"You're the only one he would probably listen to Tae."

Taehyung's face stiffened. He wasn't expecting to bump into Namjoon on his morning stroll with Jungkook. The brown head had other things planned in mind when he initiated to have a meal with the younger.

"Joon. I understand that you work for Mr Kent and VANTE but you have no rights to force that decision on me. You of all people should know my answer when it comes to this. I want nothing to do with them anymore."

Namjoon sighed as his head dropped low. Often, he is caught in between the CEO and his friend.

"I know I have no rights Tae, but I can't ignore the fact that he still pays my bills."

"Sorry." Taehyung apologized. The brown head didn't mean to offend the older but his words did come in a lot bitter than it was intended.

"Hey Tae, you know I get it that you didn't mean it right? It is what it is buddy. I know you won't agree to my quest but as instructed by Mr Kent, I have to at least do my job." Namjoon ruffled the soft brown hair in front of him, earning a soft smile on Tae's face.

Jungkook who was doing his by-stander job broke into a gentle smile on his own when he notices the sweetness dripping from Taehyung's face as it displayed an immense amount of fondness towards Namjoon's action. The ravenette has never seen Taehyung acting like a submissive younger before, so this is a new scene for him.

"Great effort in trying but my answer is the same Joon. You can let Mr Kent and Aunt Sara know. I'm just waiting for 5 more months so I don't even have to listen to a single command from them anymore. This debt is making me sink in the ocean."

The raven head who kept his ears in the conversation bites on his lower lips when he lost the sight of Tae's sweet smile to a sulking pout. He didn't like seeing that.

"Anyways, I don't want to be holding your date up longer than I already did. So, I will take your leave."

"We are not-..." Jungkook was rushing to clarify himself when Taehyung cut him off completely. "Very well then, off you go. I'll catch up with you soon Joon."

The younger stepped back with a tint of blush on his cheeks. Namjoon waved them bye with his dimpled making appearance. He soon walked away, turning around the corner disappearing into the busy street.

"So...wanna go to the park?" Taehyung turned to the younger who was watching him with questioning doe eyes.

"S-sure."

Strange. Was Jungkook the only one getting triggered by the way Namjoon connected them as dating? Is he being too sensitive?

"Awesome. I'll lead the way then." Just like that, the older was cheery all over again as he walked a few steps ahead of Jungkook, leading them to a nearby park.

The warmth of the steady sun was a constant as the duo reached the black bench by the park. In between willows and trees throwing a shadow to cover, the park greeted the two young males with its soft breeze. The smell of fresh soil and wildflowers tickled the senses into the younger as he obeyed the older's footsteps.

"Isn't it such a lovely day?" Taehyung stretched his arms wide, careful to not hit on the younger who seated not too far from him.

Jungkook was taking in the beauty of mother nature which he doesn't gift himself often. On normal days, the raven head is either busy in the library preparing chapters ahead or tutoring his juniors and classmates. When comes evening, the topper of the batch will switch his hat to put on his gloves, ready for the training.

This has been the raven head's routine for the past 4 years and nothing changed ever since. Jimin, Hoseok and even Louis tried their best to break the younger out of his mundane routines, but it was to no avail. He did try to adjust and accommodate his three friends from time to time, but nothing changed or broke Jungkook's cacoon to date.

Well, not until the moment when he slowly starts to bewitched by a certain brown head patissier.

"Do you like the park Kook?"

"I do. I just don't have the time to come here often."

"Why not? This place isn't far from your home. We came here once. The night when I bumped into you? Remember?"

Oh, how can Jungkook forget that encounter? It was a sweet night they both had to share getting to know each other a little better than expected. For Jungkook, it was one of the night he can never let go for he gets to spend it with his then-new friend - Taehyung.

"Yea I remember." Jungkook soft smiled warmed the environment even more as he scrunched his nose making Taehyung mimic the same. "I have always been busy with studying and training. Never really have the time for other things."

Taehyung pouted playfully as his head tilted to the right. "No time for other things?"

Jungkook nodded. He really can't explain how he has no times for other friends or social activities. He is an introvert and being a top scholar also means he needed to work around the clock to keep his grades up. Unlike Jimin who scores decently without trying, Jungkook can never be that person. Whatever he is harvesting right now is a result of his 100% blood, sweat and tears.

"You are limited when it comes to socialising, aren't you?" The older leaned back on the bench, manspreading his knees while he waited for Jungkook to relax. Taehyung can see the tension on Jungkook's shoulder and he doesn't know why.

"Pretty much."

"You know Jungkook, we have been friends for a while now, it seems to me like you're not much of a talker." Taehyung leaned in and used his deep gaze to inspect any clues on Jungkook's face. Something is bothering the older about Jungkook.

"Yea." Jungkook consciously leaned backwards, can't handle the proximity of Tae's face. The older is ridiculously breathtaking and Jungkook isn't ready to pass out in public. Not today.

"Why is that? Are you afraid of something Bambi?" Taehyung used his index to flick underneath Jungkook's chin, creating a sparkle in the younger when he felt the brown head's finger on his skin.

"I-I am not afraid of anything. I'm just a known introvert Tae. I'm not the best person to socialise with. Hence, working in your bakery was a good starter for me. I feel like I don't have to be socially awkward or anything. Although, I can't say I am a social butterfly now but...it's been better these days."

Taehyung carefully watched the younger's expression for any sign of cover-ups. All he got in return was the younger's big Bambi eyes staring at him saying that whatever he proclaimed is indeed how he truly feels.

"You're a great person Jungkook. No one will ever hate talking to you. Give yourself some credit for trying and anytime you need a hand to hold on, I am here."

The brown head took the younger's palm which he was resting casually on his thigh, entwining their fingers together. For Jungkook, that is an act of intimacy. He has never laced fingers with anyone. I repeat, no one. Not even Jimin who tends to initiate friendly skinship.

Taehyung on the other hand who is oblivious to Jungkook's particular discomfort didn't even think twice before doing what he feels like. The raven head's fingers stayed parted as Taehyung noticed Jungkook's stiffened reaction.

"Jungkook? What's wrong?" The older started to feel uneasy when he noticed Jungkook keep staring at their laced fingers, unmoving.

"Is it too much? I mean because of this?" Tae held their clasped hands in the air between them as Jungkook's eyes followed the trail. He was still staring at their closed palms, lower lips in between the teeth.

"Shit sorry, I didn't know you'd be uncomfortable." Taehyung was quick to let go when he felt a strong pressure kneading their hands together.

"It's fine."

Taehyung looked at the younger who was breaking into sweats as a quivering smile adorned his lips. Jungkook was trying his level best to not get affected with two facts, 1. His boundaries are being broken bits by bits after the longest time of defence. 2. The person he likes entwined their hands together. The skinship was sending electricity into Jungkook's body and I'm not even exaggerating.

The brown head raised his brows to confirm if Jungkook is sure about this.

"Yea, this is fine." Jungkook assured the older with a firmer smile this time around. He is no longer the young little boy who has to hide behind a shield each time he feels uncomfortable. Jungkook feels a sense of security with Tae and he knows Tae will never cross the boundaries of personal space.

When the younger noticed the confusion and hesitation on Taehyung's face, he knows that he owes Taehyung an explanation. It came out as a sudden thought and Jungkook isn't afraid to share his story with the older.

"So in case if you're wondering or have not figured out, I am not much of a people person nor am I good with socialising."

This is not news to Taehyung for he figured it out a long time ago. But to hear Jungkook admit it so honestly made Taehyung's heart swell with love and care even more for the younger.

"I didn't grow up this way. I used to be cheeky and sociable. It all started when I was in high school with issues happening back home, all the stress around me just pushed me inwardly. Since then, I never found the reason to come out."

Until I met you.

"My friends took their time to get close with me, to initiate any sort of touches as I do have very clear personal boundaries. I get jittery or nervous when someone gets too close to me or touch me without me feeling comfortable."

Taehyung recalled back about the night before where he spooned Jungkook to sleep and even laid on his lap for the longest time. The older felt a pang of guilt and regret as he realises how uncomfortable he would have made Jungkook felt.

"But don't worry Tae. With you it's ok."

The older's eyes widened. "With me it's ok?"

The raven head nodded. He softly squeezed Taehyung's hand in his ensuring the older that he is fine with this. With him.

"Why will it be ok if it's me?"

"Coz I don't feel the insecurity when I am with you. I don't feel like I need to guard myself up from the moment I met you. You have been nothing but a considerate friend to me. Within this short couple of months, I feel like we have got to know one another to throw away the awkwardness."

This time, the smile on Jungkook's face was so bright that it not only blinded Taehyung but it also compelled the older to showcase his vibrant boxy grin as well.

"I have been living on my own, away from my parents. Saving up for my future looked like the only plan I had apart from studying hence I got myself involved with legal money-making initiative which is boxing. I could have done many other things but boxing was one of my interest and coincidentally, I am quite ok at it."

"You're amazing at it Jungkook."

"How'd you know? You have never watched me fight."

"But I know how many you have won. 19 out of the 20 you have participated is insane Kooks."

"I still lost my last one though."

"Rather than talking about what you've lost, I would like to appreciate what you have won. It's all about our perspective Kooks."

Jungkook smiled weakly. This is one of the things he loved about the older. Such an optimistic soul despite his life struggles. At that very moment, Jungkook realised that every single one of us suffers very differently. Some might show and some might not. Some might choose to fight positively while some confide in negativity.

Over the years, Jungkook can feel the light and sparkle in his life has dimmed to nothing but to a light up matchstick. He lost the flaming torch which used to be so bright and so fiery. He lost a piece of himself.

"You're frowning Kooks." Taehyung used his spare hand to gently caress Jungkook's cheeks bringing him back to his senses. He stopped his movement when he felt Jungkook's heavy gaze on him.

"I like you."

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I'm sure you wanna know what happens next.
I really wanted JK to confess. What's gonna happen next might not be something you wish to read but I'm not changing my storyline. :)

But!
You'll like it still. (I hope)