Chapter Text
Jungkook flashed that mischievous grin, but there was something softer behind it now—a warmth that Taehyung wasn't sure how to handle. He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes for good measure, more for his own sanity than anything else. "You know this is highly illegal, right?" he muttered, his tone somewhere between exasperation and amusement.
Jungkook tilted his head, acting as though he was seriously pondering the idea. "Hmm, arresting me again for my poor life choices?" He pretended to think for a moment before shrugging, his smile returning in full force. "I mean, I'd go willingly if it means more time with you, Officer Kim."
Taehyung groaned. "You're impossible."
Jungkook released him from the silk scarves with a flourish, as if freeing him from a grand illusion rather than a simple binding. Taehyung rubbed his wrists, feeling the soft material glide over his skin, and gave Jungkook a side-eye that should've been intimidating—but he knew better. Jungkook, the eternal thief of both items and moments, thrived on such looks.
"Well," Jungkook said, plopping down on the plush sofa like a lazy cat, "are you going to arrest me now? Handcuff me, lock me up, throw away the key?" His eyes twinkled with playful daring.
Taehyung hesitated for just a beat too long, making Jungkook's grin grow wider. Then, with a dramatic sigh, Taehyung shook his head, his lips quirking despite himself. "Maybe next time," he said, walking over to the massive windows overlooking the ocean. He crossed his arms, pretending to be deep in thought as he gazed at the sunset.
"Next time?" Jungkook’s voice was full of mock horror. "You're telling me you’re letting me off the hook again ? Are you getting soft, Officer Kim?"
Taehyung snorted, turning back to him with an amused glint in his eye. "Don’t push your luck, Jeon. I might change my mind."
Jungkook stretched out like a content cat, hands behind his head, one leg casually draped over the armrest of the sofa. "Well, if you ever decide to change careers, you’d make a lovely partner in crime, you know? You’ve got the cool, stoic thing down to an art form."
Taehyung shook his head, chuckling under his breath. "And spend all my time chasing after you? No, thanks. I’ve got enough gray hairs as it is."
Jungkook gasped in mock offense. "I’ll have you know, I’m a delight! And," he added, winking, "I’d definitely make sure you’re well taken care of in the world of crime. Imagine all the beautiful things we could steal together."
"Tempting," Taehyung drawled, sitting down in one of the armchairs across from Jungkook. "But I think I’ll stick to my badge."
Jungkook sighed dramatically. "So noble. So righteous. What am I going to do with you, Officer Kim?"
Taehyung leaned back, his own smile softening as he looked at Jungkook. "Maybe you should try staying out of trouble for once."
Jungkook let out a laugh, low and rich, the kind that made Taehyung's chest feel just a little warmer. "And give up all the fun? Not a chance. Besides," he said, his voice dropping playfully, "if I didn’t steal things, how else would I get your attention?"
Taehyung smirked, looking down at the floor before glancing back up at Jungkook with a challenge in his eyes. "You could always try asking nicely."
For a split second, Jungkook’s eyes widened in surprise, but he recovered quickly, his grin transforming into something softer, more genuine. "Is that right?"
Taehyung shrugged, trying to look indifferent. "Who knows? Maybe I’d actually agree."
Jungkook leaned forward slightly, his playful demeanor still there but tinged with curiosity. "And what exactly would I be asking?"
Taehyung met his gaze evenly. "Maybe next time," he echoed, letting the words hang in the air between them.
For the first time in their strange little dance, Jungkook seemed momentarily caught off guard. But it didn’t last long. His smile returned, this time with a hint of something more serious underneath. "Next time, then."
And for once, Taehyung didn't mind waiting.
Jungkook’s eyes lingered on Taehyung for a moment longer, the playful glint softening into something almost... thoughtful. It was a look Taehyung hadn’t seen before, and it made his heart skip in a way he didn’t particularly want to analyze right now.
“Next time,” Jungkook repeated, his voice quieter now, more sincere, as if the usual game between them had somehow shifted into something real—something Taehyung wasn’t entirely prepared for.
The silence stretched between them, comfortable but charged, until Jungkook clapped his hands together, snapping out of the moment. “Well! In the meantime, how about we make the most of this little break?” He hopped up from the couch, wandering over to a large glass cabinet filled with expensive bottles of wine. “Fancy a drink? I didn’t steal these—this place actually comes stocked.” He gave Taehyung a wink over his shoulder.
Taehyung rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips. “Why am I not surprised?”
Jungkook poured them both a glass, moving with the ease of someone who was used to luxury, even if he had to obtain it through... unconventional means. He handed Taehyung the glass with a little flourish, their fingers brushing for just a second as the glass passed between them. Taehyung didn’t flinch, but he did feel a slight jolt from the contact, which he immediately blamed on the day's events.
“To my favorite officer,” Jungkook said, raising his glass in a mock toast. “May you never arrest me... but if you do, I hope the handcuffs are velvet-lined.”
Taehyung took a sip, raising an eyebrow over the rim of his glass. “Pretty sure that’s not regulation.”
Jungkook grinned. “It should be. Maybe I’ll start a petition.”
They settled into an easy rhythm after that—talking, bantering, the tension from earlier fading into a lighthearted back-and-forth. Taehyung was still hyper-aware of how wrong this situation should feel. He was a cop. Jungkook was a thief. And yet, here they were, sipping wine in a stolen—borrowed, as Jungkook would say—luxury beach house, acting like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the room. Taehyung leaned back in his chair, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over him. He glanced over at Jungkook, who was lounging on the couch again, looking almost too relaxed.
“Why do you do it?” Taehyung asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the comfortable silence.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”
“The stealing. All the break-ins, the chases… me,” Taehyung added, his tone teasing but curious.
Jungkook chuckled softly, swirling the wine in his glass as he considered the question. “You really want to know?”
Taehyung nodded. He’d always wondered what drove Jungkook. Was it the thrill? The attention? Or something deeper, more complicated?
Jungkook leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before answering. “It’s fun,” he said simply, but then he hesitated, glancing over at Taehyung with a hint of something more serious in his eyes. “But it’s not just that. I like pretty things, sure, but I think what I like most… is seeing how people react. Everyone gets so predictable when something valuable is taken from them. Everyone except you.”
Taehyung frowned, unsure of what to make of that. “What do you mean?”
“You’re different,” Jungkook continued, his voice softer now. “Most people panic, freak out, or get angry when they lose something precious. But you? You just… chase. You don’t give up, but you’re not obsessed either. You treat it like a game, even when you try to act serious.”
Taehyung scoffed. “I’m not playing a game, Jungkook. I’m a cop. It’s my job.”
“Is it?” Jungkook smirked, sitting up a little straighter. “You sure? Because you always let me go.”
Taehyung’s heart skipped again, but he forced himself to stay calm, his gaze steady. “I wouldn’t count on that forever.”
Jungkook’s smile softened, and for a second, something unreadable flickered across his face. “Maybe I’m counting on it.”
The words hung in the air between them, heavier than Taehyung had expected. He didn’t know how to respond, so instead, he took another sip of his wine, letting the silence stretch out until Jungkook broke it with a light laugh.
“Anyway,” Jungkook said, standing up and stretching, his usual mischievous smile back in place. “I should probably get going before you decide to actually arrest me.”
Taehyung stood as well, watching as Jungkook made his way toward the door. “You’re just going to leave? After all this?”
Jungkook turned back, his grin playful but his eyes softer than Taehyung was used to. “Don’t worry, Officer Kim. I’ll be back to steal you again soon.”
Taehyung shook his head, trying not to smile as Jungkook slipped out the door with one final wink.
As the door clicked shut, Taehyung stood there for a moment, staring at the spot where Jungkook had just been. His heart was still racing, his mind buzzing with thoughts he didn’t want to unpack just yet.
Maybe next time, he thought to himself, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and frustration.
Maybe next time.