Chapter Text
Jungkook met taehyung when he was 10. Although he doesn’t recall his elementary days all that well, he remembers vividly the day taehyung transferred to his school. The human brain works in mysterious ways. Jungkook can’t remember the faces and names of the majority of his teachers and classmates but he can describe accurately what taehyung looked like and what he wore that day to the last detail. Taehyung had big dark brown eyes, with a small pouting mouth. His hair looked soft and fell like thick curtains to hide his brows, his cheeks were full with high cheek bones. He wore clothes that looked a size or two bigger for him and hang loose around his small frame, he held a Pokémon back bag that he kept even years later. He greeted the class with the widest and brightest boxy smile jungkook witnessed in anyone. He looked weird but endearing in the most unusual ways.
For years, looking back jungkook couldn’t comprehend why the skinny and fragile looking boy captivated his interest from the moment he had seen him. Taehyung was just that, although very pretty with the cutest face the 10 years jungkook had ever seen, he looked very frail and sickly. He was smaller than most of the other kids in their grade, and way weaker in jungkook’s opinion. Taehyung looked like the perfect bullying victim.
Throughout the two years of elementary school and middle school, jungkook was known as taehyung’s shadow and bodyguard. From the day he saw the way taehyung stagger to the floor, coughing and struggling to breath, after one of the older boys pushed him in the school yard, jungkook had been taken by a strong sense of protectiveness. From that day on, where you find taehyung you’d find jungkook nearby looking after him and scaring away his bullies. Unlike taehyung, jungkook had always been taller and strongly built compared to the other kids his age, courtesy of his father being an ex-athlete and insisting that jungkook takes several sports and work outs.
Jungkook was rough and liked sports while taehyung was delicate and adored arts. Being opposites drew them together and they soon became best friends.
Taehyung spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals growing up. Jungkook knew his friend was sick from early on their friendship, he had little to no physical ability and skinnier than what would be considered healthy. They would spend their hanging out time indoors most of the time, playing video games or watching TV. He didn’t do any sports and would easily get tired, jungkook had to give him piggyback rides back home more times than he could count or recall.
“What is that?” asked jungkook one day as he watched taehyung operate some kind of tubular device to his mouth and inhaling deeply before some color went back to his pale skin. They had been picking up some school supplies at the local convenience store.
“It’s an inhaler, I kinda need it from time to time” answered a panting taehyung before turning back to look at the color pencils he was fussing about excitedly before he choked on a breath he couldn’t take. Jungkook didn’t pry but thought it had to do with the fact he didn’t come to school for a week afterwards. He still bought the color pencils taehyung liked so much and waited for him to come back to offer them to him and watch his face lit up into that smile he liked so much.
Jungkook rarely comment on those moment of weakness taehyung experienced too often for jungkook’s liking. Taehyung had a feeble health, if his long periods of absence and chronic paleness and fatigue were anything to go by. But aside from that he was bright, fun to be around and would rarely complain or talk about his health problems.
Jungkook found himself growing more and more attached to taehyung as the years went by. That’s why he trailed behind him like a well-trained puppy where ever he went, that’s why he would sulk and refuse to talk and play with anyone when taehyung’s leave stretched longer and he’d miss him too much. And that’s why jungkook made it a quest to always go to the same school as his friend.
He threw a tantrum the day his parents informed him that he’d be enrolled into a different middle school than the one his elementary school would usually send its students too, it was a private school and his parents thought strongly that he’d have a better education there. Jungkook wasn’t a difficult kid, actually he was the sweetest most disciplined child any parents could wish to have, so it was a huge surprise when he refused categorically to go to that school and went as far as to boycott eating and stopped talking to his parents. In the end his parents were worried about their son, as he declined any food for almost three days, and gave in to his will to go to the same middle school as the majority of his classmates.
As taehyung.
Taehyung was a major deciding factor in a lot of jungkook’s life aspects, not only his school choice. Taehyung’s wishes where like commands to jungkook, and he couldn’t be bothered to think that the pretty boy was manipulative or took advantage of him like his other friends would always say. No, taehyung was the kindest soul jungkook has ever had the fortune to meet. He was caring, attentive and sweet. Jungkook didn’t care if his friends thought he acted like a pet with taehyung being the master, all he cared about was the look of fondness the other would regard him with whenever he did something for him. Carrying his stuff is nothing, buying his food was a pleasure, accompanying him everywhere and anywhere was jungkook’s happiness and the highlight of his days.
Jungkook was whipped for taehyung, even before he knew what that meant.
So, it broke his heart whenever taehyung had one of his ‘episodes’ as he liked to call them. Yeah, jungkook already knew taehyung was sick and for a long time but he never got used to seeing him in pain fighting to take his breaths or passing out in the middle of the school halls. And he definitely didn’t get used to the sight of his best friend lying in a hospital bed hooked to a million tubes and monitoring machines. Every time he went to visit him he’d go back home in tears feeling his heart ache, even so he’d go to see him every time and spend as long as he can by his bedside before he’s kicked out by the end of the visiting hours.
“I have cystic fibrosis, you know” told him taehyung one day when he finally came around from a two days slumber and found jungkook looking at him with concern in his eyes from his usual spot by his hospital bed. He said it like it was the most casual thing in the world but jungkook could clearly detect the exhaustion and sadness that settled like a veil over the other’s face. He looked like he was done with everything and jungkook didn’t like it one bit.
Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to ask what it was, the two words sounded so grim that he wanted to push them out as soon as he heard them. However he googled the disease that day, he spent almost all night looking up sites and forums that talked about cystic fibrosis. It was a genetic illness that affected mainly the lungs, but could also damage the pancreas, liver and even the intestines. Jungkook read a lot of things about it but the one fact that stuck with him was that it was incurable and reduced the patient’s life span considerably. Jungkook couldn’t sleep that night, and early the next day he went to visit his best friend with a new resolution.
From that day on jungkook was more than a shadow to taehyung, if he was attached to his best friend before, it became even worst after he realized that he may lose him at any moment. The thought broke his heart to the point where it could no longer be amended.
Jungkook was good at pushing things to the back of his head, he did it with taehyung’s chronic illness. He also did the same with his feelings for him.
Jungkook followed Taehyung to the same high school and college later on. If it wasn’t completely out of his interest field he’d pick the same major, but he didn’t have one ounce of artistic sense in him so he went for a major in Economics since he didn’t have that much interest in anything else. Actually that’s not true, he liked dancing and was pretty decent at it, but his parents were against him opting for a career in dancing making him settled for doing it as a side activity and agreeing with whatever major they saw was fitting and guaranteed a good situation later on in life. Economics or whatever, jungkook was just happy to be close to taehyung and see him every day.
They even got to share an apartment with another student from their college. Jimin, a music major and jungkook’s dancing crewmate. Jungkook really liked jimin, he was great. He was two years older than jungkook and taehyung, although much shorter and smaller, and treated them like his younger brother, taking care of them and always buying them food. Living together with taehyung and jimin was really fun and comfortable. It wasn’t always like that though.
At the beginning of their friendship, Jungkook hated Jimin’s gut. When he and taehyung first met him, the older boy showed immense interest in Taehyung and flirted a lot with him. Jungkook couldn’t blame him, taehyung had grown to be very attractive much to Jungkook’s dismay.
Growing up jungkook had to deal with a lot of jealousy bouts and possessive feelings. Puberty did taehyung a big favor. Jungkook observed with amazement the frail and lanky boy turn into this tall board shouldered hot guy in a swirl of growth sprout. Jungkook was struggling with his own puberty at the time, anxious at the changes on his body and feelings towards the other, what had always been innocent and platonic became something more burning and urgent. Taehyung was doing things to his brain that he couldn’t put a finger on. Apparently he wasn’t the only one to find taehyung too appealing for his own good.
All through high school, taehyung attracted all kinds of people, girls and boys alike. A week wouldn’t pass by without him being asked out or confessed to, and while he rejected some of the offers he still accepted quite a few. He dated people, never for too long but still, and went out for a lot of dates. During those times, jungkook found himself doing extra karate practice hours and picking up fights more often than he’d like to admit. He’d became a nervous mess, angry and hard to approach. He had a hard time during his teenage days dealing with an overly popular best friend, slash crush, and never had the courage nor the will to confess to taehyung and cut his suffering short.
The thought of going through the same thing in college made that same old anger and possessiveness boil in his chest as he observed jimin get a little bit too touchy with taehyung for his own taste. And taehyung was oblivious to all of it, he never noticed people’s interest unless they blurted it out to him bluntly. Jimin never got to that point though.
Jungkook was so unfriendly, to say the least, to him and tried so little to mask his dislike towards the older that jimin picked up on the whole ordeal soon enough. The older claimed that jungkook’s feelings were embarrassingly obvious that only an oblivious, airhead like taehyung wouldn’t notice. Jungkook was never so grateful for his best friend’s obliviousness.
“Why don’t you tell him though?” jimin had asked
Jungkook thought a lot about this question ever since he realized he had feelings for his best friend, so he wasn’t surprised when jimin brought it up. The only answer he came up every time never changed throughout the years.
“I don’t want to lose what we have. Besides he clearly doesn’t see me that way” he answered not helping the defeated tone and sadness lacing his voice.
After that, jimin assured him that he wouldn’t make a move on taehyung. He said that he was just testing the waters since the later was so cute (jungkook definitely did not growl at him for that) but he wasn’t interested any more. Secretly jimin found it more interesting to watch the development between the two. And a couple of years later he was still waiting frustratingly for something to happen.
Jungkook never intended to act on his feelings. Never did, never will. He was content with what he had with taehyung, and wouldn’t risk losing it for the world. Even though it got frustrating, and borderline depressing, sometimes as he watched his best friend jump from one relationship to another and bring boyfriends and girlfriends over to introduce to his flat mates. Every time, jungkook would feel his heart being pierced with hot knives. Every time he’d feel taehyung slip a little more out of his hold, he dreaded the day when taehyung would find someone he’d love for real and would leave him for good. He’d have nightmares about it and sneak in the middle of the night into his best friend’s room to make sure taehyung was still there sleeping soundly before he can go back to sleep.
Whenever taehyung came home on the verges of crying after a break up, jungkook would try to hide his relief while hugging his best friend and comforting him to the best of his capability. Surprisingly, taehyung got over people fairly easily and moved on in a matter of days. Jimin called him a player teasingly but he knew, as well as jungkook, that taehyung was just too nice to reject people.
“You should learn to reject people if you don’t like them enough. This is like what … the fourth time? Only this semester” reprimanded jimin after listening to taehyung recount his break up session with his latest boyfriend, a senior from his major that jimin can’t even name or put a face on since taehyung had been going out with him for barely a couple of weeks. “Why was it this time?” he added softening a bit when he noticed taehyung’s crestfallen expression.
Jungkook observed taehyung’s face and saw the look of hesitation and shame, all feeling for relief and joy that came with the news of his friend’s break up faded away and were replaced by anguish. He just wanted to swap the other into a hug and never let him feel down ever again, he restrained himself though waiting for taehyung to talk.
“I guess we didn’t get along that well” he said avoiding the other two’s eyes and shrinking into himself suddenly looking too small.
“Didn’t you know that much before you started dating him?” retorted jimin harshly making taehyung flinch
“I-I … he is nice and handsome …h-he asked me out and I-I couldn’t find a reason why I should say no” explained taehyung shyly his voice losing volume bit by bit.
“That’s stupid taehyung! You don’t date someone just because you can’t find a reason to reject them. If you don’t like them enough you just say no, no need to justify” jimin was scolding him at this point and jungkook couldn’t take it anymore he looked at taehyung’s growing discomfort then turned to glare at jimin.
“hyung, you’re making him more upset” he said shifting a bit closer to taehyung who clung to his arm immediately seeking protection like he usually do when put into a corner.
“Someone’s gotta knock some sense into him. And I’m sure that’s not gonna be you, jungkookie. You’re too soft with him” jungkook knew jimin was right but he could never bring himself to scold taehyung or make him feel remotely upset.
“Don’t turn this on kookie. He’s the best best friend ever” defended taehyung frowning cutely, making jungkook smile fondly. This little slip off didn’t go unnoticed by jimin who looked at him knowingly, this isn’t going to end well for jungkook.
“Your best friend is an idiot. He wouldn’t be able to give you dating advice even if he wanted to” then he looked at jungkook with a mischievous glint in his eyes, jungkook didn’t like it one bit. “Jungkookie, care to tell us, when was the last time you date anyone?” he asked with a smirk.
Jungkook was almost sure he was blushing, from his neck to the tips of his ears. Taehyung was looking at him with a curious eyes making him feel even more flustered. Jimin’s question took him by surprise but it was an interesting question regardless. Seriously, when was the last time he dated anyone? The answer is probably ‘never’. He went out in with people before but it always ended so badly or was too insignificant for him to remember. To date someone would require him to care, and Jungkook never cared enough to engage in an actual relationship.
At some point in his life jungkook had a serious fear to end up alone for the rest of his life. Taehyung had been happily dating this college guy, while they were sophomores in high school, for almost three months breaking his record of the longest time he’d been with anyone. Needless to say, taehyung broke up with him a few days later because he cheated. Anyways, jungkook couldn’t live a normal day like any other boy in his age, dating and goofing around enjoying his youth. Whenever someone showed interest in him he’d push them away thinking about his best friend and feeling that he was cheating on him although they weren’t in a relationship. He’s relieved to know that he had his first kiss and few other kisses, but other than that he was as prude as a nun.
“Well … i-I … I’ve dated before” he stuttered rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort.
“Yeah, I don’t remember him dating but there was this girl in high school. He totally had a crush on her” interfered taehyung looking like someone who had just remembered his grandmother’s miraculous cookies recipe. If jungkook wasn’t astonished at the foreign information, he’d find him endearing.
“Who are you talking about? I never had a c-crush on anyone” he lied in an incredulous voice.
“What was her name?” he paused thinking before uttering a cheerful ‘ah’, jungkook could see a bulb light up in top of his head “Minah, her name was minah. She was this really pretty girl and jungkookie would glance at her secretly whenever he had the chane. It was cute” he said looking at jimin.
Jungkook remembered her suddenly. Yeah, Minah was a cute girl, one of the most popular girls in school. And she was taehyung’s sitting partner. Taehyung teased him about liking her since he looked their way more often than not. In reality, and what taehyung failed to notice, jungkook was actually stealing glances at him rather than the cute girl by his side. Well, he wouldn’t know. Jungkook nerver denied it explicitly too afraid taehyung would put one plus one, like that is likely, and realize he was the object of his interest. Taehyung just attributed jungkook’s lack of action on his naturally shy personality and eventually let it go. Apparently he didn’t forget it as much as jungkook wished he would.
“I didn’t have a crush on her” he said finally feeling bitter at all the memories that flooded his brain. Taehyung used to break his heart often without being aware of it, he still does. However, jungkook didn’t have it on him to hate him for it or resent him on the slightest.
“Yes, you did!!” well maybe he doesn’t like him all that much at the moment.
“I told you I didn’t, tae. Drop it, please” he childed in a stern voice although he tried not to sound too harsh. Taehyung swallowed his upcoming arguments and leaned back on the couch looking at his fingers on his lap. After a few moments of silence, he looked back at jungkook. Jungkook didn’t like to be the center of attention in any given situation, he definitely didn’t want to be the object of taehyung’s curiosity in this particular topic.
“Now that I think about it, you’ve never introduced me to anyone and you’ve never told me about liking anyone. I mean, I used to think that you were just shy to talk about it but it’s really weird. Were you in a relationship without telling me before, kookie?” taehyung looked a little bit hurt as he stared at jungkook searching his expression for an answer. Jungkook didn’t want taehyung to think that he didn’t trust him enough, and he definitely wasn’t used to lying to his best friend. The only thing jungkook had ever kept from taehyung was his feelings for him and that’s a secret he’s willing to take to the grave.
“n-no … I’ve never been in a relationship” he admitted reluctantly cheeks warming up again.
Jimin and taehyung looked at him shocked and shouted at the same time “never!!” Jungkook flushed profusely under his two friend’s scrutiny, this is the kind of attention he hates the most that’s why he doesn’t like talking about feelings.
“Why is that?” asked taehyung dumbfounded.
“Yeah, kook. Tell him why.” Said jimin with a knowing smirk that jungkook wanted to slap away, and kick his ass while he’s at it.
“It’s no big deal, okay. Let’s not talk about that” he tried to brush the topic away but taehyung was still peering at him with a questioning look and jimin was still sporting that annoying smirk.
“No, please tell us. We want to know, right tae?” taehyung nodded his head eagerly. Jungkook was getting irritated “is there anyone you –“
“hyung!!” jungkook cut off his friend with a death glare which managed to startle both jimin and taehyung “drop it” he added coldly.
Jimin looked taken aback by the younger’s animosity, he hadn’t looked at him like that since the day he saw his hand curled around taehyung’s waist. He knew that he was about to cross a line, he looked at jungkook apologetically and mumbled a silent ‘sorry’. The wordless exchange between the two was cut short by taehyung who was sitting by jungkook’s side, he was taken abruptly by a coughing fit. It sounded really terrible. Jungkook wrapped his arm around his best friend’s shoulder supporting him and offering sweet words of comfort. Jimin was by his other side doing the same thing in a flash.
Taehyung had those violent coughing fits very often with no particular trigger. He’d be lazing around in the living room or eating lunch with friend and suddenly he’d be doubled over clutching his chest and coughing his soul out and whizzing with short breaths. It was hard to witness no matter how many times his two flat mates had to deal with it, every time he’d look like he was on the verge of blacking out or coughing his lungs out.
“Hyung, get his inhaler. It’s on his bedside table” commanded jungkook still holding his best friend’s shoulder, preventing him from falling to the ground from the force of his choughs.
Jimin bolted running towards the room and returned with a blue inhaler littered with small cute stickers that Taehyung had decorated it with. To make it look less dreadful, jungkook thinks. Jungkook took the inhaler and place it in front of taehyung’s mouth pomping a couple of time. Taehyung gripped his hand with both his like a lifeline and tried to inhale deeply, he attempted to catch his breath desperately and only managed to breathe deeply a few minutes later. Jungkook monitored him longer as he coughed a few more time before leaning on the couch looking drained and drowsy.
“Are feeling better, tae?” he asked touching the other’s forhead and cheeks and massaging his shoulders and the back of his neck. Jungkook’s ministrations had always made him look more relaxed after he’d had an episode, so jungkook never held back giving massages and body rubs whenever needed.
“i-I’m fine, sorry” said taehyung with a weak voice. “Thank you” he added smiling tiredly.
“Tae, shouldn’t you go the hospital? When was the last time you had your treatment?” inquired jimin softly sitting by taehyung’s side and taking his hand in his. Taehyung looked sheepish, he’d always look uncomfortable and annoyed whenever the topic of his long hospital stays was discussed.
Jungkook had told jimin about taehyung’s situation after he’d seen him struggling to breath and then passing out in their apartment bathroom a few weeks after they started living together. Taehyung was taken to the hospital after that and had to stay for a several days. It wasn’t new as a matter of fact, taehyung had always needed to stay at the hospital for a few days regularly to receive treatment for his disease. Taehyung called those visits ‘unclogging my sewers’ while laughing awkwardly. But those treatment had nothing amusing about them. It was painful, draining and so time consuming. Due to his illness, he’d often get lungs infections and inflammations and had to go to the hospital to receive a respiratory rehabilitation to be able to carry on with his life normally, or as normally as possible. Jungkook knew those treatment couldn’t cure taehyung, they only aimed to delay the decline in his organs function and allow him to live a better life. Still, taehyung hated them with a passion even if he didn’t show it or complained about it.
One of the reason that made jungkook feel so much affection towards his best friend from early on their friendship was how strong and enduring taehyung is. He knew how much his sickness was eating away at him, he could tell from the tiredness apparent on his pale face on the daily, from all the symptoms that came with his illness, it was most noticeable in that defeated look his best friend has in his eyes from time to time. But with all his struggles, taehyung keeps smiling brightly and living everyday spreading joy around him. He was loveable, sociable and very friendly. Everyone loved kim taehyung. Jungkook never heard him complain openly about his condition, apart from the occasionl ‘I don’t feel too well, kookie. I’m gonna sleep it off’, although he had every right to grumble about everything and even throw tantrums. He was always pleasant and comfortable to be around.
That’s why jungkook hated to see him go through so much. He knew he’ll still pretend to be fine and smile like there was nothing wrong. But everything was wrong, jungkook dying a little inside every time he’d be there to help his best friend through another coughing fit or respiratory failure. He wanted to scream and shout, why does such a thing has to happen to such a sweet boy?
“Yeah, it’s scheduled for next week” answered taehyung closing his eyes and takes occasional sharp intakes of air.
“Can’t you go sooner?” questioned jungkook knowing that’s one thing taehyung would never do. He’d willing push away his hospital visits but would never go earlier voluntarily. As expected taehyung shook his head slowly, certainly too tired to express it verbally. Jungkook knew better than to argue with that, he just looked at him for a moment before hooking one arm at his back and the other under his kneez and lifted him from the couch “let’s take you to bed, you need to rest” he said marching towards taehyung’s room.
Taehyung giggled weakly and wrapped his arms around his best friend’s neck. It wasn’t a rare occurrence. Actually, one of the reason jungkook spent unfathomable amount of hours at the gym working out and building up muscles was to be able to help taehyung whenever he needed him to. Even though taehyung was tall he felt so light in jungkook’s arms. He had always been too skinny for his height and age, jungkook loved taehyung’s collar bones but he wished they’d been less prominent. He’d love to see his cheeks fuller and his belly rounder, instead one could easily trace his ribs poking under his skin and his wrists were so thin jungkook would feel afraid to break them whenever he held him.
Jungkook lyed the tired boy gently on his bed and adjusted the pillows and covers around him making sure he was settled comfortably before straightening up. Jimin was in the kitchen making that cup of tea he promised before they went into the room. Jungkook sat on the bed next to taehyung’s legs and looked at him.
“Are you feeling ok? Do you need anything?” he asked rubbing taehyung’s legs making him sigh in contentment.
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, kookie. What do I do without you?!” he said glancing at jungkook with drooping eyes and a smile on his lips. “No, seriously. What would I do without you?” he added after a moment expression the slightest bit more serious, his smile flattering a tiny bit although jungkook could notice it. He knows taehyung way too well not to notice the most insignificant in his expression, or maybe he’s just too attentive to his best friend’s every move and change in demeanor.
“You’ll probably starve to death, forgetting to eat. And you’d stink all the way to the next bloc, you forget to shower too… you want me to go on?” joked jungkook trying to lift up the tension. It kind of worked since next taehyung was chuckling.
“I hate to admit it, but you’re right. I’d probably become a starving stinky and homeless guy, too. I won’t be able to afford paying rent without you either” he stated a little bit more cheerful than earlier. He stared at jungkook then, silently with indecipherable look on his eyes before adding “you take good care of me. really, I can’t go on without you” jungkook’s heart skipped a beat at the other’s words and expression, his words implied much more than the simple fact that jungkook helped him when he had struggled with his illness. Jungkook felt as though taehyung was telling him that he kept him going that’s he’d give up if it wasn’t for him. Jungkook shuddered at the thought, it was terrifying to him.
Taehyung had been suffering for a long time, if you ask him he’d say he doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t have health problems. He was born like this, going through medical checkups and torturous treatments since he was in diapers. Jungkook doesn’t think he’d be able to come this far if it were him. The idea of taehyung just giving up and letting go wasn’t something jungkook wasn’t familiar with. He’d seen ‘the look’ in his eyes whenever he went to visit him at the hospital, it said something like ‘this is too much, I can’t live like this for the rest of my life’. But this was the first time taehyung had told him something like this, that the only thing keeping him going is jungkook’s presence.
Taehyung loved jungkook, the later had no doubt about it. They were together ever since they met at the age of ten and for hqlf his life taehyung had called him his ‘best friend’ exclusively. Taehyung loved him, just not in the way jungkook loved him back. Taehyung relied on him and trust him with his life, he’d seek him out whenever he was going through tough time and would put him first in any given situation. However, he made it clear, taehyung regarded jungkook as his platonic soulmate and nothing more. Jungkook was fine with, he appreciated his best friend’s trust and affection, but at times like this he wished to be something different to him. He wanted to be able to tell him how much he loves him, how beautiful and precious he was. He wanted to have the right to hold him close with every intent of a lover and kiss his pain away. It’s only in times like these that the desire to be something more to taehyung becomes so strong that he feels the words he wants to hide for the rest of his life rest heavily on the tip of his tongue, ready to fly out and mess everything up.
“I’m here for you” he only managed to let slip through the lump forming in his throat “always here for you, tae”
He watched as taehyung drifted to sleep with a smile on his lips reaching out to hold his best friend’s hand brushing his knuckles briefly before succumbing to sleep. Jungkook closed the little distance left between their hands and cradled the sleeping boy’s long slender fingers in his hand. Taehyung looked so frail and easily breakable when he slept, but now he looked peaceful and content as well.
“Yeah, always there for you” whispered jungkook.