"The world felt smaller when we were together. Like nothing bad could reach us."– Jungkook
[ 4 Years Ago — Age 13 ]
"Taehyung, stop hogging the blanket," Jungkook pouted, pulling at the soft fabric clutched in his best friend's arms.
Taehyung tightened his grip. "You always get cold, Kook. Just stay close."
Jungkook huffed and scooted nearer, his small body curling beside Taehyung's under the stars. They were camping in Taehyung's backyard, surrounded by fairy lights and bug spray.
"Do you think we'll always be best friends?" Jungkook asked, voice soft. His hand toyed with the floppy ear of his stuffed bunny — one that Taehyung had won for him at the fair.
Taehyung looked at him, eyes dark but sincere. "I don't think. I know. You're stuck with me, bunny boy."
They giggled, pinkies intertwining in a silent promise.
But behind Taehyung's smile… he already knew.
His parents were moving.To London.In two days.
The morning of the move.
Jungkook stood outside the Kim family house in his pajamas, bunny plush tight in his arms, eyes wet and red. Taehyung's suitcase was being loaded into a car, his father barking orders.
"Please don't go," Jungkook whispered.
Taehyung didn't answer. His jaw clenched. He looked at Jungkook — his best friend, his softest secret, the one person who ever made him feel safe — and did something he never did.
He cried.
But he turned away before Jungkook could see it.
Instead, he dropped something in Jungkook's hands. A silver chain. A tiny heart-shaped locket.
"For when we're older," he muttered. "You'll understand then."
Then he got into the car.
And just like that… he was gone.
[ Present Day – Age 17 / 16 ]
"So, what did we learn this weekend?" Jin asked dramatically as they packed up after the sleepover.
"That Kook likes mean men with money and tattoos," Jimin teased.
"That we need to moisturize more," Hobi added, holding up a face mask.
Jungkook just smiled sleepily, still wrapped in his bunny blanket.
But inside?
His heart felt heavy.
He didn't know why.Didn't know who he missed.Only that something — or someone — was missing.
Later that evening, Jungkook walked into the Kim estate. The house was grand, unfamiliar. He'd never been here since they moved back from the UK.
"Home!" he called.
No one answered.
He walked up the spiral staircase, yawning, eyes barely open. His sleepover bag was slipping off his shoulder. All he wanted was his bed.
He opened the guest room door.
The room smelled like smoke and cologne. Dark walls. Posters of rock bands. A messy gaming chair.
Definitely not his style.
But there… on the bed… lay something familiar.
His bunny plush.
The one he lost years ago.
Jungkook stepped forward, confused.
"…What the—"
The bathroom door opened.
Steam poured out.
And there he was.
Taehyung.Shirtless. Towel low on his waist. Hair dripping wet. Eyes wide.
They locked eyes.
And time — for just a second — froze.