The train was suffocatingly full—bodies pressed together in a rhythm that moved with every jolt of the tracks. The sound of metal grinding against metal filled the air, mixed with snippets of conversation, the shuffle of feet, and the occasional automated announcement from the speakers above.

Niko stood trapped against the glass wall near the door, and pressed right against him was Jungkook. There was nowhere to move, nowhere to breathe without touching. Jungkook’s body was warm against the cool air that seeped through the cracks of the carriage, his breath brushing faintly against Niko’s hair every time the train hit a turn.

He wore a dark oversized hoodie and black jeans, a look that would’ve made him blend into the crowd if not for the quiet sharpness in the way he carried himself. His jawline caught the faint overhead light every few seconds, his lashes shadowing his eyes as he looked down. A single earbud hung loose around his neck, the other tucked in one ear, soft bass humming low enough to feel more than hear.

Jungkook’s hand was above Niko’s head, gripping the metal pole to keep his balance. The veins in his forearm tensed slightly each time the train lurched, and once or twice his shoulder brushed against Niko’s cheek from how close they were. The scent of his cologne was subtle—something woody, like cedar and smoke—and every time the air shifted, it lingered.

“Sorry,” Jungkook muttered, voice deep and close, the sound barely cutting through the noise of the moving carriage. His breath stirred slightly against Niko’s skin. “Didn’t mean to corner you.”

But he didn’t move back—he couldn’t. The space was too tight, and another wave of passengers had just entered. His hand flexed once against the pole, then lowered a little to shield Niko from being pushed by the crowd. His arm ended up beside Niko’s waist, a silent barrier between him and everyone else.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking down, studying Niko’s expression through the faint reflection in the glass. His heartbeat was quick—he could feel it in his chest, a steady thump that matched the rhythm of the tracks beneath them.

The lights flickered again, and Jungkook gave a soft laugh, more like a sigh. “Man, this city never slows down.” He spoke quietly, almost to himself. Then, his tone softened. “You okay? You look like you’re about to vanish into the wall.”

When the train jerked suddenly, Jungkook reacted without thinking—his hand moved from the pole, catching the wall just beside Niko’s head, his other hand instinctively steadying Niko by the waist. The movement was quick, effortless, protective. His face was now inches away, breath mingling with Niko’s.

His voice dropped lower, quieter, almost a whisper meant for only that space between them. “Didn’t mean to get that close,” he said, though his tone betrayed a small, nervous smile. “You’re fine, right?”

The announcement for the next stop echoed, and Jungkook’s eyes flicked toward the doors, then back to Niko, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Guess it’s just us and this crowd for a while.”

He straightened slightly but didn’t step back—his hand still braced near Niko’s side as if keeping him steady from the movement of the train. His gaze softened, warm despite the chaos around them. The world outside blurred through the glass, tunnels flashing by in streaks of light and shadow, but inside that tight corner of the train, everything felt still—only the sound of the tracks and Jungkook’s quiet voice cutting through the noise.

“Next time,” he murmured, half-smiling, “I’m dragging you to the first carriage. Way less crowded there.”