chapter 19
That night, after a long day on set, Kook sat alone in her room, exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions and chaos the day had brought. She picked up her phone and opened her messages, tapping on the conversation with **Winter Bear**. She had been meaning to talk to Taehyung for a while but hadn’t found the right moment. Now, though, she couldn’t shake off the unease from earlier, and she needed to talk to someone who would understand her.
She typed out a message:
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
Hey, Bear... Today was a mess. Something happened at work, but I can’t really explain it.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
All I can say is... someone helped me out, and I don’t know what I would’ve done without her .
Kook hesitated for a moment before hitting send, unsure if she should say more, but deciding she needed to let it out. As she set the phone down, her thoughts swirled. Who had helped her? It was something that had been gnawing at her all day, but she couldn’t quite figure out what she was feeling. Her mind kept drifting back to the set and the moment when Taehyung had given her the advice that had made all the difference.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the phone, Taehyung was sitting in her van, scrolling through the messages, her eyes landing on Kook’s text.
She frowned slightly.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
Someone helped me?
Her heart skipped a beat, and before she could stop herself, her fingers moved over the screen, typing a response quickly.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Who helped you, Bunny? You said 'her'... but didn’t mention who.
As the message sent, Taehyung’s chest tightened with a feeling she couldn’t quite place. Jealousy? She didn’t want to admit it, but there it was, creeping up inside her. She hated the thought of Kook needing someone else, especially when she had been the one to try and guide her through the tough moments on set.
After a few moments, Taehyung’s phone buzzed, and Kook’s response came in.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
It was just saying senior on work . They didn’t mean to, but they helped me through a tough moment. I’m fine now.
Taehyung’s fingers tightened around the phone. She couldn’t understand why her pulse was racing. She hated the idea of Kook relying on someone else. They had grown close over the past few weeks, and in her mind, she had begun to care for Kook deeply, maybe even more than she was willing to admit. But now, there was this person… someone who had stepped in to help Kook when she hadn’t been there.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Why didn’t you tell me who it was? Why didn’t you ask me for help?
The question hung in the air, her tone sharp and a little more intense than she meant it to be. Kook had been her confidant, her support, and the thought of her leaning on someone else... It didn’t sit well with Taehyung. She felt the need to protect Kook, to make sure no one else got too close to her. The jealousy, despite how illogical it seemed, was there, and it was something Taehyung couldn’t just brush aside.
A few minutes passed before Kook’s message came through, and Taehyung's phone buzzed again.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
I didn’t mean anything by it. Honestly, it was just a quick thing. But I’m okay. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
I thought you’d be busy with your work, so I didn’t want to bother you.
As Taehyung read the message, the tension in her chest only grew. She knew she had to say something, but she couldn’t help the words that escaped her lips as she typed:
@winter_bear ( tae)
It’s not about being busy. It’s about you. You should’ve told me if you were struggling. You’re important to me, bunny . I don’t want anyone else helping you. I want to be the one you come to.
Kook’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the message, and she quickly tapped out a reply, trying to ease the tension.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
Bear, I didn’t mean to make you upset. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to burden you. I didn’t think it was a big deal.
But Taehyung couldn’t stop herself. There was a part of her that was restless, angry even. The thought of Kook turning to someone else felt like a betrayal, even though she had no right to feel that way. Taehyung was quickly typing again.
@winter_bear ( tae)
I don’t care if it was a big deal . You matters to me. I care about you, bunny. More than you know.
The words hit Kook harder than she expected, and for a moment, she sat frozen, staring at her phone. She didn’t know how to respond, because a part of her—deep down—felt the same way. But it was complicated, wasn’t it? They were still so far apart, both living different lives, keeping their true selves hidden behind their Instagram aliases.
But Taehyung wasn’t done yet.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Please, just stay away from that person. I don’t trust her. I don’t want her getting too close to you.
@winter_bear ( tae)
You’re mine to look after. Got it?
The words, though firm and protective, were tinged with something Kook couldn’t quite place. The possessiveness in Taehyung’s words made her heart race, but she couldn’t deny the warmth it stirred inside her. She had never thought of herself as someone who needed looking after, but there was something about Taehyung's protective side that felt right.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
Okay... I understand. I won’t talk to her again.
It wasn’t exactly what Taehyung wanted to hear, but for now, it was enough. She didn’t know why, but something inside her told her to keep Kook close. As if she couldn’t let her go.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Good. Don’t let anyone else get too close to you.
@winter_bear ( tae)
You’re too important to me.
Kook stared at the message, her heart pounding in her chest. The way Winter Bear cared for her, even through the screens, was overwhelming.
For now, all they had were these messages, these moments of vulnerability they shared in the quiet hours of the night. And for some reason, that felt enough... for now.
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