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Another's Sorrow

Chapter 4

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Jungkook and Seokjin didn't speak to each other for several days after the night they'd shared. They avoided each other as best they could, neither of them able to look the other in the eye. The memory was too fresh.

Each night Jungkook went to bed terrified he'd wake up with Hoseok occupying his body once again. And each morning he'd wake up relieved that he was still himself. He wasn't naive enough to think that Hoseok was gone for good. He'd seen glimpses of him following his brother around, but since Jungkook was avoiding Seokjin, those sights were quite rare. As the days passed the worry of another incident decreased.

That's why, when Jungkook was wrenched awake by Hoseok possessing his body on the fourth night, he was surprised. Haven't you done enough? He complained as Hoseok padded across the floor, bringing them closer to the bedroom door. He had no doubt where Hoseok was heading, and Jungkook dreaded having to face his brother again, especially trapped like this. Whatever Hoseok had planned, Jungkook was certain he wouldn't like it.

"You're not doing anything with your life anyway. What matters it to you if I borrow your body a little while?" Hoseok muttered, stepping carefully over to Seokjin's bedroom.

Because you're ruining the relationship between me and my brother. Forcing us to do things neither of us want to do. You've seen what damage you've done already. Why can't you leave us alone?

Hoseok didn't respond to that. They'd entered Seokjin's room, and Hoseok moved carefully so as not to wake up Seokjin who was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

The dread Jungkook was feeling only increased with each step as Hoseok neared the bed. Jungkook wanted to wake Seokjin up, to scream and make a ruckus so Seokjin would see what was going on and be able to stop it. Seokjin had promised not to do anything more with him after all. But Hoseok had made no such promises, and he had no intention of waking Seokjin up. Not until he'd done what he'd intended to do.

The bedframe creaked as Hoseok leaned his weight on it, kneeling on the bed next to Seokjin's unconscious body. He lifted the covers, the fabric rustling slightly in the otherwise silent room. Seokjin's hand twitched and he smacked his lips, an aborted snore causing Hoseok to still. Jungkook felt his heart pounding in his chest, and his breath was loud. He was left to wonder what Hoseok was going to do. He didn't want to find out, but he didn't have a choice.

When Hoseok was certain Seokjin remained asleep, he scooted closer hooking his fingers into the waistband of Seokjin's boxers and pulling them down just far enough to free his dick. Jungkook had seen his brother's cock before, but not this up close and personal, only inches from his face. Hoseok released a shaky breath and crawled closer until he had one knee on either side of Seokjin's legs, careful not to touch Seokjin's body. He dragged the covers back up again until Jungkook was entirely hidden beneath it, encased in darkness.

I hate you. Jungkook thought, as Hoseok placed his hand on Seokjin's thigh, a barely there touch as he traced the muscle up until it reached Seokjin's groin. Seokjin's skin was soft beneath Jungkook's palm, smooth. Despite everything that Hoseok had done, Jungkook had tried his best to understand him. He'd wanted to forgive him. Hoseok had lost his life, and the person he loved. It was understandable that he would want him back. But after everything, Jungkook couldn't help but think that Hoseok's actions were selfish at best, outright malicious at worst. He'd shown zero regard to Jungkook and Seokjin. Despite all the years he and Hoseok had been practically family, Jungkook felt nothing but contempt for him now.

Hoseok's only response was to lean down and suck the head of Seokjin's cock into his mouth. It was limp. Seokjin was asleep after all. But Hoseok wasn't deterred, letting drool drip out of his mouth and down the length of Seokjin's cock until it was slick, wrapping his hand around the base and carefully beginning to jack him off. Since he didn't want to wake Seokjin up, he had to move slowly, so it took several minutes before Seokjin grew to full hardness. By that point, Jungkook's jaw ached, unused to this kind of activity. When the first drop of precum landed on his tongue, Jungkook wanted to run screaming into another room, but Hoseok dipped his head further down, taking more of Seokjin's length into his mouth. When Seokjin's cock hit the back of his throat, Jungkook gagged, and Hoseok was forced to pull off, muffling his coughs against his hand.

"You're bad at this." He whispered once he'd recovered. "Your body can't handle anything. I was barely half-way down." He sounded almost angry, upset that Jungkook's body didn't respond in the same way his own had.

You're welcome to leave. Jungkook thought bitterly, trying to think of something else, anything else, to distract him from the taste of Seokjin's cock in his mouth.

Almost as if to punish Jungkook, Hoseok sank down again, this time not stopping when Jungkook's throat constricted around the intrusion, forcing himself until Jungkook was choking on Seokjin's cock, and his nose was brushing Seokjin's stomach. He could only stay there for a couple of seconds before needing to pull off again, but Hoseok was determined, repeating the action over and over until unwilling tears fell from Jungkook's eyes, and his head pulsed from lack of oxygen.

Jungkook was almost grateful when Seokjin began squirming beneath him, thighs tensing and stomach clenching as he was brought closer to release. He'd do anything to have this ordeal over and done with. Including bringing his own brother to climax.

It seemed he would get his wish, because soon enough Seokjin's hips jerked up, chasing the warmth of Jungkook's mouth, and then he came with a shout, startling himself awake as he spilled onto Jungkook's tongue. Hoseok kept Seokjin's cock in his mouth until the last aftershocks died down and then he swallowed the cum, pressing a kiss to the head of Seokjin's penis. Seokjin was lying frozen beneath him, and Hoseok and Jungkook were left to wait until he finally gathered the courage to lift the edge of the covers up.

Hoseok smiled as Seokjin's face was revealed peering down at him, Seokjin's expression pulled into a pained frown.

"Good morning, hyung." Hoseok said sweetly. "Did you have a pleasant dream?"

Seokjin dropped the grip he had on the covers and once again, Jungkook was hidden away. Seokjin scooted away from Jungkook, firmly pushing him aside until he could pull his boxers back up again. Hoseok laughed, shoving the covers aside and crawling closer to a frazzled Seokjin.

"Hobah." Seokjin said, a warning clear in his tone. "You can't keep doing this."

"Why not?" Hoseok questioned, straddling Seokjin's lap before he had a chance to get away, and reaching up to cup Seokjin's cheeks. "I'm only giving you what you want."

Seokjin wrenched his head free, trying his best to keep Jungkook at a distance. "I don't want this." Seokjin said, sounding rattled.

"Don't lie." Hoseok frowned, a surge of anger rising within him. "You're in love with Jungkook. I know it. I've seen it. Don't pretend you aren't enjoying this. Jungkook would never be with you willingly. I'm only giving you what you couldn't have."

"I'm not." Seokjin was practically shouting now, his tone rising along with his panic. "Don't say that. It's not true. I'm not."

And Jungkook felt nauseous. He didn't know who to believe. If he'd been asked before Hoseok died, he never in a million years would've thought that Seokjin felt anything other than brotherly love for him. But he couldn't get the image of his brother's face as he fucked him out of his mind. The willingness he'd had to engage in such an act with him at all. But even if Hoseok was right, if what he said was true. Jungkook would never side with Hoseok over his brother.

Stop tormenting him. He thought. Better Seokjin's secrets not be revealed. Better they at least have the opportunity to go back to the way things were.

"You are." Hoseok said, his voice turning soothing, turning soft. "But it's okay. We can be with each other this way. You can have your precious Jungkook, the way you've always wanted. And I can have you."

"No." Seokjin firmly pushed Jungkook off of him, and rose from the bed to get away. "I want my brother back. That's what I want."

"Why?" Hoseok was frustrated now. "He doesn't love you. Not like you love him. But I do. I love you. Why can't I be with you?"

Seokjin took a deep breath, forcefully calming himself down. "I loved you too, Hoseok. Before, when you were still alive. But you're not anymore. You died, and it's time you accepted that. You were taken from this life too early. I'm so sorry your life was cut short. But that doesn't give you the right to take Jungkook's. I loved you once. And you claim to love me. If you love me, give me back my brother."

Please. Jungkook thought, willing Hoseok to have mercy on them. Please, please, please.

It was an odd sensation, as Hoseok left his body. It had only happened in his sleep before, aside from the time Seokjin had hit him, and then it had happened so quickly Jungkook hadn't had the chance to truly feel it. But now he did. It was like his body was tearing in two, stretching thin as something pulled away, only to snap. Feeling came back gradually, like it took time for Jungkook's mind to regain control of his body. He could've laughed as he blinked, as his fingers twitched. And then he did laugh, a relieved and yet broken sound, close enough to a sob to be practically indistinguishable.

Seokjin stared at him, unable to see what was going on. Hoseok stood beside him, looking longingly at Seokjin, but Seokjin didn't notice, his attention was on Jungkook.

"Kook-ah?" He asked, careful not to get his hopes up.

"Hyung." Tears were streaming down Jungkook's face, but he wasn't sad. Far from it.

"Oh, thank god." Seokjin said, falling to his knees beside Jungkook and pulling him into a crushing hug. "It's okay." He kept repeating, rocking Jungkook from side to side. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."

Jungkook could only watch from over Seokjin's shoulder as Hoseok faded from view, a grim expression on his face. Something told Jungkook this was the last time he'd see him. There was no time for goodbye. No time for reconciliation. But then again, such was the thing with death. It took indiscriminately, with little warning. Perhaps it was only right that it end like this, like it was meant to from the beginning. Jungkook squeezed Seokjin tighter, relishing in the strength of his own arms, of regaining control of them. He'd missed his own body. Now things could go back to normal.

Seokjin pulled back to look at Jungkook, eyes glistening and a gentle smile adorning his face. But there was something in his gaze that gave Jungkook pause. He looked so loving, so hopeful, and Jungkook was reminded of Hoseok's words. Abruptly, Jungkook wrenched himself free, rising to his feet. He didn't want Hoseok's words to poison his mind, to destroy the relationship he had with Seokjin. He didn't actually know if what Hoseok had said was true. But he couldn't forget the feeling of Seokjin's lips upon his. Seokjin had fucked him. Less than an hour ago, Jungkook had had Seokjin's cock in his mouth. Normal, was perhaps a bit further away than he'd hoped.

"Sorry." Jungkook mumbled, and ignorning Seokjin's startled expression, he turned on his heel and ran, locking himself in his own bedroom. He needed some time to think.

Seokjin didn't come after him, didn't attempt to explain or refute Hoseok's claims. They spent the day seperately; Jungkook locked away in his room, and Seokjin ... well, Jungkook didn't know what Seokjin was doing. The one thing he knew, was that this couldn't go on forever. They would need to move on. Jungkook was reliant on his brother after all. He couldn't survive without Seokjin.

When the time for dinner came around, Jungkook hadn't eaten all day, and he needed to do something. The apartment was quiet as he left his bedroom, tiptoeing over to the kitchen. There was no one there, Seokjin hiding away somewhere else. With trembling hands, Jungkook turned the oven on, letting it heat up as he opened the fridge to find something to eat. He wasn't a good cook, but he wasn't a bad one either. He could make them something. A peace offering perhaps. A feeble attempt at pretending everything was fine.

He worked in silence, the only sound the soft thuds of the knife hitting the chopping board, and the sizzle of the pan. The fan over the stove whirred, but not loud enough to muffle the sound of Seokjin opening his bedroom door. It was only a click, but Jungkook heard. He'd been waiting for that sound. Dreading it almost. Anticipating it.

He couldn't hear Seokjin's approach, but he knew he was coming. Jungkook kept his back turned to the door, didn't want to look at his brother until he knew what he'd come to say.

"What are you making?" Seokjin's voice was barely audible, but to Jungkook he might as well have been shouting.

"Nothing special." Jungkook's shoulders were drawn up to his ears, his body tense in preparation. In preparation for what, he wasn't sure. "I'm cooking some meat, and there's fries in the oven. I'm making a salad as well, so that we can pretend to be healthy." Jungkook cracked a small smile even though Seokjin couldn't see his face. Seokjin released a breath behind him, and then he took a few steps closer. Jungkook's heart was pounding as he waited for Seokjin's next move. But Seokjin didn't approach him. Instead he walked over to the cupboard, taking out a couple of plates.

"I'll set the table then." He said, just as softly as before, and Jungkook relaxed. It seemed they were in agreement, unspoken as it were. They would pretend that everything was normal, and in time, perhaps they would forget everything that had happened between them. Jungkook hoped, and he prayed.

Jungkook held off on looking at Seokjin until all the food was prepared and they'd sat down by the table. Until he had no other choice. Seokjin looked haggard, like he hadn't slept in weeks. He looked worse than he had when he'd informed Jungkook that Hoseok had passed away, all that time ago. But there was still that something in his gaze. The something that had Jungkook repeating Hoseok's words in his mind. Had Seokjin always looked at him like that, or was this a recent development? Hoseok had implied that Seokjin's affections ran deeper, and had done so for far longer than Jungkook could've ever suspected. How had he missed it before? Or was he simply overthinking it now?

"Are you going to work tomorrow?" Jungkook asked. He wasn't really interested, but he needed to say something. Needed something to distract from the tension between them.

Seokjin nodded, finally dropping his gaze from Jungkook's face. "We're having a meeting in the morning, so I'll be leaving a little earlier than usual."

Jungkook hummed, pretending to be interested as he chewed his food. It was bland, completely tasteless. Or there was something wrong with Jungkook. That seemed more likely. He grabbed the salt and poured some on his fries anyway. He was sure he'd salted them before. Still, they tasted like nothing. Seokjin's hand flexed where it rested on the table, and Jungkook's eyes fixated on it. He remembered that hand at the base of his neck, cradling it gently, those fingers tangling in his hair. A shudder went through him. He couldn't discern what he was feeling, but his cheeks were burning anyway.

Abruptly, he stood from the table, putting his chopsticks down. "I'm sorry. I think I'll head to bed. I'll do the dishes in the morning." He didn't wait for Seokjin's response, lost in a daze as he walked over to his bedroom. He felt strange all over. Hoseok had returned his body, so why didn't he recognize himself?

That night he dreamt. Though he didn't realize he was dreaming at first. He couldn't remember the beginning of the dream, but everything after was clear as day.

Jungkook was lying in Seokjin's bed, tangled in his arms. Seokjin was mumbling something into his hair, though he couldn't make out the words. They were both naked, Seokjin's soft cock still dripping with the last of his spend, rubbing against Jungkook's stomach as they shifted. It was obvious what they'd done together.

At first, Jungkook thought that he'd been wrong. That Hoseok hadn't really left. That he'd returned and used Jungkook's body without him knowing. But that couldn't be true, because Jungkook could move his arms and his legs, and he didn't feel worried or afraid, he felt calm, serene.

When Seokjin tilted his face up, Jungkook looked at him willingly, accepted Seokjin's kiss because he wanted to, not because someone forced him to. It was when Seokjin's hand drew him closer by the hip, when Seokjin's tongue found its way inside Jungkook's mouth that he woke up. Alone. In his own bed. Harder than he could ever remember being.

It was painful waiting for his erection to go down. Jungkook refused to touch himself to the memory of being with his brother. But it hurt, his body calling for the relief his hand could give him. But he wouldn't. He couldn't. The mental barrier was too high.

He didn't know why he'd dreamt about fucking his brother. Why it had felt so right. He tried his best to tell himself that it was only a dream. It didn't have to mean anything. Still, he was thankful when he finally pulled himself out of bed and found that Seokjin had already left for the morning.

There were no dirty dishes in the sink for Jungkook to wash, and Seokjin had left a note for him on the counter telling him there was lunch prepared for him in the fridge. It was almost identical to the notes Seokjin would leave him a few months ago, before their lives were upended. He could remember waking up to this on many occasions when Seokjin had been too busy at work to wait for Jungkook to wake up in the mornings. The only difference was that then, Seokjin would always leave a pill for him together with the note. Seokjin made sure that he never skipped taking his medication. There was no medication for him now though, and a quick look in the trash can showed that Seokjin had thrown them out. Apparently, Seokjin believed he wasn't crazy. Jungkook had finally managed to convince him of the truth. It was a small comfort all things considered.

But life would go on. It did go on. For weeks Jungkook and Seokjin pretended that everything was fine. That nothing had changed between them. But the dreams persisted. Sometimes Jungkook would dream of Seokjin fucking him. Sometimes it would be them tangled in bed after the fact. Other times they would be doing something else entirely. Walking along a sunlit park, holding hands. Curling up together on the couch trading sweet kisses as they watched something or other. Jungkook didn't know why his mind was playing these scenes before him. He tried not to think about it.

But he wasn't the only one affected. Jungkook was very aware of Seokjin's inner turmoil as well. Some days, Seokjin would look at Jungkook with so much longing in his eyes that Jungkook felt a pang in his own heart. Sometimes he'd touch Jungkook without thinking. Tucking a strand of hair behind Jungkook's ear, placing a hand on Jungkook's waist as he passed. He'd pull away as quick as he'd touched him, almost as if burned, but Jungkook noticed, he saw. But other days, Seokjin couldn't bear to look at him at all. He'd leave before Jungkook woke up and return long after Jungkook had gone to bed. Seokjin was just as affected as Jungkook was. If not more.

They did a good job pretending though. Dancing around each other like they could hide from the truth forever. But it was getting hard. Jungkook's inner defences were wearing down. His brain must be trying to tell him something, with all the dreams of love and happiness. Would it be so wrong?

It happened on an ordinary Thursday. They were cleaning up after dinner, Jungkook washing the dishes and Seokjin putting things back into the cupboards. It happened as Seokjin walked past where Jungkook was standing. It was only a brief touch of Seokjin's hand on Jungkook's hip. Jungkook wouldn't have felt it at all if he hadn't been so intuned to Seokjin's every move. Goosebumps erupted across his skin, and Jungkook shuddered. Seokjin retracted his hand, a mumbled sorry as he turned to flee. Jungkook wasn't even aware he was doing it until he already had a firm grip around Seokjin's wrist, stopping him in his tracks.

For a while they only looked at each other, the dirty dishes lying long forgotten in the sink. Jungkook searched Seokjin's gaze, and Seokjin did the same with Jungkook. He wasn't sure what compelled him to do it; what compelled Seokjin to do it, but they both stepped forward, closer together until their chests were brushing against each other.

"Hyung?" Jungkook whispered, a question, a plea.

Seokjin's mouth crashed down on his, demanding and frantic, walking Jungkook back until the edge of the counter dug into Jungkook's spine. A dull ache spread throughout his back, but it was fine, Jungkook responded in turn. His hand was wet with soap and water, but he didn't care. He thrust it into Seokjin's hair, couldn't decide if he wanted to tear him away or pull him closer. An animal sound escaped his lips, and Seokjin lifted him up on the counter, Jungkook's legs wrapping around his waist. They broke apart, a string of spit connecting their lips.

Jungkook's first instinct was to recoil, disgust and arousal warring within him. This was his brother. His brother. Jungkook wanted him, wanted the future he'd glimpsed inside his dreams. And Seokjin wanted him too, he could see it in his eyes.

Seokjin's hands smoothed down Jungkook's ribs until they landed on Jungkook's hips, drawing him closer until their erections rubbed against each other. Jungkook moaned, loudly, breaking the silence of the room.

"Do you want this?" Seokjin asked. Careful, always so careful.

Yes. Of course Jungkook wanted him. How could he not?

No. This was wrong. Jungkook wasn't a religious person, but he knew this was a sin. He could feel it in his very bones.

He couldn't answer Seokjin's question without lying, one way or the other. But it didn't matter if he wanted it or not. He did and he didn't. But he was going to do it. Because he loved Seokjin. Because he needed him.

"Make love to me, hyung." Jungkook said, his voice soft, gentle. "Take me to bed."

Seokjin inhaled sharply, pecking Jungkook quickly on the lips before pulling back, grabbing Jungkook's hand and interlacing their fingers. He led Jungkook over to the bedroom. Jungkook's bedroom. Neither of them wanted to go to Seokjin's. It was too much of a reminder of Hoseok. Of what Hoseok had made them do. Of how this had all started. If they were going to do this, they needed to do it on their own terms.

The desperation from before was gone. Seokjin handled Jungkook with care, guiding him down on the bed before stripping him of his clothes.

"You're so beautiful." Seokjin said, tracing Jungkook's body with his fingertips. He looked at him almost reverently, like he was indulging himself in a pleasure he'd denied himself for too long.

Jungkook shivered. He found himself wondering once again what Seokjin felt about him. For how long he'd been feeling it. There was no mistaking the look in his eye now. But how could Jungkook have missed it before. How? How? How?

Seokjin didn't cry like he had the last time they'd done this. He didn't squeeze his eyes shut and wait for it to be over. This time he was an active participant, not just following Hoseok's lead. Jungkook banished the thought from his mind. He didn't want to think about Hoseok now. Not when he was about to sleep with his brother.

When Seokjin pushed a finger into him, he swallowed Jungkook's gasp with his mouth, sealing their lips together in a filthy kiss. Everything seemed so much more intimate now than it had ever been before. Jungkook's nerve endings were set alight, reacting to the slightest of Seokjin's touches.

He clung to Seokjin like he was a lifeline, wrapping his limbs around him until they were truly tangled together. There was a near constant push and pull within Jungkook, of want and disgust. Part of him craved Seokjin like a drug. He needed him more than anything. Needed that high only Seokjin could give him. Part of him kept reminding him of the wrongness of their actions. His inner voice telling him how disgusting he was for doing this. He ignored that voice.

Because there was one thing that hit him, as Seokjin pulled his fingers from Jungkook's hole and replaced it with his cock. Something that made it worth it, something that Jungkook could use to justify their behavior. Jungkook could never have anyone else. He rarely if ever left the apartment. He couldn't hold down a job. He could barely distinguish between the dead and the living, and as a result could never fit in with society. Always the odd one out.

Seokjin was the only one who could love him. The only one who would never leave Jungkook, no matter what. And Jungkook didn't want to be alone. He wanted this. Even as he hated himself for it. But hate could be overcome, loneliness could not.

"I love you." Jungkook said earnestly, as Seokjin thrust inside him.

Seokjin groaned, collapsing down onto his elbows, close enough that they were sharing breath. Close enough that Jungkook could feel every twitch of Seokjin's body against his own.

"I love you too." Seokjin panted, pulling Jungkook up until he was sitting in Seokjin's lap, arms wrapped tight around Jungkook's waist to keep him from falling back down. "You have no idea how much."

Jungkook kissed him, relished the taste of Seokjin's tongue, grinding down into Seokjin's lap at this new angle. Seokjin's cock brushed against his prostrate on each thrust, and Jungkook's sanity was held on by a single thread, on the cusp of release. One more snap of Seokjin's hips. Two. Jungkook fell over the edge, body drawing tight as he came, head thrown back in ecstacy.

He wasn't really aware in the following moments. He knew Seokjin kept thrusting, kept chasing his own pleasure. The only reason he knew was because he was so sensitive, whining as he was pushed from the last vestiges of pleasure into oversensitivity. His arms fell from their grip on Seokjin's shoulder, falling limp against his sides. All his strength had left his body. Seokjin pushed him back down on the bed, lifted his knee up against his chest and pounded into him at a rapid pace. Soon enough he too groaned as he reached his climax, pressing a kiss to the sensitive skin on the inside of Jungkook's lower thigh. More tongue than lips, less kiss than a lick.

They stayed like that a while. Both of them trembling as they came down from their respective highs. Jungkook reached out for Seokjin's hand, wanting that quiet comfort of being held.

Seokjin pulled out of his body, collapsing beside him and pulling Jungkook into his embrace, arms wrapped around Jungkook's waist as he pressed kisses to Jungkook's neck and shoulder.

"I think we should move." Seokjin said, just as Jungkook was about to drift off into sleep.

Jungkook thought about it. Thought about being together somewhere else. Somewhere they could be Seokjin and Jungkook, lovers and not brothers. Somewhere that wasn't tainted by death.

"Yeah." He agreed, burying his head into the crook of Seokjin's neck. "I'd like that."

 

1 year later

 

They'd bought a house on the beach. Or, house was perhaps a generous term for it. It was smaller than their apartment had been. Only one bedroom. But they didn't need more than that. Not anymore.

Everything in their new home was small. Except the kitchen. The kitchen was wide and spacious and had large windows that overlooked the sea. It seemed to always be cast in a golden glow, reflecting off the white cupboards to paint the room in light.

Jungkook had gotten better at cooking since they'd moved there. He had Ahjumma to thank for that. She'd lived there before they moved in, and since their arrival she'd tried her best to teach Jungkook everything she knew.

She tutted now as Jungkook chopped up a pak choi. "Watch the pot." She scolded, turning her beady eyes on Jungkook. "It's about to boil over."

Jungkook cursed and turned the heat down until the soup returned to a simmer.

It was a good day. Jungkook had woken up in Seokjin's arms. Warm and content. Jungkook had made breakfast as Seokjin drank his coffee, and then they'd parted at the door with a kiss. As the morning bled into afternoon, Jungkook had taken a swim, and then a stroll on the beach as he dried off. Everything was so peaceful here.

He'd returned to Ahjumma waiting for him by the door, ready for their daily lesson. She had a knack for timing their cooking perfectly for when Seokjin returned from work. Jungkook had a lot to thank her for.

As if on cue, Seokjin's car pulled into the driveway, and Ahjumma rose from her seat. "Punctual as always." She mused as she smoothed her clothes out. "I'll get going then, Jungkook-ah. See you again tomorrow."

Jungkook waved at her as she faded from view, just in time as the door opened and Seokjin stepped inside. The kitchen wasn't far from the hallway, and as soon as Seokjin had toed his shoes off he walked over to Jungkook, wrapping his arms around Jungkook's waist.

Jungkook smiled as Seokjin pressed a kiss to the back of his neck, leaning his weight back against Seokjin's chest. "Did you have a good day?" Jungkook asked, closing his eyes as Seokjin swayed them from side to side.

Seokjin hummed. "Better now." He murmured, turning Jungkook around in his arms until they were facing each other.

It was almost second nature, the way their lips found each other, slotting together like they were made for it. As always, Jungkook felt an instinctual flash of disgust at the first touch, a jolt going through him before he relaxed into the feeling. He could never quite forget that they were brothers first and foremost. But the love he felt for Seokjin was stronger. He'd gotten his happily ever after. To the people of the village they'd moved to, he and Seokjin were a couple. The prejudices they faced were due to the fact that they were gay, not because their relationship was incestuous. They could live their perfect little lie.

Jungkook pulled back, giggling as Seokjin chased after his mouth. He held a hand up to stop him, pushing the pads of his fingers against Seokjin's lips. "Dinner's ready." He said, disentangling himself from Seokjin's embrace.

Seokjin sighed as if it was a great inconvenience, but he was smiling too, following after Jungkook with a lovesick expression.

After dinner they curled up together on the porch, a blanket wrapped around them both to protect from the evening chill. Seokjin seemed almost to glow in the light of the setting sun, the sound of the crashing waves a gentle soundtrack to their intimate moment. He must've noticed Jungkook looking at him, because he turned his gaze towards him with a questioning expression. Jungkook had his legs thrown over Seokjin's lap, and he was tucked tight into Seokjin's side. He held one of Seokjin's hands in one of his, but with the other he reached up to cup Seokjin's cheek.

"I love you." He said, like he'd said every single night before. He believed if he said it aloud enough times, he'd stop doubting the truth of it.

Seokjin smiled. "I love you too."

Notes:

This is it. This the end.

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