???? ????? ?? ???? -tk

Back story

Taehyung's little face scrunches up in determination. "I'm okay! You need it more than me," he insists, pushing the box toward Jungkook with both hands. His gaze is full of quiet affection, already forming a pattern of small sacrifices in his mind, as if nothing matters more than seeing Jungkook smile again.

And when Jungkook finally does, Taehyung feels like he's won the world.

_____🌷

Taehyung (13)
Jungkook (14)

Taehyung stares down at the pieces of a broken vase, his hands trembling. His parents had always reminded him to be careful around delicate things, and here he was, surrounded by shards of his mother's favorite vase. He feels the sting of panic well up as he imagines the scolding he's about to receive.

Just as he hears footsteps approaching, as jungkook steps in front of him, standing protectively. When his parents reach the room, their eyes widen at the mess. Before Taehyung can explain, Jungkook speaks up.

"It was my fault!" Jungkook says with a slight bow. "I accidentally bumped into it. I'll clean it up right away."

Taehyung's heart races-not from fear, but from something unfamiliar yet thrilling. His face flushes, feeling an odd flutter in his stomach as he watches Jungkook face his parents without hesitation, taking the blame for him. Jungkook's expression remains calm and steady, not an ounce of regret in his eyes.

After they leave, Taehyung's voice is small and shy. "You didn't have to do that..."

Jungkook grins and pats his head, his voice filled with playful confidence. "I'll always have your back, Tae."

Taehyung's cheeks flush a deep pink, a warmth spreading through him that he can't quite explain. In that moment, something changes, and he begins to feel something more than just friendship.

"Always and forever are just a myth right?"

_____🌷

Taehyung (15)
Jungkook (16)

Taehyung sits on the edge of his bed, hands fidgeting nervously in his lap. His gaze is fixed on the floor, his shoulders tense. His heart pounds in his chest, louder than he can bear. This is the first time he's ever told anyone this secret-a truth he's hidden so deeply, it feels like a part of his soul.

Jungkook, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of him, watches Taehyung with soft, patient eyes, sensing the weight in the air. He can tell something important is coming, and he's ready to listen, no matter what it is.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Taehyung takes a shaky breath. "Kook... I-I think I might... like boys," he whispers, his voice barely audible, as if saying it too loud might shatter him. His face flushes, and he can't bring himself to look up.

For a moment, there's silence. Taehyung holds his breath, bracing himself, expecting judgment or discomfort, maybe even fear. But then, a gentle hand rests on his shoulder, and he looks up to see Jungkook's warm, understanding gaze.

"Hey... it's okay, Tae," Jungkook says softly, his hand giving Taehyung's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I'm proud of you for telling me."

Taehyung's lips tremble, relief flooding his chest. "You-you don't think it's weird?"

"Why would I?" Jungkook shakes his head, his expression sincere. "You're my best friend. Nothing's going to change that. I promise, this is just between us."

Taehyung feels the weight of his worries start to lift. His fingers unclench as he lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He hadn't known how much he needed to hear those words until now.

"You really mean that?" Taehyung's voice is a mix of hope and hesitation.

"Of course I do," Jungkook replies firmly, his gaze unwavering. "I'll keep this secret, Tae. Always. I promise."

Jungkook's words wrap around him like a blanket, comforting and warm, filling him with a sense of safety he'd never known before. Taehyung nods, smiling slightly, his heart swelling with gratitude. He realizes just how much he trusts Jungkook-enough to give him his deepest, most vulnerable secret.

And in that moment, Taehyung feels something more than just friendship, an indescribable closeness that he buries deep, afraid to put it into words.

_____🌷

Taehyung's age (18)
Jungkook's age (19)

Jungkook stared at the screen, his heart pounding with a mixture of rage, jealousy, and something darker that he couldn't quite name. He couldn't stand it anymore-how Taehyung always seemed to have it all. The attention, the love, the way people gravitated toward him. Even now, the thought of Taehyung, so perfect and untouched, made his blood boil.

But today, he was going to end it. End Taehyung's little act. His pretty-boy facade, the one everyone fell for. He wasn't the innocent angel they thought he was. No. Taehyung had something ugly hiding underneath it all.

Jungkook's fingers slammed down on the keys, the words coming out like poison, his mind clouded with anger and jealousy.

"so, you all think that pretty little fuckboy Taehyung is some kind of perfect angel, huh? Think he's an innocent heartthrob? News flash: he's a fucking slut. A whore. Yeah, that's right. He's been hiding his dirty little secret, pretending to be straight while he plays you all for fools. He's fucking gay, and you all fell for it, eating out of his hand like a bunch of idiots. Probably got all of you drooling over him-he's a goddamn whore who takes whatever he wants. Go ahead, ask him. He won't deny it now. Maybe he's too embarrassed to anymore."

Jungkook hit send, the cold satisfaction of his words sinking in immediately. He sat back, watching the chat explode with reactions-laughing emojis, shocked replies, and even some disgusted comments. But the one thing that gnawed at him, the one thing that made his stomach twist ever so slightly, was the knowledge that he knew Taehyung was still pure. Untouched. He wasn't the filthy slut Jungkook had just labeled him as. Taehyung wasn't like that.

But that didn't matter. Jungkook's chest tightened for a second, a small, tiny flicker of guilt threatening to crawl its way up. It was there. He could feel it, like a weight in his gut.

He knew. He knew Taehyung wasn't a whore. He knew his best friend wasn't like that-had never been like that. But he also knew what he'd been suppressing for so long. That soft, warm feeling that had been buried deep inside him for years-his love for Taehyung. The way his heart used to race when he saw him smile, the way he felt safe in his presence. That feeling had never gone away, even when Jungkook tried to push it down, trying to ignore it as Taehyung grew closer to Jimin, as the attention on him grew bigger and bigger.

Jungkook hated how others noticed Taehyung, especially Jimin. He hated how Jimin could be so carefree with Taehyung, laughing and touching him in ways that made Jungkook's blood boil. He hated how Taehyung would always look at him with that innocent, trusting gaze, like nothing had ever changed between them. But Jungkook knew. He knew exactly what had changed.

And that was the problem, wasn't it? Taehyung's popularity, his charm-it made him untouchable. Jungkook couldn't stand the way people fawned over him, how everyone else seemed to get a piece of Taehyung while he was left in the background. The jealousy twisted in his chest, choking out that warm feeling of love, turning it into something darker, something cruel.

That love, the one that had been there since childhood, the one he thought would always be there, had begun to suffocate under the weight of his own insecurities and jealousy. He could've had Taehyung. He could've been the one to stand by him, to love him. But no. He couldn't even admit it to himself, let alone to Taehyung. Not when there was a whole crowd of people, including Jimin, surrounding him.

That was when the decision had been made. He had to tear Taehyung down before anyone else could have him. Jungkook didn't even recognize the person he was becoming.

The flicker of guilt in his chest? He shoved it aside. It didn't matter. Not anymore.

_____

Tbc🌷