Us | Taekook | Complete

7

The air between Taehyung and Jungkook remained icy in the days following their argument. Jungkook’s attempts to apologize were clumsy and met with cool indifference. Meanwhile, Taehyung buried himself in work, his sketches more vivid but angrier—lines that cut sharply across the page like they mirrored his own feelings. 

But life had a way of forcing people together, and when the campus art exhibit announced an emergency reshuffle, Taehyung and Jungkook were thrust back into each other’s orbit. 

Professor Choi called for an impromptu meeting in the art studio. The room buzzed with chatter as students speculated about the sudden gathering. Taehyung sat near the back, ignoring the glance Jungkook sent his way. 

"Settle down, everyone," Choi began. "Due to some logistical issues, the mural project is now the centerpiece of the exhibit, meaning it has to be completed two weeks ahead of schedule." 

Gasps and groans filled the room. 

"Your grades depend on this," the professor continued. "So I suggest you make time. That’s all. Get to work." 

Taehyung’s lips pressed into a thin line as he began packing up his things. 

"We should meet tonight to plan," Jungkook said quietly as Taehyung passed by. 

Taehyung didn’t even look at him. "Handle it yourself." 

Jungkook stayed late, staring at the mural’s half-finished design. Taehyung’s absence made the space feel colder, emptier. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. 

"This is impossible without him," he muttered. 

Determined, Jungkook pulled out his phone and texted Taehyung. 

**Jungkook:** *We need to talk. Please meet me at the studio.* 

The message went unread. 

Taehyung lay sprawled on his bed, his headphones drowning out the world. Jungkook’s message popped up on his phone, but he ignored it, turning up the volume instead. 

Why did Jungkook’s words hurt so much? Why did he care what Jungkook thought of him? 

The questions chased each other in his mind until exhaustion finally pulled him into an uneasy sleep. 

The next morning, Taehyung arrived at the studio reluctantly, drawn by the weight of the project deadline. To his surprise, Jungkook was already there, slumped over a table with his head resting on his arms. 

"Did you sleep here?" Taehyung asked, his tone sharp. 

Jungkook stirred, blinking blearily. "Taehyung... You came." 

"Don’t read into it," Taehyung said coldly, dropping his bag onto a chair. 

Jungkook stood, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I messed up. I shouldn’t have said what I did." 

Taehyung arched a brow. "Which part? The part where I’m dramatic, or the part where I’m useless without you?" 

Jungkook winced. "That’s not what I meant." 

"Funny, because that’s exactly what you said," Taehyung snapped, crossing his arms. 

Jungkook stepped closer, his voice softer now. "I was jealous, okay?" 

Taehyung blinked, caught off guard. "Jealous?" 

"I saw you with Minji, and I..." Jungkook trailed off, his cheeks flushing. "I don’t know. It just got to me." 

Taehyung stared at him, his expression unreadable. "So this is about your ego?" 

"No," Jungkook said quickly. "It’s not... It’s more than that. I care about you, Taehyung. More than I should." 

The admission hung in the air like a fragile thread. Taehyung’s heart stuttered, but he kept his face neutral. 

"Care about me?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You have a funny way of showing it." 

"I’m trying to fix it," Jungkook said earnestly. "But I can’t do this without you." 

For a moment, Taehyung considered walking out. But something in Jungkook’s eyes—vulnerable and sincere—made him stay. 

"Fine," Taehyung said finally. "Let’s just focus on the mural." 

Their uneasy truce was interrupted later that week when a fire broke out in the campus storage building. The chaos spread quickly, and students were evacuated from nearby buildings. 

Taehyung was sketching alone in the studio when the fire alarm blared. He grabbed his bag and was about to leave when he remembered the mural. 

"Damn it," he muttered, running back to save their work. 

Smoke filled the air as he tried to pull the canvas down, coughing as the acrid smell stung his throat. 

"Taehyung!" 

He turned to see Jungkook running into the studio, his face etched with panic. 

"What are you doing here?" Taehyung demanded, his voice hoarse. 

"Getting you out," Jungkook said firmly, grabbing Taehyung’s arm. 

"The mural—" 

"Forget it!" Jungkook yelled. "It’s not worth your life!" 

Taehyung hesitated, torn between the project and his safety. But the building creaked ominously, and Jungkook pulled him toward the door. 

A beam collapsed behind them as they stumbled outside, the heat of the flames licking at their backs. 

Outside, Taehyung sat on the curb, clutching his bag as he watched the building burn. The mural was gone, along with weeks of work. 

Jungkook sat beside him, his shoulder brushing Taehyung’s. 

"I told you it wasn’t worth it," Jungkook said quietly. 

Taehyung didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on the fire. 

"I meant what I said," Jungkook added. "About caring." 

Taehyung finally looked at him, his expression softer now. "I don’t know what to do with that, Jungkook." 

"Just...don’t shut me out," Jungkook said, his voice almost pleading. 

Taehyung sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "You’re exhausting, you know that?" 

Jungkook smiled faintly. "Yeah. But you’re still here." 

For now, that was enough. 

---

💜