The practice room was quieter than usual. The only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional shuffle of feet against the wooden floor. No one wanted to be the first to speak, but everyone had already seen it.
The photo.
It had spread faster than wildfire, posted and reposted across fan forums and Twitter. A grainy shot from rehearsal, Jungkook's hand brushing Taehyung's, the caption suggesting something more.
"Are they closer than we thought?"
The question hung over them all like smoke.
Jin was the first to break the silence, his phone dropping onto the couch with a dull thud. "Blurry as hell, but people already think it's proof."
Hoseok let out a low whistle, trying to sound light but failing. "Fans don't need proof. They only need a story."
Jungkook shifted uncomfortably in the corner, tugging at the sleeves of his hoodie. He kept his head low, as if hiding might erase the conversation. Taehyung sat next to him, arms stretched out along the back of the couch, his face calm, unreadable.
Namjoon rubbed his temple, pacing near the mirror. "We've been careful. But it doesn't matter how small it looks—once it's online, it spreads. The company will see it too."
Yoongi, leaning against the wall, finally spoke. His tone was sharp but quiet. "Then we act like it's nothing. That's the only way. Make a fuss, and it'll blow up even more."
Jimin glanced between Jungkook and Taehyung, his lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to say something, but his eyes softened instead, a silent attempt to reassure them both.
The tension wrapped tighter, pulling at the air between them. Nobody said what they were all thinking—that the photo wasn't wrong. That the rumors had a seed of truth. That they had all noticed long before the fans did.
Taehyung leaned forward, finally breaking his silence. His voice was calm, steady. "So let them talk. If they see something, they see it. We don't have to explain every moment we share."
The confidence in his tone made some of the weight lift, but only for a second. Everyone knew confidence couldn't erase the risks.
Jungkook swallowed hard, his throat dry. The words he wanted to say tangled inside him: fear, guilt, a plea for guidance. But nothing came out.
Namjoon sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "We'll have to meet with the company about this. Until then, keep your heads down. Focus on the music, on the work. Don't give them more reasons to look."
The conversation ended there, not because they had found a solution, but because there wasn't one. The group scattered around the room again, some pretending to scroll on their phones, some tying their shoelaces tighter than necessary, some stretching muscles already sore from rehearsal.
But no one was really moving on.
Because the photo was out there.
Because people were already talking.
Because the world was watching.
And for the first time, the seven of them realized that this wasn't only about music anymore.