After they finished eating, Taehyung began clearing the table, his hands moving methodically as he stacked plates and gathered utensils. The clink of dishes filled the quiet space, but his mind was racing. He half-expected Jungkook to get up and announce that he was leaving, but when he glanced up, Jungkook was still seated, leaning back in his chair with an easy grin.
"Hey," Jungkook said, stretching his arms above his head in a way that made his shirt ride up slightly, exposing a sliver of his toned stomach. Taehyung quickly averted his gaze, pretending to focus on a spot on the table.
"What?" Taehyung asked, trying to sound casual.
"How about we hang out for a bit?" Jungkook suggested, his voice light. "I don't have anywhere to be right now."
Taehyung blinked, momentarily startled. "Oh, um..." He glanced toward the clock, then back at Jungkook. "Sure. What do you want to do?"
Jungkook tilted his head thoughtfully, his gaze scanning the room. When his eyes landed on the coffee table in the living room, he perked up. "Got any card games? Or should we just binge-watch something?"
Taehyung hesitated, his mind immediately jumping to the implications of spending more time together. On one hand, he was thrilled; on the other, his heart wasn't sure it could handle it. Still, he nodded, not trusting his voice to betray his excitement. "We can play cards. But don't get too cocky when you lose."
Jungkook burst out laughing, his dimples deepening as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Lose? Oh, you're in for it now. Just waitâI'm unbeatable."
Taehyung rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at his lips. "We'll see about that," he muttered as he retrieved a deck of cards from a drawer in the living room.
They settled on the couch, the deck of cards laid out between them on the low coffee table. Taehyung sat cross-legged on one side, while Jungkook sprawled out comfortably on the other, his long legs taking up more space than necessary.
The game started lightheartedly enough, but for Taehyung, every move felt like a battleânot against Jungkook's skill but against his own hyper-awareness. Jungkook's shoulder brushed his more than once, and each time, it sent an involuntary jolt through Taehyung. He tried to focus on his cards, but his thoughts betrayed him. Does he realize how close we're sitting? Is he as affected by this as I am?
"Your poker face sucks, by the way," Jungkook said suddenly, breaking Taehyung's concentration.
Taehyung looked up, his ears burning at the comment. "It does not!"
"It does," Jungkook countered, smirking as he placed a winning hand on the table. "I can tell exactly what you're thinking. Right now, you're probably plotting revenge for that last round."
Taehyung glared, his frustration only half-hearted. "I'm not that predictable."
Jungkook leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "You kind of are, though."
The proximity made Taehyung's breath hitch. He quickly looked down at his cards, trying to will away the flush creeping up his neck. "Just shuffle the cards already. Let's see who's predictable after this round."
Jungkook laughed, the sound warm and rich, and Taehyung couldn't help the small flutter in his chest. Even though he was losing miserably, he realized he didn't mind. Sitting here, bickering and laughing with Jungkook, felt more perfect than any victory ever could.
____________
Midway through their game, the lively banter between them began to ebb, and a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere settled over the room. Jungkook set his cards down on the table, leaning back against the couch. His playful grin softened into something more thoughtful as he glanced at Taehyung, who was fidgeting with the edges of his own cards.
"Are you okay?" Jungkook asked suddenly, his voice quieter and more serious than before.
Taehyung froze, his fingers stilling as he processed the question. He looked up, his eyes meeting Jungkook's. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.
Jungkook tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowed in mild concern. "You just seemed... off last night," he explained. His gaze didn't waver, and the genuine worry in his expression made Taehyung's stomach twist. "I mean, I was drunk, so maybe I imagined it, but... is something bothering you?"
Taehyung's throat tightened. The words felt heavy, stuck somewhere between his heart and his mouth. He wanted to tell Jungkook everythingâthe whirlwind of emotions he'd been struggling to make sense of, the way his chest ached whenever Jungkook smiled at him, the fear of what it might mean if he couldn't keep those feelings hidden. But the weight of uncertainty kept him silent.
"I was just tired," Taehyung said finally, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He hoped it was convincing enough to steer the conversation away.
Jungkook didn't look convinced. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied Taehyung with an intensity that made him feel exposed. "Tae," he said gently, his tone softer now, "if something's wrong, you can tell me. I'm not just saying thatâI mean it."
Taehyung's heart thudded painfully in his chest. The way Jungkook said his name, the quiet reassurance in his voice, made it all the more difficult to hold back. He swallowed hard, nodding slightly as he looked away. "Thanks," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the table.
The room fell into a brief but heavy silence. Jungkook didn't press further, sensing that Taehyung wasn't ready to open up. Instead, he leaned back against the couch again, his expression softening.
"If you ever do want to talk," Jungkook said after a moment, his voice warm and steady, "I'm here. No pressure, though. Just... whenever you're ready."
Taehyung's chest tightened with both guilt and gratitude. "I know," he said quietly, daring to glance back at Jungkook, whose dimpled smile returned like a ray of sunlight cutting through the clouds.
The moment passed, but it lingered in Taehyung's heart, leaving behind a bittersweet ache. He wasn't ready to bare his soul just yet, but Jungkook's words stayed with him, a small, comforting reminder that he wasn't alone in this whirlwind of emotions.