Stuck With You [Taekook ff]

54 | He Had To Get To That Piano

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The sky above Santorini was deep velvet, dusted with stars, and the air was fragrant with the scent of the sea. Taehyung and Jungkook walked from their villa, nestled in Fira, the island's whitewashed capital, with its narrow cobbled streets, cliff-side restaurants, and sweeping views of the caldera. Every night there seemed magical, a dream come alive, and tonight felt no different as they prepared for an evening out.

They had settled into the rhythm of the island life the last 24 hours: waking up to the sound of waves, indulging in a leisurely breakfast, and spending the afternoon exploring hidden corners of Santorini. But tonight, they'd venture beyond the quiet of their villa once more and into the pulse of the island's nightlife. The plan was simple—dinner, and then a local beach party they'd heard about.

As the evening breeze began to cool the heat of the day, the two left the villa, hand-in-hand. The sun had long set, casting an indigo hue across the caldera, and the whitewashed buildings of Fira shimmered in the moonlight.

Dinner was at a quaint taverna overlooking the cliffs, with seafood so fresh it tasted like the sea itself. Between bites of grilled octopus and sips of chilled wine, they laughed, shared memories, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being in one another's company.

Taehyung found himself often just staring at Jungkook across the table, lost in thought. There was something calming about being with Jungkook, something that allowed him to open up in ways he hadn't before. And he thought perhaps later he would share what his dad had revealed to him and the advice that he'd given. It was amazing that he had met this stranger on an elevator and now he wanted to tell him all of his secrets. He knew that he could trust Jungkook with his vulnerabilities. He knew the younger wouldn't hold faults against him.

After dinner, they made their way to the beach party. It wasn't far—a short walk down a winding path led them to a cove where a small crowd was already gathered. Lanterns flickered in the sand, casting warm light over a group of locals and tourists dancing barefoot on the beach. The song "Hanumankind" spilled from a nearby speaker, causing the crowd to get excited.

Jungkook squeezed Taehyung's hand as they made their way toward the water, their feet sinking into the soft sand. It was the kind of night that felt timeless, like something out of a movie. After an hour or so of dancing and mingling, the crowd began to thin. It was late, and one by one, people started to drift away, heading back to their hotels and villas, leaving Taehyung and Jungkook alone on the moonlit shore.

The sound of the ocean was rhythmic and steady, a comforting backdrop to the crackle of the few remaining lanterns. They settled into the sand, their shoulders brushing against each other, the warmth of their bodies a contrast to the cool night air. For a while, they sat in silence, listening to the waves lap against the shore. Then, almost as if guided by an unspoken understanding, they leaned into each other. The kiss was slow and soft at first but soon grew more intense. It wasn't rushed—there was no need.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads resting against one another's, Taehyung took a deep breath. This felt right. Everything about it. Yet, beneath the calm, something was stirring inside him—something he had been holding back. He felt safe now, with Jungkook. He wanted to reveal himself to him.

"You know," Taehyung began softly, his voice barely audible above the ocean. "I've always been introverted. High school, and college—it was the same. I could never bring myself to open up to people."

Jungkook tilted his head slightly, giving Taehyung his full attention. "Why do you think that is?"

Taehyung let out a small, humorless laugh. "My home life, I guess. I was an only child. My dad has always been my best friend and confidant. So I guess I didn't see the need to talk to others. Also, my mom kept me busy and I had very few friends growing up. Jimin was my closest friend. My mom keeping me on a path to success consumed my life. I was simply living out her dreams. She always pushed me to be successful. It was drilled into me from the moment I could walk—focus on your future, your career. That's all that mattered. And it worked, I guess. I did well. Got into law school, graduated, and landed a great job. But I never really... lived. I didn't let myself. I dated Tailor because a friend introduced us, and honestly, she came on to me. It was never about feelings. It was just something that happened."