The next morning moved slow. The sun came in pale through the curtains, soft enough that no one rushed. Taehyung woke first. He stretched, checked his phone, then slipped out of bed so Jungkook could keep sleeping. The hallway was quiet with weekend energy.
Jimin's door opened at the same time Taehyung stepped out. They stopped, exchanged a long look. Jimin looked rested, but something behind his eyes carried weight.
Taehyung spoke first. "You are thinking too much."
Jimin scratched his neck. "Maybe."
They walked toward the kitchen. Someone had already put water on the stove, probably Jin. The apartment smelled like fresh bread. Taehyung watched Jimin open the fridge without saying anything.
After a few seconds he said, "You and Yoongi."
Jimin froze. "What about it."
"You two were quiet but not forgettable."
Jimin shut the fridge gently. "There is nothing going on."
Taehyung leaned against the counter. "Not yet."
Jimin looked down at the floor. "It is complicated."
Taehyung nodded. "Everything is."
Before Jimin could answer, Yoongi walked in. Hair messy. Hoodie half zipped. He moved straight to the kettle like he knew the room had been waiting for him. Jimin cleared his throat. Yoongi's eyes flicked up. Only one second, but enough to shift the air.
Yoongi spoke first. "Are you both eating?"
Taehyung nudged Jimin. "He is asking you."
Jimin shot him a glare. "I am eating."
Yoongi murmured, "Good," and reached for a mug.
Taehyung watched the two of them move around each other with a new awareness. Nothing open. Nothing confessed. But a line had been crossed. Small, but real.
Jungkook entered the kitchen next, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. He walked to Taehyung immediately and leaned his head on his shoulder.
"Everyone is tense," Jungkook whispered.
"Everyone is pretending not to be," Taehyung replied.
Jungkook glanced at Jimin and Yoongi. "So it's not just me."
"No."
The room fell into a slow rhythm. Soft sounds. Mugs on the counter. Chairs scraping lightly. Yoongi sat down first. Jimin followed. Their legs almost touched under the table before Jimin shifted away.
Taehyung saw Yoongi notice.
---
Later that day, schedules pulled everyone to the studio. Not for recording, only planning. Staff moved around with tablets. The group sat on the couch while discussing concept themes.
Namjoon talked about chorus structure. Jin corrected something in the timeline. Hoseok checked choreography plans. Jimin sat beside Yoongi again. Close. Close enough that Taehyung felt the tension build quietly.
Someone cracked a joke. Everyone laughed. Yoongi leaned slightly toward Jimin, shoulder brushing shoulder. Jimin inhaled sharply but stayed where he was.
Taehyung didn't stare, but he didn't look away either.
Jungkook sat beside him, whispering, "They are going to explode."
Taehyung whispered back, "Eventually."
The meeting went on for another hour. When they left the room, Jimin and Yoongi walked ahead. Not side by side. Not together. But not apart either.
Taehyung watched them closely.
---
During break time, Taehyung found himself outside near the vending machines. Jungkook followed. They took the long bench. Jungkook stretched his legs and said:
"You saw what Jimin did."
"He kept turning toward Yoongi every time someone talked."
"Yes."
"He does not notice, but everyone else will."
Jungkook pressed his lips together. "Yoongi noticed."
Taehyung nodded. "That is the part that matters."
They sat in silence for a moment. The sky above the courtyard showed signs of rain again. Jungkook leaned his shoulder against Taehyung's arm.
"What do you think will happen?"
Taehyung answered without hesitation. "Something small. First. Then something bigger."
Jungkook hummed. "And then chaos."
Taehyung smiled. "Always."
---
When they returned inside, Jimin stepped out of the rehearsal room alone. Yoongi followed a few seconds later. Not enough time to be suspicious. Not enough time to be innocent.
Jimin saw Taehyung watching. His expression tightened slightly. Yoongi caught the exchange, then walked past them with a neutral face.
Jungkook whispered, "It is starting."
Taehyung whispered back, "Yes."
Something was unfolding between Jimin and Yoongi. Quiet. Slow. Charged. One wrong step and it would collapse. One right step and it would deepen.
The story was widening again.
And everyone felt the shift