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2099 Lab (Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse) by Daniel Pemberton
It’s raining again. It seems to happen every time Taehyung anxiously waits for Jungkook to return to him. A storm looms over the city as if the skies know to cry alongside him.
These are the nights when he stares incessantly out their window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Of Spider-Man. Hoping to feel the sweet relief wash over him from knowing he's alive and well. To know that three nights ago was not the last time he got to hold him.
He hates it. Hates these restless nights when he should be tucked asleep in their bed, wrapped in Jungkook’s arms, not boring holes in the floor with his bare feet as he paces incessantly around their apartment, unable to sleep, eat, think, and have to muster up the will to go on with his day as if his world isn’t collapsing around him.
Waiting.
Always waiting.
He takes another look at the clock. Almost midnight, and still nothing. He anticipates another restless night.
A stone, heavy and burdensome, sits on his chest. He can't take a full breath. Every time he tries, it just digs further into his lungs, tormenting him. Taehyung walks over to the couch, wraps a throw blanket around himself, and settles against the cool window to wait.
He loves Jungkook. God, Taehyung loves him with all that he is. Has for as long as he could remember. Back when they shared a box of crayons in kindergarten and Jungkook always went for his favorite color, purple, knowing Taehyung’s favorite was green, and would always tuck it under his leg, saving it for him before their classmates had a chance to take it.
He knew he loved Jungkook then.
Back when they were teenagers sharing secrets under the darkness of their blankets during sleepovers—both whispering confessions of their attraction for boys instead of girls—and a spark of hope ignited in his little chest.
He knew he loved Jungkook then.
Back when they were seniors in high school, and instead of crayons, they shared lingering looks and shy touches that left them both red-cheeked.
He knew he loved Jungkook then.
Back when Jungkook became more than just his best friend and boyfriend—he became Spider-Man, the superhero who constantly saved the world.
Of course, he knew he loved him then too.
Taehyung has loved Jungkook through it all. And after ten years together, he still does.
Always will.
Still, it’s hard when your boyfriend disappears in an urgent mess of red, blue, and white, sometimes for days on end, with no way for you to reach him. No way to make sure he’s okay and in one piece. Alive. It’s tough, despite knowing how many lives Jungkook has saved as the beloved web-slinging superhero.
This is why the second he sees a flash of red before it disappears behind a building, he perks up, trying to squint through the glistening rain and his reflection on the window.
The movement is so quick, but Taehyung’s heart races, threatening to jump out of his chest and speed towards that colorful trail of hope up ahead. When he sees it again, this time with a gleam of white alongside the red, that's when he knows. He knows for sure that it’s Jungkook.
With quick movements, Taehyung shoves the window open, not concerned in the slightest about the rain splattering against his face, on his clothes, on the floor. He embraces the cool feeling against his skin, watching with rapt attention as Spider-Man swings his way closer to him, closer still, until Spider-Man—no, Jungkook—lands with a silent backflip onto their fire escape, and that laden weight on his chest begins to lighten.
Taehyung lets out the breath he feels he's been holding since his hand landed on the cold spot in the bed beside him, where Jungkook should've been sleeping.
“Baby!” Taehyung cries out in relief. He ignores the throw blanket falling off him to the floor and the rainwater dripping off Jungkook as he desperately reaches for him—for his Jungkook, his best friend and the love of his life.
Like a lifesaver, Jungkook pulls Taehyung out of the depths of the churning sea with his presence alone. Taehyung frantically touches him, grips him, feels the solidity of Jungkook in his hands just to make sure that it is him. That he’s not hallucinating.
Until Jungkook hisses.
“What?” Taehyung asks, quickly letting go of him. “What’s wrong?” Round, panicked eyes dart over Jungkook's form, looking for any sign that something might be wrong.
“I’m okay, Tae,” Jungkook says, trying to reach for him again. But the smooth timbre of his voice comes out stilted, not as clear and soft as Taehyung is used to hearing it. “Before I take my mask off, I need you to remember that I heal quickly. I’m okay.”
Taehyung gnaws his lips, the cold, heavy feeling returning as Jungkook tentatively removes his mask and tosses it to the side, landing on the couch beside them. Sweaty curls tumble around Jungkook’s face, and then Taehyung's stomach drops.
The relief he felt quickly fades into dread when he sees the state of Jungkook's face. Scrapes and bruises litter his handsome face, his bottom lip split open.
“You’re hurt.” Taehyung’s heart shatters at the sight. “Again.”
And even in his state, there's a ghost of a smile tugging at Jungkook's lips. “Kiss it better?” he asks sweetly.
Taehyung knows he’s only trying to help, always wanting to lighten the mood, make Taehyung smile. Still, Taehyung’s face crumbles, his forehead creasing and his eyes welling with tears.
“Tae, look at me. I’m here. I’m okay. I’m right here with you. This is nothing. I’ll heal. Baby, I’ll heal.”
Taehyung feels the slight dampness of Jungkook's suit from the rain as strong arms quickly envelop him. Despite the aches Jungkook has to be feeling, one arm clutches around Taehyung's waist, while the other cradles his head gently. And of course Jungkook knows exactly what Taehyung needs. He just needs him. To feel him and understand that Jungkook is safe.
It'll be okay.
He just needs a bit of time to feel their bodies press close together before he can process anything else.
A few silent beats pass between them before Jungkook cups Taehyung’s face between his gloved hands, pulling back to meet his eyes.
"Hi, gorgeous."
The usual soothing notes of Jungkook’s voice are there again. It flickers a faint smile over Taehyung's lips. However, one look into Jungkook’s eyes and Taehyung knows. Because he knows Jungkook too. And he can tell by one look into his eyes that he's trying hard to mask his pain.
Right now, Taehyung needs to pull it together for him. Be that source of comfort for Jungkook instead of the other way around. Jungkook, as Spider-Man, has a very important job, but Taehyung, as Jungkook’s lover, has one as well. And it's to take care of the man behind the mask.
Taehyung will always be there every time Jungkook returns to him battered and bruised. No matter how many times this happens, he will never be able to get used to it. It will never stop scaring Taehyung. All it takes is one wrong move, one bad fall, and—
Taehyung swallows down the lump forming in his throat. Jungkook is right here.
He’s home. He's okay.
Wrapping his arms around Jungkook as gently as possible, he sinks into his comforting hold and breathes out a gentle, “I missed you.”
He presses the words against Jungkook’s neck, making sure they sink into him. Wishes it would make its way all over him, settle in between his ribs, and make his heart its permanent home. He hopes Jungkook feels how much he loves him, will always love him.
However, by the way Jungkook exhales, “Missed you too,” with such reverence, with such softness, Taehyung knows that Jungkook can feel the unconditional way he loves him. “I’m sorry, Tae—”
“Shh. None of that. It’s not your fault.”
In spite of everything, Taehyung hates that Jungkook feels any shred of guilt for what he goes through when he has to disappear like this.
Just like Taehyung can’t control the tremors in his body when it's wracked with unease, Jungkook can’t control that he’s more than just a mere human; he’s a superhero who does so much good with his pure heart, his warm smile, and his ever-growing devotion to helping people.
So how can Taehyung let him apologize for any of it?
The feeling of Jungkook pressing closer and the warmth of his breath brushing against his face are enough to ease his disquiet. For now.
“Take everything off. I’ll run a bath for you,” Taehyung whispers, pressing the gentlest kiss possible to Jungkook’s injured lip. "You're home now." He can see the moment Jungkook relaxes, his tense posture caving in on itself with just a minor touch from Taehyung. After a long battle, he can finally let go.
"I'm home."
After another chaste kiss and telling Jungkook to undress again, Taehyung dashes to the bathroom. He fills the tub with warm water and Jungkook’s favorite bath bomb, then hurries back out to the living room.
Immediately, he stops in his tracks, his eyes stinging as they roam up Jungkook’s muscular body.
More bruises litter his torso, some worse than others. Beautiful golden skin buried in blotchy blues and purples. As Jungkook stands in the middle of their living room, Taehyung feels an overwhelming urge to protect him. He knows he can’t. Not from this. But at least he can do something else to help ease his mind.
“I’m okay,” Jungkook repeats with a weak smile. “I just want to be near you right now.”
Taehyung inhales deeply and then exhales, expelling all the anxiety he’s been feeling since Jungkook left into the air like a puff of smoke. “C’mon, baby. Let me take care of you.” He tries to control the shaking in his voice. Jungkook has enough to worry about.
Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand and leads him to the bathroom, helping him into the tub before he follows him in. Jungkook’s eyebrows knit together as he winces, trying to get comfortable. The smell of vanilla and lavender fills the small room, and already Jungkook’s eyes look brighter than they did when he first got there.
Taehyung sits between Jungkook’s legs, facing him, his long legs over Jungkook’s thighs.
"Just what I needed," Jungkook says with a relieved breath. A smile lingers on his lips as his hands knead Taehyung's thighs.
And Taehyung can’t help but smile back. He’s missed his touch so much. Missed him. Missed his face. His voice.
Taehyung leans in to do the one thing he knows will help relax Jungkook, and begins to skim his slender fingers up his abs to his chest, tracing the lines of his body. Up… down. Up… down. Slow and methodical.
Just as he can tell Jungkook needs to feel him, Taehyung needs to feel him too. When Jungkook isn't out there fighting who-knows-what and saving people, and Taehyung isn't working long hours at the gallery, they're cuddled in front of the TV or in bed. Always touching. Always needing to be connected, but never close enough.
The heat of Jungkook’s flesh under Taehyung’s fingertips sends tiny sparks of electricity over his hands and through him as fingers continue their path across sharp collarbones and broad shoulders. A shiver accompanies the trickling of goosebumps over Jungkook's skin as fingertips continue their exploration. They slide up the back of his neck, kneading the stiff muscles there.
A happy sigh escapes Jungkook. Taehyung's deft fingers move up, burying themselves into Jungkook's hair and massaging his scalp before they travel back down relaxed shoulders and slide along Jungkook’s arms, where they finally rest in his open hands underwater.
Jungkook hums in contentment, wrapping his arms around Taehyung and drawing him closer. “That felt nice. My hero,” he says in a soothing voice, cheek pressed against Taehyung’s.
Sucking his teeth, Taehyung playfully smacks his arm, earning a bright laugh from Jungkook.
After a moment, without any trace of laughter in his voice, Jungkook says, “Thank you for loving me." He speaks those words slowly, clearly, as if he's wanting Taehyung to soak them into himself. "I know it can't be easy with what I do, and I know you’re worried, but I promise, I’m okay.”
Taehyung melts into him. Can’t do anything but nod against his neck and breathe. In. Out. He breathes Jungkook in, the smell of musk and sweat still clinging to him. Memorizes the way Jungkook’s arms feel wrapped around him, secure and comforting. And here.
Reluctantly, Taehyung straightens up, needing to take care of Jungkook. It’s all he can do. “Let’s get you cleaned up, hm?”
A smile tugs at the corners of Jungkook’s lips. “Can I have another kiss first?” He’s already tugging Taehyung back to him, his smile widening when Taehyung scoffs but ultimately giving in to Jungkook’s charm. It helps to lighten the mood, and Taehyung is grateful that Jungkook always knows how to cheer him up. Even if it is a minuscule amount.
“You’re hurt, and that’s all you can think about? I’m starting to think you’re getting hurt on purpose just to get extra kisses.”
“I would never,” Jungkook gasps, feigning offense. “Besides, I always think about kissing you. I love your kisses.”
Calloused thumbs lightly trace over the small of Taehyung's back, sending a shiver up his spine. Rolling his eyes—but fuck if he isn’t feeling endeared—Taehyung moves to grab the bottle of Jungkook’s favorite face wash.
“As much as I love hearing that," Taehyung says, glancing at Jungkook, "I hope not. I need your head in the game when you're out there.” He swallows harshly. "And I need you to come back to me." His voice cracks, and he clears his throat, hoping that it wasn't noticeable. But one glance at the worried crease between Jungkook’s brows, and Taehyung knows he did.
Squeezing the bottle, the citrus scent fills Taehyung's nostrils as he begins to lather soap onto his hand.
“Close your eyes,” he whispers, and Jungkook takes a moment, his gaze locked on Taehyung’s, before he does as asked.
Soft fingers draw circles around Jungkook’s face, spreading soap over his nose, across his cheeks and forehead, being careful not to be rough over his bruises and the cut over his eyebrow.
He smiles to himself because, for a strong, badass superhero, Jungkook looks adorable with his eyes closed as he hums a song he heard a few days ago while they were out, patiently waiting for Taehyung to finish.
After he’s done, Taehyung, feeling playful, gently squeezes Jungkook’s cheeks together to make his lips pucker, and then plants a kiss on his pout.
"You can rinse now." His squeals and laughter ring around them as he bats Jungkook's blind swipes away in an attempt to pull him in for more kisses. “Kook, you’re gonna get soap in your eyes,” Taehyung says, trying not to giggle. He splashes water on his face to get him to stop.
“Okay, okay,” Jungkook sputters, giving up when water shoots up his nostrils.
As Jungkook rinses the soap off his face, Taehyung can’t help but feel the flutter against his chest. He loves this man so much, it feels like it'll consume him. Like he wouldn’t be able to live without his best friend, the love of his life. He hopes he'll never have to.
Taehyung reaches for Jungkook’s favorite body wash and a washcloth, squeezing soap onto it, and tries to ease his worries some more by helping Jungkook relax as much as possible.
When Jungkook opens his eyes with a boyish grin, hair wet and pushed back off his face, Taehyung can’t help but fall into him. Water splashes over the side of the tub as he lunges forward to meet Jungkook in a searing kiss, but flinches back, temporarily forgetting about Jungkook's injuries.
“Oh, my god, I’m so sorry. I forgot.”
“No, no, no. I’m okay. It doesn't hurt too much anymore. C’mere. More kisses.” Jungkook puckers his lips and tries pulling him in, but Taehyung leans away, eyeing Jungkook’s face skeptically.
And of course, Jungkook’s okay. Thanks to his supernatural healing abilities, his bruises are already healing, black and blue fading into mottled yellows in some areas. Even his lip and cut look better. So he relents and lets himself be swept into Jungkook’s embrace.
“Always,” Jungkook says as they break apart. Taehyung hums in confusion, brushing wet strands off Jungkook’s face. "I'll always come back to you," he promises. Their eyes meet, and Jungkook offers him a small smile, his round eyes holding so much sincerity in them.
The reality is that Jungkook can't promise that, and he knows it. They both do. Still, it feels nice to hear those words. Words he desperately hangs on to on nights like this.
Leaning in, Taehyung pecks his lips once, twice, before continuing to bathe Jungkook. He washes away the sweat and grime, gently wiping over his injuries, and it's as if the fear that Taehyung carries with him dissolves in the water with each soapy swipe. Slow, deliberate motions of the washcloth across Jungkook's chest and down his arms noticeably relieve the tension in his body.
A heavy sigh falls from Jungkook's lips as he closes his eyes and rests his head back over the lip of the tub, a tiny smile forming the longer Taehyung takes to wash him.
It's quiet, save for the sounds of water trickling from Taehyung’s hands and onto Jungkook’s body. Until—
“Where were you? Who was it this—?”
“No,” Jungkook interrupts, his voice stern, eyes now opened and fixed on Taehyung.
Taehyung pauses. He flicks his eyes up to catch Jungkook’s gaze. Takes in the worry etched around Jungkook’s eyes as he tries to hide it behind the hardened tone in his voice. And Taehyung nods in understanding. “Okay. Okay, no questions,” he whispers, and Jungkook reaches over to where Taehyung's hand still rests, midway through washing Jungkook's chest, and gives it a squeeze.
“I’m sorry, I just—”
“It’s okay, I understand,” Taehyung cuts him off gently. With a flutter in his chest, he turns his hand and threads their fingers together, dropping the washcloth into the water and catching Jungkook’s lips in a kiss.
It seems like they can never get enough of kissing, touching, as tongues trace lips. Desperation seeps through the kiss. Taehyung climbs onto Jungkook’s lap and straddles him, chests flush against each other as urgent fingers card through wet strands of hair, gripping where they can, pulling and pushing at tender flesh. Needing every part of each other to touch. Soft lips trace the column of Jungkook's neck, brushing his nose along his jaw, pressing more kisses along the way.
Jungkook has always been adamant about keeping the dangerous part of himself, Spider-Man, as separate as possible.
The fear of getting Taehyung caught up in his precarious world and getting hurt is too much for Jungkook to even think about. They were not to speak about the who or what, instead concentrating on the now. Being in the moment with each other.
That fear trickles into the desperation of their kiss, willing it to disappear. It bursts out of Taehyung—all the anxiety, the fear, the unknown. Everything seeps out of him with each of Jungkook's touches, his chest feeling as light as air now that he has him close again.
Reluctantly, they break apart with hooded eyes and press their foreheads together. There’s nothing sexual about what they're doing, about the eager way they palm at each other. It’s more the reassurance that they are present. Wanting to feel that they still have each other and no one is lost. That Jungkook will always come back to him.
“Want me to wash your hair?” Taehyung asks, and Jungkook kisses his forehead before nudging him off his lap, eagerly turning around with a quirk of his lips in response.
Reclining back against Taehyung’s bent legs, Jungkook scoots down, tilts his head over Taehyung’s knees, and closes his eyes as he waits. Slowly and with gentle hands that heal, Taehyung shampoos and rinses Jungkook’s hair.
Jungkook’s content moans echo around them every time Taehyung scratches his blunt nails against his scalp, soothing him. A shy grin lights Taehyung’s face as he takes pride in being able to do this for him after everything the superhero has done for everyone.
“Sometimes,” Jungkook says after reveling in the quiet for a bit, “when I’m out there, and…” his voice trails off. He shakes his head, inhales shakily before continuing. “All I have to do is think of you—of coming home—and it’s like a lightning bolt shoots through me,” he exhales a small laugh. “It sounds cheesy, but it gives me the strength I need... The thought of you gives me all the strength I need to come home to you. No matter what.”
Taehyung’s hands slowly fall from Jungkook’s hair, and Jungkook sits up, turning to face him again with wide eyes. And all of Jungkook's love for Taehyung can be found there, between the twinkling stars in his eyes. With just a glance, Taehyung can feel it as strongly as if he were hearing the words spoken out loud. As real as Jungkook's gentle touches when they are entangled in sheets at night, lost in the headiness of each other.
Taehyung's heart thunders loudly in his chest, wanting to reach out to his lover. More water spills over the tub, but Taehyung doesn’t care as he throws his arms around Jungkook’s neck and kisses him, giving himself, his heart, entirely over to him.
“I love you.”
“And I love you,” Jungkook whispers softly against his lips, cupping the back of Taehyung’s head to deepen the kiss.
Despite the warmth flowing through him from just Jungkook’s kisses alone, the water is cooling, making Taehyung shiver.
"Are you cold?" Jungkook asks, rubbing both hands over Taehyung’s arms. "Let's finish up and go to bed."
But before Jungkook can move, Taehyung rests a hand on his chest to stop him. “Wait. Not yet.” He smiles back at the adorable, confused smile on Jungkook's face and leans in, a boxy smile briefly meeting a bunny one. When Jungkook moves again, trying to tug Taehyung closer for more kisses, Taehyung stops him again. “Wait.” He giggles when his tough, superhero boyfriend pouts. “I’m trying to make you feel better, so just…"
Taehyung starts again after pressing a barely there kiss to Jungkook’s lips. Slowly, he skims his lips over Jungkook's cheek, where another bruise mars his face.
Another gentle kiss.
Lips move over the cut on Jungkook’s eyebrow as his fingers trace the contours of Jungkook's collarbones and slide down his broad chest.
Kiss.
He grazes his nose over Jungkook's cheek, nuzzling at his favorite place, under Jungkook’s jaw, then kisses his neck, lingering for a moment to breathe him in.
Taehyung presses his lips onto every bruise and scar, hoping that his gentle touch will banish the memories of any pain. Replace them with the lingering sensation of Taehyung's lips and his love.
Fingers sweep over Jungkook’s ribs, down his sides, lightly over the healing bruises on his body until they meet again at his nape. And because Taehyung just can’t help himself, his lips fall back to Jungkook's pouty ones for another kiss before he places one over his chest, grinning as his warm breath causes goosebumps to burst all over Jungkook's skin.
Lastly, he pauses over Jungkook's heart. Kiss.
This is how he helps him heal.
“Okay,” Taehyung whispers against the dampness of Jungkook's skin. He looks up beneath the lashes of his rounded eyes at the soft expression of adoration on Jungkook’s face. “Now we can go.”
"Why are you so good to me?" Jungkook whispers right back.
"Because you're so good to all of us."
Chasing Cars by Sleeping At Last
It’s past midnight when they get ready for bed, and Taehyung can see the exhaustion in Jungkook’s eyes as he makes him sit on top of the toilet lid to dab some antiseptic and ointment on his scrapes and cuts.
He knows Jungkook doesn't need it, that in a few hours, they’ll heal on their own and dissolve into golden skin. But it makes Taehyung feel better. Makes him feel like he's helping somehow. And Jungkook knows that. So he indulges him. Lets Taehyung take care of him until he looks down at Jungkook with a satisfied grin.
"There. All better," Taehyung says. "You can go ahead. I'm just going to finish up here."
Jungkook stands with a lazy smile on his face and holds Taehyung’s face tenderly between his calloused hands, thumbs tracing over his cheeks. “Thank you, baby. Don't take too long," he says softly, appreciation coloring his words.
"I won't."
Grazing their noses together, they breathe each other in, and then Jungkook delivers another sugar-laced kiss to Taehyung's lips before heading to their bed.
When Taehyung joins Jungkook after moisturizing his face, Jungkook greets him with sleepy eyes. “Beautiful,” he whispers. He’s looking at Taehyung under soft, slow blinks, stars forever swirling in his eyes, and Taehyung’s love for him grows impossibly larger.
With a contented hum, Taehyung slides in and immediately swings a leg over Jungkook's hip. He wraps an arm around him and tucks himself into the nook Jungkook has created solely for him.
And like many nights before they go to sleep, Taehyung feels Jungkook kiss his crown before resting his chin there, cuddling him close. Soothing hands run up and down his back as he presses himself against Jungkook, finding solace in the sensation of his strong body against his own.
Without words, he can feel Jungkook's love pouring into him through the subtle ways he touches him, kisses him, making Taehyung feel fuzzy and tingly all over, wishing he could burrow under Jungkook’s skin.
They lie in bed, a happy hum leaving Taehyung as he listens to the steady drumming of Jungkook’s heart. He looks up, meeting Jungkook’s gaze with a soft smile, feeling the effects of being in a cozy bed after not being able to sleep days prior. “Hi,” he whispers.
Jungkook beams, scrunching his nose, his usual wide eyes crinkling into crescents as bunny teeth peek through. “Hi.”
And Taehyung lights up inside. There's an uncharacteristic shyness there, hiding in sluggish smiles. Something akin to when they first started dating and would timidly press kisses to blushed lips when no one was watching. Perhaps it’s just a reminder of how long—how much they’ve loved each other since the beginning.
Since they were kids sharing crayons in school. Since they were teenagers whispering secrets under the covers. Since their first kiss, their first intimate touch. Since Jungkook became Spider-Man and Taehyung became his own private hero.
A hand glides over Taehyung's cheek and settles behind his head, fingers tangling into his hair as Jungkook draws him fully into his arms. And Taehyung can feel their hearts dancing together, in tune with the tempo of their all-encompassing love.
Even in his drowsy state, Jungkook still leans in for one last slow, lazy kiss. A languid glide of soft lips as they fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
And like a rainbow after a storm, Taehyung's world is full of color again.