Echoes of Us A glimpse of Truth

That evening, rain drummed softly against the café windows as the last few customers drifted out. Jungkook watched Taehyung stir his coffee absently, eyes focused on something distant.

Jungkook

You seem tired

Taehyung

*smiles faintly*

Taehyung

I haven't been sleeping much. Too much on my mind

The way Taehyung says it makes Jungkook’s chest tighten. Something is bothering him — more than he’s telling. The silence between them feels heavier, as if an invisible weight settles onto their table

Jungkook

Is it... Your family?

Taehyung

Part of it

Taehyung

And part of it is just me, I guess

Jungkook studies him carefully. Taehyung never used to hold back like this. Back then, they told each other everything. Back then, they weren’t strangers. Something unspoken passes between them, fleeting yet familiar — a reminder of who they were to one another once.

Jungkook

If you ever want to talk about it...

Jungkook

I'm here

Taehyung meets his eyes at that — a long, searching look. Jungkook’s heart thuds loudly as Taehyung leans back, his voice quiet but warm

Taehyung

You always are

Jungkook’s breath catches. There it is — a tiny crack in Taehyung’s careful walls. Something softer, realer, that reminds him why being around Taehyung feels both comforting and terrifying at once

Taehyung

*Phone buzzes* 📱~~

Taehyung

Looks like I have to go

Jungkook

*manages a small smile* 😊

Jungkook

Of course

Jungkook

Don't let me keep you

Taehyung stands, hands in his pockets, eyes lingering on Jungkook for just a moment too long. Jungkook feels the unspoken pull again — that strange ache that never really disappeared

Taehyung

Let's do it again sometime

Taehyung

And maybe next time, we can stay a bit longer

Jungkook

*Voice soft as Taehyung turns toward the door* I'd like that

And then Taehyung is gone, disappearing into the rainy street outside. Jungkook stays seated, hands wrapped around his lukewarm coffee, heart beating a little too fast as he wonders if Taehyung felt it too — the undercurrent neither of them dared to name.