Jungkook feels ignored and unimportant when Jimin's life gets busy. The lack of communication only severes their bond.

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Jungkook had always been patient. He knew Jimin was busy. He understood the hectic schedules, the demands of their careers, and the pull of personal commitments. But lately, the space between them felt bigger than it ever had before. 

Jimin was always rushing—either to another schedule, a meeting with friends, or to visit his family. And every time Jungkook tried to catch a moment with him, to relive the comfort of their late-night talks or silly movie marathons, Jimin would give him the same apologetic smile. 

“Sorry, Kook-ah. I’m swamped today. Can we talk later?” 

But later never came. 

Jungkook found himself sitting alone more often than not, phone in hand, staring at a text he wanted to send Jimin but couldn’t bring himself to. He didn’t want to sound needy or clingy. They were adults, after all, and Jimin had his own life. But the ache in his chest only grew with each passing day. 

He started pulling back without even realizing it. When Jimin walked into the room, Jungkook would make an excuse to leave. He stopped trying to start conversations, stopped waiting up for Jimin to come home late. It hurt too much to keep reaching out only to be met with distance. 

The first time Jimin noticed something was off was during dinner with the group. Jungkook barely spoke, his focus fixed on his plate. 

“Jungkook, you okay?” Jimin asked, nudging him lightly. 

“Yeah, hyung,” Jungkook said quickly, not meeting his eyes. “Just tired.” 

But Jimin wasn’t convinced. The sparkle that usually lit up Jungkook’s eyes when they joked or bantered was missing. 

Over the next few days, the shift became impossible to ignore. Jungkook avoided Jimin whenever he could. Their once-comfortable silences were now filled with a tension that Jimin couldn’t understand. 

It finally came to a head one evening when Jimin came home late from yet another meeting. He found Jungkook in the living room, headphones on, sketching in his notebook. 

“Kook-ah,” Jimin called softly, but Jungkook didn’t look up. 

Jimin frowned, moving closer and sitting down beside him. He reached out to gently tug one of Jungkook’s headphones off. “Hey.” 

Jungkook stiffened but didn’t move away. “What is it, hyung?” 

The flatness in his tone stung. 

“What’s going on with you?” Jimin asked, searching his face. “You’ve been so distant lately. Did I do something wrong?” 

Jungkook’s grip on his pencil tightened, and he let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t even know, do you?” 

Jimin blinked, caught off guard. “Know what?” 

“You don’t have time for me anymore,” Jungkook said, his voice barely above a whisper. He kept his eyes on his notebook, refusing to meet Jimin’s gaze. “You’re always busy. Always somewhere else. And every time I try to talk to you, you’re not there.” 

The words hit Jimin like a punch to the gut. “Kook, I didn’t—” 

“You didn’t notice,” Jungkook interrupted, his voice trembling now. “And that’s the worst part. I’m trying so hard not to bother you, to just… let you live your life. But it feels like I don’t matter to you anymore.” 

Jimin’s chest tightened at the sight of Jungkook’s hunched shoulders, the pain in his voice. He hadn’t realized how much his absence had been affecting him. 

“Kook-ah,” Jimin said gently, reaching out to take the pencil from Jungkook’s hand. He set it aside and cupped Jungkook’s face, forcing him to look up. “I’m so sorry.” 

Jungkook’s eyes were glassy, and he bit his lip to keep it from trembling. “It’s fine, hyung. I get it. You’re busy.” 

“No,” Jimin said firmly, his thumbs brushing away a tear that escaped down Jungkook’s cheek. “It’s not fine. I’ve been so caught up in everything else that I didn’t see how much I was hurting you. That’s on me.” 

Jungkook closed his eyes, leaning into Jimin’s touch despite himself. “I just miss you,” he whispered. 

Jimin’s heart broke at the vulnerability in his voice. “I’m here now,” he said softly. “And I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’ll do better, Kook. I’ll make time for you. For us.” 

Jungkook opened his eyes, searching Jimin’s face for sincerity. He found it in the way Jimin’s brow furrowed with guilt, in the way his hands trembled slightly as they held him. 

“You promise?” 

“I promise,” Jimin said without hesitation. “You’re important to me, Jungkook. More than anything. I’ll never take that for granted again.” 

Jungkook let out a shaky breath, the weight on his chest finally easing. “Okay.” 

Jimin pulled him into a tight hug, his arms wrapping securely around him. Jungkook melted into the embrace, the warmth of Jimin’s presence filling the void that had been aching for so long. 

And for the first time in weeks, Jungkook felt like he mattered again.