This Love Is...|| TAEKOOK ||

|13| when the heart is strong but the brain is weak

It had been a week since school had started after his two month-long stay in Athens. After his internal clock had been damaged by a certain someone roaming inside his head all night, Taehyung hasn't been able to focus properly on anything except his classes. 

Taehyung sat at his desk, his fingers idly drumming on the wooden surface. Instead of utilizing his free hour to prepare lesson plans, his thoughts wandered back to that night in Athens, the passion and intensity of their kiss. It was a moment that had shattered his carefully constructed walls, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. The memory haunted him, filling his mind with a whirlwind of emotions.

Was it just a fleeting moment, or did it mean something more? 

Taehyung questioned himself. His heart yearned for Jungkook, but his mind was a chaotic tangle of reality and fantasy. He knew he had responsibilities, a career that demanded his full attention, yet the desire for Jungkook was a constant, nagging presence.

Am I just projecting my fantasies onto him? 

Every glance, every smile from Jungkook seemed loaded with meaning, yet he feared it was all in his head. The uncertainty gnawed at him, making it hard to focus on his work. He couldn't afford to let his feelings interfere, but they already had.

Across the school, Jungkook was experiencing a similar turmoil. Sitting in his currently busy class after assigning students to work out some problems, he stared out the window, his thoughts drifting to Taehyung. The kiss they had shared was unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was raw, real, and utterly consuming. But it had also left him confused and uncertain.

Does this signify something deeper? 

Jungkook asked himself. His feelings for Taehyung were undeniable, but he struggled to separate his desires from the reality of their situation. They were colleagues, professionals who needed to maintain a certain decorum.

Am I imagining the connection between us? 

Every interaction with Taehyung felt charged as if there was an unspoken understanding between them. Yet, he couldn't shake the fear that it was all in his mind, a fantasy fueled by his own longing.

The bell rang after a long time, prompting to end his internal turmoil. "Thank You all, I will meet you guys tomorrow, don't forget to finish the practice problems I gave you today."

He packed his things and dragged himself through the hallway when he noticed a familiar silhouette. He raised his head and found the person he had been thinking all day standing infront of him. Their eyes meeting briefly before they both looked away, awkward and uncertain.

"Hey, Taehyung," Jungkook said, trying to sound casual.

"Hey, Jungkook," Taehyung replied, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

"How's your day going?" Jungkook asked, hoping to steer the conversation into safer territory.

"It's... busy," Taehyung said, forcing a smile. "Yours?"

"Same here," Jungkook nodded. "Just the usual chaos."

They stood there for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words.

"Well, I should get to my next class," Taehyung said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, me too," Jungkook replied. "Catch you later."

As they walked away, both of them felt the sting of unspoken feelings, the weight of their emotions pulling them in different directions.

Back in his office, Taehyung sat down and buried his face in his hands.

Why is this so complicated?

His mind raced with images of Jungkook, the feel of his lips, the warmth of his touch. He wanted so badly to explore whatever it was between them, but the fear of crossing a line held him back.

What if I'm just setting myself up for disappointment?

The reality of their professional lives clashed with his fantasies, leaving him torn and unsure. He wanted to talk to Jungkook, to clarify things, but the risk of rejection was too great.

What if he doesn't want to be involved and it was more of an experiment....

In his own classroom, Jungkook paced back and forth, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts.

Why can't I just let this go?

The memory of their kiss lingered, making it hard to focus on anything else. He wanted to believe that Taehyung felt the same way, but the uncertainty was unbearable.

Am I just being foolish?

He knew he couldn't afford to let his personal feelings interfere with his job, but every time he saw Taehyung, the longing intensified. He needed to find a way to navigate these feelings without losing himself in them. Before he could continue lingering around his thoughts, students started to flock around the class. He sighed and picked up his notes to start the next class. 

Later that day, after classes had ended, Jungkook packed his bags and walked outside from his block unknown to him, Taehyung was strolling in his direction. 

"Jungkook, can I ask you something?" Taehyung said, breaking the silence.

"Sure," Jungkook blinked, looking up. 

"Do you ever think about... that night in Athens?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. "I-....yes," he admitted. "But I don't know what it means. For us."

"Me neither," Taehyung said, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "But, I just can't stop thinking about it."

They fell silent again, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air.

As they stood there, Jungkook's mind raced. Do I take the risk and tell him how I really feel? The fear of rejection loomed large, but the thought of losing Taehyung was even worse. He wanted to reach out, to close the distance between them, but the professional boundaries held him back.

Taehyung's thoughts mirrored Jungkook's. Is it worth the risk? He knew he couldn't continue living in this state of uncertainty, but the potential fallout scared him. The memory of their kiss was a constant reminder of what could be, but he didn't know if he had the courage to pursue it.

As they prepared to leave, their eyes met once more. This time, the look they shared was filled with longing and uncertainty, a silent acknowledgment of their unspoken feelings. They stood there, frozen in the moment, both yearning for more but unsure how to proceed.

"I think-"

"Goodnight, Jungkook," Taehyung finally said, his voice soft.

".....Goodnight, Taehyung," Jungkook replied, his heart aching with unfulfilled desire.

They parted ways, each carrying the weight of their emotions, uncertain of what the future held but unable to deny the connection between them. As they walked away, both of them couldn't help but hope that somehow, they would find a way to bridge the gap between reality and their fantasies.

A/N
11 years with BTS oh ma gawd, time flies real fast.