Sylvania || jjk

18

The teahouse was small and tucked away in a quiet corner of the village, its wooden sign swaying gently with the cold breeze.

The moment Chaeng stepped inside, the warmth hit her like a wave, the scent of brewed herbs and honey wrapping around her. She exhaled softly, already feeling the tension in her body ease.

"Sit by the fireplace," Jungkook told her, nodding toward a cozy corner where a small fire flickered in a stone hearth. "I’ll get us something warm."

She hesitated for a second. She hated when he took care of her like this, hated that it made her chest ache. But she didn’t argue. She peeled off his jacket, placing it neatly over her lap before settling into the wooden seat near the fire.

The flames crackled softly, casting shadows against the walls. Outside the window, the village was alive with glowing lanterns and soft laughter, but in here, it was peaceful.

Jungkook returned minutes later, carrying two cups of steaming tea. He placed one in front of her before sitting down beside her, their shoulders brushing slightly.

"Drink," he murmured.

Chaeng wrapped her fingers around the cup, sighing at the heat against her cold skin. She lifted it to her lips, the warm liquid instantly soothing her throat. The flavor was rich, spiced with cinnamon and honey, sweet but not overpowering.

Jungkook was watching her.

"What?" she asked, glancing at him over the rim of her cup.

His eyes flickered down to her hands.

"Your hands are always freezing," he muttered, almost absentmindedly.

Before she could react, he reached out, gently pulling her hands into his. His palms were warm, rough from years of training, but his touch was so soft, so careful.

Chaeng’s breath hitched.

"You—"

Jungkook started rubbing her hands between his palms, slow and deliberate, as if trying to transfer all his warmth to her.

A shiver ran down her spine, but not from the cold.

"And yours are always warm," she whispered, barely aware of what she was saying.

Jungkook stilled for a moment, his gaze flickering up to meet hers.

Then, before she could even process it, he lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.

Chaeng’s heart stopped.

"Then maybe you should hold onto me more often."

Her face burned instantly. "Shut up."

But she didn’t pull away.

And neither did he.

A gentle chime of bells signaled the approach of an older woman, her silver hair neatly pinned back, eyes twinkling like she carried centuries of secrets. She stopped at their table with a knowing smile, hands clasped together.

“Oh, what a sweet couple,” she mused, her voice soft yet playful.

Chaeng nearly choked on her tea. “We—”

But Jungkook didn’t react, only raising an eyebrow in amusement. The woman chuckled as if she knew something they didn’t.

“You children are from the academy, aren’t you?” she continued. “Every year, during the Winter Moon Festival, this teahouse carries on a tradition. A simple one, yet meaningful.”