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On a Thursday night, Jungkook's life takes a turning point.
Well, no.
He just likes to be dramatic.
But his relationship with his new boyfriend takes a turning point.
It’s only 11pm but he’s freshly showered and curled up in his bed, a webtoon open on his phone that he knows he wouldn’t be able to finish before his boyfriend calls in a couple of minutes. Jungkook fluffs his pillows, turns on his mood lamp and lays back down to wait.
It’s only the first week that he and Taehyung were officially boyfriends. Jungkook first met the art history student in the cafe near the university a few months ago. It’s where he goes to meet the hyungs after classes on some days. It was spring when he met Kim Taehyung. Cherry blossoms were in the air as he saw the boxy smile for the first time. A couple of shy and slightly awkward hangouts later, they became closer after Jungkook mentioned that he played Overwatch. He’s never seen someone light up that quickly as Taehyung did. That became the catalyst for a friendship that would develop over the course of a few months before Jungkook had started whining to his hyungs about his crush on Taehyung. What he didn’t know was that Taehyung was doing the same. He finally plucked up the courage to ask Taehyung on a date a few weeks ago, and several dates later, they decided to be boyfriends officially. Their hyungs would tease them for their little displays of affection but it only makes the fondness in Jungkook’s chest bloom, especially if Taehyung blushes so prettily.
Being Taehyung’s boyfriend was refreshing in a way that Jungkook feels like he’s breathing new air. It's not logical, he knows. But Taehyung is full of surprises. He’s so vibrant even dressed in his favorite muted greens and browns that Jungkook feels warm from the glow that Taehyung seems to emanate. Or maybe Jungkook is just whipped, as Jin hyung said. He’s never mooned over anyone like this before, and he knows he has it down bad but he also accepts that because being with Taehyung is easy. It’s nothing like the short relationships he had before where he felt suffocated or being turned into someone he’s not. Taehyung accepts him for everything he is, doesn’t ask for more and is simply content with Jungkook being Jungkook.
In hindsight he probably could have avoided this if he had just been honest, but all the time he spent with Taehyung was in person, and they make plans for the next time they meet before they part. So when they start dating, Jungkook thinks that at least that part of their relationship would remain and transition into their dating life seamlessly.
He was wrong.
The night after they become boyfriends, Taehyung video calls him at 10:30pm. He tells Jungkook that he wanted to see his face before he goes to sleep. Which is the sweetest thing except for the tiny fact that he hates texts and calls. He replies slow, if at all. He misses his hyungs’ calls so many times that they’ve committed his daily schedule to memory so they know where to find him if they need to. And before he and Taehyung started dating, they were often hanging out as a group with the hyungs so Taehyung has never experienced the Jungkook that doesn’t text back or pick up calls.
Jungkook accepts the first video call, high off the giddy excitement of getting to see his lovely boyfriend before sleep.
He didn’t think it would slowly evolve to become a nightly habit. Taehyung starts to call him every night, always between 10:30 to 11:00, because he knows that Jungkook tries to sleep by midnight. The first few times that Taehyung calls, Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to let Taehyung know that they should hang up and go to sleep. He likes listening to Taehyung talk regardless of the topic. He likes the way Taehyung’s voice is deeper at night, softer even. He feels so happy knowing that he gets to see this side of Taehyung. So he continues accepting the video calls.
After the first week, Jungkook contemplates telling Taehyung the truth. But the next time they meet in person, Taehyung is sporting a huge smile after getting a paper which he scored an A for that Jungkook doesn’t feel like ruining the mood. Instead, he takes Taehyung’s hand, kisses his knuckles and pulls him along to the cafe where he lets Taehyung order whatever he wants (two desserts and one hot chocolate with extra marshmallows). He walks Taehyung back to his apartment that he shares with Namjoon hyung and gives him a long and sweet kiss before leaving. Taehyung calls that night, still happy about his paper and the fact that Jungkook treated him with all the sweets. Jungkook tells him he’s proud, and he’s rewarded with his favorite smile. He thinks that he doesn’t mind — these video calls are fine if he gets to relive the best moments of his day with Taehyung before they drift to sleep.
By the second week, he’s learned that Taehyung never hangs up first. If they stay up late enough, Taehyung will drift to sleep and Jungkook watches for a few moments how Taehyung's hair frames his face beautifully even if his cheek is smushed against the pillow. It’s unfair how he still looks gorgeous in sleep. He learns that Taehyung’s favorite flowers are sunflowers because it reminds him of Van Gogh’s sunflower series even if the story behind those painting are sad, Taehyung said it brings him comfort that Van Gogh yearned for genuine friendship and connection so much that he painted Gauguin’s favorite flowers and hung them in his room as a welcoming gift to the Yellow House in Arles. Taehyung thinks it's touching how deeply Van Gogh must have felt to warrant him to paint an entire series of paintings. He learns that Taehyung has three different signatures; one for official things, the second is a casual one, and the last is of his pseudonym for his paintings, Vante. Jungkook loves learning about Taehyung like this, he feels like he unlocks a new layer to him, unearthing a little bit more of this side of Kim Taehyung when he does. He tells Taehyung about himself too, things he never imagined he would share with someone else, too afraid of what they’ll think of him. But he doesn’t mind if it’s Taehyung. Trust flows like a river between them, and Jungkook likes the current that it runs with.
The third Wednesday that Taehyung video calls, Jungkook’s diving into bed at 11pm sharp when he hears the ringtone he set for his boyfriend. He tells Taehyung all about his day (they didn’t meet for lunch because Taehyung had to see his professor for a project), the cute dog he saw across the street as he’s walking back to his apartment, the couple he witnessed getting into an argument by the park in front of his complex, and how a classmate complimented his outfit today. He starts looking forward to Taehyung’s video calls - it’s their nightly ritual by now and he’s even started making notes of what he wants to tell Taehyung in the Notes app on his phone. The list started with a couple of things and morphed into short paragraphs. Jimin once peeked over his shoulder as he types down a summary of Jin hyung’s story that he told them over lunch and rolled his eyes, muttering a whipped under his breath. Jungkook takes it upon himself now to catch Taehyung up with all the stories and jokes that are regaled at lunches that Taehyung can’t join. He likes it when Taehyung reacts as if he was there when Jungkook retells the stories. Taehyung is such a great listener too that Jungkook feels like he needs to be better. Because Taehyung’s been busy with his mid-semester project, he’s been looking tired when he calls Jungkook. Often he starts to doze off just twenty minutes into their call. Jungkook told him that he shouldn’t call if he’s tired (though he secretly hopes Taehyung still does). But Taehyung only smiled and said, “I like to fall asleep with you, Kookie”, and who’s Jungkook to stop that? At this point he’s got way too many screenshots of his boyfriend over video call; of him smiling, blurry ones of him talking animatedly, and him sleeping. Jungkook has an entire folder of Taehyung screenshots in his phone now that he looks at when he’s on the bus or train and feeling bored. If he finds himself tracing Taehyung’s face and lips, then no one is the wiser. He’s already halfway in love with Kim Taehyung anyway.
It’s Thursday now and by 10:50pm, Jungkook is already freshly showered hair toweling his hair dry. When he deems it dry enough, he grabs his phone as he makes himself comfortable, pulling up a webtoon. Then he waits.
11:00pm comes by and Jungkook perks up when he sees a notification on his phone, only to deflate when he sees that it isn’t Taehyung video calling him, and that it’s one of his classmates asking him if he wants to meet tomorrow for a study group. He deflates. Goes back to lying on his pillow.
He sighs when he sees that it’s 11:11 and his boyfriend still hasn’t called. He wonders if Taehyung might be busy, but then recalls him saying that he’s handing in his art project today. And Jungkook knows that Taehyung doesn’t have any classes to prepare for tomorrow. Taehyung doesn’t have classes on Fridays but Jungkook does at noon.
If Taehyung isn’t busy, then why is he not calling Jungkook?
Jungkook decides to send him a text asking if he’s still up.
At 11:36pm, Jungkook is panicking. Taehyung hasn’t read his text. He starts thinking of anything he said to Taehyung in their video call last night and at lunch today but comes up blank. Taehyung was enjoying himself, recounting his day during their call last night. And today at lunch he had to leave early to meet his classmates. But he left after pressing a wet kiss to Jungkook’s cheek. Things between them were good when he left.
When 11:50pm rolls around, Jungkook thinks he’s a breath away from having a breakdown. Taehyung still hasn’t called or answered his multiple texts asking if he’s okay or if he did something to upset Taehyung. He’s worrying his bottom lip, biting his nails just living in his thoughts. He thinks of calling Namjoon hyung but then remembers that Namjoon is away on a two-day trip with his physics major classmates. He prays that nothing bad has happened to Taehyung and that it might just be that Taehyung is really upset at him for something he did. It's better than the first option.
Without thinking too much about it, Jungkook is already pulling up the directions to the bakery that Taehyung likes - they have the best strawberry cheese croissants there - that is too far, it takes 49 minutes by public transport and he has to change trains after a couple of stops. Jungkook makes a decision then; he could make it there when they open if he wakes up at 5:30am and takes the 5:40am bus to get to the train station. Yes, he’ll just go to sleep in the shirt that he was going to wear tomorrow and set out his jeans so he can pull it on quickly while brushing his teeth and then run out the door. The bus stop is right in front of his apartment complex so he won’t miss the bus.
At 12:26am, with droopy eyes he sets two alarms, one for 5:20am, and another for 5:30am. Better be safe than late.
By some miracle, he falls asleep easily, probably from exhaustion due to overthinking.
His eyes are wide open at the first ring of his alarm. He feels disconnected at first, not sure why he’s awake so early again. When his second alarm rings, his brain has caught up on all of last night’s events. He jumps out of bed with a shout, heart beating out his chest. He grabs his jeans and throws them on, does a bad job of brushing his teeth thoroughly and then he’s out the door in five minutes. Jungkook doesn’t even realize he’s wearing mismatched shoes until he’s sitting down in the first train he has to take.
It’s still early and the sun is barely coming up and at this point he can’t really be bothered by the fact that he’s not wearing a proper pair of shoes when his boyfriend could be mad or upset at him. Whatever it is, Jungkook is prepared to grovel and beg and even kneel. He doesn’t like the idea of Taehyung being upset or angry at him, or just the idea of Taehyung being sad or mad, period.
When he gets to the bakery, he finds that there’s already a line. They bake all their pastries in-house so that they’re all fresh when they open and that’s why so many people like to come here to pick up something for breakfast before heading to work. When it gets to his turn, he gets three croissants - the strawberry cheese that’s Taehyung’s favorite, a matcha red bean and a chocolate raspberry one that he hopes Taehyung will share with him after he forgives him for whatever he did wrong and hopefully kiss him lots. Looking down at the small box of pastries and imagining Taehyung’s boxy smile in his mind, Jungkook thinks, yes this will work.
Jungkook heads to a nearby florist next, figures it can’t hurt to be a little extra. He doesn’t know the magnitude of his potential mistakes so it pays to over prepare a little. Even if it costs him a bit more. And he might have to eat ramen for the next three days. It’s fine.
He asks for a sunflower bouquet, with a single tiger lily to be arranged in the middle of it, because he remembers Taehyung telling him on one of their video calls that sunflowers are his favorite flowers. He also chose his birth flower, hoping Taehyung will understand the sentiment behind it. He thinks Taehyung will, because Taehyung always understands Jungkook’s heart even when he struggles to express his feelings. Seems that Taehyung is always a step ahead of Jungkook in matters of the heart but this time, Jungkook hopes it will make for a nice surprise even if it turns out there’s nothing wrong their relationship and Taehyung may have just forgot to charge his phone and fell asleep. Reaffirmed in his beliefs, he makes his way to Taehyung’s apartment cradling the flowers and pastries carefully.
Taehyung is relieved. He just submitted his mid-semester project that he painstakingly spent long hours and sacrificed lunches with Jungkook and his friends for. He’s glad that he doesn’t have to miss any lunches for the rest of the semester since his final will be a paper and a presentation. It won’t require him to spend so much time with his classmates. It isn’t a group project, but part of the requirements for the mid-semester project was to include a section where Taehyung collects three different perspectives on the piece of art he’s chosen and then marry those perspectives with the context of the time period. He likes his classmates enough, but he prefers spending time with his boyfriend and their friends. He misses his boyfriend a lot even though they talk everyday and see each other sometimes in between classes. There hasn’t been time to go on dates lately because of the project for his 19th Century Art Movement class. He loves this period of art the most and Taehyung always wants to do well for his favorite classes. He’s doing well so far, gotten A’s on all his assignments so far, and he’s fairly confident he will score well with his project too. He’s had a few office hours with his professor and Taehyung always leaves those sessions feeling reinvigorated with his passion for art.
He just sent off a text to Jungkook when he heard his name being called.
“Hey Tae! We’re thinking of trying out that new chicken place three blocks down, come with us.” Minjae jogs to catch up to him, Jung and Hae Won following behind.
They must have taken his hesitance for rejection because Hae Won says, “Tae, come on, we never hang out outside of class and we all need to unwind after today.”
And Taehyung does feel a little guilty for neglecting them. So he acquiesces.
Dinner turns out to be really fun, and Taehyung almost feels bad for wanting to decline their offer earlier. He’s glad he came out with them because he got to know his classmates - his friends now - a lot better. He shares a love for gaming with Hae Won, the two of them prattling on about the Assassin Creed series until their orders get served. Jung reminds Taehyung of Jin hyung, both sharing a love for food and dad jokes, and Minjae and him get closer through talking about their own art. Turns out Minjae is a bit of an artist, having sold a few of his pieces. Since dinner was so much fun, Hae Won suggests they go for drinks. Taehyung readily agrees this time. He’s grateful that he’s found a few people in his major that he clicks with so well. When he transferred, he was afraid he wouldn’t fit in well, but these people have shown his nothing but kindness the day they’ve grouped up together and now they’re only getting closer and Taehyung is thrilled at the prospect of having more friends.
They pick their poison as soon as they get to the bar. Taehyung has never been a heavy drinker, always opting for cocktails. But tonight he lets himself be coaxed into doing a shot with his friends. They clink their shot glasses and Taehyung swallows the tequila, eyes watering at the fire that goes down his throat. He quickly sips his strawberry daiquri, sighing at the sweet taste taking over his mouth.
They’re only on the second round of drinks, and Taehyung is already tipsy. He keeps cupping his cheeks, feeling the warmth and wishing it were Jungkook’s hands squishing them.
He’s trying to pay attention to Minjae talking about a horrible date he once had when he spots two familiar figures. They spot him too and wave enthusiastically before making their way over to Taehyung and his friends.
Yugyeom and Mark slide in next to Taehyung, greeting him and his friends. Taehyung knows them because they’re Jungkook’s friends. They’ve hung out several times, but always with Jungkook there.
“Mind if we join you guys? Mark and I just came out tonight to blow off some steam. Jaebeom’s stuck doing some assignment and Jackson is probably targeting his second lay of the night as we speak.” Yugyeom acts disgusted.
Taehyung laughs, it’s always easy to be around Jungkook’s friends and he likes them too. “Sure, the more the merrier, we just finished our mid-semester project today so we’re celebrating.”
Yugyeom and Mark fall into conversation with the rest of them fairly easily, launching into their own woes of their dating life.
At some point Hae Won stands and pulls Mark with her to go get them another round of drinks. Taehyung would pity Mark if he didn’t see him making eyes at Hae Won earlier. He’s certain the two will hit it off well.
His head is starting to hurt and it makes him crave the comfort of a cocoon made from his blankets and plushies. Taehyung pulls out his phone to check the time, “Oh I should go home soon, I need to call Jungkook.”
Yugyeom leans in closer, “Jungkook? He hates calls though.” He’s staring at Taehyung quizzically as if he’s grown an extra ear.
Stumped, Taehyung doesn’t know how to process this new bit of information about his boyfriend so he stays silent.
Yugyeom doesn’t seem to realize what’s happening as he continues, “Yah, JK hates texts and calls! I swear he doesn’t pick up my calls — ever. And when Mark texted him that one time asking if he wanted to game, JK only responded a week later! A week!” Everyone at the table laugh - except Taehyung. He didn’t know this about Jungkook before. And maybe it’s the alcohol in the system, or the fact that Yugyeom has more stories on how Jungkook avoids calls and responds to texts so late he shouldn’t even respond any more.
When Mark and Hae Won come back, they’re armed with more shots. Tipsy Taehyung has never been known to make smart decisions, so in the midst of Yugyeom’s story about how he thought Jungkook shouldn’t have a phone if he doesn’t respond to anyone ever — Taehyung grabs a shot glass and downs it in one go.
“Whoa Tae! Take it easy, man. There’s more to go around!” Mark passes the glasses around, making sure everyone has one.
Clinks of glasses break and loud cheers Taehyung out of a daze, and he tries his best to not let it show that his mind is going a mile a minute. His overthinking has always been bad. It’s gotten slightly better since he went for therapy, learning methods that he can use to break out of the ugly cycle. But Yugyeom’s words echo in his mind loudly and with it comes the whispers from the back of his brain of his exes’ words, “You’re too clingy, Tae.” They broke up just four days later. It’s been long enough that Taehyung isn’t hurt by the breakup now, but those words still haunt him from time to time. With Jungkook it hasn’t come up yet but what if he’s been overbearing? He’s the one who initiates their video calls every night. What if Jungkook hates them but can’t bear to tell Taehyung about it?
He swallows down another shot that Jung hands him.
His head is pounding even harder now, and Taehyung knows he should get home soon before he starts having a breakdown in the middle of the bar. He doesn’t want to ruin the mood of the night. All his friends seem to be having such a great time getting to know Yugyeom and Mark. He even thinks that Hae Won might end up bringing Mark home judging by the flirty looks they’ve been throwing each other all night. He’s happy for them.
“I’m gonna head home guys, I have some family thing tomorrow morning.” Taehyung lies smoothly. None of his friends know that his family is in Daegu.
Minjae pouts, “Aw, well. Can’t help it then.”
“You sure you can get home yourself, Tae?” Jung asks as Taehyung stands, hand reaching out to lean on the back of the chair to stabilize himself. He feels wobbly and there’s a jackhammer chiseling into his brain but he just wants to be alone.
So he forces a smile, “Yeah, I am not that drunk. Won’t throw up - promise.”
“Well, take care Taehyung, let’s game with Jungkook soon, ya?” Mark slaps his shoulder lightly.
Taehyung gives him a thumbs up, says his goodbyes again and then stumbles out of the bar.
He doesn’t remember how he managed to get himself home in one piece but hey, he’s in his bed now and that’s all that matters.
His movements are sluggish, slow, but he still manages to pull his jeans off, grab his water bottle and cover himself with his blanket. Taehyung lays his heavy head on the pillow, bringing his phone up to his face wondering if he should call Jungkook. He’s about to unlock his phone, pull up Jungkook’s contact when Yugyeom’s words rear back into his head. Followed by his ex’s.
He lets his phone fall from his fingers.
Better not call Jungkook tonight. He’s drunk, and he is overthinking all sorts of ugly thoughts. Jungkook doesn’t need to see this side of him. He doesn’t want Jungkook to witness this unpleasant sight. Taehyung will deal with his demons by himself when he’s sober. He doesn’t have classes or plans tomorrow so he’ll just nurse his hangover tomorrow until Namjoon gets back. Yup, he will deal with everything tomorrow.
Taehyung takes a deep breath, fingers clutching the hem of his blanket. He does it a few more times, and slowly he feels himself pulled by the lull of sleep.
When Jungkook reaches Taehyung’s apartment, he’s on a different level of determination. He frantically combs his hair properly, tries to make himself look more presentable. Then he takes a deep breath and knocks.
Silence.
Jungkook frowns. Is Taehyung not home?
He knocks again, this time harder.
Jungkook thinks he hears a faint groan coming from inside. He continues knocking.
A thump.
He hears some feet shuffling.
He steps back a little and waits.
The door opens and —
— thighs. He sees thighs. Taehyung’s plush thighs have taken over Jungkook’s autonomy because he’s pretty sure his jaw dropped to the floor as he continues staring at those milky, soft-looking, fleshy thighs.
“…Jungkook?” He’s ripped away from his daydreams of his boyfriend’s thighs by his boyfriend’s hoarse, deep morning voice.
Their eyes meet, and Jungkook sees his favorite dark chocolate pair of eyes that are puffy and a little red, a bird’s nest of a hair on Taehyung’s head, some drool on the corner of his mouth, and — are those tear tracks on his cheeks —
The door slams close.
Jungkook blinks.
This…isn’t what he was expecting.
Taehyung looks fine, more than fine - he looks sleepy and adorable and cuddly as fuck.
“Taehyung? Open the door please?”
Silence.
Jungkook sighs.
Slowly the door creaks open, and Taehyung is revealed. He tamed his hair a little bit, and wiped off the drool. He looks beautiful.
“There you are.” Jungkook smiles.
Taehyung lets him in, not looking at him the whole time. He goes to stand by the couch, hands covering his face. “Please don’t look at me, I feel awful,” he mumbles.
Alarmed, Jungkook sets the flowers and pastries down on the coffee table carefully before gathering a reluctant Taehyung in his arms, “Why, what’s wrong baby? Are you hurt?” He looks over Taehyung’s body but doesn’t see anything wrong - he tries not to gulp when his eyes rake over Taehyung’s thighs. His hands rove over Taehyung’s shoulders, arms, down to his waist and end up back up on his face. He cups his cheeks, making Taehyung look at him.
“No, no I have a bad hangover.” Taehyung admits quietly. He rubs his eyes slightly.
Jungkook tries not to coo at a cuddly Taehyung who has sweater paws in his arms. His boyfriend looks this good while having a hangover. He’s an angel.
He’s relieved that it wasn’t anything he did that made Taehyung upset and decide not to video call. He almost wants to be one with the floor, the morning’s rush catching up to him now.
“Oh, that’s why you didn’t call last night.” Jungkook melts into Taehyung, relief seeping into his bones.
He feels Taehyung pull away slightly to look at him better.
“You…were waiting?” Eyes round and clear that Jungkook sees the slight doubt swirling in his boyfriend’s pretty eyes.
“Yeah.” He sheepishly admits and pulls Taehyung back into a hug.
“Oh.”
Something in Taehyung’s voice makes Jungkook lean away, hands framing Taehyung’s shoulders as he looks into his eyes.
Taehyung bites his lip, looking guilty. He looks as if he wants to say something but is nervous or scared.
So Jungkook starts rubbing his nape gently and waits.
“Yugyeom said you hate texts and calls!” Taehyung blurts out in one breath.
“Huh - Yugyeom? Wha -”
Taehyung pulls away completely now, opting to sit on the couch and hugs a pillow to his chest. Jungkook sits next to him, placing a hand on Taehyung’s.
“Well…my classmates - friends - wanted to have dinner with me after submitting our project, and we went out for drinks after, and Yugyeom and Mark were there. I was feeling tipsy after a couple of drinks and told them I was gonna go home and call you…” Taehyung trails off, fingers playing with the pillow in his arms.
Jungkook continues rubbing circles on Taehyung’s wrist.
Taehyung takes a deep breath before continuing, “Yugyeom said you hate texts and calls. So much that one time you replied to Mark only a week later. And they said you never pick up their calls…so I just thought about our video calls every night and wondered if you hated them too.”
A part of Jungkook’s heart breaks at the thought of Taehyung thinking these things on his own while he’s under influence.
“I went home after a couple more shots and I wanted to call but…I didn’t want to be clingy or-or overbearing.” Taehyung’s voice is shaky, eyes not really seeing what’s in front, instead they look as if he’s reliving memories. Not good ones.
“Oh, baby. No, you’re never.” Jungkook breathes.
He crashes into Taehyung, hand reaching underneath to rip the pillow away. He needs to hold his boyfriend close now.
Jungkook breathes in the man in his arms, not able to fathom how someone could stand to hurt the angel that he is. He knows they need to talk more about this, but hearing Taehyung open up to him made him feel so much better. If anything it makes him happier that Taehyung is willing to share his fear and worries with him so early in their relationship. Jungkook thinks it’s due to the trust they have for each other, as well as the respect they hold. Things have flowed naturally between them, and Jungkook feels a burst of tenderness for his boyfriend. He’s so lucky.
He pets Taehyung’s head gently, fingers combing through his brown locks fondly, just hugging him. He waits until Taehyung’s breaths start to sync up with him before pulling away. He’s leaning down to kiss Taehyung when he’s stopped by Taehyung’s palm to his mouth. “I haven’t brushed my teeth, my breath probably smells horrible,” he mumbles.
Jungkook only smiles and kisses his forehead, moving down to his brows pressing his lips gently to each one, before moving to his nose - a butterfly kiss there, and then a loud smack to each of Taehyung’s cheeks, causing him to giggle and blush prettily.
Unable to resist the sight of a blushing Taehyung, Jungkook leans in to kiss his cheeks twice more.
“Here, baby. I got you your favorite.” Jungkook leans over to grab the box of pastries. He hears a gasp as he opens the box.
“They always sell out so fast — and it’s like an hour away! What time did you even get up to go?” Taehyung rushes, hands holding onto the box of pastries so preciously as if it’s something valuable like diamonds and gold. But well, for Taehyung it may as well be.
“Kook…why?” Taehyung gapes at him.
Jungkook hums, thinking of how he should let Taehyung know how his night spiralled. He thinks honesty is the best way, “When you didn’t call…I thought I had done something to upset you. Sent me down the rabbit hole of overthinking.” Jungkook reveals sheepishly.
Taehyung’s eyes widen, “Upset? No! Why would you think that? Wha —”
“Shush….baby, I know you’re not. We’ll talk about this but for now you should eat it while it’s still a little warm, might make the hangover go away faster.” Jungkook rubs Taehyung’s knee to calm him down and hands him the strawberry cheese croissant.
Taehyung nods and happily accepts, moaning at the first bite.
Jungkook thinks if his heart were a field of flowers, they would bloom at every sight of a happy Taehyung. He thinks dating Taehyung has made him even more cheesy, but he doesn’t mind. He likes it.
Taehyung looks at him expectantly as he chews.
Jungkook takes a deep breath before launching into detail of last night’s events. Taehyung listens as he eats, finishing his croissant in no time.
“—so um, that’s why I got up at 5:30am to get those for you. I remember you said they were the best croissants and no one else makes strawberry cheese ones. Oh yeah, I got these for you too.” Jungkook brings the bouquet of flowers over for Taehyung.
Taehyung’s eyes are shining as he gazes at the flowers adoringly. He whispers, “You remembered…”
“Van Gogh’s sunflower series for Gauguin, yeah.”
“The tiger lily…6 sunflowers…Kookie…” Taehyung lets out a gasp and looks up from where he’s been caressing the petals of the sunflowers.
Jungkook grins wide when he sees understanding dawn on Taehyung’s features.
“It’s us,” Taehyung whispers, eyes glassy.
“Six months as friends and one as boyfriends.” Jungkook confirms, taking Taehyung’s hand into his and pressing kisses across the knuckles.
“Kookie,” Taehyung sobs, placing the flowers on the table before burying his face in the crook of Jungkook’s neck and winding his arms around Jungkook’s middle.
“Yeah, I know baby.” Jungkook turns to kiss Taehyung’s temple. Jungkook feels his shirt getting damp with Taehyung’s tears but he only squeezes Taehyung tighter, caressing his nape soothingly. “I love you too.” He murmurs.
Taehyung sniffles, “I love you so much.” And hugs Jungkook even tighter, placing a kiss on his jaw.
Jungkook thinks he knows what happiness and love is now. It’s having Taehyung curled up on his chest, one hand fisting Jungkook’s shirt, the other resting on Jungkook’s shoulder as he softly snores. It makes his heart want to burst with butterflies.
They moved to Taehyung’s bed shortly after Taehyung had calmed down from crying into Jungkook’s shoulder earlier. Jungkook had instantly pulled Taehyung close when they both snuggled into bed, grabbing his thigh to wrap it around his own torso, humming in satisfaction only when Taehyung cuddles into him.
Perhaps due to the exhaustion from the morning’s emotions, they both dozed off quickly, snuggled up to each other. Because of Taehyung’s project they haven’t been spending as much time together and Jungkook seriously missed just being next to Taehyung as close as possible, hands touching any part of him that he has access to. He loves touching Taehyung, always wants to be touching him, caressing him, loving him. A part of him somewhere deep inside settles, boisterous waves smoothing out, when he’s holding Taehyung close. Jungkook never imagined that confessing his love would result in an outpour of it in excess. He loves it, especially if Taehyung is so responsive to his displays of love.
Leaning down to press a kiss to Taehyung’s brow, Jungkook thinks of the morning’s events, Taehyung admitting his fears and Jungkook then revealing his worries. They were both so caught up in overthinking that it caused a brief period of angst for them. Jungkook wouldn’t have it any other way. He knows that their relationship is so new, but he already feels so comfortable around Taehyung and this incident just brought them closer if anything. He can’t wait to discover more about Taehyung and their relationship.
Taehyung stirs awake then, and Jungkook gets the privilege of witnessing how he slowly wakes up. Taehyung nuzzles into Jungkook’s chest, whining softly, before stretching his limbs and fluttering his eyes open.
A smile instantly graces his features and Jungook can’t help it — he leans down to kiss Taehyung square in the mouth.
“Hi, baby. Did you nap well?” He murmurs against Taehyung’s lips.
Taehyung nods, lips pushing into a pout. Jungkook kisses it away.
“What time is it?” Taehyung asks, rubbing sleep away from his eyes, looking like a puppy.
Jungkook hums, checking his phone, “12:30pm. We napped for a few hours.”
Taehyung sits up, pulling away from Jungkook with a frown, causing Jungkook to pout at the loss of warmth, “Jungkook, it’s 12:30pm. You have class at 12:00pm”
“Mm too bad, class can suck it. I’m too comfortable cuddling my baby.” Jungkook pulls Taehyung back down to his chest, immediately wrapping his limbs around Taehyung octopus style to prevent him from escaping.
Luckily for him, Taehyung relents, laughing at Jungkook’s silliness. Jungkook even earns a kiss on the cheek. It was more of a peck but he’s not complaining.
They stay wrapped up in each other, breathing in the love that surrounds them, until Jungkook breaks the silence. “Baby, can we talk about what you said earlier?”
He feels Taehyung tense up in his arms, and immediately slides a hand to his nape to caress the skin there and play with Taehyung’s back hair in attempt to make him feel relaxed. He knows Taehyung likes having his nape hairs played with - makes him loosen up easily.
“We don’t have to right now, but I want us to be more open with each other. I’m so grateful you told me about it, I feel like it brought us closer. What do you think, baby?” Jungkook murmurs, fingers twirling strands of Taehyung’s baby hair and slowly moving to massage his scalp. He thinks Taehyung makes for a very fluffy teddy bear - the cuddliest.
Taehyung peeks out from Jungkook’s chest looking all cute and adorable and Jungkook can’t resist but kiss his nose. He coos when Taehyung scrunches his nose. Cute.
“Okay Kookie.” Taehyung says softly. “We can talk about it. Um.”
Jungkook places a few kisses on his hair. He’s so glad that he and Taehyung are on the same page on this. Even if it seems difficult for Taehyung to talk about his insecurities. But he’s so brave, and Jungkook is here to encourage him.
Taehyung smushes his face into Jungkook’s chest when he starts to talk. He tells Jungkook about his ex who didn’t like Taehyung being so touchy with him, who didn’t understand Taehyung’s love language and expected Taehyung to follow his way of showing affection instead. A few days before they broke up, Taehyung had called his ex a few times because he was late for their date. You’re too clingy - it’s kinda annoying, was what the ex said when they broke up. And Taehyung had taken that really hard.
Following the breakup, he’s never tried to put himself out there, if he gets asked out on a date, he only goes on a couple before breaking it off because the fear of being too clingy, too annoying still lives in his mind constantly. Since then, therapy has helped him come a long way and when Jungkook and Taehyung started being friends, Taehyung revealed that he didn’t want to get his hopes up of Jungkook ever returning his feelings, so he kept to himself and focused on being a good friend. Jungkook’s heart clenches with pain when he hears this. He doesn’t like the thought of Taehyung ever holding back his feelings, hiding his true self. He’s so glad that he plucked up the courage to ask him out. Jungkook can’t imagine his days without Taehyung in it now, doesn’t want his days to end without listening to Taehyung’s honey-soaked voice and watching him fall asleep onscreen.
“Baby.”
“Hmm?”
“Promise me something?” Jungkook slides up the headboard, pulling Taehyung alone with him so that he’s straddling Jungkook’s torso. He keeps his hands firm on Taehyung’s thighs, fingers pressing down with a little pressure.
Taehyung laces their fingers together, “What is it, Kookie?”
“Promise me that you won’t ever hide your feelings from me. Always be honest with me, if you’re feeling sad, or angry at me - I want to know. I especially want to know when you’re happy too. I don’t like the thought of you hiding your feelings from me. Good or bad, I want to know them all.” He brings a hand up to cup Taehyung’s cheek, who leans into it. “I’m possessive like that.” Jungkook finishes with a pout.
He’s rewarded with his favorite boxy smile, as Taehyung nods, “Okay Kookie. As long as you do the same with me. Promise.” He holds out his pinky.
Jungkook doesn’t hesitate to hook his own pinky over Taehyung’s, sealing their promise. He leans in to capture Taehyung’s lips, hands grabbing at his thighs to pull him closer. Taehyung tastes like bliss wrapped up in saccharine and comfort. He feels so in love he never imagined he could feel anything of this intensity. He drowns himself in Taehyung’s lips, warmth traveling down to his toes, love enveloping them both.
"Also! The next time you go out drinking with your friends, please call me so I can come walk you home."
"But -"
"Nuh uh."
"...okay, Kookie." Jungkook rewards him with a kiss on his brow.
"You're so protective, Kook."
Jungkook growls playfully, rolling them over, "Only with you, baby."
A few days later, Taehyung is walking out of his last class of the day when his phone vibrates. He pulls it out of his jacket pocket only to find that Jungkook is video calling him. Huh. That’s new. Taehyung is surprised but very pleased.
He answers the call with a smile, putting it away from his face. When Jungkook’s full face comes into view, he’s smiling, eyes crinkling at the corners. He just saw Jungkook last night over video call but Taehyung can’t help the butterflies in the pit of his stomach.
“Hi baby! Did you just get out of class?” Jungkook sounds excited. He’s too endearing for Taehyung’s heart.
Taehyung laughs, “Hi Kookie!” He waves a little. “Yeah I’m about to walk back to my apartment.”
Jungkook hums, “Do you have any homework or assignments?”
Taehyung stops walking to think about his current course load, “Mm I do but they’re due next week and I already started some of it. Why?”
Jungkook brightens, “Great! Do you wanna go on a date with me right now?”
Warm creeps onto his face,“What? A date?” Taehyung looks around, suddenly self-conscious that he’s having this conversation with his boyfriend in public where anyone can hear.
“Yeah, what do you say, baby? Date?”
“You could’ve just asked me that through text,” Taehyung grumbles halfheartedly. He’s saying yes regardless.
Jungkook smirks, “But then I wouldn’t be able to see you blush so prettily like this for me.” And then he winks.
Taehyung covers his phone camera, “Oh my god.” His face feels hot. Jungkook’s been more responsive through his texts and calls with Taehyung since Friday. He’s delighted that what happened only brought them closer and unlocked a new level of their relationship. Jungkook has verbally told him that he likes Taehyung’s texts and calls now. He still doesn’t respond to his friends, but he’s making an effort and that’s more than enough for now.
“Baby? Hey, why’d you cover me? Baby, baby, baby—” Jungkook whines loudly.
“Shhh, you’re so—ugh.” Taehyung uncovers his camera and Jungkook’s pout morphs into a big smile. Taehyung melts.
“I’ll come pick you up in 20 minutes, okay baby?”
“Yeah, sounds good Kookie.” He brings the phone closer to his face.
Jungkook smacks a kiss through the phone before waving goodbye. Taehyung tries not to squeal.
He skips the whole way back to his apartment with the biggest smile adorning his face. The butterflies in his tummy only flutter more when he thinks of his sweet and loving boyfriend who’s so receptive and forthcoming with his thoughts and feelings, never failing to show Taehyung that he loves him.
- a couple of months later -
It's a Friday night and Taehyung is out drinking with his friends. They're celebrating the fact that Minjae just sold another painting of his. He bought them the first round of drinks.
Taehyung is making his way through his second strawberry daiquiri when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulls it out and instantly giggles at the notifications coming in on his phone.
It's Jungkook.
He's asking if Taehyung needs to be walked home later. But Jungkook sends him multiple texts, his one question broken up into a few texts and emojis. Yes, emojis!
He feels giddy with love. He thinks if Yugyeom or Mark were here they wouldn't stop teasing Jungkook about it. Oh, how the tables have turned.
Who would've thought that Jeon (I Hate Texts and Calls) Jungkook would be sending several texts with emojis now just to ask one simple question. After That Thursday Incident, Jungkook had slowly warmed up to texting. Taehyung made it clear that he doesn't have to if he really hates it, that Taehyung really doesn't mind and is happy with Jungkook either way. But Jungkook had discovered the many perks of being on the receiving end of Taehyung's messages, such as Taehyung selcas and random video messages. And well, Jungkook has taken to texting Taehyung like a fish to water. Now he's the one who texts more, but only because he types in fractured sentences. And Taehyung loves that he gets a few too many notifications from Jungkook just asking if he's hungry and what he wants for lunch. It could be done in one single text but Taehyung loves that Jungkook is a multi texter now.
Their night time video call routines continue, but Jungkook starts initiating them too, no longer just waiting around for Taehyung to call. Taehyung loves the new development. He's a little proud of how their relationship is coming along, exhilarated at the prospect of ongoing open and honest communication.
Taehyung replies to the text, saying that he doesn't intend to drink that much and he shouldn't have a problem getting home himself, but if Jungkook wants to he can come pick him up in an hour. He's trying to be better at being more honest about what he wants, and Jungkook is so patient with him making sure that Taehyung is comfortable talking to him about anything at all that it makes Taehyung swoon at least several times a day.
He gets an instant response from Jungkook - of course.
He shakes his head fondly at the barrage of different colored hearts and the many sunflower emojis that Jungkook sent. After exchanging "i love you's", he pockets his phone and turns his attention back to his friends, smiling because of the wave of happiness that's sweeping over him.
Taehyung feels so happy that he swears he has sunflowers blooming in his heart, yellow swaths painting his soul. He might have loved sunflowers because of Van Gogh, but now he can’t not think of Jungkook and his bunny-like nose laying on his pillow looking at Taehyung with stars in his eyes. Jungkook is so bright, always so sunny no matter the time of the day but especially during their calls at night and equating him to Taehyung’s favorite flowers - sunflowers - seems so fitting. Taehyung thinks he likes this definition of love better.