five: eight

"We lie down each other
Sharing a sad story
There is no depressive ending
I will see you in this memory forever
Forever young."

//

Elianna isn't oblivious.

she's aware that Jungkook, the true love of her life did in fact, open a cafe with a library inside. the conversation they once had between shelves of stacked books motivated him but she wasn't there to see it happen.

she knows Two Euphoric Hearts belongs to him and despite the bubbling anger, she's proud. she's proud he chased a dream his mother would've wanted him to chase. he may have a degree but that's a backup. now he's a manager, friend and a human with no regrets. except... does he regret leaving her? does she still flicker in his mind like vintage photographs, to remind him of the past that he threw away?

she can see him now, as she looks through the front glass of the cafe he has made into a home.

Elianna sighs, hands digging into her pockets further as she looks through the window. it's open and she can hear and see her group of friends. they're all gathered around and she'd normally be there but since her and Jungkook's split, they've been careful not to spend time together.

Elianna watches with wistful eyes. emotions are shielded behind her forces of bronze gold. melancholy and yearning is how she feels when she watches Jungkook admiring their same group of friends, Taehyung smiling warmly, Elisa carrying her daughter, Hoseok trying to fix Jin's sunglasses, Jimin snuggling into Namjoon, Zelda writing and Talulah hugging Shira. none of them notice the missing friend.

there isn't just two euphoric hearts, there is so many.

a presence is felt beside Elianna and she knows exactly who it is.

Yoongi's side brushes against hers, chest cladded in a thick jacket as his eyes bore into the side of her face. she keeps her gaze forward, utterly distracted by the sight and noise of her friends. she doesn't feel jealous, she feels yearning yet sadly joyous.

Yoongi's eyes flicker away and they both stare at the friends. some from the past, some from the present and some family like. "we deserve to have that, don't we?" he questions.

it's not a question that needs an answer but Elianna thinks it does. "i guess we do. we just deserve to be whole as a group again." especially you, she thinks. Yoongi has suffered for years, he deserves his friends back, after all that he's done. she has hers.

Elianna still doesn't look at Yoongi beside her. she's too busy due to the sight of Jeon Jungkook. his dark hair is messy with curls under his hood that keeps falling off. he's trying to make sure his friends are okay by keeping an eye on the cups and plates. he's clearly closed the cafe so he can spend time with his lovable friends. "i hope Jungkook and Shira can forgive you again." she admits honestly and thoughtfully.

"what about the others?" Elianna now looks at her changed, silver haired friend. they've both come a long way and that's only because they forgave each other. despite their differences, they are reflections of each other. "they're still okay with you right?"

"i guess they are. they're more forgiving." Yoongi mentions.

"imagine how funny it would be if one of them turned around."

just as Elianna says that, Taehyung turns around.

"fuck!"

Yoongi pushes Elianna as they rush away from the cafe, black hair bouncing as their feet hit the ground. they run together and make sure they're far away so they don't get spotted. the two start to walk into the park nearby. it's a quiet morning as people are at work, busy with their lives, yet Yoongi and Elianna are in no rush to be anywhere.

"so, how have you been?"

Elianna watches the scenery around them as they walk together. the path is narrow and curved, surrounded by trees that are starting to blossom. Elianna has never seen the beauty of nature, but recently she's started to acknowledge the small things in life. "i'm good." she states. "i've been talking to Namjoon about my feelings and all." the female explains, slightly proud of herself. she's not always felt that way about herself but has learnt to be appreciative of her feelings and heartbreak.

how else could she learn?

"that's good you know." Yoongi nods, clearly showing his proudness towards his changed friend. he's changed too. "it's not good to bottle that shit in." he adds with wisdom. he feels like a hypocrite since he used to place all his thoughts and feelings into a heavy bottle that stays sealed. he keeps it all to himself. until recently, he became linked with Maeve again and something about her made him want to share what was in the raging tempest of his mind.

"feelings you mean?"

"yeah."

"they're annoying right?"

"they mean something." Yoongi declares. he seems lost in thought.

"they inspire you too right?" Elianna laughs a little. feelings inspire many things in life, she knows that. Yoongi's words reminds her of someone else who seeks the same inspiration. "you and Zelda both have similar inspirations. feelings. our friendship group has got you with inspiring shit."

Yoongi smiles at the mention of Zelda- he's fond of the girl. "more like depressing shit." he corrects Elianna. despite the goodness and laughter, there's emotion and terror. there are twists of heartbreak, disguised as roses until everyone's fingers get pricked.

"Jin has been bottling up a lot." Elianna sighs, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. she remembers how close him and Yoongi were, best of friends and even roommates at one point. then they just drifted apart as some friends do. "he won't talk to me." she finds it frustrating. she feels so close to his thoughts yet so far away. but not everyone feels ready to open up.

some never do feel ready.

"he used to talk to me a lot." Yoongi remembers. he seems nostalgic as he thinks about Jin and the friendship they had created. they bonded straight away, despite their differences. the laughter became common and they enjoyed their moments.

"he'd love to be friends with you again."

"are you kidding?"

"have you even tried?"

"no..."

Yoongi speaks again and licks his lips. "he used to tell me everything." he pushes his hands into the pockets of his red, flannel jacket. even now, from a single conversation, he feels inspired to write the music that brings him solace. "i know, the fucker used to keep everything to himself. he just wants to make people happy but i see through his facade." his eyes always dig deeper.

"so do i."

"stop being similar to me." Yoongi smiles, hand reaching to mess up Elianna's hair. her dark strands shift through his pale fingers as he makes it fall in front of her smiling face.

"you're an asshole like me too then."

//

Taehyung sits at the table of Two Euphoric Hearts pouting.

him and Zelda are currently working on a magazine article. the two have been paired up at work to combine their talents and work as a team. they see it as a perfect opportunity and love spending time together. even though they constantly talk at work and make each other drinks.

"i'm not writing about sex positions again!"

Zelda rolls her eyes and can't help the laughter that escapes her lips. she sits beside Taehyung, back arched as she fiddles with her pen. "it's not my fault Nora recommended that to you." she says with giggles.

"and don't worry." Zelda waves her hand, clicking her pen before writing Taehyung and Zelda's project upon her notebook. the boy watches as she does so, clueless. "we just have to work on something together."

"let's combine our brains." she suggests.

Taehyung raises his brows. a sure leaves his mouth in a mumble before he leans forward and presses his head against Zelda's. his newly dyed mop of blue curls stand out as she laughs. their heads press together as he smiles because she starts to laugh.

"wait i have an idea!" Taehyung suddenly beams, hand lifting up with his fancy calligraphy pen before it drops down again. "i forgot now." his smile fades and he pouts.

"let's combine your styling and my writing somehow, come on Tae."

Jungkook observes the chattering workers in his cafe. he stands behind the till, dressed in Taehyung's spare clothes due to him spilling coffee over his white shirt. it didn't look very professional so he had to change.

a cardigan and buttoned shirt is what he's wearing now. he feels different and sophisticated as he stands, listening to the magazine workers. at the same time, he's chatting to Shira who's beside him at the till.

Jungkook is aware of Shira's introvert nature but is also aware that she talks to him more than others. it makes him feel quite honoured, that she opens up to him comfortably. at the moment, her upcoming marriage is on her mind and from the frown on her face, she doesn't seem happy.

"i can't believe you're getting married." Jungkook admits. although, he saw her as being one of the first to go through such a life event, he's still surprised. the announcement came out of the blue and its happening quickly.

"i'm the third one now." Shira emphasises, eyes watching Taehyung and Zelda too. she finds her friends entertaining. when she isn't talking, she's listening and observing with all her senses. "when will it be your turn Jeon?"

Jungkook knows Shira is only teasing when she elbows him but he feels a harsh, physical sensation in his chest. "probably the last one." he mumbles. he can't see himself getting married or even being in a long term relationship. commitment seems efforts away.

"are you happy though?" he makes sure to ask the most important question of all as he dries a white mug with a cloth. the boy is aware that isolated Shira is one of those people who's genuine feelings don't match with their facial expressions, so she may look gloomy but she might actually be joyful.

"i am. i'm excited for this new chapter of my life you know?"

"i'm excited for you too."

"if you ever need help with anything, let me know." Jungkook mentions, feeling shy as he places the mug away. he stands back up, next to his friend. "i know the boys and girls are helping you out a lot too but i'd love to contribute." he wants her to know.

"thanks." Shira smiles. "you're like my very own Chris Evans."

"can i be iron man instead?"

Shira laughs before opening up more. she never would've thought that Jungkook would be the one to be there for her thoughts. he's a good listener and they get on because they're alike- silent and always thinking. "there's something bothering me though." she remarks, eyes looking out.

"Hussain disapproves a lot... in terms of the gang."

Jungkook wants to laugh at the term gang but decides not to when he sees the seriousness plastered on Shira's face. she bites on her lip nervously. "us?" he asks for clarification.

she nods.

"what's wrong with us?"

meanwhile, Taehyung is still screaming about sex positions. "i am innocent!" he declares, ringed hands raising as he suddenly (playfully) argues with smirking, happy Zelda.

"how did you know so much then?" Zelda teases.

"i'm not the one who started talking about having one leg over-"

Jungkook is alarmed. his customers are going to be driven away due to his best friend's loud mouth and explorative knowledge. he's tempted to strangle him with the scarf on the back of his chair. "Tae, can you-" he begs, hissing under his breath. "you're going to drive customers away!"

blue haired Taehyung apologises quickly.

Jungkook focuses his attention back on Shira who's fixing her hijab whilst judging Taehyung in a playful manner. she catches Zelda's smile which she returns. "you still hang out here despite his disapprovals." Jungkook reminds her. "ever ask yourself that?" he hopes it gives her a wake up call.

Shira seems taken aback for a moment.

then the bickering magazine workers grab their attention again. "maybe we could do forgiveness!" Zelda suggests, hand flying to jot the idea down as she focuses on the black ink smoothing over the paper. "something like how El and Yoongi forgave each other... like that's inspiring." she says thoughtfully.

Jungkook freezes. his eyes widen as he stares at Zelda and Taehyung at their table. he wasn't expecting to hear such news. he feels his heart grow heavy with a tonne of emotion and the several thoughts that normally swirl around in his head all disappear.

"what? forgiveness?" Jungkook questions. he demands an answer.

"she what?" he asks again, not sure what he wants to hear.

Jungkook can't believe he's heard the news. old news. Elianna forgave Yoongi? the one who started all of this? but she can't forgive me? anger. sadness. irritation. heartbreak. why do you keep hurting me Elianna? even when we're apart. she's always been the heartbreaker after all.

"you're telling me Elianna forgave Yoongi?" startled Jungkook breathes out and the panic rises in his throat. he notices Jimin suddenly arriving through the doors too. in that moment, he realises they all know.

"Jungkook i-" Taehyung stands up, hand reaching out to him.

Jungkook knows he's taking his anger out on his best friend. he has no excuse for wanting to brew an argument with Taehyung as he pushes him away. he's so speechless.

"you knew?" he spits at Taehyung. "all of you knew?"

Shira is just as astonished as Zelda. Jimin and Taehyung look at each other hopelessly, no idea what Jungkook is about to do or say. they understand why he's so upset.

"so she forgave him?" just like that. Jungkook pushes his hands through his dark hair strands of ebony, eyes blinking in immense surprise as he tears his gaze away from his friends. "i can't believe this." he mutters under his breath, chest heaving.

"she really forgave him huh?" disappointed Jungkook breathes out, overcome with negative emotion as one tear falls.

one tear leads to several others as he starts to cry.

Jungkook covers his face with his hands, cold against his warm skin as his back moves up and down. the cries wreck through his body. tears cascade down his pale cheeks, eyelashes fluttering against his skin. he's crying along with his heart as he struggles to find the right words to express what he feels about the unfair situation.

he stands in the corner of the cafe, locked into a corner behind the till. he looks utterly broken as he tries not to cry but fails. more tears flood from his bronze eyes, disappearing from his eyelashes as he thinks of Elianna forgiving Yoongi. he wants to take his anger out on an object but he just cries until he starts to shake out of sadness. i forgive you Jungkook, i deserve that too don't i? she can't even say his name.

everyone is shocked, not expecting such a reaction from Jungkook. adult looking Jungkook looks like a child, vulnerable and distressful. they've seen the boy break down about Elianna before but every time it happens, it happens differently and unexpectedly. seeing their friend so upset makes them upset, unsure how to react.

Jimin rushes over immediately. he wraps his arms around his friend, securing him from the back as he rubs his hand down his mop of black hair. he's one to display physical affection, whereas others in the group may prefer verbal affection or just silence. he smiles a sad smile, stroking his head to make sure he knows he's there. "let it out Kook." he catches the eye of his sad looking wife. they offer each other a smile.

"move jimmy jammy, he's my best friend." Taehyung pulls Jimin but he doesn't budge.

"sit down you alien."

"she'll be here when she's ready." Zelda offers in a gentle tone. Jungkook acknowledges her words but it makes him cry more.

"what if she's never ready?"

"she needs time."

but time is running out.

//

poor kookie :(
what do you guys think?
idk i think everyone deep inside deserves a second chance?

i love the whole library/cafe aesthetic it's such a dream 🤩

also the video linked at the top is definitely worth a listen :") i love the aesthetic and really miss the outside world, gotta love quarantine !1!1!1!!!

what your father says is also ongoing. it's linked to hoseok from this universe.

anyway stay gold guys ily