𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 [𝗄𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗏]

Chapter Nineteen

~~~

The day had arrived.

The day Jeongguk would leave.

Jeongguk stood in his room, staring at the open suitcase on his bed. Clothes were scattered around, some folded neatly, others forgotten in the mess of his thoughts.

His hands rested on the edge of the suitcase, unmoving. His mind felt the same—stuck, reluctant.

He had never been away from Taehyung for long. How was he supposed to be gone for two years?

The door creaked open, breaking through his thoughts.

Taehyung stepped in, the familiar scent of sandalwood and vanilla filling the air—comforting, warm, home.

"Ggukie?"

Jeongguk turned, eyes locking onto him.

Taehyung stood there, bathed in soft daylight streaming through the window. He was wearing a simple white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and dark jeans.

There was nothing extravagant about his appearance, and yet, Jeongguk felt his breath catch.

How does he always look like this?

"Did you pack your things?" Taehyung asked, voice gentle, but his eyes were sharp as they flickered toward the half-empty suitcase.

Jeongguk swallowed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No," he admitted. "I only packed my boxers."

Taehyung sighed, rolling his eyes as he walked toward the closet. "You're leaving for two years, and that's all you packed?" He glanced at Jeongguk. "What were you even thinking?"

Jeongguk smirked as Taehyung brushed past him, their shoulders barely touching. That brief contact sent a wave of warmth through his body, his wolf stirring inside.

"What can I say?" Jeongguk murmured. "I was distracted."

Taehyung scoffed, reaching for some shirts. "Distracted by what? Siyeon? I heard she is your girlfriend"

Jeongguk's smirk vanished. His chest tightened.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. "No. Not her."

Taehyung froze, his fingers gripping the fabric in his hands. Slowly, he turned to look at Jeongguk, their eyes locking.

"Then by what?" Taehyung whispered.

Jeongguk inhaled sharply. You. The word was there, right at the tip of his tongue. It's always been you.

But he swallowed it down, forcing himself to step back. "Forget it."

Taehyung's expression flickered with something unreadable, but he didn't push. Instead, he picked up Jeongguk's black hoodie—the one he always stole on cold nights.

"You should take this," he murmured. "It's warm."

Jeongguk stared at the hoodie, at the way Taehyung held it out to him. He reached for it, fingers brushing against Taehyung's.

He lifted the fabric to his nose, inhaling deeply.

Taehyung's scent clung to it. Comforting. Familiar.

"I'll take it," Jeongguk murmured, stuffing it into his luggage.

"I thought it's dream but you are leaving for real, you are big boy now" Taehyung chuckled, as he stared at Jeongguk, who didn't say anything.

The silence between them felt heavy, weighted with things left unsaid.

Then, a knock at the door shattered the moment.