Love Again

8

Days had passed since their night walk by the Han River, and Seokjin was starting to feel more like himself. He had been keeping busy with work, trying to push thoughts of Taehyung to the back of his mind. But even then, there were moments where the past crept back in, reminding him that healing wasn't a linear path.

That morning, Seokjin decided to head down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. He had been staying in the suite for some time now, and while the room service had been impeccable, he wanted a change of scenery. As he entered the restaurant, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods greeted him, lifting his mood a little.

He found a quiet table near the window, the morning sunlight streaming through and casting a soft glow over the space. As he scanned the menu, deciding between a few dishes, a familiar figure caught his attention from across the room.

Jungkook.

But this time, instead of his usual leather jacket or casual wear, Jungkook was dressed in a chef's outfit, the white jacket snugly fitted and the sleeves rolled up, revealing the tattoos that adorned his arm. Seokjin blinked, surprised at the sight. He had seen Jungkook in a variety of outfits, but this one? It was different. Something about the way the chef uniform clung to him, paired with the intricate tattoos that decorated his skin, made Seokjin pause.

And for the first time, Seokjin found himself really noticing Jungkook's tattoos. They were a mix of delicate line work and bold designs, wrapping around his arm in a way that felt both artistic and edgy. Seokjin swallowed, feeling a strange pull of attraction stir within him. Jungkook was already handsome, but there was something undeniably appealing about this side of him.

Jungkook spotted Seokjin and flashed him that easy, dimpled smile that Seokjin had grown to appreciate. He walked over, looking effortlessly confident in his chef attire, and pulled out the chair opposite Seokjin.

"Morning, hyung," Jungkook greeted, his voice warm and casual as he sat down. "How's breakfast going?"

Seokjin couldn't help but smirk, gesturing to the menu. "Well, I haven't decided yet. You're the chef here, right? Maybe you should recommend something."

Jungkook chuckled. "Fair enough. How about the avocado toast with poached eggs and smoked salmon? Or, if you're in the mood for something sweeter, the pancakes with fresh berries and whipped cream?"

"Both sound great," Seokjin replied, relaxing into the conversation. "I'll let you choose."

Jungkook nodded, standing up briefly to put in the order before returning to the table. As he settled back into his seat, Seokjin glanced at him again, his eyes lingering on the tattoos for a moment longer than necessary. Jungkook noticed and raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Something catch your attention, hyung?" he asked teasingly.

Seokjin cleared his throat, feeling slightly caught. "I didn't know you had tattoos," he said, his voice casual but with an undertone of curiosity. "They're... interesting."

Jungkook's lips quirked into a smile. "You like them?"

Seokjin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, they suit you. Kind of gives you an edge."

"Glad to hear it," Jungkook said with a grin, clearly enjoying Seokjin's interest. "I got most of them over the past few years. Each one means something to me."

Their conversation flowed easily after that, slipping into light banter and more personal topics. Seokjin found himself increasingly drawn to Jungkook's charm. He had always known Jungkook was attractive, but this-seeing him in his element, confident and effortlessly cool-made Seokjin wonder about the growing connection between them.