Between The Lines

Eight: Shifting

His smile widens, warm and genuine now, and he shifts just a little closer, resting his arm behind his head. His movement is casual, yet intimate, like something they've done a thousand times before.

"You're perfect," Y/N whispers without thinking, the words slipping out as naturally as breathing.

Jungkook's expression softens at her words. The teasing fades, and there's an intensity in his eyes now. He looks at her, really looks at her, as though he's seeing her for the first time in a long time. His voice, when he speaks again, is tender. "You're the perfect one."

Y/N's heart skips a beat. The sincerity in his words washes over her, and in that moment, she feels a deep connection. They lie there, their gazes locked, smiling at each other in this quiet exchange. There's no need for more words, no need to fill the space between them with anything other than the weight of their presence. Everything feels right in this instant—perfect, almost too perfect.
But then, as if in slow motion, Jungkook shifts closer, his lips just a breath away from hers. Y/N feels the warmth of his body, his breath against her skin, and her heart races. Her body reacts instinctively—she wants to close the distance, to feel his lips press against hers—but something pulls her back, an invisible barrier she can't cross. Her breath hitches, and without thinking, she gently pulls away, just slightly, enough to create the smallest distance between them.

Jungkook pauses, his eyes searching hers for an explanation. "What's wrong?" he asks, his voice full of concern, soft but insistent. "Did I do something?"

Y/N can't quite find the words. The moment feels heavy now, awkward in a way she didn't expect. She doesn't know what to say, doesn't know how to explain the mix of emotions swirling inside her. So, she changes the subject, pushing away the tension.

"What are you doing today?" she asks, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrays her.

Jungkook glances at his phone for a moment, then back at her, offering a small, easy smile. "I'm meeting up with Minji," he says, his tone light. "Just hanging out."

Y/N's stomach churns. The words hit her harder than she expected, a sharp pang of jealousy twisting in her chest. She tries to push it away, tries to shrug it off, but the knot of discomfort only tightens.

"Okay," she replies quickly, her tone colder than she meant. "You should go then."

Jungkook frowns slightly, a flicker of confusion passing over his face. "Are you sure?" he asks, his voice quiet. "I don't have to go if you want me to stay."

Y/N shakes her head, trying to sound more confident than she feels. "No, it's fine. You should go."

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Jungkook stood by the door, his hand resting lightly on the doorknob. His eyes lingered on Y/N, sitting silently on the bed, her gaze fixed downward as if lost in thought. The quiet of the room enveloped them, but it felt like there was a storm brewing in the stillness—an unspoken tension neither of them seemed able to shake.

His heart ached as he watched her, the soft lines of her profile illuminated by the slant of morning light filtering through the blinds. The way her hair cascaded in loose waves over her shoulders, the gentle curve of her back as she sat so still—it was as if she was somewhere else entirely, wrapped in thoughts that he couldn't reach.

He opened his mouth to speak, to bridge the distance that felt so vast between them. "If you want," he began, his voice soft but steady, "I can stay. I don't have to go hang out with Minji. We could just chill here. I can stay with you."