The weather was outrageous that day, the monsoon in autumn had everything freezing. Jungkook was desperate for it to stop, if only for a moment, so he could make his way to the art school in the morning. But the day remained dark, and the thunderstorm showed no signs of abating. For the first time in forever, Jungkook felt utterly hopeless and an urgent need to see his beloved. He genuinely thought he had lost him. The nightmare seemed way too real. Jungkook texted Taehyung to ensure he was okay, but not receiving any reply heightened his anxiety. Hurrying to the art school in the tear-soaked morning, the artist stood and waited in the vast art galleries, the corridor, upon his arrival. Jungkook was earlier than usual, and he knew the brunet won't appear anytime soon but it became a reflex for him to fix his eyes on the main entrance, waiting for him to walk in. Impatient to meet him, Jungkook walked back and forth in the hallway. The staff passed by, greeting him for the morning, and he responded with nods and bows until he heard numerous footsteps and incoherent chatting approaching. Jungkook stood straight, focusing on the entrance. People walked in, including some kids waving at their teacher. He waved back, forcing a smile on his face despite the anxious thunderstorm within him.

"Wait for me in the class; I'll be there in a while." Jungkook informed his little bunnies. They agreed and ran towards their classroom. Jungkook kept looking for Taehyung, wondering why time seemed to crawl that day. Impatiently shaking one leg, he stood in the gallery, staring and waiting. He took out his phone, checking for any messages from Taehyung, but there was nothing. He looked up from his screen, noticing a group of people walking in, with a certain someone lagging behind, appearing lost in thought. Jungkook released the breath he had been holding, the weight lifting from his chest as he finally spotted Taehyung. Impatiently waiting, he stood there until Taehyung approached. There was a fleeting moment when their eyes met, but Taehyung quickly averted his gaze, hiding behind his permed bangs. And damn. Jungkook paused, realising the situation, but Taehyung had already walked past him, seemingly oblivious or intentionally ignoring him. The artist felt the sting of hurt, knowing that Taehyung had seen him yet chose to act as if he didn't exist. Actions spoke louder than words; Jungkook could see it clearly. It was challenging for him to turn his head and watch Taehyung disappear from his sight. What just happened? The artist, already anxious and tense, felt his anxiety peak, making it hard for his heart to beat normally and his lungs to breathe properly. Despite trying to comfort himself with lies, they were indigestible at the moment. His heart seemed to shatter into a thousand pieces, and soon he faced the daunting task of picking them up and rebuilding it. He struggled to accept what had just happened, unwilling to believe the reality of the situation. The struggling artist dragged his feet to the classroom, masking his emotions behind a facade. Inside him a storm raged – his heart pounding since the encounter, his mind unable to focus on anything but Taehyung.

Despite all of this, he still made an effort to divert his attention to his bunnies, though it was challenging not to be consumed by thoughts of his beloved. Time crawled for him that day; staring at his watch, he grew weary as the hands refused to move. The kids voiced their demands, and Jungkook's name echoed around the classroom. Immersing himself in their world, he complimented and corrected their paintings, engaging in baby talk with his bunnies to distract himself from his own thoughts. This strategy was somewhat successful, as their time together soon ended, and break time approached. Jungkook bid farewell to his students, handing out assignments and staying until the last moments. He couldn't believe how he had managed to fill those couple of hours. And then, with determination, there was only one thing on his mind – he needed to get Taehyung to talk to him. Jungkook positioned himself in the hallway, anxiously awaiting Taehyung. Helplessly pacing back and forth, emotions surged within him. The anticipation of seeing Taehyung again, holding him, and hearing his voice overwhelmed Jungkook. As senior students left the classroom for the break, Jungkook sternly focused, his eyes fixed on the search for only one person. The day felt like a terrible game for Jungkook, forced to play along despite hating every moment. Losing this game meant losing Taehyung, his everything. As every other student left the classroom, and even the teacher departed, there was still no sign of Taehyung. Jungkook, determined yet anxious, decided to wait a little longer, each passing moment testing his patience but Taehyung still didn't get out of the classroom. Unsure and impatient, Jungkook pushed his inhibitions away and made his way to the huge hall where Taehyung's classroom was.

Upon entering, he discovered Taehyung, his tiny frame settled behind a canvas, brush in hand, painting a faceless body – someone he adored. The figure behind the canvas then found Jungkook.

"Tae..." Jungkook's voice echoed in the empty hall, reaching only Taehyung, who was standing behind his canvas, no one else in the classroom. The brunet looked up, pausing his brush, his eyes locking into the ones filled with longing. He had been thoughtless that day, a walking statue attempting to suppress his emotions. Yet, watching Jungkook standing there brought all his emotions rushing back, breathing life into the person who was his everything – Jungkook. He could see that same Jungkook he saw on his first day in the art school when he spotted him at the entrance, that same gaze and the same face, filled with so much curiosity in a mesmerising way. Jungkook took slow steps toward the brunet, attempting to contain the flood of emotions within. Mixed feelings swirled within him – upset, sad, worried, afraid, yet also relieved to see Taehyung again. Being a man of action rather than words, Jungkook approached him silently. Taehyung stood up, facing Jungkook in front of him, wanting to express a lot but finding his eyes doing the talking. Eventually giving in, Jungkook gently held Taehyung's cheeks, pressing his lips against his. Taehyung's eyes widened with amazement then he shut them as he allowed himself to be immersed in the unexpected kiss. The brush slipped from his hands, hitting the marble floor and leaving an unintended stain as he surrendered to Jungkook's embrace. Taehyung felt terrible inside as if he had committed a crime but whenever he's distressed, he tries to escape everything around him, being his own feelings for his loved ones, exactly what he did that day earlier. His life played a cruel joke on him, making it feel like the one he was kissing wasn't truly his. Taehyung wanted to cry and scream and express his love for Jungkook. He wanted to be irrational, to lose his mind, to escape the human constraints that allowed his heart and mind to control him.

They wouldn't have stopped if it weren't for the need for air, they didn't care about anything all around, all they cared about was the connection of their moulded lips. The artist broke the kiss but refused to release that pretty face from his gentle grip. His hands quivered as he pressed them against both of his cheeks, staring at Taehyung's face with a gloss of longing in his eyes. Jungkook let his forehead rest against the brunet's, who appeared dazed, quiet, and blank amidst the whirlwind of emotions. He was too sad to even cry, it felt like his days were numbered, and every moment with Jungkook felt surreal, slipping through his hands effortlessly without any grip on it.

"I saw the worst nightmare. It was very terrifying..." Jungkook whispered, pulling back to gaze at Taehyung.

"... I almost lost you." He spoke with difficulty, and Taehyung felt a pang of pain in his chest.

"Maybe I was overthinking all night. I… I was j-just a bit uncomfortable. I d-don't know why I felt such sort of feelings. I wanted to make sure everything's alright, but I think you were busy, baby. Is everything good though? At home?" Jungkook asked, sounding concerned and serious, while Taehyung just stared into his black orbs back and forth. Nothing was alright, how does he say?

"What about Granny? Is she okay?" Jungkook questioned again, and Taehyung finally inhaled a sharp breath before fighting against his will and faking a smile.

"She is."

"Baby…" Jungkook whispered, eyebrows tensed as he tried to read Taehyung's face. Jungkook could look into those mysterious eyes, carrying the same intensity of unsaid emotions he had experienced in his dream. The fear and pain were visible through them, even though Taehyung attempted a smile below. Everything happening mirrored his dream, terrifying Jungkook to the core. He feared Taehyung might ask him to leave, and he felt too vulnerable for that.

"Baby, my heart is racing so fast. I don't feel good. Is everything okay?" Jungkook asked again, looking utterly hopeless.

"It is, don't worry, Kookie." Taehyung lied, and Jungkook could tell by the tone, sensing the unnaturalness behind the words.

"Tae, you have no idea what's happening to me right now, please, just talk to me whatever it is. I'm here to help you out." Jungkook demanded, but Taehyung only denied by shaking his head.

"Don't worry, Kookie, I'm totally fine." Taehyung attempted to remove Jungkook's hands from his face, unknowingly hurting him again.

"Is it- is it me? Did I do something wrong?" Jungkook asked, unsure, and Taehyung felt his heart being pierced a thousand times just by how Jungkook looked.

"You didn't even look back at me this morning. I thought you didn't see me, but I'm sure you did. I just wanted to make sure you're alright… I just… I just feel so uneasy since last night. I don't know why and… I don't know if I hurt you mistakenly or did something stupid, then I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, baby, my intentions were never to do anything that could make you upset." Taehyung wanted to cry at this point. Jungkook didn't deserve to apologise, not when he did nothing wrong. Taehyung couldn't bring himself to tell Jungkook the truth because, knowing Jungkook's nature, the artist would likely take action or stand up for him like a wall. Yet, Taehyung was painfully aware of his father's power, capable of destroying that wall within seconds. He didn't want to involve Jungkook in a fight against his father, knowing the extent of his father's influence. Taehyung feared for the artist's safety and would never forgive himself if anything went wrong because of him. Taehyung closed his eyes, regret sinking in as he closed the distance again, burying his face into Jungkook's neck, holding onto him as if he would never let go. His actions raised countless questions for the artist, but Taehyung held on tighter, leaving silent tears on Jungkook's shoulder. Jungkook felt helpless, sensing there was something he needed to know, yet holding Taehyung mattered the most to him. Meanwhile, Taehyung tried to absorb all of Jungkook's essence, as much as he could, as if it was his last.