Taehyung stirred awake, a small frown forming on his face as he slowly opened his eyes. The bed beneath him felt unusually soft, almost luxurious. For a brief moment, he smiled, stretching lazily before sitting up. But the tranquility of the moment was shattered when a voice, low and familiar, startled him.
"You're awake?"
Taehyung's head snapped toward the source of the voice, and his half-dazed state evaporated in an instant. There, sitting casually on a nearby couch, was Jungkook. He was leaning back, his arms folded over his chest, his dark eyes fixed on Taehyung with an expression that was difficult to read.
Taehyung froze, clutching the duvet tightly against his chest. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep, his tone both confused and defensive.
Jungkook raised a brow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Why am I here?" he repeated, almost in disbelief. "Do you not remember anything from last night?"
Taehyung blinked, his confusion deepening. "What happened last night?"
Jungkook's smile shifted into something closer to disbelief, his thoughts written all over his face.
After all that, he doesn't remember? Jungkook thought, running a hand through his hair in mild exasperation.
Taehyung's gaze flickered between Jungkook and the unfamiliar surroundings of the room. He shook his head. "What did I do?"
Jungkook leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. "What didn't you do?" he replied, his voice steady but with a faint edge of amusement and something else Taehyung couldn't quite place.
Taehyung frowned, his mind working to piece together the hazy fragments of the previous night. And then, like a flood, the memories came rushing backâhim clinging to Jungkook, calling him "husband," and worse, the kiss.
His eyes widened in horror, and his hand flew to his mouth. "I did that?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.
Jungkook's gaze didn't waver, watching Taehyung's reaction unfold like a movie. He didn't say a word, letting the weight of the realization sink in.
Taehyung's cheeks flushed crimson as the memories played out more vividly. He lowered his hand, his expression shifting between disbelief and mortification. "No way," he muttered, shaking his head as if to convince himself it wasn't true.
Jungkook tilted his head slightly, his brow arching in question. "What else?" he asked, his tone light but with an undercurrent of teasing.
Taehyung's face snapped up, his wide eyes locking with Jungkook's. His expression, though outwardly defensive, betrayed the inner storm brewing within him. "No way," he said again, this time louder, his voice carrying a note of desperation. "How could I do such a thing?!"
To an outsider, Taehyung might have seemed composed, but inside, he was spiraling into a full-blown panic.
What have I done? Taehyung thought, his mind racing as the blurry memories of last night began to crystallize. I was drunk... I had the audacity to hug him, kiss him... even call him my husband! And now Jungkook knows everything. He'll never let me live this down.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, his gaze dropping to the duvet clutched in his lap. His fingers twisted the fabric as he tried to find the right words to salvage the situation. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jungkook leaned back slightly, his brows furrowing in curiosity. He wasn't buying itânot yet.
Taehyung's hands gripped the duvet tighter. He looked up briefly, then back down, avoiding Jungkook's piercing gaze. "I didn't mean it," he stammered, his voice gaining a bit more strength. "I didn't know what I was doing. IâI was drunk. I don't remember anything."
Jungkook's sharp eyes narrowed, studying Taehyung intently. His disbelief was evident in the way his lips pressed into a thin line.
Taehyung, feeling the weight of Jungkook's gaze, rambled on, trying desperately to convince not just Jungkook but also himself. "Don't worry, Jungkook," he said, forcing a weak smile. "I didn't do anything. Nothing happened. You are still innocent."
Jungkook blinked, utterly incredulous, his dark eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. His expression grew heavier, shadowed by disbelief, as if the situation before him was too absurd to fathom. His jaw tightened, the muscles twitching subtly as he fought to suppress the whirlwind of emotions within him.
So now you're trying to clear your name? Jungkook thought bitterly, his lips pressing into a thin line. After everything you did? His mind drifted back to the night before, the chaos Taehyung had caused in his drunken state. Lucky for me, I stayed on the couch when you woke up. If I'd been under the covers, you'd probably have slapped me out of existence by now.
He sighed deeply, the sound heavy with both exasperation and amusement, and stood up. His tall frame cast a long shadow across the room as he walked over to the small table near the couch. Without looking back at Taehyung, he spoke in a steady voice. "Now get up and freshen up. I brought you breakfast."
Taehyung, still clutching the duvet tightly, blinked and looked over to where Jungkook gestured. On the table sat a simple spread of milk and toast, the meal plain but comforting. The sight brought a small smile to his face, softening his nerves for a brief moment.
"Okay..." he mumbled, his voice trailing off.
But as Taehyung's gaze shifted back to Jungkook, his eyes caught on a curious detail. The skin around Jungkook's Adam's apple was slightly reddened, as though irritated or marked. His brows furrowed in confusion before widening in realization as fragmented memories from the night before flooded his mind.
Oh no. His heart sank as he recalled the sensation of his fingers tracing along the delicate curve of Jungkook's throat. Did I...? Did I touch his Adam's apple? The thought hit him like a bolt of lightning. Did I do anything else?!
Unaware of Taehyung's inner turmoil, Jungkook suddenly raised his hand to his throat, his fingers brushing over the red spot. It was an unconscious gesture, but it mirrored Taehyung's vivid recollection.
Taehyung's mouth fell open slightly in disbelief, and his cheeks flushed. Gathering what little courage he had left, he asked hesitantly, "I didn't do anything last night... right?"
Jungkook turned to face him slowly, his expression unreadable at first. Then, his lips quirked into a mischievous smirk. "Guess."
The single word sent a jolt through Taehyung. His nervous laughter bubbled up uncontrollably as he fidgeted with the edges of the duvet. Jungkook's smirk deepened, and his shoulders shook slightly as he triedâand failedâto suppress a chuckle.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Taehyung accused, his voice rising in mock indignation.
"Maybe," Jungkook replied, his tone light and teasing.
Taehyung narrowed his eyes at him, the earlier embarrassment now transforming into playful annoyance. He grabbed the nearest pillow, wielding it like a weapon, and launched it at Jungkook with all the force he could muster.
"Are you teasing me?!" he shouted, swinging the pillow at him again.
Jungkook laughed openly now, his deep, rich voice filling the room as he effortlessly dodged the attacks. "Hey, hey! Careful!" he said, raising his hands in mock surrender.
But Taehyung wasn't done. Fueled by his lingering embarrassment, he lunged forward, the duvet slipping off his shoulders as he tackled Jungkook with the pillow. The two tumbled onto the couch, laughter echoing around them as the tension from earlier melted away into something lighter and far more comfortable.
For a brief moment, Jungkook forgot the chaos of last night and the complicated feelings swirling in his chest. Instead, he let himself enjoy the present, the sound of Taehyung's laughter and the warmth of his presence filling the room.