Bound by Emotion

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the windows as Jungkook sat on the edge of his bed, his phone in hand. The house was unusually quiet, the silence almost comforting. After finishing breakfast, he had returned to his room just to catch up on a few messages, but one particular notification made him freeze.

It was from Eunwoo.

"Hey, hope you're doing well! I wanted to say thanks again for all your hard work on the project. If you're free this weekend, maybe we could grab coffee?"

Jungkook stared at the message, blinking in surprise. He had always thought of Eunwoo as a kind colleague—charming, polite, and always appreciative—but this message felt different. A little more personal. A little too... forward.

Before he could fully process his reaction, footsteps echoed in the hallway. A soft knock on the door was followed by a familiar voice.

"Everything okay?" Taehyung asked as he leaned casually against the doorframe.

Jungkook quickly turned his phone face-down and looked up. "Yeah... just checking some messages."

Taehyung's gaze flicked to the phone, then back to Jungkook. His expression didn't change much, but there was a slight shift in his eyes—subtle, but noticeable.

"Messages from anyone important?" he asked, his voice light but laced with curiosity.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before answering, "Eunwoo texted me."

There was a pause. Taehyung's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Eunwoo, huh?" he said quietly. "He seems... enthusiastic lately. Especially around you."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, sensing something in his tone. "Is that your way of saying you're jealous, Taehyung?"

Taehyung's lips quirked into a faint smile, but his eyes remained serious as he took a step closer.

"Maybe I am," he admitted. "Maybe I don't like the idea of someone else having your attention."

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. The calm, stoic professor had rarely let his guard down like this before. He didn't expect such honesty, not so soon—not so openly.

"I didn't think you cared that much," Jungkook said, voice low, testing the waters.

Taehyung moved even closer, now standing right in front of him. He gently took Jungkook's hand in his, eyes searching his face.

"You have no idea what you've done to me," Taehyung whispered. "You're always in my thoughts, and the more I try to stay away, the harder it gets."

Jungkook felt heat rise in his chest, the air between them thick with tension and something far deeper. Before he could speak, Taehyung leaned in, brushing his fingers along Jungkook's cheek.

"Jungkook..." he breathed.

The distance between them disappeared as Taehyung captured his lips in a kiss—tentative at first, then slowly deepening. Jungkook responded instinctively, fingers curling into Taehyung's shirt as he leaned into him. The kiss was filled with suppressed longing, soft and desperate all at once.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless.

Taehyung rested his forehead against Jungkook's, his voice barely audible. "You're not just a student to me. Not anymore."

"And you're not just a professor," Jungkook whispered back. "You never were."

A silence settled over the room—warm, electric, comforting. Then, without a word, Jungkook took his hand and led him to the bed.

What followed wasn't rushed or impulsive. It was gentle. Reverent. As if both of them were trying to memorize each other with every kiss, every touch. There was vulnerability in Taehyung's gaze as he took his time with Jungkook, like he had been waiting for this moment far longer than he would ever admit.

That night, wrapped in each other's arms beneath the sheets, neither of them spoke much. They didn't need to.

The next morning, Jungkook stirred, sunlight warming his face. He blinked his eyes open to find Taehyung still beside him, an arm wrapped around his waist, holding him close.

"Good morning," Taehyung said softly, his voice still laced with sleep.

Jungkook turned to him, heart full and eyes shining. "Morning."

And in that moment, both of them knew—this was no longer something they had to hide or fight. It was the start of something real.