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“Jungkook, are you ready?” Taehyung shouts from the washroom, checking himself out for the last time.
It’s Christmas eve, all the boys have decided to meet out at the ice rink. Well not on everyone’s agreement but the grave request of Taehyung and Jimin, but before that they are going to a party. After all it’s Christmas eve and not going to a party is like doing social suicide.
“Almost ready!” Jungkook shouts from his bedroom.
What is their living arrangement? Well, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook are in their fourth year of college. They are roommates turned best friends. It’s important to note that they pine over each other and do almost everything together. By together? It means next to everything. Both are great in their fields, while Taehyung is pursuing law, Jungkook is pursuing Engineering, specifically Electronics and Communications.
How did they become roommates, with such different careers that they are targeting? It was simple in a way, there was a mix up of names when they first moved into the dorm and then second year onwards they just decided to choose each other.
Better to choose someone to be their roommate than some stranger right?
That’s what these two have been telling themselves since the beginning of time.
The good thing about this arrangement is that they have never confronted each other about it. Every time the topic of why the other was not dating came up, it just turned into a drinking game, the question long forgotten.
The justification that they give for saying “just friends” is really an understatement.. When one is sick, it’s safe to assume that the other has also taken a leave to take care of the latter. No one has questioned them. There have been advances on many numerous occasions over the years, but all the person, who ever tried to make a move, had gotten was a rejection. A simple “ Sorry” or sometimes “I am not ready to be in a relationship.” along with an apologetic smile.
And nevertheless it has not just been females, even males of their university have made moves on them but they too got nothing but a polite no.
Even their friends had never stopped teasing them. But they too opt to tease one of them when the other was not there. Why? Wish someone knew.
Here they are now. Four years later, going to another Christmas eve party. The day of Christmas, however, was reserved for them. Since these two weren’t anything more than ‘best friends’, that didn’t stop the others from being in a relationship. As usual Yoongi and Jimin had plans. Jin, Namjoon and Hoseok had plans too. While theirs was to spend quality time, the roommates had decided to do a movie marathon. To be specific the Harry Potter movie marathon was chosen through a very noble way of paper chits.
“Come on Kook, the others are waiting downstairs. It’s getting really late!” Taehyung shouted, while he bent down to tie his shoes.
“Just one more minute.” Jungkook shouted from his room.
Taehyung grabbed his coat and wore it over his outfit. Fluffing his hair once again, he texted the group chat that they will be out soon. He turned back again to look at the dimly lit living room. A sofa standing against one wall and a TV mounted on the wall in front. The curtains drawn and a small Christmas tree lit up in the corner of the room.
Even though they lived in the dorm, the tiny space that they shared was almost as if they had been living as something more. Personal touches here and there made the place look like it belonged to them rather than just a room.
“Jeon Jungkook, if you are not standing at the main door in the next 10 seconds I am going to lock you and take both the keys with me.” when he heard no reply he began counting backwards, “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, th-”
“I’m here, I’m here. Let’s go.” Without saying another word, Jungkook pushed Taehyung out the door, grabbing his coat and locking the door behind them.
“So sorry.” Jungkook apologized once he wore the coat and checked his phone for the time.He knew by the time that they were getting late.
“You look-” Taehyung looked at him up and down, observing him in every possible way, when the pause became too long, Jungkook turned towards him waiting for his opinion.
“Are you going to say anything?” Jungkook asks when the silence stretches for too long.
“So so.” And with that being said, he walks ahead as Jungkook looks at him with disbelief.
“Are you serious? Come on Tae, I look good! You have to admit that.” Jungkook shouts behind him and then runs after him when the latter starts running towards the gate.
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“There you are, guys. We have been waiting for a long time. Come on, let’s go.” Jimin entangles his and Taehyung’s hand and walks ahead. They laugh and talk while the others follow them.
“So what are your plans?” Hoseok asks as Jungkook and him walk at the very end of the group.
“The usual, we are doing a Harry Potter marathon.” he says excitedly, fixing his glasses.
Hoseok moves his head side by side, laughing at the statement.
“When will you both grow up? You guys are literally 22. Please date.” he suggests.
Jungkook leans in, “We are perfectly fine where we are hyung and I am sure we are going to enjoy it.” He winks, moving back to his place.
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“Are you sure we are at the right place?” Jin asks, looking up and down at the building in front of him. It was completely run down, well there were lights on and a faint sound of music coming from inside, the front porch was completely covered with Christmas decorations and a few people were going in and coming out.
“Please tell me this will not be my last party and that I won’t die, cause it looks like it is going to fall anytime now.” Namjoon says.
“Don’t worry, nothing will happen, now come on let’s go!” Taehyung pulled Jungkook and Jin with him and the other three were pulled by Jimin. After showing the passes, all of them entered and nonetheless, the outside and inside were poles apart.
All of them stood at the entrance looking around, the place was packed with people. Some were on the dancefloor completely grinding on each other, some making out. Others were at the bar drinking while some were just chilling here and there.
“Told you this place was good!” Jimin shouted.
“Now come on, let loose.” Taehyung said, turning to the others, and just like that the soulmates disappeared into the crowd.
Jungkook looked around, finally settling on getting himself a glass of beer first.
“Thanks.” he says to the bartender and turns back leaning himself against the counter. Taking light sips, his eyes scan the dancefloor to find Taehyung.
“Checkmate.” his eyes lock on him. Luckily the other had his back to him, completely drowned in the music that was playing.
“Finally going to make a move Jeon?” the guy comes and stands beside him.
He looked towards the owner of the voice, it was Bogum. He stared at him for a few seconds, poking the inside of his cheek in annoyance, “What’s it to you?” he says, eyes back on Taehyung who was now dancing with Jimin like they were a couple.
Park Bogum, Taehyung’s senior and a close friend. They were first introduced to each other at a mixer that was for the first year’s. And a few months later, Jungkook had seen them eating together at the cafeteria. Not to say that was the first time he felt jealous. Being in the same department meant that the younger always took help from him in academics.
Jungkook never had much problem with it and it’s better that he doesn’t show it because they are just friends. And friends don’t get jealous.
“Make a move already. If you don’t I will.” Bogum says, taking a sip of his drink.
Jungkook passes the empty glass back and turns towards the older.
“As far as I know, you did make a move on him when we were in second year and got rejected. If you get off by being rejected then be my guest.”
Bogum keeps the half empty drink on the counter and straightens his clothes. Sliding his hair back, he looked towards Jungkook “Watch me.” and with that he was off to the dancefloor. He watches his back disappearing in the hyped up crowd and once again sees it as he taps on Taehyung’s shoulder.
He sees how Taehyung turns back and hugs the older. He closes up to his face, saying something.
“Jealous?” Namjoon comes and stands beside him.
“About what hyung?” Jungkook tries to act innocent.
Namjoon laughs, hitting the younger on the arm “Come on Kook.” he turns towards him and when he still sees that he was acting clueless, he pulls him towards the sitting area. All of them were engaged in a conversation, some drinking and other’s eating, “What’s up Kook! Where have you been?” Hoseok asks as soon as the two arrive.
The younger takes a seat beside him while Namjoon goes over and sits beside Jin.
“This young man here thinks that we don’t know.” Namjoon says, taking a sip of his drink.
Jin and him share a look before he turns towards the younger.
“Seriously Jungkook, you think we haven’t noticed how you look at Taehyung? How you always give heart eyes towards him “he rests his arms on the table “how you take care of him when he is sick and vice versa, how you get jealous whenever someone shows an interest in him? Please, the only one who you are fooling is yourself by thinking you are doing a splendid job at hiding it.” Jin leans back, his back resting on Namjoon.
“The only one you can fool with that act is Taehyung who just acts too oblivious for some reason.” Yoongi adds.
“Hey guys.” all of their heads turn towards Jimin. His hair was all disheveled, crossing Jungkook and Hoseok he positioned himself on Yoongi’s lap, immediately pulling him into a kiss. Yoongi’s arms immediately go around his waist, keeping him in place.
Jungkook looked at the two disgustingly before he stood up and walked up to the barrier. The booth area was on a raised platform so Jungkook leaned against the railing and scanned the whole dancefloor once again. He gulps when he sees Taehyung once again. His eyes locked on him. There were people around him. Not to mention how Bogum and him were dancing, both of them were all over each other. His knuckles became white because of how tight he was clenching it.
“Calm done lover boy, this is public property.” Namjoon comes and stands beside him. Jungkook pays no attention to the older’s voice, his eyes are on the duo on the dancefloor. How Taehyung’s hands are around his shoulders while Bogum’s around his waist, how the two were talking and how Bogum was staring at him. How Taehyung was ignoring the gaze of the older but still dancing. The music was much more sensual right now.
Jungkook turns back, his jaw tight and eyes dark. He looks at his friends. All of them were staring at him. Jimin was comfortably settled on Yoongi’s lap as they talked among themselves and then looked at him.
“So?” Jin asks.
“What?” Jungkook says angrily before gulping down two shots of vodka and takes a seat beside Hoseok. The older wraps his arm around the younger’s shoulder.
“Are you seriously not going to say anything?” Namjoon scoffs seeing how that made Jungkook do next to nothing except for drinking. He is on his fifth shot when Namjoon takes it from his hand and gulps it down.
“That’s enough. We should leave if we want to go to the ice rink.” He takes Jin’s hand and walks away. Yoongi and Jimin follow them and right after that Hoseok pulls Jungkook with him. When they reach the main door, he turns back to see Jimin pulling Taehyung from the dancefloor, who was saying something in Bogum’s ear and then hugged him. Not capable of seeing anything more of it, he walks out.
Namjoon hails two cabs as he and Jin get into the smaller one. Yoongi, Jimin, Hoseok, Taehyung and Jungkook sit in the seven seater. With the destination set in the map, the car starts to move.
Jungkook sits at the back of the car, as he was putting the middle seat back into position, Taehyung grabbed his hand, stopping him from doing so and takes a seat beside him. Yoongi and Jimin sit in the middle and Hoseok sits beside the driver.
“Hey Kook.” Taehyung greets him as soon as the car starts moving.
“Hey.” Jungkook greets back. He looks ahead not wanting to show the evident angry look on his face to him. Taehyung stares at his side profile for a while and then he pokes his cheek.
“Why are you not looking at me?” He pokes some more.
Jungkook grabs his hand and faces him.
“You are drunk Tae. Sleep a little.” he suggests. Taehyung tries to read his face, he looks into his eyes and notices how he was not meeting his. His smile dims a little and he turns to look in front.
“It’s really hot.” he comments and takes his coat off. Keeping it on his lap, he looks outside. Seeing the cars pass by theirs and how almost the whole of Seoul was out today. Looking outside, he shifts on his right, his and Jungkook’s arm touching. Still not looking at him, he lays his head on his shoulder. He feels him go taut but doesn’t remove his head, instead he closes his eyes. His body aches a little from all the dancing and shots of alcohol he took.
Soon he is deep in sleep, not noticing how Jungkook’s arm wraps around him and how he puts the coat over his body.
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“Wake up, we are here Tae.” Jungkook says in a soft whisper.
Taehyung opens his eyes. After a few blinks he is able to see everything clearly. His eyes went to the coat that was covering him and how his head was on Jungkook’s shoulder. Sitting straight he wore the coat back, it was 11:00 at night currently. In an hour it would be Christmas.
Stepping out of the vehicle, all of them chipped in money for the cab.
“Come on, we are already very late. Let’s gooo!” Taehyung says as soon as they start walking towards the rink. Namjoon, Jin and Hoseok were walking ahead of everyone else. Jimin takes Taehyung’s hand and runs away. Jungkook catches up to Yoongi, both of them now walking together.
“So?”
“What?” Jungkook says angrily.
“Chill kid. I am not attacking you, so keep that anger inside you.” The older says in a calm tone.
Jungkook rolls his eyes.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” Yoongi asks and Jungkook walks away. He knows how he would not really be alive if he gets caught by the older.
Changing into skates, all of them entered the ice rink. They were all pretty good at skating. And hence, all were off as pairs. Yoongi decided to just stand at the edge while Jimin and Taehyung skated around. Jungkook helped Hoseok get his balance after he almost slipped. Namjoon and Jin were somewhere off as well.
A guy in his twenties approaches Hoseok and Jungkook.
“Hi” the two looked his way.
“I just thought you were really cute. Would you like to get coffee sometime?” The duo looked at each other and back at the man whose name they didn’t know.
“I’m sorry but I am not looking for a relationship right now.” Jungkook gives an apologetic smile.
The man looks at him and gives an awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck he looks at him again “I’m sorry, I was actually talking to him.” he looks towards Hoseok.
The older tries his best to not laugh. After a desperate effort to not laugh, he looks towards the man “Sure, just give me a minute.” He looks towards the younger, who was almost standing still like a statue.
“Kook, not everyone is attracted to you, but the one who you are to, make a move otherwise he might get tired of waiting and move on.” Winking at him, he pats his back before giving a polite smile to the man and skates away with him.
Jungkook stood there for a while, letting his friend’s words sink in.
When someone bumps against him, he finally comes back to reality, skating towards Yoongi. “What was that?” the older asks as soon as he stands beside him.
“That?.. A guy found Hoseok hyung cute and asked him for a coffee, so they are having that.” He states, “It didn’t seem like it though. I clearly saw Hoba trying to control his laugh. Did you think that the guy was asking you out?” Yoongi asks in an uninterested tone.
Jungkook remained silent. His eyes on the rink trying to find his best friend.
Yoongi just laughed.
“Well then here is my advice Jungkook. Make a move, cause if you don’t Taehyung will move on. How do I know that? If you are thinking that then let’s just say, a little birdy told me that he is kind of interested in Bogum. He might ask him out on the 1st.” Jungkook immediately turns towards him, his eyes wide open.
“Hey guys!” Jimin shouted towards them. Taking Yoongi’s hand, the couple went away. Taehyung stopped beside him. Jungkook was looking straight and he was looking at him. Just like what had happened in the cab.
“Hey Handsome.” Taehyung says leaning against the barrier.
Jungkook glared at him and then turned back.
Tae straightened himself, a pout on his face, “What’s wrong?” he asks.
All he gets is silence. “Come on let’s skate.” he pulls him, now both of them in the middle of the rink. Everyone else were skating around them.
“Are you going to ask Bogum out?” Jungkook asks as Taehyung kept skating. On hearing the question, he comes and stands towards him, “And what if I am?” Taehyung says with his gaze down. Jungkook doesn’t say anything, he just looks at the other, “Nothing, just-” Taehyung immediately looks up at him, his face somewhat dimmed. “- you and him don’t really look good together.” He comments and skates off.
Taehyung stands there letting the words sink in. Now all he was feeling was anger. He skated after him. After a few drags he finally managed to go past him and stand in front of him. Jungkook couldn’t stop himself in time and neither did Taehyung move away in time, the two banged into each other and fell down.
Jungkook was on the ground with Taehyung on top of him. A few grunts and ouches later, they met each other’s eyes. Jungkook’s hand was on his waist while his, on his chest.
“You really don’t care that I ask Bogum hyung out?” he asks. Jungkook’s jaw tightens as he looks everywhere but him, but after all that he didn’t reply to anything. Taehyung looked at him in disbelief. He tried to get off him but kept on falling on him. Jungkook groaned when he rubbed against him. He held Taehyung’s waist tightly, stopping him from moving any further.
They again made eye contact. This time with palpable tension between them.
Jungkook notices how Taehyung was trying to not look at him, how his cheeks were red, how his nose flared, how he bit his lips, how his eyebrows furrowed and most of all how sad he looked.
“Do you not want to ask Bogum out?” Being caught off guard with the question, Taehyung’s eyes widened. His lips agape.
Jungkook saw a flint of hope in his eyes and just as he was ready to say more, a guy came and requested them to get off the rink. Both of them scrambled away, standing up immediately and dusting the ice off them.
“May I ask why?” Jungkook asks.
“Oh, a guy is going to propose. Don’t worry you guys can be back here just after he proposes.” The man left them to tell others.
“I wonder who that could be.” Taehyung said under his breath but Jungkook heard him. Taking his hand, he pulled Taehyung with him.
“Have any idea who it is?” Taehyung asks as soon as they come and stand beside Jimin, Yoongi, Hoseok and the guy from earlier.
“Who’s that?” Taehyung asks in a whisper, pointing towards the man.
“I’ll tell you later.” Jimin says, going back to continue talking to Yoongi.
“About earlier I-” Jungkook got interrupted by Jimin and Hoseok this time who shouted looking towards the rink. Taehyung, who was listening to him, got distracted once again by the screams of his two friends.
“Look Jungkook!” he says, holding his hand.
Jungkook looked down at their linked hands and back at the rink, it was Namjoon and Jin on the rink. And he was able to connect the dots immediately after that. His own thoughts are forgotten as he sees Jin going down on one knee.
Jungkook looks down at their hands when Taehyung grips tightly, he looks at his face then, seeing how the other was beaming. All of them knew the answer to the proposal but the excitement that he saw; he felt himself melting away. His chest feels warm. Jungkook puts his other hand over his chest, feeling how fast his heart was beating. He takes a quick breath, trying to calm down, but fails.
He then looks towards the rink, everyone was cheering for the couple. What did he miss? Namjoon too went down on one knee and proposed to Jin. He smiles, seeing two of his favorite people getting their forever. He still remembers that time in first year when Namjoon was a 4th year law student and Jin was an arts student. How they pined over each other, how they loved each other. He remembers sitting and listening to their cute meetup, and today they are getting their forever.
Namjoon puts a ring on Jin’s finger and so does the other. And then he pulls him into a searing kiss. Everyone skated on the rink as the fireworks went off and the clock struck midnight. They were hitched. Taehyung pulled Jungkook with him towards the newly engaged couple. He didn’t have enough time to think about what happened. Next thing he knows is that he is in a group hug with the whole group and the crowd were congratulating and cheering.
“Merry Christmas everyone!” the announcer said as a Christmas song started playing on the speaker. Jungkook too hugged the couple and congratulated them right after Taehyung.
“So any progress?” Namjoon asks in a hopeful tone.
Jungkook just sways his head side by side, denying. The older gave him an apologetic smile. Jungkook reciprocated it.
“Enough about me hyung. It’s about you two tonight! We better get a party though.” Jungkook changes the topic.
“Since we have a newly engaged couple, here is a song from us to them.” Jin and Namjoon were first to begin and soon after everyone else was coupled up. He definitely saw Yoongi whining but then almost immediately, smiling and peppering Jimin’s face with kisses. The couple’s laugh echoed throughout. He saw how Hoseok took the man’s hand from earlier and started dancing. The lights were dimmed, the fairy lights and bulbs creating a warm ambiance.
Somewhere along looking at everyone, his eyes fell on Taehyung. And that was enough to know that the time stopped. His eyes locked on him. He saw the happiness that the other had on his face, how his eyes were shining brighter than the lights, how his hands were clasped together while his eyes wandered on all the couples dancing. He noticed how his hair flew in the cold winter air, he noticed how he slid his fingers through his hair to keep style. He notices how his eyes hover on an elderly couple sitting on a bench just outside the rink and drinking hot chocolates.
He wanted that with Kim Taehyung.
But then the fear arise. His eyes now on the ice, the white surface acting as a blank screen to his thoughts, he fears what if asking out ends up jeopardising their friendship. What is they break up in the future and end up parting ways. Jeon Jungkook was entangled with Kim Taehyung in more ways than one. They had entered each other’s lives just as strangers but now held a deeper connection for anyone to understand.
And just as he was spiraling down the web of fears, a hand came in sight. He looks up to see Taehyung standing in front of him.
“I don’t have a boyfriend but I have bestfriend. So would you like to dance with me?” Taehyung asks with a warm smile.
Without saying a word Jungkook takes his hand, pulling him closer to him. Their one hand clasped together while Jungkook’s other rested on his shoulder and Taehyung’s on his waist. He leaned his head on his shoulder as he let Taehyung lead them. He had that much trust in him.
“Everything okay?” Taehyung whispers.
Jungkook doesn’t say anything, rather just snuggles more into Taehyung’s neck. He smelled of vodka and vanilla. Taehyung put his hand completely around his waist as they swayed away to the soft music.
After a prolonged silence, Jungkook musters the courage to finally look up to him. Their faces are too close to each other. His eyes move from his eyes to his lips and back to his eyes. And just like that their hands left each other, Jungkook’s hand moves to his waist while Taehyung’s on his shoulder.
He notices how Jungkook’s jaw tightens, his shoulders taught. How he wasn’t looking him in the eyes. “I am waiting for someone.” Jungkook looks him in the eyes, holding Taehyung close to himself, he continues to listen to him.
“But if” he smiles, “if he doesn’t make a move then-” he says in a hopeful voice, as if everything has finally come to what he was expecting but then he gets interrupted.
“You should ask Bogum hyung out.” Jungkook says his grip loosens on Taehyung as he takes a new step back. That was the first time he had called him hyung, so the other knows that it wasn’t just a jab… it was a suggestion. Taehyung looks at him, his hands now in fists.
“He likes you.” Jungkook doesn”t match eyes with him as he continues “You both will make a good couple.” he gives a forced smile and Taehyung knows that. Something shatters in him. He doesn’t know why the other was pretending.
So he plays along too. Maybe they aren’t really meant to be.
“I will. On new year’s eve, I will ask him out. Thanks for the compliment.” He smiles as if nothing's wrong. As if his heart isn’t breaking.
“Should we leave? It’s already 1:34 in the morning.” Taehyung says, looking at his phone.
“We should head back.” Jungkook agrees walking towards the barrier. The others were already changing into their shoes.
“Were you guys going to leave without us?” Taehyung asks.
“You both were busy skating, thought you will stay.” Jimin says rubbing his hands together to keep them warm.
“Me and Jin are leaving, see you guys on New Year’s” Namjoon hugs each one of them and so does Jin. Bidding final goodbyes the two leave. Yoongi and Jimin too left with them, since they lived in the same area. Hoseok was also off with the guy who he had met earlier, he introduced him as Kim Hyun-woo.
“We should leave.” Jungkook says silently and Taehyung follows after him.
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“Good Night.” Taehyung says, closing the door to his room. Jungkook stands there in the living room, with a glass of warm water in his hands. The door opens again. “We have a movie marathon in the morning, don’t forget that.” Taehyung reminds him, he smiles at him and then again shuts the door, this time with more force.
Jungkook goes inside his room and brings two wrapped gifts. Placing them under the tree, he arranged the coffee table, sat down on the makeshift sofa to make a list of ingredients he will be needing for tomorrow.
After another half an hour of working through it, he switched off the lights and headed to bed.
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The fear of losing you keeps my heart silent, even when it’s screaming.
“Good Morning.” Jungkook greets when Taehyung steps out of his room, hair all over the place, looking very cuddly and adorable. He sits on the sofa, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
“Here.” Jungkook places a cup of tea on the table. Taehyung immediately picks it up and takes a sip, closing his eyes and letting the taste sit on his tongue, “It smells so delicious. What are you cooking?” He stands up, leaning against the countertop and watching the other work.
“The cookies are done, this is the batter for the cake and then I’ll make two cups of hot cocoa.” he puts the cake batter into the pan. Setting it nicely, he puts it into the oven, setting the timer.
“Can I have some?” Taehyung looks towards the cookies and back at him.
“No.” Jungkook says in a strict but sweet voice.
“You can have it after you take a bath, stinky. You still smell of sweat. And please come fast, we need to start our movie marathon, it’s already noon.” he looks at the time, frowning.
“Chill Kook, just let me enjoy this tea and then I’ll be back in another minute.” Taehyung smiles while taking another sip.
“You better,” he takes a seat on the sofa. “ Cause if you don’t then we are skipping Goblet of Fire.”
“Hey!” Taehyung walks up to him, “That is my favorite, you can’t do that.”
“I can if you are not here in the next 15 minutes.” He sits comfortably on the sofa, taking the remote in his hand surfing through the TV.
Taehyung stands there staring at his roommate. Thinking whether to hit him with a pillow or his hand but then he drops the idea. Taking two quick sips of his tea, he very nicely bangs the cup in the sink before walking back to his room.
It was 12:20 when they had started their marathon, phones on silent which was their only rule; sitting on the sofa with half eaten cookies and milk that has now gone cold on the coffee table. They had their own comforters over them, cozily watching Goblet of fire.
Taehyung was absolutely late, but when they had finished the third part, Taehyung had very much used his sad face, pouty lips and puppy eyes on his roommate. Jungkook stared at his face for a few seconds, melting right into it. So here they were about 9 hours later, Taehyung’s head on Jungkook, an empty plate that was full of cake an hour before.
The silence was comfortable.
“Do you want to continue?” Jungkook asks as the 4th movie ends.
“Of course!” Taehyung answers, his voice heavy. He sits straight, stretching his limbs and yawning.
“You sure?” Jungkook asks once again, knowing how stubborn the other was.
“Positive Kook. It’s a marathon.” He says standing up to get a glass of water and keeping the empty plates in the sink.
“How about we take a break. I am tired of sitting now. Let’s open up presents.” He absolutely knows that Taehyung would never accept that he is tired and refuses to take breaks, so being the careful person that he is, he decides to say it instead.
Taehyung stops in his tracks.
“You bought me gifts?” He asks, shock evident in his eyes. Jungkook looks at his still figure, raising an eyebrow, “We do this every year Tae, you know that.” Jungkook says.
“Did you not get me anything?” He folds his arms, pouting.
Taehyung keeps the glass back in its place after rinsing it with water, “No I just thought you forgot.” he says in a whisper.
“Come on Tae, I did not forget. Now let’s open them!”
“Sure give me a sec, I need to pee and get your gift too.” He shuts his room immediately after entering.
Jungkook stands there, listening to the sound of shuffling inside. He breaks into a laugh, knowing for sure that the other forgot to get him a christmas present.
As his best friend takes his sweet time to come, he decides to convert the Sofa into the bed, putting linens over it and keeping the present on top of their comforters. He sits back in his spot, searching for the fifth movie, which had apparently disappeared suddenly from the ‘up next’ section.
The door opens again. Taehyung walked in with his hands behind his back. He slowly takes a seat making sure to not let Jungkook take a glimpse.
“So, did you get me something?” Jungkook asks.
Tahyung gives an apologetic smile. He just laughs, taking the bigger gift and passing it on to him. Taehyung looks down on the neatly wrapped gift. He picks it up to shake it. Something shuffled but he wasn’t sure. He tried to nicely remove the wrap. He folded it and tucked it under his leg. He looked up to see Jungkook staring at him.
“What? We can recycle that, you know.” he states. Jungkook goes back to the tv.
On opening the box, his eyes faintly traced the pattern. He picked it up to see it in full view. It was a sweater, light beige in colour with a brooch attached to it. He feels it on his skin, eyes closed while feeling the softness of it. He smiles, keeping it down and looking towards Jungkook.
“I knitted it.”
Taehyung’s eyes widened, looking at it again. “You made this? The guy who sits in front of the screen and just codes, made this?” He was surprised. His happiness was completely visible.
Jungkook shies away at the compliment, hiding his face in the pillow.
“Come on now, don’t hide away Jeon Jungkook.” he was on his knees, the sweater kept aside, his hands now pulling Jungkook’s hand away from his face.
“Don’t shy away now Kook. Come on.” he says once again.
After a long battle, Taehyung decides to settle, he goes back to his place as Jungkook keeps the pillow behind him.
“Now my turn.” he brings out a small box wrapped neatly with a golden bow on the top.
Jungkook takes it in his hand, feeling the heaviness of it. He inspects the box before looking back at him. Taehyung’s eyes went from the gift to Jungkook, a smile on his face.
“I swear to god Kim Taehyung, if this is some joke then it won’t be good for you.” Jungkook warns, neatly unwrapping, knowing very well that the latter would scold him if he tore it even a millimetre. On opening there was another box inside. “I hope nothing jumps out of it.” Jungkook wishes before he opens it.
His eyes fall on a snow globe, “Tae.”
That was the only thing Jungkook managed to say, as he brought it in front of his eyes to see it closely.
It had a rabbit in it and a bear beside it, “Is that us?” Jungkook asks, looking at it. Taehyung nods. He gets inside his comforter, trying to get his hands warm again.
“I made this.” he says, playing the movie.
“You made this?when?” Jungkook asks, placing it back inside, turning his body towards Taehyung, “About a week ago,” he states.
“I must say, you are good at acting Kim. I really thought you didn’t get me anything.” he teased.
“As if.”
Another half an hour into the movie and Jungkook passes a small envelope.
Taehyung looks at it confusingly before opening it.
It was a ticket. Two tickets to be precise.
“What are these?” he asks.
“You are a lawyer, read it yourself” Jungkook says going back to watching.
“New years at a resort? We are going to a resort?”
Jungkook laughs on hearing how Taehyung sounded, purely shocked.
“We leave tomorrow at noon, all of us are going.”
“You mean the hyungs right?”
“Who else Tae, now let’s watch.”
Taehyung was so excited that he leaned in to hug, making both of them fall down. Jungkook wrapped his hands around him, clearly shocked by the impact, but he hugs him back. They stayed like that until a certain character shouted on the bridge making both of them jump. Realizing in the position they were in, Taehyung awkwardly moves back, sliding a bit away from him, some space between them now.
Taehyung very happily kept the letter beside, taking a sip of his second hot cocoa this evening. The lights were dimmed, a warm ambiance. The Christmas tree was lit up in the corner of the room. Both of them were lying down, completely immersed into the movie.
“I hate Umbridge.” Taehyung says as the scene of Harry in her office plays out.
“Tell me about it. If it was up to me, I would make sure to keep her in one of the darkest dungeons in Azkaban where there is no light and she gets like one meal a day. A baguette at that. And she keeps inflates up like that woman did in Prisoner of Azkaban.” Jungkook finishes, there is a brief pause and then he smirks at the plan he just made.
“Damn Kook, I am impressed by your knowledge but also terrified.” Taehyung says smiling but still a little freaked out at how accurately detailed all of it was. It wasn’t their first time watching the movie, both being Potterhead for a really long time.
"Tae.. it's Umbridge, we all hate her."
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Taehyung yawns, slipping more under the covers, his head on Jungkook. Last thing he remembers is the three best friends running through the forest, before he fell into deep slumber.
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Jungkook’s arm is numb. As soon as he opens his eyes, everything is dark. He rubs his eyes trying to figure out the switch was. There is just enough light coming from under the curtains. He feels someone breathing and cuddling his numb arm. And that’s when everything hits him. They were doing the marathon and now it’s morning. No idea what time it was, he turned to the other side to switch on the lamp since the switch to the light had magically disappeared. The TV was on power saving mode. He turns back again, only for his eyes to meet Taehyung’s sleeping figure.
He was cuddled in the covers, Jungkook’s arm under his cheek, holding it to himself. He removed his hair from his face, admiring the small pout he had. Smiling, he again laid beside him, trying ever so slowly to remove his hand from under him. As soon as his arm was free, Taehyung had moved forward, now his arms thrown over Jungkook, legs over his and face hidden in his chest.
Jungkook laid there like a statue trying to calculate his next step. He doesn’t know what to do. So he just combs through Taehyung’s hair, trying to wake him up. The first time this had happened, he remembered almost shouting at the latter, which earned him three days of silent treatment. The other had only talked to him when Jungkook had cooked the two of them a delicious meal. And that’s when Taehyung confessed to being hated when woken up by shouting.
“Taehyung-ah” Jungkook whispers in his ears.
If anyone would see this, they would surely call them a couple. But this is how they were, their friendship was different. Very much, since the beginning.
Taehyung stirs in his sleep, incoherent words leaving his mouth. He only pulls Jungkook closer to him. Jungkook feels his skin heating up. He knows that if in the next few minutes he doesn’t detach himself from him, he would end up with something that would be very embarrassing.
“Tae, wake up. It’s 10 already, we need to leave in two hours. You can sleep on your way there.” he says again.
“Just two more minutes, please.” Taehyung begs. Jungkook can feel his breath getting even once again. He sighs knowing if he doesn't wake the other up now, he won’t be able to for the next few hours. So he does the only logical thing. Pulls himself away from him while Taehyung groans.
Standing up he stretched his sore arm, before leaning down and removing the covers from on top of Taehyung. His heart melted seeing how cutely the other was cuddled up in his duvet. After minutes of staring, he leans down knowing exactly what to do.
“Come on Tae, go and pack, I am sure you don’t want to wrongly coordinate your outfits for the trip and also we are going skiing.”
Jungkook jumps back when Taehyung sits up, his eyes wide open and looking at the latter.
“WE ARE GOING SKIING!” Taehyung shouts.
Jungkook covers his ears at how loud Taehyung had shouted.
“Yes we are. So if you want to go, you better get ready now. Till then I’ll refresh and clean this all.” Jungkook says, vaguely moving his hands around the room.
“Yes sir” Taehyung gave a mock salute, stood up stretching himself and walked in.
Taehyung might be aspiring to be a lawyer but he sure as hell knows fashion. The guy has watched every fashion show and is the first person anyone goes to if they need help with their outfit after Seokjin.
He still remembers how the two would throw jabs at each other regarding their fits, jokingly of course.
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The next few days were spent just chilling around at the resort. Due to some landslides, the mountains were closed off for snow sports. The place was a few hours drive from there, since they were near the coastal area.
Taehyung had sulked afterwards, not being interested in anything after skiing was cancelled. It was almost as if something very bad had happened. On new year’s eve, he had come down to eat lunch with the others, but had just been poking at his meal instead of eating.
“Kook, please tie this guy to the bed, before coming for the party today. His aura is ruining my glow.” Jin had said it in a fun way, but when he got no reaction from the younger except for the stare, he sighed, eyeing Jungkook to make the other’s mood better. When he didn’t react, he kicked him under the table, earning a groan from him.
Jungkook looks beside him. Taehyung had his hood on, looking down. He stared at his figure, before nudging him in the arm.
“Come on Tae. It’s not like somebody has banned you from skiing. Stop moping around now, will you? You're really out here being a vibe killer Tae..” When he got no response, he put his fork down and turned towards him. Removing his hood, he smiled. “Tell you what? I heard the staff saying that the roads will open on the fourth. How about we stay back and you can ski?”
Taehyung stopped what he was doing and looked up at Jungkook.
“Promise?” He asks, hoping the answer to be positive and when Jungkook smiles and nods, he practically jumps on him. He pulls him into a hug, almost making both of them fall if it wasn’t for Jungkook to pin him down. The others laugh seeing the happy Taehyung back while Jungkook’s heart was in his ears. He was just hoping for the other to not notice how heated his face had gotten and how his ears were turning red.
He glanced towards the others, Jimin and Hoseok were making teasing faces, Jungkook just rolled his eyes in response, even though he was freaking out internally.
“Taehyung?” Jungkook knows that voice. Taehyung goes back to his seat, looking behind him to find the owner of the voice.
“Bogum hyung?” He pushes the seat back, standing up and going to greet the older. He pulls him into a hug and strikes up a conversation. Jungkook’s heart had gone from beating in his ears to silence. Almost as if he was dead. He looks at the pair, smiling and talking and when his eyes couldn't see more of that, he turns back to his food again, even though he could very clearly hear the two talking.
He was on his last piece of chicken when Taehyung returned to his seat.
“Bogum hyung is also here to celebrate with his friends.”
He states as soon as he sits down.
The others look at each other and then all of them eye Jungkook, who had decided to keep his head down for the rest of the meal.
“So you're gonna ask him out then, right?” Jimin asks, his voice attentive while eyeing Jungkook. The whole table goes silent. Even Hyunwoo who was new to the whole group was silent since he was updated by Hoseok on everything.
Jungkook pauses while he stares at the food, his jaw tightens, chest constricted. He looked up to see Jimin, who was still looking at him. Taehyung had remained silent, not knowing what to say. Yoongi holds Jimin’s arm, gripping it to tell him to cut it out, but all Jimin did was stare.
Taehyung looked up, Jimin’s eyes now on him and a smile dangling on his face.
“Yeah, I am planning on it.” he says, silently going back to eating. Jimin’s eyes falter, wanting to question him more but he doesn’t because he knows that it is not his place to say anything. None of them had an appetite any more. The air had shifted suddenly and they didn’t know what they were supposed to do. Jin grabs Namjoon and their food and leaves, right after which the other two couples do too.
Jungkook is still there with Taehyung. None of them speak.
“Maybe you two should talk it out. I can’t do this anymore.” Jimin had said before leaving the duo.
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Both of them return back to their room, busy in their respective works. Until it was six in the evening and Taehyung started getting ready for the party. Jungkook was sleeping, the blanket over his face. When he finally woke up his head was aching and his chest was still heavy. All the time his body was resting, his mind was continuously running in circles over what the other had said over lunch.
He stood up, and decided to take a walk when he saw the latter putting his makeup on.
⊹₊⟡⋆
“What was Jimin talking about?”
Jungkook asks as soon as he steps in the room about two hours later. Jungkook grabs a bottle of water, gulping it down to suppress the scratchy feeling in his throat. He stands near the full sized window, his back against Taehyung. He finally asks, not able to keep it inside anymore.
“You already knew about it Kook, didn’t you?” he takes a few steps ahead, folding his arms and looking straight at him.
“So that’s it, huh? You are going to propose to him?” Jungkook asks, trying his best to not let the anger come out.
“He is good to me. He deserves this.” Taehyung says calmly.
Jungkook laughs bitterly, he throws the bottle on the bed, turning to look at Taehyung who was looking back at him, eyes deprived of any emotion.
“Deserves? Since when do relationships work on what someone deserves?”
Taehyung’s body goes rigid, his defense up, voice hardening “It’s just that. I… I care about him, Jungkook.” he manages to look him in the eyes.
“Care? You care for so many people, why are you not asking them out? What is so special about him?” Jungkook walks up to him, his fingers in a tight fist.
“He is special, Jungkook. He takes good care of me and I am tired of waiting for… for someone to come around. Maybe we do belong together.” He tries to justify looking straight into Jungkook’s eyes.
Jungkook takes a few steps forward, Taehyung takes a few steps back, not wanting to reduce the space between them.
“Again Taehyung, just because you care doesn't mean that you are supposed to ask them out. What the hell is wrong with you?” his eyebrows furrow, voice getting out of control.
Taehyung grabs Jungkook’s t-shirt, his eyes becoming red and slowly tearing up, “ You do not get to tell me who I can date and cannot date. You are my best friend not my wingman. I’ll date who I want and you have no right to control, it’s my life.” he says the last few words through his teeth, knowing very well that if the latter heard his voice breaking, he would know.
Jungkook’s just stares at his teary eyes, his own eyes softening and all the anger going away. He lifts his hand to caress his cheek, “Then why are you doing this Tae? I can clearly see you are not happy.” he says softly.
He closes his eyes at the warmth he was feeling, getting lost in the touch momentarily until he is back and pushes him. Jungkook stumbles, but then balances himself against the bed. He looks at the other in disbelief.
“I am done waiting, Kook. He never hesitates to express his feelings towards me. He always tells me what he feels.” he balls his fist not wanting to say the next words, but he knows he needs to “ unlike… unlike the person that I like,” he pauses, laughing, “actually love, unlike the person I fell in love with, he has always been there for me, in every way.”
⊹₊⟡⋆
The city lights flickered outside the café window, casting a warm glow over the quiet space. It was late, past the usual rush, and most of the tables sat empty except for one in the corner, where Taehyung and Bogum lingered over half-finished cups of tea. Taehyung had a long day of classes and this.. was what he needed; peace.
Taehyung sighed, stirring his drink lazily, watching the swirl of honey disappear into the amber liquid. “I don’t know,” he muttered, “I just feel... stuck.” He voices out his concern.
Bogum tilted his head, resting his chin on his palm. “Stuck how?” His eyes now locked on him.
Taehyung exhaled slowly, leaning back into his chair. “Like I’m running in circles. Like no matter what I do, I can’t shake this feeling that I’m waiting for something—something I don’t even know exists.” He tries to voice out his feelings.
Bogum studied him for a moment before leaning forward. “Maybe you’re not waiting,” he said gently. “Maybe you’re just scared to move forward.”
Taehyung’s fingers stilled around his cup. “What if forward doesn’t lead anywhere? What if I make the wrong choices?” His voice wavers a little as feels a rush of something in his body, as if suddenly he is scared.
Bogum chuckled softly. “Tae, you make everything sound so final, like there’s only one right answer. Life isn’t like that. You can change your mind. You can make mistakes. You can start over. We are just Humans Tae.” He nudged Taehyung’s arm playfully. “And you’ll always have people who care about you, no matter what.”
Taehyung looked up at him then, something soft and unspoken in his gaze. “You always say the right things when I struggle with stuff.”
Bogum grinned. “That’s because I mean them.”
A comfortable silence settled between them, the sound of distant traffic filling the space. Taehyung glanced out the window, his heart feeling just a little bit lighter.
“Thanks for being here,” he said quietly.
“Always,” Bogum replied, and Taehyung believed him.
⊹₊⟡⋆
There is a brief silence until Taehyung speaks up again.
“Do you even realise how exhausting it is to love someone and wait around, when you know that they might never confess, they might never take the next step?”
And of course, he doesn’t see a reaction on Jungkook’s face. He scoffs, realising how none of this was going to have any effect on him, “I am done.” he whispers to himself, grabbing his jacket and phone as he makes his way towards the door.
“What if that person is afraid to take the next step? What if he is afraid that they will fall apart and part ways? What if he is scared that he might lose his best friend and the person he fell in love with because of something he did? What if he loses his mind at the thought of not being in that person's life? What if-”
Jungkook abruptly gets stopped from continuing further. Taehyung turns back, staring him right in the eye, taking one step at a time, “If he is afraid, then that person will take every step with him, one step at a time. If that person is afraid that we will part ways and then at least he’ll know they tried instead of living in regret of never trying. If that person is afraid of not being in his life then…” He takes another step “trust me he is also afraid of not having him in his life.” His voice drops to a whisper, laced with vulnerability, he walks up to him, now standing face to face, “If that person is scared that he will forget him then he is very wrong. If he is afraid of ‘what ifs’ then that person will hold his hand and face them all with him." Taehyung then holds his hand, their fingers loosely entangled. He moved forward, he can feel Jungkook’s breath on him and so does Jungkook on his.
“You forgot to answer one question…” Jungkook whispers, his fingers now tightly wrapped with Taehyung’s.
Before he could say anything, Taehyung put his fingers on his lips. Jungkook’s terrified eyes meeting Taehyung’s bloodshot ones, “He will never lose his best friend and his love because…. because….” The words are on the tip of his tongue but he is terrified. Terrified because once those words are out, it won’t be a secret anymore, it won’t be sneaky glances and admiring in secret and all of a sudden, air gets caught in his throat.
Jungkook’s arms snake around him, “Because what Tae?” Jungkook asks, his eyes moving from Taehyung’s eyes to his lips and back to his eyes.
“I love you too” Taehyung immediately gets away from Jungkook's hold and dashes out of the room.
Jungkook stands there, his hands still in the air, eyes pinned on the closed door and the confession ringing in his ear. Taehyung loves him.
Oh.
Oh.
He hears the music playing outside the room. The glass was vibrating because of how loud the sound was. The voice now replaced the loud music. He moves immediately. He wore his coat, took his phone and Taehyung’s coat in his hands and walked out of the room.
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Taehyung decides to take the stairs. The moment he had started climbing he hadn’t stopped for even a second to catch his breath. He takes one step at a time though, hoping that those hundreds of stairs would give him plenty of time to come to terms with the confession. His feelings were out, it was all true now, not just a figment to something he had imagined in his mind and he doesn’t know what is going to happen.
He finally reaches the top, the shimmery t-shirt was now stuck to his body, his hair all sweaty. When he reaches the top, he sits on the stairs, letting himself catch his breath. His lungs burn, his palms are sweaty. He looks at his phone, it’s 9:30 pm. He doesn’t know how to face Jungkook so he sits there, deciding on showing his face half an hour later.
⊹₊⟡⋆
Jungkook reaches the top in a few minutes.
He entered the terrace, the place was already filled with people. Some were eating, some were drinking, some were dancing.
“Hey Kook!” Jin shouts as soon as he sees him. Jungkook walks up to him.
“Did you really tie him to the bed?” he asks.
Jungkook denies, his eyes scanning the whole area. The sky was engulfed in darkness. The only way he could actually make out people was because of the lights. He thinks of asking about Taehyung but he knows then he will ruin the party for everyone.
“I’ll be right back hyung. You guys enjoy.” he gives a tight smile before he walks off again.
His phone!
Jungkook dials his number but it goes straight to voicemail after a few rings. He tries again and again.
It’s now 10pm.
He has two more hours and he is terrified because what if he is not able to find him in time. Hell, he doesn’t even know where he is. He decides to go back to the room, hoping he might see him there. But he wasn’t there. He sits on the bed with his phone, deciding to leave a message.
‘Please pick up the call, Tae.’
He sees written under the message but does not reply.
‘I’ll be upstairs. It’s going to be a new year in about 2 hours.’
Seen
His hands tremble as he types out the next words.
‘I’ll wait.’
He stared at the screen, willing for more—anything—but all he got was the dreaded ‘seen’ again. He let out a shaky breath, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on his chest. The party lights blurred around him as he grabbed Taehyung’s coat and headed for the terrace once again, hoping for the best.
Taehyung sat on the stairs, his breath still coming in uneven bursts. The outside world was still far away, a distant hum that couldn’t reach the storm building up inside him. His phone burned in his hand.
I’ll wait.
Jungkook’s words repeated in his mind, like a heartbeat. Why is he waiting? Why can’t he just… let go? Taehyung’s hands curled into fists, his knuckles whitening. He didn’t want to face Jungkook. Not now, not when he’d just thrown everything they had into chaos. Not when he has confessed and doesn’t know what the other has to say to him. His mind was making up all sorts of scenarios.
His heart was a battlefield. He was terrified—terrified of the depth of his feelings, terrified of what it would mean to let Jungkook love him back. What if they ruined everything? What if they broke apart?
The thought of Jungkook not being in his life anymore felt like suffocation.
And now he finally understands what Jungkook was terrified of. Why was he so scared? He remembers the words he said, all of them repeating in his mind. The fog was finally leaving him, his breaths evened out. He needs to find Jungkook.
Jungkook looks around the place. 10 minutes to countdown and no sign of Taehyung. The hope in him was leaving. His heart was breaking at the thought of not having the other in his life. The fear overpowering his senses until he found him before the fear could swallow him whole.
Taehyung didn’t notice him at first, lost in his thoughts, until he felt a familiar warmth drape over his shoulders. He turned sharply, his wide eyes meeting Jungkook’s. The younger man stood there, his chest heaving, his face a mix of determination and fear.
He turns him back, pulling him into a back hug.
“You’re impossible to lose, you know that?” Jungkook said, his voice soft but trembling. He puts his head on top of his shoulder. Taehyung tries to turn but Jungkook doesn’t let him.
“I am fortunate to find you Tae, but.. but I still don’t have the guts to say what I want to say, face to face. So please..” his grip tightens, afraid that Taehyung will leave, "Please just listen to what I have to say.”
Taehyung looked down at the coat Jungkook had placed over him. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat, so he just nodded.
“I said I’d wait,” Jungkook continued, stepping closer, “But I’m done waiting in silence.”
Taehyung froze, the air between them thick with everything unsaid. With all his strength he breaks free from Jungkook’s hold. He turns back, now face to face, eyes locked on each other.
“Say it to my face.” Taehyung speaks up.
Jungkook looks at him and he sees how Taehyung was looking at him. He had let him see his raw self. So Jungkook entangles his hand with his, not wanting to stay away anymore.
“I’m in love with you,” Jungkook confessed, his voice breaking. “And I know I might be too late. Maybe you’ve already decided to let me go. But I can’t—Tae, I can’t go into another year pretending I’m okay with just being your friend.”
He realises he is speaking. He is finally saying everything he has been meaning to.
Taehyung’s breath hitched, his vision blurring, “Jungkook…”
“Every time you smiled at me, every time you laughed—it’s been my undoing,” Jungkook admitted, his eyes glistening. “I’m scared, too. Scared that if we try, we might ruin this. But you know what terrifies me more? Losing you completely. Watching you be happy with someone else, while I’m here wishing it was me. I am admitting that I am afraid of the future, but— but more than that I am terrified of staying with regret.”
Taehyung’s knees buckled slightly, and he staggered back, overwhelmed but fortunate that Jungkook was holding him. He pulls him, his hand around his waist.
“I was so afraid of crossing that line,” Jungkook whispered, his voice raw, “But I love you too much to stay behind it anymore.”
Taehyung stared at him, his lips trembling. Slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against Jungkook’s cheek wiping the tears off his face.
“You idiot,” Taehyung choked out, his voice thick with emotion, “You’ve already crossed it and so have I. I’ve loved you for so long I don’t even remember what it’s like not to and I have spent every waking moment since, just thinking about you.”
Jungkook’s breath caught in his throat, his heart swelling as tears rolled down his cheeks, “Then why—why did you run?”
Taehyung took a step forward, their foreheads almost touching, “Because loving you is the scariest thing I’ve ever done. But not loving you? That’s unbearable. I was terrified of what you were going to say. I wasn’t ready but now…” he puts his other arm around his shoulder.
The countdown started in the background, the crowd shouting, “Ten, nine…”
Jungkook let out a soft laugh, his tears mixing with relief. “Tae…”
“…five, four…”
“I’m not running anymore,” Taehyung whispered, his fingers threading through Jungkook’s hair, “Not from you, not anymore”
“…three, two, one! Happy New Year!”
Jungkook pulled him in, their lips meeting in a desperate, soul-deep kiss. The world around them erupted in fireworks, but all they could feel was each other—the heat, the relief, the love they had denied for so long. The fireworks burst inside them.
As they pulled back, foreheads still touching, their breath mingling in the cold night air, Taehyung smiled through his tears.
“Happy New Year, Jungkookie.”
Jungkook laughed softly, his heart feeling full for the first time in years, “Happy New Year, Tae.”
For the first time, they stepped into the new year together, no longer held back by fear but guided by love. Their friends surrounded them, all of them cheering. Taehyung pulls Jungkook into a hug before pulling him into another kiss, “I’m not afraid of what’s going to come next.. because…” Taehyung whispers on his lips, “I know you are here with me.” he kisses him again, this time more passionately.
-The End-