcement was met with a flurry of murmurs and groans. Jungkook glanced at Taehyung, who was busy packing up his sketchbook and laptop. 

"Don’t jinx it," Taehyung muttered, noticing Jungkook’s look. 

"I wasn’t going to say anything," Jungkook replied, rolling his eyes. 

As they made their way to the board, Taehyung let out a dramatic sigh. "Knowing my luck, I’ll get stuck with someone who thinks abstract art is just throwing paint at a canvas." 

"You’d deserve it," Jungkook quipped, smirking. 

But when they reached the list, both of their expressions froze. 

**Group 8: Jeon Jungkook & Kim Taehyung** 

"You’ve got to be kidding me," Taehyung groaned. 

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. "This should be...interesting." 

Their project involved creating a large-scale mural that combined their artistic styles—a challenge given their vastly different approaches. Jungkook’s precision and attention to detail clashed with Taehyung’s free-spirited creativity from the start. 

"This design is too chaotic," Jungkook said, frowning at Taehyung’s sketch. "It doesn’t have a clear focal point." 

"It’s called *movement,*" Taehyung retorted. "It’s supposed to lead the eye across the piece, not trap it in one spot." 

"Or confuse the viewer entirely," Jungkook shot back. 

Taehyung slammed his pencil down. "Not everything has to be perfect, Jungkook! Art is about emotion, not just technique." 

"And emotion without technique is sloppy," Jungkook countered, his voice rising. 

Their argument echoed through the studio, drawing the attention of a few classmates working nearby. Embarrassed, Taehyung grabbed his sketchpad and stood up. 

"You know what? Do it your way," he said coldly. "Since you’re clearly the expert." 

"Taehyung, wait—" 

But Taehyung was already gone, leaving Jungkook alone with the weight of his frustration—and a faint pang of regret. 

The next day, Jungkook arrived at the studio early, determined to mend things. But when he saw Taehyung talking to Minji, a fellow art student, his resolve faltered. 

Minji was laughing, her hand resting lightly on Taehyung’s arm. Taehyung seemed relaxed, his smile easy and genuine in a way that made Jungkook’s stomach twist uncomfortably. 

He turned on his heel, his chest tight with a feeling he couldn’t quite name.  He left from there.

Later, during class, Taehyung approached him, holding out his sketchbook. "I made some adjustments to the design. Let me know what you think." 

Jungkook didn’t look up from his laptop. "I’m sure it’s fine." 

Taehyung frowned, lowering the sketchbook. "What’s with the attitude?" 

"I don’t have an attitude," Jungkook said coolly. 

"Really? Because you’ve been ignoring me all morning," Taehyung shot back. 

"Maybe I’m just tired of dealing with your drama," Jungkook snapped. 

Taehyung recoiled as if he’d been slapped. "My drama? Are you serious right now?" 

"You always make everything about you, Taehyung," Jungkook said, his voice sharp. "Maybe if you focused on the project instead of flirting with Minji, we’d actually get something done." 

Taehyung’s eyes widened, hurt flashing across his face. "Flirting? Is that what you think I’m doing?" 

"I don’t know. You tell me," Jungkook said bitterly. 

For a moment, Taehyung just stared at him, his jaw clenched. Then he shoved the sketchbook into Jungkook’s hands. 

"Do whatever you want," he said quietly before walking away. 

Taehyung sat on a bench near the campus fountain, his sketchbook open but untouched. He stared at the blank page, his emotions swirling too chaotically to focus. 

He didn’t understand Jungkook. One moment, he was kind and supportive, the next, he was cold and distant. It was exhausting. 

But what stung the most was the accusation. Flirting with Minji? Did Jungkook really think so little of him? 

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why does he even matter?" he muttered to himself. 

But the question lingered, unanswered. 

Jungkook paced his dorm room, his mind replaying the confrontation over and over. He knew he’d overreacted, but seeing Taehyung with Minji had sparked something he wasn’t ready to confront. 

Jealousy. 

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. 

He groaned, running a hand over his face. "What the hell is wrong with me?" 

His phone buzzed on the desk. It was a text from Jimin. 

**Jimin:** *You okay? You’ve been weird lately.* 

Jungkook hesitated before replying. 

**Jungkook:** *I think I messed up with Taehyung.* 

Jimin’s response was immediate. 

**Jimin:** *Fix it. Before it’s too late.* 

That evening, Jungkook went back to the studio, hoping to find Taehyung. The studio was empty, but on the table, he found Taehyung’s sketchbook. 

He flipped it open, his breath catching as he saw the adjustments Taehyung had made. The design was beautiful—a perfect blend of their styles, capturing both emotion and technique. 

But what caught his eye was the small note scrawled at the bottom of the page: *"For someone who doesn’t believe in me, you sure inspire me a lot."* 

Jungkook’s heart sank. 

Would Taehyung even give him another chance? 

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