The storm outside stopped, but the dorm felt louder than ever. Morning rushed in fast.
Taehyung reached the practice room first. He dropped his hoodie on the floor and paced. He looked sharp, awake, and dramatic enough to stress Jungkook out without saying a word.
Jungkook walked in two minutes later. His hair was sticking up on one side. He looked half ready, half confused.
"You look like you fought your pillow," Taehyung said.
"I won," Jungkook said. "Barely."
Taehyung cracked a smile. The tension softened.
"We need to talk," Taehyung said. "But first, stretch. You get tense when you worry."
Jungkook rolled his eyes, but he dropped to the mat. Taehyung joined him. They stretched in silence for a moment, breathing in sync. Jungkook kept stealing glances. Taehyung noticed every single one.
"You trust me, right?" Taehyung asked.
"You know I do."
"Good. Because the world is loud today."
The door swung open. Jimin walked in with a bag of snacks.
"I brought survival food," he said. "The staff group chat looks like a fire drill."
Yoongi appeared behind him, holding coffee. "The company wants us to film a reaction video later. To stay 'light and positive'."
Jimin groaned. "We look tired. Positive will be hard."
"Speak for yourself," Taehyung said. "I look perfect."
Jungkook threw a towel at him.
Namjoon entered next. He carried a stack of papers. "Schedules changed. We have a last minute meeting with PR. They want us to act unaffected."
Taehyung raised a brow. "We are unaffected."
Jin walked in last. "You two better keep your faces calm today. If you blush on camera again, people will write theories that reach the moon."
Jungkook's face warmed instantly.
Taehyung laughed. "He is already failing."
Jimin pulled Yoongi closer by the sleeve. "Stay near me during interviews. I need someone who looks calm."
Yoongi muttered, "I look calm because I am tired."
The mood shifted. Still tense, but more playful. The group felt like themselves again.
Namjoon clapped once. "Alright. Practice first. Then PR. Then filming. No arguments."
Taehyung leaned close to Jungkook. "Do not run away from me later."
"I never run," Jungkook said.
"Good," Taehyung said. "Because I am not letting this leak control us."
Music started. Energy lifted. The group moved together, sharp and focused. Every step felt like proof that no rumor could break them.
Jimin and Yoongi kept glancing at each other between moves. Taehyung stole looks at Jungkook. Jungkook did the same, trying to hide his smile and failing.
The day ahead would be chaotic, but the morning felt solid. Fun. A little messy. Real.
The leak brought stress, but it also pushed them closer.