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Jeongguk is trying his best to hold back his laugh, but it’s getting pretty hard at the moment. He’s sitting on the kitchen counter while he looks at the siblings in front of him, who are dancing together while they cook. Maybe not the smartest combination.
Their hips are swaying in unison to the beat of the song. When they both start screaming the lyrics out loud, Jeongguk caves in and bursts out laughing. Eonjin doesn’t even flinch, used to her best friend’s antics but Taehyung turns around in surprise. Eyes wide and brows raised in question.
Even when he notices there is a camera pointed at them, he doesn’t stop dancing or singing. “Day to night to morning, keep with me in the moment,” he sings along with eyes focused on Jeongguk making him feel strangely flustered. “I'd let you had I known it, why don't you say so? ” He sends a wink at Jeongguk before turning around, hips swaying again.
They’re making noodles and spring rolls, one of his favorite snacks. Well to be exact, Taehyung and Eonjin are. Jeongguk is just watching them, he’s in charge of the music tonight. He doesn’t mind watching them (and maybe admiring one set of hips in particular). When the rap part of the song comes up, they both stop what they were doing to face Jeongguk instead.
“Let me check my chest, my breath right quick,” Taehyung sings while holding his hand before his mouth and breathing exaggerated against it to put emphasis on the lyrics. “He ain't never seen it in a dress like this ” he swirls around, invisible dress flying up at the movement.
“He ain't never even been impressed like this. Prolly why I got him quiet on the set like zip,” Eonjin adds smoothly, just like her brother she's acting out the lyrics by holding her thumb and index finger together and dragging them slowly over her lips like she’s zipping them closed. She throws the key away, and both she and Taehyung step closer to Jeongguk.
“Like it. Love it. Need it, bad,” Taehyung puts both his hands on Jeongguk’s cheeks, holding his head and forcefully turning it in another direction on every beat. Then Eonjin takes his hands instead and swings them around causing Jeongguk to almost fall off the counter. “Take it. Own it. Steal it, fast ” At the last word, she manages to pull him off the counter so he’s standing on his feet again. But not without Jeongguk shrieking and almost falling on his ass.
She simply rolls her eyes at him and he hears a snort behind him. He can feel his ears burning red and tries to free himself from his best friend’s grip. “Boy, stop playing, grab my ass ” He doesn’t have time to run away or protest before he feels two pairs of hands indeed grabbing his ass.
“Omg, I hate you guys. Leave me alone!” He shouts, without any real fire behind it. Eonjin sticks out her tongue, just continuing the lyrics like nothing happened: “Why you actin' like you shy? ”
“I suddenly hate this song. I came here to have a good time but instead, I’m getting harassed.” He leaves the kitchen with a pout on his lips and hot blush on his cheeks, ignoring the sound of hands clapping together followed by laughter. “Perverts,” he mumbles under his breath.
--
Jeongguk collects all the cushions he can find in the living room, even going as far as removing the detachable cushions of the couch itself and throwing them all on the floor in front of the furniture.
When having a sleepover, which included movie night, they always ate together sitting on the ground before the tv. This way they could huddle together and still have all the legroom they needed. A small wooden coffee table was used to put their dinner and snacks on, so that they could easily push it to the side and stretch out afterwards, rubbing their tummies in content.
“Hey, guys! Where is my blanket?” Jeongguk shouts without looking up from his task that consists of organizing the “pillow fort”.
“It’s not your blanket. You don’t live here.” Eonjin answers from the other room, but not a minute later she comes into the living room holding the infamous blanket. “I put it in the dryer when I finished work this afternoon and forgot about it.”
“Thank you, Jinnie.” She just smiles at him and hands him the blanket. Jeongguk feels really grateful to have her as a friend.
Yes, they bicker and disagree a lot but that’s more an act than anything serious. They never had a serious fight before and he would like to keep it that way. He has always been shy and an outsider at school, so he was very happy that they got to work together on a group project. They just immediately clicked on so many levels, because of their same interests, hobbies, dry humor, their dedication to school, and of course, their love for dogs. After the group project was over, they kept in touch (mainly thanks to Eonjin’s persistence) and became best friends over time.
The blanket situation is once again proof of their deep bond. Eonjin may act quite nonchalant about it, but she knows that Jeongguk is very sensitive to smells and fabrics. He knows she bought this blanket especially for him after they had a whole conversation about the topic. She even got it from his favorite store and the exact brand that he liked. Every time he comes over, she makes sure it’s washed (with the best fabric softener of course) and dried, even though he’s the only one who uses it. She would never admit to doing all that though.
Eonjin may seem intimidating at first but she really is the sweetest girl Jeongguk knows. Maybe that’s why he’s so nervous. There’s a lot at stake tonight.
--
Jeongguk’s scrolling through Netflix, looking for their usual show. He feels so happy and warm sitting in the middle of the mountain of cushions he made, with the blanket draped over his shoulders and the fresh scent of soap surrounding him and invading his senses, calming him down.
The only thing that's missing is some good food to fill his stomach and his favorite people by his side. Why is Taehyung taking so long?
Luckily, he doesn’t need to wait long for either of those things because, almost as if they heard his thoughts (or stomach growling), both Taehyung and Eonjin emerge from the kitchen holding different plates of food.
Taehyung places a bowl with ramen and tofu in front of him, the steam visible above the meal.
“Be careful, Gguk, it’s very warm,” he says.
“I know I know, I’m not a baby.”
Eonjin snorts. “Didn’t you complain about burning your tongue two days ago? Seems like a baby to me.”
Jeongguk picks up one of the pillows nearby and flings it at her. “You can be so annoying, Eonjin.”
“Hey, watch out! I’m holding hot food!!”
“Seems like a you problem to me.” Eonjin flips him off and he sticks out his tongue in return.
“Come on guys, can you not fight or whatever you call this?!” Taehyung interrupts their bickering. Eonjin rolls her eyes at her brother before leaving the room to grab some more stuff. Meanwhile, Taehyung places three glasses and a bottle of soda on the table.
“Here you go.” He thrusts a pair of chopsticks into Jeongguk’s hands and settles down next to him, snuggling into his side.
“Thank you, hyungie.”
“You’re welcome.” Taehyung gives him a small smile and leans closer to him so that the tips of their noses touch slightly. Even this minimal contact is making shivers run up and down Jeongguk’s back. He rests his forhead against Taehyung's, leaning more into him and basking in the comfort it gives.
Being close to Taehyung like this makes his heart calm down and speed up at the same time. It’s a peculiar feeling.
Taehyung's eyes gaze full of emotion into his. It creates a lump in Jeongguk throat that he tries to swallow down in vain. Up close, Taehyung only seems to be even more stunning, he truly has no flaws.
As always, the little mole under his left eye attracts Jeongguk’s attention. It’s only when they are this close together like this that it becomes visible. Since people normally don’t sit this close, he assumes not many people know about it. And for some reason, that thought warms his heart. A little secret about Taehyung that only he knows (well, another little secret). It’s silly but it makes him happy.
Taehyung doesn’t say anything either, his pupils remain focused on Jeongguk. There’s an expression that says that the eyes are the windows to the soul. He wonders what Taehyung is seeing.
“Hey,” he whispers.
“Hey back,” Taehyung answers with a soft smile, lips spreading wide and eyes disappearing. “I missed you,” he sighs, his breath hitting Jeongguk’s lips softly. “Me too,” Jeongguk answers softly.
“ON THE LAST EPISODE OF VAMPIRES CAN GET HURT TOO …” The sudden loud noise of the tv startles them and they separate with reluctance. Annoyed, Taehyung narrows his eyes at his sister.
Jeongguk’s gaze falls down quickly, eyes suddenly focused on his fingers fidgeting on his lap. His cheeks burn in embarrassment. Not only did he totally get lost in the moment, but also got caught. He’s glad Eonjin doesn’t comment on it and instead, just lowers the volume of the tv.
She sits down next to him, dragging a pillow onto her lap and placing her bowl on top of it. It’s not the brightest idea, but she makes it work by keeping a hold of the bowl. “Did we see this episode already?” She asks, bringing a spoon full of rice to her mouth.
“No, this is just part of the recap. We’re gonna find out if Dianna slept with Dimitri’s wife or not,” Taehyung clarifies.
“She definitely did. They have been flirting since last season. The sexual tension is so bad,” Jeongguk argues. Eonjin mumbles something under her breath about “not only there”. From the corner of his eye, he sees Taehyung reaching out to her and pinch her arm. She shrieks and gives him the stink-eye in return. “What?!”
Jeongguk pays no mind to their shenanigans. Instead, he sits up and reaches for the spring rolls that are located at Taehyung’s side of the table. Taehyung notices the action and shoves the plate closer to him.
“Thanks,” Jeongguk offers him a smile.
He picks up the snack and blows on it a little before bringing it to his lips and taking a careful bite. It tastes heavenly. He closes his eyes to savor the taste before dipping the roll into the sweet and sour sauce, repeating the action.
Eonjin clears her throat, “oh, yeah I remember now. I’m with Gguk on this one. They certainly fucked.” Eonjin nods in the tv's direction. “She deserves it too, Dimitri probably sucks at it. My girl needed a good lay.” Taehyung and Jeongguk hum in agreement, mouths too busy chewing to give any coherent answer. They all fall silent after that since the show demands their full attention. Jeongguk is happy to have the distraction.
--
“How was your week?” Taehyung asked, briefly looking up at Jeongguk. He was assigned with the important task of painting his sister’s toenails. She wanted orange nails this week, in contrast to the pink it had been the week before.
“Oppa, you should stop talking. Your facemask is gonna fall off again,” Eonjin interrupts him. She’s laying on her back on the couch, her head in Jeongguk’s lap while she’s painting his nails black as usual. The little bottle is only a month old but already half empty because of excessive use.
“Why do I feel nail polish on my skin???”
Eonjin asks.
“Maybe you should keep your feet still and complain less?!”
“Maybe you should be more focused on painting and less on talking”
“Well maybe-”
“My week went very well,” Jeongguk interrupts their quarrel. “I had to hand in that assignment for English. I got some helpful feedback and Professor Min even praised my analysis, so I feel very good about that.”
“Oh, was that the one where you had to write a short story about a photograph?” Taehyung asks.
“Yeah, it was."
"By the way, Gguk, you need to show Taehyung oppa the new pictures you took, especially those for the new assignment. They were sooo good,” Eonjin joins in. Jeongguk shrugs, feeling the blush return to his cheeks for the umpteenth time this evening.
“Yeah, please show them later. I really wanna see them,” Taehyung begs. Jeongguk can feel his eyes burn into the side of his head so he looks up to face him. They only make eye contact for a second.
“Yeah, I’ll show you.” He says softly before looking back down, nervously fiddling with his fingers.
“Damn it, Gguk! DON'T MOVE.” Eonjin groans in frustration, getting up and grabbing some tissues. “Please, don’t gay panic over my brother every five seconds, okay? Thanks.”
It’s safe to say that Jeongguk is blushing once again, but the cute snort Taehyung lets out makes his embarrassment worth it. It’s also the last nudge he needed so he pushes the nerves down and clears his throat.
“You know, talking about gay panic …”
“You actually want to talk about that?” Eonjin lifts a brow at Jeongguk’s statement. “Also, give me your other hand.”
She softly blows on his nails before dipping the brush back into the nail polish bottle to wet it. She shakes the bottle gently, so the black liquid gets runny once again. She's sitting in a cross-legged position on the ground in front of his legs now.
Jeongguk straightens his fingers to admire the excellent paint job his best friend did despite his fidgeting. He tries to find the right answer to her question. “No, I mean yes? No, kinda but not really,” he answers, purposely keeping his eyes trained on his nails. He can feel Taehyung getting up and sitting next to him on the couch.
“Which one is it? Yes, no, kinda or not really?” she asks.
“It’s complicated.”
“Only because you make it, Gguk. Why are you stressing over this?”
“‘m not.”
“Your face is still bright red and you’re doing that wiggly thing with your fingers. Which, by the way, makes it really hard for me to add the second layer.”
Jeongguk looks down at his fingers only to see that he is indeed unconsciously doing that “wiggly thing with his fingers”. He ignores Taehyung’s concerned gaze that he can feel resting on him and takes a deep breath. He suppresses the urge to sit on his hands to hide them (that would really make Eonjin mad and probably Mr. and Mrs. Kim too for ruining their couch).
“I just wanted to talk to you about something. Something that’s very important to me. I have been quiet about it for a while, but I want to share it with you.” He can feel Taehyung sliding even closer to him until their sides are pressed together.
When hearing his serious tone, Eonjin puts down the nail polish and leans back to face him properly.
“What’s wrong? Are you coming out again because I already know you’re gay, dude. It was the first thing you said when we first met,” she says with a thoughtful look and spins a lock of her black hair around her index finger.
“I thought you were hitting on me!!” Jeongguk exclaims to defend his past actions.
“I asked you to be my partner for a group project, not for life!?”
“I feel like we’re getting off-topic here,” Taehyung butts in. He puts his hand on Jeongguk’s knee and lets it rest there. Eonjin's eyes follow the movement but she says nothing. She only makes a vague hand gesture in their direction as a way of saying “Go on”.
“So, what I wanted to say…,” Taehyung gives his knee a little squeeze, “what we wanted to say is that … um … I like Taehyung hyung?”
“Are you confessing to Taehyung now or …?” Eonjin looks confused but also partially amused.
“No! I like Jeongguk too.” Taehyung adds.
“Okay … Congrats? Is this something new we’re discovering, or do you still need to get to the point? I feel like there’s definitely a better way to say all this.”
“No, we mean. We like each other. A lot. And we kissed. Because we like each other. And...” Jeongguk rambles on. Until Taehyung takes his hand and intertwines their fingers. “We’re dating!”
“...” Eonjin takes a moment to study Taehyung’s demeanor before moving her gaze to Jeongguk and doing the same thing. Finally, her eyes land on their clasped hands. But she doesn’t break the silence.
“Are you mad? Why aren't you saying anything? Jinnie, we’re really serious. I really really like him.” Jeongguk tries to explain, panic shining through his voice. “We didn’t mean to hide it. We just needed some time to figure things out. Please don’t be mad...”
“Hey, Gguk, stop it. Why would I be mad?” she takes his free hand in hers, her fingers drawing soothing circles on the skin. “I’m so happy for you guys.” She offers them an honest smile. “And for me to be honest. The pining was becoming unbearable to witness,” she says softly but is unable to repress some giggles. Jeongguk joins her, letting go of the breath and the apparently unnecessary nerves he unconsciously held in.
“I’m just trying to figure out when this happened and how I missed it. You don’t owe me any kind of explanation. Still, thanks for letting me know. I know you get stressed about stuff like this.” Jeongguk just nods, willing back the tears that suddenly well up.
“I don’t know why I get so worked up about these kind of things. It’s stupid.” He lets go of Taehyung's hand to get his bangs out of his eyes (and to wipe away any stray tear that may have managed to escape).
“It’s not stupid at all. We talked about this. You didn’t have the most accepting environment growing up, you still don’t. But I’m always here for you. Okay?” She stands up, straightens her shirt, and opens her arms. Jeongguk doesn’t need to think twice before jumping up and embracing her.
“Thank you.” He whispers in her neck. Funny enough, her smaller frame makes him feel protected.
“Come join. I know you want to,” she says to Taehyung, Jeongguk figures. And sure enough, he suddenly feels a warm chest pressed against his back, a soft kiss against his nape, and an extra pair of arms around him and Eonjin. He relaxes back in the embrace, basking in the moment.
“I overthink too much.” Eonjin tries to let go of him when he starts speaking again, so she can look at him, but he only pulls her closer. Not ready to let go, just yet. “You guys are so close, and I don’t wanna come between you. Especially, since you told me that you miss him so much now that he’s away for college a lot. And now I’m talking up most of his free time. Also, I never want to make you feel excluded or like a third wheel.”
He doesn’t need to look up to know that Taehyung and Eonjin's eyes meet over his shoulder. “You should have told me that,” Taehyung says. Jeongguk can feel Eonjin shrug seemingly unbothered but Jeongguk knows Taehyung will talk to her about it later. She has too much pride to admit how much she missed her big brother but Jeongguk could always see right through her.
“But to put your mind at ease, I am truly very happy for you two. This is amazing news, not something you should worry about. My brother better takes good care of you or he should sleep with one eye open from now on.”
“Um, I’m right here?!”
“Shush, this isn’t about you.”
Jeongguk can’t hold his laugh back at the offended gasp Taehyung lets out. His shoulders are shaking, making everybody shake with him. Eonjin and Taehyung let go of him, both their faces decorated with big smiles.
“I have one question though. Since when?”
Taehyung scratches his neck with a sheepish smile. “On the first day of spring vacation…”
“That’s like four months ago?!” Eonjin looks offended, she picks up a pillow lying nearby and starts hitting them both with it. Her moves are wild and uncoordinated but there’s no real force behind it. “And you both only decided to tell me now?! BASTARDS! This is why all men suck!”
“I beg to differ,” Jeongguk cuts in. Hiding behind Taehyung, using him as his personal shield.
“You have no say in this, you lovesick fool.”
--------
“We’ll clean up. You can go shower first, Jinnie.”
“Okay, thanks!” She finishes the last of her drink and puts the empty glass on the tray with the others. “I had a good night, let’s get breakfast at Moonbucks tomorrow. You know, to celebrate.” She winks.
“I would like that,” Jeongguk answers with a smile. Taehyung wraps his arms around his waist from behind and rests his chin on his shoulder. Jeongguk brings a hand up and runs his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. He feels Taehyung lean into the touch and a satisfied sigh leaves his lips. A fond smile decorates Jeongguk's. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, sleep well. Don’t stay up too long,” she says suggestively before leaving the room.
“What did she mean by that?”
“Don’t worry about it, bun,” Taehyung shushes him, the familiar nickname slipping out now that they are alone. “Mom dropped her when she was young,” he says a lot louder than necessary.
“I fucking heard that, you ass!” Eonjin screams back from the other side of the house.
Jeongguk turns around in Taehyung's arms, facing him. He gives the other a little push against his chest. “Stop bullying her,” he huffs and pouts his lips, “pay attention to me instead.”
Taehyung eyes the pink pouty lips for a second before pressing a quick peck against them. It only makes Jeongguk pout harder, since one small kiss certainly isn’t enough to satisfy him.
“You’re so adorable when you’re tired.”
Jeongguk would beg to differ because Taehyung is definitely way more adorable. Especially when his eyes sparkle with happiness and that big boxy smile is directed at Jeongguk.
“You’re right. I’m tired.”
“And adorable,” Taehyung adds.
Jeongguk rolls his eyes and steps out of the embrace with reluctance. “Let’s clean up and get ready so we can cuddle in bed.”
“That seems like a great idea. I’ll put away the dirty dishes. Can you put the rest in its place again?” Taehyung says as he starts gathering all the glasses, cups and bowls spread around the couch.
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
In no time, they are done with their respective tasks and ready to clean up themselves before the promised snuggle session. Jeongguk picks up his bag from the hallway, where he left it when he arrived earlier that evening, and swings it over his shoulder.
Taehyung steps out of the living room. “Bun, do you want to shower too?”
“No, that’s fine. I already showered this morning, I’ll just freshen up a bit.”
“Bathroom’s free!” Eonjin shouts while exiting the bathroom, steam escaps behind her accompanied by the smell of soap.
“You go clean up first then,” Taehyung suggests and points in the direction of the bathroom.
“Can you lay down the air mattress meanwhile?”
“Why do we still lay it out? You always sleep in my bed anyways,” he sighs frustrated. Jeongguk gives him a pointed look, not impressed by Taehyung’s attitude.
“You know why,” is the last and only thing he says, making it clear the conversation is finished, and closes the bathroom door behind him.
--
Jeongguk enters Taehyung’s bedroom with his favorite blanket in his arms and lays it on the bed. He drops his backpack next to the desk that’s kind of messy today. It’s probably because Taehyung is working on his final project for college and these past few weeks he has been very busy.
Jeongguk is pleased to finally be in his fuzzy pajamas. The fabric feels so soft and warm against his skin. It’s just a simple grey set with little red hearts decorating the pants and “oh, honey” written in the same color on the shirt.
Eonjin got him the pajamas for secret Santa last year and it has been his favorite comfort outfit ever since. Even if it was partly meant as a joke. Although, Jeongguk is sure that she knew he would secretly love it.
He would never get something like this for himself or just dare to wear it at home. He has become used to the conservative ideas and judgmental thoughts his parents have. They would find the soft fabric and little hearts too feminine for a boy his age.
They liked to make a clear discrepancy between what they called “girl and boy clothes”. As if clothes have a gender themselves. Clothes are clothes for Jeongguk and if you like something, why not wear it?
But ever since he hinted at his sexuality being not straight as they assumed, things have been different. Stricter, less welcomining. It was very clear that stuff like feminine pajamas wasn’t welcome at home. So, he keeps this pair at his friends’ house.
(He also has another pair at Taehyung’s dorm. It has a blue checked pattern just like a picnic blanket. Maybe that’s his real favorite pair because Taehyung has a matching set.)
Jeongguk lets himself fall face-first onto the bed and huffs exhausted into the fabric of the comforter. It smells like Taehyung, it’s a combination of the fresh scent of the air after it rained and something warm and homely that Jeongguk can’t describe. He lets himself indulge for a few seconds before rolling on his back, head falling to the side.
Looking around the room Jeongguk is again reminded that Taehyung is pretty clean for a college student (if you ignore the messy ). There’s no heap of used tissues on his night table, no overflowing trash can or dirty clothes decorating the bedroom floor.
He remembers Taehyung saying something about needing a clean and calming place that could soothe the creative tumult that takes place in his brain. A space to escape to when the pressure gets too high.
This doesn’t mean that the room is boring or not cosy in the very least. There’s no free space on any of the walls. Every inch of the surface is covered in sketches and all kinds of colorful drawings. But there’s an invisible red line that connects them all even if they may seem totally different.
Jeongguk eyes roam around, taking in all the drawings. He has seen them all before as Taehyung loves to share his new creations with his boyfriend. Jeongguk likes to think of himself as Taehyung’s number one fan, however, Eonjin will disagree with that.
Above Taehyung’s desk, there's a series of comics pinned to the wall. “The adventures of Tata and Cooky” it's called. It’s a compilation of different adventures, as the name states, and funny encounters of two characters: a red heart-shaped alien and a pink bunny, who discover the world together.
It's based on Taehyung and him, and where he got his nickname from.
The series makes him think back to when they first met. It was last year when Taehyung came home from college to celebrate the holidays with his family. Jeongguk and Eonjin had already become inseparable months before.
He used to stay over almost every other weekend. But because they are of the opposite sex, Jeongguk had to sleep in her brother’s room. That was never a problem because said brother wasn’t home. Eonjin's parents didn't know about Jeongguk's sexuality.
When Taehyung came home, they hit it off pretty well, so they decided to hang out during the break. In the end, they exchanged numbers as both of them had many similar interests.
One text changed into many texts that changed into daily texts, then changed into phone calls and into video calls. During an extended weekend, Jeongguk and Eonjin even came to visit Taehyung at campus and stayed over at his dorm for a couple days.
Eonjin wanted to meet up with some old friends who went to the same college. So, Jeongguk had spent the day with Taehyung alone. That was probably their first date even if neither realized it at the moment. Some weeks and a nerve-wracking confession later, they finally started dating.
On the other side of the room, more realistic drawings could be found. Sketches in charcoal and pencil-drawn portraits. Some were test drawings for the jackets Taehyung designed. Jeongguk is the proud owner of an original piece.
Most of the portraits are anonymous, meaning that no faces are visible. A pair of collarbones, a left hand, two long legs, plump lips, an ear. Separate limbs.
Although it probably isn’t that hard to put the pieces of this puzzle together.
Taehyung and Jeongguk’s relationship may be concealed from the outside world but their love was written all over the walls of this room. Every pencil line, paper corner, and drop of ink was an intimate reminder, a secret confession.
Lastly, above the bed, there’s a painting of a fruit tree. Jeongguk sits up in a cross-legged position and faces the head of the bed. The artwork is drawn with special aquarelle pencils and painted over.
As a result, the colors gently blend into each other creating a calm scenery of greens. Drops of yellow and orange disrupt the green and pull the attention to themselves. It’s the fruits. Lemons and oranges. Each color dominates a side but just like the watercolors they meet in the middle.
The phenomenon is called inosculation. It’s a natural process in which the roots, trunks, or branches of two trees grow together into one bigger tree. In forestry, these kinds of trees are referred to as gemels, from the Latin word “a pair”.
To some, it may be just a simple fruit tree but Jeongguk thinks it’s a masterpiece.
--
Taehyung comes into the room and disrupts Jeongguk’s thoughts. He’s wearing a fresh t-shirt and some red shorts. A towel is swung around his neck which he uses to dry his damp hair. His cheeks are flushed a healthy red, thanks to the hot shower he just took.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing really. Just thinking,” Jeongguk answers, admiring the long sun-kissed legs on display before him.
“About?” Taehyung gives his hair a final rub with the towel, before slinging it on the desk chair. He closes the curtains and makes his way to Jeongguk who’s sitting on the bed.
“Those long legs and how you are trying to seduce me with them.”
Taehyung scoffs and looks down at his legs rather unimpressed. “Okay one, I’m not trying to seduce you. It’s just very warm because it’s summer. And two, I don’t need to try to seduce you because you’re already mine.”
“Oh, confident, aren’t we?” Jeongguk teases back.
“You’re the one that’s acting pretty bold right now. An hour ago, you were still a blushing mess.” Taehyung gets in the bed, shoving the light blanket to the side for Jeongguk. Even in the middle of summer, he can’t sleep without one. Taehyung on the other hand is a living furnace.
Although, the issue isn’t that Jeongguk was especially cold. It’s more a matter of safety. Call it stupid if you want to, but nothing bad can happen to you at night when you’re under the blanket. That was Jeongguk’s philosophy at least.
“I was not,” Jeongguk says with furrowed eyebrows. The fact that he can feel his cheeks heating up probably doesn’t make his statement very believable. “It’s summer, it’s hot.” He’s not blushing.
“Sure, bun. Whatever you say.” Taehyung chuckles and presses a gentle kiss against Jeongguk’s burning cheek. “Come on, let’s lie down.”
Quickly, Jeongguk gets under the covers and rearranges everything around him so that he can lay down comfortably. The smooth fabric feels refreshing against his skin. He shuffles closer to Taehyung.
“Cuddles, please.”
Taehyung answers with a genuine smile and takes him into his arms. Immediately, he buries his face into Jeongguk’s neck and takes a deep breath.
“Are you sniffing me?” Jeongguk asks and giggles when he feels the hot breath against the sensitive skin.
“Hmm, yes. You smell good.”
“You’re like a puppy, hyungie.”
“Your puppy,” Taehyung huffs against his skin, still not moving.
“Yes, mine.” Jeongguk can’t resist the dumb and happy smile that appears on his face. He cards his fingers through Taehyung's black locks, scratching the scalp gently. Taehyung hums in appreciation and pulls him even closer. Their bodies are completely pressed together now.
Jeongguk relaxes into the embrace, both his and Taehyung’s limbs sagging down and growing more tired, all the tension sweeping away. Slowly, Taehyung leans back from his hiding place, heavy eyelids flickering open to look up at Jeongguk.
He presses his forehead against Jeongguk’s, his eyes focusing on the soft lips before him. Jeongguk eyes flutter closed at the oh-so-familiar press of lips. Taehyung’s hands come up, massaging the soft skin behind Jeongguk’s ears.
Little noises escape from his lips. He tries to press even closer, letting Taehyung’s body swallow him whole. His hands are gripping Taehyung’s shirt from the back.
The kiss is slow, but that only makes it more intimate. Still, there’s this underlying neediness, like the air around them isn’t enough to stay alive. Kissing Taehyung is a necessity.
Their lips delicately move against each other. Jeongguk’s bottom lip slips between Taehyung’s, who takes advantage of it by smoothly running his tongue over it and biting playfully.
A low sound leaves Jeongguk’s throat in appreciation and he loosens the grip on Taehyung’s shirt, so he can move both hands to his sides instead. Taehyung shudders when Jeongguk's cold hands slip under the fabric and are pressed against the feverish skin.
“Gguk.” He breaths into Jeongguk’s mouth, leaving his lips and kissing down his jawline. Jeongguk can’t think straight, his feelings and thoughts are all over the place, screaming one thing only Taehyung.
He can feel his heart beating against Taehyung’s chest and Taehyung’s beating just as quickly against his.
He tries to swallow down the noises that dare to escape from his lips. Gasping for air being surrounded by Taehyung. He is everywhere, suffocating Jeongguk. It isn’t clear anymore where the one starts and the other ends.
His left hand explores Taehyung’s skin, caressing the smooth surface. His right moves up and takes a hold of Taehyung’s jaw, forcing him to stop his mischief and connect their lips once more.
Taehyung lets out a breathless hum and nudges their noses together. They kiss until the need for air forces them to disconnect.
“Damn,” is all that Taehyung says and Jeongguk wholeheartedly agrees. Damn indeed. He closes his eyes again, feeling a pleasant heat run under his skin. Taehyung pecks his lips once more. His hands never stop moving, drawing love confessions into Jeongguk’s back. Heavy breaths hang between swollen lips.
Taehyung’s lips move to his cheeks, pecking them once or twice before landing and lingering on his forehead.
“Let’s get some sleep.” He whispers. Jeongguk nods and snuggles closer into Taehyung’s chest.
“I love you, hyung.”
Sleep takes over Jeongguk’s thoughts, a small smile plastered on his lips. The last thing that crosses his mind is the painting above the bed and how he and Taehyung resemble that fruit tree. Two different people, who despite everything found each other and decided to grow together as one.
“And I love you, my little lemon.”