The Unexpected (Namkook)

Part 13

Namjoon was surprised at this new unexplored version of his that he never realised existed. Anything beyond friendship was never the matter of equation he felt with any boy until now. The irk of Ha-jin's touch would be taken up lightly considering the not so elegant nature of hers, but seeking comfort in embrace of the man he just knows for a last few weeks is something that reflects a tiny clue to the reasoning of the former realisation.

Laughters and sharing of few embarrassing moments from their personal lives made the meal feel more fulfilling. The small touch of fingers while grilling a piece of meat or the head bump while picking up the dropped cutlery ensured Namjoon of the likeness he is starting to feel for Jungkook. This change in the younger's behaviour was well observed by the other but acting on assumptions would just be an instance of inappropriateness as per Jungkook's judgement.

"Do you have anywhere to hurry right now?"

All this while, Jungkook's heart has dreamt of a growing relationship, got broken at the knowledge of Namjoon's uncertain preferences and healed back with the consolation of a lasting friendship. Taking any initiative to know further was always fearsome to the man but the time they have spent together today has provoked the greed in his heart to long for more time with the person he has been crushing over.

"No, it's Sunday." Namjoon didn't want to take much time to respond, panicking over the validity of the question and to gain most of the incoming opportunity.
"If it's okay with you then we can hangout."
"Can we go to the new art gallery that has opened last week?"

A smile escaped Jungkook's lips at the excited request coming from the younger. He was in no position to snatch away the cuteness Namjoon's body language held at the illuminating expression.

"We can go! But is it okay if I drive? We can take back your car after that." Jungkook suggested with the hope of getting more company he started to crave for.
"That sounds like an idea!" Namjoon nodded vigorously, not to let that chance go away from his hand. With his newfound feelings, he wants to know what those are all about.

Jungkook objected Namjoon's idea to share the bill at the restaurant stating he is the earning one between the two, so there was no further concern to be raised. Namjoon couldn't counter object at the dominating aura of the elder that he finds too appealing. Inspite of the average financial status, Jungkook wanted to be the man Namjoon might look up to in case there is a teeny tiny possibility of something between the two in a distant future. The kind act of Jungkook, opening the door while leaving the restaurant was appreciated by his gleeful heart.

The urge to hold hands just like their way in was consuming Jungkook's eager soul that was somehow sensed by Namjoon's over excited one. He joined their hands startling the elder but undid it at the shocked gaze of Jungkook.

"I'm sorry, I thought I would trip due to the slippery floor." Namjoon's excuse worked to save him from some embarrassment but Jungkook's excitement was doomed by his own choice of action that came out as reflex to Namjoon's.
"It's okay." Without wasting a second, Jungkook joined the hands again making Namjoon's heart flip inside his chest.

********

"I don't understand anything here but it looks colourful." Jungkook shook his head with bulging eyeballs that earned him a chuckle.
"Do you even understand what art is?" Namjoon's teasing didn't feel taunting, so they went along.
"My mother made me take painting classes when I was a kid and I wasn't really bad in that, but still I don't understand the complexities that popular artists try to portray in their work." Jungkook explained his limited knowledge on art with his eyes not leaving the huge framed art piece hanged on wall of the art gallery they are visiting right now.

"It's nothing to understand, you know! Just try to feel it. For example, this one." Namjoon pointed at the huge piece in front of them and continued, "if we just look at the painting, there are few parallel lines of different thicknesses but if you want to feel it, you will see the parallel thoughts of our mind. Sometimes, we think of a lot of things at the same time that might not be co-dependent, however, they take place at the same time without disturbing momentum of the other."

Jungkook was amazed to hear such meaningful words behind the framed painting that appeared nothing but scribbles of a child.
"And what about the significance of the thick and the thin lines?"
"Not all thoughts carry the same weightage, Jungkook." It was just a one liner explanation but Jungkook heard the hint of some unspoken feelings from the art enthusiast. The eyes stayed locked for a few moments before a fellow visitor asked them to move a little for taking a picture of the painting.

"You know a lot about these." Jungkook smiled extending his hand to the other on their way out of the gallery, ignoring his conscious mind that was doubting the act to be clingy because Namjoon didn't reject it.
"Just food for some thoughts!"

As they went back to the restaurant to collect Namjoon's car, a tension broke out between the two. It was the completion of their outing yet something remained unaccomplished in the hearts of both. Keeping all the worries aside, Jungkook took the effort to ask, "Do you want to go anywhere else?" avoiding an eye contact with the other.

It felt the exact question Namjoon was dying to face. He didn't want to end this day either but in his highly emotional state, Jungkook's actions were not fully understood if he was having the same desire as Namjoon did.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked fiddling his fingers on his lap, too nervous to lift his face at the handsome man beside him.
"Just anywhere." This time, Namjoon looked up to find the man already staring at him with eyes pleading for a positive answer. That was the end of all the analysis Namjoon has been making since the morning. He thought of jumping into the resolution, ditching the protests his mind started making right at that moment.

He leaned towards the elder who seemed to be following the same step as the younger and both stopped the movement of their heads as the two pairs of lips met midway to claim each other as its own.