Chapter Text
Staring at his boyfriend’s slumbering face, Jungkook couldn’t help but smile. Though it had become a routine for him to see Taehyung beside him every morning, he couldn’t help but feel giddy with joy. He had never really understood the bliss people felt when they woke up to the face of their lover. What was so magical about seeing a person snoring or drooling? After he began dating Taehyung, he finally understood.
Jungkook studied Taehyung’s soft features inches from his face. His limbs were wrapped possessively around Jungkook as he snored ever so quietly. He loved falling asleep in Taehyung’s arms, he loved being spooned by Taehyung and he loved waking up to Taehyung beside him. It brought him comfort and an odd sense of security.
He snuggled closer to Taehyung but the movement stirred Taehyung awake.
“Jungkookie,” he groaned, eyes barely open as he pulled Jungkook closer. Jungkook snickered, wriggling out of his grasp to place a kiss on his nose.
“You can’t lure me out of sleep with those kisses, kookie,” his voice was deeper and raspier than usual. Jungkook chuckled in a whisper, shifting to press against Taehyung.
“Maybe if I gave you ahead--”
“OK! I’m up!” Taehyung’s eyes shot open and Jungkook smirked.
“Looks like you had a good sleep,” Jungkook remarked, noticing the imprints on his cheek, running his fingers along them. Taehyung nodded, stretching as Jungkook sat up.
“You ready for today?” he asked and suddenly all of Jungkook’s sleep vanished. He swallowed, “yes”
Taehyung noticed the apprehension in his voice, the anxiety on his face, and smiled. Nimble fingers wrapped around his reassuringly, “I’m here, okay?”
Jungkook nodded, “Yeah. Yeah, I know you are. Let’s get ready, yeah?”
“Sure thing”
Taehyung kissed him and Jungkook laughed, “Morning breath Taehyung!” Jungkook complained and Taehyung pouted, “since when are you worried about that stuff? That night, you ate me out and kissed me! That’s worse!”
“Ahahahaha you’re right, you’re right. Anyway, let’s get up,”
Sulking, Taehyung rolled his eyes and got off the bed, heading straight to the closet, “So, what’s your dad’s favorite color?”
--
It was a week ago when Jungkook finally popped the question. No, he did not ask Taehyung to marry him. Not yet.
Jungkook waited for Taehyung outside his class, browsing through his phone as a swarm of students walked out of the class past him. A bunch of them greeted Jungkook on their way out.
“Oh? Jungkook. Waiting for Taehyung?” he heard Mina tease and he blushed from ear to ear. After finding out that Jungkook was dating Taehyung, instead of being bitter or bitchy, she had become his friend. She had the most classes in common with Taehyung and always sent Jungkook updates about his boyfriend. Not in a creepy way though. Just texts like, ‘He argued with the Professor. Might punch you in the face, beware’
And Jungkook was thankful.
“Yeah,” he replied, clearing his throat. She giggled, playfully pulling his cheeks, “Have fun. He was in a good mood today,” she winked.
“Why do you pay so much attention to him, Mina? Do you like him?” he joked. Mina hummed, “maybe”
“Wait what--” he choked as Taehyung walked out, “Hi, Kookie,”
Mina giggled and winked again before walking away. Jungkook narrowed his eyes at her and turned to Taehyung looking gorgeous as ever. “You need to stop looking this good!” he sulked and Taehyung snickered, “what’s wrong?”
“It’s hard to gatekeep you this way!” Jungkook pouted and Taehyung burst out laughing. He slid an arm around Jungkook’s waist, pulling him close as they made their way to the cafeteria.
“You’re a baby,” he placed a kiss on his cheek and Jungkook grinned, “your baby”
“Oof you’re so cheesy, Kookie,” Taehyung flashed him a boxy smile and Jungkook’s heart almost cartwheeled out of his chest like it always does when Taehyung smiled.
In case people didn’t know Taehyung and Jungkook were dating, watching them walk together, arms around the waist and all made it very obvious. Taehyung’s name had been cleared after another investigation was launched into the matter and it’s safe to say that everyone that wronged him now walked with their heads low. And that included Woojin. After almost beating each other to death, their trio was reduced to a duo. And Jungkook was more than happy to lose that kind of negativity from his life. Mingyu had revealed to him a while later that he and Wonwoo had witnessed Jungkook and Taehyung kiss in the library and that they’d caught a drift of what had happened between the two. He was grateful to Mingyu, and Wonwoo, for not jumping to conclusions or causing a scene like Woojin. They were good people.
“Will Mingyu join us for lunch?” Taehyung asked and Jungkook laughed.
“Uh nope. He finally asked Wonwoo out and they’re going out on a lunch date today” Taehyung gasped, “Wonwoo didn’t tell me! But good for him I guess. He’s been crushing on Mingyu for over a year now,”
“Same with Mingyu. Ever since he met him in the library, he wouldn’t stop talking about him,”
“They look cute together,”
“They do,” Jungkook agreed as they entered the cafeteria and took their seat. Once they began eating, Jungkook finally said it. It had been weighing on his mind all day and he didn’t know how to tell Taehyung. ANd since Mina had told him that he was in a good mood, Jungkook shot his shot.
“I want you to meet my dad, Taehyung,” and Taehyung stopped eating.
“What?”
Jungkook shrank under his furrowed brows, “Sorry. If you don’t want to--”
Taehyung clicked his tongue, putting his chopsticks down, “No, silly. I’m sorry. I was just surprised. And um, sure! I’ll meet your Dad!”
Jungkook was shocked at how easily Taehyung had accepted.
“What’s wrong?” Taehyung questioned when he noticed Jungkook gaping at him.
“i-I just thought you’d be more hesitant,”
“Why would I be? He’s the dad of my boyfriend. I was going to meet him someday. Why not right now then?”
Taehyung made a valid point. Jungkook admired how forward Taehyung was with things that came his way. Jungkook wished he had that courage.
“O-Oh. That’s great, haha. Let’s meet him this Sunday for lunch!”Jungkook averted his gaze, digging into his food, hoping Taehyung wouldn’t notice. But he did. Of course, he did.
“You’re acting weird. WHat’s wrong, Kookie?” he put down the chopsticks, ready for a talk. Jungkook sighed at the gesture and put down his chopsticks too.
“I-I haven’t told my Dad that...that it’s you,”
“What do you mean?”
“That you...you’re a guy,”
Taehyung gasped, “Kookie, I-I thought you already came out to your Dad,”
Taehyung was right. Jungkook did give that impression.
“He, well, he knows that my preferences are...wide. And he has never said anything. B-but I’ve never really talked to him about it. Directly at least,” he let out a shaky breath just thinking about it. Fingers laced with him on the table and he looked up to meet Taehyung’s kind smile.
“You don’t have to be scared, Kookie. I’m here, with you. Let’s talk to your Dad together, alright?”
To think that Taehyung, whose own Dad had not accepted him, was being so brave put Jungkook to shame. He bit his lips and Taehyung sighed, “it is okay to be scared, Kookie. Don’t feel bad that you’re scared, okay? And don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side,”
From where Taehyung held Jungkook’s hand, warmth seeped in and Jungkook felt braver than before. He smiled, rubbing his thumb along Taehyung’s knuckles, “Alright. Let’s meet him. Together,”
Taehyung smiled.
“Together”
--
Standing outside Jungkook’s Dad’s penthouse, their stomachs churned with anxiety.
“How do I look?” Taehyung asked, adjusting his clothes for the umpteenth time that day. Jungkook sighed, sliding his bangs back, “You look perfect, he’ll love you,”
Taehyung smiled, sliding his hand into Jungkook’s, “you too,” Jungkook kissed Taehyung.
“Let’s go in now,” Jungkook said and rang the doorbell. As they waited for his Dad to answer the door, they held their breaths. And as the door clicked open, the tensed. The first in his Dad’s view was Jungkook.
“Jungkook! It’s so nice that you--” he halted when the door opened farther to reveal Taehyung standing beside Jungkook. His gaze fell to their interlaced hands and Taehyung held his breath as those questioning eyes studied the two.
“Dad, this is--”
“You must be Jungkook’s boyfriend! Come on in!” the expression on his face changed to a much livelier one and Taehyung relaxed, smiling from ear to ear. He bowed a full 90 degrees, “Hello, sir. I’m Kim Taehyung!” he said and Jungkook’s dad laughed heartily and ushered them in, “Taehyung-ah! Jungkook-ah! It’s so nice to have you here!”
“Thank you for inviting us, Jaeho-ssi,” Taehyung said as Jaeho gestured to them to take a seat on the couch.
“My pleasure! I just had to see who my son was seeing. He seems so happy these days haha” he chirped and Jungkook blushed when Taehyung side-eyed him.
“Say, aren’t you the one I saw at the Principal’s office that day? About 8 months ago? When Jungkook was called in from getting into a brawl?”
Panicked, Taehyung shot to his feet, bowing again, “I’m so sorry, Jaeho-ssi! Jungkook got into trouble because of me! I’m sorry I--”
“Oh my! Taehyung, calm down haha. I was just making an observation. I am not blaming you for anything. Whatever my son does is up to him. Plus, he told me about everything that happened with you and your art. So please, don’t blame yourself for it” he spoke and Taehyung sighed, sinking back into his seat.
“Thank you for being so kind, Jaeho-ssi,”
“Hahaha don’t mention it!”
“Dad um I wanted to apologize too. For not telling you beforehand that I...with Taehyung,” Jungkook struggled to form words and his Dad smiled reassuringly.
“Jungkook-ah. You’re my precious Son. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know about you being, what do they call it, bisexual, yes. And I’d love to talk to you about it, have you open up to me too. Unless you don’t want to, which is fine too--”
“No! I mean...I want to talk to you..”
“Then we’ll talk, okay? But right now, we have a guest over. So talk later, hm?”
To think that his Dad was taking it so well, Jungkook was filled with happiness and warmth. He glanced at Taehyung who smiled at him and all the tension in Jungkook’s shoulders disappeared. After that, the conversation flowed easily.
During lunch, they told his dad that they had moved in together and he was more than delighted to hear that.
“Oh, right. How’s your hand, Taehyung? Has your wound healed?”
“Ah, it has, Jaeho-ssi. It was not that deep anyway”
Jungkook smiled, thinking about how Taehyung’s injury was how his Dad had found out about them.
--
It was one of their weekly lunches together. Jungkook and his Dad would get together and discuss everything that had been going on in their lives. In all honesty, Jungkook had been scrambling his brain about telling his Dad about them but had never found the right time to do so.
It was towards the end of their meal that Jungkook’s phone rang. It was Taehyung.
Usually, Jungkook wouldn't take calls when with his Dad. But usually, Taehyung wouldn't call.
“Dad I’ll have to take this,” he said and his Dad nodded as if saying, ‘oh sure. Don’t mind me,’
He lifted the call, getting up from his seat and taking a few steps away, “Taehyung, what’s up?”
Jungkook’s dad couldn’t help but overhear as his son conversed with the person on the phone.
Jungkook spoke in a hushed tone but Jaeho could still hear it.
“Home? About 40 minutes, why?”
“Bandages? Are you hurt?”
The concern in Jungkook’s voice piqued Jaeho’s curiosity.
“Not that big?! But you need bandages? I think we need to go to the hospital. No. I’m coming back right now. Just cover it with cloth for now, yeah? And lie down. I’m leaving right now!”
Jungkook turned to his father, “Dad I--”
“I have some bandages. Take them. Don’t keep them waiting,” he gestured towards the bedroom and Jungkook smiled, relieved. “Thanks!” he retrieved the med-kit and it was only then that he realized that his father had heard that he had needed bandages. And if he had heard that, he had surely heard--
“Bring over your lover sometime, okay?”
Jungkook gulped and after muttering a light ‘will do! and he dashed out.
--
After a nice dinner and some bonding, Jaeho had come to see Jungkook and Taehyung off.
“Thank you for the food, Jaeho-ssi. It was delicious. I can see where Jungkook gets his skills from,” Taehyung said and Jaeho laughed. Noticing the time, Jungkook spoke up.
“Dad, we’ll be taking our leave now--”
“Sure, sure. Oh right! One second!” Jaeho said as he dug some money out of his pocket and handed it to Jungkook, “This is your allowance, Jungkook-ah” he smiled.
“Thanks, Dad”
“And this,” he held Taehyung’s hand, “this is your allowance, Taehyung-ah”
The gesture took both Jungkook and Taehyung by surprise, “Jaeho-ssi I-I there is no need. How could I accept this--”
“Taehyung-ah. You’ve been calling me, ‘Jaeho-ssi’ all day. You don’t have to, okay? We’re family, aren’t we? Call me Dad. Or Appa. Whatever you like, hm?”
And it would be an understatement to say that Taehyung was stunned by those words. He was catatonic as he stared at Jaeho in disbelief.
“A-Appa?”
“You’re my son now, Taehyung-ah,” he held his shoulders and Taehyung was at a loss for words. Jungkook could see tears pooling in his eyes.
Taehyung who had been rejected by his father had found someone who had accepted him.
And without any further ado, tears finally escaped his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to control them.
Jaeho panicked, “Taehyung-ah! You okay? Please don’t cry!” he said, pulling Taehyung into a tight hug, making the latter cry even more. Jungkook couldn’t help but giggle at his Father consoling a sobbing Taehyung.
He joined in on the action and wrapped his arms around Taehyung and Dad.
Around his family.
Family.
Jungkook was home.
--
Taehyung skipped ahead of Jungkook, humming to himself as they made their way to the Stationery shop. After a snotty farewell, Taehyung had promised to buy art supplies using his first allowance. He wished to paint something for Dad and Dad was more than willing to hang it on his wall.
“Tae, I’ll go get myself a milkshake. You want one?” he asked and Taehyung shook his head, “go ahead, Kookie. I’ll be in the paints aisle!” and he skipped away without sparing Jungkook a glance.
Jungkook chuckled at how happy and lively Taehyung seemed. He crossed the street and grabbed his banana milkshake and a strawberry milkshake for Taehyung because he knew Taehyung would ask, and headed back. He navigated his way through the store but just as he turned into the aisle, he heard a voice.
“What do you want, Sungho?”
Jungkook froze, feet unmoving as the two conversed.
Jungkook peeped in, catching a glimpse of the man. He had the body of a basketball player, tall and broad, towering over Taehyung.
“I’m here to apologize,”
Jungkook had assumed SUngho was here for revenge of sorts. After all, clearing Taehyung’s name meant incriminating Sungho. He had heard that SUngho had gotten into a lot of trouble. So it was surprising that he felt remorse and not anger.
Taehyung seemed taken aback to, eyes softening at the words.
“What?”
“I-I’m sorry. For everything. For framing you, for...mistreating you,” he raised his hand to Taehyung’s cheek, hesitant to touch him, “but I just want you to know that...I really did like you,”
There it was. One of Jungkook’s worst fears.
Sungho.
Jungkook was afraid. Terrified at the thought of Taehyung leaving him. Going back to Sungho.
His fear made no sense. Why would Taehyung ever go back to that asshole?
But he was scared nonetheless.
“Sungho--”
“I really liked you. I did. And i-if you’re willing, I-I want you back--”
“OK! That’s it!” Jungkook moved, turning to the aisle to tell Sungho off. To face him and confront his fears. To tell him that he had had his chance with Taehyung! And he had ruined it! Jungkook was not going to let Sungho waltz back into Taehyung’s life and manipulate him again.
But before Jungkook could even take his place by Taehyung’s side, Taehyung landed a solid punch on Sungho.
“This...is me accepting your half-hearted apology,” Taehyung raised his hand to punch him again but Jungkook grabbed a hold of him, stopping him from causing serious damage to Sungho’s sculpted face.
“Ok. That's enough,” Jungkook held him back, stopping Taehyung from wriggling out of his grasp.
Sungho recovered from the blow, standing up, “Right. Yeah, I deserved that,” he nodded as Taehyung struggled in Jungkook’s hold.
“You must be the boyfriend,” he gestured to Jungkook and the latter nodded.
“Jungkook.” He introduced himself and Sungho acknowledged him with a nod.
Sungho cleared his throat and stood straight. He inhaled and bowed, “I’m sorry. For everything that I’ve done. For framing you and for offending you just now. I apologize, Taehyung,”
And this time, it felt genuine.
Taehyung relaxed and Jungkook no longer had to hold him back.
Sungho does not raise for a good minute, waiting for Taehyung to respond. Jungkook exchanged glances with Taehyung, Taehyung seemed reluctant, after having gone through so much because of Sungho. He grit his teeth, fingers itching with doubt.
But then, he exhaled.
“Whatever,” Taehyung said and walked away. Sungho swallowed, standing up to meet Jungkook’s eyes.
Sungho and Jungkook both knew that Taehyung wasn't going to forgive him anytime soon. But his indifference was a step towards forgiveness. And Sungho could live with that.
Sungho wanted to say something, maybe along the lines of ‘Take care of him’ but Jungkook wasn't having any of that. Who was Sungho to tell Jungkook anything about Taehyung?
“See you,” Jungkook bowed and followed Taehyung out of the store, on their way to find another one.
--
After they came back home, Taehyung dove straight into his work, hoping to finish a piece for Jungkook’s dad. But there was tension in the air. And Jungkook attributed it to their encounter with Sungho this afternoon.
Jungkook stood outside their bedroom, debating whether to go in and give Taehyung the strawberry milk or give him some space. But Jungkook knew better than to let silence cause miscommunication.
With a soft knock alerting Taehyung of his presence, he entered the room.
“Hey. You thirsty?” he asked as he settled on the bed behind Taehyung who had been painting the canvas with warm colors, seated comfortably on the bed.
Taehyung turned, catching a glimpse of his boyfriend coming to sit behind him.
“No, I’m good,” he went back to focusing on the canvas. Jungkook hummed, snuggling closer to gather Taehyung’s hair and tie it in a pony. He then wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s waist, pressing his chest to Taehyung’s back, resting his chin on his shoulder.
Jungkook watched Taehyung pain in comfortable silence, fingers rubbing soothing circles into his thighs.
After a while, Taehyung spoke up.
“I can't forgive him just yet, you know”
“I know. You don't have to either. No one is pressuring you to either. Sungho understands,” he placed a small kiss on his shoulder.
“How do you know that?” Taehyung put down the brush, holding Jungkook’s hand resting on his thigh.
“I just do,” Jungkook kissed him again, this time his jaw, tightening the grip around his waist.
“That’s a shitty answer,” Taehyung sighed, smiling as Jungkook’s lips move up to his cheeks.
“I have nothing else to offer,” he chuckled into his ear, eliciting a breathy giggle from Taehyung.
Jungkook held him close, letting Taehyung settle onto his chest. They breathed in sync, finally relaxing after a long day.
It was in the quiet and comfort of this moment that Jungkook spoke up.
“I love you,”
And then, silence.
But Jungkook, not even for a moment, wanted to take back what he said. He wanted his feelings to be heard, loud and clear.
“W-What?”
“I said, I love you, Taehyung,”
Saying it again, Jungkook felt lighter. Calmer.
He thought back to how reluctant he was at confronting his feelings. His hesitation had lost him all this precious time with Taehyung. He wasn't willing to make that mistake again.
Living with Taehyung, Jungkook had become braver. Bolder and upfront.
Taehyung shifted in his arms, turning to face Jungkook.
“Kookie…”
“I love you. I love you so much,” Jungkook couldn't stop, “I love waking up to your stupid face every morning, I love it when you smile, I love it when you cry, I love it when we fight! I love it when you paint on me, I love it when you touch me like I’m the most precious being ever. I love everything about you. So much that it hurts, Taehyung I--” Jungkook’s met with a finger to his lips, shushing him gently. He raised his gaze from the finger to Taehyung’s eyes.
His eyes were moist but he was smiling through the tears, grinning at Jungkook like a lovesick fool. Jungkook knew he wasn't any better.
“Why are you crying?” Jungkook questioned and Taehyung giggled, “you’re crying too, idiot,” wiping Jungkook’s tears he didn't realize shedding. Guess he was just overwhelmed.
Taehyung cupped his cheek, pulling him closer, pressing their foreheads against each other, “Kookie, are you afraid?”
It’s a question Jungkook had been asking himself. Was he afraid? If yes, of what? Why?
Jungkook smiled, “Not anymore,”
It was a vague answer but it seemed to have reached Taehyung’s heart successfully. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips into Jungkook’s, kissing him gently.
Jungkook’s eyes fluttered shut and he smiled, feeling Taehyung’s lips curve against his.
“Jungkookie, I love you too”
Jungkook had known Taehyung would respond that way. Nevertheless, hearing those words leave Taehyung’s lips filled him with warmth. Suddenly, he felt like he was on top of the world like he had achieved everything he had ever wanted to.
“I-I’m bad with words but I hope you know how much you mean to me, Jungkook. I love you, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he sniffled through the kisses.
“Hm, are you planning on proposing soon?” Jungkook asked, wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s waist, helping him onto his waist.
“All in good time, baby,” Taehyung kissed him tenderly, passionately. And Jungkook did not desire anything else.
“For now, take my hand and hold me close,”
“Anything for you, my love,”
Jungkook won't let go.
Not this time.