The Change Within

㉘Is That The Only Reason?

“Why—Why would I want to hug him?” Taehyung asked with a string of awkward chuckles as he avoided eye contact, his embarrassment rising with every second that passed.

“Don’t play dumb. You don’t miss a chance to cling to his side,” Yoongi snickered.

“That’s absolutely not true. He’s the one clinging to me!”

“I don’t see you complaining, though.”

He cast a glare at Yoongi, but he couldn’t come up with anything to say. He huffed as he heaved himself to his feet, covering the younger’s body with the blanket, and he scuttled to the bathroom without a word, leaving the two behind him laughing.

“You guys seem to have fun.”

They snapped their heads in Jeongguk’s direction and cracked up once more, making the other snort.

“Why did you lie, hyung? You know I’m not a heavy sleeper.”

“Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see if he’ll hug you again.”

“You guys have nothing better to do, huh?”

“No,” Hoseok chirped with a grin. “When did you wake up?”

“When you two came. Yoongi hyung, why did you call us dumb and oblivious?”

“Oh, no reason, no reason.” He waved a dismissive hand as he shook his head, but then he narrowed his eyes on him. “Why didn’t you get up if you woke up half an hour ago?”

Jeongguk became awkward real quick at his question as he grasped the blanket, wanting to drape it over his head so it would somehow magic him away from there, but he instead lowered his gaze with a sigh. “It was warm... and comfortable.”

“Sleeping on the floor isn’t warm nor comfortable,” Hoseok said, his confusion shining through his expression.

“It’s not about the place,” Jeongguk uttered below his breath as he glimpsed at his side where Taehyung was sitting, and a tiny smile crept over his lips.

“What?”

Hoseok’s inquiry shook him out of his thoughts, and he threw them a glance before he dropped his head and rose from his seat. “Nothing,” he muttered as he hurried away, cursing himself mentally for unfolding his mouth.

🥀

An array of drinks and snacks were placed on the living room table and chill music was playing in the background as the four boys waited for the other three, who would come at any moment now.

“Are we gonna order pizza again?” Taehyung asked with a small pout that indicated his disapproval.

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you cook something?” Yoongi shot back with a chuckle.

“But Jeongguk is our chef. Why would I cook?”

“I am a chef, but I’m not your chef,” Jeongguk said with a wry face that caused the other to huff in fake annoyance.

Unable to stand his mockery, Taehyung snatched his face and squished his cheeks, eliciting a throaty groan from the younger that intensified his amusement. “There you go. Your grumpy face is back,” he teased as he gave his cheeks a light slap and then retracted his hands.

“I told you if you do that again, I’ll tickle you until you cry. Remember?” Jeongguk shifted his hands towards him at a tantalizingly slow pace, and a cunning smile sprawled on his lips when he discerned Taehyung shrinking away.