Ties of Fate

Art of Teasing II

The warm night air settled over the villa as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows and a golden glow across the room. Taehyung stood on the deck, staring out at the waves as they gently lapped against the shore. He had spent the better part of the afternoon trying to shake off the teasing, but Jungkook’s words and the memory of his touch had clung to him like a second skin.

Taehyung took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down, but his body was still hyper-aware of everything—especially Jungkook. It didn’t help that the villa felt too intimate, too quiet. Every footstep Jungkook made behind him only seemed to amplify the tension.

He heard the soft slide of the glass door opening and, without looking, knew it was Jungkook stepping out onto the deck.

“Still thinking about earlier?” Jungkook’s voice was low, playful, and Taehyung could practically hear the smirk in his words. Jungkook strolled over, leaning casually against the railing beside him, his presence warm and magnetic.

Taehyung sighed, trying to keep his voice steady. “No.”

Jungkook chuckled, clearly not convinced. “Liar.”

Taehyung could feel his cheeks flush again, despite the cool breeze brushing against his skin. He kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, determined not to let Jungkook see how much his teasing had affected him.

But Jungkook, never one to let things go, leaned closer, his breath hot against Taehyung’s ear as he whispered, “You’ve been avoiding me all afternoon, Tae.”

Taehyung stiffened, his heart thudding in his chest. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his cool, but Jungkook’s proximity was messing with his senses. “I haven’t been avoiding you,” he muttered, though the lie sounded weak even to his own ears.

“Mm-hmm,” Jungkook hummed, his lips curving into a smile as he straightened up and moved behind Taehyung. He stood close—too close—and Taehyung could feel the heat radiating off him. “Then why are you out here all by yourself?”

Taehyung bit his lip, refusing to answer. He could feel the heat rising up the back of his neck, the familiar burn of embarrassment that only seemed to intensify whenever Jungkook got this close.

Jungkook’s hand brushed lightly against Taehyung’s arm, just enough to make his skin tingle. “Are you still blushing, Tae?” Jungkook’s voice was teasing, but there was a softness to it now, like he was genuinely enjoying the effect he had on Taehyung.

Taehyung clenched his fists at his sides, feeling the warmth spread from his cheeks to his ears. He cursed inwardly—why did his body betray him so easily around Jungkook?

“I’m not blushing,” Taehyung muttered, though it was a weak defense, and they both knew it.

“Oh really?” Jungkook’s fingers grazed the back of Taehyung’s neck, sending a shiver down his spine. “Then why are you so red?”

Taehyung couldn’t take it anymore. He turned abruptly, his breath catching as he found himself face to face with Jungkook, their noses almost touching. Jungkook’s eyes sparkled with amusement, his grin wide and playful. It took everything in Taehyung not to lose his composure completely.

“Why do you enjoy this so much?” Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook’s grin softened into something warmer, something more genuine. “Because you’re fun to tease,” he admitted, his eyes tracing the faint blush on Taehyung’s cheeks. “And you’re even cuter when you get flustered.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched. He wanted to say something—anything—to regain the upper hand, but Jungkook’s gaze was too intense, too distracting. And then, as if sensing Taehyung’s internal struggle, Jungkook leaned in closer, his lips just a bit away from Taehyung’s ear.

“You make it too easy, Tae,” Jungkook murmured, his voice like velvet, sending a shiver down Taehyung’s spine. “Your face gives you away every time.”

Taehyung’s body betrayed him once again, his heart hammering in his chest as the heat in his cheeks spread like wildfire. He wanted to move, to step back and put some distance between them, but his legs refused to cooperate.

Jungkook’s hand slid down to Taehyung’s waist, pulling him a fraction closer. The touch was light, barely there, but it made Taehyung’s breath hitch. Jungkook’s thumb brushed against the soft fabric of his shirt, and it was such a simple, innocent touch, but it had Taehyung’s entire body on edge.

Taehyung could feel his pulse racing, his mind spinning as he tried to focus on anything other than how close Jungkook was—how close their lips were. Jungkook’s smirk never wavered as he watched Taehyung struggle to keep his composure.

“Are you going to say something?” Jungkook asked, his voice a soft murmur that sent shivers through Taehyung. “Or are you just going to keep blushing?”

Taehyung opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Jungkook’s thumb brushed against his waist again, this time lingering just a little longer, and Taehyung’s knees almost gave out.

The tension between them hung in the air, thick and electric. For a moment, neither of them moved, as if waiting for the other to make the first move.

And then, without warning, Jungkook closed the small gap between them, his lips hovering just above Taehyung’s. He didn’t kiss him—not yet—but the closeness was enough to make Taehyung’s breath hitch, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Jungkook could hear it.

“Still not going to say anything?” Jungkook whispered, his voice teasing but softer now, more intimate. His breath ghosted over Taehyung’s lips, and it took every ounce of willpower Taehyung had not to close the distance himself.

Instead, he swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. “Jungkook, I—”

But before Taehyung could finish, a smirk tugged at the corner of Jungkook’s lips, and he pulled back just enough to leave Taehyung wanting more. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he stepped away, leaving Taehyung standing there, breathless and red-faced.

“Goodnight, Tae,” Jungkook said, his tone light and teasing once more, as he turned and headed back into the villa.

Taehyung stood frozen on the deck, his heart still racing as he watched Jungkook disappear inside. His face was burning, his body still buzzing from the close proximity, and he cursed under his breath.

Jungkook had won this round, but Taehyung wasn’t about to let him have the last word.

Not tomorrow.