July 30, 2023 (filmed), February 14, 2024 (released) -
We finally have a BB of Jk’s Inkigayo stage performance! A smiling Tae arrives to support him -
Timestamp 2:33
Tae, at first, stands over Jk. Jk knows who’s entered the room, even with his eyes closed. He clearly was expecting Tae, and he “greets” him by asking, “What?” It should be noted, as others have pointed out, that they didn’t greet each other with the standard “Hello” or “How are you?” This is another indicator of how close they are and how much time they spend with each other to skip these formalities.
There’s then a noticeable cut, with Tae now air-straddling Jk. The subsequent interaction between them is so incredibly domestic! Jk is adorably pouty as he twice asks Tae, in a soft voice, where he’d been.
Timestamp 2:40
Tae explains in an equally super soft, low tone that he had been practicing. Jk repeats in an inquiring, yet still soft tone, “Practice?” Tae further explains that he was at dance then violin practice, before working out.
Timestamp 2:50
https://x.com/v1230mp4/status/1757708423280640268?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Translation -
https://x.com/tcnckclnsmaek/status/1758376772562010549?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Also something to point out is that when Tae stood over Jk, Jk’s legs lay flat on the ground -
Once Tae’s legs were encased around him, Jk lifted a leg up so that he could reciprocate his touch.
CT to Eve for the observation - https://x.com/evexece_kthjjk/status/1758339565239099456?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
And it’s super cute how Tae seems to have left his glasses on Jk’s luggage while they talked -
In the next clip, Jk starts boxing while Tae looks on.
Timestamp 2:51
We then see Taekook playfully boxing together.
Below is a close up of Jk’s soft, fond stare as they box, complete with his adorable dimple on display (and he was focused on Tae the entirety of them boxing, not their hands and movements!)
https://x.com/tcnckclnsmaek/status/1757731117128679917?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
https://x.com/jeonjkloops/status/1757709108927439093?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
https://x.com/kveline_/status/1757721535119274154?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
https://x.com/dionyxxsustkx/status/1757741281340494321?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Of course, this isn’t the first time this precious duo have boxed together. Tae uploaded a video of them boxing on Jk’s birthday, September 1, 2022, posting the video as soon as he landed in Seoul from NYC.
Tae’s post - https://x.com/bts_twt/status/1565075044703019008?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Recap - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2022/694602961670766592/we-finally-got-the-taekook-sparring-video-tae
And while it’s not the exact same thing, I also thought of Tae boxing on Jk’s abs in ITS season 1, episode 3. Remember, this is a sign of closeness, as all Tae said was, Today were working on abs,” nothing further, and Jk understood context and lifted his arms to expose his tummy.
Recap - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2020/632423882773676032/may-26-2020-filmed-soop-episode-3
And we also got to see this PTD boxing moment between the two -
https://youtube.com/shorts/eRGSXEwaEKw?si=7fHDWS5gv5ztEAWS
Jk looks back and watches Tae as they practice the choreography for his record breaking song, “Seven.”
Timestamp 3:04
Tae confirms a dance move with Jk -
They practice once more, with Tae exclaiming the choreography is hard.
Tae gives Jk encouragement and support, attempting to massage him as he softly speaks to him. I also want to note, as others have, that the staff didn’t react in any way to Tae massaging Jk, which indicates that this is habitual and a common occurrence between the two.
Timestamp 3:22
Translation -
https://x.com/tcnckclnsmaek/status/1757723740887306298?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
https://x.com/v1230mp4/status/1757708897417400325?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Tae playfully receives Jk’s congratulatory stash (“Seven” won first place at Inkigayo!) -
timestamp 4:08
Jk imitates Tae’s 2020 “Gidaryeo gidaryeo” at the end of his “3D” segment of his M countdown prerecording -
Timestamp 7:47
https://x.com/bangtannieslayy/status/1757714312607773013?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Remember, during Jk’s February 3, 2023, live, he twice imitated Tae’s “Gidaryeo gidaryeo.”
The fact he’s so endured by this adorable moment (shown below) that he imitates it even 3+ years later is so cute.
https://x.com/taesmug/status/1621513590330261506?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
https://x.com/koovarbie/status/1621506463335329795?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg
Recap of this 2023 live here - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2023/708525777682038784/february-1-2023
Prior recap of Jk arriving for Inkigayo - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2023/724383250492145664
Prior recap of Inkigayo - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2023/725289352690843648
Recap of Jk’s live the day after Inkigayo - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2023/724837237671575552
Raw - https://youtu.be/WvU6SWsg0_4?si=KmBs-hgA84Jk5bJL
77 notes
·
View notes
Zutara Week 2022 Day 6: Closeness
She hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Yes, she wanted to stay by the fire after everyone else went to bed and she’s willing to admit it was because he intended to stay up as well. But that was only because she was tired of fighting the pull that had been tugging at her these past weeks. Ever since they’d gotten back from their journey together she’d been trying to ignore it. The near constant desire to be closer to him. She didn’t even know what she wanted to do once there, but she wanted it just the same.
Their group was small and everyone tended to stay within a small radius of each other wherever they camped, so it wasn’t like she was ever really that far away from Zuko at any given point, but that didn’t mean she was close enough to him either. Because when they were close, she felt it. She felt the initial speeding of her heart as he offered to help prepare dinner, felt the comforting playfulness that washed over her when they inevitably started their teasing banter. She felt the tension, foreign yet not unpleasant when they tried not to share shy glances. She would try so hard not to look at him yet she always knew exactly where he was, how close, and how far he stood.
It’s not like she meant for it to happen. They all were in the middle of a war and she obviously had more important things to think about than Zuko and how strong he looked with his shirt off when training Aang. Or how absurd it was that he could be a confident and demanding instructor one moment and a socially awkward teammate the next. She tried to keep a friendly distance, made sure she spent the same amount of time with everyone else as she always had. But she always wanted him there.
And late at night, she’d think about how good it felt to be alone with him as they returned from hunting her mother’s murderer. Her grieving had felt raw, like a wound that had never quite scabbed over, but he knew what she needed. He knew when to stay silent, when to distract with travel logistics, when to take charge and make her sleep. What surprised her the most is when he knew she needed comfort. The quiet, easy comfort of scooting closer to her and allowing her to find her way into a soft embrace. She likely would have found comfort with anyone else in their group had they done the same. But he was the only one who had supported her quest and so was the only one there. And it just felt different with him. It felt safe in a way that was unfamiliar and yet felt so natural.
So yes, she purposefully stayed up last night to spend time with Zuko. Because she wasn’t a complete idiot. She knew what the tugging meant and it was clear he felt it too. And yes, they were fighting a war. But did that really mean they had to fight this constant pull to be closer as well? They could spend one late night talking and for all she knew that could be enough to put an end to this feeling.
Except it didn’t. Instead, the night got later and later and they sat closer and closer. And the next thing she knew she was waking up to the pre-dawn stillness of day, tucked in close in Zuko’s arms. The ground was just as firm as always, but somehow she was too comfortable to move. She was reminded of the coldest of winter mornings when getting up and out of the perfect warmth of her bed and blankets felt like the most difficult task on earth. It had to be done. The others would be waking up soon and then there was the whole potential for embarrassing awkwardness with Zuko. But maybe…
“Um. Good morning?” Zuko’s voice is hushed and sleep rough. Katara sighs internally and makes herself sit up, moving out of the circle of his arms to look at him. The sun is just coming up behind him, making a soft halo from his mussed-up hair, and is bright enough to highlight his growing blush as he offers a lopsided smile. And nope. Katara is done pretending this pull between them is anything other than what it clearly is. She’s willing to let it take its time, to simmer on the side while more important things are dealt with, but the tugging can’t actually be fought against. Not anymore. And it feels so good to give in.
---------------------------
Happy @zutaraweek again!
So this ficlet wasn't supposed to be that long, but it just sort of ended up that way. I hope you enjoyed it! Honestly, I didn't plan on doing a second prompt this week just because the first one took longer than planned and my health has been a bit iffy, but then I had the sudden inspiration for this prompt and I just didn't want to let the week pass without trying. And I made it in time! Woot! (I may go back and tweak the image if I can pinpoint what's off about it, but woot all the same!)
Anyways, I wanted to give a shout out to the official Zutara Week mods for keeping this event going. I don't care what time of year it happens, I'm just thankful that Zutara Week is still a thing. It has become something joyous I look forward to each year and I know I'm not the only one who values the beautiful creations and the sense of community it brings. So thank you! <3
1K notes
·
View notes