Bookworm | Taekook

14.2

JK POV

After my shower, I dried myself off with the towel Taehyung had gotten for me, and changed into a pair of his sweatpants and a black tank top. We were around the same size... I wish I was taller. Imagine him in one of my oversized hoodies... Snap out of it.

When I returned to his bedroom, he was sitting on his bed in a daze.

"Tae? ...Taehyung." He jolted when I lowered my voice and his face bloomed into a soft pink.

"Ah... sorry, I was lost in thought." He let out a nervous laugh. Weird, I wonder what he was thinking about.

"It's your turn to shower. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing!" Wow. That was a rather rushed answer... Now I really want to know.

"Hm. Well, you better shower quickly, we have school in the morning and it's already 10 PM." His eyes widened at my statement and he rushed to the door, running into the frame. "Watch out! ...Are you okay?"

"I'm good!" He held up an "OK" sign with his hand, conflicting with his muttering and rubbing of his arm as he finished his journey to the bathroom. I laughed to myself at his antics.

I thought back to the picture I saw earlier... He looked so broken.

What could have possible made such a bright and beautiful boy look so void of emotions? I cannot imagine anyone intentionally hurting him. Why would his parents hang such a sad picture? Well, his mom. I remember he said he doesn't know who his dad is. Maybe that's why? Was he sad because of his family?

In the middle of my thoughts, Taehyung came busting in through his bedroom door, almost resulting me in falling off of his bed.

"Are you okay?!" Taehyung was right next to me, helping me sit up.

"Why are you in such a rush?! I thought something was wrong with you!"

"You told me to shower quick!" When I heard him say that, I toppled over in laughter.

"I... can't believe... we just screamed for.. something like that," I said between giggles, wiping invisible tears from my eyes. Tae's face was pink again, but he was chuckling.

"You can't tell me to do things and expect me not to do them..." I snorted.

"I didn't mean it that literally! You're so funny." I stared at him for maybe a little too long, just admiring his light blush and boxy smile. Still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I don't think I will ever get tired of this.

"What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?" Taehyung started wiping at his face with his sweater paws (he was wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt).

"Your smile." I kept my fond eyes trained on him, and he started to squirm. "Sorry, it's just so beautiful... I mean! It's nice to see someone so happy around me. It doesn't happen often."

"Really..? But I love being around you." It was my turn to blush. I never thought I would hear those words from someone other than Woozi. He really is worth it, every single bit.

"Thank you." We both smiled while Tae took a seat on the bed next to me.

"I guess we should probably sleep now?" Tae asked me, with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Why don't we talk until we fall asleep?" Watching his eyes light up was the most surreal experience I've ever had. I'd like to see that again. Every day.

"Okay!" He got up and ran to turn off the lights, then got comfortable under the covers, urging me to join him.

After complying, I looked straight ahead to see his ceiling covered in glow-in-the-dark stars of all different colors and sizes.

"Do you like stars?" I asked.

"Ah... I guess. I just collected them because I thought they were pretty. They bring me to a different world at night; kind of like books. My mom brings me a new pack every time she comes back from a trip." I could listen to him talk for hours.

"They are. Pretty, I mean. I always wanted them as a kid."

"I guess they're kind of childish..."

"No! I didn't mean it like that. I think they're wonderful. Wanting to be in a different world is normal for teenagers like us, right?" I mused. I could feel Taehyung shifting beside me, probably to look at me.

"That's the first time." I turned to see him propped on his elbow, looking directly at me.

"What?"

"That someone didn't say it was ridiculous. To want to be somewhere, someone else." He had a sad smile spread across his face, but his words were genuinely happy.

"I feel that way, how could it be ridiculous? Sometimes, being someone else is so appealing. I could be invincible, then." We stared into each others eyes.

"Courageous." He added.

"Daring."

"Loved."

I leaned in and placed my lips against his. His lips were softer than I had ever imagined. It was a soft, chaste kiss. Our lips moved slowly against each other's. The way Taehyung moved his lips was a bit awkward, but an endearing awkward. It felt good.

When we parted, Taehyung turned over and covered himself up to his neck with his blanket. I could barely see the dark hue of his ears above the soft fabric and through the dark room, only lit by a ridiculous amount of glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars.

The room stayed silent after that, and I drifted to sleep engulfed by the sweet scent of strawberries, my mind filled with thoughts of the brunette boy laying beside me.

A/n:

Guess who's back?? June 6 2018 (last chapter)-November 24 2019 (this chapter); I died for a bit there, but it's fine.

@iwasorami and @Whale_from_Wales commented on a lot of my chapters and I love?? It's been a year and a half and it made me feel good :)