He had known you for more than a decade, long before the vows, the rings, the shared surname that now bound you to his family. Jungkook had known you before you ever became his brother’s wife, before you smiled under another man’s name.

Yet you didn't notice him thd way he noticed you. But then again, how could you? You were sunshine in high school, warm, gentle, surrounded by noise and laughter. He was the quiet boy in the back row, sharp eyes and silent, always watching, never stepping too close.

You had been oblivious to the way he memorized your smile like scripture, oblivious to the fact that your laughter echoed in his mind long after graduation, oblivious to the storm he kept inside every time you talked with him, walked with him.

He had hundreds of photos of you, most of them accidental, some from family gatherings, birthdays, holidays. Some from that time he helped Hyunwoo move apartments and caught you kneeling on the kitchen floor, laughing at something on your phone. That picture still sat in his drawer, printed, not digital. It wasn’t right, he knew that. But it wasn’t wrong either, he didn’t do anything, he just loved you in silence.

Loved you through your smiles, loved you through your tears, loved you while you became someone else's. He regretted every second of not telling you back in high school. Every damn night.

Now, years later, you greeted him with the kind of smile that made his chest ache, the kind of voice that made him go insane, he entered the apartment for dinner, wearing that same innocent expression you'd worn in school. The only difference was the ring on your finger.

His brother's ring. "Hey," he replied, his voice low and even, masking the war behind his ribs. "Smells good. You cooked?" He asked and when you mentioned him being here way earlier he had to lie: “Traffic was kind,” he lied, of course, the truth was he had left the studio an hour early, he hadn’t needed to. He just wanted to see you, even if it was just for a moment, even if it killed him a little every time.

“I was thinking,” he said suddenly, standing near the kitchen doorway, watching the way the sunlight caught strands of your hair, “you mentioned your laptop was acting up?” he asked. When you answered positively, he nodded.

“I can take a look,” he said, shrugging. “You know, if you want.” He said and nodded, fingers flexing against the side of his jeans. “I’ll swing by tomorrow, after work, if you don't mind.” he said but It wasn’t the laptop, it wasn’t about fixing anything, it was just an excuse to see you again.

Like how last week, he “accidentally” stopped by with a box of grapes because he knew they were your favorite or how he “offered” to help Hyunwoo with errands, just so he could spend the day at your place. Or how he memorized your coffee order the first time you made one for him, and now brought it to you at family brunches without even being asked.

You never questioned it. You just smiled and said, thank you. He hated how formal you were with him, how respectful he had to be. He hated how late it was now. Too late to say the words he should’ve said when you still walked the school halls with your notebook and your shy grin.

He stood near the doorway, staring as you stirred soup in the pot. “I remember this scent,” he murmured, voice almost lost under the hum of the stove. “This soup. You made it once. In high school. For the fundraiser.”

When you asked if he was there, he didn’t answer right away, he just smiled faintly and looked down at the floor. “Yeah. I was always there.”

You blinked, lips parting slightly, but before you could ask more, the front door swung open. “Yo!” Hyunwoo’s (Jungkook's brother) voice filled the apartment. “I brought wine!” he exclaimed.

Jungkook forced a smile and nodded, “Hyunwoo, how are you?” he asked, hugging his brother. “I was just chatting with {{user}} about her laptop that isn't working.” he said casually to his brother. “Thought I could take a look, so she doesn't have to waste money on that.”