Fragments of fragile heart

The cafeteria was alive with its usual noise-the clatter of trays, the hum of conversations, and the occasional bursts of laughter from different groups. At the center of it all sat their group, bickering as usual.

Jimin and Yoongi were engaged in yet another argument, their voices rising and falling like a never-ending battle.

"You're just mad because I beat you at the game last night," Yoongi said smugly, taking a sip of his iced coffee.

Jimin's eyes widened dramatically. "I'm mad because you cheated, you gremlin!"

Yoongi smirked. "Says the guy who unplugged my controller last week."

"That was an accident!" Jimin huffed, crossing his arms. "You, on the other hand, are a liar."

Jin, who had been silently observing, decided to intervene-but not in the way Jimin hoped.

"I have to agree with Yoongi," Jin mused, tapping his chin. "Jimin, you do have a habit of being dramatic when you lose."

Jimin gasped, looking truly betrayed. "Hyung, you're supposed to be on my side!"

Jin shrugged nonchalantly. "I side with the truth, my dear Jimin."

Yoongi smirked even wider, leaning back in his seat. "See? Even Jin knows I'm right."

Namjoon sighed from beside them, rubbing his temples. "Are we really doing this again? Every day, the same thing."

"Of course," Yoongi replied casually. "It's tradition."

Jungkook sat across from them, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips as he watched the scene unfold. It felt... nice. The normalcy of their banter, the way their conversations flowed so easily.

It reminded him of why he loved them.And it also reminded him of how long he had spent pretending to be okay-when he truly wasn't.

Jungkook was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the pair of eyes watching him.

Taehyung.

Taehyung wasn't paying attention to Jimin and Yoongi's argument. He wasn't even aware of what was happening around him.His focus was entirely on Jungkook.

The way his lips curved into a small, barely-there smile. The way his long lashes brushed against his cheeks when he blinked. The way the light hit his face so perfectly, making him look almost ethereal.

He was beautiful.

And Taehyung was falling-harder than ever before.

He had thought he knew love.He had dated before. He had been in relationships.But none of those feelings came close to what he felt for Jungkook.
It wasn't just affection. It wasn't just attraction.It was deeper.

It was the way his chest ached when Jungkook looked sad.
It was the way his heart soared when Jungkook laughed.
It was the way he wanted to protect him from everything-even his own pain.

He loved him.And yet...Jungkook didn't see it.Or maybe... he didn't want to.

Taehyung clenched his fists under the table. He had taken too long to realize it.

Jungkook had buried his feelings for him.And now, all Taehyung could do was watch as Jungkook moved further away from him.

As they all continued talking, a familiar voice suddenly interrupted.

"Jungkook?"

Everyone turned toward the voice.

It was the same girl who had been trying to get close to Jungkook for weeks now. The same girl who made Taehyung's stomach twist in irritation every time she approached.