26.

By the time the clock on Jungkook's phone showed that the time was a little past three, everyone was in high spirits, even Yoongi, who was grudgingly smiling, as if trying to hide it.

Jungkook couldn't recall the last time he had had so much fun. Yes, his head was hurting a little, but that didn't waver him from serenading his new friends with his beautiful voice, who turned out to be the perfect audience.

They kept cheering for Jungkook, despite his voice cracking once, and praised him endlessly, to the point where his ears turned so red, that he had to cover it with his fingers.

He had received praises before, mainly from his former teachers and friends, but not to the extent that he became shy to even look at their faces, his pouted face tinged red.

But, he didn't mind any of it; in fact, he was grateful for it. They were helping Jungkook to open up to them, and become closer, a deed he would usually find difficult and complicated.

He didn't like socialising unnecessarily with strangers.

But these strangers didn't feel like strangers anymore. He had spent less than four days with them, yet he already began considered them as his friends, people around whom he could shamelessly, and guiltlessly be himself.

He already trusted them with a part of his past, something he doesn't do very often.

It was weird, because they were all so different from each other, and had distinct, contrasting personalities, but he still instantly clicked with everyone.

A bit too much with a certain grey-haired man with godlike handsomeness.

Jungkook tried not to think too much of it, as he was sure that it was all because of the alcohol in their bodies and they did all that in the heat of the moment.

With a sinking feeling which he couldn't find a good reason for, he reminded himself that, by tomorrow, he would've forgotten all of this, and so would Taehyung.

Frowning slightly, he glanced at the man who had made his head and heart go a little crazy.

Taehyung was laughing, and jokingly teasing his best friend, and Jennie, who were slightly red-faced, but looked excited about something.

He looked smug during the chat, an expression Jungkook didn't know would look so good on anyone.

But then again, Kim Taehyung wasn't just anyone;

He was one of the most handsome men Jungkook had ever seen. And that's saying a lot, because Jungkook has seen a lot of pretty people.

His mysterious charisma just added more allure to his already enticing appeal.

Jungkook's gaze forcefully tore away from the handsome man when Jisoo stood up.

She was another person who just attracted attention wherever she went; you just couldn't help but pay attention, and look at her. It was the good kind of attention; respectful, revering, and full of awe.

"I had fun, and I hope you all did too. If you didn't, well, not my problem," she said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Everyone couldn't help but chuckle.

"Before we all leave, and before I forget. . . Jungkook," he looked around upon hearing his name, "I've decided on your punishment."

Jungkook had been yawning at that particular moment, and choked on air, eyes bugging wide open.

"W-what?" Jungkook stuttered.

"You broke the dress code. I haven't forgotten about it, if that's what you were thinking. Or hoping for, I would assume."

Jisoo laughed, which sounded evil to Jungkook's ears.

Rosé and Lisa grimaced, feeling slightly guilty.

"Sooya, I told you, we decided his outfit, he had no say in what he was gonna wear."

"I heard you when you said it the first time, so, I decided to go easy on him, and give him an option about what he wants to do."

Jennie facepalmed. "Why don't you let him go this once, since he's new here, and wasn't aware of your harshness?"

"If I let this go, others will use this against me, and will disobey me, thinking that I'm a mere pushover."

Everyone had a feeling that Jisoo's words were directed majorly towards the Kim brothers.

"Fair enough," Namjoon said, supporting his stepsister being the awesome brother he is. Jisoo nodded at him in acknowledgement.

"So, Jungkook," she turned to look at him in the eye, "you have a choice of either getting an eyebrow piercing, or, dyeing your hair purple."

Jisoo sounded as if she was being understanding and lenient, but, according to Jungkook, she was neither.

"Say sike right now," Jungkook deadpanned, "not funny at all, Jisoo."

"Oh, but I'm not trying to be funny. That is the punishment you have."

Rosé and Lisa looked beyond horrified.

"Sooya! What the heck! Your punishments are never this severe," Lisa said, staring at the elder.

"Exactly! Do you want him to get scared of us and never talk with us ever again, or something?!" Rosé exclaimed.

"What if I challenge you to do either of this, Jungkook?"

Jisoo couldn't help but snigger at the expression on his face; he looked torn between the option of either doing what she asked for, or rejecting the challenge, in other words admitting defeat.

The latter was something Jungkook would never do as long as he lived.

Giving up? What was that? It wasn't in Jungkook's vocabulary.

Jungkook gritted his teeth.

Jennie looked highly amused at her close friend's effort to get revenge for what Jungkook had done an hour ago.

"Fine."

That simple word spoken by Jungkook enunciated gasps from everyone. Jisoo smiled in satisfaction.

Everyone now stared at Jungkook with newfound respect and awe.

"Damn, it's that easy, huh?" Taehyung scoffed.

"What's easy?" Jisoo now turned to Taehyung, kindness weakly masked over testiness.

"Getting him to do anything," he nodded at Jungkook, "just challenge him to do anything, and he'll do it."

Jungkook raised his eyebrows, biting the inside of his cheek. "Only if I am willing to do it. I agree to it, only if I think I can pull it off."

Taehyung continued staring at Jungkook, the screws of his brain whirring uncontrollably.

"Well, damn, Jisoo, remind me to never break your dress codes ever again," Seokjin said, after a yawn.

"Remind yourself."

Seokjin pretended as if he got shot in his heart, and clutched his chest, unnecessarily amplifying the look of pain.

Namjoon cooed.

"Jisoo, I love your dress codes and all, but, for Gods' sake, please don't make things like leather pants part of it. These are just shitting uncomfortable," Jimin said, moving his legs a bit.

Jisoo looked confused. "But they weren't a part of the dress code."

"What do you mean?"

"It was just for the girls, you guys weren't obliged to wear leather."

Jimin whipped his head to look at his girlfriend accusingly.

"Really?!" Jennie exclaimed, exaggerating the blinking of her eyes, and the look of bewilderment.

"Jennie, I swear to—"

"I didn't know! I thought we were all supposed to wear leather," Jennie said in a tone, as if she was oblivious to her err, which convinced no one.

"Okay, fine, I purposely made you wear leather pants," she admitted, earning herself a glare from Taehyung, and a resigned sigh from Jimin.

"And why would you put us through that torture?"

"I just like the way your legs look in leather pants, okay? Don't ask more."

Jennie flushed red. Everyone either facepalmed or laughed.

"Actually, I like the way my legs look in leather pants too," Jimin said after a while, booping Jennie's nose.

"Isn't tomorrow your first day, Jungkook?" Hoseok asked.

Jungkook's eyes widened suddenly. "Oh, shit, yeah."

"Don't tell me you seriously forgot that," Yoongi said, looking incredulous.

"Well, you can't really blame him, my parties are always the best, he was bound to get distracted," Jisoo said, proudly.

Namjoon rolled his eyes, accidentally bumping into Seokjin.

"Whoops, sorry, hyung."

Seokjin shooed his apology. "Are you still up for tomorrow?"

It took Namjoon three seconds to remember what he had promised the handsome man a few days ago.

Everyone else were busy chatting in their own clusters, whilst walking out of the hall. Jisoo texted someone on her phone, before closing the door shut behind her.

They were all outside now, the night having gotten colder.

"Sure! What time, and where will we be meeting?" Namjoon asked, suddenly feeling cheerful about the fact that he would be spending extra time with his crush tomorrow.

"I'll search for an empty classroom, and let you know. We could also grab a bite of lunch before we go, if you're free that time," Seokjin said, sweeping his hair back, not realising just how attractive he looked while doing that.

Namjoon tried to remember if he had a free period before lunchtime, but failed, due to the action Seokjin was doing.

"I'll let you know tomorrow, I can't quite remember right now. I think, though, I'll have a free period, since we've all been assigned loads of projects to do."

"Okay, awesome, I'll see you tomorrow, Joonie." Seokjin smiled widely, waving to Namjoon, who waved back.

Then, Seokjin was pulled away from Namjoon, by a large hand belonging to Taehyung.

Namjoon sighed heavily, before walking away.

"What is it, Tae?" Seokjin yelped, before regaining his balance.

At that moment, Jungkook got a text on his phone, from an unknown number.

[Unknown]

kook, ill be over at a friends room
for the night

[JeyKey]

who is this-

[Unknown]

u dont have to wait for me

and u have the whole room

to urself

[JeyKey]

wait wtf

hyunjin? is this you?

[Unknown]

ofc its me dumb dumb

[JeyKey]

and how was I supposed to
know that?

I don't have your number
saved smh

[roomie]

save it then dumbass

anygays

bring some of those girls over
if u want ;)

[JeyKey]

HYUNJIN

[roomie]

lmfaooo jkjk

tc of the room ill see ya trw

A grumbling Jungkook heard Taehyung say, "I'll sleep on the floor, I don't mind, I just need a roof over my head."

Seokjin sighed. "Yoongi won't be happy."

"When is he ever?" Taehyung rolled his eyes.

Jungkook didn't know what made him do it; nevertheless, he said, "My roommate's sleeping over somewhere else for the night, Taehyung, you can sleep in my room, if you want. You'll have a bed, and a roof over your head."

Taehyung whipped his head back to look at Jungkook, who was nervously biting his lips.

Seokjin grinned widely before saying, "Yeah, Tae, that's better. You can sleep with him. I mean," he added quickly, seeing Taehyung's face, "sleep in his room. At least that way, I'll be able to sleep peacefully, and happily, knowing that my dear brother is safe."

"Are you sure?" Taehyung asked Jungkook, who nodded in confirmation.

"Well!" Seokjin clapped his hands once. "My work here is done. Sleep well, you two!"

Taehyung and Jungkook watched as the former's brother walked away, his broad shoulders slowly disappearing round the corner.

Feeling conscious of the fact that they both were the only ones still outside the hall, Jungkook cleared his throat before leading the way towards the dorms.

Along the way, no one spoke.

At one point, Jungkook saw Rosé and Lisa walking, arms around each other.

He thought how nice it would be if boys were able to stick to each other like that, without being called a couple, or gay.

On the other hand, he was pretty sure that Rosé and Lisa were gay, and had feelings for each other.

'Well,' he thought, 'I'll support them wholeheartedly. They're both cute.'

Jungkook could distinctly feel Taehyung's gaze on his back. Where it was wandering, Jungkook didn't want to know.

They walked inside the boys dorms building, and saw Hoseok cheerfully saying bye to Namjoon.

The latter, upon seeing Jungkook and Taehyung, waved at them, and walked over. Jungkook realised that he hadn't thanked the siblings for hosting the party, and inviting him.

He didn't wanna speak with Jisoo, which is why he quickly thanked Namjoon.

"Don't mention it. I had fun, you had fun, everyone had fun. No need to thank— what the heck?!"

Namjoon suddenly stopped, eyes wide, looking at a door that was closed hurriedly.

"What happened, hyung?" Taehyung asked.

"Oh my lord, I think I just saw my sister go into that room, with Chan."

Namjoon opened and closed his mouth, glaring at the door, as if he was torn between the option of walking away from, or kicking the door open and pulling his sister out.

Taehyung, who noticed this hesitance, intervened, saying, "Leave them be, hyung. Let them have fun together. They probably aren't the only ones doing the dirty tonight."

Namjoon probably didn't understand his words, because he just let out a choked hum, before turning around, and walking in the opposite direction.

Jungkook's body froze at Taehyung's words.

"W-what?"

"Hm?"

Jungkook saw Taehyung's relaxed face, resembling nothing to what he had seen in the bathrooms, back at the party.

That seemed like ages ago.

Figuring that he was overthinking, and misinterpreting Taehyung's words, panicking for no reason, Jungkook led Taehyung upstairs to his room.

He opened the door, switching on the lights, letting Taehyung enter.

Taehyung looked around the room in wonder, taking in every single detail. His focus was hooked on the photographs that hung on the wall, over Jungkook's bed.

Jungkook widened his eyes when he saw his clothes from earlier lying on the ground.

He removed his shoes, and slowly made his way over to the pile of clothes, stealthily picking them up, and stuffing them inside the cupboard before Taehyung could see them.

"Did you click them?"

Taehyung was closely examining a photo, the one that coincidentally happened to be Jungkook's favourite shot.

Jungkook nodded, but then realised that Taehyung couldn't see him. So he cleared his throat and said, "Yes."

"They're pretty," Taehyung said.

'Like you,' he wanted to add so desperately, but decided against it.

"Thanks," Jungkook muttered.

He then opened his cupboard again, this time, to remove a fresh pair of clothes for Taehyung. They were, of course, black.

"Here," he tossed the clothes to Taehyung, "you can wear this for the night. You can change in the bathroom."

Taehyung caught the clothes, nodded, and walked inside the bathroom, clutching it tightly.

He removed his top, and wore the black one Jungkook owned, the whiff of a different kind of detergent mixed with slight perfume, both combined, forming a distinct, unique smell;

Jungkook's scent.

Taehyung stood there, sniffing the addictive smell of the clothes for a little bit longer, before he registered just how creepy he was being.

He opened the door, and walked outside after he was done, only to find Jungkook's bare back facing him.

Taehyung stopped in his tracks, frozen on his spot, eyes fixed on Jungkook's defined back.

He wondered how someone's back could look that good.

He watched as Jungkook wore a tee-shirt, his back muscles flexing in a way Taehyung found utterly disrespectful.

When Jungkook realised that Taehyung had stepped out, he turned back to face him, eyes scanning his body, in a way that made Taehyung feel tingles all over his body.

"It's a bit loose."

Taehyung realised with a start that Jungkook wasn't checking him out, but seeing how his clothes fit him.

Embarrassed, he nodded, and said, "It's fine. I can manage for the night."

"That's where you'll sleep," Jungkook pointed at the now neat bed. "It's my roommate's bed."

Jungkook mentally slapped himself for saying such a painfully obvious statement.

The truth was that he was internally preoccupied with thoughts of how good Taehyung looked in his clothes.

Taehyung was wearing his clothes.

The thought made Jungkook feel weird things.

"Oh, um, yes."

Taehyung sat on the bed, which creaked a little.

Jungkook did the same, climbing onto his bed after contemplating for a hot minute, whether or not he should switch the light off. He decided on he latter, but turned on the small night lamp on the stand.

Settling in, he looked over at the older, who seemed deep in thought. Jungkook shrugged, and turned over, facing the wall, unsure of what he should do.

Another creak echoed through the room.

'Taehyung must have finally gotten into bed too,' Jungkook thought.

"You asleep yet?" Taehyung asked, breaking the slightly uncomfortable silence.

"Yes."

Taehyung chuckled, humming in mock acknowledgement.

Silence again. Jungkook sighed, finally turning around to face Taehyung's side.

The latter was on his back, staring at the ceiling. The golden-ish light of the lamp was making Taehyung's skin glow, even more than usual.

"I'm awake," Jungkook whispered, biting his lip, and then running his tongue over it, out of habit.

"Oh? I didn't know that," Taehyung said with a lazy smirk plastered on his face.

Jungkook smiled, muttering a tiny 'shut up.'

"So, today was fun, huh?"

A hum was all he got as response.

"Are you nervous for tomorrow?"

A snicker escaped from Jungkook's lips. "What, am I in second grade?"

Taehyung laughed, turning to face Jungkook as well, pulling the blanket up to his shoulder.

"First day's are always scary, no matter how old you are."

Jungkook thought about it and nodded, saying, "I guess, I'm a little nervous, then?"

"Understandable. Wait, lemme tell you something."

"Hm?"

"The students here are pretty nice. Well, some are assholes, but who cares about them?"

Jungkook chuckled in agreement.

"Yeah, and the teachers here. . . they're alright too. Strict, yes. But still, kind. Again, with the exception of a few."

"Quite different from my high school, then. The students were douche bags, and the teachers were lazy assholes. . . who kinda did their job well, I suppose," Jungkook added slightly grimacing.

Taehyung hummed, his deep, baritone voice sending chills down Jungkook's spine.

He shakily inhaled, trying to get rid of the far from holy thoughts, forming in his mind.

He cleared his throat. "Anything else?"

"Hm, not really. I heard you're going for neurobiology?"

Jungkook gulped down a groan, and said, "Yeah. Unfortunately." Although the last part was barely a whisper.

"Damn, that's hard. Good luck, though. Oh, and lucky for you, I've heard the dude who teaches this, is one on the kinder side."

The younger smiled. Atleast he had one less thing to worry about now.

"What about you, Tae?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm in the music department."

Jungkook took a few seconds to regain himself, and replied, "Must be fun."

"It is. Many of the people you met today major in music."

"Wish I was one of them," Jungkook muttered in between a yawn.

"Sorry, didn't catch that," Taehyung said, looking at the other's drooping eyes, mistaking it as sleepiness and drowsiness.

"I didn't say anything. Anyways, I'm pretty sleepy right now, let's sleep. Goodnight," Jungkook said hurriedly, pulling his blanket over his head, to avoid further conversation.

Taehyung scrunched his eyebrows at the other's hastiness, and abrupt end to their growingly friendly conversation, but didn't say anything except a soft goodnight in return.

Jungkook's eyes were open under his blanket, far from asleep.

He had had a good day, and he didn't wanna ruin it at the last moment by dwelling on the very thing that never fails to make him upset.

Unbeknownst to him, Taehyung was lying on his bed, eyes closed, but mind rushing at incredible speeds, thinking and wondering what he had done to make Jungkook upset.

He didn't know why it bothered him, but it did.

Taehyung felt bad that Jungkook was upset, and felt the need to do something to make up to him. However, when he heard soft snores from the younger's bed, he made up his mind to do something about it the next day.

Taehyung fell asleep listening to Jungkook's soft, but soothing snores.

_______________________________________________

A / N

hello!
We hope y'all liked this chapter :))

Belated Merry Christmas to each and every one reading! Hope you all had a good holiday~

By the time we're ready to put out the next chapter, it would've already been 2022, so we're gonna wish y'all a very happy new year right now

hoping that 2022 won't be 2020too and actually be a nice year, where we'll be able to accomplish things, and meet BTS :")

A very happy birthdayyyy to our TaeTae! He's such a sweetheart and we love him so so so much ughh
Hope he has an awesome day, and we wish him nothing but happiness because he's the best 😾

~ VeXo💜
:]
[: