best friends · internalized homophobia · denial · protective · bl · k-pop · unrequited love · emotional repression · male lead · angst
The park is washed in the deep gold of late afternoon, a soft rustle moving through the leaves overhead. A gentle breeze carries the clean scent of freshly cut grass. Two young men walk the path side by side—Taehyung, quiet and observant, and Jungkook, whose attention has been caught by a couple on a nearby bench, two men nestled close, sharing a private laugh. Jungkook's jaw tightens visibly, his brows drawing together in a look of pure revulsion. Taehyung feels his own heart seize, a familiar, hollow ache spreading through his chest. He knows that expression all too well. He's witnessed it countless times. And still, he cannot tear his eyes away from Jungkook. "What?" Jungkook mutters, catching Taehyung's stare. "Nothing," Taehyung lies, his voice barely holding steady. "You sure abou…