Reluctant Hearts ✔️

Chapter - 24

☾⋆⁺₊🎧✧ lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıı

playιng: [As it was] - [Harry Styles]

˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･

As evening falls, Jungkook pulls into the driveway of the mansion, the sleek black car coming to a smooth stop. He sits behind the wheel for a moment, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel as he mentally prepares himself to go inside. Taking a deep breath, he grabs his things and steps out of the car, his footsteps deliberate and slow as he approaches the door. 

Jungkook pushes the door open and steps inside, fully expecting the house to be quiet. But he barely gets two steps in before he senses an all-too-familiar presence. 

Taehyung is there, seated on the stool by the kitchen counter, arms crossed and eyes locked onto Jungkook the moment he enters. The dim lighting casts sharp shadows on Taehyung's face, highlighting the tense set of his jaw and the cold, unreadable expression in his eyes. He looks calm, but Jungkook doesn't believe it, there's an undercurrent of simmering tension, like a storm waiting to break.

Jungkook halts, caught off guard by Taehyung's presence. The air between them is thick, laden with unspoken words and unresolved tension. His throat tightens as their eyes meet, and he immediately feels the shift in the atmosphere.

"We need to talk," Taehyung says, his voice low but carrying a weight that demands attention. His tone isn't loud, but it's firm, almost commanding, leaving no room for debate.

Jungkook clenches his jaw, trying to mask the frustration bubbling inside him. He turns, making a move toward the stairs, his body language screaming avoidance. "There's nothing to talk about," he mutters, his voice tight and dismissive.

But Taehyung isn't about to let him walk away. In a few quick strides, he closes the distance between them and grabs Jungkook by the arm, pulling him back with a force that startles him. Before Jungkook can react, Taehyung maneuvers him onto the stool where he was sitting moments ago, trapping him with an arm on either side, leaning against the counter behind Jungkook.

Taehyung's proximity is overwhelming. His face is inches from Jungkook's, and the intensity in his gaze is scorching. Jungkook's breath hitches, his pulse quickening at the sudden closeness.

"My car keys," Taehyung demands, voice steady but laced with irritation.

Jungkook blinks, momentarily disoriented by the unexpected shift. "Huh?" he asks, his mind reeling from the rapid change in atmosphere.

Taehyung's eyes narrow, clearly unimpressed by Jungkook's confusion. "My car keys, Jungkook," he repeats, enunciating each word as though speaking to a stubborn child.

Jungkook blinks again, the realization dawning on him. He fumbles in his pockets, finally pulling out the sleek key fob and handing it over without a word, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. Taehyung takes it with a quick, almost dismissive glance, but instead of stepping back, he leans in further.

Jungkook's breath catches, his body tensing at the sudden closeness. He instinctively closes his eyes, expecting something more—something heated. But Taehyung's movement stops just short of what Jungkook anticipates. Instead, Taehyung reaches behind him, grabbing a mug off the counter—Jungkook's favorite mug, a simple white cup with a tiny smiley face printed on it.

"Here," Taehyung says flatly, offering the cup to Jungkook.

Jungkook's eyes snap open, and he sees the cup extended toward him. He quickly snatches it, holding it protectively against his chest as if Taehyung might take it away at any moment. The small, ridiculous action makes Taehyung's lips twitch in a brief, mocking smile.