Heartbeat // JK

33- The Start of Something New

The light came in slow.

Not dramatic. Not poetic.
Just the kind that reminds you time is real.
That choices don't wait for your heart to catch up.

I was already awake.
Had been for a while.

The hotel room was quiet.
Muted light spilled in from between the blackout curtains.

Taehyung was still asleep in the bed.
Peaceful. One arm flung dramatically across his face.

I was curled on the pullout couch in the corner — Jungkook behind me, arms wrapped around my waist.
His breathing was deep. Steady.

He hadn't let go all night.
And I hadn't asked him to.

The black folder sat on the table across from us.
Unopened. But not forgotten.

Deadline: 20:00. New York time.
Less than twelve hours from now.
I stared at it like it might open itself.

Behind me, I felt movement.
Jungkook blinked against my shoulder.

"...you're awake."

"So are you."

His voice was thick with sleep.

"Mmm. Barely."

I turned slightly.
His hair was a mess.
His eyes still heavy.

But he was smiling. Soft. Real.

His gaze followed mine to the folder.
And just like that, the quiet shifted.

"You thinking about it?" he asked gently.

I nodded.

"It's all I've been thinking about."

He sat up a little, rubbing a hand over his face. Then, after a pause—

"What's stopping you?"

I looked at him.

"Fear."

He didn't try to fix it.
Didn't argue.
Just waited.

"And the fact that if I say yes," I added.

"Everything changes."

He nodded slowly.

"Do you want it to change?"

"I don't know."

He exhaled through his nose, then leaned in, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

"Well," he said, voice quiet but clear.

"I think you already know what you want. You're just scared to say it out loud."

"I thought you'd be more freaked out."

"I am," he said.

"But I'm also proud of you."

I looked at him.
Really looked.

I reached for his hand.

"I don't want to lose myself in all of this," I whispered.

"Then don't," he said simply.

"But don't stay small just because it's safer."

I swallowed.

Then looked back at the folder.

It was still there. Still heavy.
But it didn't feel quite as loud now.

Jungkook nudged his nose into my shoulder.

"You want coffee?"

I nodded.