Us | Taekook

10

The subtle shift in their dynamic brought both comfort and confusion. Taehyung and Jungkook found themselves navigating a delicate balance between their lingering tensions and the quiet moments of connection that seemed to grow with each passing day. The studio became their shared sanctuary, a space where unspoken words and stolen glances wove a thread of something neither dared to name. 

The early light filtered through the tall windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Taehyung was already there, his headphones in as he sketched on a large piece of canvas spread on the floor. Jungkook walked in, balancing two cups of coffee in one hand and a paper bag in the other. 

"Thought you might need this," Jungkook said, setting the coffee beside Taehyung. 

Taehyung looked up, pulling out an earbud. "What’s this?" 

"Coffee. And a bagel," Jungkook replied, leaning casually against the table. 

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Why?" 

Jungkook smirked. "Because you get grumpy when you’re hungry, and I don’t want to deal with it today." 

Taehyung rolled his eyes but took the coffee. "Thanks, I guess." 

"You’re welcome," Jungkook said, watching as Taehyung took a cautious sip. 

Taehyung glanced at him, catching the faintest trace of amusement in Jungkook’s expression. "What are you staring at?" 

"Nothing," Jungkook said quickly, turning away to unpack his own supplies. 

As they worked, their differing styles once again clashed. Jungkook, meticulous and precise, frowned as Taehyung painted broad, sweeping strokes onto the canvas. 

"Taehyung, you’re going to ruin the composition," Jungkook said, exasperated. 

Taehyung tilted his head, unfazed. "It’s called texture. You should try it sometime." 

Jungkook groaned, stepping closer to inspect the mural. "It’s not balanced. You can’t just—" 

"Watch me," Taehyung interrupted, his brush moving with deliberate boldness. 

Jungkook grabbed his own brush, standing beside Taehyung. "Fine. But don’t blame me if it looks chaotic." 

As their brushes moved across the canvas, their hands occasionally bumped, each touch sending a spark that neither acknowledged aloud. 

The tension was broken by the sound of the studio door opening. Minji entered, her bright smile faltering slightly when she saw them together. 

"Wow, you two are still at it?" she asked, her voice a little too cheerful. 

Taehyung nodded, stepping back from the mural. "Deadlines don’t wait." 

Minji’s gaze lingered on Jungkook. "I was actually looking for you, Jungkook. There’s a group dinner tonight—thought you might want to come." 

Jungkook hesitated, glancing at Taehyung. 

"You should go," Taehyung said quickly, his tone unreadable. 

Jungkook frowned. "We still have work to do." 

"It’s fine. I can handle this for a while," Taehyung insisted, picking up his brush. 

Minji’s smile widened. "Great! Let’s go, then." 

Jungkook looked torn but eventually followed her, leaving Taehyung alone in the studio. 

The room felt quieter without Jungkook’s presence. Taehyung continued painting, but his strokes lacked their usual confidence. His thoughts wandered, replaying the way Jungkook’s gaze had lingered on him earlier, the subtle shifts in their conversations, the warmth in his voice. 

"Why does it matter?" Taehyung muttered to himself, shaking his head. 

But the truth was clear—Jungkook was no longer just his rival. And that scared him. 

At the restaurant, Jungkook sat among his peers, but his mind was elsewhere. Minji chatted animatedly beside him, but her words barely registered. His thoughts kept drifting back to Taehyung—how he’d left him alone in the studio, the look in his eyes when he’d insisted Jungkook go. 

"Jungkook, are you even listening?" Minji asked, her tone sharp. 

"Yeah," Jungkook said quickly, forcing a smile. 

"You’ve been distracted all night," she observed, leaning closer. "Everything okay?" 

"Fine," he replied curtly, leaning back to put some distance between them. 

Minji frowned, but before she could say more, Jungkook stood. "I should go. There’s still work to do." 

Without waiting for a response, he left the restaurant, his heart pulling him back to the studio. 

When Jungkook returned, he found Taehyung asleep on the floor, his head resting on his folded arms. Paint smudged his fingers and a streak of blue marked his cheek. 

Jungkook knelt beside him, his heart aching at the sight. "You idiot," he whispered. "You could’ve gone home." 

Taehyung stirred, blinking groggily. "Jungkook? What are you doing here?" 

"I couldn’t stay away," Jungkook admitted, sitting beside him. 

Taehyung sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Minji won’t be happy." 

"I don’t care about Minji," Jungkook said firmly. 

Taehyung looked at him, surprised. "Then why did you leave with her?" 

Jungkook hesitated, his gaze falling. "I thought it was what you wanted." 

Taehyung sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You’re impossible, Jeon Jungkook." 

"Maybe," Jungkook said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But so are you." 

For a moment, they sat in silence, the unspoken emotions between them heavier than ever. 

"Taehyung," Jungkook began, his voice low. 

"Yeah?" 

"Whatever this is... between us. I’m not running from it anymore." 

Taehyung’s breath caught, his heart pounding. "And what if I’m not ready?" 

"Then I’ll wait," Jungkook said softly. "As long as it takes." 

Taehyung looked away, his emotions too tangled to put into words. But for the first time, he didn’t push Jungkook away. 

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