Fragments of fragile heart

After a hectic day at work, Jungkook finally stepped out of the café, the cool evening breeze brushing against his tired face. He sighed deeply, letting the crisp air calm his racing thoughts. Eunwoo had made sure to lighten his burden, cracking jokes and keeping things smooth at work. For the first time in days, Jungkook felt a tiny flicker of peace, yet his heart still felt heavy.

As he walked down the dimly lit streets toward his small apartment, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Taehyung.

Tae: “Bunny, did you get home safe? Don't forget to eat something before you sleep. And stop worrying too much, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow!”

A faint smile appeared on Jungkook’s face as he stared at the screen. Taehyung always had a way of making him feel seen, even when he didn’t have the words to express his feelings.

Jungkook: “I’m on my way home. Don’t worry about me, hyung. Thanks for today. Goodnight!”

But as he typed the message, his fingers hovered over the send button. He hesitated, then erased the last part and replaced it with, “Goodnight. See you.” He didn't want to burden Taehyung with his emotions.

When Jungkook reached his apartment, the familiar loneliness greeted him. The silence was almost deafening. He placed his bag down, quickly showered, and sat by the small window overlooking the city lights. His mind wandered to the moments he spent with Taehyung earlier. The laughter, the concern in Taehyung’s eyes, and how he fiercely defended him—even scolding a waiter for his sake.

Jungkook’s heart felt warm but conflicted. He cherished the bond they shared, but he couldn't help but feel like a burden sometimes. “Why does he care so much for someone like me?” Jungkook muttered under his breath.

He shook off the thought and reached for his sketchbook. Art had always been his escape, a way to pour out feelings he couldn’t voice. As he drew, his mind calmed, and for a moment, he forgot his worries.

---

Meanwhile, at Taehyung’s place, he sat on his bed, scrolling through his gallery, stopping at a photo of Jungkook laughing with sparkling eyes from earlier that day. He smiled to himself but felt a pang of worry. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Jungkook was hiding something deeper, something he wasn’t ready to share.

“Why can’t he just lean on me more?” Taehyung thought aloud, frustration mixing with concern. He made a silent promise to himself: no matter what, he’d stand by Jungkook’s side, whether Jungkook liked it or not.

---

The next day, Jungkook woke up early, feeling slightly better. He decided to visit the art supply store before heading to college. Painting was his sanctuary, the faint scent of paint and paper filling the air. He ran his fingers over the neatly stacked sketchpads and canvases, a small smile on his lips. Painting always gave him a sense of control, a rare thing in his chaotic life.

As he picked out a new set of paints and brushes, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Taehyung.

Tae: "Bunny, where are you? I didn't see you in class. Are you okay?"

Jungkook hesitated before replying.

Kookie: "I'm fine, hyung. Just needed to get some art supplies. I'll be there soon."

He didn't want to worry Taehyung, but the truth was, he didn't feel ready to face the group yet. The memory of being forced to apologize still lingered in his mind, a painful reminder of how easily people misunderstood him.

As Jungkook left the store, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him.

"Bunny!"

Jungkook turned, surprised to see Taehyung running toward him, slightly out of breath.

"Hyung? What are you doing here?" Jungkook asked, confused.

Taehyung grinned, brushing his hair back. "I could ask you the same thing. You didn't show up to class, so I figured I'd check on you."

Jungkook bit his lip, feeling both touched and embarrassed. "I'm fine, really. You didn't have to come all this way."

Taehyung crossed his arms, his playful expression turning serious. "You don't get to decide that, Kookie. If you're not okay, I want to be there for you."

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. He looked down, clutching the bag of supplies tightly. "I'm fine, hyung. I just... needed some air."

Taehyung stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "I know it's hard for you to talk about what's going on, but you don't have to carry it all alone. You have me."

For a moment, Jungkook felt his defenses weaken. He wanted to believe Taehyung's words, to trust that someone could truly care for him without expecting anything in return. But the fear of being a burden held him back.

"I'll be okay, Taehyung," Jungkook said softly, forcing a smile. "Let's just get to class."

Taehyung didn't push further. He knew Jungkook needed time, but he wasn't going to let him retreat completely. "Fine. But promise me you'll tell me if you're not okay."

Jungkook nodded, though he wasn't sure if he could keep that promise.

---

As they walked toward the campus, Taehyung tried to lighten the mood. He teased Jungkook about his bunny-like expressions and even offered to carry his bag. Jungkook couldn't help but laugh, his worries momentarily forgotten.

When they reached the classroom, the group was already seated. Jin and Jimin looked up, their faces softening with guilt when they saw Jungkook.

"Kookie," Jimin began hesitantly. "We're really sorry about the other day. We shouldn't have forced you to apologize. It wasn't fair."

Jungkook blinked, surprised by the apology. He hadn't expected them to acknowledge their mistake. "It's okay," he said quietly, though a part of him still felt hurt.

Jin added, "We just want you to know we're here for you, no matter what."

Taehyung watched the interaction closely, noting the flicker of emotion in Jungkook's eyes. He wanted to protect Jungkook from any further pain, but he also knew Jungkook needed to heal in his own way.

The day passed uneventfully, but the small gestures from his friends began to chip away at the walls Jungkook had built around himself. As he walked home that evening, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he didn't have to face everything alone.

But deep down, he knew the scars of his past wouldn't heal overnight. There was still a long journey ahead, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to confront the darkest parts of himself.

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To be continued 🫂💓📚