NOT LOVE BUT RAW EMOTION
You find him in the empty locker room.
Sitting on the floor.
Head in his hands.
You kneel next to him.
Quiet.
Soft.
You:
"Jungkook."
He doesn't look up.
So you gently touch his knee.
He lifts his head slowly.
His voice cracks.
Jungkook:
"I hate this."
You:
"Hate what?"
Jungkook:
"When you talk to Yoongi hyung.
When Tae makes you laugh.
When everyone gets to be around you except me."
Your breath stops.
You didn't expect this level of raw honesty.
He grips his hair.
Jungkook:
"I don't want to feel like this. I don't want to care. But I do. I care so much it's ruining my training."
You whisper:
You:
"Jungkook… this is just frustration. You're stressed—"
He looks at you.
Deep.
Vulnerable.
Hurting.
Jungkook:
"It's not just stress."
You swallow.
Your chest tightens.
This is too much.
Too fast.
Too real.
You stand up.
You:
"You need rest. I'll get an ice pack."
You leave before he sees the confusion in your eyes.
Because for the first time…
You don't know if you're running away from him,
or from yourself.
The house was quiet, a little too quiet, and you instantly felt that familiar heaviness in the air — the one that comes before a storm… an emotional one.
You were in the kitchen, sipping warm water, when the door clicked open.
Taehyung came in.
Hair slightly messy, shirt loose, face unreadable.
But his eyes… his eyes searched only for you.
"Y/n…" he said softly.
You froze.
You weren't ready. Not today. Not after everything — the arguments, the distance, the unanswered messages, the tension lingering like a shadow.
He stepped closer, slow, unsure.
He confesses what he has been hiding
His voice cracked the moment he spoke.
"I can't pretend anymore."
You blinked, heart squeezing.
"Taehyung… what are you saying?"
He swallowed.
Deep breath.
Eyes shining.
"I'm scared of losing you. Every single day."
Your fingers tightened around the cup.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I thought… if I said it out loud, you'd see how weak I am for you."
The honesty hit you like a wave.
An unexpected moment changes everything
Before you could reply, the lights flickered — and the entire house went dark.
You gasped in instinctive fear.
Taehyung immediately reached forward blindly.
His hand found your wrist.
Then your fingers.
Then your waist.
"Come here, Y/n. Don't move."
You felt his chest rise sharply against yours.
The world outside disappeared.
Only his breath, his warmth, the sound of your heartbeat.
A soft thunder rolled outside.
He whispered against your ear, voice shaking:
"Please… don't leave me in the dark."
It wasn't about the electricity.
It was about him.
About the fear he finally admitted.
About the truth he could no longer hide.
You slowly lifted your hand to his cheek.
Even in the dark, he leaned into your touch like he had been waiting forever.
And then—
A sudden vibration broke the silence.
His phone.
He ignored it.
Your phone.
Message from Jungkook:
"Are you home? I need to talk to you. It's urgent."
Taehyung's arms stiffened around you.
The darkness.
The confession.
The closeness.
Jungkook.
All in one moment.
Your breath caught.
This is the turning point. Everything changes from here.
The phone screen lit up against your palm, but you quickly flipped it over before Taehyung could see.
You didn't want to ruin this moment.
Not when he had finally confessed.
Not when you were still wrapped in his arms.
The power was still out, and the house felt smaller, quieter… like it was holding its breath.
You tucked your phone behind you.
Taehyung didn't miss it.
His arms tightened slightly around your waist.
Not possessive.
Not angry.
But… scared.
Very scared.
He pulled back just enough for his forehead to rest against yours, his voice low, trembling:
"Y/n… tell me the truth."
You swallowed.
Your heartbeat echoed in your ears.
"What truth…?"
Another thunder rolled outside, and his fingers slid up your spine, stopping at your shoulder.
His next words were barely a whisper:
"Was that… Jungkook?"
The name broke something inside him — you could hear it.
Like he'd been holding it in for too long.
Your breath hitched.
He didn't move away.
He didn't get angry.
He just stood there, waiting… hurting quietly.
In the dark, you could see only the outline of him — but you felt everything.
"Why does it matter?" you whispered.
Taehyung exhaled sharply.
Not angry.
Not dramatic.
Just… honest.
"Because I don't know what you feel anymore."
Your chest tightened.
He brushed your cheek gently with his thumb, voice breaking:
"And every time his name comes up… I'm terrified you'll choose him."
Your fingers trembled around the phone behind your back.
The darkness.
His confessing.
His fear.
Jungkook's urgent message.
It was all too much.
He leaned closer, breath touching your lips.
"Y/n… tell me it wasn't him."
Your pulse jolted.
You didn't know what to say.
Rain slammed against the windows.
The house hummed with silence.
The only warmth in the room was Taehyung's breath mixing with yours.
He still held your face in both hands, waiting for your answer, voice trembling with:
"Was it Jungkook?"
You didn't answer.
You didn't think.
You just moved.
Your hands slid up his chest.
His breath caught—
and then your lips brushed his.
Soft.
Slow.
Longer than a question, shorter than a confession.
It wasn't a yes.
It wasn't a no.
It was an escape.
Taehyung froze for a second…
then kissed you back with a desperation he'd been hiding for years.
His fingers tightened slightly in your hair.
His lips were trembling.
The kiss wasn't perfect—
It was terrified.
Needy.
Shaking.
Because he knew you weren't answering the question he asked.
When you finally pulled away, his lips followed yours for half a second, breath shaky.
His forehead fell against yours.
His voice broke:
"Y/n… that doesn't tell me anything."
Your chest heaved.
Your phone buzzed again behind your back.
He flinched at the sound.
You looked straight into his eyes.
Dark.
Wet.
Begging for something he couldn't say out loud.
And that's when you whispered it…
Soft.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Why are you so scared of losing me?"
He inhaled sharply—
like you had just stabbed him with the truth he'd been avoiding.
His thumbs ghosted across your jaw, trembling:
"Because…"
He swallowed.
His voice cracked.
"…I already lost you once."
Silence.
Just raining outside, and your heart pounding.
He lifted his eyes to yours.
"And I don't think I'll survive if it happens again."
Your breath caught.
Your phone buzzed a third time.
Both of you froze.
Taehyung's jaw tightened.
Not angry—hurt.
"That's him, isn't it?"
His voice was barely a whisper.
You didn't move.
Didn't speak.
The light from the phone glowed faintly against your palm like guilt.
The phone buzzed again.
The screen lit up with Jungkook's name.
Taehyung's eyes stayed on it—not angry, but wounded in a way that made your chest tighten.
You took a slow breath…
…and placed the phone in his hand.
His fingers closed around it hesitantly, like he was afraid touching it would confirm every fear.
His eyes flicked up to you.
Searching.
Shaking.
Bracing for pain.
Your voice was gentle.
Calm.
Honest.
"He's just concerned about me."
Taehyung blinked.
You stepped closer, your fingers brushing lightly over his wrist—the one holding the phone.
"But I am still a straight line for him,"
your voice softened even more,
"Don't worry."
The words hit him harder than the kiss.
His breath stuttered.
Something in his shoulders finally loosened, like a weight he'd been carrying for months had suddenly slipped off.
His grip on the phone loosened.
He didn't even look at the notification again.
He only looked at you.
"A straight line…?"
Taehyung repeated, voice rough.
You nodded.
"He can't cross it. And I won't let him."
His throat tightened.
You could see him fighting the urge to pull you into his chest.
He whispered:
"Why… why are you saying this to me now?"
Your heartbeat thudded painfully.
You didn't answer.
Not yet.
Taehyung slowly placed Jungkook's phone on the table, like the conversation could wait forever.
His fingers brushed your hand as he let go.
A question almost slipped from him—
What about us? What are we now? What was that kiss?
But he held it in.
Instead, he whispered the truth he'd been terrified to speak:
"If you ever become anything more than a straight line to him…
I won't stop you."
He swallowed hard.
"But don't tell me not to worry…"
His voice cracked just a little.
"…when I'm this scared of losing you."
Your breath caught.
The room felt too small for the emotions between you.
He stepped closer—barely an inch between your bodies now—but didn't touch.
"Just… tell me if I still matter."
Taehyung stood in front of you — eyes glassy, chest rising and falling like he'd run miles without moving.
He whispered:
"Just… tell me if I still matter."
Your heart squeezed painfully.
You didn't run.
You didn't look away.
You lifted your hands slowly… and cupped his face.
His breath hitched the moment your palms touched his skin.
Your voice came out shakier than you expected:
"You matter more than you think, Tae."
His eyes fluttered shut for a second, as if those words physically hit him.
You continued, thumb brushing his cheekbone gently.
"You've always mattered."
Taehyung opened his eyes — and there was something raw in them.
All his walls, all his fear, slipping down piece by piece.
You swallowed hard, forcing the truth out:
"And… I don't want to lose you either."
That broke him.
Completely.
He exhaled shakily, lips parting, eyes dropping to your mouth instinctively before snapping back up like he wasn't allowed to look.
His hands hovered at your waist — not touching, just trembling in the air.
"Then why…" he whispered, voice cracking,
"…why does it feel like I'm the only one falling?"
Your heart pounded so loudly you thought he could hear it.
You didn't kiss him.
You didn't pull away.
You just held his face and said softly:
"Tae… you're not the only one. I just move slower than you."
Taehyung froze.
Completely stunned.
Your hands slid down from his cheeks to his jaw, and you forced him to meet your eyes.
"I'm confused. I'm scared. But I'm here."
His throat bobbed, his breath hot against your lips.
"With me…?" he whispered.
"With you."
You said it without hesitation.
And for the first time in weeks —
Taehyung smiled.
A real one.
Small.
Disbelieving.
Beautiful.
He leaned his forehead against yours, eyes closing.
"Don't go anywhere tonight…" he murmured.
The air between you turned warm, soft, intimate in a way you had never reached before.
You didn't answer with words.
You stayed right there.
🌙 Late Night — Taehyung's Room
The moment you said, "I'm here with you," something inside Taehyung quietly untangled.
He didn't move away.
You didn't either.
The room was dim, the city lights spilling in through the curtains.
Your hands were still resting lightly against his jaw when he whispered:
"Stay… just stay tonight."
You didn't say yes.
You didn't say no.
You simply followed him quietly as he sat on the bed, leaning back against the headboard.
You sat across from him — knees touching.
Soft. Familiar. A little dangerous.
He looked at you like he'd been waiting years for this moment.
🩷 Tae:
"Can I ask you something? And you have to tell the truth."
🩷 Y/N:
"…okay."
He exhaled sharply, rubbing his hands together.
🩷 Tae:
"When I confessed… did you hate me for it?"
You blinked.
Hate him?
Not even close.
You shook your head gently.
🩷 Y/N:
"No. I just… didn't know how to handle it."
He nodded slowly, eyes softening.
🩷 Tae:
"You looked terrified."
You laughed weakly.
🩷 Y/N:
"I was. You're… Taehyung. You always know what you feel. I never do."
His eyes softened even more — that warm, deep look he rarely let anyone see.
🩷 Tae:
"I don't always know. I just… know when it comes to you."
Those words landed directly in your chest.
You lowered your gaze.
🌙 The Honesty Begins
Taehyung leaned closer, elbows on his knees.
🩷 Tae:
"Tell me something honest, Y/N. Anything. Doesn't have to be about me."
You thought for a second.
Then sighed.
🩷 Y/N:
"I get overwhelmed easily."
(He stayed silent, listening.)
"I pretend I'm fine. I pretend I don't care. But I do. A lot."
He smiled softly.
🩷 Tae:
"You're allowed to care."
You stared at him.
🩷 Y/N:
"You too, Tae… you always pretend you're strong."
He froze — not expecting that.
🩷 Tae:
"…I'm not."
You reached out unconsciously…
Your hand rested on top of his gently.
His breath caught.
🩷 Y/N:
"You don't have to be."
That's when everything shifted.
🌙 The Bed Scene — Soft, Innocent, Close
It got late.
Really late.
You were both lying down now — on opposite sides but facing each other.
Only one pillow separated you.
Hands tucked under your faces.
Taehyung's voice was a soft whisper in the dark:
🩷 Tae:
"Do I still scare you?"
You swallowed hard.
🩷 Y/N:
"No… not anymore."
He exhaled slowly — relieved in a way you'd never seen before.
🩷 Tae:
"Good. Because I'm trying, Y/N. I'm really trying not to rush you."
You blinked at him, touched by how much he meant it.
🩷 Y/N:
"I know. And I see it."
He smiled that small, fragile smile again.
Then he whispered:
🩷 Tae:
"Can I hold your hand?"
Your heart stopped.
You hesitated…
then nodded.
He reached across the pillow — gingerly — and took your hand.
Warm.
Gentle.
Careful like you were made of glass.
You whispered:
🩷 Y/N:
"Why are you so nervous?"
He laughed breathlessly.
🩷 Tae:
"Because you finally let me close."
You squeezed his hand lightly.
🩷 Y/N:
"I'm trying too, Tae."
He stared at you like that sentence alone could fix every broken thing in him.
🌙 The Final Moment
Your hands intertwined.
The soft night surrounded you.
Neither of you wanted to sleep.
Finally, Taehyung whispered:
🩷 Tae:
"If we keep talking like this… I'll end up falling even deeper."
You smirked softly.
🩷 Y/N:
"I didn't say you can't."
His breath hitched.
And in the quiet darkness, fingers still laced together —
you both fell asleep like that.
For the first time ever…
at peace.
You woke up still holding Taehyung's hand.
He was still asleep, hair messy, face soft, breathing calm.
For a moment… you forgot the world existed.
Then—
your phone buzzed violently.
You quietly slipped your hand out of Tae's and stepped outside the room to answer.
But before you could, someone else saw you.
Someone who shouldn't have.
🌬️ Jungkook Stands in the Hallway
Jungkook was walking toward the practice arena, towel around his neck, hair damp from a shower.
He stopped when he saw you stepping out of Taehyung's room.
Stopped dead.
Your breath caught.
His eyes went from:
confusion → shock → disbelief → something sharp and angry.
He didn't blink.
Didn't move.
Just stared straight at you.
🖤 Jungkook (cold, confused):
"…Why are you coming out of his room?"
You opened your mouth.
Nothing came out.
You weren't guilty — but it looked bad.
Very bad.
He took a step closer.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Did you sleep there?"
Silence.
Your throat tightened.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Y/N. Answer me."
You finally whispered:
🩷 Y/N:
"…we just talked. That's all."
He laughed once — humorless.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Right. Talking. In his room. All night."
You frowned.
🩷 Y/N:
"What's your problem?"
He stepped closer, jaw hardening.
🖤 Jungkook:
"My problem? You're—"
He stopped himself.
Breathing shaky.
Eyes dark.
Then he looked away, fists clenching.
🖤 Jungkook:
"You know what? Forget it."
He tried to walk past you.
You grabbed his wrist.
🩷 Y/N:
"Jungkook—"
He jerked his hand out of your grip, voice rising slightly:
🖤 Jungkook:
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
Your heart jumped.
Why did he sound so… hurt?
🌬️ Taehyung Appears Behind You
Tae walked out of the room — sleepy, hair messy, wearing a white shirt.
Bad timing.
The worst timing ever.
Jungkook's eyes dropped to Tae.
Your hair messy.
Tae's hair messy.
Both of you stepping out of the same room.
It looked wrong from every angle.
Taehyung realized instantly.
He straightened, rubbing his neck.
🩷 Tae (calm, gentle):
"Kookie… it's not what you think."
Jungkook let out a bitter laugh.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Oh? Then tell me.
What should I think?"
You stepped forward.
🩷 Y/N:
"Stop overreacting—"
He snapped.
A low, raw explosion:
🖤 Jungkook:
"BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT YOU, OKAY?!"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Your heart dropped.
Taehyung stiffened.
Jungkook's eyes widened — like he didn't mean to say that out loud.
He turned away quickly, wiping his face with his sleeve.
His voice cracked.
🖤 Jungkook (quietly):
"…Just. Don't do this again.
Don't make me feel stupid."
He walked past both of you.
Didn't look back.
Didn't speak again.
Just disappeared into the arena.
Leaving you and Taehyung frozen.
🌙 Taehyung Turns to You
He exhaled slowly.
🩷 Tae:
"…He's jealous."
You stared at the empty hallway.
🩷 Y/N:
"He's just… concerned about me.
But I am still a straight line for him. Don't worry."
Taehyung smiled softly.
A little sad.
A little relieved.
🩷 Tae:
"I'm not worried.
But he is."
Then he gently touched your shoulder.
🩷 Tae:
"Come, let's talk. Alone. Before this gets worse."
But the truth was…
Things WERE about to get worse.
Because Jungkook didn't just walk away.
He was going straight to someone.
Someone who had the power to twist everything.
Ria.
The gym was dark except for the faint light from the hallway.
Jungkook was sitting on the floor, back against the weight rack, head buried in his arms.
Breathing uneven.
Knuckles red from punching the sandbag too many times.
He didn't hear the door open.
But Yoongi did.
🖤 Yoongi (soft, teasing tone):
"You'll break your hand before the competition, genius."
Jungkook didn't move.
Yoongi approached slowly and sat beside him on the floor — not too close, not too far.
🤍 Yoongi:
"Kook… look at me."
Jungkook lifted his head.
Eyes red.
Jaw tight.
A mix of anger and hurt swimming together.
Yoongi's expression softened instantly.
🤍 Yoongi:
"Who made you cry?"
Jungkook scoffed, wiping his eyes aggressively.
🖤 Jungkook:
"No one. Just tired."
Yoongi raised a brow.
🤍 Yoongi:
"Liar. Try again."
Jungkook looked down at his shaking hands.
Then whispered:
🖤 Jungkook:
"I saw her. Coming out of his room."
Ah.
That explained everything.
Yoongi stayed quiet, letting him continue.
🖤 Jungkook (voice breaking):
"She didn't even tell me.
She just… acted like it was normal."
Yoongi leaned back on his hands.
🤍 Yoongi:
"Kook, she doesn't owe you an explanation."
Jungkook snapped:
🖤 Jungkook:
"I KNOW! I know she doesn't—"
His voice cracked.
🖤 Jungkook:
"I just… hate this. I hate how it makes me feel."
Yoongi sighed deeply, patting his shoulder.
🤍 Yoongi:
"You're jealous.
And confused.
And maybe… you like her more than you admit."
Jungkook closed his eyes, whispering:
🖤 Jungkook:
"That's the worst part."
Yoongi didn't push him.
He just said softly:
🤍 Yoongi:
"You should talk to her. Calmly. Before this ruins everything."
Jungkook swallowed hard.
But he nodded.
Slowly.
🌙 Y/N Goes to Find Jungkook
After Taehyung assured you he was fine, you excused yourself.
You couldn't get Jungkook's face out of your mind.
So you walked into the gym.
You saw him sitting on a bench, tying his shoelaces too tightly — clearly pretending not to notice you.
You approached quietly.
🩷 Y/N:
"We need to talk."
He didn't look up.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Nothing to talk about."
🩷 Y/N:
"Kook…"
He shot up from the bench abruptly.
🖤 Jungkook:
"Don't call me that right now."
You froze.
He wasn't yelling.
But he was hurting.
So you stayed silent until he finally looked at you.
His eyes were still a little swollen.