The rain poured down in steady streams, drumming against the roof of the quiet café. Taehyung leaned against the window, tracing random patterns in the fogged-up glass. His warm breath formed a translucent cloud that faded as quickly as it appeared, much like his fleeting thoughts. Across the table, Jungkook sat quietly, his head bowed over a sketchbook, pencil dancing over the pages.
They had escaped the chaos of the day—a grueling rehearsal followed by fan interactions—seeking solace in the little corner café they frequented. It was their unspoken ritual, their way of grounding themselves amidst the whirlwind of fame.
“Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung said, breaking the comfortable silence. His deep voice resonated softly in the warm air.
“Hmm?” Jungkook didn’t look up, his focus unwavering as his hand moved with precision.
Taehyung smirked, tapping his finger against the table. “Do you ever feel like we’re characters in a story? Like someone is writing our every move?”
Jungkook chuckled, glancing up briefly. His doe eyes sparkled with amusement. “Hyung, you’ve been watching too many sci-fi movies again.”
“Maybe.” Taehyung’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “But think about it. Every choice we make, every step we take—what if it’s all planned by someone we don’t even know?”
Jungkook leaned back in his chair, setting the pencil down. “If that’s true, they must really enjoy giving us exhausting schedules.”
They both laughed, the sound light and genuine, cutting through the steady patter of rain.
Taehyung’s laughter faded first as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “But seriously, Jungkook. Do you ever wonder how we ended up here? Out of all the billions of people in the world, why us? Why this?”
Jungkook met his gaze, his expression softening. “I don’t know, hyung. But I’m glad it’s us. I’m glad it’s this.”
Taehyung’s heart swelled at the sincerity in Jungkook’s voice. The younger man had a way of grounding him, of making the world feel less overwhelming.
“Sometimes I think you’re too perfect, you know that?” Taehyung said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jungkook’s cheeks flushed, and he looked away, fiddling with the corner of his sketchbook. “Hyung, stop saying weird things.”
“It’s not weird. It’s true.” Taehyung reached across the table, flicking Jungkook’s forehead lightly. “You’re the golden maknae for a reason.”
Jungkook swatted his hand away, but his lips twitched into a shy smile. “You’re just saying that because you’re biased.”
“Maybe I am.” Taehyung leaned back, his gaze drifting to the window. “But it doesn’t make it any less true.”
The rain began to lighten, the rhythmic drumming softening to a gentle pitter-patter. Taehyung stood up, grabbing his coat. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
“Walk? In the rain?” Jungkook raised an eyebrow.
“Why not? It’s not every day you get to experience this kind of peace.”
With a resigned sigh, Jungkook followed him outside. The cool rain was refreshing against their skin, and the world felt quiet, as if the rain had washed away all the noise.
They walked side by side, their shoulders brushing occasionally. Neither of them spoke, but the silence was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding.
As they reached a small park, Taehyung suddenly stopped. He turned to Jungkook, his expression unreadable.
“Jungkook-ah,” he said, his voice softer than the rain.
“Yeah?”
Taehyung hesitated for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. “Race you to that tree!”
Jungkook blinked, caught off guard, before a competitive spark lit in his eyes. “You’re on!”
They took off, splashing through puddles, laughter echoing through the park. Taehyung reached the tree first, collapsing against it, breathless. Jungkook arrived seconds later, panting but grinning.
“You cheated,” Jungkook accused, pointing a finger at him.
“All’s fair in love and races,” Taehyung retorted, his boxy grin widening.
Jungkook shook his head, but his smile remained. “You’re impossible, hyung.”
“And you’re too easy to tease.”
They stood there for a while, catching their breath and watching the rain slow to a drizzle. Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, his heart feeling lighter than it had in days.
“Thanks for putting up with me,” he said quietly.
Jungkook looked at him, surprised. “Hyung, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
And in that moment, under the canopy of leaves and fading rain, Taehyung realized just how lucky he was to have someone like Jungkook by his side.
Taehyung couldn’t tear his gaze away from Jungkook. The way droplets clung to his dark hair, the way his doe eyes glimmered with unspoken emotions—it all felt strangely different tonight. It wasn’t just friendship anymore, was it?
“Hyung, you’re staring,” Jungkook teased, though his voice held a nervous edge.
Taehyung blinked, shaking himself from his thoughts. “Am I not allowed to admire a masterpiece?” he said, his tone light but his words carrying an unexpected weight.
Jungkook looked down, cheeks tinted pink, as he rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re so weird sometimes, Taehyung-hyung.”
Taehyung laughed, but his heart raced. He wanted to say more—to reach out, to cross that invisible line they had carefully walked for years. But what if it ruined everything? What if Jungkook didn’t feel the same?
They walked back to the café in comfortable silence, though the air between them felt charged. By the time they reached the door, the rain had stopped, leaving the streets glistening under the dim glow of streetlights.
“Let’s not go in yet,” Jungkook said suddenly, grabbing Taehyung’s sleeve. “The air feels nice.”
Taehyung nodded, letting himself be led to a nearby bench. They sat down, the world around them quiet except for the occasional drip of water from the leaves.
“Hyung,” Jungkook began, his voice soft, almost hesitant.
“Hmm?” Taehyung turned to him, his sharp features softened by the gentle light.
“Do you ever feel… scared?” Jungkook asked, not meeting his eyes. “Like… scared of ruining something good?”
Taehyung’s breath caught. Was Jungkook thinking the same thing he was? “All the time,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But sometimes, taking the risk is worth it.”
Jungkook finally looked at him, his wide eyes searching Taehyung’s face for answers he wasn’t sure he wanted. “Do you think it’s worth it for us?”
The words hung in the air, heavy yet fragile. Taehyung’s heart pounded as he tried to think of the right response.
“I think…” Taehyung hesitated before leaning closer, his voice steady but his hands trembling. “I think some things are too important to ignore, no matter how scary they are.”
Jungkook’s eyes flickered to Taehyung’s lips, then back up to his eyes. “Hyung, are you saying—”
Before he could finish, Taehyung closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Jungkook’s in a soft, tentative kiss. It was brief, more a question than an answer, but it was enough to set Taehyung’s world spinning.
He pulled back, his heart in his throat. “I—I’m sorry,” he stammered, afraid of Jungkook’s reaction.
But Jungkook didn’t look angry. He didn’t even look surprised. Instead, he smiled—a small, shy smile that made Taehyung’s chest ache.
“I was hoping you’d do that,” Jungkook admitted, his voice barely audible.
Taehyung’s eyes widened. “You were?”
Jungkook nodded, his cheeks flushed. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I didn’t know how to say it. I didn’t want to mess up what we have.”
Taehyung reached out, taking Jungkook’s hand in his own. “What we have isn’t going anywhere, Jungkook. If anything, it’s getting stronger.”
Jungkook squeezed his hand, his smile growing. “Then I guess we’ll figure it out together, huh?”
Taehyung chuckled, relief washing over him. “Yeah. Together.”
They sat there for a while longer, their hands intertwined as the night stretched on. The world felt smaller, quieter, but also brighter somehow—like the rain had washed away not just the noise, but the fear, leaving only them and the promise of something beautiful.
THE END
