What is Love? [ Taekook story Top!Tae]

11

same night~

Jungkook and Taehyung munched on the popcorn, their eyes fixed on the screen. The romantic movie  played out before them, the lead actors sharing an electrifying kiss in the rain. Taehyung's heart swelled with longing, his eyes glimmering with the fantasy of experiencing such passion with Jungkook.

"Isn't it just... breathtakingly romantic?" Taehyung whispered, gazing at Jungkook with wonder.

Jungkook shifted his weight, his eyes darting towards Taehyung, his heart fluttering with hesitation. "I guess it is," he murmured, unsure.

Taehyung couldn't help but notice Jungkook's unease, and his heart began to sink. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Jungkook took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Taehyung's. "I was just...thinking. About what you said earlier. About kissing in the rain."

Taehyung's heart raced with anticipation "What about it?"

Jungkook's gaze never left Taehyung's as he took another deep breath. "I was wondering...if we could try it. It's raining now after all"

Taehyung's heart stopped, his mind racing with disbelief. Could Jungkook really be suggesting what he thought he was suggesting?

Before he could speak, Jungkook continued. "I mean, if you want to. I've just always wanted to experience it, and...I think it would be cool to lose my first kiss like that."

Taehyung's heart swelled with hope and fear, his eyes locked onto Jungkook's. Could this be real? Could Jungkook really want him like this?

But before he could even begin to formulate a response, Taehyung's mind was flooded with a rush of thoughts and emotions. He knew he couldn't allow himself to fall deeper into unrequited love. It would only hurt more in the end.

"I'm sorry, Kook," Taehyung said, averting his gaze. "I can't do it. Not when your heart belongs to someone else."

Jungkook's eyes widened in confusion. "What are you talking about? My heart doesn't belong to anyone else."

Taehyung forced himself to meet Jungkook's gaze, his heart racing with doubt and fear. "Don't say that, Kook. You've made it pretty obvious who you have feelings for."

Right. Namjoon. Why did Jungkook forget about him.

"Tae but---"

Jungkook's words trailed off as , Yumi, burst into the room with excitement written all over her face.

"Taehyung, you won't believe it!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. "Remember that photography job in Japan you applied for? You got it!"

Taehyung's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Are you serious?" he asked, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Yumi nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! The photographer loved your portfolio and wants you to come work for him in Tokyo for 18 months!"

Taehyung felt his heart fill with joy and gratitude. This was the opportunity he had been dreaming of,  to work with his favorite photographer. He turned to Jungkook, who was looking at him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"I didn't know you applied for a job in Japan," Jungkook said, his voice laced with surprise.

Taehyung smiled sheepishly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I didn't want to get my hopes up too high, so I didn't tell anyone until I heard back."

Jungkook's face lit up with understanding. "That's amazing, Tae. Congratulations!"

Taehyung couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. Jungkook's reaction was genuine and kind, and it made him feel seen and understood. 

As Yumi continued to chatter excitedly about the details of the job, Taehyung's mind raced with possibilities. 

"I have to make a few calls. I'll be back" Yumi went into the room.

Taehyung turned to his side, only to find Jungkook missing and the front door open. He ran out of the house.

"what the hell Jungkook? where are you going in the rain?"

"leave me alone." Jungkook yelled.

"Jungkook, please!" Taehyung called out, trying to catch up to him.

Jungkook turned around, his eyes locking onto Taehyung's. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice tight with hurt.

Taehyung's heart sank. He had been so caught up in the excitement of the opportunity that he hadn't even thought about how Jungkook would feel. "I'm sorry, Kook. I didn't want to get your hopes up."

Jungkook shook his head, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "But you're leaving again. You're always leaving," he said, his voice cracking.

Taehyung's heart broke at the sight of Jungkook's pain. "I know, Kook. But it's just for a little while. And I promise, I'll come back."

Jungkook looked at Taehyung, his heart racing with a new realization. "But what if I don't want you to go?" he asked softly.

"What do you mean?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook stepped closer to Taehyung, his eyes searching for any sign of understanding. "I mean...I don't want you to go. I don't want to be without you," he said, his voice filled with a newfound courage.

Taehyung's heart raced with hope, his eyes locking onto Jungkook's.Before he could even respond, Jungkook took another step closer, his gaze never leaving Taehyung's. "I don't know what this means, Tae.You are my best friend and I know that I don't want to lose you. Not again. I know it's not fair    but----Please don't go. Not now."

Taehyung felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, his heart swelling with a new kind of love. "I don't want to lose you either, Kook," he whispered, his eyes never leaving Jungkook's. "But I have to go. 

Jungkook's fists were clenched at his sides, his heart racing with frustration and hurt."Why are you leaving?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the rain. "Don't you care about me at all?" 

Taehyung's expression turned from concern to anger, "How can you say that?" he said, his voice cracking with anger and hurt. "I'm leaving because I have to, because it's my dream. It has nothing to do with how much I care about you."

Jungkook felt a pang of guilt at the hurt in Taehyung's voice. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice softer. "But why now? Why do you have to leave now?"

Taehyung took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto Jungkook's. "Because I've loved you for so long, Kook," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And it hurts too much to stay here, knowing that you don't feel the same way.That you love someone else."

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat at Taehyung's words. He had never imagined that Taehyung felt that way about him. He felt a mix of confusion and guilt and something else he couldn't quite name.

"But I've finally decided to let go of the love, to move on," Taehyung continued, his voice growing louder with emotion. "And that's why I'm leaving. It's the only way I can move on with my life."

Jungkook felt a lump form in his throat as he watched Taehyung's face contort with emotion. He wanted to reach out and hug him, to tell him that he didn't want him to go, that he had feelings for him too. But he couldn't find the words, couldn't sort through the confusion in his own heart.

Taehyung turned around and walked away from Jungkook. The younger was left standing there with his own thoughts.

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(a/n): some of y'all may be pressed that Jungkook was being unfair asking tae to stay back. but it's natural and human to act that way.