Archive of Our Own ^beta

 Taehyung throws his bag down on the floor the second he gets into his apartment, a low sigh leaving his throat as he brings his hand up across his face and closes his eyes in exhaustion. The new production was moving slower than expected and he was tired, so so tired. He doesn’t even bother turning on the light, and pays little attention to the faint glow from the candles scattered around the room, not even aware they exist as he fiddles with placing his keys on the table and kicking off his shoes.

 “Jungkook?” He calls out, wondering where his boyfriend is, desperate for nothing more than the other boy to grab him into a tight cuddle and play with his hair until he falls asleep. 

 “In the bedroom Tae, i’ll be out in a second!” Taehyung would go to him, his desperation for his love normally overpowering anything else, but he’s far too tired to make the steps and so settles in the hall instead, unbuttoning his shirt and taking his blazer off with another yawn. 

“Hey you.” 

 He opens his eyes, he hadn’t even realised he’d closed, and is greeted with Jungkook staring at him in the doorway of their corridor fondly. He’s way more dressed up than usual for this time of night, his oversized hoodie nowhere in sight, but before Taehyung can ask why he’s in a fancy dress shirt, the other takes him in his arms gently, pressing a long and desperate kiss to his mouth. Taehyung is surprised, but melts into the feeling comfortably, and he throws his arms over Jungkook’s shoulders as the younger's hands swirl around his hips, pulling him closer. He leans so far into the others mouth that Taehyung’s back bends, and the kiss is so deep, so intense, it takes Taehyung several seconds after the separate to even open his eyes. To say that had woken him up, was an understatement. 

“What was that for?” He asks, a gentle but shy smile forming on his lip, overtaken with the feelings the kiss held

“Happy birthday baby.” 

 Instead of looking at the watch on his own wrist, Taehyung lifts Jungkook hand from where it was massaging his lower back and stares at the younger's clock face instead. Sure enough it had past 12:00 and was officially the 30th December. Taehyung smiles and leans his head on the others shoulder, nuzzling his face in the boys neck and kissing the skin there. 

“I love you so much, do you know that?” 

 Jungkook smiles and raises his arms slightly to squeeze the other boy into a hug. “I love you too, Tae.” He strokes his hair a few times and then cups his face. Taehyung looks at him softly, his features clearly worn down by the long day at the theatre and Jungkook smiles apologetically at him. “Bad day at work?” 

Taehyung blinks lazily, “I love how you know...” 

 The younger continues to strokes his hair in a comforting rhythm, calming and so soft that Taehyung almost purrs from the feeling.“I always know, baby.” 

“... so tired...” 

 “And I’ll take you to bed... but first...there was sort of something I had planned for us tonight...” 

 Taehyung’s eyes flutter closed, “Plan? What plan?” 

“Your birthday present.” 

 His eyes shoot open and he straightens himself so he’s no longer leaning on the other boy, his tired expression still on his face, although he seems slightly more intrigued. “Is this a sex thing?” He asks.

 Jungkook chuckles affectionately. “No,” he replies through his giggles. It’s not a sex thing,” He smacks Taehyung’s arm playfully at the comment, still laughing at Taehyung's boldness.

 “The pictures are ready already?” Taehyung asks, surprised. The thought definitely wakes him up from his final bit of tiredness and the excitement flares in his eyes. 

 “They are,” Jungkook says with a proud smile and Taehyung takes hold of Jungkook hand and squeezes it excitedly. 

 “Okay, okay! I’m up! I’m ready for the frame.” He reaches his hands out in a grabby motion but Jungkook just takes them in his own and lowers them, clasped together. 

 “Actually, this time I wanted to do something a little different.” 

 Taehyung quirks his head to the left. This was their tenth year following this tradition and he wanted to change that now? 

 “I want you to find the pictures.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a dark purple envelope. “This is your first clue.” 

 “Baby, you made me a scavenger hunt?” Taehyung asks fondly. “You didn’t need to do all of this?” 

 Jungkook shrugs, but for the first time that familiar bashful expression appears amongst his features. “I wanted to do something special for you, it’s been ten years since the first time we did this....” 

 Taehyung leans in and cups Jungkook cheek, dropping a kiss on his boyfriends lip. “I’m so lucky to have you.” 

The younger savers the taste of the other for a moment bringing his tongue out to lick at his bottom lip, “I’m the lucky one,” he replies. He then looks back at the envelope and urges Taehyung to open it. 

 Tentatively, with delicate hands, Taehyung pulls back the flap of the envelope and bites his top lip as he sees a white card reveal itself. He lifts it out, looking at Jungkook for a moment out of excitement, before turning back to read the card. 

I still remember the first time I saw you when it snowed. It was the first time we’d met and you were sitting in my apartment on the floor staring at the snowflakes hitting the window. I remember in that moment thinking nothing looked as heavenly as you. I was right. Fast forward ten years and I every time I see you in the snow I’m reminded of that day, of the first flicker of feelings I felt for you, of your heavenly glow. This January we had a snowball fight in the park. You pulled me outside after the snow had settled, early in the morning. I’d barely drank my first coffee, but the excitement in your eyes was enough to wake me up. In your haste you’d forgot to put your gloves on, but you were too thrilled to go back inside so I lent you mine. We ended up sharing one glove each and keeping our other hands intertwined. Getting to hold your hand is a luxury. Getting to see you in the snow is a dream. Getting to share my things with you is all I’ve ever wanted. 

 "There is something about you that thrives in winter," Jungkook says to him, as hes re-reading the last lines of the letter and smiling to himself. "You just seem happier almost, I love winter on you."

 Taehyung looks back at Jungkook, his lip wobbling. “Are all the cards like this? Because I don’t think I’ll cope otherwise Kookie, I can’t-"

 Jungkook smiles, shyly. "You'll have to wait and see," he says teasing, but then he licks his lip. “Find the gloves Tae,” he adds on, looking down nervously. Taehyung grabs his hand and together they walk back to the front door, to a chest of drawers beside it, where they keep all their winter wear. Taehyung reaches into the first draw above their shoe rack and sure enough, another envelope, this one lilac is sitting delicately atop the pair of gloves they shared that winter day. 

 Taehyung smiles and lifts Jungkook’s hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the boys knuckles before letting go to reach for the envelope. It’s a bit bigger than the last one and feels more sturdy, understandable when he opens it and sees a slither of the first picture for his yearly present. He smiles as he pulls it out and is instantly transported to January when they’d played in the snow. Their faces are squashed together in the camera frame, a selfie they took on Jungkook’s DSLR, backs down in the white blanket, laying on the ground. Jungkook has snow in his bangs revealed under his beanie and Taehyung's nose is bright red from the cold, but they look so happy, eyes screwed tightly shut in crescent shaped moons and wide toothed smiles at the screen. Taehyung lets out an airy laugh as he stares at the past versions of themselves and feels warmth grown in his chest at all the effort Jungkook has put into his gift this year. There was something about finding the pictures this time that made it so very enjoyable. 

"You had a cold for two weeks after this," He remembers fondly. 

 "So did you," Jungkook counters, with a giggle. "Pretty sure Jimin was going to pull his hair out when he came to take care of us."

Taehyung begins to laugh. Honestly he was so delirious at that time, he doesn't remember all that much, just that the cold weather hadn't been the one to make him ill, but rather he'd caught the cold from his boyfriend instead. Jungkook had warned Taehyung not to kiss him when he was sick, but he of course had refused to listen. A few days later and they were both bundled under layers of sweaters and blankets, surrounded by tissues and living off soup. 

 He thought it was a great start to the year.

 He focuses back in on the moment then and pulls out the accompanying letter, Jungkook still at his side, taking the photo from his hand, to hold for him. 

In February we decided to move in together properly. We went from being strangers, to neighbours, to living on the other sides of town from each other but still spending more time in each other’s places than our own. I’ll never forget the day we got our keys. To me, They solidified our life together and every day when I get them out to open the door and come back home to you, my chest swells. You’re the only person I ever want to see on the other side of the door. No matter where we live, where we are, what part of our lives we are in, you will always be my home.

 Taehyung grabs Jungkook by the front of his shirt, pulling him in straight to plant a kiss on his lips. “You’re,” another kiss, “my home”, he kisses him again with a little more pressure, Jungkook chases it before they split apart again, “too.” Taehyung finishes. 

 Jungkook blushes. still after all these years he blushes like they’re kids in college. Taehyung finds it adorable, runs a hand across the others cheek and then kisses the blush, only making it grow stronger. 

 “I need to find your keys?” Taehyung asks and Jungkook nods. The elder pulls his hand over to the coffee table in their living room. Jungkook laughs as he gets brought there, giggling at the fact Taehyung knows exactly where to go. They’ve had enough discussions where Taehyung had told Jungkook off for leaving his keys around the house, instead of the hooks the elder had specifically had placed in their hallways for the metal to sit on. Sure enough they’re sitting on the table, another eggplant coloured letter underneath them. 

 “I swear one day I’m going to find your keys in the fridge or something,” Taehyung says shaking his head, “babe, I love you but you seriously need to stop leaving them around.” 

 Jungkook ignores him, eagerly looking at the envelope in Taehyung’s hand waiting for him to open it. The elder lets him off then and smiles, finding the boy far too cute, his bunny smile on full display as the next picture is revealed. 

 Its the two of them outside their apartment door, holding their keys, Taehyung kissing Jungkook on the cheek as the other smiles gleefully with his eyes tight shut. Jimin had taken it for them, telling them that it was custom they take such a photo and they’d rolled their eyes but got into position hastily, excited and more than willing to cherish the moment. 

 “We’re so cute.” Taehyung cries, “I was waiting forever to see this photo.” He runs his hands over Jungkook’s face for a second, “I really love living with you Kookie, I hope you know that.” 

 Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung’s waist, “I love living with you too. Best decision we ever made.” 

 Taehyung smiles, holding the picture between their chests as Jungkook is bringing them closer together. “Remember what we did the first night?” The younger asks, fave growing mischievous. When Taehyung looks at him he wiggles his eyebrows and the writer blushes, laying the photo on the others chest. “You mean when we had no bed...” 

 “...and had to improvise,” Jungkook finishes. 

 “First day in the apartment and we broke a cabinet.” 

“And a few floorboards if I remember correctly.” 

 They laugh and Jungkook’s head falls on Taehyung’s shoulder through his giggles. “Yoongi hyung almost killed us. The apartments had only just been finalised the week before.” 

 “You know...” Taehyung says, “It’s been a while since we left the bedroom...” he raises an eyebrow in question, his eyes turning dark as he begins to run the collar of Jungkook's shirt through his fingers. The younger's breath hitches for a second, so easily riled up still by the other, just from a look. But he composes himself quickly and lifts Taehyung’s face a little, holding under his chin.

 “Finish the hunt first Tae,” he tells him, “I promise you’ll want to.” 

 “You’re gonna get me more riled up?” Taehyung asks, 

 “Babe, we have ten more to get through. And what happened to being tired, hmm?” 

 Taehyung pouts but Jungkook kisses it away, placing another kiss on the others nose and then the top of his head, until he fills his face with little pecks and has him giggling. 

 “Okay,” Taehyung says, “I’ll focus, I promise.” 

 “Good boy,” Jungkook teases. He winks and it makes Taehyung bite his lip before reading his next letter, handing the picture over to Jungkook again. 

In March we decided to expand our family. Well you didn’t leave me much choice when you showed up one day with a pup, a bed, food and water bowl in your hands. Not that I minded. Yeontan completes us and there’s nothing I enjoy more than those late night walks we take him on, holding your hand or have him snuggled up between us on the couch when we watch a movie. The three of us are the best family I could have ever asked for and I love that he’s our baby. 

 “You got Tannie involved?” Taehyung says, his voice getting excited at the thought of their pet, imagining Jungkook folding the envelopes with the dog by his side, talking to him with a baby voice, the way he’s caught Jungkook do so many times before. The pair constantly fight for Taehyung’s attention and he’s in a constant fight with himself over who he finds cuter, unable to ever reach a definitive conclusion. 

 He doesn’t say anything else, too excited to see their little baby, knowing he’s probably asleep but grabbing Jungkook’s hand and pulling him over to where Yeontan's bed sits in his own bedroom. The dog is snoring gently and they both look at him adoringly before Taehyung spots the next purple envelope tucked under Yeontan’s mouth. He leans down and plucks it slowly from the pup, careful not to wake him but running a soft hand down his fur in comfort.

 “This one is my favourite,” Jungkook says quietly, leaning into Taehyung as he swaps the letter for the photograph in his hands. He smiles when he sees a photo of himself laying on the couch, low lighting and Yeontan curled up in his lap. They’re sleeping together and they both look so cosy wrapped up in each other that Jungkook coos again, causing Taehyung to look up at him.

 “You’re so beautiful Tae,” he says, staring down at the photo. “Even sleeping you just look so angelic.” 

 “I didn’t even know you took this.” Taehyung's voice comes out surprised yet gentle. 

 Jungkook smiles, “I had to. You and Tannie just looked so sweet together and I couldn’t help but admire you guys. My family.”

 “Our family,” Taehyung assures. “Forever.” 

 Jungkook’s eyes water, the word forever meaning so much to him. Meaning everything. It’s all he’s ever wanted with the other boy.  Taehyung goes on to open the next letter.

We got to celebrate an unreal day when our two best friends finally tied the knot in April. Yoongi and Hoseok's wedding was a marvel, the most perfect day for the pair of them. You looked so beautiful in your suit, your hair was a soft blonde colour and you radiated the whole night, sparkling as bright as the lighting on the band. We had so much fun, drinking a little too much, tumbling back into our hotel room, you wearing my shirt the next morning. laying in so much bliss and happiness I felt like I never wanted to move again. It was such a joyous day, and I felt so much happiness with you, with the group, all of us celebrating. It made me think that I was lucky to have found you all. Lucky that we get to experience a life like this. 

 “That wedding was really special,” Taehyung affirms, a smile on his lips reminiscing the night. “You remember how good the lamb tasted?” 

 Jungkook sighs in bliss, “damn that lamb was so good,” he agrees. “You remember the first dance?” 

 “You mean Hobi hyung sweeping Yoongi hyung up in his arms whilst the other cried? How will I ever forget?”

 They both giggle. “I tell you what I do remember,” Taehyung says next. “How good you looked in that suit.”

 Jungkook blushes. “Please, you know you’re basically a model right?” 

 “No but your arms, the way your shirt fit you...” Taehyung is practically drooling just thinking about it. 

 “If you liked it so much, you’re probably going to love the next picture...”

 Taehyung quirks an eyebrow, his thirst still apparent on his face, attraction dancing through his eyes as he thinks about the other. “Is it the suit I need to find?” 

 Jungkook shakes his head. “That’s in my wardrobe and we aren’t allowed in the bedroom yet.” When Taehyung seems to want to ask why Jungkook smiles, “the bedroom is the final part of the hunt, don’t ask why, you’ll find out soon enough.” 

 The elder pouts but doesn’t want to focus on that when he has a picture to find. Instead he considers what could be linked to the Min/Jung wedding and after a second, his eyes light up.

 “The party favour!” He says, thinking aloud. Jungkook nods his head, pulls the envelope from the others hand, carrying the collection of photos now, and smiles.

 “My smart boy,” he says adoringly. “Remember where it is?” 

 Taehyung nods his head, loving the praise a little too much. “We put it in the cabinet along the hallway,” he tells Jungkook, who smiles at his right answer. He pulls him back to the hallway between the bedroom and rest of the house and sure enough, under the wedding favour, a crystal box with the wedding date engraved on it, sits a lilac envelope. Taehyung wonders how he hadn’t noticed it before when they had walked past. 

 He opens the glass case and uses two fingers to slide the envelope out from under the box.

 This time when he opens the envelope, another surge of attraction swirls in the bottom of his stomach. It reveals a picture of the two of them with the happy couple, Yoongi and Hoseok in the middle whilst the younger boys flank either side. It’s a great photo, but Taehyung isn’t paying any mind to anyone else in the picture, not even checking himself to see how he turned out. Instead all he can stare at is Jungkook, white shirt hugging his biceps as his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows revealing his veiny forearms. His tie is loose, hair un-kept from the make out session he and Taehyung had secretly had in the bathroom only five minutes prior to the photo being taken, and Taehyung is just glad the picture cuts off before Jungkook’s thighs could be on show, because really they were the best thing about Jungkook in suits. God bless tailors.

 “God you’re so hot. Remind me how I went nine years not trying to rip your clothes off every second.”

“Tae!” Jungkook huffs, embarrassed. “You can’t just say stuff like that!” 

 But Taehyung shrugs, lets the picture fall beside him in one hand as he brings the other around Jungkook’s bicep and squeezes. He sighs in attraction, hamming it up a little because he loves how flustered Jungkook gets when Taehyung compliments his body, and then he leans down and bites the skin, a little nip of teeth against fabric, but still enough for Jungkook to feel.

 “Your muscle kink is alarming,” Jungkook mutters, but he’s clearly affected by it, breath a little off kilter.

 Taehyung leans his head up so that he’s looking at Jungkook properly, and smiles. “Can’t help it when you look like that,” he comments back, flicking the underside of Jungkook’s chin. 

 Jungkook tries to roll his eyes, but Taehyung’s hand comes up behind his neck, pulling him in for another quick kiss, and Jungkook loves it all too much. Being appreciated by Taehyung, being dubbed attractive, knowing Taehyung wants him. His knees go a little weak. 

 “Why are you so perfect?” Jungkook practically whispers. The kiss, although only small and short, stole his voice box, still too overwhelmed with Taehyung after all this time.

 “Could ask you the same thing,” Taehyung replies, rubbing his nose against the others in a cute Eskimo kiss, another way to show his affection. Jungkook loves him so much. 

After a moment of just having their faces pressed against each other, Taehyung sighs, not wanting to leave the younger’s space, but intrigued to know what the next clue will be. And more importantly what Jungkook’s words will say. Honestly being the writer of the two, his boyfriend was kind of showing him up, not that he didn’t love it.

 This time however he pulls Jungkook around him so that his back is pushed into Jungkook’s chest, guiding his arms around his waist and holding him there with his larger hand on top of the others, which are fastened just under his bellybutton. 

 “You have to stay there now,” he comments, “wanna feel you close.” Jungkook loves when Taehyung gets clingy and so doesn't oppose. In fact, it’s possibly his favourite thing about him. He nuzzles his face into the others neck in reply, making Taehyung sensitive, and a shiver runs down his back from the sensation. 

 “My favourite place,” Jungkook replies, leaving a tiny kiss on the side of Taehyung’s pulse point. It takes everything in the elder not to turn into him and kiss him silly, give up the little game and go straight to the bedroom. But Jungkook worked hard, and he appreciates his efforts so much, cherishes how hard Jungkook works to keep their relationship alive. He is so thankful to have someone who cares for him this much.

 He sighs as Jungkook’s chin settles on his shoulder, behaving himself now and waiting for the letter to be read. 

A lot of things happened in May. So many that we were constantly busy and it was a tough time for the both of us. We’re the lucky ones though really, because we have each other to get through it. Because no matter what, I know I can come to you and talk to you and tell you how I feel, and I know you can do the same. When my new exhibition got postponed, you were right there guiding me through it, comforting me and supporting me. You never left my side and I was so grateful. You had your play to finish which was causing you your own myriad of problems, not to mention the stresses of award season too, but you took care of me first, put me first and it meant the world. When the month ended and we had gotten through it, we got to celebrate, and it was the greatest feeling.

 Taehyung feels himself tear up, remembering just how rough May was for the younger. Jungkook had been working hard getting a new exhibition at the gallery set up, only for a series of catastrophes to occur which set him back months. From breaking his favourite camera, to the studio flooding, the boy was at his wits end, trying his hardest to stay strong but losing his sense of drive when it got too much. A lot of his equipment got damaged, some of his photos he’d already had printed were destroyed, and he lost out on two huge clients interested in buying set pieces. 

 Taehyung on the other hand was facing deadlines from his agents and editors for his play, Stigma. he had thought it was close to done until one day he decide he just didn’t like the ending and realised he needed to begin a series of rewrites. Hold Me Tight had been going so well that it had been extended and his new play was already in talks for workshops and playhouse performances, he just had to actually finish it. Not to mention award season was on its way and he was awaiting nominations, wondering if his stage debut would be considered worthy enough to get mentioned. 

 But Taehyung will never forget requesting an extension for his story and how mad his production team had gotten with him. It’s not that he didn’t have the time to write and fix his play, it’s just that his priorities were with something else. With Jungkook. He could deal with the deadlines and the stress, the telling offs from his superiors because all he wanted at that time was to make sure Jungkook was okay. His agents and editors especially weren’t happy, but he didn’t care. 

 Instead he metaphorically threw his work out the window, stayed with Jungkook, and looked after him instead. When the younger didn’t want to go back to the studio to talk to the plumbers and the builders, the people hired to fix the damage, Taehyung went for him. When Jungkook struggled to call his investors and tell them that the exhibition would be pushed back, Taehyung took his phone and made the calls instead. 

 All in all, both of them had been burned out and stressed out, pulling through the days only with coffee, adrenaline and each other. But even though the days were hard, the nights where they could just hold each other, sometimes cry, sometimes vent, sometimes drink too much soju and pass out, were everything they needed to feel better. Knowing someone was there for you no matter what was a medicine all in itself, and eventually it all paid off anyway.

 “May sucked,” Taehyung affirms, holding out the letter, “But i'm grateful I had you to get through it.” 

 Jungkook hums in agreement, his arms squeezing Taehyung’s waist ever so lightly. “It wasn’t all bad though, you got those noms, didn’t you?” 

 “And you got that photo deal in Paris...”

 “No matter what happens, we always pull through together.” 

Taehyung does turn into Jungkook this time, twisting his neck so he can capture the other boys lips with his own, an open mouthed, loving kiss of appreciation, one that says he’s thankful he has Jungkook, and always will be. 

 “Jungkookie you’re so strong,” he says, “even when things got tough and I knew you were struggling you tried so hard not to show the pain.” 

 “It’s because I had you Tae. If you weren’t there I don’t know what would have happened, but the way you looked after me kept me going.”

 Taehyung sighs in comfort, allowing himself to relax in Jungkook's hold for a second. He was really worried about the younger at the time, the boy always being the first to act like he’s fine, even when it’s clear he isn’t. Taehyung knew one day when he got home and Jungkook hadn’t eaten anything, hadn’t gotten out of his pyjamas, hadn’t gone for his morning run, that things were severe. Even when the boy smiled and acted like he was okay. It was that night he called to tell his editors he story would take longer than planned. It was at that point he put his laptop away and left his work. 

 Things did work out better in the end. Jungkook didn’t get to open his exhibition until later in the year but he had been contacted by scouts online for a job in Paris that was unbelievable. They both cried when he got the news. 

 Now wrapped up in Jungkook’s arms Taehyung can smile about that time and feel relief that it’s all past. He almost forgets, when he feels so warm surrounded by the other that there’s a picture waiting for him. 

 “Tae, baby?” Jungkook whispers after a second, clearly amused at how Taehyung's body has gone lax. 

“Mhmm?”

 “I’ll give you this one, but only 'coz you’re so cute. You need to find your laptop sweetheart.” 

 Taehyung doesn’t hesitate to set off to where he knows he kept his laptop last, dragging Jungkook with him, refusing to let him go. It’s difficult walking like this, but Jungkook is careful to place his feet where Taehyung won’t trip, and honestly when you love someone as much as he does, difficulty doesn’t matter. He gets to be close to his boyfriend and that’s all he really cares about anyway. 

 Taehyung pulls them back into the living room and over to the other side of their apartment, where their joint office is situated. He’d come a long way since the days he had a small desk cramped across from his sofa. When he sees his laptop he smiles, a violet letter half peeking out of the the closed screen.

 “Jungkookie you’re so cute, why are you so cute?” Taehyung says over his shoulder affectionately. Just the way the envelope was sticking out brought a stupid amount of fondness in his chest. He knows how hard Jungkook works to present things, how much he was probably second guessing the placements of the cards, reading and re-reading over what he’d written to make sure it was okay. His boyfriend was nothing if not a perfectionist. 

 He slides the envelope out from the screen and lets Jungkook drop little kisses on to the crown of his head, as he opens it. 

 The picture this time is of Taehyung and Jungkook sitting at a table in their favourite barbecue restaurant, surrounded by the five best friends, all raising a wide yet short shot lass. They’d gone out to celebrate the end of the month, the fact they’d survived it, and whilst it was supposed to be Taehyung and Jungkook’s turn to host their monthly family dinner (they had made it a joint thing now they were together), they’d offered to take everyone out instead, both far too exhausted at the thought of having to cook and clean. 

 On top of their usual celebration though, they got to celebrate Jungkook's Paris deal and the fact that Hold Me Tight had been nominated for two Show Drama Awards, the largest Korean award ceremony held for excellence in the theatre. 

 After the pain the month had brought, and although both boys seemed tired in the photo, eyes dark rimmed and skin stressed with lines, pale and worn, it was a symbol that they’d gotten through it, and there was light at the end of the tunnel. 

 “You crawled home that night,” Taehyung comments looking at Jungkook in the photo, the hood of his sweatshirt zipped up so high, you could only see his bulging eyes and nose sticking out of the gap. 

 “And you nursed my ridiculous hangover the next morning.” 

 Taehyung laughs in reminisce. “It was like we were back in college for the night.”

 “Yeah only this time I didn’t have to hold back telling you how much I loved you when I’m drunk like I did back then.” Through college when Jungkook had been desperately pining, stupidly in love, anytime they would go out, he’d always be careful not to drink to much and spill his guts...in more ways than one. It was just, he thought Taehyung was stunning, always had been and always would be, but when he drank, it’s like instead of beer goggles, he had Taehyung goggles, and the boy was all he could see. 

 Now that they were a couple, that made it considerably easier to cope with.

 “If I remember correctly you said you loved me maybe...fifty times? You’re a clingy drunk Jungkookie, you wouldn’t even let me get you some water, you just kept pulling me onto your chest, crying and telling me I shine brighter than all the stars in the sky.” 

 Jungkook shrugs, not embarrassed by his drunken antics, rather proud of them instead. “Well that’s because I like having you close to me. and it’s true anyway- You shine brighter than all the stars in the entire galaxy.” 

 “You’re so sappy,” Taehyung giggles again, cheeks flaring up. 

 Jungkook only shrugs once more, his smile is unwavering. “it’s like I said. I never got the chance to tell you how I felt in college. Allow me the chance to never stop reminding you now.” 

 Taehyung buries his face in his hands, still trying to be careful not to dent the envelope and picture, but struggling to contain the holy smile on his face at the others words.  

 “Don’t cover your face, I love it when you get flustered.” 

“Kook!” 

 “What? I do!” He tries to poke Taehyung's cheek through his fingers and it only makes Taehyung giggle and fluster more. 

 “You’re going to be the death of me Jeon Jungkook,” he murmurs behind his hands. Jungkook takes the initiative to burrow his face through the others fingers with his nose, until Taehyung can’t do anything but lower them, his face still a ridiculously blushed colour. 

 “My boyfriend really is the most adorable,” Jungkook says into the others skin, planting a selection of kisses on his cheek. Between lifting his head, Taehyung turns his face so that Jungkook catches his lips when he leans back in. 

 “And the world needs to come up with a better word for perfect, because you have exceeded the meaning,” Taehyung replies, truthfully. 

“Now who’s the sappy one?” 

 Taehyung rolls his eyes, nudging Jungkook’s chest playfully before deciding to return back to the envelope to pick out the next letter.

Where May brought struggle, June brought celebration and all your hard work finally paid off...again. Not only had you finished writing Stigma, but I got the honour of being your date to the Show Drama Awards and watched you win Best Author of a Play. I don’t think I’ve cried that much since the day I told you I loved you. I was so proud of you Taehyungie, I am still so proud of you. When you got up on the stage and delivered your speech I didn’t think I could breathe. You looked so elegant, so poised and you held yourself so well. I was reminded about all the reasons why I love you- your hard work, your determination, your strong will, the way you were brave enough to follow out your dream and stuck to your hopes of achieving something amazing. I couldn’t believe I got to be the person by your side for that moment...I still can’t believe I get to be the person by your side everyday. You won an award that night, but I have the real prize...

 Taehyung holds the letter to his chest for a second, the emotions getting to him. He knows he needs to pull it together if they have seven more to get through, but damn, this one was hitting hard.

 “Tae, are you okay?” Jungkook asks when he notices how his boyfriend has gone silent.

 He blinks for a second and lets the letter fall in front of him once more, staring at the words again before stepping out of Jungkook’s back hug to turn and look at him. “Its just...all my life I wanted to win one of those awards. It was always my dream Jungkook. But that night, when I was up on that stage, all I could see and think about was you. How lucky I was that you had supported me up to that point. How grateful I was that I had you beside me. How you’re the reason I got there in the first place...”

 “Tae-”

 “And just reading this? Reliving that moment, knowing that in that moment I’d not only achieved what I longed to achieve but we had also gotten together, found love, accepted each others love... It was like I could just die happy y’know? I had all I’ve ever wanted.” 
 
 Jungkook bites his bottom lip, Taehyung’s words registering right to his sensitivity. He hadn’t known Taehyung has felt like that and it makes his heart feel crazy. 

 “Tae you know that for every award you win, every script you write, every opening of one of your shows...I will be there. Always and forever, right?” 

 Taehyung nods his head. “I know,” he says, “I’m just...how fortunate am I that I get that? That I have you with me? You’re everything Jungkookie, I’m so glad it’s you beside me.” 

 Jungkook grabs him into a hug, Just holds him against his chest for a second. He tries not to get too emotional but it’s hard...especially because it’s been such a long time coming for them to get together. Because for so long the thought of growing old together as a couple was a pipe dream in Jungkook’s mind when he thought it could never become a reality. 

 “Can we go back to joking about sex stuff and talking about my muscles?” He jokes, “this is getting too deep.” 

 Taehyung laughs in his arms and then lays his hands on his chest to push himself backwards slightly. “You’re the one who made these,” he says, “you’re slowly killing me here with your sweetness.” Taehyung looks back at the letter that’s against Jungkook’s chest, still clutched in his fingers. “I know where the next letter is though.” 

Jungkook smiles in reply.
              

💜

“I still can’t believe you keep your Show Drama Award in the bathroom.” 

 Taehyung leans over the toilet bowl to the ledge he’d had installed in the bathroom several months ago. Atop it sits a gold block with a shining coin like sphere at the top of it. Engraved along the front is his name and the title as winner of Best Author of a Play. It was his second pride and joy, after Jungkook of course. After he grabs the purple envelope tucked underneath it, he smiles.

 “Why? Kate Winslet keeps her Oscar in the bathroom.” 

 Jungkook shakes his head, endeared nonetheless by Taehyung and both his strange celebrity knowledge and habits. “I know but...it’s the bathroom.” He makes an icky face like ‘you know this is the place we do our business in...’ but Taehyung pays it no mind. 

 “Its funny and cute,” is all he replies. “Plus just like Kate Winslet says, it makes for a great conversational starter when guests come round.” 

 Jungkook laughs. If Taehyung wanted to keep his award in the toilet, he didn’t really mind. Hell he’d build him a whole shelf for the many more he’s bound to win over the years, if he’d ask him to. He just likes hearing Taehyung explain his reasoning. Likes hearing Taehyung say just about anything. 

 His boyfriend pulls out the next photo. It’s one of the two of them during the post press carpet at the award show. Taehyung is holding his award but whilst Jungkook is staring down at it, smiling hard in the others hands, Taehyung is looking at him, eyes filled with nothing but love and maybe a few stray tears. Considering the fact they were in public, cramped on a busy red carpet full of the other winners for the night, the look he’s giving the other is very intimate. A look reserved only for Jungkook and no one else. Eyes that are honest and truthful, telling about just how in love he really was with the boy. How much having him there truly meant to him. His everything. 

 “Love the way you look at me,” Jungkook says. “Feel like I could do anything.” 

 He sits himself against the bath side, careful not to fall in, and Taehyung leans into him to kiss his nose. “Hard not to look at you like that,” he tells him, and Jungkook blushes, his lips getting pulled into a ridiculously big grin as if controlled by string. 

 Taehyung stares at the others face then in their shared bathroom, exactly the same way he is staring at him in the photo, his eyes screaming ‘I love you. You’re everything to me'. Sometimes he worries Jungkook doesn’t quite know just how much those words are true. He hopes he does though. Hopes he knows that Taehyung feels like Jungkook is bound to his soul forever, his perfect fit, his person. 

 When Jungkook looks up at him again, his eyes are as innocent as the night they became friends. He loves those eyes so much. 

 He grabs Jungkook’s hand then, just wants to feel some part of him again, any part of him, and then he goes to read the next letter aloud. 

We had our first vacation in July. The day you surprised me with tickets to Hawaii, I honestly couldn’t believe it. The way you’d turned the whole apartment into a luau as a surprise for when I returned home was amazing. the Hawaiian shirt, the hula skirt....all the little tiki lamps and the coconut drinks...you made that day so special. We did so many fun activities and created memories for a lifetime when we were there. Helicopter rides, surfing, swimming with sharks...you really planned the perfect trip. Being on vacation with you reminded me that no matter where we are, we are stronger together. You asked me if I’d want to live there with you, just you and me and I told you I’d be happy wherever we go, as long as we’re together, and it’s true. Where we are never matters, as long as I’m with you.

 Taehyung smiles as he remembers their holiday. After the stress of May and the schedule filled June, he really wanted to do something special for Jungkook, a thank you for all he’s done for him, but also a chance to let him have a break and relax. They’d always spoken about vacationing somewhere like Hawaii, back in their college days, joking about renting a villa and running away to the island to live in paradise and peace. It seemed like the perfect place to pick and when he saw Jungkook’s face the night, the way he was so speechless after he’d returned from work and saw the apartment decorated, he knew he had been right. It had once been only a dream Taehyung had wanted to make a reality for the other, and their time together on vacation holds some of their most precious memories in all the years they’ve known one another. 

 “We should vacation somewhere every year. A new tradition,” He says. “We were so relaxed.” 

 He shuts his eyes and sighs, momentarily feeling the beach spray on his skin, the beams of light from the sun. Hawaii was a paradise and Jungkook nods his head in agreement.

 They walk out together and Taehyung wonders for a second where he may find the photo, until he remembers the Hawaii magnet they had attached to their fridge. He sprints off in the direction of the kitchen and when he sees the mulberry letter attached under the magnet he smiles. As he opens this envelope, the photo makes him laugh.

 They’re both on the beach, Wearing matching Hawaiian shirts, Jungkook’s open revealing his torso whilst Taehyung only has the top few buttons undone. Keeping with the couples items, they're both wearing beaded necklaces and in their arms they have matching sun and moon henna tattoos that if put together, complete a full picture. Jungkook’s face is a little burnt, now shielded under a large woven hat and Taehyung is wearing a yellow bandana that’s pulling his bangs out of the way. Their skin is sun kissed and bronze, glimmering in the summer light and they’re both holding cocktails with sparkly tassled straws and little umbrellas poking out of the top. They look really happy and carefree. A real representation of exactly how the holiday felt. 

 “Remember the night you cooked me dinner?” Taehyung says, “we had that whole villa to ourselves, the candlelight, the music....” 

 “... The slow dancing in the kitchen that led to us burning the whole meal...”

 Taehyung makes a face at him. “You know not to let me drink wine before I eat.” His begins to flush as he remembers pulling Jungkook away from the stove and spinning him around the kitchen, tipsy off the bottle of red they’d opened. Jungkook had told him he needed to check the oven but Taehyung kissed him instead, grabbing his face and going to town, giggles and fondling in between. 

 It was the sound of the alarm several moments later that notified them that something had gone wrong. “I can’t control myself with red wine,” Taehyung remarks, remembering the memory fondly. 

 Jungkook quirks an eyebrow. “You mean when you tried to make it up to me by throwing me on the couch sitting on my lap, telling me I was only yours....that was just the alcohol talking?” He’s teases in his reply, sarcasm dripping in his words, acting mock surprised and even crossing his arms to really solidify the joke. 

 Taehyung scoffs. “Oh don’t pretend like you didn’t love it,” he retorts, even though he’s blushing again. He remembers a very drunken lap dance following that and an extremely turned on Jungkook, even if their villa did kind of smell like burnt garlic.

 “Of course I did babe,” Jungkook says, “I am yours and you’re mine,” he winks. “Maybe I need to get you wine drunk here more often? Could use another one of those strip teases.” 

“Oh god,” Taehyung laughs, running a hand down his face in embarrassment. He had gone to take his trousers off and tripped over one of the legs. It was the least sexy thing he’d probably ever done, and at the time they’d both laughed it off and carried on like it was nothing. Now that he thinks back to it though, he should be grateful he didn’t break anything. In the apartment or on his body. Wine really makes him unpredictable. “You said it was sexy!” 

 “Oh it was super sexy!” Jungkook is laughing, loves it when he gets to be the one to tease the other and have him be the flushing mess instead. “Pretty sure you started singing Mariah Carey Tae, what’s more sexy than that?” 

 “I hate you.” 

 “You love me.” 

 “I’ll never sing a Mariah Carey song ever again.” 

 “We both know that’s an absolute lie.” 

 Taehyung smacks Jungkook on the arm again playfully. “We are getting way too distracted here!” 

 He returns back to the envelope and pulls out the next letter. “Plus I remember the rest of that night going pretty damn good and if you want a repeat of what happened, we need to get these letters finished.”

 Its Jungkook who blushes then, and Taehyung smiles victoriously when he sees the others face, knowing he’s once again managed to get him hot under the collar. 

 When he unfolds the next letter and begins to read it, he can still see the pink dusting the others cheeks. 

I missed you so much in August Taehyungie. It was our first proper time since getting together, that we were apart and every day was a struggle not waking up with you by my side. I had an amazing time in Paris, getting to photograph the city, do the job I love to do, but it was so hard not having you with me through it all. Honestly thank the heavens for Skype and Face-Time because I think I would have been lost had I not been able to see your face.

 “Next time you have a job abroad I’m coming with you.” 

 “Tae you have your own job.” Jungkook laughs when he sees his boyfriend pouting, stroking his arm in a short bit of comfort.

 “Don’t care. I missed you too much.” 

 Earlier in the year Jungkook had signed a contract that saw him travelling to Paris for a few weeks. He debated for a while whether he wanted to take it, but after losing out on two big sales following the studio flood, it was like a god sent opportunity, something he couldn’t pass up. He also thought he could take some photos in Paris for his own personal collection that could benefit his pushed back exhibition. So really going to the city of love was a no-brainer. He just wishes he could have actually gone with his love. That would have made it miles more special. 

 “I missed you too,” He affirms. “Maybe next year that can be our vacation spot? Get to experience the city together.” 

Taehyung nods, “I’d really like that.” 

 Finding the next photo is easy because when Jungkook had returned from his trip, he’d brought home a delicate glass replica of the Eiffel Tower, a souvenir gift for Taehyung that he was in awe of from the second Jungkook had pulled it out of his suitcase. He gets a warm feeling in his chest when he sees he had been right and the next mauve envelope is underneath the model, that sits on a shelf in their living room. 

 This time the photo is a little different, a screenshot of a Skype call. Taehyung is wearing one of Jungkook’s oversized black T-shirt’s as a pyjama, hair a little messy and glasses perched on the edge of his nose. If he remembers correctly, Jungkook had rang him in the middle of the night, either 3 or 4 am. He had left his laptop on even though he was asleep, like he did every night the other was away, just in case Jungkook needed him. When the sound of the Skype call had bellowed through his apartment, both he and Yeontan has shot awake (he’d let the dog sleep beside him as a replacement for the boy he loves), and answered the call without so much as checking his hair or turning the lights on first. Jungkook was his priority.

 He got to that eventually though when he heard Jungkook apologise for calling so late and waking him up. As the glow of his lamp illuminated his face finally, Taehyung was smiling, just happy to see Jungkook at all. 

 It was only 6pm in Paris and Jungkook had told Taehyung he was lonely eating dinner. He seemed down, quieter than usual and the elder noticed it immediately. He didn’t think twice about staying on the line with him the entire time, sleep didn’t matter. Instead he grabbed a banana from the kitchen for a night snack just so the other wasn’t eating alone, and kept him talking. Knew he needed the distraction. It was light outside by the time Jungkook told the other he was going to get ready for bed. They had ended up speaking for five hours. 

 “I never thanked you enough for this night,” Jungkook comments, staring down at the picture in Taehyung’s hand. “I didn’t really let on just how sad I was without you, but when you answered the call it was like all that went away.” 

 “Hey,” Taehyung calls, grabbing Jungkook’s attention to look at him again. He places a hand to the side of the younger's cheek. “Don’t ever think you have to thank me for things like that. I wanted to see you just as much. I would have crossed oceans that night if you’d asked me to. Would have gotten the first flight out to Paris.” 

 Jungkook sighs dreamily, his eyes shutting with the overwhelming feeling in his chest from Taehyung’s words. “It’s hard being without you.” 

 Maybe it’s ridiculous. Maybe he relies on being around Taehyung too much. Maybe he’s too wound up in the other. But they have been friends for ten years, they did everything together. Romantic or not, Taehyung was his anchor through everything. 

 “I know baby, I feel the same.” Taehyung thinks about the time just before they got together. How much his chest ached daily after they had argued in Seokjin and Namjoon’s apartment. How much he wanted to just wrap his arms around Jungkook and never let him go because the pain of being apart was too much to bare.  

 “But remember how good it was when you got back?” 

 And Jungkook does, his smile growing wider when the memories flood in. His return felt like their love had gotten amplified. Taehyung had waited at the airport with flowers and chocolates and made Jimin hold a banner saying ‘WORLDS GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHER: WELCOME HOME!!’ 

 Jungkook had ran into his arms in a ridiculously movie-like fashion, Taehyung wobbling slightly to catch him, but gripping him so tight his knuckles turned a white colour. That night Taehyung already had Jungkook’s favourite things lined up: movies, food, and video games.

 If they locked themselves away in their bedroom for the next three days, well...that’s nobodies business. 

Jungkook’s morning runs be damned. 

 If they had to buy a new bed after their reunion, well...that’s a secret between them and their salesman. 

Taehyung opens his next letter:

After months of waiting, I finally held my exhibition in September. I think as stressful as the months had been worrying about it, in the end, it worked out perfectly and it couldn’t have gone any better. You looked stunning that night, and honestly I know it’s my own work, but you stood out more than any of the pictures up on those walls. You were so great, knew every single piece so well, charmed potential buyers into putting down payments and taking my card. It was because of all your help it turned out so successfully. 

 “Jungkookie you don't credit yourself enough,” Taehyung comments with a small frown. “Your photos sold because they were fantastic, all your work is.” 

 Jungkook grows bashful. Taehyung has always been his biggest fan and he was modest when it came to what he did, even if the statistics of his successes say otherwise. 

“Kookie, don’t.” 

“I’m not doing anything.” 

 “I know how your brain works and you need to stop being so humble. Own the fact that you are an amazing photographer and your work kicks ass.” 

 Jungkook’s latest exhibitions theme was vision of love...Some could say he was feeling inspired.

 “Jungkook, I remember the first time you showed me your photos back in college. Do you remember?” 

 Jungkook blushes, “You wrote about it...in the script....” 

 He’s referring to the manuscript Taehyung had made the other about their lives. It seemed like so long ago now but Taehyung knows Jungkook still reads it sometimes, has caught him flicking through the pages on several occasions. 

 Taehyung had dedicated multiple scenes of the script to Jungkook’s photography. The way it made him feel, his first true impressions of it, his thoughts about Jungkook’s talents, his hard work and passion. Things he’d always thought about the other that were a given in his mind and deserved to be said properly to Jungkook out loud. He wanted Jungkook to see how truly great he was, what his vision of the younger was. 

 He smiles fondly when he sees Jungkook get shy around the topic, but he never wants the other to downplay his craft. Likes to take every opportunity he can to remind him about just how inspiring he is. 

 “You has such a natural talent Jungkook, the way you’re able to capture photos that are so real and so detailed. So beautiful. When I saw them I had no doubt in my mind you’d be successful. Not even one. I could tell in that moment, that you would be something special. That you are someone special.” 

“Tae-”

 “Nope. I’m only being honest. The fact your work sold out that night was because of you and only you. I did nothing but accompany the art. The pictures spoke for themselves. Say it, say that you’re a kick-ass photographer.” 

 Jungkook looks embarrassed. He knows he was good at his job. He’s had successful gallery openings in the past and he’s done a lot of work for a lot of people. But Jungkook has never been one to brag about anything. Jungkook has always been someone to focus on others, his worlds centre is the people around him, not himself. It’s because of this that he’s always found it hard to be so kind to himself, to stop being so humble when he doesn’t have to be. Taehyung had been the one who really helped him to open his eyes on himself for a change. To make him realise that it’s okay to do things for yourself and to give yourself the credit where credit was due. Taehyung taught him that he deserves to feel good about his talents. Deserves to be proud. Confident. 

 “I’m a kick-ass photographer.” He says eventually, and having the words out loud makes him smile. Taehyung feels satisfied hearing the others and gives him a matching grin to show he’s glad.

 Taehyung knows how Jungkook’s mind works well enough to figure out he’d place the next envelope with his camera. Sure enough the dark purple letter is poking out of the top of Jungkook’s camera bag and he swipes it quickly, doing a little victory shake at how quick he was getting at figuring out the letter locations. 

 In this photo they are standing holding champagne flutes, both in evening attire, Jungkook’s suit an electric blue whilst Taehyung had gone for a much more understated black. He had forced Jungkook to wear the more daring of the outfit choices, usually being the riskier of the two but telling his boyfriend that he deserved to show off and define himself amongst his work. That he was just as enthralling as the photos and deserved to be seen and admired in the way they were going to be. Honestly he didn’t think Jungkook needed the suit to do that. Hell, he finds it hard to look away from him and they’re together twenty four seven, but he did it because he knows Jungkook sometimes needs the push to admire himself and knows that the right suit can make anyone feel as worthy as they truly are. They’re both smiling at the camera, truly ecstatic, as they hold each other close. It was taken inside the gallery and behind them along the wall is several of Jungkook’s photos, blown up large and in colour, so extravagant and captivating. Jungkook looks really happy, a juxtaposition to the looks of worry that had solidified on his face the hours before opening, and Taehyung looks so proud, eyes glassy and cheeks a little tear stained because yes, he had cried when they’d entered and he’d seen all of Jungkook’s work displayed. It didn’t matter that this wasn’t his first open gallery, each one was as special as the last and just seeing others admire Jungkook’s work, made Taehyung so proud that the tears couldn’t help themselves. 

 “This was a really special night,” Taehyung says, “I’m so immensely proud of you and your strength.” 

 “Thank you,” Jungkook replies, willing to accept the compliment, even if his ears go a little red. “I’m really glad I managed to pull it off.” 

 Taehyung kisses Jungkook’s hand, strokes the back of it delicately. “I knew you would.” 

 He returns back to the envelope then to read the next letter, ’once more handing the photo to Jungkook to grab hold of the paper in his own clutches. 

You love Halloween so much and I love how much you love Halloween. This year it was our turn to host the annual Halloween party and having everyone at ours, dressed up and celebrating was really such a fun and carefree night. We’ve always done couples costumes, but this year being a couple in more ways than one, made the holiday all the more special. I think this year was my favourite pairing yet.

 Taehyung laughs again when he thinks back to the several different Halloween costumes they have tried out over the years that have been documented forever on the frames that line their wall. It was pretty standard for the October month of Jungkook’s frames to be a Halloween edition and between the Ash and Pikachu look, the Tracer and Hanzo outfits, and the Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask catastrophe of 2011, this Harlequin and Joker look was actually pretty top notch. Even if it had taken some time to convince Jungkook to go as the Joker in the first place. 

(“He’s mean,” he had said through a pout, “I don’t like how he treats Harlequin.” 

 Taehyung had sat on his lap and kissed his cheek affectionately over how cute and sincere he was. And also because he agreed with him too. But he also just really wanted to wear the Harlequin outfit. Plus he’d already bought costumes and there was some stupid no returns policy at the shop he’d gone to.

“I’ll be in booty shorts,” he sang, stroking Jungkook’s hair, using the powers of attraction to convince him.

“B-booty shorts?” 

“And a choker....” 

 The younger had swallowed hard. 

 “Okay okay...maybe this isn’t so bad after all.”)

 And it wasn’t. Every time Jungkook greeted people he made sure to include a little lecture on toxic relationships, but honestly he kind of liked the green hair and the tattoos...sue him. Plus, what he liked, Taehyung loved and it didn’t take long for the elder to pull him away for a Halloween hook up when all their friends were busy playing drinking games, only to tell Jungkook that if he wanted to dye his hair green full time he’d be totally okay with that. He was only half joking. 

 When they returned to the party with half of Jungkook’s white make up smeared on Taehyung’s cheek, they had been shameless about it. The costumes were a hit.  

 “You didn’t did you?” Taehyung asks suspiciously, thinking he has a good idea of where the next photo is. 

 Jungkook smiles innocently but hidden beneath is a mischievous grin that Taehyung reads instantly and gasps at. 

 “Get the stool,” he murmurs and Jungkook has a jovial giggle as he runs to the cabinet where they keep their supplies, as Taehyung runs back to the kitchen. He stands right in the middle of the floor and then looks up, bites his bottom lip to try to stop his laughter but fails. Taped onto the ceiling of their apartment is his next plum shade letter covering a stain that occurred on Halloween day. 

 It has been around midday and the boys were hustling hard to make sure their place was decorated and clean for the party that was going on later. In addition to organising the event, Taehyung wanted to add something special and went about trying to bake pumpkin pies for the evening. Of course what no one told him was that in order to make a real homemade pumpkin pie, you have to do more than just buy pumpkins. Needless to say making the purée hadn’t gone well and now there’s was a ceiling stain to prove it. 

 Never blend a pumpkin without putting the lid on first. 

 Jungkook managed to get the orange colour out of the paint, but unfortunately his scrubbing couldn’t quite rid the stain all together. But they had laughed about it, said it made the place feel more like a home. 

Any and every little crack or stain or chip in an apartment makes it more personal to the owners, Jungkook had said. Taehyung thought that was kind of beautiful. So they celebrated the mark, and for a good two weeks into November Taehyung would even walk back into their home and say hello to both Jungkook and the stain. It became as a part of their home just as all the furniture they had purposely bought.

 Jungkook comes running back into the room, stool now in between both of his hands, placing it quickly under Taehyung’s feet. 

 “You’re so extra,” the elder cries through his giggles, leaning his weight on Jungkook’s shoulder to prop himself up. Jungkook gives a wicked chuckle in return. 

“Only extra for you, baby!” He says in reply, proceeding to smack Taehyung on the ass playfully.

 The elder wobbles slightly but his laughter never ceases and he stretches up to reach the ceiling, un-sticking the envelope from where Jungkook had taped it down. It takes him a few moments but he eventually gets hold of it, before using Jungkook as a support again to climb down from the stool.

 “Those pumpkin pies were delicious though,” he says once his feet reach the ground again and he gives Jungkook an innocent little smile. 

 “You mean the ones you ended up buying from the bakery because yours ended up above us?” 

 Taehyung nods enthusiastically and then licks his lip. “That’s exactly what I mean. I never said I was Betty Crocker.” 

 They giggle together, Jungkook’s head falling forward onto Taehyung’s shoulder for a brief moment, before recollecting themselves to look at the next photo. 

 They’re in their costumes pulling absolutely ridiculous poses, although if Taehyung remembers correctly this must be one of the most tame out of the selection they had taken that night. This would be going on their wall after all. Taehyung is slightly bent forward, leaning on his baseball bat with one hand, whilst the other is coming up to do a piece sign under a closed winking eye. He’s sticking his tongue out and honestly the half dyed hair job really suited him, as does the make up. Jungkook is a little to the side of him, standing a step or two behind. He’s trying to emulate the Joker’s aura by tilting his head upwards with an arrogant jut of his chin, holding a fist and squaring his shoulders. He’s also pulling an aggressive face, teeth on show in a characteristic snarl.

 “You’re so soft Jungkookie even dressed like this I just wanna poke and squeeze your cheeks and cuddle you.” Taehyung ruffles his hair affectionately which Jungkook leans in to like the big puppy he is. 

 “Can’t wait until next year when it’s my choice to pick the costumes again,” he says, eyes closing briefly in satisfaction from the way Taehyung has turned the hair ruffling into playing with it gently.

 “Whatever you want, baby,” Taehyung coos at him.

“I’m thinking Disney...princesses...”

 Taehyung giggles, shaking his head at the thought, but not in denial. As if he’d ever say no to the other. Instead he place’s his hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, moving from his hair. “You're gonna be my Prince Charming, Huh?” 

 Jungkook’s eyes grow mischievous, “Aren’t I already?” He asks, blinking his eyes slowly with an innocent yet, know-it-all expression. 

 Taehyung laughs and returns his hand to the bottom of Jungkook’s hair. “You’re definitely my happily ever after,” and then he kisses him again.

 As he pulls away, Jungkook’s face is red and giddy, looking drunk and dazed off of Taehyung’s words. It was the same for him too. Taehyung was his forever.

 “Read the next letter, Tae,” Jungkook says, voice shy as his cheeks flush with adoration for his boyfriend. Taehyung notes the gentle sound of his voice and allows it to warm his heart, knowing how much his words mean to Jungkook, even if it was a silly fairy-tale pun. It’s not like he didn’t mean it though, because he did. And he’ll never not want Jungkook to know that. 

 Still he abides by his boyfriends wish and opens up the folded pieces of the next letter. 

Our lives can be so fast sometimes. We are busy all the time with our jobs, our schedules, our plans and the previous ten months have shown just how much we can be on the go. I want you to know that getting to experience all these things is only so special because I’m doing it with you and because we’re together. There’s no one else who i'd want to play in the snow with, live with, go to award shows with, Skype at 4 in the morning, wear couples costumes with. Honestly it’s always been you Tae, and it always will be. That being said, as much as I love our busy lives, sometimes there’s nothing nicer than just being us. Just finding the time to be together. My memory for November is a reminder that regardless of what’s going on in our lives, we are just two boys, two simple boys, who love each other. 

We went to the park one afternoon. You know the one, the park I run in, the one you said you visited when we weren’t talking. Just you and me and Yeontan, no fancy clothes, no planned evening, no make up, no one else involved. Just us, our baby, and the city. We really didn’t do much, just strolled through the park, sat at a bench, let Yeontan run free as we talked like we always have. Like best friends. It was just so simple, so us...so nice. Just a reminder to me that I don’t need nothing else in the world but you. Always you. 

 “Jungkook,” Taehyung’s voice is filled with emotion, a gentle whine of the others name, overcome at the way Jungkook had focused on such a normal day. Nothing fancy, nothing special. Just them and the park. He doesn’t know why it makes him feel so overwhelmed, but they can get so caught up in their moments sometimes, it’s nice to have a reminder of how easy their love can be too. How under everything, it really is just simple. Two simple boys who love each other.

 “You remember the evening, Tae? It was the first frost. You wanted to see if you could feel it.” 

 “Of course I do,” Taehyung replies. It had only been a little over a month ago, but regardless Taehyung wouldn’t have forgotten that night. For him too, it had been special. “I remember thinking that if the rest of my evenings could be just us two, like that, nothing else in the world would ever matter.” 

 Jungkook smiles, takes Taehyung’s hands in his. “Me too baby, me too.” He leans in, presses a gentle kiss to Taehyung’s shoulder, embraces him for a second and feels him close. 

 “You remember how there was all those purple flowers in the garden we sat in? How you said purple was a fall colour, told me it meant that you love me and would love me for a very long time? You remember that?” 

 “...There were purple balloon flowers, Russian sage, pansies, Michaelmas flowers. It was beautiful...I love the colour purple.” 

 “I know you do baby, I know. Actually I... I should probably mention that it’ll be a little hard looking for your next photo. Let me take you to it, okay?” 

 Taehyung furrows an eyebrow, But Jungkook is already pulling on his hands, and more than anything, he trusts Jungkook wholeheartedly, so he lets the younger lead him through their apartment, only taking a few steps down their corridor until he knows Jungkook is bringing him to their bedroom. He remembers how the other had mentioned that the hunt ended there, and now that he thinks about it, they have avoided that area of their place expertly the whole night. As he gets closer though, he sees why, and his throat clogs up when he notices what’s attached around the doorway of their room. 

 Purple flowers, so many just like the ones in the park, an array of colours and shades, line the doorway from the floor, across the hinges and panels, to the other side. It’s beautiful, the way the flowers compliment each other, all the different purples mingling to create a flourished bouquet so elegant and exquisite, Taehyung’s eyes are watering just from their beauty. It takes him a moment admiring the flowers so much, to even notice the purple envelope attached square in the centre of the door. For a second he looks at Jungkook, wants to show him how amazed he is at all of this, but the boy has grown incredibly nervous, looking down at the ground, only his ears revealing something is up with him, by the very deep red colour they’ve turned. Taehyung wants to grab and kiss him right there but before he gets the chance to, Jungkook speaks, quietly. 

“Open the envelope Taehyungie.”

 Taehyung shuffles forward, carefully picks at the tape holding the letter to the door. When it comes off, a weird beat of his heart sends his chest on high alert, and he pulls back the envelope to grab at the final photo. 

 It’s another selfie of the two of them, sitting on the park bench from that night. There’s a street lamp illuminating the picture, and even though it’s a relatively close shot, you can make out the iron of the bench underneath them, and a flurry of blurred purple in the distance. Taehyung is leaning his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, both his arms wrapped around Jungkook’s that’s holding the camera forward, and they look like they did back in college. Young and carefree and full of life. Consumed with each other, but this time that isn’t hidden. The picture is clear in showing a couple. The picture is clear in showing their love. The picture is an exact representation of who they are deep down. Just two simple boys who love each other.

 “Jungkook this is beautiful,” Taehyung begins, “I don’t even know how you...I can’t believe you....I don’t know what to say.” 

 “You don’t have to say anything yet Tae, this is just...there’s more...this is just the beginning of the final present....” 

 Of course, there was still December. The bedroom door was still closed. There was still one more month, one more photo. One more memory to round off their collection. Taehyung intakes a breath as he pulls out the accompanying letter. 

Let’s make one final memory.

 That’s all it says. He pauses turns the letter around just in case, and then he looks back at Jungkook and tilts his head. 

“Go into the room, baby.” 

“Jungkookie what’s going on-?”

 Jungkook walks up to the door handle, pushes on it lightly so it un-latches, But doesn’t allow the door open any further. 

 “Find out baby, your final month is inside. The letter is first though...read the letter first.” 

 Taehyung takes a moment to just stare at the other, at the door, fully understand what’s being asked of him. For a second, his feet don’t seem to want to move and then they get a mind of their own, moving closer to the door, his hand joining in to take hold of the handle. Nerves enter and tingle throughout his body, especially at how Jungkook can’t seem to look at him properly, and how everything has gotten strangely vague, and then he takes another breath to push the door open, closing his eyes for only a second before opening them again, focusing on on the room in front of him. 

 Taehyung sees the purple petals first. Theyre scattered around the room, a continuation of the flowers outside only this time over the floor, the bed, dropped delicately to transform their space into a recreation of that evening in the park. Their park. Next he notices the dim glow of the candlelight, the array of cream coloured candles atop their night stands, their cupboards, different sizes and shapes in candle stick holders, all playing their part in perfecting the ambience for the evening, The perfect mood. 

 It is then when he notices how the candles seem to be illuminating something. How the flowers are all carefully placed to highlight one thing in particular.

 the last indigo envelope laying square in the middle of the bed. 

 He intakes a breath when he sees it, takes a moment to just stare at it, to see it staring back at him. He knows Jungkook is standing in the doorway, knows he waiting for him to open it, and as he takes another step forward, he let’s his fingers brush the paper, feels it with his fingers before he idly picks it up, turns it around and pulls the card from the envelope. 

To my beautiful Taehyungie, 

Ten years ago I saw you and I knew my life was going to change for the better. We were just strangers, living across a hallway, I was too scared to talk to you at first, so intimidated by your beauty, your confidence, nervous that I would never be enough. Then you forgot your keys, We got the chance to talk, and I fell in love right then and there. Every year since, my feelings grew stronger and every time I looked at you, my whole world felt complete. There is no one who could ever make me feel the way you do. No one who makes me feel so alive, so happy. Every day I’ve had with you by my side has been the happiest day of my life and if I get to live every day forward just like this, I’ll be the luckiest man alive. 

You once asked me if I’d ever been in love and what being in love felt like. Taehyung I have always been in love with you and loving you feels like being rewarded every day just for existing. Loving you is having a reason to smile every morning and knowing that I get to smile every night the moment I see you get back from work. Being in love with you means never having a day where I’m not just excited to be near you and hear you talk, hear your laugh, see you and the way you look at me and feel worthy.

My Taehyung, the reason I am who I am today, the boy who’s been by my side through everything...I love you so much. I am so in love with you, and I always will be....

 The card stops there, nothing else written, and Taehyung has never quite felt emotions like the ones he’s feeling today. The words written are so beautiful, so emotional, so Jungkook, and his heart feels so tight in his chest. He just wants to fall into Jungkook’s arms and stay there forever, tell him how much he means to him over and over. Then he remembers there’s one more photo, the last of the twelve months to complete the year, the photo for December. He has no idea what it could be. 

He goes back into the envelope, the smallest bit of colour peaking out of the open slot, signifying that there is indeed a final photo waiting to be revealed. He smiles to himself, pulls it quickly from the purple encasing and for a moment, time stops.

 He can’t quite breathe, feels like all the air has been sucked out of him, and instantly his fingers begin to shake. 

 In the photo, Jungkook is down on one knee, wearing the exact same outfit he happens to have on tonight, the room behind him just the same, with the candles and the petals scattered all around him. In his hands sits an unopened box and he’s staring down at it, a nervous smile on his face. 

“Jungkook-“ Taehyung tries to say, but his voice shakes, he can’t quite believe it. He flips the picture around and on the back there’s a simple message: 

Turn around

 He does as instructed and for the second time in the last minute he loses all sense and ability to breathe. Right in front of him, just like in the photo, Jungkook is down on one knee, the box in hand, the smile on his lip, but this time paired with nervous eyes. Taehyung realises he is trembling and it makes his heart soar. He doesn’t even realise he’s crying until he feels the first tear hit his cheek. 

 This was happening. This was really happening. 

 Jungkook opens the box then and Taehyung gasps when he sees the ring, a shaky breath, a small whimper. It’s beautiful, a silver band, A small diamond sitting inside it. If he looks close enough, he’ll see it’s engraved with both their names. 

 “Taehyungie,” Jungkook’s voice shakes at the word, and as if he doesn’t expect it, he smiles nervously, lets out a low and heavy breath. “My Taehyungie,” he says again, just like how he’s addressed in the letter. “I’ve been planning this since the day we kissed on that stage,” he confesses. “I’ve wanted this since the moment you sang the little drummer boy outside my door...” 

 They both laugh, another tear falling on Taehyung’s cheek, closing his eyes as his body shakes from the emotions. 

 “Tonight we’ve spoken about how we’re a family, how living together, being together has been the best thing to happen to the both of us. I want this. Forever. I want you. For even longer.” 

 His own tears begin to fall then, his fingers still trembling. He takes another nervous breath, calming himself down before making sure to look at his boyfriend, stare at him directly in his beautiful big brown eyes. “Taehyung, will you marry-”

“Yes.” 

“You didn’t let me-”

 “Yes, yes, Jungkookie-“ he stumbles over to the other, placing the photo down on the bed to swap the picture for the real thing, bending down to pull Jungkook up from the floor in a hastened mess, allowing the other no chance to do or say anything, encasing him in a hug, grabbing his cheeks and kissing him passionately. 

“Jungkookie yes, I want to marry you, I really want to marry you, I love you so much, I love you.” He kisses him again, frantic and rushed, their mouths fitting together easily because this is so second nature to them now, even if in the haste of it all, it’s almost uncoordinated and sloppy, both just wanting to taste any part of the other in whatever way they can. 

 “Can I-” Jungkook asks between the kisses, and he lifts the velvet box again, a silent question to place the ring on his fiancés finger. Taehyung had momentarily forgotten about the ring, his eyes widening again as he holds out his hand, waiting for Jungkook to slip it on. It fits perfectly, of course Jungkook had brought several of Taehyung’s rings to the jewellers just to make sure it would, and then Taehyung is pulling him in again, kissing his so passionately once more. 

 “Thank you so much,” Taehyung says as he pulls away, leans his head on the others. “For loving me, for all of this.” Jungkook strokes his cheek again, brushes the others hair gently before settling his hand on the others neck.

 “Thank you,” he replies. “Thank you for making loving you so easy. Thank you for saying yes.” 

 Taehyung closes his eyes again. This feels like a dream. He can barely believe he’s been so lucky to have something so perfect, someone so perfect. Jungkook was out of this world and he was all his. Would be all his forever now. 

 “I can’t believe how you planned this all,” he says bringing his arms down Jungkook’s back, stroking the length of his spine with the tips of his fingers slowly. 

 “It didn’t take much, it made sense to use the photographs.” 

 “The last one is my favourite. I...you’re so beautiful Jungkookie.” 

 “I think there may be one you’ll like better.”

 Taehyung leans up from Jungkook’s shoulder, where he’d rested his head. He looks the other in the eye, a curious expression. Jungkook giggles at how cute he looks when he’s confused and then he turns Taehyung’s body slightly, pointing up to the corner of their bedroom with a finger. 

Taehyung squints and then he notices the camera, mouth falling open when he realises Jungkook had taped the whole proposal. 

“So we’ll never forget,” he says, “and we can get pictures from the video-”

 Taehyung stops him, kissing him again, this time long and hard, sucking him in deep, pressing him against his lips with the hand on the others back. 

“You’re so perfect,” Taehyung tells him, “I can’t believe I get to marry you.”

💜

 Love is a rare and splendid thing that doesn’t always come around once in a lifetime. Jungkook and Taehyung were lucky. Lucky to have found each other when they did. Lucky to have become best friends. Lucky to have fallen in love. 

 Along their wall, in their shared apartment sits ten years of memory frames. The pictures have made the journey from college flats to Taehyung’s own place, but now they belong to them both. A reminder of their life together. Each one looks the same, etched with the year they are displaying, presenting twelve months of photos, a year in the life of their time spent together. 

 Tonight their eleventh frame gets placed amongst the rest. Another twelve months of photos and memories captured in still, never to be forgotten. 

 In the last space, on this most recent frame sits one photo they both think is the most important. A photo they will never tire looking at... 

 Two boys joined as one at the end of an aisle, suit dressed, hands clasped, two wedding bands wrapped around their fingers signifying their love. They’re looking at each other, only each other, knowing that for the rest of their lives, they can spend it like this: together. 

-The End-