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34: frosting

Jungkook stirred awake to the gentle nudge of Taehyung's fingers brushing over his cheek, his voice a quiet murmur in the stillness of the night. "Wake up, kook."

Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Jungkook turned, finding Taehyung's face bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the curtains. His mate was already dressed, an excitement lingering in his eyes that made Jungkook's drowsy mind stir with curiosity.

"Come with me," Taehyung whispered, his fingers wrapping around Jungkook's wrist. Without much thought, Jungkook let himself be led, their footsteps quiet against the floor as they made their way out of his room.

The sight that met him in the dining room made him still. The table was adorned with a small cake, candles flickering gently, their golden glow casting soft shadows. Balloons were tied to the chairs, swaying lightly, and a few wrapped gifts sat neatly beside the cake that Taehyung must've placed there in the quiet hours of the night.

It's not extravagant, not overly grand-but it's thoughtful, it's warm, and it's him.

Jungkook swallowed, something warm blooming in his chest. It wasn't just a birthday surprise. It was Taehyung. His Taehyung.

"Happy birthday, Jungkook," Taehyung murmurs, standing just close enough that their arms brush, his voice softer than anything Jungkook has ever heard.

Jungkook exhales, eyes flickering between the cake, the decorations, and finally-Taehyung.

"You really did all this?" he asks, even though the answer is obvious.

Taehyung tilts his head, a slow, lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Who else would?"

Jungkook huffs out a small laugh, but it comes out shaky, something stirring in his chest that he can't name. It's not like no one has ever celebrated his birthday before-his friends always made sure to-but this, this is different. Because it's Taehyung. Because it's his mate.

And that alone makes it something else entirely.

Taehyung watches him, eyes flickering over Jungkook's expression, reading every quiet shift of emotion that passes through him. Then, without hesitation, he reaches forward, his fingers brushing against Jungkook's jaw before settling there, warm and grounding.

"You're just staring," Taehyung teases, but his voice is low, his thumb grazing over Jungkook's cheekbone. "Aren't you gonna blow out the candles?"

Jungkook swallows. How is he supposed to think about that right now?

His hands come up, settling on Taehyung's waist, pulling him in slightly, close enough that their breaths mingle in the quiet.

"I just wanted to do something for you," Taehyung murmured, resting his forehead against his.

Jungkook smiled softly, heart aching in the best way possible. He didn't need to say anything-Taehyung already knew.

"Thank you," Jungkook whispered, voice thick with something unspoken, something Taehyung could read so easily in his eyes.

Taehyung smiled, warm and tender, before tilting his head slightly, closing the space between them. The kiss was slow, soft-just a press of lips, a quiet exchange of emotions neither had fully put into words yet. Jungkook sighed into it, fingers tightening around Taehyung's waist, wanting to hold onto the moment just a little longer.

When they pulled apart, Taehyung grinned, bumping their noses together playfully. "Come on, birthday boy. Let's make a wish."

Jungkook huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he pulled away just enough to glance at the candles again. "Alright," he murmured, closing his eyes briefly before blowing out the candles in one steady breath.

Taehyung clapped, a grin spreading across his face. "Happy birthday, Jungkook."

Jungkook shook his head again, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you."

Taehyung reached for the cake knife. He handed it to Jungkook, their fingers brushing in the exchange.

They cut into the cake together, their hands bumping slightly as Jungkook carved out a small slice. He turned to Taehyung, a playful glint in his eyes as he lifted a piece with his fingers instead of the fork. "Open up."

Taehyung raised a brow but leaned in regardless, letting Jungkook press the bite-sized piece against his lips. He hummed as he took it, chewing slowly, savoring the taste. Then, with an unmistakable smirk, he grabbed a piece himself and held it up to Jungkook's mouth.

Jungkook hesitated, lips parting slightly-but just as he leaned in, Taehyung smushed the cake against his lips, his laughter breaking the quiet air between them.

Jungkook froze.

"You did not just-"

"Oh, I did," Taehyung grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Jungkook swiped his tongue over his lips, tasting the sweet frosting before narrowing his eyes. "You're so dead."

Before Taehyung could escape, Jungkook grabbed him by the wrist, tugging him close. He reached for the cake, scooped up some frosting with his fingers, and swiped it across Taehyung's cheek.

Taehyung gasped, his jaw dropping. "You little-"

Jungkook burst out laughing, shaking his head as Taehyung wiped at his face. "You started it," Jungkook pointed out, still grinning.

Taehyung sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "I try to be romantic, and this is what I get?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes, wiping a smudge of frosting from Taehyung's cheek with his thumb before licking it off his own finger. "That's what you get for messing with me."

Taehyung stared at him for a moment-just stared, eyes unreadable. Then, before Jungkook could process it, Taehyung reached forward, grabbing Jungkook's wrist and pulling him in.

Jungkook barely had time to react before Taehyung leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"Now we're even," Taehyung murmured, his voice low, teasing-but there was something else there too. Something softer.

Jungkook swallowed, his pulse thrumming against his skin. "You're impossible," he muttered, trying to sound annoyed, but failing miserably.

Taehyung only grinned, stepping back slightly before grabbing another forkful of cake-this time, offering it properly.

"Eat, birthday boy," he said, his voice gentler now. "Then we can cuddle, yeah?"

Jungkook pretended to consider before finally taking the bite. He chewed slowly, savoring the moment as much as the cake itself.

With Taehyung beside him, the warmth of the night wrapping around them, Jungkook realized-this might just be his favorite birthday yet.

☆☆☆

lol just realised we are so many chapters in but they still haven't said "I like you" to each other

Also I thought the most this story will have is 30 chapters but now it seems like this will have 40+