STRANGERS

Part 20 (Rules)

After 15 minutes~

Jungkook and Taehyung sat pressed shoulder to shoulder against the tree trunk, their backs sharing the rough bark, legs stretched out in front of them, close enough that every small shift brought the brush of skin or fabric.

Jungkook's doe eyes were half lidded with lazy contentment as he worked on his chocolate cone, the cold treat melting faster than he could eat it, a thin rivulet of brown sliding down his wrist. He didn't bother wiping it, too busy sneaking another lick from Taehyung's strawberry one when he thought Taehyung wasn't looking.

On the other hand Taehyung noticed of course he did and turned his head slowly, his deep set eyes narrowing in that familiar judging stare, lips twitching with reluctant amusement.

"I thought you were a chocolate loyalist" he said, voice low and dry.

Jungkook grinned, his bunny teeth flashing as he deliberately licked a stripe of strawberry off the side of Taehyung's cone, his tongue slow and teasing. "I can eat anything" he murmured, eyes glinting with mischief, "unlike someone who's picky about everything." His free hand brushed Taehyung's knee as he shifted closer, the contact lingering just a second longer than necessary, a subtle claim that made Taehyung's breath catch, his fingers tightening around his cone.

Taehyung sighed, but the sound was soft, fond, his shoulder pressing back against Jungkook's in quiet answer. His thumb absently brushed a smear of chocolate from the corner of Jungkook's mouth, the touch feather light, almost unconscious, but it sent a warm shiver down Jungkook's spine, his doe eyes flickering up to meet Taehyung's for a heartbeat too long.

Before Taehyung could retort, two random girls from their class wandered closer, cones in hand, their eyes wide and curious as they stared at Taehyung and Jungkook.

Both boys noticed at the same time, their heads turning in unison, their expressions mirroring Jungkook's  eyes narrowing with a mix of confusion and defiance, Taehyung's deep set eyes cool and guarded

"What?" they said in perfect sync, their voices overlapping.

The girls blinked, the bobbed haired one flushing slightly. "For some reason you guys are looking... different together," she said, her voice hesitant but genuine.

Jungkook stared at her for a second "Different how? Just say we look handsome and move on," he said, his voice teasing but laced with his usual senior swagger.

Taehyung sighed "What are you implying?" he asked, his voice calm but probing, his sharp features catching the light as he licked his strawberry cone, his gaze steady on the girls.

The ponytail girl grinned, her voice playful but pointed. "Idk, but you both look... close." The words hang in the air, innocent but hitting too close to home, making Taehyung and Jungkook freeze for a split second, their eyes meeting.

Taehyung's gaze flickering with a mix of alarm and worry, Jungkook's eyes widening before a flush crept up his cheeks, his heart pounding with the thrill of their new reality.

However they sighed in relief when the dumbest boys in class jumped in, their voices loud and oblivious.

"It's BROMANCE!" a boy in buzz cut shouted, fist pumping dramatically. "We bros fight, then we made up with snacks" he proudly said making his homie nod " One fight is enough to bring us close enough to share our underwear" another added, his voice cracking with enthusiasm as he sling an arm around his friend.

The girls shot them judging looks, one rolling her eyes so hard it was audible. "Y'all are like Y/N stans," the bobbed haired girl said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, crossing her arms.