5

Jungkook woke up to his alarm and immediately regretted setting it.

It was 7 AM.

He never woke up at 7 AM on his days off.

But he'd set the alarm last night in a half-asleep panic because Taehyung had said, Text me when you wake up, and Jungkook didn't want to wake up at noon and look like someone who didn't have his life together.

Now he was awake, staring at the ceiling, regretting all of his life choices.

His phone was still on the nightstand.

He reached for it.

No messages.

He didn't know if that was good or bad.

He sat up slowly, rubbed his eyes, and looked around his room. It was a mess. Clothes on the chair. An empty mug on the desk. His work laptop still open from two days ago.

He stood up and started cleaning.

He didn't know why. It wasn't like Taehyung was coming over. But his brain insisted that if he didn't clean something, the entire day would fall apart.

Twenty minutes later, his room looked acceptable.

He went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and stared at himself in the mirror.

He looked tired.

He splashed cold water on his face and tried again.

Better.

He went to his closet and stood there for five full minutes trying to figure out what to wear.

It was December. It was cold. He needed layers.

But what kind of layers?

He pulled out a black sweater. Put it back. Pulled out a gray one. Put it back.

Tried a hoodie. Too casual.

Tried a button-up. Too formal.

He settled on a dark blue sweater and jeans. Then he changed his mind and swapped the jeans for black ones.

Then he changed back.

He sat down on the edge of his bed and put his face in his hands.

This is insane.

He checked his phone again.

Still no messages.

It was 7:43.

Was it too early to text?

What if Taehyung was still asleep?

What if he texted and woke him up and Taehyung thought he was annoying?

He opened their chat and stared at the empty text box.

His thumbs hovered over the keyboard.

Good morning felt too stiff.

Hey felt too casual.

I'm awake sounded like he was reporting for duty.

He typed: Morning. I'm up.

Then he deleted it.

Typed: Hey, I'm awake. Let me know when you're free.

Read it. Cringed. Deleted it.

He put the phone face-down on the bed and stood up.

He'd wait. He'd make coffee first. He'd be normal.

He went to the kitchen, filled the kettle, and turned on the stove.

While the water heated, he leaned against the counter and stared at nothing.

His phone buzzed.

He nearly dropped the kettle.

He grabbed his phone.

Kim Taehyung: Morning. You up?

Jungkook stared at the message.

His heart was doing that thing again.

He typed back: Yeah. Just made coffee.

Three dots appeared immediately.

Kim Taehyung: Same. Want to meet for breakfast?

Jungkook's hands were shaking.

Jungkook: Yes. Where?

Kim Taehyung: There's a place near the station. Quiet. Good pastries.

Kim Taehyung: I'll send you the address.

A moment later, a location pin appeared in the chat.

Jungkook checked the time. 7:51.

Jungkook: What time?

Kim Taehyung: 9?

Jungkook: Okay.

Kim Taehyung: See you soon.

Jungkook set his phone down carefully, like it might explode.

Then he turned off the stove, went back to his room, and changed his sweater one more time.

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