Busan Express [Taekook]

57. The Queen's Empire

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with himself for rendering Jungkook so speechless. He let out a soft laugh, his hands still resting on his hips as he repeated himself, this time with a little more authority. “Compliment me, Kookie.”
 
The words snapped Jungkook out of his reverie. He blinked again, finally returning to the present, his cheeks flushing pink as he processed the situation. Taehyung was so close, so breathtakingly beautiful, that Jungkook felt his breath hitch in his throat all over again. He swallowed hard, his eyes tracing every inch of Taehyung’s face, the sharp curve of his jawline, the fullness of his lips, the way the dress accentuated his slender waist and long
legs.  I really hit the jackpot with Tae, as my life partner Jungkook thought to himself.

Jungkook blinked, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts, but he couldn’t shake the awe in his expression. "Compliment you?" he echoed, his voice reverent, almost disbelieving. He swallowed hard, stepping closer, until there was barely any space left between them. He took Taehyung’s hand, fingers brushing lightly over his skin as he raised it to his lips.

“No words could do you justice,” Jungkook murmured softly, his gaze locked onto Taehyung's. “But if I must try... I would say you are like a starlit night—captivating, endless, and full of mysteries that only I am lucky enough to explore. You’re the moment when the sun kisses the horizon, that perfect in-between of day and night, a beauty that takes my breath away. And every time I look at you... it’s like discovering something new, something that makes my heart race and my soul ache in the best way possible.”

Taehyung’s playful smile faltered, replaced with something deeper, something that made his heart flutter in his chest. He had expected a witty retort, maybe even a flirtatious comeback, but not this. Not the way Jungkook’s words wrapped around him like a warm embrace, melting every bit of his teasing facade.

Jungkook leaned in closer, his voice dropping lower, barely above a whisper. “You’re not just beautiful, Angel… You’re the kind of beauty that poets dream about but can never quite capture. The kind of beauty that stays with me long after I’ve closed my eyes.”

Taehyung felt his breath hitch, his heart pounding in his chest as Jungkook’s words seeped into his skin, into his very soul. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t even bring himself to look away as Jungkook lifted his hand to his lips and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his knuckles.

Jungkook’s lips curled into a small, tender smile. “So, if you’re asking for a compliment… let me just say this. You don’t need to ask, Tae. You are my favorite poem, the one I want to read over and over again without ever needing the words.”

For a moment, neither of them moved, the silence between them thick with emotion. Taehyung could only blink, feeling his heart swell with so much love he thought it might burst. 

"Well..." Taehyung finally breathed out, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "If that’s your idea of a compliment… then I’m not sure I’ll survive hearing another one."

Jungkook chuckled softly, pulling Taehyung into his arms. “Then I guess we’ll both be left speechless.”

Just as Jungkook finished speaking, the sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the living room. Both Jungkook and Taehyung turned, startled, to see Jimin sauntering towards them with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Bravo!" Jimin said sarcastically, his hands still clapping as he shot them both a teasing look. “Wow, I felt like I was watching the sappiest romantic movie ever made."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, his lips twitching into a small smile. "Jealous much?" he quipped back, playfully nudging Jimin.

Jungkook chuckled, glancing at his watch. “As much as I’d love to sit here and banter all day, we’re running late. Let’s get going.” He gestured towards the door, and the group began to move towards the parking lot.