𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ Ft. ʏᴏᴏɴᴍɪɴ

Chapter 14

Jungkook sat in the car in complete silence, his gaze fixed on the passing city lights through the window. His expression was blank, unreadable. He clutched the handkerchief Namjoon had given him earlier, using it to wipe away the remnants of humiliation and tears. Namjoon, focused on the road, occasionally glanced at him through the rearview mirror, concern evident in his eyes. The weight of the night hung heavily in the air, unspoken but suffocating.

Namjoon kept glancing at Jungkook through the rearview mirror, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. The younger boy sat in complete silence, his gaze fixed on the passing city lights, expression unreadable. His delicate fingers clutched the handkerchief Namjoon had given him earlier, now slightly damp from wiping away his tears.

Namjoon, glance at the beside Jungkook, hesitated before softly placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Kook... are you okay?" he asked gently, though he already knew the answer.

Jungkook didn't respond immediately. His lips were pressed together, his eyes glassy but void of any emotion. He looked... tired. Defeated. As if the night had drained every ounce of warmth from him.

After a long pause, he exhaled shakily and spoke in a whisper, "I should've known."

Namjoon's heart clenched at the brokenness in his voice. "Jungkook, don't do that. This isn't Taehyung's fault...it's umm," he said firmly, keeping his eyes on the road but his tone filled with concern.

Jungkook let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head. "Isn't it?" His voice cracked slightly. "I was stupid enough to believe things were different this time." He clenched his fists on his lap, his nails digging into his palms.

Namjoon felt a sting in his chest, watching how small and fragile he looked at that moment. "Kook, please don't say that. Taehyung-he looked really shocked. I don't think he-"

Jungkook cut his off with a bitter smile. "I don't know what to believe anymore, hyung" His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried enough weight to make the car fall silent again.

Namjoon sighed, gripping the wheel harder. He knew words wouldn't fix this, not right now. The only thing he could do was get Jungkook home safely.

And maybe... make sure Taehyung faced the consequences if he was truly at fault.

Namjoon didn't say anything further, but deep down, he believed that Taehyung wasn't responsible for what happened. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he exhaled slowly, trying to contain his frustration. He knew Taehyung too well-despite his past mistakes, he wouldn't stoop this low. Stealing a glance at Jungkook, whose face was void of emotion, Namjoon felt a pang of sympathy. He wanted to say something, to reassure him, but he knew Jungkook needed space. So, he remained silent, letting the quiet hum of the engine fill the heavy silence between them.

Jungkook entered the house with a weary sigh, only to find Yoongi sitting on the couch, arms crossed, his sharp eyes locked onto him. It was clear he had been waiting. The dim glow of the living room lights cast a shadow over Yoongi's face, making his expression unreadable, but Jungkook could sense the tension in the air.

Swallowing hard, he avoided his brother's gaze and quietly shut the door behind him, bracing himself for the inevitable questioning.

Yoongi frowned slightly, his sharp eyes scanning Jungkook's face for any sign of discomfort. "You're back early," he noted, his tone softer than usual.

Jungkook forced a small smile, gripping the hem of his sleeve. "There were too many people, so I just left early," he said, hoping his excuse sounded convincing. He couldn't bring himself to tell his brother the truth-that he had been humiliated, made a spectacle of, and reduced to nothing more than a joke at the party.