Chapter 5: Accidental Confessions

The cafeteria was unusually loud that afternoon. Jungkook tried to focus on the sandwich in front of him, but it was hard with Taehyung sitting across the table, aggressively stabbing a cherry tomato with his fork like it had committed a personal offense.

"You know, the tomato didn't flirt with me," Jungkook said with a smirk.

Taehyung didn't stop stabbing. "But you smiled at that guy. The one from lit class. Again."

Jungkook sighed, resting his chin on his palm. "He's just nice."

"Too nice. His face is too symmetrical. I don’t trust him."

"Your jealousy is so specific."

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. "I’m just saying. If he asks to borrow a pen again, I’m throwing hands."

Before Jungkook could respond, Seokjin and Hoseok flopped down beside them, laughing.

"What did we miss?" Hoseok asked, stealing a fry from Jungkook's tray.

"Tae's in love and threatened murder over stationary," Jungkook replied.

Seokjin clapped. "Finally! Took him long enough."

Taehyung blinked. "Wait—what?"

Hoseok grinned. "Yeah, bro. You’re not even subtle anymore. The whole dance department is betting on when you two are gonna hook up."

Jungkook choked on his drink.

Taehyung looked mildly pleased. "Who's betting on me topping?"

Seokjin pointed. "Literally everyone."

Jungkook groaned. "Why are you all like this?"

Just then, Jimin and Yoongi walked in, hand-in-hand. Jimin’s cheeks were pink from the cold outside, and Yoongi’s expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was a softness to the way he looked at Jimin.

"Morning, lovebirds," Lisa called from the next table, tossing a wink.

Jimin waved. Yoongi flipped her off without missing a beat.

The chaos resumed until someone suggested a game night, and soon, everyone was heading toward the common room, arms loaded with snacks and board games.

Jungkook tugged Taehyung's sleeve. "Hey... can we talk for a sec?"

Taehyung nodded and followed him out to the quiet courtyard. It was dusk, the sky tinged in gold and violet.

Jungkook wrapped his arms around himself, unsure where to start.

"Did you mean it?" he asked finally. "That you’re in love with me?"

Taehyung looked up at the fading light. "Yeah. I think I’ve always known. Even when we were kids. I didn’t have the words back then, but it was you. Always you."

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

"You don’t have to say it back," Taehyung added quickly. "I just needed you to know."

Jungkook stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I do. I think I’ve been terrified to name it. But it’s been there, in everything. Every time I waited for you to show up. Every time you stood up for me. Every time you looked at me like I mattered."

Taehyung reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Jungkook's face. "Then say it."

"I love you, Tae."

The world went quiet.

Then Taehyung leaned in and kissed him. Not rushed. Not hesitant. But slow and deep, like he was memorizing the moment.

When they pulled apart, Jungkook laughed. "I think we just lost the bet for half the campus."

Taehyung shrugged. "Worth it."

Back in the common room, Jimin was pretending to focus on Uno cards while sneaking glances at Yoongi.

"You’re obvious," Yoongi muttered.

"So are you."

Yoongi sighed, then threw down a draw four card. "You’re mine, Park Jimin. Just accept it."

Jimin blushed so hard he nearly forgot to play his turn.

Across the room, Lisa and Seokjin were in a heated battle over Jenga.

"If this tower falls, you have to go on a date with me," Lisa said.

Seokjin narrowed his eyes. "Fine. But if I win, you admit I’m the hottest person on campus."

"Deal."

The tower crashed.

"Damn it!" Lisa yelled.

Seokjin fist-pumped. "Victory never looked so good."

Later that night, Jungkook lay in bed, eyes still wide from everything that had changed in one evening.

Taehyung was sprawled beside him, hair messy, face soft with sleep.

"You awake?" Jungkook whispered.

"Mmm."

"Are you going to make more weird dreams come true now? Like the professor one?"

Taehyung cracked one eye open. "You really want to play student and teacher?"

"Nope. I want to play two idiots in love."

Taehyung grinned. "Already winning that game."

They kissed again, lazily, softly.

Jungkook fell asleep that night with a smile on his face, Taehyung's arms around him, and the quiet knowledge that something real—something right—was finally theirs.

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