I Need You ⚣ TK

Chapter 05: Renewed warmth

The first light of Saturday morning crept through the blinds, softly illuminating Taehyung's bedroom. Stirring awake, he blinked, squinting at the unfamiliar brightness, momentarily disoriented. It was his day off, and the early morning stillness seemed to offer a promise of rest. For a moment, he'd almost forgotten the events of last night. But then, remembering, he immediately thought of Jungkook, still sound asleep on the sofa... or so he thought.

He slipped out of bed, feeling the cool floor under his feet as he padded down the hall to the lounge. But when his eyes fell on the empty sofa, his heart dropped. The blankets lay neatly folded where Jungkook had been, but the boy himself was nowhere in sight.

A sense of panic shot through him. Had Jungkook left? Without a word? Taehyung began searching the flat, moving through each room with growing urgency, calling Jungkook's name. He finally paused near the balcony door, and through the glass, he spotted Jungkook standing alone in the soft, early light, gazing out at the cityscape, his expression distant, lost in thought.

Relieved, Taehyung let out a sigh, his breath fogging up the cold glass momentarily before he slid the door open and stepped out onto the balcony. The chill of the autumn air wrapped around him, sharp and bracing. He approached Jungkook, who looked up as he drew near.

"Hey," Taehyung greeted softly, smiling as he tried to sound lighthearted. "You... scared me for a minute there. I thought you'd left without saying anything."

Jungkook looked back at the view of the city, his gaze thoughtful. He didn't say anything, but Taehyung noticed a faint curve at the corner of his lips, a tiny, grateful smile that he seemed to be hiding. Seeing it lifted the worry from Taehyung's heart, a warmth settling in its place.

They stood there in silence for a while, taking in the view, though Taehyung quickly began to feel the autumn wind seeping through his thin clothes, chilling him to the bone. Shivering, he glanced at Jungkook, surprised that the boy didn't seem fazed by the cold at all. Taehyung rubbed his arms, trying to warm himself.

"Hey, uh... how about we go inside?" he suggested with a small chuckle, breaking the silence. "I'll make us some breakfast, something nice and warm."

Jungkook looked at him and gave a small nod before following him back inside. Taehyung closed the balcony door behind them, grateful to be back in the warmth. He moved to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves and glancing over his ingredients thoughtfully. Jungkook stood by the doorway, watching quietly as Taehyung moved with easy confidence, pulling out fresh eggs, bread, vegetables, and other ingredients.

Taehyung flashed him a reassuring smile. "I thought I'd make something different," he said, cracking a few eggs into a bowl and whisking them lightly. "Something I'm guessing you wouldn't usually have at home."

He set to work, chopping up vegetables, adding a pinch of seasoning, and soon the soft sizzle of food filled the kitchen, along with a savoury aroma that made the room feel cosy and inviting. Jungkook moved a bit closer, leaning against the counter as he watched, curiosity brightening his gaze. Taehyung hummed to himself as he worked, casting a glance at Jungkook every now and then, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

As the meal came together, he plated up the food, setting it down on the small kitchen table. He gestured for Jungkook to sit, placing a steaming cup of tea beside his plate. "Here you go," Taehyung said with a proud grin, sitting across from Jungkook. "I hope you like it."

Jungkook took a tentative bite, and a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes. Taehyung watched him, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment at the sight. The silence was comfortable, filled with the clink of forks and the warmth of shared company, a quiet start to the day that, for Taehyung, felt somehow like the start of something meaningful.