Jungkook's fingers barely grazed Taehyung's wrist, but it felt like he had crossed a line.

A line he had spent weeks trying to keep between them.

But now, standing there in the dim light, Taehyung's warmth so close—

Jungkook didn't know if he had the strength to pull back.

And worse—he didn't know if he wanted to.

—

A Moment That Lasts Too Long

Taehyung's gaze flickered down, his breath hitching at the contact.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Neither of them moved.

Jungkook felt the thrum of his own pulse in his throat.

Taehyung was watching him so closely.

Like he was memorizing him.

Jungkook clenched his jaw.

"This isn't a good idea," he murmured.

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, not pulling away.

"...Why not?"

Jungkook exhaled sharply, fingers curling into a fist as he let go of Taehyung's wrist, stepping back like he had been burned.

Distance.

He needed distance.

But Taehyung didn't move.

Instead, he took a slow step forward.

His voice was quiet.

"...I know you feel it too."

Jungkook's stomach twisted.

Because of course he did.

But he couldn't have this.

Not when he still didn't know who was watching.

Not when Taehyung and Jiho were already at risk.

Not when his past was too dangerous.

So instead of answering, he turned away.

"This conversation is over."

Taehyung was silent for a long moment.

Then, finally—

"...Okay."

Jungkook hated how much that one word made his chest ache.

—

A Cold Silence

For the next few days, Taehyung barely spoke to him.

There were no more teasing remarks. No more lingering glances.

Just short nods, quiet thank-yous, and a space between them that felt too wide.

And Jungkook should have been relieved.

Should have felt lighter.

But instead, it felt like he had lost something before he even had the chance to hold it.

—

A Threat Resurfaces

Jungkook was on edge.

The security team had found nothing on the letter. No fingerprints, no signs of forced entry.

Whoever had left it had been careful.

Too careful.

Which meant one thing—

This wasn't a random warning.

It was a message.

And it was meant for him.

So when his phone vibrated in the middle of the night with an unknown number, Jungkook already knew what it was.

He stepped outside to answer it.

A deep, distorted voice spoke on the other end.

"You shouldn't get too comfortable, Jungkook."

Jungkook's grip on his phone tightened.

"You should have stayed gone."

A slow breath.

Steady. Controlled.

"...Who are you after?" Jungkook murmured. "Me? Or them?"

A chuckle.

"Does it matter?"

The line went dead.

Jungkook lowered the phone, eyes dark.

His heart was hammering.

Not in fear.

But in anger.

Because now, he knew—

This wasn't just a warning anymore.

It was a promise.