Call him overzealous but Jeongguk thinks he's picking up on something.

Ever since they left for the most recent events, Taehyung has been very /clingy/ to him. Now yes he's always been clingy. But it's just...different.

It started on the plane, they had these super fancy seats and they even folded down into beds. It was super dark for the long flight and Jeongguk was about asleep when he felt a finger poking his cheek.

"Guk-ahh, let me cuddle with you" he heard in Taehyung's husky sleepy voice

He just nodded and made some room on the small bed for Taehyung to slide into.

It's nothing new or different to them. Cuddling is like second nature since they met. What /is/ new though is the way Taehyung's face is rested into his neck.

Warm breath tickling his skin and there's a faint brushing of his soft lips driving him crazy.

He ignores it though.

∘◦

Then they're in the black room following an award show, everyone is high on adrenaline from everything they won but Jeongguk is just... lost.

Lost in thought as he watches the way Taehyung moves around him. Hand lingering on his bicep or curling around his waist as they stand nearby each other.

When he sits on the couch he chooses the completely open one, yet feels himself automatically adjust his legs to make a little more room whenever Taehyung comes to sit right next to him.

There's not even a millimeter of space between them and he knows they've always kind of stuck together like this but everything is driving him crazy lately.

Can't even think straight because his eyes are fixated on the way Taehyung's hand rests on his thigh when he leans forward to speak with enthusiasm.

Heart stuttering when Taehyung yawns and rests his head on Jeongguk's shoulder for a moment. When he steals a glance at the man he finds the brown eyes that were hidden by blue contacts earlier staring right at him.

"Wanna go home" Taehyung whispers as he pouts—Jeongguk nods in agreement. He's tired too. Jeongguk stands up to find a manager to ask for a car for them and looks back to see Taehyung smiling shyly to himself.

So fucking cute.

When he comes back to tell Tae that it's time to leave he finds him asleep and pokes his side, "wake up Pabo, there's a car ready for us" Taehyung stirs a little bit raises his hands and Jeongguk chuckles.

This guy.

Leans down in front of the couch and waits for Taehyung to plop onto his back. Then they're up and off.

"You guys heading back already? There's an after party once all the fans leave." Namjoon calls out but Taehyung is already snoring again so Jeongguk just smiles

"We're tired, see you guys back at the hotel!"

By the time they do get back to the hotel Tae is in such a deep sleep, so Jeongguk digs around in his suit jacket to find his room key. Groans when he can't find it.

This isn't the first time Taehyung forgot his key and needed to wait for the managers to come back with the extra copies. This is partially why Jeongguk always packs extra clothes.

Because Taehyung is currently in the bathroom slipping into /his/ pajamas and comes out with messy hair and droopy eyes.

"Thanks Gukkie" he murmurs before he falls into the bed, Jeongguk is just sitting there for a moment because he doesn't want to overthink these things but it's really hard to.

Especially when they're laying in bed and Taehyung rolls into his side just like on the plane. He thinks he heard a soft "love you" but it was so quiet it was lost in the whirring of the ac unit so he doesn't respond.

But he doesn't sleep either. Spends the entire night simultaneously staring between the ceiling and the man at his side. Subconsciously running his fingers along Taehyung's arm.

Okay, so maybe he was overthinking the little things. Surely, but there's no mistaking the way Taehyung keeps leaning into him now.

They're sitting on a small couch, watching as the hyungs gather around a pc game—and Taehyung just keeps leaning closer.

Rests his arm conveniently in the space underneath Jeongguk's arm, leans his head just a bit closer to his own. There's quite literally no space between them.

Nothing new here, except Taehyung keeps glancing at him. Looking at him with these eyes that Jeongguk can't decipher what they hold.

Everytime he tries to catch it they both look away. So he knows he isn't mistaken, especially not when Taehyung leans back into his side, he can feel the lips against the shell of his ear "wanna hangout for a bit?"

He nods slowly whenever Taehyung leans back, eyes locked on the hooded ones in front of him but then Taehyung is laughing brightly at something Hobi just did.

One by one everyone leaves the room and Jeongguk doesn't know if he should stick around and wait, Taehyung is busy with Jin but by the way he keeps glancing Jeongguk's direction he thinks he should wait

So he does.

Then they're leaving and there's tingles all over his body because there's been so many signals and /other things/ building up over the last few weeks that he's going crazy.

Once the door to the hotel room closes and they're walking down the hallway, Taehyung speaks up first, "you wanna go somewhere or hangout in one of our rooms?"

Jeongguk weighs his options heavily...but decides okay, what if this is all over-calculation. So he says "let's go grab a drink or something, feel like all we've done is work recently"

Taehyung seems to like the idea because he smiles and throws an arm around Jeongguk's "feel the same way Guk-ah"

And it's nice. There's a local pub that's really great for celebrities to go to because the security is strict and no cameras are allowed anywhere. They can let loose and relax here.

Jeongguk refuses to drink too much so once his brain starts to feel a little tingly he slows down, Taehyung must have the same thought because Jeongguk notices that he's been sipping on the same cocktail since they got here.

"Hey, uh, just wanted to say thanks. You've been there for me a lot lately—I appreciate it" that was a surprise. Jeongguk looks at Taehyung who's cheeks are pink has his finger trails the rim of his glass.

"Yah! I'm always here for you, Taehyungie you know that" nudges him in his side and smiles when a sweet giggle escapes

"Yeah, I know. Just wanted you to know I'm thankful for you...feel like I don't say it enough"

Jeongguk plays coy, mischievous smirk "now that you mention it, in all of these years of friendship I think this would be the first!"

Taehyung's mouth drops playfully "not true! You liar!" Brings hand to Jeongguk's shoulder to shove him

Jeongguk loves this Taehyung with the silly lilt of his voice as he argues his case " I dunno Tae. I'm really thinking hard and I can't remember the last time you said thank you to me for all my years of being your right hand man"

Shrugs his shoulders as he leans into the bar, sly smirk plastered on his face and Taehyung bites his bottom lip to try to refrain from laughing.

"I said thank you the night after D-3 of the Final!" Taehyung points out, jamming a finger into Jeongguk's cheek "AND I even bought you a new mouse for your PC once we got back to the dorm!"

Jeongguk's breathy laughter fills the space between them as he takes another sip of his drink, raising a brow at Taehyung who's arms are crossed in a pout.

"You're the one who said you don't thank me enough, now you're pouting because I'm agreeing?" Turning in his barstool to face Taehyung completely, watches as he does the same.

Eyes following the way one of his knees positions itself in between Taehyung's as they adjust their seating to be more comfortable.

"Yah! You're supposed to make me not feel so bad, Gukkie not make me feel worse!" Puts on this adorable pout that Jeongguk with a very slight buzz can't handle without the fondness painting his face.

"You know I'm just teasing Tae.. it's too fun getting you all worked up" scrunching his nose in a smile as he squeezes Taehyung's knee playfully.

"Well, good." Taehyung says, huffing as he reaches for his own drink. Drops one of his hands and doesn't acknowledge the way the tips of his fingers brush over Jeongguk's.

But he does and when they don't move he spreads his a little bit, so now the tips of Taehyung's fingers are resting in the space between his knuckles—the butterflies in his stomach are about to knock Jeongguk off of his damn barstool whenever Taehyung looks down at their hands and then up at him

Feels his face warming when Taehyung slides his fingers a bit better so now they're intertwined in their laps just barely and he doesn't know if it's the alcohol or just the atmosphere in general but he feels himself being tugged out of his chair and he's standing right in between Taehyung's legs who stands up right after.

They're chest to chest and fingers still lightly intertwined, "wanna dance or something? Before we head home?" Reaches with his free hand to chug the last little bit of his drink before nodding with a bright smile.

It's a lighthearted tune that they're dancing to and the way Taehyung throws his hands up and spins playfully before doing some goofy move to the song has Jeongguk's heart fluttering.

Simultaneously the cutest and sexiest person to ever exist—that's Taehyung.

Because his tight black jeans and tucked in black T-shirt compliment his body so well and the silly dancing just makes Jeongguk so endeared.

He takes one of Taehyung's hands and spins him around wistfully, in the moment that he's finished the song changes to a slower sweeter song. Doesn't know what urges him to do it but he pulls Taehyung into his chest.

The man practically stumbles into him, lacking grace entirely but Jeongguk couldn't care less, because he intertwined their fingers and let's their hands rest in between their chests. Swaying slowly to the song, can feel both of their hearts pounding when he looks to see Taehyung staring right at him.

"Hi" he says playfully and Taehyung opens his mouth to speak but Jeongguk thinks he looks so damn gorgeous right now and is feeling a bit too confident when he leans in and steals a soft peck of Taehyung's lips.

Didn't realize what he was doing until it was done and there's soft lips moving against his own. Drops their hands and legs his slide around Taehyung's sides to rest on the small of his back.

Feels the long fingers sliding up his biceps and curling around his neck. Is about to deepen the kiss when the song stops and is quickly transitioned into something faster.

He wants to shout at the DJ for ruining what is surely the best moment of his existence but he feels Taehyung's breath on his ear again, "I'm ready to go back anyway" it's soft the way he speaks and makes Jeongguk's heart skip a beat.

The entire way back to the hotel is silent. Not an awkward silence, a palpable silence. The kind that Jeongguk thinks he could reach out and touch if he tried.

Taehyung is walking incredibly close to him and he knows it's risky since they're on a public street but there's less than 2 minutes before they reach the hotel so he takes the risk anyway.

Discreetly extends his fingers to find Taehyung's and smiles to himself when he's met with no hesitation. Feels Taehyung's lace into his own like perfect pieces of a puzzle.

He's all too excited once they reach the floor where all of their rooms are "so um.." Taehyung starts but Jeongguk stops him, "stay at mine, yeah?"

Met with a shy smile and blushed skin Jeongguk is quick to unlock the door, follows Taehyung inside and tries to use the thirty seconds of time to think of a way to talk about what the fuck just happened at the bar.

Except the moment he turns around from putting the extra lock on the door, he's met with hands on his sides and lips against his own.

Responds to the kiss immediately, does what he wanted to at the club and let's his tongue trace along the outside of Taehyung's lips. He has to suppress a groan when he's met with the other's tongue and they get lost in the depths of their first real kiss.

First real anything to be honest and Jeongguk thinks Taehyung is the best first everything. First friend, first dorm mate, first kiss, first love—okay this is his first time admitting the last one but he's thought it for a long time now and isn't going to hold it back anymore.

Doesn't think he would be able to hold back anymore if he tried because this moment with Taehyung is so perfect, he figures he couldn't have dreamt it better. Feels Taehyung's body relax from the urgency and they're just standing there.

Lips barely moving against each other's, hearts pounding and holding each other so close. A very breathy giggle escapes Taehyung's mouth when they pull away for a split second and Jeongguk pouts, "Kissing me that funny, huh?" brings his fingers to lightly tickle Taehyung's sides.

"God no—" Taehyung argues, biting his lip as he brings one of his hands to play with Jeongguk's hair "been trying to think of a way to tell you how I'm feeling for a solid two months now. Every time I think I have the moment, I get to scared."

The hold Jeongguk has on his waist changes from a tight grip to something much gentler as he lets one of his arms loop all the way around Taehyung's back, presses soft open mouthed kisses to the skin of his neck.

"Yet here you are, kissing me in the middle of a dance floor like it's no big deal.." he laughs again and Jeongguk laughs too "if it makes you feel any better, I was fucking terrified" trailing his kisses back up Taehyung's jawline and finally stopping at his lips again.

Unsure how many minutes they stay like that, just standing there hands all over and exploring each other's mouths and bodies until he starts dragging Taehyung with him towards the bed. A gratuitous noise escapes the man's mouth whenever Jeongguk lifts him and tosses him playfully down.

"You really never change huh?" he teases, crawling into place over Taehyung who's a flustered, laughing, beautiful mess. "what are you on about huh?" Jeongguk smirks, grabs both of Taehyung's hands and holds them above his head.

"Still have a thing for my muscles...always have, Tae" he winks before he let's go of Taehyung's hands. Opting to let his own caress down the long arms and sides, snaking up under the soft fabric of his t-shirt. Lips ghosting all over the expanse of his neck and shoulder.

"I could tell something was up with you.." he finally murmurs, smiling whenever he hears Taehyung's breath hitch "couldn't figure out what it was, but I felt it. So glad I acted on it.." presses their lips together again, soft and slow.

Taking his time in capturing every last bit of this moment because he wishes he could replay it over and over in his head. Figures he will, when all is said and done. "I'm glad you did too, otherwise I'd still be sneaking into your bed at night and telling you I love you when you're asleep."

The moment the words leave Taehyung's mouth he freezes, looks up at Jeongguk with a mortified expression who just smiles and kisses him again, "I wasn't always asleep. I heard you..back at the hotel a few weeks ago"

Notices the way Taehyung moves his head a little to the side to keep him from kissing again and Jeongguk pouts, gently grasps onto his chin and brings him to face him, "hey..what's wrong? What did I say?"

Taehyung shakes his head and clenches his eyes shut, fists balling up against Jeongguk's shirt, "if you heard me...why didn't you say anything" he sighs heavily, letting go of Taehyung's face and runs his fingers through the curly messy locks.

"What was I supposed to say when for all I knew you were sleep talking? Wake you up? Risk finding out that you didn't actually mean it and were dreaming about someone else?" his eyes are soft when he smiles and starts to lean down again, feels overwhelmingly excited when Taehyung doesn't try to move this time.

"Of course I love you, think I'd do half the nonsense you ask me if I didn't?" it's playful, always playful and Taehyung thinks that's one of the things he loves the most about Jeongguk.

"Good because I was in for an embarrassing walk back to my own hotel room if you told me you didn't.." his smile is back. Jeongguk rolls to his side but pulls Taehyung flush against his body. They've been like this before except this time he doesn't tilt his head upwards and away from Taehyung's.

Moves his face right in front of the other's, let's their noses brush and places a string of kisses to Taehyung's already swollen lips, "so does this mean I can kiss you whenever I want now? Because it was really hard not to kiss you earlier when we were sitting at the bar"

"If you aren't kissing me every second that we're away from other people, we're gonna have some serious problems Tae" sighs whenever he feels Taehyung's body start to go slack. Arm draping over his abdomen and legs intertwining.

He's almost asleep whenever he feels lips against his jaw and it stirs him awake to look down and see Taehyung staring at him with wide eyes, "what's up?" he asks groggily

"You're already snoring and you didn't kiss me goodnight" he pouts and Jeongguk thinks of all the reasons he's had to endure that pouty face, this one is his favorite.