Hyung, they deserve the truth // Taekook story

First touch

* Taehyung*

When I woke up the next morning, I found my shirt in the sink but Jungkook was gone. It seemed that he had stayed all night in the bathroom, then had left the dorm early in the morning. 

During the breakfast, the other hyungs also noticed our maknae's absence. Jimin eyed me, knowing that his leave must have had something to do with our plan. I did not spill any tea though about what had happened last night while Jimin was asleep. RM also seemed rather interested in our maknae's whereabouts and he was about to scold Jimin and me - knowing that we were always the troublemakers - when Jin-hyung tapped him on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Both started laughing. 

« Just imagine our maknae sneaking out late at night to go see his princess. Can you imagine it? Because I cannot », this time Jin-hyung laughed even harder. Then J-hope and Jimin became infected by Jin's windshield laughter. The only one who did not seem to be bothered by any of this was Yoongi. He just sat there, munching his Kelloggs and sipping from time to time on his orange juice.
What a lovely family breakfast.

Later at school, I did not see Jungkook either. During lunch time, I ran into his best friend though, Eun An-ssi, but she was with a whole group of girls and no Koo in sight. Just like Jimin this morning, she was looking at me but did not say a word.

The time went by really fast that day. Soon the bell rang loudly throughout the school, signalising the end of today's classes. I threw my backpack over my shoulder, then waited for Jimin at the school gates. We were born the same year but went to parallel classes. On our way back to the dorm I asked Jimin if he had seen Jungkook. He only shook his head, then eyed me again before finally asking  what happened last night. 

« Not much », I answered. 

« Hmm, if you say so », Jimin said, a small grin appeared at one corner of his mouth. 

« Why do you laugh? », I boxed him in the shoulder. 

« Nothing, nothing. I just noticed how your eyes seem to be glued on our maknae every time he is in the same room and how your eyes were searching him the whole day ». 

« Bullshit! », I boxed him again in the shoulder and walked a little faster to put an end to this conversation. I could still hear Jimin giggle behind me.

***

Later that day, the members met in the dance room for practice. Everyone was there, except Jungkook. RM tried to hide his anger at me and Jimin. Nevertheless we could clearly feel his silent accusation. He was about to say something when the door of the room opened with a swing. I thought my eyes had stopped working because the Jk that entered was not the baby Jk we knew. This one looked fierce and dangerous: Raven black hair, pierced ears and a cold gaze. 

The members just kept staring at him. They could not believe what they saw. Jimin's mouth was wide open while RM seemed somewhat judging Jungkook's new style. That was when Yoongi slid slowly behind Jk, he nodded his head in his direction, then patted his shoulder, silently approving the sudden change. After that we started training but no one dared say a word about this new and determined Jungkook.

***

When the practice had ended, one hyung after the other left for the showers or for whatever occupation they had left to do. Jimin, Jungkook and me were the last to leave. The dance room was completely silent. 

When Jimin was finally done stretching, he turned his head towards me, winked and was gone, leaving me alone in the room with Jungkook. 

The silence felt rather awkward after last night. To break the ice, I must have said something stupid like « You dyed your hair » or « You've got your ear's pierced ». I cannot remember what I said back then, but I clearly remember how Jk did not care to answer.

He took a long look at me, then he finally said : « I thought about what you said yesterday. I hate to admit it but it seems that some part of it was true. I have to open up to you hyungs and I need to learn how to love myself ». 

After a short silence, where he seemed to swallow hard, he continued.

 «  Can you help me with that? ». 

I had not been ready for this. I was sure he would ignore me for some time, he would send me deathglances or he would get angry at me, but not this. This was unexpected. But I liked this new Jungkook, the way he tried to get to know himself, the way he was struggling right now with himself to open up to me. I could not push him away now, nor could I shock him again like I did yesterday.

Not knowing exactly what I should do, I did what felt right at this exact moment. 

I stepped closer towards Jungkook. While I stared into his chocolate brown eyes, I lifted my hands and let my fingers run through his newly dyed hair. It felt soft to the touch. I was so close that I could smell the mixture of his apple shampoo and the dye. 

As I was overwhelmed by his sweet smell, my hands started moving on their own. My fingers played with one strand of his hair, then they glided down slowly, brushing his cheeks, towards his ears. By now, my face was so close to his that I could feel his breath on my skin. His chest lifted and fell faster than usual. My fingers glided over his earlobe, touching every single one of his piercings. 

That was when a hushed squeal came from Jungkook's mouth. Suddenly my eyes moved back from Jungkook's earlobe to his bright eyes. My own heart was beating so fast in my chest that I could feel it against my ribs. I finally realised what I had been doing. What I had been about to do. Trying to hide my abrupt embarrassment, I playfully tapped his chin, then moved a step away, hiding my shiver under a laughter.

Jungkook had not moved an inch. But he was trembling noticeably and his cheeks were reddening by the second. I was about to leave him frozen to the spot, wanting to hide my own reaction from him, when a small voice asked again.

 « Will you help me then, hyung? ». I just nodded.

When I left the room, Jungkook's cheeks were flushed once again, but a huge smile had formed on his lips.