chapter 12
As the night grew quiet, Kook lay down in bed, her fingers lazily scrolling through reels on her phone. She laughed softly at a funny video, trying to ease the tension from the day. Then, just as she was about to swipe to the next video, a new message from *Winter Bear* popped up on her screen. Her heart skipped a beat, the familiar notification pulling her attention instantly.
However, when she opened it, something was off. The message wasn’t in English. Instead, it was in a mix of Japanese, German, and French. Kook’s brow furrowed in confusion. She stared at the screen, not sure how to react to the foreign words.
@winter_bear ( tae)
君が必要だよ、ベイビー
@winter_bear ( tae)
Ich möchte dich küssen.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Tu devrais être seulement à moi.
jeon jung-kook
💭.What is Bear trying to say?
She quickly opened a translation app, and as the sentences turned into English, her eyes widened:
@winter_bear ( tae)
I need you baby.
@winter_bear ( tae)
I wanna kiss you.
@winter_bear ( tae)
You should be only mine.
Kook’s heart raced. She wasn’t sure how to feel. The words felt heavy and intimate, but she wasn’t sure if Winter Bear was just joking around.
jeon jung-kook
💭.Maybe this is just playful flirting,
jeon jung-kook
💭.But it’s a bit too much, isn’t it?
She took a deep breath and decided to respond with the same lightheartedness she assumed Winter Bear intended. Kook typed back,
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
You’re bold tonight, Bear.
She added a laughing emoji, trying to keep the mood light. But her heart was still beating a little faster than usual.
A few seconds passed, and then another message from Winter Bear came through. This time, it wasn’t in a foreign language—it was English.
@winter_bear ( tae)
Can we talk? Call me.
Kook, a little confused but intrigued, tapped the call button.
@bunny_the_butterfly ( kook)
Sure,
She typed, not thinking much of it, but feeling a strange flutter in her chest.
Within seconds, the phone rang, and Kook’s screen displayed *Winter Bear*. She accepted it, and the call connected. She couldn’t help but smile, her nerves buzzing. She wasn’t sure what to expect.
When the call went through, the familiar voice of Taehyung filled Kook’s ears, though she didn’t recognize the undercurrent of tension in her voice. Taehyung had been acting strange, distracted all day, and now, as they were on the call, Kook was unaware of the emotions boiling under the surface.
Taehyung’s voice came through, softer than usual. There was a certain warmth to it, like Taehyung was trying to sound casual but couldn't hide the affection that had been growing with every conversation.
jeon jung-kook
Hey,Bear. What’s up?
Kook asked, her voice light, still unsure of the intensity of their earlier exchange.
Kim taehyung
I just wanted to talk. I know we usually chat, but...
Taehyung hesitated, then added quickly,
Kim taehyung
I just felt like hearing your voice tonight.
Kook blinked, a little caught off guard.
jeon jung-kook
Oh, okay! That’s cool.
For the next hour, they talked about everything and nothing—how their day had been, the mundane things that felt oddly comforting when shared with someone they’d never met. Kook, still unaware of the hidden tension on the other end, laughed at Taehyung’s jokes and stories about her day on set.
But the more they talked, the more Kook could sense something was different. It wasn’t just a casual conversation. Taehyung’s voice had a softness to it, a certain vulnerability that she hadn’t heard before. She found herself leaning in, as if she were drawn to the rhythm of their conversation
For Taehyung, it was a battle. Every word she said felt like a step closer to something she didn’t know how to navigate. She tried to stay in control, to maintain her usual cool demeanor, but the deeper they talked, the more she realized she didn’t want to just be a stranger behind the screen. She wanted to be closer. She wanted more than this.
Taehyung finally said, breaking the comfortable silence between them, her tone almost hesitant.
Kook asked, her voice softer now, too.
Taehyung paused, unsure. She hadn’t planned to say this, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Kim taehyung
Do you ever wonder... what it would be like if we were more than just this? More than messages and calls?
She asked, the question hanging in the air.
Kook was quiet for a long moment, her breath catching in her throat.
jeon jung-kook
I—well, I’ve never really thought about it
She admitted, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her phone.
jeon jung-kook
But... maybe I should?
The silence stretched on, neither one knowing how to navigate this sudden, unspoken shift. They were no longer just friends chatting late at night; something else was beginning to bloom, something both unfamiliar and exciting.
Kim taehyung
I think about it a lot,
Taehyung confessed, her voice quieter now.
Kim taehyung
I’m just not sure what it means.
Kook didn’t know what to say. She’d been so focused on the fun and playful side of their friendship, but now, with the weight of Taehyung’s words sinking in, she realized there might be something deeper between them.
Neither of them cut the call. They just stayed on the line, both thinking in silence. Neither of them knew how to take the next step, but for the first time, the uncertainty felt... okay.
Kim taehyung
Yeah? I was thinking...
Taehyung trailed off, her voice dropping lower,
Kim taehyung
I want to kiss you right now. So badly.
Kook’s eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure how to respond, but her mind was racing.
Was all she managed to say, her thoughts scattered.
Kim taehyung
I really like you,
Taehyung continued, and Kook could hear the sincerity in her voice. The words hit Kook like a punch to the stomach. She never expected this.
jeon jung-kook
💭.**Was Winter Bear serious?**
Kook felt a wave of emotions. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she couldn’t form a coherent thought. Her usual confidence was nowhere to be found.
She started, then trailed off, unsure what to say next.
There was a silence on the other end of the line as Taehyung waited for a response.
Kim taehyung
Are you uncomfortable?
Taehyung’s voice was softer now, laced with concern.
Kook, still in shock, shook her head even though Taehyng couldn't see her. She quickly replied,
jeon jung-kook
No. No, I'm not uncomfortable.
The words felt weird coming out of her mouth, but she couldn’t let Taehyung feel bad.
Kim taehyung
Did I make you uncomfortable?
Taehyung pressed, her voice tense now, almost apologetic.
Kook's heart raced even faster, and she felt herself getting more flustered.
Kim taehyung
Did I make you feel uneasy?
Taehyung’s voice was still low, cautious, almost as if she was testing the waters.
Kook let out a soft laugh, her mind completely blank now. The only thing she could think about was how she had no idea how to respond to this situation.
she said again, her voice shaking slightly,
jeon jung-kook
No, you didn’t.
There was a long pause before Kook heard Taehyung laugh quietly. Kook’s heart was beating so fast now that she thought she might faint.
jeon jung-kook
💭.What was even happening?
She had never felt so overwhelmed by a conversation before.
Kook felt herself get embarrassed, the heat rising in her cheeks.
jeon jung-kook
I... I don’t know what to say,
She admitted, feeling utterly lost for words.
jeon jung-kook
This is just... so sudden.
Taehyung chuckled softly, her voice teasing now.
Kim taehyung
You’re cute, Bunny. But if I said something wrong, just tell me.
Kook couldn’t help but smile at the nickname.
jeon jung-kook
I’m not mad,
Kook said, her voice quieter now.
jeon jung-kook
I just... I didn’t expect this.
She paused, her fingers nervously twirling the phone cord, even though there wasn’t one.
jeon jung-kook
I don’t know what to think about it yet.
Taehyung sighed, and Kook could hear the disappointment in her voice.
Kim taehyung
I didn’t mean to make you feel awkward. I just...
Kim taehyung
I just wanted you to know how I feel.
Kook, still flustered, didn’t know what to say. She was beginning to realize how much Taehyung meant to her, but she wasn’t sure how to navigate these feelings. She doesn't know even if she have feelings for winter bear.
jeon jung-kook
I... I appreciate you telling me,
jeon jung-kook
It’s just, I don’t know how to handle it. But I like you too, Bear. I guess I do.
There was a long pause, and Kook could almost hear the smile that spread across Taehyung’s face.
Taehyung said, her tone teasing again.
Kim taehyung
I didn’t think I’d scare you off.
Kook let out a small, nervous laugh.
jeon jung-kook
You definitely surprised me.
As the conversation continued, the tension slowly eased between them. They talked for over an hour, discussing everything and nothing at all—about their favorite movies, stories, and silly things. Kook could feel the chemistry between them growing, but there was still uncertainty in the air. Neither of them knew where this would go, but for now, the comfort of hearing each other’s voices was enough.
Eventually, Kook felt her eyelids growing heavy. The conversation had turned into a comfortable silence, with both of them simply listening to each other breathe. The vulnerability between them felt new, but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as Kook had expected.
Without even realizing it, Kook whispered,
jeon jung-kook
I’m... really glad we’re talking like this.
Kim taehyung
I’m glad too, Bunny,
jeon jung-kook
I’ll always be here, you know.
Kook’s heart fluttered again, but this time, it felt like it was in the right place.
And just like that, they stayed on the line, not saying anything else, just existing together in the quiet, in the peace that their connection had created.
The night passed, but the feelings lingered, and as both Kook and Taehyung fell asleep, they were left wondering what the future would hold for them. Neither could know yet, but for the first time, they were okay with the uncertainty.
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