Love Begins at Jeju

18-the subtle awkwardness

But then he hears it—Jungkook’s voice, awkwardly clearing his throat.

“Uh… sorry.” Jungkook’s tone is unusually high-pitched, like he’s trying to control something he can’t quite put into words.
“I didn’t mean to take so long.”

Jin looks up, but it’s not just the words that catch his attention—it’s Jungkook’s posture. The younger man steps out of the bathroom, his usual confident swagger replaced by an almost nervous energy.
He’s wearing a simple robe, his hair still damp from the shower. But what stands out the most is the way Jungkook avoids looking at him. His eyes dart to the side, his cheeks flushed with what seems like a mix of embarrassment and something more.

Jin frowns slightly, sensing something off. It’s rare for Jungkook to act so... reserved. He’s known the younger man for a while now, and he’s used to his boldness, his jokes, and his carefree demeanor. But this is different.

“It’s fine,” Jin replies casually, trying to make it seem like it’s nothing. But his mind is already racing. He can’t ignore the oddness in the air. “I wasn’t waiting long.”

Jungkook’s gaze shifts toward him for a brief moment before quickly looking away again, as if he’s not sure how to act.
“oh, I thought I was taking too long—” he says, his voice softer than usual.

Jin watches him closely, noticing the subtle changes. The way Jungkook keeps fidgeting, brushing his hair out of his eyes, almost like he’s trying to hide something. There’s a quiet tension in the room that wasn’t there before.

"Jungkook it's okay, we're just relaxing take your time"
The younger man seems overly conscious of him—his smiles are a little too warm, his glances linger just a little too long.

Jin shifts in his seat, his expression thoughtful.  Jin is noticing a vulnerability in him that he hasn’t seen before.

Later in the day, as they prepare for a relaxing dip in the jacuzzi, the situation grows even more obvious. Jungkook enters the bathroom again, this time to change into his swimsuits. Jin watches as the younger man seems more flustered than usual, constantly adjusting the robe, as if he’s trying to hide something. Jin wonders for a moment whether he’s imagining things, but then Jungkook returns, his cheeks flushed again.

“Are you okay?” Jin asks, his voice softer now, the question almost out of instinct.

Jungkook freezes for a second, his back still to Jin as he tries to adjust his clothing.

“Yeah, I’m good,” he answers quickly, not looking at Jin. But his hands tremble slightly as he tries to make himself look presentable. It’s a small gesture, but it doesn’t go unnoticed by Jin.

Jin’s gaze softens as he watches the younger man,  Jungkook’s awkwardness, his subtle glances, his nervous energy. There’s a sudden shift in his perception.

“Jungkook,” Jin says quietly, taking a step closer. “You don’t have to hide anything from me.”

Jungkook finally turns around, his face a mixture of embarrassment and uncertainty. His eyes meet Jin’s for a split second before he quickly looks away, his hands fidgeting at his sides. “I don’t know what you mean,” he says, though his voice cracks slightly.

Jin smiles softly, not wanting to make Jungkook uncomfortable but also understanding that this moment—whatever it is—cannot be ignored.

“It’s okay,” Jin says, his tone calm and reassuring. “You seemed too nervous. Just… be yourself, alright?”

Jungkook nods quickly, but the tension in his body doesn’t dissipate. The weight of that knowledge settles in his chest, but strangely, it’s not as uncomfortable as he expected.

For the rest of the day, there’s an unspoken understanding between them. Jungkook is still awkward around Jin, still unsure how to express the feelings that have grown within him. He actually wants —
More!
But the fact he knows the older's was setting boundaries between them, makes him feel awkward.

But as the two of them relax in the jacuzzi that night, side by side in the warm, bubbling water, the space between them feels a little less uncomfortable.

Jin’s presence is calming, even if Jungkook can’t fully let go of his inner turmoil. His feelings for Jin—it was too much to handle, there’s no denying it now. But what that means for the future, especially with the game still on the line, is something that's bothering them.

For now, he simply enjoys the moment—Jin’s reassuring smile, the warmth of the jacuzzi, and the quiet connection between them.

As the night draws to a close, Jin speaks up again, this time his voice light and teasing, a subtle way to ease the tension.

“You know,” Jin says with a small chuckle, “the jacuzzi really isn’t as relaxing when you’re fidgeting so much. Just relax, Jungkook.”

Jungkook smiles, his heart racing slightly, but he finally relaxes, letting himself enjoy the time with Jin..

Without overthinking everything.