Study Buddies- kth+jjk

filler ep 3: gym bros and tattoos

(this picture has me dead, lord save meee)

A few more days of the boys' summer break pass, with the couples- Yoonmin, Namjin, and Ji-Bi- hanging out regularly. As for Taehyung and Jungkook, the only single ones in their group, they've been hanging out together so much that their parents no longer ask where one of them goes when they leave the house. They automatically assume it would be the others' house.

One day, the two, well mostly Taehyung and his insistence, decided to go to the gym together. Jungkook hasn't been much of a fan of working out ever since that basketbal game, but he went because Taehyung was practically begging the boy.

Taehyung, on the other hand, remained as athletic as ever. He promised Jungkook a nice cold Ice Capp from Tim Hortons on his way back home to make up for their summer workout session.

The gym was bustling with people. Taehyung strode in confidently, his eyes lighting up as he scanned the room. Behind him, Jungkook hesitantly followed, a mix of dread and regret on his face.

Jungkook grumbled, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "I could be at home, living my best life, not... dying here."

"Oh, come on," Taehyung teased, throwing an arm around Jungkook's shoulders. "Where's your sense of adventure? Besides, someone needs to keep me company. Or are you scared the gym might be too much for you, Kookie-bunny?" he teased, internally cringing at the nickname himself.

Jungkook glared at him, his nose scrunching in disgust. "Call me that again and I'm leaving."

"Alright, princess," Taehyung said with a grin, already leading the way to the treadmills.

Jungkook didn't bother protesting the comeback of the old nickname. Matter of fact, he actually kinda missed it.

They started with a warm-up, Taehyung setting his pace to a light run while Jungkook opted for a slow jog, his face clearly expressing annoyance.

"This isn't a warm-up. This is punishment," Jungkook muttered, glancing at the timer on the treadmill, like he was waiting for it to end already.

Taehyung didn't break a sweat and instead grinned. "Punishment? The only time I ever punish anyone would be in bed." he teased.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook barked, his face heating up.

Their dynamic had changed drastically since the trial. Now, Taehyung was his usual, flirty, bold self while Jungkook threw in some banter here and there, but grew easily flustered at any of Taehyung's bold remarks.

With the warm-up done, they moved to weights. Taehyung grabbed a pair of heavy dumbbells with ease, his toned arms flexing as he performed curls. Jungkook, meanwhile, begrudgingly selected lighter ones.

"You know," Taehyung began, glancing over mid-curl, "if you pout any harder, someone might think you don't want to be here." he said, eyeing Jungkook's lips for a bit longer than normal.

"Gee, what gave it away?" Jungkook said nervously, but his eyes glanced around the room uncomfortably.

Taehyung followed his gaze to a group of gym-bros near the bench press. A couple of them were stealing glances at Jungkook, their whispers barely hidden.

"Looks like you've got fans," Taehyung said, his tone light but narrowing his eyes at the guys.

Jungkook laughed awkwardly, growing uncomfortable with their stares. "They're probably just laughing at me."

"Oh no, they're definitely admiring you," Taehyung teased, lowering his weights to lean closer. "Should I let them know you're off-limits, princess?"