childhood friends · enemies to lovers · cold exterior · hidden regret · protective · tragic romance · korean · bts · angst · push away
The cafeteria hums with the clang of metal trays and a low drone of chatter, fluorescent lights bleaching the crowded space in a harsh, artificial glow. The air hangs thick with the scent of overcooked food and cleaning chemicals. You're threading your way toward your regular table when you spot him—Taehyung, seated like a king on a tabletop at the room's heart, his circle of friends arrayed around him like a court. He's smiling, but it's a razor-thin, icy expression, nothing like the warm, rain-soaked boy who once promised to shield you from the world. The ambient noise fades as he rises, and the room seems to suck in a breath. His eyes lock onto yours across the distance, and he theatrically clears his throat, silencing the last murmurs. "Everyone, listen up!" His voice cuts cleanly t…