chapter 4

Seoul rain never fell softly. Especially in rainy season. It came heavy and sudden, like the sky had been holding something too long and finally let go. The pavement shone wet and slick under streetlights as students crowded beneath the bus shelter, umbrellas dripping, shoulders bumping, breath clouding the air.

Taehyung stood near the back, hands tucked in the sleeves of his oversized sweater, water gathering in his hair and sliding down his cheeks .

Jimin had left a little earlier, running to meet his dance team.

Taehyung said he'd be fine.

He always said he'd be fine.

The bus stop was too full. Too loud. Too close.

And then

Taehyung felt it again.

Not sight first.

Presence.

Gravity.

Jungkook stepped into the shelter, shaking rain from his hair, his hoodie pulled low, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. He looked like someone the rain avoided, someone the world made space for.

Students noticed him immediately.

Of course they did.

Some whispered.

Some stared.

Some admired.

But Jungkook didn't look at any of them.

His gaze found Taehyung.

Instantly.

Unavoidable.

Two seconds.

Three.

Four.

Then Jungkook looked away, jaw tightening, turning slightly, like looking at Taehyung too long made breathing harder.

They stood only a foot apart.

Close enough that Taehyung could feel the warmth radiating from Jungkook's body through rain-soaked air.

But not close enough to speak.

The rain hammered against the metal roof above them, a steady roar that should have drowned out silence ,  but somehow made it louder.

Someone pushed through the crowd, shoving forward to move closer to the front, and Taehyung's balance slipped. His foot skidded on wet pavement.

He felt himself falling

But he didn't hit the ground.

A hand caught his wrist.

Strong.

Fast.

Immediate.

Jungkook.

His grip was tight , not gentle almost desperate.

His hand was warm.

Taehyung's pulse jumped hard beneath Jungkook's fingers.

For one heartbeat, they were 8 and 10 again.

Under willow branches.

Breathing the same air.

For one heartbeat

Jungkook held him like he never stopped caring.

Then Jungkook dropped his hand like it burned.

Taehyung stepped back, steadying himself, breath caught in his throat.

"Thank you," Taehyung whispered, barely audible over the rain.

Jungkook's expression didn't change.

In fact  it hardened.

He looked at Taehyung like looking hurt him.

Like it disgusted him.

Like it made him angry that it hurt him.

"Don't misunderstand," Jungkook said, voice low, barely controlled.

His words were knives delivered calmly.

"I didn't do that because for you. I just don't like watching people embarrass themselves."

Taehyung felt the words hit.

Not loudly.

Not violently.

Quiet.

Precise.

Deep.

He nodded once.

"I know."

But Jungkook wasn't done.

He stepped closer, just enough that Taehyung could feel the heat of his breath, the coldness in his tone.

"You're still the same," Jungkook murmured.

"Still helpless. Still waiting for someone to notice you. Still thinking people owe you something just because you're fragile."

Taehyung's throat tightened.

He stared at the ground.

The rain.

The wet pavement.

Anywhere but Jungkook's eyes.

"I don't think that," Taehyung said, voice steady  but soft.

Pain tucked carefully out of sight.

He had practice.

Jungkook's jaw clenched  because Taehyung wasn't arguing.

Because Taehyung never fought back.

Because hurting someone who didn't defend themselves felt like drowning slowly.

"Then stop looking at me like that," Jungkook said, his voice cracking for just a second before he buried it in steel again.

Taehyung didn't realize he had been.

He looked up.

Just once.

Just enough to show Jungkook what had always been there.

Not hope.

Not expectation.

Just hurt.

Quiet and old.

Jungkook's breath stuttered.

Then he looked away.

The bus pulled up.

Brakes hissing.

Doors opening.

People moved.

Jungkook walked onto the bus without looking back. Even though he's rich, now he's living away from his family as it's his father order /punishment to live like that until he finish his graduation.

Taehyung didn't follow.

He stood at the stop long after the bus left.

Rain running down his face.

Soaking his hair.

Cooling the hurt Jungkook's words had carved into him.

He didn't cry.

He simply whispered to the empty street,

"I always make you angry just by existing."

The rain answered for him.

End of the chapter......

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