**Title: Beneath the Stars**
Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook never saw eye to eye. From their very first meeting at a mutual friend's party, they had been at odds. It was like fate decided from that moment to pit them against each other. Whether it was Taehyung's laid-back, carefree attitude or Jungkook's disciplined, focused approach to life, their personalities clashed in every way possible. But neither of them could have guessed that beneath all the arguments, an unexpected connection was waiting to grow.
---
It all started in the last year of college. They were both popular in their own circles, but for very different reasons. Taehyung, with his bright smile and quirky sense of humor, seemed to draw people to him effortlessly. Jungkook, on the other hand, was more reserved. He was the star of the track team, known for his determination and sharp focus.
They had a few mutual friends, which forced them into each other’s orbits. Whether it was study groups, casual hangouts, or even just passing each other in the hallways, their encounters often sparked sarcastic remarks or snide comments.
One evening, after a particularly heated argument during a group project meeting, Taehyung confronted Jungkook outside the library.
"You really think you know everything, don't you?" Taehyung huffed, standing right in front of him, blocking his way.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. "I know enough to get things done, unlike some people who can't take anything seriously."
Taehyung scoffed, "Not everything needs to be done your way. Some of us like to actually enjoy life."
Jungkook smirked, clearly unbothered by Taehyung's fiery temper. "Yeah, well, some of us also like to not fail our classes."
That comment pushed Taehyung over the edge, and he stormed off, mumbling under his breath. Jungkook watched him go, feeling an odd twinge in his chest. It was strange; he had never been one to let people get under his skin, but Taehyung did. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t stop thinking about him after that night.
As weeks passed, their arguments became more frequent. No matter how much Jungkook tried to focus on his studies or his track practices, Taehyung was always in the back of his mind. The more they argued, the more Jungkook realized that he wasn’t annoyed—he was intrigued. Taehyung’s carefree attitude wasn’t laziness; it was confidence. His smile wasn’t arrogance; it was genuine warmth.
One evening, during a particularly quiet dinner at a mutual friend’s apartment, Jungkook found himself watching Taehyung laugh. His smile reached his eyes, making them crinkle in the corners, and for the first time, Jungkook felt something unfamiliar: admiration.
It was unsettling. Jungkook wasn’t used to feeling anything for someone he had convinced himself he didn’t like. But there it was—a quiet pull toward Taehyung that he couldn’t ignore.
---
A few weeks later, they were paired up for a campus volunteer project, much to their dismay. They had to work together, which meant spending hours in each other's company. At first, they kept up their usual bickering, but as the project progressed, something shifted.
One afternoon, they were painting a mural for a local shelter, and Taehyung broke the silence.
“You’re not as bad as I thought you were,” he said with a teasing smile, dipping his brush into the paint.
Jungkook looked at him, genuinely surprised. “I could say the same about you.”
They shared a quiet laugh, the tension between them easing for the first time. Over the next few days, they started talking more, their conversations less combative and more playful. Jungkook found himself looking forward to their time together, enjoying the way Taehyung’s presence made him feel lighter.
It wasn’t long before Jungkook realized he was falling for Taehyung. Hard.
It hit him one evening when they were sitting on the roof of their apartment building after finishing their project for the day. The sky was a deep navy, scattered with stars, and Taehyung was talking about his dreams of traveling the world. Jungkook wasn’t really listening, though. His attention was focused on the way Taehyung’s eyes lit up when he talked about things he was passionate about.
Without thinking, Jungkook blurted out, “I like you.”
Taehyung stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he processed the words. “What?”
Jungkook felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He hadn’t planned on saying it, but now that it was out, he couldn’t take it back. “I... I like you. More than I should.”
For a moment, there was only silence between them, the air thick with tension. Taehyung’s expression was unreadable, and Jungkook's heart pounded in his chest, waiting for a response.
Taehyung finally spoke, his voice soft. “I never would have guessed...”
Jungkook swallowed hard, feeling a pit of uncertainty forming in his stomach. “Look, I know we haven’t exactly gotten along, but... I can’t help how I feel.”
Taehyung looked down, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Jungkook, I don’t know if I—”
“Forget it,” Jungkook interrupted, standing up abruptly. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Before Taehyung could respond, Jungkook turned and left the roof, his heart heavy with regret.
---
For the next few days, Jungkook avoided Taehyung. He threw himself into his track practices, pushing his body to its limits in an effort to distract himself from the mess he had made. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get Taehyung out of his mind.
One night, after an exhausting practice, Jungkook returned to his apartment, only to find Taehyung waiting for him outside. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, but he kept his expression neutral.
“What are you doing here?” Jungkook asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Taehyung shifted awkwardly, clearly nervous. “We need to talk.”
Jungkook hesitated for a moment before nodding and opening the door. They stepped inside, the silence between them heavy and uncomfortable. Taehyung sat down on the couch, fiddling with the strings of his hoodie as he gathered his thoughts.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” Taehyung began, his voice quiet. “And... I don’t know what to say because I never really thought about you that way. But... lately, I’ve realized that maybe I’ve been pushing you away because I was scared.”
Jungkook looked at him, confused. “Scared? Of what?”
Taehyung met his gaze, his eyes soft. “Of how much you get under my skin. I’ve never let anyone get close to me before, but somehow, you... you did. And that scared me.”
Jungkook’s heart raced as he listened to Taehyung’s words. “So... what are you saying?”
Taehyung let out a deep breath, his lips curling into a small smile. “I think I like you too.”
The relief that washed over Jungkook was almost overwhelming. He couldn’t believe it—after all the tension, the arguments, and the misunderstandings, Taehyung felt the same way. Jungkook couldn’t help but smile, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.
Without another word, Jungkook crossed the room and sat down beside Taehyung. They didn’t need to say anything more. They both knew that this was the start of something new, something unexpected and real.
---
From that day on, everything changed between them. They still argued, of course—neither of them was the type to back down from a challenge—but now, their arguments ended in laughter or a soft kiss instead of storming off in anger. Their friends noticed the change too, teasing them endlessly about how they had gone from enemies to lovers in the span of a few short months.
But neither of them minded. Beneath the stars, where their love story had truly begun, Jungkook and Taehyung found something neither of them had been looking for: a love that was as unexpected as it was undeniable.
