CHAPTER 2: CRACKS YOU CAN'T HIDE
Taehyung didn't touch the phone.
He told himself it was because it wasn't his.Because boundaries still mattered.Because love meant trust.
But the words burned into his mind anyway.
We need to talk. I can't keep pretending.
Pretending what?
He left the phone exactly where it was and went to bed with a heaviness settling deep in his chest. Jungkook's side of the bed was empty. Cold. It had been that way more often lately.
Sleep didn't come easily.
When it did, it was restless — fractured with half-dreams where Jungkook was always just out of reach, always turning away before Taehyung could say his name.
Morning arrived too fast.
Taehyung woke to the sound of the front door closing.
He sat up instantly.
"Kook?" His voice echoed uselessly in the quiet apartment.
No answer.
The clock read 7:12 a.m.
Jungkook used to wake him before leaving. Used to brush his thumb against Taehyung's cheek, whisper I'll be back soon like it was a promise he took seriously.
Now, there was only absence.
At breakfast, Taehyung stared at his untouched coffee until it went cold. His phone buzzed once.
A message from Jungkook.
I'll be late tonight. Don't wait up.
No heart. No explanation.
Taehyung typed okay… then erased it.Typed Are you alright?… erased that too.
He sent nothing.
The day dragged on in a blur.
Taehyung found himself replaying every small moment from the past few weeks — every pause, every forced smile, every time Jungkook had said I'm just tired.
Maybe he had been pretending too.
Pretending not to notice the way Jungkook flinched at touch now.Pretending not to hear the exhaustion in his voice.Pretending love wasn't something that could quietly slip through your fingers.
By evening, Taehyung's chest felt tight with things he didn't know how to name.
When the door finally opened, it was already past ten.
Jungkook stepped inside, shoulders tense, eyes shadowed. He froze when he saw Taehyung sitting on the couch, lights dimmed, waiting.
"You didn't sleep," Jungkook said softly.
"I wanted to see you," Taehyung replied.
Something flickered across Jungkook's face — guilt, maybe. Or fear.
"Taehyung… I'm exhausted."
"I know." Taehyung stood. "Just—five minutes."
Jungkook hesitated. Then nodded.
They stood there, facing each other like strangers rehearsing familiarity.
Taehyung swallowed. "Are you happy?"
The question landed heavier than he intended.
Jungkook's breath stuttered.
"That's not—" He stopped himself. Looked away. "That's not fair."
Taehyung felt something crack. "Then tell me what is."
Silence.
Jungkook rubbed his hands together, like he was cold. "I don't know how to say this without hurting you."
Taehyung's heart sank.
"Try," he whispered.
Jungkook opened his mouth.
Closed it again.
"I need some space," he finally said.
Not from work.Not from stress.
Just… space.
Taehyung nodded slowly, even as his chest burned.
"How much?" he asked.
Jungkook didn't answer.
And in that quiet, Taehyung realized something terrifying.
Jungkook wasn't asking for space.
He was already halfway gone.