an autumn's lover | tk

chapter thirty seven.

"𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇, 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉,"

[𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧] 

the next morning, jungkook woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over his small bedroom. his eyes blinked open, coming directly face-to-face with taehyung, the older man sleeping soundly beside him.

his eyes widen as the night before flooded theoufh his mind. they kissed...

an internal panic spiked, and he slowly slipped out of bed carefully, trying not to disturb the artist, who was still fast asleep, his peaceful expression making the younger man's heart flutter.

padding out of his room and along the hallway, softly to the kitchen, jungkook started making himself a coffee, the familiar routine helping to ground him. but as he waited for the coffee to brew, a wave of panic washed over him as he remembered the man in his bed.

what was he supposed to do now?

where did they go from here?

with trembling hands, jungkook grabbed his phone from the counter and dialed jimin's number, his heart racing as he waited for his friend to pick up.

"hello?" jimin's groggy voice sounded from the other end of the line. "who's-"

"jiminie, it's me," jungkook blurted out, his voice a frantic whisper. "i need your help."

"jungkook? what's wrong?" jimin's sleepy tone shifted to concern, instantly alert.

"i-i don't know what to do," the younger confessed, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "me and tae... we kissed last night, and now he's still asleep and i- i don't know how to act or what to say or-"

"woah, slow down," the older interrupted gently, his voice soothing. "take a deep breath, jungkook-ah. it's gonna be okay. just talk to him. be honest about how you feel."

"but what if i mess things up?" jungkook's voice wavered. "what if-"

"you won't," jimjn reassured him. "just be yourself. taehyung cares about you, kook. he wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't feel the same way."

"y-yes, but..." jungkook's voice shook as he spoke to his friend, the fear palpable in his words. "jimin, i'm scared. What if i mess things up again? especially after everything that's happened? i don't want to make him feel awkward.."

jimin listened quietly, his heart aching for his friend. "jungkook, i understand, but you can't let fear control you. the man cares about you, and he wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't want this too."

"but what if i ruin it all?" Jungkook's voice wavered. "i-i really liked kissing him, and he's nice to sleep next to.."

before jimin could respond, taehyung entered the kitchen, his presence causing jungkook's heart to skip a beat. "kook-ah, what's on your mind?" taehyung asked, his expression soft with concern.

jungkook jumped, his eyes widened in panic, caught off guard by the artist's sudden appearance. he glanced nervously at jimin on the phone, then back at tahyung, unsure of what to say.

jimin could sense jungkook's hesitation even through the phone. "just be honest, jungkook," he whispered encouragingly before ending the call.

the brunette's mind raced as he searched for the right words, his heart pounding in his chest. "i... uh..." he stammered, his gaze darting between the artsit and the phone in his hand. "i was just..."

the olde man's brows furrowed in concern as he approached, sensing the younger man's unease. "hey, it's okay," he said gently, reaching out to gently cup the younger's face. "you can tell me anything, you know."

jungkook swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the artist's gaze upon him. he took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. "i... i'm just nervous," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "about us... about what happened last night."

taehyung's expression softened. "you don't have to be nervous, kook-ah," he said softly. "we kissed, and we both liked it, right?"

jungkook nodded, feeling small under the man's warm gaze.

"then we can take things one step at a time, okay?" taehyung nearly cooed. "and if you ever have any doubts or worries, just talk to me."

jungkok nodded, a wave of relief washing over him as he met the artist's understanding gaze. "thanks, tae," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. "i just really like you and- and i don't wanna mess up."

"and i really like you too." with a reassuring smile, taehyung released his face from his hold and gestured to the coffee pot on the counter. "now, how about we start the day with a nice cup of coffee, hm?" he suggested, his warm eyes filled with kindness. "and then we can talk."

"okay."

—

jungkook smiled behind his mug as he watched as taehyung played with coco on the couch. the little brown bunny was squeaking loudly as the artist tickled her tummy and back paws, and honestly?

jungkook thinks he fell for the man just a little more by watching.

"you're good with her." he said softly, sipping his coffee. "normally, she shies away from being tickled."

"tan loves being played with." taehyung chuckled softly, looking at him. "i think its just a habit to play with anything tiny and furry."

taehyung's smile widened at the younger's words, a warm glow filling his chest. he loved moments like this, simple and domestic, where he could just be himself with his pretty muse by his side.

"i've always had a soft spot for animals," the artist admitted, his eyes softening as he watched coco wriggle in delight. "they have this way of bringing out the best in us, don't you think?"

jungkook nodded in agreement, setting his coffee mug down on the table. "definitely," he agreed, his gaze lingering on taehyung. "you know, i think you have a way of bringing out the best in everyone, tae."

taehyung's cheeks flushed at the unexpected compliment, and he ducked his head to hide his smile. "ah, stop it," he chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "you're gonna make me blush."

but the brunette just grinned, his eyes sparkling with affection. "but it's true," he insisted, reaching out to ruffle the artsit's dark hair playfully. "you have a way of making people feel special."

taehyung's heart fluttered at the gesture, his cheeks growing warmer under the younger man's touch. he glanced up at the younger man, his heart swelling with fondness. "as long as i make you feel special, jungkook," he said softly, his gaze softening. "that means a lot to me."

and as they sat together on the couch, basking in each other's company and the warmth of their shared affection, taehyung couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like this, where he could just be himself with jungkook by his side. he had almost let the boy slip away, yet he was ever so glad that it didn't happen.

_______

i love this book sm :(

-TaesThickThighs