Chapter 19 - TAEHYUNG'S ROOM

🌌 Inside Taehyung's Room

It's neat.

Warm.

Soft lights.

A faint smell of his cologne.

Taehyung stands in front of you, hands in his pockets—

a sign he's nervous.

"Y/N…" he begins, voice gentle.

"I didn't ask you here to make things weird."

You sit on the edge of his bed.

He stays a few steps away, giving you space.

"I just wanted to talk without Jungkook glaring at me every five seconds."

You smile faintly.

He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling.

"Earlier… when you said you didn't want me to walk away from you…"

He stops.

Collects himself.

"That meant more to me than you think."

You look down at your hands.

Taehyung steps closer—slowly, cautiously—

and sits beside you.

Not too close.

Not too far.

"Y/n," he says softly, "I don't expect anything from you. Not love. Not choosing me. Not… anything."

You stay silent.

He continues:

"But if I'm still someone you trust…

someone you don't want to lose…

then that's enough for me."

Your chest tightens.

Taehyung looks at you with those deep, warm eyes that never lie.

"I just wanted you to know," he adds, "that whatever you feel—

or don't feel—

I'll stay by your side. As long as you let me."

The room feels too small for the emotions floating inside it.

You whisper:

"Tae…"

His lips tug into a tiny, sad smile.

"Yeah?"

You look at him.

And this time, you ask:

"What did you really want to tell me?"

Taehyung inhales deeply.

Then:

"There's something I've been holding in for a long time…

and I think you deserve to know."

Your heartbeat jumps.

But he's cut off—

by a loud knock on the door.

"Y/nnnn," Jungkook's voice calls, irritated.

"You good in there? Or should I break the door?"

Taehyung's jaw tightens.

You look at the door, then at him.

And Taehyung whispers:

"Please don't leave yet. I'm not done."

The knock is loud.

Sharp.

Annoyed.

"Y/nnn," Jungkook calls again, voice tight, "just say something."

You take a breath, stand up from Taehyung's bed, and walk toward the door.

Taehyung watches you with worried eyes—

as if he's scared you'll walk out and not come back.

You place your hand on the doorknob…

…but instead of opening it, you speak through the door:

"Jungkook, I'll come out in a minute."

There's silence.

Then—

A small, confused pause.

"…Oh."

His tone softens immediately.

"Okay. Take your time."

You hear him walk away.

You turn back toward Taehyung.

He's still sitting on the bed—

but he looks different now.

Relieved.

Touched.

A little stunned.

"You didn't go," he murmurs.

You shrug lightly.

"You asked me not to leave yet."

He lowers his gaze, hiding the small smile that's forming.

When you walk back and sit beside him again, he exhales deeply—

like he's letting go of air he didn't realise he was holding.

🌌 "Tae… what were you trying to tell me?"

You ask softly.

Taehyung lifts his head.

His eyes meet yours.

He hesitates…

just for a second…

then decides to let the truth slip through.

"Y/n," he says slowly, "you're the one person who never treated me like… Taehyung the athlete. The celebrity. The guy everyone wants something from."

Your eyes soften.

He continues, voice lower:

"You're just… real with me. Honest. Even when it makes me uncomfortable."

His lips twitch.

"And even when it hurts."

You say nothing—

letting him speak, letting him breathe.

"And I think somewhere along the way…"

He stops, swallows hard.

"I started needing that more than I expected."

Your heartbeat stutters.

Taehyung looks down at his hands.

"It's not love," he whispers.

"Not yet. I'm not stupid. I know you don't feel anything like that."

You look away for a moment.

He adds softly:

"But I care about you in a way I don't know how to undo."

The room goes quiet again.

Not heavy.

Just full.

You sigh gently.

"Tae… I don't want to hurt you."

He smiles—sad, small, understanding.

"I know. That's why you won't."

You look at him.

He looks at you.

And the space between you feels… fragile.

Warm.

Complicated.

Suddenly, Taehyung leans back on his hands, staring at the ceiling.

"I don't want to make things strange for you," he mutters.

"And I definitely don't want to fight with Jungkook over you."

You raise an eyebrow.

"We're not fighting," you say.

He gives you a look.

"Y/n. He's two seconds away from storming this room with a baseball bat."

You laugh despite everything.

And Taehyung smiles—

a softer one this time.

The kind he only shows you.

A moment later, he sits up again.

"Can I ask you something?" he murmurs.

You nod.

He looks into your eyes with quiet earnestness:

"Do you… still want me in your life?"

Your heart skips.

Not romantically.

Not dramatically.

Just honestly.

And your answer comes naturally:

"Yes, Tae. I do."

He closes his eyes for a moment, relieved.

"Okay," he whispers.

"That's enough."

Right then—

Jungkook knocks again. Softer this time.

"Y/n… whenever you're ready… dinner's here."

You look at Taehyung.

He nods.

"Go."

But his voice carries one silent message:

'Don't forget what I told you.'

Your apartment — late night

Jungkook is still standing in front of you, chest rising and falling fast, eyes dark with worry and jealousy.

His hand is still on the wall beside your head, caging you gently.

You inhale sharply… then you look straight into his eyes.

"Jungkook… stop overthinking."

Your voice is soft but firm.

His jaw tenses.

"Overthinking? You didn't see the way he touched your wrist—"

You step closer, slowly lifting your hand.

Your fingertips graze his jawline… feather-light, calming.

His breath catches.

"Kookie…" you whisper,

"You become so much anxious for me … but I'm STILL yours. No matter who stands next to me."

His eyes soften—but the jealousy is still burning in them.

He doesn't back away.

He steps closer instead.

You feel his breath on your lips now.

"Say it again," he whispers.

"Say I matter to you more than he does."

You slide your thumb softly over his jaw, and Jungkook closes his eyes for a second—almost like he's melting under your touch.

"You matter the most."

"Only you."

His eyes open slowly… dark, intense, hungry.

He leans his forehead against yours.

"Then don't leave me confused, Y/n…"

"I don't want to lose you."

Your heart starts beating wildly.

And then—

the door suddenly opens.

Taehyung stands there.

Expression unreadable.

Jaw clenched.

Eyes flickering from Jungkook's hand near your waist…

to your hand on Jungkook's jaw…

And then back to your face.

Silence.

Sharp. Heavy. Dangerous.

Jungkook doesn't move.

Neither do you.

Taehyung's voice is low:

"I guess… I came at the wrong time."

Taehyung stands frozen at the doorway.

And you—

your heart jumps to your throat.

Instantly, you pull your hand away from Jungkook's jaw

and take one step back.

But it's too late.

Taehyung's eyes had already seen everything.

The closeness.

The tension.

The way Jungkook was leaning in.

The way your hand fit on his skin like it belonged there.

Tae's expression doesn't change,

but his eyes…

his eyes scream something you can't read.

Jungkook's jaw flexes once, then twice.

He doesn't step away from you—

if anything, he leans even slightly closer, as if to remind Tae he was already here.

The air tightens.

Taehyung finally speaks.

His voice is calm.

Too calm.

"I called you."

You swallow.

You look at him, then at Jungkook, then down at the floor.

"I… didn't hear."

Tae nods once.

A lie.

He knows it.

You know it.

Jungkook definitely knows it.

Taehyung breathes in slowly through his nose, collecting himself.

Then:

"I just came to return your notebook. You left it in class."

He holds it out.

His hand doesn't shake, but his eyes do.

You take it quietly.

Jungkook watches the exchange like a hawk, expression unreadable.

Taehyung forces a tiny, polite smile.

"I won't disturb you guys. Good night."

He turns.

He steps outside.

But just before leaving, without looking back, he adds:

"Next time… answer your phone, Y/n."

And the door closes softly.

The softness hurts more than anger would've.

You stand there frozen.

Jungkook mutters under his breath:

"He saw everything."

And then he turns to look at you, searching your face.

Taehyung's soft, controlled exit hits you like a punch to the heart.

The moment the door clicks shut—

—you break.

Your throat tightens, your vision blurs, and before you can stop yourself—

You burst into tears.

Jungkook's eyes widen.

"Hey—hey, woah—Y/n…"

He steps forward instantly, pulling you straight into his chest like it's instinct.

His arms wrap around you, firm and warm, and he cups the back of your head.

You clutch his hoodie tightly, face buried against him.

"Y/n… don't cry. Please."

You shake your head, words breaking between sobs.

"Tae… he looked so hurt…"

Jungkook's jaw tightens.

He presses his lips softly to the crown of your head—

a gentle, comforting touch, not romantic.

"Taehyung will understand," he murmurs.

"He's your friend. He cares about you. That's why it hit him."

You pull back, wiping your tears roughly with your sleeve.

Your voice trembles—

"No… I have to talk to him."

Jungkook nods immediately.

Not jealous.

Not angry.

Just solid, supportive.

"Then go. I'll stay here. Take your time."

You blink at him, surprised by how calm he is.

He gives a tiny smile, brushing away the last tear with his thumb.

"Y/n… go make things right."

You nod, grab your notebook, and rush out into the hallway.

HALLWAY — moments later

Taehyung is walking toward the end of the corridor, hands in pockets, shoulders tense.

"Tae!!"

He stops.

Slowly… he turns.

His eyes meet yours, and there it is again—

That quiet, painful hurt he tried so hard to hide.

He doesn't speak.

He waits.

You step closer, breath shaking.

"Taehyung… please… listen. It wasn't—"

He lifts a hand gently to stop your words.

And with a soft, strained voice:

"Y/n… just tell me one thing."

He steps closer.

Too close.

Your heartbeat stutters.

"Are you happy… with him?"

And you freeze.

Taehyung stands there, eyes searching yours, heart clearly in his throat.

You take a slow step toward him… then another… until you're right in front of him.

His gaze flickers—confused, hopeful, scared.

You speak softly, voice trembling from honesty:

"But I'm happy with you too."

Taehyung's breath catches.

You continue before he can react—

"I like you too, Taehyung."

His eyes widen, pupils shaking.

Your voice gets steadier, gentler:

"Don't think yourself lesser than him. You're not. You're… just as important for me as Jungkook is."

A tiny, broken exhale leaves him.

Like he had been holding his breath for weeks.

He swallows hard, eyes softening in disbelief.

"Y/n… you— you mean that?"

You nod.

"Every word."

For a full second, Taehyung just stares at you.

Silent.

Shaken.

Vulnerable.

Then—

You rise onto your toes and kiss his cheek.

Soft.

Warm.

Lingering.

Taehyung freezes.

His hand lifts automatically—touching the spot where your lips just were.

He looks like someone hit him with sunlight.

"Y/n…"

His voice cracks on your name.

You don't let him finish.

You wrap your arms around him and pull him into a tight, full-body hug.

He reacts instantly—

Wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you closer, burying his face in your shoulder.

His voice is muffled against your skin:

"Thank you… for not pushing me away."

You hold him even tighter.

"You're not someone I would ever push away, Tae."

Taehyung breathes out shakily, hands trembling slightly on your back.

"Then… then don't leave my side, okay?"

Your heart skips.

"I'm not going anywhere."

He nods against you, slowly relaxing in your hold—

the tension melting off his body as if you anchored him back to earth.

And in that hallway—

under dim lights, hearts too loud—

Taehyung lets himself feel hope again.

You slowly pull away from the hug, but Taehyung doesn't move.

Not even an inch.

His hands remain on your arms… warm, gentle, trembling just a bit.

You look up at him.

And something shifts in his eyes.

Your words,

your kiss on his cheek,

your hug—

they've all cracked something open inside him.

"Y/n…" he whispers, voice tight.

Before you can ask what's wrong—

Taehyung suddenly lifts one hand… and cups your face.

Softly.

Cautiously.

Like he's scared you'll disappear.

His thumb brushes your cheekbone.

Your breath stops.

"Tae…?"

He doesn't answer.

He just stares at you—

really stares—

as if he's memorizing every part of your face.

His heartbeat is loud enough that you swear you can feel it through his fingertips.

"You don't know," he murmurs, voice low, raw, "what you just did to me."

You blink. "What do you mean?"

Taehyung leans in just a little, noses almost touching.

"You said I'm important to you,"

his voice cracks,

"after weeks of thinking you'd never look at me that way."

Your cheeks warm.

You try stepping back, but his hand gently holds your face in place.

"Don't pull away," he whispers.

You freeze.

Taehyung breathes in slowly.

His thumb softly strokes your cheek again—almost subconsciously.

"You know what scares me?" he asks.

"What?"

"That I might fall for you faster than Jungkook ever did."

Your eyes widen.

You weren't ready for that confession.

Not now.

Not like this.

"Tae…"

He smiles sadly, eyes dropping to your lips for half a second.

But then he shakes his head and steps back, hand falling away.

"No," he says quietly. "I won't cross that line unless you want me to."

His voice lowers.

"I respect you too much."

You swallow hard.

Your chest feels too full.

Taehyung gives you a tiny smile—soft, painfully sweet.

"Thank you for today, Dristy," he whispers.

"Your words… I'll keep them close."

Then he turns—slowly—and walks down the hallway, leaving you standing there with your heart racing in ways you didn't expect.

You're still standing in the quiet hallway,

heart thumping,

Taehyung's warmth still on your skin…

when a calm voice breaks the silence.

"...You good?"

You nearly jump.

Yoongi is leaning against the vending machine,

arms crossed,

styrofoam coffee cup in one hand,

expression flat—

but eyes waaay too observant.

You exhale.

"Yoongi— how long have you been standing there?"

He shrugs casually.

"Long enough."

You freeze.

Yoongi narrows his eyes at you, flicking them from your flushed cheeks to the direction Taehyung walked away.

"Your face is red," he says.

"Very red. Bright red. Like tomato red."

You glare.

"Stop exaggerating."

"I'm literally not," he deadpans and sips his coffee.

You turn away, flustered.

He follows, walking beside you.

"So," Yoongi begins, tone suspiciously casual, "why did Taehyung look like someone just confessed to him or broke his heart? Hard to tell with that man."

You press your lips together.

"…Nothing happened."

Yoongi stops walking, stands right in front of you, blocking your way.

He tilts his head.

"Y/n."

His voice is soft but firm.

"You and I both know when you say 'nothing,' it means 'something huge.'"

Your shoulders drop.

You sigh.

"He just… got emotional. I told him he's important to me."

Yoongi's eyebrows shoot up.

"Ah."

"What?"

"That explains the look in his eyes," he mutters.

"That boy's been holding himself back for weeks."

You freeze again.

Yoongi watches you carefully, then gently taps your arm with the back of his hand.

"Come here."

You hesitate, but he pulls you into a small quiet corner of the lounge.

"You okay?" he asks quietly.

You nod weakly.

"I just… don't want to hurt him."

Yoongi clicks his tongue.

"Hurt him? You? If anything, Taehyung's the one confusing you."

You open your mouth to protest, but he continues.

"He likes you. More than he wants to admit."

Your heart stutters.

"And Jungkook?" Yoongi adds with a raised eyebrow.

"That boy is a volcano waiting to erupt."

You groan.

"Don't start."

"I'm just saying," Yoongi says, sipping his coffee again, "you're the storm in both their lives."

You stare at him.

"Yoongi… what am I supposed to do?"

Yoongi gives a tiny smile and flicks your forehead gently.

"Simple. Don't run.

Just feel.

And let things unfold."

You blink at him.

"Wow," you say. "That was surprisingly poetic."

He shrugs.

"I'm sleep-deprived. Sometimes wisdom leaks out."

You laugh a little.

Then Yoongi pats your head.

"Come on. Let's get ramen. You look like you need carbs and emotional stability."

You roll your eyes but smile.

Yoongi orders for both of you,

because of course he does—

and you thank him quietly as the steaming bowls arrive.

You take the first sip of broth.

Warm.

Comforting.

Exactly what your shaken heart needed.

Yoongi watches you with an almost brotherly softness.

"Better?" he asks.

You nod.

"A little."

"Good." He takes a bite. "Now tell me the part you left out."

You open your mouth—

But the bell on the ramen shop door rings.

Hard.

Like someone yanked it, not pushed it.

Both of you look up.