Invisible Affection | Taejin

20. Games and Heartbreak

Taehyung woke up the next morning feeling hopeful after his deep talk with Seokjin the night before. He had shared his thoughts and feelings to strengthen their relationship, but doubt started to settle in as time passed. He questioned if he was he overthinking, or did he really notice changes in Jin's behavior?

As the day went on, he had felt a growing distance between him and Jin. Jin, who he had felt had started to open up with him, now seemed distant. Whenever he entered the same room as Jin, he noticed that Jin would look away from him. He would quickly find an excuse to leave, like checking his phone or focusing on something else, as if he were trying to escape.

When they were with others, Jin changed completely. He became lively, chatting happily and smiling in a way that made Taehyung feel invisible. It was as though Taehyung's presence alone became a burden, a weight that Jin was desperate to escape.

Taehyung couldn't help but replay moments in his mind, trying to pinpoint what had caused things to change like this. He would catch glimpses of Jin laughing with the others, and it broke Taehyung's heart to see the person he was supposed to be dating making him feel like a stranger.

In the quiet of his thoughts, Taehyung began to doubt and worry about their relationship. Instead of feeling comforted after sharing his thoughts, he ended up with more questions than answers. He struggled to understand what he was supposed to do when it felt as though there was nothing for him to do.

With that in mind, he decided it was best to step back. Trying to close the gap that was obviously growing again between them was taking a toll on him, and he realized he was pushing too hard. Every time they spent time together, there seemed to be unspoken tension. No matter how much he tried to reach out to get closer, Jin felt just out of reach, as if an invisible wall was between them.

He understood that he couldn't force a connection that wasn't there. So, he resolved to let things happen naturally and not let Jin's quietness weigh on him. He promised himself not to let this situation take over his thoughts. Instead, he would focus on enjoying the rest of the trip as uncomfortable as it might have felt.

That's why when the guy, Yoongi, who had suddenly shown up in the afternoon, suggested that they play games, Taehyung was all in and chose to sit closest to his brother instead of Jin. He didn't want to sit next to Jin and then watch him move or do something that would make him want to leave. He was starting to feel like an outsider like he no longer belonged there. The only thing that kept him from leaving was that his brother had been having a good time, and he didn't want to ruin that for Namjoon.

He couldn't bear the idea of being the reason for Namjoon's smile fading or for him to miss out on a good time. As the day went on, he wrestled with his feelings, trying to push aside his discomfort for his brother's enjoyment.

While he sat and waited for whatever game they would play to begin, as soon as Jungkook started handing out alcohol, he quickly grabbed the first cup that came his way. He brought it to his lips without hesitation, taking a hefty swig, hoping the liquid courage would wash away his jitters. As the strong alcohol coursed through him, he felt a gentle warmth spreading from his chest, a brief break that allowed him to breathe a little easier amidst the whirlwind of his thoughts.

He was thankful for his first drink, as it did a great job of taking his mind off his earlier troubles. Once they started playing games, he began to truly enjoy the evening. They played a mix of fun activities, from stacking wooden blocks in Jenga to various card games and some new games he had never heard of before. Yoongi, who was good at games, kept suggesting one idea after another to keep the fun going.

For Taehyung, it was amusing to observe the competitive streak in others. While he was having fun, he noticed that Jungkook and Hoseok took their games very seriously and always wanted to win.He saw the same intensity in Jin but with a twist. Jin was more selective about when he unleashed his competitive side, often choosing specific moments to channel his energy into winning.