Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bond

Noun: a close connection joining two or more people

Verb: to develop a close connection or strong relationship with someone

A growing manifestation of love that slithers through skin, acquiring the most intricate designs. Marks that cover arms, legs and chests, made out of vibrant colors, always moving, always showing how the other person feels. Different sizes in different places of your skin as a reminder that there are people out there that love you.

What if there are no marks? Can people really live their lives without being loved? With the stigma which carried not having marks? It is possible.

Taehyung doesn't have a single mark in his body. 

Nothing. He has grown up without marks and didn't make an effort to gain some. What was the point? It's not like anyone would give him an opportunity. Unlovable, as they used to call him, problematic, unstable... Different. 

Three years old Taehyung was the only survivor of the car accident where his parents died. His red marks adorning beautifully his chest were gone with them. He remembers nothing about them. As far as he knows, his parents never existed. Forgotten, lost in his traumatic memories. 

An old woman replaced them. Taehyung didn't know who she was until he was old enough to comprehend that the old woman was his grandmother, his only relative. She would often talk about how his mom and dad met, their adventures and their strong soulmate bond.

"What's a soulmate bond, grandma?" he had asked when he was six years old.

"It's the only kind of bond that can bring you pain, Taehyungie. It grows like a red ring on your pinky." she had taken the boy's finger with a smile. "When you see it, you will know that you are meant to be together, for your love will be stronger than anything else."

His younger self retained that memory, carefully saving it as a precious treasure. Taehyung didn't know then, but a time will come for him, where he would begin to hate the marks of the bonds, so ridiculously obvious for other people.

Not him. He only had a mark on his chest, only shared with his grandma. Little innocent Taehyung couldn't have imagined that later, he would be considered weird for not having marks. An outcast. The boy who wasn't loved. People seem to think there was something wrong with him so they either shut him down and ignored him, or beat him up. 

Either way, he was alone, but not quite. He had his grandmother after all. Why would he need other marks from different people when he already had the one that mattered the most? It was his only comfort as they beat him up, not really bothering to check near his chest. 

The living nightmare of his highschool days didn't stop. It only made him wary of other people, disgusting them and their intentions. Besides his grandma, no other person has ever been kind to him, not even the teachers. Was he supposed to be kind towards people who only hurt him? No. Taehyung is not an idiot.

He began working as soon as he reached the legal age to do so. His grandma's mark was getting weaker with the years, fading away as life was escaping from her. Taehyung knew the poor woman was resisting, holding until Taehyung was legally an adult. They talked about it: he was to inherit the house and she was not going to let his only grandson rot in the orphanage.

Four months after his eighteen birthday, when he was working, he felt something. Something weird on his chest, something wrong. Taehyung wasn't allowed to have that many breaks in the little convenience store where he worked at, but he managed to go to the bathroom, pulling his shirt up to reveal his unblemished chest. Where his grandma's red mark should have been, there was only bare skin. 

Just like that, for the first time in his life, Taehyung was alone. He became bondless one day and no mark has grown on his skin ever since. 

Loneliness didn't creep on him, as it should. He was used to being lonely, but not having his grandma was tough. He would cry to sleep only to wake up and go to work: he was by himself after all. He needed money for food. Money to survive. To pay the bills. 

He missed his grandma. The way she taught him how to cook, clean, pay bills, fix things, buy in the supermarket. Taehyung was 18 and had a life ahead of him, a life he was not very excited to live. But he would do it for her. He would stay for her, to make her proud.

Five years later, Taehyung continues to have flawless and unmarked skin. He works two jobs part time and tries to earn enough money to pay tuition at college, but it is so hard. Too hard considering that he has to cover his arms at all times, even in Summer. 

The discrimation against him didn't change in all these years and Taehyung thinks it never will. He is fine with it. He has learned to cover up and fake a smile and didn't end up too badly. 

First job, a cafeteria. Second job, art gallery. He loved the gallery because Taehyung loved art. He wanted to study art since his grandma used to frame all of his drawings with a proud smile and even if he whined she always said: quit that face, your drawings make me happy. Taehyung would draw more just for her. Even when he was beaten up or ignored, he would draw.

He doesn't need bonds or whatsoever when he is alone, a brush in hand as color explodes on a blank canvas. It was Taehyung's dream, his goal, his only purpose. Stupid people and stupid bonds could wait. A soulmate? He doesn't need one. He is perfectly capable of being on his own.

Morning shifts making coffee were the worst. There was too much work. He would make coffee and wipe tables at the same time that he would take orders. Taehyung didn't work alone, obviously, but it was too much for only two people. 

However hard it was, he didn't consider quitting or complaining as his boss was already 'making an effort' for hiring someone like him. Besides, the coffee shop was placed near college, so many students would get their coffee on their way to their classes, some of them would even have breakfast there. In the afternoons, some would meet there to have a coffee and work on projects and from their conversations, Taehyung would learn a lot. 

The bell ringing and the rummage of the people around him, the noise and the soft music in the background, distracts him from his thoughts. More clients enter and Taehyung happens to recognize them. How could he not? They have been coming here for the past year that he has been working there. 

First of all, the man with the windshield laugh, who looked too old to be a student. His broad shoulders make Taehyung feel tiny in comparison. His soulmate walks next to him. How does Taehyung know? Because of the red pinky rings adorning their fingers and taking the same exact form in both men. He is saying something and then he sees a dimpled smile. 

Next to come in was the shortest guy, plump lips and charming smile, he would often cling to other two guys. One was as short as him, a serious expression, while the other was the happiest person alive. The three of them shared the same pinky ring and Taehyung has always seen them together, unlike the guy with the dimples and his soulmate. They would sometimes appear alone to get a quick coffee. 

The last one to enter and close the door was the youngest of them. Younger than Taehyung himself, or at least, he looked like it. Black hair and a little scar on his cheek, that man was the most annoying of them all.

Why were they annoying? Their arms were packed from marks. Blue, yellow, pink and orange floating on their skin, moving a bit, adjusting and changing to manifest the relationship they had with the person wearing them. 

They didn't hesitate to take out their coats as the inside of the cafeteria was warm. Taehyung could see the marks glowing under the lights, especially on the youngest, who also happened to have a mark on his neck. What a show-off! This is why he didn't like them. 

Not that he liked any of the people he knew, or his regular clients. Faking a smile, he welcomes them and pretends they aren't gonna order two iced americanos, three lattes and a mocha. Nevertheless, he lets the dimpled guy speak up. 

"Ah, scratch that. One iced americano and two mochas." Dimpled guy says after a second. "Can you also bring us some doughnuts and cake?" he asks.

"How many is 'some'?" Taehyung is clicking on the screen, letting the machine work. 

"Let's say... Half a cake and four doughnuts?" 

"Got it."

The man pays and Taehyung hands him the receipt, telling him he will come with their order shortly. Humming, he begins his favorite part of his job: making the coffee. He doesn't have much to do with the iced coffee, but he always draws patterns with the rest of the coffee, sometimes flowers, little animals, hearts... Taehyung thinks it's cute, no one complains and his boss doesn't even know so... No problem. 

Gathering the drinks on a tray, still humming to himself, Taehyung makes his way to the tables they have joined and where they were sitting. Discreet and subtle, he leaves the drinks on the table and he comes back right after with the sweets.

"Thank you, Taehyung-ssi." the serious man says, nodding at him. He was probably the only one who noticed his presence.

"You are welcome." 

He retires and Yoongi watches as he returns to his spot behind the counter. Learned and precise movements, the man continues his work unaware that there are eyes on him. 

"He doesn't have any bonds." Jimin whispers, noticing the prying eyes of his soulmate.

"What are you two whispering?" Hoseok puts his chin over Yoongi's shoulder and he pecks Hoseok's lips. 

"Kim Taehyung. Jiminie is saying that he doesn't have marks." 

"I never saw one." Jin mentions, slightly turning to see Taehyung's rolled up sleeves and bare skin.

"He might have it on his legs, Jinnie." Namjoon boops Jin's nose and shakes his head. "It's not our business." 

"How can someone not have marks?" Jungkook wonders, eyes wide as he watches the other man working.

Someone calls his name and his head perks up, looking at the other girl talking to him. They seem to discuss something and the man gives her a single nod, lips pressed. Pulling out a phone, he sends a text and continues his job.

"He must be hard to love." Jimin mentions, taking a sip from his iced americano. 

"I don't believe so. Look at the bunny he drew on my latte." Hoseok shows them. He didn't want to mess it up so he hasn't drunk from it.

"Whatever it is, it is not our place." Namjoon repeats himself.

Sighing, Jimin goes back to talking about all the assignments he had to write in order to pass one of his classes. His high pitched voice is perfect for Jungkook to zone out, thinking about his marks.

Obviously, his family bonds were the most important ones. Purple for his grandpa, a turquoise for his grandma and red for his parents. Since he was a kid he had learned that red was the most important color for bonds, as it was too the color of the soulmate bond. It was a mere ring around the pinky but with time, it developed into something beautiful and intrinsicate. The stronger the bond, the bigger the mark. 

Little Jungkook was longing for a soulmate. He loved seeing his parents bond, feeling other people's bonds on his skin. Surely, some bonds fade as relationships change, but that was just part of what it meant living. 

Most bonds gotten when he was a kid disappeared but one stayed. Park Jimin's bond on his shoulder was big and strong, of a dark orange, reminding him how they met when they were kids. It was as simple as wanting to play with the same ball in the school's playground. He considered Jimin his best friend ever since.

They met Namjoon and Hoseok when they entered highschool. They were friends already and Hoseok felt something different with Jimin and for a while, they were weirded out because not a single mark of their bond grew on their bodies. Jungkook had never seen something like it but it had an explanation: Yoongi.

As Jungkook was the youngest and Namjoon and Hoseok the oldest, they left for college before Jimin and Jungkook. Namjoon met this guy who was only a year older than him, studying music as well. They wanted to be producers and they got along just fine.

After a while, they all gathered and it happened the moment Hoseok and Jimin met Yoongi and got to talk to him. It was complicated at first because Yoongi wasn't much of a talker, but with time, the three of them started growing the bond Hoseok and Jimin had been waiting for. Needless to say they both cried like babies and Yoongi rolled his eyes and hugged them both.

It wasn't usual to grow a soulmate bond with two people, but it happened from time to time. Jimin said he felt his pinky tickle with the mark and that he felt like he only was his whole self when being with Yoongi and Hoseok.

Curious about their soulmate bond, he had asked his mom about it. She said that soulmates have a way to find each other, even if it takes years or decades, they always find each other. He wasn't very convinced back then, but he too longed for his soulmate, for the person who had the part of his soul that was missing.

Jin hyung joined their little group when Jungkook got into college. He was in his last year and they would see each other from time to time, but that was it. Until, of course, he crashed with Namjoon in the public library. He was speechless by his innate beauty and they started to meet very often.

The soulmate bond had worked for them too.

In return, Jungkook got beautiful marks as they got to know them. Yoongi's gray mark was the one visible on his neck, dropping to his shoulder and connecting to Jimin's orange, and snaking around his back, where Hoseok's yellow mark was. Namjoon's blue mark rested on one of his forearms and Jin's pink moved around his other forearm.

But that wasn't all. He had a bunch from classmates too, decorating his wrists, arms and legs. Jungkook didn't want to brag about how popular he was because his bonds made the rest of the job. He too gave beautiful dark blue marks to other people, so it felt nice. 

The rest of the people now drinking and eating, had marks as well, from relatives, friends and families. Their world was supposed to be connected that way, or at least, that was what his dad used to say. That's why Jungkook doesn't really get how a person can be bondless.

"Do you think he is unlovable?" Jungkook suddenly cuts the ongoing conversation.

"I can't believe you were still thinking about it." Jin groans. 

"I just find it weird." he got defensive, eyes darting back to Taehyung's silhouette. 

"So what? What are you gonna do? Try to befriend him?" Jimin has a daring tone and Jungkook is just so easy to rile. "I tried, you know? Behind that pretty face, he is an asshole." he points out.

"I was there." Hoseok laughs and Jimin pouts. "He told Jimin he didn't want to have anything to do with a shortie." He laughs again and Yoongi hides his smile on his coffee.

"Did he?" Namjoon looks at Taehyung, now wiping a table. "But he is usually kind?"

"It is called a job, hun." Jin pecks his soulmate's lips. "I don't like half the professors I'm helping out but I gotta keep it professional."

"Anyway, Jungkook. Drop it. You won't manage to get two sentences out of him." Jimin crosses his arms, raising one of his eyebrows. 

"What if I get him to be my friend?" the youngest beams with the idea. 

"You won't." Hoseok rolls his eyes.

"Wanna bet?" Jungkook smirks. "I am pretty charming, I bet I can get him to be my friend!" 

"Deal." Jimin leans over the table, fierce eyes on him. "If you manage to get him, I'll buy you lunch and dinner for a week."

"Baby," Yoongi warns. "I don't think it is such a good id-" 

"Deal. If I don't get him, I will be the one buying you meals!" they shake hands and the rest of the table groans in unison.

"I don't think this will end well..." Yoongi looks over Taehyung one more time.

"Watch me."

A cocky attitude wasn't gonna lead him anywhere with Taehyung, especially because he already disliked Jungkook. However, he had to try anyway because he wanted to have that week of Jimin eating up his own words.

"Hi!" he beams at Taehyung.

The other man turns and looks a bit confused to have him standing right in front of him. Taehyung notices a slight smile on his lips, his gaze on him. Not wanting to get fired for glaring, he is able to compose a fake smile.

"Can I help you? Is there something wrong? Something you need?" 

"Well, there is something I definitely need." Taehyung looks at him expectantly and Jungkook takes a couple of seconds before answering. "Your phone number and a date with you will be all, thank you."

"Fuck off."

The man quickly steps away, leaving the younger gaping at the rude answer. Not only was it rude, but his voice went from warm to cold in the second he took to answer Jungkook. It doesn't help that he can hear Jimin's laugh all the way to where he was left speechless.

"Excuse me!" he repeats, following the man who walks behind the counter. "Wasn't that too much?" Jungkook is trying to calm down.

"No."

Then, just like that, Taehyung ignores him. Acting like he isn't there, he carries on with his duties, making coffee, taking orders and processing payments. No matter how hard the other tries to get his attention, Taehyung doesn't cave in, doesn't even recognize his presence.

He's met other people like him. Arrogant people who think they can 'fix' Taehyung, as if a fucking bond is gonna change his personality or his past, or the fact that he has been hurt too many times to trust. No, thank you, Taehyung thinks. He is not fifteen years old anymore. People don't have that power over him anymore.

"Stop it, Jungkook." a different voice says. "Can't you see he is working?" 

Subconsciously, Taehyung looks at the person speaking to him now, the dimpled guy. He offers an apologetic smile towards him and drags him outside. 

"We're sorry for him." the short serious guy says.

The only acknowledgement he receives from Taehyung is a nod and then they are on their way. Gradually, Taehyung relaxes, not paying attention to what just happened, thinking that it must be something that won't happen again. 

Taehyung finishes his shift, a bit mad because he had to change it with his coworker, who couldn't go to work tomorrow. He had to let his boss from the art gallery know, apologizing for the inconvenience as per usual.

Walking home he feels like himself again. No one looks at him, no one notices him and he blends with the crowd in a way that makes Taehyung feel invisible as he navigates through the city. Soon enough, he reached his humble home, the house where he and his grandma lived together. 

It is smaller than other houses around as it barely had three rooms, and a bathroom on the second floor. The first floor though, is occupied by a living room, a hall and the kitchen. Taehyung doesn't mind because he had a bigger front yard and even much bigger backyard, where he had a garden. Full of different flowers and some vegetables and fruits growing, Taehyung loved taking care of it. 

His grandma had the idea while he was sitting around, complaining about having nothing to do. The old lady smiled and put him to work, teaching him about the meaning of the flowers, how they grow, how much sunlight and water they need.

Rushed because he has to go to the art gallery, he eats lunch, gets a quick shower and leaves. His way to his second workplace is lighter as he loves working there. No matter how many hours he had to spend there, he felt better when he was surrounded by art.

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"Good morning!" 

Taehyung snaps his head up with a smile that slowly dies when he sees who is greeting him. A bunny smile flashes at him, too bright for a Tuesday morning. The man with the mark on his neck, of course. Rolling his eyes, he ignores the greeting. 

"What can I get you?"

"Your number?

Silence is the only answer Jungkook gets. With an innocent smile, Jungkook continues to search for Taehyung's avoiding gaze. Instead of answering, the man looks behind him to a girl waiting and prompts her to order. Just like that, Taehyung ignores him one more time. 

Long fingers preparing coffee, a low and deep hum and Jungkook standing there, watching as the line moves. He hopes he can get Taehyung to talk to him at some point. His coworker tries to get Jungkook to order but he says he only wants Taehyung's number.

"Hey, do something about it." the other man points at Jungkook. "We are going to get scolded because of you."

It has always been like this. It is not his fault, he knows, but it is easy to put the blame on Taehyung, who did nothing but to work. He glares at the man standing in front of him, who at least has enough decency to look down, showing remorse. 

"Is it okay if I take ten? I am going to talk to him." Taehyung says.

"Make it in two."

Unfair. But he accepts it.

Moving around the coffee shop, Taehyung leads Jungkook aside where he doesn't disturb the clients. He doesn't know what he wants from him, but Taehyung had enough of this. He will not be someone else's joke.

"Stop this now. You will get me fired." he grits his teeth, trying not to show all his anger. It was not easy to find a job in the first place, especially for someone like him.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to do harm." Jungkook looks down. "I only wanted your number and to hang out? I don't need it to be a date. We could go as friends." 

"I don't have friends. I won't ever have them. Don't bother me anymore."

"But-"

"Taehyung!" his coworker points at the clock and he nods, coming back to his original position.

Why does he despise people so much? Jungkook doesn't understand. He doesn't seem that bad or mean on the outside, but when he speaks, it is completely different from what you'd expect. From his deep voice to his dry expression, he is very mean and he pushes everyone around.

And even if Jungkook tries, he can't see any bond forming on Taehyung's arms. No marks. Nothing. He is doing it for a bet so he shouldn't be putting so much effort on this, but... Jungkook needs to win. He will win. So maybe he will come back later and try to get him to speak some more.

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Wind caresses his body and Jungkook smiles at the trees as they get greener. He can feel the Spring finally settling in, as the temperatures rise and the swallows fly. His favorite season is coming and he is feeling kinda inspired, so he was going to leave Taehyung alone... But found himself walking in the shop.

Black curls falling over his forehead and eyes, he sits on a table, scrolling through his phone as he eats a piece of cake. Crumbs gather on the corner of his lips as he munches, eyes never leaving the screen. Sunlight hits half of his face but he doesn't seem to mind and Jungkook feels lost in how painfully beautiful looks.

The sort of beauty he finds in nature or in old paintings. The type of innocence that may be attempted to describe using words but they will never be enough to truly manifest the reality. Breathtaking. Stunning. But also, lonely. The lack of marks on his arms makes him look so lonely...

"Hi!"

His exquisite eyes look up, locking his gaze with Jungkook, who notices how he has a mole under one of his eyes. Wearing a serious and annoyed expression, Taehyung looks down again but Jungkook doesn't care. In a daze, he wonders if he could draw him. Not because of a project of one of his classes or because he was made to draw for an assignment... No. He truly wanted to frame Tarhyung's natural beauty.

"Can you stop staring at me?" 

Like a rose, beautiful at first but his thorns won't let you rip it apart. Jungkook doesn't mind though, he loves a good challenge and Taehyung will be worth it. He will get Jimin's money one way or the other.

"You're really pretty." he comments after a moment of silence.

"Look," Taehyung doesn't even react to his compliment, "I'm on my lunch break and I will start working again shortly. Stop bothering me."

"I am just sitting here." 

"That's fine but stay quiet."

Opening his mouth, Taehyung can only glare at him. It's enough to make him close it up again, sighing. What is the point of this if Taehyung will shut him off no matter what? What could he do to have a simple conversation with the other man? It was simple with other people, it always has been. Why is Taehyung so difficult?

Eating his cake again, he looks lost to whatever he is reading on his phone. Brows furrowed, he looked extremely focused on it, so Jungkook blatantly stared, memorizing his features, finding another two moles on his nose and lips. Those crumbs refuse to leave the corner of his mouth and distracts the younger, whose eyes are glued to Taehyung's lips.

Jungkook knows he will only cause trouble if he tells him about those crumbs, and he will probably be mean about it. He stays in silence but brings a hesitant hand to wipe the corner of Taehyung's mouth, slowly reaching... His fingers barely get to touch his skin before he feels a stinging pain on his hand. Jungkook didn't even hear the sound.

Eyes wide open, chest rising and falling, Taehyung looks scared, confused and angry at the same time. It catches Jungkook off guard. He doesn't have the chance to say anything because Taehyung wipes his mouth with his hand and leaves, walking in a restricted area only for workers. 

The pain has calmed down but now his hand is getting redder. Where Taehyung slapped him itched. What was that reaction anyway? Taehyung looked really distressed and it might have been his own fault for invading his personal space, but... It wasn't such a big deal after all? Or maybe Jungkook didn't consider it.

Second doubts fill his head and heart. It was time for him to leave, but not without apologizing first. Grabbing one of his notebooks, he tears a piece of paper and scribbles a simple 'I'm sorry' on one side. On the other he draws a tiny bunny holding a carrot. Jungkook has been told that he looks like a bunny so that way he doesn't even have to write down his name. Jungkook can't really recall if he told him or not, but either way he will recognize it. Surely.

"Can you give this to Taehyung?" he asks his coworker. 

He nods and puts the piece of paper on the counter, visibly so he can tell the other when he comes back. Thanking him, Jungkook leaves the coffee shop for today, the image of Taehyung's scared face coming back at him all over again.

The older gets out when it's time for the afternoon shift to begin. Looking around warily, he sighs in relief when he doesn't see the annoying brat around. Taehyung walks to stand behind the counter and his coworker points at the note left by 'his friend.' How cruel of him: Taehyung doesn't have any friends.

Yet, his curious side is a weakness. Grabbing the piece of paper he reads the written words and doesn't think too much of it. His coworker must be mistaken. Before throwing it in the trash, he turns it and then he sees the bunny holding a carrot.

His brain flashes at him images of the man whose hand just slapped. Taehyung remembers seeing his smile and thinking that he looks like a rabbit. Is that... A note from him? Reading the words again and watching the cute bunny, Taehyung can only think of him. He apologized? Not many people had apologized to him before.

"Kim? Ready when you are." he hears a mocking voice of his new coworker from the afternoon shift.

"Oh, yes. Sorry."

Taehyung doesn't throw the paper away. He puts it in his pocket, not minding if it crumples, as his mind is busy with doing his job properly. It's not until later, when they closed the shop that he remembers about the paper on his pocket, next to his phone.

Why did he keep it? He doesn't waste energy on throwing other things away... Yet he couldn't throw a simple paper in the trash? How stupid, he thinks, moving the paper back and forth on the pocket of his pants.

He makes it home safely and prepares himself some dinner, puts on his pajamas and finally sits after another tiring day. The paper is still burning him with its presence but he can't bring himself to tear it apart or throw it away. Was it because it was the first he had received? Because bunny boy was the first to apologize to him? Or because it was a cute drawing? 

Honestly, he is too tired for that. He leaves it in the kitchen and goes to sleep. Taehyung doesn't have time for any of that, he doesn't have time to waste. Tomorrow will be different, will be normal. He will not bother him any longer.

He was so wrong.

This time, it wasn't the annoying man with the mark on his neck. No. It was the shortie. He walks in the coffee shop and stares at Taehyung, who is doing his thing as per usual. Why are they behaving like this all of the sudden?

"Hey! Would you wanna hang out later?" he tries.

"No." Taehyung turns his back to him and smirks with satisfaction, thinking that he won't be there when faces the counter again.

"What a pity." the shortie says, lips curving down. "I guess I'll see you around."

Next one was the other serious shortie, but in his defense, he only came to buy coffee, unlike his bright soulmate, who also tried talking to him. The two walls, as Taehyung called the tallest of the two soulmates, also came by to bother him.

During the whole week, he got attention from the whole group, which was unsolicited and annoying at times. However, the worst of them was the youngest, who would keep trying even when Taehyung rejected him relentlessly, being extra mean and cruel to the other man.

His job in the art gallery was so different. Sometimes he was behind the counter, selling tickets and some other times, he would be in the art gallery itself, helping people out and providing knowledge about the different paintings and art installments. He loved it. Taehyung felt at ease there, watching people enjoy and take pictures and talk about it in general.

Very often, Taehyung would see art students carrying a canvas, or sitting down on the floor as they drew anatomies of some of their statues. It wasn't a museum per se, and they only had a few of those, as it was a pretty small place, but it wasn't as pricey as going to the museum. 

Imagine his surprise when, next week was still being harassed by the weird group of people. Taehyung didn't imagine he would be finding Jungkook in his tiny art gallery. In fact, he was pretty happy to be there and didn't recognize the voice of the other man.

"Excuse me..." Taehyung turns, wide smile.

"What can I do f-? No. Not you again. Fuck off. I will ask for a restraining order." Taehyung steps back, pressing his lips together.

"I think you are misunderstanding this..." he says with a weird smile.

"What am I misunderstanding? Are you a stalker? I will fucking ask the police to stop you." he was mad but had to keep his voice fairly quiet so he didn't disturb other people.

"Dude, chill out. I am not here for you!" Jungkook finally recovers from the surprise. "I major in arts, you dumb fuck." he crosses his arms, letting out an angry huff.

"What?" 

Jungkook had never seen Taehyung look so lost, or so embarrassed. His cheeks start to get pinker as he looks at the other man, noticing a sketchbook on his hand, opened. 

"Look, I only wanted help but I can get it for another person here." he points at a name written on the paper there.

"No, I'll... Help." 

A shy Taehyung is something Jungkook didn't expect to see in this lifetime. He approaches him and reads the name lazily written there and with a smooth movement, turns his heels and guides him through the halls and rooms.

"It's here." Taehyung points at a room and they enter together.

Big walls were filled with paintings, a couch in the middle of the room to sit and some old wooden structures on one side. Jungkook walks after Taehyung, eyes wide as he looks everywhere. Landscapes and portraits filled the magnificent walls and he couldn't contain his excitement.

"Do you need additional information on any of these? I will be happy to provide it." Taehyung's monotonous tone tells Jungkook that he is back to acting as the wild beast as he normally is. 

"No, it's fine. Uh... Could I draw here? I am supposed to..." Jungkook looks at his sketchbook, "select a painting and work on the color palette, depth and a bunch of other stuff." he looks up and finds Taehyung already nodding.

"You can. As long as you don't bother other people visiting the gallery is fine." 

"Great!" he beams happily and begins to pull out from his bag tons of pencils, erasers and other stuff to begin working on it. "Thank you!" 

He receives a courtly nod and watches as Taehyung disappears through the door. Jungkook shrugs and starts to work, grabbing his headphones and selecting one of the landscapes. 

His pencil scratches gently the surface of the paper, working first on the depth and colors. Jungkook obviously knows he could take a picture, but if he did, he would get easily distracted. Besides, having the real thing and being able to get closer was the best. 

Taehyung checks on the man from time to time. His sharp eyes get interested in what Jungkook is drawing, his eyes focused on the paper as he mumbles to himself. It might be the first time Taehyung wants to sit next to him and talk about what the other is doing. He stops himself though, as he doesn't want to give the other any excuse to bother him.

Stretching, Jungkook checks the time and curses himself: the art gallery will be closing shortly. He has to pick everything up and put it inside his bag. The door opens and he sees Taehyung walking in, his mouth opened to say something.

"I know, I know. It is time to close the art gallery. I'm going as fast as I can." 

"I'll help out." 

"You don't need to..."

But Taehyung was already picking up his pencils carefully, putting all of them together. He looks lost in his thoughts and Jungkook is a bit surprised because he doesn't seem as menacing as the other times. Nor does he sound mean. It is a nice change.

"What do you use this for?" Taehyung picks the kneaded eraser and moves it around his hand, feeling the surface.

"This? You can erase your initial sketch with it. Or erase tiny stuff with it. Or for shading. It makes everything look smoother. Here." Jungkook grabs the eraser and gives it a form, showing it to Taehyung before dropping it on his backpack.

Hiding a little smile, he can see that the other is interested. However, Taehyung doesn't ask anything else and helps him out with the rest of his stuff. Jungkook walks with him all the way to the entrance, where the security guard and other workers are together.

"Why is he here?" someone questions.

"It's alright I know him." Taehyung says, stepping outside of the gallery and following Jungkook. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye!" 

What a bunch of hypocrites, Taehyung thinks. They were never polite to him, and neither did they say goodbye to him ever since he started working there a few months ago. It was obviously because of Jungkook's strong marks on his neck and arms... Of course. 

"Thank you." Jungkook says and then he realizes they have been walking together for the past couple of minutes.

"If you really want to thank me, disappear from my life." Taehyung answers.

"Come on! I am not that bad!" Jungkook tries to nudge him but he remembers what happened in the coffee shop last time, so he drops his hand. 

"Yeah, whatever you say... Whatever your name is." Taehyung frowns.

"I'm Jeon Jungkook!" 

"Did I ask, Jeon? Nope. So shut the fuck up and stay away from me." he snaps, taking distance from the younger.

"That was not very nice of you."

"I am not a very nice person. Just do us both a favor and disappear." 

Given the lack of response, Taehyung lets out a sigh and continues walking, not really waiting for Jungkook. Each step increases the distance between them until Jungkook's figure merges with the night and disappears from his sight.

The younger couldn't respond or walk right beside him again. It was supposed to be a bet but why did Taehyung have to be such a jerk? No wonder why he didn't have marks, it was literally impossible to have a conversation, let alone get him to stop cursing or being mean without a reason. Surely Jungkook was annoying, but he didn't deserve to be treated like that. 

Jungkook didn't expect to get hurt by the words of the older. He didn't expect him to be so harsh and so rude, especially when he was only trying to be his friend. What was so wrong about him wanting to be friends with Taehyung?

He thought they made progress today, but not at all. He thought that maybe with him asking about that eraser they have gotten at least a bit closer, even a millimeter would have been fine... 

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

[Soulmates and soulmate-less] 18:12

Jimin is evil : my Jungkook's bond is tingling

Hoseokie hyung : my Jungkook's bond is itching

Seokjinnie hyung : my Jungkook's bond is being weird

Namjoonie dimples hyung : my Jungkook's bond is doing parkour

Yoongi hyung serious mode : my Jungkook's bond is being a brat

Jimin is evil : woah, all at the same time 💀

Jungkookie are u okay? 

Uh… not really

But u will laugh at me

Seokjinnie hyung : we won't

Did something happen?

I met Taehyung at the art gallery 

Namjoonie dimples hyung : ???

He was working there

Jimin is evil : u didn't follow him right?

WHY WOULD I??! I STUDY ✨ART✨

Anyway he said he would file a restraining order against me 

Seokjinnie hyung : 😂😂😂

I like him.

Yoongi hyung serious mode : what's the issue then? 

He let me draw even after closing

Jimin is evil : I-

Hoseokie hyung : JIMIN HE IS SO GONNA WIN THE BET 😂😂

Jimin is evil : sometimes I hate u babe

Yoongi hyung serious mode : good thing I'm here

Hoseokie hyung : hyung 🥺

Jimin is evil : 🥺🥰 ily

Gross 🤢🤢

Let me finish 😤

So we went out

And he didn't even know my name so I told him

And I thanked him

For letting me stay extra time 

Namjoon dimples hyung : so far so good?

See? He is not that hard to love

He told me to make us both a favor and disappear

Seokjinnie hyung : shit

Jimin is evil : see?? I told u he was rude

Namjoonie dimples hyung : are u okay?

Not really

I don't know what his problem is

I only wanted to be friends

Hoseokie hyung : maybe he dislikes u for bothering him all the time 

Yoongi hyung serious mode : babe u r not helping ♥️

Hoseokie hyung : sorry :(

It's fine hyung dw

Yoongi hyung serious mode : Jungkook u have to understand 

U can't force someone to like u

I get that!

I do

It's just… it hurt, u know? I thought we were getting somewhere 

Seokjinnie hyung : hmm don't let his words affect u kookie

He told me the other day he was going to tell his boss to make the doors smaller 

So I wouldn't be able to enter the cafe bc of my wide shoulders 

Jimin is evil : omg 😂

Hoseokie hyung : He told me I looked like I touched wires

Bc I'm always shaking

Yoongi hyung serious mode : he told me I looked like an angry kitten

Hoseokie hyung : u look like a very cute angry kitten tho 🥰

Namjoonie dimples hyung : he told me he was gonna get me only plastic cups bc I'm always stumbling and dropping things 

The accuracy

Jimin is evil : I told u he called me short, right?

The other day he said I shouldn't have such big issues with chairs

Bc being short meant it wouldn't hurt falling down from them all the time

Seokjinnie hyung : see? Nothing to worry about, Jungkookie

But he didn't call u a bother

Or annoying

Or stuff like that

Namjoonie dimples hyung : now that u mention it…

He was being mean to us

But he was cruel to u

Seokjinnie hyung : shut up love ♥️

Namjoonie dimples hyung : I- 💀

See?

Seokjinnie hyung : Jungkook it's fine

He will come around when he realizes how sweet u are 

I hope u are right… 😕

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

The next day, the group stops by the coffee shop in the morning. Seokjin is hugging his waist, his chin on the youngest's shoulders as they walk inside. The welcoming warmth and the familiar scent and noises are enough to make Jungkook feel somehow better. He tells his hyungs to order a hot cocoa for him and leaves to take a table, not really wanting to talk to Taehyung. Instead, he puts out his sketching notebook and starts to doodle on it.

"That yesterday thingy you said to our boy wasn't nice, you know?" Jimin's hand falls on the counter very loudly.

"Hey there, little bird. Calm down." Yoongi gives Jimin a back hug and Hoseok links his hands with the shorter guy. 

"Repeat that again for me when I give a fuck." Taehyung answers, leaving the whole group with their mouths open. 

"You really are the worst, aren't you?" Seokjin scrunches his nose with disgust. "Anyway, take this," he gives him his card to pay for their drinks "and let's go back with Jungkook."

The only one who saw hurt flashing on Taehyung's eyes was Yoongi. However, he left with his two soulmates as well because after all, he hurt Jungkook first. 

"What are you drawing?" 

Easily distracted, the young man begins to tell them about the new project, sharing with them his notes and what he drew yesterday. Little by little he warms up to them, deciding to stop thinking about what Taehyung said yesterday and focusing on the here and now. 

"Sorry for the wait..." Taehyung's monotonous tone interrupted them.

Deliberately, he leaves each drink in front of their owner, not doubting that the hot chocolate belongs to the youngest. Telling them to enjoy their drinks, Taehyung steps away, showing an expressionless face only broken by his business smile.

"It's him, the bondless..." he hears a couple of girls whispering not so quietly.

Again? Taehyung sighs as he works. From time to time, people would guess that he, in fact, doesn't have any bonds. Even criminals have marks, but not him. So of course rumors would begin and go around and that was only a tiny part of them. Taehyung lived through worse.

Facing the other way, he can't see that the both women look at each other before one of them shoves her mug on the floor, on purpose. As it happens everytime a loud noise is heard, everything gets silent for a second and then it comes back to life.

"Are you hurt?" he has to ask because the customer's needs always go first.

"No! I am so sorry! My hand slipped!" she says, big eyes showing remorse.

Bullshit. Taehyung knew better. Not only because her friend was hiding her laugh, but also for the way she was looking at him. He could clearly see the satisfaction in her eyes when he kneeled down to pick up the pieces.

"People are the worst nowadays." Jungkook had seen and heard everything and didn't like where this was going.

"I know... They are awful." Namjoon agrees, eyes on Taehyung.

The pieces are pretty sharp and he knows he should have gotten them with a mop so he doesn't get hurt. It is too late for that, Taehyung thinks as he continues his job. His right hand goes down to the floor and suddenly a foot appears, high heels pressing his hand against the floor.

The sharp pieces of the ceramic get inside his hand as he lets out a sudden gasp, feeling the pain on his hand. Not happy with that, the woman moves her feet to make the pieces go deeper on his hand. Tears from the pain begin to glisten Taehyung's eyes as she leans in to whisper in his ear.

"You deserve this, bondless. You should be dead. No one wants you." 

Squeezing her high heel on Taehyung's hand, he can only bite his lip so he doesn't cry from all the pain. His blood is dirtying the floor, mixing with the remaining coffee that fell when she dropped her mug.

"That's enough! What the fuck is wrong with you?" 

A new voice. A familiar voice. An angry voice. Taehyung knows whose voice it is. He has been hearing it quite often for the past week. Jungkook is glaring at the woman who is annoyed by the interruption but lets Taehyung go. 

A painful whimper escapes his lips as the man moves his hand from the floor, watching with horror how deep the cuts are. There are some pieces stuck in his skin in a way that he might need to go to the hospital if he isn't able to get it out with a tweezers. Blood drips from the cuts as he brings his hand closer to his chest, trying not to show how much it hurts.

"Shit, Taehyung. Are you alright?" 

"Fuck you. Leave me alone. I don't need you pity!" he screams at Jungkook, who was about to kneel beside him to look at his wounds.

"I onl-"

"Get away from me..." his voice breaks because of the tears he could no longer contain.

"Go take care of that hand. I'll clean this mess." his coworker says and Taehyung nods.

The blood staining the floor is so red and Jungkook can only stand there. Speechless once again by how rude Taehyung was towards him when Jungkokk only wanted to help out.

"Go help him out with his hand." Yoongi stands up and pushes him.

"But he just s-"

"Go Jungkook!" Yoongi screams... Something that he never does.

The younger nods and follows Taehyung to the restricted area. It is easy to find the way, as he only has to follow the blood drops on the floor and the loud swearing. Jungkook fears what he might find in the staff's bathroom.

Peeking inside, he feels like his heart aches from pain from the sight. Taehyung has a medical kit opened in front of him, his hand in the air over the sink, water streaming down from the faucet. Shaking, he is still crying as he tries his best to get the pieces out.

"Fuck, fuck." he hisses, letting out a cry of pain that was overwhelming to hear.

"Let me see..."

Jungkook gets inside and sees how Taehyung swallows his sniffles, wiping his tears away. A witty remark or a curse is coming his way and the younger knows he is gonna keep acting like a jerk, but he doesn't care. He can't stand how he was treated, and the way he didn't fight back with something that was so blatantly unfair.

"No, get away from me..." he brings his hand closer to his chest and steps back.

The face that he makes is the same type of face he made the last time when he barely touched his face: fear. Taehyung is trembling from fear, eyes wide and chest going up and down, he looks so afraid of Jungkook. So afraid that he keeps trying to get away until his back touches the wall.

"Let me see, Kim."

A shake of head. Jungkook sighs and gets closer, grabbing Taehyung's wrist and pulling him back to the sink. He whistles when the water cleans some of the blood away, revealing all the cuts he got from that psycho. He doesn't let his big hand go as he grabs the tweezers Taehyung was using to take the pieces out.

"This is gonna hurt."

He gets the ends of the tweezer in a cut and Taehyung lets out a sob of pain as Jungkook grabs the piece of ceramic and pulls it out. His hand is shaking and Jungkook doesn't even dare to look away from the hand. Slowly, he takes all the pieces and shards one by one, trying to ignore all the whimpers and gasps that Taehyung is letting out. They must hurt like a bitch.

Caressing the skin of the back of his hand, Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand, nodding to himself when he sees all the cuts are cleaned. His own hands are covered in blood but he doesn't care. Gently, he puts down their hands under the stream of water and then he takes a bandage, putting it over the cleaned wounds.

"There, all done. You should go to the hospital though. I am not a professional" 

Finally, he looks away from his hand, finding Taehyung's usual cold eyes sparkling with an unknown warmth and gratitude. It is hard for him to look away, so instead, he drops his own hands and gives him his space back.

The man blinks and looks down to his hand, flexing his fingers, slightly wincing in pain. Jungkook doesn't know what else to say or do, so he walks out of the bathroom. He has to go to classes anyway and the mood around them is weird.

"Jeon! Wait!" 

Taehyung grabs his arm with the good hand and turns him. Red eyes and expression returning to his habitual coldness, he looks from his hand back to Jungkook. 

"I'm... I... Thank you..." he looks down to the messy bandage, pink flushing his cheeks.

"You're welcome. Let's head back." 

Taehyung follows him, not knowing how to process this. Instead of mocking him or making him suffer, as he thought he would, Jungkook helped him out. Despite how Taehyung treated him, Jungkook stayed and helped him. He worried. He doesn't want to owe anything to anyone so he has to find a way to repay him somehow.

The younger walks back to his table, sitting down and talking to his friends. Biting his lip, Taehyung goes back behind the counter. Blinking, he tries not to get distracted and does his job as best as he can. 

"Hey, hope you are alright. Go to the hospital later, yes?" Taehyung looks up to the serious boy and nods. "Good." 

The group nods at him and Jungkook seems hesitant but he waves at Taehyung anyway and the latter fails to call him. What is he supposed to say? That he is thankful and sorry that he was such an asshole to him? That it's just the way he is? 

The afternoon in the art gallery doesn't go that well either. Taehyung is in a daze, distracted and makes some mistakes, like telling the year of a painting wrong or leading the way to the wrong rooms. All along, people wonder about the messy bandage he has on his right hand, stained with dry blood. 

Jungkook stops by when they are closing. He was planning to go work on his project but he kept procrastinating because he didn't know what face he should make when he saw Taehyung again. When he finally decided to go, it was too late. With a sigh, he thinks it's better if he leaves before Taehyung gets out, but he is not so lucky.

The first thing the wounded man sees is Jungkook making a sharp turn and starting to go away. Confused about that sudden change, he quickly bows to his coworkers who don't bother to bow back. Taehyung should have known: they were all liars and hypocrites.

That alone almost makes him stop on his tracks. Then, he remembers he owes Jungkook for helping him out, so he jogs towards him, trying to catch up. He calls him but Jungkook doesn't seem to hear him... Or he is avoiding him. 

"Hey!"

It's the first time Taehyung chases him and not the other way around and it makes him feel awkward. Shaking his head, he composes a little smile and continues speaking. He prepared what to say so he wouldn't mess up.

"So... I wanted to say thank you again. I feel like I owe you and well... I am not used to that. So tomorrow, your coffee is on me, got it?" it comes out fast, breathless and hesitant. Taehyung is begging to a god he doesn't believe in for Jungkook to have understood all of it.

"You don't have to!" Jungkook answers. "I didn't help to get something in return."

"I don't like owing things to people. Accept the damn coffee, Jeon."

Jungkook stills and nods after a second. Under the streetlights, Taehyung can barely see his marks and it helps. It makes the younger look less pretentious and arrogant and more decent, perhaps more human. If it wasn't for the bond on his neck, Taehyung would even imagine Jungkook without bonds, so he wouldn't feel so wary. 

"Did you go to the hospital for that?" 

"I didn't." Taehyung tries flexing his hand, noticing that the sharp pain never left. He won't be able to work on the garden for who knows how long. 

"What if I missed something? It will get infected!" an alarmed tone, a worried one. A voice Taehyung never expected to hear from another person since his grandma passed away.

His usually big eyes are looking at him wider, his mouth forming an 'o' as one of his hands flies towards him. His natural reaction is to flinch and step back, be alert. He wasn't beaten up during all the years he was in highschool to be careless with strangers.

"Sorry. I forgot you don't like to be touched." although it was more like he feared to be touched. Jungkook wasn't gonna say it like that and anger him.

"Uh... Fine. I'll go. I also told the cat looking dude I was gonna go." he remembers suddenly.

"You mean Yoongi hyung?" 

Jungkook bursts into laughter. An uncontrolled one, the type of laugh that got people wheezing and gasping for air. He is holding his stomach as if it hurts and Taehyung blinks, not understanding the joke he just made. He meant it? The serious man looked like a cat.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't see that coming." He even has to wipe tears under his eyes.

Hate. Hatred growing in the pit of his stomach as Taehyung feels relaxing with those giggles. No wonder why he had so many bonds and connections to other people: Jeon Jungkook is charming. Not only because of that laugh, but because of how expressive he was. He was like an open book to be read and Taehyung was like a big wall.

"It's alright." Taehyung tenses up when he stops walking. 

"My house is that way," he points. "Hope your hand gets better." Jungkook smiles kindly and waves a goodbye that Taehyung never returns.

He never did in the first place, so he doesn't think he should wave back. Unknowingly to the both men, a red dot appeared on their pinkies, a red dot that was the beginning of a soulmate bond. Neither realized because it was of a weak red and was barely there, but it was their destiny. 

Soulmates are bound to find each other and form a bond after all. That was how it all worked.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

The ER was mostly empty and he was checked by a doctor right away. He gets scolded because he didn't come by sooner. Some of the cuts needed stitches, as Taehyung had thought in the first place. 

After hearing what happened, he had to reopen some of the wounds to disinfect them and make sure he didn't have any shard or piece stuck. It hurt really bad but Taehyung held it in. Once he was done, he gave Taehyung stitches and a proper bandage, glaring at the dirty one laying down next to Taehyung's good hand.

"Are you sure you don't want to throw that out? It was so poorly done I am shocked that the cuts were actually clean." he says, taking off his gloves. 

"Yes." He doesn't have to explain himself to others, so before the doctor starts asking, he shoves it in his pocket. "Do I have to come back to get the stitches out?" Taehyung asks.

"No. Go to see your regular doctor in a week or so, and they will remove it for you. Continue changing the bandage whenever you feel like it's not clean enough."

"Thank you."

The hospital bill is higher than he expected but he pays anyway. He has the money. Not enough for paying tuition but for things like that? He had plenty. Why did college have to be so expensive?

His home feels like heaven after the long day. Taehyung is finally able to relax, get a bath, eat something and put the bandage away. Honestly speaking, Taehyung is aware that he should throw both the paper and the bloodied bandage. It is the most logical thing to do, the most reasonable one. Why would he want useless stuff around the house? It made no sense to keep those.

They stay in his kitchen after all.

Morning comes in a blink of an eye. Taehyung feels like he didn't sleep enough. His hand was throbbing, his head was hurting and he didn't feel like going to work. With a tired grunt he wakes up and gets ready. He needs the money.

Taehyung wasn't an impulsive person, or at least, that was what he thought. He was always careful and considered all the options before making a decision. He was fully convinced he didn't follow his impulses. But in the end, he might just have to look at the mirror again, because all of the sudden, he cut one of his beautiful flowers growing in his garden. 

Why did he do that? Because he thought a coffee was not special enough for Jungkook. He did something pretty amazing despite his insults and bad words, so he decided that one of his daisies was perfect. 

The plan is to prepare their coffees and put the flower on his plate, or maybe next to his cup. Whatever it worked best. He hasn't decided about how to give it to him, but he is sure he will be able to do it. Even if it is embarrassing. 

The nerves are killing Taehyung. He flinches everytime the bell rings and he gets startled when he sees a bunch of people coming, only to calm down when Jungkook wasn't among the newcomers. It is a stressful morning because he is slower than usual because of his hand, so everything's adding up to his nerves.

Jungkook appears, this time only with the shortie guy, the one who has a problem with sitting in chairs without falling. They are talking about something too focused on the conversation. That's it until they reach the end of the line and order.

"Good morning. One iced americano and a mocha coffee, please." Jungkook asks. 

"Got it. Take out?" 

"Do we have time to make it?" Jimin looked at his watch.

"I have plenty of time. My first period was canceled." Jungkook chirps.

"Lucky bastard. Uhmm... Yes, the mocha to take out."

Jimin begins to pull out his wallet but a bandaged hand covers his tiny ones in a blink of an eye. Confused, he looks up to see Taehyung shaking his head.

"It's on me, small fingers."

A giggle. Taehyung looks towards Jungkook who has a beautiful wide grin. He is already looking at Taehyung and mouths a 'thank you'. Nodding, he prepares the mocha first and gives it to Jimin.

"I have a name, and it is not small fingers. Why do you have to be such a meanie?" he whines as he takes the coffee. "Thank you for this though." Then he turns to Jungkook, "See you never, loser." he waves his friend goodbye.

"Take a seat, your drink will be there shortly."

Working as fast as he can, he prepares Jungkook's drink and grabs the flower hidden under the counter. Putting the drink on the tray, he decides to perhaps give him the flower in another way. 

Heart racing like crazy, he stops in front of Jungkook and leaves the drink in front of him. By that moment, his heart is so loud Taehyung thinks it will get out of his body through his mouth and walk away from him. Taehyung knows he will chicken out if he thinks about this too much so he grabs the daisy and moves the tray under his arm.

"Here, for you."

Carefully, he puts the flower in front of Jungkook, lying down on the table. The reaction came a bit late, in the form of a cough as he was already sipping coffee.

"Oh gowd." he says without stopping to cough.

"Okay, bye."

Taehyung tries to use the moment to run away without having to face Jungkook's reaction. Still coughing, he is fast to grab his arm and then lets him go as if he burned him or something. With a sigh, he turns to see a pair of teary eyes and red cheeks.

"Why?" His voice sounds hoarse, deeper.

"I told you. I don't like getting help from other people or owing them." 

"You didn't have to..." he glances back to the flower and a soft smile appears on his lips. "Thank you, it is pretty." he caresses a petal.

"It's nothing. We're even now, Jeon. " 

"We were even yesterday too, but whatever." 

"Okay then."

Continuing his duties, Taehyung feels his heart calming down from all of those emotions. He has a pretty good skill to work with relating his feelings and emotions: he is such a good liar he can trick himself into thinking that this meant nothing and that he was gonna be the same as it was before it all happened. A blatant lie.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Their paths keep meeting. 

The afternoon shift in the gallery is usually so quiet, so chill. Taehyung wanders around, helping people and answering all the questions they have. He is busy so he doesn't see Jungkook coming in and directly going to the same room to keep working on his project. That's the reason why Taehyung is startled when he sees him there.

A lost strand of hair falls over his eyes, but he doesn't seem to care. Moving his head up and down several times, Jungkook's hand moves over the sketchbook, drawing with confident strokes. He is humming something and Taehyung notices he is listening to music, so he actually doesn't step any closer and simply looks at the younger work. He looks so different from how Taehyung would normally see him... There isn't a single gesture of arrogance on his face, as he is too focused on drawing. Brows furrowed, his expression changed from satisfaction to displeasure and all the way back very quickly. 

Somehow, Taehyung can't look away from him. That's until he catches himself blatantly staring and decides to continue his rounds. This time, he is not the one to approach the younger, but a security guard, who lets him know that it is time that he left the gallery.

Red from embarrassment, Jungkook picks up all his tools and shoves everything into his backpack in such a messy way that the security guard stops him. He tells him he has time to put everything in his bag in a safer way. The younger shrugs and wonders why Taehyung didn't come by to help him out.

Following the man, he sees all the people getting out but no signs of Taehyung there. Jungkook thought that he saw him earlier and he had actually taken time from his project to draw the daisy Taehyung had gifted him earlier. He wanted to give it to him. Although it wasn't much, he only wanted to express his gratitude. 

It is cold outside and Jungkook shivers while he waits for the people working there to go out. He should have taken something warmer to wear. His eyes are glued to the gallery's main door and he finally sees all of them getting out.

With pure astonishment, Jungkook watches as Taehyung bows towards them but he hears a scoff as the only answer. How rude. Is this what he has to go through every single day? People mocking him, hurting him and looking badly at him because he doesn't have any marks? How unfair.

"Taehyung!" he skips towards him.

He watches as the other man freezes upon him calling his name. Jungkook smirks and deliberately looks at the other people there, glaring at them in such a way that one of them took a step back and raised both hands. Good.

"Why are you here?" Taehyung begins to walk away and naturally Jungkook walks beside him.

"I was waiting for you. I have something for you... hyung." Jungkook doesn't actually know if Taehyung is older than him, but he looks like it.

When Jungkook doesn't hear any comments about him calling Taehyung hyung, he guesses that he was actually right. The other man is in fact older than him. He moves his backpack and pulls out his sketchbook, moving the pages until he finds the one he is looking for. 

"Here. Uh, you might not see it well here, hold on." he moves closer to the nearest lamppost. "It's not much and I felt bad that you gave me a flower when you didn't need to..."

Taehyung frowns in confusion and then his eyebrows shoot up when he recognizes the drawing. It's the daisy. Roughly sketched and colored, it captures how delicate the flower is. Why is Jungkook giving him one of his drawings? Why does his heart flutter without his consent?

"What am I supposed to do with this?" he looks at the expectant man. His smile drops and looks down.

"I knew it was silly... It's okay, give it back." he extends his hand but Taehyung shakes his head.

"It's not that I don't want it? But I don't... We were even. What am I supposed to do?" he asks again.

"Accept it. You gave me a flower, I gave you a drawing. Now we are even." 

The older looks down to the drawing and a corner of his mouth raises slightly, in a shy smile that Jungkook is able to see before it disappears. His hunch was right: Taehyung likes art or he might be interested in art. It was the way he walked around the gallery, the way he asked for that eraser and the way he knew a lot about it.  

"Thank you." 

Their eyes meet and their bond grows. Even if neither notices it, the tiny dot becomes a mole, still pale, but getting bigger. 

A wide grin and a nod and they continue walking. After a while, Jungkook waves at him and continues his way back. Taehyung too walks back home and doesn't hesitate one bit when he puts up Jungkook's drawing in his fridge, with his own. 

It is kinda funny to see the beautifuls drawings among his childhood drawings. They are worlds apart and yet Taehyung can't help but to love how good it looks, how rightful it appears to be in the middle of his own drawings. Maybe if he studied arts, he would have good drawings around the house too and Jungkook's would have been ordinary. It wouldn't have meant much. 

To Taehyung, it meant a lot. He didn't expect it and he was happy about it, even if he acted differently.

Nevertheless, Taehyung knew better than to let himself get lost in some good actions. People were always like this, doing nice things for him only to get something in return. They all gave up at some point and abandoned him and Taehyung expected Jungkook and his friends to do the same. It was only a matter of time actually.

He has only known kindness from his grandma. The rest of the people only brought him pain, so that's why he makes an effort to avoid people. There are less probabilities of getting hurt if he doesn't let people get close to him.

However, it seems like Taehyung is not conveying the message properly, because the next few days, not only Jungkook stops by to bother him. He sees the bright guy and the short guy allegedly called Yoongi hyung the next day. The dimpled guy appeared too, and the one with broad shoulders. 

His rude remarks should be working but for some reason they don't. Jungkook actually ignores him everytime he curses him, insults him or asks him to go away. It is frustrating because Taehyung is fine being alone. Who do they think they are to disrupt his work? To force a friendship he doesn't want on him? Exactly, they're no one.

Fortunately for him, he has different shifts next week, so he goes to work at the art gallery in the morning and the coffee shop in the afternoon. That should give him some peace and quiet for a while. That same weekend, before the start of the peaceful week, he went to his doctor and got the stitches out. The cuts were mostly healed and the doctor only says that he will always have the scars. It's something they can't erase.

A bow and a thank you are enough to go on his way. It felt weird not having the bandage around his hand anymore. He touches slightly the bumps of the scars and flexes carefully, opening and closing the fingers, watching the red scars moving but not opening the wounds. At least that was a problem he could solve. 

If only he knew how to get rid of the big group of friends, he would. But first things first: he can go back to work on his garden. He was freaking out a bit for not being able to take care of the flowers. Some of them had withered, so he was able to finally cut them down and went to the graveyard to leave them in his grandma's grave, stopping in front of his parents' only to bow. He never knew them but he was thankful they gave life to him, as his grandma would always say: they have life to a good person and that was what mattered the most.

The week passes by very smoothly. Not people annoying him, not incidents, no nothing. Peace and quiet return to him and Taehyung opens his arms to it. This is how it should be. 

The peace and quiet for him brings a disaster to the group. Jungkook complains that he hasn't seen Taehyung the past two days, but he gets really nervous when he doesn't see him the rest of the days. He blames it on the bet and wanting to win it, but clearly it is not a reason to be this stressed. He can't stop thinking about what happened with that woman and Taehyung. What if something happened to him? What if he got hurt again?

His hyungs don't really comprehend what's all the fuss about. Sure, he wanted to win the bet, but Jungkook was so concerned that it wasn't... Normal. He defended himself saying he was the only one who saw him crying in pain as he tried to get those pieces out of his skin. That part was true, but what they didn't get is why it was affecting Jungkook so much. Taehyung was just a waiter, a barista. They actually didn't know him that much and a 100% of the time he was a jerk. Why couldn't Jungkook see that?

"If he's not here today I am gonna lose it." he tells Jimin when they meet near the coffee shop, on Monday morning, after a week of Taehyung's absence.

"Don't be dramatic, Jungkook." his best friend rolls his eyes. "Even if he is not there, it doesn't mean something happened. And think about it, if he's not there, the bet is over. We won't have to pretend to be interested in him."

Jungkook wants to say he is interested. He wants to say Taehyung is interesting. That he gave him a flower, that he was acting this way because people treat him badly. That much he had guessed, but the rest was a mystery. They haven't really talked and it wasn't because Jungkook didn't try. The older wasn't interested but he knows better.

"I am sure he has his parents' marks, Jungkook. It is not the end of the world if he is not there. You have to let it go and focus on other things."

Jungkook didn't want to let go. 

Opening the door for him, his best friend waits until Jungkook steps inside to get inside the coffee shop himself. There is a big line ahead of them, so they walk at the end as Jimin is complaining about his soulmates being a bit distant lately. Hoseok is mostly fine, but according to Jimin, Yoongi was acting a bit strange.

"Remember the day he ordered you to follow Taehyung when he got hurt? Yoongi hyung never screams." Jimin sighs and looks at his pinky. "He is the type to be sad or hurt by himself so I don't really know."

"I agree that was weird."

"He screamed at that woman until she cried and left. I have never seen him so angry."

"He did?" Jungkook is surprised and for a moment he stops trying to look over the line to the counter where the waiters were working. "That's unusual. Yoongi hyung is always so... Calm." 

"I know. It worries us. Hoseok has been trying to get us together to talk, but I think he is avoiding us."

"Give him time? Maybe he will come to talk to you two."

"Maybe..."

They get closer to the counter and Jungkook wants to scream. Why isn't he here? What happened to him? What if he really got hurt?

"Earth to Jungkook. Stop that. You are distressing me." he points to Jungkook's mark, which is flickering over Jimin's arm, as if it was reflecting his own panic.

"I'm sorry. I am... Worried. What if he got hurt?"

"Good morning! What can I get you?" The voice that interrupts him is not Taehyung. Jungkook is extremely disappointed.

"Two cappuccinos to go." Jimin orders.

"Can I get Taehyung's number?" Jungkook asks and the waiter stops on his tracks.

A disgusting expression fills his face and Jungkook wants to punch him so badly. What the fuck was that expression for?

"Why would you want his number?" he finally says, going back to his job.

"Jungkook." Jimin warns. "I am sorry for him, he-"

"Because I want to talk to him and I haven't seen him for a week?" Jungkook presses and the man sighs.

"He was working the afternoon shift. Right now he is around the tables, helping clean them. See?" the man points out.

Following the direction of his finger, Jungkook isn't able to see him. There are just too many people but he believes him. Jimin begins saying something but Jungkook is already shoving people away from him as he finally sees the black curly hair he was looking for.

Taehyung was facing the other way, bent slightly over a table as he wiped it. He seemed to be okay. He doesn't seem to be hurt, Jungkook thinks as he gets closer, trying not to throw himself at him in a hug. He would probably freak out if he did that. No, Jungkook had learned from his mistakes.

"What are you-" Taehyung blinks when he turns, as he is surprised because Jungkook approached him without making any noise.

"I am gonna hug you. It's not up for debate. I am only warning you." Jungkook cuts him from speaking any further.

"Wh-"

A pair of arms surround him, bringing his body closer to an unknown body. A strong body. Taehyung doesn't have time to get scared because it is way too sudden and he hates to admit it, but Jungkook is too strong for him. However, that is not the reason why he doesn't push him away. 

It has been so long since the last time he got a hug, since the last time he felt someone else's warmth against his own body.... He always does everything by himself and he thought he didn't need anybody but the feeling he got from that hug, his chest being filled with the calming feeling of peace... Heck, he missed his grandma's hugs.

So he hesitantly lets Jungkook hug him for however long he wants, noticing some little things like how he smells. It is soft, a flowery scent mixed with the smell of paint. His arms are strong and his body feels like a rock. He thinks Jungkook is probably the type of person who would be able to protect their lover, to offer them support. One of his black strands is tickling his neck as well, but Taehyung doesn't mind. He wants to close his eyes and enjoy for as long as he can.

Jungkook only breaks the hug because of someone clearing their throats. Taehyung is left standing there, trying to process everything, glancing at Jungkook's short friend who is tapping the floor with his foot. He looks annoyed.

"I can't believe you ran away like that." he shoves one of the drinks he is holding into Jungkook's chest. "I am gonna wait for you outside." he announces and leaves with a huff.

"Uh, right." Taehyung's eyes turn to Jungkook's big doe eyes, waiting for an explanation. "I thought something bad happened to you okay?" he sounds defensive and frustrated at the same time. "You could have let me know..."

"Why would I do that? We are nothing to each other." Taehyung is always saying that type of stuff and Jungkook normally ignores it. 

This time though, Taehyung sees a flickering emotion on Jungkook before he masks it with a smile. An emotion Taehyung is very used to seeing: pain. For a second, he feels guilty and wants to say that he is sorry but then he remembers all the times he decided to trust and got betrayed and hurt. 

"Right. I know that." Jungkook averts his gaze. "I was worried." he finally confesses. "Uh, I'll leave now that I know you are okay. See you around, hyung."

In a blink of an eye Jungkook was gone and Taehyung started working again with the lingering feeling of the hug against his skin. His warm breath against his neck and for a moment, he wished he was another type of person, an extroverted person full of marks. Someone with parents, friends and lots of bonds. Someone deserving of that attention. 

The mole on his hand didn't grow that day as it should have. They hurt one another without realizing and that reflected on their bond, which needed reassurance to grow. It needed time but it also needed closeness to become alive. The soulmate bond was like another bond and without positive feelings it wouldn't grow.

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The art gallery feels emptier today as a certain black haired artist didn't appear to continue his project. Taehyung doesn't want to dwell on the fact that he had been waiting for him, instead, he lets himself get distracted by his job. If he is lucky, this will be the end of getting bothered by those weird people.

He has no idea that the soulmate bond is affecting both men, drawing them together. It is just a red dot but its power is stronger than words or actions.

Jungkook doesn't stop by for the next few days and Taehyung should be relieved. He really should. Because he doesn't like cocky brats like him, forcing an unwanted friendship on him, flashing, flashing the bonds at him to show off how popular they are. Nope. He doesn't like them at all, so why isn't he relieved that he hasn't seen Jungkook in these past three days?

It's already Friday and Taehyung wonders if this is really it. If this is really how he is going to recover his boring but peaceful life back. 

It is isn't.

That cat looking dude is there again, back to get an americano or his cold version. It's been a year and the guy hasn't even ordered anything else, so Taehyung is already typing on the machine his order, only asking him because it's their company's policy.

"Good morning! What can I get you?"

"An iced americano and your ten minute break." His deep, demanding voice makes Taehyung frown. Not again.

"I am not gonna spend my break with you." He pulls out the check for him and accepts his money.

"Too bad I didn't ask. Hey!" he calls his coworker. "He's gonna take his ten minute break! Come, kid."

"He can't take his break like that?! I... Excuse me!" his coworker seems like he wants to argue 

"I can always sue you for not allowing him to take his break as you damn well know you are not his boss. Come with me, Taehyung."

Both men are astonished and despite the fact that he would rather keep working, Taehyung follows him to one of the tables, sitting down in front of him.

"Do you know my name?" he begins, sipping on his drink.

"Uhm... I do. 'Yoongi hyung' was it?" he remembers Jungkook talking about him.

"Min Yoongi, yes. Do you know why I want to talk to you like this?"

"Not a clue."

Averting his gaze, Taehyung closes his arms, eyes wandering around only to stop by Yoongi's big soulmate mark, which is covering almost half of his hand. Envy rises, remembering his grandma's words. Maybe he doesn't have a soulmate. Maybe in this life they won't meet... 

"I know how you feel." 

That is the most unexpected thing anyone has ever said to him. However, Taehyung is fast to recover and scowls. How dare he come here and pretend that he knows what it is like to be him? 

"Sure, of course you understand." he says, sarcastically. "With your big marks and a soulmate bond... I didn't realize we were so alike." he scoffs.

"I had only my parent's marks and no one saw them. And I honestly wish I didn't have them. My parents don't have my mark." 

Well, that's a sudden and unwanted confession but it picks Taehyung's interest just enough to stay seated. Frowning, he nods at the other male, telling him with his gesture that he will listen.

"I was an outcast too. I was also treated the way they treat you." he drinks some more. "I know how you feel. I understand why you behave this way, I do." 

The only reason for him to be seated in front of Taehyung was the way his Jungkook's mark had felt for the past days. It was flickering, becoming big and smaller... Unstable. Reflecting how Jungkook was feeling and when he tried to talk to him, he lied and said it was nothing even when the bond was obviously reflecting Jungkook's state. For some reason, Yoongi knew it was because of Taehyung and even if his friends decided to stop coming here to show support, he was different.

"I reacted in a different way, though. I am quiet, I know you noticed." he continues, noticing the nod of the other: good, he is listening. "I didn't even have much of a relationship with my classmates, until Namjoon invited me to come hang out with his friends. I wasn't planning to go, but I did." he smiles when he remembers meeting Jimin and Hoseok, the way his heart started beating. "I met my soulmates and we didn't talk that much because of me, but destiny has a way to bring soulmates together. I tried to run away, to stop seeing them, to protect myself from getting hurt... Just like you are doing right now."

"Yoongi... Hyung," he adds the honorific as he remembers the man is older, "I don't know what this has to do with me. I don't want friends."

"Because that way you won't get hurt but... Accidents happen, kid. Remember that woman. It only happened because you won't allow yourself to grow bonds."

"You talk to me like I haven't tried before. It's getting on my nerves. People always do this. They come here trying to fix me, they abandon me when they realize they can't and then there are the others trying to hurt me just because of not having any bonds. You know nothing of how I feel." he stands up, angrily. Enough it's enough.

"We are different! We are!" Yoongi stands up too, matching the same tone of voice of Taehyung. "If you let us, we wouldn't hurt you or abandon you... We wouldn't."

"I am not interested. I've had enough. Don't come to bother me anymore." he takes a step back.

"That includes Jungkookie?" He challenges Taehyung, noticing how he stills for the right amount of time to make Yoongi think that Taehyung is not as cold as he pretends to be. 

"Yes. That includes all of you." Taehyung answers. "You were like me, now you are not. Great for you. Now, disappear."

The shorter male watches as Taehyung goes back to work, putting on a fake smile and making coffee. For a moment, for a second, Yoongi thought it made a difference. For a moment he saw interest in Taehyung, but in the end... His walls are just too tall and thick to be that easily destroyed.

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[Yoongi hyung serious mode ] 14:33

Hey kid

How r u doing? 

I'm good hyung

Why do you ask? You know I'm great

Amazing 

Wonderful

Jungkook…

Stop lying 

We can tell

What's up with u and Jimin and Hoseok hyung?

Don't change topics 

(But I'll talk to them tho)

Is this about Taehyung?

It is not?!

Now try again without lying

I'm not lying 

Try again~

I won't judge u

Okay fine

It's about Taehyung 

I got worried when I didn't see him for a week and he was fine?

But what if someone else had hurt him?

I wouldn't have known

Is this about the bet?

It doesn't sound like it

You can be honest with me

I won't tell

It is about the bet but it's not

People treat him so badly and…

I dunno

He seems like he's been hurt a lot

And I don't like that but he doesn't care

He doesn't care and wants me away

When I literally only tried to be kind to him

I talked to him earlier

Didn't go well

But what I can say it's that… 

You shouldn't give up

Keep trying

Dunno hyung

It seems like we are not going anywhere 

And I just can't stay around 

Specially if he is going to be cruel

Don't give up on him

He is slowly getting there 

It just takes more time for him

*sighs* if u say so…

Trust me on this, Jungkookie

Alright, hyung

I will keep trying…

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Weekends are the only free days Taehyung has. No work, just time for him, to work on his garden, to stroll around the city and enjoy himself. He gets to be invisible, dresses differently and gathers his energy to face the week. Lazy days that he used to spend with his grandma now are lazy days that he spends by himself.

Sometimes he would try to draw, sometimes he would read, watch some anime or movies... Taehyung likes his weekends to be as uneventful as possible. 

He gets his weekly groceries and then he looks up to the sky above his head: it will surely rain. With a smile, he walks back home quickly, grabbing an umbrella before heading out again, because Taehyung loves the rain. 

It is not the rain per se, but the melancholic feeling he gets when the water drops hit his umbrella, the smell in the air and people rushing to take cover from the rain. Taehyung loves to be an anonymous shadow in the city. It is also the lightning scarring the sky, the thunder making everything vibrate with it. He feels alive when it's raining.

Not sooner after, it begins with shy few drops that have everyone reaching their hands out to feel if it is really raining. Minutes later, rain falls upon the city and everyone hides behind their umbrellas, Taehyung included. Putting some music on his phone and connecting it to his earbuds, he feels his soul being comforted.

After a while, his phone starts to run out of battery so he has to turn his music off. At that moment he is walking through a park, feeling the rain drops become more violent, a full storm forming. He feels his socks getting wet and grimaces, hating the feeling.

Taehyung decides to go home when he hears a whimper. Frowning, with every loud thunder, it turns into a bark. Following the sounds, he finds a small puppy with his head trapped inside of a plastic cup, right where the straw should have been. The sharp triangles are cutting his neck and he is so afraid of the thunder... It jumps and barks in between shakes, the poor thing. 

"Wait, let me help." he says but when he tries, the puppy jumps back and tries to run away.

"Wait!" Taehyung runs behind it.

Not too far away from him, Jungkook watches him run away, struggling to keep his umbrella up as he dashes after a small animal. He hears him screaming and sees how he tries to catch it, not very successfully as it continues to slip away. 

Jungkook likes it when it rains... But he likes it when he is inside a house, warm and cozy, with hot cocoa and a movie. He didn't like to be cold and wet. For a reason, he felt like going out and he had a decision to make: go towards the pair of idiots or ignore and pretend he never saw Taehyung in the first place.

Taehyung throws himself on the dirty ground, getting himself soaked. But he trapped it. Panting, he looks to the umbrella a few feet away from him, glancing back at the puppy in his hands. Carefully, he moves the cup away so now the puppy can see and he lets out a strangled huff: the lid of the cup is hurting it.

"Shit, sorry. Let me help." The dog bites him nonstop and he winces. "Please let me help." he begs.

He is soaking because of the heavy rain, hands bleeding from the painful bites and he is clearly anxious. Taehyung can't get the lid out of the dog by himself. What should he do? The puppy is gonna hurt itself! Or even worse... It could die.

"Hyung..."

Looking up, he can't see that well the person standing next to him. The water is entering his eyes and it's too dark for him to see, but there is only one person who would call him hyung. But what is he doing here out of all people? 

"Jungkookie..." he says, his voice sounding like a whisper.

The latter's heart skips a beat. It's the first time he had called him by his name and Jungkook didn't expect to be affected by it that much... Or that he would like it that much. Ignoring his fluttering heart and overcoming the fear of being rejected one more time, he kneels down, next to him.

"I need to get that out of there." he says clearly, suffering with the puppy.

"Fuck, you're bleeding." he notices the red blood mixing with the rain.

"I don't care. Please, get that out of him." 

Nodding, Jungkook lets go of his umbrella as well, moving his hands towards the neck of the puppy. Using his strength, he breaks the plastic and releases the poor animal, which stops biting Taehyung but continues barking at them. After some seconds, it shakes itself, growling at Taehyung.

"You're okay, little guy." Taehyung stops holding it.

The little puppy jumps away from him and runs away, as any animal would. Taehyung watches his little wet fur disappearing into the grass, the barks fading in the distance. Sneezing, Taehyung noticed he was shivering from the cold, so he got up.

"Thank you." he didn't forget that Jungkook was there too, getting as soaked as he was 

"It's fine. Uhm... Do your hands hurt?" he is looking down at Taehyung's shaky hands.

"It's fine. I'll just get a bandage when I go home." 

Jungkook watches as Taehyung goes back to his umbrella, shakes it and tries to use it against the rain. Not that it's useful anymore, but he still wants to pick it up. Coming back to him, the older pushes his black hair away from his face, grabbing Jungkook's forgotten umbrella and giving it back to him.

"You are gonna catch a cold." Jungkook says, flicking his hair back as well.

"I don't care. I didn't want him to suffer any longer. That shit looked painful."

As per usual, the older is the first one to start walking away. Jungkook looks down, thinking about what Yoongi told him. He needed more time but even with time... It didn't seem like Taehyung would open up to him. Was it really worth it?

"You will be the one catching a cold if you keep standing there, Jungkook."

His name is being called again. Is this a coincidence? Is it on purpose? Jungkook feels like he shouldn't comment on it, but his heart drops anyway. Is he perhaps like a dog? Is receiving such a small acknowledgement enough to forget about everything? Of course not. 

"Hey! I am not waiting all day long." Taehyung insists.

"Why don't you just go? You never wait for me anyways..." 

Wrong. He shouldn't have said that. Judging from the way Taehyung stops radically, facing him in a way that makes Jungkook think that he messed up. He blames himself but at the same time, he doesn't. Taehyung hasn't shown any signs of warming up, not even after he gave Jungkook a flower. Yoongi must have been wrong. 

"I am waiting for you now. Unless you wanna go by yourself, then I can't stop you."

Taehyung was only a few feet away but it felt like an enormous distance, like he had to cross an ocean to get closer. The rain was falling on them very violently and the only light source they had were the lightning and the streelighs of the park. It was hard to see each other's faces.

"I'm coming."

Or else, he will go crazy because of this constant overthinking. And for a bet? It isn't worth it, Jungkook thinks, peeking at Taehyung, whose eyes were glued to the front. He couldn't possibly sense the battle the other man was having against himself, how he was fighting his survival instincts just by walking next to Jungkook. He didn't want to get affected by Yoongi's words but he did.

"Would you like to stop by until the storm has calmed down? I live nearby. You could change in my apartment and then uh... You'd be on your way, hopefully dry."

"I..." Taehyung sneezes right before he can decline his offer, shivering. He hugs himself and sneezes a second time.

Should he do it? Should he trust him? Can he trust him? He sees as Jungkook averts his gaze from him, his eyes wandering around them. Taegtung's heart tells him he is going to get hurt, that he will get hurt and nothing will change. His heart tells him to isolate himself. He wants to trust his logic, telling him that Jungkook had never done anything wrong to him for now, so he won't do it in the future either. He wants to believe. He wants to believe Jungkook won't hurt him. 

Maybe... He can give him a chance. He helped save the puppy. He helped him with his hand the last time and he drew him a bunny. Taehyung slowly nods to answer his question. He will try his own way, very carefully. He will give him a single opportunity. He will try with him and the rest... Well, he could try with Yoongi first. He, at least, gets him.

A relieved expression washes Jungkook's scowl away and he guides Taehyung towards the apartment he shares with Jimin. It isn't as big or spacious as their own houses back in their hometown, but it's the best they can afford, especially because their parents are paying for it.

It's a fourth floor, with one bathroom, two rooms, kitchen and living room. It's pretty small, but it has a balcony and Jungkook can see the park from there, getting inspired by nature to draw. It is not the best but it isn't the worst. As they get inside the elevator, they both leave a big stain of water on the floor. They pretend they don't see it.

"Jimin is probably inside. It's just a warning." Jungkook says before opening the door.

"Oh, good lord, thank god you're back. I didn't know why you wanted to go out so suddenly... What the hell?? You took an umbrella. Why are you soaked?"

A sheepish smile blossoms in Jungkook's lips as he takes off his shoes, prompting Taehyung to come in. First thing he notices is that there are shoes everywhere. Second thing he sees is the living room to the left and a kitchen to the right, all connected in one single space. The short guy was standing there, looking shocked.

"Hello." he bows and Jimin blinks.

"Did he have a twin?" this genuine question makes Jungkook chuckle.

"I ran on him in the park. He was helping a puppy and needed help." Jungkook explains and tries to move further in but Jimin hisses.

"Let me grab towels and... Heck I don't even know, a bucket for all that water?"

"Thank you!" Jungkook screams.

Taehyung stays silent, watching as the living room continues left, stopping right where a balcony begins. The hall in which Jimin disappeared into is right in front of them and not wasting any time, he comes back with some towels. 

Leaving some on the floor, the men step on those, getting rid of their wet socks. Jimin approaches both and hands Taehyung a towel, while he helps the younger to dry his hair out with a frown.

"You guys are shivering. What the hell happened? I see you both had umbrellas."

"Sorry, mom." Jungkook rolls his eyes and Jimin shoves the towel on his face.

"I will not help you anymore. Now, you. How old are you? I will be 23 by the end of this year." he moves to stand in front of Taehyung.

"Jimin, don't tell me you are back with the 'you have to call me hyung' shit." Jungkook intervenes. "Don't listen to him, hyung."

"So he is older than you, then." Jimin smiles with a satisfactory smile. "I just want to hear him call me hyung." 

"I will be 23 by the end of this year too. In December." he says, rubbing his hair dry but that doesn't help with the shivers.

"Fuck, we have the same age. How boring." Jimin tsks with his tongue and walks to the couch.

"Uhm right." Jungkook watches as he goes back to work on his assignment on a laptop placed over the couch. "I guess you aren't as worried as you seemed." 

"Fuck you." he resumed his busy typing on the keyboard.

The younger laughs and turns to Taehyung. He doesn't want it to be awkward to him so he prompts him to walk to the bathroom. It's small too, like the whole apartment, but cozy. 

"I am gonna give you some of my clothes. We can put our clothes in the dryer. Later you can dress back with your own clothes, sounds okay?"

Taehyung nods and Jungkook grins. He is back very quickly with some clothes and lets him have privacy in the bathroom while he changes as well. Once Taehyung is done, he is sighing in relief because his underwear is somehow dry. Hesitantly he steps out, wearing Jungkook's big black hoodie and black sweatpants, his wet clothes are forgotten on a pile in the bathroom.

There is a room with the door opened and he guessed it was Jimin's. The room with his door closed must be Jungkook's so he slightly knocks and waits. The said man walks out wearing comfortable clothes as well, looking at him from head to toe in a way Taehyung has to avert his gaze.

"Thank you." 

"It's alright. I will put everything in the dryer, one sec. Ah, there is a first aid kit in the bathroom, in case you want to take a look at your hands."

Jungkook grabs his own wet clothes and goes to the bathroom, grabbing Taehyung's and he heads out to god knows where. Leaving him alone in his own house seems too... Relaxed. He wouldn't be able to do that if the roles were reversed. There was too much of him in his own house that he would be scared of revealing too much. Then again, they are completely different people.

"Need help?"

A different voice startles him when Taehyung is looking inside the cabinet of the bathroom. Believing he did something wrong, he raises both hands and steps back. He can't help himself. He heard that sentence a way too much before receiving a punch.

Jimin's face changes from curiosity to alarm and he too raises his both hands, imitating Taehyung. He was only trying to be polite, he didn't mean to scare the other.

"I was... Uh... Looking for something." he moves his hands to the light and Jimin can see the red bites all over his hands, some of them still bleeding.

"You mean the first aid kit, right. It's here." 

Jimin pulls it out from a cabinet Tae hadn't even seen and begins treating his wounds without saying anything. He looks very focused on what he is doing so Taehyung doesn't interrupt him. When he is done bandaging his hands, he taps them and looks up with a smile.

"I'm Park Jimin, by the way."

"Thank you." Taehyung flexes his fingers and looks back at him.

"Are you sure you don't have a twin? Is this Taehyung's twin?" he jokes around.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he smirks.

Twisting his lips to show displeasure, Jimin disappears and Taehyung follows him. He is mumbling something to himself about being a joke and a clown and he plops back down to the sofa. Getting his laptop back. 

"Hyungs! Do you want anything from the kitchen?"

"No, I'm good." 

"Same." Taehyung touches his damp hair with a hand, as he carefully sits next to Jimin. 

He is no longer quivering as the hoodie was pretty warm and it smelled like Jungkook. For some reason, that flowering scent calmed him down and made him feel like he was getting a hug from the other. 

"Wanna fill me in with the details of that?" Jimin asks, pointing at Taehyung's hands.

Jungkook climbs over Jimin, hugging him and pressing his cold nose on his neck for a moment before telling him. Taehyung is mostly silent, watching them talk naturally to each other in a way he thinks brothers would do. There is a special fondness on Jungkook's eyes everytime he looks at the shorter. How lucky of them.

"And that's basically it." Jungkook finishes the story.

"Well, at least you helped a puppy." Jimin comments with a shrug.

"I wasn't gonna let that puppy stay like that." Taehyung finally says, sneezing. 

"That sounds like a cold." Jimin teases him. 

"I hope not." he sniffles.

"You don't talk much, right?" Jimin looks finally away from the screen of his laptop to Taehyung.

"Not really."

"You remind me of Yoongi hyung, one of my soulmates." Taehyung tenses but Jimin continues. "He was very quiet at first and used to avoid us. Not to brag about soulmates, but he was good at avoiding us." Jimin giggles.

"I can't avoid you even if I wanted to. You keep coming to my work." he complains.

"Because the coffee is good." 

"I know it is, I make them." 

Jungkook openly laughs and nudges Jimin. This is good, he thinks. Taehyung is actually having a conversation without cursing or telling them mean things. It is... Working? Was Yoongi hyung right after all and he only needed time? Or was he only being polite because Taehyung didn't like to owe things to other people? Either way he can use this for the bet, right?

"You..." his phone rings, interrupting him. "You are lucky the love of my life is calling me." he puts the laptop on the table.

"Which one?" Jungkook gets interested, his eyes on Jimin.

"Hoseokie. He probably wants to talk about Yoongi." 

He leaves them in the living room, closing the door of his own room to have some privacy. That way, he lets both males alone. It shouldn't be such a big thing, but it is. Neither knows what to say and neither knows how the other will react. Jungkook is the first to speak.

"So... I will be coming back to the park tomorrow to see if I can find the puppy." 

"I..." Taehyung blinks, surprised. "I was gonna do that too." 

"We could meet up by the entrance. If it isn't raining, we could cover more ground. What do you say?" 

"Okay."

It is easier to let himself go, to lose against Jungkook's bunny smile. It is so easy that it scares Taehyung. Since when did he start to like that smile instead of hating it? Since when did all his hatred towards him disappear? Was it because Jungkook was actually a good person, or because he helped him? Either way, it is terrifying. He wants to tell him to go away, to get away from him, but at the same time he doesn't want to. Taehyung is comfortable right now.

"I know you didn't want me to have your phone but can I please have your phone number?" Jungkook suddenly asks, eyes pleading, expectant expression.

"If you text me everyday I will block you." he proceeds to give him his phone number.

Taehyung didn't think it would make Jungkook so happy. He raises the corners of his mouth in a wobbly smile as he stares at the screen of his phone. Then, he looks up towards him, not losing that beautiful smile as he answers.

"I will use it tomorrow only, if that makes you feel better." 

Taehyung nods and looks towards the balcony, to the heavy storm outside. Following his gaze, Jungkook looks at the thousands of drops hitting the glass, rolling down and disappearing. It is calming. The silence, Taehyung wearing his neutral expression and the sounds of the drops hitting the crystal are making Jungkook sleepy. 

There is something about Taehyung that is attractive to him, not only based on his body. It was how he naturally smelt like coffee, like warmth and like flowers and earth. It was a particular scent that he could never get tired of. There is also this certain atmosphere around the other man, like this sort of belonging that Jungkook didn't know he could feel until he hugged him that last time. 

His eyelids become heavy and he fought to stay awake, he really did, but he ended up falling asleep. Jungkook's head slides over the couch to end in Taehyung's shoulder and the older notices that the boy is a bit too warm. Carefully, he removes Jungkook's black hair from his forehead and places a hand on his bare skin, frowning when he feels his hand burning, even with the bandages.

Taehyung wouldn't have let anyone else rest their heads on his shoulders. He tells himself it's because Jungkook is sick. He doesn't want to admit that the man sleeping peacefully on his shoulder might be a little special to him and that's why he doesn't mind. 

The red moles on their pinkies grow a bit.

"Is he sleeping?" Jimin is back from his phone talk. 

"I think he has a fever." Taehyung whispers. 

With a hum, Jimin feels his forehead and cheeks and nods towards Taehyung. He has a fever but it is not that much of a big deal. The only thing he needs to do is resting, as the sleep will probably fade in the morning.

"Can you help me to get him up? He should sleep in his bed." Jimin slips an arm behind his back and throws Jungkook's arm over his own shoulders. "Kookie... Wake up. Come on..." he says, voice sweet as honey.

Instead, he mumbles something and presses himself against Taehyung, his nose nuzzling on the older's neck. Surprise doesn't even begin to cover what Taehyung felt when the younger hugged him. He feels shy and it is weird because he is never shy. 

"Uhm, do you want me to...?" Jimin makes gestures towards Jungkook and Taehyung shakes his head.

"I'll take him."

One hand under his knees, another hand snaking behind his back, Jungkook mumbles something again, getting closer to Taehyung. He hopes he is strong enough to stand up and carry Jungkook to his own bed. Jimin hovers next to him, prepared in case he needs extra help. 

A grunt escapes his mouth when he stands, stumbling a little bit as he adjusts to Jungkook's weight. The sleeping male doesn't even bother, his eyes closed and his head hidden on the crook of Taehyung's neck. Walking with Jimin in front of him, the shorter guy opens Jungkook's door and apologizes for the younger's mess. 

His room is full of canvases everywhere, there are some plastic bottles cut in the middle and turned into little glasses where tons of brushes rest. There are clothes on the floor, tons of paper and pencils on his desk and an easel with a fresh painting. The strong smelt of paint makes his nose itch but his eyes can't stop looking around. This is all that he ever wanted to be.

"Here."

Jimin pulls the covers and blankets away and motions Taehyung to leave the man there. He brings him there, dropping him on the soft surface of his bed. Jungkook sighs on his dreams and with another grunt, the older moves his hands away, putting all the blankets back to warm his body.

It is like Jungkook notices that Taehyung left his side. The moment his warmth disappears he opens one eye, frowning when he sees his shadow getting away from him. He misses the peace he brought to his heart.

"Tae..." 

The said man stills on his way to the door, where Jimin left seconds ago. It's been so long since he heard his own nickname that it brings tears to his eyes, as he remembers all the times his grandma called him Tae as he ran all over the house. Letting out a shaky breath, he comes back to Jungkook, noticing his eyes opening.

"Go back to sleep. You have a fever." he appreciates that the room is dark so Jungkook can't see the tears in his eyes.

"But you will leave..." he mumbles, trying to stand up.

"I will see you tomorrow, okay?"

Jungkook has never heard his deep voice sound so full of affection. He feels a hand on his hair, combing the messy locks as he hums, calming him down. With that little song of his, darkness takes over him.

Wiping his tears, he goes back to the living room, closing the door behind his back. Jimin is back to his laptop, serious expression as he works on his assignment again. He glances at Taehyung and sighs. It is not his place to meddle, but he needs the other to understand that he can't keep treating Jungkook as the enemy.

"Taehyung, are you gonna go back to being mean on Monday?" he watches the taller man as he sits next to him.

"What is it to you?" he crosses his arms, his defense mechanism answering for him.

"Look, I couldn't care less. But Jungkook is a good kid and it is not fair to keep treating him like that. He gets hurt, you know?" Jimin glares at him and Taehyung glares back.

"What do you know about me, huh? You know nothing." Jimin frowns and opens his mouth to speak but Taehyung hasn't quite finished talking. "It's not your business so why don't you stay away, hmm?"

"Whatever." 

He abandons the room and throws Taehyung his dry clothes. The quick program of the dryer finished so Jimin was indirectly telling him to go home. He gets the memo and goes to the bathroom and changes, leaving the borrowed clothes there. 

"Thank you for your hospitality." Taehyung politely says before heading to the front door. 

"If it wasn't for Jungkook, I wouldn't have let you in. I hope you think about that on Monday, when he gets his coffee."

There are no words said after that. Nothing. Just a furious stare between the both of them, which ends with Taehyung finally leaving, taking his umbrella with him. He knows he shouldn't have acted that way, but Taehyung can't help it. Jimin knows nothing about him or how difficult it is for him to open up. He is trying... Can't it be enough that he is trying?

[ Taehyung hyung 😏 19:03]

Hiii!

It's Jungkook ☺️

Oh right

Why are you texting?

I just wanted to know if you want to go to the park in the afternoon

I was gonna go in the morning to make sure the puppy is fine 

Morning it is then 

Should I pick you up? It's like five minutes from your place 

Sure!

Lmk when u get here

Okay

But if it's like 7 in the morning I won't be opening that door 💀

I wasn't planning on going that early 

Maybe at 11, after breakfast 

Sounds good?

Yup! See u tomorrow!

See ya!

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

The message has been typed and erased so many times as Taehyung has been there for five minutes. He couldn't decide what to tell the younger and he felt... Weird for getting so worked up over a text. It meant nothing. He sends a simple 'I'm here' and rests his back against the building. 

The clouds are still darkening the day, threatening to rain again. However, it didn't seem like it would rain soon, so he decided to come empty handed and trust his luck. 

"Good morning!" Jungkook's voice distracts him and Taehyung looks to his left, towards the other man standing.

"Good morning."

The man is literally shaking with happiness. It is so painfully obvious to see, especially with that grin he shows Taehyung, before beginning to walk. He is wearing a black shirt, black sweatpants and black sneakers. It is something Taehyung is curious about. The said man is a painter, why does he choose such a boring combination of colors? It's just black.

Nevertheless, he gets distracted when they enter the park. His priority is the little puppy. Parting ways, they begin their search and about forty minutes later, he receives a text from Jungkook, telling him he's got it. 

"You said you got it?" Taehyung blinks at the sight of Jungkook trying to get closer to the dog, which is barking like crazy.

"I said I got my eyes on him." 

After a few trials, Taehyung watches as Jungkook stops trying, basically giving up. He doesn't know why, but his whole stomach crunches with agony as he watches the younger stepping back. What? Will he stop right there just because the little dog is difficult? Because it bites? 

"You are not... Gonna try anymore?" his voice comes out a little bit strangled.

That's when Jungkook looks and sees Taehyung's sad expression, his lip trembling. It seems like his question is directed about the dog, but at the same time it isn't. The problem is Jungkook can't wrap his head around what it is yet.

"I'll keep him." Taehyung catches it, realizing for the first time it's a he. "I'll figure out how, I am not letting him alone to suffer."

There it is. That's when it clicks. Taehyung sees himself as the dog, Jungkook realizes. Because it is aggressive and keeps hurting everyone who dares step closer. He keeps being mean and having these walls around himself only for protection, just like the dog tries to bite everything that gets closer. In reality, Taehyung wants to be taken care of, to be protected and to feel safe with everyone.

"It's gonna take time but he will stop biting."

Each sentence feels like a piece of the puzzle getting in place. He looks at the puppy with understanding and care and Jungkook wants to scream. He messed up. He should have kept trying to grab it instead of giving up so easily. 

"Even if no one wants you, I will." Taehyung continues telling the puppy. "I don't know how, because I don't have that sort of time, but I can try." 

"I'll take it." Jungkook says, extending his hands towards him.

"What?"

"I'll take care of him." Jungkook repeats.

"He is gonna bite you. He will probably ruin your stuff. It is better if I take it." 

Jungkook notices Taehyung's hand, the way the puppy is biting him and how he isn't letting go. Clearly, this is something that is not about the dog. On a deeper level, he is relating to him and he is offering to look after it, like he probably had to do all these years. 

"You don't have time to take him out for walks." Jungkook grabs the puppy and scrunches his nose when he feels the first bite. "I'll take care of it." 

"You don't have time to teach him either way." Taehyung tries to get the puppy back.

"Then why don't we do it together? He can stay with me and you can come visit him on the weekends." 

"It's fine, I will keep it. You don't have to force yourself." 

"I am not. I am serious about this." Jungkook hopes his eyes transmit his sincerity.

"Okay..." Taehyung agrees 

They end up going to the vet together, buying the stuff he needs to be okay and listen to the recommendations. They get him an anti-insect collar besides the regular one, a brush, food, a bed, toys... Out of Taehyung's money as he refuses Jungkook's money. He has enough for the little guy.

"Jimin won't like it." Taehyung says as they get inside the apartment. 

"Jimin will love him." 

They prepare all the things for the little guy, like the bed and food. The doors of the rooms are locked and both look at how the dog starts eating and drinking. They already managed to give him a bath at the vet before, so now that he ate and drank water, he is somehow sleepy, but he doesn't trust the humans so he finds a little corner away from them to sleep.

"I am so hungry." Jungkook goes to the kitchen and asks in the most natural way possible. "Wanna eat here? We have ramen."

Taehyung has to say yes. He is the owner of the doggy, he is supposed to take care of him. But he won't have to do it alone and that perhaps is for the best. It can help him to work on his trust and his defense mechanism around other people aka Jungkook and his friends.

"Why is there dog food on the floor?" Jimin steps out of his room, yawning. 

"We adopted a dog!"

"You what?"

The little barks of a ball of brown hair in front of him is the only answer he needs. With a blink, he closes his door and looks from the dog towards the both guys in front of him, ramen suspended in the air as they eat.

"I am gonna let this pass because he is cute. Is it a he? What's his name?"

"Ah... He doesn't have one but I have been thinking about... Yeontan?" Taehyung says. "It's ugly, right? I will think of another name!" he panics and Jungkook lightly touches his knee to calm him down.

"I think it's cute. Yeontannie!" he calls.

Taehyung sighs in relief and Jimin starts calling him too, getting the dog used to his name. They eat and spend the rest of the day with the dog, playing together, calling him and last, but not least, they head out for a walk, to get him used to it. 

Basically, they wanted to train, to let him know he has to do his things out and have fun inside. It's going well so far, but Taehyung is anxious. What if he does something bad? Will they kick him out? Will they let Taehyung know? They wouldn't do that to a little puppy, right? Jungkook wouldn't do that.

And he didn't.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

For the next few days, Taehyung anxiously asks all the time about Yeontan, about how he is adapting to his new house. Jungkook even brings him from time to time to the coffee shop or to the art gallery so they can see each other. 

Little by little, Yeontan seems to charm everyone in Jungkook's group. Jin buys him toys, and Yoongi is always giving him treats when Jungkook isn't looking. Jimin takes him out for walks most of the time and Hoseok and Namjoon are trying to teach him tricks. However, Yeontan bites them from time to time, not fully trusting the group that now is taking care of him, but no matter how many times the others complain, Jungkook always says that he won't give up on him.

On neither of them.

A week has passed by and Taehyung can't really believe how things have changed. Now he is eager to see Jungkook and his friends, now he knows their names. He tries not to be mean, but from time to time, Taehyung gets scared so he builds his walls up again, pushing everyone away but Jungkook. Not even when he told Namjoon to fuck off when he tried to get his phone number, or when he told Hoseok no one would ever want to see him dance. 

Taehyung is relieved that he doesn't have any marks and that the others aren't growing one because of him. He knows that perhaps they don't deserve his cold attitude or his bad words, but he panics when he thinks about all the times he decided to trust only to be betrayed. Taehyung isn't putting his trust or his heart on the line, not this time. Not even if Jungkook wants to. 

He will not get hurt again.

Some more days go by. They are currently drinking coffee on their usual table, Jungkook is talking again about how cute Yeontan is while Yoongi is listening. Hoseok is laughing at how cute the latter is when talks about the puppy. Namjoon and Jin are in their own world and Jimin's eyes easily fall into the man making drinks behind the counter.

His eyes are on his tasks at all times, rolled sleeves revealing strong arms and the bites of Yeontan already healed. Jimin can see his curls bouncing as he works, putting on fake smiles for the customers. The man turns to see Jungkook, who is still speaking and then glances back to Taehyung, widening his eyes: he was watching Jungkook speak just now. There is no way he wasn't. 

He had a little smile on his lips and his eyes looked warmer than before. It was a split of a second but Jimin saw it. He saw it. It was the only push he needed to intervene. Pulling out two tickets for the amusement park he was gifted to, he redirects everyone's attention to them.

"Jungkook, take Taehyung on a date." he commands. 

"Baby?" Hoseok pouts. "What about us?"

"I was given two tickets only. I wouldn't want to go with either of you and leave the other behind." he pecks Hoseok rather sweetly. 

"What about us?" Namjoon says and Jimin has to roll his eyes.

"With the scaredy cat? He will have a hard time." he passes the tickets to Jungkook while Namjoon nods, as he knows Jimin is right. "Take Taehyung there this Saturday."

"You shouldn't be helping me? The bet?" Jungkook reminds him but his eyes are set on the pieces of paper, glowing with anticipation.

"It's fine. Besides, even if I invite Taehyung myself, he will tell me something mean again. He won't do that to you." he taps on the table. "Come on, I know you want to take him."

"I do! Thanks, Jiminie!" he stands up with the tickets in his hand.

Rushing towards the other, Jungkook waits patiently until Taehyung pays him attention to show him the tickets. He is expecting the older to say something, but he keeps his silence as his eyes wander up to meet Jungkook's.

"Wanna go there?" he beams, not really minding the lack of response.

"Where?"

"The amusement park, you silly!" 

"I've never been there before." he comments, turning to wipe one of the coffee machines. "Is it fun?"

"Yes! It is! Wanna go together this Saturday?" Jungkook is vibrating from excitement, hyping himself up just by imagining how fun it's gonna be.

"Hmmm only if we take Tannie for a walk first." Taehyung decides. He is curious after all and maybe, just maybe, he doesn't want to let the spark behind Jungkook's eyes die.

"Great! I'll text you later!" 

"Whatever." Taehyung wants to appear uninterested but he is anticipating Saturday as well. Amusement parks sound like fun.

"What did he say?" Jimin asks as Jungkook comes back to the table, sitting down with them.

"Of course he said yes, Jiminie." Hoseok's wide grin is contagious, making the rest of them smile.

"So?" Yoongi raises one of his perfect eyebrows with interest.

"He said he is coming!" 

They can all perceive Jungkook's happiness through their marks, so similar smiles appear on everyone's faces. The only one who darts his eyes back to the barista is Yoongi, who is thinking about what he talked about with Taehyung the first time they spoke. Maybe he listened to him after all.

"I can't wait! Thank you, Jiminie!"

"If you win the bet, don't make me buy you food, in return. Just made me do the cleaning or something." he uses a teasing tone and they laugh together.

Meeting Taehyung's gaze one more time, Jungkook grins and waves at him. Some seconds later, the older waves back and he can't really contain how hyped he is. He only has to wait for Saturday. 

[ Taehyung hyung 😏] 16:04

Hey! I uh wanted to know if you were still coming tomorrow?

Have I said that I'm not?

Uh no

Then I'm coming 

Great!!

I can't wait!

Ah right

Meet me at my place? We could go get breakfast together with Tannie!

Sounds great

How is he btw?

Rn… he is biting his toy

Better than my hands (Jimin)

Cute

See you tomorrow then

See you!

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Tossing on his bed, Taehyung fights against the sheets to wake up. He is not used to waking up this early on a Saturday, but he does it anyway. Birds are chirping outside and the sky is beginning to clear the darkness of the night. Taehyung needs a shower and dressing up before texting Jungkook he is on his way.

The fact that they have been meeting almost everyday for the past two weeks scares him shitless. He tells himself it is because of Yeontan, because Jungkook is not so bad... But the truth is perhaps he likes him a little, even if he doesn't show it.

The younger comes out of his apartment with a sleepy expression, holding Yeontan in his arms. He puts him on Taehyung's arms and yawns as he sees how the dog licks all over Taehyung's face. 

Breakfast together is like any other day, or that's what Taehyung tells himself as he watches Jungkook stuffing his mouth with waffles. He has noticed that the younger eats like a squirrel, that he normally has some part of his body dirty with paint or that most of his clothes have stains from being too careless. He also learned that the mark on his neck belongs to Yoongi hyung, that the scar on his cheek is from a time he fell and had his hands busy so he couldn't stop the fall. Taehyung knows a lot about Jungkook and it scares him. Everything is scary.

But when he smiles and shows Taehyung those front teeth, like a bunny, he feels somehow relaxed. He also loves how he smells and how thoughtful he is around Taehyung, not really initiating contact unless he gets consent from the older. 

"We will have so much fun today!"

They end the walk about an hour later and get inside the apartment so that Jungkook can drop Yeontannie off. Jimin is already waiting with one of his toys in his hands and while they play, Jungkook says he will grab his bag. Why? Taehyung has no idea. His wallet, keys and phone are usually in his pockets, so what does he need to carry in a bag? 

"He stayed later to prepare that. You better thank him." Jimin says, still playing with the puppy.

"I don't understand?" 

"You will." 

The younger comes back and with a wave, they are on their way. His excitement is contagious and out of curiosity, Taehyung starts asking questions that get no answer because Jungkook wants it to be a surprise. And what a surprise. 

The park was bigger than anything else Taehyung had seen. There are lots of rides but the one that catches his eyes is the rollercoaster. It looks high. Perhaps too high. He gets tense as he is not good with heights, and his apprehension and fear show the moment they are inside and Jungkook suggests that they try that one first.

"I am not good with heights." Taehyung grabs his arm, wide eyes looking up.

"Look at me. Just me." Jungkook softly takes his hand out of his arm and links their fingers. "Look at me. You will be fine, I promise." 

Taehyung glanced from his big doe eyes to their intertwined hands. There is this fuzzy feeling growing on his chest, a kind of warmth that makes him blush and nod, looking down to their hands. He doesn't want to let go and Jungkook doesn't either, so they just stay like that. 

First things first, they get Jungkook's bag in a locker. They put Taehyung's wallet and keys inside his bag and everything in that locker. They had to let go of their joined hands and the older felt a little bit disappointed until Jungkook held his hand again. 

His warmth could melt Taehyung's cold heart and heal some of his wounds, he realizes. It is the kind of warmth that precedes trust, the kind of feeling that makes someone rely on others. 

The rides are fun and Taehyung enjoys them, especially because he can always turn to see Jungkook with closed eyes and the biggest smile. He can hear his screams and the way that he squeezes Taehyung's hand is reassuring enough for the older to trust him and have fun.

They get some ugly stares, especially Taehyung, as they are both wearing simple shirts, their arms exposed. All the colorful lines dancing on Jungkook's arm make a contrast against Taehyung's bare skin. People can also see they are holding hands, but why is it that one of them doesn't have marks? Is it because the other doesn't love him enough?

Nevertheless, they continue their day together, trying all of the rides and ignoring the rest of the world. Jungkook wins Taehyung a bunny plushie and they have to go back to get the bag so they can eat, since Jungkook said he cooked something for them. It comes as a surprise but it doesn't, because he remembers what Jimin had said, so he properly thanks him. 

They sit on a table eating that delicious meal Jungkook prepared and for a second, the latter loses himself in Taehyung's sharp gaze. In the way he freely speaks, the way he looks unguarded as a playful smile decorating his lips. Jungkook remembers when he thought about painting him and he... He has done it. He had rough sketches of his eyes, his smile, the way his hair fell on his forehead, his big hands. Taehyung knows nothing, of course, but one day he would love to show him, one day when he is not as terrified of letting people get close to him.

"I will buy you cotton candy." he suddenly says when they finish eating. 

"Why?" Jungkook looks surprised but Taehyung just shrugs. 

"Because I want to." he finally says.

Taehyung goes and buys it for the younger who packs the empty containers before eating the cotton candy. They get going after a while, ready to go for more rides. Taehyung eats some cotton candy from the younger whenever he offers, eyes glancing everywhere, deciding what they should try next. Taehyung is having so much fun! 

A sudden cry startles Taehyung in a way he stumbles a little. Where is that coming from? He looks at Jungkook who shrugs, as if he was telling him he didn't hear a thing. However, the older doesn't give up and begins looking for the source of the cries. 

There is a little girl sobbing uncontrollably by a stand where many people are trying to play a game. Taehyung moves around until he is able to see her clearly, dressed in a pink dress, black hair up in two pigtails. She is cute and she stops crying as soon as Taehyung squats to be on her level.

"What a beautiful princess! Are you alone, your majesty?" He plays around a little and the girl lets out a confused laugh, rubbing her eyes.

"I can't find my mom and my dad." she hiccups. 

"I'll help you. Come with me, princess." 

Taehyung offers his hands towards her and she grabs him with her little fingers barely squeezing his hand. They go back to Jungkook, who is finishing his cotton candy, but has the good idea to offer her some.

"What's your name, angel?" Taehyung asks, looking worriedly around for any stressed adult.

"Jieun."

"What a pretty name! I'm Taehyung and he is Jungkook." he points at the other male. "Do you know where your parents might be?"

"No..." her eyes water again and Taehyung chuckles and wipes her cheeks.

"I will find them."

He extends his hands towards her, trying to pick her up so she can point to where her parents might be. However, when she doesn't see any mark on his arms, she gets scared and hides behind Jungkook's leg.

"He doesn't have marks. He is dangerous." she says, pulling Jungkook away from them.

"He is not, princess. His marks are around his chest, so you can't see them." he lies.

"Oh." she blinks and bows. "I am sorry, mom said people without bonds are dangerous." 

"It's okay, princess. Maybe you could give me one?" he offers his hands again and she lets Taehyung carry her up. 

"Can I?" she takes one of his hands and moves it around, ignoring the scars. 

"Of course. I will give you one for being so pretty." he winks and takes her hand.

Jungkook had never seen the older be so... Gentle and kind towards any other person. Kids are different for him? It looked like it. He was talking to her, distracting her from crying as they were walking around, trying to find her parents. He looks like he could be a great father and that alone and the fact that he sometimes breaks eye contact to smile at him is enough to make his heart bang against his chest. 

The mole on their hands begins to look like a line.

"Look! Jungkook oppa! I gave Taehyung oppa a bond!" she says very proudly, showing Taehyung's small and fragile mark on his skin.

"Woah! It looks amazing, princess!" he compliments her and she shows them a big smile.

"I got one too!" She shows Jungkook a pale green mark, too small to be noticable, but it's there.

"That's great!"

Kids at her age were taught about marks and how to give them. It is quite impressive that she manages that in such a short period of time. Most kids needed a lot of time to grow marks on strangers, but she managed it in a couple of minutes, like it was nothing for her. Normally, though, the bonds were not to be forced as they naturally appear, but kids need to learn how to control them and live with them. 

"What does your mom look like?" Taehyung aska her, his eyes looking around.

They both listen to the kid, trying to find someone with the characteristics she is describing. It shouldn't be that hard, but there are a lot of people there. Jungkook ends the cotton candy, giving Jieun the last pieces and throwing the stick in the trash. He gets his hands clean enough to carry the girl for a while, because he is sure Taehyung's arm must hurt from carrying all the way.

"I will give you a bond too! Here!" she points to the other side of Jungkook's neck and giggles.

"But that's so unfair? Why do I have mine in my arm?" Taehyung rolls his eyes. "It's so ordinary!" he tickles her.

Jungkook can't help but to love this. This moment, as the thought of them having his own family slips into his mind. Why? They aren't even close and Jungkook is already planning a family with him? What kind of magic has gotten to his brain? Jungkook tries to ignore his flushed cheeks, trying to shove the images of them kissing and kissing their own little son or daughter away, but it seems they are stuck on his brain. 

It doesn't help that Taehyung is standing so close, it doesn't help that he is laughing with her and that the three of them look like a family. He needs space and time to think, time to get his heart and mind in order, so he passes the girl to Taehyung and he pretends to drop down to tie his shoe. 

"Jieun!" 

Talking about timing...

A woman runs up to them and the little girl starts tapping on Taehyung's shoulder to let him know she is her mother. He puts her down and the mom is quickly to drop on her knees to engulf her in a big hug.

"Are you okay? You scared me!" 

"They gave me cotton candy!" she points at them, Jungkook walking to stand by Taehyung.

"Thank-" her words die when she looks down to Taehyung's bare skin, the little girl bond being too weak to be noticable. "Stay back." 

Her mom puts her child behind her, in a clear protective gesture towards Taehyung. He isn't surprised at all. Like he saw it coming, he stepped back a little.

"We didn't harm her. We helped her, right princess?" Jungkook glares at the mother.

"That's right! I gave Taehyung oppa a mark on his arm too!" she protests, moving around her mom.

"But..."

She doesn't seem too convinced. It's angering Jungkook, but Taehyung seems pretty calm about it. It only adds more fuel to his frustration, because how can he be okay with this? He shouldn't. Why does he have to get used to being mistreated? It's unfair. 

"He heard her, wiped her tears and took care of her. I think the least you could do is thank him." Jungkook slips his around Taehyung's intertwining their fingers as he glares at the woman.

"Thank you for finding her." she finally says.

It doesn't take that long for Jieun to hug them goodbye and leave with her mom. When Jungkook considers they are far enough, he pulls Taehyung by the hand, frowning with anger as he looks at the beautiful man in front of him. 

"Why do you let them treat you like that, Kim Taehyung?" 

His voice is meant to sound threatening and angry, but instead it comes out softer than expected. The type of voice that breaks because of tears, but Jungkook isn't going to cry. No. He wants his answer.

"It's worse if I fight." Taehyung averts his gaze, not liking the younger's intense gaze.

"But it hurts you." Jungkook gets too close to him, their hands still joined together. "It shouldn't be this way!" he protests.

It is so obvious. So damned obvious that it hurt Jungkook too, but Taehyung didn't know why. He looks upset, sad and angry. The discrimination he suffered didn't affect anyone else but him, then why is he getting all worked up for him? 

"It's... Fine, Jungkook. It's fine. Come on, let's go to the rollercoaster again." he moves a bit and pulls Jungkook with him. "Come on, let's not ruin the day. It's okay." 

He had to repeat it a couple of times for Jungkook to finally agree. For some reason, Taehyung felt loved, protected. The younger's feelings and words felt like a big hug, like a blanket on a cold night. 

They get on the last rides but decide to leave the amusement park as the mood between them wasn't the best. Taehyung was caught on his own thoughts about Jungkook, rising in panic closing his throat as he thought that he wouldn't mind spending more time with him. Usually, when times like these come, Taehyung closes off and says cruel stuff towards anyone who would listen.

But not today. Today is different. Because Jungkook won a bunny for him, cooked for him and defended him. Hell, he even offered his hand to calm Taehyung's fear when he saw how high the roller coasters were. He didn't have to do any of those, but he did and Taehyung didn't know how he should be feeling. He didn't know how to push Jungkook away... Because for the first time, he didn't want to, despite his mind telling him that he needed to. 

Even if Jungkook hurts him in the end, Taehyung doesn't want to say hurtful things to him anymore. Even if he leaves him, Taehyung doesn't want to keep pushing and shoving Jungkook away. He is too good for that and the older feels like he doesn't deserve his kindness.

"I'm sorry." Jungkook suddenly breaks the silence, letting go of his hand all at once. "For overreacting. I am sorry if that was out of line."

See? This is the reason why Taehyung thinks he needs to stop hurting him. Because every single time something happened, Jungkook was the first to apologize. The first to check up on Taehyung and make sure he is okay. 

"Don't apologize. You didn't say anything wrong." Taehyung carefully speaks, missing Jungkook's hand covering his. "I... don't know what to say. I am used to that, Jungkook. I just don't know why it affects you." 

"How come that you don't know why, you stupid?" His words are aggressive but Jungkook is smiling. "I am your friend. Although you don't think that way of me, I know. But I think of you as my friend and I don't want people treating you like that." 

"But I am mean. So I kinda get why people act that way towards me." 

"No, Taehyung. No."

Jungkook stops all at once, making Taehyung step a little bit further before he can put a halt to his own feet. Confusion is painted in all of the latter strong features as the former looks really mad. The type of anger that Taehyung would run away from, because most of the time it was directed against him.

"You never act mean first. Never. You always give people a chance not to be assholes and they decide to be, so you respond. I am not letting you feel guilty or blame yourself for them, am I clear? Being mean is the least I would do, so no. You are not taking responsibility for them." 

His strong voice sounds like a command. It has so much power in it that Taehyung feels like he shouldn't be looking at him right now, so he looks to his feet, really processing all of what he said. It was true that he was giving them a reason to act that way against him, but he didn't realize he was shifting the blame and taking it on himself. There were times where he was certain of them being assholes to Taehyung who did nothing to deserve it. So maybe, along the way, his brain created another reason to cope with the amount of hatred he was receiving.

It is a bit tricky because he knows he is being discriminated against and he knows his rudeness only shows in response. But there were other times where he actually justified the other person, understanding their hate and discrimination and giving them more reasons to hate him. 'So you hate me, huh? I am gonna make you hate me more' kind of response. That woman? She looked like the type of person who wouldn't hurt a fly, so he didn't get angry. It was one more to add to the already long list... So for him there was nothing. It was normal. Taehyung made it normal. He justified it for some people, fought against others and gave people more reasons to hate him.

All because he didn't have any bonds. No wonder why he always got hurt in the end. He was twisted. Wrong. 

All the feelings of rejection, sadness, anger came in at once, with the realization of what his unhealthy coping mechanism was doing. And his defense mechanism isn't as great either so, where does it leave him? He can't change now and open up so easily.

"You are right..." he finally says, looking up towards the man standing in front of him. "But she looked so... Nice. And Jieun was there too. I wasn't gonna cause a scene." he tries not to show how much Jungkook's words affected him. However, he said the wrong thing. 

"So is it okay for you to tell me to disappear from your sight, but it isn't when you see a woman? A mom?" Jungkook continues speaking, sounding like he is hurting. "Is it okay for you to fight with all of the hyungs but not fight when it's other people? Like that woman who stepped on your hand?" he lets out a shaky breath, running his hand all over his hair, messing it up. "You give credit to people who don't deserve it. Then there are people like us, trying to help and you just can't help but to hurt us? I really don't understand you. And I am trying."

It's not like Jungkook wanted to fight. He didn't mean to. But he had been pushing his feelings aside for too long, watching Taehyung to behave like a cornered animal which bites whatever gets closer. He was tired of those selective bites, only directed to people who didn't deserve it. 

"I don't want to fight." Taehyung finally says, looking all sad. 

They are far away from the park, walking in the middle of the street. There aren't many people around but Taehyung feels a little bit exposed to talk about his feelings in the street just like that where anyone could hear. Looking around, he sees a small alley so he drags Jungkook there, letting out a relieved breath. 

"I don't want to fight." he repeats, looking up to Jungkook, who is waiting for an answer. "And I am sorry for all the mean things I said but I just get scared, Jungkook. I never had friends before. The only people who befriended me ended up betraying me, mocking me in front of their real friends… beating me up too." he confesses, looking everywhere but Jungkook. "So I get scared and get all rude so you won't do the same to me. It's illogical, I know, but I can't help it." 

He feels a hand on his cheek and gets startled, fear rising on his chest from the sudden touch. What else can he feel? He was always being attacked and beaten up at school, his only friends were fake and laughed at him... And other people did too. He had too many issues, so much baggage, but Taehyung wanted his friendship with Jungkook to work. He didn't even care about the others as much as he cared about Jungkook and that scares him too. The closer to his heart, the easier it is to break it.

"I am not gonna hurt you. I could never." Jungkook caresses his cheek with his thumb, adoration filling his galaxy eyes. "I will not mock you, or laugh at you. Please, believe me." his voice gets as softer as the fingers caressing his cheek.

"I am... Trying. I can't get rid of years of..." Taehyung bites his bottom lip and looks down again. "But I am trying. I am. Have some patience, please? And please don't..." his breath hitches when he thinks of the next words he is gonna say, "don't abandon me..." he utters in the smallest voice possible.

His arms are around him, a hand on his nape as he pushes Taehyung's body against his. This time, the latter returns the hug, wrapping his arms around Jungkook as well, hiding his face on the crook of his neck. His scent calms him down, his heart beat racing up? But whose? Taehyung can't tell if it's his heart or Jungkook's. Not that he cares. His hugs are the best in the world, as the older finds a feeling of belonging in between his strong arms. At the same time, he feels protected in a way he never thought he could. Jungkook makes him feel safe.

"I won't abandon you. I never did even when you told me to disappear. I never did even when you slapped my hand away. I promise you I won't abandon you or give up on you. I promise." he repeats over and over again, hoping he can burn the message on Taehyung's heart.

"I am sorry for all the things I said. I never meant to hurt any of you." Taehyung mumbles in his ear, eyes closed. "I will try harder to be the friend you deserve."

"You are already the friend I deserve. I am only going to ask you to open up a bit with me. If you don't feel comfortable enough with the others, then just me. Okay?" he only breaks the hug away to tuck some of Taehyung's pretty curls out of his face so he could see his beautiful sharp eyes. "And please, argue against everyone who gives you a hard time. Fight. I don't want to see you hurt. It upsets me."

"I think I can do that." the corners of his mouth raise in a shy smile. "I am gonna try not to be that scared, too. I promise you that in return."

"It works for me." Jungkook brings him closer to him again. "I hate fighting with you." he says against his ear.

"Me too. I hate it when I yell at you or you yell at me... I always want to apologize but I get scared, thinking that you will abandon me anyway so I think to myself it's better this way... To let you go before it hurts me too much." he confesses.

He didn't really know where that sincerity came from, but he notices how Jungkook's arms squeeze him a little bit stronger against his body. It's like he is telling him that it's fine, that he forgives him and that he will never leave him.

Today, their mark grows. It is thin, but now it is longer. It is a pale red, but now it is noticeable. How come that neither of them see it? Because it was pretty difficult to see, being that pale and small... But not for long.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Jimin is hanging out with Yoongi and Hoseok at the apartment, the three of them snuggled together on the couch as they watch a movie. Things have been better since the oldest of them told them about his past and the reason why he got all worked up when Taehyung got hurt. Now, they are back to normal, their bond stronger than before.

"Hello!" The door opens and Jungkook walks in followed by Taehyung.

Hoseok pauses the film as Yoongi wakes up, because he obviously fell asleep. Neither noticed what Jimin saw: Taehyung opening his hand to let go of Jungkook's. Jimin smirks at Jungkook and pretends like he didn't see so he wouldn't make them uncomfortable.

"What are you guys watching?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook goes to the bathroom to check his skin. Since he saw the color of Taehyung's mark in that little girl, he wanted to see if he had any green that was remotely similar to Taehyung's. He looked everywhere but nothing. Disappointed, he shook his head and dressed up, getting out to find Yeontan barking at him.

"Now you want some pets?" he giggles and squats to pet the dog.

Coming back to the living room, Jungkook finds Taehyung sitting on Jimin's lap, his head laying on Hoseok's shoulder as the movie was playing again. Jealousy is like a disease and it spreads through his body to reach his heart, upset that he wasn't on the couch too. 

He decides to go to the kitchen to leave the empty containers on the sink and then goes to his room to drop his bag. Jungkook makes a quick mental note to give the wallet and the keys back to Taehyung. 

"Hey! Are you not coming to watch the movie?" Taehyung knocks on his door and stands there sheepishly. 

So cute.

"Yeah, give me a sec." Jungkook tidies his room a little bit and walks to the door. "Let's go, then." he ruffles Taehyung's hair and they both go back to the living room.

The youngest of the group jumps on the couch and Taehyung hears three different grunts and some giggles. With a smirk, he jumps all over Jungkook, hearing some more laughs and grunts. He laughs as well and after some minutes he gets up and helps Jungkook up. 

The couch is only big enough for three people, so Jimin has to sit on Hoseok's lap while holding Yoongi's hand, carelessly drawing patterns on his skin. Jungkook sits down and Taehyung ends up sitting on his lap, head resting on his shoulder. For some reason, they both want to hold hands... But they don't. Both males are happy enough just like that.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

A couple of days go by and Taehyung has never behaved so politely before. He was trying everyone with respect, trying to get to know them for real. Not like a superficial relationship or as people they would leave him behind. He truly tried. 

But it seemed like destiny had other plans for him. 

This week he had reversed shifts, where he goes to the coffee shop in the afternoon. It is a bit joyless since he doesn't get to see anyone, not Jungkook nor his friends. He tells himself that it's better that way because he can focus on doing his job properly.

"Good afternoon! What can I get you?" 

Taehyung looks up and his smile disappears. His features show the fear he is feeling and with a good reason. His particular bully from highschool is standing in front of him, surrounded by the friends who also happened to gang up on him. 

"What a small world we live in, right?" he smirks and Taehyung feels like throwing up. "Still as bondless as ever, little Taehyung. That's not right."

"What can I get you?" he asks again, feeling proud that he is not reacting at all.

"Fine, fine."

He orders their drinks and Taehyung has hopes that they will be taking the coffees to go. Delusional. Of course they stay to make Taehyung's next hours miserable. 

They spill coffee on the floor, make Taehyung trip and fall down with a bunch of glass... Last thing they do is complain that he got their orders wrong. They scream at him and are rude to other people enjoying their drinks, but no one does anything to stop this abuse... Not even Taehyung. He needs this job. He can't lose it.

Not like his boss minds anyway. They become violent the second Taehyung talks back. The only thing he said was that he didn't get their orders wrong, but that alone makes the group start arguing against him and creates such a scene that his boss comes to visit the coffee shop.

He assesses the situation and apologizes to the group of men, who only leave when they hear how Taehyung gets fired for creating such a mess. Not only because of the fight with the clients, but for breaking all those plates and glasses, for not being able to attend the clients need and stupid shit like that.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Taehyung is frustrated and feels his eyes brimming with tears. It is so unfair.

"I don't care! This is your salary for the half month you've worked here. Today included." 

Snickers and laughter accompany his boss' decision. Taehyung watches them leave, flipping him off and laughing at the misery of the poor man, who only wanted to do his job the best he could.

It didn't end there.

His coworker takes the coffee shop key from him when they are closing the place. Taehyung only has time to say goodbye to him before he feels a plastic bag around his neck. A scream dies on his mouth as he feels too many hands grabbing his body and dragging him away. It all happened in front of the person he used to work with, who did nothing to help.

Luckily for him, he had the phone in his hand and was able to call Jungkook. He could barely hear him pick up the call and when they heard him, they punched Taehyung and smashed his phone, so he couldn't ask for help. 

He fights against the hand and the plastic to be able to breathe, to be able to see and maybe defend himself. He is slowly suffocating and no matter how hard he tries, his consciousness begins to fade away. Taehyung gasps for air, a face popping on his mind as his thoughts slip away: Jungkook telling him to fight.

Taehyung complies. He swings his hands around him and feels his back hitting the ground, which gives him enough time to get that awful plastic bag out of his head. He pants, looking around and recognizes the place as the back alley of the coffee shop. Damn. They really wanted to hurt him badly, huh?

There are at least five of them, all wearing masks. There is no way he can run away from them but he can try. He can try hitting them too, but the odds don't play in his favor. Taehyung keeps hearing Jungkook's voice in his head, so he hits first.

A punch, then another and someone else gets to him. He feels a kick right on his stomach and then a punch right on his jaw. It is so strong that his body is pushed against the wall and he falls. From there on, he can only protect his head and wince in pain from every hit he receives.

He chokes on his own blood, his nose and mouth bleeding, his chest going up and down with difficulty, but he does his best to stay awake. However, all the pain he is feeling is threatening him to blind the world around him. There is this infernal ring on one of his ears and he feels pain from every muscle of his body. 

Someone grabs his hair and he screams out of the paralyzing agony he feels. They get his head out of his arms and someone hits him on the face. One time. Another time. One of his eyes starts seeing red from the blood that is dripping down his face. Where is the cut? 

"Hey! What the fuck are you doing?! Let him go!"

Someone runs into them, concretely tackling one of the aggressors to the ground. They are surprised, especially when the new guy grabs that man's head and hits it with the ground with such strength he immediately loses consciousness. One of them tries to punch him, but he is strong and has obviously some sort of training, because the second aggressor is down in less than a minute.

The rest of them try to fight back, but in the end they get scared and run away from there. That's the moment Taehyung's body gives in, falling to his knees as he cries in pain. The only male standing approaches him, hands cleaning his blood away from his face.

"J-jungkook..." he whimpers.

"Fuck, Tae... Fuck, fuck, fuck!!" a roar comes out of Jungkook and Taehyung flinches. "What happened?" he kept touching his face gently, like he didn't want to hurt him any longer.

"Later... Please, take me home." he begs, his eyelids getting heavy.

He is able to mumble his address before fainting on the younger's arms. Taehyung's battered body lays against Jungkook and for a moment he is afraid that the other male isn't breathing, so he checks. His breathing is stable and he seems like he passed out from the pain.

Carrying him princess style, he gets a cab and ignores the driver's confused eyes when he sees the man covered in blood. The moment the driver sees Taehyung's lack of marks, he looks away and starts driving. On their way to Taehyung's, Jungkook remembers to text Jimin and lets him know what happened, what he saw. He also got Taehyung's broken phone from the ground and unlocked it using one of his fingers. The screen looks like shit but it is still working. Jungkook knew he wouldn't be mad for sending a text to his boss telling him that he won't be able to make it tomorrow. 

The car stops all of the sudden and Jungkook looks out, to see a pretty house in front of the car. He pays up and gets out, with Taehyung in his arms. Struggling with the older's body until he gets to the door, he is thankful that Taehyung always puts everything in his pockets, including his keys. 

The first door opens a very nice view of a little garden with some flowers here and there. A small house of two floors comes into sight and Jungkook mentally prepares to tell Taehyung's family what happened to his son. He prepares a long ass apology in his mind before opening the front door to... Darkness.

Everything is dark? There is no light inside. Sure it's late, but not as late as to be already sleeping. He looks around and finds the switch for the lights and gets his shoes off before continuing, peeking around on the first floor only to find no living trace of a person. Nothing. 

"Hello? Is there anyone here?" he asks.

No answer. Maybe Taehyung lives alone? 

With that thought, he climbs the stairs and looks for a room that looks like it belongs to the older. First room he walks into has some of Taehyung's clothes lying around, some books and old bandages and bandaids. Bingo.

He lays Taehyung's body on the bed and runs towards the bathroom, finding the biggest aid kit he's ever seen. Why does he have such a big aid kit if he lives alone? It has all sorts of things, some of them unknown to the younger.

Jungkook begins with his face. He is nastily bleeding from a cut on his eyebrow, so he treats that wound first. Then, his nose and the one on his lips. His arms are all full of cuts and bruises, so is his neck, who has an ugly red line around it. Did they try to strangle him as well?

Once he lifts his shirt, he curses rather loudly: bruises everywhere, some of them bigger than his hand. They are turning to red, yellow and purple already, some of them have even little bumps in it, as if the bone had been misplaced. It looks particularly painful and Jungkook panics. What if he needs to go to the hospital? What if he had broken ribs or worse? He was not ready to treat such serious injuries. 

"Hyung!" he calls for help, to the most intelligent of his friends. "Help me out a bit."

"What can I do?" Namjoon's calm voice says.

For the next fifteen minutes, Jungkook describes with details all the wounds he is seeing. Namjoon asks him to press on them and Taehyung winces each time it gets too much for him to endure. Namjoon says that the most important thing now is to get Taehyung back, to make him wake up. He tells them that they should go to the hospital as soon as he wakes up.

"Taehyung, please wake up." he begs, desperation controlling his voice the moment he hangs up. "You can't do this to me... Wake up." he cups his face, caressing the skin that isn't bruised. "Tae... Please."

Taehyung hears him and his eyes flutter, trying to open them. That desperation, the way he is commanding him to open his eyes, soft fingertips on his skin... He finally opens his eyes, finding Jungkook's big doe eyes filled with tears. Why was he crying?

"Jungkook..." he whispers, his voice coming out deeper than usual. 

"Tae..." he answers.

A tear rolls down his cheek and Taehyung makes the effort to catch it with his thumb, not liking seeing him like that. With a grunt, he moves until he is sitting down, his own hands flying towards his ribs and stomach.

"Fuck..." he hisses as he tries not to cry. 

"I am going to take you to the hospital." Jungkook quickly says but Taehyung shakes his head.

"Tomorrow... I can't move..." he takes a sharp inhale when he tries to stand up. There is no way he can go to the hospital like this. 

"But..." the other male panics again. What if he dies? What if the wounds are worse than they think?

"I am fine... Really. I have been worse." Taehyung remembers his broken leg that one time, his broken fingers or broken arms. It doesn't look like they broke anything this time. "I need some... Ice." he points to his own face and some of his wounds. "There is some in the freezer." 

Jungkook nods and sniffles, swallowing his tears. He needs to be stronger than that. Climbing down the stairs, he moves around until he finds the kitchen. Lights switched on, he pauses right in front of the fridge.

His bunny note is there and his drawing of the daisy too! They are in between a bunch of drawings that look like a kid made them, all tightly held by fridge magnets. The way they are placed in the middle of the rest of the drawings make his chest implode with happiness. Jungkook thought Taehyung got rid of them... He thought he didn't care that much about them but it wasn't like that! They weren't even friends back then and he kept them... He kept his drawings. 

Finding a cloth and the ice, he looks at the drawings one more time before heading back again. Taehyung had found his phone and now he is scrolling through his messages.

"I'm sorry I texted your boss. You are in no condition to go to the art gallery tomorrow."

"And I got fired from the coffee shop." he informs Jungkook, dropping his phone by his side and accepting the ice.

He hisses one more time as he places the ice against the worst wounds of his stomach and chest, moving it up to his face from time to time. It looks like an action he has repeated a lot... Like he is used to getting hurt and treating himself with ice. Maybe that's why his aid kit looks like that.

"You got fired?" Jungkook is shocked. Why would they fire their best barista? The most handsome one too?

"Yeah... My old classmates paid me a visit at work today." Taehyung licks the wound on his lip, grimacing when he tastes blood. "They caused a scene and I paid for it... I didn't expect them to be waiting for me though. I thought it was enough for them to get me fired..." he seems like he is able to talk better now. 

"I should have done something else..." Jungkook laments, hiding his face in his hands.

"Hey... No. You came for me." Taehyung's voice becomes soft when he remembers how Jungkook tackled that guy. 

One of his cold hands makes his way to grab one of Jungkook's and pulls him closer, so he is sitting near him, their bodies slightly touching. There is this warm feeling that begins on his chest and expands throughout his whole body, making all of his wounds hurt less. It's the Jungkook effect. He is the only one who could make things better for him.

"Thank you. You saved me. They would have killed me." he touches his neck, remembering the plastic bag and how he was suffocating.

Jungkook has been silent for a while, conflicted with all the feelings he is experiencing. He is upset and angry, frustrated and sad. He is also proud because he was able to help Taehyung, but he also feels guilty because he wasn't fast enough. 

"Tae... I'm sorry." 

"It's not your fault, Jungkook." Taehyung manages to show him half a smile, trying to comfort me. "You helped me, brought me home. It's more than enough." 

Silence is the only answer Taehyung receives again, as Jungkook is clearly overwhelmed with all that happened. He can't believe how people have been treating Taehyung since highschool. He saw that he didn't have marks but it shouldn't be a reason to beat him up or try to kill him.

"I am going to stay with you and I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow." he announces and Taehyung nods. 

"Okay."

"Is there anyone I should be calling? Parents? Siblings?" he has to ask. Jungkook has already seen Taehyung's unblemished skin, but he might have a bad relationship with his family. One can never know. 

"I don't have any family, Jungkook. I have been alone for the past... Five years or so." he sighs, averting his eyes from the pity he will surely receive from him.

"You are no longer alone, Taehyung." 

The battered man looks suddenly to the younger, searching for lies in those galaxy eyes of him. He is no longer crying but his eyes are shiny under the artificial lights of the bedroom. Taehyung chokes with a sob as soon as he sees the honesty of his words. Can he believe it? Will he be able to believe it? To trust him?

"Are you... Serious?

"Yes. I will be your family. You will never be alone anymore." 

A wounded hand reaches up to Taehyung's neck, caressing the red line until long fingers graze his nape, sinking in his hair. Jungkook gets closer, eyes glued to the older, not looking anywhere else. 

Intense. 

"Are you s-sure?"

"Positive." 

Jungkook guides Taehyung's head to his own, foreheads touching in an intimate gesture. Trust. Belonging. The older closes his eyes, not really minding the sudden pain he feels on his eyebrow. He doesn't care if Jungkook's bloodied knuckles are on his hair, or that their breaths mix together. No. Taehyung is focused on the way he is crying, the way Jungkook is cleaning his tears with his other hand, the way his hand never leaves his nape. 

Home. Taehyung is finally home. He can no longer deny it, he doesn't want to deny it. His feelings are clear. Jungkook is his air, his heart, his flowers. The whisper of the wind in the early morning and the first drop of rain in a storm. Jungkook is his everything.

"Then you will be my family too..." Tae whispers in between sobs.

"Don't cry..." he whispers back, not failing to catch his happy tears.

Taehyung moves one of his hands up, to rest it over the one Jungkook refuses to move from his nape. He feels the rough skin of his skinned knuckles and hopes he is not hurting him, but the other male never says anything. 

"How about I patch you up and we order something to eat?" Jungkook finally releases Taehyung, but keeps hovering close enough to him that he can feel his warmth.

"Sounds great. I am so tired... And hungry..." he sniffles and nods.

"Great. I will call for some pizza, then. It will be easier to bring it up here." 

"My wallet is..." Taehyung tries to reach it but Jungkook stops him.

"My treat." 

A quick call, Taehyung reminding him his address and that's it. While they wait, Jungkook helps Taehyung treat his own wounds, applying cream to the bruises and using the ice to calm down the pain. They also put a bandage in the younger's hands.

The pizzas don't take that long to arrive and Jungkook disappears to pay for them and takes them up to Taehyung's bedroom. Silence falls upon them one more time as they eat, Taehyung finds it difficult to swallow because of his neck, but doesn't complain. He doesn't want to ruin the comfortable mood they have fallen into.

Jungkook is kind enough to throw the pizza boxes away once they are done eating and helps Taehyung to go to the bathroom. There, the man brushes his teeth, grimacing when he sees himself all bruised up. He should probably go to the hospital first thing in the morning. 

"I can manage on my own, you should go home." He says once he is done with his teeth.

"But I don't want to." he pouts. "Can I stay?" 

The younger is using his puppy eyes on Taehyung and that isn't fair. He carefully thinks about his grandma's bed, unused since she passed away but he quickly shakes his head. He couldn't let someone else sleep in that room. Taehyung didn't even have the guts to go more than once inside her grandma's bedroom since that day. No. There is no way.

"Uh, I can offer you my couch or my bed..." he is thinking out loud.

The couch is a bit old and really uncomfortable to sleep in, and his bed is big enough for two people but... What should he do? It's the first time that he has someone else sleeping over, the first time someone else sleeps on his bed... If he wants to sleep next to Taehyung, that is. Daring to meet Jungkook's eyes, the former finds a cute expression on his handsome features and he wants to tease him for it, but he decides against it.

"The couch is really old and it will hurt your back... If you don't mind sharing the bed with me, I-"

"I don't mind!" he is fast to interrupt Taehyung, the cute expression going back to his usual neutral face. 

"Then it's decided. I'll let you have some clothes and we can head out to the hospital tomorrow but... Don't you have classes?" an epiphany: Taehyung had forgotten about Jungkook being a college student.

"You are more important."

A blush covers his cheeks and Taehyung finds no way to hide it, so he has to pretend he is totally fine and that he wasn't affected by that statement. Nope. All good. He is not panicking inside. It's just a sentence. 

"I... W-will bring you c-clothes."

His stutters give him away and he goes to the room before he can hear Jungkook teasing him. Finding some sweatpants and a hoodie, he gives them to Jungkook and motions to the bathroom so he can change there. 

While Jungkook is at it, Taehyung tries to get his clothes out of his own body. It is easier said than done, because the pants are okay, they slip easily down... But his shirt? He has to unbutton every single one of the buttons and it takes a long time. Longer than it takes Jungkook to change.

He knocks and comes in, finding Taehyung only dressed with his white shirt stained with dry blood. Jungkook can't help but to look down to his figure, to his alluring legs and his thighs barely covered by the fabric. He has some bruises on his legs too but they look mostly okay. 

"Can you stop staring at me?" 

Jungkook's gaze darts up from his thighs to his face, cheeks flushed red and hands trembling over the buttons. The younger can't help it and looks down again, to his legs, to his bare skin. He wants to touch them, feel how Taehyung would get goosebumps under his grasp, graze those legs with his own lips... 

"Jungkook!" 

He blinks and the image his mind was projecting stopped all of the sudden. Taehyung is pointing at the door and he is asking him to leave while he puts on his pajamas. Jungkook gets out and internally curses himself: what is wrong with him? Jeon Jungkook, why? Why would you react that way? He mentally slaps himself, trying not to go back to what his imagination created for him.

"You can come in now."

Comfy and baggy pants and a shirt are his pajamas. He looks small, swimming in clothes that are too big for him. Jungkook chuckles and gets closer, a bit relieved that he has calmed down. A hand on his fluffy soft hair is enough for me, Jungkook says to himself. This is enough. Ruffling his hair and helping him to get to bed should be enough.

But it isn't: Jungkook wants more. 

As they lie down, accommodating each other and the bed, Taehyung stretches to turn the lights off, asking in a quiet whisper if Jungkook locked the doors and switched off the lights of the second floor, which he did. Their bodies are touching and Jungkook wants more. Who is he kidding? 

He didn't want to touch only his legs. He wanted to touch more. His slim figure, feel his lips against his own, hear him laugh and feel his hands on his own body too. Jungkook understands it might take a long time for Taehyung to trust him, so he decides not to push it and swallow the question he's been dying to ask: 'can I cuddle you to sleep?'

In the end, he doesn't have the guts to ask him. He feels sleepy and then Taehyung moves, his head suddenly laying on top of his chest, a hand thrown over his body. His eyes are closed and his little snores fill the silence of the room, making Jungkook smile. 

His family? That sounds about right.

Morning comes with Taehyung still clinging to him, but this time, Jungkook too was hugging him back. His own face was pressed against his black curls and he wonders how he didn't wake up before, because it tickles him. Minutes after, Taehyung wakes up too, yawning and looking around all sleepy. Then he hisses, his hands flying towards his face and body. 

"Let's go to the hospital."

Not leaving time to let the embarrassment settle in, Jungkook untangles himself from Taehyung and stands up, completely missing the appreciation look the latter gives him. Instead, he stretches and gets moving. 

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Jimin appears in the hospital not even an hour after they got in. He is with Hoseokie and he tells Jungkook that Namjoon and Yoongi are coming too. Jin is working so he can't make it. As they wait outside of the doctors office where they took Taehyung, the younger fills both soulmates with the details. He tells them how he got the call, how he ran there and what he saw. 

"How's Taehyungie?" Hoseok asks, his face twisting with worry.

"He said he had it worse." Jungkook can't help but to feel the anger bubbling back to the center of his feelings. 

Namjoon and Yoongi arrive not much later, and they talk a bit. Jungkook and Yoongi meet eyes and then both of them nod. No words were needed.

The door opens up and Taehyung gets out, wearing more professional bandages, his eyebrow has one stitch and he has cream around his face and neck. The doctor is telling Taehyung about not being able to do any work for now, so he had to call the art gallery to let them know. Since it was only for a week, he hopes his boss will be understanding of the situation.

"Fuck, Taehyung. Jungkook wasn't exaggerating when he said you looked like shit." Jimin says with a whistle.

"You are the least funny one of Jungkook's friends." Taehyung teases him and they all laugh as there isn't any ill intention behind those words.

"Should I bring you home?" Namjoon carefully says, looking all sad. "I brought Jin's car." he offers.

"That would be... Amazing." he looks down shyly, not liking all those eyes on him. He hates being the center of attention.

"You are now uglier than Jin." Jimin declares. Yes, he has been thinking about a counterattack all this time.

"He was always uglier than Jin." Namjoon rolls his eyes.

"I think he is more handsome than Jin." Yoongi suddenly says and Jungkook is fast to agree with them.

"I think you guys are a blind." Namjoon is rolling his eyes.

"The prettiest one here is Jiminie." Hoseok declares.

All of the sudden, they are arguing about who is the prettiest among them. It's hilarious. Thinking about that first time Taehyung met the group, almost two months ago, he would have hated this conversation. He would have hated spending time with them but now... He feels like he is becoming part of this weird friendship.

"For your information, Jungkook is the cutest." he butts in, letting Yoongi help him out to walk even if he doesn't need to. 

"See?" Jungkook inflates with pride and begins to show off his muscles, to Taehyung's delight. Yes, he likes the way he flexes and creates those beautiful curves and muscles.

"Taehyung doesn't know what he is talking about!" Jimin protests. "He hit his head! He is not in his right mind. You? Cute? Ewww." he scoffs and then they all laugh.

Green flickers on all of their skins at once, in different parts of their bodies. It's just a second, but it's there. The only one who notices, once again, is Yoongi. He doesn't say anything because the mark disappears. There is nothing like adding fuel to the fire to distract his friends so he says that Hoseok is the most attractive one and then they are back at it. War. 

"You owe me a talk, Jungkook." Jimin whispers when they are all arguing again, making sure no one else is hearing them.

"Later, when we take Tannie for a walk." he mumbles back. "I believe in Taehyung's supremacy." he declares then, louder.

The said man blushes but he can't find his voice to argue because Namjoon is already showing his phone. Why? Because he has thousands of pictures of Jin saved there. Irrefutable evidence, he says, as he passes the photos.

What a bunch of weirdos.

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"So tell me... What is going on with you guys?" Jimin and Jungkook are walking with Yeontan running around them. 

"I... Don't know?" Jungkook is fidgeting with his own fingers, looking anywhere but his best friend.

It's already afternoon and once they left Taehyung home, they went on their own. The youngest got a well deserved shower and they ate before heading out again. Tannie couldn't stop barking and wiggling his tail towards them.

"You don't fool me. You slept at Taehyung's last night, right? Did something happen?"

"I..." Jungkook gets all red remembering his bare legs, the big white shirt only long enough to cover up half of his thighs. "Nothing happened."

"You are all red."

"Shut up." he groans, hiding his face behind his hands. "I don't know what happened, but I wanted to kiss him..." he groans again. 

"So what? You like him. There's nothing wrong with that."

"But he doesn't like me that way! I only wanted to get a mark so you would pay for all my meals for a week." he whines, finally dropping his hands. "I didn't think he would be so... Lovely!" 

"Taehyung? Lovely? Did you hit your head?"

"But hear me out!"

He roughly describes what happened in the amusement park, how they argued but made up. He also tells him about wanting to be his family because he is all by himself, explaining how he reacted to his words.

"He cried because he was happy and..."

"Okay, enough." he feigns a gag. "So where is his mark?"

"Stop mocking me?" he shoves Jimin playfully. "I have no marks and he doesn't have one of mine..." he sighs. "We might need more time." 

"You don't. You already like him, so he should have a mark." 

"Well, he doesn't. I saw his chest and legs and he has no bond. Maybe we just need more time..." he is trying to convince himself and Jimin doesn't have a heart to tell him that it doesn't work that way. 

"Yeah, you need more time. It took a long time for Yoongi hyung too." Jimin is quick to agree, noticing the relief washing away his sadness. "Why don't we go visit him? We can bring Yeontannie there too!" he changes topics and Jungkook doesn't even notice because he seems excited with the idea.

"Fuck yeah, let's go!"

Forty minutes later, they are knocking on Taehyung's door. Yeontan is sitting, waiting too as they wait for the owner to finally show up. It takes him quite a lot since he is hurt, but the wait was worth it. His eyes light up the moment he sees the other two waiting outside with their little dog.

"Tannie!" he calls and the dog runs towards him, barking and moving his tail to Tae, who chuckles. "Come in."

Jimin is surprised when he sees the garden, so he takes out Yeontan's leash to let him wander around, but the dog follows them inside the house, exploring everything and barking a lot. The oldest of the three look around curiously, noticing the old furniture and the way Taehyung has only a few pictures hanging on his walls. He clearly has been living by himself for too long.

"How come you are here?" Taehyung is petting Yeontan, smiling at the little puppy. He has grown so much. 

"Jungkook missed you." Jimin tells him a lie to Jungkook's ears but not to his heart.

"Jiminie!" he nudges his friend and rolls his eyes. "How are you feeling? Better?"

"Yeah. The painkillers are finally working." Taehyung looks tired though, as if everything took a lot of effort.

"Do you have a backyard too? We could let Yeontan wander around." Jimin suggests.

"Uhh... No. It's better if I show you."

Taehyung leads them to the backyard door and lets the dog locked inside so they can see why Yeontan shouldn't come to this part. The flowers look amazing, but he also has an orange tree growing, some vegetables and some other fruits. 

"You are amazing, did you know that?" Jimin is looking at all the flowers and how good everything looks.

"Not my idea. My grandma said I was always too bored, so she made me take care of the plants. We actually did it together when I was younger but then she got too old to help, so it was basically me." Taehyung explains.

It feels like a huge step. Sharing something so personal from the person he loved the most with Jiminie is unexpected. Jungkook? He would have gladly told him if he asked. Now, his relationship with the other was a bit more complicated. Maybe that's why it felt like a huge step towards their friendship. 

"I get it. My grandma taught me how to sew." Jimin says. "Maybe that's why I study fashion." he half jokes half tells the truth.

"I think that's pretty admirable of her." Taehyung smiles sweetly. 

"She has a bad character though!" Jungkook chuckles. "She was always scolding us!" he remembered and the friends shared a laugh. 

"We should pay her a visit when she goes back to our hometown." Jimin sounds melancholic. 

"You must!" Taehyung grabs Jimin's hand on a whim. "You never know how much you have left with her." he looks so sad and at the same time so anxious for Jimin that the older finds it cute.

"Will do, Taehyung. Let's go back inside before the little beast can break anything." 

Jimin steps inside and Jungkook feels like he wants to give Taehyung a hug, so he does and then they both walk in together. Yeontan was sleeping on the old couch and the three of them rolled their eyes as the dog loves sleeping more than anything in the world.

"Ah... I'm such a bad host. I don't have any visitors at all. Do you uhm want to drink something? Like coffee or tea?"

"I wouldn't be opposed to a coffee right now if you are making it." Jimin smiles and Taehyung nods.

"Jungkook?" 

"I'll help you. You are still hurt." 

"I can manage." Taehyung is already on the way to the kitchen and Jungkook is following.

"I never said you couldn't." 

"Just date already!" Jimin groans loudly from the living room.

Taehyung gets red and averts his gaze. He doesn't want Jungkook to notice, but little does he know that the other male got as red as he did, so he too was hiding his face. Eventually, they get over it and start making that coffee for Jiminie. This is the perfect timing for the younger to ask about the drawings on the fridge door.

"Tae, can I ask you about the drawings?"

"Which drawings?" 

"Actually, not only about the drawings. You gave me that time one of your flowers, right?" Jungkook noticed before but he only wanted to confirm it.

"Yes." Taehyung is already making the drink as Jungkook simply passes him the stuff he asks for. 

"Why do you have the bunny and the flower drawing? They're... A bit silly." Jungkook is not exactly proud of those two drawings.

"Why wouldn't I have them? They're beautiful." Taehyung pauses to look up towards Jungkook. "You gave them to me. I... Couldn't bring myself to throw them up and... You gave them to me!" he repeats. "They're special because you drew them." he mumbles to himself.

"These aren't as good... I could draw something better and we could throw these away." Jungkook suggests.

"No. Believe it or not, they are happy memories for me. I'd like to keep them." he begins drawing a flower on the coffee for Jimin as he knows he likes that cute stuff.

Jungkook is left speechless. His lips are wobbling as they want to smile but he is not letting Taehyung see it. It meant so much to him and what he said just now makes him believe that it meant a lot to Tae too. He wants to have hope that they'll have a bond and that they will end up together. He is always longing for him, always wanting to be closer. 

"You don't want one?" he points at the drink he made for Jimin. 

"I like it better when it's bitter." he declines with a smile.

Jimin almost moans in pleasure when tasting the coffee. He loves how Taehyung knows what he likes and dislikes and he makes such good and beautiful coffee. He wouldn't be surprised if someday he opened a coffee shop by himself, as his coffees would probably get popular in no time.

They had a nice afternoon. So nice that it's weird, because Jimin and Tae don't fight at all. In fact, after the coffee, the older seems more sweet towards Taehyung. Yoongi must be spreading his love for coffee like a disease.

For a brief moment, there is this orange bond on one of his arms, but since it is bandaged, no one could see it. But it's okay, they have time anyway, and it's not like any of Jungkook's friends is planning to abandon Taehyung. And Jungkook? He already likes the former too much to even think about leaving, or the bet. Clearly, his priorities changed once he truly got to know Taehyung.

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A few days go by and Taehyung goes back to the art gallery. He shouldn't be working, but he felt like he was going to get fired if he didn't go to work. Jungkook doesn't leave him alone on that first day, showing him his project and talking about the due date, which is in a few days. 

Everything looks good but... Now Taehyung needs a new job. He hasn't told Jungkook that he didn't go to college, or that he is saving up to pay tuition to study the same degree the younger is currently studying. He wanted to do it for himself and for reasons that he is not ready to share yet. He needs another job.

Surprisingly enough, it's Jimin who talks to Yoongi about it and it is the latter who talks to him one day. Taehyung had to buy a new phone and transferred all of the data from the old, which he threw away. While he was setting up all his preferences, Yoongi said he might need his help with something and that he would pay him. 

Curiosity is one of Tae's weaknesses. They meet in the morning, in the older's studio. No one but them knows they are meeting and Taehyung is a bit nervous. He doesn't know what Yoongi hyung needs and he is still a bit wary of everyone, but he promised he would try. So he does. 

The studio is big, with two screens, speakers, blue lights and some little toys here and there. Yoongi is on a chair while Namjoon is sitting on a couch, to the right. They greet each other but the former has to go to a class, so Yoongi and Taehyung are left alone.

"What is it that you need, hyung?" 

"Jiminie told me you were looking for a job and well... This isn't a job, but it's something punctual. In case you need money or whatever." he looks from Taehyung to his own computer, quickly closing programs and taking a flash drive out. 

"I always hear you humming while you work... Worked," he corrects himself, "at the coffee shop. You have a nice voice and I need someone to record the guides of my songs."

"I... Might not... My voice is too deep?" he sounds as confused as he feels.

"But I think your voice is pretty. And you need a job, right? So come sing for me from time to time. For the final version it will have a professional singer but in the meantime..." 

"If you are okay with my voice... Then why don't we try?"

"Good. That's precisely what I wanted to hear. Let's go to the recording studio."

Yoongi talks to him and sends to his phone the lyrics of the songs he has written. He says that he needs to check if they fit the melody and such, and Taehyung is sort of fascinated by the music world. Everything looks so cool and it's really fun to sing and have Yoongi listening and giving him points. He has so much fun he feels guilty for taking the older's money, but the other male insists.

After hours of recording, they decide to pause and get some food, as Taehyung has to work on the gallery in the afternoon. He takes Taehyung to a place near uni and orders some food for the both of them. As the older one told him before, he is quiet, so maybe it's up to him to initiate the conversation.

"Were the recordings okay?" 

"Yes. Your voice was perfect for the melodies. Thank you for agreeing." Yoongi looks up from his drink and smiles a bit.

"I should be the one thanking you, though." he answers.

"I don't think so. It was Jimin's idea. He said your voice would be fitting for my music." 

"Oh, I didn't know that." he blinks cutely and Yoongi chuckles.

"Yeah. He is the first one who refused going to the cafeteria you used to work in. He said they're assholes who don't deserve our money." 

Taehyung didn't expect that loyalty coming from the feisty one of the group. The one who was always giving him a hard time for his behavior and his words. He didn't expect to be fully accepted despite his mean remarks. 

"And I agreed. Your coffees are the best after all." he adds. 

"Thank you." a warm feeling spreads through Taehyung's chest and then he sees it.

Right on Yoongi's arm, not the one that has the baby blue from Namjoon or the pink from Seokjin. He can see Jungkook's mark coming down to his arm and he sees something green appearing, getting bigger. It is a pale green but it is there, a mark. His own mark in another person. It is not as big as Yoongi's other bonds but it's there.

"Don't be afraid, Taehyung. This is alright. It's okay." he feels Yoongi's hand on his.

He was so busy noticing for the first time his own mark that he didn't realize he had one from Yoongi too. It was stronger than his own and began right on his elbow, twisting all the way towards his hand. It was getting bigger, he realizes and he can only stare at it, feeling dumb. It's small in comparison to the older's, but it is precious to him.

"Since when?" he blinked, not remembering having it last Thursday when he got beaten up.

"Who knows." Yoongi squeezes his hand. "It was kinda always there. Appearing and disappearing. I hope it stays though." 

"I hope mine does too." Taehyung was sincere. 

Yoongi could actually feel it on his own mark and Taehyung could feel how the older was comfortable with him, how he was relaxed. The way he felt like he needed to take care of Taehyung and the way he silently loved him. He chokes on air, gasping when he feels unexpected tears brimming his eyes. 

"It's okay. I got you know. We all do. Seokjin hyung, Namjoon, Jiminie, Hoseokie... They are all waiting for a chance to bond with you." 

"Really?" he sniffles.

"Yes. I told you, didn't I? We are different. We won't abandon you or make you suffer. And you know it." he points at the mark on his arm, the green growing in intensity. "Your heart knows it."

"I don't deserve-"

"You do. Of course you do. You are a lovely person, Taehyung. You deserve it, even when you get all defensive. We understand. We are here for you."

"Thank you." he closes his eyes, trying to swallow his tears. "Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me. You still have lots of songs to record."

Taehyung laughs and rubs his eyes, letting Yoongi's hand drop from him. There was this void in his heart, this hole that he didn't even know it was there until it filled a little bit with hyung's kindness. Maybe he always wanted to have friends. Maybe he was always longing for a friendship that would last. He isn't quite sure, but as he looks at the gray mark on his arm, he thinks he is getting there. The void can be filled again. 

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

A week later most of his bruises are of a yellow or pink color, in the process of healing. On his face, Taehyung didn't have any signals of that fight and the line along his neck faded away. It was time to search for another job and it was not an easy task.

Most of the people who interviewed him didn't actually like that he only had a small mark on one of his arms. Taehyung too was straightforward with the people interviewing him for the job, as he didn't feel like getting fired only for covering the truth. It was in plain sight, anyone could see that he was not a person with too many bonds. 

Taehyung didn't give up on his search, until he tried out for a bar. He never expected to be a bartender, but he didn't expect to become a barista either, so it was worth the try. The boss there was looking for a bartender, from Thursday to Saturday, so he wouldn't have the weekend free. However, the salary was higher as he was going to be working at night. Besides, he could have Sunday for himself and the owner didn't mind his lack of marks.

He was finally hired.

[ Soulmates + 2 lonely guys ] 18:00

Taehyungie hyung 💜: uhm hiya!

Hey! 😊

Jimin is evil : Hey! 😊

Yoongi hyung serious mode : Hey! 😊

Hoseokie hyung : Hey! 😊

Namjoon dimples hyung : Hey! 😊

Seokjinnie hyung : Hey! 😊

I hate when you all do this to me

Seokjinnie hyung : *coughs* whipped

What happened Tae?

Need anything?

Hyung will help you 

Jimin is evil : the hyung card 🙄🙄

Seokjinnie hyung : you are jealous bc you aren't a hyung

Jimin is evil : whatever 

Taehyungie hyung 💜: no

Everything is fine

I actually wanted to tell you all… That I got a new job 

Although I don't know if you wanted to know

This is probably stupid..

It's not! CONGRATS! 🥳🥳

Yoongi hyung serious mode : yeah! Congrats

But I still need you to record my guides

Namjoonie dimples hyung : I wouldn't mind of you recorded mine as well 😇

Taehyungie hyung 💜: will do

Want me to tell you about the job?

Yes please! 

So I can bring Yeontannie to see you 😊

Taehyungie hyung 💜: but you won't be able to!

It's in a pub? Sort of? Kinda?

I will be a bartender

Jimin is evil : that's hot

Hoseokie hyung : JIMIN?!

Yoongi hyung serious mode : Hoseokie, it seems like our baby has a kink 

Jimin is evil: shut up 😳

It is hot

Imagine him serving drinks

Hoseokie hyung : I suddenly agree

Yoongi hyung serious mode : *we suddenly agree

You guys are right

Taehyungie hyung 💜: stop 🙈🙈

Anyway I will start this Thursday and see how it goes

This is the address 

[Location sent]

Seokjinnie hyung : what a way to invite us to have drinks together while you work

Seems like you miss seeing us while preparing drinks? 

Namjoon dimples hyung : he probably misses your handsome face 💜

Jimin is evil : we talked about this!

We agreed on Taehyung's supremacy

Are u all blind? 

Taehyungie hyung💜 : don't start that again please 😂😂

Anyway I… I just wanted to let you all know

Bc you have been helping me a lot

And you didn't deserve how I treated you at first

I'm sorry for that and thank you for your support 🙈💜

Hoseokie hyung : Tae baby 🥺

Namjoonie dimples hyung : I will cry stop 🥺

Seokjinnie hyung : hyung will always be here for you 🥺

Yoongi hyung serious mode : this hyung too 🥺

Jimin is evil : I knew you had a soul after all 🥺

Yoongi hyung serious mode : Jimin please you love him stop acting

You are not fooling anyone 😂💜

Jimin is evil : shush!

You deserve it honestly 🥺

Don't thank us

You are great and we are happy to be your friends, right?

Hosekie hyung : hell yeah! 🥳

Yoongi hyung serious mode : yeah I wouldn't have anyone to boss around to record my guides 

Namjoon dimples hyung : our* guides

Jimin is evil : of course we like you!

I wouldn't have given you a mark, you silly

Taehyungie hyung 💜: I will cry stop 🥺

He will cry stop 😖

Seokjinnie hyung : whipped~ 

Taehyungie hyung 💜: hyung 🙄

Hoseokie hyung : anyway! 

We are happy for you Taehyungie!

Namjoonie dimples hyung : yeah! We'll pay you a visit sometime! 😊

Jimin is evil: no doubt! 😂

Taehyungie hyung 💜: please don't create trouble!😭

Seokjinnie hyung : I'll watch over them dw

Taehyungie hyung 💜: thanks ☺️

And thank you all for everything

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

[ Taehyungie hyung 💜] 19:42

Hyungie! 

I know you are beginning on Thursday and it might be too much

But would you mind if I stopped by on Friday?

Or Saturday? (If you work Saturdays)

Yes, I work Saturdays too

And I would feel better having you around

There is something about my boss that…

Well, I don't like 

Wdym?

He is a touchy person 

Like when he talks he grabs your arm and stuff

You hate that 

With all my heart

But it's my boss

So I couldn't say anything 

Hmm 

I could keep you company 

How's the bar? 

Pretty normal I guess

I'm just making drinks

Boss says some local bands come play live sometimes 

That's cool

Yup

He didn't mind my lack of bonds

He said no one would see in the dark

That's true

I'm glad you got the job

I am

But if you don't feel comfortable with anything happen in there…

I know!

I will quit

I remember what u said about fighting

I always remember your words

Makes me feel braver

If I have u there I'll be unstoppable 😂

Hmm that's something I would like to see

Do you wear a uniform? Or have a dress code?

Not really

He said I could wear whatever

As long as it's not ugly

Then you're good 

I'll see you there, okay?

I'll text you when I arrive 🥰

Sounds great 🥰

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

His worries about the new job slip away the moment he meets his new coworkers. They are all... Kind? There are three guys and a girl and they all have grins on their faces and ignore his lack of bonds. They explain to him how to make the most basic drinks and how they normally serve. It is all very dynamic. 

After hours of listening to the clients and serving drinks, he thinks he is getting good at it. Making a couple of mistakes doesn't count because he is human after all. There are a couple of drunk people and his coworkers letting the security do their job and get their asses out.

"I like you, pretty boy!" the woman says, as she is handing drinks to customers and receiving the money from them. 

"Thank you! I am catching up, I think." he is trying his best to be fast.

"I am gonna share a piece of my mind with you because I saw how the boss was showing you around." She makes signals to crouch with her. "Be careful with him and his long hands, okay? He is a weirdo. Don't let him take advantage of you just because he is the boss." 

"Got it. Thanks." he gets worried but stands up, with a bag of ice that he opens and puts it inside the freezer.

"You're welcome!"

They get to it and in a blink of an eye, it's already the closing time. They are counting the money, cleaning up the last tables and preparing everything before they leave. They are talking and Taehyung, as weird as it is, is included in that conversation. 

Next day on the new job is the same as the previous day. Too busy to even think for a second and when they are finally done, Taehyung sits down on the floor, wiping the sweat from his forehead while the rest laugh.

"You will get used to it, kiddo!" one of them says, offering a hand to help him out.

"It's so damn tiring! My feet hurt." he says and flexes his hands too.

"You'll get used to it! Ah! Hello boss!"

All one of them bows, pointing in one direction and everyone else including Taehyung bows. They all stand up and look at each other. The girl and Taehyung exchange a look, and she taps her temple with two fingers, like telling him to think about the stuff they talked about earlier.

Mr. Choi is older than them, but not as old. Black eyes, brown hair and wearing a suit, too elegant for the bar. It is a big contrast if you compared it to how everyone else was dressing, but the worst part wasn't that. He could dress all fancy and Taehyung wouldn't give a damn. No. The problem is his sly smile and his eyes on him, the problem is the way his hands travel to rest on Taehyung's shoulder, as if he was showing a prized possession. 

He feels like dying. Taehyung really hates to be touched without consent as it makes his fear pop up. It's a reaction he can't stop. Jungkook and the hyungs were a bit different, especially the youngest of the group. Nevertheless, that recitance to be touched came up from time to time too with them... Taehyung is probably only okay with Jungkook touching him. Everyone else feels forced. And his boss? It feels like a punishment.

"I just wanted to see how you were adapting." Taehyung didn't like that sweet voice or the way his fingers moved on his shoulder.

"He's okay. He will get better once he is used to this." the girl says, her eyes on that hand, her expression turning dark.

"Yeah, I will." 

Taehyung moves forward and pretends that he is going to tie his shoe and that way get rid of that hand. He despises it. Jungkook always asks if it's okay, sometimes he doesn't but that's because he knows Taehyung trusts him. But his boss? He is a stranger and he had some weird vibes going on.

"Do any of you need a ride?" it's like a collective look of all employees, neither wanting to say they did.

"No. We are all good. Thank you, though." the girl finally says. Taehyung had forgotten their names the instant they introduced themselves. He was embarrassed so he didn't ask them again.

"If you say so, Hwasa." 

"Yeah. We are all good." Someone else says.

"Okay then. I'll be leaving this to you. Close when you are done. See you tomorrow."

"Bye!" they all chant collectively.

Once they are sure the boss has gone, they let out a relieved sigh, including Taehyung. This... This is some shit and although he didn't understand, he decided that it wasn't something he wanted for him. He didn't want to know so he didn't ask.

Saturday morning. Taehyung buys groceries and does his usual stuff and in the evening, he goes to the bar. He talked with Hwasa yesterday about letting a friend come and she said that all friends could enter for free in the bar. So, once Jungkook was outside, Taehyung only had to let the security guard know.

He gave them a description of the man and since work was so chaotic, he had forgotten already about Jungkook. However, when he saw him entering the bar, he felt like his breath was caught in his throat.

Woah.

Jungkook looks different to his usual self. He would normally dress in black, for sure, but that way? He's never seen it. Jungkook is wearing a loose shirt tucked in the tightest pants Taehyung has seen in his life. He could see his thighs tending the fabric and he thought of his ass, about how good it would look. Boots with a little bit of a high heel? Is he a model? Why does he look so good? He is also wearing beautiful earrings and Taehyung wants to mess with them, touch them. 

Then again, the thing that resonated within his heart was his eyes. His beautiful big eyes seemed twice as big because of the makeup he had on. Even in this darkness, Taehyung could see a faint eyeshadow on the corner of his eyes, his pink lips and a smirk. That smirk is doing something to him because he suddenly can't concentrate. He wants this Jungkook to push him against a wall and kiss him until he faints... What the hell? He is working. He should stop thinking like that. 

"Hey!" he yells over the loud music and some people requesting drinks.

"Hey!" he is able to respond, giving a client his drink. "Give me a minute, I'll be back with you."

He squats down and lets out a muffled scream against his hand. Suddenly, he wasn't alone. Hwasa is tapping his shoulder very fast and Taehyung is glad that someone else can distract him from melting under that intense gaze.

"Do you know that guy?"

"Who?"

"The guy with the shirt and the pants. The guy." She seems as excited as him.

"He is mine. Back off." 

Where did that come from? He didn't even have time to think about what to answer. He didn't even register that he opened his mouth to answer. What the hell is Jungkook doing to him?

"He is yours? Damn. Good catch." she stands up again.

Inhaling one time and letting it all out, he goes back to Jungkook and takes his order. He is so... Intimidating that Taehyung wants to look away, but at the same time he doesn't. Jungkook looks so different that he wants to look at him and memorize the way he is standing against the corner, the way the clothes hug his hot body, his muscles... No. He can't look away and miss it.

"What are you drinking?" 

"Whatever you give me." He puts out money and if it wasn't because he is new, Taehyung wouldn't have let him pay.

"What do you think?" Taehyung continues working but comes back to hear his answer.

"That isn't that bad. And that I like you better when you don't push your hair back." Jungkook answers. A lie. Taehyung looks amazing with his hair like that but it's not like he can tell him.

"Thank you." Taehyung rolls his eyes but a smile escapes from his control and makes his way to his lips. "Will you stay here with me or do you want to go around and do your thing?"

"What thing?"

"You dressed up." he points out. "So I guess you came here to find someone?"

"Yeah, I did. He is standing right in front of me." he bends a little so they are closer. "I got pretty for you." he leans back and winks at Taehyung, who is too red to even answer. "Come on, chop chop." he claps

Hours go by and they start to get less and less orders from the counter and more from the tables, so Hwasa and Taehyung are left behind the counter. The others are making rounds and everything is calmer now, perfect for Taehyung and Jungkook to talk. The latter has been taking sips to his drink but he didn't actually have it all. He didn't want to get drunk as he wanted to stay there just in case something happened.

"This job will be the death of me." Taehyung complains, feeling disgusting because he is sweating. Again. "There is always so much to do."

Even in the dim lights, he can see Yoongi's mark on his neck and he would usually think it looks great. But with that outfit? Jungkook looks sexier. He has to convince him to dress up often because he looks like a snack he would love to bite.

"That's good, right? Is everyone treating you properly? Do I need to beat up someone?" he jokes but it isn't a joke though. 

"They're okay. Really." Taehyung snakes his hand to softly touch Jungkook's knuckles. "It's the boss, the one who... I will tell you all about it when we head out." 

A nod and another smile. Jeon Jungkook could probably step on him right now and Taehyung would thank him. Where did that come from? He doesn't know but it is actually true. Jungkook is hot. He has always been hot but damn. Today was something else.

"Keep it up, Taehyung!" Hwasa says when they only have thirty minutes left. "Also, tell your boyfriend he can stay while we close! He has been with you all night. Is he your soulmate?" she asks.

"I wish." he sighs.

They are getting supplies from the back and heading towards the counter again. It is almost time to let the clients know they need to leave and they need to start counting the money and cleaning. Soon it will be over.

"Oh shit. Sorry. I thought he was. He stayed by your side all night. He loves you a lot, huh?" she nudges him.

"Yeah... He does."

But not in the way Taehyung would like. He wanted to be more than friends and after today he isn't so sure if he will be able to keep their friendship going on. There is just no way that he can ignore the way his heart felt when he saw him, or the way his body reacted to his presence. But for the sake of not ruining the first friend he had since he was a kid, he had to try.

Once they get back to the counter, there he is, his drink finished and looking a bit bored. However, the moment Taehyung steps closer, a smile blossoms in his features. It is so contagious that soon the older is smiling as well, helping finishing up and wrapping things up. He wants to go and tell Jungkook all about it.

"Hello everyone." Taehyung stiffens and looks towards his boss, getting closer to the workers. Not again.

"Hey boss!" some of them answered. 

His anxiety rises and Taehyung shuffles to stand closer to Jungkook, who is not stupid. That suited up man is the boss and it definitely has something weird about it, so he stands up. Jungkook is not leaving Taehyung alone.

"Oh, I do not remember hiring you." the man blinks.

"He is Taehyung's boyfriend. I told him he could wait for him while we finish." Hwasa quickly said. "I hope that's okay." 

"Of course, of course." but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Nice to meet you..."

"Jeon Jungkook." He walks to the man and shakes his hand, his whole body language clearly threatening him. "Thank you for taking care of my Taehyungie." 

Neither of them correct Hwasa or the boss. Taehyung feels safer now that the man knows he is 'taken' and Jungkook too feels like if something happened, he had the right to know. Besides, that way he won't be as touchy to Taehyung... Or at least that was he thought, because that man knows no boundaries. He puts a hand over his employee and Taehyung looks back to Jungkook, being enough for him to understand. 

"He is a hard working person, so it's no biggie." he squeezes his shoulder.

At the same time, Jungkook slips one hand around Taehyung's waist, pulling him towards his own body. His eyes meet the boss there and for a moment, Jungkook could see annoyance displaying on his features before he could cover it with a fake smile. His hands finally drops and Taehyung feels relaxing against Jungkook's body 

"Anyway!" he claps. "Good job today! See you on Monday and I will see you on Thursday." he tells Taehyung.

As he has to get used to the bar, they decided that Taehyung should be working less days. Besides, they only need extra help from Thursdays to Saturdays, so it worked for both of them. 

Once he left, they all collectively sigh and get back to their last tasks for the day. Taehyung is already talking to Jungkook, murmuring something that only he could hear. However, once they get outside and close the place, they all bow to each other and leave. 

Even when they are gone, Jungkook doesn't stop touching Taehyung. He only steps away and holds his hand, walking together as Taehyung tells him about what Hwasa said and how careful she was with the boss. He told Jungkook things were a little bit fishy and that he was worried.

"Thank god you were there." Tae closes his eyes and opens them up to find Jungkook looking all worried. 

"Does he always do that to you?" he asks and Taehyung nods in response. "Can't you tell him to stop?"

"He is my new boss... How can I? Maybe in a week or two?" he pinches the bridge of his nose with his free hand, a sign of stress. 

"Okay... Ah, right! I hope you don't mind that I didn't say I wasn't your boyfriend. I thought it was safer." Jungkook changes topics as he doesn't want to add to Taehyung's stress.

"I don't... Mind." Taehyung stares at his side profile. "You look so different... From usual."

"Is it bad though? I thought I looked hot." Jungkook looks down to his outfit and back to Taehyung. "I got you all flustered when I flirted with you." he chuckles.

"You caught me off guard!?" Taehyung gets all defensive and red at the same time. 

"So what you mean is that I don't look hot when I don't dress up?"

"You do! You are hot! I-!" then Taehyung realizes what he said and slaps his own mouth while Jungkook throws his head back to let out a laugh. "Yeah, laugh at my misery!" he pouts cutely and Jungkook can only chuckle some more.

Their soulmate lines are now impossible not to notice. With a simple look, anyone could see it... Both men included. It's only a matter of time until their soulmate bond is completed and they both realize.

"You looked so in trance when you saw me... It's cute!" 

"I aim to be more than just 'cute', you know?" Taehyung points at his own hair.

"You are handsome too." Jungkook gets nervous before stating his next words. "I draw you all the time because you are naturally handsome." 

"Do you? Can I see?" Taehyung looks all hyped up for a moment and Jungkook relaxes. He didn't take it in the wrong way.

"Maybe." he hums, still thinking about how he introduced himself as Taehyung's boyfriend. He wouldn't mind that... But he doesn't want to lose Taehyung. 

"Maybe?" his smile drops. What if he was too much? What if he is being annoying? 

"Maybe." Jungkook confirms, noticing the change in the mood. "They are only rough sketches of what I remember, so I don't think they are that good. What if I offend you?" 

"You won't... But uh... I didn't know you stared that much at me?" he teases Jungkook.

"How else would I memorize your beautiful features?" Jungkook teases back.

"Stop!" he giggles.

They continue talking, messing with each other. Taehyung is happy whenever he is with Jungkook and the younger looks at him with adoration shining on his big eyes. If someone else were to describe their relationship in a word, it would be love.

Lurking in the shadows, little do they know that there is someone following them. Someone who is glaring at the joined hands of the boys and their evident familiarity. Someone burning with jealousy.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Days go by and the boss stops getting as touchy with him as before. It's the end of the semester and everyone is stressed and anxious, and they have less time to meet, which Taehyung didn't mind... Or he didn't use to.

He was usually the person who is fine being by himself, but being around the other six males messed him up a bit. Taehyung was getting clingy, noticing that neither of them rejected him. He got to dance with Hoseok, to record with Namjoon and Yoongi, have coffee with Seokjin and be a model for Jungkook and Jimin.

They didn't get to spend that much time but their bonds somehow grew. Maybe because he believed it for real this time and so he started growing marks. A pink one, a blue one, orange, yellow... They looked gorgeous on his skin. But he was missing a purple mark from Jungkook. He had his ribs, back, shoulders and arms filled... But what about him? Why didn't he have his mark?

Taehyung didn't know. He couldn't bring himself to ask. Instead, he let it go and continued working, unaware that the person in charge of the bar hated every single mark he got that wasn't his. It's not like Taehyung could even suspect it. Things were pretty good and he had forgotten all about the first days' tension. 

The day he is finally able to meet all the squad is the day they all finish exams. Not Jin, of course, but he is on the other side, so he had a lot of work to do. Since they were all finished, they decided to go visit Taehyung's bar and see him. Since he started working there, only Jimin and Jungkook have been there so everyone else is curious.

It is a surprise for Taehyung. He didn't expect the six of them coming in and creating a ruckus when they saw him. How things have changed... He used to get so mad whenever he saw the group and now? Now he could only feel happiness.

"You guys shouldn't have come here!" he rolls his eyes but serves them anyway.

Chatting with Jimin, he laughs when Yoongi stays by his side and decides to let his other two soulmates enjoy dancing and being stupid together. He and Jungkook stay for the most part of the night next to him, while Namjoon and Jin are getting drunk together, only stopping to kiss. It is quite the sight.

The only one sober at the end of the night is Taehyung and he is the one who has to drag everyone back to their places. The only problem is that he doesn't know where their places are so he decides to let Hoseok, Yoongi and Jimin together in the latter's apartment. Namjoon and Jin could take Jungkook's bed and the youngest could sleep with him.

It is a lot of work and lots of cabs, but he finally manages to reach his own home, carrying Jungkook on his back. Yeah, he is not strong enough to carry him princess style. 

Taehyung drops him on his own bed and he knows quite well that Jungkook sleeps without a shirt. He just knows. So he takes the younger's shoes off and his shirt, disappointment filling his chest when he doesn't see one of his marks on him. What he does see is a little bit of red on his hand, but assumes it's just a cut.

Jungkook was already passed out when Taehyung got to the bed and snuggled closer into his arms. He loves it when the younger hugs him. If he could, he would physically melt himself with Jungkook's body. There is nothing that could ever be compared to being in his arms.

Taehyung is the first to wake up, not early but not late either. It's Sunday and he doesn't have to work, but he wakes up anyway to find that Jungkook is hugging him in his sleep. With a smile, he feels his chest exploding with love, so he pecks the other male's cheek, sighing in content. He wishes to wake up like this every single day.

Remembering that little cut on Jungkook's hand, he moves a little and grabs his right hand, searching for it. Finding it on his pinky, he notices it's weird that it looks like a perfectly drawn line around his pinky... Like a soulmate bond. Swallowing really hard, for some stupid reason, Taehyung had to check his own pinky finger. He had to.

A sob escapes his mouth. He also has a line there, matching with the one Jungkook is getting. It's almost closed, and they mirror each other. Two twin circles. Two soulmates. 

Jungkook is his soulmate.

Holding both of their hands up, Taehyung thinks about all the times Jungkook had helped him. All the times they hugged, all the walks with Yeontan and late nights chatting on their phones. He is loved and he loves back. Is he really Taehyung's soulmate? Maybe his bond is for someone else? 

There is no mistaking it, because right in front of his eyes, their lines grow a little bit at the same time. His heart beats weirdly and he feels some sort of heat coming from the area the soulmate bond is. A tear rolls down his cheek. Jungkook is really his soulmate... As his grandma told him, the only kind of bond that can bring him pain. The kind of bond born from thousands of past lives together. 

Their destiny. 

It is so close to being completed. So damned close. All this time he thought Jungkook didn't love him back. He searched for his purple mark every single day until he got exhausted and what for? The truth is right in front of his eyes. He thought it was a cut because it was a line and was of a red color... He was worried and wanted to put a bandaid on it. He never thought it could be a soulmate bond, their soulmate bond.

Now what? What if... Jungkook is disappointed? What if he doesn't want someone as difficult as Taehyung? What if he wants their soulmate bond broken? It's crushing his soul. He knows it's irrational. He knows Jungkook likes him... Or he should. The soulmate bond wouldn't have grown otherwise. But what if... 

He is back to square one. Taehyung is scared. Scared of being rejected, scared of not being enough, scared of being left alone... So scared. Dropping their hands, he stands up without waking Jungkook up and grabs his phone, feeling the panic raise on his chest. Taehyung needs air. He needs space.

However, he didn't want to leave the house with Jungkook sleeping inside. So what does he do? He goes to his backyard and sits on the ground, texting the only person he thinks it can help. The only person who truly understands him. 

Min Yoongi.

[ Yoongi ] 11:23

Hyung 

Help me

What should I do?

Please wake up

Taehyung?

It's like 11 am wtf are u doing awake?

Hyung :(

What happened?

Ugh my head

Gimme one second I'm going to get a painkiller

Okay, tell me

I am… scared

I found out that Jungkook is my soulmate

Woah!

Congrats!!

I'm scared hyung

What if Jungkook doesn't want me

Impossible

He loves you

He is your other half

But what if… I'm not enough?

I'm scared

Did u accept easily when you saw the bond?

Because I'm panicking here 

Actually I…

I had a hard time

I didn't believe in soulmates

But it's like whenever I'm with them… 

I feel like I'm home

I get that too

I have been feeling like that for a while

I don't know what to do

Does Jungkook know?

I don't know

I saw the mark yesterday and I thought it was a cut

I was going to treat it

Then I saw it and… I had to check my hand

I was worried bc I didn't have his mark, but now?

This is overwhelming

I'm not ready

What do I do

Breathe

You're doing great

It's a lot to process

Give yourself time

But will he want me?

Will he accept me?

Tae, he already has 

You guys are family

Jimin told me

Bc Jungkook told him

He said Jungkook was already in love with you 

Jimin also said he was worried he didn't have any bonds

He thinks you don't love him back

But… I do…

Yeah of course you do

You are soulmates after all

The thing is…

He's been stressing about it and about u

I know

I missed him a lot when we couldn't see each other

Don't tell him I said that

You guys are so cute 🥺

The thing is… he deserves better

How? 

Are u going to decide what's best for him?

Are u going to break the soulmate bond?

No, but…

But what?

You are no less than a person

You are deserving of love

And you deserve him too

Let him heal your wounds

I know it's not easy and it will take time

But trust me on this

You will never feel lonely anymore 

But I need time…

I can't face him rn

It's okay

Give yourself time

But talk to him when u are ready

Your souls long for each other

Don't suffer by yourself, okay?

Okay…

Thank u hyung 💜

That's what I'm here for

Just trust me on this

I will

I see that you are happy

I want to be happy too

You will be

I'll see you guys later okay?

Thank you for dragging our asses back last night

No problem! 💜

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"Taehyungie? Why are you crying?" the door creaks as it closes and a pair of arms hugging him. Jungkook is awake.

"It's nothing." he wipes his tears. He is so scared. So afraid of not being what Jungkook deserves and yet he is selfish because he doesn't want to let go of him... He is his family, his home. 

"If you're crying, it's something. Come, let's get inside." he helps Taehyung up and guides him inside the house. "Wanna tell me now?" he brushes one of his fingers under Tae's eyes to wipe his tears.

"I... Can't." he doesn't want to be around Jungkook and at the same time he feels the need to be near him. It's literally tearing him apart. "I can't tell you right now, I..." he sniffles and looks down, to his left hand hiding his right. "I need space."

"Is that... So?" Jungkook looks somehow hurt but he doesn't talk about it. Instead, he nods and Taehyung doesn't need to speak further.

He leaves. Jungkook actually leaves after a while. He complies with what Taehyung wanted and stays away from him... He thought it would only be a few days, but then he notices that Taehyung is avoiding him.

Suddenly he hangs out with everyone but Jungkook. He doesn't have time for the younger, who is hurt. He doesn't even know what's going on and he tried asking but... Taehyung never replied. Did he do something to upset him? Jungkook can't recall.

The few days end in a week. Then that week becomes two weeks and Jungkook can't deal with this anymore. He is on vacation. He doesn't have classes and he decided to stay in the apartment instead of going back to his parents only because of Taehyung... And he isn't even talking to him! 

What the hell did he do to deserve such a cold treatment? Unless... That he found out about the bet. Jungkook doesn't think anyone told him but what if he found out? Does he despise Jungkook? Does he want to get away from him? Never see him again? Is that what it is?

With those thoughts, Jungkook can't take it anymore. He doesn't want to impose as Taehyung is working at nights, so he ends up buying alcohol by himself, walking aimlessly through the darkness. His feet guide him to a familiar front door, where he sits down, a bottle in his hand and drinking.

Hours later, when Taehyung is done working, he finds Jungkook crying on his front door, an empty bottle next to him. His heart shrinks on his chest the moment he hears him sob. Who would have a heart to leave him like that? Drunk and crying in his house? Not him, for sure.

"Jungkook? What are you doing here?" he softly brushes his hair away from his forehead.

"Do you hate me now?" he says, his puffy eyes filled with tears.

"I could never..." he helps him up and opens his house. 

"But you are avoiding me..." he bursts into tears again and Taehyung's heart shrinks one more time, hurt to see Jungkook like that. Hurt to see his soulmate like that. "Is it the bet? You hate me because of it?" 

"Tomorrow, Jungkook. We'll talk tomorrow."

The younger falls asleep the moment he feels the pillow under his head. Chuckling, Taehyung gets his shoes off and his shirt off as well, having a quick shower before lying down next to him. The feeling of being finally complete sinks in. All this time without Jungkook felt like something was missing and now, he knows. He only needed Jungkook.

Friday morning reveals two bodies tangled together, pressing against one another. Their souls have been longing for the other this whole time and now they felt like a whole. Finally, their souls were united. There is this tiny space on their soulmate bond that hasn't been filled with red. There must be something they need to do or say before it becomes real.

Taehyung wakes up to Jungkook's sleeping face, to his lovely expression. His eyes were swollen from so much crying and his nose was still a bit red, but Taehyung didn't mind. He never met someone as lovely as Jungkook and no red nose or puffy eyes were going change that. His long eyelashes flutter and his eyes open, finding Tae's already looking at him. His right hand travels to cup the older's cheek, thumb drawing circles on his skin.

"Are you going to keep avoiding me?" Jungkook asks, his voice hoarse from all the crying and drinking. "Because I can't take it anymore. I don't want to be away from you, Taehyung. Tell me what I did wrong... And I will fix it!" 

"You did nothing wrong. I was scared of... You." he finally confesses. Taehyung thinks it's time. He missed his other half. He will have to face the consequences of his actions and words.

"Of me?" Jungkook is hurt. He looks so in pain that his first instinct is to get closer, joining their foreheads together. "Is this about... The bet?" 

"What bet? Now that you say it... You told me something yesterday. What is it about?" Taehyung leans back a little so they are looking at each other.

Oh shit. 

"Promise me that you won't get mad, Taehyung. Please." Jungkook begs.

"I can't promise you that." 

Jungkook moves up and motions Taehyung to do the same, so now they are sitting on the older's bed. Holding his hands, the younger can only pray that this doesn't send Taehyung into survival mode. He has been meaning to tell him, as Jimin and him both agreed to stop the stupid bet for Taehyung's sake.

"Remember I was the first one who talked to you? Who kept coming to you all the time?" Jungkook begins and the male in front of him nods, eyes sharp. "Well... Jimin and I had a bet about you."

Ice spread through his body. Memories of his years in high school coming back at him, words of people who were supposed to be friends telling him it was all a joke. No. Please, not again. Taehyung slaps his hands away, standing up and taking distance from Jungkook, a lump forming on his throat. 

"What kind of bet?" his voice breaks and tears glisten his eyes. Taehyung doesn't know if he wants to know anymore. 

"I bet that I could get you marks and that I would have yours." Jungkook closes his eyes and opens them again, tiredness written in his expression. "Let me explain."

Taehyung is hurt, feels betrayed once again. Worthless. Like he is nothing. He doesn't know this, but over the city, the other five boys felt their Taehyung's mark become paler all of the sudden, flickering and sending signals that something was up. But who cares? Everyone knew and they never said a thing.

"Am I a joke to you?" a tear rolls down his cheek, face twisted with anger and betrayal. "I thought you were different... I..." so much pain. So much that he can't even stand anymore, so he drops to his knees.

"Let me explain, please. It was like that at first but everything changed!" Jungkook finally gets out of the bed and drops in front of him.

"What did?" he screams at Jungkook, his own hand clenching his shirt right where his heart was beating.

"You did. I didn't expect that I would like you so much. That I would want to be with you all the time." he tries to touch Taehyung but he slaps him, crawling back, getting away from Jungkook.

"Fuck... You... How could you?" he hides his face behind his hands. Taehyung is so in pain that he wants to stop everything. To disappear and stop breathing would be a better option than just existing. 

"You have to believe me. It was only at the beginning and we called it off. The bet no longer exists... I thought that's why you avoided me... Because you knew." Jungkook sounds desperate. "I never meant to hurt you." 

"But you did! Asshole, you did!" he gets closer only to shove Jungkook away. "I am so stupid... To think that I was going to tell you that..." he can't bring himself to say it. What's the point? It was all a sick game to Jungkook anyway.

"Taehyung, please. Hurting you is the last thing I would do... I said it, didn't I? That we're family." he tries again, not knowing the amount of pain he is causing.

"That's why this hurts so fucking much. I trusted you! Even my fucking soulmate was messing with me? What am I supposed to do now? The only people who I truly considered friends... Everyone was just lying... I can't... I can't." Taehyung is trembling. Hurt, anger, sadness... Everything's adding up and he can't breathe.

"Soulmates..." a shaky voice mumbles, but Taehyung can't hear him.

"After all these years of enduring this pain, of being alone and..." he continues, the lump in his throat becomes bigger and he is having so much difficulty to breathe and to talk. "It hurts..." 

Jungkook is looking at his hand, noticing for the first time the mark. The red mark that is now suffering along with them. The red mark that confirms Taehyung's words. A red mark that is finally completed but it's turning paler by the minute. A sudden pain is beginning to form on his pinky, getting stronger and taking part of his arm.

It's throbbing, pulsing and making everything much more complicated. Little does he know that their bond is dying because Taehyung is closing his heart to him. Because the trust built between them is broken.

"You knew that we were soulmates and that's why you avoided me?" he is able to speak louder, bringing Taehyung's attention back to him, noticing the way he is grabbing his arm. "Taehyung, you knew?" Jungkook is mad. He is so mad. 

"And I am happy I didn't tell you! You would have gone to your stupid friends and show the mark off! Like it doesn't mean anything!" he screams. Taehyung is mad too.

The pain that began in Jungkook's hand now is almost reaching his shoulder. That same throbbing pain starts to build up in Taehyung too, going up as they speak, as they continue hurting each other. This is not what was supposed to happen. Taehyung only wanted to confirm it with Jungkook, he only wanted Jungkook to love him but... He clearly doesn't. He wouldn't have done this to him if he loved him.

"You weren't planning on telling me..." he moves his arm towards his chest, gulping to keep himself from wincing, the pain becoming stronger. "You don't want me as your soulmate and that's why you avoided me." Jungkook feels it's hard to breathe.

"You didn't tell me about your stupid bet!" he screams back. 

"Because I knew you would react this way! I knew you would kick me out of your life and I wasn't gonna let that happen!" Jungkook closes his eyes, letting out a whimper. It hurts. Everything hurts so much. He only wants it to stop.

"So you needed to win that fucking bet no matter what, huh?" Taehyung lets out a shaky huff. "I should have known that you were just like the rest of them!" 

At this point, they are both sitting on the floor, holding their arms and looking at each other with so much pain. There is just so much pain. Jungkook gets closer, ignoring the way the agony of his arm is reaching his neck and face, spreading through his collarbones. Ignoring the way Taehyung hits him, Jungkook sits down, invading his space. He needed to get closer to tell him this. He knows the older won't believe anything that comes out of his mouth but he has to try.

"You're wrong, Taehyung. I didn't want you to abandon me, because I fucking love you." he whispers, his puffy eyes meeting Taehyung's. "I am in love with you. This..." he makes an effort to show him his right hand, "is only the proof of that. I love you. I didn't want to lose you. You have to believe me."

However, as the pain keeps spreading through his neck, Jungkook can tell that Taehyung doesn't think he is being honest. He can sense it. Taehyung doesn't trust him. 

"How am I supposed to believe you?" his voice breaks. "I was so scared that I didn't deserve you... So afraid that you wouldn't want me... But it's actually you. You don't deserve me." he wipes his tears, his own pain is now reaching his neck. "I was sincere. I never lied to you, not once. I didn't mean to hide the fucking soulmate bond from you. I needed time to process this shit... And now you tell me it was all a bet? A joke?" he starts sobbing again, even if he doesn't want to.

"I never lied to you either. I meant it when I said you wouldn't be alone anymore. I meant it when I said I was your family. I meant it when I said I love you. I meant everything I said, Taehyung." he grabs Taehyung's right hand and kisses right where his pulsing soulmate bond is. "Forgive me, please. Please, don't let our bond break. I beg you, Taehyung. Please..."

Taehyung has never seen anyone crying as desperately as Jungkook. The way he is holding his hand and ignoring the way the pain is spreading through their body, until their chests. The way he is hiding his face on the floor, his shoulder shaking from his sobs.

The moment that awful pain got closer to their hearts, the moment it touched their hearts, their bond would be broken. It's up to them both to stop it. Taehyung doesn't know their bond is breaking but he sure as hell knows that there is something wrong with it. Jungkook said it was breaking... And honestly, is that what Taehyung wants? For them to break their bond? For them to take different paths and never see each other again? Is this really what he wants? Jungkook is asking him, no, he is begging him so their bond doesn't break. 

Taehyung didn't want it to break. Even if it hurts, even if it's the worst pain he's ever felt before... He doesn't want to break it. He wants to be a part of Jungkook's life, no matter what. No matter if he got married or had a soulmate, he decided a long time ago that he wants Jungkook with him. But is it enough for them? Is love enough for them? To rebuild the broken trust? What would his grandma say? The love between them is supposed to be stronger than anything else, even this. Will it be enough though? After all this pain? 

"Please, Taehyung. It's going near my chest... I can't stop it... It's going to break." Jungkook looks up and the moment their eyes connect, he decides. 

He loves Jungkook too much. He loves him too much to lose him. He loved him even if he hurt him. Taehyung too had hurt Jungkook by shutting him out and had hurt him countless times. They had hurt each other but it didn't mean their wounds wouldn't heal. 

"Kiss me..." he whispers, looking at his eyes. "If you meant it when you said you loved me..." if Jungkook meant it when he said he didn't want their bond to be broken forever...

A tear rolls down his cheek and Jungkook catches it. Cupping his face, the younger doesn't have time to lose. He doesn't have time to think. He only knows he will lose the bond with Taehyung and he loves him too much for that. 

Then he kisses him. 

It feels like heaven has a meaning when he is the one tasting Taehyung's lips. Heaven when he feels his sweetness, the way he responds to him, the way he melts against him. Licking softly his bottom lip, asking for entrance, Taehyung opens his mouth and then pure bliss. 

Their tongues meet and Jungkook tilts his head, giving them both better access. Deepening the kiss, Jungkook kisses Taehyung like it's the air he breathes, like he wants to be one with him. And he does. They both do. Teeth grazing lips, tongues dancing, fighting, against each other among the heavy pants of both men.

Suddenly, it becomes something else. It feels like a flash of a thousand kisses coming together. Their previous kisses in previous lives, all coming together to this moment. It feels like a stream of images floating to both of their minds, laughs together, happy memories and sad memories all mixed up. 

Nibbling on his bottom lip, Jungkook can tell that Taehyung loves it. He actually knows his weak spots, the way he likes to be kissed. He just knows. Taehgung is his soulmate.  

A loving kiss. A hard kiss. A hungry kiss. That kiss is everything and nothing at the same time. A reflection of their past lives together coming back at them, reminding them that the other holds half of his soul.

During the minutes the kiss lasts, everything goes away. The suffocating pain on their arms and chests, their thoughts and the way they hurt each other. It all vanishes the moment they melt in the kiss, the moment they feel each other's lips. They are finally home.

Unfortunately for them, the kiss was not enough. Their love was not enough to stop the pain from reaching their hearts.

"I love you."

"I love you too." 

Their bond breaks. 

It feels like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders, but the real agony begins now. Crying together, Jungkook holds Taehyung in a hug, squeezing him as the bond fades away. Taehyung rests his head on the crook of Jungkook's neck and holds his hand up, tearing up when the little red ring on his pinky disappears at the same time that Jungkook does.

They hurt each other so much. 

If they had stopped earlier. If they hadn't screamed at each other... Maybe their bond would still be intact. When their bond started hurting, if only they stopped... If only. But they didn't and now it was too late. 

Their love was not enough. It was not strong enough. Taehyung was hurting too much. Jungkook was hurting too much. Their trust was broken and with that... Their bond did too.

"No, no, no, no..." Jungkook is shaking.

He is in denial. He had just learnt that he is Taehyung's soulmate and he lost it before their bond could even settle properly. Before they could talk it out. It ended right in front of them, after their first kiss. How is he supposed to keep going? A hole now nests in the middle of his chest, his missing part will forever be missing because their bond was broken.

"No..." he meets Taehyung's eyes. "I don't understand... I love you. I love you." but his chest is empty. He can't find his love. He can't. It's breaking his soul. 

"I love you too..." Taehyung says but, like Jungkook, he is unable to feel it. 

The rupture happened just now. There is no way they can feel anything.

"What should we do? I don't want this. I want our bond back... I want our happiness back!" Jungkook feels the raging sadness again, but still nothing. His heart was empty. 

So he cries again, tears losing on Taehyung's black curls. He cries for his bond. For what he had with Tae. He cries to feel something, even that excruciating pain from before... But nothing. There is only numbness. He hates this.

"Should we go to a doctor?" Taehyung asks, his voice sounding as lost as he feels.

"So they can officially tell us?" Jungkook wipes his own tears. "No. I refuse." he stands up. 

Taehyung does too, his eyes coming back to where his ring should be. Nothing is there. Nothing... Like their future. 

Nothing .

So what does Taehyung do? What he does best: he protects himself. 

"This is your fault." Taehyung pushes him. "And your friends' fault." 

"W-what?" Jungkook blinks.

"That fucking bet! Our bond broke because of you!" he pushes him one more time, yelling at him. 

"You're not serious... I... I didn't mean for this to happen... Taehyung, you have to believe me." Taehyung sees how the man breaks apart right in front of him. 

"Get out of my house!"

"Taehyung..."

"Out!! I don't want to see you ever again!!"

He flinched the moment he shouted, tears streaming down his face. The face that Taehyung loved so much. He wants to ask him to stay, he wants to ask Jungkook to hug him, to tell him that he would never leave.

But Jungkook lets out a sob and runs away. The last thing Taehyung sees is his bottom lip trembling, tears rolling down his cheek and a hurt expression. He left. Taehyung was once again alone.

Dropping to his knees, he clenches his hand over his chest, letting out a strained scream while he lets out all his pain, all his sorrow for a bond that could never happen. A bond that was broken before they could even understand what was going on.

Jungkook is barefoot, running through the streets, crying, hands trembling over the phone as he tries to call someone. Anyone. He needs someone right now, someone to hear him out. He trips and falls on the ground but he doesn't even feel it, every emotion is blocked for him, the only thing he can focus on is Taehyung's last words, the way he said those awful things to him. 

"Jungkook! What the hell is going on?" Jin is speaking on the other side.

"I m-messed up... Hyung... My s-soulmate bond... Broke..." he desperately says, mourning for the feelings what disappeared along with it. "Please... Please help me..."

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Jungkook is sitting on the couch, Yeontannie sitting on his lap as he explains what happened. Jin found him and brought him back home, where everyone else was gathering. Since the oldest of the group picked him up, Jungkook was only able to cry. 

"Has anyone checked on Taehyung?" Yoongi asks Hoseok.

The moment his name is mentioned, he stops crying all of the sudden, wiping his endless tears. With hiccups, he is able to calm down enough to tell them what happened.

"We fought. I told him about the bet." he lets out a shaky breath.

"Oh no..." Jimin holds his hand, his eyebrows furrowed with worry.

"And we... I... Our soulmate bond broke." he bursts into tears.

"What?" Namjoon yells with surprise.

"Soulmate bond?" Hoseok and Jimin yell.

The only ones who didn't react were Seokjin and Yoongi. The latter didn't know the bond could break just like that, it didn't make sense. 

"I am going to see Taehyung." he announces.

"He won't let you in, hyung." Jungkook stands up to grab him. "He thinks we were laughing at him all this time." 

"I have to try." Yoongi looks at his mark, still there. 

For some reason, his bond is the one that shows less signs of being affected by all that happened. It meant that Tae trusted Yoongi enough not to lose faith in him. Maybe Taehyung would let him in. 

"Fill me in with the details, guys." he pecks at both of their boyfriends. "I will let you know if he lets me in."

"Jungkook, I didn't know you guys were soulmates." Jin says, carefully.

"Me neither. But I broke his trust, I broke his heart and..." he is crying again. "It was my fault..." he looks at his pinky one more time, missing the red around his finger.

"Come, let's go to your room. Why don't you rest a little? Everything will be alright..." Jimin takes him to his room, as it is quite impossible for Jungkook to continue speaking. "Sleep a little, bunny. Everything will be alright. Even if I have to beat Taehyung for it." 

Jungkook lets out a strangled chuckle and lies down on his bed, closing his eyes. He continues sniffling down and sobbing until he is too exhausted to keep his eyes open, and ends up falling asleep. 

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For once, he wishes Jungkook didn't listen, like all those times. He wishes Jungkook would have just ignored his words and he wishes he could knock on his door. But he didn't. Their bond wasn't there anymore, so why would he? 

The only person who stayed with him was Yoongi. He tried telling him the same thing that Jungkook did, he told him exactly the same... But Taehyung can't believe it. He really wants to, but he can't. He won't. He needs space and time alone, time to think and to heal. He needs time to fill the hole left in his heart by Jungkook, so that's what he tells Yoongi. 

That was more than a month ago. Taehyung has continued his life despite feeling like he would die everyday. The neverending nightmares of that day repeat in his mind in a loop, everyday waking up covered in sweat and screaming his name. Over and over, he forces himself to keep going. For his grandma and his dream. He needs to keep going.

A distraction felt like a good decision for him, so he takes more shifts in the bar. The constant music and serving drinks are enough to stop him from thinking. The shifts in the art gallery are becoming heavy on his soul because he has time to think, time to relive the only kiss he got from his soulmate. 

He quits the gallery and works more hours on the bar. Taehyung is making good money and no one is not going to stop him. From time to time, Hwasa goes as far as reminding him to never trust the boss, who is trying to get closer when he notices that there is no Jungkook around. Sometimes he would even go as far as to appear on the bar and help out behind the counter so he could talk to Taehyung more.

During all those times, his eyes were glued to Taehyung's pale marks, like a hunter on a prey, he was eagerly waiting for his mark to appear among Taehyung's. He doesn't know why they are still there, but they are. Yoongi's is the only one that never lost color and that never got smaller. The older is waiting for Taehyung to come to him and Tae knows and he feels pressured because of it. So he runs away from it, he even runs away from the mere thought of him coming to talk to Yoongi. 

More weeks go by and Taehyung starts getting rides from the boss. It was supposed to be a one time thing but he is pressing Taehyung and he doesn't have the strength to fight it. He doesn't have it in him to argue or refuse his clear advances. His only reason to fight is gone, so why would he fight?

One of those nights, in the middle of the hot Summer, someone reaches out for him. A short guy with clear problems with sitting on chairs: Park Jimin stops by to see him. 

At first, he doesn't see him in between the clients who ask for a drink. There are too many of them to even focus. Too many hands shouting drinks and shoving their money to him. His high pitched voice screaming over the other ones, made Taehyung look towards him.

Pink hair and a serious expression, Park Jimin only makes a gesture but it's enough for him to understand. He wants to talk. The orange mark on his body pulses with anxiety and Taehyung frowns. Why would he feel that way? Is he that scared of the one who once called a friend? 

"Hey. The guy with the pink hair? It's my friend. He is going to stay until we close." he lets Hwasa know.

Time flies for him but it doesn't for Jimin. He only takes sips from his drink, eyes over Taehyung as he works. He looks as miserable as Jungkook does. Skinnier and unhealthy, he works without taking any breaks. He works like he will die if he doesn't... Just like Jungkook. His best friend has been locked inside his room for days now, only coming out a few times to eat and go to the bathroom. According to him, Jungkook is only distracting himself and working on stuff.

This situation can't keep going forever. Jimin won't allow them to suffer any longer if he can do something about it. So this is him, shooting one last shot.

Right on time when they are about to finish, a man appears. A guy who looks like trouble right away and who rests a hand on top of Taehyung's shoulders. Jimin raises both of his eyebrows in surprise: the younger hates to be touched so freely. Not even his friends had the audacity to do so, just what the hell is this man? He doesn't know him, but he already hates him.

"I'm leaving with my friend today, boss."

"Of course, Taehyungie. See you tomorrow." a fake smile on his lips and a glare, that man bows to say goodbye.

Jimin feels his glare on him and he remembers Jungkook speaking briefly about Taehyung's weird boss. He doesn't look clean. He looks like the type of man who wouldn't feel guilty if he killed someone. There is no way in hell he is letting Taehyung get mixed with him. Enough is enough.

"Talk." his harsh voice says and Jimin can't say he didn't see it coming.

"Look, the bet-" Jimin tries, but Taehyung doesn't let him continue.

"Tell me something I don't know, Jimin." They are walking towards Taehyung's home. He had promised to himself he would only listen until he reached the safety of the walls of his home.

"It was a stupid bet. We ended it. Jungkook cared about you too much. It was over long before that day." Jimin grimaces. 

"That day?" Taehyung mockingly snorts. "You can say it. The day our soulmate bond broke." he looks at his pinky and then goes back to Jimin. "What are you doing here?"

"You can't keep living like this. You guys are going to die if this continues." Jimin stops walking. "Tell me what to do to make things right. Tell me what I should do to get you back." Jimin grabs Taehyung's hands. "I will beg you on my knees but please... Jungkook will die. You will die too." 

"So what if I die? One less problem in the world, am I right?" 

"Don't say that. Never say that." Jimin shudders. The situation is worse than he had imagined. "Namjoon is investigating. You could get your bond back." he told him. It is not a lie but it's only theoretical. 

"Stop lying to me, Jimin. You never liked me. You must be happy I'm out of the way."

"I am not lying! And I do like you! I always liked your stupid remarks and your laughs! The way you would always come over to see Yeontannie!" Taehyung's heartbeat becomes irregular, a known melancholic pain settling on his chest. "Look at your marks! They are still there because we care!" 

"They're beginning to fade." Taehyung points out.

"No. You are shutting us out. It is not the same. Yoongi's mark is still there, as strong as the first day it was formed. Why? Because you can't lie to yourself and tell you that we all lied to you." Jimin smirks when Taehyung scrunches his nose. "We never did. I am only asking you to come see him. Just once."

"No. You don't understand... You can't understand what it feels like." Taehyung is finally breaking from all the things Jimin is telling him. "Besides, I asked him to stay away. I told him this was his fault." 

Jimin can't believe it. Not again. Not the mean Taehyung again.

"You are an idiot. He loves you. If you only talked it out, you-"

"It's not gonna happen, Jimin. Drop it." Taehyung slaps his hands away. 

"So this is it? You won't even try?" A hint of frustration in his voice is the only thing Taehyung hears.

"What for? So you guys can hurt me again? So Jungkook can hurt me? No, thanks." he resumes his quick walking and Jimin follows. 

"We didn't mean to! We will work to get our friendship back! I'll work hard for it!" 

No response. Taehyung is so tired of arguing and so hurt... He wants everything to stop. He wants the world to go quiet along with the numbness on his chest. 

"You will never see Jungkook again! Is that what you want?" Jimin screams at him, shoving Taehyung's body from the back as hard as he can, but the taller only stumbles.

Is that what Taehyung wants? Not seeing Jungkook again? His heart screams on his chest, telling him to turn around and confess that he wants to see him. That he wants to talk to him and ask him if he gave up on them... He said he wouldn't but Taehyung wouldn't blame him if he had. However, his mind is playing back all of his memories together. Memories of humiliation after class, of classmates breaking his hands, his legs... The way that they would ruin his books and mess with him... The night when Jungkook saved him. His mind is telling him that he will only get hurt... Like he always does.

"I don't care." he lies.

A lie that Jimin doesn't buy. His mark might be fading, but he felt it pulsing under his shirt. He knows Taehyung is lying and that's enough for him. If he is as stubborn as not to go see Jungkook, he will fucking drag Jungkook out of his room to see him. 

"Okay, then. Suit yourself." 

Jimin pushes him one more time and leaves. Taehyung stands still for some minutes and then he forces himself to continue walking back home. It's a Summer night like any other night and he has to convince himself that this was nothing, that he is okay. He has to lie to himself to survive.

A figure in the shadows has heard it all. Interest brightening in a couple of eyes as the person takes his phone out of his pocket and makes a simple call. Kim Taehyung is interesting and perhaps could be a valuable asset to them, more than they could ever imagine.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Loud knocks on his house wake him up the next day. Taehyung is somehow glad, because he was having a nightmare again. Not really minding his messy hair and debate, he thinks it's the mailman or something so he opens the door only to find Yoongi standing there.

Dejavu. 

Moving aside, he lets the man inside his house and goes to the kitchen to prepare some coffee for the both of them. He needs it to at least push the sleepiness away and focus on the day ahead of him. 

Only when they both had taken a few sips, the conversation began. Taehyung is too tired to argue and he already fought enough with Jimin yesterday to continue fighting today too. 

"I am worried for you. I know you said you needed space but... Months? You needed that much space?" 

"Yes." His dry answer makes Yoongi squint his eyes. Is he still feeling sleepy?

"I know Jimin came to talk to you. He is very stressed and he only meant well." Yoongi watches as Taehyung only shrugs and sighs. "He is right, you know? You can't continue like this. You guys need to talk." he is gentle with his words and tone, but Taehyung doesn't care.

"Whatever." He will not be persuaded and he will not fight. Was the bet a mistake? Fine. Okay. He can forgive them. But it doesn't mean things can go back to the way it was before.

"Jimin didn't want to tell you this... So I will. Jungkook is leaving." 

The world stops around Taehyung and he can't breathe. Air is not coming inside his lungs, or at least, that's what it feels like to hear that. He gave up on them. He promised that he wouldn't and he did. Family? Jungkook? He could never.

"So what?" He lies and pretends he is not affected by those words. 

"You won't see him again, Taehyung." This is so similar to what Jimin said yesterday. So this is what he meant by Jungkook not coming back to his life after all.

"I told him that I didn't want to see him again, hyung. I don't care." Taehyung lies one more time.

Does Yoongi buy it? Of course not. He only came by to check that Jimin was 100% right about Taehyung missing Jungkookie. And the truth is exposed, not by his calmed expression, but his eyes. A storm of feelings on his eyes and then... Nothing. But it was there. Taehyung is just pretending and Yoongi knows he won't be able to break his walls again. Jungkook will. He will tear them apart, Yoongi is certain. 

"He is taking Yeontan with him. He already has his things packed." It is all a lie. Jungkook can't bring himself to leave this city as long as Taehyung is in it. They all tried to convince him to leave but the younger is just too stubborn. "I came by to tell you and give you... This." 

Searching his pockets, he fishes a piece of paper and gives it to Taehyung. His breath hitches when he opens the paper to see himself drawn there. He is smiling on the rough lines of the sketch, eyes forming crescents as he is looking to the side. Strong strokes for his black curls, he sees how gorgeous he looks to Jungkook's eyes. He would be an idiot not to notice how lovely he is portrayed, how simple and yet effective. 

"He has tons like these. I thought you would like one." he actually stole it from Jungkook's sketchbook and ran away with it. "If you don't, I'll keep it." Yoongi tries to retrieve the paper but Taehyung stands up and gets away from him. 

"I'll keep it. Thank you."

Jungkook wasn't lying when he told him that he had drawn him countless times. He wasn't lying when he said they were only unfinished sketches... But it makes his heart warm up after all the pain. It's like a ray of sun after a stormy day, hope is peeking in between the clouds of his desperation. 

"Okay, then. Thank you for the coffee."

Taehyung is back to being alone, with a drawing on his hands that immediately goes to the fridge with the other. The sight of the three gifts breaks him and he cries again, barely supporting himself on the kitchen counter as his heart and soul long for a person he won't see again.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Few nights later, Jungkook is outside of his room for the first time in two weeks. He has bags under his eyes and he looks exhausted as he is petting Yeontan, mind wandering somewhere else. Since the day their bond broke, his hyungs haven't left his side. They would come over as much as possible and tried to make him feel like he wasn't alone. People still cared for him.

But Jungkook is numb to everything. 

He is unable to let go. Unable to leave the city and unable to think about anything else. Jungkook misses him. He misses his contagious laugh, his remarks, the way that he would blush under his gaze or they would hold hands. Taehyung. His Taehyung. 

They have dinner together, a conversation naturally flowing but Jungkook doesn't participate. He just eats because he must, not because he is hungry. He knows everyone is worried but he can't bring himself to move on. How do you move on from a broken bond? From a broken soulmate bond? 

Looking around all he sees are soulmates. Their knowing looks when they stare at each other, the way they lean against one another... The trust flowing from the strongest bond to ever exist. He is envious of that, jealous even because he will never have that witb Taehyung... He lost his chance.

It's getting late and Jungkook decides to take a shower and simply go to sleep, abandoning himself to the nightmares to come. He is ready to tell everyone that he is going to sleep when his heartbeat increases weirdly on his chest in a way it has never done before. Standing by the corridor, he frowns and puts one hand over the shirt, right above where his heart is. 

"Huh?" he mumbles to himself, running his hand over his shirt.

"Jungkook, all good?" Seokjin saw him stop and put a hand over his chest. 

"Yes, all good... I..."

His heart resonates against his chest, fear creeps inside his mind and Jungkook looks around bewildered. What is this? Fear? He is surrounded by his friends, why would he be afraid? Unless... It's not his own fear.

"Hyungs... Is it possible to feel your soulmate's fear?" his heart starts beating normally.

"Yes... why do you ask?" Namjoon raises one of his eyebrows. 

"It's just... I suddenly was scared and my heart..." he frowns, a gesture that everyone else imitates. "Is it possible that our bond didn't break that day?" 

"Maybe you imagined it, Jungkook." Seokjin says but Namjoom shakes his head.

"Fear?" Namjoon insists.

"Yes... But I feel fine now. It was only a second."

"Then it's probably nothing." Hoseok says, smiling brightly at him. 

"Yeah... You are probably right. Good night, hyungs." he waves at them and goes to sleep.

It's pretty late when he feels it again, this time while he is having a nightmare. Jungkook wakes up with a scream that wakes Jimin up. After a few seconds, he thinks it was just a dream until he feels it again: fear. Creeping around him, making the dark room seem dangerous to his eyes.

His door opens and Jimin turns on his lights, revealing his scared expression. It was not his imagination: he is afraid when there is no reason to be and there is no logical explanation for that... Unless it's Taehyung.

"What time is it?" Jungkook stumbles to get out of bed.

"Like 5 in the morning?" Jimin looks from his watch to the younger. "What is it?"

"Taehyung. Something happened to him." he is convinced. He needs to make sure he is okay. 

"Jungkook... Maybe it was a nightmare... You have a lot of those lately..." he sounds sympathetic and the younger hates it, because it sounds like pity. 

"It's not!! I am fucking scared and it's just us in the room! So tell me how am I imagining it? Because it makes no fucking sense!"

Stepping back, Jimin nods. Jungkook sounds sincere and then there is the evident worry and anger on his actions as he gets dressed. His best friend too decides to throw in some clothes and accompany him to wherever he is going.

His house.

Jimin helps Jungkook climb the walls surrounding his property and then he hears a crash of the glass breaking. Grimacing, the older only hopes no one seeing them wants to call the police. While Jungkook is gone, he calls Hoseokie, because Yoongi is a heavy sleeper, unlike his other soulmate. He explains everything to him and tells him to wake up the others.

"He is not here!" Jungkook climbs the wall again, falling next to him. "Taehyung is not here and he should be! Something happened to him! I told you!"

"Okay, Jungkook. Deep breaths. Where do you think he might be?"

"The bar."

They get a cab because it's the fastest and Jungkook is panicking too much to run there like they just did to reach Taehyung's house. Before it was only his instinct, but now the threat is real: something happened to his soulmate. Their bond is not gone.

[ Taehyungie hyung 💜] 05:32

Taehyung  

Please

Tell me you are alright

[2 missed calls]

Answer the phone 

[Missed call]

Tell me you are fine

Please

Where are you?

Answer me please… I love you

I don't care if you don't want to see me

I need to know you are okay

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

[ Soulmates + two lonely guys ] 5:35

Jimin is evil : we haven't used this group chat in a while

But I need to know if you are all awake

We stopped by Tae's and he wasn't there

We are going to the bar

Jungkook is calling him but he is not answering

Taehyung , if you are reading this please respond

Seokjinnie hyung : I'm awake

Joon and I will meet you at the bar

Hoseokie hyung : hyung, pick us up

I managed to wake Yoongi up

Yoongi hyung serious mode : my Taehyung mark is crazy

And your marks are too!

Check them!

Hoseok's mark is pale but it's acting up

Namjoonie dimples hyung : you're right

And you said Jungkook was scared?

Jimin is evil : yes he woke up screaming from a nightmare

I thought it was just that

But no one was home!

If you're reading this, please, Taehyugie…

Answer us

Namjoonie dimples hyung : if Jungkook is scared…

He is probably feeling what Taehyung is feeling rn

It must be intense af

Jungkook, have you felt this way before?

Only one time

When those guys jumped Taehyung that day

I felt there was something wrong 

But nothing like this

This is ten times worse

Jimin is evil : can soulmate bonds replicate feelings on their soulmates?  

Namjoonie dimples hyung : if there is something threatening them…

But I thought your bond was broken?

Hoseokie hyung : we all thought it was

Maybe it didn't break

Maybe it was just fractured

And it's still there

Jimin is evil : why wasn't it repaired if it's only fractured?

Yoongi hyung serious mode : time…

They haven't been together since that day

Namjoonie dimples hyung : it might be the case then

This might be our only chance to save our Taehyungie

We're almost there

We already picked up Hoseokie and Yoongi hyung

Jimin is evil : see you in a bit

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Jungkook bangs the bar's security doors even when he knows Taehyung is not there. He can feel it. But where else can he look for him? He is in danger and Jungkook isn't doing anything to help him out.

"I'm so pathetic..." he pushes himself away from that door and kicks the floor. 

"Hey, don't." Jimin is quick to hold his hand and give it a squeeze. "You are doing amazing considering..." he doesn't end that sentence but he points to his finger.

"Guys!" Seokjin, Namjoon, Hoseok and Yoongi come into view, running towards them. "Any luck?" Jin asks, looking at the door with a frown.

"No. The door won't bulge and... I don't think Taehyung is there." Jungkook closes his eyes, his fear is still there. "He is so scared..."

"Jungkook, what do you see?" Namjoon puts a hand on his shoulder, eyes locking with the younger.

"See?" he is confused. "What do you mean?"

"Ah sorry... I didn't phrase it correctly. I meant your instincts. What do they tell you? What kind of place do you think Taehyung is?" he tries again.

"I... Don't know. I only know he is scared... But... There is this thing around my hands." he has been rubbing his wrists a lot, bothered by an itch that doesn't go away. "And softness too..." he feels it on his nape, though. It's so weird... "But a place?" Jungkook shakes his head with frustration. 

"Close your eyes, Jungkook. Hold my hands." Yoongi orders. "Breathe with me and focus on that feeling. Focus on it." 

Jungkook does what he's being asked. He tries to focus on it, to follow it up. Suddenly, he can only feel disgust spreading around his body, and he feels this urge to throw up. Trying to suppress it, the younger goes deeper and deeper, like he is following a thread without actually seeing where is going and trusting he will reach somewhere. 

Colors. He can actually sense colors. There is red all around him. The softness he felt on his nape? He can also feel it on his back. Taehyung is lying down on some sort of surface which isn't too uncomfortable. Maybe a bed? Is that a bed? Jungkook isn't too sure, but the room is either red or has red lights, that's for sure. 

His hands are together and something is squeezing his wrists and ankles together. Taehyung is probably tied up and something tells Jungkook that he is crying, as he feels his face is wet from tears. But maybe he is the one who is crying. It's quite difficult to tell.

"Do you think he is close?" Yoongi asks him, almost pulling him out of his trance, but he manages to stay.

"He is not close... But he doesn't feel like he is far away. Red room. Soft bed. Hands and feet tied." he says quickly. "He feels disgusting and he is crying and..."

Is he imagining it? Is Jungkook really making this up or is it Taehyung's voice that's hearing? It sounds like him. He is repeating one thing over and over again and it's making Jungkook's blood turn into ice: 'please don't.'

"I'm not sure but... I think he is saying 'please don't' and... I heard my name?" Jungkook swallows his tears and opens his eyes to reality.

Concern reflecting in all of their faces, everyone seems like they're thinking. Jungkook does too. A place with a red room, and a bed and no windows. No windows? How is he so sure that the room didn't have any windows? 

"The room doesn't have any windows..." he whispers to everyone else.

Disgust and fear form a storm in his throat and he has a hard time controlling himself. He can't keep waiting, he can't keep doing nothing and hope that the problem goes away. No. He can't. His Taehyung is in danger and he is the only one who can guide them there.

So he runs, trusting that his instincts will kick in and show him the way.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

What had happened to Taehyung? 

For starters, he went to work as per usual, minding his own business. Today, his boss was working with them behind the counter and Taehyung, an innocent soul, didn't think much of it. He was pretty busy so he didn't see his boss drop a pill on a bottle of water before giving it to his employee.

The damage was done. 

Weakness started to take over and Taehyung really tried to stay awake, but he couldn't. His boss, who was watching worriedly, ended up offering to take him to his office to see if he could recover there. Taehyung didn't get suspicious until the man locked the door behind them and fear creeped inside of him.

"Good night." he said before Taehyung passed out.

Few hours later, he woke up in a completely different place. Scared, he tried to move but found out that his hands and feet were tied up. Cursing, he squirmed around, finding himself in a room whose red lights only made him feel sick. He was lying down on a bed with silky sheets and there wasn't any window or any place where he could use as an escape, only the door. 

"fucking bastard!" he screamed, moving his hands to free them.

The more he struggled, the more the rope seemed to sink into his skin, hurting him. What the hell is this? What is happening? Where did his boss take him now? He screams for help but no one hears him... No one will save him, right? 

He closes his eyes and tries to calm down. He needs to be smarter than this and think. How does he get out of these ropes? The room is small, with the bed as the only thing in there. There wasn't anything else there that he could use to free himself. Taehyung needed to fight, though. 

With a grunt, he is able to sit up, thanking that whoever tied his hands, didn't tie them on his back. The rope tastes ugly but he has to try to get rid of it, even if he has to bite with the only help to his teeth to get it out. Taehyung needs to free himself no matter what.

A long time goes by and Taehyung is still biting the rope, not being closer to freedom than before. Maybe the rope of his feet? He struggles and after five minutes sweating himself out, he only reaches a bit of the rope. It's too far from his reach and he is way too uncomfortable to do anything. 

He really can't escape now, huh?

The door clicks open and Taehyung glares at the way his boss walks freely towards him. He is grinning and has a look on his eyes that sends shivers through his body: he needs to escape.

"What am I doing here?" he keeps glaring at the man.

"I was so close before and then that stupid man appeared... But not anymore. And your marks are almost gone. That means no one will miss you."

His stomach does a backflip and fear overwhelms him one more time. Is he planning to kill him? To make him disappear? What is this place? 

"That doesn't answer my question." he grits his teeth.

"To the point... That's one of the things I like about you." he gets closer and places a hand on his jawline, holding him in place. "You are here to pleasure me." 

Bile comes all the way up to his mouth. He wants to throw up. Taehyung feels his skin crawling with repulse that obviously shows in his beautiful features. The man notices and chuckles one more time. 

"When I'm done with you, I will sell you to whoever pays the most money for you. I just had to try you first." he takes off his shirt and Taehyung panics and squirms back, trying to get away from the man.

"You can't do that! That's illegal!"

To his surprise, the man throws his head back and lets out the biggest laugh ever. It is not even funny. Tahyung wants to cry, throw up and scream at the same time. 

"Who cares? It's not like anyone would come looking for you." he reminds him, getting in the bed.

"I have friends! I have a soulmate! He will come for me!" he screams out, glancing at the door.

"Don't you think I already checked?" he mocks him and Taehyung curses: he is running out of excuses.

"My soulmate will come for you!" 

He struggles to get away but the man has all the advantage. Grabbing his tied feet, he pulls Taehyung closer and tries to kiss him, but instead, he receives an attack from the other: Taehyung smashed his own head against his. They both wince in pain, but it's nothing compared to what it comes after that.

A slap on his cheek makes him whimper. But then he gets another slap, and another... He gets so many slaps that his face hurts and the skin feels especially sensitive. Not happy with that, his boss rips his shirt, exposing his collarbones and bare chest. 

No red marks of family there either. 

The man smirks, holding Taehyung's wrists up his body, throwing him to the bed and straddling him. Fuck. He can't move now. He can't run away... A tongue grazes his neck and he stills, a revolting sickness filling his throat. He gags but he is met with another slap. Taehyung can already taste blood inside his mouth but he doesn't care, this is so gross. 

His hands are so cold and rough and if he doesn't collaborate, he hits him. In fact, he has to hit Taehyung so many times that he almost faints, but he knows he has to keep his eyes open and resist as much as he can. Tears burn his way out of his eyes as he begs the man to stop, repeating over and over 'please don't' like that will convince him to stop.

In the middle of that begging, he ends up tearing the rest of his shirt apart. For some reason, Taehyung thinks of Jungkook. As if his mind was trying to ease this moment for him, he thinks about the person who should have been his soulmate. He thinks about his smile, his big eyes, the way he draws and the way he laughs. He thinks of his hands bringing him closer and hugging him.

"Jungkook..." escapes from his mouth.

"Your little boyfriend, huh? I am sure he had fun with you..." the horrible Mr. Choi says, mocking him.

"Fuck off! He is a better man than you will ever be! You would be lucky to kiss his shoes and-!"

A slap ends his sentence. Of course. Violence made him shut up, but Taehyung was only voicing out his thoughts. This man could never compare to his fierce and loving Jungkookie.

How he wishes he was here.

Mr. Choi doesn't have the delicacy to stop and continues groping him and touching him in a way that makes Taehyung want to kill him. Like actually murder him. It feels disgusting. It feels humiliating and wrong. Like tiny ants walking in his skin as he makes his way down.

Trying to resist, he kicks with all his strength and manages to shove the man away. For some seconds, he is able to breathe and begins screaming, asking for help. However, Mr. Choi chuckles and points at the walls, like he is stating something obvious.

"They're sound proof."

"No..."

"No one will hear you even if you scream. And you can't hear anything from outside."

He was right. Taehyung can't hear anything from the outside and that can only mean that no one would hear him. He is cornered and Mr. Choi knows it. It is only a matter of time before he can get what he wants from him and then... Sell him to the best bidder. 

His heart aches and Taehyung closes his eyes. This can't be happening. Not to him. Not like this. Life has always been so unfair to him, only taking things from him without giving something nice in return. Just why? Why does he have to go through something like this? Why does he have to suffer that much?

Taehyung is trying not to focus on the man moving his own body so he can take off his pants. He is trying so hard to keep his mind free from thoughts, that he frowns when he hears it. It's Jungkook's voice. But that can't be... The room is soundproof? 

"Taehyung, call for me..." 

The man actually looks around but no one is there. Only Mr. Pervert and his stupid mouth. However, he keeps hearing Jungkook asking him to call for him, to scream his name. What? Is he imagining it? He sounds like him... 

He feels a bite on his inner thigh and has to actually swallow his bile back down. He feels so ashamed, so gross and so... Violated. And he didn't even do anything yet. Meanwhile, Jungkook's pleading voice continues asking him to scream out loud. 

What does Taehyung have to lose?

"Jeon Jungkook!"

A scream born out of desperation comes out of his mouth. He doesn't even pay attention to the way that awful man laughs at him. Taehyung notices the doorknob moving and he screams out again. It's impossible. Jungkook can't be there but he suddenly feels like he is! He feels like the person trying to get in is his soulmate.

"Jungkook! I'm in here!" he screams one more time.

"Are you stupid?" Mr. Choi actually hits him, annoyed that Taehyung can't keep that stupid name out of his mouth. "There's no way for him to-"

The door shakes with a loud bang. Frowning, they both look at the way someone is banging Taehyung's only route of escape. However, there is this feeling of being safe that spreads through Taehyung's chest, a feeling he only gets when Jungkook is near him.

The door slams opened, revealing a foot. Then, a man gets inside. The first thing he does is connect his eyes with Taehyung, noticing the way he was tied up. His eyes go up towards the man hovering over Taehyung. Jungkook actually heard him. He came for him.

"This is impossible... This..."

Mr. Choi steps back but Jungkook is faster than him. He hits first. An awful cracking sound and a painful scream follows up: Jungkook probably broke his nose. Taehyung watches as his soulmate punches and hits him until he is left unconscious on the floor, surrounded by a puddle of blood.

Only then he gets closer to Taehyung, who notices the bruises on the younger's lips and cheeks. Bloodied and skinned knuckles reach out to get him out of the ropes and Taehyung can't actually speak. It is like all he wanted to say to him died in his mouth.

"I'm sorry..." Jungkook is the first to speak.

It breaks his heart when he sees the tears rolling down his cheeks as he frees Taehyung, who knows Jungkook is no fool. If he didn't appear when he did... Taehyung would probably have gone through the most traumatic experience of his life. But how? How did he do it?

"Police are on their way. We called." 

Taehyung rubs his wrists and tries to put his clothes together. His tears have stopped but it seems like Jungkook's won't ever stop. His hands are shaking over the rope on his feet, but once he finishes, he steps back, giving him space.

"How?" Taehyung gathers courage to meet Jungkook's eyes. "How did you know I was here?"

"Our soulmate bond... I felt your fear. I knew something was wrong, I just... Didn't know where you were... Sorry, Tae. It took me too long."

"No, don't apologize... You saved me." he blinks, hating how he is back to crying again. 

Trying to stand up, his legs give up on him, but a pair of arms are already there to hold Taehyung. A strong pair of arms and his known and calming scent. There is no way Taehyung is letting him go now that he is in Jungkook's embrace, so he throws his arms around his neck and hugs him.

"Is this real?" he whispers in Jungkook's ear. "Are you real?"

"I am... Tae, I... I missed you so much..." the younger hugs him with all his strength. "I'm so sorry... Please forgive me. Please. I can't... Without you..." it doesn't make sense to anyone but Taehyung.

"Jungkookie..." he repeats his name over and over again. "Are you still my soulmate?" he moves away, the question escaping his lips.

Their pinkies are still as normal as the day hell broke loose. Then why is it that Jungkook told him he felt Taehyung through his soulmate bond? It doesn't make any sense. They both felt how it broke, how the red mark disappeared before their eyes.

"I..." 

"Taehyung!" Jimin screams getting inside the room

Unexpectedly he tackles the both in a big hug. After some seconds, he moves away only to check him out, pressing his lips together when he sees the state of Taehyung's body. Without any hesitation, he takes out his own hoodie and puts it over Taehyung. It's a bit small for him but it works and the taller feels weirdly comforted by it.

"Is this the piece of shit?" he kicks the man on the floor a couple of times with all his force.

"Yes... But w-what are you doing here?" 

"We all came here for you, stupid. Come, the police are already here. You have to tell them so they can put this motherfucker in jail."

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, who nods. The younger helps him out of the room, an arm around his waist, guiding him out. There are police officers everywhere and one of them enters the room they are exiting. A look at Taehyung and Jungkook and the man knew what had happened, so instead of trying to take Jungkook with them, he asked for an ambulance.

Taehyung, Jimin and Jungkook moved across a corridor filled with doors, some of them opened, some closed, but they all had beds inside. Taking a peek at one of them, he saw a man handcuffed and a girl dead on the floor, in a pool of her own blood. That would have been him if Jungkook hadn't come to save him.

"Don't look..." Jungkook gently moves Taehyung's chin and makes him bury his face on his own shoulder.

It's not like he wanted to see, but sometimes he peeked from the safety of his shoulders to see what was going on. Police officers were everywhere, people were on the floor, most of them cuffed. Taehyung gulped when he saw the poles of the place that looked like a stripper club. How did Jungkook find him? How did he know where to look? It's unbelievable.

"We're outside." Jungkook informs.

Finally taking his head out of Jungkook's shoulder, Taehyung saw two ambulances, and lots of police cars parked outside. Pink neon lights from the stripper sign made the scene look a little bit less serious than it actually was. 

Four men talk to an officer, who is writing down notes in a notebook. One of them finally notices and points at the three figures emerging from the inside of the club. The tallest starts speaking very fast and the others run towards them.

Suddenly, hands tear him off Jungkook's embrace, being engulfed in a big group hug that he didn't see coming. Coughing, he can't make sense of what they're saying, as everyone is speaking at the same time. The only thing he could feel was their honest concern and for that, Taehyung was thankful.

Namjoon was the last one to join and some seconds later, they all moved away. The police wanted to talk to Taehyung as soon as possible, to question him before they were on their way to the hospital.

"But I don't feel as bad..." Taehyung protests died down the moment the police officer gave him a pointed look. 

"From the beginning, if you're so kind..." the man waits and Taehyung inhales before beginning his story.

"So you felt weak and he moved you to his office, correct?" Taehyung nods. "Then you sort of knew that it was on purpose? How?"

"His face." Taehyung shrugs. "I woke up with my hands and feet tied up, in a room with red leds everywhere. I tried to escape but I couldn't... I was very scared." he shows the man the marks around his wrists, painfully red even with that dim pink light.

"What happened next?"

"He tried to..." Taehyung couldn't bring himself to say it outloud. He felt so cheap, so... Ashamed. 

"Okay, you don't have to say it if you are not ready." the officer is kind not to force him to speak up. 

"I tried hitting his head with my own and he slapped me and punched me." Taehyung points to his red cheeks, bruises forming as he talks. "Then I... Heard his voice in my head, asking me to call him." he points at Jungkook.

"Your soulmate? Yes." the man continued writing down his statement, like he didn't say anything stupid.

"So I did and he found me. Mr. Choi was still over me and Jungkook... Don't do anything to him. He was only defending me!" he suddenly asks, grabbing the man's hand.

"Ah yes. No worries. Self defense." he points out the paramedics taking Mr. Choi to the ambulance. "Go to the hospital and then come by the station. We would like to question you a little further." he instructed and Taehyung nodded. "Thanks for calling, Mr. Kim." he turns to Namjoon to shake his hand.

"Thank you for coming so fast." Namjoon returns his handshake and bows.

Now that he can see them up close, without being surrounded by them, they all had bruises on their faces, like they got in a fight. Was it for him? Was it Taehyung's fault that they all got hurt?

"Quit it, Tae. This wasn't your fault." Yoongi whispers only for the taller to hear.

"But..."

"Nope. Not your fault." he puts a hand on his shoulder and squeezes it. "We have to go back to get Jin's car and we will take you to the hospital." he says so everyone can hear.

"I have to go there too, so we can put a couple of my men with the suspect." The police looked at them. "I can take three of you there and the rest can go in Mr. Kim's car." he offers.

The ride to the hospital is quick as the police are using his sirens to make everyone move away from their cars. Taehyung is resting his head on Jungkook's shoulder, feeling tired all of the sudden. This was quite a night and he doesn't want to repeat it ever again. Jimin is traveling with them as well, holding Taehyung's hand in his. It's funny that he was the one who decided to go with them when he and Taehyung always had a complicated relationship. Despite that, he was thankful. Taehyung was so thankful he could cry.

As he walked in with the police, he was soon taken away to be examined while the others only got a quick look at their hands and faces. Jungkook and Jimin weren't seriously injured, so they had to wait. Mr. Police officer left as soon as the suspect was brought in, barely saying goodbye to the other two that were waiting for Taehyung to come out.

First thing Taehyung is asked to do is to remove the hoodie. He does it while he feels that same revolting sickness filling his throat again. The doctor pauses when he sees the ripped clothing behind the hoodie and the state of his body.

Not commenting on it, the man does his job, applying cream where he must, making sure there are no broken bones or muscle damage in the areas he was brutally hit. Once he is done, he signs a bunch of papers and makes Taehyung sign some others, telling him that he will send them to the police so they can make a report.

"Can I ask you a question, sir?" Taehyung is throwing Jimin's hoodie back on as he is still on the stretcher. 

"Yes. What is it?" 

"Like a month ago my... Soulmate bond was broken. However, I was found because of it. I felt my soulmate calling for me. He said he followed our bond and it led him to me. How is that possible?" 

"That's quite... Impossible." he frowns. "Let's take a look, shall we?"

He is relieved that the doctor is interested enough in his case to take a look at his hand. First, he spreads some sort of cream on his hand and then he takes out some powder and with a brush he puts it over Taehyung's hand.

Taehyung is astonished to see the red ring appearing under those products. What? What the hell? He felt like he wasn't connected to Jungkook anymore that day. 

"Ahhh I see the problem." The man carefully looks at his pinky and points to an area. "See the bond right here?" Taehyung nods. "It's fractured, not broken."

"What do you mean fractured?"

"The bond can hold lots of damage before finally breaking. This looked like it was about to be broken but it stopped right on time." he carefully turns Taehyung's hand. "When did you feel it happened?"

"About a month ago?" 

The doctor actually begins choking on thin air and Taehyung looks at him with surprise painted on his features. The poor man keeps coughing for a while until he is able to recover from tbe shock.

"This is extremely rare. The fracture can be healed with time spent together, so normally it would take a few days to get it back." he looks at Taehyung with suspicion. "You lied to me?"

"I promise I didn't. I... We thought it was broken and I told my soulmate I didn't want to see them again." he explains and the doctor hums.

"This can be recovered, Mr. Kim. However, given the state of the bond, it shouldn't have guided your soulmate. A fractured bond doesn't let the soulmates feel each other." he smiles a little and begins wiping Taehyung's hand. "You guys must have a pretty strong bond." he comments.

Without what he used on Taehyung's hand, his skin came back to being tan. Nothing could be seen there. Seeing that their bond was actually there felt like a dream come true and somehow it brought him such peace, that he almost started crying again.

"I would advise you to go seek a specialist for this." the doctor now tells him. 

"If it happened to be broken... Could we restore it?" 

"Depends on the case. Most cases... Well, they don't. But I am sure you could manage something. After all, fractured bonds if not treated they tend to break, while yours stay. That's pretty big, so don't underestimate your relationship."

"Thank you, doctor. I will talk to my soulmate about this."

"That would be the right move." he approves.

Bowing to the man, he opens the door and silently closes it, turning to see Jungkook waiting for him. He is talking about something with Jimin and Yoongi, and looks pretty stressed about it. Whatever it is, they get quiet as Taehyung gets closer to them. Hoseok, Jin and Namjoon are talking a little further away from them, but they all come together once they see the man stepping out of the doctor's office.

"I will take you home. You must be feeling pretty exhausted." Jungkook says.

"Thank you..." he looks down to his feet. "Thank you all for... Coming back for me." tears burn his eyes. 

"What are you talking about, silly?" Jin says, ruffling his hair with a big smile. "You are our friend no matter what."

"Yes!" Hoseok beams. "I am still waiting for you to dance with me at the studio!" 

"Thank you..." he repeats and smiles a little. 

"I will take you home, Taehyungie." Jin says, making a gesture for Namjoon and Jungkook to tag along.

The other three soulmates stayed a little, since Hoseok and Yoongi still had to be seen by a doctor. Their wounds weren't that serious but Jiminie insisted.

Light is breaking the darkness of the most terrifying night of his life. The sun turning the black sky into one full of oranges and blues is giving Taehyung the calm he needed to gain. Even if the other three in the car are talking, Taehyung can only stare at the sky, relieved knowing that last night wasn't his last night on this earth.

"Rest, Taehyung. We will talk on another occasion." Namjoon ruffles his hair and then the soulmates are on their way.

His house looks the same, but once he gets inside, he discovers one of his windows is broken. Worried, he rushes to see the damage and while he is at it, Jungkook clears his throat, looking all shy.

"I'll pay for that," he declares.

"What do you mean?"

"I came here, hoping I was making it all up. I was hoping to find you here safe and sound."

"So you broke a window?" Taehyung can only imagine it.

"Yes. You weren't answering your phone."  

The police had found his phone, wallet and keys and gave them back to him while they were in the car. Luckily, nothing was missing. He turns on his device and the phone becomes crazy from the amount of messages and missed calls he had. More than 80 messages unread and around 30 missed calls. 

Putting it back into his pocket, they get into the house and make their way up to Taehyung's room. He tells Jungkook to wait while he changes into something cozy so he could sleep. The older is actually scared that Jungkook will be gone the second he steps out of the bathroom, so ignoring all the pain of his wounds, he changes quickly and comes back.

Jungkook is still there. 

"Do you need anything else?" he asks and Taehyung shakes his head. "Then I'll be on my way."

This is why Taehyung was scared of being slow. He knew Jungkook enough to understand that he was hurt and that he wasn't going to stay around, worried or not. He also knew he was the one who hurt him, who pushed him away. He really had no right... But they needed to talk.

"Wait. Stay." he says when he walks past him, grabbing his hand. "Please."

"I don't think this is such a good idea, Tae." 

Truth is Jungkook has never been as scared as tonight in his whole life. He has never felt such desperation since their bond broke. It's such a heavy feeling that he doesn't want to keep carrying it and... Well, Taehyung didn't want him by his side. He made it clear.

"No. I need to tell you something."

Usually, Taehyung is not the stubborn one. That role belongs to Jungkook, so maybe that's why he stays. Not because he has been worried sick for his soulmate or that he feels like he will vanish the moment he leaves the house. No. That surely has nothing to do with the reason why he lets Taehyung guide him to the bed.

"What is it?" 

"I spoke to the doctor before, about our bond. He did something to my hand and I could see it, Jungkook."

"What do you mean you could see it?" his heart skips a beat and starts racing.

"Our bond is not broken." Taehyung confirms, holding the younger's hand. "It's only fractured."

Just like Hoseok said. Just like Namjoon, who had been investigating it, suggested. They were still connected. Their bond was still there. But how? Jungkook saw how it died. He wasn't so sure it was working until he clearly heard Taehyung calling for him. Jungkook in fact had been planning to go on his own and get answers but Taehyung was faster this time.

"The doctor also said that it is pretty unusual that it stayed fractured. He said fractured bonds break after a while, but not ours." Taehyung gives Jungkook's hand a squeeze.

"But why did it feel like it?"

"He told me to go see a specialist but it probably wanted to protect us... Let us space to process our feelings." Taehyung looks at their joined hands. "I'm sorry, Jungkook. I shouldn't have said all those things to you. Actually, I wanted you to stay." he confesses, closing his eyes.

He is not so sure that Jungkook will forgive him. He is not so sure if he had forgiven Jungkook, but Taehyung was so tired of his heart longing for him. He was so tired of having nightmares and waking up to see that Jungkook wasn't there to hug him and tell him everything will be okay. Taehyung never stopped loving him, he couldn't. 

"You didn't mean it?"

"No." Taehyung can see how Jungkook seems on the edge of crying again. "I missed you. But I knew I could only bring you pain..."

"So you decided to lie?" The young man next to him raises his tone, not yelling, but it's enough to make Taehyung flinch. "Sorry, sorry. I don't think now is the appropriate moment to discuss this. Not after what happened." Jungkook takes a deep breath. "How are you feeling?" 

"Better now that you are with me." Taehyung is honest. He is not okay, but he is grateful that Jungkook is here. "I know this is really selfish of me but... Could you stay? Until I fall asleep?"

Taehyung was still shaken up from today and didn't want to be alone. He wanted to talk about their bond as soon as possible, so maybe if they fell asleep together the way they used to, Jungkook would feel better later. Just enough to talk.

"I'll stay." Jungkook felt like Taehyung could ask him for the moon and he would go to space to bring it for him.

How could he refuse his swollen face? To his puffy eyes and messy hair. How could he refuse his soulmate? It is literally impossible and Taehyung knows. That's why he asked in the first place.

The older moves him out of the bed. He gets inside, using the sheets to cover his body as it's Summer and it is pretty hot. His house doesn't have an air conditioning system, so it is pretty warm. Taehyung is not done. He pulls Jungkook to lie down next to him and gets closer, murmuring that he wants some cuddles.

A smile breaks his solemn face into something more relaxed as Jungkook opens his arms and cuddles him. It doesn't take him that long to fall asleep once he feels surrounded by Jungkook's calming scent and his big arms. He feels like heaven could never compare to being into Jungkook's arms.

Now that the older is sleeping soundly, Jungkook should go. He should definitely go. But he doesn't. In fact, he welcomes the slumber, letting Taehyung's warmth take him to sleep. It doesn't feel real after a month and a half. It doesn't feel real to have him on his arm despite today's nightmare.

"You know I always stay..." whispers into Taehyung's ear and then, the comforting land of dreams surrounds him.

˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧˚୨୧

Sweat covers his body and it makes him feel a little suffocated. Somehow he wakes up and sits down, panting as he looks around only to find Jungkook sleeping next to him. His heart shudders with the vision of the younger profoundly asleep, little snores coming out of his mouth. Jungkook is so cute and so hot at the same time...

Hoping that he won't wake him up, he moves lost strands of hair out of his forehead, combing his hair back. He is sweating as much as he is, but it doesn't seem to be that affected by it. Leaning in, Taehyung wipes the pearls of sweat, leaving a peck on his forehead. 

His lips missed him and Taehyung couldn't say no to his own impulses.

Another kiss on his cheek, fingertips brushing his skin as he keeps leaving pecks all over his face. Taehyung smiles softly as he makes his way down to his jawline, hesitating when he hovers over his lips. He wants to kiss him. He is dying to kiss him. But...

After last night, he could feel the ghost of Mr. Choi's hands still on him, roughly beating him. He feels... Tainted. Jungkook probably wouldn't want to have anything to do with him now that someone else laid his hands on Taehyung. He is probably as grossed out as he is. 

Foreign hands hold his face in place, fingers tangling in between his curls as Jungkook moves his head up to end the distance in between them and kisses him. Those heavenly lips were on him again, sweetly nibbling on his own for a little before moving away.

"I got tired of waiting for you to kiss me..." Jungkook mumbles, still half asleep. "Good morning, Tae." he caresses his nape, his hair and drops his hands. 

"Good morning..." Taehyung blinks. He was wrong. Jungkook wants him after all that happened... He is so lucky. "I will go to prepare something for us to eat."

"No. Stay with me." he sits to hug him and they plop down together, Taehyung giggling in between his arms. "Let's sleep some more..." he nuzzles Taehyung's neck and inhales his scent. 

"But we gotta eat something." he protests yet he makes no movement to get away from his arms.

"Later." the younger tangles their legs together and opens his eyes to look at the older's eyes. 

"Okay..." he sighs in contentment. "Can we talk now? No fighting?" he hopefully says.

"I hate when we fight." Jungkook agrees.

"Did I hurt you a lot?" he cups Jungkook's cheek, noticing how they are both sweaty but neither seems to care. 

"Honestly? Yes. It hurt me to think that you didn't want me as your soulmate... Like so much." he says, closing his eyes, tired despite being the first day he slept without nightmares. "Because you have always been so... Ready to drop me. To stop our friendship. So it made sense that you didn't want me." 

"It's not like I didn't want you. It's more like I needed time to process that I had a soulmate. I always thought I would die alone." he leaves a shy peck on Jungkook's jawline. "I wanted you. Of course I wanted you as my soulmate. You're my dream come true." 

"I thought you didn't want me and then... You were so mad about the bet. I was mad about you not wanting me and it got out of hand." Jungkook squeezes him, not wanting to let go. "And then you wanted me gone so... That sort of confirmed that you didn't want me."

"No, no. I didn't want to keep hurting you and I didn't want you to keep hurting me. It was just that. And I am sorry. For all I said. I didn't mean any of it." Taehyung lets out a shaky breath. "I hope you can forgive me."

"And I hope you can forgive me too. The bet was... A dumb move. It was my ego talking. It was me trying to get Jimin to pay for my meals for a week. I clearly didn't think it through. And then I fell in love with you... How was I supposed to tell you? I knew you would be hurt and I didn't want to hurt you." Jungkook cups his cheek, softly, leaving kisses all over his jawline and making his heart flutter. "Believe me. I could never hurt you intentionally."

"And I could never hurt you..." 

They kiss, lips grazing each other, mumbles that the other can barely understand in between their kisses, fingers intertwined in the purest form of love. Suddenly, they both feel like a block being destroyed on their chests, the feeling of numbness slipping away. The hole is no more in their hearts, consuming them. The fracture...

Frantically looking at their fingers, they see the red coming back. It's too pale, probably unstable, but it's there. The fracture is no more. Taehyung has forgiven him and Jungkook has forgiven Taehyung.

The love they were feeling for each other until now was a little part of how it actually feels. It's a wave, a giant tsunami wiping out any resentment and replacing it with love and understanding. The bond is back and with it, their connection resulting from thousands of past lives loving each other and finding each other.

"It's back." Taehyung cries out, kissing Jungkook's pinky finger with adoration. "We're back..." 

"We are." Jungkook kisses Taehyung's tears instead, trying to stop his sobs. "Don't cry... You're too pretty to be crying."

"Jungkookie!" he laughs and cries at the same time and he is so gorgeous Jungkook feels like the luckiest man alive. 

"But you are." he kisses the top of his head, finally sitting up. "Now... That breakfast that you were saying..."

"But it's still... Kinda pink?" Tae complains, wiping his tears away. Jungkook shakes his head in response. 

"Give it time. We certainly need it." Jungkook holds his hand and helps him to stand up.

"Are we okay, then?" 

"I don't think so... But we can work on it, right? Would you want that?" 

"I would love that." Taehyung smiles shyly and looks to his feet. "Thank you."

"Stop it." Jungkook nudges him and Taehyung shakes his head.

"I don't know what would have happened if you didn't find me. That asshole was going to..." he grimaces and Jungkook quickly stops him.

"I got you. I told you before, right? I promised I wouldn't give up on us. I would die before letting anything happen to you."

Taehyung feels just the same. They are a bit awkward with each other, not actually knowing where their relationship stands. What they do know for sure is that they have time and that's bound to help their bond to develop and their feelings to go back to what they used to be 

They climb down the stairs and get into Taehyung's kitchen. While the older is cooking, Jungkook is mainly around him, giving everything he asks him and helping him out. He is not dumb as not to notice his new drawing on the fridge, so when they are eating, Jungkook asks about it.

"Yoongi said you were leaving the city... He came in to drop the drawing. Jungkook..." Tae stops eating. "Is that true? Were you leaving?"

"No." Jungkook is confused. "I wasn't going to leave. He lied to you... Probably to get us to talk." 

"Oh... I cried a lot for nothing." he looks at his plate, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I mean, I always go back to Busan to visit my parents in Summer but this year I didn't plan on going."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't want to go there without bringing you with me." 

Taehyung is in the middle of munching and he actually chokes because he didn't see it coming. Jungkook pats his back as he coughs, trying to swallow properly. Did Taehyung hear properly? 

"B-but..."

"I want you to meet my family. Not now but I want you to and... I would love to hear more about yours." he says, eyes looking up to find Taehyung slightly smiling.

"I don't have that much to say... It was only my Grandma for me." he still misses her. "But I'll tell you about her. Sure. I can do that."

"Taehyung... I would like us to be more open with each other. I would like us to go on dates and talk all the time and stuff like that." he holds the older's hand.

"I would love that too. But for today... I have a statement to make." he sighs.

There was no way in hell that Jungkook was going to let Taehyung go to the police station by himself. They went in together, Taehyung gave his statement, a full one, where he showed the wounds and bruises the other man gave him and described how he was trying to assault him. Once he was done, the police officer informed them that Mr. Choi had an illegal human trafficking business and that he used to find people with no marks for it. They were not going to be missed anyway, so the man kidnapped them and sold them.

"You were an exception because you worked for them. The other victims were people who didn't have any connection to him. We actually had been tracking him but we didn't have anything on him... Until now." the man ends telling the young men. "We closed all his business and the prosecution will do the rest. Don't worry, Mr. Kim, he will no longer be a threat to you." 

"Thanks." He stands up and shakes the officer's hand. "If you need anything else, my phone is there." 

"Thank you. Please, take care."

Night is falling again on them and Taehyung realizes he doesn't have to wake up early. He doesn't have any job to go to, so he can sleep in and rest. He can see Yeontan and try to talk to his friends. He can try and recover the time he lost with Jungkook... There's so many things he can do and for once, he is not thinking about college or tuition. No. His dream includes being with Jungkook now, wherever he goes, Taehyung will follow.

"Hey... Want to sleep at my place today? I always sleep at yours and I would love for you to sleep at mine and perhaps... We could talk to Jimin. If that's okay with you."

"It is. Let's go." Taehyung is the one who holds their hands now, the one who makes the first move. "He actually came to see me, trying to apologize for the bet, trying to get me to talk to you."

"He tried to make me go to you too." Jungkook grimaces. "He means well." 

"I know. I still have to give him his hoodie back." 

It's a long walk from the station but it's not like they actually mind. Time together is all they need to actually have their soulmate bond and their trust back. 

"My room is a mess." Jungkook mentions it after a while.

"It's that so?" 

When Taehyung looks at him, Jungkook can actually see his brown eyes sparkle with love. It's subtle but it's there, in the way all his attention is focused on the younger, in the way he smiles shyly and averts his gaze. He is cute.

"I never thought I could reach hell without dying, but I was wrong." it's the only explanation he gets but Taehyung understands. It was like that for him too.

"We won't have to go back there anymore." Taehyung says, but he silently makes a promise not to let it happen.

The familiar scent of Jungkook and Jimin surrounds him the moment they get inside the apartment. There is also a familiar smell, like jajangmyeon. They spent many hours answering the police questions and giving details about what happened last night so now they were hungry again.

"Hello!" Jungkook shouts and Jimin and Hoseok's head peek from the kitchen. 

"Taehyungie!'

The older of them runs to hug him, ruffling his hair with a bright grin. With a chuckle, he hugs him back and waves at Jimin, who nods back. He disappears in the kitchen for a second and Yoongi comes out, joining the hug Hoseok is giving the taller. This is nice, Taehyung thinks, having people caring about him is nice. He feels loved.

"Where is Yeontannie?" he looks around and whistles.

The dog suddenly comes out from Jimin's room and runs towards them, wiggling his tail and barking. The hyungs move away so Taehyung can carry the dog and pet him, loving how much he grew in a month and a half. He is not a little puppy anymore.

"Hyung! The food!" a cry for help sounds in the kitchen and Yoongi leaves them to check what happens.

"He missed you." Hoseokie says, petting Yeontannie, still in Taehyung's arms.

"He won't have to miss Tae anymore." Jungkook's hand surrounds his waist and Taehyung feels a kiss on his temple.

Bright red adorns his cheeks and he looks down to the dog, suddenly embarrassed. It becomes worse when Hoseok and Jimin start to coo at his shy reaction.

"You guys are so cute." Hoseok teases them.

"Hyung!" Tae whines but smiles anyway.

He likes it here. It doesn't feel as lonely as his own house. Leaving Tannie on the floor he takes one of his toys and plays with him, ignoring the way Jungkook is staring at them. He feels his gaze burning holes on his figure, but he doesn't mind. 

"Tae," Jimin suddenly calls, "Can we talk?"

"Uhm... sure." he throws Tannie's ball towards Hoseokie who catches it and begins playing with him instead.

"I only said Taehyung, though." he stops Jungkook from tagging along. "Go help hyung in the kitchen."

"Okay." he pouts but obeys, planting another kiss on Taehyung's cheek.

"He is so touchy..." the man says to himself with a blush, turning to follow Jimin to his room.

The mannequins are everywhere, as they were all the times he had gone inside. Fabric and little accessories are on the desk, shelves and on the floor even. Jimin has a large collection of needles and pins and tons of books about fashion and design. He also has tons of sketches of clothing pinned to the walls. If it wasn't for the bed, this would be a studio instead of a bedroom.

"I'm sorry, Taehyung." Jimin is averting his gaze. As soon as the door was closed, he began to apologize. "I told Jungkook not to talk to you about the bet. We dropped it. We both decided to cancel it and the others forgot about it." he scratches his neck. 

"I'm still very upset..." Tae doesn't want to look Jimin in the eye either. "You should have told me before... I know it would have hurt less than finding out like that." his voice sounds harsh and Jimin is nodding in agreement.

"I'm sorry. We both are... I don't want to ask you for your forgiveness but give me a chance?" he blinks looking up to the taller, finally. "I know we are always bickering, but I truly appreciate you. I do. I think you're great... But don't tell the others I said that." Taehyung snorts a laugh when he hears it. "Just give us a chance to make things right?"

"I already forgave Jungkook." he confesses, showing Jimin his right hand, where the pink surrounds his finger. 

"No way! It's back!" Jimin closes the distance between them with an excited jump. "Was it a fracture?" 

"It was! We talked this morning... No wait, it was afternoon when we woke up." he lets Jimin inspect the bond. "And it happened. He said why he got hurt and I apologized and I did the same. It is not stable at the moment, but Jungkook wants to recover it." 

"And you? You want him back? Want us back?" Jimin is not only referring to the maknae of the group, but also to his friends.

"I would like that... I think. I got used to you guys and even if it hurt me... I missed you as well." he confesses and Jimin jumps on his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I missed fighting with you too!" he screams in his ear.

"Stop it, shortie!" the taller one says with a chuckle.

Jimin opens his mouth, offense written on his doll-like face. He playfully hits Taehyung and they get outside of the room. In front of them, Jungkook's room is opened and curiosity appears to be a common denominator in Taehyung following his impulses.

The room is even more packed with canvases, more paint has been added to the already opened ones, laying on the floor carelessly. However, the most mind blowing thing of all of it was that all the paintings were... Him. His eyes, his smile, his hands, fluffy hair... He looks at a room full of other Taehyung's looking right back at him.

"He did this?" he whispers to Jimin, who had entered with him.

"He missed you... This was the only way he was able to get close to you." 

"I see..." Taehyung moves and puts a hand on a canvas, over the dry paint. "I wish I was able to draw like this, to paint like this. It has always been my dream." he tells Jimin.

"Really?" his eyes are shiny and Taehyung nods.

"Don't tell him though... I am pretty overwhelmed with our bond and... I know he would love to teach me, but I kinda want to surprise him." he looks at Jimin one more time and he frantically nods.

"Our first secret, oh my god!" he squeaks.

"I still like Yoongi hyung better." Taehyung pushes him playfully and Jimin pouts.

"You meanie!"

In the living room, Hoseok is sitting down on the couch, apparently texting someone. In the kitchen, they can hear Jungkook and Yoongi talking so, instead of interrupting them, they sit along with Hoseok. At that time, the older tells him he is going to teach Taehyung to dance someday. He is not as interested until he hears that Jungkook loves a good body roll and a hip roll. He can't say no. 

The other two come back with tons of food to eat together. For a good while no one spoke more than two words as they ate, everyone being too hungry to keep a conversation going.

Hoseok was in charge of cleaning dishes, so they left him to it, while the other four lazily laid on the couch, Taehyung snuggling against Jungkook, sitting comfortably on his lap. Yeontannie was already asleep on his bed. 

"Wanna head out to sleep?" Jungkook utters, nuzzling Taehyung.

"Yes." he rubs his eyes tiredly. 

"We will go to sleep, everyone." Jungkook announces, lifting Taehyung princess style and carrying him to his room. "Change into whatever you like, I will... Go to the bathroom." Jungkook feels kinda shy but leaves him to it.

Feeling like teasing him, he grabs the biggest shirt he can find and slips into it. He still remembers the heated look Jungkook gave to him the first time he saw Taehyung wearing only a shirt. He wants to see how he will reach him wearing only that. 

The man comes back and finds Taehyung still standing, facing the other way. He can't believe he did that to him... Again. He is wearing one of his shirts and he looks so good in it. He has such a beautiful figure, with a small waist and-

"Eyes up, Kookie." he mocks and Jungkook blinks. He didn't even notice Taehyung turning to him. "You're staring again." he grins.

"Can you blame me? You are gorgeous." he says it like it's obvious and Taehyung can only smile. 

"Thank you." he sits on the bed, fabric barely covering his thighs and revealing part of his underwear.

"I am not the strongest person out here when it's about you." he throws the older a new toothbrush. 

"Why do you have this?" Taehyung catches it with his hand. 

"Because I've been wanting to have you over for a while. Go brush your teeth, I'll change."

"You are only going to take off your shirt and change into sweatpants. Can't I stay for the show?" he jokes, but the look on Jungkook's eyes makes his throat go dry: desire. Raw desire and lust.

"Don't tempt your luck, soulmate." he recommends.

When Taehyung blushes and walks past him, he feels a spank on his butt. Wide eyes, he turns to his soulmate, but he is looking elsewhere, hiding his smile. If Taehyung didn't love him that much, he would have already done something about it.

The room is a bit cold because of the air conditioner, but that's just what Jungkook wanted. Taehyung gets in the bed with him and hesitates before cuddling him, surrounding Jungkook with his arms, fingers linked. It's so different from usual and yet so comforting that it doesn't take more than ten minutes for them to fall asleep.

They are finally where they are supposed to be: into each other's arms.

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It takes a couple of weeks for the bond to go back to being the healthy red everyone loves. For once, Taehyung doesn't want to get a new job and he spends all his time with Jungkook and Yeontannie, sometimes they meet the others, sometimes they don't.

Every piece is falling rightfully in place.

One day, Taehyung tells him about his dream and Jungkook literally squeals. It's the first time he has done that. Taehyung was a bit cautious because he expected the younger to ask him about what he has painted and what style he likes but instead, Jungkook asks him why painting. 

"I already knew you liked painting. It was obvious. I didn't know why." They are laying on Jungkook's bed once again, snuggled together as Taehyung moves his hand up and down through Jungkook's arm.

"My grandma used to love how I drew." he tells him.

"All the fridge drawings were yours?"

"Yes. Grandma put them there and she told me I got the eye." he chuckles. "I never quite actually understood that." he shrugs.

"But I do... So you wanted to paint for her I assume?"

"That's right. But people didn't like me so they found a way to ruin every painting I did." the corners of his mouth drop. "They also liked to break my fingers, or my arms. So that I wouldn't draw anymore."

"Taehyung, that's awful." Jungkook feels a shiver and hugs him tightly.

"My grandma tried to talk but they wouldn't listen. And then she got old... And it was so difficult..." Taehyung hides his face on Jungkook's chest. "She tried to stay alive for me as much as she could, but she passed away when I turned eighteen." he continues the story.

"I wish I had met you earlier. You wouldn't have been alone." Jungkook utters, kissing Taehyung's temple. 

"But you are here now. I am no longer bondless thanks to you. Even if it all started with a bet..." the bitter memory is still fresh. "I am grateful we found each other."

"So am I..." 

After that conversation, Taehyung gradually opened to him, telling Jungkook all sorts of stories. Jungkook too shared with him his saddest and happiest memories. Their bond began to grow, forming beautiful forms on their pinkies. 

Since Taehyung didn't have a family, one day he decided to take Jungkook to his grandma's grave and then he took him to his parent's. His soulmate listened to what had happened when he was just a kid and he had cried for him. Taehyung said it was not necessary for him to bow to the stones but he did it anyway. He insisted on yelling at the grave that he would take care of Taehyung for as long as he breathed and that he would always love him. 

That day, they both cried.

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"Are you sure this is okay?" Taehyung was sitting down, knees moving up and down with nerves.

Jungkook and Jimin had decided to visit their parents and that included bringing their soulmates along. Right now, the five of them are on a train to Busan, while Namjoon and Jin went on a trip to Japan together. It was ideal. 

And what about Yeontannie? Pretty easy. He was traveling too. He didn't know if Jungkook's parents liked dogs but he loved Yeontan and he decided that he wouldn't like Jungkook's parents if they rejected the cute little dog.

"It is. They will love you, Tae. Stop stressing about it." Jungkook is holding his hand, proud of the visible red there. 

"But what if they don't?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Jeon are the most lovely people in the world, Tae. They'll love you." Jimin assures.

"But what if they wanted a girl for his son?" he panics.

"Tae, please." Jungkook rolls his eyes. "They will love you because I love you. If they don't love you then I will fight them for you."

"You shouldn't fight your parents, though." Taehyung pouts.

"I will introduce you to my Grandma, Tae. How about it?" Jimin offers.

"I would love to." 

"We met Jungkook's parents before. They're good, don't worry." Hoseok comments, looking outside the window.

"I hope so."

They get there after two hours and then it's a two hours bus ride to the hometown of the both friends. They live in the countryside, in a normal town, not too big, but not too small. It is all full of yellow undertones since it's Summer, but Jungkook tells him it looks gorgeous in winter.

"So you didn't tell your parents about us coming to visit?" Taehyung is worried precisely because of it. 

"It's gonna be a surprise for them. I bet my mom will cry and hug you. Don't push her away." he chuckles.

"I wouldn't dare."

The first thing Taehyung does, apart from taking his luggage, is to set Yeontan free, so he can walk and explore the area. Even if Jungkook says that they should let him roam freely, Taehyung puts on a leash because he doesn't want any accident to happen. The other three boys take a different path to go to Jimin's and Taehyung can't help but feel a little insecure again. 

"It will all go well, Tae." Jungkook kisses his cheeks and softly brushes his hair back. "Trust me."

"I trust you." He looks into Jungkook's galaxy eyes.

He does. Taehyung trusts Jungkook with his life. He saved him, he protected him and taught him how to trust people again, how to care for them and how to be the sweet boy he once was. If Jungkook says there is nothing to fear, he will believe him.

The family house of the Jeons is pretty big in comparison to his humble house. They have two floors, a big front garden, a garage... There is so much space there that Yeontannie could get lost and he would still be inside the house. Big walls separate the house from the others and it's kind of intimidating since his own walls back at home are so tiny in comparison. Insecurity hits him again, like a wave. What if he's not enough?

"Shhh... Don't make any noise." Jungkook whispers. "My parents are probably inside. They don't work on Sundays." he explains.

"Okay..." he giggles. 

His soulmate is cutely trying not to make any sound as they walk through the little path towards the main door. He tells Taehyung to leave the luggage outside as he wants to surprise his parents with their arrival.

Opening the door without making any noise is tricky, but Jungkook manages to do so. He prompts Taehyung to quickly go inside and closes the door. The older, who was holding Yeontan in his arms, lets him on the floor to take a tour around the house. Meanwhile, Jungkook holds Tae's hand and pulls him towards their big kitchen.

Their parents are making coffee there, while they talk about something. Since they are facing the other way, Taehyung can only see their figures, their marks of other people on their arms and necks. The Jeons must be loved by so many people.

Their son literally stands in the big island of the kitchen, leaning over it with a big smile on his lips while Taehyung awkwardly stands next to him. This is so nerve wrecking.

"Do you think we should visit our son?" his mom was saying now, eyes on her husband.

"I would have to close the restaurant..." his father sounds worried. 

"I don't think that will be necessary." Jungkook answers. 

"Why do you think so, son?" his dad says, and then pauses.

They both gasp and turn to see their son standing there with a big smile. A scream gets out of his mom while his dad runs to hug him, while Jungkook simply laughs. Taehyung now can see that his soulmate looks like both of his parents, his smile and eyes look like his mom's and his overall figure and gestures are so like his dad. A warm smile appears on Taehyung while he watches the family coming together for a big hug, and he can actually feel it on his chest... Probably from Jungkook, from the bond transmitting his feelings.

"You should have told us!" Mrs. Jeon is now scolding him.

"But I wanted it to be a surprise... Besides, there is someone very special I want you to meet."

Escaping from their parents' embrace, he lifts a hand and Taehyung shyly takes it, looking at the both of them and then looking down to his feet. His heart is beating so strongly that he feels it on his throat and his hands feel so sweaty from the nerves.

"Who is this handsome young man?" his mom asks curiously.

"My soulmate." Jungkook raises his right hand.

The poor woman lets out a scream and cries at the same time, her eyes traveling towards Taehyung's hand and checking that it is true. Suddenly, the woman runs towards him and gives him a big hug while his dad looks at his son, looking all proud of him. 

"You did great, son. He is gorgeous." he congratulates Jungkook, who nods excitedly.

"What's your name? How old are you? When are you marrying? How did you meet?" Mrs. Jeon doesn't stop asking questions and ahe is making Taehyung feel a bit dizzy.

"Mom! Let him breathe." his soulmate chuckles and takes Taehyung away from her, casually snaking an arm around his waist.

"Oh, honey!" She taps his husband's shoulder lots of times. "They're so cute, I need a doctor!" she fans her face, dramatically glancing from one to another.

Taehyung lets out a laugh and the poor woman starts crying again to his surprise. The men of the house start laughing with Taehyung and her husband makes sure to comfort her. He notices now the big red mark of the both soulmates, taking all of their hands and slithering up their arms. It must be the result of years together and it looks so... Pretty.

"Let's move to the living room!" Mr. Jeon suggests.

In that moment, the ball of fur that is Yeontan runs inside the kitchen, barking at Taehyung until he picks him up. Letting the animal lick him all over, he turns and watches how both parents look surprised but at the same time, they look like they are already in love with little Tannie.

"This is Yeontannie, our dog." the older says, smiling lovingly to the little dog. "And I'm Kim Taehyung. It's so nice to finally meet you."

"He is so cute, hun, what do I do? I want to protect him from the world." the good woman says. 

"I totally get you, mom." Jungkook says and Taehyung can only blush.

He drops his dog on the floor and they all go to the living room, to have a chat. Jungkook and Taehyung normally sit together, very closely. Their bond is still recovering and growing, so it's normal for them to want to be together all the time.

"So uh, to answer your previous question, I'm 23 years old. We actually haven't talked about marrying yet, "he looks at Jungkook, "but I am sure we will in the future." he and his mom squeal at the same time. 

"We met on a coffee shop he was working at, because of a stupid bet." Jungkook says. "Taehyung was bondless at the time and I was the asshole who wanted to give him marks. Hero complex." he rolls his eyes.

"That was a very bad move, Jungkook." his dad says.

"Agreed." Taehyung says. "Uhm... My parents died in a crash when I was a kid and my grandma took me in. I didn't have any friends growing up and they used to bully me a lot." Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand, trying to soothe him somehow. Why was he being so sincere and opening up all of the sudden? "Then she passed away, so I was really bondless. I had a really hard time because of it, and I was kind of cruel towards anyone who tried to approach me." Taehyung says.

"Tae, you don't really have to tell them if you don't want to." Jungkook whispers but his soulmate nods. He wants to say it.

"Jungkook taught me how to love again. He took care of me, protected me and destroyed my intentions of continuing alone." his gaze fell upon his soulmate's, a smile tugging his lips. "I am so grateful that I have him in my life, that we found each other." Taehyung finally looks at the Jeons. "I would like you to trust me to take care of your son as well. I know I don't have much, but I will share everything I got with him, if you allow me."

"Stop making my wife cry, son." his dad says, actually wiping tears from his own eyes while his wife is a sobbing mess. "And don't make my son cry either." 

A little sob escapes Jungkook's mouth and Taehyung can only coo when he sees his soulmate crying. He knows he is happy, he feels Jungkook's happiness, so nothing can stop him from hugging him and leaving a quick peck to his lips.

"W-why w-would you say that? You meanie!" Jungkook sobs.

"Because I was planning to ask you to come live with me." Taehyung wipes Jungkook's tears, as he cups his face. "I wanted to get your parent's approval first." 

"Taehyungie!" he protests, more tears coming in. 

"We could transform my room into a studio for us to paint, and my grandma's could be our room..." Taehyung continues saying, ignoring the two adults in front of them. 

"B-but that's... Your grandma..."

"She would have loved you too, you know? She would be happy that I am happy." he turns to the Jeons again, hesitation sparkling in his eyes. "Would you trust me to take care of your son too?"

"Yes! A hundred times yes!" his mom pulls him up for a big hug. "Thank you! Thank you for existing!" She is using too much force but he doesn't care. It feels nice, like his grandma's hugs. "From now on, we are family, okay?" She motions his son to come and join the hug. 

"Thank you, Mrs. Jeon." 

"No need for that formality, Taehyungie." his dad says, joining the family hug. "Call us mom and dad too!" 

"B-but..." those words feel weird, foreign to his own mouth.

"Yes! I can finally show off a pretty son!" Jungkook's mom teases.

"Who says he is not pretty?" it was directed to his own son but it was Taehyung who got offended instead.

The three Jeons laugh together and call Taehyung cute so many times that he blushes. Jungkook was right, he had nothing to be afraid of. After all, they are his soulmate's parents, and probably his new family. It feels scary and a part of him still wants to run away but... When he sees Jungkook's bunny smile, his wish to leave disappears.

"Ding dong!" Jimin's voice chirps outside. "I came to intrude in your family reunion!" 

"Why do I have such a nosy best friend?" Jungkook complains.

"Nosy and short." Taehyung points out, meeting with the Jeons laughs one more time.

"I already love him, dear. You are going to be replaced!" Mrs. Jeon says, breaking the hug to go to open the door.

"Jimin! Carry our luggage inside!" Jungkook asks.

"You are lucky I didn't come alone! Babes, can you?"

Two groans accompanied the request and soon enough, the three soulmates were inside the house, greeting the Jeons. They have met before, so it is a quite nice reunion. 

"Hello! My mom is inviting you all to have dinner at our place!" Jimin grins widely. 

"That's so nice of her! Tell her we will be there, right, sons?" 

It's the way Jungkook's mom normally addresses him as his son that makes him feel weird. Never in his life has he been accepted by other people as quickly as today. He feels so lucky. 

"Right." Jungkook notices Taehyung is a bit overwhelmed and he brings him closer. "We are gonna drop our luggage in my room. We'll be back."

They leave the Jeons talking to the three soulmates and climb the stairs to Jungkook's childhood room. It is artistic, full of drawings and pictures everywhere. Taehyung isn't surprised to find out that Jungkook has an eye for photography too... After all, his soulmate is talented in every possible way.

"Too much?" Jungkook asks.

"Kinda." he moves around the room, looking everywhere with a smile. "I was so nervous..."

"You-! You were nervous because you wanted my parent's permission to ask me to move in with you?" Jungkook's eyes are still a bit shiny.

"That too." he chuckles, getting closer and fishing in his pockets. "I made a copy of my keys a while ago and I was planning to give them to you... But I didn't know if it was too soon but... Here." he drops the keys on Jungkook's hand. "Even if you don't move in with me, feel free to use them." he leans in and kisses Jungkook ever so softly. 

"You will make me cry again." Jungkook sniffles. "You really want me to?"

"Yes. I want to be as close to you as I can." Taehyung confirms with a smile. 

"Then I'm moving in with you. It's decided."

"Really?" 

"Yes!" 

They hug tightly and only separate to kiss each other passionately. Taehyung doesn't know how Jungkook does it, but he can never get used to the way their kiss always brings him peace and comfort. It's like his lips are the only home Tae needs.

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Jimin's house is full of life. There is this big table set in the middle of the living room and too many people around it, eating. Taehyung is asked a lot, not only by Jungkook's parents, but also Jimin's. His grandma turns out to be the sweetest person ever, but Jimin tells him not to fall for her tricks, because she is actually evil.

Talking to every soulmate around the table, Taehyung is overwhelmed once again. This feels like the most family thing he has ever experienced, with a bunch of people sitting around the table, talking, drinking and eating in a very light mood. It's so different from what his usual days were before Jungkook forcefully entered his life... The only ones missing, Jin and Namjoon, made sure to facetime to greet everyone else, saying that they would come next time.

"Hey, you alright?" Jungkook whispers to Taehyung.

"I... actually am. This feels so different..."

"A bad difference or a good difference?"

"A good difference. With you, everything is a good different." He munches some of his food and then he tells him. "You know? I noticed the first time you entered the coffee shop." he mentions.

"What do you mean? I've been going there since I entered college."

"I know," he whispers. "I started working there a year ago or so and... I noticed the first time you came in. I thought that you were pretty." he confesses. "I didn't do anything that day but to take your order and prepare it for you. You didn't actually notice me." Taehyung chuckles.

"What did you think of me?"

"That you were a self centered asshole." he laughs and then he gets serious. "But I also thought that if I wasn't bondless, I would have tried to flirt with you." 

"Is that so?"

"Yes." Taehyung clearly remembers it, even if Jungkook doesn't. 

"Why didn't you flirt? I obviously don't care about marks."

"Because I thought you deserved someone better and I thought I was gonna get hurt again... To think that we could have been soulmates for a long time." he shakes his head.

"I hate your guts." Jungkook declares, moving away, pretending to be mad. "Step back, you demon soul." he laughs when Taehyung tries to hold his hand again. "So we could have been together for a long time? I am so shocked right now." he says dramatically.

Everyone else hears their playful argument and most of them smile when Jungkook finally gives in and kisses Taehyung. No one pointed out but they were all thinking that soulmates bonds are never wrong. These two are a good match, even with their little fights and misunderstandings, they can see the love they both had for each other. Strong like a rock and flexible like water, they both adapt to each other's whims and antics and simply love. Pure and raw love.

"So tell me, are the seven of you making a single wedding or three different weddings?" Jimin's grandma suddenly asks.

Five young bewildered men look at her, different shades of blushes covering their cheeks. Looking at one another, without knowing what to say, the adults laugh and Jimin whiny protests fill the air. 

"Don't worry, grandma." Taehyung suddenly says, a smile playing on his lips. "Whatever happens, we will make sure all the privileged seats go to the Park family."

"Why is that, Taehyung?" Mrs. Jeon asks, eyes shining with anticipation.

"Being short runs in the family. They won't be able to see anything otherwise" he tries not to laugh as the table is filled with laughs. 

"You little-!"

"Grandma!" the other three Parks say at the same time, a similar warning tone on their voices.

Surrounded by laughs, embarrassing anecdotes and old childhood stories, Taehyung plops his head on his soulmate's shoulder. He thought Jungkook was his only family but he was wrong. His family is not only Jungkook, it also includes his parents, Jimin and his own, Hoseok and his parents, who they already said they wanted to meet the new addition to the group of friends. It also consists of Namjoon and his parents, Jin and his own family and, of course, Yeontannie. 

It's like Jungkook had said. Bonds make the world a better place, make a person feel the love and support of others, even in the distance. Even when there is a fight. Taehyung's body is now growing colorful from all the bonds that these people are giving him, and he is surely filling their bodies with his unique green color. 

Family. A group of people who share a bond. Related by blood or not, Taehyung had found a place where he belonged, holding Jungkook's hand and hearing bickering all around the table. 

There is no hole in his heart, because Taehyung will never be bondless anymore.