05

That morning felt cold, and in the small room, there was something hanging in the air—something unresolved, a feeling that couldn’t be expressed in words. Taehyung and Jungkook sat facing each other, but the distance between them felt vast. It was as if there was something blocking them, an invisible wall separating them.

Jungkook sat at the edge of the sofa, his hands resting on his knees, his gaze focused on the floor. Taehyung watched him with eyes full of emotion—doubt, anxiety, but also a burning hope inside him.

“Jungkook,” Taehyung began, his voice soft, but there was tension in his words. “What are you really afraid of? What makes you shut yourself off like this?”

Jungkook slowly lifted his head, meeting Taehyung’s gaze with eyes full of deep anxiety. There was something holding him back, and he knew that if he spoke now, it could ruin everything.

“I’m afraid, Taehyung,” Jungkook said, his voice hushed, almost like a whisper. “I’m afraid of losing you, but more than that, I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. I... I can’t give you what you want. I’m not good enough for you.”

Taehyung felt his chest tighten as he heard those words. He knew Jungkook was struggling with his own feelings. But how could Jungkook think like that when Taehyung himself was already so deeply attached to him?

“You don’t have to be perfect, Jungkook,” Taehyung answered gently, his eyes never leaving Jungkook’s. “I don’t care about your past, I don’t care about all the things you think are flaws. I only care about you, right here, right now.”

Jungkook stayed silent for a moment, his lips parted slightly, but the words stayed trapped in his heart. He wanted to believe Taehyung, he wanted to feel free from his fear, but it felt so difficult. There was a part of him that always felt not good enough.

“What do you want me to do?” Jungkook finally asked, his voice low, full of unease.

“I want you to trust me,” Taehyung said, his voice filled with warmth, but there was a hint of sadness in his words. “I want us to get through this together. No more doubt, no more boundaries.”

Jungkook lowered his head, his hand gripping the side of the sofa. It was as if there was a heavy burden he couldn’t let go of.

“There’s nothing we can do to change the truth,” Jungkook said quietly, almost as if he were talking to himself. “I’m not someone who can bring happiness to anyone.”

Taehyung moved closer, the space between them shrinking. He could feel the intense tension in Jungkook’s body, but there was something greater inside of him that kept pushing him forward. He wanted to know—what could happen if they faced this together? What would happen if they didn’t hold back their feelings anymore?

“What are you really afraid of, Jungkook?” Taehyung asked, his tone firm, his eyes piercing deep into Jungkook’s. “What would happen if you let me in deeper? What would happen if you trusted me?”

Jungkook took a deep breath, his body trembling slightly. There were no answers coming from his lips, but the tension between them was growing more intense. Taehyung reached out, taking Jungkook’s hand gently, pulling him closer.

Jungkook pulled Taehyung into his arms suddenly, the embrace not just a simple hug, but one filled with emotions, with the tension of unspoken words. The two men could feel their heartbeats synchronizing, and in the silence between them, they knew this was an important moment.

“Taehyung...” Jungkook whispered, his voice breaking, filled with emotions that he could no longer hide. “I’m afraid... I’m afraid if I... if I can’t make you happy.”

Taehyung bit his lower lip, trying to hold back the tears that were welling up in his eyes. “Jungkook, don’t say that. I’m already happy... because I have you.”

They looked at each other, their gazes full of pain and burning hope. Taehyung could see how hurt and scared Jungkook was, and it broke his heart. But at the same time, there was something even stronger in Jungkook—his desire to love, to give, even if he felt unworthy.

Taehyung touched Jungkook’s face, gently caressing his cheek. “Don’t be afraid, Jungkook. I’ll always be here.”

Slowly, Taehyung lifted Jungkook’s face and pressed their lips together in a kiss—soft at first, but full of deep emotion. It wasn’t a kiss filled with urgency or passion, but one that contained everything they hadn’t said—every fear, every hope, and every unspoken love.

The kiss grew deeper, more heated, as time went on. Taehyung could feel the intensity inside his chest, and as he felt Jungkook’s hands move to the back of his neck, he knew everything was starting to change. They were beginning to let go of the doubts that had held them back for so long.

But then, just as quickly, Jungkook pulled away, breathless. “I can’t,” he said, his voice strained. “I can’t do this, Taehyung. I... I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

Taehyung stared at him with understanding in his eyes. “I’m ready, Jungkook. I’m ready to face everything with you. Even if we have to go through it the hard way. I just want to be with you.”

Jungkook looked at him, his lips trembling, his eyes filled with unshed tears. For the first time in his life, he felt so vulnerable in front of someone.

But Taehyung... Taehyung didn’t back down. Taehyung was still there, waiting, giving him the space he needed.

“I don’t want to hurt you because of me,” Jungkook whispered, his voice breaking. “But... but I can’t let you go. I can’t live without you.”

Taehyung looked at him with eyes full of emotions that couldn’t be put into words. He could see how broken and afraid Jungkook was, and it made his heart ache. But at that moment, there was something so real inside him—his desire to stay by Jungkook’s side, through everything difficult.

“I’m here, Jungkook,” Taehyung whispered, his hand gently touching Jungkook’s face. “I’ll stay, no matter what happens.”

They stared at each other, and in the silence between them, they knew that their journey had only just begun. And even though there were many things they still had to face, they would never let go of each other again.

---

To Be Continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***