Jungkook sat in the waiting room, mindlessly scrolling through his phone while the staff bustled around. His ears were still ringing from the manager's warning.
"Be careful."
The words replayed in his mind like a broken record. He knew their bond had always been close—too close in the eyes of some. But was it really so obvious that even their manager had to intervene?
Taehyung, sitting across from him, was humming softly, his fingers drumming on his knee. His eyes met Jungkook's for a brief moment before he tilted his head with a small smile. "You look like you're thinking too much," he said.
Jungkook hesitated. "Just tired."
Taehyung's gaze softened. "Me too."
Their conversation was cut short when Namjoon walked in, his expression unreadable. "You two should tone it down a little," he said, voice quiet but firm. "People are talking."
Jungkook's jaw clenched. "People have always talked."
"Yeah, but it's different now," Namjoon sighed. "The company's watching. You know what that means."
Silence settled between them. Jungkook felt something heavy press against his chest.
"I get it," Taehyung said, voice laced with something close to sadness. "We just have to be more careful."
Jungkook didn't respond. He wasn't sure if he could do that.
That night, as they sat in the dorm's living room, the others already asleep, Taehyung nudged Jungkook's foot with his own.
"You're quiet."
Jungkook sighed. "I just… I don't like this."
Taehyung smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Me neither."
For the first time, Jungkook wondered—was their love destined to be a secret forever? And if the world refused to accept them, could he ever be strong enough to fight back?