The café had never felt so quiet. Taehyung stood behind the counter, absently wiping down the already-clean surface. The usual bustle of customers came and went, but his mind was elsewhere. No matter how hard he tried to focus, his thoughts kept circling back to the kiss under the moonlight.

The memory of Jungkook's lips on his lingered, warm and electrifying. Taehyung's cheeks flushed as he replayed the moment in his head for what felt like the hundredth time. He couldn't deny that the kiss had stirred something deep within him, something unfamiliar and confusing. But it also scared him.

The intensity of Jungkook's gaze, the way his touch lingered as if he were holding something precious, it was all too much. Taehyung wasn't sure if he was ready for whatever this was. His life had always been simple, and he liked it that way. He wasn't sure he could handle the storm that seemed to follow Jungkook wherever he went.

For the next few days, Taehyung found himself avoiding Jungkook. He told himself it wasn't intentional, he was just busy with the café, or too tired to engage in conversation. But deep down, he knew he was running.

Jungkook noticed.

The first day Taehyung avoided him, Jungkook brushed it off. Maybe he was just tired. The second day, Jungkook grew suspicious. By the third, he was certain something was wrong.

Jungkook sat in his usual spot by the window, his sketchbook open in front of him. But instead of sketching, he was watching Taehyung, his sharp eyes tracking every movement. Taehyung kept his head down, busying himself with tasks that didn't need to be done. He didn't come over to greet Jungkook like he usually did, didn't flash him that warm, angelic smile that Jungkook had grown so fond of.

It was driving Jungkook mad.

By the fourth day, Jungkook had had enough.

When the café was quieter in the late afternoon, Jungkook waited until Taehyung retreated to the back to organize supplies. He followed silently, his footsteps soft against the wooden floor.

"Taehyung," he said, his deep voice cutting through the stillness.

Taehyung jumped, nearly dropping the bag of coffee beans in his hands. He turned to find Jungkook standing in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on him.

"Oh, Jungkook," Taehyung stammered, his heart racing. "I didn't hear you come in."

"That's because you've been avoiding me," Jungkook said bluntly, his tone calm but with an edge of frustration.

Taehyung opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat. Jungkook stepped closer, his tall frame looming in the small storage room.

"Why?" Jungkook asked, his voice softening but his gaze unwavering. "Did I do something to upset you?"

Taehyung shook his head quickly. "No, it's not that," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I've been busy."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Busy avoiding me," he said, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Taehyung looked away, unable to meet Jungkook's gaze. He fidgeted with the hem of his apron, his mind racing for an explanation. "It's not that simple," he said finally, his voice trembling.

"Then explain it to me," Jungkook said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Because I don't understand."

Taehyung hesitated, his chest tightening. How could he explain what he was feeling when he didn't even understand it himself?

"It's just... overwhelming," Taehyung admitted, his voice barely audible. "You're overwhelming, Jungkook. I don't know how to handle all of this."

Jungkook's expression softened, the frustration in his eyes replaced by something gentler. He stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, as if afraid of scaring Taehyung away.

"I didn't mean to overwhelm you," Jungkook said, his voice low and sincere. "But I can't help how I feel."

Taehyung looked up at him, his wide eyes filled with uncertainty. "And how do you feel?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Jungkook reached out, his hand brushing against Taehyung's. "I care about you, Taehyung," he said simply. "More than I've cared about anyone in a long time."

Taehyung's breath caught in his throat. He wanted to believe Jungkook's words, wanted to trust the sincerity in his eyes. But the intensity of it all scared him. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the whirlwind that Jungkook seemed to bring with him.

"I need time," Taehyung said finally, his voice shaking. "I need to figure out how I feel."

Jungkook nodded slowly, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his frustration. "I'll give you time," he said, his voice steady. "But don't push me away completely, Taehyung. I don't want to lose this before it even has a chance to begin."

Taehyung swallowed hard, his chest tightening. He didn't know what to say, so he simply nodded, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Jungkook stepped back, giving Taehyung the space he so desperately needed. But as he walked away, his mind was already racing with ways to bring Taehyung closer.

That night, Taehyung lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, his thoughts oscillating between the kiss and Jungkook's words.

He missed the artist's presence, missed the way Jungkook made him feel seen and cherished. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the fear of getting too close, of losing himself in the intensity of it all.

______________________________________

The next morning, Taehyung tried to go about his day as usual, but the café felt emptier without Jungkook. He found himself glancing at the window table, half-expecting to see the artist sitting there with his sketchbook. When the door chimed and Jungkook didn't walk in, a pang of disappointment settled in his chest.

By the time the café closed, Taehyung was exhausted, not from work, but from the emotional turmoil that had consumed him all day. He locked up and headed home, the cool night air doing little to calm his racing thoughts.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was anything but calm. He paced the floor of his temporary studio, his mind fixated on Taehyung. He wasn't used to feeling this way, so uncertain, so out of control.

Taehyung had managed to break through the walls Jungkook had spent years building around himself, and now the thought of losing him was unbearable. But Jungkook wasn't one to give up easily.

If Taehyung needed time, Jungkook would give it to him. But he wasn't going to sit idly by and wait. He would find a way to show Taehyung that what they had was worth fighting for, even if it meant being patient in a way he never had before.

As he sat down at his easel, Jungkook's resolve hardened. He picked up his brush and began to paint, pouring all of his emotions into the canvas. If words couldn't reach Taehyung, then maybe his art could.

And as the image of Taehyung began to take shape under his skilled hands, Jungkook couldn't help but hope that the innocent barista would one day see himself the way Jungkook saw him, beautiful, kind, and worth every risk.

______________________________________

Don't forget to vote, comment and share!!!