But Beautiful

part 34

Jungkook took Taehyung inside the restaurant, the man still holding tight to the stuffed animal that he'd brought, as well as his notebook. After they were seated, Taehyung started chewing on his lower lip, keeping his eyes on the table. Jungkook's heart sank, wondering why he seemed so down. Somehow I keep forgetting I know nearly nothing about him... he thought, and that very thought stung deeply.

"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching across the table to cautiously touch his hand.

At the gesture, Taehyung sat the bear beside him (he's so cute, sitting him at the table, Jungkook thought) before using his newly free hands to grasp the one the resident offered.

"I'm okay," he replied simply. "I'm trying very hard to be as okay as I can."

"If this is too overwhelming, we can go," Jungkook reminded him, bending forward to place a kiss on the back of one of Taehyung's hands.

"No, I don't want to leave. I want to be with you, I want to try to be normal."

"Being normal doesn't mean ignoring your comfort," Jungkook reminded again, giving him an assuring smile. "But I'm happy if you want to stay."

The waitress came to the table, cheerfully asking for their order. Since Taehyung hadn't eaten anything on the menu, Jungkook decided to order the full family-size meal, figuring they could take the leftovers home. When she left again, another waitress brought over water, asking if they wanted another drink, as well.

Too anxious, Taehyung opened his notebook, jotting down to Jungkook:

Can I try whatever you get? I haven't had anything other than water and juice in years.

"Of course," Jungkook agreed, a warm smile on his lips. He ordered a couple of drinks, turning to Taehyung after the waitress had left. "I ordered two different drinks for you to try. I noticed you seemed to like strawberries when you got that smoothie, so I got one strawberry flavored, and then I got one melon flavored."

"I like strawberries," Taehyung confirmed quietly. "I haven't had melon, I don't think. If so, I don't remember."

"That's fine," the resident replied with a smile. "You can try it, and if you don't like it, no pressure."

The waitress returned with tall glasses of a milky looking liquid served over ice. Taehyung looked at it skeptically, eyeing Jungkook with his hesitance.

"Go ahead, try it," Jungkook said, smiling as Taehyung pulled the glass closer, wrapping his lips around the straw and taking a drink. He moved it around in his mouth some, the action causing Jungkook to giggle quietly. "Well? What do you think?"

Taehyung looked at the glass again, tilting his head to the side thoughtfully. "It tastes like carbonated strawberry yogurt."

Jungkook let out a laugh, endeared by his description and his expression. "Do you like it?"

Taehyung laughed in return, a broad smile on his lips that had his eyes nearly shut. "I don't hate it."

The two began drinking, Taehyung preferring the strawberry to the melon Jungkook got. When their meal was brought, Jungkook watched the other's eyes as they took in the multitude of containers holding ingredients and side dishes. Thanking the waitress, Jungkook started the grill, causing Taehyung to jump back a bit.

"It's okay," Jungkook assured him. "This is to cook the meat on."

"You cook your own food?" Taehyung asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes. And it's really fun," Jungkook answered, a smile on his face. "Want to try?"

Taehyung looked at the grill, then at the meat. He slowly nodded, saying a quiet, "yeah."

Heart beating lightly, Jungkook gave Taehyung the dish, watching as he carefully picked strips of beef up with long metal chopsticks, eyes widening at the hiss of the meat touching the heated grill.

"Are you alright?" Jungkook asked, watching him closely.

"Yeah," Taehyung replied, nodding, "it's fun," he added with a smile.

He continued to place strip after strip of meat on the grill, only stopping when Jungkook told him to eat before his food got cold.

"Try it," Jungkook said, showing him how to use the ingredients at the table to make a lettuce wrap.

"Mm, okay."

Jungkook's heart was racing in his chest, emotions on the verge of exploding as he watched the other clumsily try to hold his wrap together, the contents falling out the sides, making him whine. I honestly could watch him all day, he thought, endeared by his mild irritation.

Taehyung smiled, proud, as he finally lifted the wrap to his mouth to take a bite. He chewed slowly, thoroughly, and Jungkook felt immensely proud, as well. "What do you think?" he asked, excited.

"S'good," Taehyung began, setting the wrap down and beginning to pick out the radishes he'd added. "Not this, though."

Jungkook giggled, endeared more and more by the other. "I'm glad you're taking it off if you don't like it," he replied.

Taehyung finally took another bite, nodding as he said with a mouthful of food, "this is much better."

"Good!"

The two continued eating, Jungkook watching Taehyung try everything, eventually get the hang of folding the wraps, and before he knew it the dishes were as good as gone. So much for leftovers, he thought with a laugh.

While getting situated in the car, Jungkook looked to his passenger, fondly watching as he carefully inspected his stuffed animal for any stray foods or debris. "I'm really thankful you wanted to come out with me," he started, the other looking up with his wide, attentive eyes. "And for trying new things."

Looking a bit awkward, Taehyung turned his attention back to his bear while his knee started bouncing again. "I'm just happy you wanted me to come with you," he said quietly. "And for showing me new things."

"I really want to thank you for trusting me enough to speak to me, too," Jungkook added, finding it more than necessary to commend the bravery he had been shown. "You've been doing so well today, only using your notebook once. And that doesn't mean you can't use it as often as you need to, but I'm so very proud of you for being so vocal. Your voice is beautiful, and I want to hear it, especially if it's telling me your thoughts."

"It's not a big deal," Taehyung mumbled.

"It is to me."

The two fell quiet, Jungkook's hand resting on Taehyung's thigh, the bounce of his knee slowing before stopping. "Where do you want to go now, do you have any thoughts?" Jungkook questioned.

"I'm a little sleepy," Taehyung admitted, leaning his head back against the seat and turning it towards Jungkook. "Can I take a nap somewhere?"

"Sure," Jungkook replied, nodding, "I don't know if you'd be comfortable coming to my place, or if you'd rather I get a hotel room or something-"

"I'm comfortable with you, your place," Taehyung interrupted, a slight grin on his face. "You think too much sometimes," he added brazenly.

"You..." Jungkook started, gaping at him as he tried to form words, eventually laughing, cheerfully defeated, "you're right. We'll go to mine."

Jungkook started towards his apartment, shaking his head as he fondly as Taehyung wordlessly laid his hand over Jungkook's that was still on his thigh.

I could get used to this, having this for a long time, possibly forever, he thought to himself. I just need to follow his lead, and I think it's going well so far. He's been rather forthcoming with his opinions and thoughts, which is helpful and doesn't require me to pry. What's next is getting to know him a little more, who he is inside, his true thoughts and feelings, ask about his emotions, maybe suggest therapy if he might be more comfortable talking now, I haven't met the new psychiatrist but I'm sure they're nice, and... he paused. He was right, I do think too much.