Collision of Verdicts

Unspoken Tensions

The next morning, tabloids across South Korea were filled with headlines that set the entire internet on fire.

“The New Power Couple of Kim’s Law Firm? Taehyung and Jungkook Spotted Sharing Intense Looks!”

“Rivals or Lovers? Fans Can’t Decide as Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook Spark Chemistry at Wedding!”

The articles were full of pictures from Namjoon and Seokjin’s wedding the night before—capturing moments when Jungkook and Taehyung had unknowingly exchanged glances, their faces close in group photos, and the lingering tension that was undeniable. The media was having a field day, shipping them together and painting a romantic storyline out of their interactions.

Both Jungkook and Taehyung saw the headlines and felt a stir in their hearts they hadn’t anticipated. Taehyung tried to brush it off, his mind racing with thoughts of *“Is that how people see us? Or is there something... more?”* Meanwhile, Jungkook’s usual calm facade was rattled. He found himself reading and rereading the articles, questioning if this flutter in his chest was just the tabloids making him overthink—or if there really was something between him and Taehyung.

But neither of them had time to dwell on their feelings for long. Namjoon and Seokjin, now blissfully married, called for a meeting in their office before leaving for their ten-day honeymoon. The newlyweds sat together, looking radiant and happy as they gave their final instructions.

"Jimin, Yoongi," Namjoon started, his voice warm but firm. "While Jin and I are away, we need you both to take charge of the law firm."

Yoongi leaned back in his chair, his eyes avoiding Jimin. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying to sound unaffected. "This place practically runs on its own with all the junior partners and attorneys."

Seokjin laughed softly. "We trust you. Besides, you two are the most capable. Keep things running smoothly, alright?"

Jimin, quiet for most of the meeting, finally spoke up. "We’ll take care of it, hyung." His voice was soft but confident, and for a brief moment, Yoongi glanced at him, something unspoken passing between them. There was tension there—years of history that neither of them wanted to dig up just yet.

After much convincing and assurances, Jimin and Yoongi reluctantly agreed to take over during the honeymoon. As the meeting concluded, the couple wished them good luck before heading off to enjoy their well-deserved time together.

---

Later that afternoon, as the heat crept up in the office, Jungkook’s air conditioner malfunctioned, and the staff was scrambling to find a solution. Soobin, one of the junior attorneys, offered to help and knocked on Taehyung’s door with Jungkook in tow.

Taehyung looked up from his desk, his room bathed in soft pastels and natural light. It was the picture-perfect definition of a Pinterest aesthetic. The walls were a light cream, his furniture sleek and minimalistic, and delicate plants hung from shelves in perfect symmetry. It was an oasis of calm in the midst of the bustling law firm.

Soobin explained the situation, “Taehyung-ssi, Jungkook’s air conditioner is broken, and there’s no other room available. Could he share your room for today?”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a playful smirk as he turned to Jungkook. “You couldn’t just ask me directly, Jungkook? Or are you too shy?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I figured you’d be too busy to care,” he replied, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Busy? In this room of mine?” Taehyung gestured around with mock dramatics. “I live for moments like these.”

Despite the teasing, Taehyung agreed to share his space, and Jungkook and Soobin set up at the small coffee table in the room. Jungkook was soon deep in a case study for one of Soobin’s cases, his sleeves rolled up, two buttons undone, and glasses perched on his nose. He was explaining the intricacies of the case with precision, and Taehyung, sitting at his desk, found himself unable to look away.

Jungkook in work mode was... something else. The way he spoke with confidence, his focused gaze on the legal documents, and the way he absentmindedly pushed his sleeves further up his arms when they slipped—everything about him was undeniably attractive. Taehyung’s heart skipped a beat as he watched, his mind flashing back to the articles from this morning. Is this what they saw? he wondered. This intensity?

After a little while, Yeonjun came in, asking Taehyung about his case. Taehyung turned his attention to helping Yeonjun, his deep, velvety voice filling the room as he calmly explained legal jargon with grace. His words were poised, his posture relaxed, and his half-sleeved pink shirt added to the soft, angelic aura that surrounded him.

This time, it was Jungkook’s turn to steal glances. Taehyung was... beautiful. There was no other word for it. The way his eyes shone as he spoke, the way his lips moved as he explained each point, his soft, kind smile—Jungkook could hardly focus on his work. His attention kept drifting back to the way Taehyung’s presence seemed to fill the room, making it warmer, brighter. Jungkook couldn’t help but wonder how he had never noticed this before.

---

After Yeonjun and Soobin left for lunch, the room fell into a comfortable silence. Jungkook remained on the couch, his papers spread across the coffee table, while Taehyung was at his desk, focused on his own work. The quiet between them wasn’t awkward, but there was a tension that neither of them could ignore.

Jungkook leaned back against the couch, his eyes wandering to the mini library next to him. Taehyung stood up from his desk, walking toward the shelf to grab a book. As he reached for a book on the top shelf, his heel caught on the edge of the rug. In an instant, he lost his balance, stumbling backward.

Before Taehyung could fall, Jungkook was there, catching him by the waist. It all happened so quickly. One moment, Taehyung was reaching for a book, and the next, he was in Jungkook’s lap, their bodies pressed together, eyes locked.

Time seemed to slow down.

Taehyung’s hands, instinctively reaching out for support, landed on Jungkook’s arms, tracing over the veins that stood out against his skin. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through both of them. Jungkook’s hands gripped Taehyung’s waist firmly, holding him steady, but the feel of Taehyung so close made his pulse quicken.

Their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Taehyung’s wide eyes were locked on Jungkook’s, and for a moment, it felt like the world outside didn’t exist. There was only the two of them, hearts racing, bodies too close for comfort, yet neither one moving to pull away.

Jungkook’s mind was spinning. Why does he feel so soft? he thought, feeling the warmth of Taehyung’s body against his own. Why does this feel... right?

Before either of them could process the moment further, the door to the room burst open. Beomgyu and Taehyun stood frozen at the doorway, their eyes wide in shock.

“Uh... sorry?” Beomgyu stammered, his eyes darting between Taehyung and Jungkook, clearly confused by the position they were in.

Taehyun’s mouth hung open, blinking rapidly as if he wasn’t sure if he was seeing things correctly.

Taehyung and Jungkook snapped out of their daze, quickly untangling themselves from each other. Taehyung’s face flushed pink, and Jungkook cleared his throat, trying to compose himself.

“We... uh... we were just—” Jungkook started, but he didn’t even know how to finish the sentence.

“Lunch!” Taehyun blurted out, pointing toward the door. “We came to call you for lunch.”

Beomgyu nodded rapidly, still looking at the two of them with wide eyes. “Yeah, lunch.”

Taehyung stood up, brushing off his shirt, trying to act as if nothing had happened. “Right. Lunch. Let’s go.”

Jungkook, still trying to get his heart rate back to normal, stood up as well, following them out. But as they left the room, both Jungkook and Taehyung couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them—something neither of them was quite ready to face.