JJG

"Why do you like me?"

Jeongguk looked up from the math question he was staring at for ten minutes straight to look at Taehyung. The boy had his elbow propped on the table and head in his palm. Jeongguk titled his head, rethinking what he just heard. When he realized, he turned into a nervous mess.

"W-What? Haha! Wher-What is– a-are ta-talking you about?? Me? You? Like? Way n-no! I mean– n-no way!"

"Oh." Taehyung nodded. He looked away with a barely visible pout, looking like a puppy who was just kicked in the face. Jeongguk instantly melted.

"N-No, I do! I do like you!" Jeongguk quickly yelled, getting the other's attention again. "But this is not a confession or anything, okay? Purely platonic!"

Okay, it was clear Jeongguk liked Taehyung but he's never told it to him to his face. Sure it was partly because he was waiting for the right moment, but mostly because he was scared of the rejection. He liked how things were now, and Taehyung never felt uncomfortable around him, he even said it himself.

"I like you a lot," Jeongguk looked back down at his unsolved math problems, which honestly didn't seem much big of a deal with the situation Jeongguk was it at that current moment. He knew for sure he wouldn't be able to say the things he wanted to all while looking into Taehyung's gorgeous amber brown eyes.

"Remember the first day of grade one? When that boy told me to stop talking because I talk to much?"

Taehyung took a few seconds, but finally recalled the memory. "Yeah, you then went to the corner of the room beside the bookshelves and cried while sipping your apple juice." He remembers that day vividly.

"Yeah. No one noticed, or cared. You came with a book in your hand. I was confused. I thought you'd either ignore me and walk away or ask what's wrong. But you just sat there beside me and quietly read."

Taehyung smiled. "Yeah, I wonder why I didn't ask you how you were like a normal child."

Jeongguk shook his head. "No! I probably would've cried even more. You sat there and opened the book wide as if you wanted me to read it. So I peeked and read along with you. The book had me giggling by the end. Then you gave the book to me saying—"

"Ah, stop," Taehyung stretched. He covered his face with his hand out of embarrassment. "I can't believe I was so bold."

Jeongguk couldn't believe Taehyung remembered, it was grade one after all. A smile made its way to his lips seeing the other being a flushed mess for once.

"Yeah. Then you left and after that day, I basically followed you around everywhere. I've admired you since then." And maybe that admiration turned into a lot more, just maybe.

"Then you moved mid-way in middle school without giving me any way of contact until I found you in the picture of my cousin's Facebook status update and found out you were at the open house out Wampeon High so then I beg–" Jeongguk stopped, realizing what he was about to say. "So then, I was overjoyed because I was going to go to the same high school as you."

Taehyung nodded. "I was really surprised to see you. I barely recognized you."

"You didn't change at all though." Jeongguk scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry for attacking you in that hug, you must've been startled."

"You've always been a hugger. I didn't mind."

Jeongguk bit his lip as the shades of red became deeper and deeper. "A-Anyways, math!"

"Oh right, sorry. Do you have any questions?"

Jeongguk finally looked up and nodded. He pointed at the practice book and circled his finger all around it. Taehyung laughed lightly before picking up his pencil and beginning to explain each question one by one. The patience the boy had for Jeongguk is just so endearing.

•—•—•

After a couple hours or so, Jeongguk got the hang of a couple things he was super confused about. Taehyung had this way of explaining and making sure he was speaking with words Jeongguk would understand and get. It's like he could read Jeongguk mind, in reality he was just reading the different lip bitting and sighing habits he had whenever he was confused about something, and explained that bit in more detail.

"You should become a teacher!" Jeongguk said as they were packing up.

"Hmm, I could, but I have a different goal in mind."

"Really? What's that?"

"Business. I know it's not specific, but I've always been interested in reading news about the economy, stocks, and major companies and what not. I know it sounds boring, but that's just me. What about you?"

"I'm not sure. I've never really thought about it. Mm, I like socializing with people, I guess something involving that."

Then the two spent the rest of the walk to Jeongguk's apartment talking about future goals and dreams. Taehyung asked about Jeongguk's interests and passions, even suggesting a few work fields that be a good suit for him. It was probably one of the most special conversations the two have event had. Jeongguk wasn't a blushy stuttering boy, and Taehyung talked a lot more than usual. They both opened up to each other talking about their dreams. It was nice, Taehyung hadn't smiled that much in a while.

When they arrived at Jeongguk's place, the boy waved and sent flying kisses to Taehyung's back as he walked. Jeongguk slumped on his bed immediately, kicking off his shoes, spreading his arms, and closing his eyes. He then thought back to Taehyung's question from earlier. Back on his feet, Jeongguk went over to his study table and opened the second drawer dedicated to his most precious items in the world.

Under the empty golden locket his mother had passed down to him, a few letters from his family when he first was away from home, and his first one-hundred meter run ribbon, was the book from all those years ago. He cherished it with his heart. Jeonggguk picked it up and flipped through a couple pages, ghosting his fingers over some of the pictures. The ending was his favourite. He could read this book a million times and never get tired of it, even if it was a children's book.

After putting it back safely in his drawer, he got his bag and put everything out. He was going to ace that test and show Taehyung he didn't waste his time!

•—•—•

Jeongguk bit the inside of his cheek as his teacher handed back the marked tests. It was like his teacher was going slower than ever today. When he finally came to Jeongguk and Taehyung's test, the boy closed his eyes and crossed his fingers.

"Good job," Mr. Han said. Jeongguk turned his head, opened his eyes and looked at Taehyung's desk. Correction: Taehyung's empty desk. His eyes then switched to his own desk, and there it was, his beautiful 73% percent in big bold red.

"As always, perfect," Mr. Han said, putting Taehyung's test on his desk.

"Oh. My. God." Jeongguk took ahold of his paper and examined it carefully. Maybe he forgot how to read numbers. "That says seventy-three right? Seventy-three is a lot more than what I got before right?"

Taehyung laughed lightly. "Yes," he answered simply.

Jeongguk squealed. Like a eardrum breaking squeal. He shook the paper in his hand before shoving it into Taehyung's face.

"Is this how it feels to be smart??" Jeongguk yelled.

"It's a seventy-three dude, relax," Hoseok said from his seat.

"Your fifty-two looks wonderful too, Mr. Jung," Hoseok's deskmate said, grabbing his paper. The two began bickering but Jeongguk just ignored them.

He kept staring at his paper with glee, still not believing it's real. He was snapped back when he felt a hand ruffle his hair. He stopped and looked at Taehyung who was smiling.

"Good job. All that studying was worth it, no?"

Jeongguk nodded, his smile becoming bigger. He missed the contact as soon as Taehyung retrieved his hand, noticing how his classmates began cooing at the two boys.

"I deserve a reward!" Jeongguk exclaimed.

Taehyung thought for a second before grabbing the onigiri his "secret admirer" had left him and handed it to Jeongguk. The boy crossed his arms and pouted. With a chuckle, Taehyung put the onigiri back in its place.

"Um, well, what do you want?"

"Mmmm." Jeongguk rubbed his chin, pretending as if he's never thought about his first, second, third, fourth, and hundredth date before. "The beach!"

"Beach?"

Jeongguk nodded, his bunny-smile at it's full exposure. "Take me to the beach! And hold my hand!"

"Hold your hand?"

The boy froze. Shoot, he accidentally let that slip. "You know, just as friends. I hold Hoseok's hand all the time!"

"No you d—"

"Shut up. But I'm just k-kidding, hahaha. Just take me to the beach."

"Okay."

•—•—•

When Jeongguk asked to go to the beach, he thought he'd get some time to glam himself up a little, get out of his school uniform and show off his stylish clothes that basically made him look like a model. He wasn't expecting for Taehyung to bring him to the beach the very same day after school. Either way, Jeongguk wasn't complaining. Right now, he was playing tag with the waves.

"Why don't you just stand here if you don't want the water to get to you?" Taehyung questioned.

Jeongguk sighed. He raised his hand and motioned him to come over. Taehyung followed and was by his side in a second.

"It's more fun. Get close to the wave, but don't let it touch you."

Taehyung looked down at his feet. Soon, he saw the wave approaching, and once it was about to hit, he moved back quickly, just like Jeongguk.

"Fun, right?"

The boy was still a little confused, so he repeated the same thing a couple more times. Wave would come, Taehyung would move back, water loses.

"I don't get i–"

Just as Taehyung was about to explain how he felt no particular joy in doing this, Jeongguk pushed him. Taehyung stumbled forward and for the first time, the waves won. He felt his shoes soak up all the water and get to his socks. His mouth widened in shock.

Jeongguk laughed hysterically, clapping his hands and moving back. Once he saw Taehyung approaching him calmly, his laughter quieted down. Once there about a meter distance from each other, Taehyung reached out his hand with an open palm. Jeongguk looked at it for a few seconds before hesitantly placing his hand into the others. They felt warm and nice.

Slowly, Taehyung began moving back, Jeongguk following still shocked that he was holding and angel's hand. In a swift move, Taehyung spun Jeongguk around and right into the fresh crashing wave. Half of Jeongguk pants along with his shoes fell victim to Taehyung's sinister trap. Jeongguk began cursing as it was the other's turn to laugh, but then the boy stopped to just take in Taehyung beautiful laugh.

"You tricked me! You're too mean," Jeongguk said with a pout, walking away from the wave.

"You did it first."

"Fair point."

The two stared at each other for another moment or so before Jeongguk couldn't handle the intensity of it and looked away.

"You can let go now," Jeongguk said, quietly.

"Huh?" Taehyung sounded, confused, until he realized what the other was talking about and looked at their still linked hands. "But you said you hold hands with your friends. Am I not a friend?"

Jeongguk was ready to die right then and there. He's experienced life to the fullest, this is all he needed.

The two continued playing with the waves, and Taehyung actually began having fun. He laughed and squealed along with Jeongguk. He realized the fun part wasn't the waves, but it was who he got to laugh his head off with. The rest of that day was spent walking down the beach watching the Sun set, one hand holding their wet shoes, and the other holding each other.

•—•—•

KTH

First day of grade 1.

Taehyung looked at the school and back at his dad. "I don't wanna go," he said. His father smiled. He strapped his Pokémon bag around him and re-adjusted his uniform.

"C'mon Taehyung-ah, you'll make lots of friends here. Remember pre-school? It'll be the same!"

"I didn't like pre-school."

"Oh, right. Is it because I can't come in with you?"

Taehyung shook his head. It wasn't because he couldn't come in, but it was because someone else couldn't come in instead.

"You know I've got a important catering order, right? So be a good boy and go inside for me. Be nice and make some friends. And don't forget to smile."

Taehyung almost never smiled. His face was always blank and that made a lot of kids think he was scary and unapproachable. It's not that he didn't know how to smile or didn't smile at all, he just didn't do it without reason.

The young boy frowned. "I don't know how to make friends."

Mr. Kim smiled. From his satchel, he pulled out what seemed to be a picture book. He gave it to his son who looked at it carefully, his eyes instantly lighting up. Boys his age we're playing with toys and their imagination, but Taehyung found his joy in books.

"For me?" he questioned.

His father shook his head. "It's for you to read with your friends. Ask them if they want to read with you and boom, a friend!"

"Boom?"

"Boom."

The bell rung, interrupting the two's conversation. Taehyung's dad said goodbye and walked to boy a little bit to the entrance and left, not forgetting to wave. Taehyung watched as everyone held onto their mom's hand and guided them inside.

He clutched onto his book tightly and mumbled, "I don't need friends."

All the mother's helped their kids put their bags up and take off their coats. When class officially began and the moms left, their teacher, Mrs. Chen, gathered everyone around in a circle. Then one by one everyone introduced themselves. When it was Taehyung's turn, he was asked to repeat seven times because no one could hear what he was saying. Taehyung definitely didn't like that part of the day.

Once that was finished, Mrs. Chen announced who sat at which table. At Taehyung's table, there was a girl name Naeun, and two boys name Kihyun and Jeongguk. Then when everyone was settled in, Mrs. Chen gave them some time to talk with each other.

"Hi guys, my name is Jeon Jeongguk. I don't know how to spell Gguk yet, but my mommy said I will learn here," the boy said.

"We already know your name," Kihyun said. He didn't look to be in the best mood and his eyes were stained with tears.

"Oh, right. But you didn't know I like banana milk, did you? My mommy said I can only drink on carton a day, but sometimes I sneak in another one," Jeongguk said really quickly, pausing to giggle. "I also like playing pretend, going to the beach, making friends, cooking with mommy, I only ever get to mix grapes in a bowl but I don't know what mommy uses it fo—"

"Can you stop talking so much? It's annoying!" Kihyun yelled, his voice shaking up the entire table.

Jeongguk sank back in his seat. "Oh, o-okay. S-Sorry."

"Okay class, break time! You can eat your snacks and play with your friends okay? I've got some crackers if anyone wants," Mrs, Chen said with a clap.

Taehyung was instantly off his seat and to his bag hanged against the wall. He pulled out his book, excited to read it. When he went back to his desk, he found Kihyun to be eating quietly, Naeun talking to her twin sister and Jeongguk no where to be seen. His eyes wandered around the room, and he found the boy sitting between the wall and the bookshelf, well hidden from the rest as he took sips from his juice box and wiped his eyes.

The boy didn't know why, but he found himself on his feet and walking over to the crying boy. Jeongguk stopped drinking his juice when he felt the presence of the other in front of him.

"W-What?" he said, wiping his eyes again.

Taehyung didn't know what to say. He approached the boy closer and took a seat beside him, the space between the wall and shelf being enough for the two. Jeongguk watched carefully as Taehyung sat down and opened his book. Feeling the gaze of the other on him and his book, Taehyung kept the pages open for much longer than he would. He was a fast reader. Whenever he felt Jeongguk shoulder tap his own lightly eager to read what's next, it was like a signal for him to flip the page.

By the end of the book, Jeongguk was laughing. Taehyung closed to the book and looked up at the smiling boy. When Jeongguk realized, he looked away quickly. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to look. Mommy said I should not look at other people's things without permission."

Taehyung got up and put his arm out with the book. Jeongguk looked up, eyes big and mouth wide.

"You can have it," Taehyung said.

Jeongguk slowly reached out and took it into his hand. "Why?"

"You look pretty when you smile."

The boy's cheeks dusted lightly with blush. He remembers his dad calling his mom pretty all the time, and that always made her smile and blush so he had asked her to explain what it meant to him.

Before he can thank Taehyung, Mrs. Chen said it was the end of break-time. The boy's returned to their seats and sat quietly, Jeongguk with the brightest smile. Once the school day was over, Jeongguk packed up quickly to follow after Taehyung.

"Taetae!" he called out, doing his best to run with his tiny feet.

"Hmm?" Taehyung, waiting at the front for his dad, turned around.

"Is your mommy here?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung shook his head. "I don't have a mom."

"Oh." Jeongguk pouted before he spotted his mom walking towards him. "That's okay! You can borrow my mommy if you want, she's really nice!"

"Ready to go, Gukkie?" his mother asked once she approached them.

Jeongguk looked up at the woman and nodded. He looked back at Taehyung, engulfed him in a big hug and left holding his mother's hand. Before he disappeared through the gate, the boy turned one last time to wave at his newly made friend, not forgetting to yell, "Bye-bye Taetae! See you tomorrow!"

Taehyung hesitantly waved back, the smallest of smiles slowly creeping to his lips, the first since the day had begun.

—•
I really enjoyed writing fetus taekook uwu they're so cute

Bye <3