The Dare - JaeYong

↢Chapter 7↣ Late night conversations

Jaehyun had never considered himself a night owl, but something about hearing Taeyong's voice crackling through the phone in the quiet of 2 a.m. had him wide awake. It wasn't like they had much to talk about, really. Yet somehow, a debate about pizza toppings had spiraled into a conversation that stretched on for hours, like they'd known each other forever.

Taeyong: You realize we've been talking for, what, three hours? You must be desperate for attention.

Jaehyun's lips twitched into a smile, not at all offended by Taeyong's teasing.

Jaehyun: Oh, absolutely. Starved. You have no idea how much my ego relies on random strangers entertaining me.

Taeyong: Well, lucky you—you stumbled upon the best.

Jaehyun laughed, letting himself sink deeper into the pillows. Taeyong's voice had this soothing, yet teasing quality that kept pulling him back in. They'd been volleying flirtations all night, each one escalating slightly more than the last, but neither backing down.

Jaehyun: You're right, though. It's been hours. I mean, I'm usually the mysterious, silent type. But you... you just bring out the chatterbox in me.

Taeyong: Mysterious? Pfft. You? The guy who sent me an essay about pineapple on pizza?

Jaehyun grinned, hearing the smirk in Taeyong's voice.

Jaehyun: Hey, I had to distract you somehow. I could feel your brooding energy through the screen. Needed to lighten the mood.

Taeyong: And now? Is the pizza debate still your go-to distraction tactic?

Jaehyun bit his lip, enjoying the little back-and-forth.

Jaehyun: Oh, no. I'm done talking about pizza. I think we both know there are... more interesting things to talk about.

Taeyong's breath hitched slightly on the other end, and Jaehyun felt a surge of satisfaction. He wasn't sure where the line was between playful teasing and something more, but they were dancing dangerously close to it.

Taeyong: More interesting, huh? Do tell.

Jaehyun paused, stretching the silence just enough to make Taeyong lean into it.

Jaehyun: Well, for one... I've been wondering what you actually look like. The whole mysterious voice thing is great and all, but it's hard to flirt properly when I'm imagining a faceless pizza critic. Like, if our friends do hangout, i do want to meet you. 

Taeyong laughed, a warm, genuine sound that made Jaehyun's stomach do a weird little flip.

Taeyong: Faceless, huh? Bet you've got some wild guesses. But if we do hangout with them maybe we should hangout without them first...

Jaehyun: Oh, definitely. Right now, I'm picturing a guy with pineapple earrings. Just to stay on theme. Oh? Oh???? 

Taeyong groaned dramatically, but Jaehyun could hear the smile in his voice.

Taeyong: Stop. That's actually tragic. Oh shut up you know how they can be, thats why im suggesting. 

Jaehyun: Or... maybe you're the tall, brooding type. All dark clothes and mysterious vibes. Always keeping everyone at a distance. You know, except for me.... Uh huh sure sure, i mean you could just normally say you wanna go on a date with me and not be shy. I understand. 

There was a pause, a slight tension hanging in the air between them. Jaehyun wasn't sure why, but suddenly he felt like he'd said more than he meant to. But before he could backtrack, Taeyong spoke again, softer this time.

Taeyong: Maybe... you're not far off.  I think i just internally vomitted, ew. ew. Disguting. 

Jaehyun's heartbeat quickened, the playful banter dipping into something more personal. He wasn't sure where this was going, but he wasn't ready to let go of it just yet.

Jaehyun: Well, I guess I'll just have to see for myself one day how you acutally look. 

Taeyong: Oh? Bold. Are you asking me out now, number neighbor?

Jaehyun chuckled, feeling the familiar tug of their flirtatious rhythm returning.

Jaehyun: Whoa, I was just talking about a picture. You're the one jumping to in-person dates. But hey, if you're offering...

Taeyong snorted, the sound making Jaehyun's grin widen.

Taeyong: Slow down, Romeo. You're getting ahead of yourself.

Jaehyun: You say that, but you're still on the phone with me three hours later. I think I'm winning this game.

Taeyong: Game? Who said this was a game?

Jaehyun's breath caught for a second, the shift in Taeyong's tone sending a spark of something electric through him. He had to admit, Taeyong had a way of turning the tables on him, making him feel like he was the one getting reeled in.

Jaehyun: Okay, maybe not a game. But whatever it is, I'm not in a hurry to hang up.

Taeyong: Good. 'Cause I'm not either.

A beat passed, the silence between them heavy with possibility. Jaehyun wasn't sure how it had come to this—a simple text conversation turning into a full-blown connection—but he wasn't complaining.

Taeyong: You know... it's funny. When this all started, I thought you were just some weirdo with too much time on his hands.

Jaehyun: And now?

There was a soft chuckle from Taeyong's side, followed by a pause, like he was trying to find the right words.

Taeyong: Now... I think I might have been wrong.

Jaehyun's heart skipped a beat, his grin widening as he settled further into his bed, completely wrapped up in the moment.

Jaehyun: Well, I hate to say I told you so, but...

Taeyong: Don't. Just... don't.

They both laughed, the kind of laughter that came easily now, without the initial awkwardness that had filled their first conversations. It felt natural, easy—like this was exactly where they were supposed to be.

Jaehyun: So... tomorrow? Another round of late-night?

Taeyong: If you promise not to bring up pineapple again.

Jaehyun: Deal. I'll even let you choose the topic. You know, since I'm such a generous guy.

Taeyong: Oh, how kind of you.

Jaehyun could hear the smirk in Taeyong's voice again, and it made him want to stretch the conversation just a little longer. But as much as he didn't want to admit it, his eyelids were starting to droop, exhaustion finally creeping in.

Jaehyun: Alright, mystery number neighbor. I should probably get some sleep before I start mixing up my pizza metaphors again.

Taeyong: Yeah, wouldn't want that. But... this was nice. Weird, but nice.

Jaehyun smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him.

Jaehyun: Yeah. It was.

There was a soft silence, one that didn't need filling. They were both content in the moment, knowing there'd be more to come. Finally, Taeyong broke the silence.

Taeyong: Night, Jaehyun.

Jaehyun's heart did that little flip again at hearing his name, spoken so softly.

Jaehyun: Night, Taeyong.

They hung up, but Jaehyun lay there for a while longer, staring at the ceiling, a dumb smile on his face. He hadn't expected any of this—certainly not the connection, the laughter, or the... something else simmering between