Beyond The Friend Zone [Taekook]

Forced Closeness (2)

"I'm going to school now!" Jungkook announced cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he flung open the door. The fresh morning air and the thought of seeing his friends filled him with energy.

"Wait, Kookie! Take your lunchbox!" Mrs. Jeon called out from the kitchen, hurrying out with the lunchbox in hand, waving it in the air.

Jungkook’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Oops, I forgot!" he said with a giggle, quickly snatching the lunchbox and stuffing it into his backpack.

"Be careful on your way to school! And remember, don't stay out too late after school, okay? And no more coming home with your clothes covered in mud!" Mrs. Jeon's voice was laced with concern, her face etched with maternal worry.

"Okay! Okay!" Jungkook called back, his grin widening as he stepped outside. He rolled his eyes playfully, well aware that his mother’s worries were just a part of her affectionate care.

As Jungkook bounded down the steps, his friend, a slightly chubby boy with an ever-present energy, shouted from the sidewalk. "Kook! What took you so long today?!"

"Sorry, I woke up late!" Jungkook laughed, running to catch up with his friend, guilt gnawing at him for making his friend wait.

"Geez! We missed our bus and now we have to sprint to school! It’s all your fault!" his friend grumbled, a mixture of annoyance and resignation in his tone.

"I’m really sorry! I’ll buy you a drink later, okay?" Jungkook promised, hoping to make up for the delay.

From his lawn, Taehyung silently observed the chaotic morning routine from his lawn as he watered the pots of flowers, his gaze following Jungkook as he sprinted past. He sighed, feeling a strange pang of longing for the carefree energy Jungkook seemed to embody.

After Jungkook disappeared from view, Taehyung finished watering the plants. He set the watering can down and walked back inside, trying to shake off the strange sense of wishing he could be as carefree as Jungkook was.

"Good morning. You’re up so early again. What were you doing outside?" Mrs. Kim asked as she descended the stairs, still half-asleep but brimming with warmth.

"Good morning. I was watering the plants," Taehyung replied steadily, masking his feelings behind a composed exterior.

Mrs. Kim, in a burst of affection, ruffled Taehyung’s hair. "Oh, that’s very helpful of you!" she said with a bright smile. Taehyung endured the teasing with quiet patience, allowing her to playfully tousle his hair before smoothing it out again.

"Oh, we need to get changed now!" Mrs. Kim said suddenly, urgency in her voice.

Confused by the sudden rush, Taehyung frowned as his mother hurried upstairs without further explanation. Shrugging off his uncertainty, he quickly followed her up and changed. Just as he finished, the doorbell rang. He hurried downstairs to answer it.

"Ah! Good morning, Taehyung! I hope you had a good sleep on your first night here!" Mrs. Jeon greeted with her usual warmth, her large eyes radiating friendliness.

"I did. Good morning," Taehyung replied, bowing politely while keeping his responses brief.

Mrs. Jeon’s smile widened at his politeness, a stark contrast to Jungkook’s more unruly demeanor. How she wished Jungkook would be as polite and obedient as Taehyung.

Taehyung welcomed Mrs. Jeon inside, sensing that her visit was more than just a casual greeting.

"I made too much breakfast today, so I wanted to share it with your mom and you. Speaking of which, where is she?" Mrs. Jeon asked, glancing around the living room.