Taehyung wobbled slightly as he stepped out of his shoes, his fingers fumbling to steady himself against the wall. He turned his gaze to Jungkook, who was crouched down, unlacing his boots with a calm efficiency.
I'm so smart, Taehyung thought, biting his lip to stifle a grin. Now I get to spend the whole night with Jungkook. His face broke into a satisfied smile, but as the though settled further, his expression shifted. But wait... I'm lying to him. That's not right, is it?
For a moment, his smile faded, replaced by a slight frown. But then he shook his head, brushing the guilt aside. Who cares? It's not like I do this every day. At least I get to spend time with him now. His grin returned, brighter than before, but it didn't last long as another wave of guilt tugged at his heart.
Jungkook glanced up, catching the ever-changing expressions on Taehyung's faceâsmiling, frowning, pouting, then smiling again. He raised an eyebrow, amused but also a little curious about what was going on in that tipsy head of his.
"Alright, come on," Jungkook said, standing up and slinging Taehyung's bag over his shoulder. He placed a hand on Taehyung's arm to steady him. "Let's get you to the room before you pass out in the hallway."
Taehyung allowed himself to be guided, though his legs felt like jelly, and he swayed with every step. Jungkook's firm grip on his arm kept him upright, and Taehyung couldn't help but glance at Jungkook's face. His steady demeanor, the way his eyes softened every time he looked at himâit made Taehyung's heart pound louder than ever.
As they reached the bedroom, Taehyung let out a yawn, his body feeling heavy with sleep. He looked around the room lazily, his gaze falling on the neatly made bed.
"Can I sleep here tonight?" he asked, pointing to the bed like a child asking for permission. His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if he were afraid Jungkook might say no.
Jungkook let out a quiet laugh, the corners of his lips pulling into a warm smile. "Yeah, of course," he said with a nod, his expression softening further when he saw the way Taehyung's eyes lit up.
Taehyung didn't wait for further confirmation; he stumbled toward the bed and plopped down onto it with a small bounce, his body sinking into the mattress. He stretched out his arms and sighed contentedly, as if he belonged there.
Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head at Taehyung's antics. "Stay there," he said, his tone half-playful, half-serious. "And don't make a noise. I'm going to freshen up."
Taehyung, sitting up straighter, nodded obediently, his gaze fixed on Jungkook. "Okay," he said, his voice quieter now.
Jungkook smiled, his hand instinctively reaching out to ruffle Taehyung's messy hair. The soft strands slipped through his fingers, and Taehyung blinked up at him in surprise.
For a moment, Taehyung's heart stopped. The gentle touch, the warmth of Jungkook's smileâit was all too much. His chest felt tight, and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.
Jungkook didn't seem to notice Taehyung's flustered state, already turning toward the bathroom. "I won't be long," he said over his shoulder as he disappeared behind the door.
Taehyung sat frozen on the bed, his hands clenching the sheets as he tried to calm the storm inside him. His heart was pounding so loudly he was sure Jungkook could hear it through the walls.
How am I supposed to survive the night if he keeps doing things like that? Taehyung thought, biting his lip as a nervous but giddy smile tugged at his mouth. Kim Taehyung, get a grip!
_________
Jungkook stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The moment he was alone, he leaned against the sink, exhaling deeply as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His heart was still racing, his pulse pounding in his ears like a drumbeat that refused to quiet down.
His hair was slightly disheveled from the night, and his cheeks were tinged with a faint pink hue he couldn't seem to get rid of. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his breathing, but his thoughts were a whirlwind he couldn't escape.
The image of Taehyung calling him "husband" replayed in his mind for what felt like the hundredth time. The way Taehyung had said itâso soft, so natural, like it wasn't the first time the word had crossed his lipsâhad sent Jungkook's heart into overdrive. He groaned, covering his face with his hands, but the smile tugging at his lips was impossible to hide.
"This is torture," Jungkook muttered to himself, his voice muffled against his palms. He dropped his hands and looked back at the mirror, shaking his head.
Then came the memory of Taehyung shoving his keys back into his bag when he thought Jungkook wasn't looking. The audacity of itâcombined with Taehyung's innocent pout as he claimed to have forgotten themâhad nearly made Jungkook laugh out loud in the moment. Now, standing here in the bathroom, he couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself, the sound echoing in the small space.
"You're going to be the death of me, Kim Taehyung," Jungkook mumbled, his reflection in the mirror staring back at him with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
His thoughts wandered to Taehyung's obedient nods and wide, trusting eyes. Every little thing Taehyung did tonight seemed designed to mess with his composure. How could someone be so effortlessly adorable and completely oblivious to the effect they had on others?
Jungkook splashed some cold water on his face, hoping it would help cool him down. But even as the water dripped from his chin, his mind remained stubbornly fixed on Taehyung.
"Just one night," he whispered to himself, gripping the edge of the sink. "I just need to survive tonight."
But deep down, Jungkook wasn't sure if he wanted to survive. Taehyung's antics, his drunken honesty, his endearing clumsinessâit was all overwhelming, but it was also everything Jungkook had quietly longed for.
With one last sigh, Jungkook straightened up and grabbed a towel, drying his face before heading back out. His resolve was clear: no matter what Taehyung threw at him tonight, he would handle it. Even if it meant enduring the sweetest kind of torture.