The evening air was crisp as Jungkook and Taehyung walked side by side, their hands intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world. The soft glow of the streetlights illuminated their path, casting long shadows behind them as they made their way back home. The world around them felt quieter, as if it, too, was holding its breathâwatching, waiting.
Taehyung glanced at their hands, the warmth of Jungkook's palm pressed firmly against his own, grounding him. Yet, as the familiar surroundings of home came into view, a pang of something unspoken settled in his chest.
He didn't want to let go just yet.
His grip unconsciously tightened around Jungkook's hand, fingers curling just a little more, as if that could somehow stop time from moving forward.
"How come we're home this early?" Taehyung mumbled under his breath, barely loud enough for even himself to hear.
Jungkook didn't catch the words, too lost in the quiet buzz of his own thoughts. But what he did notice was the way Taehyung's hold on his hand became firmer, almost hesitant, almost needing.
Curious, Jungkook turned his head, only to be met with the sight of Taehyung poutingâhis lower lip slightly jutted out, eyes cast downward, brows pulled together in an almost sulky expression.
Jungkook felt his heart stumble over itself.
Without thinking, he lifted his free hand, cupping Taehyung's cheek in his palm. His thumb moved instinctively, brushing slow, gentle strokes across the soft skin beneath it. The warmth of Taehyung's face against his hand sent a strange, comforting heat through his chest.
Their eyes metâdeep, searching gazes, locked in a silent conversation neither of them fully understood.
Jungkook's voice came out softer than he expected. "Is something wrong?"
Taehyung blinked at him, the pout lingering on his lips. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something. But then, instead, he shook his head, the movement small, almost hesitant.
Jungkook's fingers lingered against his cheek for just a second longer before slowly pulling away. But even as he let go, he could still feel the warmth of Taehyung against his skin.
The warmth settled deep in Jungkook's chest, refusing to fade, wrapping around him like an invisible thread that pulled him closerâcloser to Taehyung, closer to something he couldn't quite name.
His gaze trailed over Taehyung's face, slowly, deliberately, as if memorizing every detail. The way his hazel eyes reflected the soft glow of the streetlights. The way his chubby cheeks still held a hint of warmth from Jungkook's lingering touch. The way his breath came out just the slightest bit uneven, as if he was feeling the same pull, the same tension that had been thickening between them for days.
And thenâJungkook's gaze dropped to Taehyung's lips.
Soft. Pink. Slightly parted.
A memory flashed in his mind, unbidden.
The taste of Taehyung's lips.
The kiss they shared at the restaurant had been overwhelming, yet somehow, not enough. It had left something unfinished, something raw buzzing under Jungkook's skin. He had told himself to be patient, to take things slow, to not rushâbut standing here, watching Taehyung this close, feeling the warmth radiating from him, that restraint was slipping fast.
Taehyung, noticing the way Jungkook's eyes lingered on his lips, felt his stomach tighten with something unfamiliarânervousness? Anticipation? Both? His lips suddenly felt too dry, and without thinking, he flicked his tongue out to wet them.
And thatâthatâwas Jungkook's undoing.
His last thread of control snapped.
Without a second thought, without hesitation, without even giving Taehyung a moment to react, Jungkook's hand shot up, fingers wrapping around the back of Taehyung's neck. In one swift movement, he pulled Taehyung forward, crashing their lips together with a force that left no room for hesitation.
Taehyung gasped, his eyes going wide at the suddenness, the intensity.
The kiss was anything but gentle.
It was desperate, urgent, filled with everything Jungkook had been holding back. His fingers pressed firmly against Taehyung's skin, keeping him right there, exactly where he wanted him. His other hand found its way to Taehyung's waist, gripping it tightly, as if afraid that if he let go, Taehyung might disappear.
Taehyung's mind spun, his breath stolen away.
Jungkook wasn't careful this time. He wasn't hesitating. He wasn't second-guessing himself.
He wanted Taehyung, and he was making it known.
The way Jungkook's lips moved against hisâneedy, demanding, consumingâmade Taehyung's knees weak. He barely registered the way his hands instinctively gripped onto Jungkook's shoulders for support, fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket.
Jungkook's lips claimed him, parting slightly as he deepened the kiss, pulling Taehyung further into his gravity. Taehyung let out a muffled sound, whether it was a whimper or a sigh, he wasn't sureâbut whatever it was, it sent a shiver down Jungkook's spine.
The world around them blurred, the night air forgotten, the streetlights dimmed into the background.
There was only this.
Only them.
And at that moment, nothing else mattered.
But Taehyung was struggling.
His lungs burned, desperate for air, but his body refused to pull away. He didn't want to. He wanted to drown in this moment, in Jungkook.
But it was too muchâthe intensity, the warmth, the way Jungkook kissed him like he was starving. Taehyung's knees were weak, his fingers trembling as they gripped onto Jungkook's jacket. His heart was pounding, a frantic rhythm that matched the heat coursing through his veins.
His mind was spinning, dizzy with everything that was Jungkook.
Still, his chest ached from the lack of oxygen.
With what little strength he had left, he tapped repeatedly against Jungkook's chest, his silent plea for air.
Jungkook, lost in the moment, took a second to register it. But the moment he did, he immediately pulled back, his breath just as ragged as Taehyung's. Their lips were still close, the warmth lingering between them, their foreheads almost touching.
Without saying a word, Jungkook pulled him into a tight embrace.
Taehyung melted into him instantly, burying his face in Jungkook's shoulder, inhaling his familiar scentâclean soap mixed with something uniquely Jungkook. His fingers fisted the back of Jungkook's shirt, unwilling to let go.
Jungkook's grip tightened, as if holding Taehyung grounded. As if letting go would mean losing him.
Then, voice husky and low, Jungkook murmured, "You should go before I completely lose myself."
Taehyung froze.
His breath hitched, his fingers curling even tighter into Jungkook's shirt.
And in that moment, Taehyung felt something shift deep within him.
Like a realization crashing over him all at onceâloud and undeniable.
There was no one in the world who could love him like Jungkook.
No one.
The way Jungkook held him, kissed him, wanted himâit wasn't just desire. It wasn't just heat. It was everything.
Jungkook wasn't just someone he liked.
He was it.
And that thought made Taehyung's heart ache in the most beautiful way.
Jungkook slowly loosened his hold and took Taehyung's hand, intertwining their fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he started leading Taehyung to his house door.
The walk was quiet, filled only with the sound of their soft breaths, their hands still locked together.
When they finally reached the door, Jungkook turned to him, as if to say somethingâbut before he could, Taehyung moved first.
A quick peck.
Right on Jungkook's lips.
It was light, barely there, but it was enough to make Jungkook freeze on the spot.
Taehyung barely registered Jungkook's widened eyes before panic hit him all at once.
What did he just do?!
His face burned as realization dawned, and before Jungkook could react, Taehyung let out a flustered noiseâthen bolted.
He ran.
Straight into his house, slamming the door shut behind him, heart racing so fast he thought it might burst. He clutched his chest, eyes wide, breath uneven.
His entire body was burning.
"Oh my god," he whispered to himself, burying his face in his hands.
Meanwhile, Jungkook was frozen outside, still standing exactly where Taehyung had left him.
The soft press of Taehyung's lips lingered, sending warmth spreading through his entire being. His mind was blank, body too stunned to moveâbut then, slowly, a grin crept onto his lips.
A small chuckle escaped him.
Then another.
Until he was laughing, shaking his head, eyes filled with something warm, something impossibly fond.
Still smiling to himself, Jungkook shoved his hands into his pockets and finally turned back toward his own house.
And as he walked, he couldn't stop grinning like an idiot.