Chapter Text
“You did great. I’m not sure why you were so nervous.”
“I wasn’t nervous.”
Taehyung rolls his eyes and pulls his bottom lip into his mouth to keep himself from responding. Not only was the nerves written all over Jungkook, but he had said that he was to Taehyung before they even got to the premiere.
And there’s a twitch in Jungkook’s lips that he tries to rub away like he remembers this too.
“Either way,” Taehyung says as he grabs the lapels of Jungkook’s jacket and nearly gives into the craving to pull him close, “You did well.”
He isn’t as good at keeping his hands to himself when the craving hits, not always. Not since Jungkook told him it was okay. He fluffs his fingers through the hair behind Jungkook’s ear and tugs gently. There’s still that nervous hint in Jungkook’s wide eyes, though Taehyung thinks maybe it isn’t for the same reason as before when those eyes drop to Taehyung’s mouth.
It’s amazing to Taehyung that Jungkook can be so shy just shortly after portraying the confidence of a demon full of sin like he had this morning. He had insisted Taehyung join him for his photoshoot this morning though he had to know Taehyung would struggle not to pass out amongst the staff as he watched Jungkook pose with a look in his eye that says he knows how attractive he is and uses that.
“I’m meeting with Seojoon hyung after,” Taehyung says just to distract himself from the way Jungkook looks at his mouth, though it hardly works. “Do you want to join? If not, we can do something else. He won’t mind.”
When Jungkook frowns, a tiny wrinkle appears between his scrunched eyebrows that, for some reason, Taehyung wants to thumb at until it disappears. “Don’t cancel your plans for me.”
Slowly, Taehyung pulls his fingers from Jungkook’s hair and turns to the screen that they’re waiting for to turn on. Partly to keep himself from kissing Jungkook’s frown, but also because he knows he’s going to make an embarrassing face when he confesses that it feels a bit physically impossible to separate from Jungkook right now.
He doesn’t know what it is. Of course, he always likes to be with Jungkook and near him, but sometimes, it’s like he has to be. He doesn’t know how to explain it, and he wishes to ask Jungkook if he’s ever felt the same way, but he’s afraid of coming off weird or something. He doesn’t mean it in a weird way, he doesn’t think or maybe he’s thinking too much.
“But I would like to join if that’s okay with the hyungs,” Jungkook says as he too adjusts in his seat and leans towards Taehyung until their shoulders are touching. Taehyung wonders if Jungkook does feel that desperate need to be close or if he can just tell when Taehyung does. Maybe he wouldn’t think Taehyung is so weird for it. “You never ask them if it’s okay to bring me along.”
Taehyung laughs under his breath. “They don’t care. They like you a lot.”
The room darkens and the quiet rumble that had been filling it disappears. He can still hear Jungkook sigh as he tilts his head so it’s leaning against Taehyung’s shoulder the moment the lights disappear.
“I like them too.”
Taehyung turns his head, but with how Jungkook lays on him, he doesn’t see his face. But with how close they are, his lips brush Jungkook’s hair and it has Jungkook tilting his own head to look at him.
“And me?” Taehyung whispers as he widens his eyes as much as he can and sinks a little lower in his chair.
Even in the dark, only the light from the screen, Taehyung can see the amusement burst across Jungkook’s face.
“A bit, a lot,” Jungkook mumbles as he turns back to the screen and adjusts back against him, humor in his tone. “I suppose.”
Taehyung crosses his arms over his chest and sinks lower as Jungkook laughs quietly. The screen flashes black just long enough for Jungkook to dart closer and press his lips to Taehyung’s ear.
“I love you , but shh, no pouting, the movie is going to start.”
Taehyung is a little drunk. Just a little bit, he swears. It’s the heat in his body that makes him feel more than tipsy, but that’s only a little bit of the alcohol’s fault. Jungkook is most to blame.
“How is it my fault?” Jungkook asks, amused as he grabs onto Taehyung’s shoulders to keep him from wrestling with his jacket before he helps him take it off.
Shit. Did he say that outloud? Taehyung frowns and stares at Jungkook’s smile. “You always make me - make me overheat.”
That smile grows as Jungkook cups Taehyung’s neck, causing a shiver to rip down his spine because his palm is cold compared to Taehyung’s burning skin.
“You feel fine to me,” Jungkook assures as he tosses the jacket aside and moves to Taehyung’s shirt next. “Maybe I don’t notice a difference because you’re always so hot.”
Jungkook snickers, his nose wrinkling with it, and Taehyung just stares at him as another wave of heat rolls through him.
Getting his shirt off doesn’t help much. He really does feel like he’s on fire and every brush of Jungkook’s hands against his skin makes it worse.
“As in attractive,” Jungkook clarifies as presses his hands to Taehyung’s shoulders to keep him seated before he moves away from him. “Though, you are warm too. A warm person, warm to cuddle. Warm all around.”
“What?” Taehyung’s heart feels funny in his chest, and he can’t help but press his palm over it to get it to calm down. It’s a nice feeling, but he worries that Jungkook will hear it.
“Shut up.” Jungkook grunts as he tosses another shirt to Taehyung. “Let me get you water.”
“Wait,” Taehyung gasps out in alarm, though Jungkook has barely moved. “Jungkook-ah, don’t go.”
Jungkook moves over to him, his now hot hands cupping Taehyung’s jaw to tilt his head up. “What?”
“Don’t go,” Taehyung complains as he attempts to fist his hands into Jungkook’s pants but they’re jeans and horrible. “I’m not drunk.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
Taehyung frowns even more because Jungkook is laughing as he helps him into his new shirt, carefully pulling it over his head and whispering to remain still when Taehyung tries to force his head through. It’s something loose and cool against his skin, which Taehyung needs yet he still craves the warmth of Jungkook’s hands instead. “I’m not.”
Jungkook doesn’t say anything, just smiles at him as Taehyung falls to the side and curls his legs towards his body. The couch is also cool against his skin, and despite being hot, Jungkook still covers him with a blanket and tucks it around his body.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jungkook promises the moment he’s finished, as if he can tell the words are back on Taehyung’s tongue. The words that almost tumble out when Jungkook moves away.
He doesn’t move far, just on the other part of the sectional, but it’s still an unsatisfactory distance. Taehyung stretches his legs and frowns when his toes don’t even reach Jungkook.
As soon as Jungkook looks his way, Taehyung yanks the blanket over his mouth to hide his pout because maybe , just maybe, he is in fact quite a bit drunk. Enough that he wants to fight the space between them and wrangle Jungkook into cuddling with him.
“Want to talk to Army,” Jungkook says with suspicious amusement on his face. “Good way to end a happy day.”
“Happy day,” Taehyung repeats quietly as his frown turns into a smile. He likes that, he likes that a lot. Especially because of how nervous Jungkook seemed for most of the day, Taehyung had worried he was uncomfortable.
He’s definitely comfortable now, Taehyung thinks as he watches Jungkook set up the live and begin to talk. He wants to crawl over the couch and wrap around Jungkook, but the reaction that would create keeps him in place and he isn’t that drunk. He stays quiet though Jungkook’s eyes wander to him frequently.
It gets hard to fight sleep, but Taehyung tries. Jungkook talks about people finding their separate paths towards happiness, and when Taehyung’s eyes close, he quietly prays that’s the path Jungkook is always on. No matter where it takes him.
And he hopes their paths are always close enough so that they can always hold hands while they walk through life.
Taehyung likes dreaming of Jungkook. Whether they’re on a crazy adventure that doesn’t make sense once he’s awake or just together and he can tell he had butterflies even in his dreams. He’s had dreams of kissing Jungkook before he ever did when he was awake, and he’s happy he still has those.
It’s even better when dream Jungkook fades from him and real Jungkook takes his place. But he hates when he dreams of Jungkook and wakes without Jungkook there.
Taehyung stares at the empty bed that takes him a moment to recognize because it isn’t the one in Jungkook’s room. It’s for guests, one he’s never actually slept in, but the sheets beside him are ruffled from having someone else there.
He’s a little hungover, but nothing too bad. Just a dull ache in his head and a dry mouth. Thankfully. The only thing he doesn’t remember is how he got into bed from Jungkook’s couch and his dream leaves his memory which each second that passes by.
He stretches and listens, but it’s quiet. He sends his frown around the room as he recalls the night before and how he wanted to cuddle, but Jungkook was a million miles away.
As soon as he remembers listening to Jungkook live, he has his phone in his hands to say good morning to Army. Part of him hopes Jungkook will see and come out from wherever he has hidden.
He doesn’t. Taehyung sighs after he ends the live and drops the phone to the bed. Jungkook knows he doesn’t like waking up alone. When he has mornings off, he likes to lay in bed while on his phone or watching tv, and if Jungkook is there, he wants their legs tangled and a cheek pressed to someone’s chest.
Maybe Jungkook did actually have something on the books today, Taehyung thinks as he forces himself out of bed. But he doesn’t think so. Part of the reason Taehyung suspects he wanted to latch himself onto Jungkook yesterday was because they had just spent some time going over their upcoming schedules and they both are going to be very busy.
As much as he would like to stay wrapped beneath the covers, he gets out because where the hell is Jungkook?
Bam perks his head up when he nears, but he doesn’t move like he’s been waiting to be let out and be fed. Jungkook must have done so while Taehyung slept through it.
It isn’t even that late in the morning.
“Where’s Appa, hm?” Taehyung asks as he cups his palms under Bam’s face and wiggles it. “You’re not in your crate, so he must be around here somewhere.”
He isn’t expecting Bam to answer, but he does by ripping away from Taehyung and speeding off towards the front of the apartment. Taehyung’s heart immediately jumps into his throat as a teasing complaint prepares itself on his tongue.
He just swallows it when he finds Jungkook sneaking into the front door with what looks to be a dozen grocery bags hanging from his arms. He is shushing Bam and careful with the door until his eyes land on Taehyung and he goes still.
“Oh, hey, good morning,” Jungkook greets with a grunt as he twirls around Bam to get inside, no longer as careful not to make a sound. “I thought you’d still be sleeping.”
Taehyung tries to take some bags from Jungkook, but Jungkook twirls around him as well so he can’t. “Wish I was, so I could wake up next to you.”
Jungkook wrestles the bags from his arms before coming over and planting his palms to Taehyung’s face like he had done with Bam. Taehyung prepares for a kiss, but Jungkook only looks his face over.
“How are you feeling? Wanted to make you something for the hangover, so I went to the store and meant to just get that, but then you know I had to go to the snacks. They had those new chips you’ve been obsessed with, and other flavors I thought you would -”
It’s overwhelming, the feeling that surges through Taehyung and has him pushing past Jungkook’s hold. Maybe he still is in dreamland because dream Taehyung doesn’t hesitate or worry. He kisses Jungkook before he can finish his sentence, he kisses Jungkook quiet.
A hint of that worry comes when Jungkook’s still beneath him, his lips parted around his next word. Taehyung stills himself, ready to pull back and apologize because he could have awful, stale alcohol breath or Jungkook doesn’t want a kiss or something. He doesn’t know but Jungkook isn’t reacting at all.
“I’m sor -”
It’s Taehyung that’s stopped mid-sentence this time as Jungkook twists his fingers into the collar of Taehyung’s shirt and pulls him back. It’s Taehyung that’s stuck for a moment in surprise and dragged out of it just as quickly as he realizes Jungkook is now moving and he’s kissing him back, kissing him firm.
The swoop in his stomach rips through him so roughly he grabs onto Jungkook to keep his balance. A feeling that the butterflies dream Jungkook gives him don’t compare to.
Jungkook’s hands are gentle when they run over his shoulders, mimicking the hold Taehyung has on him, but his fingers press into his skin when they get into his nape.
It’s like Jungkook knows what he wants, what he likes most about waking up beside him. Feeling Jungkook wrapped around him, pressed against him so he’s surrounded by Jungkook’s body heat.
Nothing compares to that. No amount of duvets can bring him the kind of warmth that absorbs into his skin and spreads through every inch of him. Taehyung slips his arms beneath Jungkook’s shirt to wrap them around Jungkook’s waist to keep their bodies together although Jungkook keeps pushing into him like a promise he isn’t going anywhere.
Even when the kiss breaks and Jungkook’s lips rest over Taehyung’s cheek and layers his skin with his heavy exhales, Jungkook stays wrapped around him. He kneads at Taehyung’s nape until Taehyung tightens his embrace and Jungkook adjusts against him. Wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s and nuzzling closer until his face is pressed into the crook of his shoulder.
“Good morning,” Jungkook says after a long while, whispering because it somehow feels fitting for the moment. Or maybe he’s mimicking how they are when they do wake up wrapped around each other and are unwilling to disrupt the quiet, lazy morning feel. “How are you feeling?”
Taehyung runs his palms up Jungkook’s spine. “Perfect.”
Thankfully, Jungkook’s mouth touches his skin so he can feel his smile form because Taehyung is unwilling to pull away. “Good.”
“But don’t let go,” Taehyung mumbles, earning a quiet laugh from Jungkook.
Jungkook moves, but only enough so his lips are back against Taehyung’s cheek. “Can’t quite make you food like this.”
“You can do anything and everything you set your mind to.”
The laugh Taehyung gets this time is louder, choked out and vibrating against Taehyung’s skin. It rumbles in Jungkook’s chest when he kisses him again before slowly pulling from Taehyung’s arms.
He keeps their hands clasped so he can drag Taehyung towards the bags of groceries. He hums the tune that’s becoming familiar, comforting, though Taehyung still doesn’t know it.
“Are you going to finally sing me the song?” Taehyung asks curiously as he tilts his head to the side and pushes out his bottom lip. Something that works on Jungkook, unless he’s in a teasing mood.
“Mm…” Jungkook hums in consideration. “Are you feeling the rush?”
“What?” Taehyung watches as Jungkook wags his head to the side and lets his hand go to open one of the bags.
“If so…I know what’s going on.”
Taehyung rolls his eyes as he realizes what Jungkook is doing, though his heart stutters in his chest.
Definitely teasing, Taehyung thinks as Jungkook starts humming again. Taehyung taps his knuckles to Jungkook’s back, but he doesn’t stop humming.
“Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung complains. “I want to know the song.”
Jungkook stops humming only to press his lips tightly together as he shakes his head and the bean sprouts he takes out.
“You hum it all the time so it must be good.”
Jungkook points the bean sprouts at him. “I only hum it when I’m with you.”
He gives Taehyung his back again as Taehyung falls still, his curiosity peeking even more.
“Sing me the song,” Taehyung demands playfully, grabbing Jungkook’s sleeve for his attention. “Sing me the song or else.”
He moves to steal the bean sprouts as part of his threat, but Jungkook is fast. He captures Taehyung’s hand by pressing his own over it and trapping it on the counter. Taehyung barely gets out his next complaint before Jungkook’s chest is against his and his free hand is cupping the side of his neck.
As much as Taehyung wants to hear the song, he won’t complain when Jungkook dips his head down to kiss over his pulse as if to distract him. He keeps humming, tickling Taehyung’s skin with it.
“That’s not going to work,” Taehyung mumbles, but he tilts his head to the side to allow Jungkook room for more kisses.
“I know.” Jungkook nods with his words as he rubs his thumb over Taehyung’s jaw. “I just -“ He kisses up Taehyung’s neck and across his jaw, “- just wanted to kiss you.”
That swoop is back in Taehyung’s stomach. “Should probably brush my teeth then,” he says and tries not to facepalm himself.
Even after all these years and how comfortable he is with Jungkook, he still can be lost for words. He mentally rolls his eyes at himself for that.
“Yeah…,” Jungkook says, pretending to grimace but it breaks quickly when Taehyung starts to storm off and Jungkook grabs him to kiss him again. “I just want to kiss you, you know. That won’t change, even if your breath sucks.”
Taehyung’s heart thrusts up into his throat and grows so large it chokes him. He’d continue to playfully punish Jungkook for the last part, but he can’t get a word out.
Did he say something the night before? There aren’t any gaps in his memory other than getting to bed, but he assumed he had just slept through it.
When Jungkook asked if Taehyung thought them growing apart or him finding someone else was impossible, he never said they both were. He just accepted that Taehyung meant growing apart, but he actually meant he worries about both. Taehyung didn’t think about it much, only in moments here and there when his brain was being annoying. But the night before, it was on his mind because he was drinking and worried about being loose lipped.
“So no kissing anyone else while we’re apart?”
“Never,” Jungkook says and turns back to his bags. “Though, I plan on bringing a few of your magazines with me, and those will probably need some kind of plastic protector because of how many smooches those will get.”
Taehyung blurts out a laugh and taps Jungkook’s arm, overwhelmed from the feeling bursting inside of him. So much so, he probably looks foolish with how quickly he tears out of the kitchen so he can dance around in private.
*
Jungkook hits his forehead against the wall. He blew it. His chance came, and he chickened out. He still has a few weeks until Taehyung is off to Paris, and he wants to talk to him before then, but he keeps doing this.
Part of him wants to just send Taehyung the song while he’s away, but that makes him feel like the biggest coward of all.
Well, maybe he could -
No, no, no. Jungkook presses his face into the wall. He’s so nervous he could scrap the song all together, but he still doesn’t want Taehyung to hear the song for the first time without him. Jungkook wants to see the expression he makes because that will show his true feelings about the song.
Yoongi and Namjoon were right. He needs to tell Taehyung because Taehyung keeps making comments, even if he insists he isn’t worried. Taehyung said sometimes it’s a thought that pops up and he can shake it away, but it keeps popping up and Jungkook wants to stop it.
The night he had tucked Taehyung on the couch, he had helped move him to the bed and Taehyung clung to him so tightly while asking him to stay and making comments about not being able to cuddle soon and how they should kiss a lot so Jungkook won’t want to kiss anyone while he’s away. It’s created this new fervor that has taken over Jungkook.
His nerves are just stronger and harder as fuck to fight.
“Jungkook-ah, come out! The movie’s starting!”
Breathing in slowly through his nose, Jungkook opens the bathroom door and finds Jimin waiting for him. He doesn’t hesitate to throw an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder to tug him along like he knows Jungkook might turn around and hide again.
He has a plan to overthrow the nerves. Usually being around everyone helps with that, but his stomach suddenly was in knots before he had sat down and he thought he was going to be sick. Now, he’s worried it’s obvious he’s nervous and it will bring attention to him and make those nerves win out.
“You’ll like the movie,” Jimin says, tightening his grip around him. “Jin hyung replied and said he’ll watch it tonight too.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“Jungkook-ah,” Jimin calls like a demand for his attention. “What’s going on? You invited us over, but you’re hiding in the bathroom?”
Jungkook nods along though he doesn’t think he’ll be paying much attention to the movie. Maybe his plan is actually garbage, and it would be better to do this another time. Not when it’s one of the few times they’ll be able to all get together.
He should have played Hoseok the song. Hoseok would have it playing for Taehyung in seconds. Pure fear would have rushed through Jungkook because Hoseok would tell him he’s sending it, but that would be the easiest way to do it.
It’s one of the reasons he kept his feelings away from Hoseok specifically.
“No, not hiding. I’m fine.”
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Jungkook-ah.”
Don’t be awkward, Jungkook thinks to himself as he drops onto the couch. If he shows anything other than being relaxed, there will definitely be eyes on him. Especially Taehyung, who sits closest to him.
Is there too much space? He should move or pull Taehyung to him, but what if his face is doing something? He could hide it if he wraps around Taehyung or guides Taehyung so his back against him. His insides are shaking, not his hands, but what if they start to?
Jungkook pulls his phone from his pocket and rests it to the side. It feels like a weapon, like his phone is carrying something that could destroy everything in the room.
That won’t happen. Taehyung is his person, his other half. It’s going to be taken well. It’ll be fine. Taehyung loves him. Taehyung is worried, and this will help ease his mind. Taehyung wants to spend more nights together, wants to be together at the end of each busy day. They’ve been kissing and more for awhile now, but it’s felt like it’s happening more often since that morning in the kitchen.
He gets butterflies in his stomach every time he thinks about how suddenly Taehyung had kissed him, how he seemed to just burst with the need to.
It’s going to be fine. Taehyung wants him too, maybe.
Jungkook doesn’t end up deciding what to do about the space between them as it’s Taehyung that scooches back with the blanket in hand and leans against him. He doesn’t say anything as they adjust until they’re comfortable, and Jungkook is glad he didn’t tell anyone his plan because if someone looked their way, just one glance, he’d chicken out.
Well, he’s already starting too. What if Taehyung really likes the movie? Jungkook doesn’t want to make him stop watching. What if Taehyung doesn’t like the song and takes the earbud out and Jungkook has to sit here, unable to walk out because that’ll draw attention?
Taehyung leans against him and takes his hand to thread their fingers together. His eyes are on him as he squeezes, a soft smile on his lips before he turns his attention back to the movie.
They’re parting ways soon. For a short time. Nothing they haven’t done before, but Taehyung has been worried.
Jungkook focuses on that. If anything can fight the nerves, it’s that. Taehyung has been worried and maybe upset, and Jungkook has to fix it.
He takes out his earbud and silently prays he doesn’t accidentally make Taehyung more upset before he pushes the earbud against Taehyung’s ear. The one opposite of him because he wants to sing along in Korean, but he isn’t sure if his voice is going to work for him.
Taehyung’s eyebrows push together, a question in his eyes, but he doesn’t hesitate to take over until the earbud is in its place. He attempts to look at the phone as soon as Jungkook grabs it, a grin on his lips that grows when Jungkook gives him a look and places a finger to his lips to silently warn him not to grab the attention of the others.
It feels like there are eyes on them, maybe there are, but if Jungkook doesn’t do this now, he’ll never get the courage.
The grin Taehyung wears grows when Jungkook starts the song, his head tilting to the side curiously. Jungkook wants to tell him to pretend to watch the movie, but there’s a rock in his throat.
He doesn’t sing along. His heart is beating too hard and he can’t breathe. Taehyung’s grin fades and there’s something in his eyes that makes Jungkook want to rip the earbud out of his ear and run away so he can throw it into the ocean. But he doesn’t do anything, not even when Taehyung grabs his phone to look at what is playing.
The grin doesn’t come back. Taehyung folds his lips together as their eyes meet again, and Jungkook doesn’t think before he jerks his hand forward to push up the corners of Taehyung’s mouth up.
Gently, Taehyung circles his fingers around Jungkook’s wrist to pull his hand away. His mouth stays lifted, though Jungkook only gets a glimpse of it as Taehyung presses his lips to Jungkook’s palm.
His whole body is thumping with the beat of his heart, and Taehyung must be able to feel it as he maneuvers them so he’s laying with his head on Jungkook’s chest. He’ll be able to hear his heart, thumping in one ear and being sung in the other.
Maybe this was a bad idea, Jungkook thinks because he’s impatient and on edge and wants to ask Taehyung what he thinks. So much so that he doesn’t care if they interrupt the movie or get everyone’s attention.
As soon as the song is over, Jungkook is going to pull Taehyung out of the room with an excuse of getting snacks or something. But as soon as the song is over, Taehyung starts it from the beginning again.
And again.
Jungkook settles as Taehyung’s eyes fall closed and he brings his bottom lip between his teeth because he’s smiling.
He’s smiling so big his cheeks round with it, especially the one squished against his chest.
He’s smiling so big that he shines with it despite his eyes being closed. And then he’s shining because there’s a tear on his cheek that Jungkook almost missed.
It isn’t a sad song, not at all. Jungkook’s heart shoots up in his throat as he immediately wipes it away. Taehyung blinks one eye open so Jungkook can see more of the tears getting ready to fall as he nods his head.
He nods his head.
Jungkook grabs the phone and quickly pulls up his notes, where he had worked on translating the lyrics to practice singing them. He shows Taehyung, who only looks at it quickly - too quickly - before pulling away from him. He brings the phone close to his face as he starts typing, and this definitely wasn’t a good idea because Jungkook wants to scream out the question about Taehyung nodding his head. He wants to know if Taehyung is answering the question in the song or just nodding?
Maybe he’s nodding along to the song. It seems offbeat if he is, but Jungkook’s so nervous that he suddenly doesn’t remember what the song sounds like at all.
Something about you, do you feel the way I do?
Are we falling in love, say yes or no?
Taehyung is nodding his head, his eyes are wet but his smile is big and shaky when he flashes the phone to Jungkook.
There’s an article that he’s pulled up titled ‘how to say yes in 99 real languages and 8 fake ones.’
“Yes?”
It feels like Jungkook screams it, and maybe he does because he looks around in apology and finds more than one set of eyes on him. Namjoon quickly looks away, but Jimin’s eyes stay locked.
Taehyung chuckles under his breath and nods before he practically climbs onto him and wraps his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders.
“This is the song you always hum.”
Jungkook nods.
“When you’re with me.”
Jungkook nods again.
“Only with me.”
“Yes.”
Taehyung kisses him, hard, despite the audience. Their teeth clack because his smile is wide, and their noses squish together. He pulls back and kisses him proper, but it’s just a quick peck that still has someone groaning.
Yoongi. Normally, Jungkook would complain that he’s the one that encouraged this but his body is soaring and Taehyung is scrambling from the couch and pulling him along so quickly that Jungkook doesn’t have time to spare anyone a glance.
“Only me,” Taehyung says before they’re fully out of the room.
Jungkook can’t do anything but nod. He rolls his tongue over his dry mouth to wet it and wake his tongue up so he can frickin speak and do so properly, not just shove an earbud into Taehyung’s ear and hope he understands the meaning. “It’s only ever been you, hyung. It will always be.”
They don’t get far. Taehyung twists his hands into the bottom of Jungkook’s shirt and tugs on him though they’re already so close. His eyes are still wet and shining, his bottom lip now reddened from biting onto it.
Jungkook can’t help but run his knuckles over the swell of Taehyung’s cheeks because a smiling Taehyung might be his favorite.
“Only me,” Taehyung murmurs again, under his breath. “Only me you’re falling in love with.”
Jungkook doesn’t realize he shakes his head as he’s so focused on the shape of Taehyung’s mouth. He just realizes Taehyung’s smile is gone and replaced by a pout with a matching set of furrowed brows.
“Already am,” Jungkook explains as he cups Taehyung’s cheek. “Not sure exactly when it started, but it’s been awhile. Years.”
Taehyung leans into his palm as he releases Jungkook’s poor shirt to slide his arms beneath it and around his waist. “Guess that answers the part that goes, what did it say, ‘do you feel the way I do.’”
He sings it, his fingers tapping against Jungkook’s skin when he does. That fluttering is fierce in Jungkook’s chest, his body tensing as he anticipates Taehyung’s next words.
“Sometimes, I think I was born loving you.”
Jungkook pulls Taehyung in until their lips meet. He’s never felt more in a moment, though he swears he’s thought that a thousand times and a thousand times with Taehyung specifically. The words echo in Jungkook’s mind and play over and over again. He wants to ask Taehyung to keep saying it, but he can’t physically pull away from Taehyung to do so.
And Taehyung tightens around him like he doesn’t want that either. Even as he starts to walk backwards, his grip on him is strong. His tongue is insistent. The butterflies are everywhere, even in the tip of Jungkook’s fingers.
“Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung gasps as Jungkook grabs his thighs to lift him in his arms so it’s easier to move to…wherever. Jungkook doesn’t know where Taehyung was leading him, but he is desperate to be somewhere private and kiss Taehyung more. “Why did you - when everyone was here?”
Taehyung doesn’t seem to want a response. He kisses Jungkook when he attempts to and frowns, though Taehyung’s tone turns teasing.
“Want you,” Taehyung explains as his fingers thread through Jungkook’s hair. “Don’t want to wait.”
Jungkook grins as he pulls back, dodging a kiss. “I was incredibly nervous, but I really wanted you to know so maybe you wouldn’t worry so much.”
The playfulness on Taehyung’s face softens, his eyes warm and heavy as he rubs Jungkook’s cheek. He doesn’t say anything as Jungkook pushes open the door to his room and guides Taehyung back to his feet.
“It’s only ever been you too, don’t be nervous,” Taehyung whispers as he touches the corner of Jungkook’s mouth with his thumb. “I don’t know why I keep having the worried thoughts, I’m sor-”
Jungkook shakes his head and presses his own thumb to Taehyung’s mouth to quiet him. “Don’t apologize for anything. Remember, you always told me it’s better to accept feelings than stress over them. Hopefully, knowing how I feel will help with those worries.”
Taehyung nods as he slips his arms over Jungkook’s shoulders and presses their bodies together. “I love you, Jeon Jungkook.”
It’s been said thousands of times, probably. Taehyung has always said this to him, and depending on the moment, Jungkook either bursts with happiness or warmth or comfort.
But now, it’s said both so softly and with a look so intense that it sucks all of the breath from Jungkook and he has to take a moment to gather enough oxygen to say it back.
“And I love you, Kim Taehyung.”
Taehyung runs his thumbs over Jungkook’s face, head tilting to the side. Jungkook remains still, allowing Taehyung to trace his features and his eyes closing for only a moment when Taehyung brushes his eyelids.
“Say it again,” Taehyung whispers.
Jungkook grins. “I love you, and no amount of time or distance will change that.”
Hooking their pinkies, Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hands so they’re hidden behind his back with their chests pressed together. “I know. Even before this, I think. I didn’t mean to doubt it.”
Jungkook shakes his head. “I will never mind repeating it if you need to quiet your thoughts.”
“Don’t say that. I might ask you to say it all of the time.”
With a laugh, Jungkook tightens his arms around Taehyung to guide him into walking backwards. He presses his lips to Taehyung’s cheek as he speaks so his breath and teeth will tickle his skin. “I love you, love you -“
“Ah, okay, okay,” Taehyung huffs out, laughing as his shoulders hunch up towards his chin when Jungkook’s teeth nip at his cheek and he deepens his voice to continue saying it. “I love you too. And I will love you more if you sing the song for me.”
Those wide, innocent eyes appear and while Jungkook wasn’t going to say no, he was going to tease again with the humming. But the words come out of him, softly sung as Jungkook brushes his lips over the swell of Taehyung’s cheek.
Because the world will hear the song one day, but for now, it is just for Taehyung.
“Are we falling in love? Say yes -“
Taehyung presses a finger quickly to Jungkook’s lips before he can continue despite asking him to sing. There is a warm look on his face that makes it hard for Jungkook to continue because his heart is surging and growing and pushing into his throat.
“Yes,” Taehyung whispers again. “I think this means we are supposed to confession bang now, according to Jimin.”
Jungkook frowns, quirking an eyebrow in question. Coming from Jimin, that could mean anything, but he doesn’t get a response or an explanation when Taehyung’s attention is suddenly pulled to something behind him.
It takes a moment before Jungkook hears the whispering, someone scolding someone else about being quiet. Taehyung huffs out under his breath before he pulls Jungkook to the door they didn’t close.
On each side of it are their members, all of them as Jimin holds up a call with Hoseok and Yoongi one with Jin. They are frozen when Taehyung emerges, eyes wide and mouths quickly closing.
“It was Jin’s idea,” Yoongi blurts, and Jin immediately starts to complain about that being a lie before Yoongi hits the end call button. “See you guys, later.”
With his back too straight and head tilted, Yoongi takes off and Jimin hurries behind him, full of laughter as he hits at Yoongi’s back before clinging onto him.
“Um, the movie is actually pretty good if you don’t mind waiting to bang.” Namjoon’s face is flushed and he hesitates for a moment before taking a step. “Yeah, so -“
“If it’s that good, why are you all here?” Taehyung muses as he leans back into Jungkook’s chest.
“We are invested,” Namjoon adds with a quick nod like he is confirming this is what he wants to say. “And happy for you.”
At that, he takes off, his body a bit more stiff than Yoongi’s had been but just as awkward.
Jungkook giggles as he hooks an arm around Taehyung’s neck so they can follow. He is filled with joy, euphoria, the smile on his face nearly painful. As good as banging sounds, he wants to bask in the feeling and there’s no place better to do so than amongst his members and with Taehyung against him.
“Bang later?” Taehyung whispers, eyes sparkling. “Say yes or no.”
It always seems impossible to feel more with Taehyung because Jungkook already feels so much, but it bursts inside of him with his laughter that he can’t help but try and muffle against the corner of Taehyung’s mouth.