It had been two months since Jin accepted the acting role, and the decision rippled through their small world. He would relocate to another region of Korea, with Namjoon following close behind. Jimin’s heart twisted with the news, a dull ache that settled into resignation when Jin promised letters, even visits. Four hours by car felt manageable, but Jimin lacked a vehicle and the prospect of a taxi ride for that distance felt… isolating.
Taehyung, surprisingly, was excited. A flicker of reluctance lingered at leaving Jimin, but it was quickly overshadowed by the prospect of Jungkook accompanying them. Their finances demanded resourcefulness; two houses were unaffordable, so they’d share one, each couple claiming a spacious bedroom.
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“S-Stopp!” Jungkook chuckled, watching Taehyung wriggle with unrestrained glee on the queen-sized bed, tickling him mercilessly.
A soft, high-pitched mewl escaped Taehyung’s lips as Jungkook’s fingers traced his sides. “K-Kookie!”
Jungkook rose, sweat slicking his skin from the playful onslaught. “I’m going to run a bath.” Taehyung giggled and nodded, already scrambling towards Jin.
Standing beneath the showerhead, Jungkook’s thoughts drifted to the previous week, to the subtle shifts in Taehyung. The stuttering had lessened, replaced by an unsettling… maturity. It was awkward, this emerging confidence.
He remembered Taehyung choosing to *eat* a carrot instead of surreptitiously tossing it away, instead of erupting in tears. He *hated* carrots. They were, in his estimation, his nemesis.
Or the moments Taehyung seemed lost in thought, even while in the bathroom, a vacant gaze replacing the usual bright, childlike wonder. He wasn’t himself.
Jin had concluded that Taehyung was beginning to slip from his headspace, strengthened by confidence and the security of Jungkook’s love. At least, that’s how it seemed.
Jungkook kicked a stray piece of soap across the tiled floor. He loved Taehyung exactly as he was. He understood that Taehyung couldn’t help but grow, but he cherished *little* Tae. That was the boy he’d fallen for. A tremor of fear ran through him.
Fear that Taehyung might discard old memories.
Or that he might abandon his stuffed toys, especially Kookie, the worn bunny with floppy ears.
*He’s still going to be your Taehyung,* Jungkook reminded himself.
He knew that intellectually, but a cold dread lingered. It wouldn't *feel* the same. Taehyung wouldn’t *be* the same.
“Jungkook!” Jin called from outside the bathroom door. “Taehyung needs his bath before bed, and you know that damn well.”
Jungkook groaned playfully. “Yeah, I know.”
It was absurd, living with his teachers and their brother. A scenario no other student would even consider. He found himself dwelling on it. Living with his teachers.
“H-Hurry u-up~” Taehyung’s stuttering whine reached his ears, and Jungkook rinsed the soap from his skin, reaching for a towel.
“I’m almost done, baby.”
Jungkook ruffled his wet hair as he emerged, the towel loosely draped around his waist, revealing the curve of his hips. “You can go in now, Tae.”
Taehyung bounced on the bed, already summoning Jin.
Jin entered the room, gently ushering a yawning Taehyung towards the bathroom.
Jungkook sighed. He would never know when he’d hear Taehyung’s pure, uninhibited stutter for the last time. He might lose it at any moment. Any time.