Chapter Text
"Taehyung," Daehyun was surprised when his secretary guided his brother into his office. "What brings you here? I thought we were meeting later at the mansion for dinner."
Taehyung gave him a hug before he sat across from him. "I couldn't wait to see you,"
Daehyun smirked. "Did you miss your hyung this much?"
Taehyung rolled his eyes but didn't deny it.
With Baekhyun no longer around to fan the flames, Taehyung and his family grew much closer. He and Daehyun realized that they had things in common that made them connect and become friends.
"I heard you went golfing without me yesterday,"
"You bailed out because you had a meeting," Daehyun shot back. "Don't put the blame on me."
"You could have waited," Taehyung smiled at the secretary when she deposited a mug of coffee in front of him. "Thank you,"
Daehyun shook his head when she asked him if he needed any, so she bowed and exited the office. "So, what brings you here?"
"I need to talk to you about a project," Taehyung stated, taking a sip of his beverage.
Daehyun was running the Corporation, though he was smart enough to hire a professional manager and was mostly a figurehead who spent his days playing golf. He seemed interested in the idea as he stood up and chose to sit next to his brother. "What project?"
"I need you to establish a scholarship foundation for disadvantaged children with musical talent," Taehyung explained, placing his mug on the coffee table and turning to face his brother. "To send them to a prestigious music school in Switzerland."
Daehyun furrowed his brows in confusion. "Why can't you do it?"
Taehyung looked back at his coffee and busied himself with drinking it to avoid answering.
Daehyun saw right through him. "Kim Taehyung, don't beat around the bush and lay it on me," he said knowingly. "What's up with this scholarship project and why me and not you since it's your idea?"
Taehyung sighed, giving in to his fate. "I hope Jungkook will find out about it and go there so that we meet."
Daehyun's expression softened. "Why didn't you say so from the start?"
Taehyung bit down on his lips. "I need your help with this, hyung, because I can't be in the picture. I want the project to be under the Corporation. My name shouldn't be mentioned at all or the North may suspect the motives and ruin the plan. I need you to promote it like you had never promoted a project before. I want the news to reach the North specifically so that Jungkook finds out. What do you say?"
"I'd say it's an amazing project regardless of the ulterior motive," Daehyun admitted, ruffling Taehyung's hair. "Doing charity work is good for our image and if it gets you to meet the love of your life then be it. I'm in." he chuckled when Taehyung threw his arms around him for a hug and whispers of gratitude.
-=oOo=-
Up north in the military housing village, the Famous Four were giddy about the fact that Jungkook and his squad were returning from the front line. They stocked up and prepared his house like they always did and got dressed up to welcome their handsome Captain home.
Over dinner, Jungkook broke their hearts.
"I'm being discharged from the army," he told them the news. "I have been chosen as the new pianist for the National Symphony Orchestra."
The ladies' faces fell. "When are you leaving?" Wheein asked.
"Soon," Jungkook offered shortly.
"Jesus, you look heartbroken," Hoseok commented, seeing his wife's expression. "I can't believe you have really developed a crush on Jungkook."
"I love you, Hoseok," Moonbyul rushed to console him.
Hoseok rolled his eyes and continued eating, causing everyone to chuckle.
"I hope you act as caring towards the new Captain as you had been with me," Jungkook requested.
"Oh, they have already appointed a new one?" Hwasa questioned.
Jungkook nodded and pointed to the seat across from his. Everyone turned to a smug looking Yoongi.
"Hello, I'm your new Captain, Min Yoongi," the former Master Sergeant greeted.
"Thank god it's not someone we're not familiar with," Youngsun was relieved.
"Does it mean you will take care of me?" Yoongi asked, using his puppy eyes.
The women chuckled, nodding. "Rest assured, Captain. We'll do,"
"Are you going to live by yourself?" Wheein asked, her eyes on Jimin, smirking.
The Staff Sergeant looked away to hide his blush. Yoongi wasn't fazed as he wrapped his arm around his boyfriend and drew him closer. "If you don't mind looking after two soldiers, I don't see why I should live by myself."
"You look beautiful together," Hwasa said dreamily. "You remind me of Jungkook and Hyunwook…," she swallowed the rest of her words when she realized her slip.
Tension could be cut with a knife. Jungkook pursed his lips tightly as he chewed on his food while the rest glanced worriedly at him.
"So, we will help you unpack when you move in," Wheein interjected to ease up the tension.
"Thank you," Yoongi smiled gratefully.
They engaged in conversation soon enough, trying not to dwell much on Jungkook's mood drop.
-=oOo=-
Two years had come and gone, and there he was, standing on the Sigriswil Bridge, taking its wholeness and the gorgeous scenery it faced, contemplating for the nth time his life and his decisions. It seemed like yesterday when Taehyung came to this place and met Jungkook for the first time. He was back to where it all began for real, but there was no Jungkook at all. He thought if he kept going back and forth from Seoul to Itsewald, he would find Jungkook; he even imagined seeing him playing the piano once in a town square.
Who was he kidding?
Jungkook was in the North. He hadn't quit the army. He hadn't found out about the scholarship program and he wasn't going to come to him at all.
And yet, Taehyung refused to lose the hope.
He hadn't moved on and he wasn't planning to. He wasn't unhappy or anything. He loved his family, he finally forgave them, loved his job and his employees, but still. Right now, standing all alone in a foreign country, he believed he would pay the world to see Jungkook again, to hold him in his arms again.
He couldn't help but let the constant pang in his chest eat away at him as he flew back to Seoul, disappointed yet again, trailing his tail behind him.
"Why do you keep doing this to yourself?" his stepmom felt for him that she couldn't keep it to herself anymore.
Taehyung was lost in thoughts during lunch that he didn't comment on anything his parents were conversing about.
"Taehyung, you need to stop," Minsik asked tenderly, his heart hurting to see him losing himself to lovesickness.
"Jungkook has found me before," Taehyung whispered brokenly. "I'm sure he will find me this time, too." He added determinably and excused himself, having lost his appetite.
-=oOo=-
Four years passed since he had seen Jungkook and three years since he started the scholarship program hoping to reach him and Taehyung found himself back to Switzerland again. He monitored the kids' arrival from afar, having Daehyun's team handle everything, so that he didn't draw any attention to his presence. When he made sure that everything took place safely and smoothly, he decided to go paragliding.
It brought back memories of the day he was sucked into the tornado that ended up sending him over the borders. It felt like forever ago.
"I still can't believe that happened," he chuckled to himself while devouring the stunning green landscape around him with his eyes.
He stayed up in the air for a while before he ended up landing awkwardly on a hillside. "Jesus, it seems that I forgot how to land. What the fuck was that?" he groaned as his parachute landed on top of him, covering him from head to toe.
"I don't think your landing was that bad," a familiar voice said. "I think you fell on the right spot. Actually, you didn't fall…you descended."
Taehyung came out from under the parachute to see Jungkook standing in front of him with a cheeky grin. "W-What?" he stuttered, eyes bulging out in shock. "Jung…Jungkook?" he was trying to make out the situation and find a set of coherent words.
Jungkook saw his lips move slightly, trying to form syllables, but nothing else came out. "I'm sure you wonder how I got here. Well, I got on the wrong train and it brought me to the right destination."
Taehyung unfroze and removed his paragliding gear to get to him. Jungkook immediately moved to meet him midway. He spotted the ring of circles under Taehyung's eyes, but he was still as handsome as the last time he had seen him. No, scratch that. He was even more handsome with blond hair. The sight of him brought a sprout of emotions to the forefront of Jungkook’s mind and heart, and then suddenly, he found that his arms were around Taehyung’s waist and he was pulling him flush against him.
Taehyung willingly and eagerly moved into Jungkook, not bothering to protest because he still couldn’t believe his own eyes, and he gave Jungkook a look of uncertainty. Jungkook’s only instinct was to respond by leaning in and pressing his lips against Taehyung’s own, just to get rid of that look, to make the other man feel certain about what was going on, to show him that he was here and real.
He wanted Taehyung to be certain of everything, of himself and of their relationship, whatever that might be within the next few minutes.
Jungkook closed his eyes and pressed further into the kiss when he felt that Taehyung wasn’t responding just yet. He was not willing to give up and it was only then that he felt Taehyung coming to life beneath his arms around his waist, moving so that he could press impossibly close to Jungkook.
The kiss reminded the Captain of the first night they had kissed. When the air was too cold inside the boat of Namjoon's uncle, but Jungkook had been too hot and their lips moved with such a grace that had left him breathless.
Like he felt right now.
This wasn’t too much and it wasn’t too little. It was just right and Taehyung could feel the weight of the past four years roll off of his shoulders and sink into the ground below their feet. He leaned further into Jungkook, wrapping an arm around the other man’s neck because he needed to feel Jungkook, skin on skin in its simplest form, which only made him whimper at the contact. Jungkook was the first to pull away, only slightly for air until Taehyung drew him in again.
It was still sweet kisses because that was what Jungkook was and it was everything that they were trying to convey to one another. Taehyung realized just how much he had missed this now that he had Jungkook in his arms. It caused him to curl his fingers into the fabric of Jungkook’s coat and run his nails over the back of Jungkook’s neck.
He pulled back from the kiss later, resting his forehead against Jungkook’s.
"Hi," he breathed out, still not quite sure this was reality. He had forgotten his surroundings, what he was supposed to be doing because he only had eyes for the person standing in front of him.
He only had eyes for his Jungkook.
"Hello," Jungkook smiled and pulled back from Taehyung so that he could see him clearly. "Missed me?" He was still holding him close.
Taehyung pursed his lips lightly, looking at Jungkook as if he had two heads. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Jungkook chuckled and shrugged.
"It had been four years, Jungkook, four fucking years," Taehyung said in one breath.
"I missed you so fucking much," Jungkook whispered. "I love you,"
The fact that Jungkook was really here was beginning to settle in now, and while he had finally managed to get over a lot of different emotions he had been feeling the past years, they all came rushing back to him within the span of a few seconds.
"I love you, too," Taehyung whispered back and kissed Jungkook again while tears escaped his eyes. "I missed you more. I can't believe how I had managed to survive without you."
"I died inside without you," Jungkook cried out.
Taehyung licked his lips, staring at Jungkook's mouth before he caught himself and looked back up into Jungkook's eyes, seeing the glimmer of despair. Jungkook seemed genuinely torn, which prompted Taehyung to stroke his back reassuringly. "Let's go to my hotel," he said, grabbed Jungkook's hand and guided him away.
Unlike what Jungkook expected, which was to head to Taehyung's room to have their privacy, his lover escorted him to the dining area and sat them down in the farthest table, away from curious eyes.
"If we go to my room, I know there won't be any talking involved," Taehyung elaborated, sitting next to him, holding his hand under the table. "And I believe we need to talk before we head upstairs."
"What do you want us to talk about?" Jungkook smiled fondly.
"How come you're here? And now and not three years ago?" Taehyung leaned in to kiss Jungkook once more. Just one, Taehyung promised himself, then he would step back and concentrate on the important matters at hand.
Jungkook fisted his hand over Taehyung's chest, lightly tugging on the jumpsuit he was still wearing. "I'm sorry I took so long. I had to wait for the right time. I wanted to come to you the moment I read about the scholarship in the newspapers, but I couldn't."
Taehyung rested his forehead against Jungkook's, nodding at him to continue while he cherished the contact and let the Captain's voice caress his soul.
"After I served my time in the army, I quit and joined the national orchestra as their main pianist," Jungkook added on. "I never thought I would get a chance to see you, so I carried on with my life for another year before I saw the ad. I talked to my father who promised to pull some strings so that I could escort the kids. It took a while for me to join. I started as a teacher at the academy before I was assigned to escort them here. I had to bide my time so as not draw any suspicions and here I am."
"I'm so happy you are," Taehyung brought Jungkook's hand to his lips to plant a soft kiss on the palm.
"I was giddy the whole flight here," Jungkook bit his lip, exhaling shakily. "I didn't know what to expect. I knew you set up the scholarship program to reach out to me, but I was scared that I wouldn't find you waiting for me."
"I have come here every year in the hope of seeing you," Taehyung told him, sounding desperate. "Everyone thought I was crazy for still holding on, for not moving on, but I didn't care. I swore to wait for you and I did. You're here. With me. It wasn't in vain."
"Still, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," Jungkook scooted closer and Taehyung shifted to accommodate him against his side. "I'm so sorry, sunshine."
Taehyung slung an arm around Jungkook's shoulders, running his fingers through Jungkook's hair. "I missed you calling me that,"
"I missed everything about you, baby," Jungkook admitted, closing his eyes, feeling completely weightless as Taehyung littered his face with small kisses, lingering at the corner of his mouth.
They were interrupted by the waiter who joined their table with the menus. They broke apart, flushing hard, before they decided to postpone any touching till they made it to Taehyung's room. Dinner was a pleasant affair. They updated each other on everything that had taken place during the four year separation period with Taehyung asking about the squad and how they fared in his absence.
He was beyond happy to know Yoongi was promoted to Captain and lived in Jungkook's house with Jimin. Namjoon and Jin were also promoted and moved in together to a house in the army village close to Yoongi and Jimin instead of staying at the garrison. Hoseok left the military and moved with his wife and son to Pyongyang to pursue a career in sound design for a film company.
"They still miss you," Jungkook told him. "As a way to connect with you, they buy your products that Jinjoo smuggles."
Taehyung cracked up at that. "I wish there was a way to send them everything they need."
"Well, I'm here now, so you can send anything you want with me," Jungkook muttered with a smirk.
"For how long?" Taehyung felt his heart squeeze.
"Fifteen days," Jungkook lost his smirk. "Once the kids are settled, I would have to go back,"
Taehyung nodded and forced himself to smile. "Then, we'll make use of those fifteen days. You're never leaving my sight."
"I'd have to during the day to go to the academy to check on the kids," Jungkook chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"And you'll find me waiting for you by the gate to kidnap you and have you to my heart's content," Taehyung winked at him.
"You won't see me complaining," Jungkook's voice turned sultrily and his gaze exposed the wave of arousal that hit him at the thought of Taehyung kidnapping him.
"The check, please," Taehyung called the waiter once he detected it, feeling his groin stir in response.
Once they made it to his room, he pushed the Captain gently against the door and closed the gap between them, kissing Jungkook, lips finding each other in a calm drag, a soft nip.
It felt different.
The kiss was warmer, easier than the ones they had shared earlier. All urgency was gone, and Taehyung could feel sweetness, relief, as well as faith in that kiss. Jungkook sank against him, hand holding on to Taehyung's, and Taehyung drew in every detail of the moment, memorized every second.
Jungkook's fingers between his own, Jungkook's soft lips opening up for Taehyung. He tasted of heady wine and rich tomatoes, something else beneath that was familiar, reminded Taehyung of a beautiful past. The way he kissed was different, though, maybe sweeter, maybe rougher.
"Fuck," Taehyung breathed out.
"Fuck indeed," Jungkook smiled and nuzzled their noses together.
"I need to get this jumpsuit off of me," Taehyung told him.
"Let me do the honor," Jungkook moved to have a go at it when Taehyung smirked and slipped out of his grasp, disappearing into the bathroom before he could touch him.
When he came out of the bathroom, Jungkook was lying on the bed, on top of the covers, staring at the door expectantly in a t-shirt and boxers. The way Jungkook was looking at him was making him feel remarkably shy, more exposed than he had ever felt even though he was clothed.
"Hi," Taehyung said quietly, not sure what else he was supposed to say. For God's sake, he wasn't some timid virgin, he shouldn't be acting like this. Why did everything seem so new with Jungkook?
"Hi," Jungkook replied, just as quietly, and Taehyung realized the Captain had decided to let him set the pace. It gave him enough confidence to climb on the opposite side of the bed and take the hand Jungkook offered him. They must have looked like five-year-olds, lying on a bed holding hands, but Taehyung couldn't bring himself to care.
Jungkook was the one who made the first move eventually. Well, it wouldn't really be classified as a move. He pulled him close, wrapping his arms around Taehyung's waist and nuzzling into his chest, breathing in the scent of sandalwood and designer perfume.
"Did you know I had a dream about doing exactly this?" Taehyung didn't reply, because there was obviously no way he would have known what Jungkook dreamed of. "This and nothing else. For several horrible moments I thought you had completely ruined my libido." Jungkook's words should have been an insult, but they were so Jungkook that they were funny.
"Well, I certainly do hope you rediscovered it. Perhaps when you spied on me in the shower," Taehyung said, letting his voice sound perfectly blank.
"Guilty as charged," Jungkook commented, no remorse in his tone. "I just couldn't help myself."
Taehyung giggled, not at all concerned by his lover's minor voyeurism. "I don't mind," he whispered, pressing his lips to Jungkook's, thrilled that he could kiss whenever he wished. "I just need to be close to you." He breathed, feeling heat rush to his cheeks.
Jungkook seemed to waver for a moment, "Close, how?" He asked hesitantly.
"Just hold me," Taehyung whispered and lay down on his side, looking up at him. Jungkook was perfect. The only man for him. The only man he wanted, or would ever want.
Jungkook nodded and lay down beside him on his side also, facing him. They gazed at each other for a while and then Jungkook slowly pulled him closer to him, gathering him in his arms, their bodies just inches apart.
Taehyung closed his eyes at the heat spreading between them; it was wonderful. But he needed more. Slowly, he wriggled himself closer, so that every part of the front of their bodies was touching. Still not enough. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook and threw a leg over him and pressed himself closer.
"Taehyung," Jungkook groaned, but didn't push him away.
"I'm sorry, we just aren't close enough…" Taehyung argued and pulled away to take off his t-shirt and throw it to the floor.
"Babe,"
"Take your t-shirt off, Jungkook," Taehyung demanded softly, but his voice held an odd tone in it that left no room for arguing.
Jungkook did as he was told, surprisingly, then went back to wrap his arms around Taehyung. "Is this okay?" He asked in a low voice.
Taehyung shivered at the huskiness in his tone. He snuggled closer and rubbed his cheek against Jungkook’s bare chest, his arms wrapped around his back. He looked up at him and saw his eyes looking intently down at him, his eyes dark and lust-filled.
"No," Taehyung replied quietly.
"No?" Jungkook groaned a little, not moving. "Taehyung, you've already cleverly gotten us practically naked."
Taehyung put his forehead against Jungkook’s chest so he didn't have to look at him when he smiled so wide he thought that his lips might possibly crack.
"Taehyung," Jungkook sighed after a few moments, "you're killing me."
"I don't have to be," Taehyung wrapped his legs tightly around Jungkook’s waist so he could feel exactly how hot and ready he was for him. He knew it was bold, but he wanted him so bad.
Jungkook gasped, "Tae," he said, his voice very, very deep and husky.
"Hmm?" Taehyung pressed his lips against his chest, hoping he was giving in now. He wasn't disappointed.
"God you're so…" Jungkook groaned and turned his face into the pillow and mumble something incoherently. Taehyung distantly felt his hand leave the middle of his back and slid down, further. He gasped as Jungkook’s hand rubbed against his ass cheeks. His hand didn't hesitate, he just kept rubbing his ass, slowly. Taehyung moaned and let his head fall against the pillow. How long had he wanted him to touch him there? Everywhere?
Jungkook finished his sentence from before, "God, you have the loveliest ass, Taehyung." His voice was strained and husky and broke a little as his hand stilled, then slowly went up his back again.
Taehyung sighed. "It's yours. I didn't let anyone touch me after you. I couldn't imagine anyone touching me after you."
"Taehyung, I can't take this…I need…I need you, I love you." Jungkook sounded pained and felt his legs get tighter around his waist, pulling him infinitely closer to the bulge in his boxers.
"I love you too, Jungkook." Taehyung looked up at him. "I need you, too." He tilted his head up a little and kissed him full on the mouth, letting all his frustration, passion and love for him show. It turned intense quick, Jungkook’s tongue and lips turning demanding against his.
Taehyung willingly let him take over, his hand going back down to cup his heat. "Jungkook…" he groaned, knotting his hand in his soft brown hair, barely getting in enough words before his lips were on him again. Jungkook seemed to grow against Taehyung, hard as a rock. His arousal got the better of him, Taehyung’s hand leaving his hair and growing down to Jungkook’s boxers and under them, his hand wrapping around his erection. Jungkook gasped into his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut, his hand shoving his briefs aside quickly, his fingers circling around his rim, taking him by surprise. He cried out in delight, then started drowning in ecstasy.
Slowly, Jungkook took his hand out of his briefs and rolled on top of him before he removed the remaining clothes they had on. Then he fumbled for lube inside Taehyung's suitcase.
"Fuck," Taehyung groaned when Jungkook’s lubed finger slipped inside of him, making him feel unlike anything he had ever felt before. He was so wet with precome. But still, he needed more. "Jungkook…" he cried out as Jungkook added a second finger.
"You're so beautiful, Taehyung," Jungkook whispered, leaning over him and kissing him slowly, his lips moving against Taehyung’s until it turned hot and urgent. His free hand greedily roamed Taehyung’s body as he kissed him, his hands starting at his thighs and going upwards as his weight (which was extremely pleasant) rested on him. Taehyung gasped and arched his back when he felt his hand caress his nipples. He needed him so bad right now, he felt like he might burst if he didn't get to have him.
Jungkook broke this kiss and nipped at his jaw line, his neck, licked his chest—his tongue circled his nipple gently while he slipped a third finger inside of him and scissored them. Taehyung moaned and threw his head back against the pillows, moving his hips in time with Jungkook’s fingers and getting submerging in bliss yet again. He felt something start to build up like a hard, hot knot in his stomach. It felt so good. He felt himself start to get tighter and tighter around Jungkook’s fingers, all the while, Jungkook moved down his body, his lips kissing a trail down his stomach, past his belly button.
Taehyung looked down at him and they made intense eye contact before he let out a low cry. God, it felt so good, the pleasure was just building and building. But, where was Jungkook going?
He watched him with intense curiosity as his head leveled with his erection. Taehyung cried out loudly as Jungkook’s tongue darted along the head of his cock. He threw his head back against the pillow, panting and arching his hips upwards as Jungkook’s fingers started thrusting in faster and his tongue massaged his cock. He cried out yet again when Jungkook in one swift movement took him inside of his mouth to the hilt, his body shuddering in delicious rapture as he writhed under him. Waves and waves of ecstasy overcame him.
"Jungkook," Taehyung sounded so out of it.
Jungkook bobbed his head up and down for a while before he licked the underside and then suddenly pulled back. "Taehyung," he said huskily, "are you ready?"
"Jungkook, I want you…I need you…please, keep going." Taehyung took his head in both hands and kissed him hard for a few moments. It became feverish and needy as he felt the fire ignite in him more and more.
Jungkook sighed with relief and quickly lubed himself up. "Tell me any time to stop."
"Never!" Taehyung said quietly, his nerves and body on fire. He just wanted him, needed him, as he had said before.
Jungkook nodded, leaning down to kiss him softly and passionately, then started rubbing the pad of his thumb against his rim. He moaned, then felt shock waves go through his body as Jungkook slowly entered him. He stopped, breathing heavily, concern on his face. "Taehyung…" he was rigid, and looked strained.
Taehyung lay there silent, still with Jungkook inside him as the pain started to fade. Jungkook bottomed out and then thrust his hips upwards experimentally.
"I'm okay now…" Taehyung moaned as he told him and wrapped his legs around his waist as Jungkook slowly started to slide further into him. In, out, in, out.
Taehyung moaned again and bit his lip, his eyes drooped and making contact with him. Jungkook’s hands gripped his hips as he started to go a little faster. Taehyung felt that familiar feeling in his stomach again and let his hands roam Jungkook’s chest, his abdomen, then back up to grip his shoulders.
"Baby…harder…" he begged, breathing heavily.
Jungkook groaned and dug his face into Taehyung’s neck and did as told, causing him to cry out and moan in ecstasy.
"Gukkie…" he breathed, which only made the hot coil building in his lower belly build and knot tighter.
"Taehyung," Jungkook breathed his name as well, cupping his face between his hands and making love to him with his eyes as well as his body.
Taehyung felt himself get tighter around him as Jungkook increased his tempo and started thrusting harder, wilder. He moaned along with him, then the room became filled with their rapid breaths for a long while. Jungkook's eyes rolled to the back of his head suddenly, breaking eye contact with Taehyung. They cried out at the same time coming together, that hot knot in their belly releasing and quaking around their length as Jungkook gathered Taehyung up in his arms and drove into him still, causing them both to cry out in rapturous delight. Taehyung’s orgasm shook his whole body and rolled over him in a delicious and oblivious haze.
"So good, so good," he moaned, "don't stop." He didn't want it to end.
Jungkook collapsed on top of him and kissed him sweetly, gently, and lovingly. "I love you so much, Taehyung," he said, pushing sweaty hair from his face and gazing lovingly into his eyes.
Taehyung hummed and wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck to draw him into a kiss. "I love you too, Jungkook. Always."
Slumber took over them fast enough.
Taehyung woke up two hours later to Jungkook staring at him. He smiled, but when his lover kept staring at him with a serious look on his face, Taehyung grew self-conscious. "Why are you looking at me like this?"
"You're quite handsome, you know?" Jungkook let out.
Taehyung bit down on his lips to keep his snicker in. "Well, thank you, Guk. It must have hurt you to admit it."
"You know what, I take it back," Jungkook pushed him so that he could lie between his legs. "You're hideous as fuck."
Taehyung chuckled at last. "You suck at lying,"
"I know something else I can suck at," Jungkook raised an eyebrow, smirking.
Taehyung's breath caught. "Show me what you got,"
Jungkook winked and disappeared under the covers to do just that.
-=oOo=-
On the fifth year, he went to Switzerland, but instead of just dropping the kids to the academy, Taehyung was invited to a concert. They could finally be seen together after Jungkook was offered a teaching position at the academy. They only separated to go back home to pack, planning to meet the next year on the same date to move in permanently in Itsewald.
Jungkook entrusted Taehyung with finding them a house since he wouldn't be able to do much in the North. The designer went overboard and got them a villa atop an adjacent meadow, which offered a splendid view of Lake Lungern. He had a feeling Jungkook was going to love it the same way he did when he saw it.
He left two months prior to Jungkook's arrival to furnish the villa while managing his business online. He checked with Jisoo every day to be updated on everything. Not like he regretted his decision. On the contrary, moving to Itsewald and waiting for Jungkook to join him forever was the highlight of his life.
As the concert started, Taehyung checked his watch, feeling anxious because Jungkook hadn't arrived yet. As if conjured out of his thoughts, the ex-Captain, made an appearance just as the featured pianist played the song that Jungkook wrote for his brother. He sat next to Taehyung and held his hand under the table as they enjoyed the performance.
-=oOo=-
Taehyung was nearly positive he fell in love every time his eyes fell on Jungkook. His lover was sitting across from him, watching something on TV while Taehyung was reading a book. Well, trying to since his eyes couldn't help but dart in Jungkook's direction every two seconds.
"What?" Jungkook questioned with a smile when he caught him the first time.
Looking back, Taehyung remembered he murmured 'nothing' in response before he went back to his book. Jungkook whispered 'okay' and looked away, and Taehyung finished reading like nothing had happened, except everything did.
Taehyung‘s heart skipped and he felt his entire being melt down with just a glance.
He had fallen in love all over again.
-=oOo=-
Taehyung's hands were canvas. They were broad, not too long, or too short. They were strong, yet never heavy, leaving only ghosts of almost-touches, grazing skin and nearly ignited contact. Jungkook always reached out, touched, looked, memorized Taehyung's body from his head to toe especially his hands as they rested on his shoulders or brushed against his.
He once read that a person in love measured time in heartbeats. Jungkook at first thought the sentiment was weird and unrealistic, but after everything they had been through, he came to think of it as nice but not practical. Heartbeats could race and slow and then end. They were horrible keeper for time.
It didn't click until Taehyung took the bullet for him, breath heavy round Jungkook as this latter focused on the sharp intakes and heavy exhales. Each breath was proof that Taehyung was alive, and it was a cold, tense feeling that made time seem infinitely slow when Jungkook realized that in a second, any second, Taehyung could not.
It made sense to Jungkook, then.
A person in love measured time in heartbeats. A person in love measured time in the person they loved being alive.
Jungkook measured time in Taehyung's words, and breath, and actions—in his smiles and witty remarks—that all meant that he was still there with Jungkook.
-=oOo=-
Taehyung drew. Dresses, suits, it didn't matter.
Jungkook was again sitting across from him in their bedroom, playing with their puppy, Yeontan, looking so happy. Taehyung gifted him the puppy on their eighth anniversary. It was more of joint gift because he adored Yeontan more than anything, something Jungkook felt jealous about.
"You're so silly," he told him when he voiced it. "I could never love anyone the way I love you,"
Jungkook was his.
Jungkook belonged to him.
His heart soared at the idea. Who would have thought that they would get here after all the shit they had been through? What started as a tornado mishap slowly but irrevocably turned into the best time of Taehyung's life. He had never been this happy, this in love; something he couldn't dare to even picture let alone own.
Taehyung's fingers suddenly stopped drawing when he felt a feathery kiss on his neck before two arms circled his waist from behind. He leaned into the touch and closed his eyes when Jungkook planted more kisses all over his neck, shoulders, collarbone, wherever he could reach. When and how did he get behind Taehyung in the first place? Was Taehyung that immersed in thinking that he hadn't noticed?
"You smell amazing, baby," Jungkook moaned and tightened his grip around Taehyung's waist. "You drive me insane."
Taehyung sighed, giving up on designing, dropped his tablet and turned around to face Jungkook.
"If you're going to scold me for disturbing you, in my defense—" Jungkook was cut off with Taehyung's lips in a searing kiss. He melted. Taehyung could tell and he relished the knowledge and kissed him deeper. It was the only way he could convey the love he felt for Jungkook since he sucked at words; every time he opened his mouth, he just didn't find them enough.
He thought that if he were a poet, he would write with a pen and an old journal, writing phrases and verses that described Jungkook in an abstract way, describing what he felt in prose, and Jungkook would be short stanzas, blunt and simple.
If he were a composer, he would compose entire sextets and arias, and Jungkook would be the end of an opera, closing and final, tragic and fulfilling.
If he were an author, he would sit at a typewriter and write short lines, use too many synonyms and Jungkook would be a crisp suit, always pressed, expression casual, but complicated; a maze of paradoxes that Taehyung could wander for an eon and never find his way out.
However, Taehyung wasn't a poet, or an author or a composer. He was an artist. He would sketch with a charcoal stick, blurring edges, running fingers to blend and smudge colors, and Jungkook would be soft lines and stark hues.
Jungkook was a never-ending sketch, infinity.
Taehyung loved him with his entire being.
-=oOo=-
I love you was never quite enough. I love you was a two-dimensional expression of feelings.
Jungkook's eyes screamed I'll always be by your side when they recited their vows on their wedding day. Only their families present. They wished the squad would make it, but having them attend would have drawn unnecessary attention.
Taehyung hugged Jungkook with all his might and with all the love he felt inside. He drew I want you safe and with me forever‘ when he sat next to him as he composed his next song on the piano. He outlined the reasons he loved Jungkook in a waiting cup of coffee he made as they watched a movie, a cuddle on the couch, a heartfelt conversation under the shower spray with no sexual feelings lingering at all.
Love, they both had learned, was accepting non-perfection, and counting seconds in heartbeats, and mapping descriptions in what you knew. Love was being there, and having the other person know that you were as well.
Rain fell out of season while mist crept across the ground. It got cold, so the couples decided to spend the night by the fireplace, talking about anything that stroke their fancy while they sipped on hot chocolate.
Taehyung was sitting between Jungkook's legs and Jungkook had his arms around his waist as Yeontan slept by their feet. Taehyung leaned more into Jungkook's arms, resting his head on Jungkook's shoulder, and closed his eyes in content.
It had been twelve years since they met and fell in love and two years since they got married.
It was perfect, this moment, right here, where Taehyung felt so into deep, to the point of no return already.
"You and I work," Jungkook whispered and watched as Taehyung sat back and looked at him before it dawned on him.
"Yes," Taehyung agreed. "Yes, we do. We had made it, Jungkook. We had won."
Jungkook beamed. "Indeed,"
They kissed, sweet and slow, and Taehyung moaned when he realized Jungkook tasted like home and sugar and everything right, so he couldn't find it in his heart to stop.
They didn't say I love you anymore because they had already said it a million times before to the point that it wasn't enough anymore.
They had won indeed.