Bangtan Dinner
Jungkook's P.O.V
This is the first time that all of Bangtan gathered in one place in over a year with the exception of Taehyung, of course. They sat down together and immediately began filling each other in their lives. Already an hour had passed whenever Jimin finally decided to let the other members know who he got to talk to this morning.
"So, I have an announcement" barely able to contain his excitement
"Well, go on with it Jimin!! Are you and Yoongi finally getting married?" Hoseok says playfully
"Yah! No it isn't about us pabo! It's about Taehyungie..."
Everyone was speechless, no one bothers to speak about Tae anymore. It hurts too much, especially not in front of Jungkook. So at Jimin's statement Namjoon immediately tensed up.
"Jimin-ah, do we really need to talk about Taehyung tonight? Can't we enjoy our time together. I don't want to feel sad when I'm seeing my family for the first time in a year."
"Hyung, I talked to Tae today.. I texted him this morning inviting him to join us tonight.." Jimin's excitement turned sour quickly whenever he saw the expression on his hyungs faces, a mixture of excitement and hurt on all of them "but obviously, he couldn't make it. He replied though and he even facetimed me!"
"Wait, you seriously got ahold of Tae?! What did he say?! Where is he?!" Hoseok is smiling like an idiot while Namjoon and Seokjin both have blank expressions: both of them remember vividly how Jungkook reacted whenever Taehyung left and they surely are noticing the pained look on his face with every word Jimin says.
"He's doing well. He got emotional on the Facetime. He explained that whenever he left, he needed to cut himself off but by the time he had cleared his mind..he was too scared to reach out. Terrified that we hated him for leaving us."
"Bullshit! Taehyung knows better than that! We called and texted and emailed, hell I even went to Bogum's set trying to reach out. Why the hell couldn't he just send a message instead of leaving us in the dark for four years?" Seokjin blurts out.
"Hey listen here you fucks. I know we all have a lot of mixed emotions about Tae but he's still our family is he not?! We finally get a word out of him and it appears Jimin, myself and Hobi are the only ones that actually seem happy...what the hell is that about, huh?!" Yoongi shouts. Bringing attention to their private room in the restaurant.
"I-I'm happy you heard from Tae Jimin..." Jungkook quietly speaks up and everyone goes silent. "Just knowing that he's okay, is a relief. It has been a long time."
Namjoon and Seokjin glance at each other with a nod. "You're right Yoongi. I'm sorry. It just didn't make any sense the way Taehyung just fell off the map. We wouldn't have even known he was married if it wasn't all over the tabloids when it happened!"
That statement obviously took Jungkook back as he started to choke on his food, clearing his throat "So did Tae say anything else?"
Jimin sighs while glaring at Yoongi "Well, grandpa over here went all 'it's been long enough tae come home' on him and Tae freaked out and hung up the phone."
"Seriously Yoongi?!"
"What the hell Suga!"
"Hey hey, back off fucktards, at least I'm trying to get him home." Yoongi spat back
Jimin takes a deep breath "We had this idea, I found out that Taehyungie and Bogum are living in Japan.. so Yoongi and I want to go visit. We were thinking of going this weekend. Thoughts?"
"I'm in, let's book a flight!" Hoseok excitedly shouts "I haven't decided if I'm gonna punch him or hug him first!!"
All of the boys laugh at Hobi's excitement
"Joonie, what do you think?" Seokjin asks concerned.. knowing Namjoon has strong feelings regarding the way Tae left things.
"We can't really pass up an opportunity to visit Taetae now can we?" Namjoon's words are a little broken "DAMN HIM, I said I didn't wanna feel sad tonight!"
"Kookie??" Jimin asks shyly while everyone turns to look at him
"I-I think I'm the l-last person Tae wants to see." He just fiddles with his chopsticks, not making eye contact
"That doesn't make any sense! You were his best friend Kook! He's probably most excited to see you!!" Jimin shouts.
The only people who know the real reason Tae left are Tae, Jungkook and Yoongi. The others have their suspicions but nothing is confirmed.
Jungkook would rather not go into the subject so he just smiles "You're probably right chim but I have to talk to Lisa. Not sure how she's gonna feel with me just up and flying to Japan such short notice."
Right. My fiancé. Recently Jungkook finds himself forgetting about that.. a lot..
"Well, just let us know what she says okay? I'll wait to book the flights until tomorrow. Meanwhile I'm gonna reach out to Tae and hopefully he is willing to meet with us!"
They all look at each other and finish their plates. Saying their goodbyes and heading out. Seokjin and Jungkook leave together since they are roommates, they're alone in their taxi.
"Kookie.. you don't have to go through with this." Seokjin says with a hand on the younger's shoulder
"Jin, I'll be fine. It's been a long time. Just gotta get it cleared by Lisa." Jungkook sends Seokjin a very fake, bunny smile. Hoping his hyung will drop it. He takes the hint.
Taehyungs P.O.V
Bogum spent the entire day taking Tae around. After they had Ramen they went to an art museum, where Bogum let Tae pick out a new piece for their living room. Taehyung was so excited whenever he saw a beautiful painting of the Sun and the Moon.
Flashback-8 years ago, sunrise in Malta
"Taehyungie! Look, you can see the moon and the sun at the same time!"
"I love coming out early and seeing this type of stuff. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside." Tae giggles
"Ya know, I kind of feel like that's us!"
Tae blushes at the youngers statement "What do you mean kookie?"
"Well the Sun is so bright, always bringing happiness whenever it comes out. The moon isn't quite as radiant but it always follows the Sun. You never find the Sun without the moon shortly after. So it's like us, you're the sun and I always find my way following behind you!"
Tae's heart is pounding at Jungkook's analysis. Knowing that the youngers observation is innocent, it sends all kinds of butterflies to the elders stomach. Whenever Jungkook says things like that it makes it so hard for Taehyung to hold back but he knows that he has to.
"Aw Kookie, I'll proudly be the Sun as long as you are my moon!" Tae just flashes his bright boxy grin before turning to go back into their vacation house.
END FLASHBACK
No matter where the sun goes, the moon shortly follows...I guess we could never compare to them huh? Taehyung takes a deep breath as he unwraps the beautiful painting and hangs it up in his house. He knows he shouldn't buy something that reminds him of the younger but he couldn't help it. It made him too happy to see the way the artist portrayed the two elements of the sky.
"Tae, I was thinking maybe we should get away this weekend? We haven't had much time for ourselves." Bogum states, wondering what is on his husband's mind as he stares at the painting they just bought.
Right at that moment Tae feels his phone buzz.
He gasps and throws his phone on the bed. Unsure how to process Jimin's request. Tears immediately flood his eyes. Of course Bogum notices.
"Tae, baby, I'm sorry. We don't have to go anywhere! We can stay home, it's fine please don't cry!" wrapping his husband in a hug to calm him down.
"I shouldn't have responded to Jimin, Bogumie..they want to come visit." Tae is hiccupping through his words. "I don't know if I'm ready.."
Bogum is just as shocked as Tae. The idea of a Bangtan reunion has always been on his mind but he was terrified of what would happen. How it would change the lovely life they have now. Bogum was also kind and knew that this was something Taehyung needed. Those boys were a part of his life during his hardest years and he knows that it kills his husband being away from them for so long.
"Baby, I think you should let them. It's been a long time and I know you miss them too." Bogum reluctantly states "if you're scared to go alone, I can tag along but you are more than welcome to go by yourself. I'm sure it's going to be an overwhelming reunion." He smiles warmly as he kisses his husbands forehead.
Tae just smiles into the kiss, knowing Bogum is right but so nervous to see them all again. "I-I, I'm just not sure. I think I'm gonna think on it overnight. I'm gonna get some rest if you don't mind?" Tae leans in to give his husband a kiss before retreating to their bedroom.
Just promise me you'll come back if you go. Bogum shakes his head at the thought.. he doesn't understand why he's still so insecure when it comes to Tae. Surely it has to do with the fact that his husband is without a doubt the most handsome man in the universe with a radiant personality to boost.
Meanwhile Tae is curled up in their bed. Staring at the text. Finally he takes a deep breath, throwing all caution to the wind. It's time Tae. Quit being a damn coward.
That night Taehyung went to bed with a weird feeling in his heart. Partly excitement, partly fear, partly something unknown. All that he knew was that he needed to stock up on beer, wine and ramen before the guys arrived!
Jungkook's P.O.V
Standing in the shower for what felt like an hour, Jungkook was trying to imagine what he will do/say/feel whenever he see's Tae. He never got to properly address those feelings he was brewing long ago. They both knew something was there but neither of them acted on it...they were both scared. Right whenever it seemed like they were going to go a little bit further in their relationship everything went to shit..
FLASHBACK-3 days before Tae left
"Jungkookie, what are you doing?!" Tae shouted as he found himself pinned to the wall with Jungkook gripping onto his hands tightly
"Tae, how long are we going to do this?! How long are we going to pretend that we don't know what's happening.. why do you keep running from me?!" Jungkook says desperately. God knows that all he wants to do is wrap the elder in his arms and kiss the lips that are trembling in front of him but he cant. Doing that changes everything for them. Even though Jungkook would willingly accept that change, the older's actions are so vague. One minute Taehyung is clinging to the younger as if there is no one else in the world and the next it's as if Jungkook isn't even there.
"Kookie, let me go. P-please.." Tears streaming down his face, doing everything he can not to look into those eyes. Those deep brown doe eyes, the ones that Tae see's the entire universe in. He can't look at those eyes. The moment he does it's over, everything will change and he's terrified.
Jungkook can see the fear in Tae's eyes so he lets him go. Both of them just stand there. Both crying but silent. Not a word, not a glance, not a touch. Silence and tears are the only things occupying their shared bedroom—an a whole lot of unspoken feelings.
END FLASHBACK
Why did I let you go, Tae? You gave me so many hints.. you wanted it too.. why did you push me away? Jungkook wouldn't have even noticed that he was crying if he hadn't already turned off the shower. He wipes his tears and finishes getting ready for bed. Knowing he has to address the issue eventually. Jungkook pulls out his phone to call his Fiance.
"Jungkookie, what are you doing calling me so late?"
"Sorry Lisa, I just got home from dinner with the guys."
"Oh how was it? Did you have a good time!?"
"Yeah, it was good... Um listen, everyone wants to take a trip to Japan this weekend. Do you have any issues with me going?"
Lisa's frozen, she knows what's in Japan or more so who, is in Japan. She too, remembers all of the rumors surrounding Jungkook and Taehyung before the split which Jungkook also refuses to discuss.
"Hmm, what for Kookie? Of course I don't mind if you go. I've got recordings with Blackpink so I can't go with you.. not that you wanted me to."
He gulps, when he and Lisa first started dating she actually expressed concerns about Taehyung. Jungkook of course shut down her concerns.. even if they were valid. "Jimin actually heard from Tae. Isn't that great? The first time in years. Tae invited us all to visit and catch up so that's what we're gonna do. He and Bogum are going to host us at their house they live in Kyoto now!" Jungkook is trying really hard not to sound fragile on the phone but he knows Lisa can hear the crackle in his voice.
"That is good news Kookie. I'm so glad to hear that Tae is finally reaching out to you guys! I hope you have a great time, be sure to send me lots of pictures okay.. we will have lots of wedding planning to finish when you get back. So come back in one piece, okay?" She says reluctantly "I love you kookie."
"Me too, Lisa. Thank you." He smiles and hangs up the phone.
It's always me too, Lisa.. never I Love You Too Lisa.. she feels a deep pang in her chest. Knowing that there's always been something holding her fiancé back. She just prayed that whatever it is, he would let go on this trip.
That night Jungkook went to bed with a weird feeling in his heart. One of sadness for his Fiance that he knows he doesn't love properly and one for his Sun... the warmth that he hasn't felt in four years—but he is so scared to be burned by the sudden exposure.
💜