Collision of Verdicts

The Bet

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon in Jungkook’s apartment. The sunlight filtered in through the large windows, casting a soft, warm glow across the room. The two of them had been spending a lot of their weekends together recently, and though neither admitted it aloud, there was an unspoken bond forming between them. The subtle glances, the playful teasing—it all felt comfortable and natural. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a growing tension, a crush neither Jungkook nor Taehyung wanted to confess first.

Today, they found themselves playing chess. It had started off as just a casual game, something to pass the time. Jungkook leaned forward, carefully eyeing the board, while Taehyung sat across from him, looking deceptively relaxed.

“I still can’t believe you never mentioned you were a chess champion in college,” Jungkook mused, moving a knight across the board.

Taehyung smirked, his eyes never leaving the chess pieces. “You never asked. Plus, I like surprising you.”

Jungkook chuckled. “Well, if you’re so good, maybe we should make this more interesting.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “More interesting? What do you have in mind?”

“A bet,” Jungkook said, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Whoever wins gets to ask the other for a wish. No exceptions.”

Taehyung considered it for a moment before shrugging nonchalantly. “Deal. But don’t come crying when I ask you to buy me ice cream or something.”

Jungkook’s smile widened. He knew exactly what he wanted if he won, and he was more than willing to risk it. Meanwhile, Taehyung, blissfully unaware, thought it would just be a silly game with an innocent reward.

The game began in earnest, with both of them completely focused on the board. There were moments of light teasing, like when Taehyung would call out Jungkook for nearly making a bad move or when Jungkook would nudge Taehyung’s foot under the table, distracting him just enough to make a mistake.

“You’re playing dirty,” Taehyung accused with a laugh, nudging Jungkook back.

“Maybe,” Jungkook said, his voice playful. “But you seem pretty nervous.”

Taehyung scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “You wish. I’ve got this in the bag.”

But as the game progressed, Taehyung realized that Jungkook had been quietly strategizing the entire time. And then, with one final, decisive move, Jungkook cornered Taehyung’s king.

“Checkmate,” Jungkook said, his tone triumphant.

Taehyung stared at the board, disbelief washing over his face. “No way… You actually won?”

Jungkook leaned back with a smug grin. “Seems like the chess champion has been dethroned.”

Taehyung huffed, still processing his unexpected defeat. “Fine, a bet’s a bet. What do you want?” He asked, genuinely expecting something along the lines of getting groceries or doing chores.

Jungkook’s gaze shifted from the chessboard to Taehyung’s lips, and then back to his eyes. His voice dropped a little as he spoke. “I don’t want anything material,” he said slowly. “But if you really want to fulfill my wish… sit on my lap and kiss me.”

Taehyung’s eyes widened, the playful atmosphere immediately turning into something much more charged. He blinked a few times, processing Jungkook’s words. “What?” His voice was barely above a whisper, shock and disbelief etched across his face.

Jungkook, sensing his hesitation, quickly softened his tone. “You don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable, Tae. I was just teasing—”

But Taehyung shook his head, though his cheeks were now a deep shade of pink. “No, no. I… I promised. A bet is a bet, right?”

Jungkook’s eyes softened, watching Taehyung closely as the other man stood from his chair, visibly flustered. Taehyung hesitated for a moment before shyly walking over to where Jungkook sat. He bit his lower lip nervously, but without another word, he carefully lowered himself onto Jungkook’s lap, his hands lightly resting on Jungkook’s shoulders for balance.

They were so close now, their faces mere inches apart. Taehyung’s heart was racing, and he could feel the warmth of Jungkook’s body beneath him. His eyes darted between Jungkook’s lips and his intense gaze, unsure of what to do next.

“Well?” Jungkook teased, his voice low and laced with a playful edge. “Are you going to kiss me, or should I kiss you?”

Taehyung’s blush deepened, and in a moment of pure nervousness, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Jungkook’s cheek. But when he pulled back, Jungkook shook his head, his smirk growing wider. “Not there,” Jungkook whispered, his voice suddenly huskier. “Here.” He tapped his lips, his dark eyes locking onto Taehyung’s.

Taehyung froze, his mind blanking. His pulse quickened, and he found himself stammering, “I—I can’t do it on my own.”

Jungkook’s smile softened, and he lifted his hand to gently cup Taehyung’s face. “Then I’ll help you,” he said, his voice tender. He moved his thumb gently across Taehyung’s cheek before slowly leaning in.

Taehyung’s eyes fluttered shut, but Jungkook’s voice stopped him. “Don’t close your eyes,” he whispered, his lips just a breath away from Taehyung’s. “I want you to look at me.”

With a soft nod, Taehyung opened his eyes, meeting Jungkook’s intense gaze. There was a beat of silence, the air thick with anticipation, before Jungkook’s lips finally brushed against Taehyung’s. It was soft at first, a gentle meeting of lips, but as the kiss deepened, there was an undeniable spark between them—something that had been building for months.

Jungkook kissed him with a mix of passion and care, his hand slipping from Taehyung’s cheek to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Taehyung responded shyly at first, but soon, he melted into the kiss, his hands sliding up to tangle in Jungkook’s hair.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they caught their breath. Jungkook’s thumb gently stroked Taehyung’s neck, his voice soft as he whispered, “You’re so beautiful.”

Taehyung’s eyes were wide, his cheeks still flushed, but there was a softness in his gaze as he smiled shyly. “I… I didn’t expect this,” he admitted quietly.

Jungkook chuckled, his breath still slightly uneven. “Neither did I, but I’ve wanted this for a long time, Tae.”

Taehyung’s heart fluttered at the confession, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he let himself just feel. No overthinking, no worrying about what came next—just him and Jungkook, here, together.

As they sat there, tangled in each other’s warmth, the weight of their unspoken feelings finally lifted, and all that remained was a quiet, undeniable certainty that neither of them could deny any longer.