Encounters In The Rain 🌧️

                                    

                                          
The rain was a steady, rhythmic hum as Taehyung made his way down the dimly lit street, the weight of his medical textbooks pressing against his shoulder. He pulled the collar of his coat higher, more out of habit than any real hope of shielding himself from the cold drizzle. He was used to the rain by now-it had become something of a companion on his late walks home. But tonight, something felt different, a quiet sense of anticipation lingering in the air.
Ahead, under the faint glow of a streetlamp, he noticed a figure standing alone, struggling to shield himself from the rain with a leather-bound journal held awkwardly above his head. The young man looked out of place, dressed in polished shoes and an elegant coat, as though he had wandered off from some grand event and lost his way. His gaze was fixed downward, drops of rain slipping from the edges of his improvised shelter and trailing down his face.
Without fully understanding why, Taehyung felt himself slowing his steps, his curiosity piqued by the stranger's presence. As he approached, he noticed the boy's wide, doe-like eyes-a pair of soft galaxies in the midst of a storm. The boy looked up, and for a moment, their eyes met. There was something both innocent and haunting in his gaze, a fragility that made Taehyung want to shield him from the rain.
"Need some help?" Taehyung offered, a faint smile breaking through his typically reserved demeanor.
The boy hesitated before nodding, his expression shifting from surprise to relief. "That would be... yes, thank you," he said softly, his voice almost swallowed by the sound of rain.
Taehyung stepped closer, holding his umbrella above them both. "I'm kim Taehyung ," he introduced himself, realizing he felt oddly nervous, as if this encounter held more weight than he could yet understand.
The boy's eyes softened, and he extended his hand, careful not to let go of the journal he still clutched. "I'm Jeon Jungkook," he replied, his voice warm with a hint of shyness.
They walked side by side in silence, the rain continuing its steady rhythm around them. The quiet felt comfortable, natural even, as though they had known each other for much longer than a few minutes. Each step seemed to sync with the soft pitter-patter of raindrops, creating an intimate rhythm that neither wanted to break.
As they reached the corner where their paths would part, Jungkook stopped, glancing up at Taehyung with a hesitant smile. "Thank you... for stopping," he said. There was something unsaid in his words, a silent acknowledgment that this moment had meant more to him than just shelter from the rain.
Taehyung simply nodded, feeling the same unspoken pull. "Anytime," he replied, watching as Jungkook's face lit up with a quiet smile before he disappeared into the night.
And as Taehyung walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that something in his life had shifted-subtly, but irrevocably.
As Taehyung walked away, he couldn't help but look back over his shoulder, watching Jungkook's silhouette disappear into the foggy streets. Something about the younger man's soft demeanor stirred a quiet instinct in him-a sense of protectiveness he hadn't felt in years. Jungkook's shy, grateful smile had left a mark that Taehyung knew wouldn't fade easily.
.. //.. 
The next day, Taehyung 's mind drifted back to that rainy night more times than he'd like to admit. He pictured Jungkook's delicate features, those wide eyes that seemed to hold both wonder and restraint, as though Jungkook was used to keeping parts of himself hidden away. That evening had felt like a fleeting dream, but Taehyung was surprised at how clearly he could recall every detail of their encounter.
It wasn't until a few weeks later, on a Sunday afternoon, that Taehyung saw him again. Taehyung had stopped by a cozy café near campus to unwind after a long study session, his mind buried in his medical textbooks. The bell above the door chimed softly, and when he looked up, there was Jungkook -standing there, scanning the room before spotting Taehyung in the corner.
Their eyes met, and Jungkook's face lit up in a soft smile that Taehyung could feel from across the room. With hesitant steps, Jungkook approached, his gaze warm but cautious.
"Taehyung , right?" Jungkook asked, his voice carrying that same quiet charm.
"Jungkook ," Taehyung replied, gesturing to the empty chair across from him. "Join me?"
Jungkook settled into the seat, his hands resting carefully on the table. They chatted, each filling in fragments of their lives-their studies, families, and hopes. Taehyung found himself listening more than he spoke, drawn to Jungkook's gentle voice and the way his eyes would brighten when he talked about things he loved, like his brothers and his grandfather.
And as their conversation unfolded, Taehyung realized with quiet certainty that this wasn't a passing curiosity. It was something that would stay with him-something he'd protect, whatever it took.
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    Author note! 
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