The next morning came quicker than Taehyung had anticipated.

The sun was blinding through the gaps from the poorly drawn curtains. The light pierced through Taehyung's lids, making him squirm and eventually rousing him awake.

Predictably, his head pounds like someone is trying to break apart his skull. It's been ages since the last time Taehyung went out drinking as much as he did last night so the aftermath is almost unbearable.

But despite everything else, Taehyung somehow has a very clear memory about the events that happened last night.

I'm going to confess to him tomorrow.

Upon remembering Jeongguk's words, Taehyung immediately feels sick to his stomach and he's almost certain it's not entirely due to his hangover.

It's like a slap in the face, putting him back to the reality that his relationship with Jeongguk would never go beyond the friendship they have right now.

Still, Taehyung tries to drag himself to function like a normal human being.

He did ask to meet with Jeongguk today before the other went his merry way and confessed to the lucky boy that he has his eyes on.

For the rest of the morning, Taehyung moved about in autopilot, eating his breakfast and then jumping under the shower to clean off the remnants of his adventures from last night.

By the time he finally looks presented and his head isn't pounding as hard as it was before, it was already almost one in the afternoon.

That's when he finally received a text from Jeongguk.

From: Jeon
where do u wanna go today?

To: Jeon
[address]

From: Jeon
alright
i'll pick u up
give me 10 mins
see you

Taehyung stares down at the texts, desperately wanting to feel excited about their meeting. However, the feeling doesn't come, instead, he feels dread settling in his chest as he keeps thinking about what will happen after Jeongguk does the last favor for him.

True to his word, Jeongguk does arrive soon enough and Taehyung slides into the passenger seat with familiarity after the many times that he'd done so.

"You good?" Jeongguk asks as he goes to the main road and drives to their destination.

"Yeah, my head still kinda hurts, though," Taehyung replies as he gently massaged his temples.

Jeongguk took a quick look at him before he settled his gaze on the road in front of him again.

"We don't have to go out today if you would rather just rest," Jeongguk says, his voice lacing with concern.

Taehyung frowns at that. Although the thought of going back home and spending the rest of the day on his bed is tempting, he can't exactly do that right now knowing that today must be the last time he'd be able to go out with Jeongguk like this. He really hates the thought of Jeongguk spending more of his time with the person he likes after today.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Taehyung assures. "I'm also really starving right now. I didn't eat much breakfast earlier."

Jeongguk hums. "Well, if you say so."

The two of them eventually arrive at the restaurant that Taehyung requested.

It's the one right in front of the gym that the two of them frequently went to and where they also met.

Jeongguk immediately notices the gym right across the restaurant and Taehyung sees a small smile forming on his face.

"I wonder how Namjoon hyung is doing," Jeongguk says, still looking at the gym.

Taehyung smiles at the thought of their friend at the gym and immediately misses going there as often as he used to.

"It's really been a while, huh?" Taehyung says as the two of them finally make their way inside the restaurant.

They found that the restaurant was thankfully not crowded. Taehyung guesses it's probably because it's just early in the afternoon, which is when not really a lot of people come in here. It's usually packed around the evening when people want to eat dinner in this place.

Due to the very few customers inside, Taehyung and Jeongguk quickly found a table for the two of them and took their seats as a waiter hands them each a menu.

After picking what they wanted, the waiter came back to take the menu from them. Taehyung and Jeongguk smile as the waiter leaves their table.

With nothing to distract him with, Taehyung lets the awkwardness settle between them, not knowing what to say.

Thankfully, Jeongguk speaks up to fill the silence.

"I dropped you off last night," Jeongguk starts, finally giving an answer to the question Taehyung was wondering about as soon as he woke up this morning. "You kept insisting that you can get into your apartment alone, so were you able to actually make it to your bed?"

Taehyung lightly chuckles at that.

"Yeah, woke up in my bed this morning so I guess I made it."

The conversation carries on easily after that and Taehyung almost forgot how easy it has become to talk like this with Jeongguk. Somehow, the other just makes him so comfortable talking about anything and everything under the sun. But as good of a listener Jeongguk is, he's also good at carrying the conversation when there's suddenly a lull in between them.

Taehyung has been so immersed in something that Jeongguk is talking about that he didn't notice their food arriving. It was only when Jeongguk quickly gestured at the plate in front of him that Taehyung started eating.

Their conversation still carries on in the middle of their meals, Taehyung letting out a laugh once in a while when Jeongguk says something to purposely prompt a laugh from him.

Everything is too easy between them. Jeongguk makes it too easy for Taehyung to think about what it'll be like if they do go out as a couple, going on dates and eating like this together. It hurts that Taehyung also knows that he'll never experience something like that with Jeongguk, knowing that friendship is all that Jeongguk can offer to him.

They finish their meal far too soon than Taehyung would've liked, making him frown a little knowing that they have to part now since Jeongguk has other plans after this, which Taehyung tries so hard to not think about.

"Thanks, by the way," Taehyung says as he and Jeongguk make their way to Jeongguk's car.

"It's all good. I owe it to you, don't I?" Jeongguk says as he begins to back away from the parking spot and drive off onto the road.

During the ride this time, Taehyung has gone completely quiet. Jeongguk must've noticed but he thankfully left Taehyung alone and didn't ask any questions.

Taehyung was so busy staring blankly on the window that he didn't notice right away that Jeongguk is definitely not driving to Taehyung's apartment. Instead, Taehyung watches as the views of the buildings turn into the view of the wide expanse of the sky and the river.

Jeongguk drove the two of them to the Han river.

Taehyung was confused as he got out of the car and followed Jeongguk who's now making his way towards an empty bench that faces the water. He's not complaining though because at least he can spend more time in the other's presence for today.

"The weather is so nice today," Jeongguk says as Taehyung settles beside him on the bench.

Taehyung follows Jeongguk's gaze and the two of them stare at the blue sky, clear of any clouds, with the water shimmering under the sunlight.

Taehyung doesn't say anything but he hums in approval.

The two of them sat there in peace, not uttering a word in the comfortable silence between them.

It's moments like these with Jeongguk that Taehyung really treasures. Most of their time together is spent with endless conversations and playful bantering so a quiet time like this with him rarely happens.

Taehyung isn't sure how long they just sat there in the quiet but soon enough, he feels Jeongguk move beside him. Taehyung looks over at Jeongguk and sees that the latter is now looking at him.

There's a look in Jeongguk's eyes that Taehyung has never seen before but it makes his heart suddenly skip a beat as he feels a blush creeping up from his neck and settling on the apple of his cheeks.

"You look cute when you blush," Jeongguk suddenly says, still looking at Taehyung like that.

His words don't register right away but when it finally does, Taehyung just blushes even more and starts opening and closing his mouth, trying to say something but nothing comes out. Instead, Taehyung pushes at Jeongguk's shoulder lightly, making the other chuckle.

"Remember what I told you last night?" Jeongguk asks, his gaze unwavering as it's still locked onto Taehyung.

Taehyung tries his best not to squirm under those eyes. "Which one?"

"About my confession," Jeongguk answers.

Just like that, it feels like the moment between them shattered even though the same look in Jeongguk's eyes still remains.

"Yeah, you told me you were gonna confess today, right?" Taehyung says, acting as if the thought of it doesn't sit uncomfortably in his chest.

Jeongguk just hums as a confirmation before he finally removes his gaze from Taehyung and looks at the water in front of him once again.

Taehyung's eyes remained on Jeongguk and tried to read the other. Jeongguk seems nervous suddenly, judging by the sudden tension on his shoulders. Taehyung can't help but think about how important this person must be to Jeongguk to make him feel this way.

Taehyung was still watching Jeongguk when the latter suddenly returned his gaze at him. The look from earlier was still there but this time, it's accompanied with a look of determination.

Taehyung was about to open his mouth and encourage Jeongguk and try to comfort him when suddenly, Jeongguk effectively cuts him off.

"I like you."

The gears in Taehyung's head abruptly halt into a stop, contrasting the pounding of his heart against his chest.

When Taehyung just continued to stare wide eyed at Jeongguk without saying anything, Jeongguk spoke up once again.

"I don't know exactly when I started to like you but I did and as soon as I realized it, I wanted nothing more than to tell you and let you know. But I didn't want to scare you so I held myself back until now," Jeongguk pauses as he smiles sheepishly. "I know you're probably gonna hate me for the next words that I'm gonna say but I have to say it."

"Ever since we became friends, I've been happier than I ever have and I found myself always looking forward to seeing you and spending more time with you. I really regret that we wasted so much time fighting in the beginning but I'm just happy that we made up and that I was able to get to know you for who you really are, and not just the annoying jerk in the gym that I used to associate with you. Again, I'm so sorry about that." Jeongguk pauses briefly as he gives Taehyung an apologetic smile.

"Not only do you have such an amazing and caring personality but you've also captivated me with your beauty. God, do you have any idea how much I think of you? Your pretty face? If I'm being honest, I've thought about you even before we became friends because as much as I used to hate you, I wasn't blind. Sometimes, I used to get pissed at you, not because of our challenges but because you were just too pretty to look at and I hated myself for staring so much when I knew I shouldn't be doing that to my rival. Well, we did get past that and I'm glad because now I can look at you and spend time with you without those awful thoughts clouding my head."

"What we have right now, I really like it. I really like you."

Taehyung can't breathe. The words that he wants to say suddenly clump up in his throat and threatening to choke him.

That was Jeongguk's confession to the person he likes and that confession has been directed to him, Taehyung, who is now at a loss of words as he tries to gather his thoughts and feelings together.

Taehyung doesn't know what he wants to say and how exactly to react.

So, Taehyung fucking cries.

As the first drops of tears began dripping against his cheeks, Jeongguk's expression suddenly morphed into panic. He moves forward and tentatively holds onto Taehyung's shoulder as the latter cries his heart out.

Jeongguk looked so alarmed with his eyes wide, which are filled with panic, that Taehyung was suddenly tempted to laugh but the feeling of joy and relief were more powerful so he continued crying.

"H-Hey, are you alright?" Jeongguk asks nervously, looking like he wants to hold Taehyung against his chest but not really sure if Taehyung would be okay about it so he settles with just continuing to hold the other's shoulder.

"Jeon, what the fuck is wrong with you? Do you have any idea how much I suffered because of you?" Taehyung suddenly lets out, taking Jeongguk off guard.

"W-Wait, was this about our fight when we met? Look, I'm really sorry! I'll make it up to you!"

Taehyung shakes his head and frowns at Jeongguk in disbelief.

"No, idiot, I'm talking about how you made me believe you liked someone else!"

When realization finally settles in, Jeongguk's panicked look turns into confusion.

"Did that really bother you?" Jeongguk asked which only made Taehyung frown even more.

"Of course! What would you feel if the person you've liked for so long suddenly tells you that they like somebody?"

Jeongguk's eyes suddenly widened at Taehyung's words.

"Wait, what did you just say?" Jeongguk asks, leaning forward and not wanting to miss a single word from Taehyung.

"Jeon, I like you. I like you so much that I really thought I was gonna go crazy."

At that, the sudden change in Jeongguk's face was almost alarming.

The panicked and confused look on his face was immediately replaced with a blinding smile. His smile was so bright and so wide that Taehyung suddenly feels an urge to lock it away and keep it somewhere deep inside him where he can look at it anytime he wants.

"You like me?" Jeongguk asks as if he's dreaming. Taehyung rolls his eyes, endeared beyond belief.

"Yes, idiot. Of course, I do."