* Taehyung *

From that first chin-patting -day onward the ice had been broken between Jungkookie and me. He talked more freely and he started joking around with Jimin and me. Still, at first, whenever we accidentally touched during training, he seemed surprised and moved away. But over the time, he somewhat grew accustomed to it. So that when my hand touched his, he did not pull away. Also, whenever I felt the need to put one arm around his shoulders, he now silently accepted it, while still a month ago, he would have tried to liberate himself from my grip. 

Then there was this chin-patting thing. It had become some kind of secret code between him and me. Whenever I was proud of him, for being himself or for getting out of his comfort zone, I would show him how proud I was of him and I would comfort him by patting his chin. At first he did not react to it; he stayed frozen. But now, he smiled back at me.

I also noticed, that Jungkook was reducing more and more the physical space between us. Often during our promotions -  because we had officially been presented to the public as Bangtan Sonyeondan -, he would start the interview's standing next to Namjoon-hyung or Jin-hyung, but by the end of it he was standing at a short distance from me. And this short distance started growing smaller and smaller by the day. 

All of this was to Jimin's amusement. Jimin loved elbowing me, winking at me or just smiling dumbly at me whenever I noticed Kookie moving closer, until there was nearly no distance left between us. Sometimes I even caught myself waiting for Jungkook to move closer, and I felt unsatisfied when he did not.

In the evening, all seven of us usually practiced dancing together during one or two hours. This day was no different. We were dancing to the song 하루만 (Just one day) when I turned around and, I cannot explain how it happened, my hand and Jungkook's touched and our fingers intertwined. Given the lyrics of the song, I was wondering if some kind of god was playing with me and having a laugh at me right there, or if it was destiny. 

I was waiting for Jungkook's hand to let go of mine. But the feeling never came. That was when my eyes were searching for his. 

He was staring straight at me. His hair had grown longer and some hair strands fell into his eyes. He was breathing fast from exhaustion and some sweat drops had wetted his hair. 

I had to focus. But I couldn't. I felt my tongue moving over my lower lips, while taking in a deep breath. 

Finally, I pressed his hand hard one time before letting go. I had to concentrated on my movement to not touch him accidentally again. But also, during the rest of the practice, my hand felt somewhat empty and cold.

***

Later that evening, while Namjoon-hyung was reading, J-Hope and Yoongi-hyung were talking music, our maknae was playing some online game with Jin-hyung and Jimin. Even though I was in the bathroom, I could hear clearly Jin's windshield laugh and Jimin's angry screams at Jungkook. Our maknae was good at everything it seemed, even at online games and he obviously had beaten his hyungs once again. Jimin was still persuaded that he was cheating. I believe Jungkook is too ambitious and has too much pride to ever cheat.

I finished showering and went straight to bed. When I passed the music room with the computers, Jimin gave me a questionable look. I just shook my head, letting him know that I did not want to talk about it.

Because what should I talk about with him? I felt weird, ever since we had practiced that night. There was this look in Jungkook's eyes that I could not decipher and there was this feeling... this emptiness after letting go of his hand. 

I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up all the lights of the dorm were out. I could hear someone snore. There was also some hushed laughter coming from the music room. After listening closely for a while, I made out Jin and Jimin's voices.

That was when I noticed it. A light pressure on my left hand. Jungkook's bed was next to mine, and we usually slept head to head. Because of the darkness in the room I could not make out his face, but I felt his touch. His hand was holding mine. He must have stretched his arm to grab my hand. 

I was wondering if he was asleep. I listened but could only make out slow and soft breaths. Carefully, I pressed his hand once. I could feel his long and beautiful fingers between mine. 

No reaction. 

I pressed his hand once again. This time a little harder. I let out a deep sigh when I suddenly felt Jungkook's thumb gently caressing my palm. Our fingers linked, feeling from time to time the slight pressure and the soft caresses of his thumb on my palm, I was not able to fall asleep that night. 

Nevertheless, the feeling of emptiness was suddenly gone.