Fated Foes ||toptae||

43

The bar was dimly lit, the chatter of students mingling with faint music in the background. Jungkook, Jimin, Yoongi, and Hoseok were sitting in their usual corner. Yoongi, being the soberest among them, glanced at his friends, who were now on their third round of shots.

"That's enough for you two," Yoongi said, gesturing at Jimin and Hoseok, who waved him off.

Just then, the door swung open, and a group of students walked in, laughing loudly. Taehyung's friends.

"Well, if it isn't the 'loser squad,'" one of them said loudly, making sure everyone in the bar could hear.

Hoseok, already on edge, glared at them. "Do you have a problem?"

"Yeah, it's you guys. Always hanging out here, acting like you own the place," another mocked.

"That's it!" Hoseok stood up, and Jimin followed suit. The tension escalated quickly, and soon enough, fists were flying. Yoongi tried to keep things under control, but even he was dragged into the chaos.

After what felt like an eternity, the bar owner threatened to call the police, forcing everyone to scatter. Taehyung's friends left, laughing as they walked out.

---

Meanwhile, Taehyung sat in front of Jungkook's dorm building, a small paper bag in his hand. Inside was an ointment he'd bought for Jungkook's shoulder injury. He tapped his foot nervously, staring at the ground.

He hadn't seen Jungkook all day, and it was eating at him. He didn't know why he cared so much, but he couldn't just sit in his room and do nothing.

---

Yoongi parked his bike in front of the dorm building, supporting a slightly tipsy Jungkook. As they approached the entrance, Yoongi spotted Taehyung sitting there.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Yoongi snapped, his voice laced with anger.

Taehyung looked up, surprised. "I-"

"You're the one who told your friends to mock us, aren't you?" Yoongi accused, stepping closer.

Taehyung stood up, his hands raised in defense. "I didn't-"

But Yoongi wasn't having it. He shoved Taehyung lightly, but before he could go any further, Jungkook stepped between them, his expression serious.

"Yoongi, stop," Jungkook said firmly.

Yoongi frowned, looking at Jungkook in disbelief. "Are you defending him?"

Jungkook didn't answer immediately, his eyes locked on Yoongi's. "I said go," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Yoongi hesitated, but eventually backed off. "Fine. Do whatever you want," he muttered, walking away toward his own dorm.

As the tension eased, Taehyung looked at Jungkook, guilt written all over his face. "I didn't tell them to do anything," he said softly.

Jungkook sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why are you even here, Taehyung?"

Taehyung hesitated before holding out the paper bag. "For your shoulder. I thought it might still hurt."

Jungkook stormed past Taehyung without a second glance, leaving the paper bag untouched on the ground. His footsteps echoed in the stairwell as he climbed higher and higher, eventually reaching the rooftop. He pushed the door open, the cool night breeze hitting his face, and leaned against the railing, staring at the city lights below.

Taehyung wasn't far behind, determined to follow despite the tension between them.
Jungkook stood on the rooftop, his back to Taehyung as the city lights twinkled below. The breeze tugged at his hair, but it couldn't cool the storm brewing inside him. He didn't turn when he heard the rooftop door creak open, though he knew exactly who it was.

Taehyung stepped closer, hesitant but determined. "Jungkook..."

"Why are you here?" Jungkook's voice was heavy with exhaustion.

"I-"

"Don't." Jungkook cut him off, finally turning around. His eyes were dark, filled with emotions Taehyung couldn't decipher. "Don't say anything unless you're ready to hear the truth."

Taehyung froze. "Then tell me the truth."

Jungkook let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "I'm tired, Taehyung. Tired of pretending I hate you. Tired of acting like your presence doesn't mess with my head, like your stupid jokes don't make my chest ache in ways they shouldn't." His voice cracked, but he pushed forward. "Do you have any idea what it's like to feel this way and know I can't have you? To see you smile at someone else, thinking it could never be for me?"

Taehyung's breath hitched, but he stayed silent, letting Jungkook speak.

"And it's not just you," Jungkook continued, his voice rising slightly. "It's everything. My parents-they expect so much from me. I'm supposed to be perfect, to never falter, never fail. But I'm not perfect, Taehyung. I'm just a person. A person who's tired of pretending to be okay, tired of pretending to hate you because it's easier than admitting the truth."

Taehyung took a step closer, his heart pounding. "And what's the truth, Jungkook?"

Jungkook's lips trembled, his walls breaking completely. "The truth is that I don't hate you. I never did. I... I love you, Taehyung. And it's killing me to keep it inside."

For a moment, there was only silence between them, the weight of Jungkook's confession hanging in the air. Then, without warning, Jungkook took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Taehyung barely had time to react before Jungkook's hands cupped his face, and their lips met in a kiss that was as desperate as it was tender. It wasn't perfect-raw and filled with unspoken words-but it was real.

Taehyung's hands found their way to Jungkook's waist, pulling him closer as he responded, pouring every ounce of emotion he had into the kiss. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling in the cool night air.

"I've been such an idiot," Taehyung whispered, his voice trembling.

Jungkook laughed softly, a tear slipping down his cheek. "Yeah, you have. But I love you anyway."

Taehyung smiled, brushing the tear away. "I love you too, Jungkook. More than you'll ever know."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Jungkook felt a weight lift from his chest. As they stood there, under the endless sky, he realized that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.