Ties of Fate

Art of Teasing III (Taehyung's Turn)

Taehyung woke up the next morning with a newfound resolve. After a night of tossing and turning, thinking about how easily Jungkook had gotten the best of him, he decided he couldn’t let that slide. If Jungkook could tease him mercilessly, then surely, Taehyung could do the same. After all, two could play this game, right?

He spent breakfast quietly plotting, sneaking glances at Jungkook, who seemed completely relaxed, lounging at the dining table with a cup of coffee in hand. Jungkook hadn’t noticed Taehyung’s sudden focus, and Taehyung was determined to catch him off guard.

When they finished breakfast and Jungkook suggested they take a walk along the beach, Taehyung saw his opportunity. The warm sun, the gentle waves, and the perfect private setting—it was ideal for his plan. He had thought about what to do all morning, and by now, he had convinced himself he could pull it off.

As they strolled down the beach, the sand warm beneath their feet, Taehyung kept his eyes forward, trying to act casual. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, though—his nerves already betraying him. But he had to do it. This was his chance to turn the tables.

“So,” Taehyung began, his voice carefully measured, “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the sudden challenge in Taehyung’s voice. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Taehyung said, trying to sound confident as he glanced over at Jungkook. “All that teasing yesterday. You think I can’t do it back?”

Jungkook smirked, clearly amused by the change in Taehyung’s tone. “Oh? You think you can tease me?”

Taehyung’s heart raced at the sight of that smirk, but he forced himself to stay calm. “I know I can.”

He took a deep breath and stepped a little closer to Jungkook, his gaze steady but his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—his moment to prove he could play this game just as well.

“I can be just as teasing,” Taehyung said softly, his voice lowering as he leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over Jungkook’s neck.

Jungkook’s eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn’t step back. He watched Taehyung with curious eyes, clearly waiting to see what he would do next.

Taehyung was determined to stay in control. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against Jungkook’s arm, mimicking the way Jungkook had teased him the day before. “You’re fun to tease, you know?” he whispered, his voice soft and playful.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Taehyung’s resolve wavered. His heart was racing faster now, and his face was already beginning to heat up. He had been so confident in his plan earlier, but now, standing this close to Jungkook, it suddenly felt a lot more intense.

Jungkook’s gaze softened, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched Taehyung’s cheeks turn pink. “Oh? Am I?” he asked, his voice smooth and teasing.

Taehyung’s breath hitched, and he quickly realized he was in trouble. His confidence was slipping fast, and the longer Jungkook’s eyes lingered on him, the more flustered he became. This wasn’t going according to plan at all.

“I... I mean, yeah,” Taehyung stammered, trying to keep his voice steady, but he could already feel the blush spreading across his face.

Jungkook chuckled softly, stepping closer until their bodies were just inches apart. “You were saying, Tae?” His voice was low, teasing, and that familiar spark of mischief danced in his eyes.

Taehyung’s mind went blank. He had been so sure he could tease Jungkook, but now that he was caught in the moment, his own boldness had backfired. His mouth went dry, and his heart pounded louder in his chest.

“I—I was just...” Taehyung trailed off, his voice faltering as he realized there was no way out. His own attempt at teasing had only made him more vulnerable.

Jungkook grinned, clearly enjoying every second of Taehyung’s nervous energy. “You were trying to tease me, weren’t you?”

Taehyung swallowed hard, his face growing hotter by the second. “Maybe,” he muttered, feeling shy and embarrassed by how quickly his plan had unraveled. He tried to avoid Jungkook's eyes.

Jungkook’s laughter was soft, but the warmth in his eyes made Taehyung’s heart skip a beat. He reached up, gently cupping Taehyung’s cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against the warm skin. “Cute,” Jungkook murmured, his voice soft as he looked into Taehyung’s wide eyes. “But you’re not very good at it, are you?”

Taehyung’s breath caught, and he could feel his entire face burning. He wanted to say something—anything—but his mind was a jumbled mess. Before he could even think, Jungkook leaned in closer, his lips brushing against Taehyung’s in a gentle, fleeting kiss.

It was so soft, so quick, but it sent a shockwave through Taehyung’s entire body. His heart seemed to stop for a moment, and his mind went completely blank. The warmth of Jungkook’s lips lingered, leaving him breathless and stunned.

Jungkook pulled back just enough to meet Taehyung’s wide eyes, his own gaze soft but filled with playful mischief. “There,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur. “Now you’re even redder.”

Taehyung’s heart was pounding so loudly he was sure Jungkook could hear it. He blinked up at him, completely speechless, his cheeks burning as he realized that once again, Jungkook had turned the tables on him.

Jungkook’s grin widened as he watched Taehyung’s reaction, his thumb still gently caressing Taehyung’s cheek. “You’re adorable when you try to tease,” he said softly, his voice full of affection.

Taehyung swallowed hard, his breath shallow as he tried to process what had just happened. He wanted to be annoyed, to say something snarky, but all he could do was stand there, staring up at Jungkook, his face still burning.

Jungkook chuckled, clearly satisfied with the outcome, and let his hand drop from Taehyung’s cheek. “Come on,” he said, stepping back and motioning toward the villa. “Let’s head back.”

Taehyung nodded mutely, his mind still reeling from the kiss. He followed Jungkook back toward the villa, his heart still racing and his cheeks still warm. He had tried to turn the tables, but once again, Jungkook had left him flustered and speechless.

But as they walked side by side, Taehyung couldn’t help but notice the small smile tugging at his lips. Maybe teasing Jungkook hadn’t gone according to plan, but the kiss—the kiss had been worth it.