The roar of thousands of fans filled the stadium, their voices blending into one deafening sound. Jungkook stood on stage, bathed in dazzling lights, his heart pounding—not from excitement, but from something deeper. As the final note of the song faded, he stole a glance at Taehyung beside him, whose soft smile carried a warmth that reached places Jungkook didn't know needed healing.

Being an idol was everything he had ever wanted. The passion, the fame, the music—it was a dream come true. But lately, something had shifted. He found himself drawn to Taehyung in ways that scared him. It wasn't just admiration or friendship. It was something else, something dangerous.

Their world was built on perfection, on the image their company had carefully crafted for them. Dating rumors were scandals, and love—real love—was an unspoken taboo. Jungkook knew this. Yet, he couldn't ignore the way his heart raced when Taehyung looked at him, the way their hands lingered just a second too long during performances, or the way his body instinctively sought Taehyung's presence even in the most crowded rooms.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jungkook asked as they exited the stage.

Taehyung turned to him, his brown eyes shimmering under the backstage lights. "Just a little tired," he admitted, running a hand through his damp hair.

Jungkook wanted to say something comforting, something meaningful. Instead, he simply nodded. Because what could he say? That his exhaustion wasn't just from the tour but from years of hiding—of pretending that their closeness was nothing more than brotherhood?

As they walked back to the waiting room, Jungkook heard their manager's voice behind them.

"Taehyung, Jungkook—be careful. The way you two look at each other on stage…" He trailed off, but the warning was clear.

Jungkook's stomach twisted. It was starting. The scrutiny. The whispers. The fear of being exposed.

For the first time, he wondered—how long could he keep pretending? And if he had to choose between his career and his feelings, what would he do?

Little did he know, this was only the beginning.