Work Text:
Taehyung is sick.
Literally.
He should have known from the occasional sneezes throughout the day, and the throbbing in the back of his head since the morning, but he was so busy, his hectic schedule stopping him from even having a quick lunch.
Now here he is, in front of the convenience store, open for 24 hours, all days of the week, shivering slightly even with a sweater and a hoodie on top of his t-shirt, instead of cuddling with his super fluffy pillow, with the heater on.
Taehyung works as a marketing analyst in a big shot company, slowly but steadily climbing up the corporate ladder. He shares his room with Park Jimin, who is also his colleague. His whole eight storeyed apartment building is filled with people from their office really, their company rented it out, providing half of the rent as house allowance. There is another one of it, similar to theirs at the far end of the lane, for other staff such as interns and contract workers.
He sighs, walking into the store. It is almost one in the morning, and as expected, the store is completely empty, save for the cashier who is dozing away on her chair.
He sneezes into his elbow, wiping his nose with his tissue. When he goes into the ‘soups’ section, he finds the entire rack almost empty too, only one soup packet left of his liking, and a few others which he is sure is not good for his health right now.
Taehyung feels lucky, as he quite literally grabs the soup packet and clutches it to his chest. There is no other human in this place, he does not need to be fast in his actions and protect his soup, but instincts take over him.
He makes his way to the counter, hurrying in his steps so he can get the fuck away from this cold. He misses Jimin, as he is out for a much needed vacation. If Jimin was here, he would not be roaming around the streets with his health condition.
He is snapped from his thoughts when a hooded figure enters the store, dressed in all black, from top to toe. He shrinks into himself, worrying it might be a robber.
Getting his head bashed while he is barely standing on his own feet would be fantastic. But, much to his relief, the man goes further into the shop, and Taehyung too, goes upto the cashier, knocking his knuckles on the table as to wake her up. She startles so bad, that she accidentally knocks down the stash of neatly arranged cigarettes near her hand.
The cashier has the audacity to look at him dead in the eye, for ruining her precious sleep. As if she was not sleeping in her working hours. He pays for the soup, and turns in the direction of the exit, when a soft voice stops him in his tracks.
“- any soup left?”
“If you didn't find any, obviously it's out of stock.” The cashier scoffs.
“Could you please check in the back? I really want it.”
The cashier sighs irritated. “Look, the last of the pack was taken away just now. Leave me alone.”
The man sighs, hunched shoulders shaking slightly. Taehyung looks down at the plastic cover dangling from his fingers and back at the man dressed in black, unintentionally making an eye contact with him. The face that comes into view is so familiar, and Taehyung's mouth hangs open.
The man hastily makes his way to him, bowing a ninety degree, whispering a soft “Taehyung-ssi”, and almost toppling over. Taehyung steadies him with hands on his arms, and now that he has a closer look at the boy, he notices the almost clinically pale skin and bluish chapped lips.
“Jungkook, are you okay?”
“Yes sunbaenim, I'm alright.” Jungkook says, but the next second he coughs violently, disrupting the silence.
“Are you running down with a fever?” Taehyung asks, retreating his hands.
Jungkook nods, sniffling. “I came to buy some soup, but they don't have it-”, he abruptly stops, looking wide eyed at the cover dangling from Taehyung's hands.
Jungkook starts bowing again, apologizing. To what, Taehyung does not understand, but he stops the kid again.
“I would love to give this to you, but I myself am feeling under the weather.”
Jungkook shakes his head. “Of Course sunbaenim, please, take a rest. I'm sure I'll find a way.”
Taehyung feels bad. Jungkook looks sicker than him, and as if he is two seconds away from falling face first onto the ground. So he sighs, shaking the cover in his hands. “Why don't you come with me? Jimin is out of town and we can share this.”
Jungkook immediately refuses. “Oh, no, no. I wouldn't want to intrude. You don't look good either. Please, have a safe walk back home, I'll sleep it off, I'm sure, I will be absolutely fine.”
“No, come home with me. I cannot leave you like this.” Jungkook opens his mouth to argue, but Taehyung puts on his ‘work face’. “Instead of arguing here, we would be already having soup and feeling warm, so don't speak a word further. You are coming with me.” He says, and turns on his heels, hiding his satisfied smile in the neck of his hoodie, when he hears light footsteps following him.
The duo makes their way to Taehyung's apartment, a five minute walk from the convenience store.
While Taehyung punches in the code for his apartment, from his peripheral view he sees that Jungkook politely looks away. That, for some reason makes him smile, a fond feeling fluttering in his tummy even if it is common courtesy to do so.
“Take a seat” Taehyung says, waving at the worn down couch situated in the middle of their living room.
“Let me help please.” Jungkook whispers.
“No, you look like you are going to pass out any second, and honestly, I'm too tired to take care of you. So sit down, I'll be back.”
Going by the look of Jungkook's face, he must have been sharper in his words as the boy looks terrified. He nods, sits on the couch tucking his legs underneath him.
Taehyung goes into their modern kitchen, quickly filling a pot with water and heating it. He looks in the fridge for some vegetables but they only have one pitiful carrot and a half a stem of celery. He sighs, shaking his head. Jimin going away for a week made him pathetic. The analyst quickly chops the vegetables, adding it to the boiling water.
He empties to soup powder too, and after a few minutes of cooking it on low flame, he finally adds few cloves of minced garlic and pepper powder, finishing it off with a spoon of soy sauce for additional taste.
His grandmother always said garlic works wonders for cold.
With a nostalgic smile on his face, he transfers the soup into two bowls, taking them into the living room, only to find Jungkook sleeping in a very uncomfortable position with his mouth wide open, saliva pooling around at the corners of his lips.
He quietly places the soup bowls on the table, and gently tries to wake up the intern. But as soon as Taehyung's hand touches Jungkook's cheek, it burns. Jungkook is so warm, it is as if he took a dip in scalding hot water.
Taehyung pats his cheeks and Jungkook stirs, quickly sitting up when he finds Taehyung looming upon him. But the action causes him to be nauseous, and he groans, clutching his head in his hands.
Taehyung pats his back, sympathetic.
“Here, have this.” the analyst hands him the bowl, which is now just a little hotter than lukewarm.
Jungkook takes the bowl with a muttered ‘thank you’ and a little bow, quietly spooning the soup.
They sit and eat in a weirdly comfortable silence, the refrigerator hum serving them as a background sound.
Taehyung, after finishing his serve places the bowl on the table and leans back, emitting a satisfied hum.
Jungkook gets up from his palce on the couch, taking the bowls in his hands. “Thank you for the meal. I will clean them.”
Taehyung scoffs. “You are doing none of that. I will take care of them tomorrow. It's almost two in the morning, get some sleep.”
“Oh.” Jungkook says, looking around, suddenly uncomfortable. “I will leave then sunbaenim, thank you for taking care of me.”
“Leave?”
Jungkook nods.
Taehyung shakes his head. “Not happening. I have some medicines for headache and fever. You are going to take them and sleep.” He says, getting up from his seat and going into his bedroom to bring the medicines box, leaving a gaping Jungkook behind.
Taehyung finds Jungkook furiously typing something in his phone by the time he comes back with few medicines and a glass of water.
“Texting your friends?” He asks, startling the younger.
“Oh, no no.”
“Roomate?”
Jungkook shakes his head. “I live alone.”
“Ah.” Taehyung nods his head. He was pretty sure Jungkook lives in the building down the lane. “Here, take this and sleep.”
Jungkook silently takes the medicines and swallows them with a wince, coughing immediately after.
Taehyung offers him a blanket, but Jungkook looks at him, wide eyes shining. “I don't want to impose.” He says, shaking his hands.
“Nonsense, you are not imposing anything. I'm the one offering remember? Just take it. I would offer the bed, but I know you will put up a fight, and I'm too sick for that. So just sleep. Goodnight.” He says, turning around and going to his bedroom, not giving Jungkook a chance to argue.
But a murmured ‘goodnight sunbaenim’ from Jungkook puts him to sleep with a smile on his face.
The next morning when Taehyung wakes up, he feels relatively good. Nothing a warm shower can't wash away. He stretches on his bed, feeling the joints pop and does a little happy wiggle, climbing off the bed to brush his teeth.
When he goes into their living room, he finds Jungkook on the couch, one leg dangling off it and the other carelessly thrown over the arm of the couch.
He almost forgot that the younger was sleeping in his house. He slowly walks up to Jungkook on his tippy toes, kneeling in front of him.
Jungkook looks illegally adorable, his pouty lips and puffy cheeks, pink and supple. Taehyung wants to pinch those cheeks, but he knows it's pretty unethical and unprofessional. Even though there departments are different, Taehyung is a step on top of Jungkook. Even if he was not, they are practically strangers anyway.
Taehyung slowly stretches his hand as if to wake Jungkook up, but their apartment’s door slams open, jolting awake Jungkook, who jumps a little on the couch.
Jimin stands in the entryway, hair disheveled and carry bags in his hands, his backpack on his shoulder.
Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Did you have to come running? I said I was fine already”
“Ha, nice try. You don't know how to boil water for saving your life. My vacation is over anyway.” His colleague answers, taking off his shoes and walking further into the house.
He stops in his tracks when he sees Jungkook, his expression shocked. Jungkook is no better, he looks in between Jimin and Taehyung like an adorable puppy before getting up and bowing at Jimin.
“Jimin sunbaenim, sorry for intruding your house.”
Jimin looks confused, nodding at Taehyung as if to explain. “Intrude?”
Taehyung sighs. “Long story. Later.” He turns to Jungkook.
“Are you alright now?”
Jungkook nods. “Yes, much better. Thank you for taking care of me.”
But the sneeze which follows him betrays his sentence.
“Yeah, none of that, take my bed, sleep some more. Will wake you up when breakfast is ready.”
“No!” Jungkook shouts. When Jimin and Taehyung look at him surprised, he clears his throat and speaks in a much calmer tone. “I mean, you have done so much already, and we have to report to office-”, he cuts himself off, what little colour he gained after having a good sleep draining his face. “Office.” He murmurs horrified. “Shit, shit, I'm so late, my boss is going to fire me-” he mutters to himself, running around the couch towards the entrance of their home.
“Jungkook.” Taehyung speaks, his voice stern.
Jungkook turns back, bouncing on the balls of his feet, looking at him impatient.
“Calm down Jesus, it's Saturday. Weekend. We don't have to go to work today.”
Jungkook stands wide eyed, still in his moments. “Oh.” He says, ducking his head, as if embarrassed. “Well, I will go home then?” He tries to answer, but it comes out as a question.
“No, you are still deathly pale. You are wobbling as a baby deer. Not going to let you out of my sight.”
Taehyung notices the weird look Jimin gives over his shoulder, but he does not acknowledge it.
“So, you either rest here, or I'm coming with you to drop you off. Mind you, I'm still recovering, so you don't want me to overwork do you?” Taehyung asks, crossing his arms. The contemplative look on Jungkook's face says that he has already won this argument.
Jungkook nods, albeit hesitantly and shyly, but walks towards them.
Taehyung smiles big, a goofy and satisfied expression on his face. “Great! I already changed the sheets, so get comfortable." he says, pointing towards his room. “And you, make us something delicious.” He quite literally orders Jimin, which gains a potato throw to his head, which hurts more than it has to.
After taking a warm, much needed shower, Taehyung goes into the kitchen to help Jimin, who is stirring something on the stove.
“Hm, smells delicious.” He hums, taking out an apple to munch on.
Jimin snorts. “As if you are able to smell it.”.
He kicks his roommate in the shins. “Shut up, take the compliment.”
Jimin shakes his head, and turns the heat to medium, closing the pot with the lid. He leans on the counter, crossing his arms with a serious expression on his face.
“What are you doing with the kid?”
“What kid?”
“Taehyung, you know what I mean.”
Taehyung sighs. “I don't know okay? I really wanted to help him. He looked so lost and vulnerable. On top of that, the cashier was mean to him. I would do the same thing for anyone!”
Jimin raises his brow. “Anyone?”
“Alright, maybe not anyone. But he was sick! What was I supposed to do?”
“I don't know, maybe call an uber and help him get home?”
“But he was looking for something to eat, and the last soup packet was with me.” Taehyung pouts. “I felt guilty for some reason.”
Jimin makes a disappointed noise. “I don't know what runs in that head of yours sometimes. What if he was a serial killer?”
Taehyung splutters. “Serial killer? We see that kid basically ever day.”
Jimin shrugs. “We never know.”
Taehyung shakes his head. “No, shut up. You are overthinking. And if Jungkook heard that, he will probably cry, resign his job and move to another country just so he does not have to see you again.”
Jimin laughs, going back to his cooking. “So?” He asks over his shoulder.
“So what?”
“Don't act dumb, Taehyung-ah”
“I don't know what are you even talking about.”
“Do you have a crush on that boy?”
Taehyung turns red, choking on the bite he took from the apple. The reason he turned red is not because of the choking though.
He prays that Jimin did not notice his red face, but of course, his friend notices. He is back to leaning against the counter, watching him with mirth pooling in his eyes. He does not even attempt to give him water, that fucker.
When the coughing fit stops, Taehyung clears his throat. “I don't even know what a crush is.”
Fuck. He messed up.
“You don't know what a crush is?” jimin asks smirking.
Taehyung groans. “Fuck. Okay. I maybe like him.”
“Maybe?”
“Will you stop teasing me?”
“I'm not teasing, I'm asking.”
“Alright. I liked him. From the first day I saw him in the canteen, helping that ajhumma serve the employees when they were short on staff.”
“Hm.”
Taehyung sighs. “I think I really like him. I mean, look at him, he is smoking hot.”
Jimin gags.
Taehyung glares. “I like the cute way he walks, the determined furrow in his eyes when he works. The confidence way he presents his ideas. The adorable way he slides his glasses up when they are falling on his nose-”
Jimin clears his throat. “Alright, I understand. You are in love with that boy.-”
Taehyung makes a noise at the word ‘love’, but Jimin cuts him off with raising his hand.
“But what are you going to do about it?”
Taehyung sighs. “Nothing.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? I practically have an authority over him. Undue influence?”
Jimin chokes. “Undue influence? Have you finally lost your mind? You don't even work in same departments.”
“But we work in the same company!”
“And it has nothing to do with you two dating.”
Taehyung frowns, fiddling with the hem of his shorts. “Listen, it is not going to work anyway. As you said, we are strangers.”
“No, you listen. If you are sure about this, give it a chance. Even if Jungkook does not feel the same, you will atleast gain a friend right? Or if he does not want nothing to do with you, well” he shrugs, “it is not meant to be.”
“But he is an intern.”
“Which is also for your advantage. He is just an intern, not a permanent employee like you and me.”
“People join as interns to gain a job Jimin.” Taehyung deadpans.
“Wrong. They work as interns to gain knowledge. He may have further have plans to continue his studies for all we know. And if he did land a job in our company itself, I'm sure you guys will work it out.”
“I don't know.”
“Listen Taehyung, you don't even know how the kid feels, and you are already planning about the future. What does that mean?”
“That I am a guy who thinks before acting?”
Jimin sighs. “you are a lost case.”
With that, he turns off the stove and runs to his bedroom, only to come out a second later with his wallet in his hand.
“Hey! Answer your question damnit! What does that make me? And where are you going?”
“I have some work to do. Eat the porridge and feed some to the lover boy of yours.”
“You are not having breakfast?”
“Nah, already did.”
And he is out of their house like a light, leaving Taehyung to fend for himself and the kid sleeping in his bedroom without a thought in the world.
Taehyung goes into his bedroom, leaning against the door, a whipped smile on his lips. He always found Jungkook and his little actions endearing, but seeing him on his own bed, fluffy hair and blanket pulled up till his chin, his face only a blub in the vast bed.
He sits on the edge of his bed. If he wants to try to talk to Jungkook like Jimin suggested, he may as well get done with it. Sitting beside him while he is sleeping admittedly is not a good thing, in fact it is creepy, but this is his house anyway. He wants to test the waters.
Taehyung quickly pulls the duvet down, taking in Jungkook. He nose is red from all the sniffling, but the rest of his face is still a little pale. His lips are chapped and dry, it's usual plumpness gone.
“Jungkook.” He shakes the boy's shoulder, but he doesn't wake up.
“Jungkook-ah” he tries again but to no avail.
The man in his bed sleeps like a log, and even after five minutes of trying to wake him up, Jungkook did not even stir.
So he resolves to his last resort. He pinches Jungkook's arm, which admittedly does the work.
But Jungkook jolts awake, and hits his chin in the process, as he was hovering above him.
Taehyung sees stars in his eyes, Jungkook's skull colliding with his own, making him clutch it in dismay.
“Oh my god, oh my god, sunbaenim, I'm so so sorry.” Jungkook apologises, hovering his hands awkwardly, as if he does not know what to do with them.
So Taehyung takes advantage of it. He juts his chin out, at the direction of the younger. “Did it bruise?”
Jungkook shakes his head in denial. “No.”
Fuck it, Jungkook is not touching him.
He puts on his dramatic shoes “but I feel like my chin is breaking into two pieces.” He whines.
He almost feels guilty at the way Jungkook's eyes double their usual size, but he feels Jungkook's hand on his jaw, a light touch, almost non existent.
Jungkook pinches his chin and brings him closer, almost making him topple forward, but Taehyung braces himself with gripping the edge of the mattress. The intern inspects his face, moving it from left to right, feather light touch, caressing his chin.
Taehyung is sure he will kiss Jungkook senseless if he does not move away right now, but soon he is seeing a mop of black hair, tousled but silky, and a pair of lips pecking his chin.
Taehyung stills, not expecting Jungkook to do that, and Jungkook too, must have realised what he had done as he is flying away from him, off the bed, bowing at a speed of light.
“I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me, I have a niece who usually asks to ‘kiss her boo boo away’, and- and I don't know, I'm so sorry. Oh god, I can't believe I did that. Please don't tell Dohyun sunbaenim about this, I'm so-”
“Hey Jungkook.”
“-rry, that was so-”
“Jeon Jungkook.”
Jungkook looks up at him from where he was hanging his head, doe eyes lined with water.
Taehyung sighs. “It's alright. It's no big deal.”
Jungkook blinks. “No?”
Taehyung smiles. “No. So don't panic okay?”
Jungkook seems hesitant and opens his mouth to say something, but Taehyung stops.
“And enough of your sorrys. No thank yous or sorrys from now on. As your senior I order you from refraining the use of sorry and thank you. Understand?”
Jungkook nods.
“Good. Now if you will be so good and brush your teeth, we will have breakfast. I'm starving.” Taehyung says, pointing towards the bathroom.
Jungkook nods again, his feet automatically moving at where Taehyung's finger directs.
But he turns back, an uncomfortable expression on his face. “If you- if you don't mind, can I have a quick shower? I feel gro-gross.”
“Oh, absolutely! I'm sorry. I will put my clothes on the counter in there, so you can change into them. Feel free to shower as long as you want. New tooth brush is in the top most cabinet and a fresh towel in the one under the sink.”
Jungkook nods, bows and turns away, but this time it is Taehyung who stops him.
“Jungkook?”
“Yeah?”
Taehyung smiles, mischievous. “Thank you for kissing my boo boo away.”
It is amusing watching the younger turn red and bolt out of the room, and Taehyung is sure he looks like an idiot smiling like that, standing in the middle of his bedroom.
As promised, Taehyung arranges fresh clothes for Jungkook and makes his way to the kitchen to reheat the porridge that Jimin has cooked and set the table.
He also takes some medicine just in case Jungkook still feels sick, but he really hopes the younger is all well now.
He hears the shower turning off, and soon enough, Jungkook is walking towards him, face pink and flushed from the warm shower.
“It feels so good to take a warm shower. I missed having those.” Jungkook says with a shy but happy smile, plopping down on the chair in front of Taehyung's.
Taehyung frowns. “you don't have access to hot water?”
Jungkook looks shocked, amd immediately closes his mouth, as if to physically stop the words flowing from his mouth.
“Forget- forget I said anything about that sunbaenim.”
Taehyung raises his brow. “last time I checked, you are in no position to give me orders.”
Jungkook looks like he is about to combust, so Taehyung continues. “It's fine, I was joking.”
Jungkook does not look like he believes it, but he nods. Taehyung too, wants to ask more about this ‘hot water’ fiasco, but his stomach grumbles, asking for his attention. So he quick starts eating, but not before signing Jungkook to do so too.
He does not miss that Jungkook waits for him to take the first bite before digging into his own food.
Taehyung quickly finishes off his portion, but he observes that Jungkook only ate a half of his. From the times he saw Jungkook eating in office dinners, he knew Jungkook is a good eater. He eats well. So it is a little concerning to watch him play with his food.
“Did you not like it? Are you still not feeling well?” He asks, voice soft.
Jungkook looks up from his porridge, waving his hands. “No, it's good.”
“Then what is the matter?”
The intern looks hesitant.
“Tell me, it's okay. I won't eat you.” Taehyung says, voice still soft, as if talking to a small baby. As an after thought, he adds, “not unless you want me to.”
It's comical watching Jungkook go red in real time, and Taehyung plans on not letting go a single chance to witness it.
But Jungkook recovers quickly this time, clearing his throat. Maybe Taehyung has to hype up his game.
“I'm sure the porridge is good. Thank you for cooking it really, but” he pouts, playing with his spoon, “but I can't taste anything.”
Taehyung chuckles, endeared. One look at Jungkook says that he is mildly offended, and he is still pouting, and Taehyung wants to kiss the pout off.
“I'm not the one who cooked this. Even if I was, don't worry, no offence taken. I think it is a given to not taste anything while you are sick. No?”
“Oh. Did Jimin-ssi, cook it then? Where is he?”
“Yeah, Jimin did. He had some errands to run, so he probably wouldn't be back by evening.” Taehyung shrugs.
Jungkook nods, carefully spooning the porridge and swallowing it with a wince.
Taehyung winces too. “I'm sorry, you have to go through this, but you have no choice. Take your time, yeah?” He says, ruffling Jungkook's hair and going off to wash his dirty dishes.
He does not notice the flushed cheeks of the younger this time though.
After breakfast, and after physically fighting off Jungkook from the kitchen when the younger was adamant on washing his own dishes, he is now seated on the love seat, flicking through the channels to pass his afternoon, while Jungkook is taking a call outside in the balcony.
He comes back a few minutes later, a sheepish smile on his face, and sits down in the couch, similiar to how he sat yesterday. Technically speaking, today morning.
“So, anything you are interested in?” Taehyung asks, pointing towards their television.
“No, don't have lots of free time for recreation when I'm barely running on five hours of sleep.”
“Five hours? Why? Are you working over time?”
Jungkook bites his lips. “I'm clearly oversharing. Sorry you have to worry about me.”
Taehyung sighs. All he has been doing is sighing since he brought Jungkook home. “Look Jungkook, you obviously don't need to share anything if you are not comfortable, but if you do want to, I'm all ears. We are not in the office, but at my home, so talk away. Think of me as a friend.” Taehyung snaps his fingers, suddenly feeling excited. “Better yet, call me hyung.” “And no, no excuses.” He adds, when he sees Jungkook opening his mouth to probably argue.
Jungkook nods. “It's not like I don't want to talk. It's just- it's just i don't want to dump all my emotional thoughts on you.”
“Nah, talk away. Who knows, maybe I can even give you an advice. From an outsider point of view you know?”
“Thank you, hyung.”
And well fuck, Taehyung feels like his stomach is erupting into tiny butterflies.
“It's just that, I don't think I enjoy working in an office setting. I already had plans to do my PhD. This was supposed to be a summer job, but it's continuing.” He shrugs, pulling at the lose strings of his hoodie.
And did Taehyung say how seeing Jungkook in his own sweats is doing things for him? Yeah, that's totally not pg.
“-yung?”
“Hyung?”
Taehyung snaps from his thoughts, jumping at Jungkook's voice. “yeah?”
“See, I know it will be boring. It's okay, you don't have to-”
“Stop right there, I was just thinking about my college days.”
Yeah. Totally.
“Oh?”
“Another time.” He waves off Jungkook's enthusiastic noise. “Tell me about yourself now.”
“Nothing, my contract ends within a month. I already applied for PhD in few universities. Just waiting for acceptance letters.”
“Oh.” Taehyung feels hope flicker in his heart. “All universities in Seoul?”
“Yeah. I graduated from SNU. So chances are I can get accepted there again.” He shrugs, looking down at his feet. “If I don't, then well, I still have two more to go.”
“Holy fuck.”
“Wha- what?”
“You are so talented. How did you graduate from SNU and I never knew?”
“Um, because it's the first time we are having a conversation and we don't even work in the same department?” Jungkook answers cutely.
Taehyung huffs.“You are such a brat you know that?”
Jungkook looks like he is about to apologise, but there is mirth dancing in his eyes. “You are the one who asked me to treat me as a friend.” He gets comfortable, placing a couch pillow on his lap. “Hyung.”
Taehyung gapes, not expecting Jungkook's duality. But in the end, he is too gone for the younger to do anything but chuckle fondly, so he just does that. “Brat.”
Jungkook smiles, all tooth and gums, scrunching his nose adorably.
“So, you are leaving the company next month.” Taehyung continues where they left off their previous conversation.
“Yeah. I think I want to become a professor.” He smiles, but it dims around the corners, not reaching his eyes. “It's pathetic isn't it? I'm almost 24, and I don't know what to do with my life.”
“Hey, none of that. I'm sure you will work it out. Even if you don't, I will be here with you to always help. Okay?”
Jungkook looks at him, tears pooling his eyes. “You will?”
Taehyung nods. “Yes. Promise. Do you want to do that pinky promise thing? Does your niece do that”
Jungkook gasps. “I swear by pinky promises.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well come here then.” Taehyung waves Jungkook to come near him, calling him by his hand.
Jungkook slowly gets up, and walks towards him, not breaking the eye contact.
Taehyung offers his pinky, still sitting on the love seat, and Jungkook hooks his pinky with his own, smiling shyly.
Taehyung wants to pull Jungkook onto his lap, and make out with him, but the heavy tension is broke by Jungkook's phone ringing, which causes him to jump apart.
Taehyung nods towards the balcony as to say, ‘go take the call’, which Jungkook does, muttering a small ‘sorry’.
Taehyung gets up too, walking into the kitchen to have some water, when Jungkook comes back.
“Done already?” Taehyung asks, giving a glass for Jungkook too.
Jungkook sighs. “Yeah. I have to go now though.”
Taehyung feels his heart drop to his stomach. Fuck, he did not even confess.
“Oh. Right now?”
“Yeah. Thank you for taking care of me. I don't know how to repay you.” Jungkook bows to him.
“Go on a date with me” Taehyung blurts out.
There is a stilled silence for a few moments, which is broke by Jungkook's breathy ‘what?’
Taehyung nods. “You heard it right. Go on a date with me. As a thank you. For me taking care of you.”
“But- but-”
“I know, we work in the same company, I'm practically your boss, yada, yada, but you are leaving it in a month.” He shrugs, feeling tensed. “We can give it a try, if you want.”
They are silent again, and Taehyung is bracing himself for rejection, when Jungkook speaks in the soft voice of his.
“You like- you like me?”
Taehyung nods. “Yes. Very much so.”
“Why?”
“Because I just do.”
Jungkook tears up, and Taehyung panics, thinking he said something wrong, but Jungkook falls to his knees, crying silently. “Me too.” He says, a broken whisper, tears silently streaming down his cheeks.
Taehyung stops in his tracks, stunned. “What?”
“I like you too. Liked you since the first time I saw you.”
Taehyung feels stupid saying this again and again, but he still asks, “what?”
Jungkook nods, wiping his tears. “I'm sure you don't remember, but I met you on the day of my interview.”
“Uh-” Taehyung suddenly sneezes, startling Jungkook. “Sorry.”
Jungkook chuckles, wiping his nose.
“Please get up, let's sit and talk.” Taehyung goes upto the boy, puts his hands under his arms and brings him to stand, wrapping an arm around him to stable him. “You still are like a baby deer.”
Jungkook huffs, but doesn't say anything.
Taehyung sits them on the couch, taking Jungkook hands in his own, rubbing them lovingly.
Jungkook takes a deep breath, continuing again. “On the day of my interview, I was very anxious. I went into the washroom to calm my nerves, and spilled water all over my shirt. Then, like the saviour of my life, you came out of the stall, offered me one of your shirts which you keep as a spare in your locker and lent that shirt to me.” He smiles, now taking Taehyung’s hands onto his lap. “That moment, I fell in love with you. I still have that shirt with me. When I was accepted as an intern, I came looking for you, but you already forgot about me. So, I kept it to myself. Admiring you from far.”
Taehyung nods, watching Jungkook play with his fingers. Suddenly he looks up at Jungkook, who has a shy smile on his lips. “Wait, are you the one who leaves those candies on my desk?”
Jungkook blushes, ducking his head shyly. “Yes.”
Taehyung finally loses his control. He can not stop himself anymore. He coos, pinching the intern’s cheeks. “You are so cute. Can't wait for the time when I can devour you.”
Jungkook splutters, shoving Taehyung away. But Taehyung does not budge, but brings Jungkook in his arms, hugging him from the side. “Aww, did you have a crush on me?”
“Shut up, as if you didn't ask me out.”
Taehyung gasps. “Did you just say shut up?”
Jungkook glares, but the sharpness it's supposed to provide is eliminated by the sweet pout on his lips.
Taehyung groans, hiding his face in Jungkook's neck. “Please tell me I can kiss you. Please.” He whispers, lips brushing the younger's skin, making him shiver.
Jungkook, just like earlier in the morning, pinches his chin in between his thumb and index finger, bringing Taehyung up, so they are face to face. The angle is a bit awkward, but Taehyung could not care less when he is about to kiss the love of his life.
He is still in his thoughts when he feels Jungkook's lips on his own, his breath warm.
Just as Taehyung secures their lips more firmly, by taking Jungkook's into his own, Jungkook sneezes, causing them to break their kiss.
This time Jungkook hides in Taehyung's neck, his hands clutching the fabric of the older's shirt.
“I'm pretty sure I transferred all of the flu virus into your mouth directly.” Jungkook whines.
Taehyung laughs, soothingly rubbing Jungkook's back. “I already have those anyway. Maybe they can build my immune system.”
They stay like that, lying comfortably in eachother's arms.
“Baby?”
Taehyung feels Jungkook smile on his skin, and he too smiles automatically, kissing the top of his head.
“Hm?”
“Didn't you say you have somewhere to go?”
Jungkook sits up abruptly, but this time Taehyung is a step ahead, leaning back so Jungkook does not hit him in the head. Again.
“Shit. I had to baby sit my niece.”
“Do you want me to drop you?”
“No it's alright. It's just a few blocks away.”
Taehyung is skeptical though. “Are you sure?”
Jungkook nods. “A hundred percent.” He kisses Taehyung again, grabbing him by the neck, taking him by surprise. But Taehyung instantly melts into it, kissing him back.
“We will talk about us later. Promise.” Taehyung says, kissing the younger one last time.
“Promise.” Jungkook speaks, lips still on his mouth.
And after that he is running away, still in Taehyung's sweats, quickly putting on his shoes.
But he stops at the door, turning back to face Taehyung again. “We are boyfriends right?”
Taehyung corners him against the door. Hands on his impossibly tiny waist. “Do you want us to be?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes, we are.”
Jungkook nods, beaming at him. He hugs Taehyung by the shoulders, before pulling back swiftly and pecking him on the lips. “Bye, boyfriend.”
Taehyung laughs. “Bye baby. Take care.”
⊹ Five months later :
Jungkook is tired.
Incredibly so.
All the assignments, seminars and hectic classes, along with his TA duties leaves him exhausted, not even having strength to walk back home after he is done with the day.
But he has no other choice, as he doesn't own a car and it's not like he lives far away from campus anyway. He shares a studio apartment with another student, just a few blocks away from his university. It's only a ten minute walk really. So he manages.
He moves forward with the idea of seeing his boyfriend after two while days, and suddenly he feels arms wrapped around his waist. He instantly panics, getting ready to punch the stranger in his gut, but relaxes when he smells his favourite musk cologne.
“Hello, baby.” A deep voice murmurs in his ear, kissing him just beneath it.
“Hmm, hi” he hums, still walking, his boyfriend hugging him from behind, attached to him like a koala. They must be a sight, but Jungkook does not have it in himself to give a damn about it.
“Why are you here?”
“Why? Are you not happy to see me?” Taehyung asks, and Jungkook can cleary hear the pout in his voice.
He stops walking, bringing Taehyung forward, so that they can walk side by side, hand in hand.
“I'm always happy to see you. I thought you would be visiting me today?”
“Hm, change of plans. You are coming to my apartment.”
“Why?”
“Just because.” Taehyung shrugs
“Fine. Buy me an ice-cream.”
“All of a sudden?” Taehyung chuckles.
“I'm tired. I want something sweet in me.” Jungkook whines.
“You can have me in you though.” Taehyung whispers lowly.
Jungkook pinches Taehyung's nipple. He got used to his boyfriend's shameless flirting. “We'll see about that.”
Taehyung sighs, all dramatic. But when Jungkook kisses his cheek, he melts, kissing his jaw in return.
“Love you baby.”
“Love you more. Boyfriend.”
⊹