saudade | taegguk

08

~

Jeongguk wordlessly trailed behind, not too far, just enough to catch up to Taehyung in two steps. 

Taehyung had enough of the silence. It was uncomfortable and borderline questioning his sanity. His heart was palpitating against his chest furiously. 

"You can do this," Taehyung gave a mini pep-talk to himself before he turned around causing the both of them to freeze in the middle of the silent hallway. 

"Hello Prince Jeongguk, um how is the Jeon Kingdom like?" Taehyung chided himself under his breath. That was not how he wanted to make a first impression. 

Jeongguk's head slightly tilted and his eyes showed a flicker of amusement before he vanished. "Jeongguk." 

"It's like Jeongguk? Fascinating–Wait what?" Taehyung looked into the boy's eyes not understanding his reply. 

"Just Jeongguk." 

"Oh." Taehyung was lost for words. He just thought Jeongguk didn't like showing how he felt but his one-worded answers were getting a bit too much for him. 

"Jeongguk, do you smile ever?" Taehyung blurted out, the question running on his mind far too long since the time he met the guy. Jeongguk's lips quirked up for a millisecond before it went back to normal. Taehyung ran up close to the boy. 

"You almost smiled! So, I wasn't hallucinating before! C'mon who on earth doesn't smile? I thought I was delusional–" 

"Cute," Jeongguk murmured in Taehyung's ear, the deep raspy voice involuntarily causing the boy to freeze. 

Taehyung realised he was babbling away and how close he and Jeongguk were. Taehyung's face was inches away from Jeongguk's. Those black eyes pulling him into a vortex which he still hasn't decided on whether to lose himself in them. Jeongguk's breath lightly fanned his face, catching an aroma of a chocolatey smell. Taehyung was awestruck seeing Jeongguk's face up that close, he was beautiful, truly a remarkable work of art. 

Taehyung jolted back having been caught blatantly staring at Jeongguk. "Shit–" 

Immediately, Taehyung felt an arm wrapping around his waist, pulling him back. Taehyung had tripped over his own feet and was almost going to hit his head falling backwards not before Jeongguk had pulled the boy back, his quick reflexes playing a crucial role. Taehyung lightly clutched Jeongguk's button-up. Feeling his pecs flex beneath his palms, Taehyung got a sense of reality and pushed himself off of Jeongguk, a light blush coating his cheeks. 

"If only I could feel– "

"Careful, Tiger." Jeongguk's two words sent Taehyung into a blushing mess and his heart into overdrive. 

"Your room's down the left and if anything, mine's opposite yours so don't worry." Taehyung chirped before running to the comforts of his own room, not bothering to look at Jeongguk at all. 

Taehyung laid on his bed with a bounce as he recalled the day's events. It was only three in the afternoon and it was already eventful. One word to describe today was Jeongguk. 

Jeongguk was like an enigma. He absolutely showed no feeling nor emotion on his face. His gestures were rigid and composed. He also did not speak at all. In the span of Taehyung, babbling away, giving a tour of a castle, asking questions and nearly making a fool of himself by almost tripping over his own feet, Jeongguk has spoken five words. "Just Jeongguk, Cute and Careful, Tiger." 

Just five words. 

He was beginning to think Jeongguk was almost mute. 

Tiger. Jeongguk had called him "Tiger". Oh, how that one word sent Taehyung internally purring with content. The boy who barely said anything gave him a nickname and willingly at that! The fact sent Taehyung almost bouncing on his feet, even Taehyung hadn't given the enigmatic boy a nickname and he already earned a "Tiger". 

It was cute, he can't even deny that he wanted to hear it again. The way it rolled out so smooth like molten chocolate sent Taehyung's blood pumping. 

He buried himself within his pillows, sighing in content as he eased into his bed. His eyes closed for a second and all he could envision was Jeongguk's face. That spiralled into how Taehyung was thinking about the close proximity they shared earlier. 

He swore that Jeongguk's eyes flitted to his lips for a second but knowing the reputation the boy held for having a strong dislike in talking with another, Taehyung knew it was practically impossible for Jeongguk to be even remotely attracted to him. Especially since Taehyung blabbering and his clumsy act earlier must have been a huge turnoff. 

"Ugh, he's been here for an hour and I'm already a wreck and I barely even know him!" Taehyung ranted to himself. 

He decided to go to the garden and pick some flowers. It was the one place that managed to stop his mind from eating him alive. 

This time he was desperate. 

~

oh what did all of you do to deserve two chapters in a day?

L