The dorm was buzzing that afternoon. Some of the members were sprawled across the living room, laughing at something on TV, while others hid in their rooms with phones and snacks. For once, the schedule was clear. No cameras, no rehearsals, no forced smiles.
I scrolled through my phone absentmindedly, the Wooga Squad group chat lighting up. Seo-joon hyung was teasing me again, asking if I'd finally "retired from idol life" since I'd gone quiet for days. Woo-shik added a string of emojis that only made them laugh harder. I smiled at the screen before typing back, "Fine, fine. Dinner tonight."
When I mentioned it to the others at the table, Jimin narrowed his eyes. "Already running away on our free day?"
I laughed, reaching for my chopsticks. "It's called balance. You should try it."
Namjoon shook his head, half amused, half tired. "Don't stay out too late."
By evening, I found myself slipping into the familiar restaurant. Warm lighting spilled across polished tables, the smell of grilled meat clinging to the air. Seo-joon hyung's laugh rang out the moment he spotted me, his hand heavy on my back as he pulled me in for a hug. Woo-shik grinned, always quick to joke, while Hyung-sik waved from his seat.
It was easy here. Easier than it ever was in the spotlight. They asked about promotions, the new songs, rehearsals—but the questions faded fast into small talk. Movies, food, small complaints about life. I leaned back in my chair, letting myself laugh without thinking about cameras or headlines.
Still, my mind betrayed me. Between bites, between conversations, I drifted. I thought of Jungkook. His laugh that filled rooms. The way he teased me, then softened when we were alone. Even surrounded by hyungs I trusted, my thoughts kept circling back to him.
Woo-shik must have noticed, because he tilted his head, smirking. "You're quieter than usual, Taehyung. Thinking about someone?"
I almost dropped my chopsticks. "What? No. I was… thinking about dessert."
They laughed, not pushing, but their knowing smiles said more than words.
By the time we wrapped up, it was past midnight. I headed back to the dorm, the city quiet around me. When I stepped inside, the lights were dim, most of the members already asleep.
I set my bag down, kicking off my shoes. Then I saw him—Jungkook, leaning against the hallway wall, hair messy, eyes tired but bright.
"You're back," he said softly.
"Yeah," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "It was good."
He tilted his head. "Better now?"
The warmth in his eyes made me pause. I nodded, quietly. "Better now."
And just like that, the noise of the city, the laughter of friends, all faded. What mattered most was here, waiting.