CRIMSON LIES (TAEKOOK)

5.(MACAROONS)

The employees at the café greeted Jungkook and Taehyung warmly as they led them to their seats. After they sat down, Jungkook nodded at Taehyung, signaling that it was time to order.

"Umm, Jungkook, can I order for you too?" Taehyung asked shyly.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why Taehyung?"

Taehyung puffed up his chest with pride, "I'm an ordering expert."

Jungkook chuckled, clearly intrigued. "Expert at ordering? Okay, show me your talent, Taehyung."

Taehyung smiled confidently and called the waiter over. "Hello, waiter!"

"Yes, sir!" The waiter responded promptly.

Taehyung grinned. "I'd like to order this meal with two juices. Also, is it true that you give complimentary fries with any additional order?"

The waiter hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, sir."

Smirking, Taehyung added, "And I'll have a bottle of sparkling water as well."

"Is that all, sir?" the waiter asked.

Taehyung gave a satisfied nod, and the waiter left to place the order.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow in admiration. "Wow, Taehyung, you ordered everything I wanted to eat-and even extra free stuff. You're doing great!"

Flipping his imaginary hair with a playful grin, Taehyung chuckled. "All my friends call me the ordering fairy."

Jungkook couldn't help but giggle. "Ordering fairy, huh? Taehyung, you're quite cute. Tell me more about yourself. When and why did you start liking me?"

Taehyung hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well, my family consists of my mom, my eomma, and me. Both my parents work as professors at Haichung University, and I'm studying pedagogy. As for liking you... You probably won't remember, but when I first started at the university, you helped me find my class and even carried my heavy bag. You held my hand while we were in the gallery at the Theodore exhibit too. I thought you were kind and gentle. I've always looked up to you from afar. My friend Jimin encouraged me to talk to you, so I did... and here we are."

Jungkook listened attentively, his gaze softening. "Taehyung, you don't need to feel nervous about your family or anything," he said, reassured. "Though, I'm glad you told me. By the way, what if I had turned you down that day when you asked me out?"

Taehyung blinked, unfazed. "I'm not sure. I would've asked why, but hey, my mom raised no coward. I would've just kept asking questions."

Jungkook was stunned by Taehyung's candid response. He could see the depth of affection in Taehyung's eyes, and how sincere, albeit naïve, Taehyung was. Jungkook let out a small laugh. "Well, I would've been a complete idiot if I had said no. You're incredibly innocent, Taehyung."

Taehyung pouted, frowning. "I'm not innocent, though," he muttered defensively.

Jungkook, still amused, teased him. "Really? What do you know then, boisterous human?"

Taehyung answered without missing a beat, "How to make babies."

Jungkook burst into laughter, nearly choking on his drink. "Why are you laughing, Taehyung?" Taehyung asked, genuinely curious.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook smiled through his chuckles. "Why are you so skilled in making babies? How do you even know about that stuff?"

Taehyung simply shrugged, not realizing the implications of his words. "Well, one day you and I... oops."

Jungkook's cheeks flushed bright red, and he immediately started coughing, his mind racing with Taehyung's innocent yet bold statement. He quickly tried to change the topic, though Taehyung still seemed curious. "What about you, Jungkook? Tell me about your background?"