Verse 1:

In the quiet of the night, we're strangers again,

Walking down separate lanes, where do I begin?

Your laughter still echoes, trapped in these four walls,

Another love has left, and I'm left with its toll.

Chorus:

So, here's to heartbreak, the sorrow and the ache,

To the nights I've lost, the dreams you've taken away.

With every departing lover, I shed a tear,

But the melody carries on, though you're no longer here.

Verse 2:

I've painted you in colours, of love, of joy, of pain, 

But the canvas has faded, all that remains is the stain. 

You've left with the dawn, my heart in your hands, 

Another love story, buried in the sands.

As the last note of their closing song lingered in the air, the stage lights started to dim, drowning the stage in all-consuming darkness. Sana stood still for a moment, bathing in the audience's euphoric applause and the adrenaline that came with it. The raw energy and passion of their indie rock music were intoxicating. It was a rush that made her feel more alive than anything else, and it was a feeling she craved relentlessly.

Stepping off the stage, her heart was still beating to the rhythm of 'The Unfinished Love Song', the band's so-called breakup anthem. As the roar of the crowd began to fade into a distant echo, her eyes found Jungkook leaning nonchalantly against the rough brick wall of the backstage corridor. His fingers were absently plucking at the strings of his guitar still slung over his shoulder, playing a silent song only he could hear.

The low light of the hallway cast shadows along his tattooed arm, making the inked patterns stand out starkly against his skin. There was a certain allure to him, the charming guitarist who wore his heart on his sleeve and loved her from a distance. Every strum of his guitar, every smile he tossed her way, had been an unsaid confession of his feelings, feelings she had been too blind to see.

"You were brilliant tonight, Sana," he said, pushing off the wall to close the distance between them. His voice was low, the undertone of his usual playfulness replaced by a gentle sincerity. Jungkook had always had this ability to wear his cool exterior like a well-fitted suit, but his eyes were a different story. They held an affectionate warmth, a sentiment exclusively reserved for her.

"Only because I had your riffs backing me up, Kookie," she shot back, nudging him playfully with her shoulder. She flashed him a grin, a silent thank you for his constant support.

Jungkook mirrored her smile, his dimples making a brief appearance before disappearing behind his cool facade again. The simple contact of her shoulder brushing against his tattooed arm was a sensation he was all too familiar with. It was something so habitual, so inherently them that neither of them gave it a second thought.

However, for Jungkook, every touch, every shared glance, and every moment spent in her company was a constant reminder of the feelings he harboured for her. The feelings he had been suppressing, fearing that they would disturb the harmony they had built over the years.

Their friendship had always been filled with these simple moments of comfortable closeness. It was these very moments that had made Jungkook fall in love with Sana. But tonight, as he looked at her under the dim backstage lights, her face flushed from the performance, and her eyes shining with passion, he knew that his hidden feelings wouldn't remain hidden for much longer.

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The ambience of their shared studio was a familiar cocoon of comfort, an artistic haven where emotions were woven into melodies and heartaches transformed into lyrical poetry. Illuminated by the warm glow of a single desk lamp, Sana and Jungkook found themselves immersed in a world that was their own. A world where a mere string strum echoed the rhythm of their hearts, and the half-formed lyrics intertwined with the whispers of their unspoken emotions.

Their usual spot, a worn-out couch, cradled them in its softness, the close proximity enhancing the cosy intimacy that was characteristic of their late-night songwriting sessions. Jungkook's one arm, inked with elaborate tattoos, draped across the back of the couch, while the other delicately handled his most cherished possession - his guitar. Sana sat adjacent to him, her notebook filled with lyrical fragments that danced around the tune that flowed effortlessly from Jungkook's skilled fingers.

The electric guitar, cradled in Jungkook's lap, was an extension of his soul, an instrument that allowed him to express what words often fell short of articulating. Each pluck of the strings resonated within the studio walls, filling the space with the rich harmony of their 'The Unfinished Love Song' - their breakup anthem that mirrored the changing seasons of Sana's tumultuous love life.

'The Unfinished Love Song' had started as an impromptu jamming session, a melody born out of the need to channel the pain of Sana's first heartbreak into something cathartic. With every breakup, the song would find itself evolving, reflecting the circumstances and emotions of each relationship's end. It was their constant, their emotional compass navigating through the unpredictable storm of love and heartbreak. And tonight, it was serving its purpose yet again, proving to be a soothing balm to Sana's freshly wounded heart.

As Jungkook watched Sana, his heart echoed a silent empathy. He wished he could take away her pain, wished he could absorb it himself. He'd seen her go through this cycle of love and heartbreak more times than he'd liked, and every time, it chipped away a part of his own heart.

"Kook, do you think...," Sana started, her voice wavering a little, "do you think it's possible to love someone but not want to be with them?"

Jungkook paused his playing, looking at her through the soft lamp light. "Is that how you feel about Taehyung?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Sana nodded, her eyes focused on the rough sketch of lyrics and chords in her notebook. "I didn't want to be an anchor, weighing him down... and love isn't meant to be a secret kept in shadows."

The studio fell silent for a moment, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Jungkook watched Sana, her face reflecting the internal turmoil she was going through. He picked up his guitar again, strumming a comforting rhythm.

"You did what you thought was best, Sana," he reassured her. "And it takes courage to do that. You can't hide your heart in the shadows while you're made to shine on the stage."

His words were genuine, and he hoped she found some comfort in them. He knew all too well the sacrifices she had made, the emotional toll of her relationship with Taehyung.

Sana lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes glistening with unshed emotions. She mustered a small smile. "Thanks, Kookie. I just...I need some time to heal."

Jungkook set his guitar aside, moving closer to her. "I know," he whispered, taking her hand in his. 

Their shared comfort was punctuated by a jarring buzz. Sana's phone vibrated on the coffee table, the glowing screen announcing the caller - Taehyung. It was his umpteenth call of the evening, evidence of his relentless pursuit to mend their recently ended relationship.

"He's persistent," Jungkook said, a subtle edge of annoyance lacing his voice. Taehyung, the rising star of the acting world, had been a constant presence in their lives. With his charismatic charm and unwavering affection, he'd won Sana over, becoming yet another verse in 'The Unfinished Love Song.' Jungkook had witnessed their relationship blossom, and watched as Taehyung attended their gigs, showering Sana with love in the form of lavish gifts and vacations around the world. 

"Yeah, he is..." Sana replied, glancing at the phone but making no move to answer it. She took a deep breath, her grip tightening around Jungkook's hand. "But right now, let's just focus on our music."

Jungkook nodded, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Then that's what we'll do, Sana."

"You know, Kookie," she started, a faint smile playing on her lips, "our fans always get a kick out of this song."

Jungkook glanced up at her, a playful spark in his eyes. "Yeah?" He asked.

"Yeah," she confirmed, "They love how the lyrics keep changing. I think they're always curious to see what we'll come up with next."

Jungkook let out a soft chuckle. "Well, it's a breakup anthem for a reason, right?"

"Definitely," she replied, "But it's more than just that. It's about our growth, our resilience. It's...it's life. And you, Jungkook, you've always been there, adding your own twist to it."

The compliment warmed his heart, but he played it cool, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "What can I say? I'm a genius."

She rolled her eyes at his self-praise, but couldn't help the fond smile that bloomed on her face. "Conceited much?"

Jungkook shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Only when I'm with you, Sana."

She chuckled, her hand lightly slapping his arm. "Oh, shut up."

He grinned at her, strumming his guitar once more, the sweet melody weaving around their banter. And there they were again, cocooned in their own world, their own rhythm - creating, evolving, being themselves. 'The Unfinished Love Song' wasn't just their breakup anthem; it was their story, their bond - ever-changing, ever-growing, just like them.

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a/n: thanks for reading! please upvote and comment if you enjoy unstrung hearts 🖤