Fragments of fragile heart

Jungkook didn't know when it started. Maybe it was the first time he noticed Taehyung's late-night disappearances. Maybe it was when he heard Taehyung's small white lie about going for a walk. Or maybe it was the moment he realized how easily Taehyung avoided giving him a real answer.

Either way, something inside him cracked, and no matter how much he tried to ignore it, the doubt festered.

So, he started pulling away.

It wasn't dramatic, at least not at first. He still smiled when Taehyung teased him. Still responded to his texts. Still let himself be held on occasion. But something was different. He no longer leaned into Taehyung's touch like before. He no longer reached out first. And most of all, he stopped looking at Taehyung with the same unguarded softness.

And Taehyung noticed.

He felt it in the way Jungkook tensed when he held his hand. In the way Jungkook's responses became shorter. In the way he avoided meeting his eyes.

At first, Taehyung tried to ignore it. Maybe Jungkook was just stressed about exams. Maybe he was tired. But as the days passed and the distance only grew, the fear in Taehyung's chest turned into something suffocating.

One evening, as they walked back home, Taehyung finally asked, "Kookie, what's wrong?"

Jungkook glanced at him briefly before shaking his head. "Nothing. I'm just tired."

Taehyung stopped walking. "No, you're not."

Jungkook stiffened, but he didn't turn around. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Taehyung swallowed. "Jungkook, please. Talk to me." His voice was almost desperate.

Jungkook's fingers curled into fists. For a split second, he wanted to turn around, wanted to say everything-*Why do you leave in the middle of the night? Who are you texting? Why won't you just tell me the truth? Do you regret this? Do you regret us?*

But he couldn't.

Because what if the answer shattered him?

So instead, he forced a small smile and said, "It's nothing, Tae. I promise." And before Taehyung could push further, Jungkook turned and walked ahead, leaving Taehyung standing alone, staring at his back with a sinking heart.

The campus was buzzing with excitement. Their final exams were officially over, and in just two days, they would graduate. Their friends were ecstatic, already making plans for celebrations.

Jin threw an arm around Namjoon's shoulder. "We survived! I can't believe it. I thought I was going to die studying."

"You barely studied," Yoongi deadpanned.

Jimin laughed. "That's true. But we made it!"

Hoseok grinned, nudging Jungkook. "What about you, Kook? You finally free?"

Jungkook forced a small smile. "Yeah."

His voice sounded distant even to himself.

Taehyung, standing beside him, felt the hollowness in that single word. He glanced at Jungkook, hoping to find the warmth he had always seen in his eyes, but it wasn't there.

His chest ached.

Why was Jungkook pulling away?

Was he... regretting this?

Taehyung's hands clenched at his sides. He wanted to ask, wanted to reach out, wanted to *fix* whatever was breaking between them. But how could he when Jungkook wouldn't even meet his eyes?