Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

When Jungkook opened his eyes, he was confused. Oh my God am I late? What time is it?! He reached for his phone with lightning speed. Ten in the morning?! Are you kidding me?! He kicked away his duvet and stumbled out the bed, panicking. Wait...oh, I'm so stupid... He let out a deep breath. This school has messed me up so much... I almost got a heart attack... He finally remembered, that he didn't have to go to school this week. He shook his head and thought about what happened yesterday...
Is he still sleeping? He slowly opened his door and tiptoed to the living room. Taehyung wasn't sleeping on the couch anymore. The blanket was neatly folded and on top of it was a scrap of paper.
-I'm sorry I fell asleep. Be ready in the evening. We are going out.-
-Tae-
Jungkook turned his head from left to right. I guess he went back to his apartment. He took the paper into his hands and sat down. When will I get the chance to do something for him... I have to show him my manly side... fragile boy? Just you wait Kim Taehyung... He took the blanket into his ams, hugging it tightly and nuzzling. I think I'm addicted to his scent...
He tossed away the blanket and went to the kitchen to prepare something for breakfast. I was hoping he would stay for a little bit longer... I could've made him breakfast... oh well... more food for me...
He was craving something sweet, so he opted for cereal and a banana. He heard message notification on his phone.
--Is everything ok? By the way everyone is upset about you not coming. We will have to talk, when I come back.-- It was mom.
Wow, I'm looking forward to that lesson...
--Yeah mom. I'm sorry, I really need to study :( --
--Just be careful and don't do anything stupid.--
Would she mind, that hyung slept here? She seems to like him a lot... And so far she hasn't said anything about me coming back home so late every time I would go out with him... He must appear really responsible in her eyes...
Jungkook had nothing to do after the breakfast, he cleaned up the apartment and focused on his messy room. Was it rude, that I didn't show him my room? As a guest... was it right for him to sleep on the couch? He had the option to go to his apartment and sleep more comfortably... Why did he stay here? He lit up the candle which Taehyung gave him to make his room smell nice. He changed the beddings, vacuumed the floor, put away the dirty laundry and scrubbed his bathroom clean. After he had finished with everything, he was really satisfied with how his room looked like.
It was already lunch time and even though he was fairly good at cooking, the option of having a cup ramyun was irresistible. Why bother to cook...
As he was slurping his spicy noodles, he got another message.
--Is the bunny awake?--
For God's sake... Why the hell is he calling me that?!
--Yes.-- I'm not going to give him the pleasure of making me annoyed...
--I will come and pick you up after dinner.--
--Ok.--
-Make sure to eat a lot.-
--Yes sir.-- Jungkook rolled his eyes.
--That's the attitude I like ;) --
He is so bossy... I hate him... I should definitely explore the ways on how to crack that facade of his... he thinks he's bulletproof... I'll prove him wrong.
As the day went on Jungkook started to feel bored, he was switching between apps on his phone for hours... Then decided to do some exercise. Muscle pig? Damn right! He was quite surprised to find out yesterday, that Taehyung is weaker than him, despite his larger build. He seemed to like me being on top... well I'm not going to give up that position... He smirked and worked out until his muscles were burning.
The sun was slowly setting behind the horizon and after taking a shower, Jungkook made a dinner for himself. He scarfed down a huge plate of instant rice and curry, then finished with a tub of ice cream.
After eating all of that, it was pretty late. He went to his room and opened the window to check if it's cold outside. The evening air was surprisingly warm. He got dressed, putting on lighter clothes, grabbed the leather jacket, which was now his and waited in the living room. Before he had time to get nervous and start worrying about what Taehyung has prepared, someone knocked on the door.
I'm not going to let him make me feel nervous... I have to get used to it... It's time for me to make him nervous. He held his head high, shoulders relaxed and strutted with confidence to open the door.
"Ready?" Taehyung smirked at him.
Once again, blown away by Taehyung's striking looks, he lost all confidence. His back automatically bent down to bow. Hell no... not this time... He quickly straightened himself.
"R...ready,"
Taehyung raised one eyebrow, then just turned around and without waiting for him walked to the elevator. He thinks he owns this place... asshole... Jungkook found his keys, hastily locked the door and followed Taehyung.
"Wh... what's the plan?"
"Later," was all that Taehyung said.
They got inside the elevator. Jungkook hated this elevator, but what he hated more was the tiny amount of space between them. He looked at Taehyung, who was showing no emotion on his face. Their eyes connected.
Jungkook couldn't stand it and averted his eyes immediately.
"You... you look nice today, hyung," Jungkook just had to say it, putting all of his faked pride away.
"Just today?"
"No... of course not," Jungkook blushed, he hated how Taehyung always had the upper hand.
The elevator door opened and they got out. "Relax Jungkookie. You look like you're scared of me," Taehyung ruffled the back of his hair and put his arm around Jungkook's shoulders.
"Can you tell me, where are we going?"
"What do you think?"
"I don't know... Everything is closed anyway."
Taehyung raised his index finger,"not everything," he smirked. "You just have to know, where to look."
"I still don't know, where we're going."
"Jungkookie, how is your alcohol tolerance?"
"Wh... what? I... I have no idea..."
"So you've never been drunk?"
"No...I don't do things like that..."
"It's about time you start,"Taehyung lead him to the subway station.
"I... don't think this is a good idea."
"If you've never tried it, you can never be sure," they found a seat in the subway and sat down, Taehyung's arm not leaving Jungkook's shoulders.
"My mom is going to kill me."
"You said your parents aren't here. She will never know about this."
Jungkook started to like the idea. He has never had a chance to be rebellious.
"My mom thinks you are a good influence. I think she's mistaken."
"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to you. I'm here with you, I'm taking the full responsibility."
"She doesn't know you are staying in Seoul."
"Just relax. This will be our secret."
"Whatever," Jungkook gave up. He was nervous, but excited at the same time. So are we going to get drunk?! Is that it?! What's the point...
"There is one good bar open, I made us a reservation... It's good to have connections..."
"What kind of connections do you have, hyung? Do you go to bars often?"
"I work at a bar," Taehyung smiled.
What the hell...
"I can't say, that I love it, but work is work."
"Are you obsessed with money or what?"
"It's more of a thing of necessity."
"I wish that one day I will be able to understand what you're saying..."
"It's better not to know, trust me," he wrapped his arm tighter around Jungkook's shoulders.
"Are you comfortable with this?" he asked Jungkook.
"With what?"
"Me touching your shoulders. If not, just tell me... you know how I am..."
"It's fine," he was loving and hating Taehyung's proximity. "B...but I think people are looking at us strangely..." he was right, people sitting in the subway were giving them strange looks.
"Aren't people always looking at you? Staring at you?" Taehyung asked.
"I don't think so..."
"I'm pretty sure they do... you are just not paying enough attention."
"That's not true... I'm always ignored."
"Oh trust me Jungkookie, people love looking at beautiful things... And you are no exception."
Jungkook pushed away Taehyung's arm. "Now I'm uncomfortable."
"Do you not like being called beautiful?"
"No... n...not by a guy..."
"What difference does it make? A pretty thing is a pretty thing, in the eyes of a guy or a girl regardless."
"It's weird."
"You need to broaden your horizons Kookie."
"How broad are your horizons then, hyung?"
Taehyung smirked," maybe you'll see one day. Come on, this is our station."
Jungkook kept his distance as they were walking side by side. After a while they got to a sketchy looking bar.
"Is this the right place?" Jungkook asked not knowing what to think.
"Don't judge book by its cover."
Taehyung lead him to a table inside and told him to sit down, while he went to the bar table to order them something. As bad as the cover of this "book" is, the inside is equally bad... He took off his jacket, it was really hot inside. There were few middle aged men scattered through the bar, but other then them, that was it. Right... who would choose to spend Chuseok here... me apparently...
Taehyung came back with a bottle of soju and two glasses. "The purpose of this night is to get drunk... and have fun I guess."
"I'm regretting agreeing to this, hyung."
Taehyung sat down on the opposite side of the table. "Just try it. If you tell me you hate it, we will go back home."
The older one poured the clear liquid into the glass and pushed it in front of Jungkook. He took the other glass and raised it up, encouraging his dongsaeng.
"I... I can't do it..."
"Yes you can. Or do you want me to call you a baby again?"
"Is it strong?"
"I got the strongest soju they have here. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Are you challenging me?"
"Maybe a little bit..." he smirked.
Jungkook couldn't resist a challenge.
"Geonbae," he said and downed his shot. The liquor was strong, burning his throat. He felt the warmth in his chest, burning his insides. His face scrunched in a grimace and he started to cough. Taehyung drank his shot with ease.
"This is disgusting, hyung... " he had tears in his eyes.
"Another one?" was all Taehyung said.
Without words Jungkook pushed his glass in front of him, to let him pour another round.
"Lucky for you, I'm a light weight when it comes to drinking... Maybe you handle more than me..."
Jungkook emptied the second glass. The warmth spreading though me is kind of nice...
"Hyung, do you not feel sad about not being with your family?" he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Taehyung drank his shot,"no," he poured Jungkook another glass.
"Do you not get along with your family?"
"It is complicated."
"I know you don't know me much yet... but you can trust me. If... if you want to share something... I can listen," his tongue was beginning to feel heavy in his mouth.
"I would rather spare you the details. Besides... I know you are hiding many things..."
Jungkook was starting to feel tipsy, his face felt hot,"I'm not."
"Remember what I said yesterday? I know you better than you think."
"Well then... what do you know," he was starting to slur the words and losing count of how many glasses he's had.
"I know that you are trying to act much tougher than you are."
"That's bullshit... Hyung, you don't know anything," he was certain he was drunk at this point.
Taehyung's face was equally red as his and the bottle was almost empty.
"I don't feel good," Jungkook refused the glass Taehyung poured for him. " I think this is my limit."
"Well you drank twice as much as me."
"What? Did you just trick me, Tae? Taking the advantage of a younger one?"
"You kept asking for more," Taehyung laughed.
"I seriously don't feel good. I think curry and ice cream wasn't the best food choice..."
"Do you want to get some fresh air?"
"I'm burning up... it's so hot here..."
"Okay let's go outside."
Jungkook had hard time to keep his balance, so Taehyung supported him with his arm.
"I think I'm going to throw up," Jungkook was breathing heavily. "I'm so dizzy..."
"Maybe that was too much... I should've stopped you."
"Nah... this is kinda fun..."
"Told you..."
"It's so fucking hot... is it summer, Tae?"
"Nope," Taehyung laughed. "Let's go for a walk."
"I haven't done anything like this before," Jungkook was trying to not fall down as they walked. "I have always been following rules... although I hated them..."
"You are not breaking any rules Jungkookie. We can both legally drink..."
"I meant my rules..."
"Your rules?"
"Yeah... I can't loosen up..."
"I guess I really am a good influence, then..."
"My parents have high expectations for me... And I have those expectations for myself too...That's why I never do anything like this..."
"All parents are the same... you are not the only one."
"I'm really going to throw up... " he leaned over,"no I'm fine..."
"So what do you want to do?"
"Sleep."
"Oh, come on... you can't be serious Jungkookie..."
"Do you have anything else planned?"he stumbled.
"No. I told you, the plan is to get drunk and have fun. I think we had accomplished the first part and you're handling it well."
"So where's the fun part?"he giggled.
"It's up to you."
"Can we to back to my place?" he couldn't stop giggling.
"If you want to... Let's take a taxi, I'm starting to feel sleepy too."
They got inside and headed back home. Jungkook put his head on Taehyung's shoulder," can we go on a trip some day, Tae?"
"You mean just two of us?"
"Yeah."
"Sure."
When the taxi dropped them off front of their apartment complex Taehyung told him to wait. He ran to the convenience store and returned with cans of beer.
Once they got inside Jungkook's apartment, he collapsed to the floor. "You know Tae... the floor loves me..."
"It sure does," Taehyung closed the door, grabbed his arm and dragged him on the floor, which made Jungkook burst into laughter.
"Give me the beer Tae... I think I'm a heavy weight, when it comes to drinking..."
"I wouldn't say that..."
"Jeon Jungkook shan't be challenged," he took one can from Taehyung and got to his feet.
"Weren't you sleepy?"
"Do you want to see my room?" He gestured for Taehyung to follow him.
"It's just like mine..." Taehyung said, when he saw it.
"I also have a bathroom...Come look..."
"You are having way too much fun Jungkookie..."
"Tae, do you want to take a bath?"
"No thanks..." he laughed.
"Then I will," Jungkook climbed into the bathtub.
"You are going to drown yourself," Jungkook's actions were the main source of fun for Taehyung at this point.
"You said you are taking the full responsibility..."
"That's right... And that's why I'm not going to let you take the bath..."
"You are boring Tae..."
"I can't say the same about you..."
"Tae... are you not letting me to take a bath, because you would get shy?"
"Why would I get shy?"
"Seeing me naked..."
"I've seen people naked before," Taehyung was cracking up.
"But wouldn't you get shy... seeing me, in particular?"
Taehyung's smile disappeared and he was silent for a while,"I wouldn't."
"Well then... shall we conduct a test?" Jungkook reached for the hem of his T-shirt, his movements uncoordinated.
"Fucking stop!" Taehyung grabbed his wrist quickly.
"Thus the test has ended..." Jungkook giggled. "Oh Tae, you should see your face..."
Taehyung turned away,"how many times do I have to tell you to not test me..."
"Are you blushing Tae?"
Taehyung didn't look back at him and walked out of the bathroom to his room.
"Wait!" Jungkook shouted and tried to get out off the tub. "What if I drown Tae... you have to save me..."
Taehyung fell down on Jungkook's bed and shouted back," remind me to never let you drink again!"
"Tae! Tae! You left me alone! I was so scared!" Jungkook jumped on top of him.
Taehyung groaned," I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this point..."
Jungkook rolled down the bed and walked somewhere.
"Where are you going Kookie? I swear this is like babysitting... Kookie?"
Taehyung looked around, Jungkook wasn't in the room anymore. "Kookie, how about you go and get some sleep?" he called as he searched for him in the living room. "Where are you?"
"Tae... you can't tell my mom about these snacks..."
"What...the...fuck... I really hope you'll remember everything tomorrow," Taehyung couldn't stop laughing. "Please, why don't you try and go to bed and close your eyes for a while..."
"Okay Tae."
"Where are you getting all this energy from?"
Jungkook went back to his room and Taehyung collapsed on the couch, exhausted. After a while, there was complete silence in the apartment. "Are you okay?" Taehyung called worried. No response. He groaned and stood up, going to Jungkook's room to check up on him.
Jungkook fell asleep on couch in his room. Taehyung burst into laughter. "What are you wearing?"
Jungkook woke up," Tae, is it morning? Why are you laughing?"
"You are so cute... your pajamas... wait where are you going?"
"I'm going to buy breakfast," he walked past him.
"Kookie it's not..."
The front door opened and closed. Taehyung ran after him. "Kookie, wait you forgot your keys!" Jungkook was already at the elevator. "Do you have money with you?" Taehyung quickly locked the door.
"I have you, Tae."
Jungkook went to the convenience store and Taehyung had to buy fresh eggs and toast bread for him. "Jungkookie, do you realize, that you are wearing pajamas and that it's not morning?"
"You are mean, Tae... and don't hate on Daffy..."
Taehyung gave Jungkook piggyback ride back to his place. He dropped him on to the bed. "It's hot, Tae... I'm going to take Daffy off..."
"Wait! Don't!" Taehyung quickly turned away.
"I have more clothes underneath, Tae... don't worry...I know, that I make you shy... so don't worry..."
"Jungkookie, go back to sleep," Taehyung peeked at him, he was wearing a T-shirt and shorts underneath.
"Only if you sleep with me. Your scent comforts me..."
"Fine... anything... but promise me, that you won't go anywhere," Taehyung locked the apartment and hid the keys, just in case.
"Daffy and I, we promise."
Taehyung climbed into the bed next to Jungkook. "Oh my God!" Taehyung said surprised. "You have the elephant."
"Huh?"
"Look at my arm."
"See? Its an elephant... now look at your leg... there's an elephant too!"
"We are soulmates, Tae."
"Do you think so?" Taehyung grabbed the duvet and draped it over both of them. "Wait, are these... did I... did I do this... at Namsan?" Taehyung noticed bruises on Jungkook's shoulders.
"Yeah Tae, you pushed me really hard... and hurt me..."
"I'm so sorry Kookie. Does it hurt? Can I make it better in any way?"
"If you kiss them, it will hurt less."
"Are... are you sure?"
Jungkook nodded.
"Is is really okay?"
Jungkook nodded again.
Taehyung gently pushed away the neckline of his T-shirt and gently touched one of his shoulders with his long fingers.
"Your hands are cold, Tae.... I have goosebumps now..."
"Sorry," Taehyung leaned over and pressed his lips ever so slightly on his shoulder. He repeated the same for the other one.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Jungkook closed his eyes.
"If you get any cuter, I swear I will die..."
"Don't die Tae... I will be sad," Jungkook mumbled.
"Okay I won't," Taehyung laughed quietly.
"Now you have to spoon me Tae, otherwise I won't fall asleep," Jungkook rolled to his side, his back facing Taehyung's chest.
"Wouldn't you be uncomfortable?"
"No, I like it... I wish you would hug me more often..."
"Really?" Taehyung moved closer until their bodies were touching.
"I will never admit it, but yeah..."
"You are admitting it now, Kookie."
"Don't act smart, Tae...You have to be a big spoon now."
Taehyung wrapped his arm around Jungkook and turned off the lamp on the night stand.
"I hope I will have a dream with you in it," Jungkook sighed. "I've been dreaming about you for weeks now."
Taehyung froze,"Okay, okay... that's enough Jungkookie... you should really get some rest..."
"And in those dreams... I do things... which make you shy..." Taehyung reached around and muffled Jungkook's mouth with his palm.
"Goodnight Kookie."
"Nighty- night," Jungkook mumbled quietly.
"You're too sweet, too sweet... because you're too sweet," Taehyung whispered and kissed Jungkook's nape. After that, still spooning, they both drifted off to sleep.