🥀 70. Heart to Heart

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The sun had dipped just low enough in the sky, casting a soft golden glow over the manor's backyard.

Jungkook and Taehyung were lounging in the greenery, mostly because the manor was feeling a bit stifling and Taehyung wanted to stretch his legs after being inside all day. The quiet garden with its well-tended flowers and the distant bird's chirping, made it feel like they were in a world of their own.

Jungkook was leaning on the wrought-iron fence, absentmindedly twirling a flower in her fingers, her back slightly arched as she gazed into the distance. Her face was relaxed in the soft light and held an almost ethereal beauty.

Jungkook had never been one for silence, yet in moments like this, with Taehyung nearby, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes were half-lidded, tracing the delicate patterns the stars made across the sky.

Taehyung was standing beside her, his arms folded as he looked out at the horizon. Soon, his attention shifted to her. The soft light of the fading sun highlighted the curve of her cheek and the delicate features that had come to comfort him over time.

It was then that he noticed the scar.

A faint mark just beneath her left cheekbone, barely noticeable unless one was looking closely. His curiosity piqued, and he turned slightly toward her.

"How did you got this?" Taehyung's voice was low but the curiosity was unmistakable.

Jungkook froze for a moment, her hand faltering with the flower she was twirling. She glanced at Taehyung. An awkward chuckle escaped her lips and she quickly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, a small smile forming.

"Oh," Jungkook began, her voice slightly higher than usual as her cheeks flushed, "that? It's from... a silly stunt I pulled back when I was a teenager."

Taehyung's brow furrowed slightly, though his expression remained composed. "A stunt?"

Jungkook bit her lower lip, her fingers nervously twisting the flower's stem, and she shifted her gaze to the ground, the flush on her cheeks deepening.

"Yeah," she began hesitantly, her voice quieter than usual, "I was trying to prove I could climb the tallest tree in the field... and, well, let's just say it didn't go as planned."

Taehyung's brow arched slightly, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes. "The tallest tree? Why?"

Jungkook sighed, her shoulders hunching slightly. "There was this kid in the colony—he was always bragging about how he could climb any tree. I got tired of hearing it and said I could climb one taller." She glanced at him quickly, the embarrassment evident in her expression.

"So, I went for the old oak tree near the river. It's massive and... probably not the best choice for a beginner."

Taehyung's lips twitched slightly, though he stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

"I got halfway up," Jungkook said, the memory making her cringe visibly, "and everything was fine. But then I slipped on one of the branches—it had rained the night before, and it was so slippery!"

Jungkook awkwardly scratched a side of her forehead in embarrassment.

"I was dangling there, holding on for dear life and the bark was so rough it scratched up my face pretty bad. I thought for sure I was going to fall."

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, his gaze softening. "Did anyone help you?"

"No. That would've been less embarrassing. Instead, the kid I was trying to impress started yelling that I needed to let go and just jump into the river below." Jungkook glanced up at Taehyung, her cheeks now a deep pink. "And I actually did it."

"You jumped?" Taehyung asked in shock.

"I didn't have a choice!" Jungkook exclaimed, gesturing with the flower as if it emphasized her point. "It was either that or risk falling onto the rocks. So, I let go, flailing like an idiot, and hit the water."

Jungkook winced at the memory.

"I got this scar from the tree bark, and I was bruised for a week. All for some stupid dare."

Taehyung's lips finally curved into a faint smile, the edges of his stoicism softening. "Sounds reckless."

Jungkook let out a dramatic groan, hiding her face in her hands. "It was reckless. And painful. And humiliating. The kid wouldn't stop laughing the entire time I was dragging myself out of the water."

Taehyung shook his head lightly. "At least you kept your word. You climbed it."

Jungkook turned toward him, her eyes sparkling. "I was right, wasn't I, Mr. Kim?" she asked, her lips puffing out slightly as she waited for his response.

Taehyung gave a small nod. "You were."

Her pout transformed into a triumphant grin, and she twirled the flower between her fingers with a little flourish.

"See? Even you agree. That stupid kiddo teased me so much even though I completed the dare!" Jungkook huffed, her voice tinged with frustration as she stomped her foot lightly on the grass.

"He kept calling me 'Tree Jumper' for months. Every time I saw him, he'd shout it from across the street like it was the funniest thing in the world. I had to avoid the market just to keep my sanity."

Taehyung hummed thoughtfully, his eyes softening further. "You seem to have a knack for getting yourself into trouble."

Jungkook's jaw dropped slightly in offense, her eyes widening as she jabbed the flower toward him like a sword.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Mr. Kim!"

Taehyung's lips curved into the faint smile, his gaze softening further at the way she addressed him. "I am," he replied simply "I agreed you were right, didn't I?"

Jungkook blinked at him, her pout melting into a soft giggle that escaped before she could stop it. She shook her head, unable to stay annoyed, her laughter was light and melodious in the still garden.

"Still feels like you're siding with the universe," Jungkook muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone was defeated but laced with affection.

Taehyung turned his head slightly to look at her more closely, the golden light casting a warm glow over her flushed cheeks. As she fiddled with the flower in her hand, something caught his attention—a lone eyelash resting delicately on her cheek, just below her eye.

Without thinking, he moved closer, his eyes locked on the lash as it rested innocently on her cheek. His fingers twitched, the instinct to reach out and brush it away strong, but he held back, aware of the unspoken distance between them that the recent magic had created.

"You've got something there," he said softly, his voice dipping lower.

Jungkook turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting his, and their eyes held each other in a silent exchange. Her heart skipped a beat at his soft tone, her brow furrowing slightly as her free hand reached up instinctively to her face.

"Where?"

Taehyung's gaze flickered down to her face, his focus lingering on her soft skin. The tenderness in his expression deepened as he reached out slowly. His palm hovered just below her cheek. His breath was even as he kept his movements gentle, ensuring he didn't overstep.

Jungkook's breath caught in her throat as she felt the air shift around her, his closeness sending a shiver down her spine. She didn't pull away, though. Instead, she stayed still, feeling the moment between them, their quiet connection that had grown through the turmoil of their past days.

With a deep breath, he blew softly over her cheek, a gust of air so light that it barely disturbed the air around them, but it made the stray lash tremble.

Jungkook's breath hitched as she felt his breath against her skin, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief second. She could feel her heart beating faster, a warmth spreading from her cheeks to her chest, but she stayed still, letting the moment stretch out.

The lash drifted slowly, the tiny black strand trembling slightly as it settled on Taehyung's open palm. He looked down at it, and their eyes met again.

Without a word, Taehyung gently held the tiny lash between his fingers and let it fall into her palm.

"Make a wish," Taehyung said, his voice low, warm like the fading sun, his gaze fixed on her as he awaited her response.

Jungkook blinked, her heart fluttering at the simple yet intimate gesture.

"You believe in that sort of thing?" she asked, her voice light and teasing.

Taehyung's gaze lingered on her, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips, but his eyes were serious, filled with an emotion that made Jungkook's breath catch. He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping to a tender murmur.

"I never used to," he admitted.

"Wishes felt like whispers in the wind—fragile, fleeting, and always out of reach." He paused, his eyes tracing her face.

"But then a miracle came into my life. And suddenly, even the impossible didn't feel so far away anymore."

The golden light of the setting sun reflected in his gaze, but it was the warmth in his tone that enveloped her completely.

"You make me believe," he continued. "In wishes, in miracles, in everything I thought I'd lost."

Jungkook stared at him, her cheeks flushing as his words settled into her heart, filling spaces she hadn't realized were empty. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe, his gaze made her feel unshakable and eternal.

Then, as if snapping herself out of a trance, Jungkook puffed up her cheeks and waved the flower at him, pointing it accusingly.

"Kim Taehyung!" Jungkook blurted. "You can't just say things like that out of nowhere! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Taehyung blinked, his expression calm but his eyes betraying amusement. "I thought I was being honest," he said simply, tilting his head.

"Honest?" Jungkook squeaked, throwing her hands in the air. "That's not honesty—it's... it's... unfair is what it is!" She jabbed the flower toward him again, her lips forming a slight pout. "Who even talks like that? You sound like you stepped straight out of a romance novel!"

Taehyung's lips quirked upward, a smirk forming. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Yes! No! I mean—" Jungkook huffed, her cheeks blazing as she buried her face in her hands. "Shut up!"

Taehyung's smirk deepened at her flustered reaction, but before he could say anything more, Jungkook straightened up, her cheeks still tinted a rosy pink. She held up her hand, palm flat with the eyelash still resting delicately on it, and shot him a stern look.

"Keep quiet, Mr. Kim," Jungkook declared. "I'm making a wish."

Taehyung's eyebrows raised slightly but he obeyed, his lips pressing together as he nodded solemnly.

Jungkook turned her attention back to her palm, her expression softening as she focused on the tiny lash. The world around her blur into the background—the sunset, the garden's flowers—all fading as she closed her eyes.

She drew in a deep breath, her fingers curling slightly as if cradling the fragile wish in her hand. For a moment, Taehyung could only watch her in silence, his own heart inexplicably steady as if tethered to the serene determination etched across her face.

A breeze stirred, rustling the leaves around them but neither of them moved. They stood there, side by side, their bodies close but not touching, their hearts both heavy and light at once, tied together by something deeper than the magic that had bound them.

When Jungkook exhaled softly, she opened her eyes and blew gently on her palm, sending the eyelash floating into the air. It twirled gracefully, catching the golden sunlight, before vanishing into the horizon. A content smile tugged at her lips, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt still and serene.

But as she turned back, her breath hitched. Taehyung was standing just a step away, his tall frame illuminated by the warm hues of the setting sun. His presence was so close, it made her gasp softly.

"Is it fulfilled?" he asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.

Jungkook blinked at him, her lips parting slightly in confusion. "What?" she asked, tilting her head, her heart racing a little faster now.

"Your wish," Taehyung said.

"I... what do you mean?" Jungkook stammered, trying to play it off, but the way he was watching her—so intent, so gentle—made her nerves flutter.

Taehyung's gaze didn't waver. He stepped slightly closer, his hands clasped behind his back, and the space between them hum with unspoken words.

"You wanted me to be in front of you always," he said quietly, his words hanging between them like a delicate thread.

"Happy, safe, and healthy. Right?" He spoke after a pause. "I am."

Jungkook's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to grasp the depth of Taehyung's words. He had known—he had somehow understood her wish, even though she hadn't uttered it aloud.

The wish for him.

For Taehyung to always be in front of her—happy, safe and healthy. It was a simple yet deep desire, one she hadn't realized carried so much weight until this moment.

How could he possibly know?

"How did you—"

Taehyung's expression softened, his gaze gentle, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

"Don't you always say," Taehyung spoke, his voice low and tender, "that we have a different connection. A heart-to-heart one. The kind that doesn't need words. Don't you believe it?"

Jungkook's breath faltered again, her heart beating wildly against her chest.

"I... I don't know...you...used magic?" Jungkook whispered, still in disbelief.

Taehyung's lips curved into a soft smile.

"It's not magic, Jungkook," he murmured, his voice like a caress,

"It's just us. In the quiet moments, in the stillness, when we're together... I can feel it. And I know you can, too."

Jungkook's heart swelled at his words. She had never believed in fate before, never thought of life as something that could align in such a perfect, unspoken way. But in that moment, standing there with Taehyung's gaze locked with hers, she realized that everything they had shared—every quiet glance, every unspoken word—had led them here, to this beautiful, intimate understanding.

His words made her heart ache in the sweetest way, and she bit her lip to stop the smile threatening to spill over.

"You're strange," Jungkook said finally, attempting to sound annoyed but only managing to sound flustered instead.

Taehyung gave a soft hum, his expression unreadable but his tone warm. "And you're blushing again, Mrs. Kim."

"Stop noticing everything!"

But even as Jungkook scolded him, her heart swelled with a happiness she didn't quite know how to put into words. Because standing there in the golden light, with him so close, she realized her wish was already finding its way into reality.

Taehyung stood still for a moment, his gaze soft as it settled on Jungkook. His lips curved into a subtle smile, one that reached his eyes.

Without a word, he stepped back slightly, offering his hand in a gesture as natural as breathing. Jungkook blinked, surprised by the invitation, but there was something in his gaze—something soft and inviting—that made her hesitate for only a heartbeat before she placed her hand in the air.

Her fingers trembled slightly as they hovered near his, but Taehyung's eyes never wavered. It wasn't about touching; it was about being close, being present in this moment together.

And they both understood that.

Taehyung's voice was barely more than a murmur as he spoke.

"Shall we dance, Mrs. Kim?"

Jungkook felt her breath catch at the sound, the deep tenderness in his tone wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

With a shy nod, Jungkook stepped into the space between them, close enough to feel his presence, but not quite close enough to touch. She met his eyes, the world outside their bubble fading away.

Without music, without sound, Taehyung began to move, guiding them both in a dance of silent rhythm.

Jungkook followed his lead, the direction flowing naturally between them, her body attuned to his unspoken direction. They were in sync, their gazes locked, and though the curse kept them apart, it didn't stop the closeness they shared.

It didn't stop the way their hearts beat in time.

Jungkook focused on the space just a few inches between them, her hands gently held in front of her as if she could feel the brush of his fingertips, even if they never quite made contact.

Every now and then, Taehyung's gaze would flicker to hers, a silent question in his eyes, and Jungkook would respond with a soft smile, her cheeks warming with the unspoken affection between them.

They danced like this, without a word, without the need for touch, just two hearts moving in perfect harmony. The garden around them hold its breath, the world pausing to witness the simple, beautiful intimacy between them.

The bond they had built over time—an invisible thread tying them together, stronger than any curse could ever be.

Taehyung raised his gaze, lifting his hand slightly above Jungkook's head and a silent understanding passed. Jungkook's eyes followed his movement, and without a word, she raised her hand toward him, her fingers stretching just shy of his grasp.

Taehyung rotated his wrist, the movement guiding her into a gentle spin. Jungkook responded instinctively, her feet lifting slightly as she twirled, her dress fluttering out like a wave of soft silk. The material brushed against Taehyung's frame, a delicate touch that made him pause.

The comforting scent of lavender and fresh blooms reached Taehyung's senses.

Jungkook continued to twirl, the fabric of her gown catching the last threads of sunlight as it spun in the breeze.

Finally, the dance slowed, Jungkook stopped, facing Taehyung with a soft smile. Her movements had come to a natural end and she stood still, her heart fluttering from the connection they had shared.

Taehyung remained where he was, his gaze never leaving her, a softness in his eyes that reflected the tenderness in the air. He took a small step closer, his posture remained relaxed.

Without breaking their gaze, Taehyung leaned in slightly, his body moving toward her in a slow motion. He stopped just before her, his breath warm against her skin, and in that space, she could feel his presence like a fiction against her soul.

The distance between them was still there, but it was filled with something far more powerful. Her eyes fluttered closed, the anticipation filling the air, and then—

His lips pretended to brush against her forehead.

Her breath caught, a quiet gasp escaping her lips as she opened her eyes. The kiss remained in the air between them, though their skin never touched.

Even without the physical contact they both longed for, Jungkook could feel his affection, the care that cocooned her in that single moment.

Jungkook's hands trembling slightly at her sides, and she blinked up at him. But the fluttering feeling didn't stop—if anything, it grew, turning into a soft ache in her heart.

Her lip quivered, and before she could hold it back, a soft sob bubbled up from within her. It was quiet at first, a small, breathy sound, but it quickly grew as she blinked rapidly to fight the tears threatening to spill. Her chest tightened with emotion—this connection, this unspoken bond between them, was too much to bear. She had never felt so deeply understood, so cherished in a way that words couldn't capture.

"Taehyung..." Her voice broke on his name, the syllables trembling like a fragile whisper.

Jungkook wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, though the tears kept coming. They were no longer sad tears, but the kind that came from a heart full of something unexplainable—joy, love, gratitude. Her breath hitched with each soft sob, and despite her best efforts to hold it in, she couldn't stop.

Taehyung stood still, watching her with soft eyes. He didn't say anything, just stood in front of her, letting her take her moment to process the feelings that had erupted inside her.

Jungkook's sobs quieted, but she couldn't stop the small hiccups in her breathing. She looked up at him through her tears, her voice trembling, "this curse is so ridiculous!"

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking upward, but he remained silent, letting her vent.

"I mean, really—really?" Jungkook continued, her tone laced with annoyance. "You get to stand right in front of me, looking all perfect and I can't even hug you properly, touch your hand, or—kiss—you? I'm sick of this curse, Mr. Kim! It's so unfair!"

Jungkook threw her hands up, then quickly rubbed at her face again, shaking her head, her bottom lip poking out further.

"Why did it have to be us? Why can't I just hold your hand for one second? Why do I have to feel like I'm missing something every time I see you?"

Taehyung chuckled softly. "You've been very dramatic about this, Mrs. Kim," he teased, but there was no mockery in his voice—just a gentle understanding.

Jungkook huffed again, her arms still crossed as she pouted, her bottom lip jutting out even more.

"I'm serious! I miss you so much. And I want to hug you, okay?"

She turned her back to him in exaggerated frustration, then muttered, more to herself than to him, "This curse is the worst."

She paused, then whispered under her breath, her voice filled with a sweet, helpless frustration, "I just want you close. Like, really close. But noooo... stupid curse."

Taehyung took a quiet step forward, his gaze softening, though he didn't move to touch her. "I know, Jungkook." His voice was soft, gentle. "I miss it too."

Her shoulders slumped in a sigh, and she slowly turned back around to face him, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of playful defiance and vulnerability. "I swear, if I could just get rid of this curse—poof—I'd be all over you in a second."

And despite her little act of frustration, Taehyung could see the love and longing in her eyes, even if they couldn't touch, even if they couldn't hold each other just yet.

Jungkook sighed dramatically again, her hands falling to her sides as she gave him a playful glare. "I'll just have to settle for this," she said, rolling her eyes. "But I'm telling you right now: Once this curse gets broken, I'm hugging you so hard, you won't know what hit you."

Taehyung smiled, his eyes sparkling with tenderness. "I look forward to that moment, Mrs. Kim. I truly do."

"Good," Jungkook muttered under her breath, though the corner of her lips curled up despite herself.

Her expression softened, her gaze lingering on him, and though there was still that longing ache in her heart, she found comfort in his gaze and the connection they shared—even if it couldn't be expressed physically just yet.

A few minutes later, the two of them lay on the soft, grassy earth, surrounded by the wildflowers that dotted the meadow.

Taehyung was stretched out on his back, one arm resting beneath his head, the other gently placed on his stomach. His eyes were half-closed, savoring the moment, but his attention was entirely on Jungkook beside him.

Jungkook lay on her stomach, her body inclined toward Taehyung but careful not to touch him. Her chin rested on her hands, her gaze drifting between the grass and the flowers beneath her, though her thoughts seemed to stay on him.

It was a peaceful, tender quiet, one where words weren't needed to communicate the bond they shared. The very air felt thick with the unspoken emotions between them—love, longing and hope.

Jungkook's smile lit up the quiet meadow as she turned her attention to Taehyung, who lay serenely beside her.

The wildflowers around them seemed too beautiful to ignore, and a sudden mischievous idea struck her.

Plucking a few delicate flowers, Jungkook sat up slightly, leaning over him carefully. "You're missing something, Mr. Kim," she murmured, holding the first flower just above his hair.

Taehyung's dark eyes shifted to her, one brow lifting in silent question. "Am I?"

"Mm-hmm." Jungkook nodded, biting back a grin as she delicately placed the flower in his dark locks. The soft petals brushed against his forehead as she worked, but almost immediately, the flower slipped, tumbling down to his temple.

Jungkook clicked her tongue, pouting slightly. "Stay still," she whispered, as if it were the flower's fault rather than her unsteady placement.

"I wasn't moving," Taehyung replied dryly.

Undeterred, Jungkook tried again, this time tucking the flower just above his ear. For a fleeting moment, it seemed to stay in place—until it didn't, sliding down to rest on the grass beside him.

"Yah, why are you so stubborn?" Jungkook muttered under her breath, half at Taehyung, half at the flower. Her pout deepened, and without thinking, she reached up to her own hair, plucking out the small clip she'd been using to hold back her strands.

Jungkook's lips quirked as she nudged Taehyung gently with a twig, "Sit up, Mr. Kim. I need to fix your royal look properly."

Taehyung glanced at her, one eyebrow raised, but complied without a word, shifting from his relaxed position to sit upright. His dark eyes remained fixed on her, curious about what she intended to do next.

Jungkook knelt before him, her knees pressing lightly into the soft earth, the wildflowers brushing against her legs as she adjusted her position. Her hands hovered carefully in the air, mindful not to touch him.

The distance between them felt intimate despite the curse keeping them apart.

"Hold still, okiee " Jungkook murmured softly, her focus entirely on him.

Her brow furrowed in concentration as she adjusted the flower in his hair, ensuring it was perfectly centered. The clip gleamed faintly in the sunlight, keeping the bloom secure against his dark locks.

The slight breeze teased a strand of his hair out of place, and the wife leaned closer, her breath catching as his musky scent mixed with the earthy aroma of the meadow. Though her fingers never grazed his skin, the proximity made her heartbeat quicken, her chest tightening with an ache she couldn't quite describe.

"There," Jungkook whispered, pulling back just enough to admire her handiwork. A satisfied smile curved her lips as she tilted her head to take him in.

"Perfect."

Taehyung blinked at her, his face still as serious as ever, though the sight of him with a small pink flower perched in his dark hair was almost comically endearing.

"Perfect?" he echoed, the quirk of his lips betraying his amusement.

"Absolutely." Jungkook nodded, her eyes sparkling with playful delight, "Now you're officially a garden prince."

Taehyung's expression remained composed, though there was a flicker of something softer in his gaze—something that made her feel like he saw her far more clearly than anyone else ever had.

"Though I have to say, for someone who's supposed to be intimidating, you look ridiculously adorable right now."

Taehyung's lips curved slightly, an almost-smile that felt like a rare and precious gift. "Only you would dare say something like that to me, Mrs Kim."

Jungkook giggled, her cheeks warming at the sound of her name on his lips. "Someone has to keep you grounded, Mr. Kim. Otherwise, you'd be too perfect and untouchable."

His gaze lingered on her, unspoken emotions swirling in his dark eyes. "Untouchable," he echoed softly, the word carrying a bittersweet weight.

Jungkook's smile faltered for just a moment as the reality of the curse crept back into her thoughts. But she quickly masked it with a bright grin, nudging his shoulder with a twig.

"Well, even if you are untouchable, you're still mine. And now, you look the part too."

The corners of Taehyung's mouth lifted slightly, and though he didn't say anything, the warmth in his gaze spoke volumes.

For a moment, they simply sat there, both crowned in flowers, the meadow around them glowing with life and sunlight. Jungkook twirled the twig in her fingers, occasionally poking Taehyung's arm or shoulder just to see the faintest twitch of his lips that hinted at a smile.

"You look ridiculous, by the way," she teased, unable to stop herself from giggling. "A whole CEO of the Kim Corporation, sitting here with flowers in his hair."

"And yet," he replied smoothly, his deep voice carrying a gentle warmth, "I'd sit here with a thousand crowns if it made you smile like that."

Jungkook froze for a moment, her cheeks heating up at his words, but she quickly masked her shyness by glancing down at the twig in her hands, twirling it nervously as her heart raced.

"You always say things like that..." she murmured, her voice quieter now.

"Because I mean them," Taehyung replied simply, his tone softer but no less firm. "You're the only one who sees me like this. Like... just Taehyung. Not the CEO. Not the heir. Just a man sitting here in flowers."

Jungkook lifted her gaze to him, her expression softening as her teasing melted away. "That's because you are just Taehyung. To me, anyway. And..." She hesitated, her fingers brushing the grass beside her as if grounding herself. "And I like it that way."

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, more genuine than before. Taehyung shifted, his hands moving to the grass on either side of Jungkook's waist, caging her in with his presence. His movements were slow, giving her every opportunity to stop him, though neither of them seemed inclined to break the moment.

Jungkook's breath hitched, her wide eyes locking with his as he leaned closer. Instinctively, she began to retreat, her elbows bending as she pushed herself back. The soft tickle of the grass met her back, and with a quiet gasp, she realized she had nowhere else to go.

Taehyung was above her now, his broad frame creating a shadow over her. His face was so close, close enough that she could see the faintest flecks of amber in his charcoal eyes. He held himself, his weight balanced on his hands pressed into the grass beside her shoulders but it was the intensity of his gaze that made her heart pound.

Jungkook's hands remained beside her head, her fingers nervously plucking at the soft blades of grass beneath them. She tried to focus on anything but him—on the way the wildflowers swayed in the breeze, on the soft crunch of the grass between her fingers—but it was impossible to ignore the closeness.

Jungkook bit her lip, her cheeks flushed as she dared to meet his gaze again. "W-What are you doing?"

"Just admiring," he replied softly, his eyes scanning her face with a tenderness that made her heart ache. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

Her fingers froze in their nervous plucking, and she let out a small huff. "You say things like that too much."

"I don't think I say them enough," he countered, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly.

Jungkook felt her chest tighten, a warmth spreading through her as she averted her gaze, staring instead at the grass she had been tearing apart. "You're too close," she whispered, though there was no conviction in her tone.

"Am I?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Her breath caught, and her hands fisted in the grass. "Y-Yes."

He chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich, before pulling back slightly, enough to give her space but not enough to break the spell of the moment. "I'll stop if you want me to."

Jungkook hesitated, her eyes darting back to his, and she saw the sincerity in them. "I..." She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want you to."

Taehyung's expression softened, his lips curving into a gentle smile. "Good," he said simply.

As they remained in their intimate embrace, Jungkook's fingers absently played with one of Taehyung's shirt buttons. After one week of navigating the boundaries of the curse, they'd learned to work around it— brushing against each other's clothing instead of skin was allowed.

They don't get sparks when their clothes brushed against each other.

It wasn't perfect, but it was something.

Jungkook's gaze flickered between Taehyung's steady eyes and the sky beyond his shoulder, a playful thought bubbling to the surface. She bit her lip to suppress a giggle, but it escaped anyway, breaking the quietness.

"What's so funny?" Taehyung asked, tilting his head slightly.

Jungkook exhaled dramatically, her lips quirking into a teasing smile.

"You know, this curse was obviously designed to keep us at arm's length. And yet, look at us." She gestured vaguely to their current position—him lying half against her, her fingers now fidgeting with his shirt like a restless child.

"Not even some ancient ash jinn can keep me away from you."

"It does feel like we're bending the rules a bit," Taehyung admitted, his lips twitching in a faint smirk.

Jungkook scoffed, flicking her gaze up at him. "Bending? Please, we're outright defying them!" She tugged playfully at his button for emphasis.

"I mean, look at me! I'm all up in your personal space, cozying up like this—" she wiggled slightly to emphasize her point, "—and I bet that jinn is somewhere shaking its smoky little head, all, 'Why isn't this working?!'"

Taehyung laughed this time, his shoulders shaking slightly, and Jungkook grinned triumphantly at his reaction. She wasn't done yet.

"Honestly, I almost feel bad for it," she continued, her voice adopting a mockingly sympathetic tone. "Poor thing probably spent centuries perfecting this big, dramatic curse just for us. And here we are, completely ruining its plans."

"Oh?" Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "You're pitying the ash jinn now?"

Jungkook nodded solemnly, though her lips twitched. "Of course! I mean, imagine dedicating your life to crafting the ultimate 'keep-these-two-apart' spell, only for your victims to find loopholes in under two weeks. That's gotta hurt."

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, his gaze fond as he watched her ramble. "You're really giving this a lot of thought."

Jungkook shrugged, her fingers still idly playing with his button. "Well, what else am I supposed to do? I can't exactly hold your hand or tackle you with hugs, so I've got all this pent-up affection and nowhere to put it." She pouted dramatically, giving him her best kicked-puppy look.

"It's tragic, really."

"Jungkook," he said, his voice lower but laced with tenderness, "even with this curse, we're still here. Together. Doesn't that count for something?"

She blinked at him, her teasing expression softening into something more vulnerable. "It does," she admitted quietly. "But that doesn't mean I don't miss you. The real you." Her fingers stilled on his button, and she bit her lip. "I just... I wish this stupid curse would break already."

Taehyung's gaze softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face—by blowing it gently.

"It will," he said with quiet confidence. "And until then, I'll take every moment we can steal from it."

Jungkook smiled despite herself, her heart swelling at his words. "You're such a sap, Mr. Kim."

"And you're a terrible influence, Mrs. Kim," he countered smoothly, making her laugh.

For now, the curse didn't matter.

They were together, defying the rules, and that was enough.

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