hidden hearts » vkook (book 2)

21

Taehyung spotted Jungkook at a little table on the patio outside. He knew the seating was carefully chosen. They were on display, after all.

Jungkook looked up from his phone as Taehyung approached. He stood quickly and moved to embrace him.

Taehyung took a step back out of instinct. Jungkook blinked at him.

Jungkook smiled and said through his teeth, "Tae, we're dating, remember?"

Shit. Right.

Taehyung laughed, "Just kidding, babe."

He cringed. God, this is awkward.

He stepped closer to Jungkook and wrapped his arms around his middle. His bones felt stiff, but he tried to make this look as natural as possible. 

Jungkook slid his arms around Taehyung's shoulders and pulled him tighter against him. Oh. This was an actual hug. Taehyung's eyelids fluttered involuntarily as Jungkook's expensive cologne filled his senses. This wasn't that bad.

Taehyung felt Jungkook sigh against him, his body relaxing. Taehyung cleared his throat and took a step back, holding Jungkook at an arm's length. 

They shared a look. Taehyung had a feeling that Jungkook also had a storm of feelings inside of him with the way he stared at him.

They finally released each other and slid into their seats. Jungkook already had what looked like a mimosa in front of him that he took a drink from. "I ordered myself a mimosa. I didn't know if you'd want one. They're really good."

"Yeah, I'll have one," Taehyung started to twist in his seat to find a waiter, but Jungkook was already holding up his hand and flagging a girl with an apron down. 

"He'll take a mimosa, too, please." The waitress smiled and scurried away to grab the drink. 

"Thanks," Taehyung smiled shyly at Jungkook. Jungkook grinned.

Okay. This wasn't so bad.

"So..." Jungkook tapped his finger on his glass. "Did Jin tell you what happened last night?"

This peaked Taehyung's interest. He had been meaning to talk to Jin all day, but this shit storm happened instead. He sat a little straighter. "No? What happened?"

"He stayed the night with Joon."

Taehyung gasped. "No."

"Mhm," Jungkook nodded. He scooted a little closer and kept his voice low. "They talked at the party. Jin cried. Joon cried. I think it was a healing experience for them."

Taehyung rested his chin in his hand. "Good. I was worried about them. They seemed perfect until... you know. It ruined Jin. I hope they don't go down the same path."

"Yeah, me too," Jungkook glanced around, taking note of their surroundings. He seemed to weigh his next words carefully. "Listen, Taehyung-"

"Jungkook, this isn't the place." One of them had to keep the professionalism here. There were people in ear shot at the tables surrounding them. He caught a table of teenage girls with their phones pointed at them a minute ago. 

"Then come over. Please. I need to talk to you about everything."

Taehyung looked down at his fingers as the waitress placed his mimosa in front of him. He thanked her quietly, took a sip, and finally looked back at Jungkook. Jungkook's eyes were wide and sincere, almost pleading. 

When he looked like this, he looked so young, like how Taehyung remembered him. 

He sighed. "Fine. But only for a little bit."

Jungkook released a long breath, like he had been holding it in. "Thank you."

Taehyung just hoped he wouldn't regret this.