After hours in the library, Jungkook is trying to catch up on lost time regarding his studies. Taehyung is at work, so Jungkook decided to self-study and so far it's been vibing—at least the Lo-Fi music he's playing is; not the actual studying. Exams are approaching, so it's crucial he gets his head back into the books.

"Jungkook." Someone sits across from Jungkook, prompting him to take his earphones off.

"Seokjin?" Jungkook furrows his brows. "Here to study?"

"Sure." Seokjin puts his bag on the table, fetching out his laptop.

Weird. Exchanges with Seokjin are rare but more frequent since they became partners in cooking class—but they're not in class. What does he want?

"Did you hear about what happened in the theatre?" Seokjin says, opening the laptop. He glances up at Jungkook, who twitches.

"No?" Jungkook fake smiles, hoping no one else has found out about him kissing Taehyung in the theatre.

Seokjin leans back in the chair, crossing his arms casually. "Apparently, there were two people caught having sex in there."

Jungkook's stomach drops. "That's not what happened!"

"Oh?" Seokjin brings his hand up to his chin in thought. "Were you there?"

Jungkook shakes his head profusely. "W-Why would I be there?" He gulps. "I just don't believe that would happen."

Seokjin hums in response.

Are the rumours about Jungkook and Taehyung? Who could say such things? And how the hell did it escalate from kissing to sex? One person keeps coming to mind—Soobin. It can't be. He gathers his stuff, deciding he needs a change of environment.

"Leaving already?" Seokjin looks confused. "Is it something I said?"

Jungkook ignores him. He needs to talk to Taehyung.

💌

Taehyung is bored. Today is a slow day at work, which means he has to look busy when there's absolutely nothing to do. He wipes over clean tables to make them extra clean. He talks to customers asking how their food is to take their dirty dishes earlier. Easy money tonight; that's what Yoongi would say. Yoongi can get away with being on his phone all shift cause he's the shift supervisor now. Taehyung, however, is still a team member. He'd love to live in an alternative reality where he could boss Yoongi around, lean on the counter and delegate.

Jungkook storms into the restaurant, disrupting the peace, sitting at an empty table, glaring at Taehyung.

He walks up to Jungkook with a questioning look. "What are you doing here?" He puts a hand on Jungkook's shoulder—it feels tense. "Are you hungry?"

"They know."

Taehyung looks to see if Yoongi is watching before sitting across from Jungkook, turning the chair so he can lean his arms on the backrest. "Are the exams getting to you?"

"People say that we had sex in the theatre room," Jungkook says, putting his face into his hands, shaking his head.

"What? No, we didn't." Taehyung stands, thanking a leaving customer. "Where'd you hear that?"

"I knew we shouldn't have."

Taehyung clears the table next to Jungkook's table. "Are you sure they are talking about us? I mean, we only kissed. Maybe we should have done more if they were going to say it."

Jungkook frowns, leaning back in the chair. "Well, the rumour doesn't explicitly say it was us. But that's not the point."

"Then there's nothing to worry about." Taehyung shrugs, going to the back to put the dirty dishes in the sink. Yoongi and Hoseok are sharing a meal.

"Do you want to join us?" Hoseok asks, stretching his neck to see if there are any customers. "Oh, has that guy been taken care of?"

"Oh, that's my friend. Can I bring some for him?"

Yoongi smirks. "Friend, hm?" He looks to see Jungkook pulling out his textbooks.

Hoseok grins widely. "Of course! Take some from the pot."

Taehyung takes a bowl and scoops some cream pasta into it, taking two forks and heading back, presenting it to Jungkook.

"I'm not hungry," Jungkook says, pushing the bowl to the side.

"Then why are you here?" Taehyung slides the bowl back in front of Jungkook, sitting down with him. He takes a fork full of pasta and eats. "It's good, try some."

"Do you think Soobin said anything?" Jungkook reluctantly takes the fork. "Thanks."

Taehyung pauses, putting his fork up to his lips. Soobin is the last person who would spread a rumour like that. Taehyung can't see it happening, and besides, who cares? A rumour is a rumour. "I don't think so."

Jungkook sighs. "I don't know why, but the thought of it makes me feel so betrayed."

"Maybe you should talk to Soobin about it?"

Jungkook shakes his head. "I just don't want people talking about us."

Those words pierce Taehyung, but he tries his hardest to respect Jungkook's boundaries. Perhaps a rumour like this might rip the Band-Aid and help them progress their relationship, or it could destroy them. Taehyung doesn't want to take the risk. His recent risk-taking has been almost detrimental to their relationship, but then again, they wouldn't be a thing if it weren't for it.

Jungkook groans. "We can't be so careless next time."

"Next time?" Taehyung raises an eyebrow, smirking.

He can see Jungkook's cheeks redden, and the pain is now gone. Taehyung's so lucky to have this boy, and he's happy as long as he gets to be with him.

"I don't mean it that way," Jungkook whines as Taehyung giggles.

"I know."

Jungkook takes a deep breath. "Can we talk?"

"Are we not?" Taehyung continues to help himself with the pasta.

"It's about Mina." As Jungkook says her name, Mina walks in with a bright smile, waving at Taehyung.

💌

What the fuck is she doing here? And why does this keep happening? Jungkook angrily eats the pasta, refusing to look Mina's way. He hates seeing Taehyung look so happily at Mina. It's bullshit.

"Mina, Jungkook was just talking about you. What was it you wanted to know?" Taehyung asks, putting a hand on Jungkook's shoulder.

Jungkook can feel Mina's eyes boring holes into Jungkook's soul. But also, what the fuck Taehyung?! Why is he exposing him?

"I, uh... I was wondering if I could try your cooking again. I love people who can cook."

Jungkook can feel Taehyung's hand pull away.

"Does that mean you don't love me?" Taehyung pouts.

"Well..." Jungkook looks to Mina, fake grinning.

"I can cook for you, Jungkook." Mina fake smiles back.

Don't. He's lying, and it annoys him that Taehyung is taking it to heart, and why the hell would he want to eat anything made from the devil spawn itself? Jungkook ignores her, but she continues talking.

"I've been hearing some murmurings here and there about you guys." She grabs a chair from another table and drags it to their table. "You two have been awfully close lately. More than usual, right?"

Taehyung opens his mouth, but Jungkook is quick to snatch the opening. "N-Nothing out of the ordinary here. Just two friends—nothing more."

Mina looks at Taehyung, who gulps, nodding. "Just remember what you promised," Mina says, pulling out a toy car from her pocket.

Taehyung says nothing. What is this about? Jungkook tilts his head, trying to figure out why the toy car seems familiar.

Taehyung scratches the back of his head as Jungkook has the urge to ask about this promise, but another customer walks in, whisking Taehyung away from the table. Now it's just Jungkook and Mina, awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

"If you don't mind, I'm kind of studying here," Jungkook says.

"I don't mind," Mina replies, pulling out a notebook. Wait, it must be the notebook—Naeun's notebook.

"Ahh... so what are you writing in there?" Jungkook asks.

Mina ignores.

"Hello?" His irritation is apparent.

"I'm studying," Mina says, eyes not moving from the notebook. "Just like you."

Perhaps Jungkook could snatch the book and make a run for it. Tempting as it sounds, the repercussions are scary. It's probably not the smartest option. He won't do it. Maybe she'll leave it here if she needs to go to the toilet or something.

Hours go by, and Taehyung keeps himself busy, steering clear of their table despite the restaurant not being busy at all. Jungkook would study, but he cannot take his eyes off of Mina's movements.

"What's in the notebook?" He asks, leaning over to look.

She snaps the book together, putting it back in her bag. "Notes for the exam." She stands up, flinging the bag onto her shoulder. "I'm gonna go somewhere more quiet."

Jungkook scoffs and mutters, "Good." But it doesn't reach her ears as she walks off. He slaps his cheeks, focusing back on revising. He wasted too much time.

💌

A.N: The story is turning out to be very different than the original but I think in the best way possible. I cut a lot of irrelevant stuff that didn't serve the narrative and added a lot to flesh out the plot~ Maybe some easter eggs in there as well for people who remember how the book ends~ This is around the last stretch of the book, so sorry if it's taken awhile. I want it to be perfect <3