Still With You ?

After 3 Hours (2:30 PM)

Jungkook slowly fluttered his eyes open. As his vision adjusted, he saw Taehyung and Jimin sitting nearby, working on something while softly bickering. Their voices were low.

Jungkook just lay there, staring at them. Watching their bond, he was reminded of his own relationship with Eunwoo.

He remembered how they used to bicker over silly things-who got to drink the last milkshake, who would sleep next to their mom or noona, who got the last scoop of ice cream, and even who would spend more time with their hyung. Their arguments never lasted more than a few minutes before they patched things up.

But the last fight... it was different.

It wasn't a silly argument. It was filled with misunderstandings, lies, painful truths, and words that hurt more than they should have.

And this time, they never patched up.

It had been two years.

The same friends who used to resolve their fights in minutes had now turned their minutes into years.

Jungkook's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Hey, Kook, you're awake," Jimin said, snapping Jungkook out of his thoughts.

Jungkook quickly looked away and nodded, avoiding their gaze.

"Do you want anything, Kook?" Taehyung asked with concern.

Jungkook shook his head.

"Okay, wait, I'll bring some food. You must be hungry," Taehyung said, getting up.

"I-I'm not hungry," Jungkook muttered.

"Just eat a little, hmm? You need to eat," Jimin said, trying to make him understand.

Jungkook sighed before nodding reluctantly.

Taehyung smiled and left to get food.

Jimin sat beside Jungkook and placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you feeling better, Kook?" he asked gently.

Jungkook nodded, but Jimin could still feel the slight warmth of a lingering fever.

"Any uneasiness?" Jimin asked.

Jungkook shook his head. He finally looked up at Jimin and saw the pure concern, love, and care in his eyes-there was no fakeness, no pretense.

"Even he cares for me? But why?" Jungkook questioned himself, still struggling to believe the words Kim had told him about his brothers.

Soon, Taehyung returned with the food.

Jimin helped Jungkook sit up properly while Taehyung started feeding him with gentle care.

Jimin watched them with a fond smile. "You seem mature here, Tae."

Taehyung smirked proudly. "See? I told you, didn't I?" he said, puffing his chest slightly.

Jimin rolled his eyes. "Not now, you sulking bear."

Taehyung glared at him. "Look who's talking, you grumpy chick."

Jungkook watched the two of them bicker like kindergarten kids. At one point, he couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Jimin noticed it instantly. His heart swelled-he hadn't seen that smile in years.

Taehyung also smiled.

Jungkook looked at them, confused.

"Laugh out loud, Kook," Jimin said warmly. "We won't judge you. We'll listen to you."