The sound of laughter drifted from the kitchen, the other members starting their day as usual. But inside Taehyung's room, time felt different. Quieter. Softer. Almost fragile.
He sat up slowly, leaning against the headboard, watching Jungkook move around the room. Jungkook wasn't doing anything remarkable, just folding his hoodie, tucking it into the corner of the bed. Yet Taehyung couldn't take his eyes off him.
It hit him again, hard and overwhelming—this was Jungkook, the boy he had known for years. The boy who had walked into his life as a shy teenager and somehow grown into this man who now carried his heart so carefully.
Jungkook glanced up, catching him staring, and grinned. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
Taehyung shook his head, smiling faintly. "No. I'm just… looking."
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Creepy."
Taehyung rolled his eyes, but the laugh slipped from his lips easily. He stretched his legs under the blanket, the fabric brushing against his skin, and leaned his head back against the wall. His chest felt full, heavy with emotions he had kept buried for far too long.
He remembered the nights he lay awake, watching Jungkook from across the room in hotels, wondering what it would feel like to touch him without restraint, to hold his hand without pulling away. Now that it was real, now that Jungkook had said those words—I love you—Taehyung wasn't sure if he was dreaming.
"Jungkook," he called softly.
The younger turned, his expression open, waiting.
"Do you know how many times I wanted to tell you?" Taehyung asked, his voice quiet but sharp with honesty. "I wanted to say it during late-night practices, when you laughed so hard you fell on the floor. I wanted to say it during concerts, when you sang like the stage was built for you alone. I wanted to say it every time you looked at me like I was more than I deserved to be. But I never did."
Jungkook's steps slowed. He came closer, kneeling at the edge of the bed so their eyes were level. "Why didn't you?"
Taehyung swallowed. His fingers twisted the blanket nervously. "Because I was scared. If you didn't feel the same… it would have broken everything. I would have lost you, Jungkook. I couldn't risk that."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Jungkook reached out, prying Taehyung's hands free from the blanket. He held them firmly, grounding him.
"You won't lose me," Jungkook said, his voice steady. "You never will. Even if we fight, even if we mess up, I'm not going anywhere."
Taehyung felt the sting of tears in his eyes, unexpected but unstoppable. He blinked quickly, trying to clear them, but Jungkook noticed. Without hesitation, he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of Taehyung's eye.
Taehyung let out a shaky laugh. "You're too much sometimes."
"And you love it," Jungkook teased softly, smiling.
Taehyung nodded, unable to deny it. His heart thumped so loud he was sure Jungkook could hear it. He pulled him closer, pressing their foreheads together, breathing in the quiet.
"I love you," Taehyung whispered, the words slipping out more easily than they ever had.
Jungkook closed his eyes, his lips curving into that smile Taehyung had memorized long ago. "Say it again."
Taehyung laughed, brushing his thumb over Jungkook's cheek. "I love you. Every part of you."
The peace that settled in the room felt like something Taehyung had been chasing for years. And now, with Jungkook's hands holding his, he finally felt like he had arrived.