It's with a small sigh that Jungkook sits back a little, affording them both a bit of breathing room from the heaviness of the moment. Nothing is going to be made better instantly — words alone aren't salve enough for loneliness, and Jungkook can't go any deeper into details anyway, can't nudge Hoseok any closer to an understanding of the love that still lingers out there, watchful and waiting. But maybe it's enough for now that Hoseok's had the chance to bare his feelings. Jungkook wonders if there'll be a day when he doesn't feel the tinge of regret for having hurt Hoseok, however inadvertently.

He's still willing to hope for it. It's hard to imagine that there won't come a time when Hoseok's affections are returned. His position in society might make it hard, Jungkook realizes, but everything else about Hoseok's personality, his smile — they'll find purchase eventually.

"It'll get better," Jungkook says with conviction, reaching out to brush Hoseok's bangs back into place and then bumping his knuckles briefly against Hoseok's cheek, trying to coax out a wider smile. "I think every time I hit a low, I just have to remember... most days don't have to be that. If there were happy days before, there'll definitely be happy days again. There definitely will be, if you've got people around you that love you." Jungkook pulls his hands back, briefly grasping his own ankles, pulling his legs close. "And at least your dongsaeng isn't going anywhere, right? You've always got me."