Chapter Text
Six Months Later...
Taehyung pulled the zipper shut on his suitcase with a satisfied sigh.
He stood, moving to pull it into an upright position, wheeling it from the bedroom and down the hall. It joined the bags already clustered by his front door, sliding into place beside Jungkook’s butter-hued monstrosity. Taehyung took a moment to admire the luggage. Even though they’d been on a few trips since Hawaii, it always made him happy to see them together.
A clink of dishes had him turning toward the kitchen where the bag’s owner stood at the counter, scooping portions of spaghetti onto two plates. Taehyung moved to stand behind him, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s waist, fitting his chin on his shoulder.
“That smells good,” He hummed. “Thank you for cooking.”
“Of course,” Jungkook said, he turned to peck a kiss to Taehyung’s lips before resuming preparations. “Do you want parmesan?”
“Yes please,” Taehyung said, watching as Jungkook grated a fresh block over both plates.
“The garlic bread will be done in another minute,” Jungkook said. “I also got a bottle of that wine you love so much. The Secret Santa Special.”
“I’ll even share it this time,” Taehyung said. “Are we eating at the table or the couch?”
“Couch,” Jungkook said. “There’s no sense in being all formal. We leave tomorrow morning.”
“I know,” Taehyung said. “I’m so excited.”
He couldn’t help the bursts of happiness that exploded in his belly every time he thought about it. Being paired with Jungkook on the Hawaii trip had been the best thing that ever could have happened. When they returned to TROUVAILLE, Taehyung worked hard to pen an interesting and eclectic article detailing their accidental couple’s excursion. Then he and Jungkook had selected the photos to go along with it. Hyeon had declared it to be inspired, though she apologized profusely for the mix-up. She was however, eager to see how it would do with readers.
The response had been massive.
Subscribers to the magazine wrote to say how much they loved the story and thought that it was cute that the “couple” ended up together in the end. A few had even suggested the two of them continue on, making it a series. Hyeon agreed. So far, they’d taken one other trip for work the previous February to Norway, Sweden and Finland. The following afternoon, they’d embark on a third.
Taehyung watched Jungkook pulling the tray of garlic bread from the oven. Though they’d only been dating six months, he had fallen hard for the other. Part of him wished he’d made a move and confessed his feelings sooner. Jungkook always pointed out that maybe things would have been different. That the stars aligned a perfect way in Hawaii. Though Taehyung didn’t know how much he believed in fate, it sounded nice.
When everything was assembled, he brought the plates over to the couch. Jungkook followed with the wine and two glasses. It was a tradition they had before a trip. To spend the night before cooking dinner and enjoying each other’s company before heading to the airport. Of course, they did that a lot of nights.
“This is delicious,” Taehyung said, mouth full of pasta.
“I’m glad you like,” Jungkook said. “Now, what should we watch tonight?”
Taehyung was about to respond when Jungkook’s phone began buzzing. He pulled it form his pocket. The screen was lit up with a video call. It was Yoongi. Jungkook swiped to answer., voice a mixture of curiosity and concern. “Hey. What’s up, everything okay?”
“Yes,” Yoongi said. “Once again, your girl has left me for Jimin. The two of them have been lounging on the couch for hours.”
“Did you call to tell me that?” Jungkook asked. He sank down on the cushion again next to Taehyung, propping the phone against the wine bottle.
Taehyung bit his lip to keep from laughing. It happened every time they went away without fail. Purr-illa loved Yoongi, but had also become attached to Jimin when he came by. It was a great source of happiness to Taehyung that their best friends started dating a couple months after meeting. It happened mostly due to Taehyung and Jungkook inviting the other two places, similar to their own coupling, though the progression was more gradual.
“No,” Yoongi said. He tilted his phone, showcasing Jimin sprawled on the couch in his apartment, a small black cat curled on his chest. “They are cute though.”
“So, what’s up?” Jungkook asked.
“I wanted to let you guys know my promotion went through,” Yoongi said. “You’re looking at the new head of the department.”
“Oh wow,” Jungkook said. “Congratulations. That’s really exciting.”
“And deserved,” Taehyung chimed in. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you both,” Yoongi said. “I just got the email a few minutes ago or I’d have told you when you dropped her off earlier.”
“It’s okay,” Jungkook said. He raised his glass. “We were just about to pick something to watch with dinner.”
“Ah,” Yoongi said. “Jimin has been marathoning all the spooky shows even though it’s not Halloween. Hill House etc.”
Taehyung sighed. Jimin had called him distraught after episode five. “Tell him to switch back to the sharks. Or like… baking.”
Yoongi huffed a laugh. “He’s glaring at you. Anyway, since I’m here I’ll wish the two of you a safe journey again.”
They both raised their glasses toward the screen. Taehyung was vibrating with happy energy. “Thanks.”
“Neither of us have been to Malta,” Jungkook said. He glanced over at Taehyung. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
“You’ll have to tell us everything when you get back,” Yoongi said.
“Even the spicy bits!” Jimin called from the background.
“I don’t need to know that part,” Yoongi rolled his eyes. “But we’ll let you go now. We’ll give P lots of attention.”
After they said goodbye, Taehyung turned toward Jungkook. He leaned forward, pleased that his boyfriend mirrored him without words. They kissed, softly at first and then a bit harder. Jungkook drew back, tugging Taehyung’s bottom lip between his teeth. Then he let go, a heated gleam flickering in his eyes.
Taehyung’s insides turned gooey. He loved being with Jungkook. He wanted to eat the dinner, but also wasn’t opposed to lying back on the couch for a different sort of meal. It appeared that Jungkook was going to keep everything separate that night. He pecked Taehyung’s lips once more, then reached for the remote on the coffee table.
“There will be plenty of time later,” He murmured. “Eat up, you’ll need your strength.”
Taehyung’s eyes widened. They flicked in the direction of the luggage. Jungkook had shown him some of the things he’d packed for their trip, but there was always a couple… surprises. Desire pulsed low in his belly, but he forced himself to take a sip of wine instead.
“I can’t wait,” Taehyung said when he set it down. “For any of it.”
“Me either,” Jungkook reached out to take his hand, giving it a squeeze. “There’s no one I want to travel the world with except you.”