Taehyung peeked in through the slightly ajar door of Jungkook's bedroom to see the younger lying on his bed, scrolling through his phone, eyes lit up like a star atop a Christmas tree.

Curious, he slid in and announced his presence. The younger looked up from his phone, beaming as he sat up.

"Hey!"

"Hey yourself. Who's got you smiling like that?"

"Jimin," Jungkook answered at once, smile widening.

And Jimin thinks Jungkook won't return his feelings, Taehyung thought with a slight shake of his head.

"I heard you guys went bowling."

"We did and gosh hyung, he is just so adorable. So adorable, it hurts. You should have seen him. His face all scrunched up in focus or his cute penguin-like waddle as he lifted the bowling ball over to the—"

"You are so so whipped, Jeon. Here's an idea. Instead of telling me this, how about telling him?"

"Are you mad?" Jungkook cried before a look of pure horror crossed his face, "You didn't tell him anything, did you? You promised you—"

"Whoa, whoa there. Calm down, buddy. I haven't said anything to anyone. Your secret is safe with me," Taehyung said.

Unfortunately, he thought with an inward sigh.

Jungkook immediately relaxed.

"For a second there, you almost made me have a heart attack."

"Funny how I'm the one sprouting grey hair here," Taehyung grumbled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, nevermind. Look, why don't you just throw it out there? You never know. What if he likes you back, huh?"

"What if he doesn't?"

"Pessimist," Taehyung huffed.

"What? How do you even tell someone you like them?"

"How about 'Hey Jimin, I like you. Might even love you,' hm?"

"I'm bad at expressing feelings—"

"Clearly," Taehyung snorted.

"But I definitely know that's not the way to do it."

Taehyung rolled his eyes.

"I'm not growing any younger talking to you about this. I'm off to bed and you better decide quickly unless someone else, you know..." Taehyung smirked as he trailed off at the end and watched Jungkook's eyes widen, a hint of jealousy clearly visible in his expression.

Jungkook said nothing as Taehyung exited his room but those words certainly got the gears in his head turning.

To be continued
07 January, 2023