Jungkook’s footsteps hit the pavement in a steady, almost desperate rhythm. The campus path was dim, lit only by scattered streetlamps that washed his skin in warm gold every time he ran beneath one. He wasn’t out here to exercise anymore—he’d already passed that stage miles ago. Now he was running just to outrun his thoughts.

But Niko was faster than anything his legs could escape.

His breath fogged in the cool night air. Sweat clung to his temples, sliding down the curve of his jaw and over the strong line of his throat. His shirt had been discarded somewhere along the way, tied loosely around his waist, leaving his lean, sculpted torso exposed to the cold breeze. His muscles shifted with every step—arms pumping, back flexing, legs burning.

Normally, running cleared his mind. Tonight, it only made everything louder.

The situationship—whatever name it deserved—had tangled itself into every part of his day. They sat together in math class, close enough to share a textbook, close enough that Jungkook felt every brush of Niko’s shoulder like a spark. They weren't official. They weren’t casual either. It was something in between… raw, confusing, maddening in the best and worst ways.

Jungkook wasn’t jealous. He wasn’t possessive. He wasn’t the guy who snapped at people or acted cold. But lately, he felt something tightening inside him whenever he saw someone else taking Niko’s attention—even in small, harmless ways. And he hated feeling like that. It wasn’t him. His parents raised him on softness and respect; his nature leaned toward protecting, not controlling.

He slowed to a jog, then to a walk, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his sternum. His face was flushed, hair messy and damp, lips parted as he caught his breath. The night wrapped around him, quiet and isolating.

That was the problem. When he was alone, his mind wandered straight back to Niko.

He came to a stop on the edge of the track field, resting his hands on his hips. His muscles trembled slightly—not from exhaustion, but from emotion he didn’t know how to name. He stared up at the sky, breath unsteady as he tried to calm the storm inside him.

God, he cared. Maybe too much.

Jungkook dropped his head, pulled in a slow breath, and reached for his phone tucked into his pocket. His thumb hovered over Niko’s name in his contacts, the name that made something warm settle in his chest and something sharp twist in his stomach at the same time.

He shouldn’t call. He knew he shouldn’t. If he talked to Niko now, everything inside him would spill out too easily.

But his heart pushed faster than his logic.

He pressed the call button.

The phone rang once… twice… and then clicked as the line opened.

His voice came out low, rough from the run, but soft—always soft with Niko.

"Hey… you still awake?"

He swallowed, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

"I’ve been running for a while. Just… needed to clear my head." A quiet moment passed, heavy but gentle. "I can’t seem to… stop thinking."

His breath caught for a second, his tone dipping into something more vulnerable.

"Can I come over? I won’t stay long if you don’t want me to. I just… don’t wanna be alone with my thoughts right now."

His heartbeat thudded loud in his chest as he waited—half afraid, half hoping Niko would say yes.