TAEKOOK | HOPE

• 28 sleep-hazed

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There's the barest trace of hesitation on his face, so Jeongguk responds by kissing him as deeply as he knows how, hoping that somehow conveys everything he's feeling in this moment. Then he tows Taehyung over to the shallower end of the pool, the two of them clambering up the steps and snatching towels that they'd left to hang dry earlier. Taehyung looks fluffy and adorable with the towel draped around his shoulders, and Jeongguk can't resist leaning in to kiss him again, any thought of appearing casual or suave long forgotten.

They slip up the stairs to Jeongguk's room as quietly as possible, an unexpected reversal of how their day had started. Jeongguk's heart is thundering in his chest, his mind racing now that he actually has a few seconds to think. He feels suddenly nervous, stomach twisting at the thought of what he dares to assume is going to happen next. It's been a long time since he's wanted someone this badly, since he's slept with someone he cares for this deeply, and the intensity of it all is overwhelming.

Inside, Jeongguk fumbles with the lamp on his bedside table as Taehyung drops the towel from around his shoulders. They stand, face to face and breathing heavily, amidst the overwhelming seashell-themed blueness of Jeongguk's room. Taehyung is obviously hard in his shorts, the wet material clinging in a way that leaves nothing to the imagination, and Jeongguk can't stop staring.

"Jeonggukie," Taehyung pleads, and Jeongguk jumps back into action, pulling him in by the waist and tugging off his shorts. Taehyung's cock springs free and Jeongguk immediately gets a hand around him, basking in the choked off moan that Taehyung lets out. It feels a little bit like being 18 again, discovering every nuance of Taehyung's body and marveling at how he reacts.

His forehead drops to Jeongguk's shoulder, and he sucks in a shaky breath. Says: "I want you to fuck me, Guk." And Jeongguk feels so certain he must be dreaming, his knees nearly give out.

But the words are crystal clear in the otherwise silent room, spoken decisively and without hesitation. Another thing Taehyung has always been better at than him - asking for what he wants, at least in bed. He's still got his face hidden in Jeongguk's shoulder, though, so maybe he's not quite as confident as he sounds.

"Okay," Jeongguk whispers, mostly because he doesn't trust himself to speak at full volume right now. He presses kisses to Taehyung's ear, his temple, his jaw, and hopes it's not too obvious that he's shaking again.

Teahyung looks at him searchingly. "Do you have - ?"

And yes, by the grace of God Jeongguk does have lube and some condoms in his toiletry bag, not that he ever expected to be using them on this trip. He tries not to focus on the fact that he and Taehyung never used condoms back when they were together, and instead fishes them out hurriedly, kicking off his shorts and climbing into bed with Taehyung.

The image of Taehyung under him has to be one of Jeongguk's favorites in the world, something about how trusting and pliant he looks, the way he arches up into Jeongguk's touch. He thinks he sees the weight of this moment mirrored in Taehyung's eyes, and for a second he gets lost there, in how long he's wanted those eyes to be trained on him like this. Then Taehyung is reaching for him again, and Jeongguk gives his dick a few more pumps before uncapping the lube with trembling hands.

"Just - go slow," Taehyung says quietly, bending and spreading his legs in a way that makes the bottom drop out from Jeongguk's stomach. He bites his lip. "It's been a while."