Chapter 11: Soft

Between that hazy space between waking and sleeping Jungkook's intuition told him something was off about his current space. He wasn't sure where this conclusion came from he wasn't awake enough to take in anything from his senses consciously, but the unsettled feeling and active thoughts were quickly taking him there. And he was awake.

Not quite ready to pry his eyes open he tried to remember his last memories before he went to sleep. Nothing immediately came to mind, sighing he tried to take stock of his situation with his other senses.

He was curled up in the fetal position, which wasn't something since he had seen the king-size bed in his room. There was a blanket around him, but it didn't have the heavy cloudiness he associated with his comforter.

His dreamy thoughts about his bed were interrupted by a gentle snore from nearby. Evidently, that was all it took for his nonexistent memory to suddenly exist.

He felt his embarrassment make its way across his cheeks and ears. He had been having a freakout when Tae had pulled him into his room to admire his "nest" of pillows and blankets.

And Jungkook fell asleep right in the middle, he hoped Tae didn't think he was rude. It was just so relaxing. They had watched some videos of Jungkook making passing comments about some of the streamer's choices. And then they fell into a gentle silence.

That's the only way he could describe it. It wasn't the sharpened disapproval of one of his old caretakers or the quicksand of anxiousness and lack of social interactions to pull from.

He didn't need to dial his senses a hundred to find some sort of offering to appease the silence into vanishing. It just was. The moments felt full even with the lack of sound.

Just thinking had peace falling over Jungkook and for the first time since the clinic Jungkook felt he could take a look at things without collapsing. The examination led him to a very important question. Why?

Why did this bother him? The other men were able to brush off these interactions, they had claimed it as part of normal: annoying but not concerning. He had been aware of the possibility every man was even one as sheltered as him. So why?

Why him? There were plenty of other males in the waiting room, heck Jin was beside him. He had made eye contact, but surely that wasn't enough to warrant that sort of reaction. Was it?

Why do it? What sort of reward could a woman possibly feel from making those gestures at a clearly claimed male?

Questions he had plenty, answers not so much. Squirming upright with finally open eyes. Maybe the new perspective would give him some new revelations.

Unfortunately, the comfy array of pillows and blankets didn't suddenly reveal the inner workings of the human psyche or societal expectations. Though the soul-searching did yield some fruit.

Buried beneath several decorative pillows was the corner of a divine-looking blanket. It was a royal purple its velvety look complimented by the texture of the blanket. When Jungkook touched it he swore he had never touched something so soft in his life. Eagerly he began to tug it free. If he couldn't have answers at least he could sulk wrapped up in blanket heaven.

Successfully dislodging the blanket from the pile of pillows he discovered that the blanket was bigger than anticipated. Beginning to tug again he was met with even more resistance than before it barely budged.

"Need some help?" the sleep-roughed voice of Taehyung sent Jungkook's heart thudding, from the shock of course. Nodding, Jungkook spared himself the effort and possible embarrassment of talking and accepted the offer. He really did want the blanket.

With a boxy grin and huff of amusement, Taehyung lifted the blanket on top of him revealing the blanket Tae was lying on. The gorgeous purple blanket Tae was lying on.

"Your wish is my command," Taehyung said rolling off Jungkook's coveted blanket. Suppressing a blush Jungkook successfully pulled the blanket free.

The blanket was massive and had run under multiple blankets and pillows before leading to Taehyung, it wasn't surprising he hadn't guessed it was beneath Taehyung.

At least that's what Jungkook was trying to convince himself of, realistically the no-give should have tipped him off that there was something more than blankets and pillows barring his retrieval of the item.

Prize acquired, Junkook bundled himself in the blanket allowing only his head to peek out. With a knowing grin, Taehyung let his gaze shift to his bracelet as he pulled up the holoscreen.

Letting out a long whistle Taehyung turned a concerned gaze toward Jungkook.

"Are you feeling ok? You slept for 6 hours straight." Did he sleep for six hours? That implied that Tae had not, probably spending only half that time asleep as well, maybe less. Jungkook felt warm, someone had stuck around for hours even though Jungkook was no longer in use.

"I'm fine, even better than this morning." Jungkook cheerfully responded, letting the satisfaction of the Taehyung revelation color his tone.

"That's good to her, but if you start to feel bad or just want to talk I'm your man." And suddenly Jungkook wasn't sure his act was convincing as he had thought. Tugging the blanket closer a futile effort to shield himself. It was a great blanket, but not that amazing.

Jungkook considered the statement. He wanted and needed answers. But was this the best option to get them? Could he trust Taehyung with this?

Deciding his need to know outweighed the possible consequences of spilling his guts to a semi-stranger, he turned to face Taehyung.

"I have some questions I was hoping someone could answer." He kept his tone polite and somewhat detached. He was nervous and also didn't want Taehyung to feel obligated to agree.

"You got it, ask away my prune." It was a joke, but Jungkook didn't doubt Tae meant what he said. Taking a deep breath Jungkook contemplated where to start.