Chapter 49: 48.Photobooth

Soon The group had settled back in their cozy corner, the energy of the party pulsing around them.

Laughter spilled out as they talked, teased, and reminisced once again. It was Namjoon who spoke up after a particularly loud bout of laughter.

"Guys, I’ve arranged a private photo last moment. I think everyone else is busy dancing, so now’s the perfect time to take some pictures!" he said, his dimples on full display.

Excited murmurs rippled through the group. A photo booth? The idea was simple but promised so much fun. Jaybum was the first to react, leaping up from his seat.

"TaeTae! Dadda! Let’s go! I wanna take pictures first!" he chirped, practically dragging Taehyung and Jungkook toward the booth.

The booth itself was tucked into a quieter corner of the venue, its vibrant lights inviting them in.

It wasn’t particularly large, just enough for two or three people at a time, but it was charmingly decorated with props like hats, sunglasses, and feather boas.

The group’s laughter echoed as they crowded around the photobooth. Namjoon was the first to push open the curtain, gesturing for everyone to get inside.

“Alright, all of us together! Come on, it’s for the memories!” he said, pulling Hoseok in after him.

The others followed, each one squeezing into the small space, groaning and giggling as they struggled to fit.

“Jimin, move over!” Taehyung huffed, squished between Namjoon and Hoseok.

“I *am* moving! You’re taking up all the room!” Jimin shot back, elbowing Taehyung

playfully.

“Hyung, stop hogging the middle!” Jungkook teased Jin, who was trying to adjust his perfectly combed hair in the tiny mirror.

“I am the *visual*, so naturally, I must be in the center!” Jin retorted, earning groans from the others.

Jaybum clung to Taehyung’s leg, his small voice piping up, “TaeTae, I can’t see!”

Taehyung crouched down, scooping the boy into his arms so he could be in the frame. Finally, after much pushing and adjusting, they managed to fit—barely.

“Everyone smile!” Namjoon called out, but the first flash caught them all mid-grimace as Hoseok tripped over Jimin’s foot, sending the group into hysterical laughter.

“Let’s try again!” Amy shouted, holding onto Yoongi, who looked utterly unbothered by the chaos.

Another flash went off, this time capturing Jin holding a prop crown over his head, Taehyung and Jimin making bunny ears behind Hoseok, and Jungkook grinning mischievously at Jaybum.

As the group spilled out of the booth, still laughing at their antics, Namjoon waved a strip of photos in the air. “We’re framing this one!”

“Let’s split into smaller groups now,” Jin suggested. “It’ll be less… chaotic.”

Smaller groups cycled in and out, each set producing hilarious photos. Taehyung, Jimin, Namjoon, and Hoseok attempted to squeeze into the booth next.

“Jimin, for the last time, stop pushing!” Taehyung growled as Jimin practically climbed over him.

“Then move your *giant shoulders*! It’s not my fault you’re built like a wall!”

The photos from their session were a mix of silly faces, exaggerated poses,and one particularly memorable shot of Hoseok nearly falling out of the booth.

As the others rotated through, Jaybum tugged on Taehyung’s sleeve. “TaeTae, Dadda! Let’s take a picture! Just us three!”

Jungkook smiled softly at the boy’s excitement. “Alright, let’s go.”  The three of them squeezed into the booth, Jaybum plopping himself between Taehyung and Jungkook.

The small space forced them close together, their shoulders brushing. Taehyung lifted Jaybum into his arms to give them more room, his chest pressed against Jungkook’s arm.

Jungkook adjusted the camera settings, but his fingers trembled slightly as he tried to focus. Taehyung’s warmth, his soft scent, and the proximity were overwhelming.

Jaybum squirmed in Taehyung’s hold. “Wait! I left my cake outside! Uncle Chimmy’s gonna eat it!” he cried, wriggling out of Taehyung’s arms and darting out of the booth.

“Jaybum—!” Taehyung began, but the boy was gone in an instant.

Now, it was just the two of them.

The silence stretched, the weight of their closeness becoming more noticeable.

“Uh… it’s just us now, I guess,” Jungkook murmured, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yeah…” Taehyung replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He tried to shift away to make more room, but the booth was far too cramped.

As he adjusted, his foot slipped on the edge of the booth, and he stumbled. Before he could fall, Jungkook’s hands shot out, gripping his waist firmly and pulling him close.

“Careful, Tae!” Jungkook scolded, his voice low and steady.

Taehyung froze, his breath hitching as Jungkook’s hands lingered on his waist.

The booth felt smaller than ever, their faces just inches apart.

“Sorry,” Taehyung mumbled, his cheeks burning.

“It’s fine,” Jungkook replied, though his voice was rough, his heart pounding against his ribcage.  Yet his arms stayed where it belonged... Taehyung's weist The camera beeped, signaling the start of the photo session.

Taehyung turned his head to pose, but Jungkook’s eyes stayed on him, taking in every detail—the soft curve of his lips, the faint blush on his cheeks, the way his hair framed his face.

Though soon They managed a few goofy poses—Taehyung sticking his tongue out, Jungkook pretending to pout—but the atmosphere shifted as the final pictures were bound to take.....

Jungkook didn’t know what came over him. Maybe it was the way Taehyung looked under the soft glow of the booth’s lights, or the way his laughter had always felt like home.

He leaned in without thinking, caught Taehyung by his throat..

.brushing his lips against Taehyung’s in a fleeting, tender quick  peck on the lips.

Taehyung froze, his eyes wide as the camera captured the moment. The kiss was quick, almost hesitant, but it left both of them breathless.

The final click sounded, breaking the spell.

Outside, Jimin’s voice rang out, breaking through the haze. “Yah, you two! Come out already! Namjoon-hyung’s calling us!”

Even though it wasn’t their first kiss, it somehow felt just as electric—perhaps even more so.

Each time their lips met, it ignited a new spark, a deeper connection that neither could put into words. This time was no different.