Chapter Text
The ride ended far too quickly.
At least, that was the thought Jungkook immediately pushed away the second it appeared.
Because absolutely not.
No.
He was not going to analyze why the motorcycle ride had been enjoyable.
He was not going to think about the way the morning breeze had felt.
And he was definitely not going to think about how comfortable it had gradually become sitting behind Taehyung with his arms wrapped around his waist.
Those thoughts were dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Which was why Jungkook immediately focused on literally anything else as the motorcycle slowed and eventually rolled into one of the student parking areas near the university.
The familiar campus spread before them, already alive with activity despite the early hour.
Students crossed pathways carrying coffees and backpacks.
Groups gathered beneath trees.
Bicycles rattled past.
The main buildings glowed beneath the bright morning sunlight.
Everything looked perfectly normal.
Jungkook silently thanked the universe.
Normal was good.
Normal was safe.
Normal did not involve Kim Taehyung.
The motorcycle finally came to a complete stop.
The engine quieted.
The sudden silence felt strange after the steady rumble that had accompanied the entire ride.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Then Taehyung’s voice drifted back toward him.
Casual.
Lazy.
Entirely too amused.
“You know.”
Jungkook immediately became suspicious.
“What?”
The grin was audible.
Actually audible.
“You can let go now.”
Silence.
Then realization hit.
Hard.
Jungkook looked down.
And immediately wished for the earth to swallow him whole.
Because his arms were still wrapped around Taehyung.
Firmly.
Comfortably.
As if he had completely forgotten they had arrived.
Which—
Technically.
He had.
Heat rushed into his face so quickly it almost hurt.
His hands immediately flew away from Taehyung.
The movement was so fast it probably violated several laws of physics.
Taehyung laughed.
The absolute menace.
Jungkook climbed off the motorcycle with every ounce of dignity he could salvage.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much dignity left.
Not after that.
Not after accidentally holding onto Taehyung like his life depended on it.
His helmet came off next.
Then he carefully avoided looking at Taehyung altogether.
A solid plan.
One that lasted approximately three seconds.
Because suddenly he became aware of something else.
People.
Watching.
Jungkook froze.
Students filled the surrounding area.
Far more students than he had initially noticed.
And several of them,
Many of them, actually—
Were staring.
Not rudely.
Not openly.
But enough.
Enough to make his ears burn.
A pair of girls whispered to each other.
A group of students glanced over.
Someone definitely looked twice.
Which made sense.
Because Kim Taehyung arriving on a motorcycle wasn’t unusual.
Kim Taehyung arriving with Jungkook?
Apparently very unusual.
Jungkook immediately wanted to disappear.
Then his gaze drifted farther.
Across the pathway.
Toward the main entrance.
And his stomach tightened.
Minjae.
Of course.
Because apparently the universe enjoyed making things difficult.
His ex stood near the building with several classmates.
Talking.
Laughing.
Looking completely normal.
Except,
The moment his eyes landed on Jungkook and Taehyung—
His expression changed.
Subtly.
But noticeably.
The smile faded.
The conversation lost his attention.
And his gaze remained fixed on them.
Jungkook hated that he noticed.
Hated that it still affected him.
Even now.
Even after everything.
Beside him, Taehyung noticed too.
Of course he did.
The man had the observational skills of a professional detective whenever Minjae appeared.
Without warning, a familiar arm wrapped around Jungkook’s waist.
Warm.
Steady.
Certain.
Jungkook nearly jumped.
Not because he wasn’t used to it anymore.
But because the contact arrived unexpectedly.
His head immediately turned.
Taehyung had stepped closer.
Close enough that nobody would question what they were seeing.
Close enough that the gesture looked natural.
Easy.
Real.
Then he leaned slightly toward Jungkook.
Close enough that only he could hear.
“Don’t panic.”
The words brushed against his ear.
Soft.
Private.
Gentle.
Jungkook swallowed.
“I’m not panicking.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“Your shoulders are touching your ears.”
Jungkook immediately lowered them.
Taehyung’s grin appeared.
Victorious.
The worst part?
He was right.
Again.
“I hate that you’re always right.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is.”
“I’m wrong sometimes.”
“When?”
Taehyung thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
“I’ll let you know when it happens.”
Jungkook rolled his eyes.
The idiot.
The absolute idiot.
Yet despite himself, the tension in his chest eased.
Just a little.
Enough.
Always enough.
Because somehow Taehyung had a strange ability to make things feel less overwhelming.
Less scary.
Less heavy.
The realization should have worried him.
Instead, it simply made him glance sideways.
Taehyung looked relaxed.
Comfortable.
As though standing this close to Jungkook was the most natural thing in the world.
As though keeping an arm around his waist required no thought whatsoever.
As though protecting him from uncomfortable situations wasn’t something extraordinary.
The thought settled somewhere deep inside Jungkook’s chest.
Warm.
Dangerously warm.
Then Taehyung began walking.
Guiding him toward the main building.
Naturally.
Without rushing.
Without making a scene.
And after only a second of hesitation, Jungkook followed.
Students parted around them.
Conversations continued.
The campus buzzed with life.
Yet somehow, despite all the people surrounding them, Jungkook felt strangely aware of only one thing.
The arm around his waist.
The steady presence beside him.
The quiet confidence in Taehyung’s stride.
Halfway across the courtyard, curiosity got the better of him.
Just briefly.
Just once.
He glanced back.
Minjae was still watching.
Still standing in the same place.
Still looking annoyed.
Possibly even frustrated.
The sight no longer made Jungkook feel small.
Didn’t make him feel insecure.
Didn’t make him question himself.
Because for the first time in a very long while, he wasn’t facing that gaze alone.
And somehow, that made all the difference.
Beside him, Taehyung followed his line of sight.
Noticing.
Always noticing.
Then he squeezed Jungkook’s side lightly.
Barely enough to count.
Just enough to get his attention.
When Jungkook looked up, he found that familiar grin waiting for him.
Mischievous.
Warm.
Dangerous.
“Focus, baby.”
Jungkook groaned immediately.
“There it is.”
“There what is?”
“The nickname.”
Taehyung looked pleased.
“Of course.”
“I knew you couldn’t go ten minutes.”
“I actually lasted twelve.”
“That’s not better.”
“I think it is.”
Jungkook laughed.
Despite himself.
Despite everything.
And as they disappeared into the main university building together beneath the bright morning sunlight, neither of them noticed the small smile that refused to leave Jungkook’s face.
Or perhaps—
One of them noticed.
And simply chose not to say anything.