Archive of Our Own ^beta

Summers weren’t always eventful for Jungkook.

He never ventured out the borders of Busan for vacation. He knows his friends always do, those little troublemakers, and probably everyone in his class is out of town.

And because everybody is out of town, eighteen year old Jungkook is left to do absolutely nothing.

This wouldn’t be the first of many summers. Sometimes, he did entertain going out of town with his parents, but it usually ended up with him in a sour mood. Out of town vacations meant early mornings and late nights to be able to see everything they could.

And Jungkook hates spending energy for things he isn’t really interested in.

He tried at school, especially with the different sporting teams recruiting him but he’d either quit or get kicked for being too lazy.

Yes, the term they use is lazy, but Jungkook would prefer to use the word ‘uninterested’.

And so uninterested leads him here, home alone, or not since his mom is in the kitchen making herself a snack. It’s only been a week into summer break and he’s already dying of boredom.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go outside and smell the fresh air?” he hears his mother call distantly from the kitchen, likely making herself one of those fruit shakes while he’s plopped down on the couch.

That doesn’t really sound half bad to Jungkook. There’s a beach nearby that’s pretty much abandoned and empty most of the time. It might be because people chose to pay for fancy resorts to get aesthetic pictures for the gram.

Well, Jungkook isn’t one to judge people on what they spend their things on, plus the beach is free for him and him alone.

Too bad his friends had to choose trekking whatever jungle they found themselves in, every damn summer. The number of things they could have done on that beach.

But alas, those things are pretty sad to think of when he realizes he’s alone.

Still, some fresh air doesn’t sound so bad right now.

He kicks himself up from the sofa and for a split moment, stares off into space to think about what he needs. His phone broke a week ago because one of his friends decided it was a good idea to run over it while in driving practice (thanks a lot Namjoon, and Seokjin for even bringing up the idea of teaching him), and he’s not really planning to take a swim.

It isn’t too hot out either. He spots a few puffy clouds decorating the sky from outside the window. His body and soul will do.

“I’m heading out,” he calls for his mother and runs for the door. He doesn’t get to hear what she shouts back in return.

The secluded beach isn’t too far from where he lives; perks of living in the outskirts of the suburbs. A five minute walk to an abandoned road hidden behind bushes in the sidewalk of the highway and he’s there.

There are large rocks surrounding the beach, and Jungkook would sometimes climb them and jump into the water. The first time he did, he accidentally slipped and fell butt first into the water. He would not attempt that again until three weeks later.

There’s also a wooden bridge extending out to the sea where he’s fished a few times (unsuccessfully). He thought about bringing either Seokjin or Yoongi here, since Seokjin often goes on a tangent about fishing, but they’re too busy doing other stuff in other places and Jungkook would eventually completely forget about this place until the next summer rolls around.

Today, on his first visit, he plans to do… absolutely nothing.

Not far off from his situation at home. Only this time, the sun shines all around to give him a sunburn. Thankfully the cool breeze makes up for the heat.

He walks over the deck of the wooden bridge and sits on the edge. The smell of salt water fills his senses and he can feel the water tickling his feet. High tide is coming in, he notices, and his suspicions are correct when not long later the waves come stronger and the water level rises up to his calf.

He simply enjoys that peace. All that schoolwork and goofing off during junior year really took its toll on him. It was pretty eventful, and he and his friends hadn't gotten into too much trouble for being so rowdy. His grades were also pretty decent, and his teachers actually looked up to what he would choose for a career path after senior year.

He huffs as he forcefully pushes that thought out. He doesn’t really want to think about the responsibilities that have to come with being a senior in high school.

***

Just as he closes his eyes to simply bask in that moment of peace, a shrill scream echoes throughout the beach.

His eyes blow wide and he turns his head left and right to see where it came from. For a moment, he thinks he might be hearing things, or that it might have been some exotic bird, but then it comes again, more clearly this time.

He sharply turns to his right where the larger rocks are. He doesn’t catch it immediately, since the waves are coming strong, but then he sees a hand shoot up from the water followed by a head and a scream.

“Help!” the person screams and Jungkook immediately runs back down the dock and towards the direction of the rocks.

The person isn’t too far, but the waves might cause a break in Jungkook’s strokes if he does go and rescue them. But he couldn’t leave the person there to drown so he ignored all laws of physics (that probably flew over his head when Namjoon was explaining it to him) and runs into the water.

He’s lucky he’s used to swimming in these kinds of waters. He pops his head up from his swimming frequently to check how far he is from the person. He’s quick with his strokes, even more so when he realizes the person had stopped struggling to break up the surface.

He takes a deep breath and submerges himself into the water. His eyes quickly adjust to the dimness until he finds who he is looking for.

He hurriedly kicks his feet behind him in that direction and reaches a hand out for the person who is already  unconscious. As soon as his hand meets their wrist, he makes a break for the surface until both of their heads are up from the water.

He wraps an arm around the other’s waist and as he swims them back to shore, he hears the other start to cough.

That’s good. He wouldn’t need to perform mouth to mouth.

He keeps his arm wrapped around the other’s waist until their feet meet the sand. The person must still be light headed from that experience, as they continue to violently cough.

The boy, as Jungkook can now see clearly, immediately falls to his hands and knees on the sand as he continues to cough out water from his lungs. Awkwardly, Jungkook crouches down beside him and rubs a hand up and down the other’s back in hopes it will at least help alleviate the pain.

It takes a while for his coughing to stop, and maybe Jungkook should have bought a bottle of water with him. But how could he have known he’d run into someone drowning on this day?

The boy takes a few deep breaths, tears running down his eyes from his coughing, before he wheezes out a weak, “Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it,” Jungkook says, realizing his hand hadn’t left the person’s back. It must be getting uncomfortable, too, with how the other’s shirt is sticking to his skin.

Jungkook doesn’t mind his own situation with his shirt. He’s familiar with that gross feeling anyway.

But he doesn’t stop the movement of his hand, seeing how it seems to be helping the other with his breathing.

“You okay now?” Jungkook asks when he notices the other’s breathing is less labored than it used to be.

***

The other nods. “Yeah, I think...” he heaves out a heavy sigh. “Who knew that the waves could get that big?” his eyes widen with the emphasis.

“Well, it’s Busan. There’s a reason why a lot of people surf our beaches,” Jungkook says. “The only ones who wouldn’t know that are those who don’t live here.”

“Good guess,” the other’s voice comes out like a groan, but he still smiles up at Jungkook. It kind of reminds Jungkook of a rectangular box. “Thank you.. For saving me back there.”

“Don’t mention it,” Jungkook shrugs. “Just be careful not to swim around this time. It’s usually when the tide is high.”

“I didn’t know that,” he lifts his hands from the sand to sit on it. “Thanks. I’m Taehyung by the way.”

Jungkook then sees the boy’s features clearly. He can tell that the other is around his age, with dark wavy locks flattened by the water and long lashes that fan his cheeks whenever he blinks.

“Jungkook,” he says with a curt nod. 

“You live close here?” Taehyung asks as he draws his knees up to rest his chin on.

“A few blocks,” Jungkook answers. “And you? Oh… You’re not from around here…”

Taehyung shakes his head. “I’m actually on vacation. I’m staying at my cousin’s house which isn’t too far away either.”

“So where are you actually from?” Jungkook finds himself asking, strangely wanting to stretch this conversation out.

“I… move around because of my parent’s job. I was born in Daegu then moved around. We live in Seoul at the moment,” Taehyung answers with a thoughtful expression. “How about you? Been a Busan boy your whole life?”

Jungkook giggles lightly at the nickname. “Yeah, born and raised here. Never knew anywhere else.”

“Really? Though I’m not surprised. You swam those waves like you were born for it.”

“And you were there playing daredevil,” Jungkook teases.

“Hey, I said I didn’t know how the tide works,” Taehyung’s lips jut out in a pout. “And I wasn’t swimming. I was picking up seashells.”

“Uhuh…” Jungkook nods, giving Taehyung an incredulous look. “And how many did you find?”

“Quite a handful, but they all got washed away when that wave suddenly crashed on me,” Taehyung lets out a displeased huff. “They were all pretty too.”

Jungkook smiles thinking how adorable Taehyung is. It kind of makes him fond for someone he just met, which is odd in so many ways.

“Well, if you do want to continue finding shells, I suggest you don’t do it near the rocks. They get pretty slippery.”

“Yeah, they were,” Taehyung sighs. “I actually slipped from the one I was holding on to so… you know what happens next.”

“Just be careful next time, alright?” Jungkook says. “That is if you still plan to come back.”

“Are you kidding me? Of course I’m coming back. Look at this place,” Taehyung spreads his arms to emphasize. “There’s nobody here, and I don’t have to worry about others judging me or… strangers peeing on the sea.”

“Peeing on the sea?”

“Point is,” Taehyung raises a finger. “The place is private.”

“Yeah, and private almost caused you to drown.”

“But you were still here, weren’t you?” Taehyung smiles.

Jungkook brows pinch together. “You’re… taking the situation lightly. What if I wasn’t here?”

“Well, I’m not really someone who thinks about the what ifs of the past,” Taehyung says with his nose slightly upturned. “You were there and that’s all that matters. Thank fate or whatever strange force is out there, am I right?”

The pinched expression doesn’t leave Jungkook’s face because while strange, his curiosity for this guy just raised tenfold.

“By the way, do you come to this place often?” Taehyung asks before he looks around. “Or are you waiting for your friends?”

“Most of my friends are out of town, actually,” Jungkook says. “This place is like my summer hideaway.”

“Really? Not a secret hangout spot during school days or whatever?”

“No, actually. I get so occupied with other things throughout the school year that I don’t remember this place until the first day of summer rolls around again,” Jungkook looks to the end of the wooden bridge where the waves are crashing onto the dock. “My friends don’t even know about this spot.”

“So I unintentionally trespassed in your hideaway?” 

“And almost drowned in it, too,” Jungkook says and they both chuckle.

“But you don’t mind if I continue to come here, right?” Taehyung asks. “The shells here really were pretty. Maybe I could collect more away from the rocks this time,” he says with a small giggle.

“I don’t mind. Makes it less lonely.”

Taehyung’s face then lights up and he leans closer to Jungkook. “So you’ll accompany me?”

Jungkook draws back a little in surprise, face feeling a little warmer than it was just a few seconds ago. “Uh… You never actually asked but… I always come here during summer so… I guess?”

A wide smile makes its way to Taehyung’s face and Jungkook couldn’t take his eyes off it. It makes him even more radiant than the sun kissing his skin.

“I look forward to that. It gets a bit boring spending all of my time with my cousin,” Taehyung says with a roll of his eyes. “He doesn’t always leave the house but when he does, it’s always for school.”

“I can’t stand staying at home for too long,” Jungkook says. “Not that it’s bad. I just enjoy doing stuff outside.”

“Same. What good is staying inside if you’re not going to do anything anyway?”

And so they talk about many things as they sit by the beach. Jungkook gets to know a little about Taehyung and in return he shares a little bit about himself; how he’s not interested in that many things but enjoys time with his friends the most and how he hates his mother’s smoothies but still takes them anyway to make her happy.

Through their conversation, he learns that Taehyung likes to travel and meet new people, so his parent’s job isn’t really much of a hindrance to him. Jungkook thinks it's because Taehyung has this easy air around him that it was easy for them to just be like this, talking as if they’re friends catching up on each other.

As if Jungkook didn’t save Taehyung from drowning, they don’t even bring it up again throughout their conversation.

The conversation is pretty aimless, shifting from one topic to another and Jungkook actually finds himself enjoying talking with Taehyung. He never runs out of things to talk about and somehow Jungkook is always able to say something because of how he can relate to those topics; food, a bit about school, hobbies, and whatever comes to mind on a whim.

But as the day started, it also has to end. They don’t notice how long their conversation had gone for until the water starts to recede and the sun is slowly making its descent past the water, making the sky and sea look like a splash of orange and yellow watercolors.

“Wow, it’s this late already?” Taehyung says as his eyes are trained on the sunset.

Jungkook glances at him and traces the shadows and contours of Taehyung’s face with his eyes, illuminated by the fading light of the setting sun. He somehow manages to look prettier than he had when the sun was still high.

“Even my hair is dry, wow,” Taehyung says, bringing his hand up to his hair. 

His eyes then meet Jungkook’s and the latter hopes that he wasn’t caught staring as he swiftly looks away.

“Could I get a cold from being out here for too long?” Taehyung asks.

“I.. don’t actually know,” Jungkook says, eyes drifting to the calmer waves so far away from them now. “But there’s a thing about the sea that makes sickness go away.”

“That sounds kind of ironic,” Taehyung giggles. “People get seasick, too, ya know.”

“I don’t know how it works, okay?” Jungkook says albeit defensively. “It’s just a thing my parents say.”

He hears Taehyung hum. “Alright, I’ll take your word for it. No extra advice though? About the sea?”

Jungkook thinks. “Aside from not drowning, no, I don’t have any. I’ll let you know when I do.”

“So… You really don’t mind that I come here everyday?” Taehyung asks with genuine wonder in his eyes, as if he can’t believe that Jungkook is actually open with the idea of spending time with him.

He has to look away because the light coming from the sunset reflecting in Taehyung’s eyes doesn’t really help with how fast his heart is beating right now.

“L-Like I said… It makes the place less lonely. Besides, I don’t own the beach. It’s just a random secluded place that I found. Better than paying for resorts, right?”

Taehyung nods with a hum. He glances at the sunset again, and so does Jungkook. 

The sun looks like it’s tucking itself in for the night with the gentle waves of the seat as it’s blanket. As he looks up at the darkening sky, he can see the stars that are starting to twinkle, as well as the moon that has probably been sitting there for a while now.

“Welp, I better get back to my cousin’s place,” Taehyung stands up and stretches upwards. “Might need a back massage, though.”

“Do it after you take a shower,” Jungkook says, standing up as well after Taehyung. “And if you plan to come back, bring a floatie,” he adds teasingly.

"Will you be here tomorrow?” Taehyung asks, pausing from his stretching, arms remaining draped over the top of his head.

Jungkook shrugs. It’s usually a random choice for him to come here or not, but with company maybe he won’t mind it being a scheduled thing.

“Are you?”

Taehyung drops his hands to his side and looks down at the sand. “I… I just thought it would be nice to make a friend while I’m here, ya know. So… I’ll come if you come I guess.”

Jungkook feels his heart skip a beat. What is up with it today?

“I-If you want me to, then sure.”

Taehyung’s face brightens, a wide smile growing on his face. “Really?”

Jungkook nods, hand coming up to rub the side of his neck. “I mean… I don’t have much to do anyway, and my friends are all out of town so… yeah, I guess it would be nice to make a new one.”

“Yey!” Taehyung jumps in glee, hands thrown up to the air as he does.

The action makes Jungkook smile fondly but it immediately morphs to surprise when he feels arms come to wrap around his middle, caging his arms in as well.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then!” Taehyung says as he pulls away, boxy smile still on display before he runs off to the direction of the hidden road that leads to the beach.

Jungkook stands there frozen, the shadow of Taehyung’s hug somewhat still present all around him.

Then he realizes that Taehyung just left him here, not even offering to walk back together. He sighs. At least he said goodbye with the promise to meet tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes too fast.

Jungkook’s leg bounces while he’s sitting on the living room couch. His eyes repeatedly dart to the clock on the wall; is it too early? Too late? Could Taehyung already be waiting at the beach?

“Kookie,” he hears his mother call from the kitchen but his hyperfocus on the clock makes him jump in surprise.

“Y-Yes?” he calls back.

“Are you going out again today?”

“Yeah… I think,” Jungkook says, pursing his lips. 

“Well, if you’re returning late again, you can bring these sandwiches. Maybe your friends will like them.”

Sandwiches? Would Taehyung like those?

He glances at the clock again. If he leaves now, he’ll arrive at the beach earlier than he did yesterday. He wonders what time Taehyung could have arrived, if he was earlier or just a bit later than Jungkook. Regardless, Jungkook hadn’t noticed his presence until he called for help.

He decides maybe he should go. There’s no harm in being early. And if Taehyung won’t be there when he arrives, then it won’t be that big of a deal. Jungkook is used to spending time alone on that beach anyway.

But Taehyung did say he would return if Jungkook did. He should have asked for Taehyung’s number just to make sure.

Ah… he doesn’t have a phone.

One last time, he checks the time. The minute hand didn’t move, but the second hand continues to tick. 

And as they all say, every second counts.

“How many sandwiches did you make, eomma?” he asks as he kicks himself up from the couch.

Jungkook runs to the beach, bag of sandwiches bouncing from where it’s slung across his body.

He’s never run to the beach, especially not in this heat, but there’s a feeling bubbling up inside him that tells him to get there as fast as he can.

Eagerness? Excitement? The thought that Taehyung could already be there?

He jumps over the bush that covers the road to the beach and trips a few times. He’s lucky enough to regain his balance before his face could plant itself on the floor with the leaves and the twigs.

Finally, he emerges from the line of plant life to the beach…

Where nobody is.

He looks around. There’s nobody by the rocks and the wooden dock is empty. As he walks closer to the shoreline, he tries to get a look at the other side of the rocks where Taehyung might have slipped yesterday. He hopes the other isn’t that much of an airhead to repeat yesterday’s attempt at finding shells.

When there’s no sign of anyone on the beach, he walks towards a tree and sits under its shade. He sighs as he sits down on the sand. He takes the bag full of sandwiches and places it on his lap, opening it and finishing one out to eat as he wallows in self pity.

Maybe something came up at home… Or maybe Taehyung forgot.

He sighs.

Is this the feeling of disappointment that washes over those who get stood up on dates?

He mentally slaps himself. He just met Taehyung yesterday. This is definitely not a date.

But that doesn’t mean he can’t be disappointed, right?

“Are there any more sandwiches?” a deep voice asks and he almost drops the treat as he jumps in surprise.

He looks up and sees Taehyung smiling down at him, features dimmed for how the sunlight shines from behind him like a halo.

Jungkook’s mouth drops open, the sandwich he had been chewing almost falling.

“I…” he swallows, hoping he wouldn’t choke with how dry his throat suddenly feels. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“I thought you wouldn’t come,” Taehyung corrects with his lips downturned. “But turns out I came too early. I saw you running here and that somehow made me very happy.” 

His frown turns into a smile and Jungkook has to keep his mouth shut from saying his thoughts out loud; smiling suits Taehyung better.

He also likes that he made Taehyung smile.

“Maybe we should have set a specific time,” Taehyung says as he sits beside Jungkook under the shade of the tree. “I could have asked for your number but my phone got washed away.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows pinch together and he turns to Taehyung with an incredulous look. “Yesterday?”

Taehyung nods with pursed lips. “I had it in my pocket. Only realized it was gone on my way home.”

“What did you even tell your parents?”

“I told them it fell into the water,” he smiles sheepishly. “They took it well, though. They promised to buy me a phone when we get back to Seoul.”

“Lucky you,” Jungkook nudges. “My dad said I have to work for it, but my school doesn’t allow their students to get part time jobs.”

“Why? What happened to your phone?”

“My friend drove over it while he was practicing.”

No immediate reply comes. Jungkook has to glance at Taehyung to see that the other is clearly holding back a laugh.

“You think it’s funny?”

With puffed out cheeks, Taehyung nods before he couldn’t hold it in and releases a loud cackle. He throws his body forward until he’s rolling on the sand, hand pressed to his stomach. 

“How did that even happen?” he says wheezing out through his laughter.

“I ask myself the same question,” Jungkook can’t help but smile, even if the memory of it happening was upsetting to him. “But Joon promised to get me a new one when he returns from vacation. He also vowed to never get behind the driver’s wheel again.”

Taehyung snorts, sitting up from the sand with crossed legs and is now across Jungkook. “You must have tons of fun with your friends.”

“Yeah. They’re trouble makers, but it’s not always that bad.”

Just like yesterday, they naturally fall into conversation, this time while snacking on sandwiches. Jungkook talks about his friends, Namjoon, Seokjin, Yoongi, and Hoseok and the many shenanigans they’ve been up to ever since they met when they were in middle school. 

“So you’re a bad boy?” Taehyung asks, wiggling his brows.

“Troublemaker, not bad boy," Jungkook corrects. "It’s not like I wear leather jackets and excessive eyeliner.”

“Like those 80s movies,” Taehyung chuckles, having to cover his mouth to keep his food from flying. “Too much gel with a fine tooth comb in their pocket at all times.”

Jungkook lets out a chuckle as he pictures it. He’s seen his parents watch those movies out of nostalgia. The leading men usually did look ridiculous in those movies.

“While I do have a regard for my hairstyle, I’m not that pretentious,” Jungkook says. “And I don’t break hearts.”

“Oh, are you sure?” Taehyung raises a brow before fluttering his lashes albeit flirtatiously. “You look like a guy I could get hopelessly devoted to.”

Jungkook’s lips stretch out into a straight line. “Are you always like this to guys you just meet?”

“Maybe…” Taehyung says with an innocent shrug.

He couldn’t help but smile. “And you call me the heartbreaker.”

They continue to eat their sandwiches in comfortable silence. Jungkook’s eyes move from the sea to Taehyung repeatedly, watching as the other’s cheeks rise while he chews. Halfway through the meal, Taehyung lifts a jug he had brought with him. Jungkook had missed how it was slung around his body.

They share the refreshing pineapple juice Taehyung’s mother had prepared using the jug’s cover as their cup. Since there’s only one, they have to pass it in between them. And somehow, they don’t need words to agree on that as if they’ve been doing this for a long time now.

“I’m full,” Taehyung says, rubbing a hand over his stomach. The sandwiches are long gone and only a quarter of the juice is left inside the jug.

“Yeah, might end up skipping dinner,” Jungkook leans back on the tree with a sigh. The sun isn’t as high as it was, and some of it’s rays directly hit them even under the leaves of the tree.

“You think we should move?” Taehyung asks, noticing how Jungkook’s eyes twitch from the ray of light that hits his face.

“Yeah. We can move close to the rocks. It’s the only place with shade.”

“The rocks,” Taehyung says with a shiver.

“Relax. It’s not like we’re gonna get into the water,” Jungkook says as he stands up, dusting off his shorts. “Besides, some shells might have washed over from the last high tide.”

“That makes me wonder,” Taehyung says as he gets up as well, following Jungkook as they start walking. “How do you know when the high tide occurs?”

“I don’t exactly know what time it specifically comes,” Jungkook says, looking to the sea where the waves crash on the shore strongly. “I only know it comes twice in every twenty four hours, and that stronger than usual waves indicate it.”

“How about low tide?”

“The waves would be stronger out at sea if it was low tide. I’m not really sure. Just know that everything is told by the waves.”

“You’re pretty knowledgeable about the ways of the sea. Poseidon must quiver before you,” Taehyung says teasingly.

Jungkook snorts. “What am I supposed to tell him? Fuck off?”

“Maybe?” Taehyung shrugs. “You can cover yourself with sand while you’re at it.”

They eventually reach the rocks where they’re finally hidden under the shade. Jungkook sits down on one of the flat surfaces, leaning back as he watches Taehyung go around searching for something around the sand.

Taehyung makes a small noise of amusement whenever he finds something. Jungkook watches while he repeats the action of leaning down to pick something up, observing it, and throwing it back on the sand before looking for something else. Simple as it is, it’s nice to watch and a fond smile takes over his face.

Somehow, the breeze makes him a little drowsy, and the last thing he sees before being completely pulled into the haze of sleep is Taehyung holding up something in between his thumb and index finger with a huge smile on his face.

“Jungkookie, look what I found!” Taehyung’s excited voice sounds distant. He only manages to smile before he’s pulled under.

When he wakes up, he feels something combing gently through his hair. He blinks as he registers the dark canvas with twinkling stars right above him and he realizes night time has come.

Crickets sing all around them but more than that, he hears a deep voice humming very close by.

Then he realizes it’s right beside him.

He also realizes that his head is pillowed on something, someone and leans his head sideways to see Taehyung looking out to the sea while humming a soft tune. The outline of his jaw and the curve of his nose are visible to Jungkook from his angle and he wonders what it would feel like to reach out and touch.

But he doesn’t because shortly after he wakes, Taehyung’s head turns down to him.

“Ah, you’re finally awake,” he says, moonlight reflecting on his hair and face. “You got me a little worried there, but I realized you were simply asleep.”

Jungkook hums as he pushes himself up. Taehyung slightly leans back to give him space to stretch his back and limbs.

“How long was I out?”

“Well, seeing as we have no clock, it’s safe to say that you took your time in dreamland.”

Yeah, Jungkook can tell. It’s nighttime after all.

Not like it’s anything to be concerned about. He’s come home at much later hours, even at the wink of dawn.

He’s not sure about Taehyung, though.

“Is it okay for you to stay out this late?” he asks.

“Yeah. I told my parents I might be out late. They don’t really mind me staying out.”

“Even in a new town?”

Taehyung shrugs. “They’ve always been like that. I guess they’re just encouraging me to make friends. But maybe if my cousin didn’t bother with taking summer courses, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Well, thank your cousin for that. I have you all to myself.”

The implication of those words sink in on Jungkook after he says it, and he feels his face flush in embarrassment. He turns to Taehyung who has a look of surprise on his face, cheeks dusted in a faint pink under the moonlight.

“I uh… Ignore that. I didn’t… I mean I wasn’t… thinking…” Jungkook covers his face with a hand bemoaning his stupidity.

An awkward silence falls in between them. Finding it too much to handle, especially with the embarrassment, Jungkook gets up stiffly. “Why don’t we head home. We’re not really sure what time it is and… mosquitoes.”

“Mosquitoes…” Taehyung mimes with a nod before standing up.

Jungkook nods again before he looks around for the bag he had brought with him. Taehyung does the same with the jug and once they have their things slung around them, they silently walk out of the beach and down the hidden road.

They have to be careful since it’s darker and not much light travels through the trees. At one point, Taehyung trips but Jungkook is quick to catch him by the arm.

“Thank you,” Taehyung says.

He trips a few more times and while the main road isn’t too far away, Jungkook would rather not have Taehyung hurt himself.

“Why don’t we hold on to each other,” he suggests with a slight strain in his voice. When Taehyung doesn’t answer immediately, he’s quick to take back his words. “Or maybe not. Just be careful, ya know. Wouldn’t want to get hurt-”

Through his rambling, he feels something resting on his shoulder and though it’s dark, he can see that Taehyung is facing him with a hand extended to hold on to him.

“Okay,” he says, and all Jungkook could do is nod.

He continues to walk carefully, squinting his eyes in the dark hoping to see clearly. He leads the way, telling Taehyung to be careful with a root or a rock.

After a while walking in the secluded road, they arrive at the main road lit by street lights. Taehyung lets go of Jungkook when they emerge from the bushes. The lost weight on his shoulder makes Jungkook sag a little.

“Thank you, Jungkook,” Taehyung says looking down, eyes not meeting Jungkook. “That was fun.”

“I fell asleep, though,” Jungkook jokes. “So I’m not really sure what kind of fun you had there.”

It makes Taehyung giggle. “I might have put some seaweed on your hair. Gosh, I should have brought my camera with me,” he says regretfully.

“You can bring it tomorrow,” Jungkook suggests. “I might be more careful about where I’ll nap, though.”

The implication that they’ll see each other again tomorrow makes Jungkook feel a little excited. It’s like they’ve made an unspoken agreement within the two days they had known each other.

Taehyung appears enthusiastic about it, too. An excited smile blooms on his face as he nods. “I’ll definitely bring it. So… same time?”

Jungkook nods. “Just make sure to wait if I do come late.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want you to feel down again after not seeing me there.”

“Didn’t you feel the same when you came too early?”

Taehyung simply shrugs with a playful smile.

They walk side by side on the way back to the residential area, the awkward silence from Jungkook’s embarrassing statement earlier seeming to have disappeared through their playful banter.

When they reach the first crossroads, Taehyung points out that his cousin’s house is to the left, opposite to where Jungkook is heading.

He almost asks if Taehyung would like to be walked home, but he thinks it would be too much, especially since he just made a small proclamation of… admiration? He’s not sure what to call it, but he knows it was cheesy as fuck.

“See you tomorrow, Jungkook,” Taehyung says with a wave.

“Yeah. See you,” he waves back.

Taehyung curls his fingers inward before dropping his hands, as if hesitant. Jungkook thinks he might still have something to say but then Taehyung turns around to start walking towards the direction of his cousin’s place.

Jungkook stands there for a while longer, watching as Taehyung’s back grows smaller and smaller. With a sigh, he turns as well and walks home.

It’s ten o'clock when he gets home. They really did stay out for too long. His long nap had also taken the usual drowsiness he’d feel at night.

He stares at his ceiling, thinking about the smile on Taehyung’s face brightened by the sun while he held up a shell to show Jungkook.

A week passes of them meeting up at the beach.

Within that week, they’d done generic beach things like swimming, picking up shells, making sandcastles, and the occasional photo op.

Taehyung’s camera is a polaroid his dad had once owned. Despite it’s old age, it still works very well, the pictures coming out prettily.

He stores the pictures in a photo journal he owns, with his name pasted in magazine cutouts in the front. It’s cute and very ‘Taehyung’, like the general vibe of his whole personality was manifested onto the cover design.

He’s taken a lot of pictures already; of the sea, of the shells he picked, and of Jungkook. Most of the pictures he took of Jungkook are candid, like the time he sat on the dock simply staring out, and the time he had aimlessly drawn on the sand only for it to be washed away by the wave.

When he wasn’t taking pictures, Taehyung and Jungkook would jump into the sea when the waves weren’t coming so strong. Jungkook had taught Taehyung to swim, and he would be lying if the constant contact in between them isn’t driving him crazy.

On their first swim together, Taehyung had clung to him tightly, and even with his shirt keeping their skin from coming into direct contact, the feeling of Taehyung’s arms and legs wrapped around him still sent Jungkook’s heart into a frenzy.

Taehyung still caught up quickly, though, until he was able to swim at a deep level without having to touch his feet on the seafloor.

Jungkook had also shown Taehyung the rocks he usually climbed. He makes sure to climb after Taehyung, supporting his back and making sure they’re both careful.

When they reach the top, he hears Taehyung gasp as he takes in the scenery before him.

“I should have brought my camera,” he says. His camera had been left on the beach blanket, along with the other things they had brought like snacks and drinks.

“Maybe there are moments that aren’t meant for the camera,” Jungkook says. “I also heard that your eyes are a lens as well. Images are stored in your memory.”

“Photos immortalize it,” Taehyung says with a small frown. “But I get what you mean.”

Jungkook is a little surprised when Taehyung lifts his two hands and makes a motion with them as if he’s taking a picture. The then turns to Jungkook and does the same.

“Memory photo,” he says with a smile.

Humoring him, Jungkook imitates the action, invisible camera pointing to Taehyung’s smiling face, kissed by the sun and a beautiful view of the horizon behind him. “Memory photo.”

A week and a half into their adventures at the beach, Taehyung asks about other hang out spots in the town.

“You said you and your friends hung out anywhere and everywhere,” Taehyung says as he throws the nylon thread attached to a hook and bait out to the sea. “Can you tell me where?”

“There are many spots in town where we go to hang out,” Jungkook says, repeating Taehyung’s action with his own made up fishing line. “If you want I can show you.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

Jungkook shakes his head. “It’s a few more weeks of summer, and honestly, this sunburn isn’t really being kind to me.”

“Yeah, my back started peeling yesterday,” Taehyung says, trying to turn his head to catch a glimpse of his back. “Mom also made me apply a shit ton of lotion before leaving the house.”

A chuckle escapes Jungkook as he moves his line around. “It would be nice to roam around, maybe even drive around. There are pretty nice heights around here.”

Taehyung’s head turns to him jerkily, a look of surprise on his face. “You can drive?”

Jungkook nods. “I thought I told you.”

“No,” Taehyung says with a correcting voice. “You told me your friend drove over your phone while he practiced driving.”

“Damn that Namjoon for taking too long on vacation,” Jungkook murmurs, making Taehyung giggle. At the same time, he pulls on his fishing line only for it to come up empty. He ties another bait to the hook and throws it out again. “Well, there you have it. New information about me.”

“You always have something new about you,” Taehyung says in a small voice, turning back to the sea.

Jungkook turns to Taehyung and finds a small serene smile on his face, enjoying this moment of peace that should be frustrating since they hadn’t caught a single fish in the hours they’ve been here.

“How about you?” Jungkook asks after a moment’s hesitation. “I don’t always find out new things about you.”

“There’s not much to know,” Taehyung says. “I’m simple, that’s all there is to it. I don't have that many friends since moving around really makes it hard to keep long term friends. If I do make them, I never usually hear from them again.”

Contrary to the statement, Taehyung doesn’t sound too sad about it. It’s like he’s stating a fact, something he’s grown used to.

Jungkook couldn’t imagine not staying in contact with his friends. Summers, sure, they can go the whole season without meeting up but school would always bring them back together. Maybe it’s the fact that they’ve grown up together, familiarized each other so well that having one suddenly disappear would leave a void in their chests.

Does Taehyung feel that too sometimes? Or has he gotten so used to it he barely even feels it anymore?

“So… this summer is the only time I’ll ever get to know you?” his thoughts escape him, and only then does he find a sad reaction from Taehyung.

His eyes widen before they turn hooded from his realization. “Yeah… I guess it is.”

Silence encompasses them and Jungkook cuts the heavy tension with a groan.

“I hate Namjoon even more for breaking my phone!” he says, throwing his head back, yelling to the slowly orange sky.

Beside him, Taehyung giggles and mimics. “I hate the waves for washing my phone away!”

“And for almost making you drown?”

Taehyung nods with a giggle. “But hey, if it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t have met.”

“I’m sure we would have still met without that whole incident. We both planned to come here anyways. You could have just avoided being a clutz.”

“Meanie,” Taehyung shoves Jungkook by the shoulder making the latter laugh out loudly.

And then Taehyung’s line gets a harsh tug to it and the both jump in excitement as he struggles to pull on it. Jungkook cheers him on until the force stops fighting and he falls with his back on the dock.

When they pull up the nylon thread, a tangled mess of seaweed greets them on the hook.

They sigh in disappointment as the sun makes its descent down the water.

“Not going to the beach today?” he hears his cousin ask from down the hallway while he’s fixing himself in front of the mirror.

“No,” he calls back, fluffing his fringe to see if it would look good completely down or slightly swept aside. “We’re going to the arcade today. He’s gonna show me around. Ya know, something you should have been doing.”

“As much as I would love to,” he thinks his cousin rolls his eyes from the sarcastic tone of his voice. “I have classes to get to in twenty.”

As he says it, his redhead cousin passes by behind him, but not without a kiss on the cheek. “Have fun on your date, TaeTae.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “I hope you suffer in your classes, Minnie.”

“Suffering is my middle name,” Jimin says with one last wave before closing the door.

Taehyung returns to fixing his look in the mirror. While he’s adjusting his shirt, a simple white tee tucked into loose khaki pants, he realizes he might be trying too hard to look good.

Then Jimin’s words ring in his head; he called it a date and Taehyung didn’t deny it.

His flushed face is reflected on the mirror and he tries to will it away by thinking, No, this is not a date.

Deep inside though, he feels a little giddy at the idea of it being one.

They meet at the crossroads they usually part at when they return home from the beach. Jungkook leans on his vintage sport motorcycle. It was his dad’s and was handed down to him, but not without the need of repairs.

He would have taken the car, but he thinks a Prius would be too much for a tour of the general vicinity.

Not that he’s trying to make a statement. A motorcycle is just more convenient. Finding a parking space wouldn’t be too hard.

It’s not because it looks cooler. Definitely not.

He fiddles with the keys for a little while until he hears a familiar voice call out his name. He turns to find Taehyung jogging up to him, hand raised in a wave.

“Hi,” Taehyung says a little breathlessly as he reaches Jungkook.

“Hi,” Jungkook says, taking in everything about Taehyung and feeling his breath get knocked out.

He’s used to messy hair from the wind and loose clothing that seeing Taehyung all dressed up, even if it is still casual, makes it pleasantly new to Jungkook.

“Did you wait long?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook shakes his head. “Not too long.”

Taehyung sighs in relief then his eyes land on the black motorcycle parked on the side. “Is this yours?”

“Ah, yeah,” Jungkook pats the leather seat with a smile. “Like your polaroid camera, this little baby was passed on to me from my dad.”

Taehyung glances up to Jungkook from the motorbike with a raised brow. “Are you sure you’re not a bad boy?”

Jungkook chuckles, shaking his head. “I told you, I’m not. It’s just more convenient, especially since we’re just gonna go around the area.”

“Alright,” Taehyung shrugs, clearly not convinced. “A hundred won says we’ll run into one of your classmates and you’ll do bad boy things.”

“Bad boy things?” Jungkook raises a brow.

“Yeah, you know, like driving past the speed limit, or flirting with anyone and everyone at school.”

A chuckle escapes his lips. “It’s a hundred won for me then, since I’m nothing like that.”

Taehyung pouts and upturns his nose. “Not counted. You have no proof to show to me.”

“How about you get on the bike and I can show you that I do indeed stay within the speed limit,” Jungkook hands the spare helmet to Taehyung.

With an expression Jungkook could only define as cute, Taehyung gingerly takes the helmet and slides it on, but not without a little difficulty. Jungkook has to step in and help get it all over his head.

“You’re gonna ruin my hair,” Taehyung complains.

“I’ve seen your hair in worse cases. This is nothing.”

As their helmets are securely on, Jungkook helps Taehyung hop onto the seat. From behind the visor, Jungkook can hear a murmured “Thank you” from Taehyung.

“Hold on tight,” he calls out and feels arms slowly come to wrap around his waist.

The smile hidden behind the helmet isn’t because of it, definitely not.

He starts the engine and after revving it a few times, he kicks off the sidewalk.

The mall isn’t all that big compared to what Taehyung is used to in Seoul, but there’s something about the smaller area that makes the place feel more worthwhile.

Jungkook leads him inside and straight to the arcade that takes up an eighth of the first floor’s area. The lack of a crowd makes Taehyung realize the mall had actually just opened, but with lunch time rolling around he's sure the body traffic will slowly increase as the minutes tick by.

Still, he particularly enjoys the lack of a crowd. Makes him play the games he wants to without having to wait.

Also, nobody judges him if he’s too loud, such as now in this racing game.

He’s leaning his entire body to the drift of the car on screen, thinking it might help in making the damn thing swerve. However, despite how far he leans, it just doesn’t work and he’s still a ways behind Jungkook.

Beside him, Jungkook makes a noise of victory, fist pumping in the air as the screen in front of him displays the golden words ‘WINNER’.

Taehyung huffs. He stops the car even if it hasn’t reached the finish line yet. “This thing is broken,” he taps on the steering wheel.”

“Or you’re just bad at this,” Jungkook grins teasingly.

“I’ll have you know I beat most of my classmates at this already,” Taehyung says defensively. “This is just probably outdated, needs a little oiling.”

“You make it sound like it’s a real car,” Jungkook snorts. “Anyway, you should finish the race. You spent 500 won on that.”

“Let that thing suffer,” Taehyung glares at the screen before standing up. “Let’s go check the other games out.

He doesn’t wait for Jungkook as he runs off, missing the way the other shakes his head fondly before following him.

Taehyung bounds up to the air hockey table next and demonstrates how his knowledge in physics proves useful in this game. Jungkook isn’t really into losing, always giving it his all to win in anything, but seeing Taehyung smile that widely makes losing a thousand more times look rewarding.

“That’s 15 for me, and 6 for you,” Taehyung excitedly claps his hands. “Should we go another round? Or maybe you want to prove that this table is against you.”

Jungkook sighs with a smile, leaving the pusher on top of the table. “As much as seeing you win is cute, this competitive air you’ve built up is actually getting to me.”

“Oh? Pumped up, I see,” Taehyung throws the pusher on top of the table and punches the air with a jump in his step, like those boxers before they enter a match. “I’m up for this. What do you want to play next, tough guy?”

And so begins their competition, going through all the games in the arcade, some even going on for longer that some kids had started to complain.

They play the shooting games, whack-a-mole, and even basketball hoops. At one point, Jungkook sees how Taehyung’s score is higher than his and he ends up climbing the machine to reach the ball over the fence and ‘dunking’ it repeatedly.

Taehyung lets out a loud laugh and Jungkook’s desperate attempt to catch up. He ends up beating the highest score, even if it is considered cheating.

Luckily, they aren’t caught by the staff and when the timer ends, so do their competition.

Neither of them have kept up with who lost because having this much fun makes them both feel like winners.

When Jungkook gets down from the machine, Taehyung immediately slaps his shoulder playfully. “You’re such a cheater.”

“Sometimes, cheating is the best way to win,” Jungkook says rather proudly with his hands on his waist.

“Then you’re a bad influence,” Taehyung says, poking his cheek. “Ah, what other game is there where you can’t cheat?”

“You seriously want to keep this competition going?” Jungkook asks with a raised brow.

Taehyung hums before shaking his head. “Nah. I just want to have fun, but without the cheating.”

Jungkook looks around the arcade where more people have started to come in. He has an idea in mind, but he’s not sure if Taehyung would be open to that suggestion.

“Wanna try bowling?”

At the suggestion, Taehyung’s eyes light up in excitement, head nodding at a frequency that Jungkook is afraid could shatter glass.

When they get to the bowling alley just deeper inside of the arcade, the familiar face of the attendant greets Jungkook with a wave and a smile.

“Oi, Jungkook, strange seeing you here on a summer day,” Tokki, as everyone calls him, says as he leans on the counter of the reception desk. His eyes then light up with interest as he notices Taehyung. “Oh, and who is this unfamiliar face?”

“Hello. My name is Taehyung,” he says with a small bow.

“Nice to meet you, Taehyungie-chii. Everyone here calls me Tokki. Look forward to seeing you more since it’s clear you’re hanging around Jungkook.”

“Oh, I’m only here for the summer,” Taehyung says, scratching the back of his head. “But it’s nice to meet you, too. I look forward to bowling here.”

“Well, it’s the only bowling alley in this district,” Tokki humors then points a thumb at Jungkook. “This little kid and his friends usually hang around here causing too much noise. If I hadn’t watched them grow, I would have banned them from this place a long time ago.”

“Hey, we aren’t that noisy,” Jungkook says defensively.

“Yeah, and Yoongi-chii can bowl properly. Anyway, since Taehyungie-chii is only here for the summer, first round is on the house.”

“R-Really?” Taehyung’s eyes widen.

“Sure. Here, lemme get your bowling shoes. What shoe size are you?”

After getting their bowling shoes and having a lane readied for them, the two make their way to their assigned lane in the half empty alley. Thank Tokki for placing them further from the group of middle schoolers who came before them.

Taehyung is the first to finish tying his shoes, immediately hopping towards the bowling ball rack and looking through the coconut sized balls.

“Be careful with the ball you choose. They vary in weights,” Jungkook says as he finishes tying his shoes.

“Which one is the lightest?” 

“They usually range from six to sixteen,” Jungkook approaches the rack and goes through the balls lined there. He picks a number 8 up and gives it to Taehyung. “Here, see if you can handle this.”

A little clumsily, Taehyung takes the ball and inserts three fingers in the holes. He lifts it up and down for good measure before smiling with a satisfied nod.

“It’s good.”

“Alright. Now the game is simple. I don’t think I need to explain that much.”

Taehyung nods again and walks towards the lane. Jungkook watches as he pumps himself more, even brings the ball up to his forehead for good measure. Oh, he’s serious about this - Jungkook thinks. He takes a stance, a deep breath, and then throws the ball.

However, as soon as Taehyung lets the ball slide from his fingers, it bounces twice making Jungkook wince and rolls to the side of the lane and down the gutter.

Taehyung stays in the same position for a while until the ball disappears.

Jungkook, unable to hold his laugh any longer, throws his head back with his hands clapping along with his laughter.

“It’s not funny!” Taehyung fumes. He walks over to Jungkook and starts slapping his bicep.

“You were so serious about it, too,” Jungkook catches his breath, wiping a stray tear from his eye. 

Taehyung pouts his way. “Well, I’m sorry if I'm not actually a grade A player in his game. How about you show me how it’s done Mr. Jack of All Trades.”

With a smug look and a roll of his shoulder, Jungkook walks to the rack and picks up a No. 10 ball, the standard he uses when coming here. “Watch and learn,” he says with a smug look to Taehyung’s way before turning to the lane and readying himself.

With practice ease, he tilts his arm back before throwing it forward, the ball slipping away from his fingers and rolling smoothly down the lane. It meets the pins and topples all of them down and when he turns to see Taehyung’s reaction, he has surprise and awe written all over his face.

“And that is how you bowl,” Jungkook says with the same air of smugness, effectively wiping the look off Taehyung’s face.

He frowns and gives Jungkook a narrowed look. “Show off.”

Jungkook laughs and picks up a No. 8 ball from the rack and beckons Taehyung over “Come on, I’ll teach you how.”

Taehyung approaches until he’s standing at the end of the lane, Jungkook by his side as he helps slip Taehyung’s fingers into the holes.

“When you throw. You don’t have to throw it like you do a baseball. Just let it slide off,” Jungkook explains as simply as he could, because he didn’t really learn from professionals. It’s just something he picked up after frequenting a the alley with his friends a lot.

Taehyung nods as he explains and by some chance, both of them look up at the same time and notice how close they are, faces just mere inches away.

“Uhh…” Jungkook says dumbly before looking and taking a step away. He feels his face flush a little and hopes that clearing his throat will clear it as well.

 “I’ll try it now,” Taehyung says in a small voice and Jungkook nods as he steps away.

Taehyung does the same thing he did just earlier, albeit less dramatically, and throws the ball down the lane smoothly. It rolls down the smooth wooden floor and doesn’t reach the gutter, but it only manages to knock down a few of the pins on the left.

Still, Taehyung sees it as an absolute win. He makes a noise of surprise and starts jumping up and down while clapping his hands. That happiness from something so small and trivial reaches Jungkook and he cheers along with Taehyung in genuine excitement.

They don’t stay for too long in the alley, and Tokki had been a little sad that they couldn’t stay for longer. But one game had tired Taehyung out, especially since they came from playing tons of games in the arcade.

They have lunch after that and talk aimlessly, topics shifting from one up to the other until it all naturally dies down.

When they leave the restaurant, they have a little stroll around the mall area. It isn’t really much of a sight but it’s not like they’re aiming for anything special.

“So,” Taehyung sparks first. “What now? We’ve obviously run out of things to do.”

Jungkook shrugs. “I don’t know. We could go to the beach, but I wouldn’t have anywhere to park my bike.”

“Maybe we could go home first and change out of these clothes,” Taehyung says looking down at his outfit. “I don’t think khaki jeans are a very beachy statemen.”

Jungkook chuckles. “Yeah. I don't really want to end this date so early, too.”

As soon as he says it, the air around them freezes, as do their steps. Jungkook flinches when he realizes what he said and slowly turns to Taehyung, an apology ready on his tongue.

But Taehyung’s expression catches him off guard.

His face is red and his eyes are blown wide in shock. But he doesn’t look like he’s angry. No, this is different. Shock and something else heart racing making him like that.

Jungkook feels it, too. Is his face just like Taehyung’s right now?

He ends up trying to stutter his apology until he just hides his face in both of his hands to spare himself from more embarrassment. His face does feel really warm. Hell, he might be redder than Taehyung.

He wishes that the ground would just swallow him whole. Maybe that will spare him from this embarrassment.

But then he hears a soft giggle. He parts his fingers to peek from behind them and sees Taehyung trying to hold in his laughter, cheeks still red.

“Minnie teased me about this being a date this morning,” he says. “But now, I’m glad you confirmed it is one.”

Jungkook drops his hands from his face in astonishment. So… they were thinking the same?

He’s going to be honest, he did want this to be a date. He wanted all that time they spent on the beach to be dates, too. Being with Taehyung feels so natural, makes him feel all light and giddy. His laughter makes his heart stutter and his smile makes the sun shine brighter.

Jungkook is suddenly a sap when he’s around Taehyung.

“I… wanted it to be one, too,” Jungkook admits scratching the back of his head and looking away. “I just thought you’d be uncomfortable if I asked you. We just met this summer you know and didn’t really know each other well.”

“Isn’t that what dates are for?” Taehyung leans forward with a small smile. “For two people to get to know each other better?”

It takes a moment for Jungkook to answer. He instead blinks as he tries to count the long lashes around Taehyung’s eyes, almost fanning his cheeks.

Pretty.

“Yeah,” he answers with a small smile. “So uh… Should we continue this date at the beach?”

Taehyung hums with a shrug. “I don’t know. That would mean we have to go home first and… I don’t really want to part with you yet.”

Jungkook isn’t sure how he should react to that. Should he jump for joy? Should he shout it out? Should he pick Taehyung up bridal style and spin him around in happiness?

He doesn’t go for any of those. He instead looks around for something they could do until he spots a small stand not too far off the sidewalk.

“We could stroll a little more, have some lemonade,” he jerks his head, pointing to the stand ahead of them.

Taehyung turns to that direction and his face lights up when he catches the small lemonade stand. “Sure, I would love that!”

They end up in the park where they take a leisurely stroll while drinking lemonade. Throughout it, Jungkook tells Taehyung about bits and pieces of the town, like how a group of youths had protested against the demolition of this very park to build a commercial building, and about growing up here and learning how everything around him holds meaning to those older until he learned to integrate that in himself, too.

“You really love your community,” Taehyung says. “I wonder how that would feel like.”

“Ah, you didn’t stay in one place for too long,” Jungkook says to which Taehyung nods. “If I may, when was the longest you stayed in one place?”

Taehyung hums as he thinks. “Two years, in Seoul.”

“So you’re pretty much used to city life at this point?”

Taehyung nods. “Although I lived in better places. Quiet, more peaceful. Kind of like this town, you know. City folks have the impression that small towns like these are all about farming and whatnot, but you have a decent mall, a decent commercial area, just right for living. I wouldn’t mind staying here if I could,” he sighs. “I wish I could.”

The sadness in his voice doesn’t go unnoticed. Jungkook kind of feels bad about bringing it up.

“Sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. I’m used to it anyway,” Taehyung says with a wave of his hand. “It’s also nice to hear about your adventures in a town you’ve known all your life. You’ve probably been to every corner possible all around here repeatedly.”

“I wouldn’t say every corner,” Jungkook says with a small chuckle. “But yeah, I am familiar with the place.”

“I can see that,” Taehyung nods. “Makes me think of doing the same when I return to Seoul. Though I’m pretty sure I’ll be staying there for longer since I’m staying there for college.”

“You have a plan then,” Jungkook nods. “Good for you.”

“What about you? Do you know what you’ll be doing in the near future?”

Jungkook thinks. He’s really just a ‘go with the flow’ kind of guy, not really one with a plan. Demonstrated on his random trips to the beach and this.

Being with Taehyung, spending time with him, and going on a date with him. Jungkook didn’t expect this to happen this summer, didn’t plan for it. Their second meeting had almost gone wrong, and the next ones weren’t even agreed on verbally.

They just were, and Jungkook was curious to see where this was going.

He likes where it’s going, like the sails of the boat being pushed by the breeze.

“I haven’t thought that far yet,” Jungkook admits with a small smile. “But that’s alright. Maybe I’ll figure it out along the way.”

Taehyung nods with a smile and they continue their stroll in relative silence.

The space between them feels too far, Jungkook thinks with a tense look. Taehyung’s hand hangs freely on his side and Jungkook momentarily looks up to see where his attention is.

Taehyung is looking at a group of kids on the playground while sipping on his lemonade, the curve of his nose so noticeable Jungkook is tempted to run a finger down it just for the sake of it. With pursed lips, he looks down at the space in between them, especially their hands which are so close yet not at the same time.

Hesitantly, he reaches his pinky out and brushes it against Taehyung’s. He quickly looks up just in time to see Taehyung flinch a little from the sudden contact. As he turns to face Jungkook, the latter quickly looks away, not really drawing his pinky back from where it’s brushed against Taehyung’s.

Then Jungkook feels a very small shift from the other’s finger. Slowly he turns to Taehyung whose gaze is elsewhere again, but the redness of his ear is clear to Jungkook.

He looks down at their hands again. Their pinkies are touching. Jungkook wants more out of it.

He moves his finger so that it's intertwined with Taehyung’s. Almost immediately, Taehyung’s pinky wraps around his own, too.

They continue to walk like that, pinkies intertwined, and slowly their other fingers stretch to reach out to each other as well until their palms press together and the space in between them is no longer existent.

Jungkook looks at Taehyung to see a shy smile spread across his face. He unknowingly mirrors the expression, pressing on Taehyung’s hand twice to catch his attention.

Taehyung hums as he looks up, light flush on his face.

“Wanna explore every corner of the town?”

“Like this?” Taehyung asks, bringing their joined hands up.

The way their hands perfectly seem to fit with each other makes Jungkook smile. “Why not?”

The wide boxy smile Taehyung returns is radiant, but Jungkook wouldn’t mind staring at the sun if it was this beautiful.

The town is a small familiar space to Jungkook, but to Taehyung it’s everything. Every corner, shop, and building they pass by he looks at with rapt interest, ingraining those images to store in his mind.

Memory photo.

They walk hand in hand, some adults familiar to Jungkook greeting him and sending a few teasing words, much to his mild annoyance. Taehyung laughs fondly throughout it, finding this side of Jungkook cute.

But as they all say, time flies when you have fun. Before he realizes it, the sun has long set but unlike the beach, the sky doesn’t glow orange from how it reflects on the slowly retreating sea. It casts a shadow over the buildings instead until the streetlights light up one by one.

They’re a little bit full from the snacks they had picked up on their little adventure. They instead take their time on the sidewalk, swinging their joined hands back and forth as Taehyung continues to look around the road he’s sure they’ve already taken.

“Today was nice,” he sighs. “But I will admit, I miss the beach.”

“It’s only been a day since we were last there,” there’s a hint of amusement in Jungkook’s voice.

“Can’t I miss it even for just a day?” Taehyung pouts.

“You can. But we’ll be returning there tomorrow, anyway.”

Taehyung bites his lip, hesitant to bring up something that has been on his mind ever since Jungkook admitted this was a date.

His heart tells him to fuck it and pushes courage forward.

“So does this mean more dates at the beach?”

For a split second, he thinks he may have pushed it too far. But then Jungkook smiles and he almost breathes out a sigh of relief.

He’s not the only one who feels like this.

“We always had our dates there.”

“Oh, so those were all dates?” he feels a flush on his face as he smiles a little crookedly from embarrassment. He wasn’t exactly the best looking most of those times, skin red from the sun and some of it even peeling, especially on his nose. Plus, his hair was always messed up from the wind. He look so horrible on those dates.

But if he looked like that, then so would have Jungkook… right? However, in Taehyung’s head, the image of Jungkook on the beach is one straight out of a Pinterest aesthetic board, where the light perfectly captures his face like a perfect photograph or a cinematic piece playing before him. His smile is as bright as the sun, his hair curled just about right by the winds that blow past. The way he laughs, talks, and holds Taehyung when they’re swimming, even now, makes him feel like a character in one of those cheesy romantic films.

“If you want them to be,” Jungkook answers his question with a shrug.

Taehyung looks away from Jungkook, eyes catching interest on the lane lines of the road. But he smiles at the feeling of calling all of their times together as dates. It sounds giddy and right.

He hums, hand slightly tightening his hold on Jungkook’s. The gesture is returned and they continue to walk in relative silence.

They eventually reach the mall parking lot. If it wasn’t for the apparent darkness of the mall interior, they wouldn’t have noticed they were out this late.

Jungkook once again helps Taehyung with his helmet and for good measure, pokes his nose before pulling the visor down. Once he hops on, Taehyung wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist but a little more securely compared to earlier. He thinks he hears a chuckle come from Jungkook but he couldn’t be sure as the engine roars to life and Jungkook kicks off.

Despite their speed, everything passes by too quickly, streetlights looking like a zip of light. Eventually, they get to the crossroads where they usually part ways but instead of stopping, Jungkook drives straight for the direction of the beach.

“Uh… Jungkook? Where are we going?”

“The beach,” he answers the obvious.

“But I thought you said there was no place to park your bike.”

“I’ll figure it out when we get there. Besides,” Jungkook turns his head ever so slightly, slowing down their speed even though the road is straight and empty. “You said you missed the beach. Wouldn’t want you feeling so down on our date.”

Taehyung gapes from behind the helmet. Jungkook is really doing this for something so simply said?

It makes his chest flutter with an unfamiliar yet very welcome feeling.

Is this what having a crush feels like?

He doesn’t think so. He’s had crushes before, but it never went past friendly nods and greetings. But this, with Jungkook, in the very short time they had, Taehyung had felt a flurry of emotions all related to falling for someone.

He’s fallen for Jungkook.

Jungkook stops the bike right by the entrance of the hidden road to the beach, their beach. He helps Taehyung off the same way he had earlier and looks around to see if there is a place he can discreetly put his bike.

This is a risky move, but it wouldn’t be the first time. The first time he left his bike out in the open was when he slept over at Hoseok’s place after a day of driving around the empty riverbank. Having no space in the garage for a motorbike, he had decided to just leave it outside. Besides, the neighborhood wasn’t really sketchy. But Hoseok’s mom had still snitched on him and the lecture he got from his own parents was something he didn’t want to return to.

He’s technically repeating it again and this time, he’s sure nobody will snitch on him. Still, his parents did make a point and it’s better safe than sorry.

Luckily, there’s a big bush within the shadows, just enough to blend his already black tinted bike there. He moves the vehicle, not minding how it gets caught in some twigs, and makes sure it’s well hidden.

“There,” he proudly turns to Taehyung, the latter nodding in amusement at such a strange idea. “Come on.”

He takes Taehyung’s hand and leads them down the dark path. Nights of returning late from the beach have made them both familiar with the terrain, but Jungkook likes the feeling of Taehyung’s hand on his, and by how Taehyung squeezes back he’s sure he likes it, too.

When they emerge from the line of trees, no words need to be passed as they kick their sneakers off, roll their pants up, and immediately run to the beach which has by now dried from the low tide.

The wet sand digs in between their toes as they run around aimlessly, like hyperactive children looking for something fun until eventually creating it for themselves. Throughout their little play, Jungkook’s foot lands on something flat and rough. When he lifts it up to see what it is, he sees a now broken clam shell.

“Oh god, you killed it,” Taehyung says with his lips stretched out as he bends down to get a closer look at it.

Jungkook squats as he picks up the now broken clam, but his eyes catch something underneath the cracked hole of its shell.

“I think there’s a pearl in here,” he says as he tries to open the clam. With it’s chipped surface, Jungkook is able to pry the shell open with the gleaming round pearl resting on it’s mushy bed.

He looks up at Taehyung, wide eyed and jaw slacked. Gently, Jungkook picks up the small shiny orb and presents it to Taehyung. “For you.”

A gasp leaves Taehyung's lips before he gingerly takes the pearl from Jungkook’s fingers. He examines it with awe and smiles up at Jungkook, holding it in his fist pressed to his chest.

“Thank you!” he then giggles, holding up his fist with the pearl up close to his mouth. “This makes me want to kiss you.”

Jungkook’s eyes blow wide at the admission, and so do Taehyung’s for that matter. The latter proceeds to stammer a rush of excuses which all goes over Jungkook’s head.

Taehyung wants to kiss him.

A smile takes over his face and he leans forward to press his lips on Taehyung’s cheek, taking the other off guard as the words die in his mouth.

Taehyung slowly turns to him, cheeks looking a pale pink under the moonlight. Still, Jungkook thinks it’s the best view in the world: Taehyung.

“Y-You…”

Suddenly, dread washes over Jungkook. Did he misunderstand what Taehyung meant? Did he step out of line? Was it just a joke when Taehyung said he wanted to kiss him? Was it just an excited statement in the spur of the moment?

But as quick as it came, all of those worries go flying out the window when Taehyung fists the front of his shirt before pulling him in. There are no lips on his cheek, but rather he feels the soft pillowy feeling press on his own.

Taehyung’s eyes are shut tight, as if he’s diving into this and waiting for whatever outcome comes while still hoping it’s good. Meanwhile, it takes a moment for Jungkook to realize that they’re actually kissing , that Taehyung still has his hands fisted on his shirt and most likely wrinkling it.

That feeling of shock melts with the time their lips stay pressed together and as Taehyung pulls away, eyes still closed, Jungkook doesn’t let him get too far. With a hand around his waist, Jungkook pulls Taehyung in again, pressing their bodies close the same way their lips meet.

Taehyung makes a noise of surprise, but Jungkook is unable to see his expression as he lets himself fully bask in that fluttering feeling of finally kissing Taehyung. He doesn’t have to wonder for long when he feels arms coming to wrap around his neck to pull him closer, even if there barely is any more space in between them.

A simple press of lips turns into a slow sensual dance, but not escalating past that. It feels like exploring something new, familiarizing a melody that would eventually become your favorite song.

Under the moonlight that summer night, Jungkook can say that this indeed has been the best summer ever.

Things don’t change much between them after that.

The only thing that does change is the space in between them is almost non-existent.

Sometimes they go to the arcade, sometimes just the beach; the usually stay in the latter. Jungkook doesn't really appreciate Tokki's teasing remarks.

Also, he likes the privacy the beach gives them.

When they sit by the docks, their sides are pressed together, hands holding each other’s and resting on one of their thighs. When they go for a swim, Taehyung is always clinging on Jungkook’s back. If not, Jungkook’s arms would always be wrapped around Taehyung’s waist as the latter hooked his legs around Jungkook playfully.

Regardless of what position, it would always lead to kissing.

Kissing Taehyung isn’t addicting. He doesn’t feel a fire when he does it. Instead he feels light, like all is right in the world when his lips are pressed on Taehyung’s.

Kissing Taehyung is like lying on the softest pillows made of silk, a comfortable blanket surrounding him with warmth. When Taehyung giggles into their lip lock, it sounds like light bells jingling right above him as he lays.

Taehyung’s back gently falls on the blanket they had spread on the sandy beach, lips never parting from Jungkook’s as he’s gently pushed down. His arms wrap around Jungkook’s neck, pulling him impossibly closer as he cages Taehyung in with his two hands on either side of his head.

Jungkook is the first to part, but his lips don't leave Taehyung’s skin, moving to his jaw and kissing down the side of his sun kissed neck. Taehyung throws his head back, wanting more of that fluttering feeling dancing all over his skin.

“Jungkook,” he whispers his name as his fingers tangle with Jungkook’s soft locks.

He feels Jungkook hum against his neck before pulling away. He pushes himself up and when Taehyung looks at him, the faint light of the setting sun makes Jungkook look so beautiful.

He has no other words. He can’t find words more than beautiful.

With a smile, Taehyung reaches a hand up to softly caress Jungkook’s cheek where the hollow indent of a scar rests. He leans up to press a kiss there and lays down on the blanket again, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s neck to pull him down and slot their lips in a deeper kiss.

The sun sets against them until the stars twinkle in the sky. Another summer day drifting away to a summer night.

The season felt like it stretched out for so long, Jungkook couldn’t think of anything else but remaining in it.

Alas, seasons change and summer ends.

There’s a noticeable silence from Taehyung as they sit on top of the large rocks, simply staring out at the endless expanse of the sea. His hands fiddle with each other on his thighs, not making a move to hold Jungkook’s own.

There’s also a hesitant look on his face, bottom lip being bitten repeatedly in between his teeth.

“You're going to make your lips bleed if you continue to bite it like that,” Jungkook reaches a thumb up to pull down Taehyung’s lip away from his teeth.

Taehyung’s response is an airy chuckle. “We wouldn’t want you to taste blood while kissing me now, would you?”

Jungkook sighs with a small smile playing on his lips. “Alright, out with it. What’s on your mind all of a sudden?”

Taehyung’s lips curl down and he looks back the way he did, to the scenery before them. Jungkook sits in silence as he waits for Taehyung to speak.

He then sighs, shoulders sagging with it. “I’ll be returning to Seoul soon.”

The realization hits Jungkook like a ton of bricks. Spending every day with Taehyung this summer made it feel like he would always be there to stay. But like the leaves falling from the trees signaling the coming of autumn, Taehyung has to leave the branches he thought they would be staying on for a longer time.

“Oh,” he looks down at his lap with forlorn eyes. “When?”

“The day after tomorrow. I… might not be able to come here tomorrow because I need to prepare my things.”

Jungkook’s fingers start to fiddle with each other, the same way Taehyung had. But then Taehyung’s hand reaches over to rest against his own and he looks up to the sad smile on Taehyung’s face.

Jungkook shudders out a sigh but he keeps his tears back because knowing Taehyung is leaving, that this might be their last day together, ever , makes his heart break, pieces chipping away like the shell of that clam he accidentally stepped on during that night of their first date.

This time, fate, destiny, or whatever bloody being is out there writing this story for them, is the one stepping on his heart, but intentionally.

“Will…” Jungkook swallows heavily. “Will this be our last day together?”

Taehyung shakes his head. “I don’t want it to be but… I don’t know,” he lowers his head to keep Jungkook from seeing his tears. “This was the best summer I ever had and… This is the first time I feel really bad about leaving. I was only here for a short while but you… You showed up and showed me things I have never seen in all those places I’ve moved to. You just had to pop up out of nowhere.”

“Hey, you would have drowned if I didn’t pop out of nowhere,” Jungkook chuckles. “And was it really all that bad, knowing me? Taking you out?”

Taehyung shakes his head. “No. It was the best experience of my life.”

Jungkook smiles and slides out his hands from under Taehyung’s to reach up and wipe his tears from his face. A giggle escapes Taehyung’s lips and Jungkook presses a soft kiss on his nose before wrapping an arm around Taehyung’s shoulder and pulling him in a one arm embrace, head resting on Jungkook’s shoulder.

“I happened all so fast, didn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook breathes out a long sigh.

“I wish it didn’t have to end.”

“It doesn’t have to,” he looks down and meets Taehyung’s hesitant eyes.

“But we don’t have our phones,” Taehyung pouts. “Mine got washed away and your friend drove over yours.”

A laugh escapes Jungkook’s lips and Taehyung has to get up from his spot on Jungkook’s shoulders from how much they shake.

“What I mean is... I just like to believe that once you meet someone, the bonds you created will always lead you back to them, no matter how far away you go.”

Taehyung looks a little skeptical at that, but Jungkook understands why. Taehyung has always moved from one place to another, never maintaining contact with the people he met. At first, Jungkook was afraid Taehyung would end up doing the same to him once the summer ends but he's also learned to know that if Taehyung’s heart is into something, then he wouldn’t take it for granted.

His worries disappear when Taehyung smiles so softly, taking Jungkook’s hand in his. “I’ll hold on to that then. Besides, my cousin lives here. I’ll just come visit the next summer.”

“Or maybe if I can, we can meet in Seoul during college,” Jungkook says hopefully. “I know it’s a big city but what’s the harm in hoping?”

Taehyung’s reply is a smile before he leans forward to press a kiss on Jungkook’s cheek. As he’s about to lean away, Jungkook wraps his hand to the back of Taehyung’s neck to pull him in and slot their lips together.

Taehyung makes a noise of surprise but then giggles and melts into the kiss.

Their last kiss on their last summer night on the beach.

“So, how was your summer?” Seokjin asks leaning forward with his cheeks resting on both hands propped from his knees.

They’re at the track field for lunch, their usual spot, and the topic of their summer vacation had been brought up when Hoseok started distributing the souvenirs he got for his friends.

“Malta was nice,” Hoseok says. “A bit hotter than the summer here, but it was nice.”

“New Zealand was cold,” Yoongi says. “I wanted to stay in and sleep the whole time I was there.”

Seokjin hums. “And you, Namjoon. You went to Ilsan, right? I heard from your mom your dad banned you from driving for a year.”

Namjoon sighs in embarrassment. “Yeah. He actually saved up to get me proper driving lessons, but when he heard about what I did with Jungkook’s phone, he flipped and banned me from getting behind a steering wheel.”

“Thanks for the new phone, by the way,” Jungkook flaunts the new device with his tongue sticking out of his lips. This earns a round of laughter from the group.

“How about you?” Seokjin turns to Jungkook. “We couldn’t get an update because Mr. Destruction here destroyed your phone. Did you leave the town?”

“Nah, stayed here all throughout. Spent most of my time at the beach.”

“Oh, is that so,” Seokjin gives him a grin with mirth clear in his eyes.

Jungkook’s eyebrows pinch at the expression, then he remembers that when Seokjin has that look, it could only mean one thing.

“Don’t. I swear to god, Seokjin, don’t-”

“So it is true,” Seokjin’s voice raises in amusement. “Oh my god! You’re blushing!”

“What? Why?” Hoseok asks confusingly, looking back and forth in between the two. “Did something happen during the summer?”

“Oh, something definitely did. See, word on the street, and from our very own Tokki, said that Jungkook here had a date.”

“What!?”

“How!?"

“Who!?”

Jungkook covers his ears from the assault of questions from his friends. He wants the ground to swallow him whole, and maybe transport him to the sandy beach because he would honestly rather be there than here.

“Oh my god, shut up!” he yells after the questions start piling atop one another. “He’s someone I met at the beach. He almost drowned, I saved him, and we started hanging out.”

“So that's what it’s called now, huh? Just dudes being bros?” Seokjin teases.

“What? No!” Jungkook sputters. “He… He was cool.”

“Cool?”

Jungkook nods, eyes looking elsewhere. He already knows what faces his friends would be making, and he would rather not subject himself to that.

“Mr. Heartbreaker has actually settled down?” Yoongi says, as if it’s the biggest shock of his life.

“You make me sound like a playboy.”

“Well, you aren’t one but you either rejected people or dated them for a week before dumping them all because you 'didn't feel like it',” Namjoon says, making air quotes.

“But this time, you actually spent a whole summer, which is two months, with one guy and even took him to Tokki’s. You’ve never done that before,” Hoseok says.

“Yeah. That place is like… sacred ground for us. You never took your old dates there,” Yoongi says.

“Aish, you make it sound as if I made a lifetime achievement.”

“Might as well be,” Seokjin says. “Our dearest Jungkookie is growing up and falling in love. Oh, I can’t wait to meet this person.”

“Well, you can’t meet him,” Jungkook says with a hint of dismay in his voice.

“Why? Is he your little secret?” Seokjin teases with a poke to his cheek.

“Quit it! He’s not!” Jungkook bursts out rather harshly, surprising his friends. With a sigh, he crosses his arms. “He went back to Seoul. He was only here for the summer.”

It’s silent after that. The four boys didn’t know what to say, noticing Jungkook’s obvious dejected state.

“Sorry,” Seokjin mumbles first.

“It’s alright. Let’s just get to class. Bell is going to ring soon.”

At the same time the group of friends get up from their spot, a single student makes a sound of annoyance as he watches them leave. “Thank god they left. Didn’t really want to pass by that noisy bunch. They’re always teasing.”

Beside him, his cousin and now classmate, giggles. “Oh Jiminie, it’s because you’re so uptight. Loosen up a little, will you?”

“Well, Tae, not everyone had a great summer on the beach,” Jimin turns his nose up.

“It was your decision to take up summer classes, not me,” Taehyung shrugs.

“Hey! I still had fun,” Jimin lightly shoves Taehyung on the shoulder causing him to laugh. “By the way, you didn’t tell me much about your time in the beach.”

“That’s because we were busy moving, genius. It was a sudden decision to stay you know so I was kind of overwhelmed with the whole process of it. I usually leave one place prepared.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jimin rolls his eyes. “Anyway, tell me more about your time at the beach. Who’s the lucky guy?”

A shy smile plays on Taehyung’s lips as he remembers the incredible time he had with Jungkook at the beach. Playing, fishing, swimming, kissing. Ah, the thought just makes his heart race.

“It was so romantic, Minnie,” Taehyung sighs dreamily, taking Jimin by surprise. “He was sweet, showed me everywhere, made me think about staying just to spend more time with him.”

“But you’re here now.”

Taehyung nods. “I am, but no Jungkook.”

Taehyung sees the moment Jimin’s features twist to something… incomprehensible. It’s as if a storm of emotions just took his cousin by surprise.

“I’m sorry… What’s his name?”

“Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook.”

Jimin makes a noise similar to a dying whale.