when the rain falls - taejin [book 1]

I

☁☁☁

The chestnut's thin lips were red, from the habit he had taken that week of biting them every time his nerves invaded him. And damn he was nervous as he headed over to his friend Jungkook's house. They had spent months in a strange tug of war, where both seemed to want to get closer beyond friendship, but neither was brave enough to take the first step and break the barriers that separated them. Although, they were two boys and probably, if someone found out about it at school, they would instantly become the focus of attention and bad comments, Taehyung was fed up with just seeing him smile and flutter his beautiful eyelashes, containing the desire to eat his mouth. His footsteps were determined, echoing on the ground slightly damp from the drizzle, very contrasting with the knot of doubts that twisted his stomach almost painfully; however, he would not back down. In his mind he rehearsed an impromptu romantic declaration, looking for the most suitable words that would fully express how much his friend drove him crazy.

As Jungkook's now familiar house appeared in the distance, the nerves within Taehyung rose to critical levels, causing him to take a several deep breaths, steeling himself, refusing to turn around and go back the way he came. He would, he would definitely tell Jungkook that he no longer wanted to hide his desire to be part of his life on a much more intimate and emotional level. He liked him and wanted him, and he would see to it that afternoon.

The brown-haired boy prayed that, just like the previous times he had been there, his friend would be alone. Whenever they studied, they preferred to do it at his house, since Jungkook's father was the workaholic type and never rested; contrary to Tae's house, where his younger siblings made a shameful fuss when they saw him arrive with a friend, making rude comments or showing him off cruelly, telling anecdotes that he preferred to erase from his memory.

The door was two steps away, which he hesitantly advanced, pressing the buzzer with trembling hands. The beating of his young heart rattled against his chest, as if he wanted to go outside, and his erratic breathing was visible due to the low temperatures.

―Good afternoon ―an unknown but kind voice resounded through the speaker. ―What do you need?

―Eh... I-I... ―the confusion didn't allow him to answer without stuttering. ―I-I'm Taehyung ―he finally said, his voice too high for his liking, product of nerves. ―I... Is Jungkook home?

―Are you friends with Jungkookie? ―the sweetness was perceptible through the device. ―Wait a second ―he asked. Immediately afterwards, the gate was opened with a brief sound.

Tae, questioning his options, decided to go in at once. He loved the little garden of the house. So well kept, with the perfectly trimmed lawn and flowers everywhere, making it look like a dream, along with the vine that covered the brick wall that separated it from the street. Taehyung was delighted with every corner and every aspect of everything that surrounded Jungkook.

He entered the hall, taking off his sports shoes, to put on the house slippers that he used to wear when he visited him, entering with a nonchalant air. And then he saw him.