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31: glow

The room was quiet, save for the sound of their slowing breaths and the faint rustle of sheets as they shifted closer. Jungkook's head rested on Taehyung's chest, his ear pressed against the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Taehyung's fingers traced idle patterns on Jungkook's back, his touch light and soothing, as if he were afraid to break the fragile peace that had settled between them.

Neither of them spoke. Words felt unnecessary in the aftermath of what had just happened. Instead, they let the silence wrap around them, warm and comforting, like a blanket shielding them from the outside world.

Jungkook was the first to break the quiet, his voice soft and hesitant. "Taehyung?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you... regret it?"

Taehyung's hand stilled on Jungkook's back, and for a moment, he didn't respond. Then, gently, he tilted Jungkook's chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Do I look like I regret it?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with something tender.

Jungkook's cheeks flushed a little, and he quickly looked away, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the sheet. "I don't know," he mumbled. "I just... I don't want you to feel like you had to-"

"Jungkook." Taehyung's voice was firm, cutting him off. "I didn't have to do anything. I wanted to." He paused, his thumb brushing over Jungkook's cheek. "I still do."

Jungkook's breath hitched, and for a moment, he just stared at Taehyung, his eyes wide and searching. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at his lips and he buried his face in Taehyung's chest again, his arms tightening around him.

Taehyung's chest swelled with something warm and unnameable, and he let out a quiet breath, his fingers resuming their gentle tracing on Jungkook's back. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt... content. Like everything was exactly as it should be.

They stayed in bed for a while, talking about nothing and everything, their voices soft and their laughter light. At some point, both of them got up to take a quick shower and Taehyung went to cook their dinner, while Jungkook followed him to the kitchen after he was done, wearing Taehyung's clothes that fit him just right and leaning against the counter as he watched Taehyung move around with practiced ease.

"You're really good at this," Jungkook said, his voice tinged with admiration as he watched Taehyung chop vegetables with precision.

Taehyung glanced at him, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You sound surprised."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, though the smile on his face gave him away. "Shut up. I'm just saying you're... domestic."

Taehyung chuckled, setting the knife down and turning to face Jungkook fully. "Domestic, huh?" he said, stepping closer. "Does that mean you're planning to stick around?"

Jungkook's didn't back down. "Maybe," he said, his voice teasing. "If you keep cooking for me."

Taehyung grinned, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Jungkook's lips. "Deal."

Both of them giggled after that like idiots.

Later, they ended up back in Taehyung's room, curled up on the bed with a movie playing in the background. Neither of them was really paying attention to the screen, though. Instead, they were too caught up in each other, their fingers intertwined and their bodies pressed close.

At some point, Taehyung shifted, turning to face Jungkook. "Hey," he said, his voice quiet.

"Hey," Jungkook replied, his thumb brushing over Taehyung's knuckles.