Work Text:
“Big Valentine’s Day plans this weekend?”
He could dismiss it as harmless small talk, but this particular cashier at the gas station/convenience store near his work has hit on Taehyung far too many times in the past. As usual, he chooses to handle it politely not wanting to make a scene at a place that he frequents so often.
“Nothing too outrageous. We’re just going to museum exhibit and then an early dinner.”
The cashier’s face falls, like the disappointment of being reminded that he isn’t single is nothing compared to the disappointment that Taehyung has such a seemingly boring Valentine’s Day planned.
Duri had given a somewhat similar look when Taehyung told him what he wanted to do most on Valentine’s Day. Yet he had agreed and reminded him that they had to do an early dinner as he had an early meeting the morning after.
Taehyung isn’t that disappointed that they won’t be spending the night together. At least that’s the story he told Duri and what he is still telling himself.
They’ll be together for most of the day and that’s got to be good enough.
He uses his card to pay for the gas as well the drink and tteokboki which serves as his lunch during his break. He avoids eating at the restaurant he works at. Even though it would be easier with his short lunch time to just stay and eat at the back. But he needed gas anyway today and it feels good to get out.
Or at least it had.
After nodding a thank you to the flirting cashier, he tucks his wallet back into his pocket, picks up his lunch with one hand, and then uses his upper shoulder to push the open the door while he digs in his jacket pocket for his keys.
He only gets a few steps until the revving sound of a motorcycle at the gas pump catches his attention. Thinks how even though it isn’t a bitterly cold February day, it’s pretty chilly and it must be cold riding in the wind. Still, it’s nice enough today that he hasn’t even bothered to zip his own coat.
The couple entangled around each other don’t seem to notice the cold. One is standing next to the bike wearing a black leather jacket with a black sock cap pulled down low. The other, sitting on the back of the bike, is wearing a heavy hoody pulled up over their head.
Their faces are smashed up against each other so he can’t see either one.
Until suddenly he can.
The guy in the leather moves back and bends down to check something near the peddle of his bike.
The face of the hoody wearing guy is wide open and well within his view.
And there is no mistaking that it’s Duri.
Taehyung’s stomach drops. That horrible feeling he’s only had one other time in his life, but that had been memorable enough that he’ll never forget it.
He walks slowly towards the motorcycle unable to take his eyes off his boyfriend who is supposed to be at work.
Just as he gets to the island, the gasp and the surprised look on Duri’s face is indication that he finally sees Taehyung.
“Oh hey?” It’s almost accusatory as though Taehyung is somewhere that he shouldn’t be. “Why aren’t you at the restaurant? I thought you worked a midday shift today?”
“I do,” Taehyung stammers. Briefly noting that he is justifying his presence even though it’s clear Duri is not where he should be. “I had a lunch break and needed fuel and wanted something to eat.”
The guy in the leather stands up and looks at him kindly as he extends his hand. “Hey, I’m Jungkook.”
Taehyung looks at him in confusion. He is still in somewhat of a state of shock. He knows what he has stumbled upon is not right. But it feels surreal. Numb even as his brain tries to catch up to what his body already knows.
He extends his hand. Jungkook takes it and gives it a firm shake as he does a polite bow.
Taehyung turns back to Duri. “I thought you had to work today?”
Duri is visibly rattled. His eyes dart between Jungkook and Taehyung.
“Duri?” It isn’t that a huge amount of time has passed. Possibly only seconds. But the truth, if he is going to tell the truth, shouldn’t take but seconds.
Taehyung is hyperaware that every second passing means he is less and less likely to get anything close to honesty.
Not that he really needs to Duri to tell him what he already knows.
He’s surprised when Jungkook speak up. “That’s probably my fault. I convinced him to play hooky from work today and hang out with me. Sun hasn’t shone in weeks until today.”
Taehyung’s attention turns to him. Jungkook clearly isn’t reading the situation correctly. He must think Taehyung is a friend or coworker. Possibly even a relative.
His innocent smile and eyes indicate he has no idea that Duri and Taehyung have been in a long-term relationship for over five years.
He just stares at Jungkook. Unsure what to say. He turns back to Duri. His silence is infuriating. And Taehyung gets loud.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Duri? Five years together? How long have you been cheating?” He motions towards Jungkook. “Is he the first? Or have I just been blind?”
Before Duri can answer, Jungkook interjects. Finally realizes what’s happening.
“What the fuck? You told me you didn’t have a boyfriend? You told me you were single?”
Taehyung suddenly realizes that most of the people at the gas station have stopped what they are doing to watch. He cringes at the idea that his shattered heart is noon time entertainment, but it’s too late now.
Duri continues to glance between the two, probably trying to figure out which of them is going to be more forgiving. Taehyung can feel the bile and the bitterness rising in his throat.
“He’s single now,” he snaps. He turns to Jungkook and points at Duri. “You can have him. All.of.him. Including his tiny dick.”
Taehyung doesn’t wait for a response as he turns to walk to his car. A few people give him thumbs up and call out short phrases of support as he opens his car door and climbs inside holding the tears back as best as he can.
Anger, humiliation, pain, sadness. He isn’t sure which one to feel. But he can’t indulge in any emotion because the longer he sits at the gas station, the more likely he is going to look back over at the motorcycle. The more likely he might decide that there’s one more thing he thinks he needs to say.
And he doesn’t want to give Duri the satisfaction. Nor does he want to give an encore for the onlookers.
His hands are shaking as he turns his car toward the exit and keeps his eyes on the road.
When he pulls into the parking lot of his workplace, he sits for just a minute and waits for the tears to come.
But they don’t.
He takes a deep breath and exhales.
Tears will probably come later, he bitterly laments. He has the rest of his life to cry. He just needs to get through the next four hours. Then he can go home and cry his heart out.
He clocks back in and throws himself into waiting tables. He doesn’t love his job at all, but a few tables are friendly and funny, and he enjoys the distraction of taking care of someone even in this limited way.
It reminds him of all the ways he took care of Duri. All the ways he tried to love him. Always telling himself that eventually he would love him enough that he’d get at least a half of it back.
But he never did.
Leaning up against the wall in the back room he takes a sip of water. Giving himself just a moment away from the dining room. He considers that he won’t miss being loved. Because that never really happened.
But he realizes he will miss loving someone else.
In the past few hours, his phone has blown up with texts from Duri. They all say essentially the same thing in a variety of ways.
I’m sorry, Tae. It just happened. I would never hurt you.
Please forgive me. Let’s just forget this and start over.
You know I love you.
Please answer me. Just give me another chance. I made a mistake
He darkens his phone screen and doesn’t answer. He can’t go down this rabbit hole right now. Puts his glass in the sink and hurries back out to the dining room to check on his tables.
Things are slower at this time of the afternoon. Right before customers begin flooding in for dinner.
He scans his tables. The small table near the window, in his section, has a new guest. But it’s not just anyone. It’s the black leather clad guy with the motorcycle.
He isn’t in the mood to deal with this. He turns to Dasom who is standing just a few feet away by the counter.
“Hey, switch me tables? Please?”
“Which one?” She is untying the back of apron.
“The small table by the window. It’s a guy alone. He’s not bad looking. Maybe you could get a last-minute date for this weekend.”
Dasom doesn’t even look as she takes off her apron and folds it over her arm.
“First of all, I’m on break so I can’t take it.” She looks up at him and grins. “But more importantly I don’t think he’d be interested in me because he asked to be seated in your section.” She laughs as she turns to walk into the back room. “And by the way, he’s not only not bad looking – he’s freaking hot.”
Taehyung sighs and rolls his eyes as he accepts the reality that he will have to wait on Mr. Motorcycle. He is equal parts irritated and creeped out that he has come in and specifically requested him.
He makes his way to the table. Determined to not give this guy any indication that he even recognizes him.
“Afternoon,” he says politely, keeping his eyes fixed on his order pad, “what can I get for you?”
“I came here to talk to you. I want to explain.”
Taehyung looks at his face for the first time since reaching the table. In addition to his all black leather attire he has several piercings. Three or four in each ear, one in his eyebrow and another on his lip.
“Believe me, that’s not necessary,” Taehyung truly means it. He doesn’t have anything to say to this guy. For as angry as hurt as he is. He already knows that he didn’t know Duri was in a relationship with him. And he doesn’t want to know more about whatever it is they were doing. And maybe even still are. Just because Duri texted a dozen times this afternoon, doesn’t mean that he isn’t still lying.
But Mr. Motorcycle is insistent.
“Taehyung, please talk to me for just a minute.”
“How do you even know my name? How did you know where I worked?”
Mr. Motorcycle points towards the name tag on Taehyung’s breast that clearly showcases both.
He instinctively puts his order pad over it as though he doesn’t want to continue to be vulnerable. He’s already been exposed enough.
“I don’t even remember your name,” he says dismissively. Feeling the tiniest but of satisfaction.
“It’s Jungkook,” he says meekly. Apologetically.
The contempt drains from Taehyung’s body when he looks down at him. He suddenly becomes aware that Jungkook is also a victim of Duri’s unfaithfulness.
A mutual acknowledgement lingers in the unspoken that even though they are strangers, they are experiencing the same hurt and disappointment.
Taehyung looks back over his shoulder to glance at his other tables.
“Alright, Jungkook,” he concedes. “But you’ll need to make it quick. I have other tables I need to check back at.”
“When do you get off?”
Taehyung hesitates. Not sure if he wants to give out the information. Then changes his mind. He doubts Jungkook will want to wait around.
“A little over an hour.”
“Okay, great,” he smiles gratefully. “I haven’t eaten today. So maybe I can just do that now and wait for you?”
“Sure. If you want.” Taehyung readies his pen to write on the order pad. “What can I get you?”
“How about ramyeon?”
“Sounds good. I’ll get that right in.”
He nods to Jungkook and returns to his other tables. He can’t help but to steal a glance on occasion to the table by the window. Dasom is right. Jungkook actually is extremely handsome. He can say that objectively. But when he thinks about the fact that and Duri have been together and he doesn’t know for how long, it makes his stomach turn.
Jungkook busies himself by scrolling through his phone. Taehyung goes on alert when he sees him typing. Then is relieved when he doesn’t continue, but goes back to scrolling. He wonders if Jungkook is receiving apology messages too.
He delivers the ramyeon with a polite nod and doesn’t linger. Even though Jungkook doesn’t give any indication that he doesn’t want him to.
When his shift comes to a close, he unties his apron and hangs it in the backroom. Dasom leans in the entry.
“Looks like hot guy is waiting for you?”
Taehyung nods, but then feels compelled to explain. “It’s not what you think. I caught him earlier today, with Duri.”
Dasom stands straight and drops her mouth open. “Duri is cheating on you with that guy?”
“Technically, yes,” Taehyung admits. “He wants to talk to me now. I don’t know why. I guess I’m getting ready to find out.”
“Good luck,” she nudges her elbow into his side as he passes by on his way back out to the dining room.
Taehyung feels like Jungkook deserves some credit for waiting so long. He had finished his ramyeon in record time. And that means he has spent most of his time just waiting for Taehyung.
“Hey,” he says quietly as he approaches the table.
Jungkook looks up. “Hey. You want to go somewhere and talk?”
“No,” Taehyung sits down in the seat across from him. “This is fine. We can just talk here.” He is thinking this shouldn’t take long anyway and there is no need to go through the logistics of trying to find another place to go.
“Okay,” Jungkook nods, “Fair enough.”
Taehyung waits. He isn’t the one who wanted this meeting anyway. It’s only right that he lets Jungkook explain why he is here.
“First all, I want you to know that I had no idea. No idea at all. And I am so incredibly sorry. If I had any idea that Duri was already in a relationship, I would not have given him the time of day. I specifically asked and he told me he wasn’t with anyone.”
Taehyung shrugs. What can he say?
“It’s fine.”
“No, no it’s not fine,” Jungkook says emphatically. “You got completely blindsided today and it was awful. I could tell by the look on your face how shocked you were. And he just sat there and took no accountability for it. He owed you an explanation and he just sat there.”
“He owed you an explanation too,” Taehyung counters. “You looked pretty shocked yourself.”
“Yeah, I was,” Jungkook admits, “but all I’ve been able to think about all afternoon is how I would have felt if I’d been in your place. I would’ve probably wanted to punch his damn face.”
“I’m not much of a fighter,” Taehyung leans back and slouches in his seat.
“Well, you hit him with your words.” Jungkook grins. “That tiny dick comeback was classic.”
Taehyung lets himself smile just a little. “That’s probably the most aggressive I’ve ever been with him or anyone. He ran over me all the time. Because he knew he could.” Taehyung sits up straight a memory having popped into his head so quickly he doesn’t even weigh whether he should share it or not. It just feels so good to finally speak the truth instead of pretending to be okay.
“He even told me on more than one occasion that he wished I was more of a man.”
Jungkook tenses in indignance. “A man? He doesn’t know shit about being a man!”
“I don’t know. I think he always wanted me to be different than the way I am. More rugged maybe. Or rough. Bulk up with muscles or something.” It suddenly hits him. “I guess someone more like you.”
Jungkook simply says, “That’s bullshit.” But doesn’t elaborate. Taehyung wonders if deep down he does see some truth in what he just said.
“You don’t have to tell me, as it’s none of my business,” Taehyung starts, “but can I ask what happened after I left? Did you punch his face?”
“No,” Jungkook shakes his head. “Wanting to and doing it are two different things. I box enough to know I could do damage. I would never fight unless I had too. And anyways I didn’t even want my fist to touch his pathetic face. I just left him there.”
Taehyung’s eyes widen. “You just left him at the gas station?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t about to let him back on my bike. I told him I never wanted to see him again and I peeled out. Rode around for a while thinking. And I knew I had to come and tell you that I was sorry.”
“You don’t really owe me an apology. I know you didn’t know.”
“I can still be sorry. I don’t want to see anyone hurt.”
“Well for what it’s worth I’m sorry for you too. You probably thought you’d found a great guy. He seems like that in the beginning.”
Jungkook shrugs but doesn’t confirm or deny. Taehyung wonders if they hadn’t been together long enough that he’d gotten to see the real Duri. He briefly considers that maybe Duri wouldn’t have been that way with Jungkook. Maybe he wouldn’t have ever fallen out of love with him.
“The only thing that pisses me off for myself is that this was the first Valentine’s Day in years that I’ve been dating and had something to do outside of being holed up in my apartment feeling sorry for myself.”
“I get that, but,” Taehyung tilts his head to the side, “I was with Duri for five years and I can say every Valentine’s Day was miserable and this one was likely to be the same.”
“He doesn’t take you out for Valentine’s Day?” Jungkook seems genuinely curious or concerned. Taehyung isn’t sure.
“We would usually do something.” Taehyung explains. “A few times he bought me flowers. But he always made sure I knew it was a burden whatever it was. That I was a burden. And before you assume that I was asking for extravagant trips or jewelry or dinners, I assure you it was nothing like that.”
“What were the things you wanted?”
Jungkook asks it with such sincerity it gives Taehyung pause. A lump forms in his throat. When was the last time someone, asked him that question. In that way. Genuine interest instead of exasperation. What is it you want now, Tae
“Simple things honestly. Just to spend time together. Indoor picnic, simple dinner, walking by the Han. There was one thing I always wanted. And I told him. So many times, I told him. But every year he would say he forgot. But he used to say it was a waste of money. It wasn’t even that expensive.”
Jungkook cocks his head like he’s trying to figure out what it is.
“It’s silly,” Taehyung waves his hand. “It’s stupid that it would even upset me. I mean look, he cheated on me. It doesn’t really get worse than that.”
“No,” Jungkook says softly, “tell me what it was…I want to know.”
Taehyung sighs, embarrassed with his admission, but also remembering the disappointment each year. Knowing that this year would not have likely been any different.
“You know those boxes of assorted chocolates?”
“The ones they sell for Valentine’s Day?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung turns the salt shaker on the table and doesn’t meet Jungkook’s eyes. “I always hoped he would buy me one of the red or pink heart shaped ones. Decorated with the satin or lace or velvet. Not a big one. Just a medium size one.”
Jungkook doesn’t say anything.
“I know it’s not a big deal. And it’s actually sort of stupid. It’s just a box of chocolates. But I just remember seeing those in the windows when I was kid. It’s not the type of thing you buy for yourself, you know, it’s one of those things that is ‘too much’ and ‘over the top’ but it’s perfect. This beautiful little heart shaped box that someone picked out just for you.”
“I don’t think it’s stupid at all.” Jungkook says with certainty. “They literally sell those next to the flowers at most shops. How hard would it have been to pick one up?”
“I don’t know. He probably decided I should only get one and he went with what was easy. It was always red roses if he got me anything at all. And he always let me know how ridiculous it was to overpay for flowers that die in a few days. Which don’t get me wrong. I love flowers of all kind. And I love roses. But I would tell him my other favorite flowers or tell him he could get me a little plant or anything. I love white tulips. Just one white tulip would have been more than enough. Honestly, anything would have been more than enough if he truly wanted to give it to me.”
“I’m sorry. It really sounds like he sucks.” Jungkook smirks. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I feel like I dodged a bullet. You did me a favor today by running into us.”
“Maybe it was just me.” Taehyung pauses. “Maybe he would have been different with you.
“Are you kidding,” Jungkook scoffs. “Not a prick like that. He’s going to be that way with anyone. Look, I hope you don’t think that there is anything you could have done to prevent this. Him cheating on you. That’s not on you. That’s on him. He did that because of who he is. Not because of who you were or weren’t.”
Taehyung nods. Tries to be convincing. At least to Jungkook if he can’t convince himself just yet.
But apparently Jungkook catches it. “I know you don’t believe me now. But I hope you do one day.”
“I’ll work on it, alright?” Taehyung smiles. He isn’t sorry he stayed to talk to Jungkook. He’s a nice guy. Too nice for someone like Duri.
“So, what torturous V-day plans did you have for the creep tomorrow?
It makes Taehyung laugh. Even though he probably won’t be later when he is alone. At least he is now.
“Museum,” Taehyung says lightheartedly. “The worst kind of torture.”
Jungkook’s laugh is real and happy and he is surprised that just listening to it makes him feel better. “You’re a monster, Taehyung. A monster.”
“Truth it is was a very specific exhibit. You know one of those temporary ones they have at the National Museum.”
“Hmm,” Jungkook presses his lips together. “What was it about?”
“Korean folklore, myths, fairytales. Stuff like that. All having to do with love. I thought it would be cool. All those stories we used to read in school. Art, artifacts, stuff like that. I didn’t ask him to buy the tickets. He always said I’m a nerd for loving stories and reading so much. I went ahead and bought them myself.”
He admits to Jungkook that he loves stories and reading. But leaves out the part that he also just loves love.
“That sounds cool. Herdsman and Weaver was always my favorite one.”
“Oh, I love that one,” Taehyung gushes. “I don’t mean to offend you, but I wouldn’t have guessed you to be much of a reader or museum goer.”
Jungkook doesn’t seem offended. He chuckles like this isn’t the first time someone had made that assumption about it.
“It’s the clothes, right? All black? The leather and piercings?” He touches each item as he references it. It’s hard to not notice how nice his hands are.
“Yes,” Taehyung grins as his finger points towards the floor, “and those bad ass looking combat boots and your motorcycle.”
“Well don’t let my looks deceive you. I am the hardest looking softie you’ll ever meet.”
Taehyung reminds himself to take it for what it is. Just some harmless banter. Maybe a little flirtation mixed in. His heart wants to leap with joy at meeting an incredibly attractive guy who is also sweet and sensitive. But he’s fallen for that so many times. People usually are good at knowing how to say what you want to hear.
He just nods. Decides it’s time to make his exit before this guy starts looking perfect and Taehyung gets his heart broken again.
“I guess I should let you go,” he starts to wrap things up. “Thank you for apologizing and for telling me the truth. I guess we both got our Valentine’s Days ruined. I’m guessing you were his date after me tomorrow because he told me we had to finish dinner by 8pm.”
“Yeah,” Jungkook confirms, “we had plans to go to a couple of clubs in the evening.”
Taehyung isn’t surprised. Duri probably met Jungkook in a club. Taehyung went on occasion because Duri wanted him to, but he didn’t like the club scene at all. Despite Jungkook’s recent display of charm and sensitivity, he was still that guy. The leather clad stud that rolls up to a club in his motorcycle and probably takes home anyone he wants.
“Well, I’m sorry your plans got ruined.” He stands. “I hope you have a good day though. And thank you again. This really did help.”
“No, hey, wait,” Jungkook exclaims as he stands and gets into Taehyung’s space.
Taehyung stops, but take a step back.
“Sorry, I got excited there.” Jungkook’s face and voice is bashful. He rubs his left forearm with his right hand. The leather rustles. “I was just thinking there isn’t any reason that tomorrow is ruined for us too. Let Duri be the sad one tomorrow who’s all alone. Why don’t you and I just do Valentine’s Day together?”
Taehyung doesn’t mean to, but he realizes he is giving Jungkook a suspicious look.
“Not like a couple,” Jungkook clarifies. “I don’t mean like that. It’s just you’ve got those tickets and it’d be a waste if you don’t go. I’d even buy the second ticket from you. Unless of course, you already had another friend or something you were going to give it to. Then that is totally fine. I don’t want to – “
His voice gets a little more high-pitched and speeds up as he goes into panic mode. He seems to be on the verge of rambling.
“Yeah,” Taehyung says simply.
“Yeah?” Jungkook sounds surprised.
“Sure,” he pulls on his jacket and zips it up. “There isn’t any reason for us to mope around alone tomorrow.”
“Exactly,” Jungkook grins in what looks like relief, “we can mope around together at the museum and then later at the club?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung laughs even though he still isn’t totally certain this is a great idea. But he decides it can’t hurt anything. And he does have the extra ticket.
“Alright!” Jungkook seems genuinely excited. “You want to exchange numbers?”
“Are you on Insta?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m on there. If you can’t find me, I’m friends with Duri.”
Jungkook shakes his head. “No way. I would have recognized you. I’m friends with Duri on Insta.”
Of course. Taehyung chides himself for being so naïve. Of course, Duri has second account. Maybe even more than one. He hopes he can wipe that realization from his mind before he gets home and starts getting sad and lonely and decides to go looking for it.
“Oh duh,” he taps his forehead with his palm. “I’m on there as KTH1212.”
“Okay,” Jungkook says a little too loud as he pulls out his phone and opens Insta, “I got you. I’ll message you tomorrow morning and we can nail down times.”
Taehyung nods. Eager to get home. It’s been a long, emotional day and, ironically, he just wants to be alone.
Even though they’d kept their own apartments, Taehyung’s is an active minefield of memories both good and bad.
He takes off his jacket and lays in on the couch. Does a quick survey of the room and brings his hands to his open mouth. His breath catches in his throat and the tears that had eluded him all day now flow freely.
Duri’s jacket on the hook, a spare pair of tennis shoes, two coffee mugs by the sink. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface.
Thinking of his belongings that are sitting over at Duri’s he feels nauseous.
It wasn’t that their relationship had been great. In fact, it had been quite difficult. In the beginning, Duri had seemed like a dream come true. He was incredibly attentive. Anticipating Taehyung’s needs and trying to meet them before he asked. He showered him with little gifts and wanted to spend all their time together.
Duri said I love you first and even though it seemed too early to Taehyung, unbelievable even, he convinced himself that it wasn’t impossible. And that he’d just gotten lucky meeting his soulmate. Someone who wanted to be with him forever.
Not long after Taehyung began to accept that Duri was for real, it started to become apparent that it was all too good to be true.
There were apparent signs. He didn’t text as much. He didn’t want to spend as much time together. But he would insist they were together and he still loved Taehyung. Then accuse him of being insecure and often follow that up with telling him how unattractive it was.
But for Taehyung, it was the look in Duri’s eyes. His touch. All things that he couldn’t explain, but just knew in his heart. Duri didn’t love him.
He wondered if he was just being insecure. And Duri did just enough. Infrequent, random things that echoed those first few months of being together. And it was just enough to keep Taehyung hanging because he gave him glimpses of the life he had hoped for.
Now it was all over. The story was done.
Duri had texted a few more times through the afternoon and early evening, but then stopped. The same apology over and over. The one that didn’t actually take responsibility or present a way to go forward. Every other text had been a plea to just meet to talk.
Taehyung didn’t answer any of the texts as he knew what it would be mean to meet up with Duri.
Now that it’s been hour since the last text, and hours since leaving work and Jungkook, he’s been alone long enough for the grief to take hold.
Sitting on the couch in a stupor for who knows how long, he’s been trying to watch one of his favorite anime but he can’t focus.
Next to him, his phone buzzes.
He hates the relief he feels at the sound, because a part of him hopes it’s Duri. Even though he hadn’t answered any of his texts, and he told himself he wanted them to stop. When it came down to, doesn’t want to face the truth of what it might mean when Duri stops asking for his forgiveness.
But when he picks up his phone, the notification isn’t a message from Duri.
It’s from Jungkook.
He’s conflicted. And because of that, he doesn’t feel the excitement that a text from a cute guy might have usually garnered.
On one hand, Jungkook is shockingly kind and devastatingly handsome. On the other hand, less than 24 hours ago, he was also with Taehyung’s boyfriend.
But he’s basically a stranger, so Taehyung doesn’t know enough about him and his intentions yet. And more significantly, he is a stranger that has played a starring role in the story of Taehyung’s heartbreak. Whether he knew it or not.
He pulls up his phone and opens the message.
Hey I hope you’re okay.
We can take my bike tomorrow if you want?
The last place Taehyung wants to be is on the back of Jungkook’s bike. The same place he discovered Duri’s infidelity He almost texts back and tells Jungkook to just forget about tomorrow all together. He also considers just not answering the text. But when he thinks about it again, he reconsiders. He does have the extra ticket and it’s just a trip to the museum. Nothing more.
No, I’ll pass on the bike.
Let’s just meet front of museum at noon.
It doesn’t take but a second for Jungkook to text back.
Okay. Sounds good
See you tomorrow at noon.
Taehyung has a moment, albeit brief, of regret. Jungkook might have been open to a conversation tonight by text, which would have at least distracted him from his loneliness and his thoughts. He puts his phone back down. Tells himself he knows better. That it’s time to accept some things. And so he lets himself go down into that dark melancholy hopeless.
Even when things were good with Duri, they really never were. He had wanted to believe it so bad that he believed all the lies. Especially the one he told himself.
But there are some things that he suspects aren’t lies. And he reminds himself so that he won’t ever get hurt again.
People just use others until they no longer have a use for them. He needs to decide if he wants to be used or if he’s bold enough to be the user.
Love is just stories. Things we make up to feel less alone. But at the end of the day – Love isn’t real.
He’s been down this thought process before. Plenty of times while he was with Duri, and before that with other broken hearts.
It’s the only way he’s figured out to cope. Just shut it all out. The problem is that it never works. And tonight is no different.
He puts on a playlist of love songs and lays listless in bed until he falls asleep.
Jungkook is waiting outside the National Museum. Still wearing all black, but no leather. He is dressed in a pair of black jeans again and some less slightly less aggressive combat boots, but he has traded in his t-shirt and leather jacket for a black button-down shirt.
He looks nice. Even more handsome than Taehyung remembers.
“Hey,” Jungkook smiles widely as he approaches.
“Hey,” Taehyung responds a little less enthusiastically as he shoves both hands in the pockets of his khaki trousers. After having not dated for five years, he had forgotten the nervousness of first date jitters.
Not that this is a date.
Surely Jungkook doesn’t think it’s a date.
“I was kind of worried I’d fucked this up entirely and you were going to cancel on me today,” he admits as he tucks his hands in his back pockets.
“Fucked up? How?”
Jungkook looks down and scuffs at the pavement with the toe of his boot. “Oh, I made the dumb ass move of offering to pick you up on my bike. I just wasn’t thinking and then when I realized …” he bounces the palm of his hand against the corner of his forehead “…duh…of course you wouldn’t want to ride on the back of my motorcycle.”
Taehyung is struck by the awareness. He hadn’t given any indication that he wasn’t thrilled with the invitation. But nevertheless, Jungkook had thought about it on his own and concluded that it could have been seen as offensive or at the very least in bad taste.
He tilts his head and gives his first genuinely relaxed smile of the day. “Yeah, it’s nothing against you or your motorcycle, but you know…I’m just not too keen to be your next passenger after your last one.”
“Totally get it,” Jungkook shakes his head emphatically. “If I were in your shoes I wouldn’t want to either. It was dumb of me to ask.”
Jungkook’s sincerity tugs at his heart. “It’s alright. Really. Just forget about it.” He hands him the ticket. “Here let’s go in.”
“You printed them out?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung feels suddenly vulnerable, “I know I didn’t need to but I really like having something to save to remember…you know like this was supposed to be a Valentine’s date and – “
He stops because he doesn’t want to be seen as silly but he fears it’s too late. Duri thought saving ticket stubs and restaurant matches was dumb. He was usually dismissive and even irritated about it at times.
“That’s really cool,” Jungkook looks down at the ticket in his hand. “If you don’t mind…I mean if it’s alright with you…can I keep this one.”
Taehyung laughs. Amused at how eager Jungkook’s face is. “Of course, it’s your ticket.”
“Well technically, I really should pay you for it because this isn’t exactly the date you’d planned.” He reaches into his pocket like he might retrieve his wallet.
“No, no, god no.” Taehyung shakes his head and hands. He hadn’t even considered asking Jungkook to pay for the ticket.
“Okay. Then I’ll pay tonight,” he says decisively. “Drinks are on me.”
Taehyung pauses and then nods graciously. He had expended a generous amount of brain power last night trying to figure out how to get out of going to the club with Jungkook tonight. Could he feign illness after the museum? A stomach ache? Fall down the stairs on the way out and claim he sprained his ankle?
He had fallen asleep before he’d been able to come up with a good plan. And now he is going to be stuck going to a club tonight. Maybe he can get a migraine and leave early.
Jungkook seems pleased. Really pleased. And Taehyung wonders if this was the best idea. What do they even have in common outside of having been attracted to Duri.
He dismisses the thought so he can pick it up and obsess over it later as they head into the museum.
Jungkook admits that it’s been quite a while since he’s been in the National Museum. Having been there the last time at some point in grade school.
Taehyung can’t hold it against him. He hasn’t been there himself since high school. But this temporary exhibit on love had caught his eye. And if he’s being completely honest, the idea of walking through it with Duri and hopefully rekindling some sense of love and affection had been at the back of his mind.
Deep down he knows it wouldn’t have had the intended outcome. Duri had been Duri for years.
And Taehyung had been unhappy for years.
Finding Duri cheating had just been confirmation of what he already knew in his heart.
Suddenly he feels a lot less excited about the exhibit. If he were here alone – and if it weren’t for Jungkook’s wide eyed wondered response to the various permanent displays on the first floor, Taehyung probably would just leave the museum, go home, and spend the rest of the day in bed feeling sorry for himself.
His melancholy thoughts are interrupted by Jungkook who has found a small hands-on exhibit intended for children where they can try on traditional Korean clothing.
He has the gat on his head and is trying to stick in arm in a much too small jeogori when Taehyung notices and bursts into laughter. It’s genuine and it feels good and it only causes Jungkook to smile wider.
“You know that’s a really good way to get lice?” Taehyung says between chuckles. “I can’t imagine how many little kids have had that hat on their head before you.”
“Oh no!” He drops his head straight down and lets the hat fall into his hands. He shudders as he sets it back on the bench. “Ugh. My whole class got lice in school. I got it too.” Shudders again. “It was terrible!”
His silliness is warm and friendly and in no way performative. And as Taehyung watches him straighten the garments for the next little kid he’s struck by how genuine Jungkook seems.
“What?” Jungkook smiles before his face quickly drops to a look of worry as he tilts his head toward Taehyung. “Oh damn, do you see a bug?”
“No,” Taehyung laughs and playfully punches his shoulder. “It’s just funny.” He points to a group of school age girls giggle at them. “You’ve even got an audience.”
Jungkook smiles bashfully and bows toward the girls which makes them giggle even more.
“So where’s the special exhibit?” He turns to Taehyung excitedly. “You’d probably like to get there.”
“Yeah, whenever,” Taehyung waves his hand. “I haven’t been here in years, and clearly neither have you. This is fun too.”
“We can come back another time,” Jungkook assures him. “Let’s go find it.”
They take their time getting to the third floor where the exhibit on love is displayed. On the way, Taehyung notes the way Jungkook likes to stop and read the cards on the exhibits. The kinds of things he notices. The kind of questions he asks. It’s been years since he’s been anywhere with someone who’s just as curious as he is. Someone who is interested in the same things he is. Or at least interested in knowing why he is interested in the things he is.
They show their tickets at the entrance to the special exhibit and as Taehyung puts his ticket into his jacket pocket, he notices that Jungkook carefully folds his in half and then seems to have a small personal dilemma on whether to put it in his front shirt pocket or back pants pocket. When he finally settles on the front shirt pocket and places it inside, Taehyung can’t help but notice that about a minute later his hand returns to the outside of the pocket where he pats carefully as though he’s checking to make sure it’s there.
The exbibit doesn’t look to be huge two, maybe three large rooms. As they enter the first, Jungkook’exclaims, “Oh cool! Look!”
He’s pointing at one of the walls that has some screenshots of different K-dramas making connections to the mythologies and legends from which they have sometimes taken inspiration.
“I didn’t know this was going to connect myths and stories to modern dramas!”
“Yeah,” Taehyung is assumed with his enthusiasm. “You like shows like that? I really didn’t have you figured for that at all?”
“Are you kidding?” Jungkook gushes. “I love them!” He immediately begins to list off his top five of all time as well as the ones he is watching now. To which Taehyung gets equally excited and shares his top five of all time.
“Why didn’t you figure me for liking love stories?” Jungkook gets very serious as they continue to walk through the exhibit.
“I don’t know,” Taehyung admits. And he really doesn’t know exactly why. “I suppose I made the assumption because you were with Duri and he hated watching anything like that.”
“But you were with him too?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung nods and scoffs, “but I’m not sure why he was with me, because he pretty much disliked and criticized everything about me. I guess that’s why I just assumed you must be so different than me.”
“I wasn’t sure how much you would want to talk about him, so I hadn’t even mentioned his name,” Jungkook hesitates. “But there is something I wanted to make sure you knew. Now that you brought him up I feel like I can tell you.”
“What’s that?” Taehyung asks although he isn’t completely sure he wants to know.
“I haven’t known Duri for long. Not long at all.” Jungkook explained. “Last night I was worried that maybe you thought he and I had had a thing for a long time and he’d been cheating on you for a long time, but I just met him about a month ago. Literally where I work. We’d only be going out for a few weeks.”
“Oh,” Taehyung says simply. It doesn’t make him feel better or worse. Over the past 24 hours, he’s begun to see that the problem with his relationship didn’t start with the appearance of Jungkook. There’d been plenty of other problems.
“I work at the garage where he brought his car in to get fixed.”
Taehyung remembers. The day the car broke down on the side of the road.
“I remember,” he says simply. “He was pretty upset with how much it cost to get it fixed.”
“It shouldn’t have needed fixed at all,” Jungkook laughs. “Car would have been fine if he’d just take care of it with some type of regular maintenance. He hadn’t gotten an oil change in ages. He’s lucky we were even able to fix it.”
Duri had been so angry and antagonistic that he’d picked a fight with him right there on the side of the road. Telling him it was his fault because they were running late. Even though it made absolutely no sense, it had hurt his feelings. Obviously he had known it wasn’t his fault. But Jungkook’s confirmation is vindicating. He considers mentioning it, but quickly changes his mind.
“Anyway,” Jungkook stammers, “I just wanted you to know that. Because I still feel bad I didn’t know about you.”
“Thank you,” Taehyung means it, but he also doesn’t think it’s necessary for Jungkook carry any of the guilt. “But honestly, things weren’t that good between us. And hadn’t been for a long time. I’m not going to lie and say it felt good to see you with him. But I wouldn’t be being honest if I told you that we didn’t already have a lot of problems.”
“I can see that,” Jungkook says softly.
“Oh?”
“Well, Duri was kind of a dick,” he says matter of fact. “And you’re just…you’re just so different…so not.”
“You mean he’s a dick because of what you saw him do to me?”
“That, yes,” Jungkook admits. “But even after a few weeks, I could tell with the way he was with me. Like he starts out all great, but then it’s like he can’t keep pretending and he shows how he really is. I’d prefer if someone’s an asshole just show that upfront.”
Taehyung doesn’t need to hear the details to know exactly what Jungkook means. “That’s pretty much the way of it,” he confirms. “It didn’t take long after we started going out for him to start acting different. Like once he got me, he didn’t need to keep me.”
Jungkook nods like he understands.
“It isn’t that think someone has to be afraid of losing me all the time and so they need to do amazing things to keep me,” he clarifies. “I don’t mean it like that. I just mean it sucks when someone tries to make you think they’re into you and want to be with you, but then they stop doing those things. And they start acting like they don’t really care, but they still say they want to be with you – “
Jungkook interrupts, “- but you know that they don’t or they wouldn’t act like that.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“You guys were together for five years?”
“Uh huh,” Taehyung mumbles. The reality of five wasted years is a heavy weight.
“That’s a really long time to feel unloved by the person you’re trying to love,” Jungkook says softly. “I’m really sorry, Taehyung.”
His voice is truly apologetic. He’s not just saying that he is sorry that Duri was on the back of his motorcycle. It’s like he is saying sorry for stories that Taehyung hasn’t even told him.
“Eh,” he shrugs and changes the subject. “Look at this,” he says as the walk together towards an exhibit with some artifacts in a case.
The afternoon goes by all too quickly. And as they stand outside the museum, Taehyung is somewhat sorry it’s over. Spending the day with Jungkook wasn’t the terrible idea he had feared it might be.
For a brief moment he even considers suggesting they go get dinner before going to the club later tonight. Or even better, he wants to suggest they just go to dinner and then go back to one of their apartments and binge-watch some dramas.
But he doesn’t.
And he doesn’t know why.
It could be that suggesting dinners sounds too much like a date. And maybe Taehyung isn’t ready for that. And maybe he isn’t ready for Jungkook to accept that offer. And maybe he isn’t ready for Jungkook to refuse that offer.
Regardless. He tells him self the exact reason doesn’t matter.
He just isn’t ready.
They exchange actual numbers and Taehyung gives him the address to his apartment, agreeing that Jungkook will pick him up around 8pm and they can head to the club.
When gets back to his apartment he considers taking a nap, as it’s only 5pm. But he’s too keyed up. The afternoon was good. Really good. The exhibit was full of all the things he loves. The myths of Jingyuo and Kyonyu, the star-crossed lovers who end up as stars in they sky. The tragedy of the Fairy and the Woodcutter.
And his favorite. The story of Chunhyang, whose fidelity and devotion is rewarded with a happily ever after.
He wants to believe that it’s possible.
That there is love that exists between people that is full of devotion and mutual respect.
But each year it gets harder. And the past five years have taken their toll on his optimism.
He turns on one of the dramas that Jungkook had mentioned. It has been on his watch list for a while, but he just hadn’t gotten to it yet. Jungkook had suggested that they watch it together, but Taehyung didn’t quite commit to that. He decides there is no harm in taking a quick preview for himself and then he can watch it in its entirety with Jungkook later if the opportunity ever presents itself.
But laying on his couch, just a few minutes in, the exhaustion of walking all day through the museum catches up to him and he dozes off.
Thankfully he had set the alarm on his phone to remind him when he should start getting ready for the evening. Just in case he got distracted as he hadn’t anticipated that he would fall asleep.
He finds what he considers an acceptable club outfit in his closet. Just a pair of black pants and a button-down white blouse with random silver and black designs.
He showers and then dresses. Popping a few hoops into his ears and a simple bracelet on his wrist and ring on his finger.
He thinks about the jewelry. How it seemed like he could never get it right for Duri. He either wore too much or not enough.
Too much or not enough.
The phrase hangs in his mind. If he ever writes a book about his experience with love he thinks that might be a good title.
Styling his damp hair in the mirror, he stares at his reflection.
A club is the last thing he wants to do tonight. Now that he’s no longer with Duri, why is he agreeing to go to a club at all. He doesn’t know Jungkook well enough to feel like he owes him anything.
Well wait a minute he thinks. He did go with Taehyung to the museum today, so it’s only fair that they go where he wants tonight.
But then again, Jungkook had seemed to legitimately enjoy the museum, so it maybe it wasn’t really a hardship for him.
Unless.
Maybe Jungkook had just been pretending to be excited today. Putting on his best face because thought that was what Taehyung wanted.
“Argh!” He groans and slams down the comb in exhaustion from the mental gymnastics he puts himself through.
It’s at that point he notices the time on the clock on the bathroom shelf.
It’s 8:02pm
He picks it up and shakes it. Maybe it stopped this morning.
Now it’s 8:03pm.
It’s working fine.
Suddenly, he isn’t as concerned with getting his hair just right.
Jungkook’s late.
Just to be sure he goes into the living room and picks his phone up from the couch.
It’s 8:04pm.
There are no texts or missed calls
He considers that maybe he got lost. Although when they’d talked about it earlier, Jungkook seemed to know exactly where he lived based on the address because of a friend who lived nearby.
He tells himself it probably isn’t anything to worry about. And the later they get to the club, the less time he has to be there as he can just say that he needs to get home at a decent time because he works tomorrow.
Opening the refrigerator he grabs a water and takes a drink. Tries his hardest not to think about what Duri might be doing tonight. Hell, he might have already had a third Valentine’s Day date option outside of Taehyung and Jungkook.
Unless.
What if Jungkook changed his mind. What if after spending the afternoon with Taehyung, he realized that he wasn’t that exciting. And if he decided he wanted to do something exciting tonight, maybe he would want to go to a club with someone more exciting. Someone more like Duri.
Duri hasn’t message him all day. But maybe he had messaged Jungkook.
Taehyung’s stomach turns. It’s all too upsetting to even think about. He’ll just drive himself crazy.
This, he tells himself, is why this wasn’t a good idea.
The next ten minutes or so drag on. And he begins to make a plan for what he will do if he gets stood up.
Somewhere right before 8:30pm, Jungkook knocks on the door.
Taehyung’s mood has bounced around between anger, resignation, apathy, and a ton of other emotions while he’s been waiting.
Unfortunately for Jungkook, the current mood is anger.
But not the kind that is honest and open. The cold shoulder kind. The kind that says, I’m going to try to show you that you can’t treat me like this, but it’s so out of character for me it’s really just an exercise in futility that you won’t take serious anyway.
As soon as Jungkook’s face comes into view he begins to apologize. “Oh damn, I’m so sorry I’m late! I couldn’t find the second helmet. Then I realized where it was…and I wasn’t about to call him and ask for it. So I had to run by my buddy’s because he had one. And then I wanted to run by – “
Taehyung holds up his hand in irritation. Jungkook’s reason for being late is totally valid, but the mention of Duri, even without using his name, is enough to sour him completely on the evening. And at this point, he isn’t afraid to give Jungkook plenty of hints as to how angry he is.
“It’s fine,” he snips as he turns to grab his coat.
“Hey wait a minute,” Jungkook’s voice is calm. “Are you alright? I really am sorry. What can I do to make it better?”
It sounds like he is indeed sorry, and it breaks Taehyung. Or maybe it’s the opposite. Maybe it puts him back together in places that other people broke.
Because he’s been in this situation before.
Standing here just like this for some reason or another and it didn’t look and feel like this.
Jungkook isn’t telling him to hurry him after being late himself.
Jungkook isn’t blaming him.
Jungkook isn’t acting like it’s no big deal that he is late and accusing Taehyung of overreacting.
None of those familiar things.
Jungkook is genuinely asking if he is alright. He is saying he wants to know what to do to make it better.
And it’s insane to Taehyung how that simple gesture. The courtesy of it. The politeness that isn’t earthshattering is so unexpected and shocking.
And he realizes that as simple as it is, what Jungkook just did is actually the start of making it better. Hell, it may even be the entirety of making it better.
Because people are sometimes late. Life happens. People who love each other step on each other’s toes and hurt one another’s feelings. And it isn’t the end of the world. It doesn’t always mean you aren’t loved or considered or respected.
And Jungkook just hurt his feelings. Admittedly probably not as much as Taehyung hurt his own feelings.
But right now in Jungkook’s voice there isn’t blame or excuses. There isn’t contempt or deceptiveness. He isn’t being pretentious or placating. He’s being genuine.
He is sorry and he wants to make it right.
And Taehyung isn’t sure what to do with it or how to respond. He’s afraid if he turns to look at Jungkook, he might burst into tears from how riled up he has gotten himself.
“Tae?”
Taehyung turns and manages to keep his composure. But damn, Jungkook’s eyes are sorry. Like really sorry. And he isn’t sure he can say anything without his voice cracking.
Jungkook sets his backpack he’s been holding next to the couch.
He sighs as he looks earnestly at Taehyung. “Now I wish I’d taken just another five minutes and picked up the flowers I wanted to get for you.”
A sudden, somewhat explosive laugh falls suddenly from Taehyung. Not because anything is funny, but because he’s been trying to hold back his emotions and Jungkook’s flower comment is the thing that breaks his restraints.
Jungkook looks confused as Taehyung does a combination of a tears through laughter that in its essence is nothing more than all the tension of the past two days, perhaps even the past five years, being finally released.
“I’m sorry,” he cries and laughs simultaneously. “It’s just been a lot. I think everything is catching up to me.”
Jungkook’s eyes gloss. “I don’t want to make it worse, but can I please hug you?”
Even though he asks, he doesn’t wait for a solid confirmation once Taehyung gives a small bob of his head. Jungkook takes it as a yes and pulls him into his arms. Which is probably a good thing because Taehyung wants him to, but isn’t able to get the words out clearly.
He allows himself to just be held. Jungkook’s arms are steady, but not too tight. He isn’t moving his hands all over. His right arm is over Taehyung’s left and his left arm under Taehyung’s right.
He just holds Taehyung firmly and silently. Taehyung ceases his laughing crying combo and just sighs. And lets himself be held for a moment.
Their arms loosen and Taehyung backs up, wipes his nose with his sleeve and says with a smirk. “Happy Valentines’s Day, I guess. I just snotted all over your shoulder.”
Jungkook smiles and shakes his head. “Eh, it just makes the leather look more weathered and that makes it cooler.”
Taehyung places his forefinger and thumb of his right hand on his forehead. “Seriously, I am sorry for the outburst. I guess when I realized you were late - I got to spiraling in my thoughts. This whole thing was probably not the best idea. I mean even though my relationship’s been over for quite a while. It was a shock with the way it ended yesterday. And I’ve got a lot of baggage that I can’t ask you to deal with.” Taehyung pauses. “Maybe once I get my head straight if you’re still interested.”
Jungkook listens. Looks at him thoughtfully. “I can understand that. I’m sorry if I seemed pushy. I just really did have a good time today. And even yesterday. Just being with you.”
“I did too. I had a great time today. But maybe this is just - ” Taehyung pauses. “I don’t know. And I should be honest about something with you. I’d rather take a bullet than go to a club tonight. Its not you. It’s just I hate that whole scene and - “
“Oh my god, thank goodness!” Jungkook exclaims and drops to the couch.
“You didn’t want to go? Why’d you invite me then?”
Jungkook holds his hand up to Taehyung who cautiously takes it as he pulls him around his legs to encourage him to sit down on the couch.
“When we were at the restaurant I just really liked talking to you and I didn’t want it to end. You could’ve told me you were going to pick up garbage today and I would have suggested we do it together. But I was beyond thrilled when you said you were going to a museum. I was going to suggest we just go to dinner afterwards, but I’d already told you that my original plans had been to go to the club. But that was Duri’s idea not mine. The problem was once I'd already told you about the club and you didn’t seem to think it was a bad idea, I didn't want to change it on you.”
“Oh no, I hate clubbing.”
“Me too.” Jungkook shakes his head. “I should have just taken the chance and told you, but I really wanted to spend today with you, and even though you didn’t seem to be the type to like clubbing, I really didn’t know and I was afraid to be honest if it meant we wouldn't get to hang out all day.”
“I guess we dodged a bullet then,” Taehyung forces a small chuckle. “The two of us at club not wanting to be at the club would have been torture.”
“No kidding,” Jungkook agrees. “At one point today I wanted to suggest we just follow up the museum with dinner and then binge watch some dramas.”
Taehyung laughs harder this time.
“What? Were you thinking the same?”
“Yep,” Taehyung purses his lips.
“Look, Tae,” Jungkook gets serious. “I don’t want you to think I’m just saying that I like the museum, I don’t like the club, I like dramas, or any of that just to impress you or win you over. Those things are true. That’s really who I am. And I was just super psyched today and I still am that you like the same stuff.”
Taehyung nods.
“And the other thing. I meant what I said, or what I tried to say earlier at the museum. I do think you’re really special. Like no one I’ve ever met. And I’m not saying that or being nice because I want to ‘get’ you. That’s not the type of person I am. And I know this is going to sound dumb and you can kick me out of here after I say it. But you know today at the museum, we were looking at that exhibit and so many stories have like people just seeing each other the first time and they just know. Like they just get it. Love at first sight. I’m not telling you I know it is, but I wonder if it could be. I was watching you and just thinking ‘man, I’ve never met anyone like him. I’ve never felt like this.’ I know it all sounds crazy, but maybe it isn’t.”
“I’m not going to kick you out,” Taehyung teases. “But I probably should. You’re a bad influence on me. You’re speaking to the hopeless romantic in me that I try to keep subdued.”
“Well let’s not be hopeless romantics. Let’s be hopeful romantics.” Jungkook tentatively touches the top of Taehyung’s hand. Taehyung turns it over and lets him take it. “I know relationships aren’t perfect and they can be hard sometimes. And I know we’re basically strangers who got a really weird start. And we need to get to know each other a lot better. And I am totally fine with going slow. And if that’s still too fast and you just need some time to yourself, I still want to be here as your friend.”
Taehyung squeezes his hand. “I like you too. A lot more than I expected too. And I’d be lying to say there isn’t something about all of this that seems so serendipitous. It’s definitely got the potential to be quite a story.”
“A new chapter,” Jungkook smiles.
“Let’s just do a whole new book.” Taehyung corrects him.
“Alright,” Jungkook agrees as he reaches for his backpack and unzips it. “In light of that, this is one of the reasons I was late because it took me a few places to find exactly what I was looking for. There’s no ulterior motive or expectations. I just wanted to get this for you. To remind you that what you want matters.”
From his backpack he pulls a pale pink satin heart-shaped box with lace and little red flowers on it. Taehyung knew what it was immediately. It was a box of chocolates just like he’d always wanted.
As he uses both hands to hold it out to Taehyung he smiles nervously. “Maybe this could be page one?”
Taehyung takes the box and gingerly touches the lace around the edge. “It’s lovely. Thank you. Really, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Jungkook says with a tiny hint of pride in his voice. “I was hoping you'd like it.”
“I love it,” Taehyung assures him. “Did you eat yet? How about we order in some dinner? And then we break into this box and catch up on that drama you told me about.”
Jungkook eagerly agrees.
But Taehyung feels like there is something more he wants to do. Even though he has expressed his gratitude, the moment seems to beg for something else. Something to let Jungkook know that it isn’t just the chocolates. It’s the honesty. It’s the gentleness in his touch and his voice. And the way he already seems to understand parts of Taehyung that no one else ever has. And the way that he seems willing to be patient to learn about the multitude of parts that he doesn’t know yet.
It’s the way they both want the truth. From each other and from themselves. And the way they both seem willing to give it even when it’s not easy.
There’s no way of knowing what will happen, but every story has to begin somewhere. And from there they just write the next line and then the next. One line at a time. Making corrections when they need to and working together to make the story right.
Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand again as it lays between them on the couch.
He’s nervous, but he’s ready to start writing a new story
His other hand finds Jungkook’s cheek as he pulls their lips gently together in a chaste kiss that he intends to convey his appreciation for today and his intention to be honest not only with him, but more importantly with himself.
It’s soft and sweet and even though it’s warming, it’s not that type of kiss just yet.
As the gentle kiss ends, he whispers, “so, once upon a time…”