I'll be there! | Jin one shots

Taejin - Falling

Seokjin sat cross-legged on the patchy grass of their childhood park, the familiar sight of the rusted swings and weathered slide tugging at his heartstrings. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over everything, making the moment feel timeless, as though they were still kids. Taehyung, sprawled on his stomach next to him, absentmindedly plucked at the grass while staring at the sky.

"Hyung," Taehyung said, breaking the silence. "Do you think clouds ever get tired of drifting around?"

Seokjin blinked, caught off guard by the randomness. "What? Why would they get tired? They're just... clouds."

"But they're always moving, always changing," Taehyung replied thoughtfully. "What if they just want to stay in one place and enjoy the view for once?"

Seokjin chuckled, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe." Taehyung turned to face him, his boxy smile lighting up his face. "But you like it."

And Seokjin did. He liked everything about Taehyung-the way his voice dipped when he was being serious, the way his smile made his eyes crinkle, the way he made the world feel like a brighter, safer place. He liked it so much it scared him.

"Hyung," Taehyung said again, his tone softer this time. "Do you ever think about how much we've grown?"

Seokjin glanced at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Taehyung trailed off, sitting up and crossing his legs to mirror Seokjin. "We've known each other since we were kids. Back then, you were this awkward, chubby little boy who refused to share his snacks."

"Hey!" Seokjin protested, laughing. "I wasn't that bad!"

"You were," Taehyung teased, grinning. "But now... you've grown into someone amazing. Someone I'm really proud of."

The sincerity in Taehyung's voice made Seokjin's chest tighten. He looked away, suddenly feeling shy. "You're making it sound like I've done something extraordinary."

"You don't see it, do you?" Taehyung said, his gaze intense. "The way you light up a room, the way you take care of everyone around you... You're like the sun, hyung. Always shining, even when you don't realize it."

Seokjin's breath caught. Taehyung had always been expressive, but there was something different about his words today-something that felt heavier, deeper.

"Tae," Seokjin murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you saying all this now?"

Taehyung hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Because I'm tired of holding it in. I've been feeling this way for a long time, hyung. And I need to know if..." He trailed off, his voice faltering.

"If what?" Seokjin prompted, his heart pounding.

"If you feel it too," Taehyung finished, his eyes searching Seokjin's.

The air between them grew thick with unspoken emotions. Seokjin's mind raced, memories of their time together flashing before him-their endless laughter, their quiet moments, the way Taehyung always seemed to understand him without words.

"I..." Seokjin started, his voice trembling. "I don't know when it happened, but... I think I've been falling for you too."

Taehyung's eyes widened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, slowly, a smile spread across Taehyung's face-a smile so bright it made Seokjin's heart ache.

"You mean it?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely audible.

Seokjin nodded, his cheeks flushing. "Yeah, I mean it. You're... everything to me, Tae."

Taehyung's hand reached out, hesitating for a second before resting over Seokjin's. His touch was warm, grounding, and Seokjin felt his nerves begin to settle.

"I've wanted to tell you for so long," Taehyung admitted, his voice shaking slightly. "But I was scared. I didn't want to ruin what we have."

"You didn't ruin anything," Seokjin said softly. "If anything, I think you've made it even better."

Taehyung laughed quietly, his thumb brushing over Seokjin's knuckles. "You always know how to make me feel better."

They sat there for a while, their hands intertwined, the world around them fading into the background. The golden sunlight began to fade, replaced by the soft hues of twilight.

"Hyung," Taehyung said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think this is how it feels to be in a dream?" Taehyung asked, his eyes glistening with emotion. "Because right now, I feel like I'm dreaming."

Seokjin smiled, his heart swelling with affection. "If this is a dream, then I don't ever want to wake up."

Taehyung leaned closer, their faces just inches apart. "Then don't. Stay here with me."

"I will," Seokjin whispered, his voice steady. "Always."

And as the first stars appeared in the sky, Taehyung closed the distance between them, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to Seokjin's lips. It was warm and gentle, filled with all the love and longing they had kept hidden for so long.

When they pulled away, Seokjin laughed softly, his cheeks flushed. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

Taehyung grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Maybe. But you like it."

"I do," Seokjin admitted, his smile widening. "I really, really do."

---

They sat in their childhood park under the fading sunlight, the memories lingered between them, unspoken but deeply felt.

"You know," Taehyung said, breaking the silence, "I think I've loved you for longer than I realized."

Seokjin turned to him, his expression soft. "When did you realize it?"

Taehyung smiled, his gaze distant as he thought back. "Your seventeenth birthday. You looked so happy, and I just... I wanted to be the reason you smiled like that for the rest of your life."

Seokjin's breath caught. "That long?"

Taehyung nodded, his smile turning sheepish. "Yeah. I just didn't know how to tell you."

Seokjin reached out, placing a hand over Taehyung's. "I think I started falling for you that rainy night, six months ago when you showed up with dinner. You didn't have to, but you did. You always do."

"Do what?" Taehyung asked, his voice soft.

"Show up," Seokjin replied simply.

Their eyes met, and the weight of their confessions hung in the air. But this time, it didn't feel heavy. It felt light, freeing, like they were finally stepping into something that had been waiting for them all along.

Taehyung squeezed Seokjin's hand, a small, tender smile gracing his lips. "I'll always show up for you, hyung. Always."

And as they sat there, their hands intertwined and hearts laid bare, they both realized that falling for each other hadn't been a single moment or even a series of moments. It had been a lifetime in the making, a quiet, steady journey that had led them here-to this park, to this moment, to each other.

"I think," Seokjin said softly, his voice tinged with emotion, "that we were always meant to fall together."

Taehyung's smile widened, and he leaned closer, his forehead resting against Seokjin's. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

As the night enveloped them, they stayed there, wrapped in each other's warmth, their hearts finally beating in sync.

They had fallen for each other-slowly, deeply, and irrevocably. And for the first time, they were ready to take that leap together.