The Rhythm of The Hearts

3.

The following day, Taehyung arrived at the dance studio earlier than usual, his mind buzzing with the lingering thoughts of the previous day. He couldn’t help but feel a little flutter in his chest when he thought about Jungkook—the way their connection had deepened so unexpectedly, and how natural it felt to work alongside him.

As he was warming up, Jungkook entered the studio, his presence immediately drawing Taehyung’s attention. Jungkook was carrying two cups of coffee again, a now familiar and comforting gesture.

“Morning!” Jungkook greeted, his smile brighter than the sunlight streaming through the studio windows. He handed Taehyung one of the cups, their fingers brushing for a brief moment. A spark of warmth shot through Taehyung, catching him off guard.

“Thanks,” Taehyung replied, trying to sound casual even as his heart skipped a beat. “You’re really spoiling me with these coffee runs.”

Jungkook chuckled, a soft sound that sent a pleasant shiver down Taehyung’s spine. “Consider it my way of saying thanks for being such a great partner.”

Taehyung’s cheeks warmed slightly at the compliment. “I should be the one thanking you. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

There was a brief silence as they sipped their coffee, each lost in their own thoughts. Taehyung couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something different about today, something more than just their growing artistic synergy. There was an undeniable energy between them, a subtle pull that kept drawing his eyes back to Jungkook.

They started their rehearsal, picking up where they had left off the previous day. As they danced and sang together, their movements felt more fluid, more in tune with each other. It wasn’t just about perfecting their routine anymore—it was about expressing something deeper, something that neither of them had fully acknowledged yet.

During one of their practice runs, Taehyung’s voice soared through the room, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s as he sang a particularly emotional line. To his surprise, he saw a flicker of something in Jungkook’s gaze—something that mirrored the flutter in his own heart. It was brief, but it was there, and it made Taehyung’s pulse quicken.

As they continued, Jungkook’s dance moves seemed to draw closer, their bodies moving in perfect synchronization. At one point, Jungkook reached out, his hand gently brushing against Taehyung’s arm as he spun past him. The touch was fleeting, but it left a tingling sensation in its wake.

Taehyung found himself smiling more, laughing at little jokes and moments they shared as they worked. He was aware of how Jungkook’s gaze lingered on him, how their conversations carried a subtle undertone that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just about the music anymore—there was a growing connection that neither could ignore.

After an especially intense run-through of their duet, they both paused, breathing heavily as they stood close together, faces just inches apart. Taehyung could feel the warmth radiating from Jungkook, could see the slight rise and fall of his chest as he caught his breath. The air between them seemed to thrum with anticipation.

“That was… incredible,” Taehyung said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes were locked on Jungkook’s, unable to look away.

Jungkook nodded, his gaze equally intense. “Yeah… it really was.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension between them crackled like electricity, and Taehyung felt his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know what was happening, but he couldn’t deny the way his heart seemed to lean towards Jungkook, as if drawn by some invisible force.

Before Taehyung could second-guess himself, he took a small step closer, their faces now so close that he could feel Jungkook’s breath against his skin. “Jungkook… I…”

But before he could finish his sentence, the door to the studio suddenly opened, and one of the academy’s staff members poked their head in, asking if they needed anything. The moment was shattered, and Taehyung quickly stepped back, trying to compose himself.

“We’re good, thanks,” Jungkook replied, his voice steady even though his eyes still held that intense gaze.

The staff member nodded and left, closing the door behind them. The charged atmosphere in the room had dissipated, leaving behind a sense of something unresolved. Taehyung’s heart was still racing, his thoughts spinning as he tried to process what had just happened.

“I guess we should call it a day,” Jungkook said, though there was a note of reluctance in his voice.

“Yeah… I think so,” Taehyung agreed, though part of him didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to let go of whatever had just passed between them.

They packed up their things in silence, but the air was thick with unspoken words. As they walked out of the studio together, Taehyung couldn’t help but glance over at Jungkook, wondering if he felt the same. Was it just the intensity of their work, or was there something more?

“Same time tomorrow?” Jungkook asked as they reached the academy’s entrance, his tone casual, but his eyes searching.

Taehyung nodded, forcing a smile. “Definitely. I’ll see you then.”

As they parted ways, Taehyung couldn’t stop thinking about that almost-moment between them. There was something there, something undeniable, and he knew it wasn’t just in his imagination. He could feel it in the way his heart raced when Jungkook was near, in the way his thoughts kept drifting back to that intense gaze they had shared.

As he walked home, Taehyung found himself humming their duet, the melody taking on a new meaning. It wasn’t just a song anymore—it was the rhythm of something new, something exciting and terrifying all at once. And he couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.
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TBC~