The days had become a mix of routine and anticipation for Jungkook. Each day after work, he would return to his apartment, half-expecting another gift to be waiting for him on his doorstep. It was a strange feeling, this quiet hope that stirred within him. The mystery behind these tokens, the carefully chosen items, the simple gestures had begun to carve a small place for themselves in his heart.

He had spent the past few nights lying awake, staring at the flower in its vase, wondering about the person who was behind all of this. He had even started to look for signs, for hints of who the giver might be. But his search had yielded nothing.

Yet, despite the silence, the gifts had a way of making him feel less alone. He found himself looking forward to coming home, to finding something new waiting for him.

______________________________________

Taehyung, in contrast, felt the weight of his decisions more heavily with each passing day. He had been working on the candles for the past week, lavender and strawberry-scented, the perfect combination of calm and sweetness. It had taken him longer than he'd expected, carefully pouring the wax into molds, adding the fragrance oils, and making sure the wicks were placed just right. The lavender, with its soothing aroma, reminded him of peaceful moments, while the strawberry scent added a touch of warmth and sweetness.

He didn't know why he had chosen candles this time. Maybe it was because they were something intimate, something he could make with his own hands. He wanted the gift to be something that would fill Jungkook's apartment with warmth, just as he hoped to fill the other man's heart with love.

But as Taehyung placed the candles into a carefully wrapped box, his nerves flared up again. What if Jungkook didn't like them? What if they weren't good enough?

Taking a deep breath, Taehyung stepped outside his apartment, carrying the box in his hands. He paused at the door for a moment, looking at the package. This time, there would be no note. No words. Just the scent, and the hope that Jungkook would understand.

______________________________________

Jungkook's day had been tiring, filled with meetings and client calls, and by the time he returned home, his thoughts were foggy. As he approached his apartment door, his heart skipped a beat when he saw the small package lying on the ground. He knelt down, picking it up carefully.

It was different this time. The box was more delicate, the wrapping more thoughtful. No flowers this time, just the promise of something new.

His hands trembled slightly as he untied the string that held the package together. The moment he opened the box, a soft, soothing fragrance wafted up to meet him. Lavender and strawberry. The scent was calming, enveloping him in a sense of comfort he hadn't realized he'd been craving.

Inside the box were two homemade candles, their smooth surfaces and gentle hues giving them an elegant, understated beauty. The lavender scent was calming, like the warm embrace of the evening sky, while the strawberry added a layer of sweetness, like a memory of simpler, happier times.

Jungkook couldn't help but inhale deeply, letting the scent fill his senses. It was such a simple thing, a gift, but it carried a weight of sincerity he couldn't ignore.

______________________________________

In his apartment, Taehyung sat on his couch, biting his lip nervously. He hadn't dared to check. He couldn't bear the idea of Jungkook rejecting the gift. Instead, he buried himself in his work, trying to focus on his homework and pushing his thoughts away from his neighbor.

But it was hard to escape the constant pull of curiosity. What was Jungkook doing right now? Was he using the candles? Was he thinking about him?

Taehyung glanced at the clock, then back at his desk. It was getting late. He tried to concentrate on his notes, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The weight of anticipation was almost too much to bear.

______________________________________

Jungkook couldn't shake the feeling of contentment that washed over him as he lit the candles later that night. He had placed them on his coffee table, the flickering flames casting a soft glow around the room. The lavender and strawberry scent lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere of peace and warmth.

He sat on his couch, the stillness of the apartment now comforting, instead of cold and empty. The candles weren't just a gift. They were a connection, an unspoken bond that anonymous person had woven between them.

Jungkook leaned back, closing his eyes, and let the scent of the candles fill his senses. After a long time, he felt at ease. There was no pressure, no expectations. Just a small, quiet gesture that spoke volumes.

______________________________________

Taehyung sat on his bed, his hands trembling as he scrolled through his phone. He couldn't stop himself from looking for some sign, some clue that Jungkook had received the candles. He wondered what Jungkook was doing with them.

Would he notice the subtle difference in the gifts this time? Would it bring him comfort, just as Taehyung had hoped?

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. A message from Jimin.

"How'd it go?"

Taehyung bit his lip, unsure of how to respond. He didn't know what to say. What if Jungkook didn't like the candles? What if he thought they were stupid?

He typed a quick response, pretending everything was fine.

"Good. I think he liked them."

But deep down, Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. Would the candles be enough to break the silence? Would they be the bridge that finally allowed him to speak to Jungkook?

______________________________________

Jungkook sat silently in his living room, the scent of the candles still lingering in the air. He glanced at the flickering flames, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't quite express.

It wasn't just the candles, or the flowers, or the gifts. It was the fact that someone, someone who seemed so completely different from him, was thinking of him.

Jungkook's heart ached with a longing he couldn't explain. For the first time in a long while, he felt as though something was reaching out to him, something soft and gentle, something that could break through his cold exterior.

He closed his eyes, allowing himself to sink into the comfort of the moment.