Fragments of fragile heart

fragments of fragile heart part:-32

Jin broke the silence. “Taehyung, are you okay?”

Taehyung nodded, but his clenched fists betrayed his true emotions. “I’m fine. I just… I keep thinking about everything Eunwoo told us yesterday.”

Yoongi, ever the sharp observer, leaned forward. “You feel guilty, don’t you?”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. “Of course I do. I believed Junghwon over him. I doubted Jungkook, pushed him away when he needed me the most. I don’t even know how he can still…” He trailed off, his voice breaking.

Jin sighed heavily. “But we can’t let him know we found out everything. He’s too fragile right now. It’ll only hurt him more.”

Taehyung nodded. “That’s why we’ll keep it to ourselves. Let him open up when he’s ready. He doesn’t need to know how much we know.”

Eunwoo placed a comforting hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. “He loves you, Taehyung. He always has. And I think, deep down, he knows you love him too.”

“I do,” Taehyung admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t think I deserve him. Not after everything.”

Namjoon spoke up, his tone firm but gentle. “None of us can change the past, Taehyung. But you can choose how you treat him now. Jungkook’s been through enough. What he needs isn’t your guilt; it’s your love.”

The room fell silent as Taehyung absorbed Namjoon’s words.

---
Upstairs, Jungkook stirred awake, stretching as he blinked at the sunlight streaming in. He felt strangely warm, the memory of Taehyung holding him last night lingering in his mind.

When Jungkook came downstairs, the conversation in the living room abruptly stopped. His hyungs turned to him, their expressions a mix of guilt and affection.

“Uh… good morning?” Jungkook said, tilting his head in confusion.

Before he could say anything else, Jin and Yoongi pulled him into a tight hug.

“Hyung, what’s going on?” Jungkook asked, his voice muffled against Jin’s shoulder.

“Nothing,” Jin said quickly, his voice slightly shaky. “We just… missed you.”

Jungkook frowned, pulling back slightly. “I’ve been here this whole time. Why are you acting weird?”

Yoongi ruffled Jungkook’s hair. “Can’t we just hug our favorite maknae?”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes suspiciously but didn’t push further. He glanced at Taehyung, who was sitting quietly, avoiding his gaze.

“Taehyung?” Jungkook called softly.

Taehyung looked up, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s. His heart clenched at the sight of him—so small, yet so strong.

“I’m here, Kookie,” Taehyung said, his voice warm.

Jungkook’s lips curved into a small smile, but he still felt the tension in the room. He decided to let it go, for now, focusing instead on the warmth of his hyungs’ affection and Taehyung’s comforting presence.
-----

The rest of the day passed in a haze for everyone. They went about their usual routines, but there was a weight in the air that no one could ignore. Jungkook remained blissfully unaware of the knowledge that now burdened the others, his past silently shared by Eunwoo the night before.

Taehyung, however, could hardly focus on anything else. Every time Jungkook walked past him, smiled at him, or spoke to him, it was like a dagger to his chest. The guilt of the past and the realization of his love for Jungkook consumed him, but he forced himself to keep it hidden.

---

Later That Day

Jungkook sat on the couch, a book in his hands, oblivious to the way the others exchanged glances. Jin and Yoongi whispered to each other, their eyes darting toward him every so often. Namjoon and Hobi stayed silent, their faces clouded with unspoken emotions.

Jimin plopped down next to Jungkook, draping an arm around his shoulder. “What are you reading, Kookie?” he asked, his voice light and casual.

Jungkook tilted the book slightly to show him. “It’s just a novel. Something light.”

Jimin nodded, his smile faltering just a little. “You’ve been reading a lot these days.”

“It helps me relax,” Jungkook said simply.

Across the room, Taehyung watched the exchange, his fingers gripping the armrest of the chair he was sitting in. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. All he could do was stare at Jungkook, his mind racing with memories of the things he had said and done to him in the past.

Taehyung’s heart ached as he thought again of the day Junghwon had manipulated him, planting seeds of doubt about Jungkook’s character. He had believed Junghwon so easily, had turned his back on Jungkook without giving him the chance to explain.

And now, knowing everything Jungkook had endured—the cold nights in the garden, the harsh words from his parents, the loneliness—Taehyung felt like the worst person alive.

Evening

As dinner rolled around, everyone gathered at the table, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. Jungkook chatted with Jin and Namjoon about some upcoming projects, his face lighting up as he spoke.

But Taehyung couldn’t bring himself to join the conversation. Instead, he focused on his plate, barely touching his food.

Jimin nudged him under the table, whispering, “You need to eat, Tae.”

Taehyung forced a small smile and nodded, but the lump in his throat made it impossible to swallow.

Jungkook noticed Taehyung’s quiet demeanor and frowned. “tae, are you okay?”

Taehyung looked up, startled. “I’m fine, Kookie. Just tired.”

Jungkook’s brows furrowed in concern, but he didn’t press further.

---

Later That Night

Jungkook retreated to his room after dinner, leaving the others in the living room. As soon as he was out of earshot, Jin spoke up.

“I can’t believe we didn’t see it,” he said, his voice heavy with guilt.

Namjoon nodded. “He’s been carrying so much pain, and we were blind to it.”

Yoongi sighed. “We can’t change the past, but we can make sure he never feels that way again.”

Hobi looked at Taehyung, his expression serious. “What about you, Tae? What are you going to do?”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I want to tell him I love him, but… after everything, do I even deserve him?”

Jimin placed a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. “You can’t let guilt stop you, Tae. Jungkook loves you. He always has. You just need to show him that you love him too.”

Taehyung swallowed hard, his eyes glistening. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right. I just… I don’t want to hurt him again.”

---

Meanwhile, in Jungkook’s Room

Jungkook lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind wandered to Taehyung, as it often did, but he quickly pushed the thoughts away.

He doesn’t see me that way, Jungkook reminded himself. He never has.

He had buried his feelings for Taehyung a long time ago, convincing himself that it was for the best. But sometimes, late at night, those feelings resurfaced, leaving him with a dull ache in his chest.

Shaking his head, Jungkook closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep.

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To be continued…...🤧🫂