𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄 ||𝐉𝐉𝐊 𝐅𝐅🔞||

C H A P T E R : 22

The room feels smaller than before.
No one moves at first. The air itself feels tight, like breathing too deeply might break something fragile between them. Y/N stands a few steps away, her fingers curled into the sleeves of her shirt, eyes moving between the two men like she’s scared of what might happen next.

Taehyung doesn’t look at her yet.

He can’t.

Because Jungkook is walking toward him.
Slow steps. Careful. Like approaching a wounded animal that might attack or collapse. There’s no arrogance in his posture now. No control. Just something raw and uncertain.

Taehyung’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t step back.

Jungkook stops right in front of him, close enough that the years between them feel heavier than the distance. For a moment, he just stands there, searching Taehyung’s face like he’s trying to find the friend he once knew.

Then, before Taehyung can react, Jungkook moves forward and pulls him into a hug.
It isn’t forceful. It isn’t dramatic.

It’s desperate.

Taehyung freezes instantly, his arms hanging stiff at his sides. His body doesn’t return the embrace, but he doesn’t shove him away either. Shock holds him still.
Jungkook’s voice comes out low, rough, right next to his ear.

“You’re my best friend,” he says quietly. “My only best friend… please, Taehyung.”
The words land heavily.

Y/N watches with wide eyes, her heart pounding so loudly she can almost hear it in her ears. She has never seen oppa look unsure before. Never seen someone hold him like this.

Taehyung’s fingers twitch at his sides.
For a second… just a second… something in his expression cracks. Old memories. Late nights. Fights they survived together. Trust built over years that blood couldn’t wash away.

But then he remembers why they are here.
He slowly lifts his hands and places them against Jungkook’s shoulders.

Not to hug him back.

To push him away.

The movement is firm but not violent.

Controlled. Careful.

Jungkook lets go immediately.

Taehyung takes a small step back, putting space between them, and runs a hand through his hair as he exhales deeply. The sound is shaky, like he’s trying to steady something inside himself before it spills out.
Only then does he turn to Y/N.

She’s still standing there, frozen, her eyes glassy, her lips slightly parted like she forgot how to breathe.

Seeing her like that softens him instantly.
He takes a deep breath.

“Baby,” he says gently, his voice completely different now. Softer. Warmer. “How about… you go out for a bit?”
Y/N blinks.

“What?” she whispers.

Taehyung keeps his gaze on her, not Jungkook.

“How about Jungkook takes you out for the day,” he continues carefully. “You two eat outside. Go somewhere nice. Then… he brings you back here.”

The words feel heavy even as he says them, like each one costs him something.
Both Y/N and Jungkook freeze.

Jungkook’s head snaps toward Taehyung in disbelief. He searches his face for sarcasm, anger, a trap. There is none. Only exhaustion. And something else.
Trust.