Collision of Verdicts

Skating into love

The next day, Jeju Island was as breathtaking as ever. Jungkook and Taehyung had decided to go their separate ways for the day, exploring the most beautiful spots of the island, each getting lost in their own thoughts. It was a day of peace and quiet, with the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the gentle hum of the wind filling the air. But there was something in the atmosphere that seemed to call out to them both—an unspoken bond between them that only seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment.

By the time evening rolled around, both of them had their hearts full of awe from the island’s natural beauty. They had made their way to an ice skating rink nearby, the chilly evening air only making everything seem even more magical. The rink was buzzing with people, but it was the two of them—Jungkook and Taehyung—who seemed to stand out. As Taehyung took a wobbly step onto the ice, Jungkook couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

"Careful there, Tae," Jungkook said, amusement clear in his voice as he skated toward him.

Taehyung grinned, the cool air making his cheeks flush pink. "I got this!" he replied, but just as he said it, his legs slipped from under him, and he tumbled toward the ice.

Jungkook quickly reached out, his arms steadying Taehyung and pulling him into a warm embrace. They both laughed, the sound of their joy echoing around the rink.

"Looks like you don't got this," Jungkook teased, his voice playful but full of warmth.

Taehyung pouted, but it didn’t last long before he too was laughing again, the sound light and carefree. "Okay, maybe I don't," he admitted, his eyes glinting with humor. "But you’ve got me, right?"

Jungkook pulled Taehyung up with ease, and the two of them skated together, moving in sync as they circled the rink. Taehyung wobbled a little, but Jungkook always kept a hand on him, guiding him safely. The cold air kissed their faces, but they didn’t care. This moment—this shared happiness—was enough to warm them both.

After a few laps, Jungkook pulled Taehyung into a hug, their bodies pressing together as they skated slowly around the rink. Taehyung looked up at him, his eyes shining under the soft lights of the rink. The pink tint on his cheeks made him look like an angel, and Jungkook couldn’t help but be entranced by him.

In that moment, everything else faded away—the noise, the cold, the world outside—and all that mattered was the two of them.

Taehyung’s heart raced as he looked into Jungkook’s eyes, and it was then that Jungkook’s voice broke the silence between them.

“I love you.”

Those three words hung in the air between them, simple but heavy with meaning. Taehyung’s eyes widened, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to react. His heart thudded in his chest, and the emotions he had kept hidden for so long came rushing to the surface.

He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what he’d just heard, but the truth was undeniable. Jungkook had said it. He had said the words Taehyung had been dying to hear for so long. Without thinking, Taehyung leaned up and kissed him. It was a soft kiss at first, but it quickly deepened as Taehyung’s hands cupped Jungkook’s face, pulling him closer.

In the heat of the kiss, Taehyung jumped into Jungkook’s arms, and they both stumbled, falling onto the ice with a loud laugh. The world seemed to spin around them, but all they could do was laugh and kiss, their tears of happiness mixing with the snowflakes falling gently around them.

Jungkook was the first to pull back, though his hands still held onto Taehyung as he gazed at him with an eager smile. “So...what’s your answer?”

Taehyung looked at him, his smile growing softer as he brushed a lock of hair from Jungkook’s forehead. “Love you too,” he whispered, his voice a mixture of joy and relief. The words felt like they had been stuck in his throat for so long, but now that they were out in the open, everything felt so much lighter.

Jungkook grinned, his heart soaring as he leaned down to kiss Taehyung once more, this time slow and tender, savoring the moment.

After their kiss ended, they both stood up, brushing the snow off their clothes, and walked out of the rink together, their hands intertwined. They found a cozy coffee shop nearby, the warm glow of the lights from the windows inviting them inside. The air inside was warm, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the space. They ordered hot chocolate, a comforting choice to match the warmth they felt in each other’s presence.

Sitting across from each other, they sipped their drinks, the content silence between them only deepening the connection they now shared. The outside world seemed so far away, and for once, it was just the two of them.

"I never thought I’d hear you say those words," Taehyung said quietly, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. "I’ve been waiting for so long, but I never knew how to tell you."

Jungkook reached across the table, his hand gently covering Taehyung’s. "I was scared too," he admitted. "But I couldn’t keep pretending that I didn’t love you. You mean everything to me, Tae."

Taehyung smiled, his heart swelling with emotion. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that."

They sat there for a while, just holding hands and exchanging soft smiles, content with the simple pleasure of being in each other’s company. As the conversation shifted, they began to talk about their past—about their college days and the misunderstandings they had that had kept them apart for so long. They laughed about their rivalry, how they had always assumed the worst of each other. But now, as they sat together in the cozy coffee shop, all of that seemed so distant. All that mattered was the love they had found in each other.

"You know," Jungkook said, leaning back in his chair, "I never really understood why we fought so much back then. But I guess, deep down, I always knew there was something more."

Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. "I thought you were arrogant and a show-off," he said playfully. "But I guess I was wrong."

Jungkook laughed. "And I thought you were just too perfect to be real."

Taehyung smirked. "Well, I am perfect."

"Yeah, you are," Jungkook said, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "And I’m lucky I finally figured that out."

The conversation shifted again, and soon Jungkook found himself asking a question that had been on his mind for a while now.

“Tae, when we get back to Seoul...how would you feel about moving in with me?”

Taehyung looked up at him, his eyes softening as he leaned in closer, resting his head on Jungkook’s shoulder. “I think I’d like that,” he murmured. “I think I’d like that a lot.”

Jungkook smiled, wrapping an arm around him as they sat there, content and at peace. The world outside was still, but in this moment, they had everything they needed.