Threads of fate

Jin was in the kitchen, humming softly as he prepared dinner. He glanced at the clock. Jungkook was late again. At first, Jin didn't think much of it-after all, they all had their schedules and personal errands. But as the days went on, he began to notice a pattern. Jungkook was spending more time outside or in phone, coming back late, and when he did, he seemed distant.

"Maybe he's just tired," Jin thought to himself, brushing off the nagging worry.

The once vibrant Jungkook who used to bounce around the apartment with endless energy now seemed quieter. He smiled less, his laughter didn't ring as brightly, and his conversations with Jin grew shorter.

One evening, as they sat on the couch, Jin tried to engage him. "Kookie, how was your day?"

"It was fine," Jungkook replied, his eyes fixed on the television.

Jin frowned but didn't press further. He didn't want to seem overbearing.

Though the other members hadn't noticed anything initially, small signs began to emerge. During rehearsals, Jungkook seemed less focused. He often zoned out during conversations, and his usual playful banter was replaced with quiet nods and forced smiles.

Each member was drowning in their own struggles, trying to keep up with the relentless pace of their lives. Namjoon, burdened by the weight of leadership, often locked himself in his room, books and lyrics scattered around him. Yoongi's creative block kept him up late into the night, his laptop open but the screen blank. J-Hope struggled to find the perfection he always sought in choreography, while Jimin's once radiant smile was dimmed by his battles with eating and self-image. Taehyung, lost in his own thoughts, spent hours staring out the window, unable to focus on anything.

In the midst of this chaos, Jin and Jungkook's relationship quietly unraveled.

Jin found himself lying awake at night, staring at the empty space beside him. Jungkook had been staying out later than usual, and Jin's mind raced with possibilities.

When Jungkook finally came home, Jin pretended to be asleep. But as he heard Jungkook shuffle around the room, his heart ached. He wanted to reach out, to ask what was wrong, but he held back.

Jin decided to give Jungkook space, hoping it was just a phase. He focused on his own routines, pouring his energy into cooking, rehearsals, and spending time with the other members.

But the distance between them was undeniable, and the once warm, comforting atmosphere of their shared apartment now felt cold and empty.

In his heart, Jin knew something was wrong. He just didn't know how to fix it.

It had been three months since things started to shift. Jungkook, who used to cling to Jin like a shadow, was now slipping away little by little. He no longer sought Jin's comfort after long days, and their private moments together had become few and far between.

"Jungkook, are you okay?" Jin asked one evening as they sat in the living room.

"I'm fine, hyung," Jungkook replied, not meeting his eyes.

But Jin knew better. He could see the way Jungkook's hands fidgeted, the way his voice lacked its usual warmth.

Despite his growing worry, Jin decided to give Jungkook the space he seemed to need. "He'll come to me when he's ready," Jin told himself.

The other members, caught up in their own battles, failed to notice the tension between Jin and Jungkook. Namjoon often passed by without a word, his mind preoccupied with the pressures of leadership. Yoongi was too busy wrestling with his lyrics to catch the fleeting glances Jin gave Jungkook.