A Love beyond the boundaries

Chapter 14

As they stepped out of the café and back onto the sunlit street, a sense of tranquility settled over them. The campus was coming to life, with students moving in small groups, chatting and laughing as they headed to their morning classes.

Yet, amidst the buzz of the day beginning around them, Jungkook felt strangely detached from it all—like he and Taehyung were walking in their own little world, separate from the usual routine.

They fell into step together, neither in a rush to reach their next destination.

Taehyung’s hands found their way back into his pockets, his head tilted slightly toward Jungkook, as if he was trying to catch every subtle shift in his expression.

Jungkook, on the other hand, kept glancing over at Taehyung, taking in the relaxed way he walked, the faint smile that played on his lips. It made Jungkook’s chest feel tight, in a way that wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

“Hey, Taehyungie,” Jungkook said after a moment, his voice cutting through the gentle morning air.

Taehyung hummed in response, turning his head slightly as if to say he was listening. Jungkook hesitated, his mind scrambling to find the right words.

He wanted to bring up what had happened that morning, to ask if Taehyung had felt the same unspoken connection that he did. But as he opened his mouth, the words seemed to fail him, slipping away like sand through his fingers.

“Um, never mind,” Jungkook said quickly, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “I was just wondering... if you really think that new technique will work for your painting.”

Taehyung blinked, then chuckled softly, a knowing gleam in his eyes. “You’re such a mystery sometimes, you know that?” he teased, giving Jungkook a gentle nudge with his shoulder. “But I appreciate your concern for my art.”

Jungkook managed a laugh, but inside, he couldn’t help but feel like he had missed an opportunity. Yet, even as his own nerves got the better of him, he found some comfort in the way Taehyung kept close, as if sensing his unspoken thoughts without needing to probe too deeply.

They continued walking, the early morning light casting long shadows behind them. Taehyung’s voice filled the quiet between them, light and easy as he talked about his plans for the art studio, about an idea he had been working on for weeks.

Jungkook listened, offering occasional comments, but his mind kept drifting back to the way Taehyung’s smile seemed to linger just a little longer whenever he caught Jungkook looking at him.

After a while, they reached a point where their paths would normally diverge—Jungkook’s building was a little further down the road, while Taehyung’s was closer, tucked away near the art wing.

But today, Taehyung paused, glancing at Jungkook with a thoughtful expression.

“You know,” Taehyung began, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, “if you’re free after class, you should really stop by the studio. I’ve got this sketch I’m working on, and I think you’d like it.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, curious despite the lingering nervousness in his chest. “Yeah? What’s it about?”

Taehyung’s smile turned a little mysterious, his eyes sparkling with that creative energy that Jungkook had always admired. “It’s a surprise,” he said with a wink. “But it’s about… capturing a moment. One that feels real, but also a little dream-like. I think you’d get it.”

Jungkook couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a flicker of excitement at the thought of seeing more of Taehyung’s world. “Alright,” he said, nodding. “I’ll definitely stop by.”