Between Love and Trust

chapter - 7

~Taehyung's Apartment~

The car ride was agonizingly silent, each second stretching into eternity. Jungkook sat stiffly in the passenger seat, his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the window. His heart raced—not with hope, but with dread. Taehyung hadn't said a word since the university confrontation, his grip on the steering wheel white-knuckled. The tension was palpable, suffocating, like an invisible hand squeezing the air out of the car.

Jungkook's mind raced. Why am I even here? What does he want from me now? Every question churned in his stomach, but he didn't dare voice them. Taehyung's jaw was set, his gaze unflinching as he drove through the city streets.

When they pulled up to Taehyung's apartment complex, Jungkook hesitated, his hand frozen on the door handle. He didn't want to go in—every step closer felt like walking back into a past he was desperately trying to leave behind. But Taehyung wasn't having it. He strode around to Jungkook's side, opened the door, and tugged him out by the wrist.

"Let go of me," Jungkook snapped, trying to pull his hand away.

Taehyung turned to him, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Not until we talk."

He practically dragged Jungkook into the building, his grip firm but not painful. Jungkook's protests fell on deaf ears as they ascended to Taehyung's apartment. The familiar scent of the place hit Jungkook like a punch to the gut when they entered—lavender and a hint of musk. He hated that it still brought back memories of comfort and warmth, memories now tainted by betrayal.

Taehyung didn't waste time. He pulled Jungkook into his bedroom, shutting the door behind them with a soft click that sounded deafening in the silence. He stood there for a moment, his back to Jungkook, as if gathering his thoughts.

"Sit," he finally said, his voice low and steady.

"No," Jungkook replied, crossing his arms. "I'm not a child, Taehyung."

Taehyung turned to face him, his expression a mix of frustration and something Jungkook couldn't quite place—guilt, maybe? "Fine. Stand if you want. But we're going to talk."

Jungkook clenched his fists. "What is there to talk about? You've already made it perfectly clear how you feel about me. Why are you doing this, Taehyung? Just let me leave."

"No," Taehyung said sharply. His voice softened, almost pleading. "Not until I get some answers. What did you mean earlier? At the university?"

Jungkook blinked, thrown off by the question. "What are you talking about?"

"At the library. When you said you'd stay away from me. That you wouldn't bother me

anymore. What the hell did you mean by that?"

Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "What do you think I meant? Isn't that what you wanted? For me to move on? To stop 'obsessing' over you? Fine, I'm doing it. I'll stay as far away from you as possible. You won't have to see my 'ugly face' anymore. Happy now?"

Taehyung stared at him, his expression darkening. After a moment, he let out a dry, humorless scoff. "Wow. Moving on so fast, huh?". He looked away for a moment, running a hand through his hair. "So that's it?" he asked, his voice tinged with bitterness. "You're just... giving up? Moving on like we never meant anything to each other?"

Jungkook's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you serious right now? You were the one who broke up with me! You were the one who called me obsessed and pathetic. You were the one who told me to move on! And now that I'm actually trying to, you're upset? Talk sense, Taehyung!"