A devotedly religious boy and a workaholic seem like an unlikely match, but fate has a way of surprising us.
Kim Taehyung is firm in his beliefs, possibly even uncomfortable with the LGBT community, while Jeon Jungkook, a confident bisexual, embrace...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Chapter 5: Suggestions
The city lights blurred into streaks of color as Jungkook navigated the familiar streets, the hum of the engine a comforting backdrop to their conversation. Taehyung sat beside him, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, a quiet unease settling in his chest.
“Is there any place you'd like to go next time?” Jungkook asked, his voice a gentle melody that cut through the quiet. “I mean, so I can plan ahead and you can really enjoy it.”
Taehyung hesitated, his fingers twisting nervously in his lap. “Jungkook, can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Jungkook replied, his eyes briefly meeting Taehyung's before returning to the road.
“Well, isn't this... odd?” Taehyung said his voice barely a whisper, laced with a hint of uncertainty. “I mean, us spending time together. I don't know how dates work, but this feels like a date, doesn't it? This is what I usually watch and hear from people who date.”
The red light blinked, forcing Jungkook to bring the car to a halt. He turned to Taehyung, his eyes searching for any sign of discomfort. “Why? Did you feel uncomfortable with me?”
“No, no, it's not that...” Taehyung quickly denied it, his cheeks flushing a faint pink. “I'm actually happy being with you. You made my wishes come true. But I was just... curious. You spent your time with me. Don't you think it's a waste of your time? I'm just a random stranger you had met in the restaurant.”
Jungkook's smile was warm and genuine. “It's not a waste of my time at all. I wanted to get to know you, Taehyung. I'm interested in you. That's why I thought meeting up like this would help you open up to me. Was it wrong for me to be interested in you?”
Taehyung's eyes widened slightly. “It's not that... it's just, you're a handsome guy. You're probably busy. I don't want to bother you.” He added, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “Besides, we're both guys. People will get the wrong idea if they see us together. It'll get us into trouble.”
A shadow crossed Jungkook's face, a fleeting flicker of sadness. “Ah, I almost forgot you came from a religious family...” He sighed a hint of resignation in his voice. “You see, Taehyung, I'm bisexual. So, it doesn't matter to me whether people like it or not.”
“Oh, I see... that makes sense,” Taehyung murmured, his eyes downcast. “I'm sorry. It's just, my parents are... strict. They don't like people like that. They think they're sinners for loving the same gender.”
Jungkook's gaze softened, a flicker of empathy in his eyes. "So, do you hate me as well? Do you think it's disgusting that I feel this way?”
“No, of course not...” Taehyung said, his voice barely audible. “I actually like them. You know, they're comfortable and confident because they know themselves. It's amazing that they can do whatever they want because they found out who they truly are. They don't need to wear a mask to please people. Unlike me.” He sighed, a weight settling in his chest.
“What do you mean?” Jungkook asked, his voice laced with concern.
“My parents are controlling. I'm old enough, but they want to make sure I don't do 'sinful things.' Not all religious people are like them. I've known some who respect LGBTQ people. But my family... they devoted their lives to purity. They want a perfect family. They would get rid of anyone they consider impure. They're so strict, it's exhausting. I had to please them so they wouldn't hate me. But I felt like something was missing from me,” Taehyung confessed, his voice trembling slightly.
“Then why don't you give it a try?” Jungkook asked, his voice laced with gentle encouragement.
“What do you mean?” Taehyung looked at him, his eyes filled with confusion.
“We could try something different. And if you don't like it, we'll stop. Sometimes, it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and do something different. We can see together who you truly are so you can gain confidence in yourself. What do you think? Besides, we'll do things slowly so you can better understand the world around you.” Jungkook's smile was a beacon of hope, a promise of acceptance.
“I'm afraid I'll get caught. My parents would hate me so much,” Taehyung muttered, his voice filled with deep-seated fear.
“We'll try not to get caught. And if they hate you, then I'll be here to like you no matter what. I promise that I won't leave you and I'll stay by your side even if the world is against us.” Jungkook said, his voice laced with a playful defiance.
“I don't know what to say...” Taehyung mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck, his gaze fixed on his hands.
“I'll give you time to think. I won't force you. You don't need to rush or pressure yourself. In the end, I only want to do things that will make you happy,“ Jungkook said, his voice soft and reassuring. “If you have an answer, just tell me, okay? I don't mind waiting for you, just make sure you are sure of your answers. I don't want you to regret your decision.”
“Thank you for understanding, Jungkook. That's so kind of you,” Taehyung said, a genuine smile gracing his lips.
“Anything for you,” Jungkook replied, his eyes sparkling with warmth. He playfully winked at Taehyung. “For now, I should drive you back to your apartment. It's getting late.”
Taehyung laughed softly, a sense of relief washing over him. He had never opened up to someone like this before. He had never felt so understood, so accepted. He felt a flicker of hope, a spark of something new and exciting.
As Jungkook steered the car towards Taehyung's apartment, the city lights seemed to shimmer with a newfound warmth. The air was filled with the promise of something special, something that could change everything. But a shadow of uncertainty lingered in the air, a whisper of the challenges that lay ahead.
