Jungkook encountered a roaring throb clutching his head once his senses came back to him. And then, he observed, another thing that was clutching him was Taehyung.

He analyzed their position as he gradually blinked his somnolence away and allotted the necessary time to his brain to contemplate how they ended up like that. 

Jungkook had his back turned to him, the pillow was nowhere to be found between them anymore, and Taehyung’s upper body was latched onto him. His left arm was draped over Jungkook’s waist and his left leg was hooked over his thighs. 

They were spooning. Taehyung was the big spoon. And he was also mounting him with his leg. 

Surprisingly, he had recollections about how their position resulted this way, and the corner of his mouth slanted upwards. He remembered himself awakening during the night and dragging the pillow away from their bodies, tossing it blindly. Then, he rolled over, pressed his back against Taehyung, and gently tugged his arm over his waist. 

How Taehyung’s leg ended up wrapped around his thighs was a mystery to him. 

The pounding of his headache was distracting, and although he attempted to force himself to sleep more, he couldn’t. He needed an aspirin so bad. But having Taehyung snuggled up to him was something he wouldn’t experience anytime soon again — or ever again, more specifically — and he knew the moment he would move, it would all end. 

So he stayed motionless, with an unmerciful headache battering his head, and immersed himself in Taehyung’s soul-soothing embrace and warmth. Why he didn’t want this moment to end was another mystery to him, though it was also entirely insignificant. Why would he tire out his poor brain to produce a reason? 

It wasn’t that long later when he sensed Taehyung move against him with his angelic, muted hums blessing his ears; he held him tighter, rubbed his leg over his thighs, and fell into total rest again. 

A few seconds of serenity crept by, and then Taehyung’s muscles clenched against him, stirring the corner of Jungkook’s lips to curve up again. 

Jungkook didn’t know since he couldn’t see him, but Taehyung’s eyes were unnaturally wide and his mouth formed into an O as if he were in shock. And he was, honestly. More at the thought of Jungkook waking up before him and registering how he was clung to him. Again. 

What the hell happened to my pillow? Taehyung questioned in his head, but no answer came to him. He pursed his lips in resolve, encouraging himself as if he were preparing for the most difficult task of his life. He elevated his leg in slow motion and retracted it, releasing a nasal sigh in relief since Jungkook didn’t move at all. It could only mean that he was still sleeping, Taehyung decided.

His hand was slightly crumpled under Jungkook’s forearm, which made him gulp dryly. He chanted, “Please don’t wake up,” in his head as he wormed his hand out of his hold, his eyes swelling with the sweet anticipation of his lurking success, but a sudden grasp on his wrist crunched every fragment of hope. 

“So you’re a human koala.”

Taehyung screwed his eyes shut as a crying expression cloaked his face. God, he could feel his embarrassment sizzle in his blood — his fucking soul. Sure, they had slept in each other’s arms again, just three days ago, but Taehyung remained perfectly still that night. Jungkook had chosen to sleep in that position. He didn’t choose to be spooned. 

“Sorry,” was all Taehyung could muster as he wiggled his hand in his efforts to draw it away. 

Jungkook let him, despite the unreasonable disappointment that nested in his chest. “What are you sorry for?”

“Um, for hugging you like that.” The hoarseness in his voice, combined with the heaviness of his embarrassment, made it barely audible. He pushed himself to a sitting position and rubbed the sleep off his eyes. 

“Didn’t really mind,” Jungkook muttered, splaying his body in a pleasant stretch. A soft groan burred in his throat as he plopped onto his back. He twisted his head to look at Taehyung, instantly perceiving the pale sparkles of surprise in his gaze. Jungkook smiled. “Don’t look at me like that. I guess I just got used to it.”

Taehyung cleared his throat and shook his head once mildly, luring his composure back to him. “You got used to my hugs or... just hugs?”

Jungkook hoisted his torso, matching Taehyung’s sitting position. “I haven’t tried hugging anyone else, you know. But anyway. Can you give me an aspirin?”

“Oh, right, how do you feel?” Disquiet settled over Taehyung’s traits as he hurried to get off the bed, but a gruff voice, almost magisterial, slowed his movements. 

“Stop rushing.”

Taehyung cast him a glance over his shoulder in instant obedience. “Right,” he whispered and scooted away in a much slower tempo. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t think I have a fever, but my head is throbbing again. I’ll be fine if I take an aspirin.”

Taehyung soon returned with the medicine in his hand and passed the pack to him. A subdued ‘thank you’ rolled into his ears as he cupped his cheek and patted his forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re warm.”

Jungkook gulped down the pill with big sips of water. He identified the worry in Taehyung’s voice, though he couldn’t help the quip that hovered on the tip of his tongue. “If I weren't, I’d be dead, probably.”

“Yah.” Taehyung poked his side, a disgruntled moue surfacing on his face. “Don’t joke around like this. You could have a fever again. Don’t you want a thermometer to check?”

“No. I don’t feel like shit as yesterday. I’m better.”

“How can you feel better in just one night?”

“I get sick like this often. It’s because of exhaustion and my bad sleep habits. And it got so bad because of the emotional distress.”

A veil of sadness overlaid Taehyung’s chest. His fingers itched with a need to hold his hand, even hug him, just comfort him somehow. He instead stood beside him, gazing at him sadly. “You went through a lot yesterday. Did you at least sleep well?”

“With a human koala? I had the best sleep ever.” His amusement-filled tone seemed to lighten the atmosphere and disperse the gloom from Taehyung's eyes. 

“I wish you weren’t joking and you indeed slept well.”

“I’m teasing you, but I’m not joking. I really slept well.” With you hugging me. 

Taehyung’s lips formed a relieved smile. “Good. I don’t know how the pillow ended up on the floor. I’ve never tossed my pillow like that before.”

Jungkook had to strive to force his mouth not to twitch. But on the inside, he smirked blatantly. “I don’t know either. But it’s okay. Don’t think too much about it.”

Why was Jungkook so casual when he had just spooned the shit out of him? It made him wonder, but Jungkook’s explanation should have been enough for him. He wasn’t familiar with hugs, and he just got used to it. No reason to overthink this one too, Taehyung. “So, let’s order something healthy to drink and eat, hmm?”

Jungkook glanced at the box-shaped clock on the nightstand. “It’s still ten, so I guess I have time to spare.”

Taehyung squinted his eyes at him. “You’re planning to go to work?”

“Of course.”

“But you’re sick. You need rest.”

“I’m fine. I’ve done this many times before.” 

“Don’t sound so proud of yourself,” Taehyung hissed. “Why can’t you just rest for a day?” And spend more time with me?

A brief sigh fell from Jungkook’s lips as he rose to his full height. “I can’t rest now. Everything is a mess.”

“But... what if you get worse?”

The adorable pout that Taehyung spoke with accumulated an inexplicable warmth around Jungkook’s heart. His body edged closer on impulse, but his rationality caught up with him and barricaded him from hugging him. “Then I’ll come back here and you’ll spoon me to health again.” 

Taehyung nipped at his lower lip, trying to contain the enormous grin that wanted to cut across his face. Maybe he was just teasing him again, but the thought of Jungkook enjoying the spooning induced such content within him it was on the verge of overwhelming him. “Dork.” He reveled in the grin that sprawled over Jungkook’s face and admired it in silence. He just woke up and he’s... fucking gorgeous. Taehyung inhaled deeply, then pushed his thoughts away. “Go freshen up and I’ll order something healthy.”

“I don’t like healthy.” Jungkook grimaced. 

“I don’t care,” he said with a sweet smile, clearly mocking him. “Go. I have an extra toothbrush in the second drawer.”

“Thanks.” Jungkook petted his shoulder, a brief, gentle action which happened rather impulsively, and walked out of the room. 

 
As Taehyung said, he placed their order, took his turn to freshen up when Jungkook finished, and they only waited five more minutes for the delivery to arrive. 

Taehyung perched next to him again on the couch and took the packs out of the bag, placing one in front of Jungkook. 

“What did you order?” Jungkook asked curiously, but he didn’t need an answer. His forehead puckered in discontentment the moment he opened the pack. 

Taehyung giggled at his cute grimace. “Don’t look so disgusted! It’s a fruit salad.”

“And what is this disgusting green thing you got for us to drink?” He held the plastic cup, and the more he observed the green liquid with those yucky fruit chunks, the more it looked like vomit. 

“It’s the ultimate green smoothie!” he chirped. “It has more than ten ingredients. Don’t think about it, just drink. Cheers.” Taehyung clinked their cups together and slurped the repulsive-looking smoothie. The thick liquid left a bittersweet taste in his mouth as he swallowed; he didn’t hate it nor loved it. 

Jungkook, on the other hand, screwed his face in grossness. “Yeah, no, I’m not drinking this.”

“Come on! It gets better, I promise. Eat something. I got us toast as well.”

Jungkook reached for his toast right away, abandoning the nasty greenness. The pounding in his head had diminished for a while now, and his throat didn’t feel so sore as yesterday.

Next on the menu was the fruit salad. Although Jungkook didn’t devour it with the same enthusiasm as the toast, he still tried his best to finish it all. He hadn’t touched his smoothie, though. And Taehyung, of course, noticed. 

“If you don’t drink your smoothie, you’re not leaving,” Taehyung said blandly, and gulped the rest of his smoothie down. 

“I don’t like the texture! I can’t drink this, Tae.”

“It’s pure health. Drink it.” Taehyung grabbed the cup and brought it to Jungkook’s face, angling the straw to his lips. 

Jungkook pressed his lips, his brows drawn together, and shook his head. 

“Don’t act like a baby. Think of it as something you like. Something tasty. And just swallow.” 

Jungkook still hesitated. He gazed right into Taehyung’s serious, adamant eyes, as if they had started a staring contest. The muscles in his face mellowed, his lips pulling into a pout before he finally parted them. He squeezed his eyes shut and sipped the goddamn smoothie, picturing it like a cold beer on a scorching hot night. 

But fuck, it wasn’t the same. Just after three sips, he jerked back and stuck his tongue out in sheer disgust. His attention shifted to a chortle that sounded beside him, and, keeping the same expression, he glared at the giggling man. “I hate you.”

“Ah, twenty-six-year-old detective Jeon Jungkook, you’re such a baby.” Taehyung playfully shook his head at him and set the cup on the table. The traces of mirth soon slipped off his face as he seemed to consider something, and his wandering eyes betrayed it. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll give you something you really want if you drink that smoothie. But you have to promise me you won’t use it today.”

A frown of utmost confusion decorated Jungkook’s face as he listened to him. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Just... promise you’ll focus on Jeosun’s case today.”

Jungkook worked through the underlying meaning of his words and his eyes popped. He fumbled to get closer and gripped his shoulder, peering at him fiercely. “Is it about Jin Mo?”

Taehyung nodded. “I have the address of his side hideout.”

“Send it to me now.”

“Jungkook... You’re still sick. And you have Jeosun’s—”

“This is important to me. Give me the address.”

“Why is it so important?” Taehyung blurted out. “Why is Jin Mo so important? He’s just a criminal like the rest of them.”

Jungkook tore his hand away from him at a creep, his eyes sinking to the floor. “He’s not, Tae,” he uttered with an undertone of poignancy. “He killed my hyung. Okay? Fucking Jin Mo killed my hyung. That’s why I have to catch him. So please.”

Taehyung forced a shocked expression. And he hated himself for some reason. Hated that he had to pretend. Hated that he already knew about it for so long and couldn’t tell him the truth. He couldn’t tell him Jin Mo didn’t kill him. “How... do you know it’s him?”

Jungkook swallowed, trying to tame the agonizing memories. “He was at the scene.”

“Did you see him?” There was a softness in the way Taehyung spoke, as if he were afraid that his questions would drag him into sorrow. Jungkook’s eyes, though, were already drowned in that harrowing sorrow. He understood then why Jungkook rarely talked about his hyung. He was still hurting immensely. And Taehyung wished with all his heart he could do something to help him. 

“No, but he was there. I’m sure.” 

“But how can you be sure, Kook?” Taehyung whispered as he laid a palliative hand on his shoulder. “If you didn’t see him, you can’t be sure.”

Jungkook shook his head firmly. A steely certitude replaced the sadness in his gaze and hardened his features. “I know it was him. He was there. Give me the address.”

Taehyung retired into silence in contemplation. His hand drooped to his side and his head hung. “You’re not well today. I’ll send it to you tomorrow. You should focus on Jeosun’s case for today. Jin Mo can wait.”

“But I—”

“You can’t do everything, Kook,” Taehyung cut him off in the gentlest of ways. “You can’t do everything together. It will overwhelm you. You should take care of yourself more. And I’m sorry because I’m responsible for your poor sleep three days ago. I kept you up until late and I even woke you up and—”

“Don’t say that,” Jungkook argued quietly as he twisted his head, training his eyes on him. “I wanted to take care of you.”

“And what about you? Why can’t you take care of yourself too?” Taehyung met his gaze, but only for a few seconds. Then, he tucked his chin into his chest again. “I feel so useless. I can’t even convince you to rest for one day. And you took such good care of me that night.”

Jungkook effaced the gap between them slowly. He found it rather disturbing to hear Taehyung talk about himself that way. He lifted his head with a tender push of his knuckle against his chin and cradled his cheek. “You’re not useless. It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I’m too stubborn. And it’s about Jeosun, Tae. I have to go to work.”

Taehyung cupped the hand that was holding his cheek. “I just hate that you’re going through this. And I want to do something to make you feel better.”

“What you’re feeling right now... That’s what I feel too. I hate that I’m going through this and I have to do something, so I won’t go fucking crazy. I can’t just rest. You get it, right? You get that it’s not your fault?” 

A saddened smile framed Taehyung’s mouth. “I get it. I don’t like it. But I get it.”

Jungkook smiled back at him fondly. He trailed his thumb over the crown of his cheek as his eyes followed the movement. His stare sloped to his desirable lips, climbed up his cute nose, and focused on his eyes at last. He was ravishing, he thought, even with casual clothes and slovenly hair. He was an eyeful in every way. 

While his mind was drooling over Taehyung’s beauty, he tipped closer absently, as if an invisible string gradually pulled him towards him. But the spark of nervousness that flared in Taehyung’s eyes a few seconds later evaporated the fog of his enthrallment and iced the blood in his veins. 

Jungkook withdrew his hand in a jittery motion and scooted over. Was I really ready to... Again? Fuck, what’s wrong with me? His eyes danced all around the table and locked on the forgotten, yucky smoothie. “You win. I’ll drink this shit for you.” He got hold of the cup and slurped the greenness without a second thought. 

Taehyung cracked an unease smile, still bewildered about what happened a moment ago. About why Jungkook leaned closer like he was about... No, he wouldn’t, Taehyung thought. No way. He redirected his regard at the quite amusing spectacle of Jungkook gulping his smoothie with the most adorable, disgusted grimace on his face. God, he wanted to squish his damn cheeks! 

Jungkook’s torment ended soon, thankfully. He slapped the now empty cup on the table and reached for a bottle of water right away. After chugging down half of it, he exhaled a deep sigh, placing the bottle back to its place. 

“I’m proud of you,” Taehyung cooed as he patted his back. “Thank you for drinking it.”

Jungkook was a bit ashamed by how much he relished that praise, but he simply smiled, hiding the embarrassment. “Just don’t make me drink this again.”

“You’ll be all healed now with all that greenness. You can’t live a day without work, so you have to be strong and healthy.”

“Well, you’re right. I really should eat healthier. Or... at least eat two meals every day.”

Taehyung’s eyes enlarged with the revelation. “You’re not eating at least twice a day?”

“Sometimes I don’t. I’m either too busy during work or too tired after work. I don’t mind, though.” 

“Your body minds!” he scolded lightly. “You better feed that body at least twice a day from now on. Or I’ll forcefully feed you every night.”

A snort erupted from Jungkook. “Free dinner for me.” He lifted an idle shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. “How are you, by the way? How’s your injury?”

“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt. I’ll call Hae Soo-ssi to remove the stitches in a couple of days, and I’ll be good as new.”

“And you’ll get back to work?” His voice was coiled around a cautious quietness that hinted at the presence of a disguised concern. 

The switch in his demeanor was highly distinct to Taehyung, though he was clueless about the reason. “Um, yeah. I have to make a living too.” It wasn’t entirely true. Although he provided for the shelter huge amounts of money every month, he still had plenty saved up that was enough to live comfortably without a job for about ten years.

Taehyung delved into his expression in the silence that ensued. Jungkook was gazing at him, but he seemed lost in the contemplation of something well guarded. “Jungkook?”

The veil of haziness dissipated from his eyes at the call of his name. “Hmm?”

“What are you thinking about?”

Jungkook sank back in his seat, letting a long hush engulf them, as he tried to push the words out of him. “I... Just be careful. And don’t let anyone—” He exhaled sharply as he realized halfway through his remark how weird it sounded. Who was Jungkook to tell him not to let anyone touch him? Despite it, since he already started it, he drew in a fortifying breath and continued. “Don’t let anyone touch you. If you don’t want it.”

Taehyung found that scenario equally detestable. He didn’t want anyone to touch him. If it weren't Jungkook. But it wasn’t his choice. He was a seducer. It was a part of his job. “I can’t do that, Kook. That’s... the easiest way to work for them and learn about them.” His eyes dropped to Jungkook’s hand, that was resting on his lap, when his fingers clenched into a fist. They crawled back up, finding a sharpness on his face. “Does it bother you?”

God, Jungkook wanted to scoff at the weak word he used. Did it bother him? It fucking infuriated him. The thought of someone else touching him, kissing him, fucking him, had Jungkook seething. 

He walled up his thoughts and absurd feelings and relaxed his fist. “Of course it bothers me. I hate the idea of someone forcing you to do something you don’t want.”

“So if I want it... If I want someone to touch me and let him, you won’t have a problem with that?”

Hard creases carved on Jungkook’s forehead unconsciously at his question as his lips flattened into a grim line. The realization that he was angrily frowning at the image of Taehyung with another man struck him soon enough, and he compelled his muscles to mellow. “It’s your life.”

Taehyung, at least most of the times, recognized a lie when he heard it. He was trained to lie, anyway. Clearly Jungkook didn’t like the idea of someone touching him, but why did he lie about it? A heavy dismay settled over Taehyung’s chest as his answer — his contrived, mendacious answer — wasn’t what he secretly wished to hear.

“Yeah, it is,” Taehyung breathed out. He plastered a little smile on his lips, a quite mannered, brittle one. “You’re going out too, right? I mean, it’s your thing. You go to the bar, drink, and find someone to fuck. You still do it, right?”

Jungkook sent him a row of glances before riveting his eyes on his lap. “Uh, yeah, although it’s been a while.” He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat for no reason. “Does it bother you?”

Taehyung’s brain hung on his mumbling response for a stretch. He opted out of commenting on it and instead focused on his question. Fuck yes it bothered him. He wanted Jungkook to fuck only him, but he had no right to demand it, of course. “Not really. It’s your life too. It’s just meaningless sex, right?”

“That’s the only sex I can do.”

Taehyung tilted his head as he observed him with a moderate twist between his brows. “You’ve never made love with anyone?”

The muscles in Jungkook’s face flinched. “You mean sex?”

Taehyung couldn’t constrain his eye roll. “I mean love, dork.”

“Isn’t it the same? To fuck with someone, have sex, make love. It’s all the same, right?”

Taehyung stared. Hard. His squinted eyes searched manically for a hint of teasing, but only found sincerity. “You’re... joking. Right?” He watched as Jungkook’s eyes circled within their sockets in thought. “Okay, I get that maybe you haven’t been in love. I haven’t either. It’s... normal, I think? Anyway, that’s not important. Everyone knows that having sex and making love isn’t the same.”

Jungkook gazed at him doubtfully. “What’s the difference?”

“The feelings, Jungkook. The intensity of their feelings for each other. Of course, sex is awesome even without feelings. But when you’re in love with someone and have sex with that person, it’s not just sex. It’s a deeper connection. That’s why they call it making love. At least that’s what I think.”

Jungkook brooded over the words he hadn’t heard or thought about before with a tiny pout. He fixed his eyes on him again. “How do you know? If you haven’t made love with anyone?”

“Everyone knows that. Don’t you watch movies? Don’t you read books? Anything?”

“I don’t have time to eat, Tae. You think I’ll have time to watch a damn movie?”

A choked giggle burst out of Taehyung’s mouth. “You’re right. But maybe you should find time. You’re really clueless about these things.”

Jungkook puffed out a subdued snort, smiling at him. “I am. It would be easier if someone just taught me these things.” He held eye contact as a few seconds of silence ticked by. “Do you want to teach me?”

“Me?” Taehyung broke into giggles as his eyes squeezed shut — he laughed so hard his injury stung. “I’m just as clueless, Kook.” His words came out wrapped around his outburst of laughter, which quieted seconds later, leaving a soft smile on his face. “I know a few things from the movies I’ve seen and the books I’ve read. And I just formed my own thoughts on the matter. I haven’t experienced it, so I could be wrong about everything I think.”

“Still... you know a lot more than me.” The fondness in Jungkook’s gaze, which was created by his angelic giggles a few moments ago, lingered. “What do you say? Wanna teach me?”

“How?”

“Just talk to me about stuff. You know, love stuff. And I’ll ask you things too. But not right now. I have to go to work soon.”

“Hmm, okay. I can do that. But do you really have to...” Taehyung trailed off as the light faded from his eyes. “Never mind. I know you have to go.”

Jungkook’s chest deflated with a long, nasal exhalation as he assessed his little pout. “Yeah. I have to. I wanna ask you something before I leave, though.” He noticed his eyes grow a tad bigger in anticipation. “Do you want to experience it?”

Taehyung’s mind rolled back to their previous conversation. “To fall in love, love someone, or make love?”

Surprise filled Jungkook’s eyes. “There’s also a difference between falling in love and loving someone?” 

Taehyung couldn’t help the fond chuckle that escaped him. “Yes, Kook.”

“Damn. It sounds so fucking complicated.” He mildly shook his head. “Do you want to experience all of them, then?”

A gentle smile bloomed on his face, with sparkles of wistfulness. “Yeah. I’m really curious about how it’ll feel. It’s scary to think of having such a connection with someone. I’m scared of connections in general. And I’m sure”—he paused unwittingly to blow out a quivery sigh—“that kind of connection will scare the crap out of me. But I still want to experience all of them.”

The words slipped into Jungkook’s head and wandered endlessly, imposing a stillness on him and a sudden curiosity about love. The definition of that word was clear and known, but its meaning? It was like another whole world he had never heard of.

He was never curious to learn about it. Whenever his hyungs teased him about falling in love, he thought of it as just being in a relationship with someone. Why did Jungkook, while poring over Taehyung's magnetic, chocolate orbs, become so curious about love suddenly? 

“It does sound scary,” Jungkook let out in a whisper. Although it seemed impossible, he tore his eyes away from him. “I have to go. I want you to send me the address early in the morning tomorrow. Can you do that for me?”

Taehyung nodded slowly. “Yes, Kook.” 

“Thanks. I’ll go wear my shoes.” Jungkook headed off to the bedroom. He had completely forgotten about his phone that was abandoned on the nightstand, and he found two missed calls from Namjoon and his father. He dismissed them, since he would soon go to the station and called a taxi instead. Then, he wore his shoes and collected his clothes. 

When he returned to the living room, he spotted the other set of clothes he had given to Taehyung folded neatly on the couch and a bag to carry them. “I’ll bring you your clothes too the next time,” Jungkook said as he put all the clothes in the bag. 

“Okay. Do you want me to drive you?”

“No, don’t worry. I called a taxi. You shouldn’t drive yet, anyway.”

“But I’m fine.”

Jungkook looked at him in disapproval. “It doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t tire yourself.”

Taehyung smiled as he nodded. He detected Jungkook was all set to go, but he just stood there immobile, staring at the floor. “Um, you’re ready,” he blurted out awkwardly and arose for no reason, facing him. “I guess... I’ll see you around?” What the hell was he saying? Why was it so awkward between them suddenly? Or maybe it was just Taehyung, because Jungkook broke into a tender smile and neared him. 

“Thank you, Tae. For everything.” He twined his arms around his waist as if it were the most natural thing to do. “Maybe I hated you a little because you made me drink that awful smoothie, but I already feel much stronger. You’re awesome.”

Taehyung melted against him, all tension effaced and forgotten by his heartwarming words. “You’re spoiling me with praises and hugs. I love it.” He sensed the vibration of Jungkook’s chuckle against his chest and beamed with overwhelming joy. 

Jungkook drew back as though he knew Taehyung was smiling and didn’t want to miss that kind of view. He folded a clump of hair behind his ear, marveling at the beauty and engrossing effect his boxy smile held. 

Only one thought floated in Taehyung’s mind as he gazed long and intently at him. I like you, Jeon Jungkook. I like you so fucking much. An unexpected tinge of gloom threatened to drag his traits down. The more he let his guard down and allowed this closeness, the more difficult it would be to give up on him after his mission. But he didn’t care at that moment. He couldn’t. 

He needed this closeness — his soul was thirsty for this closeness. And he let it gain absolute control over him. 

“Can I kiss you?”

Jungkook blinked stupidly at him. It was so amazing and dreadful at the same time. A few words from Taehyung always seemed to set his heart into overdrive. His restlessness must have surfaced on his expression, since Taehyung’s eyes swelled soon. 

“I—I meant your c-cheek. Obviously. Obviously your cheek.”

“Obviously...” Jungkook drawled, still in a fog by the ferocious hammering of his heart. “Um, y-yeah, I guess.”

Taehyung’s smile returned at light speed. He tipped closer, bringing their faces inches away from each other. Jungkook seemed so stiff he thought he wasn’t breathing anymore. 

And maybe Taehyung couldn’t tell, but Jungkook’s breath was indeed trapped for good somewhere in his body. 

Taehyung tilted his head and pressed his lips on his smooth cheek. It was a velvet kiss, unhurried, and lasted longer than he had planned. It was like he didn’t want to remove his mouth from Jungkook’s skin. 

The delicate touch of his hot lips roused a strange warmth within Jungkook that gushed out of his pores, heating his cheeks. It wasn’t just a peck this time. Was it because Taehyung asked for permission first? Or could it be that he simply... savored that little kiss as much as Jungkook? 

Their separation was inextricable. But nothing awkward dangled in the surrounding ambience this time as they peered at each other. Instead, a mutual need for more caged them, so electric and overriding it almost suffocated them. 

Neither dared to profess it with words or actions. And so they simultaneously stepped back. It still wasn’t awkward as their gazes remained united. But that forceful need hung in the air as they said their goodbyes and tingled their skin when Jungkook walked out of his house.

───⭒───༺🌑༻───⭒───