Chapter 4 – Stories in the Quiet

The rain had settled into a soft drizzle by the time Jungkook and Taehyung finished their hot chocolate. Steam fogged the edges of the window, and the hum of the city outside felt far away, softened by the weather.

Taehyung stretched out comfortably on the couch, tugging at the sleeves of the oversized hoodie Jungkook had lent him. His damp hair curled slightly at the ends, framing his face in a way that made him look both boyish and impossibly striking.

Jungkook sat across from him, perched stiffly in the armchair as though keeping too much distance would keep his thoughts in order. He kept sneaking glances at Taehyung—at the way he cradled the mug in both hands, at how easily he belonged in this apartment despite stepping into it for the first time.

“So,” Taehyung began, tilting his head, “do you always rescue strangers from the rain?”

Jungkook blinked. “You weren’t a stranger. You were… a neighbor.”

Taehyung’s lips curved. “Mm, smooth answer. But I bet you don’t usually invite your neighbors inside.”

Jungkook cleared his throat, looking away. “You didn’t have your key. It would’ve been cruel to leave you outside like that.”

“Kind and shy,” Taehyung teased, laughter hidden in his voice. “What a combination.”

Jungkook shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. He wasn’t used to teasing, not the gentle kind.

Taehyung leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. His eyes gleamed with curiosity. “So, Jungkook… what do you do?”

“I teach literature,” Jungkook said simply, lifting his mug to his lips. “At the university nearby.”

“Ah, that explains the books,” Taehyung said, gesturing to the shelves. “But why so many romance novels? I saw more love stories than classics.”

Jungkook froze for a fraction of a second. His students had asked him this once too. He gave the same answer he always did. “Because love stories… are timeless. They remind us of things worth living for.”

Taehyung tilted his head, watching him intently. “You talk like someone who’s been in love before.”

Something in Jungkook’s chest tightened. He wanted to laugh it off, but the truth was too close, too fragile. Instead, he deflected. “What about you? Why did you move here?”

Taehyung leaned back, shrugging. “I wanted a change. New city, new people, new… stories.” His smile softened. “And it looks like I already found one.”

Their eyes met. Jungkook felt heat climb into his ears again and quickly broke the gaze. He busied himself with placing his empty mug on the coffee table, but in the silence, he swore he heard a faint whisper—like someone calling his name from the hallway.

He stilled, glancing toward the door. Nothing. Just the steady drip of rain outside.

“You okay?” Taehyung’s voice pulled him back.

Jungkook blinked. “Yeah. Just… thought I heard something.”

Taehyung smiled, almost knowingly. “Maybe it’s the rain. It plays tricks sometimes.”

Jungkook nodded slowly, though unease tugged at the edges of his mind. He shook it off when Taehyung leaned forward again, resting his elbows on his knees.

“You know,” Taehyung said softly, “I think this city feels less lonely already.”

The words lingered in the quiet room, wrapping around Jungkook like a blanket. For the first time in a long while, the silence didn’t feel empty.

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