Hold My Hand - A Taekook Love Story.

29 - Important Life Skill

Jungkook was late. Taehyung had been waiting near Namjoon's medical center for over two hours now, but still there wasn't any sign of the younger. He knew Jungkook hadn't left yet, because the latter was aware that Taehyung will be accompanying him home today. Jungkook wouldn't just leave him there, Taehyung was sure of it.

After about another 10 minutes, Taehyung heard the sound of hurried footsteps. When he lifted his head, he was greeted with the sight of Jungkook, looking slightly troubled.

“Hi.” Taehyung said with a smile, but didn't get one back as he hoped.

“Did you wait for long?” Jungkook's voice sounded upset.

“It wasn't that-” Taehyung paused mid sentence, his eyes never leaving Jungkook's face. “It's okay, I don't mind.”

“Still, you should have just left.”

“I'm not gonna leave you, Kookie, just because you got a bit late. For you, I can wait till the end of days, if I had to.”

Jungkook tightened his lips and didn't answer. One thing he didn't like about this new development of their interactions, was Taehyung's blatant flirting. He would say ridiculously endearing stuff with zero shame, and Jungkook was having a hard time not letting his face react to it. He keeps his mouth shut, without really acknowledging them, but he can't exactly stop himself from getting red in the ears so he doesn't know how successful his attempts to appear nonchalant were.

They were walking down the road in silence, occasionally talking about something random. Earlier, Jungkook found this travel arrangement to be rather uncomfortable but now, he has started to like it. One could even say that he craves it, enough to miss it on the days Taehyung doesn't come.

Something was different today though, and after much contemplation, Jungkook decided to address it.

“No flowers for me today? Not that I want it.'' He was quick to reassure the other. “You don't have to bring me flowers everyday.”

Taehyung smiled a bit, for he had already noticed how Jungkook was stealing glances at him discreetly. “I did bring one, but it wilted with time. Unfortunately, today I have picked a flower that closes its petals the moment the sun goes down.”

Jungkook gave a nod in understanding. Namjoon had a patient today whose arm had gotten stuck under a tree he was cutting. The arm had fractured in several places and Namjoon had to spend a long time treating it. Which was why Jungkook got late as well. Luckily it was a full moon day so the roads were lightened up with moon light.

They walked in silence for a little while, before Taehyung noticed a group of men was walking towards them from a distance. By the way they were making a ruckus, pushing and pulling each other and laughing, it wasn't hard to tell that they were drunk. Taehyung and Jungkook were walking under the shade of a few big trees so the oncoming group hadn't noticed them yet.

Driven by a sudden impulse, Taehyung grabbed Jungkook by his wrist and pulled him behind a tree. The younger had his round eyes widened even more, as Taehyung pushed him against the tree trunk and stood in front of him.

“What-”

“Shhh..” Taehyung shushed while placing a palm over Jungkook's mouth. “Don't make a sound.”

Jungkook stared at the elder for a few seconds, before tapping the hand over his mouth. Taehyung, who seemed to have just realized where his hand was, quickly pulled it away as well.

“Sorry.”

Jungkook gave a quick nod, silently saying it was okay. He looked over his shoulder, to the direction Taehyung had his eyes focused all this while, and saw the group of men.