But Beautiful

part 35

The apartment building was a step above mediocre and a few steps below luxury, but when the two entered, Taehyung was the first to comment.

"It smells really nice in here," he said, voice soft, as he looked around.

"Thanks," Jungkook replied with a laugh. "I don't like using room sprays, but I do like the natural smell of clean laundry and fresh air. Or, what fresh air you can get in the city." He set his keys down, taking off his coat and watching Taehyung do the same, also toeing out of his shoes. "Do you want anything before you lie down? Some tea, maybe? Or water?"

Taehyung declined, shaking his head.

"Alright. Follow me," Jungkook said with a gesture, leading him through the short hallway and into a bedroom. "Do you want to borrow some pajamas?" he offered, looking at Taehyung as he curiously looked around the room.

"Okay," he replied, starting to strip his clothes off. Jungkook blushed deeply, turning to his dresser and clearing his throat.

"They might be a little big because you're so slim, and I like the comfort of oversized things, myself," he stuttered, "but they should work."

Taehyung quietly replied with a laugh, his own cheeks flushed pink when Jungkook turned around and held out a shirt and some flannel pants. "If they're too big, I'll just sleep naked," he simply said, taking the items and stepping into the pants. They hung loose on his hips, but Jungkook stepped closer, swallowing harshly as he brought his hands to the drawstring of them, grasping them in his fingers.

"We'll just tie them," he mumbled quietly, knuckles brushing against Taehyung's waist, causing his breath to hitch in his throat. Jungkook bit his lower lip at the sound, arousal stirring as he took in the sight of Taehyung wearing his pants, drawstring tied tight. His bare chest distracted him, and without thinking he slipped the palm of his hand over his soft belly, the man shivering beneath his touch. "Your skin is so soft," he whispered, his eyes finally brave enough to meet Taehyung's. The man was looking back at him, gaze soft and eyes lidded, his chest rising and falling with the touch of Jungkook's fingers on him. Take a step back, he thought to himself, removing his hand from his body, gesturing to the shirt Taehyung was still holding. Make sure he's in control. "You can put that on if you'd like, and my bed is right here," he spoke, rolling his eyes at himself immediately after. "I mean, duh, but go ahead and make yourself comfortable."

"Jungkookie," Taehyung whined with his lips in a pout, pulling the shirt on and stepping closer. "Will you not sleep with me?"

Cheeks burning, Jungkook nodded, "if you want me to."

With a gentle laugh, Taehyung climbed onto the bed as if it was his own, diving under the covers and pressing his face into a pillow. Jungkook's heart swelled at the sight, somehow just as arousing as seeing him half-naked. He got into bed after changing into pajamas, himself, looking over at the other man. "Thanks-"

"Thanks-"

They both started at the same time, giggling together afterward. "You first," Jungkook insisted.

"Thanks for letting me borrow these, sleep here, for getting in bed with me. Your bed is comfy, smells like you," he mumbled sleepily, eyes shining beneath his drooping lids.

"It's no problem," Jungkook said, fondly looking over Taehyung. "Thanks for everything, Tae. I hope you sleep well," he added, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on the other's forehead.

Taehyung hummed, content, as he let himself drift off. Jungkook watched him sleep for a while, heart steady as he really took in the day, what it meant, what it could mean. I like him so much, this feels right. This looks right, even, he thought, the warmth and the weight and the space taken with Taehyung in his bed making him feel like something was, complete, he finished his thought before dozing off to a light sleep.

                  ________________

"Jungkookie," Taehyung whispered loudly in the man's ear, causing him to turn his head to him sharply. "Can I borrow something else?" he asked.

"What's up?" Jungkook mumbled, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. "Are they uncomfortable?"

"No," Taehyung replied, fidgeting with Jungkook's shirt, "they're fine, but they're... ah..." he trailed off, hiding his face against the man's shoulder.

Jungkook frowned, turning to face Taehyung and wrapping his arm around his waist. "What is it, hm?"

"They're dirty," he mumbled against him, the heat from his face radiating hot against Jungkook's neck.

"What happened?" Jungkook asked, worry causing him to lose all of his sleepiness, focusing completely on Taehyung.

"Can I just borrow something else?" he asked.

"I mean, of course, but," Jungkook started, rubbing his hip soothingly, "I just want to make sure everything's okay."

Taehyung huffed, face still buried against Jungkook as he grabbed his hand, pressing it against the front of his pants where a damp spot soaked through. Jungkook's brain short-circuited, a million thoughts in his head but he couldn't find anything to say.

"They're dirty," Taehyung repeated, breath shallow.

Still trying to put the situation together, with his brain and body alert but out of sync, he pressed his palm further into where Taehyung still held it, the bulge apparent behind the wet fabric. Taehyung let out a gasp at the touch, Jungkook finally snapping out of it to reply. "I, ah, I see," he said, attempting to pull his hand away despite Taehyung's grip on it. "Let me, uh, I'll get you something else," he stammered, the other man sighing as he let go of his hand.

"Okay," he replied, voice small.

"What's the matter?" Jungkook asked, heart racing as his blood rushed between his head and his groin, the sound loud in his ears and burning hot in his body.

"Nothing," Taehyung started, "I just like the way your hands feel on me. Remember?"

"Ah, yes," Jungkook replied lamely, cringing at his response. "Shouldn't I get you something dry to wear, though?" he added cautiously.

"If you don't want to touch me," Taehyung simply said, voice quiet but not uneven.

Jungkook took a deep breath, relaxing beside the other again. "Okay, let's talk about this," he began. This is good, this is a conversation that needs to happen, he thought to himself. "I want to know everything about your feelings, thoughts, consent. I want to know everything I can, especially about your sexuality, as that's what this is about, right now, you know?" he rambled, trying to keep himself focused and not overthink things too much. "Is that alright?"

"Mm, okay," Taehyung started, body seeming to relax, as well. "I feel like I want to get close to you. That should be abundantly clear by now," he continued, "I want to kiss you, feel you, I want you to feel me, kiss me. I want you to show me what it feels like to be wanted by, loved by, made love to by Jeon Jungkook. I want you, I just want you. I can't add anything else, I don't know what else to say."

Jungkook's heart was in his throat, skin prickling with heat as he heard the man speak softly, his deep voice giving a lushness to his words, the truth in them sticky and sweet. "And your thoughts on consent? What does that look like to you? What do you like or dislike when it comes to intimacy?" he asked, throat dry.

"I think consent is important," Taehyung began, "I wouldn't want to do something you don't want, and I know you won't with me. That being said, I have more than consented, I'm close to begging," he breathed against Jungkook's neck, his fingers twisting in the bottom of his shirt. "I don't know what I like or dislike, but we can find out together. I'll tell you, I promise," he added.

"Have you ever been close to someone like this before?" Jungkook asked. I don't want to assume either way, he thought, but I need to know.

"No."

"Never? At all?"

"No, never. I mean, I've touched myself before, but I've never been like this with anyone else. I haven't trusted anyone," Taehyung explained, taking a breath before he continued, "but I want to be with you, I trust you, I want you."