[ Simply ]

While on a date, Jiwon and Hoseok come upon Jiwon's ex-boyfriend eating dinner a few tables over, with his new girlfriend. Under any other circumstances, this wouldn't be an issue: They broke up, they're not interested, end of story. But the thing is... they broke up on good terms, and only because he was moving away. They promised each other they'd move on and left with feelings still intact. Now, it appears he's moved on just like she has with her 6-month boyfriend Hoseok (who she loves and has no intention of leaving), but the awkwardness of the situation is what leaves this date a mess.
He keeps looking at her and catching her eye and she's trying to focus on her date but he's right across from her. Basically, Hoseok gets jealous and a one-shot is born.

Genre/s: Romance, comedy, (slight, slight) angst

Appearances of other BTS members: Yoongi (ex-boyfriend), Namjoon (social receptionist), Taehyung (waiter)

 

xx

 

Kim Taehyung was the kind of person you would spend half of a day texting with an abundant amount of emoticons and exclamation marks, but would not offer a glance when you pass him in the hallway. He was the type of guy to buy you ice cream after a long miserable day of discovering your very, very low marks for the semester, and arrive swiftly by your doorstep with a bright grin and enormous-sized spoon at two in the morning. 

Well, that was one side to the story. Of course Kim Taehyung would spend half a day receiving enthusiastic text messages overloaded with emoticons and exclamation marks, but it would be highly unlikely for him to respond in the same manner. Or even text back. And okay, it's true that it took a whole heap of whining and crying (Taehee made she she was extra loud to emphasise her 'despair') for Taehyung to finally agree in making a quick run to the corner store and haul that tub of ice cream six streets to her apartment at two in the morning, but at least it was cookies 'n' cream. Taehee loved cookies 'n' cream. And Taehyung's bright grin? Yeah, maybe Taehee went a bit too far in making that up. He never smiled.

Taehyung, to Taehee, was weird. They've known each other for approximately fifteen and two-seventh years now. Except she'd never quite figured out how to crack his stone code. His face was always devoid of emotion, though there came those occasional times where his sour moods slackened just a tiny bit. And though she'd never witnessed first-hand his show of being more friendly than usual around anyone else other than their mothers, Taehee liked to relish in the guilty pleasure of thinking she was that one special person Taehyung made exceptions for. Surely, she can call herself a good friend of Taehyung's; she'd always thought like that anyhow. It wasn't like he hated her or anything, right?

"There! That's the place I was telling you about the other day." Taehee pointed at a small bakery near the corner of the street. 

Taehyung's gaze swept across the line of eateries, before shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "I don't recall."

"The one that replaced the bookstore? Come on, I've reminded you almost every day. They're finally opening tomorrow, I'm so excited! I hope their stuff tastes as good as I hope."

"Probably not," Taehyung rolled his eyes, "you're anticipating way too much."

"Well, I guess we'll see tomorrow, am I right? After my lecture." Taehee sharply dug her elbow into Taehyung's side, promptly skipping a few steps ahead as the latter let out a grunt. 

"Your arm is getting more bony by the day," the boy groaned, tenderly pressing at his waist. 

"You'll be more familiar with it if you skip this one out too," Taehee scowled at him, sticking her tongue before turning her face away hoping Taehyung didn't catch her hurt painted across her face. A small request really, to have asked him to accompany her in the Beats Festival last week. She knew he hated these kinds of things, but she wanted him to come nonetheless.

Taehyung didn't say anything after that, and the two continued to walk in silence. They reached the intersection where Taehyung's house was further down their right, but they both turned left like they've been doing for a couple of years now. Taehee peered at him, as she had started sneaking every afternoon or so, to take a short moment in admiring his handsome features she had come to notice in the past few months. Strange, to have known someone for more than three quarters of your life, and suddenly take a small interest in them. 

Taehyung turned towards Taehee's direction, and she quickly snapped her head back around, hoping he didn't catch her observing. He didn't know about her little crush yet, and Taehee intended to keep it that way.

"Your mum mentioned something about dinner soon," he started, and Taehee internally groaned. "A dinner with a friend?"

A friend? So Taehee's mother didn't spill anything about the "special boy" she managed to squeeze out of Taehee. Silently, she congratulated herself in escaping the questions before it got to his name. Taehee couldn't imagine what she would have done if her mum knew about Jungkook. 

"Possible dinner," Taehee smacked her lips. "It's just a night out. And no, you're staying home, Taehyung. You don't need to come out and get me."

Taehyung stared at Taehee, his eyes gleaming knowingly. Taehee let out a long sigh of exasperation as Taehyung turned his attention back on the houses. They had visited this discussion many times before. Ever since Taehee was allowed to go out with her friends one day, and was coincidentally stalked almost all the way back home, her parents became obsessive with Taehee's capability of getting home herself, and Taehyung's tall height and fit state seemed very reasonable to stand as a bodyguard for Taehee. Or at least, whenever it was time to come back home. 

Sometimes, Taehee wondered whether her parents' implementation of seeing her safely back home resembled their ridiculously obnoxious nature, or if this was their shameless way in telling her to stop going out so frequently. Who wouldn't see it was such an inconvenience for Taehyung to come find Taehee wherever she went? A trip back and forth with a forced milkshake or ice tea in between of which Taehee insisted every time. Sometimes it made Taehee so frustrated. How could Taehyung not despise her from all these times? He definitely had a talent of concealing things. If her parents' incentive was to keep her at home, it certainly worked most of the time. 

And she was well over the adult age now. By heavens, she was nearing twenty-one. Surely she was more than capable of roaming around by herself at night. Despite getting her own place and meeting her parents' expectations of a visit back home at least once a month, Taehyung was still walking her home. Perhaps if he showed more interest in a friendship, Taehee wouldn't feel so guilty all the time. 

 

 

 

"She's super cute."

The ball of white fluff jumped energetically around the two, running circles around Taehee and sniffing her sandals in their unfamiliarity, before returning back to Jungkook's free runs. They had decided against a walk around after their lecture, and sought after the Italian home-made meal  to which Jungkook emphasised his passion with. His skills in cuisine were no joke, they had shared their first conversation on the topic of Chinese menus. Taehee was successfully astounded with her dinner despite holding high expectations from the start.

"Bebe needs a trim." Jungkook tried to tempt the corgi in settling down with a gnawed plushy, but put it down in defeat as she showed no sign of such. He scooped Bebe up, gesturing for Taehee to follow him. Taehee brought the glasses of wine to his living room, and sat down next to him. He widened his eyes, shaking his head frantically. "No, put the glasses somewhere-"

In a flash, Jungkook's dog leapt away from his lap and jumped onto Taehee's. Having both hands occupied, she barely managed to maintain her grip on the glasses, and the wine spilled onto her shirt, staining some of Bebe's fur.

"Oh!" Taehee gasped, the cold liquid sending goosebumps across her skin.

Jungkook took the glasses from Taehee, muttering a "Get you a towel", leaving Bebe innocently panting at Taehee, unaware of the mess she had caused. 

Taehee smiled, giving Bebe a light pat before letting her hand linger at her side, engulfed by the softness. Taehee glanced around, thankful to see that her shirt had caught the wine before it could stain Jungkook's couch.

When Jungkook reappeared with a wet cloth, he bent towards her before stopping, realising what he was about to do. He held the hand towel out for Taehee, and she looked down. The stain ran down the middle of her chest. Sheepishly, Taehee accepted the cloth.

"What are you doing?" Jungkook blinked at Taehee as she wiped down Bebe.

"I am so sorry. I got a bit of wine on her."

Jungkook hesitated, before letting out a deep laugh. "Don't worry about her. I should have warned you earlier. Would you like to borrow a shirt?"

Taehee glanced up at Jungkook, surprised. The man stared expectantly back. Despite being constantly looked after by a guy who never looked like he could have fun, Taehee had never borrowed clothing from a male before. 

"No, it's okay. It'll dry." Taehee pressed the towel to her shirt, hoping at least the smallest drop of wine would be absorbed.

"Excellent, you're staining it even more. I'll find my smallest size." 

Jungkook retreated down the hallway before Taehee could protest any further, and she sighed, putting the cloth down and brushed out Bebe's fur. "Your owner is extremely considerate, do you know that?"

The night was cooling fast, and Jungkook replaced the wine with hot chocolate. The heater was pulled out from the corner, settling in front of the old fireplace that Jungkook admitted he only kept for the aesthetics, and in actual fact had never utilised it since moving in. The two shared stories and conversations of every sort, and Taehee wondered how she became Jungkook's first friend since their new course started. Well, it wasn't as if Taehee was horrible at making new friends, it was rather Jungkook being absolutely helpless at socialising. The memory of awkwardly being shoved into him by her friend's rough hands led to Taehee's profuse apologies hadn't left her mind yet. She remembered how she was rendered speechless as the dark-haired man gave one frightened look at her before scurrying away. 

"It is obvious you're the queen of the campus," Jungkook said as he eyed Bebe nearing sleep with her head rested on Taehee's thigh. It didn't take long for Bebe to develop a liking to Taehee, and nonchalantly offended Jungkook by sticking to Taehee since the wine spill.

Taehee didn't feign her confusion. "Queen of the campus? What does that mean?"

Jungkook sent a look that made Taehee feel extremely unintelligent, and she frowned. "You're friends with everyone, and I mean, everyone." 

She laughed. "No, that would be quite difficult. There're hundreds of us here, and by god, I need space to fit all those pharmceutical terms than people's names." She stopped in the realisation of her words. "Not to say that I don't want to become people's friend. I just, think it would be fairly impossible."

"I know what you mean," Jungkook nodded. He then narrowed his eyes in reconsideration. "Actually, no I don't. Not everyone is particularly nice."

Taehee glanced at him. "That is true. Is someone bothering you?"

The man shook his head. "Don't worry about me, it's hard for others' judgements to get into my head." 

Taehee hummed in response, tilting her cup to drink while shielding her face. She kind of wished she had some of Jungkook's uncaring attitude. Truth to be told, you didn't have to be an enemy to receive hurtful comments. And Taehee unfortunately fell victim to many situations in her self-afflicting thoughts and pity.

"I should be getting home now," Taehee stood up a bit unsteadily, accidentally waking up Bebe in the process. The corgi was too far gone in her sleep to have done much but peek through one eyelid, and Taehee brushed her fur again before picking her up. 

"I'll drive you home," Jungkook said as he cradled Bebe in his arms. 

Taehee eyed Jungkook's rosy cheeks. "Not with all the glasses you've had."

He frowned. "I'm perfectly fine." 

"Yeah, I'm definitely taking the bus home," Taehee snorted. 

Jungkook tried to frown harder, but couldn't help his grin that seemed to always make Taehee grin back. "At the very least, let me walk you there." 

Taehee silently took in the sight of Jungkook's moving eyes, and Bebe in his hold, fast asleep. Was she earning a second Taehyung to her? At the mention of Taehyung, Taehee should be calling him, her friend whom seemed to know every event she attended. Or rather, she should be checking her phone, of which she'd pointedly ignored the whole night and even Do Not Disturb. She should really turn off her social media notifications. 

"Alright," Taehee answered at last, shrugging on her coat while Jungkook laid Bebe in her cot.

The walk was short, but not quiet, as the alcohol was progressively dripping in their giggles and sentences. As a team effort, they made sure to clamp their hands hard on each other's mouths if they felt they were disturbing the neighbours at this time of the night. Taehee was sure Jungkook had too much to stay conscious of his actions, as his laughs were become more high-pitched than Taehee's. She chortled at this thought. She was feeling more than a little tipsy despite being able to hold her liquor, but usually it was the guy who took care of her if she could no longer walk in a straight line. Which was what Jungkook was currently doing, artistically drawing scribbles on the pavement with his laboured steps. In the distance, she could see the pale post of the bus stop. 

"We're here now," Taehee announced loudly for Jungkook's benefit, whose eyes were roaming around in disinterest. She estimated another ten minutes before he would collapse and fall into deep sleep. She could get him back home in time. "Come on," Taehee gently lured, taking Jungkook's hand in her's after he showed no indication of replying, "I'm feeling a bit sleepy. Let's go back home now."

Jungkook stared at the hand holding his, and followed the long way up to Tahee's face. His eyes widened in surprise as if he suddenly noticed her presence. Taehee inwardly giggled and made a mental note to relive this moment in their next conversation. When he's finally in his right mind again.

"Okay," Jungkook slurred.

Taehee quickened her pace, perfectly aware of Jungkook's slowing by the minute, and blew out a sigh of relief as they finally arrived back at his front door. She dug out his key from his pocket, and barely managed to push Jungkook through the doorway. He was murmuring nonsensical chants now.

"Silly," Taehee huffed. "Don't walk me out if you won't be able to walk yourself back in."

Jungkook finally collasped as they passed his kitchen, and it really challenged Taehee's strength to haul the boy into his room, after running into a few wrong ones. Jungkook was skinny, but he must be hiding his muscles somewhere for him to be so heavy. It didn't even occur to Taehee that it was slightly rude to barge into someone's bedroom, but at this point Taehee was so drained of energy she'd never wanted Taehyung to come pick her up this badly before.

Taehee took one look at Jungkook's bed, and groaned. If it took so much effort to drag the man down a hallway, there was no way she was going to get him up on a bed. She considered asking Taehyung to help Jungkook up on the bed, but decided there was enough intrusion as it was. Taehee resorted to designing a make-shift bed on the ground with Jungkook's blankets and pillows, and rolled the man onto the pile. She manouvered his coat off, and wrapped the blankets around Jungkook until he was cocooned. Standing up exhaustedly, she remembered just in time to take a snap of him sleeping like this. She'll definitely score a free cup of tea from tonight's efforts. 

Out in the living room, Taehee scrolled past the social media notifications, before her eyes landed on not one, not two, but five text messages from Taehyung, coupled with three missed calls.

 

Did you bring enough layers tonight?

Where are you?

Give me a call when you're going.

You should make it soon.

Earth to Taehee.

 

Taehee couldn't hide the wide smile on her face, not that there was anyone to see it. She swiped her missed phone calls. Taehee almost choked when he picked up after the first ring.

"Who doesn't check their phone for eight hours?" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine, and made her tingly all over. Taehyung's voice always sounded emotionless, but Taehee knew better than to blame the alcohol in detecting his worried tone.

"I'm sorry," Taehee tried to hide her sleepy trace in her voice, but the wine was really kicking in. "I'll... I'll text you the address." 

Taehee caught his "Wait, are you alright?", but had already pressed the end button, seeing that they've only had to share one line each every time. It took a second for Taehee to process this, and she let out a delighted giggle. This night was getting better and better.

She took a quick look around, making sure she hadn't knocked anything down in dragging Jungkook inside. Taehee filled up a glass of water and placed it an arm's length away from Jungkook for when he wakes up, trusting that he didn't move too much in his sleep, and left him a messy note apologising that she couldn't get him in his actual bed. As Taehee moved towards the front door, she longed to give Bebe one last pat, but didn't want to disturb her sleep either, whispering to Bebe she'll be back another time, Taehee hoped. And so she shut the front door, making sure she locked herself out, and groggily sat down on the bench Jungkook kept at his veranda. It was freezing outside, but Taehee didn't allow herself enough time to zip up her coat, and fell asleep sitting upright.

 

 

Taehee was watching the way Jungkook's eyes lit up in pure happiness as he threw a laugh in here and there. It wasn't very hard to develop a liking towards this man, who not only knew how to crack the best jokes, his quality ones lying in the pharmacy field (like who even does that?), but could make the most of moments in so many bizarre ways Taehee wouldn't have ever considered. A few more meet-ups, a couple of Toblerone blocks, and Taehee and Jungkook were happily well on the road to close mates. 

"You can't eat the ice cream from the cone, are you actually being serious right now?!"

He didn't even twitch an eye at her as he loudly chomped off the tip. "Biting at the scoop first is too mainstream."

Taehee stared at Jungkook dumbfound, who kept striding ahead as if he didn't know he was the only person in the world to eat ice cream cones from the bottom. She shook her head. "You are kind of unbelievable."

He whipped his head around, clearly offended. "I am very believable, thank you very much. I am also extremely handsome and a creature one cannot simply resist."

"I beg to differ."

"You beg to borrow my charm."

"I'll beg to start hearing some truth."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, starting on his scoop. Taehee smiled. She always won the banters, no matter how witty Jungkook seemed. 

It was a windy Sunday afternoon, but that didn't stop Taehee from having her weekly ice-cream run. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to bring a hairband, and her wispy bangs were giving her a hard time as she tried to take a bite of her cone. Jungkook glanced over at Taehee's irritated face, and unclipped his sunglasses hanging at the collar of his shirt. Wordlessly, he slid the sunglasses on Taehee's head, effectively brushing her wisps out of the way. 

"Thanks," Taehee smiled brightly.

Jungkook had a good eye for things like this, and every time he was attentive to Taehee's troubles, she couldn't stop herself from thinking why Taehyung couldn't be like this. Especially when they were related through their fathers; Taehee was extremely shocked at this information. There was such a stark difference between Jungkook and Taehyung. One was easy and fun to talk to, while the other wasn't really. Both were good listeners, Taehee could give Taehyung that, and both are terrible at making friends. Not that this concerned Taehee, since she was close to both of them.

But she couldn't blame Taehyung, really, for being the distant person he was. Part of the reason why Taehee still stuck with Taehyung since they were children, was because of his dad. Taehee remembered him as a bright man, always wearing a big smile and seemed to adore his butterfly-patterned tie. Back then, Taehyung was the nicest kid she'd met, and she was almost envious of the relationship he shared with his dad. "Small princess", was a nickname Taehyung's dad always referred to in addressing her, which delighted Taehee's six-year-old self, and convinced her he must have been her second father. 

And then one Autumn, during Taehee and Taehyung's second year of primary school, Taehee's second father never came home. The two friends were equally distraught, and constantly begged Taehyung's mother to hint on his whereabouts. They were too absorbed in their own tears to see her's. Taehyung eventually healed his wounds through anger, before settling in the cold demeanour he didn't break once even for the sake of Taehee's, and Taehee healed hers' by adopting a more optimistic outlook in life. She wanted to embrace the present rather than the past.

"I've got to meet Jimin soon, we're test driving his new manual tonight," Jungkook's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Taehee tilted her head. "The one from your company?"

"The very same one."

"You don't seem to be a very good driver."

Jungkook stuck his tongue out. "That's so not why Jaehyun's taking the driver's seat."

"I'm kidding, Kookie. I'm sure you'll still have a blast. I'll see you tomorrow." 

The two hug before parting, and Taehee decided she didn't have anything better to do than to head home. She had recently caught up on her workload from college, and had a few hours to kill before her night shift started. Maybe she can fit in a phone call with a friend before dinner. 

Taehee was so absorbed into her plans she almost missed the figure standing idly against a building. It wasn't the way he always seemed to wear that black sweater, or how he always subtly stuck his right foot out in his stance. It was just the way Kim Taehyung always managed to grab Taehee's attention, intentionally or not. 

She stopped in her tracks, staring wide-eyed at Taehyung. Who was staring right back.

"What are you doing here?" Taehee was the one to break the silence.

As expected, Taehyung revealed no emotion. "Why do you make it sound like I'm not supposed to be here?"

Taehee glanced around. She was still in the shopping area, a few more blocks and the houses will start. They weren't many bypassers around. "I didn't say that."

Taehyung inclined his head to the direction Taehee was initially heading in before she noticed Taehyung. "Want me to walk you back?" 

She shouldn't be feeling a lump in . Wasn't this always Taehyung's role in her life? "Sure."

Taehyung smoothly fell in step by Taehee's side, per usual, except this walk was different. Taehee wasn't launching in to her blabber, and she couldn't recall the last time she let silence invade their time together. 

Thankfully, the quiet didn't last long, although the interruption wasn't quite what Taehee would have guessed. Or have thought possible at all. Without a word, Taehyung rumbled out a noise that sounded more of a choke than a chuckle. Taehee whipped her head around in surprise, tasting this foreign sound. She could have sworn she's never heard Taehyung laugh like this before, if this even counted as a laugh, but at the same time her mind rejected this and claimed that she has, in fact, witnessed something similar. It was a long time ago, that much she could figure out, but no source of where or why. 

Taehee was definitely right in knowing that Taehyung was horrible at laughing, for his lips were awkwardly stretched over his teeth, and his chuckle soon turned into plain exhales, and she honestly didn't know what was wrong with Taehyung. She had tried many times in the past to squeeze even an inaudible giggle from the man, something he probably hadn't experienced after his father left, but watching Taehyung struggling to regain his breath in this moment of time, Taehee instantly took back her curiousity to see how the less-cute-and-more-handsomeTaehyung would look like if he smiled.

"Are you okay?" Was he choking, or was his stomach cramping too much?

Taehyung took one final inhale to calm down, before his "smile" disappeared, and his usual distant demeanour returned. All in a mere second. Taehee couldn't help but feel a little freaked out. 

"So, that's why."

Taehee knew better than to grow frustrated at Taehyung's simple and curt responses. "That's why what?"

"So that's where I picked you up from: Jungkook's house. I knew he moved to somewhere weird."

Taehee was mortified he could remember that incident. "How could you forget every party I invite you to, but not one night from more than a month ago?!"

Taehyung shrugged. "You shouldn't have fallen asleep."

"I know," Taehee scowled. She had fallen violently ill afterwards, and Jungkook had skipped his classes for four days to take care of her. Truthfully, she had intended to ask Taehyung to come in, but couldn't even get out of her bed let alone find out where she left her phone, and put up little protest when Jungkook turned up outside her bedroom door, having finally found out where she lived from a friend. After Taehee recovered, Jungkook said it was ridiculously easy to pick at the lock of her front door, and recommended her a locksmith Jungkook had admitted he couldn't crack their labyrinths yet.

Taehee had begun to think that they were relapsing into the rather awkward silence, when Taehyung spoke up again. "Is that why you don't need me now?"

The way he said it, Taehee was completely convinced he was grateful for Jungkook to replace him. Taehee had always mentioned where she planned to go whenever she was with Taehyung, but she only had to hold back once to eventually stop the chain. Taehyung wasn't wrong in figuring out that Jungkook was accompanying her now, and Taehee didn't know why she felt upset that Taehyung had figured out. She should feel embarassed at being caught out like this, when she should have told Taehyung right from the start, and more happy now that Taehyung knew he no longer had to make time for Taehee just to see her home safely. Regret, was the first feeling Taehee could identify, and then her unhappiness, hurt, and finally, longing.

"Don't say it like that," Taehee said quietly, I don't want you to leave me. 

Say it, Taehee berated herself. Just say it, say it right now. For they were nearing her apartment soon, and she just knew that if she didn't say more, this would be their last walk home together. Please just say it. 

It took all of Taehee's self control to not glance up at Taehyung, to not try and read his emotionless face she can probably terribly sketch out from memory. The stairway was in view now, and her heart was thumping wildly against her chest. Painfully. Achingly. 

Taehee didn't hesitate up the concrete stairs, though she tried to not make it obvious that she was dragging out each step. She pressed her hand on the glass doors, not knowing why or seeing any logic in how, but she just knew Taehyung wasn't walking off like he noiselessly did every other time. She could feel his gaze on her back. She could turn around, see if she was right; but what if she wasn't? Taehee wouldn't run after his retreating figure. She would text him tonight, but he probably wouldn't respond back. She doesn't need him anymore, why would he? He wouldn't pick up her calls, a taste of her own medicine for when she was too busy laughing in Jungkook's company. He would simply cut all connections with her. Now that would hurt a lot.

She turned around. He was still there. Hands in pockets, gaze on her. Waiting for her to go in. Making sure she was safe in his last time of looking out for her.

"Goodnight, Taehyung." I kind of love you. 

She almost said goodbye too. What would she have done if she was the one who sealed the deal? Well, technically, it was her fault in the first place. Speaking of which, it's only fair she deserved to suffer for it.

Taehyung nodded, and Taehee ripped her stare away from him, rushing up the six levels of stairs once Taehyung was out of sight. 

Inside her apartment, she dumped her shoulder bag with a mixture of tiredness and anger. Taehee knew Taehyung for fifteen years, and she was in the middle of losing him. Great night for Taehyung, of course, but not so much for Taehee. Not at all, actually. She wasn't sure how she was going to survive her night shift now. Taehee sauntered into the kitchen, opening the cupboard of pots and pans, but she no longer had an appetite, nor the motivation to cook a meal. Not bothering to change, Taehee flicked off the lights she had just , remembering just in time to set her alarm to wake up in time for work. 

 

 

Taehee tried to blink back moisture in her eyes in its aridity, while straining the smile she was required to offer to the lady. 

"Yes, I would need your Health Fund number, and your signature here please." Taehee tapped a series of digits into the desktop, failing to stop her eyes in straying to the lower left hand corner of the screen. 9:27am. Three more minutes, she was literally counting down the seconds. "Thank you, here's your transcription, Dr. Kang recommends this medication, but you can also opt for a cheaper choice," Taehee swam her pen down the page, the lady's eyes following attentively, "Alendronate or Latanoprost are best for price, though not as effective. There are two pharmacies you can head in today, and you'll pass the patisserie on the way to one of them. People say they receive faster service when they tempt the staff with baked goods." Taehee winked. "Come back in should there be any problems."

"Thank you so much," the lady smiled warmly. 

"Not a problem. Have a wonderful day!" 

A hand lands on Taehee's shoulder. Taehee's smile became genuine as she glanced up. 

"Hey sweetheart, I'm up. You can go and catch some Zs now." 

"Thanks Jaehyun."

Taehee quickly signed herself out, sharing a cheek kiss with her co-worker, and bolted out of the medical centre, hoping she wouldn't bump into any friends in case she lost more time that could be used for sleeping. Her attention turned to her phone in her pocket, in which she pulled out and discovered it out of battery. She frowned, not quite recalling whether she had charged it before she had a nap before work. She was probably too drained of energy and logic to think ahead.

She always had a feeling for things, a feeling of just knowing, without any hint of what her mind was trying to tell her. Engulfed by anticipation, Taehee quickened her pace, not sure what she should do first when she got to her apartment. Sleep, or eat? 

Taehee plugged in her phone before heading towards her room to change. Her bed was really tempting right now, but her stomach seemed to growl louder as soon as she thought of this. A coffee while she waited for the stove to heat up, or just a quick bowl of cereal? 

Feeling more comfortable in fresh gear, she walked past her kitchen bench, before doubling back, staring at the black screen of her phone. Hesitantly, she pressed the home button, waiting out the long seconds of the low battery indication Apple enjoyed to tease out, before her homescreen came in view, flooded with social media alerts. She was about to put her phone down in disappointment, before a notification caught her attention.

A message from Taehyung. 4:48am. 

Her exhale flushed out nervously as she slowly unlocked her phone. She couldn't think, couldn't begin to guess what it was before she opened it. Taehee's eyes widened in shock as her eyes ran over the text, again and again. Numb. Disbelief. Bewilderment. Her mind races a day back, replaying the hours. Figuring out what caused this. She couldn't have let it slip out, could she? She was sure she only whispered it in her mind. However, it seemed like this wasn't the case at all. Her eyes dropped back down on the text, no longer feeling tired or famished.

I kind of love you too.

 

xx

 

Requested by: taelite-
​Written by exoexoexolellel
Word Count: 5, 659