Despite the company's warning, Jungkook and Taehyung couldn't ignore their emotions. Pretending in front of cameras was one thing; what about pretending in front of each other? Impossible.
For the next few days, they tried to act normally—keeping their distance, avoiding unnecessary eye contact during interviews, and ensuring that their interactions didn't spawn new rumors.
It was suffocating.
But behind closed doors, they stole whatever moments they could.
—
One late night, after a long rehearsal, Jungkook dragged Taehyung to the rooftop of the company building.
"What are we doing here?" Taehyung whispered, looking around.
Jungkook smirked. "Hiding."
Taehyung rolled his eyes. "From what?"
Jungkook spread his arms. "The world."
Taehyung huffed and leaned on the railing next to him. The city lights stretched eternally before them, reminding them how insignificant they were in the larger scheme of things.
For a while, they just stood there, breathing in the cool night air. Then Jungkook nudged Taehyung's side.
"Wanna hear something funny?"
Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "If it's about my hair looking like a lion cub again, I'm pushing you off this rooftop."
Jungkook snorted. "No, no. It's about Namjoon-hyung."
Taehyung's interest piqued. "Go on."
Jungkook leaned in. "So earlier, he was giving a serious speech about teamwork, right? But halfway through, he accidentally knocked over his own cup of coffee and didn't even notice. He just kept talking while Jin-hyung panicked trying to clean it up."
Taehyung burst out laughing. "Wait—so he was standing there, delivering a motivational speech, with coffee dripping down his pants?"
Jungkook nodded, grinning. "Yup. And the best part? When he finally realized, he just went, 'Ah. A metaphor for life.'"
Taehyung wheezed. "I love him so much."
Jungkook chuckled. "Me too."
The laughter faded into comfortable silence. Jungkook turned to Taehyung, his expression softening.
"You smiled."
Taehyung blinked. "Huh?"
Jungkook tilted his head. "You've been so tense lately. But just now… you looked happy."
Taehyung's heart skipped. He looked away, biting his lip. "Well… you make me happy."
Jungkook inhaled sharply, caught off guard.
Taehyung immediately regretted saying it. "Forget I—"
"No." Jungkook grabbed his wrist. "Say it again."
Taehyung swallowed, his face heating up. "You heard me."
Jungkook smirked. "I just want to hear it twice."
Taehyung groaned, covering his face. "You're impossible."
Jungkook laughed, pulling Taehyung's hands away from his face. "But you love me for it."
Taehyung stared at him, feeling a pull so strong it almost hurt. "I do."
Jungkook's breath hitched. For a second, it felt like time had stopped.
But then—
The rooftop door creaked open.
"Hey! Who's out there?"
Taehyung and Jungkook jumped apart as a security guard stepped out.
"Crap," Jungkook muttered.
Taehyung grabbed his hand. "Run."
They bolted down the stairs, laughter echoing through the empty hallways.
For now, their love was a secret. But at least, in moments like this, it was theirs.