Chapter Text
“Launching in t minus 15,”
10, 9, 8,
deep breath, this is it.
7,6,5
God, all I can think about is your smile.
4,3,2
The house by the lake. The one you want us to raise our family in.
1.
Jungkook, I’ll be home in no time. Wait for me.
“Hermes E1, go on full throttle,”
A roaring cheers erupted in the operating room as the space shuttle named Hermes E1 breached the sky into the space. After two years of rigorous training, six astronauts were ready to work on the international space station. Including you, a botanist among the crew. You were sent to run a study on earth plants while in space. How mind blowing! Scientific points aside, this is a groundbreaking moment for you.
As someone who used to dream of owning a little garden when she was a kid, you surely outdid yourself. Plants and trees has always been a fascinating territory for you. The ambiance, the green, the damp feeling when morning comes, and the fresh smell after the rain.
The blue sky gets darker and the green on earth looks like a tiny dots on a canvas. Forcing away from the gravity yet you felt like you were pulled back to the time you showed him your love for plants. The scary silence of space is flooding your mind with memories of him.
xxxxxxx
15 years ago
Living in the countryside, you were given the privilege of getting lost in the lush green behind your house. The wood wasn’t thick enough for any soul to never return after getting into it, but it was huge. It was your favorite place on earth. You spend most of your time there, not caring to socialize with other kids your age. Your mom was a bit worried about your social skills. You used to be a rambunctious kid when you were little.
She once hiding near the park to see how are you socializing with other kids, but she only saw you sat all by yourself behind the slide. She was a bit bitter to see no one is playing with you so she stopped pushing you to play like other kids. Letting you spend your free time in the woods.
She loves you dearly and respect every choice in your life, but she was concerned. You don’t have a friend and god forbid if anything happened to you in the woods with no one to help you. Another bad habit of yours is you only return home when the sun sets, you were twelve and it is making your mom biting her nails in worry.
Your dad on the other hand is very…allowing.
“Can you not encouraging her going into the woods all by herself?” Your mom pulled your dad to into the kitchen. You and your dad were preparing to build a hut for you today. Well that was the plan until your mom walked into you dragging a tool box all by yourself.
She thought you were just doing another daddy daughter project but she almost passed out when you told her, beaming actually, that daddy wanna build a hut in the woods.
“What? She loves being in there, it’s better to put up a cozy place for her than letting her sprawling on the bed of grass.” Your dad panicked. He was in between calming the wife and pleasing his precious little girl. “And you know I can never say no to that cute face,” he pouted, lips jutted towards your petite figure behind the door. His hands on your mother’s hip, not allowing her to turn around to see you giggling.
Noticing your dad missing, you found him in the kitchen. It was a hilarious view. Your dad is trying his best to distract your mom. But from the looks on your mom’s face you knew it’s your cue to save the day.
“Mom please, I swear I will be safe.” You hugged her waist. Swaying your body left and right in hopes it will budge her from her decision.
“Yes, mom, please.” Your dad plead with an overgrown puppy face. You just laughed at that. But the madam of the house is still fronting up a tight lip on her face.
Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine, but not too far, built it as close as we can see it from our house.” Your mom pointed at your dad.
“Yes ma’am!”
“And you little Missy, you have to be home before dark or you will forever stay there. All alone in the dark.” She crouched down to be on your eye level. Pinching your cheeks. That action only emitted a loud giggling from you. She was sure you didn’t listen to any words she just said.
“Yes ma’am!”
After her permission, you ran out of the back door with tools to build up your hut. Your dad follows along huffing and puffing while carrying a stack of play woods. “Wait up, tiger,” he called for you.
“Faster daddy, faster!” You yelled back at him.
Your mom just shakes her head as she leans on the back door. “My headaches,” she whispered to herself.
It was very endearing at first seeing you so pumped up about the woods. She guessed that somehow you will grow out of love with the woods but she was wrong. There was never a day you’re not there. She has no idea how her daughter loves trees and plants so much that she would spend hours being around them.
You have grown bold, you came home late. First it was a few minutes late, now it was almost dark and you just popped out from the bushes like you just didn’t cause your mom a heart attack. She was worried sick. To say you were given a good long lecture -nagging- was an understatement. She was so close to ground you but your dad saved your ass again.
She said you and your dad are meant to be together to torture her.
Your mom voiced out her concerns to her good friend, the neighbor living a few houses away from yours. Mrs Jeon, such a sweet lady. She comes up with a solution that brings the crimson blush on your chubby cheeks after your mom told you.
“I will tell the young one to accompany her, don’t worry,” she said to your mom.
She has two sons, which you haven’t talked to despite your mom and their mom are friends. Well, mostly because you love spending time on your own. From what you heard over your parents’ conversation, the youngest son is your age. Jeon Jungkook, not a quiet kid, you must say.
You know the boy. Jeon Jungkook has many friends, he is such a vibrant energetic ball. Bouncing everywhere. His booming laughter in his classroom sometimes reached you, his boyish screams every time he kicked the ball. He was different from you. You only saw him through the corner of your eyes, not daring to look straight at him. Feeling not cool enough to be in his clique, you settle with being a distant observer.
There is no way he will hangout with you. He got cool friends and they’re boys. Boys don’t play with girls.
It was another after school evening for you. As usual you grabbed your brown tote bag, the worn-out bag which your mom always threatened to throw away. The bag contained all of your ‘treasures’, like your journal, you scissors for you to cut some of the plant to put in it. She wouldn’t dare to touch your things after you once cried when she borrowed your scissors.
Dusting your pants, you’re ready to head out to your sanctuary.
“Mom, I’m going,” you looked for her in the kitchen. She was washing the carrots. The one that you planted in your backyard. A prideful smile adorning your face seeing those fat bright orange carrots. Your mom wonders where did the farming genetic came from considering her husband works as an office worker and she is a teacher. Nevertheless she is thankful, because of you, her twelve years old daughter and your passion for plants, the whole family gets to eat organic produces.
“Wait, you’re not walking there alone today.” She rushed to wipe her hands on the hand towel before opening the refrigerator. “One for you and one for Kook,” she handed two cold water bottles and a pack of fruits.
“Kook?” You asked.
“Jungkook,” your mom answered.
“Mom, I don’t think Jungkook would want to join me. I mean, he’s probably hanging out with his friends-
“Hi ____!” A cheerful voice chirped in from the hallway. Jungkook was here all the time? What is he doing here? And why are you not aware of his existence in this house? Why is he holding your rocket toy?
“Jungkook is already here while you were in your room. He’s pretty excited to hang out with you.” Your mom whispered as she grabs your hair to make a ponytail tie. “Be nice to one another and as you promise Kook,” your mom winks at him.
“Drag her back before seven. Got it Ma’am,” he faked salute your mom as if he was assigned to a military mission. His tiny hand still clutching the white and orange rocket toy.
You didn’t say a word, only avoiding to look at him because this boy is staring. Why is he staring at with his big eyes like that?
Jungkook thought you were mad at him for playing with your toy. But he couldn’t help it. Back in his house, his hyung conquers all the cool toys. “Sorry, this one looks so cool. I had to touch.” he blushed.
“It’s okay, you can play with it.” you muttered.
Slowly you’re moving to grab the bottles but he already brush your hands away from them.
“I got it ____,” he put the bottles and the fruit packet into his own bag. Noticing that you’re looking at his blue buzz lightyear bag, he scrunched his nose and you can see his big front teeth. “To infinity anddd,” he pointed the hand that held the toy upward while his big eyes looking at you with wonders.
“And?” Your eyes mimicked his. Not catching up on what is it that he’s trying to say, because his eyes are so distracting.
“And beyond, ____!” He groaned. “How can you not know the line, silly. Have you watch Toy’s Story? Never mind, we’ll watch it next time.” he chirped. He sounds so excited to play with you again.
He realizes he talks too much because you’re not responding and Jungkook doesn’t want to ruin this budding friendship with you. He couldn’t believe it when his mom told him to play with you. He is a social butterfly, he can easily befriend anyone and he has been eyeing you. He wanted to talk to you back at school but you’re always moving around.
Meanwhile the blush on your cheeks are forming. It is either from the embarrassment of not realizing about the most famous line in cinematic history or from hearing the shy chuckles he produced.
And he also smells like boy’s sweat. Must be from too much running.
“What do you like so much about this forest?” After a few steps into the bush, he asked. Trying his best to swat the unknown insects. You wanted to offer him your insect repellent spray but it seems like words aren’t coming out of your mouth. The repellent is weighing in your mind and in your bag as you keep on walking.
You turned to face him at some point, and you noticed that he is scratching, there’s already a few red splotches forming on his thin arms. Gasping, you instantly take out the repellent spray. Regretting for not offering it sooner.
“Jungkook, come closer,” you rushed him. Seeing his furrowed eyebrows, and it is obvious he was uncomfortable. You hesitantly pulled his arms to spray the cool mist on both of the arms and his legs. “You’re not supposed to wear short pants into the forest,” you mumbled mostly to yourself but Jungkook caught them too.
“Thank you, I’ll be fine. Let’s continue walking,” he giggled at the cooling sensation from the mist. He was feeling something weird in his belly seeing how you were so concerned about him. He always wanted to be your friend but it seems like you doesn’t want to talk to him or anyone. Right now, this sight is amusing to him.
“No, I think it’s better to go home.” You winced as he keeps scratching his arms and legs. The red splotches are already swollen. Did something bite him? Oh my god. Now, you’re panicking.
“But-”
“No. Let’s go,” not letting him finished, you grabbed his hand as gentle as you can.
He keeps following you like a lost puppy, the weird feeling in his belly intensified as he saw how your hand enveloping his wrist. Though he was pretty disappointed he couldn’t spent the evening with you, he does admit the itchiness is driving him crazy.
“Mom, help. It’s Jungkook,” you called for her. She was holding a tray of snacks for the both of you. Keeping your eyes on Jungkook, you wonder if this boy completely lost it because why is he keep grinning like a fool?
After a call to the Jeons, you both can hear the sound of a car entering your front yard. Jungkook is pouting because it means that the play date have to be cut short. Stupid Kook. Maybe if you wear pants, this wouldn’t have happened.
He puts down the glass of lemonade with a heavy sigh. “Jungkook, your mom is here.” you can hear the echo of your mom’s voice from the front door.
“I am sorry Jungkook,” your frowned.
“I am fine though. I still can play.” He noticed you’re looking gloomy. Maybe you’re as upset as he is.
“No you can’t. My mom said if you’re sick, it is better to stay away from the wood.”
“But I’m not sick. It’s just a red condition on my skin,”
“I don’t think that condition exist” you tilted your head to the side.
“Exactly, so don’t worry,” he grins so widely you can count his teeth.
“Either way, your mom is here. You have to go,” you pushed him to the door.
“Wait, your toy-”
“Keep it. The clinic is scary, you need company.” You smiled.
Jungkook has been a permanent figure in your life ever since that fateful evening. You showed him your sanctuary. The little hut you build with your dad’s help in the wood. It wasn’t big but it was cute and quaint. Ever since that day you and him spend your after school evening just collecting fallen leaves, touching the tree barks, or just taking a short nap before you both started on your homework.
You come to learn new things about Jungkook every time you spend the day with him. He loves doodling and he is also easily distracted. Not too mention how his focus span can literally lasted for five seconds top. But he is easy going and charming. He makes you laugh, a lot. He always carry your things in his blue buzz lightyear bag. What started from hanging out after school, you and him expanding it to school. Having lunch break together, having dinner at each other’s houses, and Jungkook’s presence in your house is no longer as a visit from a friend. It feels like he lives there too as much as you are to his house.
You’re thankful for him. You break out of your shy shell with his enthusiastic social skills. You’re introduced to some of his friends who eventually become your friends as well. You have met Taehyung, the cheerful boy who always smiles with a mind full of wonders and Jimin the bossy one who always put Jungkook in his place. He’s kind of need Jimin because without him Jungkook seems to be so reckless. Jimin is good at controlling him. They were already Jungkook’s best friends and you were hesitant at first.
He was a bubbling mess after he cleared your doubt about you being his friend. “They’re my guy friend and you’re my girlfriend” he said before he choked on his own breath. You were too focused on patting his back and you missed the double meaning of his statement.
You were afraid to be in their bro ships way but they were so accepting. (Taehyung once told you that Jungkook would break his Gundam figurines if he doesn’t want to be your friend, and he will hide Jimin’s shoes for all of his life if he doesn’t talk to you)
You love spending time with them but they have never been to your hut in the woods. Jungkook wouldn’t let them. You didn’t know why. Taehyung got curious about it once, Jungkook dragged him out of the class and Taehyung never said a word about your hut after that.
“Jungkook, we should let the other guys visit the hut,” one fine day you told him as both of you hang the tapestry on the wall of your hut.
“No,” he whined with a pout.
“Why? It’s mine, so I get to decide,” you sigh. Today, you were about to learn how possessive Jungkook is.
“Why are you asking me then?” He sulks.
“Well because-” You’re tiptoeing to fix the top corner of the tapestry. The white and orange rocket is hanging at the center of the hut.
Truthfully you have no idea why you blurted that. You can just invited them without asking Jungkook, but somehow you feel like you have to ask him.
“I know it’s yours. But I helped in decorating it, taking care of it too, and I’m always here. With you.” He’s staring at his dirty shoes. He winced at them because he is never a fan of getting dirt on him but if it is what he gets for being around you, he don’t mind.
“At least give me a good reason why we shouldn’t let them come here,”
“Because I don’t wanna share.” Wiping the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand.
“That’s childish, and we are all friends. What’s wrong with sharing with friends?” You huffed the stray of hair that tickling your nose. He comes forward and tucked your hair behind your ears as your hands are busy fixing the tapestry.
“This is your place, you let me in. I’m gonna get jealous if Tae and Jimin can be here too. Like I’m not special anymore,” he speaks so softly, shy. An okay was all that you replied because you can’t think straight after his actions and he seriously just said he is jealous with the thought of you bringing someone else here.
The twelve years old you is having such a funny feeling in your stomach after he said that.
You could never know how you both have gotten closer or Jeon Jungkook was just a weird kid. Honestly you expected him to never show up after he was home from the clinic that day, but somehow you heard the familiar boyish giggle filled in your house on the very next day, and the next day, and the next day for so many years.
The same boy with his blue buzz lightyear bag, except after that time he’s always wearing long sleeves with a sweatpants. Bright big eyes looking straight at yours.
“Ready?”