Work Text:
In the dim lights of their stage, Jungkook made a decision — today was going to be the day. He had told Taehyung about his wish, and told ARMY that he'd be living his life his way. He'd kept the second part to himself: with Taehyung by his side.
Now he wanted to turn into reality the silent promise he made to himself. Openly, for the world to witness.
“They're not ready,” Taehyung had told him so often. Too often. But Jungkook had had enough.
With a hammering heart he set the bottle of water down, the liquid soothing the dryness of his throat, if only for a short while. His hard gaze drifted over the sea of heads, standing up with determination.
His nerves prickled on his heated skin, forming goosebumps he willed to ignore as he let his tongue slide against his cheek, feeling the ridges of his teeth against the muscle, and the sleek slip at the tip.
Taehyung stood a few steps away, shying away from his intense stare. Instead, he let his gaze drift over the upper ranks as Jungkook approached.
Beads of sweat trickled down his spine, heat crawling up his neck. Jungkook let his jacket slip off his shoulders, hoping to cool his skin as his body temperature seemed to only rise higher.
His pulse thrummed beneath his skin, and he felt more light-headed with each step.
Just before he reached Taehyung, he pushed his arm out, elbow bumping slightly against him. As if to say “I'm here now. Don't run.”
They hadn't rehearsed this, neither had they planned it. Jungkook decided to be selfish today, to show the world what they'd refused to believe, no matter how many hints they dropped.
“Hyung,” he breathed out, hopefully loud enough for Taehyung to hear. He leaned into his space, gaze so hot it must've ignited a fire in Taehyung. And maybe it did.
There was just so much space left between their lips, tension crackling in the heated air between them.
The older singer enthusiastically kept on mouthing the lyrics, seemingly unphased, but Jungkook knew better. The grip around his nape was a promise as much as it was a warning.
Slowly, he guided Jungkook against his shoulder. A silent acknowledgement, “I'm yours,” but also a painful rejection.
Taehyung's fingertips twitched against his scalp, nerves palpable with the tremble of his hand.
Jungkook could see the flush on his neck, his broad, nervous grin, and the sparkle in his big, brown eyes.
He almost had him, or so he thought. But however much Jungkook wished for the kiss to happen, maybe Taehyung was right. Maybe Jungkook just was too impatient, even a little greedy and most of all: too trusting.
The moment passed, both singers went back to their professional modes — as if they hadn't just set the stage on fire. As if they hadn't just ignited more than the desire for each other for the world to see.