The dorm room was peaceful, the kind of quiet Taehyung cherished on days without classes. He lay sprawled on his bed, a pair of earbuds tucked into his ears as the soothing notes of jazz music washed over him. The melody blended seamlessly with the book in his hands, immersing him in a tranquil escape.
The calm was broken by a sharp notification sound from his phone. He blinked, momentarily startled, before reaching over to grab the device from his bedside table. His screen lit up with a familiar name: Jungkook.
The message read:
Jungkook: When will you treat me to dinner?
Taehyung's lips formed a small pout as he stared at the screen, his brows knitting in mild confusion. "Dinner?" he muttered to himself, tilting his head in thought. Then it clicked.
Two days ago, in his rush to flee the infirmary, he had blurted out something about treating Jungkook to dinner as an excuse. He sighed, sitting up and pulling the earbuds out.
"Well, I did say I would," he murmured, setting his book aside. His gaze softened as he typed his reply.
Taehyung: Is tomorrow noon okay? What do you want to eat?
The response was almost instant, as though Jungkook had been waiting for his message.
Jungkook: I'll go with your choice.
Taehyung blinked, surprised at the speed of the reply. His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before he started typing again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Taehyung: A new café just opened outside the college. I've heard their cake is really good. We can study together there, too.
The reply came just as quickly:
Jungkook: Ok.
Taehyung chuckled softly, shaking his head. He placed the phone back on the table and leaned back against the pillows, the earbuds slipping back into his ears. But this time, the jazz wasn't the only thing he was thinking about.
As the music resumed, his mind wandered to the next day, picturing the café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the sight of Jungkook seated across from him.
"Just dinner," he muttered to himself, his cheeks inexplicably warming. "It's nothing special."
But despite his attempts to downplay it, he couldn't deny the faint flutter of anticipation growing in his chest.
_____
Taehyung stepped into the café, the soft chime of the doorbell announcing his arrival. The interior was cozy and inviting, filled with the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of chatter from scattered patrons. He scanned the room, taking in the quaint decor of wooden tables, pastel walls, and fairy lights strung along the windows.
"Tae!"
The familiar voice made him turn. Across the room, Jungkook was waving at him, his signature bright smile lighting up the space. He was dressed in a casual yet effortlessly cool outfit: a denim jacket layered over a plain white tee, paired with his usual tight black jeans. His dark hair framed his face perfectly, adding to his boyish charm.
Taehyung couldn't help but smile as he made his way over. He, in contrast, had opted for a black floral shirt tucked into skin-colored half-pants, giving him a breezy, summery look.
As he reached the table, he noticed Jungkook already had two drinks set out. A book lay open in front of him, though it was clear he hadn't been reading much, judging by how quickly he had noticed Taehyung.
"You've already ordered?" Taehyung asked, raising a brow as he slid into the seat across from Jungkook.
Jungkook smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I haven't paid, though. You're covering this, Tae."
Taehyung rolled his eyes, though the corners of his lips quirked upward. "I know," he muttered, the playfulness in his tone matching Jungkook's.
Jungkook laughed, his bunny smile on full display, and pushed one of the drinks toward Taehyung. "I got this for you. Blueberry boba tea."
Taehyung blinked in surprise, picking up the cup. He eyed Jungkook suspiciously. "But I don't think this café even sells boba tea..."
Jungkook grinned, leaning forward as if revealing a secret. "I brought it from another shop. I know your taste. After all, you can't take coffee because of your insomnia."
Taehyung took a sip of the boba tea, and a satisfied hum escaped him as the sweet and fruity flavors danced on his tongue. "Mmm. You're right. It's good," he admitted begrudgingly. Then, narrowing his eyes, he added, "But stop nagging me about my insomnia, Jungkook."
Jungkook chuckled, resting his chin on his hand as he watched Taehyung sip the drink. "I'm not nagging. Just looking out for you."
Taehyung huffed, pretending to be annoyed, though the warmth in his chest betrayed him. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just study, okay?"
Jungkook nodded, picking up his book again, but his smile lingered as he stole another glance at Taehyung.
_______
Juwon strolled down the cobblestone street near the café, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the bustling street, and the faint aroma of roasted coffee beans wafted through the air. He had been out for a casual walk, enjoying the quiet moments, when his gaze was drawn to the large glass windows of a quaint café on his right.
Inside, he spotted two familiar figures seated at a table near the window. Taehyung and Jungkook.
At first, he thought nothing of it, but then something about the scene made him stop in his tracks. The two of them were laughing together, the kind of laughter that lit up their faces. Taehyung's smile was wide, his eyes crinkling with genuine amusement, while Jungkook leaned back in his chair, his signature bunny grin on full display.
Juwon furrowed his brow, confusion flashing across his face. "Wait a second," he muttered to himself. "Wasn't Taehyung dating Gyungho?"
He stayed rooted in place for a moment, staring through the glass as if he could find an answer in their easy camaraderie. But the more he watched, the more perplexed he became. Taehyung and Gyungho had always been a topic of discussion in their social circle, though lately, Juwon realized, he hadn't seen them together much at all.
His curiosity got the better of him. Slipping his phone out of his pocket, Juwon quickly opened the camera app. He framed the shot carefully, making sure to capture both Taehyung and Jungkook mid-laughter. With a quick tap, he snapped a couple of photos.
As soon as he had the pictures, he swiped over to his messaging app and opened a chat with Yejoon.
Juwon: Hey, guess what I just saw. Didn't you say Taehyung was with Gyungho? Check this out.
He attached the photos and sent them off, his finger lingering on the screen as the message marked "delivered."
Leaning against a nearby lamppost, Juwon crossed his arms and stared back into the café. A small smirk tugged at his lips. "This is going to stir up some drama," he murmured, already imagining Yejoon's reaction.