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3-year-old Jungkook was stressed out when his mom told him that he will be going to school from now on. He cried and cried on his way to school. Little Kookie did not like to talk to other people. He certainly did not like to leave his mumma's side.
When they reached there, his mumma started talking to some other lady who was holding the hands of a boy of Jungkook's age. Jungkook was anxious so he put his thumb inside his mouth. Mumma always scolded kookie for doing this, but kookie was scared!
The boy let go of his mom's hand and came toward Jungkook. He took out a lollipop from his bag and gave it to Jungkook. "This will help." He said. Jungkook looked at him with curiosity and took the lollipop.
"I'm Jungkook"
"I'm Taehyung"
Both the women looked at them with awe, "My Taehyungie makes friends very easily." Jungkook's mom patted their heads, "Taehyung you need to take care of Jungkook, okay? He's not good at making friends."
Taehyung nodded with a smile.
The first day of school wasn't as bad as Jungkook thought it would be, mainly because Taehyung was at his side all the time. Jungkook never really had any friends before, it was all so new to him. But he saw Taehyung already made a lot of friends. The whole class was Taehyung's friends. Jungkook sulked at this fact, but he couldn't do anything.
When the teacher asked them to pair up in groups of two, he thought Taehyung would choose to partner up with the other cool kids but when Taehyung came to him and held his hands, Jungkook knew that he had made a friend for life. The teacher played a nursery rhyme. Taehyung and Jungkook did the steps that their teacher taught them. All while holding their tiny hands.
༻✦༺
At 17 years old, Jungkook was freaking out once again. He started biting the nail of his thumb. It's always that thumb! Taehyung was sitting beside him, their shoulders brushing against each other. Taehyung took out a lollipop from his pocket and gave it to Jungkook. The latter unwrapped it and wailed out, "What if she rejects me Tae?" He looked at the girl he has a crush on.
"It's just prom Kookie, ask her out the way I taught you and it'll be good." Taehyung smiled at Jungkook and looked away
The prom night was magical for Jungkook. He was dancing with his crush. But his eyes will always find Taehyung. He was leaning at a wall in the far-away corner.
"He is so good-looking, he has so many friends, he could've asked anyone out. Then why did he come alone." Jungkook thought to himself.
The girl closed the distance between them. She put both her hands on Jungkook's shoulder, caging him in her embrace. But Jungkook's eyes will always travel back to Taehyung, he noticed that Taehyung was looking at him as well.
There was something dark and heavy in Taehyung's eyes today. Jungkook never saw him like this. He was always so cheerful and happy, but today was just different. Jungkook saw a girl approaching Taehyung, his eyes went from Jungkook to that girl. And they came to the dance floor. Many couples were dancing here. Everyone was with their prom date. But was everyone happy? Jungkook thought to himself.
Jungkook's date leaned towards him, inviting him to kiss her. He panicked yet again. He didn't think this would happen, Taehyung didn't prepare him for this. Looking at how confused Jungkook was, the girl took the matter into her own hands and started kissing him.
Jungkook's eyes went wide. But this wasn't the only thing that felt disgusting to him. Probably the most disgusting part was watching Taehyung doing the same with that other girl. Taehyung and that girl were kissing each other in the perfect rhythm. But Taehyung's eyes were focused on Jungkook. And Jungkook's lips were occupied by his prom date.
༻✦༺
At 23 years old Jungkook got Taehyung's call for the first time in a while. After their school and especially after that prom night, they drifted apart. It's not like they weren't talking at all, but the spark wasn't there anymore. It was Taehyung who first decided to not text good morning and good night to Jungkook. And then when they went to different colleges, their calls went from 5 times a day to once a year.
So for Jungkook, it was a bit shocking when he got Taehyung's call in the middle of the night.
"Jungkookah!" Taehyung shouted on the phone, "I proposed to her." Jungkook could tell that Taehyung was drunk. "Tae...what are you talking about?" Jungkook questioned, he could hear Taehyung's sniffles. "There's a girl...at-at my office....she's super nice. I proposed to her." Taehyung's sniffles increased with each sentence. Jungkook was shocked. He never imagined that...he doesn't even know why he's shocked.
"Do you like her Tae?" Jungkook asked sheepishly. He could hear the laugh that Taehyung let out but it died quickly. On Taehyung's side, it was silent but Jungkook can tell that he was crying. "I can't...can't love anyone anymore. But she's a nice girl Jungkook...I will keep her happy." And the call disconnected.
4 months later Jungkook received an invitation. It was Taehyung's engagement party. The heaviness he was feeling inside his heart for 4 months increased if it was even possible. Jungkook had no idea what was happening to him. The only thing he knew was he wasn't happy, but if Taehyung is happy then he should be too. Unfortunately, the emotions don't work that way.
Jungkook went there two nights before the engagement ceremony, and Taehyung booked a hotel for all the guests. Taehyung's family were delighted to see him, they always used to love Jungkook the same way as they love Taehyung. But Taehyung's mom wasn't happy at his arrival. There was no hatred or discomfort rather it was a pleading in her eyes. She wasn't saying anything but Jungkook could tell that she's changed. After meeting everyone he quickly went to Taehyung's room, he was standing on the balcony with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Jungkook gulped at the sight.
He stood beside Taehyung who had a glass of whiskey in his hand. "You came," Taehyung said as if it was unbelievable for him. "Of course, I had to come Tae, it's your engagement." Taehyung took a sip and his eyes went to the sight in front of him. There was greenery all around them.
"I wish you didn't come." His eyes went to Jungkook who was shocked at the remark. "Why would you say that? We're still best friends, right?" Taehyung came back to the room with Jungkook following him. "Tell me, you don't see me as your friend anymore? We drifted apart that much Tae?" Taehyung sat on the bed and gestured for Jungkook to sit beside him. "You're not my friend Kookie, not since I got to understand some things."
Jungkook didn't understand a word. Why would Taehyung say that? All his life Jungkook knew that Taehyung was his friend, sometimes his only friend. But why didn't Taehyung feel the same?
"Did I do something Tae? Why are you breaking our friendship?" Taehyung was drunk once again. It's a part of him now, get drunk and forget about your feelings. But what if your source of those feelings is sitting right beside you?
"I don't see you as my friend Jungkook." Taehyung blurted out.
Jungkook stared at him before going for a hug, he wouldn't let go of Taehyung. "Don't say this, please. I...I understood when you stopped contacting me when we wouldn't meet for months and years but don't do this. I can't live without you being in my life." Jungkook sobbed.
Taehyung held Jungkook's shoulder, keeping him upright. His eyes were red from crying, and Taehyung's eyes were red from alcohol, he doesn't cry anymore. "Jungkook look at me." Jungkook fixed his gaze at Taehyung. "I don't love her, I don't love the girl I'm getting engaged to." Jungkook was confused, his eyes travelled to Taehyung's lips who were trembling. "Then why are you-" Jungkook was stopped when Taehyung kissed his forehead. They always used to kiss each other on the cheeks and forehead when they were in school but why does this one seem different? Why did Jungkook part his lips at the sudden touch? Why does he wish that Taehyung's lips were on his lips?
There was a glint in Taehyung's eyes, the smell of alcohol surrounding him. "I'm sorry Kookie." Taehyung touched their foreheads. His one hand caressing Jungkook's hair. While the other was at his back. Jungkook didn't know why he wanted to give kisses to Taehyung all over his face. "I-I love you Kookie…I've always loved you."
Jungkook moved back, eyes wide in surprise. Taehyung took his hand in between his. "You don't need to worry about it, okay? It's my fault. I didn't want to burden you, that's why I drifted away." Jungkook stood up from the bed, looking everywhere but at Taehyung. He should feel bad, angry, and betrayed but he isn't feeling any of that. He is just…surprised. Unconsciously his thumb reached his mouth and he started biting the nails. Taehyung got up from the bed and went to the bedside table, he picked something from the drawer. Jungkook knew what it was. Taehyung came back to him and gave him the lollipop. There's a smile on Jungkook's face, a familiarity in Taehyung's room and a feeling of love in Taehyung himself. Is it just friendship that Jungkook thought of all along or is it more than that?
"You don't need to think about it Kookie." Taehyung cupped his cheeks, "come here…we'll sleep like old times."
Jungkook woke up in the morning, with Taehyung's face buried in his neck, and his long slender fingers snaked around Jungkook's waist. Jungkook wanted to wake up like this every morning. This was the best sleep he ever got.
The night before the engagement ceremony there was a small party for friends and family. Taehyung finally introduced Jungkook to his soon-to-be fiance. Jihyo seemed beautiful, calm and collected. A good match for Taehyung, Jungkook thought.
Taehyung was standing right beside her the whole time, Jungkook could see that he was properly taking care of Jihyo's every need.
But Taehyung's eyes will always find Jungkook and they will look at each other for some second more than they should. On the other hand, Jihyo seemed anxious. She looked at Taehyung lovingly and then noticed that his eyes were finding Jungkook once again. When she saw that Jungkook had the same longing in his eyes just like her boyfriend, Jihyo's entire delusion dropped. It felt like she met a ghost. A ghost of her future.
As the party continued, everyone was happy except those who were about to be engaged and the best friend who was fighting his urges to drop everything and kiss Taehyung.
Taehyung and his fiance were dancing slowly along with many others. They were talking in between and they seemed very emotional. Probably too happy to get engaged. Taehyung's cousin came close to Jungkook and asked him for a dance, to which he agreed.
It felt like that prom night once again. Now Jungkook understood what Taehyung was going through, and why he stopped talking to him. Because maybe after tonight, Jungkook won't talk to him ever again, he can't see him with someone else.
Jungkook packed his bags and was ready to leave before morning. He didn't want to see Taehyung's engagement. That's when he heard the knock.
Taehyung was standing in front of his door, hair and clothes messed up. But he didn't drink, he was sober.
"She broke up with me." Taehyung came inside the room.
Jungkook wanted to feel bad for his best friend but honestly, he was happy.
"I can't blame her though," he looked at Jungkook, "You can't be with someone who loves someone else. That's just stupid." Taehyung chuckled. Jungkook watched him pacing around the room. "Is it bad that I'm feeling…relieved?" Taehyung snorted. "I don't know what I will do now." He sat on the couch. "Your family will be mad?" Jungkook handed him a glass of water. "No, my mom already knew about-" He looked at Jungkook with guilt, "about my feelings for certain someone. So she's happy." Jungkook chuckled and sat beside him.
Taehyung held Jungkook's elbow, "But I won't see you anymore, I can't do this to myself." Jungkook didn't feel good about it. He won't let this happen, not anymore. Jungkook cupped Taehyung's face, "You will see me Tae." He kissed his forehead. "I won't let you go anywhere." He kissed his cheeks.
"You're mine." Jungkook kissed the mole on Taehyung's nose.
"Am I yours?" He asked Taehyung.
He didn't bother to answer and went for Jungkook's lips. They kissed and kissed until they had to stop to take a breath.
"You're mine and I'm yours."
༻✦༺
At 30 years old Jungkook and Taehyung realised that it was time they should get married.
Their wedding ceremony was a small affair, attended by their parents and close friends only. Jihyo was there as well with her husband and kid. Taehyung was ready in a black suit and permed hair. Both of them matched their clothes. Taehyung sat beside Jihyo and took her kid on his lap.
"I'm so grateful to you Jihyo. If you didn't show the courage that night, we would be stuck with each other." Jihyo patted his shoulder, "I did it for my happiness, you don't have to think much about it." They smiled at each other.
Taehyung went to Jungkook's room. He was pacing around the room. He seemed nervous.
"Do you want a lollipop, my love?" Taehyung asked him. Jungkook laughed at that, "Don't tell me you're carrying a lollipop in your wedding suit." Taehyung took out the wrapped sugary candy from his pants pocket, "I'm always prepared for you." Jungkook took the lollipop from his hands and put it in his mouth. "Are you having second thoughts Kookie?" Taehyung looked him in the eye.
"What? No! Of course not. I was just thinking about how we got here." Jungkook embraced him in a hug. "I don't know what I will do without you Tae. I'm so happy that you chose to love me"
Jungkook and Taehyung's wedding ceremony was sweet and loving. They exchanged rings by looking at each other all the time. They kissed in front of everyone to seal the bond.
They were happy beyond words. Both their mothers shed some tears by saying how lucky they were to meet each other in front of the school gate that day. How they were made for each other.
Taehyung and Jungkook decided to dance. They held each other close and moved slowly with the rhythm. It was their first time dancing together since kindergarten. And their first dance as husbands. The feeling was magical. Their love was magical. Taehyung pecked Jungkook's lips.
"I love you Taehyung"
"I love you Jungkook."