Chapter Text
Jeon Jungkook. Photography student. To be able to live at the dorm, he has a part-time job and does the night shift. He comes back around 4 am, and sleeps for around 3 hours. When his classes finish, he takes a big nap, studies a little, then goes to work.
Of course Taehyung isn’t aware of that all, because he is a heavy sleeper. He feels miserable. And he doesn’t like when people pity him. Rejecting Taehyung since the first day has been very difficult for him, because, even though he felt the urge to reject him, he could tell that Taehyung was very pure and kind-hearted.
Jungkook gathered his stuff, and left the classroom. He sighed in relief, classes were done. Even though he got used to it, it’s still tiring for him. He walked until he arrived in front of his dorm door. He sighed again, this time, of apprehension. He opened the door.
But he came back to an empty place.
It was empty like before. Taehyung’s stuff was gone. Jungkook’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly put his photography supplies on his bed, and went to Taehyung’s bed. The bedsheets were clean, there wasn’t any suitcase.
He went to the bathroom to check if there was any Taehyung’s stuff left. But no. There was only one (1) toothbrush. He was asking himself if he didn’t open the wrong dorm. But no. There was his stuff on his night table, his suitcases, his clothes.
The tiny ounce of happiness and life Taehyung brought to this greyish room, it was all gone now. Like before. He fell down on the ground and realized, but he couldn't believe it. There wasn’t any post-it, not a single letter from Taehyung to inform Jungkook.
He left, without saying a word. Jungkook had mixed emotions. He felt so lost without him in the same room, but on the other hand, he told himself he deserved it. He treated Taehyung like shit, what did he expect ?
Taehyung to stay and to pretend as if nothing happened ? Of course not. Taehyung’s also a human-being. Jungkook ended up crying, again, alone in his sadness, again.
**
Since, Jungkook has always felt guilty about Taehyung. He knew deep inside of him that Taehyung didn’t deserve that at all. Taehyung’s absence drove him crazy. He missed his laugh, his eyes, his art pieces he would hang up on the wall, he missed sharing a room with someone else. He missed Taehyung.
3 PM, Jungkook needed to go to the art exhibition room in the university where students exhibit their art, and it’s open for everyone. The benefits made by the customers, who can be students’ parents, or even random people in the streets who are intrigued, help to finance the university, and to buy more materials for their student. Jungkook had to exhibit his photograph he made recently. He carried the developed pictures with his left arm, camera on the other.
But when he entered the place, he saw Taehyung. His heart raced, it’s been weeks since he saw him for the last time. He went straight to him. Taehyung was welcoming customers. Jungkook’s eyes were full of hope. He hoped Taehyung would forgive him for his mean behaviour.
When Taehyung saw him, he was surprised. He didn’t expect this at all, even though it was normal, since they’re in the same university. But he didn’t expect Jungkook to go directly to him.
“Taehyung ? I-I would like to talk to you, and explain... lots of things,” Jungkook said, his heart beating like crazy.
“I’m sorry Jungkook, but can we talk later ? I’m busy right now, and my shift ends at 6 pm.” Taehyung replied, calmly.
"Sure. I-I will wait.” Jungkook answered and nodded, then went to the photography section to exhibit his art.
**
6 PM. Jungkook was waiting for Taehyung to finish. He was very nervous. He closed his eyes, his heart beating fast of nervousness, he stomped his feet, and bit his bottom lip.
6:30 PM. Jungkook started to worry. What would happen to Taehyung ? Did he forget ? Did he stand up him? Jungkook was overthinking, but he decided to wait a little more. Maybe Taehyung didn’t finish.
7 PM. He waited. Maybe Taehyung was still welcoming people.
8 PM. He started to get hungry.
8:30 PM. It was starting to get darker…
9 PM. Maybe Taehyung forgot ? Regardless, Jungkook left, he had high hopes, and he fell really hard. His eyes were getting watery but he didn’t care, he let the tears streaming down his face. And he had to go to work.
**
Fortunately, two days later, Jungkook noticed Taehyung in a hallway. He ran toward him, he couldn’t miss the chance. He tapped his shoulder, and Taehyung looked at him. He was surprised again.
Jungkook internally smiled : Taehyung is very cute when he’s surprised.
“Hi ! I’m- I would like to hm… to talk to you… please…” Jungkook tried to find his words and talked quieter and quieter as the sentence went. He was shy.
“O-oh… Sure !” Taehyung nodded his head and smiled shyly.
They went to a place where there were less people. And then, Jungkook started to talk :
“O-okay so… first, I am so sorry for all the shitty words I’ve said to you. You didn’t deserve them at all, you are very kind, and I was very mean. I didn’t welcome you well at all. Of course, I feel guilty. I-I’ve rejected you that way b-because,” Jungkook took a deep breath, “it was like… a coping mechanism. I was scared to get hurt again, so that is why I tried my best to not be attached to anyone. M-my precedent roommate, he…,”
Jungkook swallowed, his words were stuck in his throat. But he needed to tell him. Taehyung deserved an explanation.
“He b-broke my camera. I know it sounds stupid, b-but, my parents and I worked hard to save enough money for it. I worked at a part-time job, where my boss treated me like shit, but I still stayed because I needed that money. And my parents too, they did their best to save money for it. They even did extra shifts, and I will always be grateful to them. And when we had enough money, I bought it for my birthday. I was very happy, it was my dream camera. The best camera I could ever had. B-but my ex-roommate h-he.. He broke it, and filmed my reaction for a TikTok, and made fun of me. He didn’t even give me money to pay for another one. He just… left. I was heartbroken. To see that /my parents’/ and /my/ efforts were at the end in vain… I was just… lost. How could the world be so unfair ?” Jungkook stopped talking.
He knew if he continued, he would crack, and cry. But the tears were already falling.
Taehyung opened his bag and searched for a tissue, and he wiped Jungkook’s tears.
“B-but when you came, I was very happy, you seemed very kind and pure. I knew, deep inside, that you would never make those type of things or make fun of me. But at the same time, I wanted to protect myself again. That is why I did all of this. B-but I-I… your laugh is very adorable when you see your dog, and you are very kind and- hm yeah anyway it’s just.. yeah I.. hm yes.”
Jungkook ended up stuttering, realizing he said too much of his thoughts.
“S-so I wanted to ask you two things. C-can you forgive me and come back ? Gosh this is ridiculous, I am so ridiculous I am so sorry I look very desperate b-but, I am scared and I-I I’m sorry I just.. miss you a lot…”
Jungkook bite his lip and looked down, full of apprehension.
“I am very alone there…” Jungkook added.
There was silence. It wasn’t awkward, but full of tension. Still, Taehyung answered, “Listen Jungkook… I understand. And I do forgive you.”
Jungkook was surprised. He expected Taehyung to say no…
Taehyung continued : “I forgive you because… I took enough time to think about it. And, yeah I understand your point of view. But to return to your dorm… I don’t know to be honest. It’s just, I’m scared to feel bad again. The words you said… they were awful. I felt guilty for tiny things. I was scared to make a mistake every day, I was stressed out about it. My room was supposed to be my comfort place, and you made it into a stressful one. You were the first person I met in Seoul. I didn’t feel welcomed at all. It really hurt me, Jungkook. Every night I was wondering, ‘What did I do wrong ? Do I deserve that ? What is wrong with me ?’ It was awful. You made me feel as if I was repulsive. Disgusting. Unwanted. It made me question myself. So I don’t know Jungkook. Give me more time please.”
Jungkook nodded, but Taehyung took Jungkook’s hands and held them.
“I need time.” Taehyung said for the last time, before leaving.
Jungkook smiled, but tears were already falling down through it. He stayed where Taehyung left him, and cried.
* *
Three weeks have passed since that day.
There was a knock on the door. Jungkook got up, and opened it. Taehyung, with his suitcases, and a shy smile.
.
.
“You came back. Welcome to your home.”
//
and they become boyfriends and kisses each other when they can and worships each other’s artwork every single time <3