Chapter 17 - The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us

"Sometimes, the scariest part isn't falling...it's being caught, only to be dropped again."The morning after their almost silent embrace was strange.

Not awkward. Just quiet. Like both were too afraid to speak and break whatever fragile thread had formed the night before.

Y/n didn't mention the way her hand lingered on his back. Taehyung didn't mention the way her touch had nearly unraveled him.

Instead, they went back to being partners.

Functional. Professional.

But something had shifted beneath the surface tension now lived between them, unspoken and electric.

Later that afternoon, a spontaneous beach bonfire was organized by the professors.

Y/n had slipped away first, wanting to be alone for a while.

She stood barefoot in the tide, her skirt fluttering around her legs, salt in the air, her thoughts tangled in seafoam.

Taehyung found her minutes later.

"You always disappear when people get too loud."

She glanced back but didn't move. "I like silence."

He stepped beside her. "You're not scared of it?"

"No. I'm scared of what I hear in it."

Taehyung looked at her, the way the ocean breeze tossed her hair, the distant look in her eyes.

"You always carry the world on your shoulders," he murmured.

Y/n shook her head. "I carry my brother's future. My mother's hope. My father's disappointment."

He was quiet for a moment before he asked, softly, "And mine?"

She looked at him.

"What am I to you, Taehyung?"

For once, he didn't have a teasing reply.

"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I'm afraid of finding out too late."

Back at the bonfire, Y/n returned with a calmer expression until she froze.

Hyejin.

Again.

Leaning on Taehyung, laughing too close, her hand on his chest like she belonged there.

Y/n's chest tightened. She saw his hesitation he didn't move away, didn't stop her either.

It stung more than it should have.

Jennie appeared beside her, clutching a stick of marshmallows.

"You okay?"

Y/n kept her gaze on them. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Jennie followed her eyes. "Oh..."

Y/n forced a smile. "He can talk to whoever he wants."

"But he doesn't want her."

Y/n exhaled sharply. "Maybe he doesn't want me either."

Later that night, she stayed on the balcony of their suite, refusing to let the wind carry the lump in her throat away.

She wasn't supposed to care this much.

Not when he wasn't hers. Not when they hadn't promised anything.

But it hurt anyway.

And when Taehyung returned, late, she didn't greet him.

She didn't even look at him.

"Y/n," he said softly.

She continued brushing her hair.

"Are you mad?"

"No."

"Please don't lie to me again."

She stood. "Why would I be mad? You're free to flirt with whoever you want."

He blinked. "You saw that?"

"I wasn't hiding," she snapped.

Taehyung stepped closer. "She cornered me. It wasn't like that."

"It didn't look like nothing."

"You don't get to do this," he said, frustrated. "You don't get to pull me close one night, and push me away the next."

"I didn't push you away—"

"You're doing it now."

Y/n swallowed hard. "Because I don't know what this is!"

"Neither do I," he said, voice quieter. "But I know I want to figure it out. With you."

Silence.

Then she whispered, "I don't know if I can afford to feel right now."

Taehyung's face fell.

"Then tell me to stop."

She looked at him, tears blurring her eyes. "I can't."

He nodded once.

"Then I'll wait."

And with that, he left the room, closing the door behind him with quiet finality.

That night, sleep never came.

Y/n lay awake, staring at the ceiling, guilt and longing tearing at her chest.

She had always believed distance would protect her heart.

But now, it only made her feel cold.

And far too alone.