Effect

⑲Try Me

 
Taehyung was determined.

He would keep his distance from the younger; slowly and steadily, he would grow apart from him. It happened with people's relationships all the time, anyway. It was a well-prepared plan.

But everything crumbled the next day when he spotted Jeongguk skipping towards his car.

"Hey! Were you ready to leave without me?"

"Um, no, no."

"Well, I wouldn't blame you. I mean, my wrist is okay now, so you don't really have to drive me home. But I wanted to ask if I can come to your house today."

Surprise crossed Taehyung's face, hardening his muscles. "Why?"

"To see how you decorated it. You told me yesterday that I can come over anytime."

Taehyung felt a spate of remorse hit him, waving through his bloodstream. He was too focused on keeping his distance he forgot he told the younger he could come over anytime. "Oh, right," he uttered. "Sure, you can come over." Okay, one last time, and I'm really keeping my distance after that.

"You seem quite happy," Taehyung stated after about ten minutes of silence.

He giggled as he glanced his way. "I am. I can finally draw again and play video games and dance so why wouldn't I be?"

"You're right. It's good seeing you like this," Taehyung spoke in a soft tone and sighed insensibly afterwards.

"It doesn't sound like you mean it."

"No, I do. I want you to be happy, anyway."

Jeongguk absorbed his profile at his hushed voice, his brows curved upwards in slight puzzlement, but he didn't comment anything about it.

With the rest of the ride engulfed by strange silence, they slid out of the car and headed to the entrance.

"You didn't change much," Jeongguk contemplated as his eyes wandered around the house.

"Of course I did," he argued. "I put my favorite painting right there." He pointed at the wall where the item was located. "I arranged my books and put them on the bookshelf. I put these beautiful purple drapes over the couches. I thought you were observant."

Jeongguk couldn't help but giggle throughout his narration. "You're right, you're right. So, you like purple?" He seated himself on the couch and caressed the fabric of the drape; it was pleasantly feathery under his touch.

"Yes."

"I like purple too. And dark red." He tossed his head to the side where Taehyung was sitting, wanting to take a glimpse of his face, only to realize he was already staring at him.

The eye contact was galvanic and persistent — although Taehyung's eyes always captured him in full, he still wasn't used to his stare. It bewildered him, addled his senses, his feelings, his whole being. I can't understand why he's doing that. And why does he have to have so beautiful eyes? He dipped his head in haste as if someone called his name and squeezed his eyes shut in his effort to force out his thoughts.

"What did you think just now?"

"Nothing."

"Jeongguk, not this again."

"Exactly, not this again. Why do you care so much about what I'm thinking?"

"Because! Whenever I ask you about it you get all defensive and secretive."

"You really don't want to know what I'm thinking," he spat out through his clenched jaw.

"Try me," Taehyung challenged, decisive. "What are you thinking about?"