Fated Foes ||toptae||

62

Jungkook’s lips trembled as he clutched Taehyung’s hand. “Promise me, Tae,” he whispered. “Promise me we’ll get through this together.”

Taehyung looked him in the eyes, his gaze steady and filled with determination. “I promise, Jungkook. No matter what, I’ll stand by you.”

The warmth of Taehyung’s words began to melt some of the weight crushing Jungkook’s chest. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Taehyung’s. “I don’t deserve you sometimes,” Jungkook said softly, his voice cracking.

“Stop,” Taehyung replied, his tone firm but gentle. “You deserve everything good in this world, and I’ll make sure you see that.”

They stayed like that for a few moments, letting the silence between them speak louder than words. Finally, Taehyung broke it. “You haven’t eaten, have you?”

Jungkook shook his head, a sheepish smile forming. “I wasn’t hungry.”

Taehyung sighed, standing up and pulling Jungkook with him. “Well, you’re eating now. I’m not letting you starve because of some unnecessary drama.”

Jungkook let out a small laugh, the first genuine one all day. “You’re bossy.”

“And you love it,” Taehyung quipped, leading him to the small kitchenette in his dorm room.

Over bowls of steaming ramen, they talked. Not about Yoongi, not about the fight, but about everything else—Taehyung’s silly attempts at making breakfast, Jungkook’s plans for an upcoming project, their dreams for the future.

For a moment, it felt like the world outside didn’t exist, like they were in their own little bubble where nothing could touch them.

As the night wore on, Jungkook found himself smiling more, laughing freely. Taehyung’s presence was like a balm, soothing the ache in his heart.

When they finally retired to bed, Taehyung pulled Jungkook close, wrapping him in his arms. “You’re safe with me,” he murmured against Jungkook’s hair.

Jungkook buried his face in Taehyung’s chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “I believe you,” he whispered.

The next day, Jungkook woke up feeling lighter. Taehyung was still asleep, his face serene in the morning light. Jungkook smiled to himself, brushing a strand of hair from Taehyung’s face.

But as much as he wanted to stay in this peaceful moment, reality was waiting. He knew he had to face Yoongi and clear the air, no matter how hard it would be.

With a sigh, he slipped out of bed and got ready for the day.

Later that afternoon, Jungkook found Yoongi sitting on the bleachers, staring out at the empty field. Jungkook hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting beside him.

Neither of them spoke at first. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook finally said, breaking the tension. “For everything. For not telling you sooner. For hurting you.”

Yoongi didn’t look at him. “You should’ve trusted me, Jungkook. I thought we were closer than that.”

Jungkook nodded, guilt washing over him. “I know. I should’ve trusted you, but I was scared. And I know that’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth.”

Yoongi let out a bitter laugh. “You’re right—it’s not an excuse. But...I guess I get it.”

Jungkook looked at him in surprise.

Yoongi sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been thinking a lot since last night. About you, about Taehyung, about Jiya...about myself. And I realized something. I wasn’t in love with Jiya. Not really. I think I was just chasing something I thought I couldn’t have.”