Fateful Alliance ∞

ⅤⅠⅠⅠ

The city stretched before them in endless streams of light, neon signs bleeding into the night sky, the hum of traffic filling the silence between their words. Taehyung kept one hand loosely on the steering wheel, the other drumming against his thigh as Jungkook pointed excitedly at the passing streets, his eyes darting left and right like a child rediscovering a beloved playground.

It wasn't planned, none of it. But then again, Taehyung had promised spontaneity, and spontaneity seemed to breathe life into Jungkook's every expression.

When Jungkook's finger suddenly shot out toward a quiet corner of the street, his voice carried an excitement that made Taehyung's lips curve upward.
"There! That café! stop there, Tae. Please. It's not just a café, it's... It's a book café. I used to spend hours there. God, I missed it so much."

Taehyung tilted his head, amused by the way Jungkook nearly vibrated with joy, like he'd just stumbled upon a secret portal back into his childhood. "A book café, huh? Well then, lead the way, Captain."

The car slowed, tires crunching against the pavement as Taehyung pulled to the side. He slipped out and, without missing a beat, circled around to Jungkook's door. The gesture earned him a startled glance and a shy, downward tug of Jungkook's lips that barely hid his blush. Taehyung filed the image away in memory. Jungkook blushing in the streetlight. 

Inside, the café greeted them with the scent of roasted beans and the soft crackle of pages turning. The lighting was dim but warm, golden lamps hanging low over worn tables, while shelves stacked high with novels lined the walls. The hum of quiet chatter lingered in the air, but in the far back corner, where Jungkook eagerly led them, the world seemed to fall away.

It was a nook. A couch tucked beneath an overhang of books, intimate and almost hidden. Jungkook slid onto the cushions with the ease of someone who belonged here, patting the space beside him until Taehyung sat down, shoulders brushing just slightly. Jungkook didn't move away. His cheeks warmed again, though he tried to disguise it by focusing on the spines of books around them.

"Not bad," Taehyung muttered, scanning the place. "You have good taste."

Before Jungkook could reply, a voice rang out across the room.
"Jungkook?!"

They both looked up to see a girl around their age hurrying toward them, her apron slightly askew, hair pulled back hastily. The way she beamed at Jungkook was enough to tell Taehyung she wasn't just any barista.

"Ji-eun noona," Jungkook greeted, standing quickly. His smile softened, almost boyish. "It's been so long."

Ji-eun threw her arms around him in a brief hug before stepping back to glance between the two men. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "I can't believe this! Jungkook in my café again. And who's this handsome man? Where's BamBam?"

The name hit Taehyung like a splash of cold water. BamBam. The ex. He schooled his features quickly, but something twisted low in his chest.

Jungkook's smile faltered. His gaze dropped to the floor. "We... broke up."

Ji-eun's lips parted, surprise flashing across her face before softening into sympathy. "Oh, Kook, I'm sorry. But- wait." Her gaze darted to Taehyung again, and she leaned in with the same eager energy as before. "Then who's this?"

Jungkook hesitated, then glanced at Taehyung. His ears turned scarlet as he murmured, almost shyly, "He's... my husband. Kim Taehyung."

The word hung in the air like a bell toll, and Taehyung's chest tightened unexpectedly. Husband. Not just a role forced by tradition, but something Jungkook claimed out loud, in front of someone from his past. Taehyung smiled faintly, holding onto that warmth even as Ji-eun gasped.