Work Text:
He could feel the warmth radiating off the other's body. They were so close. Always so close, but never close enough. But it wasn't either of their faults. They had only been dating for five weeks. He was Jungkook's first boyfriend, and was expecting that he would maybe be his first everything.
At fifteen, everything was new to him. He hadn't had his first kiss yet. He hadn't hugged with anybody in more than a friendly gesture. He hadn't even held hands with anybody that wasn't related to him. He really was expecting Taehyung to be his first in everything.
When he had asked Jungkook out, he had been over the moon in happiness. He was crushing on Taehyung ever since Jimin had introduced them. His eyes followed his new friend wherever he went. His laugh followed behind every joke he told. His heart longed after every smile that fell on his lips. Jungkook couldn't get enough of Taehyung, but he never thought the other would return his feelings.
Yet, here he was walking home with his boyfriend Taehyung as his escort. They had been walking side by side for only five minutes, but already Jungkook had stolen glances that built up to wanting more. He didn't want anything too quick like a kiss on the lips or an intimate hug, he just wanted to hold his hand. That warm and perhaps clammy hand clasped in his was all he wanted because he wanted to be closer to the other. Sure they were close now, but he wanted to feel the skin from Taehyung's large hand crowd onto his own.
Every time he saw a couple holding hands in the street, it looked like a much more intimate gesture than any kiss or hug. It looked like it held so many things. It could just be a simple act of touching skin to skin. It could be a squeeze of reassurance. It could be something just to remind the other that they're together. Or it could be meant to pull someone closer. And that's exactly what he wanted with Taehyung.
All Jungkook wanted was to be closer to Taehyung and holding his hand would do that. But as they continued on side by side, the likelihood of it happening seemed to decrease. Within ten minutes they'd be at Jungkook's front gate leaving no time to hold hands.
He wished he was brave enough to pull the other's hand within his - to interlace those long fingers with his own. At this point he was even wishing he could graze his fingers with Taehyung's. He was close enough to do it, but not nearly daring enough.
He didn't think Taehyung would reject him, but that gnawing deep in his stomach held him back. Or maybe it was his brain jumbling up and not able to send the signal for him to stretch his wrist to the left just an inch. The graze would need no more space, but he just couldn't do it.
He could ask Taehyung if they could hold hands as they walked. Maybe Taehyung wanted it too but was just too shy to initiate it! But that didn't look like the case, Taehyung just continued with a blank face, not looking like he was shy.
Maybe he didn't actually have an interest in him anymore. Taehyung was gorgeous and fun and nice and smart, Jungkook had no doubt he could date anyone. He didn't know why he settled on him. He was plain. He didn't think he was anything remarkable, nor was he someone to show off. He was just Jungkook.
Peaking down at his watch told him they had about seven more minutes before they made it to his house. They would have to go their separate ways soon and Jungkook swore he could feel his heart grow a little heavier.
Maybe he should just do it. Really, how hard could it be to grab someone's hand and hold it. It sounded simple enough. Just reach, grab, and tighten. That's it.
Yet, the only way he would hold his hand would be in Jungkook's mind because real life Jungkook was too embarrassed to even act on his wish.
Taehyung had been surprisingly silent during the walk, and it reminded Jungkook of his earlier concern about Taehyung not liking him anymore. He wanted to ask so many things, but his worries and desires clouded his head, rendering speech much too complicated to attempt.
When Jungkook agreed to date Taehyung, he had no idea how complicated it would be. He expected it would be easy, like riding a bike or swimming. But then again, those were all things he had to learn. Maybe he had to learn how to relationship, and how to ask your boyfriend to hold your hand was probably the first lesson.
Two more minutes, they had already entered his neighborhood which meant his house would be there in a matter of seconds. And still they hadn't held hands. Jungkook let out a sigh that he wasn't expecting to and caught Taehyung's attention.
"What's the matter, Kookie?" The nickname was something new and unique to Taehyung. He had started using it just a few days ago when he saw Kookie devour an entire package of double stuffed Oreos. But in his defense, Oreos were a creation fit for the gods to eat.
This was his chance to lay out all his concerns; well the one concern really since all his concerns sprouted from the one. "What? Nothing, nothing! I'm fine!" As he expected, he was indeed a chicken, but at least his smile brought a small one out of Taehyung.
"Actually, there's something I want to ask you?" He stated as a question and Jungkook nodded his head for the other to continue. "Um, I know we haven't been dating for very long, but um, would you want to wear matching rings?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out two thin, identical bands.
Jungkook looked at them as they rested in Taehyung's open palm. They were nothing glamorous or fancy, but precious nonetheless. The way the sun hit them made them shine and the thin design allowed them to be subtle as they showed them off for the world to see. And the best part was that Taehyung wanted him to wear it.
"Okay." He said with a blush starting on his cheeks reaching down his neck. The color only flushed deeper when Taehyung jumped a little in place beaming with excitement as he quickly put one on his own finger and reached out to grab Jungkook's hand.
Jungkook would have gasped at the sudden warmth coming from Taehyung's hand into his had he not been so dazzled by the light from his boyfriend's bright eyes and smile. They exchanged shy smiles for all but four seconds before Taehyung wrapped his fingers between Jungkook's own, and the small ding he heard when their rings touched was enough to make his heart become so light he thought it would float up towards the sky.
Taehyung swung their joint hands between them and he talked for the remaining minute and half until they got to his house. And they stood there talking for ten more with happy chatter and sweet glances and knowing smiles - and still swinging hands.
And when Taehyung went silent for a couple of seconds and locked gazes with Jungkook, he wasn't sure what was going to happen next. Taehyung dropped his hand, stepped closer, pulled him by the shoulders and leaned forward; the gentle brush of warm lips to his forehead was a flood of a love unexpected.