Speeding Into Trouble || Taekook

35

Taehyung walked through the mall with Sara like he was on a leash—his hand in hers, but his soul six feet under.

"So, Taehyung," Sara said, already mid-wedding rant, "what do you think about the flowers for the wedding?"

Taehyung blinked, mind miles away. Probably wherever Jeongguk was, being illegal and hot. He nodded absently. "Uh... yeah. Flowers sound... umm... floral."

Sara narrowed her eyes. "You don't sound very invested."

"I am," he lied with the enthusiasm of someone waiting in line at the DMV. "I just... zoned out for a sec."

Zoned out thinking about that stupid leather jacket Jeongguk wears like a second skin. Zoned out imagining what it would feel like to be anywhere but here—preferably in Jeongguk's lap with a fist in his hair.

They passed a wedding boutique, and Taehyung nearly gagged at the sight of a mannequin in a tux. Trapped. That was the word. He felt like he was trapped in an overly sparkly jail.

Sara's phone buzzed. She checked the screen, her face twitching before she turned it off and shoved it back into her purse like it burned. Taehyung saw it. Noticed it. Stored it.

"Anyway, I should go," she said, too fast, too rehearsed. "Got a lot to plan!"

"Y-yeah. Bye?" Taehyung offered, already fishing for his phone like it was an oxygen mask.

Sara practically power-walked out of there like the mall was on fire. As soon as she vanished, Taehyung texted Jeongguk faster than a scandal spreads in a group chat.

Taehyung: I'm out. Where are you?

⸻

Ten minutes later, Taehyung was on the back of Jeongguk's bike, arms around his waist, head pressed against his shoulder like he was inhaling peace itself.

Jeongguk glanced back, smirking. "Rough mall date, huh?"

"Don't start," Taehyung mumbled. "I was two seconds away from stabbing a mannequin with a dessert fork."

Jeongguk snorted. "Want to make out until the trauma goes away?"

"Yes. Take me to your apartment before I lose the will to live."

⸻

Inside Jeongguk's place, Taehyung flopped onto the couch like a Victorian lady fainting over scandal. Jeongguk just raised an eyebrow.

"You okay there, darling?"

"She talked about pastel orchids for twenty minutes, and I counted every second. I now know what hell sounds like."

Jeongguk walked into the kitchen. "Did you eat, or were you too busy fantasizing about murdering your wedding planner?"

"No food. Just rage."

Jeongguk popped his head out. "Want ramen and illegal cuddles?"

"You know me so well."

⸻

They sat on the couch sharing ramen from one bowl like the most dysfunctional romantic cliché. Jeongguk, as always, was obnoxious about it.

"Say 'ahh', baby," he teased, holding out a bite like he was feeding a child.

Taehyung scowled. "I will stab you with this chopstick."

"Violence turns me on, so that's not a threat."

Taehyung opened his mouth with an exaggerated groan. "This is humiliating."

Jeongguk grinned and shoved the noodles in. "And yet you're still here. Tragic."