First Breath

Chapter 9: Trying to Breathe

When Taehyung wakes up, he stretches and smiles. He took a quick nap after he and Jungkook talked about their feelings and possibly pursuing a relationship. As he looks around the living room, he sees Jungkook doing pushups.

"Oh." Taehyung's jaw drops as he watches Jungkook's muscles ripple and sweat drip down his face.

"Did you have a good nap?" Jungkook sits up and looks at Taehyung.

"I did." Taehyung nods and crosses his legs as he sits on the couch.

"That's good. How is your hangover now?" Jungkook asks and gets into the plank position.

"It's fine." Taehyung hums as he watches Jungkook perform a very stable plank. "Wow. I always shake and collapse." He softly mutters in awe.

Jungkook softly chuckles when he hears Taehyung's quiet mutters. The more time that he spends time with his professor, the more he finds the older man to be adorable.

"Would it be okay if I set up a painting area in that corner by the window?" Taehyung asks as he points to the window.

"Of course," Jungkook responds without looking as he concentrates on his plank.

"It will be temporary until I find a place." Taehyung hums and wonders if Jungkook would be able to hold him up if he sat on him.

"You can stay as long as you want." Jungkook lowers his knees and sits up on them.

"I can't keep sleeping on your couch." Taehyung softly laughs and hugs the pillow.

"Then sleep on the bed," Jungkook suggests and stands up.

"I'm not booting you to the couch." Taehyung frowns and tightens his grip on the pillow.

"I didn't say I would be sleeping on the couch." Jungkook grins and grabs the bar to do pull-ups.

"Oh. Oh!" Taehyung blushes and buries his face in the pillow.

"I don't mean immediately, just when you are comfortable with the idea." Jungkook hums and does a pull-up.

"I'll have to think about it," Taehyung mumbles into the pillow and glances at Jungkook, with his face still partially buried in the pillow.

"Take your time." Jungkook smiles and lets go of the bar. "You are in a safe place. There is no rush." He softly hums and walks over to Taehyung.

"Thank you," Taehyung whispers and looks up at Jungkook with a smile.

"Of course." Jungkook gently pats Taehyung's head and then goes to his room. "I am going to work early today. I will get done at midnight." He tells Taehyung as he grabs what he needs to shower.

"Oh. I will probably go to an art supply store to find the supplies I need." Taehyung hums and lies down on the couch. "Can I borrow your clothes again?"

"You don't need to ask. Wear whatever you want to wear." Jungkook answers and pokes his head out of his bedroom to look at Taehyung.

Once Jungkook is ready for work, he leaves the apartment. As he closes the door, he hears Taehyung softly singing to himself. Hearing Taehyung's voice, Jungkook smiles and leaves with a happy heart.

After Jungkook leaves, Taehyung takes a quick shower and changes into Jungkook's clothes. With Jungkook's clothes on, he does not recognize himself. He smiles as he buries his face in the hoodie fabric and breathes in Jungkook's scent. "His clothes make me look younger than my age," Taehyung mutters to himself as he grabs his wallet.

When he leaves the apartment, he pulls out his phone to order a taxi. Before he orders a taxi, he pauses and breathes in the crisp air. "Maybe I should go for a walk." He smiles and pulls the hood over his head, his round glasses cutely framing his face.