Fated Foes ||toptae||

29

That night, Taehyung made his way to the chemist store to buy ointment for his bruises. The faint hum of the streetlights buzzed in the quiet, empty night. As he pushed open the door, the shopkeeper glanced up from his counter.

“I need an ointment,” Taehyung said, trying not to sound like he was in too much pain.

The shopkeeper shook his head. “It’s out of stock. Just sold the last one. A boy bought it and left a minute ago.”

Taehyung sighed in frustration, muttering under his breath as he turned to leave. “Great. Just my luck.”

As he stepped outside, the chilly night air greeted him. That’s when his eyes landed on someone sitting on a nearby bench under the dim glow of a streetlamp. It was Jungkook, casually slouched, holding something in his hands.

Taehyung frowned and was about to turn in the other direction to avoid him when Jungkook’s voice stopped him.

“If you want this,” Jungkook called out, lifting the small ointment tube between his fingers, “take it.”

Taehyung paused, looking at him suspiciously before striding over. Without a word, he snatched the ointment out of Jungkook’s hand. He twisted the cap open with practiced ease.

“Show me where is the bruised on my cheek,” Taehyung said

Jungkook raised a brow but complied. He pointed to the bruise on his cheek… by poking at it. Hard.

Taehyung hissed sharply, glaring at him. “Are you an idiot? Who points at a bruise by pressing it?”

Jungkook just grinned smugly, seemingly enjoying Taehyung’s pain. “You asked, didn’t you?”

Muttering curses under his breath, Jungkook  began dabbing the ointment onto his cheek with more force than necessary.

“Ow—hey! Careful!” taehyung flinched, jerking away.

“Stop moving, it’ll hurt more!” Jungkook  shot back, glaring at him like he was scolding a child. Despite the banter, his hand grew gentle, carefully smoothing the ointment across the bruise.

Once Jungkook’s cheek was done, Taehyung closed the cap with a click. Jungkook, still nursing his bruised pride, looked up and smirked. “Your turn.”

Jungkook froze. “What?”

“You’ve got one too, genius. Don’t act tough.”

“I don’t need your help,” jungkook muttered, already stepping back.

“Oh, so you like walking around looking like a punched tomato?” Taehyung  teased.

Jungkook rolled his eyes, reluctantly sitting down next to him. He handed the ointment back with a sharp look. “Fine. Don’t poke me, though.”

Taehyung  didn’t answer—he just leaned in, the sudden proximity making jungkook stiffen slightly. But Taehyung  was surprisingly careful this time, dabbing the ointment softly onto the bruise on Taehyung’s cheek.

“See? I’m gentle,” taehyung said smugly.

“Shut up,” jungkook muttered, his ears tinged pink.

Once the makeshift treatment session ended, they sat awkwardly for a moment, staring at the empty street ahead.

“Let’s just not…let our friends bump each other anymore,” Taehyung said after a pause, glancing sideways.

“Agreed. I don’t have time to keep fixing your face,” Jungkook replied, though his tone was softer this time.

They exchanged a look, and without much thought, Taehyung held out his phone. “Give me your KakoTalk ID. If we need to talk about… things like this, better than running into each other.”

Jungkook smirked but took the phone. “Fine. I’ll be on mute, though. Don’t spam me.”

“Who’d even text you?” Taehyung retorted as Jungkook handed the phone back.

Once the exchange was done, they stood up. Without another word, both turned and headed toward their respective dorms, footsteps echoing down the empty road.

Taehyung paused once he was back in his room, staring at the new contact on his phone.

“Jeon Jungkook 🐰”

“Why does it feel like I just signed up for trouble?” he muttered, tossing his phone onto the bed.

Jungkook, in his own dorm, stared at the same contact name.

“Kim Taehyung 🐯”

Smirking, he muttered, “This is gonna be interesting.”

Continue. ........