Archive of Our Own ^beta

It’s his own fault. It would be a total lie if Taehyung said he doesn’t know how they got here. But he does. A boring holiday party, a challenge, all mixed with large amounts of alcohol led to this disaster. The disaster being him and Jungkook sitting opposite Jimin’s new boyfriend Seokjin ,having them and their marriage psychoanalysed as part of some sort of game.

It all started as a normal day of getting ready to attend another boring and pretentious holiday party. But this one tonight is a little tolerable because Taehyung has been friends with the host Namjoon and Yoongi for more than ten years. He could have altogether missed it, if not for Jungkook’s insistence of attending one last party before they could finally file for divorce.

There’s no need to be together anymore, to drag along something which is hopeless. The obvious and best solution is to separate. They’d still be friends, still see each other now that their friend groups have become so intertwined. So It’s better to divorce when they are still civil and on friendly terms with each other instead of waiting for the time when everything turns sour and then inevitably file for divorce. So it’s happening just next week. Just a day after their wedding anniversary.

Going to the party is a terrible idea, it always is. But especially today when Taehyung is already tired.

Tired of work, of meeting pretentious people at these parties, tired of everything. A part of his mind constantly says You know why you’re tired. You know it.

But Taehyung has had a habit of curbing down the voice. He always has. 

Jungkook is excited for the party. Evidently he has quickly become friends with Namjoon and Yoongi who are usually known to not let people in their close circle easily.

Taehyung wished he could be as social as Jungkook is, but he hasn’t formed a close friendship with Jungkook’s best friend Jimin and Hoseok, is just on friendly terms with them.

They spend more than a hour socialising at the party. Just Like they always do. Like they always have to. Except it’s much worse this time. Everybody seemingly knows about their upcoming anniversary, which yes he knows theirs was the wedding of the year in their circle, but still shouldn’t it be weird going around remembering random people’s anniversaries?

Apparently not because everyone they meet can’t stop talking about it and asking if they have plans for a vacation since they haven’t sent out any invitations for a party. To all of this they both just smile, nod and try to distract the conversation to some other topic.

Boy these people are in for a great shock when they hear that the gift they plan to give each other are signed divorce papers.

Or maybe it shouldn’t be, only if these people noticed how they never behave like a couple, are more like two people who coexist with each other,only if they noticed how Taehyung and Jungkook don’t look at each other with eyes full of love like a normal couple should, or how they answer in clipped tones when asked about their relationship. But in this world of all fake compliments and fake answers, maybe the fakeness of their marriage doesn’t stand out.

Or maybe these strangers could have noticed how their marriage wasn’t based on love or trust, the normal foundations of any relationship, but it was based on businesses contracts and deals between two biggest empires of Korea. But again that was normal in their world, that relationships were based on mutual monetary benefits and never on love.

It was stupid then for Taehyung to hope for something else. So he didn’t. There was already too much to hurt him, he didn’t need any more reason to.

In all the mess and all the pretending, they drank. Lots and lots of wine, a lot of champagne, basically anything that came their way to drown down the awkwardness they felt pretending to be a happy couple in front of these strangers.

Happy, they were. Couple, they were not.

Jungkook looks at him, drunk on all the alchohol, face shining under the light of fancy chandeliers in the house, and Taehyung looks back at him with a polite smile, drunk on Champagne and maybe something else he doesn’t wish to name. Can’t. Doesn’t want to.Doesn’t hope.

Taehyung is terrible at this, the socialising, the small talk, the parties. People though tell him that he is good at it, he doesn’t think so. Feels like he doesn’t belong, although maybe he does. Has been a part of this life, this crowd since the day he was born. Has learned how to be polite, to seem perfectly  normal in front of all these people that he could do this in his sleep. Has already done this so many times when he had been too tired, too sleepy. But it never eases the nervousness, the loneliness he feels. Like he is alone in this crowd, this crowd that he is a part of, but knows he has nothing in common with. But that’s how it has always been, how it always will be. Him- Kim Taehyung the big shot heir to the Kim business empire- ruthless and cold to the bone, always about work and business- always the centre of attention but always trying to run away from it. Wants to disappear in the crowd maybe.

But for the whole past year Jungkook has been there. Jungkook with his whole grand persona, who is natural at all this, doesn’t seem to put any effort into this like Taehyung has to. He attracts attention, more than Taehyung already did, two heirs to the biggest empires now married, but also takes away the pressure from Taehyung. Lets him disappear.

Everyone only ever has eyes for Jungkook.

Jungkook glows, always does. With his perfect dressing sense, all his tattoos, his number of piercings, his physique, he stands out from the crowd. Gains everybody’s attention. Always capable of engaging people with his intelligence and his knowledge- his personality just the right amount of bashful and innocence- nobody else in his periphery, of any importance could ever compare to Jungkook’s charm.

So Taehyung has hidden away this whole past year- taking a backseat and letting Jungkook be in the limelight, talk to people in his perfect practiced way- never letting the mask of innocence drop but never giving any details to these strangers. These strangers who only ever want to weasel out any information, any gossip they can from this perfect seeming couple. But they never can, Jungkook never slips.

This is all going to end now. This will be the last party where Taehyung has Jungkook to guide him through this maze of fakeness that Taehyung has never seemed to enjoy, he understands it sure, but hates it nonetheless.

As he looks at Jungkook and sees him giggling in the way his nose scrunches like it does when Jungkook is comfortable, is happy- he knows Jungkook is drunk. Although he would still be a natural at all the socialising, he thinks it should be the time to take a break from it.

And when Taehyung starts to feel a bit lightheaded. When he can feel the light buzz from all the alchohol he drank, and he starts feeling an itch. An itch in his hand, wanting to do something, maybe touch, maybe hold.When he becomes conscious that he has to control the urge to do that. He thinks it’s time for a break.

He cannot give in to his inner longing. Never has, never will. He’s always been like this, knows where to limit himself, stop himself from taking more than he’s allowed to. It’s always about being in control for him. Always.

He knows he will never have anything more than this. He never hopes.

He excuses them from the guests they were speaking to, some important relatives of business Associates of theirs, Jungkook probably knows them, Taehyung doesn’t care, and drags them away from the main hall.

He can hear Jungkook laugh at him, always so loud, always so carefree when he is away from people. Taehyung can picture how Jungkook’s eyes would be carrying a naughty glint on being dragged away, like it always does when Jungkook knows that Taehyung is now tired and reached his limit of pretending for today. He can picture the smile on Jungkook’s face, always bright and lighting up his features. But he stops himself from looking and admiring it. It’s more than he is allowed. He shouldn’t.

He drags them to the inner living room, where only a few people who are very close to Namjoon or Yoongi are hanging out. He can see Jimin and Hoseok laughing with a stranger and takes a seat in front of where they are sitting.

Jungkook pulls his hand away, the emptiness left in Taehyung’s hand at that feels like something huge, and goes to hug Jimin.

“Hyung here you are, I have been looking everywhere for you .”

Jimin laughs and pulls himself away from the tight embrace of a drunk Jungkook, “And I see you have kept yourself busy while looking for me. Need anymore champagne Kook-Ah?”

Jungkook swats away Jimin’s hand and stands with a pout on his face, trying to make an innocent face probably,doesn’t need to try Taehyung thinks, would already get the world with his big eyes if he wanted, definitely could without any effort, “I needed some to tolerate the torture outside hyung. So what was the big thing you wanted to tell me about?”

“Is that the only reason why you are so drunk huh?” Jungkook looks at Jimin with face getting a little red, a face Taehyung has now seen a lot of times on him, when Jungkook gets irritated or teased about something he gets this crazy colour on his face like now.Before Jungkook could reply, Jimin points to the stranger with him and starts, “Anyways you both, meet my boyfriend Kim Seokjin.”

In a second the colour on Jungkook’s face dissipates and he is back to his smiling demeanour, “Hello Mr. Handsome.” Jungkook goes ahead and shakes Seokjin’s hand, “So you are the one who stole away my Jiminie’s heart huh?”

Jimin shoves a playful hand on Jungkook’s chest, “Stop flirting with my boyfriend Kook. You’re married.” He then points towards Taehyung, “Jin that is Jungkook’s husband, Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook who again seems to have that annoyed expression at Jimin, annoyed at maybe being reminded of the boundation he still has for seven more days. Taehyung gets that, Jungkook is not one deserving to be bound. He deserves to fly probably, or whatever poetic thing any better man could say about it, and not bound with a boring person like Taehyung.

He gets up from where he is sitting to greet Seokjin, “Hello, It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jungkook’s husband Taehyung, only for another week though.” He glances at Jungkook who gives him a tight smile, “So beware of his flirtatious comments”

It’s meant to be a joke, and it does come out as one. Jungkook laughs at this, his loud carefree one. Taehyung laughs along with him, means it to come out as happy as Jungkook’s. Probably fails at it. Obviously does.

“Nice to meet you both. Jimin always talks about you two and well obviously so does the media.” Seokjin then looks between the both of them with confused expression, “Um- forgive me for overstepping maybe but husband for a week more? I- I’m afraid I don’t get it.”

Taehyung calls for a waiter standing nearby to bring him some champagne. He feels this sudden urge to not listen to what Jungkook would be explaining in just a few seconds. Doesn’t want to.

“Ah Seokjin-ssi, ours was an arranged marriage. We were bound by contract to be together for atleast a year, our parents thought we would be in love or something by then.” Jungkook then looks at Taehyung and smiles softly, “Our first wedding anniversary is in seven days.”

Taehyung feels thirsty. Like he needs a lot of water, alchohol, something to calm down this thirst. Maybe drown himself down in water, anything to make him forget, make his throat not feel too dry. He quickly takes a glass the waiter brings. And so does Jungkook. Maybe he too, needs an excuse, any distraction to make it easier to get through this conversation.

Seokjin waits for a few seconds, like he is waiting for Jungkook to continue, to complete his explanation.

Taehyung wishes there was something more to say about this. It’s just this, the plain simple truth. They have reached a finish line, they have to cross it. Doesn’t matter if it’s not something they want to or not, it’s just a matter of convenience. Of not trying to make things complicated.

When it’s clear Jungkook won’t say anything else, Seokjin speaks finally, “And you didn’t? Fall in love I mean?”

Jungkook looks up, his eyes huge in confusion, like it’s such a stupid thing that Seokjin has asked. And it is.

It is ridiculous to think that two people so opposite, so different to each other could fall in love. It’s ridiculous to even imagine that the light that is Jungkook could ever fall for something as normal and routine as Taehyung. That Taehyung could ever be happy with a chaos like Jungkook. It’s completely ridiculous. So ridiculous, that it’s almost like an impossible accident. But Taehyung knows that accidents are never pleasant. Could never hope for something like that. Knows very well that impossibilities are just that, completely and forever impossible.

Wishes that was what he could say. “No we didn’t. And now that the contract would be over, we are free to divorce.”

Seokjin hums at that and speaks again, “But is there any need to? As far as I have seen your interactions in media you seem perfectly happy and content.” He then stops and looks at their faces for any discomfort, continues speaking when he probably doesn’t find any, “I mean don’t get me wrong but in your world a lot of marriages are based on business decisions. The fact that you two atleast have a harmonious bond rather than the constant fights I’m used to seeing, you two still are getting the better deal. Why divorce?”

Jungkook chuckles, “What are you, some sort of psychiatrist ? Or a relationship counsellor? You seem to have a lot of knowledge about how marriages in our social circle are.”

Seokjin smiles and holds Jimin’s waist, “Close. I’m actually a psychology professor, used to be a therapist but I enjoy teaching more.”

At this Jungkook flounders for words. Jimin must find all of this hilarious because he laughs at Jungkook’s reaction, “Yes Kook. My boyfriend, SNU professor Dr. Kim Seokjin. I should have given a proper introduction.”

Seokjin smiles and holds Jimin closer, “Please don’t address me like that. But yes I do have a PHD in psychology.    So tell me, why do you want to separate? Or I mean don’t if it’s too personal, I’m sorry for intruding then.”

Taehyung remains silent. He has no wish to have his thoughts, his choices analysed by someone who is probably an expert at understanding people’s mind. Could probably judge from his actions, his expression about what he was feeling. Not ever and especially not now, not when his defences are already low with all the alchohol he had, mind full of questions, doubts and wishes he has tried to suppress. So he stays silent. Doesn’t try to think of a reply, makes no attempt to. Probably because he knows he won’t know what to say. Has thought about it a lot and knows what the answer is always going to be, can never say it.

But Jungkook tries, opens his mouth to say something but probably can’t find the correct words, or couldn’t think of what to share, maybe trying not to hurt any feelings, not when they are already so close to ending everything on a positive note. Finally Jungkook settles for deflection, the strategy they both always seem to resort to, “We don’t need a couples therapy session here Seokjin-ssi. It’s all fine but it’s just what we had decided initially, it’s what is the best for both of us. I don’t think getting our marriage analysed is something we need for now.”

Seokjin chuckles, looks amused at Jungkook’s reply, “Ah yes I understand. It’s not an easy thing, couples therapy I mean. A lot of times you get to know things you never thought of, or things you wish you didn’t get to know about. It could be a scary experience for some couples.”

And Taehyung knows what this is, he can see an indirect challenge as clear as day, knows what direction this conversation would go to, doesn’t wish for it to go that way. Wants to stop Jungkook from engaging any further, to not fall into this trap. This trap that Taehyung feels has been especially set up for them tonight. But then he remembers he can’t. Doesn’t have any right to tell Jungkook what or what not to do. So he stands, silent and taking no part in the conversation he knows would lead to awful results. Results Taehyung wishes they could avoid.

Jungkook who is tipsy, and like always very competitive, looks irritated. “We are not weak people who would be scared of any big revelations happening in some stupid therapy session. We don’t need it. We know enough.”

Seokjin looks satisfied. Like the bait he laid out has been perfectly caught on. Like he wanted Jungkook to be annoyed. Like he wants to know more, and that part Taehyung doesn’t understand why. Why would a stranger who knows nothing about them, doesn’t look like someone who is doing this to get some gossip, is so invested in knowing about them, in making both of them talk. Jimin looks happy. It feels as though Taehyung is missing something. Some big thing that only he doesn’t know.

He looks towards Jungkook and only finds that the irritation has flared, into that of something resembling anger but not quite, looks annoyed at the assumption that he could be scared of any of this, so maybe Taehyung is not the only one who is being left out of the loop. Maybe it’s the both of them.

“Kook but you do look scared.” Jimin smirks.

Jungkook gives him a glare which makes Jimin laugh. Seokjin takes a sip of his wine, “It’s okay Jungkook-ssi. I understand. Therapy is not everyone’s cup of tea. Especially couples therapy. Even people who look strong, who think they are strong enough get to know things they didn’t want to. It requires a lot of trust, a lot of courage to be able to let yourself go, to talk about your truths especially when you are doing it with a partner.”

And well that does it. Taehyung can practically see the gears in Jungkook’s mind run, how he gets a look of determination in his eye, and Taehyung knows he is done for.He didn’t come here for an impromptu therapy session, but he knows that is what they are going to have now. He should maybe stop Jungkook now, should stop this conversation now when he has a chance. He has a lot more to lose than probably Jungkook would have. But he thinks maybe he does want this.

Some part inside him, which is tired of being suppressed, which is tired of being lied to and lying to others, a part which maybe for once wants to let it out. He would be losing sure, but maybe there was never a way for him to win this. He was always meant to lose. And what would he even gain from all this, nothing except this seemingly cold and stone faced persona. What has any of this gained him anyway. Not that letting go would give him some sort of peace or salvation but maybe he would get a chance to move on. To end this chapter of his life and begin anew.

Jungkook gulps down the remaining champagne in his glass and walks to sit in the couch opposite the one Seokjin and Jimin were sitting, “Go on then.Give us a demo of your therapy session. We don’t have anything to lose. It’s all anyway over in seven days.” He then crosses his legs and looks at Taehyung, “Taehyung do you mind? I think it should be fun, come on please.”

And Jungkook doesn’t know he never needs to say please, not to Taehyung and not to anybody else. Could always get what he wanted without making a request. Could probably order everyone around if he wanted and there’s no way people wouldn’t listen to him. So Taehyung does what he does best, takes up the mask of indifference and goes to sit beside Jungkook. “Yeah I guess could be. There’s nothing wrong in atleast giving it a try.”

Jimin and Seokjin smile and take a seat opposite them. Seokjin looks calm, like this is no big deal but Taehyung knows better. Can see the clear happiness on Jimin’s face, like he has got what he wanted to happen. He tries to not think about the implications of this, of Jungkook’s best friend trying to get them to talk.

Thinking of those would only give him hope. And Taehyung knows better than to have any false hopes. Not now especially when he has got used to this constant pain, like it’s a part of him and like it doesn’t burn his insides anymore. He doesn’t need hope now. Would have too much to lose if it all ends up breaking in pieces then.

And now they sit in front of Seokjin and Jimin, waiting for questions to be asked, to have their marriage prodded and analysed. Jungkook seems confident, looks excited even. Can’t stop shaking his legs in the anticipation of this fake therapy session, confident that he would end up proving Seokjin wrong in his assumption of considering Jungkook weak or nervous about any of this.

Taehyung is stressed. Knows he is good at being indifferent, at being neutral about everything. Can generally keep a straight face even while telling the biggest lies. But he’s scared he might slip.Especially tonight, when he is in a happy bliss of being tipsy, when a part of him is begging of him to let go. Doesn’t want to, tries not to.

They have now moved to Namjoon’s study, so as not to attract the attention of anybody else and to give them a little privacy. The rest of their friends know about this but have chosen to not come inside, Taehyung didn’t tell them not to. It seems stupid to ask that, this is not a real therapy session, they aren’t a real couple, there’s nothing to be hidden. All of their close friends have always known about this contract marriage, this sham of a relationship they have had, so there’s not much that would be new to their ears but Taehyung appreciates the gesture. Jimin is still with them, probably to give off the feeling that what they are having is just a casual conversation with Jimin’s boyfriend and not actually being analysed by a psychotherapist.

Seokjin is still holding on to his glass of wine and swirls it around his hand, “So tell me about both of you. Like introduce yourselves as if I don’t know anything about you, like you aren’t public figures.”

Jungkook smiles, all sharp and cunning. Not the usual soft smiles which are genuine. Seems to have adopted a persona for this session. Probably wants to appear like a cocky bastard, slips into that role easily. “I’m Jeon Jungkook, 26 years old. CEO and heir to Jeon enterprise, one of the biggest companies in South Korea.”

Taehyung speaks after Jungkook is done. He doesn’t try to act, it’s not the time to start pretending. It will be soon, but there’s no need for it right now, “I’m Kim Taehyung, 28 years old. CEO and heir to Kim Corporations. Been married to Jungkook for almost a year now.”

Seokjin smiles and takes a sip of his wine, “Good I’m glad you’re trying to take this seriously. So tell me how you got married.”

Taehyung leans forward and starts speaking, “My parents had been wanting to get me married since a few years now. Had been trying to set me up with a lot of people on dates. Finally set me up with Jungkook. Our marriage initiated a huge deal between both of the companies, and well all of it needed some time to solidify, hence the contract that we had to be together atleast a year, enough for the project to complete and probably make us fall in love. They obviously wanted both of us to have a long lasting marriage.”

Jungkook nodded, “Yeah same for me. They wanted me to settle down and preferably to someone of our financial status. They started setting me up with a lot of girls who were family friends, but when I came out as gay, it shifted to being set up with boys. I knew about Taehyung obviously, had already met him a few times, so when talks about us getting married started, I thought this was a better match then rest so I finally agreed.”

They haven’t really spoken to each other about how it all happened, actually have never spoken much about things that matter at all so this would be the first time they are actually talking about it all.

Seokjin hums, “Well this is the part I would want to know more about, but a little later. Right now tell me about how you knew of each other and what were your thoughts about the other.”

Jungkook crosses his arms and scratches his nose before he begins, “Um We obviously belong to the same social circle and well, Kim industries have been our long standing competition when it comes to the highest revenue generated in a year sort of, so yeah I knew about him since we were young. Never really spoke to him or was friends with him, but saw him around. He- well he is the exact opposite of me, lives his life in a different way than mine.”The more Jungkook talks the more it seems like he is trying to be polite and not offend Taehyung with his opinions, which yeah Taehyung can understand, he knows all of this,What he expects people to think about him anyway.

“Yeah so I knew about him. Hoseok who is you know my best friend, is a very good friend of Yoongi. So we’d see each other around, greet the other sometimes. Honestly what I thought about him was that he is closed off- too closed off, never saw him joking around or having fun, always looked serious and well quite different from how me and my friends were.” Jungkook then looks at Taehyung and gives a smile which comes out more like a grimace, “And yeah I thought he was rude and probably boring. So I was surprised when his parents wanted to set us up,our parents weren’t close, had never been friends as far as I knew. When I met Taehyung I was pleasantly surprised, he is an honest person, and um- I think this deal could be best for the both of our companies and well- we agreed to divorce after a year. Our parents could finally relax and get off our backs, we would have a huge merger deal, so everything worked out in the best way. I didn’t think I would ever be friends with him, but I’m glad we could reach this stage.”

Seokjin hums and looks towards Taehyung. He wants to say almost the same stuff, it’s what happened. But he’s afraid, afraid that when he starts, he might say things he doesn’t want to. Say what he has always been itching to say, might expose himself for what he is inside. Not this strong and cold hearted person, but this weak, weak emotionally vulnerable human, who only ever has needed something he know he won’t get. Doesn’t deserve that. Afraid of letting go and letting other see. Afraid of letting them know how much he wants, looks, admires- how much he has- no had hoped. But it all fell into shambles- doesn’t need to expose himself for the mess he feels he is.So he speaks what is expected of him, of what would come out of his mouth if he was actually the indifferent person he pretends to be.

“I knew about Jungkook, obviously not only because we both belong to the two biggest business empires in Korea but also he has always been the popular one in our circle. Has been seen dating around a lot of chaebols, and yeah was friends with basically everyone I knew. So yeah.” He stops himself from fiddling with his hands, doesn’t want to give off any sign of being nervous that Seokjin could easily pick up, “Yeah I thought he was an extremely outgoing person, a little loud, and um- yeah I guess a bit of a playboy if you will.”

Jungkook snorts loudly then, “Wow glad to know this is what you thought about me.”

Taehyung grimaces internally. He always messes up, probably overcompensates and ends up hurting people’s feelings. “No Jungkook that wasn’t it. I just-I didn’t know much about you, and I don’t think this way about you now.”

“Yeah I’d hope so. Otherwise friendship is the last thing we are gonna have.”

Seokjin interrupts them from continuing this discussion any further, probably senses that this might turn to an argument, “So tell me what made you say yes to this arrangement. I mean you both had been on dates with multiple people. Why finally say yes”

Taehyung speaks first, wants to salvage the situation a little bit, make Jungkook less annoyed at him. “We had already spoken a few times before our dates were being arranged. And once we finally sat down and started talking- seriously talking about this prospect, we both or atleast I quickly realised that Jungkook wasn’t the kind of person I thought he’d be. It was fun to talk to him and yeah by then I was too done with being set up, and um- I said yes. Jungkook and me quickly reached this agreement- we could get parents off our backs and then separate when we want to.”

Jungkook who was until now looking down at the floor, finally looked up. “Yes well- Taehyung seemed to be the best option out of all the guys I had met until that point. Most of them were assholes who had no brains or talent except being a chaebol. Just privileged douche bags and uh- Taehyung is just this too polite and nice guy so obviously I said yes. We could also easily mutually agree on a lot of things- like separating when we want to.”

“And you both want to? Separate I mean. Whose idea was it and why?” Seokjin further asked.

Jungkook looked at Taehyung to reply, but he chose to remain silent. It wasn’t his decision to divorce and he wasn’t about to take responsibility for it. Not when this was something every part of his body was screaming not to do.

When none of them answers, Seokjin changes his question, “Did one of you resist the idea Or perhaps any reluctance in following through this decision to divorce once the contract was void?”

Taehyung shook his head in negative. Jungkook too answered in the same way.

Why would Jungkook have a problem with it anyway, this wasn’t what he wanted. This was all imposed on him. Not something he had or would have chosen for himself. Though Taehyung wishes he himself would have shown just a little bit of resistance, maybe Jungkook would have taken some pity on him, might have chosen to stay. But it wasn’t something Taehyung would allow himself to hope. Not now.

Jimin leaned on Seokjin, who subconsciously put his arm around the shorter man. This was what couples were supposed to be like, natural and in rythm and not like Taehyung and Jungkook who were sitting on opposite ends, as far as possible from each other on the couch.

Seokjin put his wine glass on the table in front of him, “Ah I get it. So tell me about your first proper meeting.”

Junhkook started to speak but Taehyung spoke before him. He wanted the narrative to be the way he wanted, not from anybody’s else’s mouth. Maybe this way he could pay attention on other things and not give away details which might make it clear what Taehyung’s intentions were. Jungkook might not have known where to look, but if he mentioned certain things Seokjin could easily catch them. So he narrated the day they met to talk about the prospect of being married to each other. He kept it short and brief but his brain could remember every detail like it happened just yesterday.

                                 *

It’s been half an hour since Taehyung has been waiting here. Waiting not because Jungkook is late, but because Taehyung is early. He is anxious, wants to make sure everything goes alright today. He doesn’t understand this, this urge to make today work out. Feels like maybe he shouldn’t, not after everything that’s happened. But part of him still wants to, wants this. So much, that he made sure today would happen. Knows there’s a possibility he would get hurt again, hopes he doesn’t. Wants to try, if there is any minute chance, any possibility that this could work out, then he’s ready to take a chance. Wouldn’t mind getting hurt if there’s even a slight chance to get that feeling again, that high,that euphoria he felt that night. Wants to chase that feeling forever if he could. Maybe shouldn’t./Definitely/shouldn’t. But still does. Still hopes.

Jungkook walks towards him, smiles which comes as awkward as he must be feeling inside. Must be confused as to why they are meeting, why Taehyung has probably agreed to meet when he was dead set on ignoring Jungkook for the past few weeks. Had been all cold eyes and harsh words to Jungkook just a few weeks back at the party they met. It’s understandable, Taehyung didn’t expect to be feeling this way either. Not when he had already accepted the truth for it was, just a drunken night which one of them forgot, and he should probably try to as well. But when he heard of this, that there still might be a chance for him, he couldn’t help but try once again. Hope once again.

So despite the fact that he had started ignoring all of it and became cold, rude after that incident he wants to salvage the situation now. Maybe they can move past everything, maybe Taehyung can still get his happy ending. Knows maybe he doesn’t deserve it after all this time. Still wants to try.

He stands and smiles back at Jungkook. Puts out his hand for Jungkook to shake, it feels strange to be shaking hands when they have met to talk about possibly marrying. They both sit on the table Taehyung had reserved in the private area of the restaurant.

“Hey Jungkook-ssi. I’m glad we could meet today.” He calls for a waiter to bring them water. When the waiter is gone, Jungkook grabs one of the glass and instead of drinking, just holds it in hand.

“Are you? Glad. Really?” Jungkook snorts at him.

And well Taehyung was expecting this response, obviously was. His actions especially this past month have been puzzling, especially for Jungkook who doesn’t remember that night. Would have been confused at this sudden change in Taehyung’s demeanour. But he had hoped That maybe they could skip talking about it until a later point. Could delay that conversation. He doesn’t want to talk about it, make himself seem weak and vulnerable, so he lies. Makes excuse about things like he is used to doing.

“I am glad honestly. Getting to sit and talk here with you is a good thing. I seriously believe this-us being together would be good in the long run.”

At this Jungkook narrows his eyes, “Didn’t seem like it when you have been acting so weird since past few weeks. More rude than you usually are. But sure. Long run how? You think we’d be married till death do us part or something?”

Taehyung fumbles around for words, tries not to let his actual thoughts show, “No ofcourse not. We could divorce anytime we want, with mutual agreement ofcourse and yeah I think our parents would want us to get into a contract or something initially but like as soon it is void, we can divorce, I don’t mind.”

Shit, why did he say that. Why did he have to go ahead and set himself for more hurt. He always does this-tries to hide his emotions and tends to overcompensate. Says thing he doesn’t mean, doesn’t want and only ends up causing hurt.

Something passes over Jungkook’s face, some indecipherable emotion Taehyung doesn’t understand. It’s only for a second and then Jungkook is back to his neutral face. He’s good at this, the keeping his emotions neutral and balanced thing but tends to slip sometimes, like he did just now. But Taehyung doesn’t know him enough to understand the meaning of those expressions. So he ignores it for now because Jungkook looks like he is considering this. Actually, genuinely considering this stupid offer Taehyung has foolishly laid out for him.

He knows Jungkook would accept this. The deal they have planned is a big thing. Would be the first big project Jungkook would head. Taehyung made sure that business wise there would be no way Jungkook would say no.

And well the rest depended on Jungkook’s personal preference, but if he has come for this-this arranged marriage setup, isn’t considering being with one of his many many lovers, then it is only probably because he is in a bind. Probably been threatened by his parents or something to ditch those fuckboy chaebols he goes around with. So the only thing Jungkook would probably want from the boring husband he is being set up with, is to still have his freedom.

And Taehyung has handed just that to him in a silver platter. Would be free to end this marriage once it’s convenient, to walk away from the boring husband. Taehyung might have promised this thing which might /is obviously/ going to hurt him, but now that he has, he plans to follow through his promise. Especially if that is the only reason Jungkook agrees.

Would probably / obviously/ try to make Jungkook stay, to maybe feel happy or some positive feeling about this arrangement- which if Taehyung is lucky enough could make Jungkook not leave, either out of pity or could be just a matter of convenience again.

He doesn’t understand when he became so wound up- so fixated on having this, that he is willing to let go of his pride, his happiness. Ready to be in a loveless marriage which would probably bleed him dry internally- but still make some part of him happy. Some part which still lives, still remembers that one night. It’s stupid but he hopes it might just turn out not to be.

Jungkook finally leans forward and starts speaking, “So you would have no problem in breaking things off? What if one of us might not want to separate?” More like what he wants to know if Taehyung would actually cause no problem, no legal trouble or bad publicity when they divorce.

Taehyung chuckles and answers, “Well we can sure discuss if one of us expresses the wish to not separate, but if still the other wants to then we would. Atleast I can give you my assurance that I won’t go back on my promise. And well-“  He leaves it at that, not wanting to clearly point out the fact that Jungkook wouldn’t be the one to have any problem with ending their marriage and Jungkook looks to be of the same mind and quickly nods.

They order food and then discuss other things while eating. Of how everything might work, of the benefits this marriage would have on both of their companies, how they could work well together and well, what should the limits be if they get married. Once it’s all decided that they would be acting as a couple in the public eye, in front of their family and relatives alongwith the people in their social circle.The only people who would know about the true nature of their relationship would be their close friends. After it’s all done and talked about, they switch to talking about other things.

And the shift is clear from the last conversation they had, even the one before the eventful night. But it’s still less awkward from the time they sat down to discuss everything today. They ease into talking about general things, and it reminds him of why he wanted this so much. Feels natural and easy to talk to Jungkook.

Used to earlier think that was maybe because they had a connection. That both of them probably felt something but knows better now. Knows now that it’s not them, it’s him /Jungkook/ . How he can make anybody feel at home, feel things they didn’t know how to feel. Taehyung understands that now, needed only a few meetings with causal small talk and two big evenings he would never forget- to get him to this place. Where he is sabotaging himself, wants to do something he knows isn’t worth it but is still doing this which has no hope of ever working out. Doesn’t know why he is. Doesn’t understand why he wants Jungkook to marry him so desperately. Just knows that he does. Shouldn’t. But still has hope.

He doesn’t feel the time passing, only realises when the place starts becoming crowded and he can see the dinner rush start. Decides they should probably leave before somebody spots them and makes a big deal of this meeting they are on. His heart wants to call it a date. But he knows it isn’t. Wishes it was.

As they walk towards the parking area Jungkook holds his arm to gain attention. He turns to find Jungkook looking down and idly poking the ground with his shoe, “You want to ask something else? There’s no hurry for you to decide. I have made it clear that my answer is yes. You can take time to think, it’s okay.”

Jungkook huffs out, “Well I just want to know this, why me? Why nobody else? If you just want to get married for the time being to get your parents to finally get off your back, then you could have done this with all these people they have been trying to set you up with for so long. Why finally come to this agreement with me?”

Because nobody else is you. Because I would happily be in a loveless marriage and later end up being left alone, if there’s even a slight chance that you will stay. If I get to see you, be with you even for a brief time period, get to call you mine even if it’s temporary and probably a lie- It would still all be worth it. Because you’re you Jungkook. Nobody else could be you.

His heart wants to scream out loud, but he stops himself. Doesn’t want to scare Jungkook away with these intense feelings he has just after meeting the other twice, one of which Jungkook doesn’t even remember. Can’t even explain to himself about why he feels this way, why this is happening with him.

“Because none of them were mature enough to understand. Most of them probably wanted an ever after with me, or atleast a long lasting marriage. You’re a realist, you know how this works.” He holds out a hand for Jungkook who takes it after a few seconds. He starts walking them towards where he can see Jungkook’s car parked, “If you have any other questions you can ask them. I don’t mind you taking your time with deciding.”

Jungkook stops before his car and turns around to look at Taehyung, “Just one other thing for now.” Taehyung hums to tell him to continue, “Are you dating somebody?”

Taehyung snorts, “I’d be marrying them if I was. I’m not dating anybody.Goodnight Jungkook ssi”. He opens the car door to let Jungkook in the driver seat.

Jungkook takes a step to sit but then stops, “Don’t you want to ask me the same? If I am seeing somebody?”

And yeah that stings. Taehyung knows that Jungkook probably would be, is here only because of pressure from his family. But his mind still wants to forget that part, that Jungkook would be with someone else other than him. Hates that Jungkook brings it up. A reminder that this night was just a set up meeting, could never be a date.

He smiles and answers, “I don’t need to. All I want is a clean public image during the time we are together. You will be free to pursue other interests once whatever contract our parents decide on would be over.”

Jungkook looks at him with a lot of attention when he speaks, like he is trying to gauze out if what Taehyung is saying is the truth. He tries to keep his face neutral, is usually very good at it but Jungkook makes him nervous. Probably does a good job because Jungkook nods and sits in the car.

Before Taehyung can leave once the car door is closed, Jungkook slides down the window and calls him. Jungkook doesn’t look at him, still keeps looking in the front. Has glasses covering his face.

“My answer is Yes Taehyung-ssi. I will marry you. I will let my parents get in touch with yours about it. And we will speak. Soon. Good night for now Mr. Kim.”

And just like that he drives away. Without looking back at Taehyung who feels like he is frozen right there. Stands right there for about fifteen minutes. Didn’t expect it to happen so easily. Was expecting more convincing, more meetings or something like that.

He stands right there, feeling simultaneously like the happiest and the most stupid person alive to make himself go through what he is about to.

                                     *

Seokjin is silent for a minute. Taehyung just got finished telling him all about their meeting, careful to leave out the parts where he seemed too desperate, too eager for Jungkook to agree. Doesn’t tell him how he orchestrated everything to Jungkook’s favour and basically agreed to anything Jungkook might want just to get him to say yes.

Jungkook didn’t recognise those things as something big or important enough to start suspecting Taehyung’s true intentions but if Seokjin knew about them, then he would understand it all very easily.

“So that was it? You guys said yes in a day?”

Jungkook stops biting on his lips and nods his head in a affirmative.

Seokjin hums and looks at Jimin. Both of them smile at each other, all wide grin and happy. Could be just a normal gesture between two people in love or could be that they have finally spotted something they wanted to come out. His nerves increase at the thought that despite his best effort, his desperation to make this marriage happen has probably been noticed but he tries not to let the nervousness show on his face.

Seokjin then turns back to look at them and speaks, “So I get this part. I mean I think I do. But I could gather two things from this. One is this, you both say you were on civil terms before this.” He leans back and crosses his legs, “Then why did I sense that there was some bitterness between you both at the time of this meeting, was it some rivalry thing?”

Taehyung wants to say yes. Wants to distract them away from something he has never really explained to Jungkook. Is scared of what the second thing Seokjin has noticed upto this poin would be.But before he can do any of that, Jungkook foils all his plans to deflect his way through this.

“No it wasn’t rivalry. Like we said we used to be civil around each other. Had spoken with each other a few times. I could even go ahead and say that we might have become friends, but then Taehyung changed suddenly.” Jungkook pointedly looks at him, like he is still angry about the time Taehyung changed his behaviour. He deserves to be angry, doesn’t even know why that happened. But Taehyung always thought he wasn’t important enough for Jungkook to hold grudges against.

Maybe Taehyung is not the only one who has been masking his thoughts all this time, “We were talking and cordial with each other one day and the next he started avoiding me, like won’t even greet me when I say hello to him or be rude when I spoke to him. This just started happening around 2 months before we sat down and talked about getting married. He never told me why. Maybe he should now.”

It feels like Jungkook is now using this opportunity to corner him, to make him speak. He doesn’t want to but now that he has been asked about it straightforwardly, he can’t escape it.

“Uh we- we were just acquaintances and I was okay with that. But we spoke at one of the party, it began just as a casual conversation at first. It was fun talking to him. It was all actually a big coincidence but yes I thought we could be—” No not lovers, they couldn’t be that. He can’t say this in front of them,       “We could be friends maybe, we didn’t get a chance to talk much after that for a few weeks and—”.  Then we had a night I thought was magical but didn’t mean anything to him, he was drunk and forgot about it maybe. And I was hurt, so so hurt and-  “And I- well somebody told me that Jungkook has said something terrible about me, and I was just hurt because I really thought we were becoming friends, so yeah. I later realised it was stupid to believe some gossip and when my parents tried to set me up with him, I obviously agreed. I thought Jungkook was probably the nicest Chaebol I have met in recent times so if I had to marry anybody, he was the best option.”

Jungkook was now again looking downwards, his hands in a tight grip. Like he was trying to hold himself back. “Who said that? That I said something about you?”He turns to look at Taehyung,and oh,he looks furious, “Who was it huh? Was it Sana?”

Jungkook has always had some sort of hate for Sana, hates whenever She talks to Taehyung. He doesn’t understand the reason for it. Could be some old rivalry thing they have because the dislike seems mutual.

“Uh no it wasn’t. It was somebody else. I don’t speak to that person anymore, forget about it.”

He can hear Jungkook scoff and mutter a quiet Easy for you to say.

Before he can reply, Seokjin speaks again. “Yeah well this was the other thing I noticed, the meeting you told me about doesn’t seem to be the first time you properly talked.I want to know about the actual first time you spoke more than just acquaintances. If you don’t mind then please..”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook to talk about it, doesn’t wish to remember that night again even though he never forgets. Could never forget it.Thinks about it all the time. But Jungkook still looks irritated and pointedly glances at him to describe it all.  So he does. Has to tell about the night that changed it all, the night that made Taehyung go against all his rationality and make him do all of this. He takes a deep breath, leans back and starts.

~~                                

Taehyung wouldn’t call it Love at first sight. This wasn’t the first time he saw Jungkook after all, had seen him around basically all his life. Even spoken with him a few times. But it all never crossed the boundary of small talk, they never became  anything more than friend of a friend. He won’t lie and say he never wanted it to be more, that he didn’t have any interest in Jungkook. Ofcourse he had eyes, ofcourse he knew Jungkook was hot. Hotter than most of the already too attractive people in their circle, and that he was incredibly sexy.He obviously knew that, had at times even thought of pursuing this thought, this tiny crush he seemed to harbour for the younger but always decided against it.

Jungkook was what Taehyung would call a playboy, he liked people hovering around him, trying to woo him. Never really dated anybody, just liked people chasing him around. And Taehyung had no plans of ever being one of the crowd Jungkook had following him around.

So he kept his distance. Didn’t want to be friends with him though he could be easily only if he wanted to- both of their best friends Yoongi and Hoseok were close. But he didn’t want to get closer, feared that if he did then this tiny crush might grow into something more, something deeper. So he didn’t.

Life didn’t have the same plan for him apparently, for here he was standing in front of Jungkook’s house dropping him off after being with him for almost five hours now. Five hours of which every second Taehyung loved. Laughed more than he knew he could, spoke more than he ever had with anyone. He knew this night wouldbe a turning point for him. Didn’t know how much he would come to love but also despise this one night.

He was at Jung Hoseok’s party, he knew him but barely. Didn’t want to come out tonight, had a very busy past few weeks with the new project they were working on along with the multiple people his parents had been trying to set him up with. He didn’t want to get married, not now and especially not in arranged marriage setup. He wasn’t a romantic or waiting for his one true love. But whenever his parents introduced somebody to him, Taehyung instantly lost interest in the other person which he might have otherwise had. But he had to go on dates with these people and gently let them down, say no to his parents again.

He knew he would have to say yes soon enough, his parents were getting tired and this wasn’t so bad either- most of the people he knew had been set up like this with their spouse. But Taehyung hoped he would find someone he would have some semblance of romantic interest in. It wasn’t much to hope in a normal world, but in their world it was.

So coming out today was the last of his thoughts, but he had to when Yoongi wouldn’t stop pestering him. He had declined the invitation to Namjoon’s party a few weeks back, and also chose to stay at home the night of Park Jimin’s party, so tonight he had to finally agree to come.

He had been here an hour and was done with his quota of socialising for the day and was thinking of bailing out soon when Jungkook came to him .

Jungkook looked radiant, he always did. Him in his chic casual business attire, and a face which was beautiful, always so beautiful. But there was something different about him today, something that looked like nerves. Jungkook usually looked confident, more towards being cocky but never nervous. On seeing him standing there alone Jungkook comes near him, “Hello Taehyung-ssi. It’s been a long time since I saw you at any of these parties last. Didn’t expect you’d be here tonight.”

Taehyung smiles and does a cordial nod towards him, “Jungkook-ssi it’s always a pleasure to see you at these parties. Some personal engagements have kept me a bit busy. How are you?”

Jungkook puts his hands in his pockets, can’t seem to stand still- perhaps a nervous habit, why he should be having any nerves right now Taehyung can’t understand, “I’m good.   Ah I know the personal engagement you are talking about. Word is out that your parents want you to settle down. Any progress yet Mr. Kim?”

He chuckles at this, if going out with atleast two people in a week and making excuses to pacify his parents could be considered as progress, then sure he was. “No, nothing yet. Parents are trying to set me up but well nothing’s working out yet. Hopefully it does soon, they are getting pretty impatient.”

Jungkook poked a tongue in his cheek, “Yeah and why is that? Waiting for someone special? Need any help?”

Taehyung snorts, “Yeah sure. You do know a lot of people. You can find me a good match.”

Jungkook looks around, seems to think for a second and for the first time ever Taehyung sees his mask drop, finds a sincerity he has never seen in Jungkook’s eyes before, “You’d do that? Trust me to make a good choice for you?”

He doesn’t know what to say, why Jungkook is being so serious suddenly so he looks away, “Yeah I mean why not. Got any suggestions?”

Jungkook takes his hands out of his pockets, looks at the older for a second, plays with his hands now. Suddenly seems more nervous than he already was, “Taehyung um..Taehyung I-“

This is the first time Jungkook has dropped the honorifics, never directly called him Taehyung before this, so he knows this must be important.

Important enough for Jungkook to show a little vulnerability, so he wants to know this. But before he can a hand slides up his arm and Jungkook seems to suddenly pause at the intrusion by this third person. Taehyung looks at the side to see that Sana has slided to his side, “Hey Tae where have you been. Have been looking for you since a while.” She turns to Jungkook who still stands with his hands nervously playing, “Hello Jungkook. Can I please steal Taehyung away for a minute? If you don’t mind?”

He looks at Jungkook, beautiful and radiant Jungkook who could have been talking to anybody else in the party right now but is here, speaking to him. Wants to say something important, seems to be nervous about it. Taehyung doesn’t know how many other similar opportunities he would get to see Jungkook like this but he can guess it won’t be many. He can talk to Sana some other time. She is a friend, she would understand.

“ Uh Sana I will find you in some time.” He pulls away from her hand which is holding his arm, “Let me talk to him first. It seems important. Right Jungkook?”

He too drops the honorific and Jungkook passes him a sweet smile at that. Seems to get a little shy, gains a colour in his face. Sana looks disappointed but is about to leave when Jungkook stops her, “Actually Taehyung I will talk to you later. You can go with her for now. I will see you around.”

And before Taehyung can stop him, can ask him what was he going to talk about Jungkook turns and abruptly leaves.

Probably for the best, Taehyung doesn’t understand this sudden urge he has, to talk to Jungkook more, to see him be so casual and natural with him but it’s not what he should feel probably. So he too turns around and goes with Sana to people she wants to introduce him to.

The night doesn’t end there. He chats up with the people Sana wanted to introduce him to, some family of hers from Japan, and then later slips off to try to leave the party. A part of him wants to stay, to find Jungkook and ask him what he was meaning to say before they were interrupted. But he doesn’t want to come off as too desperate, has done well to hide his stupid crush until this point.. so he is about to leave. But a phone call stops him. It’s Yoongi who is calling him. Taehyung had already met him at the start of the party, doesn’t know why Yoongi would be calling him now.

When he picks up the call, he hears some voices muttering but can’t makeout what is being said. He is about to hang the phone when it seems like it was just probably a butt dial or something, but Yoongi finally speaks.

“Oh hey Taehyung-Ah. Uh where-where are you?”

“Uh- at the party you invited me to. Hyung, what’s wrong?”

Yoongi chuckles and speaks, “Oh nothing. So you haven’t left the party already, that’s good. Good-“

“Hyung do you have something to say? Because I was just about to leave.”

He could get a whiplash if Yoongi was actually talking to him face to face considering the speed Yoongi actually replies to him, “No don’t leave Tae. Um- I have- it’s nothing, I just want you to meet some people here, it’s important . Can you come here?”

He sighs, hating that there is still more socialising to do, “Sure Hyung. Where are you?”

“Oh good. Where-Uh-“ He hears some shuffling from the phone and then Yoongi’s loud voice yelling Hobi where do I call him! ,followed by some more shuffling and what sounds like Hoseok replying to him, “Oh Tae, sorry I don’t know the layout very well- so you know. Anyway, yeah you can come to the basement- there’s this den where Hoseok chills. Yeah go there please. Thanks.”

He is just about to ask that why is he being invited to Hoseok’s private place to hangout but Yoongi hangs up before he can ask any questions. With no other option he asks a nearby butler to directions for the basement and goes there.

When he reaches there he finds the den full of all sort of what looks like arcade games and play station setup but no person in sight. So this was probably some stupid prank Yoongi was trying to play on him.

He still decides to venture further to just ensure that he is not missing some room or place that Yoongi probably forgot to mention when he spots him.

Jungkook is sitting there, playing what looks like a new playstation game- looking radiant, still oh so radiant in even the dim light falling on his face from the game. He has his eyebrows furrowed and tongue peeking out from his lips in concentration.

He looks hot- so hot always with his tattoos visible outside from where he had folded the sleeves of his shirt. But also has a boyish charm- with the whole pout on his face and eyes narrowed, making him look more like a petulant & spoiled child more than anything else.

Taehyung almost doesn’t want to disturb him- wants to observe him just like this. In all his natural state and no pretentiousness marring his features and habits but knows that it’s just his luck that he somehow managed to find Jungkook here alone, can now talk to him without being interrupted. Tried to ignore this feeling that he wants more- but now that he has gotten a chance to talk more, know more- he doesn’t want to let this one go.

“You’re playing FIFA? I thought you’d be a more Call of duty kind of person.”

Jungkook jumps at his voice and pauses the game before turning around, “God you scared me. Don’t sneak up on people in dark basements please.”

Taehyung chuckles and comes to sit in front of him, “I’m sorry. But in my defence, you didn’t seem like one to be startled so easily. Also, you should have switched the lights on if you don’t like dark.”

Jungkook squints his eyes at him, “What is this prejudice in your mind you have about me being a daredevil or something that I can’t be startled or that Call of duty suits my image more?”

“Ah no- no prejudice. But you know- you just seem like a fighter. My bad, I love Other games more than it too.”

Jungkook leaves his remote on the table in front of him, “Really? You play games? Didn’t know that the cold hardworking CEO had time to play video games.”

Taehyung snorts, “Now who is the one with prejudices? You are a CEO too, also hardworking, you can do this and I can’t?”

Jungkook looks sheepish at this, “No no, I was just surprised. Pleasantly so. Most of the people in our circle are all work and no play, I’m sorry for assuming you’d be like that too.”

Taehyung smiles at him- wants to calm the nerves that have again started to appear in Jungkook’s expressions, “No it’s okay Jungkook-ssi. I get that. If anything I should be surprised to find you playing games here.”

“Just Jungkook. I think we should-um we can drop the formalities,” Jungkook then looks up at him with confusion on his face, “And surprised how? I haven’t really hidden this side of me.Always post a lot about these games and attending comic cons-  and you know other stuff which makes me possibly a certified nerd.Why would you be surprised?”

Taehyung scratches the back of his neck, “I don’t really keep up with social media. But yeah I know you love these things,” But definitely can’t really tell you that I know this because I always want to know more about you- seem to absorb any information that I have ever heard about you- “And I meant surprised in the way that you- centre of attention at any party are here- hiding out in the basement and playing games at one. Didn’t expect to find you here of all places.”

“Were you?”Jungkook looks at him with a naughty glint in his eye, “Trying to find me?”

“W-what? Um no,” he splutters, “Not that I didn’t want to find you after the conversation we had before,but I just came here looking for Yoongi.”

Jungkook laughs and scrunches his nose in the cute way that he almost looks like a rabbit. Cute , his mind supplies. “It’s okay Taehyung. I was just kidding.” He then looks around at the den, “And yeah I like to hide out at parties sometimes. I do love them but sometimes it just gets too much. There’s no option but to hide away”

Taehyung hums, understands this feeling very well. Wants to avoid coming at these parties altogether if he could. “I get that. I hate these parties too.”

“Nobody could hate parties as much as you do Taehyung.” Jungkook snorts, “I barely see you at any.”

“Do you? Want to see me?” He teases Jungkook the way he was earlier. Doesn’t admit to himself that he wants to know. Understands that there would be no reason for Jungkook to do so when he sees his eyes become bigger than their usual doe size, when he sees Jungkook open and close his mouth multiple times in confusion of what to say. So he chuckles, loud and free, “I’m just messing with you Jungkook, just like you were. So who are you hiding from today? You seem to be especially popular with all the ladies, Mrs. Song can’t stop raving about you all the time.”

“Well she is atleast better than most of them who can’t stop flirting with me or trying to have an extramarital affair with me even when I have told them that I’m gay multiple times.”

Taehyung snorts, “She is better? The only reason she probably doesn’t flirt with you is because of the almost incestuous affair she is having.”

“What?”

“What? You do know that she atleast harbours some romantic feelings towards her very distant but still cousin Mina right?”He looks at Jungkook whose eyes have widened in genuine shock, “You didn’t know?”

Jungkook mockingly gasps, “What the hell? Really?”He then straightens his expressions back to normal, “Ofcourse I didn’t know Taehyung. How do you know about this? You don’t seem like the person who gossips.”

Taehyung looks down in embarrassment, “No I don’t but you obviously get to hear all this stuff at parties. Also the fact that she keeps on raving about how beautiful her cousin is or how she gets jealous anytime anyone tries to flirt with her cousin is weird enough to be suspicious,” He looks up to see Jungkook is looking at him with squinted eyes, “Seriously I don’t know how you never noticed these considering you attend these parties and talk to these people more than me.”

Jungkook gets up to walk to nearby refrigerator, “Well that’s because I don’t ever listen to what they are saying. I just ignore them,” He opens the fridge and looks through, “Want something to drink? There’s some beer and Uh- juice, water & soda if you want?”

“Um just water would be fine.” Jungkook nods and goes back to looking through the fridge, “No but honestly if you don’t listen to them, how can you talk to them? I mean I have seen you- not like you know really paid attention or anything- just um.. just normal observation, but you are pretty good at the socialising thing. How can you do that when you ignore what they are saying?”

Jungkook laughs and shakes his head. He drops back beside Taehyung and throws a water bottle at him, “I wouldn’t mind you know.” He looks up directly into Taehyung’s eyes, “Wouldn’t mind if you really paid attention to me. Should I tell you a secret?”

Only if Jungkook really knew how much attention Taehyung paid to him, that Taehyung has seen his lovely smiles and laughs too many times- wished internally too many times that he could be the reason of those. Had become so used to his eyes diverting to Jungkook every time he was in the room, that Taehyung had to stop himself(with a lot of effort) so that he doesn’t start behaving like some stalker. “Yeah sure.”

Jungkook opens his juice bottle, “Mostly I just smile and nod when people are talking at these parties, and then sprinkle in some compliments for them in between conversation.They usually don’t care enough to notice that I’m not listening when they are busy being flattered by all the compliments I give.”He takes a sip from the bottle, “There- now you know how I’m so good at it. You’re welcome by the way. So that you don’t actually pop a vein the next time you have to talk to them.I have seen you too, you know- just casually obviously.” He finishes with a teasing tone.

“I don’t really want to flirt with people for social obligations.” Taehyung rolls his eyes.

Jungkook parts his mouth in ‘o’, “So you flirt with intention then?” He then laughs loudly, “I’m kidding again obviously. Don’t pop a vein on me Mr. Kim. And no I don’t flirt with them. I just charm them to stop trying to gossip around me.”

Taehyung opens his bottle to drink some water. Feels his throat has become dry with the nervousness and the excitement that he is finally talking to Jungkook, not some half hearted small talk but actual talking. “So you’re a charmer huh? Why am I not surprised?”

Jungkook smirks at him, still looks cute giving this look, “Maybe because you are already charmed by me?”

Taehyung stops drinking his water and chuckles, “I’m not charmed with flattery and fake compliments. I hear enough of those.I’m not that easy Mr. Jeon.”

Jungkook looks at him for a few seconds, like really looks at him and then mutters a quiet I like difficult but with how attuned Taehyung is to everything Jungkook right now, he hears it. Doesn’t want to assume, to hope but at this point it becomes clear that Jungkook is flirting with him. Has been trying to flirt all this while maybe with all his teasing and ‘just kidding’ marks.

He wants to tell Jungkook that he doesn’t really need to try to flatter him, to charm him because he already is- Taehyung is already charmed with him. Can’t get enough of the way Jungkook’s eyes seem to glitter, like they hold all the galaxies within. Likes how he oozes honesty despite trying to be fake. Loves the small and inconspicuous dimple that appears sometime on his face. There’s no need for Jungkook to ever try- Taehyung can already feel his tiny crush converting to this big boulder of feelings he is sure would crush him. Doesn’t want to stop though. Not now when Jungkook had given him this tiny hope that the interest might be mutual.

A loud ring breaks Taehyung from his thoughts.

Jungkook looks down at his phone which is ringing and his mood shifts like he was poured with ice cold water. A look of extreme discomfort comes on his face and he starts biting his lip. After Jungkook has rejected the call for second time, Taehyung finally asks him, “Is everything okay Jungkook?”

Jungkook looks up at him with nervousness , not like the pervious times during the night when it just seemed pure nerves, it seems like he is genuinely uncomfortable right now. “Uh- yes I’m good. I just think I should go.”

“Yeah sure.” He nods quickly and tries to curb the look of disappointment away from his face at their conversation being cut short or that Jungkook might be trying to go away from him, but something must show on his face because Jungkook immediately goes into explanation, “It’s not that I don’t want to talk more. Infact I have been looking forward to having an opportunity where we could actually sit & talk.” And then the nerves are back, the lip biting and the fiddling with his hands, “It’s just that I’m avoiding meeting somebody and they are calling. I think they might come here next. So..”

Taehyung shakes his head and gets up from the couch, “It’s okay Jungkook, you don’t have to explain. I loved talking to you and I’m sure we will have more opportunities like this- I’m sure this is not some rare chance we got,”

Jungkook nods at that and gets up to leave. They both walk quietly upstairs and Taehyung walks Jungkook to his car. They smile at each other and say goodbye. Taehyung turns to leave and has walked only few steps when Jungkook calls him from behind, “Taehyung- Tae hey wait.”

He looks back to see Jungkook coming towards him, “Sorry. I just- I think I dropped my keys somewhere. I would call a chauffeur, but since you’re here- Uh would you mind dropping me home. Please?”

Taehyung can’t stop a grin from breaking out on his face, glad that he gets some more time with Jungkook, “Sure Jungkook. Come on then.”

Jungkook beams-all scrunched nose, squinted eyes and bunny teeth. Taehyung is scared of the things he would do to see this smile again, scared that even though this is the first time ever they are talking- Taehyung knows that he can fall in love with this adorable person. Is afraid that there might already a part of him which already kind of is.

He can feel Jungkook’s eyes on him for the past five mins. After sitting in his car and Jungkook passing some teasing comments about how he had expected Taehyung to be driving some boring old car, they both have been fairly silent through the drive. He finally looks at Jungkook and asks, “What is it? You can say it instead of drilling holes at the side of my face.”

Jungkook glares at him, “Well you have a good side profile.And Uh,” He clear his throat, “Uh I wasn’t staring. I was just you know- observing. You can ask by the way, the reason why I wanted to leave suddenly.”

Taehyung looks at him and raises his eyebrow, “I already asked you in the beginning about who were you hoping to avoid. Thought you didn’t want to answer that so I didn’t ask again.”

Jungkook looks at the side then, “That was the beginning of our conversation. It’s different now.”

The statement settles something in Taehyung’s heart, is happy that Jungkook too acknowledges that things have changed in the past hours. They have been more honest and true with each other than with anyone else possibly at this party. That despite it only being a few hours together, there is some connection forming between them. A connection Taehyung hopes would become more. “Would you tell me now? Who were you trying to run from?”

Jungkook sighs and turns back to look at him, “Uh my friend- actually used to be friend Eunwoo. He has been trying to take me out on a date. Even my parents think it would be a good match. I have said no um, but it seems like he just doesn’t get it.” He fiddles with his sleeves then, “So I just try to avoid the uncomfortable situation and hide away until he leaves. He is not bad, but all the flirting and pining just makes it awkward. I hate awkward.”

Taehyung nods and takes away one hand from the steering wheel to pat Jungkook’s arm slightly for a few seconds, “I think you should tell that to him and also your parents. I’m sure they won’t force you.”

Jungkook huffs, “It’s not that they will force me but they just think there’s no harm in trying atleast. They believe you can just develop feelings for someone if you try enough. And Eunwoo and I have been family friends for too along, we get along well. They just want me to try.”

“And you don’t? There’s nothing wrong in going out once, you can obviously say no if you don’t want to continue further.”

Jungkook sighs, “I know that. But I just know there will be no point to it. I don’t see him that way, and I know I never will. It just doesn’t work like that for me. I don’t want to go out like this.”

“Why? Waiting for someone special?” He teases Jungkook referring to when he was asked about the dates he had been going on.

But instead of the chuckle or eye roll he was expecting from Jungkook he gets a piercing gaze from him. They make eye contact for a few second before Taehyung looks back at the front. Jungkook speaks a quiet, “Maybe I am” and then they are quiet again.

After a few mins Jungkook groans loudly, “I’m really hungry. I couldn’t even eat because of hiding stupidly.”

Taehyung grips his steering tightly and clears his throat before talking, “Do you- Uh Do you want to get something to eat?” He tries to make his voice come out as non chalant as possible, “We can go to a restaurant if you want? Or I think some fast food joints would be open at this time for drive thru?”

Jungkook pouts while thinking, “Actually you know what lets go to Han river. The night market food there is the best. If you don’t mind, please?”

Taehyung wants to say that Jungkook doesn’t need to say please. Also wants to say that he hasn’t been at that place in years, not since early years of his college. Wants to say it’s stupid for people like them to go to place like that when they might get spotted, but he doesn’t.

He just smiles and nods to Jungkook’s request. He can see Jungkook’s face beaming in the way Taehyung has been seeing only tonight up close. Even if them going there wasn’t something Taehyung had wanted or planned. Even if Taehyung is tired and wants to sleep his exhaustion off but here he is, going along with Jungkook’s whims late at night making him more tired. He doesn’t mind. It’s all he has wanted after all.

And when he sees the same happiness and excitement in Jungkook eyes, nothing else really matters anymore. He hopes he can see more of this, the shy smiles and flustered giggles.  The cute pout and adorable lisp. The stars in Jungkook’s eyes. They all make the exhaustion Taehyung can feel in his bones worth it.

Jungkook makes it all worth it.

It is a fun night. Probably the most fun Taehyung has had in recent times, probably the most fun Taehyung has had with anyone outside of his close friend group-which doesn’t really include a lot of people. They eat. A lot. And chat. A lot. It comes as a surprise but most of their food choices are fairly same, Jungkook eats with him like they are two close friends out together, without the mask of any pretentiousness slipping in his habits. It’s all so real, so fresh. Something Taehyung hasn’t experienced in a long time.

They spend around two hours eating around at food carts, looking around stalls and chatting. They get pestered by a street vendor and they have to give in and buy something finally. Taehyung grabs a key chain for himself and buys a bracelet for Jungkook. A bracelet with Jungkook’s birthstone in it. He knows that Jungkook might not even notice the detail, but it just gives him some form of happiness on buying a good thing for Jungkook. He might never use it, probably wouldn’t even keep it. But just this- the thought that Taehyung was able to gift him something- no matter how worthless it might be, is enough.

The market is beautiful at night. It always is. But Jungkook is even more beautiful. Always is the most beautiful thing in any room. Taehyung had until today thought that it was just the fancy lighting at the parties which made Jungkook glow, but this evening has proven to him that Jungkook is always radiant. Whether it be the faint light of a video game in a dingy basement or the fairy lights at the night market. Jungkook shines brighter than everything else. It’s not just his face, it’s everything him. He walks with a spring in his step, seems like an excited rabbit. His eyes get wider than they already are when looking up at sorroundings in fascination even when he insists that he comes here regularly. His pout and loud approval of food he likes with these cute little sounds. The way he scrunches his eyebrows when he loves the taste of something. It’s all of this that just makes Jungkook stand out from all of his sorroundings, no matter where he is.

They left out their fancy blazers when they stepped out of the car. Like this they almost look the ordinary people in the market, not like some chaebols. But Taehyung still noticed how Jungkook still gained attention of so many people, doesn’t need a family name or fancy clothes to show how special he actually is- he just is. And Taehyung understands why people can’t keep themselves from blatantly staring at Jungkook- he, himself cannot stop his eyes from drifting to Jungkook’s face, his smile, his eyes every second. Has to stop himself from just outright staring at him altogether but it’s so difficult with the way Taehyung can’t stop himself from noticing everything about Jungkook.

Knows a part of him wants to etch this day, this memory forever in his mind fearing that he might not get a chance again. Already fears that this has all been just his imagination, a dream maybe- especially with the way His mind has probably conjured up Jungkook to be this perfect, perfect person in just a span of hours. Has to be right? How can a person be just so- so everything Taehyung has ever wanted in somebody. Just the perfect human, in every way he had imagined. But then he knows he could never make up something like this- his imagination isn’t that good. Even he couldn’t dream up a person as perfect as Jungkook.

Maybe there was a reason after all that he couldn’t get above his infatuation with Jungkook, even when looking and observing from afar- Taehyung couldn’t ever stop trying to notice him. Couldn’t stop his mind from drifting to think about Jungkook and what they could be if Taehyung had some courage, at random times. So now when he has got to see it so up close, his heart obviously wants more.

But Jungkook isn’t is. Might never be his. From what Taehyung could gather, Jungkook isn’t really interested in settling down right now- might not probably for the near future. Turning down arranged dates and hiding away from them, is probably just treating Taehyung as the distraction for the night to get away. Might be waiting to find a special someone if what he mumbled during their car ride is true. Has a childhood friend who maybe wants to turn to lover.  

So it might just be the most stupid thing for Taehyung to hope that there might be something between them. That this is not just a hangout but an actual date.

Yet He can’t stop himself from having hope. Because the fact that Jungkook is here, with him right now, obviously might mean something.

So even if there might not be a chance, Taehyung still hopes. Can’t stop himself.

They are done with all the eating and are strolling around Han river. Taehyung doesn’t want this night to end, but knows it has too. It’s already too late. He doesn’t have work tomorrow but his body is screaming at him to get some rest. But he lingers. Wants to extend this just a little bit more. Maybe Jungkook wants the same because he suggests getting hot choclate by the river before leaving.

“So tell me something interesting about you?”

He snorts, “There’s nothing really interesting about me Jungkook. As you have correctly said several times tonight, I’m just a plain boring workaholic CEO.”

Jungkook narrows his eyes at him and leans sideways at the railing, “I don’t believe you Taehyung. A plain boring CEO who works more than necessary on weekdays but still volunteers at the orphanage and art centre on weekends seems pretty interesting to me.”

He chuckes, “It just goes on to show how boring me and my life is that I spend my weekends like that,” He takes a sip of his hot chocolate, “I’m not interesting.Though it does look like you are interested.” He teases.

Jungkook splutters in indignation, “No- I, I just- it’s common knowledge about you. It’s been published in newspapers multiples times- the cold but generous Kim Taehyung,”He then goes on to make direct eye contact with Taehyung, “Also I do listen to gossips at parties sometimes.Especially if it’s about something I’m interested in.” He leaves it at that, doesn’t explicitly say that it’s Taehyung he is interested in, and if he is then why. Just leaves it at that vague point.

“I like spending time with kids. Or dogs too for that matter. I love going to animal shelter too on weekends,” He holds the drink in both his hands to warm them from the heat of the cup, “It’s much more enjoyable than being with people who are most of the time fake. I don’t have as many friends as you Jungkook.”

Jungkook spins around and nods his head towards the direction of parking, “I get that. Dogs over people any time. Come let’s go before it gets even more cold.” He waits for Taehyung to walk along him, “It’s surprising you know. That we have been in the same circle but this is the first time we are actually hanging out.”

Taehyung throws his empty cup in the nearby trash can, “It is. But then again is it? I barely want to socialise outside of it being a compulsion.”

“Yeah I would know.”

He looks at Jungkook with question, “What do you mean?”

Jungkook sighs, “Nothing it’s just that I’ve tried you know,”When he finds the puzzled expression still on Taehyung’s face he continues, “I mean I’ve tried to be friends with you or whatever. But you never come to any of the plans our friends make.”

Taehyung chuckles, “I’m sorry I didn’t know. Most of the time their hangouts are just nights full of booze and weed, so yeah” He smiles at Jungkook then, “We can be friends, sure.” Doesn’t say that he hopes that they can be more than that. Friend is not the thing he wants Jungkook to be.

“Really?”

He nods, “I mean you have always been friend of a friend. But after tonight we can consider it as start of a friendship if you want.”

Jungkook beams again, glows more than he had been the whole night. “Yeah, yeah I’d like that.”

The drive to Jungkook’s address this time isn’t quiet. Despite how much Taehyung had expected it to, their conversation hasn’t dulled down. Infact they have consistently been talking about anything and everything they could find.

Unsurprisingly Taehyung has been having a lot of fun, smiling and laughing loudly. But surprisingly, the happiness is mutual. Jungkook seems to enjoy his company too, laughing along to everything Taehyung might say. They have talked about only the superficial parts of their life ofcourse, not venturing into any deep conversation on the first day of the beginning of this new friendship. But it’s the best night Taehyung has ever had in his life.

When he is dropping Jungkook to his house, he notices it’s been five hours since they left Hoseok’s house. Five hours which barely seemed like minutes with how seamlessly they passed but also simultaneously feel like forever with how much they both have grown closer in these five hours. It’s everything Taehyung had ever hoped for with Jungkook. He wants more, hopes for more. But even if this is all he would end up having with Jungkook, he’d be okay with that too.

He gets out of the car to say goodbye to Jungkook. “Bye Jungkook. I had fun tonight. Thanks for being great company.”

He notices Jungkook blush a little, “Goodnight Taehyung. Don’t be a stranger.”

He smiles and nods, “I won’t. Goodnight Jungkook.”

He turns around to go back to the car when a hand holds his arm and stops him. He turns his head slightly to find Jungkook holding him, “I mean it Taehyung. Don’t be a stranger. Not after tonight.”

He spins and notices that Jungkook loosens his hold but still doesn’t drop his arm. Instead Jungkook holds Taehyung’s wrist with a gentle touch and looks in his eyes with the same vulnerability that Taehyung had seen in the beginning of the evening. “I won’t Jungkook. I promise.”

Jungkook hums a little and mumbles, “I know you don’t like being with people. But I really had fun tonight. So you know-“

When Taehyung can’t see this helpless look on Jungkook’s face anymore, doesn’t know why it hurts him to see Jungkook like this. Can’t even understand why Jungkook is being like this with him but just knows that he wants to see Jungkook smile again,doesn’t like the way the stars in Jungkook’s eyes seemed to have dimmed-wants to see the shining galaxy back again.

So just when Jungkook is about to drop his wrist, Taehyung turns his hand to hold Jungkook’s properly instead. Jungkook looks up at him with widened eyes but doesn’t retract his hand back, “Jungkook I loved each second of tonight. We’ll talk again. I swear.”

Jungkook nods and smiles at him. Taehyung drops his hold on Jungkook’s hand and smiles back. He has this urge to hold him, kiss him but fears that this was enough for tonight. What he wants with Jungkook is anyway more than just a one night stand, has to start the right way. And to leave right now is the right way.

But he lets himself give in to his heart a little bit, drags his knuckles across Jungkook’s cheeks who closes his eyes at the contact. Seems so perfect and pliant just for Taehyung that he wishes to kiss him right here. Tries to hold the thought back for now.

Jungkook holds Taehyung’s hand on his cheek and keeps it there. Almost breaths into it. And like a puppet, Taehyung is pulled forward. Leans into Jungkook’s space. Only a breath distance between them. Their mouths.Is almost about to give in to the urge to kiss the lips he has been thinking about since a past few hours when a phone call breaks him out of the spell.

“Goodnight Jungkook. I’ll see you soon. You should take that call” He says and steps back from him.

Jungkook opens his eyes at the loss of contact. Seems to take a few seconds to come out of a daze and looks at his phone, “Oh it’s just Jimin. Probably just wants to know if I’m home safely or not,” He then gives a shy smile, “Goodnight Tae. I’ll hold you to your promise.”

The drive back home is filled with happy thoughts. Thoughts of how Jungkook is the perfect one, how Taehyung had been stupidly going on dates with random people when the one for him has been right in front of his eyes. Thoughts of how he is going to put in all his effort now, stop being scared and finally try to woo Jungkook. Maybe there’s a chance for him after all.

He knows it will be sometime before he can do this. There are a lot of logistics to think before he dives head first into this.

He is leaving for an important project to Japan for two months,will be back only for a day or two for Yoongi & Namjoon’s wedding. Will only be able to take Jungkook on a date after two months. Maybe he should explain to Jungkook the intensity of his feelings, that he only needs some time before he can properly give himself to this. But it would be stupid to think that Jungkook might just sit around and wait for him to return, or There’s obviously a possibility that Jungkook might get scared of his feelings. Whatever it is, he knows he can overcome this. Especially now that he has spent this day with Jungkook and seen that the interest might be mutual. He knows all will go well now. He hopes everything does.

~~

It’s silent after that. He wanted to skip out parts of the memory of that day but Jungkook had kept on interrupting or making some weird noises which honestly sounded like hissing to Taehyung’s ears, so he had no option but to tell everything that happened on that fateful day.

Seokjin sighs and finally looks up at them, “So? What happened then?” He looks at Jungkook then, “Did you two meet or talk after that? How did this turn into the coldness you had when you met to talk after getting married? How many months later was that?”

Taehyung clears his throat and speaks, “Around four months?”

“And you didn’t speak in between those ever?”

Jungkook snorts and says no to Seokjin’s question. Seokjin groans and looks at Jimin, “Seriously am I the only one who is making a big deal out of this? Does nobody see it? You guys were flirting with each other, you both wanted more from this. Then how? Ugh..”

Jimin holds his hand, “No babe you’re not the only one. There was obviously some tension there. I told Jungkook this. I thought they’d work it out in their married time, but clearly not.”

Jungkook laughs loudly at this, but it’s not the happy one. It’s a bitter and sarcastic laugh and Taehyung hates this one. “And what do you want me to do about it? He decided to ignore me, what could I do?”

“Didn’t ignore you Jungkook. I was busy” He mumbles.

“Yeah on a business trip. For two months. But when you came back, you were all bitter and negative. Only because you heard I said some shit about you which I never did.” Jungkook shrieks at him, “You know what I’m done with this. I don’t have to prove shit to you Seokjin-ssi.”

Taehyung grabs his wrist before he can actually think. Wants this conversation to happen, knows that maybe he should say the truth after all.Maybe Jungkook would forgive him if he knows.

Atleast would pity him enough to remain friends instead of being this angry person he has suddenly become today. Taehyung can’t seem to understand why Jungkook has been holding so much anger about all of this in the first place. “Kook please sit. I think it’s good if we finally talk.”

Jungkook glares at him but sits back on the couch, “You want to talk? How about you start by apologising for the time you were so rude to me when you came back from Japan and then suddenly changed 180 degrees and asked to marry me.”

Taehyung puts his head in his hands and sighs loudly, “I’m sorry Jungkookie. I’ve explicitly told you that I’m deeply apologetic and ashamed for the way I acted back then. I will always be. I had no right to go off on you like that.”

Jungkook nods but the glare doesn’t falter for a second. Seokjin speaks up then, “If you don’t mind me telling about these rude incidents Taehyung. Please.”

“Uh- I was actually in Tokyo for around two months. I left Korea two days after the night I just told you about. We didn’t meet..” he pauses to gather his thoughts, doesn’t want to say that they met for one night in between those two months, a night Jungkook forgot but Taehyung never can, so he has to lie. “We didn’t Uh- meet after that and well as previously talked about, I heard somethings and was hurt. Tried to avoid him but later started being rude whenever I would see him at any social events. And then one day he got angry and said some things, and I lost my temper- said hurtful stuff,” He looks up at Jungkook, “And I will be sorry for that. Forever. That was so wrong and uncalled for, I was just already disturbed and you were not letting me-“ He takes a deep breath and sighs, “I was trying to avoid you and you wouldn’t let me be, so yeah I’m so so sorry Jungkookie. Please.”

~

Taehyung has been avoiding parties since he came back to Seoul after his project, but it seems like it’s just his bad luck that he isn’t able to. And at every single party, Jungkook has been there.

Initially Taehyung had decided to stay away, can take a hint easily when Jungkook didn’t respond to his message. He doesn’t want to come off as desperate. In his heart he might be, but Jungkook doesn’t need to know that. So he stays away, after all-this was what Jungkook had wanted when he didn’t reply to Taehyung’s message one month back. But then it feels like Jungkook is everywhere he goes, and he initially chalks it upto wishful Thinking. Why would Jungkook follow him around of all people?

But then even his friends notice it and point  it out, so he figures Jungkook just might be second guessing his decision. He might not remember the night of Yoongi’s bachelor party- but Jungkook still would remember the night two months before at Hoseok’s ( the night his mind treacherously calls their first date) So maybe Jungkook is interested, maybe he wants this too. Maybe Taehyung can still have this.

But then Jungkook shows up with Eunwoo in his arms at a party, keeps on checking Taehyung to see his reaction. Intentionally is being touchy with Eunwoo while pointedly looking at Taehyung. So he finally understands what is happening. What has been happening. Jungkook is doing all of this to get a rise out of him, is following him around to show off and taunt him.

Spending time with Taehyung, giving him hope and then breaking his heart by going to his arranged match wasn’t enough for Jungkook it seems- he wants to hurt Taehyung even more by being a apathetic brat about it. And that’s when he decides he is done. It hurts his pride. It belittles his feelings. He was okay with being rejected basically, but he is not okay being made a joke of.

So he retaliates sometimes, is intentionally rude to Jungkook a lot of times now. Reciprocates Jungkook’s teasing with taunts and mean glares. It’s become like a game between them, of who would hurt the other more. Taehyung, by being mean & cold to Jungkook after he promised that night to not act as a stranger again. Or Jungkook, after being vulnerable with him- twice, giving him hope- twice (only one that he actually remembers) and later breaking his heart and hopes. Taehyung doesn’t hope anymore. Knows it’s stupid to in their world. Hope has after all always been a terrible, terrible thing. Only ever causing hurt. Only for the pitiful beings and Taehyung is not that. Won’t be reduced to that now.

Tonight is one of those nights again it seems, but tonight he just feels tired of everything. Tired of this game they are playing- no end result in sight and no reason to really play it anymore. The dam breaks when he spots Jungkook wearing the bracelet with His birth stone- the bracelet Taehyung actually gave him, on the hand that is holding Eunwoo’s face as they both are kissing in front of everybody at the party. He can’t stop how he feels acid burn in his chest, wants to divert his eyes away but really can’t look away.

Can’t help but be bitter and lets a comment slip away, “Woah get a room you two.” He doesn’t mean to speak it but when people around them laugh he realises he said it out loud.

Jungkook finally stops eating Eunwoo’s face and looks at him, more like glares actually. “What did you say Taehyung? Do you have a problem?”

People look at them weird, probably were thinking that Taehyung just made a teasing remark and Jungkook is making a big deal out of it. But he knows and Jungkook does too, the intention behind why he said it. He wants to leave before things become a bigger mess than they already are, “We are all eating here. I think you guys have enough time to grind on each other with the amount of time you spend sticking with each other all the time. But looks like Clearly not enough, you seem to be forgetting social etiquette. Excuse me please.” He folds his napkin and stands up from the table, “You can get back to it. I’m sorry for interrupting your very important make out session.,” He looks at the rest of the people at the table and smiles, “My apologies but I have to leave suddenly. It was lovely to see you all here.”

And then he is out of there, walks quick steps to reach outside the villa for today’s charity event. He can hear someone running behind him and calling his name but he doesn’t want to make any more scene. Wants to get to his car as soon as possible but a hand holds him harshly and spins him around. He finds Jungkook panting in front of him, “Have you become deaf along with an asshole now. What the hell is your problem?”

He jerks away form Jungkook’s hold like his hand has been burned, “ I think you’re the one with the problem Mr. Jeon.”

“Oh yeah? And what is it Kim?”

He pokes finger harshly into Jungkook’s chest, “It just seems like you have forgotten all your manners recently. It’s not necessary to hump around your partner at every party Jungkook.”

“And like you have any right to comment on people’s manners, huh?” Jungkook shoves Taehyung away harshly, “You don’t even know how to speak a sentence without being mean to people. And why do you have a problem with me and Eunwoo making out huh? Nobody else has says anything. Or are you jealous?”

He snorts then, “Me? Jealous” He laughs at Jungkook and mockingly pinches his cheek, “Oh so that is the problem huh? Attention from your stupid band of followers isn’t enough for you? That nobody ever says anything to you and here I am telling you that Your highness is wrong somewhere. Is that it?”

Jungkook pushes him away with a lot of  force this time, “Fuck off.”

“Did I hit a nerve huh? Mr. perfect can’t bear that someone criticised him?” He steps forward into Jungkook’s space who keeps stepping backwards, “What? You wanted to know what my problem is right? My problem is you. You can’t take a fucking hint. I want you to stay away, I don’t want to speak to you. But here you are forcing your presence every time. You and your obnoxious partner, I don’t want to see you. I have been clearly disinterested, have been rude to you. But you still don’t get it.” He can see hurt in Jungkook’s eyes but he can’t stop himself, “Are you doing this only because you are a desperate brat or do you have no self respect? How many times do I have to insult you, mock you or publicaly humiliate you for you to finally fuck off from my life huh?  I don’t want you near me, can’t you understand that?”

Tears start pooling in Jungkook’s eyes but they still shine so bright. He has to stop himself to look in them. They have come closer and Jungkook almost raises a hand to his cheek when he speaks,”I thought we were friends Taehyung.”

He shoves Jungkook away and steps back. He yells then, “I don’t want to be your friend. I don’t want to be another one of people you always keep to hover around you. I don’t have the time for this shit, okay?” He points a finger warningly at Jungkook then, “Stay away. I don’t need your shit. Go be desperate for attention somewhere else.”

He finally sees something break in Jungkook’s eyes then, the stars dimming. Jungkook smiles but tears flow from his eyes, “Well fuck off Taehyung. I don’t need you in my life as well. Go be a asshole somewhere else.”

Jungkook walks away from him then, leaving Taehyung alone in this empty parking lot. He unlocks his car and as soon as he sits, he lets the tears flow from his eyes. Knows that he was mean. Always tends to overcompensate. Wanted Jungkook to leave him alone with his pain and rejection but instead ended up hurting him too. Jungkook had only wanted friendship from him, and technically Taehyung should accept that smilingly and be okay. But he can’t. Not when every part of his soul had wanted more than that.

He would apologise one day. Maybe try to be Jungkook’s friend when Taehyung had feelings for someone else. It would be easy then. Wouldn’t hurt him then. But now right now. Right now he need time for himself. Maybe to heal and forget. He calls up Sana and says yes to her vacation plans she has been trying to convince him to say yes to since forever. That’s what he needs right now, two weeks away from Korea and these parties, maybe hooking up with strangers in another continent will make him move on from those doe eyes his heart has been stuck on.

~

He keeps on apologising , for everything and especially that one evening when Taehyung said horrible things to Jungkook. He makes a sincere effort to let Jungkook know of how sorry he is for it and Jungkook finally seems to melt and holds his hand gently, “I get it Taehyung. I’m sorry I was stupid too.”

Taehyung smiles back at him and holds his hand tighter.Jimin snorts loudly, “Well isn’t this just perfect. Only if you could solve everything like this on your own.You wouldn’t even need me.”

Jungkook drops Taehyung’s hand and leans forward on his arms, “What are you talking about Jimin. There isn’t anything to solve.”

While Jimin is fumbling around for words Seokjin stops him and speaks, “Please don’t mind Jimin. What happened with Eunwoo then?”

He looks at Jungkook who seems to be taking some time before replying. Even back then Taehyung never got to know what really happened between them. To him they both had a perfect story.

And not the kind that PR teams formulate during the arranged marriage to actually make it seem like the couple have been in love for years. But the real kind which is rarely seen in their society these days. Two close powerful families with heirs who have been friends since their diaper days finally falling in love with each other in adulthood. It was all too perfect. People had been talking about them as soon as the couple started being seen together.

But it all soon died down when it became clear that it was over. Nobody knew why, but people had assumptions of a bad breakup or one of them dumping the other. But it didn’t seem like that. Both of them were still friendly, their families were disappointed but still very close. And within a month or two it was heard that Jeon’s were looking for a match for their only son.

And Taehyung who had until now been on thousand such setup dates, and was looking for a chance to be close to Jungkook again- took a chance. He made it all possible that Jungkook would consider being with him. He knew it was stupid but he couldn’t let the chance to be with him go again. Knows he would hurt himself but seeing Jungkook with somebody else had hurt him already-He didn’t need to see it more to know which was worse. Being with Jungkook- even if temporary and even if never truly being together, was still far less painful than watching Jungkook with somebody else.

It was just his luck that Jungkook had agreed. But they never spoke about the whole Eunwoo thing, part of Taehyung hated Eunwoo for being such an important part of the collapse of everything he could have with Jungkook.

   And he couldn’t get it. That it had all been for nothing. If this was how they were going to end up, then they could have done it without the whole Eunwoo thing.

Taehyung understood that Jungkook had to give up and be away from fuckboy chaebols for his parents, but If he had wanted Eunwoo- had himself made that choice over Taehyung then why the fuck was Jungkook getting married like this. Eunwoo is still a part of Jungkook’s life, a very big part. They still hangout almost every fifteen days and Jungkook still can’t stop talking about him- it irks Taehyung so much. That even when he did get Jungkook, he actually didn’t.

Jungkook finally starts to explain, “Eunwoo was just a friend. He wanted more. Our parents wanted more. Didn’t work out. We are still friends.”

Taehyung wants to chuckle at this. Friends and didn’t work out?  Eunwoo was still in love with Jungkook, he could see. And the way Jungkook has been indulging him back, he might feel the same. Probably both of them have been waiting for Taehyng signing the divorce papers before confessing to each other and flying off into the rainbows. But he shouldn’t care now. It doesn’t concern him anymore. So he doesn’t comment on anything.

Seokjin nods and chews on his lip, “I get that you both had issues back then. But what about after being married? None of you ever tried to make this arrangement more than a deal? None of you wanted to? Go back to the way things were on the night you spend so much time together?”

Taehyung had ofcourse wanted to, has wanted more. But Jungkook hadn’t. He was busy in other things and people all the time. So Taehyung quickly realised that there was no use in keep on putting efforts.

But none of them speaks anything which is an answer enough for Seokjin.

“Seriously you both? Nothing at all? After the chemistry between you both the first time you talked? I just find it so peculiar that you guys maintained only a cordial friendly thing between you despite the fact that it’s clear you guys wanted, still want more.”

Taehyung snaps his head up at that.  Seokjin is just plainly lying right now. Taehyung had wanted more but Jungkook didn’t. It just seems like Seokjin wants to aggravate him, make him speak. But he won’t. So he denies it quickly. “With due respect Seokjin-ssi, but that is absolute rubbish. We have never wanted anything more. There has never been any chemistry .”

But then Jungkook gets up and laughs mockingly at him, “Stop lying Taehyung. And stop speaking for the both of us.”

Taehyung is puzzled at his reaction, “I’m not the one making up lies Jungkook. I’m just telling him the reality.”

Jungkook snorts and laughs bitterly, “No you are the one who is lying. Maybe you didn’t feel any chemistry. But there was,” He can see Jungkook’s face getting red now, is having difficulty saying what he wants. “There was and still is there, has always been. Even when we weren’t close at all, we still had chemistry. And maybe talk about yourself, because you sure didn’t want more- doesn’t mean the same for me.”

Taehyung is too stunned to speak a word. He doesn’t get what Jungkook is saying, what he is trying to insinuate. Because it’s not possible. Taehyung had buried all hopes of this ever being possible. Seokjin gets up and give a glass of water to Jungkook and makes him sit back down. Jimin too comes to console him. Taehyung is sitting there just staring and so so confused about why Jungkook is being like this. This isn’t the way he was supposed to react at all this. Why is he almost crying talking about all of this, Taehyung just doesn’t get it.

When Jungkook has calmed back down Seokjin asks, “We can stop if this is getting too much? It’s fine if you want to.”

Jungkook just shakes his head in no, “No this is good. Atleast I can finally let it all out this way, maybe that will help me move on from this.”

Taehyung doesn’t understand what Jungkook even needs help moving on from, but finds that whatever it is Jimin must already know it. And probably Seokjin does too if judging by the sympathetic expressions on both of their faces.

“Sure If that’s what you want.” Seokjin sits back in front of them and starts again after a few minutes? “ So Jungkook you can tell Taehyung about the times you put in efforts to make this arrangement something more?”

Jungkook nods and starts, “I thought that if we spent more time, maybe we could be something more. So I tried to make plans with him, Uh- I would sometimes stay at home instead of going out at weekends, and sometimes he would indulge me and stay with me, but most of the times he didn’t talk or hangout with me much. I tried to make plans on Valentine’s Day with him but he said no. I used to love going to parties, to clubs but that has decreased in the past year because I wanted to stay at home with him more.”

Taehyung can’t stop the chuckle that escapes his mouth then, “You don’t need to make up stuff just to portray yourself as a decent husband. We all know where your priorities have always been.”

“What the fuck. I’m not lying. You can ask any of my friends. Ask Jimin how many times I declined their plans to party” Jungkook says, “Why do you have to be such a jerk?”

“I’m the jerk because I’m not making up stories now? If you were so busy waiting around for me then where were you the night my parents came for dinner?” Taehyung taunts, “Because I sure remember us trying to call you or contact you for three hours continuously without any idea that you were at a strip club with Hoseok. And all this  while my family waited for you-at our home, for the plans that were decided a month in advance. A month in advance Jungkook. Huh, where were you then with your I stopped going to parties and Stayed at home talk back that day?”

“What? What are you talking about Tae?”

He snorts, “Don’t pretend Jungkook. Seokjin- ssi you want to know about his efforts? Let me tell you then. It was my parents anniversary and they wanted to do a family dinner, my sister and her husband were in the country too, so we made plans for it. I informed Jungkook about it a month in advance. And you want to know what he did?” He takes out his phone to pull out the screenshot of a tabloid article, sent to Taehyung by his sister a few months back and shows it to Jungkook, “He told me yes but then went MIA a day before, I thought he’d atleast make it to the dinner, but he didn’t. We were all so worried but then found out Jungkook was out with Hoseok and other friends to strip clubs. We got to know this all through tabloids. He was too drunk to answer any of our calls or texts,” He looks at Jungkook then, “We were worried sick and he was doing this. So Jungkook please stop lying about things. I don’t know what you want to accomplish by doing that.”

Jungkook still is looking at the screenshot with puzzled expressions and starts speaking slowly, “Taehyung this- I’m so sorry. I completely forgot about your family dinner. I swear I didn’t do it intentionally. I would never. You know that right?”

Taehyung can feel his irritation melting away and he lightly caresses Jungkook’s hand, “Jungkook I know. I had figured that you most probably forgot. That is why I never said anything to you about it back then, but please don’t portray things like you were waiting around for me or stopped partying because of me. That never happened Jungkookie.”

Jungkook looks angry now and snatches his hand away, “Don’t baby me. I swear I forgot about the dinner. And Hoseok was going through a tough breakup then, and I just wanted to be there for him. I’m sorry that I acted carelessly. But that was the only time this happened.” He looks at Taehyung with pleading expression, “I did avoid going out mostly just so that I could spend some time with you.”

Jimin agrees with Jungkook too, “Taehyung he is telling the truth. Hoseok was in a terrible place at the time of his breakup, and he wanted to drink and party all the time. Even I was with Jungkook and Hoseok.And he really did stop partying during the past year.”

Taehyung sighs and calms down, “Fine okay but I had no idea he was doing that. I had no idea. I’m sorry if I was ignorant.”

“And what about the time I invited you to go to a club with me but you left me alone there, and the next time you refused to go with me for Valentine’s Day?”

Taehyung remembers that time, Jungkook had taken him to a club where all his friends were partying and obviously he had agreed easily when Jungkook asked. The fact that Jungkook wanted to make him a part of his life and wanted to introduce Taehyung to his friends made him happy. But when he got there Jungkook got too busy drinking and dancing. Taehyung was fine just sitting alone but then he had seen Eunwoo and Jungkook together. He knew what might happen, he had been open about Jungkook seeing other people during their marriage. But to see it in front of his eyes was not something he wanted, so he left. Without telling anyone and without saying anything to Jungkook.

And not like Jungkook really had a problem with that. He returned back in the early hours of morning drunk off his ass and clearly after having the time of his life. So the next time Jungkook had invited him out(which he later recalled was Valentine’s Day) he didn’t want to witness the same thing again, so Taehyung declined.

“Don’t pretend like you really had a problem with that.I could see you were having plenty fun with your ex boyfriends and flings, you probably didn’t even notice that I was gone until hours later. So don’t act all high and mighty now Jungkook.” He then leans closer to Jungkook’s face and whispers, “And why would you invite me for Valentine’s Day plans with those hookups of yours. I’m not into voyeurism babe”

“I wasn’t going to hangout with them that day Taehyung.I wanted to spend that day with you!”

“You can make up anything you want now Jungkook. I cannot verify what you would or wouldn’t have done. It doesn’t matter.” Taehyung yelled back at him, “But from what I did get to see of you, I know you would have ditched me at the first chance you got to see your fuckboy gang. You always do.”

“So I’m a liar. The only one who is true is you right?” Jungkook glares at him now, “So why don’t you tell me your truth huh? Did you even think of doing anything for our marriage Taehyung?”

“Unlike you Jungkook, I actually did do stuff. I’m not just going to make up stuff to seem like a devoted husband when I never was.But you want to know what I did?” He shrieks back. “I have never hosted any party, ever in my life. Hate those so much.But I hosted four this past year- for you.” He chuckles and continues, “I hate cooking, can’t cook to save my life- but I did when you got sick and I Made the soup recipe your mom told me. For you. Couldn’t see you all weak and I’ll-It just hurts me.More than you will ever understand.” He can feel himself breaking down, the tears coming to his eyes but he keeps his voice strong. Doesn’t want to seem weak, “Had to see you constantly be flirted with by Eunwoo and other of your friends- but I still smiled. Because you wanted an open marriage. Because I want to see you happy,” He turns away from Jungkook and calms his voice down a little bit, “Meticulously planned a trip to Europe for us- which you rejected without any second thought. I didn’t say anything because If you don’t want me then I’m not going to keep forcing myself and this marriage on you,” He takes a deep breath and tries to keep his tears at bay, “I tried- I tried my best Jungkook but I’m tired now. I tried to take you out on dates- on dinners, on brunches but you never agreed. Never. What more was I supposed to do huh? Kneel down and beg you. I’m not gonna do that, if you don’t want me then fine I can accept that .”

Jungkook snorts and gets up from the couch, “You’re lying. You’re the one who is making up stuff now. You never directly asked me- I would have never said no. They were only indirect invitations,” He walks away and spins around to glare at Taehyung, “I only said no because I thought you were asking me as a formality. That you might be doing that to keep up public appearances and I hated that. You never explicitly asked me to come along, always saying it like I could just tag along if I wanted to. Never in a way that you wanted me to come,” Taehyung gets up to walk closer to Jungkook because he can see him getting worked up, “And about the Paris thing, Sana had told me that you wanted to go on a trip solo but now won’t be able to and had to take me. I didn’t want to be a burden Taehyung. I wanted to go so so much with you. I never wanted an open marriage, you said that and even then I wasn’t with anyone else after we got married.”

“Why would Sana say this bullshit. She knew how much I wanted to take you,” He yells at him, “You’re just making shit up. You know I have never cared for public appearances. Why would you even assume that?”

Jungkook walks closer to him, “Because you never get that she likes you. Just like you never understood that I did as well. And you never got why we hated each other,” He pulls at the hair on his temple, “It’s Because we both wanted you Taehyung.”

Taehyung chuckles and turns away from him, “That’s a fucking lie and you know it. And a very very mean one too.” He pokes a finger at Jungkook’s chest, “You never wanted me. You never ever wanted me.So please stop lying about it.”

Jungkook smiles all bitter and leans in his space,their faces very close to each other now. “Oh yeah and what’s the truth. That you are the one who had been trying and I’m not? You think I would be doing this if I didn’t care?”

“What I know is this was imposed on you. This arranged marriage was not something you wanted. “ He leans even closer to Jungkook- their faces only an inch apart. He joins his forehead to Jungkook and whispers,”But I did. I did Jungkook.I wanted it so much that I made it happen.”

“What are you talking about?” Jungkook asks staring back into his eyes.

He smiles and steps back from Jungkook, “You want to know if I ever made any efforts for this marriage Jungkook, right? Well I made it possible that we could marry.”

“What?” Jungkook looks genuinely confused at his confession. Like he doesn’t already know that Taehyung is crazy about him.

Taehyung sighs and begins explaining, “As soon as I heard that your parents wanted you to settle down, that they were finding a match for you- I knew that I wanted to marry you. So when Yoongi’s parents suggested your name to my parents- I immediately wanted it to happen.” He chuckles and takes Jungkook’s hand to drag them back to the couch, “You said you were confused because our parents weren’t close- I convinced my parents to talk to yours. I orchestrated the deal in the way that your company would benefit a lot. And despite the fact that you had never been a head of a major project until that point and me being more experienced- I still made you lead the whole thing,” He forgets that anybody else except him and Jungkook are there in the room, only looks at Jungkook while saying this.” I did it so that I could maybe get to marry you if you agreed.So that you’d see some kind of benefit to your career and maybe say yes. I practically begged my parents to let me do this. Everyone knows about this. My family, my friends” He knows he seems too pitiful right now but it feels good to finally let it all out.

The confusion on Jungkook’s face doesn’t go away, “Why? Why would you do all this Taehyung?”

Taehyung smiles and takes a hold of Jungkook’s hand, “Because I have been crazy about you since the day I talked to you. Because you might not remember that night in Jeju but I do. It was everything to me,” He keeps caressing Jungkook’s hand. There might be a chance that this is the last time he gets to do this. Keeps on rubbing circles with his thumb on the soft tattooed hand, “You became everything to me Jungkook in those two meetings. And I could do all this and more if I could get a chance to have you, even if temporarily in the end.”

As expected Jungkook pulls his hand away like he has been burned, “You don’t mean that shit.” He is getting angrier, “You don’t mean that all. You don’t.”

“Jungkook I made a promise to you in Jeju, though you might not remember it- But I do. I promised that I will always always see the real you, care for you.” He smiles with all the love in his eyes now, can finally drop the mask of apathy in front of Jungkook, “And I always have and will Jungkook.”

“Wh-whatt?” Jungkook looks close to tears now. He doesn’t get this reaction. Jungkook is supposed to be offended maybe, even a little disgust was expected. But tears are something which were not.

“Excuse me Taehyung,” Suddenly Taehung is reminded of the fact that they aren’t alone, that Jimin & Seokjin have been a witness to the whole breakdown of their marriage.That Taehyung has made himself all vulnerable in front of them idiotically. He looks at Seokjin and Jimin who are sitting with expressions full of shock and confusion. Seokjin asks them “Jeju? When did this happen? What do you mean Jungkook doesn’t remember?”

           ~                                 ~

Attending a bachelor party after continuously working for almost two hours and a 5 hour long flight from Tokyo to Jeju is possibly the worst idea but Taehyung had no other option. He has been busy with work this past month, almost wasn’t able to come to the wedding of Yoongi and Namjoon. But he had to because he was a part of their wedding party. Namjoon asked him to be his best man despite the fact that Taehyung couldn’t be there this past month to help in any preprations. He couldn’t say no obviously, him and Namjoon weren’t just childhood friends but also cousins.Regardless even if he wouldn’t have been the best man, there was no way he was going to miss the wedding.

He couldn’t make it to the rehearsal dinner or any other wedding festivities. His plan was to reach the hotel and rest for the night, attend the wedding next day & leave late night after reception.But Yoongi & Namjoon had dragged him to the bachelor party tonight. And after being absent for so long, he just couldn’t say no and decided to drop by for a few hours before hitting the sack.

He is pretty tired and the drinks Namjoon forced him to drink have started having their effect making him feel light headed. The club is loud, obviously the wedding and this party were not going to be a low key affair considering The Min’s love for extravagance. He knows he might see Jungkook tomorrow, Yoongi might have invited him. The Mins and Jeons seem to be close.Maybe this might be a chance to talk to Jungkook and apologise for being so absent recently, especially after their last conversation.

And it’s almost like they have this connection because as soon as Taehyung’s thoughts drift to Jungkook he hears someone coming to sit beside him on the bar stool.

“Well.. well, look who the cat dragged in today. Didn’t expect to see you here Mr. Kim.”

Taehyung snorts and turns to see at his right where Jungkook is sitting. He looks as beautiful as ever but also very very sexy tonight. It’s clear that he has been dancing for a nice sheen of sweat can be seen on his neck and face. His extremely fitted shirt has the top few buttons open and Taehyung can see all his tattoos on his arms openly tonight. His piercing shine in the bright light of the club. And it’s clear that Jungkook is drunk. Scratch that, Jungkook is sloshed. He is giggling on his own and swaying to the loud music even while sitting there. Taehyung understands that, it’s a bachelor party after all- people are supposed to be terribly drunk and although he is too, he just doesn’t behave in the typical drunk way.

“I was obviously going to come to the wedding. I’m one of the best man Jungkook.”

“Didn’t see you at rehearsal dinner yesterday or brunch today for that matter.”Jungkook replies.

“That’s because I arrived only an hour back.I’m surprised to see you here today actually, didn’t know you were this close to the grooms.”

Jungkook keeps spinning on the stool, “Ah well but I am the life of the party so you know- How can it be a good bachelor party without Jeon Jungkook .”

“Wow self obsessed much?”

Jungkook stops spinning and narrows his eyes at him, “You said you won’t be a stranger.”

Taehyung smiles and nods, “That I did.”

“But it’s been a month since I last saw you. Seems pretty stranger to me.”

Taehyung becomes embarrassed then. Wasn’t expecting to Jungkook to call him out on it, “Ah I’m sorry. I left for Tokyo two days after our conversation. There’s an ongoing project there that demanded my attention.”

The glare Jungkook is giving him doesn’t go away, “Still. You could have called. Or texted.”

“Didn’t have your number pretty.”

Jungkook blushes at the nickname, “Can’t believe the big shot CEO couldn’t somehow manage to find my number.” He then scoots his stool closer to that of Taehyung’s and speaks slowly , “Maybe he just didn’t want to. I expected atleast a text after our date that night. But looks like  you are one to hit and quit.”

Taehyung laughs loudly, “Didn’t hit anything and definitely not quitting Jungkookie. I didn’t want to ask for your number from someone else without your consent. Didn’t even know that it was a date.”

Jungkook looks into his eyes and starts dragging a finger up Taehyung’s arm, “We ate together, spent quality time together,” He leans close to whisper in Taehyung’s ear, “Almost kissed. Sounds like a date to me.” He then leans back to look directly into Taehyung’s eyes, “You talking about consent is definitely a turn on Tae.”

Taehyung chuckles and slightly backs away from Jungkook. His perfume- subtle but yet so seductive is blinding Taehyung’s senses. The fact that Jungkook called it a date, makes him dizzy. “You’re drunk Jungkook.”

“Hmm and I think you are too. I have never seen you drunk actually.”

“That is because I try and not be. I have a pretty low alchohol tolerance. Have a stupid history of doing embarrassing stuff I completely forget about the next morning in my college time.” He sighs, “So I try to not drink much. Namjoon hyung forced me today though.”

Jungkook laughs then, “I can’t imagine you that blackout drunk where you forget the previous nights incidents. I have that problem too and right now my drunk level is pretty close to that.” He holds Taehyung’s wrist and caresses it gently, “There’s a chance I might forget even meeting you today.Are you that drunk? That you will blackout about tonight?”

Taehyung isn’t. Has only had a few drinks and doesn’t plan to have any more. Couldn’t forget talking to Jungkook even if he was. His mind has a way to remember all the important stuff somehow. And Jungkook has been the most important thought in Taehyung’s mind recently. So he knows there’s no way he will forget this night. But he feels drunk. Not on alcohol but the way Jungkook looks and smells tonight. He always thought it was stupid when people said somebody’s presence could make them drunk but he feels it now. How being with Jungkook is making him feel dizzy, making him feel floaty. So he nods and says yes to Jungkook’s question.

Jungkook smirks and leans close to his ear to whisper, “Well then let’s make some mistakes tonight which we’ll forget tomorrow.”

Taehyung manages to sigh out, “Yeah I’d love that.”

When Jungkook dragged him along to leave the club to make some ‘mistakes’ tonight, Taehyung had expected things like Jungkook being reckless and that was why he agreed so easily. Didn’t want Jungkook to go alone when he was in this drunk state. But he wasn’t expecting Jungkook to be touristy and start exploring the city. In the two hangouts they have had, Taehyung can safely conclude that Jungkook is a very spontaneous person. And he finds himself lucky to go along this ride of spontaneous exploration along with him.

The first place they go to is the light garden. The last time Taehyung visited this place was when he was probably 10 years old. Had obviously outgrown the fascination to see it again and again just like every other child. But the way Jungkook is glowing, looks brighter than than all the lights- it makes Taehyung realise that this place is far more beautiful than he remembers. Or maybe it’s just Jungkook who is making it.

Jungkook is talking mindlessly and taking a million pictures which Taehyung knows would come out blurry with how drunk he is. But it still makes him smile. Everything Jungkook does is fascinating to him. Everything Jungkook does is endearing. It’s just Jungkook. He made Seoul beautiful to Taehyung last time, and he is doing the same for Jeju.

He is sure there won’t be any way he would be able to go to these places without the thought of Jungkook in the back of his mind.

“Why are you grinning like an idiot?”

Taehyung fumbles for words and then steps forward to pinch Jungkook’s waist, “Why are you jumping around like a rabbit?”

Jungkook pouts and crosses his arms, “I’m not a rabbit. I want to be a frog!”

Taehyung chuckles and puts his arm around Jungkook’s waist and starts walking again, “You find frogs cuter than rabbits Jungkook?”

Jungkook puts a finger on his lip and actually starts thinking, “Actually on second thought, I think I’d like to be a rabbit.” He looks at Taehyung, “You find me cute Taehyungie?”

“A brat. That is what you are Jungkook.”

“You can be the brat tamer if you want” He actually fucking winks at Taehyung then.

“Oh my god,” Taehyung groans, “An absolute menace that’s what you are.”

Jungkook runs forward and then spins around to stick his tongue out at Taehyung, “But you like this menace.”

Yeah absolutely I do. Maybe more than just like. But he doesn’t say that, instead runs to go to Jungkook, “How are you so energetic right now?”

Jungkook pouts, “And why are you boring all the time? Old man.”

“And here I thought you liked my company.” Taehyung mumbles.

Jungkook puts his arm around Taehyung’s neck, “Ofcourse I do, this is the second time I have ditched a party to hang out with you. Wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t like you too.”

Jungkook must be more drunk than he realised. Mentioning so casually about his and Taehyung’s feelings when they haven’t really ever talked about it. But Jungkook is so confidently saying things that Taehyung doesn’t want to make everything too serious by talking about it.

“I’m sorry still for being boring. Coincidentally both the time we’ve hung out I have been dead tired. Even today I haven’t slept a second in the past 30 hours.”

Any sign of teasing melts away from Jungkook’s face then and he starts caressing hairs at the nape of Taehyung’s neck, “No don’t be sorry. You have been busy, I understand. We can go back to the resort if you want. Can hangout sometime else, right?”

Taehyung shakes his head and spins Jungkook around to start walking again, “No I really want to spend time with you. I have to leave again after the reception party tomorrow.”

Jungkook groans, “You and your work. When are you ever free. I’m a CEO too but I don’t just work all the time.”

Taehyung smiles and takes Jungkook’s hand in his own. Their hands look so perfect together, Jungkook’s tattooed fingers a perfect contrast against Taehyung’s long ones. “That’s because you have just recently taken over the position Jungkook. You are yet to lead big projects on just your own. This latest one for me is a big load. I will be free in a month, so yeah- all the time for parties and fun then.”

“Hmm,” Jungkook tightens the hold they have on each other’s hands, “And you will see me once you return from Tokyo right?”

“I will” He easily says. Means it with his whole heart and when he sees Jungkook smile in response- shy but giddy, Taehyung feels his heart soaring.

“I wanted to see you, you know?” Jungkook says, “Thought maybe I could find you at some party but that was a stupid thought considering you never show up at any even when you are free.”

Taehyung stops to caress Jungkook’s cheek with his knuckles, “I would have talked if I was in Korea. I swear I would have. But if I start this- no when I start this- I’m going to go full in. And I will be free to do that in a month.I promise.”

Jungkook smiles and holds Taehyung’s hand on his cheek, “I will hold you to that then. A month.”

“This is so funny.”

“Glad to see that my misery is hilarious to you” Taehyung huffs back.

“No seriously Tae, a grown man who can’t tolerate a little bit of spice? Doesn’t suit your image.” Jungkook teases him with a dopey grin. They are sitting in front  of one of the small food stalls in Dongmun market eating Dakgalbi. They came here to explore after being done with the light garden. Jungkook went around the market for an hour and then got hungry. So here they are sitting and eating extremely spicy food which clearly Taehyung’s palate can tolerate.

“Ah so I should start eating raw chillies to maintain my image now?Or maybe be a macho man like you who is still drinking Soju despite already being too drunk to function?” He asks.

Jungkook laughs, “Yeah you shoulld drink more like me.Tonight is a fun night. A night where we make mistakes.And eating raw chillies would definitely suit you. Like a proper devil.” He makes devil horns on his head with fingers to demonstrate. Looks cute doing his drunk ministrations.

“You wound me,” He mockingly gasps,”Is that what you think of me?”

Jungkook takes a bite of the food and squints at him,”Devils are sexy Tae.”

He takes a sip of water to dilute the spiciness of the food he is eating, “Ah so you find me sexy. Make up your mind.”

“Stop twisting my words now,” Jungkook leans forward to hit Taehyung lightly with his chopsticks, “Why did you even say yes to eating here if you can’t bear spice?”

Taehyung takes another bite and chews it, “Because you said these are your favourite.”

“And that’s enough?”

He looks up to smile at Jungkook, “More than enough Jungkookie.”

Jungkook blushes at that. He doesn’t know if it’s because of how Taehyung has been calling him Jungkookie tonight or if it is because of the fact that Taehyung made a cheesy flirty comment. Surely Jungkook would be used to these now- the thousand nicknames people always call him, the countless time people would flirt with him. But Jungkook looks good like this. All shy and flustered. Makes him look even more beautiful.

Jungkook seems to recover from his blushing in a few minutes and diverts the topic, “So how have things been in Tokyo?”

Taehyung swallows his bite and takes another sip of water, “The project is going good. Better than expected and,Ah I obviously love Japan.” He picks another piece of meat from the plate in his chopstick but doesn’t eat it, just keeps it there casually, “Stayed there for a semester during college. I’m happy to get to stay there again.”

“But you wouldn’t be getting much time to explore no, right?” Jungkook asks.

He shakes his head and drops back the chopsticks in the plate, doesn’t want to eat anymore for now, “No I don’t but whenever I’m a little free, I know my favourite spots which I love to go to.”

“Nice. I have some favourite places in Seoul too when I get bored or tired.” Jungkook replies.

“Which is your favourite place? Except Seoul.”

“Oh I don’t love Seoul,” Jungkook also drops his chopstick and leans back to talk properly. “Busan is my favourite in Korea. I love beaches.My grandparents live there, my parents too plan to live there after their retirement,” Jungkook gets a peaceful smile on his face when talking about Busan and beaches. Taehyung makes a mental note to spend some time together at the beach tonight before saying goodbye, “I love going there whenever I can.”

He nods, “Yeah Busan is gorgeous. I didn’t know your family belonged to Busan. Mine is originally from Daegu but we haven’t stayed there for generations now.”

“Busan is beautiful and my grandparents are simple people who love staying by the beach, so yeah.”

Taehyung asks them, “And what about outside of Korea? Your favourite spot to vacation?”

Jungkook thinks a moment before answering, “I think Hawai? I love visiting America and as I have mentioned, I love beaches. What about you? Tokyo?”

Taehyung shakes his head, “No, no. Not even close. I love Paris. I know it’s a cliche place but I still love it. The art, the people. Everything.”

“Ah so you must want to take your spouse to Paris for honeymoon then?” Jungkook looks down at the table then, avoids eye contact.”The cliche Eiffel Tower date?”

“Who knows? I might?” He says, “Cliches are good because of a reason after all. No matter how predictable, they still do make your heart kind of flutter.”

“So you’re a romantic?” Jungkook looks back at him then, makes eye contact.

“Ah I am not,” Taehyung gives a sheepish smile, “A single man can only dream of romance when he doesn’t have any in his life. It seems any concept of love or romance has become a far fetched idea in our society especially.”

Jungkook hums in response, “So I take it the arranged setup is not working well for you? Still didn’t find a good match?”

“I was depending on you to find a good one for me. You wanted to help remember?” He teased Jungkook.

“Didn’t know you were serious about it.”

Taehyung chuckles, “No I wasn’t,” He puts his hands on the table, “Haven’t really been looking if I’m honest. Not any for the past month. I’ve been too busy so it’s easy to get my parents off my back for a while. And I’m not dying to get them restart it anytime soon.”

Jungkook nods and puts his right hand on the table as well, “Yeah parents can be too persistent sometimes .”

He looks up at Jungkook and asks, “Are yours still forcing you to date Eunwoo?”

Jungkook is still looking at the table. At their hands. At the distance between their hands, “No, not really. I’ve almost convinced them about it. But..”

“But Eunwoo is still trying?”

“Yeah I mean he’s not being an asshole about it,” Jungkook sighs , “Just wants to me to try one and keep an open mind.”

Taehyung shifts his hand forward a little, lessens the distance a bit, “And you want to give in?”

“I mean sometimes I do think I should. There’s no harm in trying,” Jungkook makes a frustrated sound at the back of his throat, “I mean atleast there shouldn’t be.He’s coming to the wedding tomorrow and wants to talk again. A last try I guess.”

Taehyung backs his hands then. Had forgotten that Eunwoo is Yoongi’s cousin and will obviously be one of the attendees.Picks his hands off the table, “I mean it’s obviously your choice. You can say yes for now but can say no later if you decide it’s not working for you.”

“Yeah I’ll think about it.” Jungkook looks at the empty table with offence on his face, looks irritated that Taehyung has leaned back. Pouts at Taehyung and then leans forward into Taehyung’s side of the table, like he wants Taehyung to understand what he wants, “ I might have convinced my parents to not push me for Eunwoo but I know that within no time my parents would start looking for matches for me just like your parents.”

Taehyung finally takes pity on him and puts him out of his misery by putting his left hand on the table, “Who knows you might not need that after all.”

“You know what?” Jungkook looks at him with a pleased smile on his face and holds Taehyung’s hand, “I really really hope and really really want, that I don’t.”

“Sometimes I just think that what is even the point of all this, you know?”

“Point of what?” Taehyung looks at Jungkook who is sitting at his side on the floor of  Yongyeon bridge. The pond and stream look beautiful in night under the moonlight dark sky. The lighting on the bridge seems to shine in the reflection in water below them, “Us sitting at a bridge at 2 am or us attending wedding tomorrow? Or are you talking about some deep life stuff?”

“Well yeah everything,” Jungkook sighs out, “We are sitting here talking like we don’t have other things. I mean it’s like we both spend time together and then go back to our real lives like nothing has changed.”

“But things have changed,” He hasn’t let go of Jungkook’s hand since the market an hour ago. Keeps rubbing circles from his thumb at Jungkook’s knuckles, “I just haven’t gotten a chance to behave that way with in our world as of yet. But they are having an impact. You have a lot of impact on my life.”

Jungkook keeps looking down at the pond and sighs again, “Sometimes I just feel like who even knows the real us? You know? You have all these friends and you have a family or lover, and you tell some things to some people but never entirely everything.” He looks at Taehyung with what looks like grief in his eyes, “But then do these people even know you? Does anybody even know us?”

Taehyung was scared that this might happen. That after a high of drunk haze, Jungkook might crash down. Might turn into a crying drunk, which seems to be happening now. Wants to console Jungkook before that happens, “Well you do. And that should be enough. Friends, family and lovers they are meant to be a support. But obviously the only one who knows the real you is you yourself.”

“Then what is even the point of it all.” Jungkook groans in frustration, “Why do we even need a partner, why marry at all? What about the whole soulmate bullshit and your other half nonsense? Why are Yoongi and Namjoon marrying tomorrow?”

“Okay first off they are marrying today,” He chuckles, “It’s almost 2:30 am now. And secondly, why so philosophical suddenly?”

“Taehyung!” Jungkook groans loudly now.

“Okay okay I’m sorry,” He raises his hand in mock surrender, “Partner is supposed to be someone who makes you feel secure, loved Jungkook . So that you can become the person you want to. And they love you with your with flaws, not despite them.” He shrugs his shoulder, “So I guess Yoongi and Namjoon found that in each other. Maybe one day you will too.”

“They are the lucky ones,huh? Didn’t have to settle for a random chaebol who their parents selected for them.” Jungkook speaks bitterly.

“Jungkook you know that you don’t have to right? You don’t have to agree to any of their matches?”

“And do what?” Jungkook squints his eyes, “Wait around for my Prince Charming? It doesn’t work like that Taehyung.”

“Why not?” He holds Jungkook’s face, “If there’s anyone who probably deserves a good romance then that’s you.”

“You flatter me. But still..”

“Why not?”He repeats.

“Because most of the people see me just as a trophy,” Jungkook leans his head on Taehyung’s shoulder and sits like that while speaking, “They want the chase, the thrill of trying to impress me. That’s all that I am. They don’t respect me or see the real me.”

“I do. I respect you. I don’t see you that way,”.  Shit why he is saying this. He should backtrack. “And I’m sure there’s other people who think this way too.” He says to make it seem like it was just a compliment. Even though they have been flirty today, been implying a lot of things. But they haven’t outright spoken anything about their feelings yet. And now is not the correct time to do that, not when Jungkook is drunk off alchohol and Taehyung is drunk off Jungkook.

Jungkook would be able to hear the loud beating of his heat but doesn’t comment on it. Instead asks, “Think what about me?”

“That you are the most gorgeous person. Not just from outside, but from inside too. That you are a brat but yet so kind. You are all about parties and fun but you work so so hard. You are smarter than most of the people I have met. Witty too. So so witty,” He knows he is saying too much but wants Jungkook to know that Taehyung sees the real him and adores the real Jungkook so so much, so he continues, “And extremely talented. I haven’t heard a single thing in which Jeon Jungkook isn’t good at. But you are so honest and so pure. Sitting out telling me about your vulnerabilities, it just makes you seem stronger in my eyes,” He keeps caressing Jungkook’s hairs with his hand that isn’t holding Jungkook’s,”So strong to keep all your fears hidden inside and always appear chill and funny. It’s not something anybody can do.”

“That- is quite precise.” Jungkook is quiet for a few minutes and Taehyung lets him take the time. To let it sink it that somebody cares, that somebody sees him. When Jungkook is okay again he teases, “Why do I feel like you have been a stalker huh? Couldn’t keep you eyes off me huh Mr Kim?”

Jungkook won’t remember this, is too drunk. So he lets it slip.Allows himself the one time to admit that he does. Can’t keep his eyes off Jungkook when he is in the room, “Yeah, yeah I can’t even if I try. Maybe I just don’t want to.”

Jungkook looks up from where his head is resting on Taehyung’s shoulder. Their faces inches away from away each other.

They are close. So so close. Taehyung can feel Jungkook’s breath near his mouth. Jungkook looks at his lips and then into his eyes. Seems to be contemplating the same thing, if they should close the gap or not. Should finally give in and do what they both have been wanting to do since the last time.

Just when Taehyung is about to lean forward and finally kiss him, Jungkook’s phone starts ringing.

“Fuck this phone, always at a bad time.” Jungkook mutters and sheepishly smiles, “I’m sorry, it’s Hoseok.I should get it.”

Taehyung nods and drops his hold on Jungkook’s hand. Jungkook takes a few steps back and answers the call.

“Yeah Hobi I’m fine..... No I’m not back at the resort yet..... no I left the party early but I’m just outside......  I’ll explain later.....no! Oh God shutup... no don’t text Jimin he won’t stop teasing me then... bye I will text you when I go back”

Jungkook walks back and returns to sit beside him,  “Ah sorry just they are all back at the resort now and were worried since I had left early but still hadn’t reached there. So yeah. Where were we?”

“We were being stupid drunks,” we were almost about to kiss which you might forget in the morning. “We should go back too. As much as I hate cutting our time short, we do have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Yeah you have best man duties,” Jungkook holds the hand Taehyung has extended to make him stand back from the bridge, “And I have getting drunk again and partying duties.”

It’s almost 4 am now. They got back to the resort about half an hour back and Jungkook kept insisting that Taehyung should go rest now. But he didn’t want to. Not before spending time on the beach with Jungkook. The places that Taehyung had visited with Jungkook had quickly become his favourite places. So it seems only fair that Taehyung wanted to spend time with him at Jungkook’s favourite place. Maybe this way he would impact Jungkook’s favourites too, if he could share a little memory with Jungkook at the beach.

They spent some time walking barefoot on the beach , felt waves splashing on their feet. Just casually strolled around hand in hand. Taehyung feels like he has been transported into some romance movie, because this night- everything that Jungkook is- has all been so dreamy. So perfect. Something he will remember always. Something he will always cherish. Knows that there’s a chance Jungkook might forget about it totally, has been too drunk and out of it the whole night- but he is willing to take a chance.

To hope that despite that Taehyung might have something with Jungkook. He just has to talk about it tomorrow. About their previous ‘date’. About tonight. About feelings. About what Jungkook has been insinuating the whole night. About the connection Taehyung feels. So he hopes that it will all turn out okay in the end. Jungkook has given him enough tonight to hope for a happy ending.

“I find this wedding so stupid you know?”

He glances at Jungkook with confusion, “Why? Have something against weddings?”

Jungkook huffs, “I mean they have only invited? What? Around 50 people, only close ones and yet this is the most extravagant thing I have seen.”

“You mean The whole destination wedding thing?”

Jungkook shakes his head, “No not that. It’s cute or whatever but people who have weddings with such small guest list don’t go out on the extravagance,” He points to the whole decorated beachside, “Look around,the whole beach is decorated with lights for heaven’s sake. I mean make a decision- do you want a small wedding or do you want a lavish one?”

Taehyung snorts, “Yeah Yoongi’s taste can be too much sometimes. You’d know- he and Hoseok are like two peas in a pod about these things.”

“Oh yeah I’m sure Hoseok’s wedding would be even more obnoxious than this,”He rolls his eyes, “That is if he does end up getting married.”

“Park Jimin isn’t here?” He asks. Last time he had been the one continuously calling Jungkook. The only reason he isn’t today could be because he isn’t here.

“Oh he wasn’t invited. I mean not to the whole wedding atleast.He isn’t that close to the grooms,” Jungkook stops and points to a nearby bench to go sit, “He’ll attend the reception party back in Seoul I think.”

“Okay. I didn’t know you were close too.” Taehyung teases.

“Well let’s just say I did somehow manage to get invited,” Jungkook looks at him with a naughty glint, “I’m popular that way.”

“Yeah I’m sure you are.” He narrows his eyes at Jungkook and pinches his cheeks.

“Ow, stop that. I might be a rabbit but I’m not a baby,” Jungkook pouts exaggeratedly, “I wouldn’t want this kind of wedding for myself by the way.”

“What?” He laughs, “You want a bigger guest list?”

Jungkook shakes his head, “No actually I want it to be even smaller. Only my closest of friends and family and just me and my to be husband.”

“Ah that’s cute. I think that’s how it should be too. Don’t need extra people who are only there to judge things. If the food was good, if the decor was nice.”

“Yeah I would only want friends & family who’d probably cry along with me during vows and later dance in happiness without any judgement.” Jungkook stops at the bench finally and pulls Taehyung to sit with him. They are sitting closer than they were back at the bridge. Taehyung doesn’t mind the proximity. Infact he relishes in it.

“You think you’d cry during your vows?” He asks.

“I might if I feel something for them,” Jungkook shrugs, “I’m a pretty emotional person. You’ve seen that already.”

Taehyung nods and smiles, “Yes I have. I think you’d still look beautiful crying. All red faced and red nose.”

Jungkook again becomes red, seems to do this whenever he is being put on the spot, becomes too awkward. Probably hates being teased. He glares at Taehyung in response, “Maybe I would. And I think I’d like to get married in the backyard of my grandparent’s beach house in Busan. Atleast that’s what I had always imagined.”

“Aw I can just imagine the cute little Jungkookie playing in his grandparents beach house and imagining all of that.”

Jungkook becomes even more red then, groans loudly, “Shutup don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing.” He grazes hi knuckles along the side of Jungkook’s neck. His collar bones. His exposed skin has been distracting Taehyung the whole night. Making it difficult for him to control his wandering hands. Not until he has full consent of a sober Jungkook atleast. Drunk Jungkook wants the same as drunk Taehyung. But he controls the urge. They will talk tomorrow about this too. This wish of Taehyung to always be close to Jungkook. “I did find you really cute when we were little. Probably the cutest kid back then.”

“And now I’m not?” Jungkook shivers. Maybe from the cold. Maybe from something else.

“Well you still are pretty cute,” He pulls his hand away, puts his around Jungkook’s shoulder to pull him closer, tighter. Touching but also not. “Don’t worry you can tell me more about your imaginary wedding, you can be yourself around me. I won’t judge, I don’t see you as the pretentious person you make yourself out to be.”

Jungkook Hums and looks down at their hands which still are holding each other. He pulls them up and plants a light peck on Taehyung’s hand, “I don’t see you that way too, you know.”

“In what way?” He looks to find sincerity reflected in Jungkook’s eyes.

“As the cold hearted and rude work addict image you have made for yourself.” Jungkook sighs, “Does that benefit you, you know in fending off any suitors?”

He chuckles, “Surprisingly no. You’d think people would be put off by my rude and straight forward behaviour sometimes. But in reality they take it as some sort of challenge.” He shifts to sit sideways, so that he can keep unashamedly staring at Jungkook’s side profile while he speaks. It’s all he ever really wants to do, “You know they think they might finally be the one to break through the tough exterior or whatever. And who said I’m not cold and rude by the way?” He teases.

“Would the cold and rude Taehyung be strolling around at beach bare feet with me at 3:30 am?” Jungkook smirks and shifts too so that he is facing Taehyung, “Only because I said I loved beach in a casual conversation and you can’t seem to say no to me.”

Taehyung gets flustered now. Wasn’t expecting to be caught. He denies it quickly, “That’s not true.”

“That is true. You’re not as sly as you think you are,” Jungkook teases and his smirk keeps on growing, “I know you suggested a walk on the beach because of that. I see why some people might find you charming.”

Taehyung doesn’t wish to admit that he did do it because of that. So he does what he is good at. Deflects. “So now I’m charming too? Make up your mind about me Jungkookie.”

Jungkook is too drunk to notice the distraction, “Oh my mind is already made up about you.”

He is the one with the smirk now, “Ahan? And what is that?”

“That you just don’t let any person in. But when you do, you trust, love and care for them deeply. It’s not easy to get in. But if a person is honest and true, then it’s very easy to melt your tough exteriors. Did I get it right?” Jungkook speaks lowly.

“You kind of did but also not,” he teases, “You see I haven’t let you in yet.”

Jungkook hums and nods, “Not completely you haven’t. I see the million cogs in your Brain running before you say something to me. But you still do care about me, and I know it can grow to something more.”

He leans forward and takes hold of Jungkook’s other hand too. Decides to be brave today, to be not as emotionally constipated he always is. “I do. Maybe I shouldn’t. We barely know each other but I do care about you.”

Jungkook smiles, pleased and shifts forward as well. Their knees touching now. Sitting cross legged in front of each other on the bench, “It’s okay Tae. Because I care about you too.”

Taehyung smiles back at him, “I really like spending time with you Jungkook. I really do.” He takes a deep breath before continuing, “I might not be as expressive when I’m sober tomorrow, but I really want to get to know you more.”

“I do too.” Jungkook says, “I have something important to talk to you about too. Have been thinking about it for sometime now.”

“We will talk tomorrow. Taehyung nods and kisses Jungkook’s hands, his wrist. “I owe you a dance and a conversation when we are sober at the reception party tomorrow. I promise I will find you after the wedding and we will talk.Or we can meet on this bench after the reception if we can’t find a chance to talk at the party. What do you think?”

“Yeah that’s good. I will wait for you here,” Jungkook shyly speaks. “And Just one dance?” 

“You can have as many as you want before I leave tomorrow.”

 Jungkook sulkily replies, “I hate that you have to leave again Tae.”

“I will be back soon. And this time ,if you allow me, then I will text you.” He replies determined . He won’t be an idiot this time.

“You could text me back then as well,” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “I wanted you to.”

“And I’m sorry that I was an idiot. Won’t be anymore, I will get you number and I will text you. I promise.” He pecks Jungkook’s forehead to pacify his drunk mind.

“You are making a lot of promises tonight.You think you’d be able to fulfil those?” Jungkook asks with mischief. He kisses Taehyung on his cheek, giggles cutely after doing that.

“I will try my best to. I like it when you smile for me.” He leans his head onto Jungkook’s. Wants to stay in this moment forever. It’s all a haze now, drunk on Jungkook, drunk on something which is making him dizzy. Wants to stay in this haze forever. This peace. The affection.

“I like it when you make me smile.” Jungkook melts in his hold, appears like he too wants to stay in this moment forever, “I tend to smile a lot when I’m with you.”

“And I talk and laugh more than I have with anybody.” Taehyung pulls him more. Wants to close this distance. Wants Jungkook’s hand on him. His hands on Jungkook. Their mouth on each other. Has to calm himself down with a lot of difficulty.

But Jungkook gets it. Maybe he too is drunk on something else other than alchohol. But he is clearly the more impatient one between them. Seems to lose all his waiting for tomorrow thing and climbs on Taehyung’s lap. And no matter how much Taehyung wants to stop this, wants to wait some more- he can’t say no when Jungkook sits in his lap. It’s almost like his hands have a mind of their own, start caressing the curve of Jungkook’s back, his sides. He looks at Jungkook whose eyes are stuck on his lips. He leans forward, waits for a bit like waiting for some permission. Then finally, finally he closes the gap and kisses Taehyung. But it’s not the kind of kiss Taehyung had wanted. It’s just a chaste peck at the side of his mouth.Seems to go away as soon he feels it.

Jungkook smiles at him all shy and bashful. And maybe this should be enough for tonight. Their first proper kiss should be reserved for a night when both of them are sober and would remember it. But before he can think and decide, his heart wins over.

Taehyung leans in this time. Closes the gap between their mouths. Kisses Jungkook right on his lips. Lips he has wanted to kiss since they last met, maybe even before that. The mole under his lip that Taehyung could not stop thinking about. And it’s everything Taehyung had imagined a perfect first kiss to be. The shit that people write poems about. Taehyung could. If he knew how to be poetic then this would be the best moment for it. All the jazz. The flowers blooming, the fireworks bursting, the stars falling. Everything dramatic. Taehyung feels all of that in the moment. Maybe the drinks had some drugs in it tonight. Because this shouldn’t be normal. A kiss shouldn’t feel electric. The kind where you feel that you just fit. The perfect match. The click.

But it is that. It is all that and more. Jungkook is pliant in his hands, opens his mouth to deepen the kiss easily. Lets their tongues glide together. And Jungkook tastes like a mixture of all the alchohol and the spicy food and just something characteristic Jungkook that Taehyung can’t get enough. He holds Jungkook’s chin and tilts it to deepen the kiss even more. It’s addicting. Everything Jungkook is addicting. The way he looks, talks, the way he smells and now the way he tastes. Taehyung can’t get enough. Doesn’t ever want to get enough of this. Could easily get lost in this sensation. Doesn’t really want to not get lost.

Jungkook moans in the kiss and that is when Taehyung realises that they should stop. That they have been making out like wild college kids on a beach where anybody could walk in. Tabloids specially are alert at such events to capture some scandal. And the kiss is enough for tonight. They can do more later. After the talk. After the wedding tomorrow. They have time.

Taehyung stop kissing him and puts some distance, only slight. They are still close. Can feel each other’s breath on their faces. He still has his eyes closed, wants to relish in the sensation of Jungkook’s lips on his as long as he can. Jungkook too remains like this, their foreheads joined together- their hands in tight hold.

“I really really don’t want to get married to some stupid chaebol who my parents choose for me.” Jungkook speaks.

He pecks Jungkook again on the mouth, just because it’s something he can do now. He knows Jungkook is being real with him right now, is being vulnerable with him “You won’t have to. You shouldn’t have to.”

Jungkook puts his arm around Taehyung’s neck, “Tae I really don’t want to forget this night. It’s one of the best time I have had in my life. I felt so happy and so so cared for.” He huffs, “I really hope that my drunk brain doesn’t forget it. I want to remember how kind you were with me tonight.”

He strokes Jungkook’s cheek with both his thumbs, “Well then let’s hope you don’t. I’m not this generous all the time.”

“No Tae,even if I do. You should remind me about it. Tell me about our date tonight okay?” Jungkook sincerely questions, “I can count this as date right?”

And Jungkook makes Taehyung want to be honest too, makes him want to be courageous, “Whatever you want Jungkook. If you say it was date then it was.”

Jungkooo smiles then. Beams like he did back on their first date, “Well then I say it was. The best date of my life. I’m so happy you decided to attend the party today.”

He pecks Jungkook on his nose, the cute nose which scrunches every time he gets all pouty, “I’m happy too. The happiest I’ve ever been.”

Jungkook caresses his cheek and lifts his face a little. Pecks him on his mouth. Again. And again. Until his giggles disappear in their kissing. Until their lips get swollen from making out. But nothing else matters then, just them. There’s a wedding to attend tomorrow, a flight to catch but there’s no thought but Jungkook. Always Jungkook. And that’s how he hopes it always will be.

He is woken up by the incessant ringing of his phone. He checks the time and finds it still an hour before the time for his alarm to ring. When he sees that it’s Namjoon who is calling he reluctantly answers.

“Hyung what is it?”

“Why are you still not here Tae?” Namjoon shrieks at him.

Taehyung groans and sits up, “There’s still time. Please don’t tell me you are having some pre wedding breakdown right now.”

“No idiot. I just need your help.” Namjoon sighs, “There’s some problem with the bakery who made the cake for reception. Could you just please go and sort it out. I’m pretty busy right now.”

“Sure hyung. I’m supposed to be the best man. I can help you in one thing. Send me their address and contact please.”

“Will do. Thanks Tae.”

He gets into shower as fast as he can. Namjoon sounded a little worried so he wants to get the issue behind them as soon as he can. He is still tired but still feels fresh after sleeping for four hours. He got back to his room after making out with Jungkook close to sunrise. They had promised to meet after the wedding and talk. He couldn’t wait to see him finally.

As he is leaving his room, he realises that he didn’t really have to wait to see Jungkook. They had established last night that what they had was special. Real. He didn’t have to play pretend and act by rules. He could just go and see him right now. Maybe a kiss good morning before the wedding made them busy. So he spinned around to go to the room he had dropped Jungkook to last night.

He knocks and waits around for a few minutes before he hears steps coming to the door.

While he was expecting a sleepy & grumpy Jungkook to open the door, what he saw wasn’t the same. Eunwoo was standing at the door. Correction- A very shirtless with only a towel hanging around his waist Eunwoo. Basically a very naked Eunwoo standing on the door of Jungkook’s room. While he didn’t want to assume the worst, Jungkook obviously wouldn’t have gone back at night to fuck with some other guy after spending hours with Taehyung.

But the hickeys on Eunwoo’s neck were a different story. He didn’t want to assume. Yet he still couldn’t prevent the hurt. It hurt something deep inside him. Could feel the hope inside him breaking. Dying.

But he musters some courage and asks, “Um Good Morning Eunwoo-ssi. I’m sorry I thought this was Jungkook’s room?!”

Eunwoo who up until this point was looking at him with confused expressions finally understood the reason for Taehyung’s presence there, “Oh no it is. He is taking a shower.” He looks down at his towel then, “I’m waiting for my turn actually. I’ll tell him that you came.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “No no it’s fine. Yoongi just sent me to see if he was awake or not.” He nods towards the side and takes a step back, “I will tell Yoongi that he is. Awake I mean. So yeah. Sorry to disturb.”

Eunwoo laughs, “No it’s okay. It’s nice to meet you Taehyung-ssi. I don’t believe we’ve ever spoken. Not really a good time for our first conversation though, right?”

Taehyung chuckles, “No no it’s alright”, Then maybe he might be a masochistic fucker because despite it being clear he still asks, “Yeah but seems like you had a wild night huh?”

Eunwoo snorts and winks, “More like a wild morning. I reached only a few hours back,” He points with his thumb to inside of the room, “Had to bang on his door for ten minutes before he finally let me in.   I’ll see you around yeah?”

Taehyung nods and leaves after giving him a smile. A smile he has learned to keep on his face whenever he interacts with somebody. A smile he didn’t have to fake last night.

But guess Jungkook was right after all. They made mistakes which they would forget. And Jungkook did. Clearly forgot about their conversation, about how he shouldn’t agree to go out with Eunwoo, about how he deserves a romance. Forgot about the indirect vague promises they had made to each other. Forgot about what they meant to each other. Forgot the kisses, forgot Taehyung and how much he cares. And it’s okay because that was what he had promised. A night full of reckless decisions and intentional mistakes which are meant to be forgotten. And Jungkook kissed him, talked to him. But that was all a mistake. Last night was a mistake.They were only a mistake.

Taehyung was the bad decision. And Jungkook forgot that. Easily.

Only problem is Taehyung didn’t. And he might never forget last night.

Maybe this is what hope does to a person. Makes them soar high in the sky only to finally make them crash and burn. And Taehyung is feeling the burn right now, feels his heart breaking. Didn’t even know he cared this much, but clearly he did.

Hasn’t cried since he was 14 years old and lost his grandmother. Hasn’t ever cried about something this stupid. Over a heartbreak which never really happened. A broken promise which wasn’t even made. But he does now. Can feel tears in his eyes. Hates that Jungkook has affected him this much. Couldn’t hate Jungkook even if he wanted to. Jungkook just fulfilled his promise of forgetting the night full of drunk haze. Taehyung is the one who didn’t. Lied about being blackout drunk when he wasn’t. He was stupid. He had hope.  Knows now that he shouldn’t have.

Rest of the wedding passes by in a blur. He takes care of the issue with bakers. Gets the cake delivered on time and gets ready to attend the ceremony which is obviously beautiful. Yoongi and Namjoon’s love makes everyone smile. Seeing two people who have been together for ten years in their world full of piranhas gives a little hope that love might be real after all.

But when he sees Jungkook slide in to the seat next to Eunwoo, all the giddy vibes leave his body. He keeps them away from his sight for the whole ceremony.

The reception party begins and he gives the best man speech narrating embarrassing incidents from Namjoon and Yoongi’s love story when he used to watch both of them pining for each other. People laugh and people cry. The speech turns out to be a success.

He starts getting a million calls and he realises that he is urgently needed back in Japan, will have to cut short his attendance at the wedding by a few hours.

He goes to apologise to Namjoon & Yoongi for leaving early, who obviously are not pleased with it.

“Yoongi I promise I will make it up to you guys. You know how stuck I am right now, tell him Namjoon.”

Namjoon raised his arms in mock surrender, “ Hey don’t pit me against my husband bro. If he says you shouldn’t, then I agree with him.”

He glares at Namjoon, “Always knew you’d be a coward husband.” He looks at Yoongi again, “Come on Yoongi. Please. I’m really sorry that I have to.”

Yoongi keeps his angry face, “You left early last night too.”

“Ah that was because you made me drink too much” He sheepishly replies, has to lie because can’t tell his friends that he left to stupidly walk around with a guy who is now probably busy kissing someone else, “I don’t even remember a single thing from last night. I was blackout drunk. Last thing I know is sitting at the bar alone and bam- I woke up in my bed.”

Namjoon laughs at that and then looks behind Taehyung, “Oh hey Eunwoo. Glad you could make it today.”

He spins around to find Eunwoo standing there smiling. With his arms around Jungkook’s waist. Jungkook leaning close in Eunwoo’s space. He nods at the both of them, “Eunwoo-ssi.... Jungkook-ssi,” he then spins back to Yoongi and finally brings out the big gun. He pouts which obviously finally melts Yoongi who grumbles out a Okay fine. But you will have to make up for this.

He doesn’t really wait around to listen the rest, hugs the both of them and leaves to let them talk to Eunwoo and Jungkook.

Isn’t really in a mood to fifth wheel right now. He goes to his room and quickly takes his bags and calls a cab. But something still keeps poking at the back of his mind. Remembers what Jungkook said last night. To remind him if he forgot.

Thinks that maybe it shouldn’t even matter if he did forget. Shouldn’t change the fact that Jungkook was interested in him. That Jungkook had wanted them be to close after their night at Hoseok’s party. Shouldn’t be giving up so soon probably.

But he doesn’t really have time to explain all of this to Jungkook right now. So he does the only thing he can think off. Picks a notepad in the room and scribbles down a note on it. He is on the way to go back to the reception and give the note to Jungkook when he spots Hoseok. Seeing that he doesn’t really have much time before the flight he booked in a hurry, he passes the note to Hoseok.

“Hey Hoseok. Pass the note to Jungkook please. It’s important. Please don’t forget.”

Hoseok looks at him weirdly but takes the note and nods.

Taehyung runs to the cab after that. Is terribly late If he wants to catch the flight. But atleast he passed the note. Hoseok might read it considering his weird and curious expression. But it’s okay, he didn’t write anything personal in it.

It was pretty simple and hopefully efficient.

Came to see you in the morning, but you were in the shower and Eunwoo answered. I don’t know if you remember but I’d really like to talk to you more. Maybe explain about this later if you’d want to know. Text me. I will wait.

~Taehyung

It should be enough. Enough to explain his behaviour If somehow Jungkook remembered. And enough to make him curious if he didn’t. Taehyung knows there’s always the possibility that Jungkook remembers last night yet hooked up with Eunwoo, which would just make him an asshole. But he has to take a chance. He just hopes Jungkook answers.

               ~                            ~

“And he didn’t? Answer?” Seokjin asks after Taehyung is done narrating the whole story. The whole night which changed him. Which made him desperate enough to put his self respect aside. All so he could marry this guy- this guy who has covered his face with his hands and hasn’t looked up once at Taehyung after he stopped talking.

“No he didn’t. So I figured he didn’t want to. I planned to talk to him one last time when I came back from Tokyo.” He sighs, “But when I did, everyone was abuzz with the new couple in town Jungkook and Eunwoo- who by the way couldn’t keep their hands off each other whenever I saw them.”

“ And then you heard about their breakup after which you married him.”

He hums, “Yeah I know it’s desperate. But yes. Wanted to try one last time. And he agreed so I thought maybe we could have a chance now. Maybe we could recreate the whole night one day. Tried my best by planning all those dates and trips but- yeah nothing worked out. Getting divorced in a week now.”

Seokjin nods. “Because you were in love?”

He smiles, “Because I am in love with him. Yes. It’s stupid really,” He shakes his head, “I’m not stupid anymore. I don’t have any hope about it now. Have accepted this for what it is. I’m glad I could atleast accept it finally. Feels good to let it out.”

Jimin is looking at him with a worried expression. And it’s valid. The guy whom he is confessing for hasn’t put his hands away for a second. Hasn’t looked at Taehyung once since the end of the story of that night. Jimin finally loses his patience and yells, “Kook. What the fuck. Say something.”

And Jungkook starts laughing.His hands still cover his face but he starts shaking. And laughing loudly. Taehyung knew Jungkook could be cruel but he didn’t know this much. Didn’t expect to Jungkook to be disrespectful and make fun of his feelings. Maybe he deserves this for stupidly confessing to all of it and for ever having hoped that Jungkook might be his.

“Kookie what is wrong with you?” Jimin shrieks.

“Has it ever occurred to you that I never got that Note?” Jungkook’s loud voice booms. He finally lets go of his hands and his face is red. It’s difficult to figure if its anger or from laughing continuously. “Huh Taehyung. Did you ever think of mentioning that note to me? Or that I might have never got it?”

“I asked Hoseok. He said he gave it to you.”

“That lying fucker,”Jungkook stands up quickly and is about to run off but Jimin gets a hold of him to stop. He pushes Jungkook back to the couch and keeps on whispering something to him which finally makes Jungkook calm down.

Seokjin clears his throat, “Jungkook if you feel calm enough to explain to Taehyung anything you might want to say? I think you should.”

Jungkook nods and starts, “I never got the note Taehyung. I swear I never did. Hoseok was too drunk and he probably forgot to give it to me.I would- “ He takes a deep breathe to pause and restarts, “ I would have called you otherwise. I swear I would have.”

Taehyung snorts, “Doesn’t change the fact that you had already chosen to be with Eunwoo by then.”

“ I never chose him. Why would I chose him when I wanted you.” Jungkook shrieks at him. And oh, now Taehyung understands why Jungkook is red. He can see tears flowing out of Junhkook’s eyes, “I never hooked up with him. He was with his fuck buddy in the morning. He came to my room to use the shower because his wasn’t working. That’s all it was. Why would I be with him just hours after kissing you. When I had been waiting to finally talk to you sober in the party.”

“But you were with him after the wedding too. When I came back from Tokyo.”

Jungkook exclaims, “I was just doing it to make you jealous. Because you never texted me like you told me that night. You didn’t come to the bench to talk to me. And I waited. I waited for hours Taehyung. I just wanted to make you jealous,” he starts sniffling, “I thought maybe you’d make a move when you’re jealous but you were so indifferent all the time. And then you told me to stay away. And I was done with this shit.I stopped seeing Eunwoo. He knew I wasn’t ever into him.I told my parents to look for a match. I didn’t care anymore.”

“You remember that night?” Taehyung asks, “I thought you forgot. You never talked to me about it whenever I mentioned the night of Namjoon’s bachelor party.”

Jungkook keeps on crying but still yells, “That’s because I thought you forgot. When I heard you talking to Yoongi in the reception I heard you say you don’t remember anything after the time you were sitting alone on a bar stool. So I thought- you know.”

Taehyung groans loudly, “Don’t tell me that we were both idiots and it was a misunderstanding.”

Jungkook snorts, “Well now you know what I was laughing at. Our misery.” He seems to have calmed down now. Isn’t crying anymore which is a good thing.

“Hold on I still don’t get it. Why would you- I mean why are you doing all of this.”

Jungkook sighs, “Because apparently I’m in love with an idiot”

Taehyung chuckles. Can’t let himself hope again when he managed to drag himself to normalcy with a lot of difficulty, “You don’t need to just say things to not make me feel bad. It’s okay to pity me and my feelings.”

“Oh my god why would I do that.” Jungkook huffs, “Why don’t you believe me?”

He raises his eyebrow in question, “Because maybe there isn’t anything to believe.”

Jungkook wipes the remaining tears off his eyes, “Oh yeah? Let me add some facts to your little stories then.”

When Taehyung nods, Jungkook finally begins his explanation, “So the first time I came to talk to you. At Hoseok’s party- you know your friends- Yoongi in particular had been trying to drag you out to a party? That was because I had a huge crush on you. Had been crushing on you since our school days. Now that we all heard that your parents were setting you up with people for marriage- my friends forced me to shoot my shot before I lose the chance. Yoongi had been instructed by Hoseok to drag you out so that I could talk to you. We had been trying since Namjoon’s and Jimin’s party but you finally said yes to Hoseok’s. That is why I wanted to talk to you. That is why I was nervous. Because I was talking to my long term crush.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “That’s seems too elaborate. Also seems untrue.”

“You can ask Jimin if you want. Your plans seemed too elaborate as well by the way.”

He looks at Jimin who is now smiling in amusement, “He’s telling the truth. He has had a crush on you since our high school. He wanted to ask you to dance with him back then too,” He snorts and leans back on the couch, “But he was too much of a coward to talk to you. We had to challenge him to finally grow some balls before you get married to somebody else.”

He doesn’t get this. This is not right. Jungkook wasn’t supposed to like him that way. If this is prank and Taehyung is getting his hopes up for nothing, then it would probably the most cruel thing Jungkook has done to him by far.

“I’m not done. Obviously. Hoseok and Yoongi planned to send you to the basement because Hobi knew I would be sulking there. I was sad because I wasn’t able to ask you out on date once again.”

“Bullshit. You were hiding from your precious Eunwoo there.” Taehyung shrieks

“Even if I was. I was sulking because your stupid stalker Sana interrupted us,” Jungkook lifts his eyebrow and leans towards Taehyung, “Even though you would have stayed talking to me, I knew Sana would keep boring holes at the back of my head the whole damn time.”

“That’s absurd. Sana is just a friend.”

Jungkook snorts, “Oh yeah? Then why does she obsess over you so much. You’re the most oblivious person I know Tae,”He chuckles, “I didn’t misplace my car keys back at the party, I lied because I wanted to spend more time with you.”

Taehyung shakes his head and yells, “Shutup. You’re lying.”

Jungkook scoots forward towards him, looks directly into his eyes, “No I’m not. I wasn’t invited to Yoongi’s wedding intially. I came as Hoseok’s plus one because I knew I’d finally see you after a month. That you wouldn’t miss this one thing.”

Taehyung gets up from the couch and walks away. Doesn’t want to look at Jungkook’s face when he lying. Knows his hopes are getting up but he is scared of being hurt again. “No why would you do that.”

“Because I wanted to see you Tae, I wanted you to kiss me the first time and on the night in Jeju as well,” He can hear Jungkook’s footsteps coming behind him, “I wasn’t that drunk. I only lied to make you feel free to let go that night, I thought you were the one who forgot when I heard you talking to Yoongi.”

He turns around suddenly and Jungkook is standing there with tears in his eyes, “No don’t make shit up. You didn’t want me. This was forced on you.”

Jungkook grabs his shoulder and shakes him, “Stop yelling and denying shit damn it! Look at me Tae,” He lifts Taheyung’s chin and whispers, “Nobody forced shit on me. Do you really think I could be forced to marry somebody against my will?”

He pushes Jungkook’s hands away. Can feel his own hands shaking. His whole body shivering. It’s all too much. “Stop it. You’ll only get my hopes up and then leave me hanging again. Just please stop.”

“Well I was left hanging too. I didn’t even know you felt this way about me.” Jungkook yells in frustration.

“How could you not?” He yells back with the same loudness, “Practically anyone with eyes could see. Even you knew I had a weakness for you, that I could never say no to you.”

Jungkook pulls his hair in frustration and walks around, “That’s- I just thought it was you being kind. Accommodating me because you felt sorry or something for not returning my feelings.”

Taehyung walks back to the couch and plops on it. He can see Seokjin and Jimin sitting with awkward and worried expressions. Probably want to step out of the room right now but he doesn’t care. Is too frustrated to think that they are screaming at each other like idiots in front of other people. Can’t stop himself from screaming more, “But you were the one who made the contract to be only for a year so that you could divorce me quickly. You wanted an open marriage. I don’t get it.”

Jungkook is still pacing around the room and is groaning in frustration, “No you were the one who suggested it and I didn’t reject it. I thought you wanted to date other people, didn’t know you assumed that I was the one who wanted to,” He finally stops pacing around and stands still to glare at Taehyung, “You were the one who suggested the fucking contract. And I assumed you were the one who made it for one year since the whole deal thing was your doing.”

“It was just our parents then.” He mumbles

Jungkook snorts, “Yeah no shit Sherlock.”

He gets up back from the couch angrily and stalks forwards to Jungkook. He shoves a finger in his chest and Jungkook looks too stunned at his anger and stumbles back a little.

“This doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t want to marry me. That you wouldn’t have married me if it wasn’t for the whole business deal. And the fact that Jimin convinced your parents to agree and talk to you.” He shrieks at him in irritation.

“Wh-what?” Jungkook looks back at him with bewildered expression. Seems to be at a loss of words. Opens and closes his mouth several times but doesn’t form any words.

“Ahem, excuse me,” Taehyung spins around at the sound of interruption from Jimin. Is irritated that now is the time Jimin finally thinks of pausing their conversation to go out of the room or something from the awkwardness. He tries to keep his expression neutral but some irritation must be clear on his face, “I’m sorry for interrupting Taehyung. But what do you mean by me convincing Jungkook’s parents. I never did that. I mean I’m all for you two ending up together now that you’re married. But I didn’t want him to get married to you back then,” Jimin winces a little but continues speaking, “I mean I didn’t want to after Jungkook came to me crying about your whole fight when you hurt him. So yeah I didn’t talk to his parents. Or tried to convince them. At all.”

“I did.”

Taehyung turns around when Jungkook speaks- almost close to a whisper. Jungkook doesn’t look at him, doesn’t make eye contact. He doesn’t know what to think and what Jungkook means from this. “Uh- wh..what Jungkook?”

Jungkook sighs and steps away from Taehyung to go sit on the couch. He sits with his head in his hands and finally speaks, “I asked Yoongi to talk to your parents about marrying you to son of Jeon’s- me. His parents talked to yours because me and Hobi pressured Yoongi to do that.I was the one who convinced my parents to say yes to marrying their son to the heir of one of their biggest competitors,” Jungkook shakes his head and wipes tears from his eyes, “I begged them to agree to this union. It was only because I was so adamant that they finally said yes to it. Otherwise they still wanted me to give Eunwoo a chance.I was the one who wanted this Taehyung. I wanted this so so much. You have no idea.”

Taehyung has no idea what to say. Walks to the nearby chair and slumps on it. Doesn’t know if this night is even real. That Jungkook is saying what he just heard him saying. That Jungkook too had wanted this for a long time. Probably longer than Taehyung. Is actually the reason they ever got married in the first place. That Jungkook is the reason they both finally spoke and crossed the boundary of friend of a friend. That while Taehyung was considering all of this a coincidence, had been waiting for opportunities for them to talk- Jungkook was making those opportunities happen.

He thought Jungkook was just indulging him. Or probably using him as a distraction for the night. Didn’t know that Jungkook was choosing to spend time with him, was choosing Taehyung over everybody else all this time.

And suddenly a lot of things started making sense in his mind. Jungkook’s nerves the first night of the party. Jungkook saying he has lost his car keys, suddenly wanting to get food(which he now realises Jungkook didn’t even eat much) , Jungkook especially coming to the wedding when he wasn’t close to Yoongi or Namjoon before he married Taehyung.

That how Jungkook would always make weird excuses to come along with Taehyung to animal shelter or art centre on weekends once they were married. How Jungkook always got red faced when Jimin or Hoseok would tease him- he wasn’t annoyed, he was just /flustered/.

Tonight Jungkook wasn’t bouncing around his legs in excitement for the whole proving Seokjin Wrong thing- he was nervous for the same thing as Taehyung, just the fact that Taehyung was better at hiding things.

Like how Taehyung had wanted to tell the story to have control over the narrative, didn’t want to expose himself- Jungkook had just chosen to remain silent because his expressions would have given him away. He had just been ignorant of Jungkook’s behaviour.

Only if he would have been a little more sensitive, wasn’t lost in his own assumptions about Jungkook’s feelings then he could have seen these signs as clear as day.How Jungkook had kept on asking again and again if Taehyung was okay with the divorce- he had thought it was because Jungkook wasn’t sure Taehyung wouldn’t cause a problem, but it was actually because he wanted Taehyung to ask him to stay. But like an idiot he had always kept a mask of apathy on his face. Had never shown Jungkook how much he cared, of how much he wanted Jungkook.

All this time while he thought Jungkook didn’t want him- he was just blind. Didn’t really understand the hidden insecurities behind Jungkook’s carelessness. Can understand Jungkook’s tears and frustration throughout the night. Of how they could have been together but were distant because of silly misunderstandings. No wonder people used to teasingly tell them that they had mad sexual tension all the time this past year. But Taehyung hadn’t paid any kind to those, didn’t want to have any more hopes. But those people were right. And Taehyung was an idiot.

Their timing was wrong intially. And later their communication had been way off. They never talked to each other. Just had made assumptions. And the way things had ended for the both of them after the night in Jeju- they were both afraid to show their emotions in fear of getting hurt again.

They both had been vulnerable that night in Jeju— and both of them had unintentionally hurt each other. Their self respect and their fears kept them from talking honestly Ever again.

They had been poking- were asking questions. But none of them was ready to answer. That behind all the cold and rude remarks- their insecurities were hidden. They cared inside their hearts-too much infact,but had been too afraid to show it.

If they genuinely disliked each other- if Jungkook had actually disliked Taehyung then they wouldn’t have been married. They could have just distanced from each other like a lot of frenemies in their society did. There was no need to continuously taunt and fight- it was only so they could atleast talk in some form.

Taehyung had been so blind. Couldn’t see that Jungkook could have simply said no if he didn’t want this. If he had said no for Eunwoo then he could have done the same for Taehyung if he wanted to. That unlike Taehyung, Jungkook didn’t really give work much importance- atleast not enough to warrant him to say yes to marrying Taehyung if he had actually hated him.

He had been stupidly sulking in his own misery to ever notice that Jungkook was hurting too. Their doubts and pining were hurting them but they were busy in drowning their own sorrows.

That while Taehyung was crying alone on his own- he didn’t see that Jungkook too had been broken and crying.

It’s all too much. He doesn’t realise he is crying until somebody hugs him to calm him down. When he recognises it as the subtle perfume he has now grown used to smell all the time, he relaxes in the person’s hold. When he calms down a little he realises that Jungkook is shaking from where he has been holding Taehyung- has been crying along with him.

And isn’t this how it’s been for so long. He had been busy in the noise of his own cries to ever notice Jungkook’s tears right beside him.

But not anymore, he won’t let them be alone anymore. He stands up from the chair and takes Jungkook in his arms. Hugs him and lets him cry in his hold. Holds him right where Jungkook has always belonged- should have always belonged, right beside Taehyung’s heart which despite all the shock to tonight- has now settled into a peaceful rhythm. Because he knows that there’s still things to be solved, but now they will have each other. Now they won’t be alone.

Now they both don’t need to love in silence. They can be in love loudly- and  freely. They won’t hurt each other anymore.

They had been their own worst enemies until now. Were too set on their own assumptions, never saw that they weren’t the only one hurting. Won’t be doing this anymore now. Know the truth. Know better. So he can hope. That everything will be better now. Happier. Less pining and tears. More love.

“I hope you guys will do better now.”

Taehyung nods and looks at Jungkook who looks like a child being scolded right now. He tries to control a laugh from slipping out but Jungkook still catches it.

“Oh my God! Stop it Taehyung, you have been laughing for half an hour now,” Jungkook groans, “What is so funny to you about Seokjin lecturing us to communicate better?”

Nothing that Seokjin has been telling them for more than half an hour is remotely funny. The whole lecture about communication, about how they both were too egoistic- spent and lost so much time in their misunderstandings and assumptions, how they have a lot of work to do on their relationship, how they have unintentionally hurt each other so much and now have developed trust issues and need to work on building each other’s trust again. That Jungkook has a habit of getting defensive and Taehyung has a habit of closing himself off. They have a lot to work upon.Step by step. And he knows that they will do it all- all of it step by step. Because now they know the most important thing about each other- that they are in love with each other.

They aren’t fighting against each other, but they are fighting against their problems- together. They are on the same side. Don’t need to be alone anymore. Are not alone anymore. And that’s all that matters. That’s all what is needed. Everything will be perfect now.

So the reason he can’t stop laughing or grinning throughout this lecture (which he knows is very important- and he should probably listen to it carefully) is because he is happy. Happier than he ever has been. Because while they signed papers to marry each other a year back- it is only today that he knows that they truly belong to each other. That Jungkook is his- just like he is Jungkook’s. Can’t curb down the excitement in his heart on knowing that Jungkook loves him too. Is so happy right now that he just wants to leave quickly, hold Jungkook’s hand and kiss him silly.

Wants to tell Jungkook that he looks so terribly cute with the pout of his lips and his sulky expression and Taehyung can’t stop feeling happy on looking at him. And he can’t seem to- stop himself from looking at Jungkook.

Realises that he can do this now, doesn’t need to keep himself in check anymore- can just simply tell Jungkook what he is thinking. There’s no need to make up excuses for why he has been distracted- can honestly say that Jungkook is his big distraction. Because he knows he won’t be getting some feeling of disgust or awkwardness from Jungkook like he had feared for so long. Lets himself free a little.

“Nothing you just look so cute,” Jungkook’s eyes widen at that, “And also I’m like extremely happy right now. Just- I can’t believe it’s real.”

Jungkook blushes at that- loses the irritated look on his face and just gets flustered. And Taehyung can’t believe he could get have gotten to see this more only if they would have talked earlier. Had Listened to their friends and others who kept on insisting them to be truthful to each other. But the regrets of the past and what could have happened don’t matter in front of the bright promise of future they hold. Because while the ‘what could have beens’ or the ‘could have been together earliers’ are a little depressing and full of regrets- the definitiveness of ‘what will be’ and ‘what they have’ is far more promising than looking at the mistakes they’ve made.

“Tae” Jungkook groans shyly, “Stop. Pay attention,” He leans close to Taehyung to whisper in his ear, “Let’s get this over quickly so we can be free.”

“I heard that.” Seokjin interrupts, “Anyway I know you guys want to get alone as quickly as possible and I won’t keep you any longer.”

Jungkook excitedly jumps and stands up from his seat, “Oh thank God! Finally.”

Seokjin pointedly looks at him, “Sit down for a second please Jungkook,” When Jungkook sulkily sits back again, he starts, “So as I was saying you have a lot to work again. Like the way Taehyung just said that he can’t believe it. You have to work to build trust that none of you are going anywhere now. Also communication. I will suggest you some counsellors- you don’t need couples therapy per say- but you could use some counselling for some sessions. I will suggest you some and if you don’t like any- then I’m always here. You can go now. Stop sulking Jungkook.”

As soon as Seokjin finishes, Jungkook jumps back to his feet again, drags Taehyung along with him and yells a hurried, “Bye bye. Thank you guys. Will talk soon.”

Taehyung doesn’t stop him. Doesn’t even want to. Can barely keep the smile off his face and rushes along with Jungkook to get out of here.

When they get out of the room they find Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok standing there pretending to look disinterested but it’s clear they had been eavesdropping.

“Seriously guys? You could have just come inside if you wanted to listen.”

Namjoon sheepishly scratches his head, “Sorry, uhm- we were all just so invested. We all knew that you loved each other, so we couldn’t control our curiosity, especially after we started hearing the loud argument you guys were having inside.”

Yoongi snorts, “Also since we orchestrated the whole plan to get Jimin’s new boyfriend to talk to you both, we had to hear for ourselves if it was working or not. So, idiots-“ Yoongi raises his eyebrow and looks between them, “Is the divorce cancelled finally?”

Jungkook looks at him and this time Taehyung doesn’t take even a second to confidently answer, “Definitely cancelled.”

Hoseok whoops around in happiness, “Thank fuck. I was so scared but thankfully our plan worked.”

Jungkook comes around and punches Hoseok hard. “There would be no need if your drunk ass had just simply given me the note on Yoongi’s wedding.”

“Or hadn’t lied to me when I asked if you passed on the note.” Taehyung intercepts.

Hoseok doubles down in pain but looks apologetic, “Yeah I deserved that. Also I didn’t know what note you were asking me about, I just thought drunk me would have done what you said so I said yes,” He winces a little, “Sorry I still don’t remember anything about a note though. Honestly don’t even remember meeting you at their wedding Taehyung.”

“You fucker-“ Jungkook steps forward looking like he’s about to throw a punch again but Taehyung holds him back.

“Forget about it Love. Can we go home?”

Jungkook melts in his hold and smiles. “Sure thing babe.”

Namjoon smiles and waves them goodbye while Yoongi is still laughing over Hoseok. “I’m happy for you two. Go home now.”

They can’t stop laughing and running around to get to parking. People are staring at them but it doesn’t matter. Nothing else matter tonight. They are almost near the car when a tight grip stops them.

He spins around to find an out of breath Sana standing there.

“Tae I’ve been calling you. What- why are you running like a child. Come on, a dance with me please?” Sana heaves.

Taehyung looks at the clear uncomfortable emotions on Jungkook’s face and think of all the time Jungkook must have felt the same. And Taehyung used to leave him to go with Sana all the time, used to leave Jungkook because he assumed that was something Jungkook would want. But now he knows better. Thinks of how Sana had told Jungkook that Taehyung didn’t want to take him to Europe. Can now easily pinpoint the times she indirectly taunted Jungkook and tried to show him how she was closer to Taehyung. He thought Jungkook didn’t care but knows now that he does. Must have been hurt so many times because of this person- this person who Taehyung had considered a somewhat friend, who is holding back Taehyung from going home with the love of his life right now- so he knows what he has to do.

He politely extracts his hand from the tight hold of Sana’s hand around his arms and steps back to put an arm around Jungkook waists to pull him closer. Jungkook is shocked a bit but smiles in his cute bunny way. Clearly is happy that Taehyung is touching him in front of the woman who always tried to stake her claim over Taehyung. Maybe she hasn’t realised that there is nothing to put her claim over- Taehyung is already Jungkook’s. Has been since the moment they sat and talked. Probably has been Jungkook’s since long before that.

“Ah Sana-ssi. I’m sorry but I’d have to decline. I want to get home with my husband right now.”

Sana looks confused on the formal speech but remains persistent, “Oh Tae. You don’t have to pretend in front of me, he’s going to be there for only a week more. Come on he’s a big boy, he can go home alone.”

And God , he can’t believe Sana used to be so vile towards Jungkook and he used to let it go. No wonder Jungkook thought that he had no feelings for him.

“No Sana-ssi. He’s going to be there a long time- for as long as he will have me. You’re a big girl, you can find another dance partner,” He pulls Jungkook even closer and plants a kiss on his cheek, “My love and I will take your leave. Good night.”

Jungkook smiles in amusement and cheekily replies, “Good luck on finding a partner. Me and my husband are going home to cuddle. Bye bye.”

Sana angrily stomps her foot and is about to say something- probably something angry and evil again so Taehyung stops her, “Oh by the way, it’s Taehyung-ssi for you. And I would appreciate if you would stop trying to come between me and my husband again. You know for a fact that I’m not a nice person when I’m angry,” He leans closer to whisper, “And nothing makes me angrier then somebody trying to hurt my Jungkook. Goodbye Sana-ssi.”

They can’t stop laughing when they get into the car and start driving. Unsurprisingly the whole drive back home is filled with mindless talks about nothing in particular. It’s good to find that they still have the connection.

It gets quiet once they get into the lift to the penthouse. They keep glancing at each other and the tension between them is palpable. Jungkook comes into his space and holds onto his blazer in a tight grip, pulls Taehyung closer. He puts his arm around Jungkook’s tiny waist and pulls. Jungkook whimpers in response and looks in his eyes with something akin to want, and he knows his eyes must look the same. He leans closer, almost closes the gap between them when suddenly the elevator opens and the moment is broken.

As soon as they step inside their house though the sparks reignite. Taehyung can’t stop his eyes from slipping to Jungkook’s lips again and again. Knows he just has to lean forward to kiss them and Jungkook would kiss back. There’s no questions or doubts anymore. Jungkook bites his lips unconsciously and Taehyung can’t stop himself from looking at it.

“Jungkook.. I- I am sorry. So sorry for being an idiot.”

Jungkook smiles and shakes his head, “No it’s okay. I was an idiot too. We’ve wasted a lot of time Tae. I don’t want to waste anymore of it.” He takes a deep breath and puts his arm around Taehyung’s neck, “I love you. I love you Taehyung. So so much. Through this past year- despite our million differences and misunderstandings- I still fell in love with the person that you are. I love you so much and I’m so happy that we got married.”

Taehyung smiles and puts his arm sound Jungkook’s waist, “I love you too Jungkook. So so much. I’m so lucky that I get to call my husband. I can’t tell you how happy you make me.”

Jungkook sniffingly laughs, “Well I can guess because you make me happy too. The happiest I’ve ever been.”

Taehyung kisses his cheek then. Can’t stop himself from touching Jungkook now that he knows that’s something he can do anytime, “You will be even happier when you know what I think we should do for our anniversary then.”

Jungkook pouts mockingly, “Oh so the divorce paper gifting idea is cancelled then?”

Taehyung pinches his waist and mutters , “Shutup don’t even talk about it.”

Jungkook laughs and says, “I’m sorry. I’m kidding. Never divorcing you babe. Not now when I know how crazy you are for me. Come on tell me what you have in mind.”

Taehyung kisses at the side of his neck and speaks, “I mean it’s a little sappy. But I think we should do it. It’ll be good.”

“Ahan. Tell me.”

Taehyung sighs and lifts his face from the side of Jungkook’s neck, “Remember how you told me you want your ideal wedding to be? We never had any of that since you know it was just us signing paperwork and then having an over the top reception. So yeah I think we should do that,” He takes a deep breath and speaks, “We should renew our vows. Or more like make vows for the first time, but do it all right this time. Just us, our parents and friends in Busan. What do you think?”

Jungkook beams. And it’s so good to finally see that glow back on Jungkook. And it feels so weird to know that he is one of the reasons for the stars in Jungkook’s eyes- that he holds so much value in the life of someone as amazing as Jungkook. “Yes Tae I love it. It will be very short notice- but I think we can manage. It’s all going to be very low scale anyway,” He kisses Taehyung’s cheek, very close to his lips. And the craving inside him increases ten fold to kiss Jungkook, “I can’t wait to plan the perfect wedding this time. I love you Tae.”

Taehyung pecks him on the nose, smiles back. “Anything for you Kook. I want to do it all right this time, have a new fresh start. But before that I have something to ask you.”

Jungkook nods, “Yeah a fresh start will be so good for us. What other thing?”

Taehyung caresses his waist and pulls him even closer, “Jungkook I told you that when I do this I want to do it right. And I’m sorry I was stupid before. But now I want to. Even though we are going backwards, Now I’m going to do it right- Jungkook will you go out on a date with me tomorrow? Please?”

Jungkook smiles and scrunches his nose in his characteristic cute way, “Yeah I’d love to. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me out for more than a year. Thought you’d never ask.”

Taehyung leans forward then- closes the gap between their faces. He kisses Jungkook on his lips, light and feathery. Just a peck. Giving time to him to move away or respond back. Knows Jungkook won’t move away but he needs the affirmation. And when Jungkook kisses him back- with the same tenderness and affection seeping through, he knows they are going to be alright. When Jungkook and him smile into the kiss and the kiss remains gentle despite the tension between them- he knows it’s not just attraction or random infatuation. They are in this for the long haul- they will make it through their problems. Because they have each other now.

When he leans away from the kiss he can see the same grin on his face mirrored on Jungkook. And he can’t stop himself from stealing another short kiss which makes Jungkook laugh. “I love you Jungkook. I love you so damn much.”

Jungkook laughs and speaks, “I love you too Tae. Never knew you’d be such a sap.”

“Anything and everything for you Jungkook.”

“Oh my god that’s so cheesy,” Jungkook shakes his head, “We’ll be okay right? I don’t want to lose you Taehyung. I was so close to- and I’m scared. I don’t want us to separate.”

Taehyung grabs his face and drops a kiss on his forehead, “No there won’t be any separation anytime Baby. We are going to be okay. You want to know how I can be so sure?”

“How?”

“Because we were ready to be in a loveless marriage just to be together. We were hurting but were still together. Now that we both know how much we love and care for the other. Now that I know how much you love me, theres nothing that can come between us. You and me are endgame baby.”

Jungkook squeals, “Oh my god I never knew you had this romantic side. I love it.”

Taehyung kisses him, “And I love you my Jungkookie.”

Jungkook smiles into the kiss, “Yours. Always.”

Hope is a terrible, terrible thing but sometimes it is exactly what you need.Sometimes it’s the only thing keeping you afloat from sinking down.It might hurt, might make you bleed but it can also bloom, can make broken hearts stop hurting. It might be a lifeline or a curse but that’s just how hope is. It might hurt but sometimes it hurts just so good.

And if in the end it gets him Jungkook, Taehyung is ready to get hurt a million times. He doesn’t need to hope for anything more. He has his world- his Jungkook right beside him.