Jungkook had grown habitual to having Taehyung around, turning his home into a haven of joy and warmth, and he sorely missed that presence. Respecting Taehyung's need for time and space to focus on his diploma finals, Jungkook allowed him the solitude required. In recent days, Jungkook found himself stealing glances at Taehyung in the art school, much like he used to do before. He observed Taehyung walking through the corridor with elegance, his gaze focused downward, and his cologne transforming the atmosphere into a fragrant garden. Certainly, this artist was the butterfly in that garden.

As these days passed, the grand day arrived when every student would receive their diplomas. Jungkook felt a mix of happiness for Taehyung's achievement but a twinge of sadness for his own solitude without him at school. Despite the absence, Jungkook yearned for their interactions to continue, willing to pay any price to have Taehyung brighten his days.

In the special ceremony for the art school graduates, individual certificates and prizes were being awarded. Jungkook eagerly anticipated seeing Taehyung and supporting him from the faculty row during the diploma presentation. Having attended art school earlier for his own set of duties, the artist eagerly awaited this significant moment. As everything unfolded simultaneously, students filled the auditorium's audience row. Jungkook's eyes were fixated on the entrance, desperately hoping to spot Taehyung. His gaze remained locked on the entrance, his heart quickening with anxiety as time passed. Although Jungkook had sent Taehyung texts with best wishes and hadn't received a response yet, he understood Taehyung's likely busyness and chose to give him the time he needed, despite missing him intensely. The row filled up completely, but Taehyung was conspicuously absent, leaving Jungkook perplexed. The event's speaker began addressing the audience about the significance of the day, momentarily diverting Jungkook's attention. Despite the somewhat tedious speech, Jungkook found himself glancing around in search of Taehyung, yet he remained elusive. As the ceremony progressed, students' names were announced one by one, and they received certificates and prizes, capturing the moment with pictures alongside their teachers. Jungkook, growing increasingly concerned about Taehyung's absence, decided to step outside and make a call. However, his attempts were met with unanswered beeps, intensifying his worry.

"Why isn't he picking up? Is everything okay?" Jungkook questioned himself. Just then, a familiar name echoed repeatedly inside the auditorium, drawing Jungkook's attention. He quickly reentered, only to discover Taehyung on stage receiving his diploma. Standing at the right side of the auditorium near the exit, Jungkook realised Taehyung must have been late or hadn't been in the audience row at all. Their eyes met as Taehyung faced in his direction while accepting the certificate. Jungkook stared at Taehyung, his longing eyes trying to comprehend the changes. Taehyung appeared distant, his attire not reflecting the significance of the day, and an absence of smiles during the photographs. Amazement and awe filled Jungkook as he observed Taehyung. To him, something was amiss, something lost, and much hidden. The artist battled the urge to rush to the stage, to embrace Taehyung tightly, shower him with kisses, and express how much he missed holding him. However, Taehyung never once glanced in his direction, leaving Jungkook yearning for just one look. As Taehyung received his certificate and prize, he turned away, exiting through another door without giving a speech or participating in the group photo with his fellow graduates. It was as if Taehyung was only there for the diploma, leaving Jungkook thunderstruck. The artist couldn't comprehend why Taehyung appeared so low and why he didn't embrace the joy of this special day. With no other option, Jungkook rushed outside through the exit, desperately trying to reach Taehyung. Though a bit distant, Jungkook spotted him in the empty hallway.

"Taehyung!" The artist yelled his name, attempting to run after him. But Taehyung had already stepped outside, heading towards a car parked at the gate to pick him up. Jungkook's attempt to rush out was halted when he spotted Taehyung inside the car, seated in the back, leaving him with no choice but to stop as the engine started. Throughout this brief encounter, Taehyung never once lifted his gaze, and Jungkook was left in a daze. The quick succession of events left him engulfed in endless thoughts and worries. All Jungkook yearned for was a chance to meet and talk to Taehyung.

~✿~

That day, it was a challenge for Jungkook to maintain composure and appear natural at the event, only to return home to his cold and dark place—a space he didn't bother illuminating. Traumatised, Jungkook found himself overthinking, searching for faults within himself to decipher the cause of Taehyung's distant behaviour. Despite multiple attempts to call and text, there was no response, leaving him to sit on the couch in his dark living room at night, head in his hands, consumed by uncertainty. As the autumn monsoon played out its unusual pattern, mirroring the oddities in the artist's distressed life, thoughts of his lover consumed him. Sitting upright, he checked his phone again, only to be met with continued silence. He grew frustrated and threw himself back against the couch, sighing and running his hands through his hair. Taehyung's sculpture was standing gracefully in front of him which had become a source of hallucinations, teasing him with illusions of the real Taehyung. Frustration mounted in him, Jungkook resisted the urge to scream and clench his jaws tightly. Desiring the presence of his real Taehyung, he grappled with the unanswered question: Why wasn't he responding?

The clouds roared outside dangerously and Jungkook suddenly felt a twitching feeling inside of him. He didn't know why but it was as if his instincts were trying to warn him about something he didn't know. Overwhelmed by frustration and anguish, the artist groaned and cursed while staring at his phone, greeted by a blank screen. He stood up and started to pace back and forth, feeling lost and unsure of what to do. Days had passed without proper interaction with Taehyung, as he had given him space. Soon, uncertainty clouded the prospect of when, how, and through what means they would reunite. His desire to meet Taehyung intensified, reaching a point where he felt on the verge of tears, screams, and a descent into madness.

The knocks on his door drew Jungkook's attention, causing a frown as he pondered who it could be. The raging thunderstorm outside added a backdrop of pitter-patter rain as he approached the door. Upon opening it, he was met with a sight he didn't expect. Jungkook couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of déjà vu when he locked eyes with him. The intensity of pain and fear mirrored the haunting familiarity of his dreams. His heart raced, struggling to believe until his body was embraced by Taehyung. Arms tightly wrapped around his waist, and his face buried in his neck. In that moment, Jungkook's warmth returned, and everything fell into place for him.

"I missed you, Kookie, I missed you."

Tears streamed down Jungkook's face as he held onto Taehyung, snuggling him close.

"Baby... My love..." Jungkook's voice wavered with the overwhelming emotions, his tears expressing the relief and joy of holding Taehyung so tightly. In that moment, anxiety, fear, and worries faded away. Nothing else mattered to Jungkook at that instant except embracing Taehyung with all his might. It didn't feel like a dream; Taehyung's warmth and essence were undeniably real. Jungkook felt alive once more. The questions about why Taehyung was there could wait. For then, all Jungkook wanted was to kiss him as much as he wished and show him how much he missed him.