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He sits under the moonlight bathing him in its chastity. He gazes at the stars embedded in the night sky shining and twinkling upon him. The vicinity is calm yet something bothers him. Melancholy engulfs him and his shoulders feel heavy as he recollects his thoughts. Of course, he is drained from his work. But it is not his work that worries him. It is his heart beating in his chest. The heart that is supposed to belong to someone. That someone who has been happiness personified in Taehyung’s life. His childhood best friend Jeon Jungkook, who has been with him through thick and thin. It has been a long journey for them. From growing up as boys next doors to going to their desired university, Taehyung and Jungkook had been attached by the hip since childhood.
“Take care of my baby for us Taehyung-ah.” Jungkook’s mother had caressed Taehyung’s bread cheeks when her two beloved kids were going to the Seoul National University for their further studies.
“Mom! I am not a baby.” Jungkook had argued innocently with his mother. She had kissed him on the cheek and bid the two a teary farewell even when Jungkook had assured her that he will be visiting on holidays.
Once out of the house to face the real world, they both became accustomed to the fact that life will bring challenges. But the assurance that they have each other as companions, as best friends, was the most comforting feeling ever.
Taehyung remembers how Jungkook had shrunken against him when they were ragged for the first time by their seniors.
“I am here Kookie. Believe me?” Taehyung had whispered in Jungkook’s ears. They were locked inside a cupboard to hide from the bullies. Jungkook was scared and so he had buried himself into his best friend’s embrace. It had felt like the safest place in the world.
That night after the commotion in the halls had died down and the hostel lights had faded away indicating that everyone has gone to sleep, Taehyung had tapped and woke Jungkook up.
“Let’s go, Kook.” Taehyung chirped.
“It is 1:00 am hyung. Let me sleep.” Jungkook said rubbing his eyes.
Taehyung however was not used to take a “no” for an answer. He dragged Jungkook out of his bed, jacketed him all while he was asleep, and took him on the rooftop.
How the moonlight welcomed the two best friends in glee. There was silence all around and was a sight worth seeing from the rooftop of the university building. All Taehyung could hear was the sound of crickets playing and Jungkook’s light snoring. Taehyung elbowed Jungkook to bring him back to his senses.
Once fully awake, Jungkook took a look around.
“Beautiful…” he exclaimed. His big doe eyes followed the stars and stopped on Taehyung’s face.
“You are beautiful too…” Jungkook muttered but Taehyung had managed to listen. And this is how it became their tradition to come to the rooftop and spend some time under the moon.
After that night, Taehyung had come to believe that moonlight has the power to encourage a person to speak what his heart desires.
Today five years later when they are a few days away from the end of the semester, they are here again. On the rooftop, under the moonlight with repressed feelings. Jungkook is busy defining constellations in the sky while Taehyung is busy defining his feelings.
Those feelings which had built up in the last 10 years of his life for his best friend.
Those feelings which he had slept with on all those restless nights.
All those feelings which remain doubtful even to this day.
Those feelings Taehyung is afraid of letting out because what if he loses his best friend in search of love.
Taehyung looks at his best friend counting the stars in the night sky.
“Baby?” Taehyung’s voice holds melancholy.
He has been calling Jungkook “baby” for years. Jungkook does not mind because it is his best friend but it sure does make their classmates think twice if the two are dating yet.
“yes tae?” he yawns.
“Are you cold?” Taehyung asks softly.
“I have my jacket see?” Jungkook shows him his jacket. It was the same jacket Taehyung had wrapped him in five years ago.
“Why do you still have this jacket baby?” Taehyung giggles.
“What do you mean? You gave me this remember how can I throw this? I know I am a bit cold but I am not heartless Kim Taehyung….” Jungkook sounded as if he was hurt.
Taehyung’s stomach twisted at his words. He likes it.
The night breeze touched his back and once again he gets drowned in his deeply buried feelings.
“You should tell him Taehyung-ah.” He remembers his friend Jimin’s words when he had talked his heart out for the first time. “-you have known him your whole life. Don’t worry I am sure he feels the same way.” Jimin is a positive guy always helping out his friends. To Taehyung, Jimin was absolute sunshine. His words had given him the confidence to confess to Jungkook tonight but again his insecurities had drained them all away.
It’s now or never ……
Before Taehyung turns around to face Jungkook, he feels a sudden weight on his shoulders and he sees his best friend sleeping soundly. Taehyung smiles with pure fondness and affection for the younger as Jungkook grabs his arms by his hands.
He bears a precious burden on his shoulders tonight and he wishes that precious burden always finds his shoulders to sleep peacefully on.
Taehyung is charmed by the younger’s features. His tiny scar on his cheek, his nose scrunches every time he hitches his jacket closer to him because of the cold, everything seems endearing to Taehyung.
One more glance at his best friend and Taehyung whispers.
“I'm so hopelessly in love with you.” He has a smile on his face and a little hope in his heart that his feelings may be reciprocated by the younger. He could not help but leave a soft peck on Jungkook’s lips.
Before he could detach his lips from Jungkook’s, he felt hands groping on his collars. Before he could realize it, he was already pulled in by Jungkook who latched their lips together for something more. Taehyung did not complain.
This is what he had been wanting all these years.
Jungkook dug deeper into Taehyung’s mouth. Their tongues in sync, teeth clashing against each other’s, it felt like heaven. How their lips fit each other’s like a jigsaw puzzle.
“I know…” Jungkook said breathlessly.
“I don’t believ-“ Taehyung was in tears.
“You thought I can think of someone else when I have you hyung?” Jungkook’s eyes sparkled.
Words seemed to have left Taehyung’s side. All he could think of for making Jungkook feel his real love for him was to look into his glistening doe-eyes and make him read his soul.
“I assume that things will be different from now on huh?” Jungkook’s gaze fixed upon the stars.
“I guess?” Taehyung sighed. His heart was not able to contain the happiness.
“I love you hyung…” Jungkook tore away his gaze from the stars of the sky to look at his star.
“I love you too baby.”