"old clashes"

Lisa’s voice rang out, clear and familiar. "Jungkook? Oh my god, it’s really you!"

Jungkook looked up from where he was sitting and blinked in surprise. A grin broke across his face. "Lisa? Wow, I didn’t think I’d ever run into you again!" He stood, brushing off his pants, clearly pleased by the unexpected reunion.

Lisa hurried over, her smile bright. "This is insane! What are the odds? How have you been?"

Taehyung, lounging nearby, barely glanced at Lisa at first. But when he saw how Jungkook’s face lit up, his jaw tightened ever so slightly. He leaned back casually, trying to ignore the flicker of annoyance bubbling in his chest. What’s with the excitement? It’s just an ex. No big deal.

The two began chatting animatedly, talking about everything from Europe to old memories.

"You still into sketching?" Lisa asked, her tone genuinely curious.

Jungkook nodded, grinning. "Yeah, still keeping at it. What about you? Still dancing?"

"Of course! You know I could never stop." Lisa laughed, brushing her hair back.

Taehyung’s ears twitched at the sound of her laugh. He glanced over and raised an eyebrow, keeping his expression neutral. Dancing? Great. She’s talented and loud. He shook his head, muttering to himself, "Why do I care? Let them talk."

Jimin, who had been watching the exchange with a glint of amusement, leaned over to Taehyung. "You okay there, Tae? You’re staring holes into the ground."

Taehyung scoffed, keeping his voice low. "I’m fine. Just wondering why she’s acting like she bumped into her soulmate."

Jimin chuckled. "Soulmate? Is someone jealous?"

Taehyung shot him a sharp look. "Of course not. Why would I be? I barely know her." He crossed his arms, forcing his gaze away from Jungkook and Lisa.

Meanwhile, Lisa turned to the group and offered a polite smile. "Hi! Sorry for interrupting. I’m Lisa, an old friend of Jungkook’s."

"Old friend," Taehyung muttered under his breath, this time quieter.

Jungkook glanced at Taehyung, sensing something odd in his tone, but decided not to press it. Instead, he smiled at Lisa. "These are my friends. That’s Taehyung, Yoongi, and Jimin."

Lisa waved. "It’s so nice to meet you all! Jungkook always had such cool people around him."

Taehyung’s lips twitched, and he tilted his head slightly. "Cool? You’re being generous. Jungkook’s not exactly known for his taste."

Jimin bit back a laugh, nudging Taehyung. "Tae, play nice."

"I am," Taehyung replied, his tone perfectly calm, though the slight edge in his words betrayed him.

Lisa didn’t seem to notice as she turned back to Jungkook. "We should catch up properly sometime. It’s been way too long."

"Yeah, definitely," Jungkook replied, his smile easy.

Taehyung’s eyes briefly flicked to Jungkook’s expression, and his stomach twisted for a reason he refused to think about. He tapped his foot impatiently, feigning disinterest.

Yoongi, observing quietly, smirked and muttered to Jimin, "Looks like someone’s not as indifferent as he thinks."

Jimin grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

Taehyung, catching their whispers, glared at them. "What?"

"Nothing," Jimin said, his grin widening.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and stood abruptly. "I’m getting some water. You two clowns can enjoy your commentary."

As he walked away, his mind buzzed. Why the hell do I care? Let Jungkook talk to whoever he wants. It’s not like it matters.

But deep down, he knew it wasn’t that simple.

As Taehyung wandered over to the refreshment table, he couldn’t shake the subtle irritation swirling in his chest. His fingers drummed against the side of a plastic cup as he poured himself water. Why am I even thinking about this? It’s not like Jungkook talking to her means anything. He’s just... being friendly. Yeah, that’s it.

From a distance, he could hear Lisa’s laughter again, followed by Jungkook’s. Taehyung gripped the cup a little tighter than necessary. His jaw clenched slightly as he muttered under his breath, "Cat head…"

"Talking to yourself now, Tae?" Yoongi’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Taehyung turned to see Yoongi leaning casually against the table, arms crossed and an amused expression on his face.

"Just enjoying the scenery," Taehyung said flatly, taking a sip of water.

Yoongi chuckled. "The scenery, huh? So, the 'scenery' has nothing to do with the reunion happening back there?" He gestured toward Jungkook and Lisa.

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Like I care about that."

"Really? Because from where I’m standing, you look like you’re seconds away from storming over there and dragging Jungkook away by his hoodie," Yoongi teased, his smirk growing.

Taehyung scowled. "You’re imagining things. I couldn’t care less who he talks to. It’s none of my business."

"Right," Yoongi drawled, clearly unconvinced. "Keep telling yourself that."

Meanwhile, back with the group, Jimin had taken it upon himself to make things even more entertaining.

"So, Lisa," Jimin started, his tone far too innocent, "how long were you and Jungkook… you know… together?"

Lisa blinked, a bit surprised but still smiling. "Oh, it was years ago. We dated in high school before I moved to Europe."

Jimin nodded, looking between her and Jungkook. "Wow, high school sweethearts. That’s so cute."

"Jimin," Jungkook groaned, clearly embarrassed.

"What?" Jimin said, feigning innocence. "I’m just saying, it’s sweet. You don’t find connections like that every day."

Lisa laughed, brushing it off. "It’s all in the past. We’re both happy now, and it’s just nice to catch up."

Taehyung, returning with Yoongi in tow, caught the tail end of the conversation. His eyes narrowed slightly as he sat down, his expression as neutral as he could manage. "High school sweethearts? Sounds like a cliché."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, though she didn’t seem offended. "Sometimes clichés are nice."

"Or predictable," Taehyung shot back casually, taking a sip of his water.

Jungkook frowned, glancing at Taehyung. "What’s your problem?"

"Problem? I don’t have a problem," Taehyung said with an easy shrug. "Just making an observation."

Lisa gave Jungkook a quick, reassuring smile. "I think I should probably get going. It was so great seeing you, though! Let’s catch up properly soon."

"Yeah, for sure," Jungkook said, smiling back as she waved goodbye and walked off.

The group fell into silence for a moment before Jimin spoke up. "Well, that was fun."

"Fun?" Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jimin grinned. "Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the drama in the air."

"Drama?" Taehyung repeated, giving Jimin a pointed look. "There was no drama."

Jimin smirked knowingly. "Sure, Tae. Whatever you say."

Taehyung huffed, crossing his arms and turning away.

Yoongi, ever the instigator, leaned over to Taehyung. "You’re really bad at hiding your emotions, you know that?"

Taehyung glared at him. "And you’re really bad at minding your own business."

Jungkook, completely oblivious, looked between them. "What are you guys even talking about?"

"Nothing," Taehyung said quickly.

"Everything," Jimin said at the same time, snickering.

As the group began to pack up the picnic, Taehyung’s thoughts were a mess. Why does this even bother me? It’s not like Jungkook’s mine or anything. But the subtle unease in his chest said otherwise. And deep down, that realization was scarier than he cared to admit.

Taehyung, determined to shake off the strange feelings gnawing at him, leaned back against a nearby tree with his signature smirk firmly in place. If Jungkook could laugh and joke around with his ex, why couldn’t he have a little fun too? Two could play this game—or so he told himself.

Enter Yuna, one of the picnic-goers who had been stealing glances at Taehyung all afternoon. Noticing her lingering gaze, Taehyung decided she’d be the perfect distraction. With an easy grin, he sauntered over, his usual confidence radiating off him.

“Enjoying the picnic?” Taehyung asked smoothly, his voice low and charming.

Yuna giggled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, it’s been fun. What about you?”

“Oh, I’m having a great time now,” Taehyung said, flashing her a playful smile that could make anyone weak at the knees. “Though, I have to admit, it’s only because I noticed someone who makes this whole picnic seem brighter.”

Yuna laughed, her cheeks tinged with pink. “You’re such a flirt.”

“Guilty,” Taehyung replied, leaning slightly closer. “But only for the right people.”

Meanwhile, across the picnic, Jungkook, who had been helping Jimin gather the plates, glanced over just in time to see Taehyung laying on the charm. He froze for a moment, a strange pang hitting him in the chest. Why do I even care? he thought, scowling slightly as he turned back to Jimin.

Jimin, ever observant, caught the change in Jungkook’s expression. “What’s with the face?”

“Nothing,” Jungkook muttered, too quickly.

Jimin smirked knowingly. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Taehyung flirting with Yuna.”

“I’m not jealous,” Jungkook shot back, his voice sharp.

“Right,” Jimin teased, clearly enjoying himself. “Then why do you look like you’re ready to rip that tree he’s leaning on out of the ground?”

“Shut up, hyung,” Jungkook grumbled, busying himself with the plates.

Jimin wasn’t done yet. “You know, you could just go over there and—”

“I’m not jealous,” Jungkook interrupted, his jaw tightening. “He can flirt with whoever he wants.”

Taehyung, meanwhile, was fully immersed in his act, leaning closer to Yuna as she laughed at another one of his playful comments. But as much as he tried to focus, a part of his mind was somewhere else—well, on someone else.

When Yuna leaned forward, lightly brushing her hand against his arm, Taehyung instinctively glanced over toward Jungkook. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but seeing Jungkook with his usual stoic expression—or was that annoyance?—made something twist inside him. He quickly snapped his attention back to Yuna, forcing a smile.

Jimin, noticing the subtle glance from Taehyung, let out a low whistle. “Well, this just got interesting.”

“Hyung, please stop,” Jungkook said through gritted teeth, though his eyes had already drifted back to Taehyung.

Across the field, Yoongi walked up with a raised eyebrow, taking in the scene. “So, what’s with him?” he asked, jerking his thumb toward Jungkook.

Jimin grinned. “Jealous of his soulmate flirting with someone else.”

Yoongi smirked, glancing over at Taehyung and Yuna. “Ah. That explains why he’s holding that plate like he’s about to use it as a weapon.”

Jungkook glared at them both. “I’m fine.”

“Sure you are,” Yoongi said, clearly unimpressed.

As the sun began to set and the group started to pack up, Taehyung pulled away from Yuna with a polite smile. “Thanks for the chat. I’ll see you around.”

Yuna smiled, clearly charmed. “Anytime.”

But as Taehyung walked back to the group, his thoughts were anything but clear. Why did I keep looking at him? he wondered, his eyes unconsciously drifting to Jungkook, who was now pretending to be overly interested in folding the picnic blanket.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was doing his best to act like he hadn’t noticed Taehyung’s return. But the tension in his shoulders gave him away.

Jimin nudged Yoongi with a grin. “This is gonna be fun to watch.”

Yoongi smirked. “No need to rush it. They’ll figure it out eventually.”

As for Taehyung and Jungkook, neither of them was ready to admit the truth—not even to themselves. But deep down, the spark was impossible to ignore.

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