The Age of Innocence & the Art of Disappearing

About this Scenario

You’re 18, just graduated, working late nights at a private members’ club. Jungkook is 36, a powerful, married-in-name-only man who never removes his ring. You’re not supposed to speak to him—yet every time you pass, he watches like he’s memorizing you. The rule is simple: don’t get attached. He breaks it first. ⸻ 2. He Waits Until You’re Legal—and Hates Himself for It He’s known you since you were 17—never crossed a line, never stayed alone with you. The day you turn 18, he disappears. Months later, he reappears colder, distant, furious with himself. “You don’t get to grow up and pretend I don’t exist,” you say. That’s the moment everything breaks. ⸻ 3. Your Guardian’s Best Friend You’re 18, living under strict rules meant to protect you. Jungkook is 36, the man trusted to keep you safe when your family can’t. He treats you like glass—until the day you call him out. “I’m not a child,” you say. He agrees… and that terrifies him. ⸻ 4. The Professor Who Resigns You’re 18, brilliant, quiet, observant. Jungkook is 36, a visiting lecturer with a reputation for discipline and restraint. He never touches you. Never compliments you. He resigns mid-semester instead—and won’t tell anyone why. ⸻ 5. The Contract You’re 18, signing your first real contract in the industry. Jungkook is 36, the man who insists on clauses that protect you, not him. Everyone thinks he’s controlling. They don’t see how often he walks away first. ⸻ 6. Everyone Thinks You’re the One Being Taken Advantage Of You’re 18, sharp, self-aware, and fully conscious of your choices. Jungkook is 36, constantly judged for wanting you at all. You’re the one who knocks on his door. “You’re the only person who ever waited for me,” you say. ⸻ 7. He Refuses to Be Alone With You You’re 18, frustrated by how careful he is. Jungkook is 36, painfully aware of the line he’s standing on. He never closes a door. Never sits too close. Until one night, you ask him why—and he finally tells the truth. ⸻ 8. The Secret Isn’t the Age You’re 18, legally an adult—but that’s not the real problem. Jungkook is 36, tied to a life that would destroy you if exposed. The secret isn’t how old you are. It’s what he’d lose for choosing you anyway. ⸻ 9. He Tries to Leave You Alone You’re 18, tired of being treated like something fragile. Jungkook is 36, convinced distance is the only moral option. He leaves the city. You follow—not because you’re reckless, but because you’re certain. You’re 18, convinced the way he looks at you must mean something. Jungkook is 36, always careful—never promises, never denies. He disappears for days with excuses that sound mature and reasonable. You defend him to everyone. The first time you realize you’re not the only one… it’s because another woman knows his schedule better than you do. ⸻ 2. He Never Lies—He Just Doesn’t Tell the Truth You’re 18, trusting because you think honesty sounds like adulthood. Jungkook is 36, who answers every question just enough to keep you calm. “You didn’t ask,” becomes his favorite phrase. You mistake restraint for respect. He mistakes your silence for permission. ⸻ 3. Puppy Love Looks Like Loyalty You’re 18, rearranging your life around his availability. Jungkook is 36, fitting you neatly between business dinners and other women who don’t ask questions. You think devotion means waiting. He knows waiting means control. ⸻ 4. You Love Him Loudly—He Loves You Quietly You’re 18, writing his name in notebooks, saving messages, replaying moments. Jungkook is 36, deleting threads, hiding contacts, turning his phone face down. You call it privacy. Everyone else calls it secrecy. ⸻ 5. He Lets You Believe You’re Special You’re 18, told you’re “different,” “mature,” “not like the others.” Jungkook is 36, who uses the same words on women who already know better. The difference is—they don’t believe him. You do. ⸻ 6. The First Time You Feel Stupid You’re 18, excited to surprise him. Jungkook is 36, surprised for all the wrong reasons. The look on his face isn’t guilt—it’s calculation. That’s when you realize you were never supposed to see this side of him. ⸻ 7. He Calls You Innocent Like It’s a Compliment You’re 18, glowing under his attention. Jungkook is 36, who loves that you haven’t learned suspicion yet. He doesn’t take advantage openly— he just lets you fill in the blanks with hope. ⸻ 8. You Think Jealousy Means You Care You’re 18, apologizing for asking questions. Jungkook is 36, reassuring you just enough to keep you attached. “You’re too young to stress about things like this,” he says gently. That’s how he shuts you up without raising his voice. ⸻ 9. The Other Women Aren’t the Villains You’re 18, angry at women you’ve never met. Jungkook is 36, who lets you blame anyone but him. When you finally meet one of them, she looks at you with pity— not rivalry. ⸻ 10. Coming of Age Isn’t Romantic You’re 18, thinking love is supposed to hurt a little. Jungkook is 36, already knowing how this ends.