Dragging his feet on the pavement to his apartment has never felt as dreadful as the late afternoon scene he was being forced to be a part of. Jungkook lost his energy to function for the day when he was hit with the news that Taehyung has left the bakery, potentially forgetting their second date.

What seems like a step forward stumbled back like ten steps backwards where Jungkook's sore enemy called insecurity engulfed him whole. Although courting doesn't give them an ultimatum or definite commitment, Jungkook would be lying if he was to say he wasn't hoping for them to eventually start a serious relationship.

When the road to their second date turned out a dead end, the younger can't help but wonder will he be worth it for someone like Taehyung.

Clicking his keys on his fingers and fishing out his access card, Jungkook finally had an ounce of energy to lift his head to swipe his card on the sensor, letting the blinking light turn from red to green allowing him access to his lobby.

Not only he didn't get to meet Taehyung, but Jungkook was also bumped that he couldn't schedule a last-minute workout in the gym as it needed a day before scheduling.

Guess he will just have to endure the lonely evening together with a cup of instant noodles and wait for Taehyung to respond. On his way back, Jungkook dropped a text to Tae not wanting to ring the older afraid he might be caught up with matters. Jungkook could have dropped a call instead as it's been two hours and still no reply from Taehyung.

The younger's mind did all it could to fall into the negative pit and disappointment thinking about the event as he reached his floor to shut the day away.

"Bambi?"

If there is a light at the end of the tunnel and if it's just like how people would narrate it as the saving grace and hopeful outlook, then this might have been how it feels as Jungkook's neck snapped so fast to the direction of the voice, he thought his head would have rolled on the floor by the force. A sense of euphoria and sudden enlightenment hit his whole being as he saw a familiar brown head by his door.

"Tae?"

"Gosh I missed you." Taehyung did a little tumbling run towards Jungkook in the short distance as he engulfed the male in his arms. Standing just slightly taller by build, Jungkook nuzzled his way through to the older's nook of the neck, taking in the warmth he missed.

"Me too."

Although it's only been a week or slightly more since the duo's confrontation, Jungkook didn't waste his time to be completely relying and sensitive around Taehyung. A sense of security and dependency is what Jungkook finds in Tae and the younger shows it in the bright daylight without hiding how he feels.

"You wanna open the door? I have been here for about half an hour." Taehyung planted a gentle kiss on the temple of Jungkook's head as he watched Jungkook growing concerned.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"My phone died on me Bambi." Taehyung wanted to show the condition of his lame phone but was unable to when he noticed he has no way to take them out of his pocket as his hands were full with brown bags and a medium-sized wrapper containing something he got for Jungkook.

"Here, for you." The older extended his right hand and handed Jungkook the wrapper with stalks of beautiful lilies and some eucalyptus which the younger loves.

"For me?"

"Mhm, aren't we suppose to go on a date?" Taehyung gently pinched the younger's cheeks which doesn't seem to hold many fats due to his extremely toned body but still tried as his action turned Jungkook into a condition similar to the beetroots.

"What is that?" Jungkook pointed at another brown bag which Taehyung was cradling curious about the content of that.

"Ice creams! Vegan and some low-calorie mint choco for you. Full dairy and sweetness overload strawberry one for me." Taehyung's boxy grin extended past his face as Jungkook caught the contamination of it as another bunny grin flashed in his own. "You need to open the door and save them before they melt in my arms."

"That's right, coz you're super hot." Jungkook winked at the older and left him dumbfounded as he quickly opened the door to his apartment suddenly turning into an energizer bunny.

When he turned back, he saw Taehyung walking slowly to his door looking just like how he did on the day after he lost his first match when Taehyung did a surprise delivery to his home, starting the plot of their little love attractions.

This time around, Jungkook can dream a little closer than the time before as he is no longer crushing on a friend, but he is courting this handsome man to be his.

"Come in." He opened the door wide for the older as Taehyung walked.

After a quick exchange of the bags and settling down, the duo sat beside each other with Jungkook leaning slightly away from the older as they waited to devour the ice cream.

"Ok, is it just me or things are a little awkward right now? Why are you not leaning in like you used to?" Taehyung waited for a good 5 minutes and spoke out when he notice the younger was fidgeting all over the places, unlike his confidence and warmth moments ago.

He turned to look at the raven head who returned his look with his infamous doe eyes, slightly glossed in comparison to how it was.

"Where were you Tae?" Jungkook has no courage to look the older in the eyes but he wishes to know what happened? Given how the older turned up at his apartment with flowers and ice creams shows he didn't forget about the date but what could have been the reason he wasn't at the bakery as he promised to be?

Taehyung's entire self softened. There is no way he can hold his authoritative nature with someone like Jungkook. More specifically with Jungkook. With each passing day, Taehyung is allowing Jungkook to grow more and more in him and with no definite end goal in mind, the older is certain that the ravenette will be someone he cherishes for the rest of his life.

"Are you mad at me for not showing up at the bakery?"

Jungkook battled with himself internally. He wanted to get Taehyung to spill the true reason but at the same time, he didn't want to be the demanding partner in a relationship. At least that's not how he wanted to be.

For someone as sensitive as he is emotional, small details do matter and he just wonders if Taehyung is in any other trouble which he potentially can assist with.

"I'm not mad."

"Your demeanour tells me otherwise Bambi. You're upset at me isn't it?" Taehyung scooted closer as he was now facing Jungkook while the younger was still sitting facing the TV. The side of his right profile felt the burn of the incoming proximity of the older which Jungkook cursed to the hell for its effect on him physically.

Jungkook shuddered and didn't hide the effect Taehyung has on him while the older watched like a hawk each tremble and micro-expression changing from the side of the raven head man.

"Can I explain?"

The younger nodded. He doesn't trust his voice anymore which he is sure will come out as a weakened kitten as Taehyung's face was so close to his ears, he felt the older's hot minty breathe fanning down his heated skin.

"Will you look at me?"

The younger refused. It's not that he is mad or upset but if he took a look at Taehyung right now, he is going to combust.

"Fine. Then maybe I should wait until you're finally ready to look me in the eyes before I explain. At least you'd know I'm not trying to cover up."

The warmth that was making his heart palpitate turned into a brush of cold wind when Taehyung leaned back, crossing his arms in defence. One of the many things which Taehyung has started to do is provoke Jungkook in a direction to respond and reply freely without having to confide in his shell.

He has never tried to push the younger into an uncomfortable zone. Taehyung has always known his limit and been there for Jungkook as a safety net.

With much effort, Jungkook sighed as he tried to cool his reddened face down before turning to Taehyung. He should have known that it won't that way as he continued to burn in flame lighting up his cheeks as he looked the older in the eyes.

Taehyung's naughty smirk made an appearance once again making Jungkook's mind dizzy with the vision his eyes see.

"Go ahead."

"Much better isn't it." Taehyung flicked the younger's chin and relaxed as he explained what happened which caused his dismissal from the bakery for the day and his appearance on the younger's doorstep.

"I was in the bakery as promised to wait for you. I even called Yoongi for a backup and asked Jin to close the bakery coz I wasn't planning on returning after our date. I wanted to walk you home as usual."

So he wanted to spend longer than just an hour ice cream date with me? The thought itself excited Jungkook but turned it flat down a second later thinking how much fun it could have been if only they went out today. Bummer.

"I received a call from Uncle Kent." Taehyung stiffened at this while clenching on his jaw. A newfound emotion appeared on his face which Jungkook has never sensed before.

Hatred.

"Why did he call? I thought he was done with speaking with you directly?"

"I thought so too Kook. I was politely living my life away from him and the whole VANTE business. I can't understand why they still wanted to chase me when I have made myself clear. I didn't want the fortune. I have my own business from the education my late parents given me."

"Taehyung, I'm sorry for saying this. At the end of the day, you're a KIM. I don't think so you can brush that off your shoulders just like that. Especially when you were the rightful heir to the business which is now left empty with no successor."

"That's exactly why he and Aunt Sara wanted to speak with me today. When Namjoon didn't manage to convince me, Uncle Kent used the only thing he could to make me visit the office today."

The bitterness in Taehyung's voice manifested as hatred and disappointment in his face. He must have had a tough time this afternoon when he received the call.

"Uncle Kent managed to find out the money I borrowed from Aunt Sara. Although it was the fund reserved by my parents, he mentioned I legally denied any when I walked out. So when he found I took a loan from Aunt Sara, he said I am still living under their mercy until I pay back the loan in the next 5 months. Until then, he expects me to at least respect and corporate and whatever that is going to happen in the next 5 months."

Jungkook listened to the whole happening sincerely. He doesn't like the sound of CEO Kent Kim anymore from the first time he admired him as a business tycoon. Guess the corporate world and elite socialites are not as pretty as they seem to flash in dollars.

"I went to see him. I know the more I deny his meetings the persistent he will be. I don't want to create a mess out of this petty thing."

The younger nodded. He likes how humble and polite Taehyung is in handling the matter.

"Let's just say I took longer than expected and know that you probably would have been at the bakery looking at the time and will be disappointed to not see me there. With my phone dying on me, I had no way to inform you. So I went straight to get the ice cream which I promised and meet you here. I know you will head back here right away coz you'll be upset about missing the date."

Jungkook's eyes widened. How can Taehyung predict his action to the T?

"H-how you know?"

"Bambi, you're not a complicated person you know that? You're pretty straightforward and easy to understand. That's what I like about you."

Taehyung bopped the younger's nose as Jungkook leaned inward for a hug.

"Don't worry about the date. You're here and we still have that ice cream. I prefer it this way. It's cosier." Jungkook snuggled himself comfortably into Tae's embrace as the older flashed a broad grin pulling the younger boy in. He settled himself neatly against the couch, leaving Jungkook ample room to cuddle in.

Although they haven't had the opportunity to spend much time with one another, all the touches and love transmitting between them is of no strange actions.

"About your family, I'm proud of how you're handling them Tae. I can understand it's not easy but please let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I'm here."

Jungkook doesn't know why Mr Kent is chasing after Taehyung so badly. The older didn't get to that part in his explanation. The younger let it be for it's too early to command such commitment in each other's personal lives.

For now, Jungkook wants to ensure he has a good time with Tae and the older wants to do the same.

"Ice cream?"

"Yes please!" Jungkook answered enthusiastically as Taehyung's familiar deep chuckles fill his decent-sized studio apartment.

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🌻
A little Taekook to warm your hearts.
Taehyung is not a jerk in this story and I've promised no known angst between their relationship. Enjoy for now.

What did Mr Kent wanted to speak with Tae about?