Threads of fate

It was a quiet afternoon at home when Jungkook found himself sitting across from his mother in the living room. The house was calm, and they were sipping on tea together, a rare moment of peace between their busy schedules.

"Kookie, you've been acting a little different," his mom began, her eyes soft with concern. "Is everything alright? You've been lost in thought lately."

Jungkook shifted in his seat, nervously tapping his fingers against his cup. He'd been meaning to talk to her about it, but the words felt heavier than usual. Finally, he took a deep breath.

"Mom, there's... there's this girl I liked in school. I've been thinking about her a lot lately. I wanted to ask her out, but I don't know if I should."

His mother raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A girl? Hmm. Kookie, you're still so young. Are you sure this is the right thing to do? What do you really know about love?"

Jungkook stared at his mother, caught off guard by her question. He'd never really thought about love in a deep way, not in terms of what it really meant. He'd always been focused on his dream, on BTS, and the path he was forging. But this question made him pause.

"What do I know about love?" he repeated, thinking for a moment. "Well, I guess it's about caring for someone, right? Wanting to be there for them and make them happy."

His mom nodded, her expression still thoughtful. "Yes, but love is more than just caring. It's about trust, understanding, and being there through both the good and bad. It's about accepting the other person for who they are, without trying to change them."

Jungkook's mind wandered, and he tried to focus on the answer, but for some reason, his thoughts kept drifting to Jin. He remembered the moments they'd shared together-Jin's kind words, his steady presence when Jungkook felt uncertain. Jungkook hadn't fully understood it at the time, but now, in the quiet of his childhood home, he felt something stir deep inside.

"Do you think love can be more than just a feeling for someone?" his mom asked, noticing his distracted expression.

Jungkook blinked, realizing his thoughts were miles away from the conversation. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I think so. It's about supporting them, being there when they need you. Even when things get tough. I guess love means finding someone you want to be with, no matter what happens."

His mother studied him closely, then smiled gently. "I see. But remember, Kookie, love is not just about one person. You need to ask yourself: Are you ready to love her in a way that is fair to both of you? And are you willing to take responsibility for your feelings?"

Jungkook nodded slowly. "I think I am. I've always liked her, and I think I'm ready to tell her how I feel."

His mother smiled, though a trace of hesitation lingered in her eyes. "Alright, but just be careful, okay? Love isn't something to take lightly. And sometimes, what you think is love isn't always the same for the other person."

Jungkook smiled, feeling reassured. He didn't know exactly what his future with this girl would look like, but he was determined to find out.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm going to meet her today. I'll let you know how it goes."

His mother nodded, though she still seemed a bit concerned. "I hope everything goes well, Kookie. Just remember to be true to yourself."

After their conversation, Jungkook couldn't help but feel the weight of his mother's words. But as he stood up to leave, something inside him felt... unsettled. His mind kept circling back to Jin, and the strange feeling that he couldn't quite put into words. Why was he thinking about Jin right now? Was it because Jin had always been there for him, or was there something more?