The moment he shut the door, the two sheepishly stood there, not knowing what to say or do to ease the taut air that had enshrouded them.

Jeongguk paced, rubbing his still rosy face and giving a few light smacks on his cheeks. "Okay, look," he breathed out as he stood still in front of him and waited until Taehyung set his gaze on him. "Let's forget everything that happened today, okay?"

"Shouldn't we talk about what happened, though?" he asked below his breath and nipped at his lower lip.

"We will." Jeongguk sighed as he held his face in a tender grip. "But at least let's forget everything Seungjo said. Don't pay attention to him." He scoped his demeanor as the older stayed mute; his eyes roamed around while he twiddled with the hem of his shirt. "What is it?"

His inquiry attracted Taehyung's restless eyes back to him, and he struggled to find the courage to ask what was on his mind. "Nothing." He tittered, shaking his head, and attempted to kiss him, but Jeongguk held him in place.

"Tell me," he whispered, brushing his cheeks with his thumbs.

"It's really stupid and—and you don't have to—"

The rest of his mumble was smothered by a sweet kiss on his lips. "Baby. Tell me."

A soft, shaky sigh emitted from his mouth as he hung his head and grasped his sweater. "Does, um, that mean what Seungjo-ssi said w-wasn't, um, t-true?"

"Which one?" Jeongguk dropped his hands to his sides, his heartbeat rising in fear of what he would say next as he instantly regretted urging the boy to talk.

"That you, uh, you have"—he swallowed thickly, unsure to the bone about opening his pitfall of embarrassment once again—"fallen f-for me."

And exactly what Jeongguk didn't want to hear was thrown into his face like a bucket of ice-cold water that rendered him frozen solid.

"Shit," Jeongguk hissed as he recoiled and started pacing again. "I'm not—I'm not answering that," he spat out with a harried chuckle, shaking his head on repeat.

"Okay," Taehyung said with a wide-eyed nod as he edged closer to the panic-stricken boy. It was the first time he saw him this frantic, and he was at a complete loss. "Kookie?" He didn't have a reaction to his call as if he never talked. "Kookie, please." He seized his hand, something that made the younger flinch and finally stay still. "It's okay," he uttered as he swathed his arm around him, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"You—You're not even my boyfriend," Jeongguk said, voice trembling, but his uneven breathing gradually stabilized at his palliative caresses and warmth. He dipped his face into his neck, his peachy scent crawling into his system and veiling his fretful nerves. "How can I feel so much about you when you're not even my boyfriend yet?" he mumbled, more to himself, as he couldn't understand his roaring feelings for him.

"Kookie, you said you'll wait until I'm r—"

"I know, baby, I'm sorry, of course I'll wait for you," he softly cut him off, leaving a trail of kisses on his neck.

"Yes, but I want to—"

"You don't have to apologize or explain yourself. I know you're not ready, and I respect that."

"But let me just—"

"Baby, it's oka—"

"I want to be your boyfriend! Will you let me talk now?" Taehyung eventually snapped at him, causing his jaw to fall open.

"Se—Seriously?" he asked, round-eyed, unable to believe what Taehyung just said.

"Yes," he whispered as he brought his hand to his astounded face, cupping it. "I w-want to be yours. I can't handle what I feel about you anymore. It's too much for me. I'm scared. I'm messed up. But I want you so much it's driving me crazy."

Jeongguk's whole body went numb at his words, those words he was gasping to hear, those words he needed to hear the most to feel complete, blissful. "Thank you, fuck, thank you so much for trusting me, baby." He pecked his lips multiple times as he ran his hand up and down his back. "You're making me so happy."

"You're making me more, Kookie." A hearty smile tugged at his lips as the younger covered his face with sugary kisses. "Let's talk some more about today, hmm?"

"Yes, and as we talk, can I take a look at your shoulder?"

When Taehyung nodded, he guided him to the bed and instructed him to sit before he grabbed his aid kit from his desk and sat next to him. "Do you mind if I take off your sweater?"

Although the older felt sheepish about being shirtless in front of him, he found himself shaking his head as he nibbled his lip.

Jeongguk grabbed the hem of his sweater and dragged it upwards, slipping it off his one arm, his head, and then his injured arm. He tried not to stare, but he caught a glimpse of his bruised right side and his eyes stuck there, big and filled with sadness. "Baby," he breathed out, wishing he had a magical way to take all his pain away and efface every hurtful bruise from his gorgeous, smooth skin.

"It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks," Taehyung said with an uneasy chuckle as he didn't want him to worry so much about him.

Jeongguk remained silent and directed his gaze to his kit, reaching for an ointment. "Lie down for me," he spoke in a velvety tone that didn't leave Taehyung any other choice than to comply. He placed a generous amount on his fingers and sat cross-legged in the bed. "Tell me if I hurt you."

He applied the least possible pressure as his fingers skimmed the big bruise, careful not to hurt him more, but his brows quirked the moment a near-silent giggle rang in his ears.

"I'm ticklish," Taehyung explained with another giggle, making the other chuckle as well.

"Maybe I was embarrassed as hell before, but Seungjo was right. I don't know how I'm able to resist you." He finished what he was doing and leaned above his smiley face. "You're the most adorable fluffy ball I've ever met in my life."

"Kookie!" He shut his eyes as a pile of laughter seeped through his lips, which were captured a few seconds later by Jeongguk in a gentle kiss.

"It's true, Taecute," he murmured between the kisses and their faint giggles. "Let me treat your shoulder now." With one last kiss, he helped the boy sit up in the bed and used a wet wipe to clean his hand.

He unwrapped the bloody bandage, his movements careful and light, and threw it in the garbage can. He returned soon enough and observed his wound through saddened eyes. "It'll take a while to heal. Did you disinfect it?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't wrap it up properly with only one hand."

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Jeongguk closed his eyes as he let his head fall.

"You couldn't do anything. Don't feel bad." He planted a kiss on his cheek, hoping to bring his smile back.

"I am sorry, though." He pulled a bandage out of his kit and started wrapping it around his shoulder with utterly delicate moves. "About today. I shouldn't have raised my voice at you. I was frustrated because I couldn't stand knowing that piece of shit hurt you like this and I couldn't do anything about it. I realized I'm pressuring you to move out, and I'm really sorry for that. You need someone to listen to your thoughts and support you, not someone to pressure you more. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner I was pressuring you." He finished bandaging his shoulder and grabbed his sweater.

"Thank you for this," Taehyung mumbled as he helped him wear his sweater again. "And thank you for trying to understand me. I really need that right now."

"I know, baby. I'm here to listen to you." He pushed a tuft of hair behind his ear and attached his lips to his forehead. "You wanna lie down?"

"Yes." With Taehyung's affirmation, they hived in the bed, facing each other.

Their legs were tangled together as Jeongguk enclosed his waist with his arm. "Tell me how you feel about moving out."

"It's scary, Kookie," he said in a hushed tone, unease swirling in his eyes, but he maintained eye contact. "Jongwon won't leave me alone if I just move out. I think... he prefers to kill me than leaving me alone."

"Why? He doesn't care about you. Why does he want you then?"

"I'm his punching bag, his maid, someone he can beat down so he can feel powerful, that's why. And because I'm gay and he's homophobic. At least that's what I think. It can't be another reason."

"I'm gonna beat the shit out of him one day," Jeongguk gritted out and sighed, caressing his back delicately.

"Please do, but don't get hurt."

"Don't worry about me. I can take it. When are your parents coming?"

"I don't know for sure. I haven't heard from them for a few days now. But probably next week."

"You know, I've been thinking." Jeongguk lowered his gaze, which became agitated as he didn't want to scare the boy with what he was about to say. "It's just a thought, so don't freak out. How about moving in here for a while after talking with your parents?" He observed as Taehyung's eyes enlarged and rashly continued. "Just so I can protect you if Jongwon wants to hurt you. I'm not asking to move in together. I'm proposing this so I can protect you."

"Je—Jeongguk, that's too much. What would your parents say?"

"My parents love you if you didn't notice," he said with a chuckle and pecked his cute nose, something that had Taehyung squeaking. "Look, you can just think about it. You should know, though, that I would love to have you here with me, and I'm sure my parents would love that too."

"We'll see. Thank you, though. You're so sweet and nice to me."

"Now that you're my boyfriend, I'll be ten times sweeter with you."

"I don't think that's possible," Taehyung said, a fond smile stretching on his face as he rubbed their noses together.

"Just wait and see, my pretty baby." His lips ghosted over his, stealing a few soft kisses and smiling in between.

The tender eye contact didn't break for a while, their bodies connecting in a way they could feel their pounding hearts link as well. Even if they couldn't realize it themselves, their chock-full with affection eyes conveyed more emotions than words ever could.

"It has been too long since I've felt this way~" Taehyung started singing, his voice subdued and feathery. "But when I think again, I've never felt like this~" He cupped his now rosy cheek, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at his smiley face.

"My days seem brighter as if my world has changed~" He swiped a tender thumb over the crown of his cheek, feeling a storm of overwhelming emotions roil in his insides. "And all I do is wonder who to thank for such bliss~" He perceived the younger sinking his teeth into his bottom lip as he shut his eyes, instantly a few teardrops flowing down his face.

"Don't—Don't cry a-again, Kookie," he drawled, barely audible, as he felt his eyes mist over at the sight. He caught every tear that escaped his closed eyes, delicately wiping it and drawing a few sugary kisses all over his angelic face.

"Sorry, it's just—it's so touching." Jeongguk took a few deep puffs of air, trying to dissipate the sensitivity that overruled him.

"You like it so much when I sing to you?"

"I love it, baby. It warms my heart so much." He peeled his eyes open and laid them on him, claiming his lips in a sweet kiss. "Please continue and don't pay attention to me. I just want to hear your beautiful voice."

Taehyung beamed at him, pecking his lips a few more times, and then resumed singing as he wanted him to.

By the time he finished, they were both a crying but smiling mess, overwhelmed to the max by the sentimental, heartfelt moment they shared.

A lot of things happened that day, things that lingered in their minds even when they got ready to sleep in each other's embrace.

But in the end, only one prevailed over everything; had Jeongguk really fallen for the boy? And if he had, did Taehyung feel the same?

⚜✳⚜

Who do you think is gonna say the three words first?😊