Echoes of Care

A Rainy Night and Soft Smiles

The rain was just beginning to mist the car windows as Jungkook and Taehyung pulled out of the supermarket parking lot, both of them quiet and content. The ride back to their apartment building was peaceful until Jungkook decided to break the silence.

“So, you really don’t know anything about cooking?” Jungkook asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he glanced over at Taehyung.

Taehyung looked sheepish, scratching the back of his neck. “I mean, I know how to make ramyeon… Does that count?”

Jungkook laughed, genuinely amused. “Barely,” he teased. “How have you survived this long without learning?”

Taehyung huffed, pretending to be offended. “I don’t need to cook when I have friends who’ll take pity on me.”

“More like Jin hyung takes pity on you,” Jungkook corrected, shaking his head with a smile. “If you ever need help, maybe I’ll teach you a few things.”

Taehyung’s eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t often that Jungkook offered help voluntarily, let alone something as casual as cooking lessons. “Are you… being nice to me?” he teased, his own lips turning up in a grin. “This is rare.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Jungkook said, but there was warmth in his voice.

Taehyung watched Jungkook for a moment, amazed at the slight shift in his demeanor. For so long, Jungkook had been reserved, but tonight he seemed lighter, almost at ease. And Taehyung couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness at seeing this side of him.

As they continued down the road, the rain picked up, drumming softly on the car roof. Taehyung sighed, his eyes fixed on the drops sliding down the window.

“You like the rain?” Jungkook asked, noticing the peaceful look on Taehyung’s face.

Taehyung nodded. “I love it. There’s just something about it that makes everything feel… refreshed.”

Jungkook couldn’t help but admire the soft glow in Taehyung’s eyes as he looked out the window. He’d known Taehyung for years, but moments like these made him feel like he was seeing a new side of him.

Suddenly, Taehyung straightened, his eyes lighting up. “Wait! Jungkook, can you pull over?”

Jungkook frowned in confusion. “Why? We’re almost home.”

“Look!” Taehyung pointed ahead to a small ice cream truck parked under a streetlight, the neon sign casting a soft glow in the rainy night.

Jungkook sighed but pulled over. “You want ice cream in the rain?”

“Yes!” Taehyung grinned, unbuckling his seatbelt eagerly. But just as he was about to step out, Jungkook grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

“It’s still drizzling,” Jungkook pointed out, frowning slightly. “You’re going to get soaked.”

Taehyung just gave him a wink, shaking Jungkook’s hand off playfully. “I’ll be quick, Jungkookie. Don’t worry.” With that, he slipped out of the car and jogged toward the ice cream truck, his laughter barely audible over the soft patter of the rain.

Jungkook watched him go, shaking his head in disbelief but unable to hold back the faint smile tugging at his lips. Taehyung had always had this carefree, impulsive nature that Jungkook found both bewildering and captivating.

A few moments later, Taehyung returned with two ice cream bars in his hand. He opened the passenger door, his hair damp and slightly curled from the rain, and handed one to Jungkook.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “You got one for me?”

Taehyung nodded, smiling softly as he offered him the ice cream. “Yeah. I remember you used to like mojito-flavored drinks, so I got you a mojito-flavored ice cream.”

Jungkook looked at him, surprised. “You remembered?”

Taehyung shrugged, his smile growing more playful. “Always, Jungkookie,” he said, using the old nickname that seemed to linger with a mix of warmth and nostalgia.

For a moment, Jungkook felt something shift in his chest. He took the ice cream bar, holding Taehyung’s gaze. “Thanks,” he murmured.

They sat in comfortable silence, eating their ice creams as the rain continued to fall. Taehyung leaned back, watching the rain through the windshield, while Jungkook stole a few glances, admiring the quiet joy that Taehyung seemed to radiate.

As they finished their ice cream, Jungkook started the car again, and they drove the rest of the way in silence, the only sound being the rain against the windows.

---

Outside Taehyung’s Apartment

When they finally reached their apartment building, Jungkook insisted on carrying the grocery bags, even taking the ones Taehyung tried to hold onto.

“Jungkook, I can carry some of it,” Taehyung protested, though his smile suggested he didn’t really mind Jungkook’s help.

“Just let me do it,” Jungkook replied with a small, amused smirk. “You’ll probably drop something.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes but didn’t argue further. Together, they walked up to Taehyung’s apartment, Jungkook balancing all the bags with ease as they reached the door.

Once there, Jungkook set the bags down and straightened, ready to head back to his own apartment. But just as he was about to say goodbye, Taehyung stepped forward, wrapping him in a tight hug.

“Thank you, Jungkook,” Taehyung murmured softly, his voice filled with sincerity.

Jungkook was taken aback, his arms hanging by his sides for a second before he slowly wrapped them around Taehyung. “It’s… it’s nothing,” he replied, feeling his face heat up.

Taehyung pulled back, his usual bright smile back on his face. “Well, it meant a lot to me,” he said, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Goodnight, Jungkookie.”

Jungkook nodded, offering a small smile. “Goodnight, Taehyung.”

As he turned to head back to his own apartment, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel a strange warmth lingering from Taehyung’s embrace. For the first time in a long while, he felt at ease—like the burdens he usually carried had lightened, if only a little.

Back in his own apartment, Jungkook set down his things and found himself smiling as he thought about the day. Taehyung’s laughter, his carefree nature, and the gentle touch of his hug had all somehow managed to carve their way into Jungkook’s thoughts.