Sirenic Menace

⑫Say It Again

 
Jungkook, lying in his bed, gazed at Taehyung’s sleeping face with a ray of softness. His mind floated around yesterday’s events — flashback after flashback sprang up, making his stomach lurch in blissfulness and his chest flutter.

Having sex with him wasn’t just that. His attempt to deny it led him nowhere, because a shielded part within him knew it wasn’t true. The emotions he experienced with him were ones he hadn’t felt before at that level of intensity. Every moment, each touch and look, embodied an intimacy that tugged at his heart, as if wanting to merge with his.

But their separation was inextricable. Not only because Taehyung would leave, but also because Jungkook was who he was, leading a life that wasn’t meant for Taehyung and currently being trapped in a messed-up situation.

So he had to pretend. Pretend that what happened between them was just for fun. That he didn’t feel any connection. That he couldn’t return his feelings. That his stomach didn’t drop violently every time he thought about their separation.

He had to pretend he hadn’t fallen for him. And it hurt more than he could ever imagine. He could easily see the sadness in Taehyung’s eyes when he said they were just having a little fun. And maybe that was why it hurt so much.

“Why is Tae sleeping until this late again?”

Jungkook’s spiraling thoughts ceased at the sound of Jimin’s voice.

“Maybe he can’t sleep at night.”

“Should we go for a swim the two of us then? Or wake him up?”

“Don’t,” Jungkook cut in. “Let him sleep.” He perceived the narrow-eyed look Jimin shot him and tsked. “He’s on vacation. I’m sure he wakes up early every day because of his job. Let the man sleep now that he can.”

“I hate to say this, but he’s right,” Hoseok uttered. “Let’s go for a swim and let him sleep.”

“Okay.”

The two friends changed into their beachwear, took the necessary things, and soon were ready to go. “Jay, tell him where we are when he wakes up,” Jimin said.

“Fine.” Jungkook’s eyes rested on Taehyung again when the door shut, and he released a soft sigh as he assimilated the serenity wandering on his stunning features.

Taehyung’s eyes fluttered open a while later, and he blinked with a sleepy frown as he took in the brightness of the room. A delicate smile peeped out on his face at the sight of Jungkook across from him, who was already staring at him. “Hey,” he croaked out glibly, but then the remembrance of his friends popped up into his head, and he glanced down at their beds with slight panic.

“Your friends are at the beach.”

A rush of relief poured through his insides, carpeting any shred of tension. “Okay. I’ll go wash up.” He pushed himself to a sitting position, but a shooting pain in his bottom had his mouth flying open around a silent shrill and his eyes watering at once.

Jungkook’s brows raised in two bows of mischief, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Is something wrong?”

Taehyung darted him an angered glare at his prominent taunt, clearly unamused. “Mocking me isn’t helping, you know.”

“Okay, okay,” he snickered. “Do you need help?”

“No, I got it.” He crept down the ladder, whining and wincing at every movement, and dragged his feet to the table to grab his toothbrush from his bag. It would be such a long day for him...

 
After freshening up, he returned and got to his bed, facing Jungkook. The more he regarded him, the more vivid the memory of their tender kiss last night became, and it mounded a growing urge in his chest that escaped him of its own will. “Can I come lie down with you?”