Fatescript

"Soft Persuasions"

Taehyung pointed at her with his chopsticks, looking as if he’d been gravely wronged. “Yes, exactly. Which means you have to return the favor!” His voice was half-pleading, half-demanding, as though he was trying to reason with a stubborn child.

Jisoo leaned back in her chair, completely unfazed, her expression one of pure confidence. “No, I don’t,” she replied flatly, punctuating her words with a shake of her head. She lifted another bite toward her lips, chewing calmly, intentionally ignoring the way he was staring at her.

He blinked, stunned at the rejection, his lips parting as though words had failed him. For a moment, all he could do was gape at her, looking more offended than he actually was.

“And now,” Jisoo added, raising her chopsticks with extra flair, “don’t bother me.”

Taehyung sat back, his mouth still slightly open, blinking at her in exaggerated disbelief. He let out a dramatic sigh, running a hand down his face, but the sparkle in his eyes gave him away. He wasn’t angry—he was amused, maybe even a little charmed by how merciless she could be.

Still, his pride refused to let the matter drop so easily. He crossed his arms, muttering just loud enough for her to hear, “Unbelievable. I feed her once and suddenly I’m starving to death.”

Jisoo smirked into her food, refusing to acknowledge his theatrics, though the slight shake of her shoulders betrayed her laugh.

***

Jisoo finished the last bite on her plate with deliberate calm, ignoring Taehyung’s sulking performance across from her. She dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin, then finally lifted her gaze to him.

“If you’re done eating,” she said casually, as though his dramatics hadn’t even existed, “please order me some dessert.”

Her tone was sweet but laced with authority, the kind that didn’t leave room for negotiation.

Taehyung, still leaning back with his arms crossed, blinked at her in disbelief. “Dessert? After you just denied me a single bite?” His voice rose in mock offense.

Jisoo tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in playful challenge. “Yes. Dessert. And make it something chocolate. You owe me.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, lowering his voice like he was about to deliver a heavy secret. “I owe you?” He pointed to himself, eyebrows raised. “Pretty sure it’s the other way around, Miss Protective Plate.”

She didn’t flinch, didn’t even break eye contact. Instead, she slowly placed her chopsticks down, folded her hands together neatly, and offered a sweet smile. “Are you ordering it, or should I?”

The air between them shifted. Taehyung stared at her for a long moment, his façade of stubbornness cracking under her calm persistence. Finally, he let out a resigned groan, throwing his head back. “Man, this woman,” he muttered.

Jisoo’s smile widened in victory, and she added softly, “Make it two portions. I might share this time.”

That one line had him immediately flagging down the server.

***

When Taehyung returned, there was a mischievous curve tugging at his lips. He carried a single plate, the chocolate mousse sitting elegantly in the center, rich and glossy under the warm light. Instead of sliding into his chair right away, he set the plate deliberately in front of Jisoo, watching her carefully. She was still occupied with her phone, fingers scrolling absentmindedly, but the moment the dessert landed before her, she tucked it away, as though dessert automatically took precedence over everything else.