Archive of Our Own

“You’re doing it again.”

Jungkook whipped his head back around so fast, he was sure something in his neck broke. He met the amused, brown eyes of the cashier, a familiar smirk playing at his lips (Jimin should really stop hanging around Yoongi so much) and he knew he’d been caught. Again.

Deciding to play dumb, he cocked his head to the side. “Doing what?”

Jimin rolled his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re staring stupidly at Tae again,” he said and Jungkook felt the familiar heat in his cheeks.

“I was not!”

“You totally were, Kookie.” Jimin pointed a finger at him. “Don’t try and play the idiot card with me.”

Jungkook grumbled, hunching his back and trying to appear smaller than he was. Considering how massive he had grown – from regular trips to the gym – that feat was almost impossible. It wasn’t his fault Taehyung was so beautiful.

Anyone could see how ethereal the elder was, how his silky, auburn hair framed large, doe eyes, a straight nose and full, pink lips that he was constantly biting. Every time Taehyung worried his bottom lip with his teeth, Jungkook felt his heart constrict painfully in his chest. He was slightly concerned he wouldn’t live past twenty-five at the rate he was going.

So, he really couldn’t help it if he stared a little (a lot).

He lay his head down on the counter and let out a quiet sigh, even as his eyes strayed to Taehyung, deftly working the coffee machine and humming a tune to himself.

Jungkook had met the literature student a few months back, when he’d been wandering around campus, trying to find the arts building. The map a friend had drawn really didn’t help, just a bunch of random squiggly lines he assumed were buildings. He was so lost trying to decipher the stupid thing, he almost tripped over the body lying flat across the footpath.

“Whoa! Are-are you okay?” Jungkook asked, hopping over the boy, his foot narrowly missing the guy’s head.

The man looked up then and placed his index finger across his lips. “Shh, you’ll scare the ants.”

Jungkook blinked. Then blinked again for good measure. “The ants,” he deadpanned, staring at the guy with his eyebrows raised.

What the actual?

“Yeah, they’re carrying a leaf right now,” the guy said. “It’s actually pretty fascinating to watch. Hey, did you wanna watch them with me?” He patted the space beside him, a large, boxy grin on his face.

Why is it always the pretty ones that are batshit insane? He thought.

It was just his luck he managed to find one of the most gorgeous people on the planet and the guy had to have a few screws loose.

“Ah, no, that’s okay. I was actually on my way to the arts building,” Jungkook said, slowly backing away.

The boy perked up and he sat up then, pushing himself onto his haunches before dusting his hands off.

“Really? I was headed there too.” He looked up at Jungkook with big, brown eyes and he knew he was a goner. “Wanna go together?”

As crazy as the guy seemed, Jungkook knew he wasn’t bad. A little eccentric, sure, but there was a warmth and kindness in his demeanour that hit Jungkook full force. And he was drawn to the warmth like a moth to a flame. He just hoped he wouldn’t get burned in the process.

Jungkook shrugged, hiking his bag further up his shoulder. “Sure, if you want.”

The guy smiled wider as he stood and stretched his arm out. “I’m Kim Taehyung, by the way. Figured you should know since you’ll be my companion for the next few minutes.”

“I’m Jeon Jungkook. Nice to meet you,” Jungkook said as he shook his hand. He noted how much bigger Taehyung’s hand was as his long finger wrapped around his palm.

It wasn’t until a few days later that he learned Taehyung worked at the college café. He became a regular straight after and he would have been ashamed by how fast and hard he fell, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel anything other than happiness, and thanked his good luck that he stumbled upon the elder when he did.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Jimin waved his hand in front of his face.

“You’re staring,” he said. “What are you thinking about so hard anyway?”

Jungkook lifted his head before taking a large gulp of his hot chocolate, the liquid slightly burning his throat on the way down.

“Nothing. Just stuff.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Uh-huh. Stuff. That stuff wouldn’t happen to be Taehyung, would it?” Jungkook blushed and Jimin sighed. He rested his hands on the counter top and leaned against them. “Seriously, Kookie, just tell him how you feel already.”

“You don’t think I’ve tried? I told him just last week,” Jungkook said, throwing his hands into the air.

This piqued Jimin’s interest. “Oh? And how did that go?”

“Horrible,” Jungkook groaned, burying his head in his arms. “I told him I’ve liked him since the minute we met and at first I thought he heard because he was staring at me with a shocked look.” He paused before Jimin nudged him to continue. “But then he started screaming and ran around me. When I turned to look, he was playing with some dogs.”

Jungkook couldn’t see it, but he was sure Jimin winced in sympathy. “Ah, sorry Kookie.”

“Can you freaking believe it? He ignored me to go and play with some dogs.”

Jimin laughed. “Well, Tae’s always loved animals. You can’t fault the guy for that.”

Jungkook raised his head again. “I know. And watching him play with them made me so happy too. I figured it was okay as long as he was happy.”

Jimin smiled and ran his hand through Jungkook’s hair, ruffling the fluffy strands. “You are so whipped, Kookie.”

“What’s whipped?” a voice piped up. Jungkook and Jimin both turned their heads to stare at Taehyung, who had walked over to them after he finished serving the last customer.

Jungkook blushed and he prayed the elder hadn’t heard their conversation.

“The cream, Tae,” Jimin said and Jungkook would have hugged him for saving his ass if there wasn’t a counter between them. “I was just telling Jungkook about the new brand of whipped cream Jin-hyung bought.”

Taehyung hummed, slinging the dishtowel over one shoulder. “That’s a weird conversation to have.”

Jimin stared at him. “Taehyung, just this morning you were going on about rabbits on the moon.”

Jungkook almost spit his hot chocolate out.

Taehyung pouted. “But they really are there, Chim!”

Jimin waved him off. “Okay, sure, whatever you say.”

Jungkook listened as their conversation about whether rabbits actually did live on the moon escalated, Jimin denying they did and Taehyung insisting they were there. He knew, logically, that rabbits couldn’t possibly live on the moon but a small part of him wanted to believe Taehyung, just from how passionate the elder was about the topic.

Jungkook wondered for the hundredth time since meeting Taehyung why he ever fell in love with the guy. But then he pictured Taehyung’s smiling face, the way it would light up and radiate so much happiness, and remembered.

--

His first point of help came from an unlikely source.

Jungkook was sitting in the library, reading through books about the Impressionists when he felt the table shudder underneath him. Lifting his head and removing his headphone, he felt his mouth drop open slightly when Yoongi began lowering himself into the seat opposite him, a thick folder laying between them.

“Uh, hello Yoongi-hyung,” he said, once the shock had worn off.

Yoongi grunted as he rummaged in his bag for his pen. “Hey, Kook.”

“What are you doing here?”

Yoongi looked up at him, one of his eyebrows raised. “It’s a library and I need to study.”

That didn’t really clear things up so Jungkook tried again. “Okay. But I thought you hated people.”

Yoongi nodded. “I do.”

“Then wouldn’t your dorm room be better?”

Jungkook watched as Yoongi’s face transformed into a scowl, his brows pinched in the middle and his mouth pulled into a frown.

“Usually, I would. But Hoseok has come down with a cold and he gets super whiny when he’s sick,” Yoongi replied, opening up his binder and flipping through the pages.

Jungkook regarded the elder. “And you decided to leave him alone in the dorm to fend for himself?”

“I’ve been looking after the guy for the past week, brat,” Yoongi said, levelling Jungkook with a glare. “Don’t make me out to be some heartless jerk.”

Jungkook raised his hands in a placating manner. “Sorry, sorry. I wasn’t implying that at all, hyung.”

Jungkook could picture how Hoseok would layer himself in his blankets, calling out for Yoongi every five minutes and demanding something from the other. Hoseok didn’t get sick often, but when he did, he let everyone within a kilometre radius know he was. Jungkook winced as he thought about how Yoongi would run himself ragged, trying to comply with each and every one of Hoseok’s requests.

He knew Yoongi was a good guy. He saw it every time he interacted with his friends. His soft spot for Jimin became somewhat of a legend at their university since the two started dating and he knew Yoongi couldn’t say no to any one of them if they asked him for something.

Jungkook let the subject drop and they lapsed into a comfortable silence as they both got lost in their own study. He went to place his headphone back over his ears when Yoongi cleared his throat.

Lifting his eyes to the elder, he noted the apprehensive look the other was giving him.

“Was there something you needed, hyung?” Jungkook asked.

Yoongi studied him for a moment before he spoke. “How are things between you Taehyung?”

Jungkook blinked, staring at the elder in confusion. He shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

Yoongi hummed, folding his arms in front of his chest and resting them against the table top. “Just okay?”

“Sure. I mean, nothing’s different between us,” Jungkook replied, shrugging one shoulder.

“Doesn’t that frustrate you though?” Yoongi paused. “I know you’re in love with the guy. Everyone knows.”

Jungkook blushed. He always felt uncomfortable discussing his love life with anyone, even Jimin. So to have Yoongi ask him made him feel all sorts of awkward. Yoongi wasn’t as much of an emotionless rock as people believed him to be but it was still a little bit jarring to have the elder come up to him and openly discuss his failed love life.

Sensing the younger’s discomfort, Yoongi held up a hand. “It’s fine if you don’t wanna talk about it. Just thought I’d give you an outlet to vent to if you needed it.”

Jungkook didn’t know how he was so lucky.

“It’s not that I don’t wanna talk about it, it’s just-” He cut himself off before continuing. “I don’t know what to do. Taehyung is super dense about this stuff so whenever I try to bring it up, he always gets distracted.” He palmed at his face tiredly. “I don’t know if he’s doing it on purpose or not anymore.”

“Nah, I don’t think the kid’s even aware he’s doing it. I’m sure it’s not on purpose or anything like that,” Yoongi said.

“Then what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to make him see how much I’m in love with him?” Jungkook asked, his eyes lowered to his book. He fiddled with the corner of the page as Yoongi remained silent, presumably trying to come up with an idea.

“Take him out on a date,” Yoongi said.

Jungkook looked at him through his fringe. “I did that last time at the park but he got distracted by dogs and completely ignored my confession.”

“That’s where you stuffed up, Kook,” Yoongi replied. “You need to take him to a place without any distractions. Somewhere quiet so that he has to focus on you.”

Jungkook cocked his head, contemplating his options. He conceded that Yoongi had a point. Taehyung was easily distracted by things so he needed to make sure he had the elder’s undivided attention if he was going to confess to him.

He sat up in his seat, a large smile almost splitting his face in half. “I’ve got it,” he said, “why don’t I take him to the art museum?”

Yoongi pursed his lips, his eyes raised to ceiling as he thought. “Hm, that could work. It’s usually pretty quiet there, so no loud noises to distract him. Plus, you can impress him with your art knowledge.”

Jungkook nodded, seemingly pleased with himself. “Yeah. It’ll be the perfect opportunity.” He began packing his things away. “Thanks, Yoongi-hyung. You’re a lifesaver.”

Jungkook sprinted out of the library as fast as he could and he was gone before Yoongi could say anything else. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he brought up a chat box.

Jungkook:

Hey hyung!

Have you got any plans this afternoon?

He received a reply a few minutes later.

Tae-hyung:

Not really

Why, you wanna do something?

Jungkook had to stop running to be able to type properly so he found a bench to sit on while he sent a reply.

Jungkook:

I was thinking about going to the art museum

You wanna come?

Tae-hyung:

Sure

I’m at my dorm so just tell me where you wanna meet

Jungkook felt his heart speed up, a thrill of excitement running through his veins.

Jungkook:

I’ll meet you there then

I’ll be there in five

Jungkook didn’t wait for a response before heading to Taehyung’s dorm room. Jimin greeted him at the door before Taehyung pushed past him and wrapped one of his long arms around Jungkook’s own and dragged him away from the door. Jungkook just waved back at the elder’s confused look.

“See you later, Chim,” he called out just as they were rounding the corner to head for the stairs. “Me and Kookie have a date.”

Jungkook didn’t get to hear Jimin’s reply as they were already halfway down the first flight of stairs. Taehyung turned to him and pinched his flushed cheek before Jungkook slapped his hand away, pouting. He noted with glee that the elder hadn’t let go of his arm just yet.

“I’ve never been to an art museum before,” Taehyung said as they walked out of the building. “What’s it like?”

“It’s fun. You get to look at beautiful art and get to learn about the artists,” Jungkook replied. “Sometimes there are special exhibits.”

Taehyung stared at him with wide eyes. “That sounds cool!” He tugged at Jungkook’s arm. “Come on Kookie. Let’s get there as fast as we can.”

Jungkook laughed as he followed along, content to let himself be manhandled down the street and towards the subway. Since it was the middle of the week, the museum was relatively empty, just a few people wandering around. They walked around for a bit, taking in each painting with Jungkook filling in facts about the painters that the little placards left out.

Taehyung hummed along each time Jungkook said a new fact, and he watched as the elder’s wide eyes took in each painting with something akin to awe. Jungkook mentally patted himself on the back.

“Hey, hyung, let’s take a break over there,” Jungkook said, pointing to a row of cushioned seats in the middle of the room.

Taehyung eagerly assented, and skipped over to them before plopping down on one and stretching out his legs. Jungkook tried not to stare, he really did, but Taehyung’s long, lean legs did a good job of distracting him.

“This was so fun, Kookie. Thanks for taking me here,” Taehyung said.

Taking a seat next to him, Jungkook jolted slightly when he felt Taehyung lightly rest his head on his shoulder.

“Tired?” he asked. Taehyung hummed sleepily in response.

Jungkook laughed quietly to himself before a comfortable silence blanketed them. It was nice, just sitting in a quiet room, paintings from art legends surrounding them. Jungkook felt a surge of contentment wash over him as he cleared his throat.

Now would be the perfect time to say it, to tell Taehyung how he felt. So he opened his mouth.

“Hyung, there’s something I’ve gotta tell you and I need you to listen very carefully to me,” Jungkook said. When he got no response, he assumed the elder was listening and continued. “I’ve liked you for a really long time, Tae-hyung. And I don’t mean as just a friend. I want to be more than that with you. I want to hold your hand and kiss your lips.” He paused. “What about you? Do you want that too?”

When all he got was silence, Jungkook turned his head slightly to look at Taehyung. And found the elder had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Jungkook sighed and rubbed at his face in exasperation.

Of course, he fell asleep. Why the hell not?

But as annoyed he was about the whole situation, he couldn’t stay mad. Taehyung looked so peaceful with his head on his shoulder, quietly snoring. Jungkook felt his heart melt and he let the elder sleep for as long as he could, running his fingers through the other’s hair from time to time.

“I love you, Kim Taehyung,” Jungkook breathed into his hair.

Taehyung shifted slightly in his sleep before settling again.

--

“He actually fell asleep?” Hoseok asked as he sat on the floor of the dance studio, going through his warmup routine.

Jungkook nodded, leaning his back against the glassed wall. “Yeah.”

Hoseok laughed, throwing his head back as he thumped at the floor. A couple of first-years turned their heads to stare at him but Jungkook waved them off, shaking his head at the elder.

“Oh man, that’s hilarious!” He wiped his eyes. “I can’t believe he fell asleep just as you were about to tell him how you felt.”

Jungkook scoffed. “I can,” he said.

“So, what did you do then?”

Jungkook shrugged. “I let him sleep, obviously. He was too cute to move.”

Hoseok eyed him before huffing. “Of course you did. You’re such a softie, Kookie.”

“I am not,” Jungkook said as he felt the hair on the back of his neck bristle. He pouted at the elder as he folded his arms across his chest.

Jungkook had met the dancer when he came one afternoon to pick Jimin up from the studios. The three of them were supposed to go to a barbecue place that opened up recently for dinner, and Taehyung had convinced Jungkook to check up on the dancer.

He just wanted to peak his head through the door to see if Jimin was done yet (his stomach had been rumbling for the past hour) and was met instead by a tall, lanky kid dancing in the middle of the studios. His movements were sharp, precise, and practiced, and Jungkook couldn’t look away.

He’d delved into dance in his younger years, even going to America to pursue the art before returning to Korea to continue his studies. But to see someone with so much talent had floored him. He didn’t even realise he’d stepped into the room until the dancer turned to face him.

“Oh, hey!” he said, raising one hand above his head. “Practice is over.”

“Uh, I’m not here because of that. I’m actually looking for Park Jimin,” Jungkook replied, darting his eyes around the room to make sure the elder wasn’t hiding in a corner.

“Ah, you just missed him. He left about a minute before you turned up.” He studied Jungkook for a moment as he pulled a towel from his bag and wiped his face. “I’m Hoseok, leader of the dance crew. Did you wanna join?”

Jungkook blinked. “No, no, it’s okay.” He rubbed at the back of his neck.  “I’m not really all that good.”

Hoseok tilted his head. “But you can dance, right? You say you’re not good but you still implied you knew how.”

Jungkook felt himself blush, averting his eyes. “That was a while ago. I think I’m still pretty rusty.”

Jungkook watched as Hoseok walked over to his phone that was still connected to the large speaker in one corner of the room. He swiped at the screen a few times before tapping on something and a heavy bass filled the room.

“Here, show me what you’ve got,” Hoseok said as he moved to the side, “I’m always looking for new talent.”

Jungkook was reluctant at first. It had been a while since he last danced, but the beat of the music was calling to him, and soon he found himself moving along. His limbs flowed like they did before, as if he never even stopped dancing. He got so lost in the music, he didn’t realise when it had stopped.

Hoseok had offered him a spot on his dance screw that afternoon, but Jungkook declined. That didn’t stop him from turning up to the studios and joining in though, just to make sure he wasn’t out of practice. That afternoon was one of those times. He needed somewhere to go to clear his head and refocus, and the dance studios seemed like the perfect place.

“I was wondering where Yoongi ran off to that week I was sick,” Hoseok said. “To think he was in the library giving you love advice.”

Jungkook laughed. “Yeah, I was surprised too but he did have a valid point.”

“Hmm,” Hoseok hummed, “maybe next time you can try taking him someplace that would interest him a bit more.”

Jungkook’s ears perked up. “Like where?”

“Aren’t there any particular hobbies or things that Tae likes doing? Try to find something that would spark his interest in things like that,” Hoseok replied as he stood. “Alright, it’s time to practice. You joining us today, Kookie?”

Jungkook nodded before he pushed himself off the wall. All through practice, he racked his brain, trying to think of something that he could do with Taehyung that would not only interest the elder, but allow him to confess to him too. It wasn’t until the sound of a saxophone on the track reached his ears that an idea came to him.

Jungkook’s schedule didn’t match up with Taehyung’s until the weekend, the elder doing extra shifts at the café to earn a bit more money. When Taehyung asked him where they were going, Jungkook refused to answer, saying over and over again that it was a surprise.

They were in a relatively busy part of downtown, the night coming alive with people and noise. Jungkook led him to a quieter part of the street, to a small pub tucked away between larger establishments. When they entered they were met with the muted sounds of conversation and a live band.

“Kookie, where are we?” Taehyung asked as they found a small, round table close to the stage.

“We’re in a jazz club. I figured you would like it since you played the saxophone.”

Taehyung stared at him for long minutes before his face broke out into a large grin. “Aw, Kookie, you know me so well.” He turned to survey the room and missed the way Jungkook’s cheeks flushed.

“Yeah, well, I remember you telling me once,” he mumbled, his voice drowned out by the band.

Taehyung called a waiter over and ordered their first round of drinks and really, Jungkook should have known better than to let Taehyung control how many drinks they consumed. They were only into their third round when Jungkook noticed the elder’s cheeks tinged a bright pink and his eyes becoming unfocused.

“Hyung, I think that’s enough,” he said as he lowered Taehyung’s cup to the table. “You’re drunk.”

Taehyung leaned over, the strong smell of alcohol wafting from him. “I’m not drunk, Biscuit.” Jungkook wrinkled his nose, backing away slightly. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Taehyung hiccoughed and began swaying in his seat as he talked and Jungkook should have known that he was a lightweight. He vaguely recalled Jimin saying so after a night of partying, when Taehyung had drunk so much he was bent over a bush, throwing up his dinner. But by then, he was pretty buzzed himself and had trouble paying attention to anything the elder said.

Jungkook sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The night was still young but he couldn’t let Taehyung get any more drunk than he already was. So, he grabbed one of Taehyung’s arms gently, coxing him to stand and supported his weight as they left the bar.

They slowly made their way back to campus, Jungkook apologising as passer-byers gave them odd looks whenever Taehyung said something inappropriate.

“Kookie, Kookie!” Taehyung said, practically yelling into his ear as they neared the school gates.

“What is it, hyung?”

“You know I love you, right?” Taehyung replied and Jungkook could have sworn his heart stopped working. “Do you love me too?”

Jungkook sighed. “Yeah, of course, I love you, Tae-hyung. How could I not,” he said as he brushed his lips across Taehyung’s hair.

Taehyung giggled before passing out, his body slumping forward and Jungkook thanked his quick reflexes as he caught him. He sighed again before smiling softly to himself as he draped Taehyung across his back, trekking through campus and to the student dorms.

--

Jungkook was at the café the next morning, nursing a strong cup of coffee as he retold the unfortunate events of the previous night. Jimin and Taehyung didn’t have a shift that day, so he was left with only Jin to vent to.

Jin laughed, high and squeaky, through the entire thing, drawing the attention of the customers in the shop.

“Hyung, it’s not that funny,” Jungkook grumbled, trying to hide behind his cup.

“Sorry, Kookie, but that was your own fault that time,” Jin said, wiping at his eyes. “Everyone knows Tae can’t hold his liquor.”

Jungkook scowled. “Yeah, well, I won’t be making that mistake again.”

The café filled with customers then and Jin had to step away to man the till which left Jungkook sitting alone at the bar with his thoughts. He knew Taehyung was dense, experienced it first-hand numerous times when he knew he wasn’t being discreet about his fondness for the literature major.

Jimin had called him out on it enough times that he was beginning to wonder if he ever was subtle in the first place. But his botched confessions over the last few weeks left a significant dent in his confidence. He just didn’t know what he had to do to make the elder understand.

“Take him ice-skating,” Jin said, startling Jungkook enough to make him jump.

“Huh?”

“I don’t think you realise, but when you’re deep in thought, you tend to say out loud what you’re thinking,” Jin replied, wiping the counter down with a dishcloth.

Jungkook stared at him for a moment before looking back down at his cup. “Why ice-skating though?”

Jin shrugged. “Tae’s always wanted to learn and I know for a fact the you’re good at it. You should teach him. That way, he’ll be focused on you and not on getting drunk off his ass.”

Jungkook hummed, considering. He wondered why the elder was still single when he was just so good at giving out relationship advice.

“That actually doesn’t sound too bad,” Jungkook said. “Thanks, hyung.”

Jungkook smiled up at him as Jin ruffled his hair. “You’re a good kid, Kookie. You deserve your happiness.”

Jungkook took a sip of his coffee, blanching at the strong taste – he should have just stuck with his usual hot chocolate – before eyeing Jin. “So, have you made any progress with Namjoon-hyung?”

Jungkook took great pleasure watching the elder turn an alarming shade of red, spluttering and at a loss for words as he avoided meeting Jungkook’s eyes.

“Jungkook!” he said. “Don’t tease your elders like that, you brat.”

Jungkook decided he’d let Taehyung rest for a few days before broaching the subject of going ice-skating. He learned from last time that when Taehyung got a hangover, he really got a hangover. It was usually so severe he would be stuck in bed for a few days afterwards just recovering.

Jungkook:

Hyung

How are you feeling?

Jungkook placed his phone down on the table beside him as he went back to his textbook. He was alone at the dorms that night, his roommate off on a date of his own with his girlfriend and had told Jungkook to not wait up for him.

Tae-hyung:

Like crap

But not as bad as yesterday

Jungkook:

That’s good to hear

If you’re feeling up to it, why don’t we go ice-skating tomorrow?

You’re free, right?

It took Taehyung a few minutes to reply and for a moment, Jungkook thought he was going to be rejected.

Tae-hyung:

Can we? Really?

Yay!

I’ve always wanted to learn how to

Jungkook laughed to himself before sending the location of the rink and a meetup time. Taehyung sent a smiley face in return.

The rink was bustling the day they decided to go. Jungkook knew he should have planned it a bit better, chosen a day where there would be fewer people but judging by the excited gleam in Taehyung’s eye, he suspected the other didn’t mind the crowd.

“This is so exciting, Kookie,” Taehyung said as they waited in line to pick up their skates. “I can’t wait to get on the ice.”

“Yeah, it’s fun once you get the hang of it.”

Taehyung hummed, watching the other skaters whizz by. “You won’t let go, right Kookie?”

“Never.” And Jungkook wasn’t surprised by the strong conviction behind that one word. He would never let go of Taehyung.

Once they had their skates on, they gingerly made their way over to the gate. Taehyung had a death grip on his hand and he feared he would lose circulation to the appendage soon if the elder didn’t ease his grip.

“Keep one hand on the wall when you step on, hyung,” Jungkook said.

All things considered, the first few hours went by rather smoothly. Taehyung had only slipped twice and Jungkook was always close by to catch him before he did any real damage. Taehyung’s boxy grin never left his face, the happiness in his smile easing Jungkook’s worry.

If Taehyung was happy, so was he.

It all went sour when neither of them noticed a couple of young children headed their way. They clearly had more experience on the ice than either of them but being the kids they were, they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings.

A small girl collided bodily into Taehyung, his knees buckling from underneath him as he slipped and fell. Jungkook watched in slow motion as Taehyung’s head landed on the ice, the thud echoing loudly in his ears.

Jungkook was beside the elder in a heartbeat, gently lifting his head and cradling it in his hands as Taehyung groaned, his eyes shut tight in pain.

“Hyung! Hyung, are you okay?” he yelled as a swarm of people surrounded them.

The little girl was sitting on the ice, crying as her mother wrapped her in a hug. “I’m so sorry,” the girl said, “I’m sorry!”

Taehyung sat up as attendants ran up to them. He looked over to the little girl, wincing when he turned his head. “Hey, it’s okay. See, I’m okay,” he said, reaching out a hand to pat the girl on the head. “Don’t cry.”

Jungkook’s affection for Taehyung grew exponentially as he watched the elder interact with the child. Even when he was in pain, he still thought about others, always making sure they were okay before even thinking about looking after himself.

“Sir,” one of the attendants said, “sir, are you alright? Here, let’s get you off the ice and put an icepack on the bump.”

They wobbled off the ice, the attendants dogging their steps before they were placed on one of the benches, an icepack shoved into Jungkook’s hand. He placed it around Taehyung’s head, making sure it covered the back of his neck as well as the attendants called the resident paramedic.

“You sure you’re okay, hyung?” Jungkook asked, keeping the pressure on the pack even.

“I’m fine, Kookie. You don’t need to worry.”

They sat in silence for a minute before Jungkook sighed. “I’m sorry, hyung,” he said.

Taehyung looked over to him, moving his head slowly so as not to aggravate the wound. “Why are you apologising? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I asked you to come here with me. If you hadn’t come, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”

Taehyung reached up a hand to run it through Jungkook’s hair. He ruffled the strands a little as Jungkook pouted.

“Don’t be sorry, Kookie. I might have a concussion, but it was still fun. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Taehyung laughed before pulling his hand away.

Jungkook stared at the ground before meeting Taehyung’s eyes. Moving the icepack so it covered his ears (“Kookie! It’s cold!), he whispered, “I am so in love with you, Kim Taehyung.”

The paramedic arrived then and Jungkook moved the icepack away, clutching it tightly in his hands as the paramedic checked to make sure Taehyung hadn’t sustained any lasting injuries.

Later that night, as Jungkook was getting ready for bed, Taehyung sent him a text that had him falling asleep with a smile on his face.  

Tae-hyung:

Let’s do it again, Kookie!

Next time I won’t fall

Promise!

--

Jungkook found himself in Jin’s apartment a few days later because, apparently, Namjoon broke one of Jin’s Mario figurines and he was freaking out about it. Jin had locked himself in his bedroom, refusing to come out and yelling profanities at Namjoon through the door.

It was total chaos and Jungkook rubbed at his face tiredly as he watched it all unfold. He didn’t know why he was the one called in to diffuse the situation since there were other, more qualified people (read: Yoongi) to handle the drama.

He sighed, praying to the gods to end his suffering.

They didn’t come through and he was left to deal with it by himself.

“Hyung,” Namjoon yelled out as he knocked on Jin’s door. Jungkook winced as the door creaked. “Hyung, I’m sorry! Please open the door.”

“Fuck off, Namjoon,” Jin replied and even Jungkook had to do a double take because Jin never cursed and to hear the usually dulcet tones sound so harsh was very foreign to him. “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

Namjoon banged on the door harder and Jungkook decided he should step in before Namjoon broke something else of Jin’s.

“Namjoon-hyung, the door’s gonna break if you keep banging on it like that,” he said and watched as Namjoon back slumped, resting his head against the door. The remnants of Mario lay on the floor beside him, shattered into tiny pieces.

Walking up to the elder, Jungkook rested his palm against Namjoon’s back, tapping it once to get his attention. “Let me try, hyung.”

Sighing, Namjoon nodded before stepping back. Jungkook gently tapped his knuckles against the door.

“Hyung,” he said, “please open the door.”

There was silence from the other side before Jungkook heard a rustling noise. He assumed the elder was lying in his bed, sulking.

“No. I’m not opening this door. Not even for you, Kookie.”

Jungkook sighed, loud and dramatic as he turned his back to the door. He took a few steps away before he spoke again. “Okay,” he said, “I was going to tell you how my date with Tae-hyung went but if you’re not going to come out, then I guess you’ll never know.”

The door flew open so fast, Jungkook had barely turned back around before Jin was suddenly crowding him, holding onto his shoulders with a crazed look in his eyes.

“Tell me everything, Kookie,” Jin said, as he began pushing Jungkook towards the living room.

Namjoon looked on in shock, his mouth hanging open comically as he eyed the two, following at a safe distance.

“The fuck?” he said, awe dripping from his voice, “I begged him to come out for over an hour and all you did was dangle a bit of gossip in his face and he comes running to you.”

Jungkook shrugged as he was forcefully pushed onto the couch, Jin taking a seat beside him.

“Oh, hush, Namjoon,” Jin said, waving Namjoon’s comment away, “my child is speaking so please be quiet.”

Namjoon grumbled under his breath as he took a seat on the recliner.

“So, Kookie, tell us everything. Did it work out? Did you confess?” Jin asked, leaning forward in small increments after each question.

Jungkook had to lean back slightly. “Uh, well, we went to the ice-skating rink like you suggested, hyung.”

Jin nodded, a large grin almost splitting his face in half. “Yes, yes, go on.”

Jungkook cleared his throat. “Well, it was going really well. Tae-hyung was super excited to go and when we got on the ice, I got to hold his hands the whole time.” Jungkook paused, his lips turning into a small, shy smile as he remembered. “It was nice.”

Jin nodded again, resting his arms against his thighs and leaning his weight on them. “Oh, sounds like everything went well.”

“Yeah, until his head collided with the ice,” Jungkook replied, grimacing.

Jin reeled back, sharing a confused stare with Namjoon.

“Wait,” Namjoon said, finally deciding to join in on the conversation, “his head did what?”

“There were kids at the rink and they weren’t paying attention to where they were going.” Jungkook sighed. Just the picture of Taehyung’s head hitting the ice made him wince and he rubbed a hand against the back of his head in sympathy.

Jin gasped. “Oh, oh no,” he said, bringing a hand up to his mouth.

“Yup,” Jungkook replied, nodding, “one of the kids ran into him so he ended up losing his balance. I wasn’t quick enough to catch him so he ended up on the ice. Thankfully, there wasn’t any blood and the paramedic said he didn’t have a concussion.”

“Oh, thank god,” Jin said as he placed a hand over his heart. “Poor Tae. Is he okay, though?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. He sent me a message afterwards saying that we should do it again.”

Namjoon laughed. “Figures. Tae wouldn’t let something like that stop him.”

Jungkook smiled. “Yeah, he even consoled the kid after it happened ‘cause she was crying so much.”

Jin laughed, the fondness in his voice audible. “Precious Tae-Tae.”

“Yeah,” Namjoon cut in, “he’s always loved kids.”

“So, I take it you didn’t get to confess?” Jin asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

“No, not really.” Jungkook rubbed at the back of his neck. “I kinda whispered it at him while I covered his ears with the icepack.”

Namjoon groaned as he leaned back in his seat. “Kookie, we love you, we really do, but sometimes you do things that just confuse us so much.”

“Why didn’t you just tell him properly?” Jin asked.

Jungkook shrugged. “I didn’t want to say it after he got hurt like that. It felt like a pretty shitty way of saying ‘I love you’ after the accident.”

“Don’t swear,” Jin said automatically. Jungkook scowled at him. “So, what are you gonna do now? What’s your next date idea?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Jungkook said as he leaned back, his body almost getting swallowed up by the couch. “I’ve run out of ideas, honestly.”

Namjoon hummed, forcing their attention onto him. “Why don’t you take him bowling?”

Jungkook blinked. “Bowling?”

“Yeah, why not? Didn’t you practice for months after your first game to try and impress the guy?” Namjoon replied, noting the way Jungkook’s cheeks flared.

“I didn’t learn it just to impress Tae-hung.”

Jing scoffed. “We all know you did. Don’t try to deny it, Kookie.”

Jungkook’s frown deepened as he folded his arms across his chest. He pouted at them as they laughed.

“You guys are such jerks.”

Jin hit him upside the head. “Respect your elders, you brat.”

Jungkook rubbed the back of his head. “You sound like Yoongi-hyung when you say that.”

“Yah!”

“Will you two stop bickering like a couple of kids? You’re in college for god’s sake,” Namjoon said as he rubbed at his temple. He could feel a migraine coming just listening to them.

Jin stuck his tongue out at him.

Jungkook laughed.

Jungkook left the apartment a few hours later. Namjoon had promised to buy Jin a replacement figurine and the elder had forgiven him with a home-made dinner. Jungkook really didn’t want to stay around and be the awkward third wheel. He got enough of that with Jimin and Yoongi.

Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he decided to dial Taehyung’s number instead of simply sending a message. Taehyung picked up after the third ring, his voice loud over the line.

“Kookie?”

Jungkook smiled, wrapping his jacket tighter around himself as he walked. “Hey, Tae-hyung.”

“Wow, a phone call from Kookie! Is this the end of the world? Is it the apocalypse?!” Taehyung yelled. Jungkook had to move his phone away just to make sure he didn’t go deaf.

Jungkook clicked his tongue. “Yeah, yeah. You’re so funny, hyung.”

Taehyung laughed on the other end. “I’m only kidding, Kookie. Don’t be mad.”

“Hmm, nah. I think I’ll stay mad for a little bit longer,” Jungkook said as he heard Taehyung whine.

“Aw, come on, don’t be like that.” Jungkook could picture the way Taehyung was pouting. “Don’t be mad. What can I do to make you not mad anymore?”

“Go bowling with me. Tonight,” Jungkook replied.

Taehyung hummed before agreeing, his voice shooting up an octave in his excitement. “Okay! What time should I meet you?”

The bowling alley was relatively empty that night, thank god, and Jungkook vowed to himself that Taehyung would not get hurt again. He was going to do this right, do it properly, without anything going wrong.

If only he could stick to his plans.

Everything started out well enough. They’d gotten to the alley before the flood of people arrived, securing the farthest lane. They had managed to go a few rounds, Jungkook proudly showing off to Taehyung as the elder cheered loudly and gave him a hug whenever he managed to get a strike (which was quiet often).

They were just beginning their third round when everything began falling apart. Yugyeom and Jackson showed up, coming up to Jungkook and conversing with him like they hadn’t seen him in years. Jungkook had met them at a random party one night, too drunk to really know what he was doing.

The three of them had looked out for each other that night, and since then, they’d formed a solid friendship.

Yugyeom challenged Jungkook to a game, and because he never backed down from a challenge, he had accepted. He got so lost in the competition, he failed to notice when Taehyung had slipped away, leaving the bowling alley without even saying goodbye.

“Hey, Tae-hyung! Did you see that?” Jungkook yelled as he turned around. “I got my tenth strike!”

“Your friend left a while ago,” Jackson said as Jungkook frantically looked around the alley, hoping Taehyung had just gone to the bathroom. “He seemed pretty down when he left too.”

Yugyeom, who was just about to bowl, looked over at him, cocking his head to the side. “Sorry, Jungkook, were we interrupting something?”

Jungkook felt his heart come to a complete stop. He’d screwed up. Badly. And now Taehyung was upset and probably angry at him because he was too dumb and impulsive enough to get into a competition when he had brought Taehyung out on a date.

“Fuck,” he said, rubbing the heel of his palms against his eyes. “I fucked up.”

--

“You fucked up, Jeon,” Jimin said.

Jungkook had sent Taehyung multiple texts and numerous phone calls after he left the bowling alley. He’d apologised to Yugyeom and Jackson as he ran out, already dialling Taehyung’s number as he ran all the way back to campus.

Taehyung didn’t respond to any of the messages and his phone went straight to voicemail.

As soon as he made it back to the campus, the first place he went to was Taehyung and Jimin’s dorm room. He banged his fist against the door, calling out Taehyung’s name as loud as he could. A couple of the dorm residents had poked their heads out of their own doors, wondering what all the commotion was about.

Jimin had opened the door, his features schooled into a scowl as he eyed the way Jungkook was doubled over, his hands resting against his knees as he fought to catch his breath. Judging by the murderous way Jimin was staring at him, Jungkook knew Taehyung had already told him what had happened.

“I-I know I did. That’s why I ran all the way back,” Jungkook said in between gulps of air.

Jimin folded his arms across his chest. “So, what are you gonna do now?”

Jungkook straightened, feeling somewhat like a normal human being again. “I need to make it up to him. I need to see him and apologise.”

“Well, too bad. He’s not here.”

Jungkook eyed the elder. “You’re lying, hyung.”

“I’m not,” Jimin said as he rolled his eyes. “Just come in first, before you cause an even bigger scene.”

Jimin stepped back into the dorm, leaving the door open for him. Jungkook toed off his shoes before stepping into the room and closing the door, the soft thud echoing loudly in his ears.

Jimin moved to the couch as he shifted his eyes to the space beside him. He still hadn’t smiled at Jungkook.

Jungkook sat on the very edge of the seat, not daring to lift his eyes from the floor. Jimin was mad. Angry. And he had every right to be. Jungkook knew this but it didn’t lessen the trepidation he felt.

“Do you mind telling me why I got woken up in the middle of the night to a sad Taehyung on my phone?”

Jungkook gulped. “I screwed up.”

“Yeah, I figured that much out,” Jimin said, his tone clipped and tense. “What the hell did you do, Kookie?”

Jungkook buried his head in his hands, groaning. His heart felt like it had been stabbed multiple times, the pain unbearable. He felt a soft, comforting hand on his back which only made him want to break down even more.

“I’m stupid and competitive. Yugyeom and Jackson showed up at the alley and they challenged me to a game.” Jungkook heard Jimin sigh. “I got so caught up trying to win that I didn’t pay any attention to Tae-hyung. I didn’t realise he’d left until Jackson pointed it out to me.” He paused as he let out a shuddering breath. “I’m a shitty person. I don’t deserve someone like Tae-hyung.”

Jimin let him sit in silence for a few minutes, allowing him time to calm his racing mind and frantically beating heart. Taehyung was such a good person, so pure and kind. He always saw the best in people, and never did he have a bad word to say about anybody. And Jungkook had broken the trust the elder had for him.

“Please,” Jungkook said, “please tell me where he is. I need to see him.”

He sounded so broken, so empty. He didn’t recognise his own voice.

“I can’t,” Jimin replied once the silence had stretched a bit too long between them. “He told me not to tell you.” Jimin paused. “I’m sorry.”

Jungkook sobbed then, fat tears rolling down his cheeks and splattering onto the carpet. He didn’t care. He didn’t care if his nose was red and snotty, he didn’t care that his eyes had puffed up, he didn’t care that he was an ugly crier.

He only cared about Taehyung.

“Wh-what am I gonna do, hyung?”

“Give him space. Let him work out his anger,” Jimin replied. “When you feel you’re ready to face him again, do it properly this time. No gimmicks, no tricks. Just give yourself to him. You owe him at least that much.”

Jungkook nodded as he buried his face in Jimin’s shoulder, the elder wrapping his arms around him and whispering comforting words against his hair.

He would do it right. He needed to do it right.

Jungkook couldn’t muster up the courage to talk to Taehyung until he saw him sitting by himself on one of the campus benches. He held his phone in his hand, scrolling through something and smiling softly to himself.

Jungkook wanted to imprint that image into his mind and keep it with him forever. Taehyung had always been beautiful but seeing the fondness in his eyes, the gentle smile on his face, made him seem otherworldly. Like he didn’t belong on earth.

An angel.

He was already taking a step forward before he even realised and before he could chicken out, talk himself out of it, he was standing in front of the elder.

“Tae-hyung,” he said, quietly, trying to not disturb the peace that surrounded them.

Jungkook noticed the way Taehyung flinched before he raised his head, his wide eyes meeting his. He saw an emotion in them he thought he would never see, and hoped he’d never see again. Apprehension.

Taehyung looked like he wanted to run, to flee, to get as far away from him as he could. And Jungkook’s heart broke, because he caused that. He shattered the bond they had formed.

“Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung said and Jungkook’s heart broke even more.

Taehyung never called him that. Ever since they first met, he’d always been known as ‘Kookie’. Never Jungkook.

“Tae-hyung, I’m sorry. Please, I didn’t mean to hurt you like that.”

Taehyung stared up at him before he gulped and looked away. But Jungkook didn’t miss the hurt in his eyes.

“Who says I’m hurting?” Taehyung said as he stood. “Don’t be so full of yourself, Jungkook-ah.”

Taehyung turned to take a step away and Jungkook panicked. He grabbed the other’s wrist, holding on tight. He couldn’t let him get away. Not now.

“Wait, please. Please, Tae-hyung.” Jungkook hated the way his voice cracked. “Please, let me make it up to you, please.”

Taehyung scoffed. “What, and have you ignore me again?” He pulled his arm away. “No thanks.”

“Tonight!” Jungkook yelled as Taehyung walked away. “I’ll be waiting at the park, by the swings.”

Taehyung didn’t turn around, didn’t even acknowledge he’d heard. But Jungkook would still wait. He’d wait forever if it meant he and Taehyung could go back to what they had.

The park was empty, which was a given considering it was almost midnight. Jungkook sat on one of the swings, lightly rocking back and forth as he waited. He checked the time on his phone, looking up whenever he heard the slightest sound.

It was nearing one in the morning, and he’d almost given up, when he heard footsteps approaching. His head shot up, his eyes widening when he saw Taehyung slowly make his way towards him.

“You came,” Jungkook said, standing.

Taehyung nodded. “I did.” He looked around, not meeting Jungkook’s eyes. “So, here I am. Now what?”

Jungkook took a step forward. “I’m an idiot. A moron who’s too competitive for his own fucking good.” Taehyung jolted at the curse and his eyes darted up to meet Jungkook’s. “I hurt you, badly. I know I did and I’m sorry. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness and I’ll probably end up hurting you again because of my personality.”

He took another step forward, never breaking eye contact.

“I’m awkward and a giant, walking potato.” Taehyung giggled, a small smile lighting up his face. “Honestly, I don’t know how I even have friends. But I do have friends. You were the first person to befriend me at college. And you continue to make my days here all the more brighter, better. I don’t want to lose our friendship just because I’m an idiot.”

He took one final step before reaching out a hand to gently cradle one of Taehyung’s.

“I’m sorry, Tae-hyung. Please, please forgive me.”

Taehyung didn’t say anything for a while and Jungkook feared he would be rejected. But then Taehyung smiled, big and boxy, and he knew everything was forgiven.

They played on the swings until the early morning, content to remain in each other’s presence for as long as they could. They only left when their stomachs grumbled for food and rushed to the nearest 24-hour McDonalds to order breakfast. They shared a milkshake on their way back to campus, their smiles never once leaving their faces.

“I love you, Kim Taehyung,” Jungkook said once Taehyung was safely on the other side of his door. “I’ll love you for as long as I’m alive.”

--

It was Taehyung who decided where they would go for their sixth date (even though Taehyung wasn’t aware).

“Kookie!” he said as he spotted the younger walking ahead of him.

Jungkook turned at the call of his name, his mouth pulled wide into a smile as he waved at Taehyung.

“Hyung, don’t you have class now?” Jungkook asked, pausing in the middle of the footpath to allow the elder to catch up. “Are you skipping again?”

Taehyung beamed up at him. “Yup,” he said. He grabbed Jungkook’s hand, ignoring the stares he was receiving from the other students. “Come on, let’s go somewhere.”

Jungkook let out a cry of surprise as Taehyung tugged at his arm, forcing him down the footpath and towards the college gates.

“Hyung! Where are we going?”

Taehyung looked back at him before he stuck his tongue out and winked. Jungkook blushed.

“It’s a surprise.”

Taehyung’s surprise required the use of the subway, to a stop Jungkook had never been to before. They walked a few blocks away from the station, into a quiet neighbourhood.

“Will you tell me now where we’re going?” Jungkook asked, eager to know.

“We’re almost there, Kookie,” Taehyung said, “just be patient.”

If there was one thing Jungkook was not, it was patient. He felt the familiar itch underneath his skin, an impulse. He needed to know now.

“And here we are!” Taehyung said, stopping in front of a large white gate. Jungkook could faintly hear the sound of barking.

“Taehyung, what is this place?”

Taehyung pushed the gate open, skipping inside as he greeted the old lady who stood a few metres ahead of him.

“This is a sanctuary, Kookie,” he said, bowing politely to the woman before they were led through a smaller set of gates. “Stray dogs are taken here and kept until they find a new home.”

Jungkook stared at the back of the elder’s head. Of course, Taehyung would choose dogs over school. He shook his head, a fond smile on his face.

They were met by loud barking and over fifty excited dogs of different breeds, sizes, and colours. They swarmed Taehyung the minute he walked into the enclosure, licking his face and tackling him to the ground.

A few of them even came up to Jungkook, sniffing his hands and butting their heads against them, asking for pats and scratches. Jungkook was more than happy to oblige.

“Hyung, how did you find this place?” he asked as a large golden retriever plonked himself in his lap and refused to move, moving his head up to lick his face whenever he could.

“I love animals and wanted to help out at a shelter. But the one near school was already filled with enough staff,” Taehyung replied, rubbing the belly of a husky. “So, they sent me here instead. Soomi-nim needed help caring for the dogs and let me help out.”

They spent the afternoon playing with the dogs, laughing whenever one of them did anything funny. When they left, Jungkook thanked the old lady as she pinched his cheeks and told him he was welcome to come by whenever he wanted.

“Ah, that was fun,” Jungkook said as they slowly made their way back to the subway. “I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.”

Taehyung chuckled before he became quiet. Jungkook turned around, noticing for the first time that the elder had stopped walking a little ways back.

“Tae-hyung?” Jungkook said. “What’s wrong? Tired?”

Taehyung’s eyes remained fixed on the ground. Jungkook’s smile fell from his face.

“Tae-”

“I heard you, you know,” Taehyung said, cutting Jungkook off.

Jungkook’s brows furrowed, staring at the elder in confusion.

“Heard what?”

Taehyung lifted his head slowly, looking at Jungkook through his lashes. “Your confessions.”

Jungkook’s heart stopped again, his stomach plummeting.

“You-you did?”

Taehyung nodded. “I did.”

Jungkook gulped. “All of them?”

Taehyung met his eyes. “All of them.”

Neither of them spoke, too lost in their own thoughts. Jungkook’s mind was a jumbled mess, his heart thumping erratically against his ribcage. Taehyung knew. He had heard.

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” Jungkook asked, afraid of the answer.

“Because-” His mouth opened and closed a few times before he let out a groan of frustration. “Because I’m in love with you too. I was scared. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.”

“How would it do that, hyung?”

“What if we don’t work out? What if you break up with me? I wouldn’t be able to stand it. I’m just so in love with you, have been for a long time, that I don’t know how I would be able to handle it if you broke up with me,” Taehyung replied, his breaths coming out quick.

Jungkook ran up to him, enveloping the elder in his arms. He felt Taehyung tense before his form went slack, burying his face in Jungkook’s neck and wrapping his long, lanky arms around the younger’s waist.

Jungkook buried his nose in Taehyung’s hair, inhaling deeply. A calmness he hadn’t felt in a long time washed over him, setting things right again. He belonged here, with Taehyung, wrapped around each other.

He didn’t want to let go. He didn’t think he could.

“Why would I do something stupid like break up with you?” Jungkook softly whispered the words into Taehyung’s hair. “Do you know how wonderful you are? How beautiful you are? Both inside and out. I love that you’re quirky. I love that you don’t think like everyone else. I love you, Kim Taehyung, and there is nothing in this world that will ever change that.”

Jungkook felt Taehyung’s shoulders shake and the dampness on his shirt. He stroked Taehyung’s hair, running his fingers through the silky strands as his other hand draw soothing circles along the elder’s back.

Now that he finally had him, Jungkook was never letting go.

--

“Do you love me, Kookie?”

“Yes, Tae.”

“Will you always love me?”

“I’ll never stop.”