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Chapter Text

The sun was hanging low in the sky, the evening light getting filtered through the dark clouds that replaced the vast blue sky, covering the world with hues of red. The birds were carrying their young back into the safety of their nests, children walking with their parents back into the safety of their home. The orange continued to stretch far and wide, resembling the colour of fire and tangerines. 

A pair of doe eyes scanned his surroundings with utmost curiosity and caution, ricochet of small breaths coming out as the young man continued to run through the banks of Han River. The black eyes remained trained on the trail in front of him, taking in the scene around him, watching the parks getting emptier by the minute. His ears were filled with some random pop song, running in a random order as he tried to silence the echo of the same voice that had been running in his mind continuously for the past few days.

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’

Jungkook sighed, breaking from his jogging pace to slow down, hands resting against his waist as he panted, stray strands of sweaty black hair falling against his forehead, beads of sweat rolling down through his chin and settling into the strings of his mask. He shook his head, trying to shake off that ugly grip of fear gripping onto his heart.

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’ 

His pace came to a pause near the seating area, body hunching over at the bench as he rolled onto it, taking in deep breaths and groaning into the now quiet surroundings. 

“Fuck,” He groaned, feeling a muscle pull at his lower abdomen, face twisting in agony at the feeling. 

But it was far less painful than the one settled deeply at the bottom of his chest, gnawing at him from inside, making each thought about his future much more painful, and so so so fearful. 

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’

The young football star sighed, jet black hair falling clumsily over his forehead as he hunched further into himself, trying to become as small as possible and disappear from this cursed world. 

But as soon as he felt himself start to lose himself in his thoughts, he felt another set of ragged breaths and painful groans come into his audible periphery, black orbs rising slightly to see his teammates, Namjoon and Hoseok come in from the distance. 

“I fucking hate you both,” Hoseok groaned, doubling over to his side as he supported himself over a tree bark, eyes closed shut as his hands digged into the aides of his waist. 

“You put us up to this, you brat,” Hoseok continued looking at Jungkook pointedly who gave a half hearted smile, trying to push his internal monologues to the side and act normal. Or at least, try. 

“You agreed,” Jungkook replied, eyes still stuck to the ground in front of him, burying himself by pulling at the water bottle placed in his vest, chugging the hydrating liquid in greedy sips. 

“We have to keep ourselves fit for the upcoming game schedules, can’t be lacking,” Namjoon commented, looking out in the distance to see where the rest of the team was. Hoseok groaned at that, whining as he sat down on the grass, trying to calm his breath. “I am never running with you two again,” He commented before resting his head against the tree bark. 

Jungkook gave the elder a tight lipped smile, looking at him for a second before he glanced away, looking at the scenery in front of him. The sky was now turning into deeper shades of grey, with undertones of red, sounds of nature shifting from the pleasant chirping of birds to the ever persistent trills of the beatles. 

Another sunset. Another day gone by. 

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’ 

The young striker felt a chill run down his spine as few felt those words echo in his brain. He felt the fear bubble more at the pit of his stomach, blooming into ugly creepers wrapping itself around his chest. 

“What is it?” Namjoon asked, settling down next to the youngest of their team, looking at Jungkook who blinked at him, visibly shaken after being pulled out of his reverie. 

“What is what?” The ravenette retorted, trying to sound normal, but the slight high-pitched tinge in his usually grounded and deep voice gave him away. 

Namjoon titled his head, eyebrows cocking up challengingly. “Something is clearly bothering you,” He stated, making Jungkook's breath stutter. “You have been acting weird ever since you returned from Busan.”

Jungkook only gulped, looking away into the distance to see the sea of black sky, blinking up at it to calm his racing mind. 

“Is it her, again?” Namjoon asked, a hint of sympathy and understanding in his voice as he bent slightly to meet the eyes of Jungkook’s bent form. Jungkook sighed, frustrated eyes looking up at his hyung and sighing. 

He knew there was no hiding, especially not from Namjoon. The elder had known the young striker ever since he was 15 years old, there was no way Jungkook could ever hide his emotions from him. He was there when Jungkook got his first major league jersey. He was there when Jungkook scored his first goal. He was there when Jungkook got his first recognition trophy. He was there when Jungkook was going through the darkest times of his life, and held onto him, and his mother when they needed a grounding force the most. 

Namjoon was his hyung, in every sense possible. They might not be blood related, but their bond ran deeper than any blood relation ever could.

“You know it,” He answered dryly, feeling the fear resurface. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down his nerves and thoughts. 

“How is she?” The elder asked, and Jungkook shrugged. “She is doing fine. We, uhm. We,” He paused, taking in a deep breath as he linked his two hands, trying to find comfort in the touch. “We visited appa. It was his birthday on Friday,” He mumbled, voice small and soft. Namjoon hummed, nodding as he examined the younger's expression. It had been calming, ironically enough. To just sit on the grass with his mother on the bench, talking to the headstone in front of him, with a little bottle of soda in his hand. 

“Then what's on your mind?” He asked and Jungkook felt himself pulled 2 days back, mind reeled back into the same teakwood dining chair of his childhood home, feeling the faint smell of rose incense almost coming back to him. 

“Jungkook, at least consider once,” Jungkook’s mom voiced out for the millionth time, voice sharp as they had lunch together. She had been nagging him about it for the past 3 days, since the moment he stepped into his childhood home to spend his rest day with his mother, away from the city and its buzzing noises, and the tacky billboards. 

 

The younger man had only groaned, taking an aggressive bite of the pork before looking at his mother with sharp eyes. “Eomma, I am at a point in my career where I cannot focus on anything except football,” He stated, matter-of-factly. 

 

“You have been saying that for years, Jungkook,” She replied, getting annoyed. 

 

“And I will continue to say it for many more years to come. So please, spare me. I have games to focus on,” He voiced out. 

 

“You are 28, Jungkook”

 

“Exactly!” Jungkook’s voice boomed across the room, rattling the ceramic-ware sprawled across the table, looking at his mother with wide eyes, trying to understand. “I am still young, I still have time”

 

“I don’t”

 

Jungkook stilled, eyes blown wide as he looked at the elder with slightly parted lips, trying to make sense of her words. 

 

“What?” He whispered, feeling something like fear and dread settle at the pit of his stomach. 

 

“I don’t have time. You are young,” She gulped, looking down at her son’s hands resting on the dining table, turned into tight fists. She smiled softly, her own coming to rest on his, soft and gentle, like it always had been. 

 

But for the first time, Jungkook noticed- the wrinkles appearing on top of his mother’s hands, how the touch is weaker, veins showing through the dry skin.

 

He looked up, eyes coming to rest on his mother’s soft face, watching the wrinkles appear on the corner of her eyes, hair speckled with white strands.

 

Jungkook’s heart dropped, understanding what she was implying. 

 

“No,” He mumbled, immediately pulling his hand away and shaking his head. “No, this is silly. You have time, you have so much time-” His voice shook, fear coursing through his veins as his mind ran through several unpleasant scenarios. 

 

“Jungkook-”

 

“No!” He shouted, getting up from his chair and rounding the table, settling down next to his mother, holding her hand tightly in hers, trying to ignore the feeling of how it felt smaller than before. 

 

No No No

 

“You have time. After this tournament, after this World Cup, I will think about this. You have time,” He rambled, holding onto his mother's hands as she pulled him close, burying his head in her shoulder. 

 

Just like old days. 

 

But it wasn't the old days, and Jungkook was hyperaware of it now, how his head was not resting on her soft shoulder anymore, but on a hard bone. How he felt her being pushed back at the mere action of him resting his head. How her strength was leaving her day by day.

 

You are not leaving me. You are not leaving me here, in this world, alone. 

 

The words never leave his lips, but the way his mother pulls her hand back and rests it on his nape, brushing back at his hair, he knew she knew. 

 

“I love you, Jungkook,” She whispered into his hair, holding his son as Jungkook felt the first drop of tear drip into the fabric of her shirt. 

 

She took a deep breath in, a warm hand running across Jungkook’s back. “Your life has been revolving between us,” She clears her throat. “Me and football, Jungkook. You have dedicated almost 15 years to this sport, sacrificed everything you held dear,” Jungkook sobbed harder at those words, feeling them hit a deeper part of his heart he barely visited. 

 

“As a mother, I only wish for you to be with someone you can come home to, Jungkook,” She lets out a choked breath, chuckling slightly. 

 

“Especially when I am eventually not around, you know?” 

 

Jungkook lets out a protestful whine at that, pulling his mother closer. “I just want you to find your love, Jungkook. To have a place you can call home, a person you can call home. I wish for you to be happy,” She finished, pressing a loving kiss into the ravenette’s fluffy hair. 

 

And oh, how he would love to have all of that. 

 

But his career, his life. His sport. The public opinion. The comments. The hate. 

 

He couldn't do it. Not now. Not when he was this close to achieving everything. He couldn't let go of his focus from his dreams now.

 

No distractions- His mind supplied, making him stiffen. 

 

“Please think about it, my son,” She whispered, sounding almost defeated. He had stayed silent, feeling like he was being ripped in two different directions, one was what his heart wanted, and the other what his mind supplied.

“I, I don't know, hyung,” Jungkook groaned, watching as Hoseok joined them on the bench, settling down on the grass next to Namjoon, looking at Jungkook with concerned eyes. 

“Don't know what?” Hseok asked, curious, and Jungkook groaned, burying his face in his hands. 

“She is asking me to settle down, hyung,” His voice came out muffled, eyes shifting as the reality set in of the words ringing in the air around them. “She wants me to settle down, find a partner,” He rambles, looking at his hyungs with sad eyes. “She keeps saying it's her final wish, as if, as if- she will disappear tomorrow-” He chokes out, feeling his throat clog up at the mere idea of the thought. 

Namjoon's hands immediately come to rest on Jungkook's back, patting it gently. “I don't know what to do,” He confesses, feeling his heart squeeze in his chest at the idea of being stuck at a crossroads between his career and personal life.

Just yesterday, he was a 15 year old young and naive boy entering the Seoul World Cup Stadium with his pair of boots, and his newly pressed Number 7 jersey and a galaxy worth of dreams in his eyes, hoping to make a contribution to the national team, hoping to make history. Just yesterday his dad had dropped him off at the coaching centre, meeting Namjoon and requesting him to take care of his young son. 

Then it was today, where he was 28 years old, the most established and renowned South Korean player in the history of football, over 750 career goals under his belt, multiple accolades, thousands of fans and supporters, a team which he considered close to family.

Jungkook had everything his 15 year old self ever wished for. A continued successful career, on the path of making history. He had a proud mother, and a very proud father too who had told him that continuously till his time permitted, and was financially cruising through life.

Then why? Why was there always this hollowness in his chest, buried deep in the chambers of his heart, for which he felt like he had thrown the keys away?

“You know she is coming from a good place, right?” His hyung tried to reason, and Jungkook just chuckled. 

“If she was, she wouldn't be pushing this wish of hers down my throat in a moment of my prime,” He replied sharply, “Especially not with her, her logic! I cannot let any distractions get to me,” Jungkook mumbled, looking down at the bottle in his hands with determined eyes. 

“I cannot be with someone. Anyone. I cannot get married. Not now”

Namjoon gave a small understanding nod, patting his back as the younger slumped further into his form, closing his eyes to calm his racing heart, trying to make sense of how his life had unfolded for him to end up at such a moment. Hoseok also stood up, patting his back and telling him that it would be okay. 

But Jungkook was starting to feel that hollowness in his chest grow wider with each passing day. Feeling it starting to consume him from inside.

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’ 

And Jungkook knew it. He knew the unpredictable future was. He knew he had given everything he had within him to football. He knew he had sacrificed so much for the love of football. 

He knew he had sacrificed the idea of love. For his career. He knew he had sacrificed the idea of a partner, to dedicate everything he had to the sport and his mother. 

But he still felt himself yearn from it, from time to time. When the lost chamber in his heart rattled at certain moments, reminding him of a young 20 year old boy's dreams, beyond his career, locked away. 

His mind knew it, subconsciously registering it every time he saw Namjoon interact with his husband, the infamous model Seokjin. The gentle kisses, the soft touches, the sweet hugs.

His skin and flesh knew it. He felt it every time he saw Yoongi being extra careful with Jimin during their physiotherapy sessions, a hand caressing his knuckles when the particular spot in Jimin’s ankle was bothering him too much, the therapist trying to reduce it to the best of his abilities. 

His heart felt it every time he saw Mingyu going out with Wonwoo, seeing his smile radiating warmth only for his loved ones. Or the way Eunwoo looked at this guy he had been dating for the past 5 months.

His being knew, when they went home, to a person waiting, a happy family, a laughter filled space. A place where someone waited for them.

Jungkook’s heart knew. His mind knew. He knew that he lacked love. Lacked the warmth of someone beside him. Lacked tender touches and soft kisses with his partner.

By Choice- His mind reminded. 

28 year old Jungkook had long buried these wishes of his 20 year old self. The idea of a cozy house, with a partner and two dogs. A fireplace for warmth, and a blanket sprawled across the couch. A backyard with flowers and vegetables, and a small football court. A kitchen filled with warmth and laughter. A place he would come back to every night. 

Home.

It was a sacrifice he had made at the age of 21, when he for the first time heard the shouts of his name in a stadium, when his name started to get plastered across the streets on Seoul, when the Number 7 jersey he wore started to get replicated at a rate he couldn’t fathom. The pressure, the expectations as he looked into the eyes of the hundreds of fans coming to greet them at the airport. 

He gave it up again at 23, when his mother crumbled in front of him when his dad passed away, feeling his soul getting crushed at the voice of his mother muttering in a daze that she was all alone now. 

He gave it up again at 25 when he got to know that his mother's health was declining. What started with continuous and persistent coughs and colds turning into something more chronic. Eating away at Jungkook's lifeline and pouring in more fear in its place. 

He gave himself up for it all, to keep his loved ones happy. His mother dreamt of golden rain when she was carrying him, Jungkook made it his objective, his purpose to make sure her life remained golden with him. 

He only kept football for himself, stuck in a career perfect image, trying to achieve parts of his dreams while balancing being a good son.

His mother, his career is all that mattered. So he couldn't and wouldn't afford any distractions. 

Jeon Jungkook had shut down his heart, long ago. He was now a shell of a man, living on ideologies of his mind, logical and clean. No decision of his life was taken from heart. 

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’

The footballer sighed, moving towards the main door of his apartment, keys jingling as his tattooed arm turned the locks. 

“Welcome home,” He muttered under his breath, a sad smile on his face as he kicked off his running shoes. His eyes remained on the marble floor, letting the coldness of the house seep into his bones as he settled into a familiar-but so foreign- setting. 

‘I just want you to find your love, Jungkook. To have a place you can call home, a person you can call home. I wish for you to be happy’

His mother’s voice echoed in his head as he washed up, putting on a comfortable pair of sweats, eyes looking at his wardrobe, half of it still empty, as if waiting for someone- anyone. 

A home. 

Jungkook shook his head, burying himself into his blankets, pulling them chin high. “A home,” He said, bitterly, scoffing at the thought. 

“I can’t have one,” He mumbled, turning around and shutting his eyes, letting himself fall into a dreamless sleep. 

‘I want one’ A voice in his heart spoke, making Jungkook scrunch up his eyebrows, letting himself dream of a far away future, where he is happy with someone, he is smiling with someone. 

He is living life- with someone.

Chapter Text

A total of 2 experiences have scared Jungkook to the point where he felt like his soul had been sucked out of him, turning him into the ghost of a man. 

First when he was 22, lying in a hospital bed with a torn ACL, face pale and mind mortified as the doctor laid out the possibilities in front of him. 

“We will have to perform surgery,” The doctor had said calmly, laying it out as gently as possible. “The rehabilitation time with physiotherapy, to get back to your original shape will be 8 months or so, and then too,” The doctor paused, looking at the young 22 year old who looked like he was barely breathing. “There are chances you will never gain 100% of your movement and strength back, Jungkook-ssi”

He had his parents then, who had flown down to Seoul to look after him, staying up long nights and keeping him company on the day he couldn’t sleep. Preparing warm meals and taking him to his therapy sessions. 

They held him when his fears crept far too into his heart to not let anything out, crying into his dad’s shoulder as he provided him with strength and continuous reassurances. 

He had fought against all odds, his body and mind focused only on one objective- to heal. He had achieved it too, making a full recovery and back to his athletic strength within 6 months, on the field by the 8th month. 

He scored a goal in his first match back, proving all the sport’s commentators who doubted his fitness, his willpower. His dad clapped and cheered the loudest from the stands through it all.

Second was when he was 23, on the ground practicing his shoots with Hoseok, laughing around before they dispersed for the New Year’s vacation, and went home. But it all came down shattering with a single phone call in late evening. One minute he was happy, humming a random melody as he packed his luggage for the weekend with his family, happily looking at the golf set he had gotten for his dad, a branded one- as a thank you for everything. It was his first gift for his dad(technically second, first being the Rolex he gifted him after his debut goal), and he was so excited to see his reaction. 

The next second he felt his world tilt on its axis, memory a blur as he only dragged his half packed bags across his house, the golf kit long forgotten. 

He didn’t cry all the way to the airport, didn’t cry on the flight, didn’t cry when he reached the doorstep of his childhood home, feeling half its warmth slip through his fingers. But the minute he felt his mother’s hands on his cheek, shaky and warm, her red eyes staring at him with sadness and so much pain. 

He crumbled, then, knees buckling as he collapsed onto the ground, letting out a scream into his mother’s shoulder, ignoring everyone present in the room. Letting his sorrow and grief overtake him for just a minute. “It will be okay, Jungkook-ah,” His mother had whispered, still standing strong for her son, and the younger could only weep. 

His mother’s facade fell late at night, as she set the table for them to have dinner, Jungkook’s entire being recoiling when she instinctively placed a third plate on the main chair- his dad’s spot. 

His mother collapsed then, clinging onto her son’s arms as Jungkook pulled her into a tight hug, burying her face in his chest, eyes stinging at the sight of the pain his mother was going through. 

“Jungkook-ah,” She choked, hands digging into his shoulders as Jungkook gulped, holding back his own sobs. 

“It’s going to be okay,” He tried, voice coming out shaky, holding onto his mother. 

“I am going to be all alone now,” She whispered into his chest, looking at the half set table in front of them. Jungkook’s arm tensed at the sentence, throat tightening. He pulled away from the hug, looking at his mother’s weak frame, eyes watering at the sight of her tear stricken face. 

“You are not alone, eomma,” He said, whining as he pulled out a chair, settling his mother there before kneeling in front of her, caressing the back of her palm with his thumb. “I am right here,” He consoled, squeezing her hands in a grounding gesture. 

His mother had only cried harder, holding onto his hands like a lifeline. Jungkook had sat there for minutes? Hours? He didn’t know. 

But one thing he knew- they were gonna come out of these dark times, he will make sure of it. 

So the golf kit remained in his house, tucked away in a corner away from his sight, as he busied himself with his training and his mother’s well-being. Weekend getaways, dinners, small trips, everything he could do to make sure she smiled. 

He let go of his weekend hangouts with his friends, declined invites to go to bars, ignored the flirtatious people that approached him in public gatherings, said no to Seokjin trying to hitch him with many of his industry friends. 

He had better things to focus on. His personal life, his personal goals, could and will have to wait. 

***

Jungkook didn’t expect the third time he felt the same feeling of his soul being pulled out to be, once again, on the field he had made his second home. 

It had been a rather gloomy day, the usually fluffy white clouds, taking up the colours of ash, the winds taking a chilling turn at every corner of Seoul, streets were silent, the usually busy shops having tarmacs pulled over them.

The ravenette was busy doing his daily warm-up, watching in his peripheral vision as their coach started to set up cones on the other end for some tactical workouts. His mind is still stuck in the conversations from the past weekend, hands curled into fists next to his body as he decides to go for another lap around the field when his phone rang, vibrating against the bench where Namjoon was sitting, looking at him with wide eyes as he lifted the device into his hands. 

“Unknown number!” He shouted, making Jungkook tilt his head in confusion. He jogged back to the bench, feeling something ugly creating a knot at the bottom of his stomach. 

He took the phone from Namjoon’s hand with a small ‘thank you’ picking it up on the next ring after staring at the number. 

“Hello?” He answered, brows knitting as the line continued to be static at the other end. 

“Hello. Am I speaking to Mr. Jeon Jungkook?” A calm voice spoke from the other end, making Jungkook wonder what was going on. 

“Speaking,” He answered curtly, wiping the sweat on his chin from the back of his palm, patting his cheeks in the process as well. 

“I am calling from the Busan Province Hospital,” The voice crackled through the speaker, and Jungkook felt a sense of dread wash over him in harsh waves, pupils blown wide as he felt his knees buckle sitting down harshly against the bench with a thud, gaining Namjoon’s attention. 

His surroundings went blank as he felt a familiar ringing take over his ears, the voice over the phone only going through to register certain words. 

Fainting. Found in the bedroom. Hospitalised. Stable. 

He doesn’t even remember Namjoon taking the phone from him, taking over the conversation as Jungkook sat there, motionless, eyes zoned out as a single line through his head again and again. 

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’

He doesn’t remember Namjoon pulling him up, handing over the phone back to him as he explained the situation to their coach, Mr. Choi, who only nodded urgently, patted Jungkook’s back and told him not to worry about practice. 

He doesn’t remember how he had packed his bag, Namjoon driving him to the airport within the hour, pushing through the media as their manager took over from the boarding gate. 

The flight, the drive to the hospital, was all a blur. A mix of strangers, trees and vehicles in his vision. Only a voice remained constant. 

‘I don't have time, Jungkook’

“For Jeon Aera,” Was the first sentence he spoke in almost 5 hours, in front of the hospital reception as the nurse looked up at him, with emotionless eyes, focused on typing something on the computer. 

“Your relation?” She asked, looking at Jungkook who only felt like a sword was being pushed down through his already wounded chest. 

“Son”

***

Jungkook had always hated hospitals, the sterile scent and the bright light always made him feel disoriented and left him feeling out of place. But in the past few years, he had been hating them for other reasons- the constant visits with his mother, the dozens of reports and tests she was going through- made him hate the space even more. 

But now, sitting on a steel stool, next to his mother’s fragile form resting on the hospital bed, the constant beeping of the heart monitor and the rise and fall of her chest are the only things filling the room with any sort of life.

Because Jungkook had stopped breathing a long ago, living as a shell of a man. 

He held onto his mother’s hands with a gentle tug, being careful of the IV Needle placed in her hand, hand stuttering at every curve of wrinkle that raised against the surface of his thumb. 

The doctors had come in a few minutes before, greeting him with a polite smile Jungkook was too nervous to return. They explained multiple terms, some too scientific to understand, some that his brain didn’t want to register. 

“She is doing fine. Such things are common at her age,” The doctor had mentioned as a matter-of-factly, and Jungkook had winced at the bluntness, only nodding.

He had taken the list of do’s and dont’s from the doctor with a shaky breath, scanning through it with hollow eyes. 

1. No physical exertion. 
2. Nutritious food and a proper diet
3. Set up a schedule, to help with daily exercises. 

And so many more, that Jungkook couldn’t really keep track of from all the way in Seoul. 

He sighed, gently caressing his mother’s hands when he felt a slight twitch of her fingers, making him gasp and sit upright, pulling the stool closer as it screeched through the tiled floors. 

Mrs. Jeon’s eyes fluttered open, blinking quickly as she adjusted to the light around her. Jungkook held his breath, holding onto her hands like a lifeline, worried she would disappear if he let go. 

“Jungkook-ah?” She whispered, gulping slightly as she tiled her head to look at him, eyes trying to focus on the figure in front of him.

Jungkook’s frame shook as a sob broke out of him, figure slumping as he let his head fall into his mother’s hands, kissing it gently. 

“I am okay,” Mrs. Jeon mumbled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes, settling quietly on her ashen skin. 

“You scared me!” Jungkook yell-whispered, looking at his mother with incredulous eyes, holding onto her hands tighter. “The doctor said you had low blood sugar! And that you perhaps hadn’t eaten in days! Why eomma?!” He asked, desperate.

“Jungkook,” She whispered, making a pair of doe eyes look at her expectantly. She smiled softly, making her release one hand from his grip, flickering her fingers next to his lashes, the younger leaning into the touch. 

“You have your father’s eyes,” She mumbled, and Jungkook felt the wall he had held upright for so many years crack, just a little. He nodded, looking at her with all the love his being could hold. 

“I am not okay,” She whispered, and Jungkook tilted his head, confused and panicked. 

“What do you mean? Do you feel sick? I can call the doctor back-” He rambled, moving to press the call button when his mother stopped him, holding onto his arm with a grip tighter than her usual strength. 

He halted his movements, looking at her with pained eyes as she smiled. “I am okay, physically, Jungkook,” She started, holding Jungkook’s hand as the ravenette settled back down into the stool, his tattooed arm coming to wrap around his mother’s hand. 

“But internally, I am just sad,” She whispered, looking down at her son’s hands, tracing the ring finger of his left hand, still waiting for someone, still waiting for love, still empty- for far too long. 

Jungkook noticed, curling his fingers as he looked at her. “What do you mean?” He asked, looking for answers in his mother’s eyes. 

But then it clicked. The skipping of meals, the way the dishes remained in the sinks for days, the same music playing in the CD player everyday, her obsession with going through her and dad’s wedding album. 

“No,” Jungook whispered, feeling tears prick his eyes as he realised how much mother has been suffering for years. He noticed his mother pick out a little doctor’s prescription from the bag hung by the bed, handing it to Jungkook.

Jeon Aera. Suspected Depression. 

The prescription was a year old, scribbled rather hastily, but the younger one wasn't paying attention to it. Eyes stuck on only one word which held importance. Jungkook’s breath was knocked out of him.

He felt blind. To his mother’s pain. How she had been hiding it from her. But he had been doing everything he could, he was home every weekend, he was taking her out to every exhibition, every fair, every little distraction that opened in their vicinity. 

Then where was he lacking?

“Tell me what am I doing wrong?” He pleaded, watching as his mother pursed her lips, looking away. Mrs. Jeon chuckled at that. 

“You aren’t doing anything wrong, son,” She smiled, looking at him with tender eyes. “You are the best son a mother could ever ask for,” She concluded and Jungkook dropped his head, letting his tears flow freely onto the hospital linen below him. 

“But,” His mother spoke again, voice cracking. “As a mother, I feel bad, because I know I am holding you back,” She said, voice ridden with guilt as Jungkook shook his head. 

“We can get you a therapist, I will find the best one-” Jungkook rambled, but his mother cut him off, shaking her head as her grey locks settled against her sides again. 

“Jungkook,” She whispered. “It is guilt, my boy,” She stated and the younger one let out a shaky breath. 

“I know what my young boy dreamt of, and I want you to do it now, for me,” She breathed out. “Please Jungkook. Let me get rid of this guilt from within,” She pleaded, voice breaking, and Jungkook’s frame shook, eyes watering as he felt the weight of his mother’s words. 

“Will it make you feel better?” He asked, voice shaky but determined. “Will you do better? Will your guilt go away?” Will you be healthy again?

Mrs. Jeon held onto his hands tighter, giving a small nod. “I would feel so much lighter, knowing you are progressing in life, and aren’t tied down to me”

Jungkook took a deep breath, weighing the possible consequences. 

His career. The public. Jungkook’s mind voiced, making him wonder. But this was for his mother. 

And he had promised to make sure her life remained golden. So he took in a deep breath, letting the first cracks appear in the chambers of his heart he had abandoned long ago. 

“Okay. Okay I will do it,” He stated, eyes determined as he held onto his mother’s hands. “I will get married.”

***

Mrs. Jeon ran her fingers through Jungkook’s short hair, untangling some of the locks from his hair as the younger slept with his head resting on his lap. Jungkook had cried for minutes at long after muttering those words, repeating them in a haze as he held onto his mother’s frame. 

I will get married. I will get married. I will get married. 

He had promptly passed out after, sniffling slightly even in his dream-ridden state, tear tracks sticking to his cheeks, the prescription sandwiched between his face and the blanket. 

The hand on his hard stilled, Mrs. Jeon reaches out to pluck it out from under her son’s face, face now, truly ridden with guilt. 

She bent down, placing a small kiss onto her son’s hair before pulling away, looking at his peaceful sleeping form.

At least in this form, you are at peace, and calm, and happy- She thought.

“You have shed enough tears over me, Gguk-ah,” She whispered, looking at the prescription before placing it into her bag again. “I am sorry” She paused, looking at her son. “But,” She took a deep breath, pausing.

“It’s time you live for yourself”

***

“Careful,” Jungkook whispered, panicked, as he held onto his mother’s frame, making way for her through the series of shoes sprawled across his apartment foyer, ignoring the judging look his mother threw his way. 

While Jungkook had agreed to the idea of a marriage, he had also persuaded his mother to move to Seoul, stay with him, so that he could look after her better. It had been a challenge, asking her to move in with him, over her thousand questions on- 

Why do I need to stay with you? I can just get an apartment in Seoul. What about after you get married? Your partner and you will need your space. 

Jungkook had shut down each question with a prompt shake of his head, telling her this wasn’t up for debate, and Mrs. Jeon had given up after the 94th question, accepting defeat and agreeing to move. 

They had managed to pack and move everything 2 days after Mrs. Jeon was discharged, Jungkook doing most of the heavy lifting while his mother kept looking at the now bare walls of the house, which was once filled with photoframes of memories and happy moments. 

The footballer had hugged her then, smiling at her as she nodded, holding a single photo-frame close to her chest, a photo from when Jungkook was 11- with his bowl cut and all black outfit, holding onto the first ever tournament gold medal they had won, with his mom and dad standing next to him, all smiles. 

“Yoongi and Jimin are getting rest of the boxes,” Namjoon’s voice cut through the atmosphere, as he placed 2 big cartoon boxes on the ground, Jungkook leading his mother into the living room with multiple backpacks thrown clumsily over his back and arms. 

He nodded, giving his hyung a grateful smile, with Namjoon waved off. “Thanks a lot, hyungs,” Jungkook mumbled, once his mother was settled on the couch and Yoongi and Jimin joined them in the space, placing the remaining 3 boxes onto the ground.

Namjoon shrugged, waving it off as Yoongi patted his back. “Don’t worry about it, just the next drink after the match win is on you!” Jimin commented and everyone laughed, Jungkook groaning.

“Don’t worry about it, just let us know if you need anything else, yeah? We are family here, Gguk,” Namjoon reassured and Yoongi and Jimin nodded, Jungkook smiling and hugging each one of them. 

“See you at practice?” Namjoon commented as he pulled away, looking at the clock which showed it was past 8 at night already. Jungkook only nodded, giving him a fist bump.

They all smiled, walking towards the main door. “Take care, auntie!” Jimin said, waving at his mother who smiled back, waving enthusiastically. “Thank you Jimin-ah! I love you!” She replied back and Jimin skipped through the rest of his steps to the foyer.

 “Jungkook’s mom said ‘I love you’ to me, I can die happily now,” He said, prideful as Jungkook rolled his eyes, leaning against the doorframe as his hyungs made their way out. 

Once done, he closed the door, locking it and going back to the living room, to find his mother already rummaging through the cardboard boxes. “Eomma, we can unpack in the morning. You should rest now, it has been a long day,” He said, prying his mother’s hands away from the cardboard box as she protested. “I am fine! We can do at least one box today! Or else your living room will remain filled with boxes,” She commented and Jungkook sighed, knowing there was no point fighting. 

So one box turned into two, then three, and before Jungkook knew it, the living room was clean, the foyer had been sorted with his shoes placed in the order or colour, the guest room had been filled with his mother’s belongings, and there was a pot of Soondubu Jigae on the stove.

Jungkook went to sleep with a less heavy heart that night, knowing his mother was in the room right next to him, a few feet away, where no one could harm her. But a hollowness remained, reminding him of what he had agreed to- marriage. 

But ignored the thought, leaving it for tomorrow’s worries- because today his mother was okay, laughing, and smiling- and that is all that mattered. 

***

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting vertical strips of the golden glow onto the bed, curving over a lump of a human form as Jungkook stirred in his sleep, eyes fluttering open just a bit as the rays settled near his pillow. He peeked one eye open, looking around for his phone to find the time. As the screen illuminated, he groaned, pulling the covers to his face to protect him from the harsh light of the screen, peering over slightly to see it read-6:07AM. 

He sat up slowly, hair sticking out in every direction as he blinked at his surroundings. He ruffled through his hair a bit, before his ears caught the sound of pots and pans clinking outside.

He looked towards his door, trying to shake off his sleepy state as he got up, making his way to the kitchen to find his mother already setting up preparations for what looked like breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

“Oh you are up early!” Mrs. Jeon greeted him, smiling brightly as Jungkook only groaned, settling down on one of the stools by the island. 

“We have to go shopping, Jungkook-ah, I don’t know how you survive with the stuff in your fridge. All I see is ramens and mushrooms, and you know mushrooms don’t suit your body well!” She chided, and Jungkook groaned, nodding. 

This was not how he expected his Sunday morning to unfold. He nodded, watching as his mother continued on with his prep, him returning to his room to wash up quickly. He returned to a table set with gyeran bap and kimchi, with banana milk on the side. His mother looked at him happily as he settled down to eat, eyes furrowing as he took a bite of the rice with eggs, groaning at the flavours. “Wow,” he mumbled, his mother smiling happily.

Then, she slid his phone towards him, her photo gallery open. Jungkook paused mid-chew, looking at the phone pointedly before lifting it, looking at the multiple photos of men and women that came up as he swiped, realising where this was reading. He felt his mind grow heavier at the thought. 

Marriage. 

“How did you get so many people already?” Jungkook inquired, slightly blown away at his mother’s skills. Mrs. Jeon only smiled. “I have my ways,” She said proudly, before folding her arms on the table. “So? Any that interest you?” She asked, hopeful.

“No,” came the response, short and sharp. She sighed. “Jungkook,” She started but the younger one stopped her. “I agreed to it, yes. But that doesn't mean I will marry anyone. At least let me keep this choice,” He replied, trying to sound as polite as possible. 

Jeon Aera only nodded. Jungkook finished the rest of his food before carrying the bowls to the sink, washing them as his mother sat on the table, eyeing him softly. 

“I have practice in an hour, I will be home by 5PM,” He added, drying his hands against the washcloth kept on the side. She nodded. “That’s good, I am going to go visit a friend of mine,” She mentioned non-chalantly, sipping her coffee. 

Jungkook raised his eyebrows. “Who?” He asked and Mrs. Jeon smiled. “A friend from high school, Sungwoo. He lives nearby,” She answered and Jungkook nodded. “Keep your phone on you, okay?” He said, voice laced with worry. “Call me if you need anything”

Mrs. Jeon nodded, smiling as Jungkook made his way to the door, putting on his shoes and picking up his kit from the side rack. 

He knew the minute he would step into the house again, his mother would have another 100 options ready for potential partners. His nose wrinkled at the idea.

But first, he had to get through Namjoon, who definitely knew something was up, given he had winked at the younger before he left the night before. 

Gosh, it was going to be a tough day ahead. 

***

“I am so glad you could come over, Aera,” Sungwoo’s voice, warm and gentle, echoed through the living room of their house, Mrs. Jeon smiling at her as his wife, Minyoung settled next to her husband. 

Mrs. Jeon let out a small sigh, feeling comfortable and warm in the space. “So? How is Jungkook doing? We see him on the news a lot, you must be proud.”

Aera only smiled, nodding softly before looking up at his friend. “Yes, he is doing well, professionally. We are all proud of him,” She added, Sungwoo nodding in understanding. “I am hoping he will settle down soon. I have been trying to persuade him, and it finally looks like things are moving in the right direction,” She said, hopeful. 

Minyoung nodded, placing a hand on her knee as she leaned forward. “I totally understand, I am sure Sungwoo and I will find ourselves in a similar situation in a few years. Hae-un is finishing her master’s degree this fall, she is only 24, but we expect to have the similar set of conversations in a year or two from now,” She grimaced at the thought, Aera giving her a small understanding nod. 

“And how about your other son? Taehyung was it?” Aera asked, and the cup in Miyoung’s hand immediately fell harshly against the table, swiftly getting up as she locked eyes with her husband, taking in a deep breath. “Excuse me, I have to go for dinner preparation,” She excused herself, Mrs. Jeon only nodded, surprised. 

Once the space was quiet again. “Did I say something wrong?” She inquired, but Sungwoo only shook his head, slumping slightly. “No, nothing. She just wasn’t the fondest of Taehyung, as you know,” He finished and Aera nodded, understanding. 

She remembered that Taehyung was the son of Sungwoo’s older brother, who had passed away, along with his wife in a car accident. Taehyung was barely 6 then, and Sungwoo had taken him in without a thought, much to Miyoung’s dismay. 

But she remembered Taehyung differently, with her seldom interactions. A chubby baby with such a happy nature, always laughing and smiling, a prankster on that too, always keeping his parents on their toes. Her memory fails her, but she was sure Jungkook and Taehyung had been on a few playdates too, to a nearby park, where they had absolutely washed their energy by going over the same slide again and again. 

“So? How is he?” She asked, trying to lighten the conversation. Sungwoo lit up at that, telling her about how Taehyung had graduated with a distinction in Child Psychology, and was now a teacher at a pre-school near their place, happy and helping the young ones. 

She could tell Sungwoo adored the young man in question. The way his eyes lit up at the thought of his son, and his achievements. Aera found it extremely endearing. 

“And marriage?” She asked, and her friend immediately wilted, giving her a small smile. “He isn’t keen, I have tried my luck a few times, but it hasn’t yielded much results. He is 29 now, and I don’t know if I can say anything more.”

Aera hummed. “Does he still live with you?” She asked and Sungwoo shook his head. No, moved out at 18”

“Oh wow, that’s young,” She said, slightly taken aback. “Didn’t wait to graduate?” She inquired and Sungwoo gave him a sad smile. “No, didn’t even let us pay his tuition. He is a tough boy, I just wish he would allow someone to care for him as much as he cares for others.”

Aera’s eyes softened at that, relating to his feelings. Jungkook was the same, giving it  his all for others, and being neglectful when it came to himself. Her mind reeled at the idea of his marriage, the thought of him settling down, and having someone by his side making her chest bloom with happiness. 

The conversation flowed, Sungwoo pulling his phone out to show her photos of Hae-un’s recent graduation photos, and then, he swiped to a photo of Taehyung, and Mrs. Jeon’s eyes blew wide. 

Her eyes scan over her friend’s son’s features. Soft eyes, a boxy smile, soft jet black hair falling over his forehead, looking confident and beautiful. 

Perfect for Jungkook. 

She immediately jumps, looking at Sungwoo with a wide smile, the other slightly taken back at the sudden shift in energy. 

“Sungwoo, I have a proposal for you,” She says, smiling wide.

Chapter Text

The school was bustling with tiny footsteps and screams, corridors filled with tiny squeals and squeaky shoes buzzing in a staggering pattern. Small hands held onto each other as lines were formed, leading tiny humans into their classrooms for the day. 

Monday mornings were always the most special and energetic, little balls of sunshine returning after a weekend with their parents, tummies full and hearts even fuller. 

“Taehyung!” A voice called out from the side, making a pair of almond eyes turn, soft curls bouncing at the motion as he looked for the source of the voice. He turned around, watching as Bogum carried a set of pens and a stack of paper in his direction. 

“Hyung, let me get those,” His deep voice answered, running along the corridor to reach his fellow colleague before taking off a few stacks of his hands, smiling at him brightly. 

“Good morning,” Bogum said, the young man smiling at him as they resumed their walk towards the classroom. “Good morning, Hyung," Taehyung answered, smiling brightly at him, eyes turning into the prettiest crescent moons, cheeks rising and being their natural shade of dusty pink, soft and so squishable. 

“How was your weekend? Did you and Jiane Noona enjoy your getaway?” He inquired, watching as Bogum laughed, nodding. “It was fun! It had been a while since we have had a weekend just to ourselves, you know? We always had Soobin with us, I was glad we could spend a bit of quality time together,” Bogum rambled, eyes turning softer at the thought of his wife and son, making Taehyung mirror the same joy. 

“How about you? Had a good weekend?” He inquired and Taehyung only shrugged. “Same old, stayed in and cleaned the house, then watched a few movies,” he replied, breaking into a boxy grin as he noticed all tiny humans settled into their desks in the classroom, looking so adorable and cute. 

The two teachers entered the class, smiling at the students who stumbled on their feet and broke into a chaotic greeting of ‘good morning, teacher’, dragging the ‘er’ like a song. 

“Good morning everyone!” Taehyung replied, smiling brightly as the children clapped, settling down into his desk and placing all the stacks of paper on the table. 

“Has everyone done their weekend assignments?” He asked, the children cheering as they reached for their bags, each pulling out a worksheet that they had circulated on Friday. 

“My amazing kids,” Taehyung cooed, going around and collecting the assignments from everyone. He looked down at the assignments with a soft smile, heart feeling warm at the sight of all the wonderful family photos that had come through. 

Happy families. 

He felt a dull ache in his chest, ignoring it as he set the assignment sheets on the table, letting Bogum take over, starting the class with their usual routine of speaking out the phonetics and then practicing the vowels and consonants. 

He jumped in from time to time, trying to make the class more engaging with silly comments and jokes, making the kids giggle. 

His mind remained present in the class throughout, taking notes on which student needed more work on verbal pronunciations and who needed help with writing. But his heart- his heart remained on the stack of assignments on his table, filled with bright colours, flowers and rainbows, made with love and care. 

Representing their loved ones, representing their families. Happy families. 

***

Kim Taehyung was 6 when two pillars of his life were stolen from him, in a blink of an eye. He was sleeping peacefully in his room, his grandma patting his head gently as he clutched onto his pen, his sword that would help him fight the dragons in his dream. 

The next thing he knew was his grandma was slipping out of the bed, reaching for the phone ringing in the living room, before he heard an ear-piercing scream. His small body had curled around a bear plushy-handmade by his mom- as his grandma had returned, tear-stricken face coming and hugging his small frame, picking him up. 

He had clung to the bear throughout the night, even when his uncle stormed into the house, hugging his grandma before looking at Taehyung, whose wide eyes remained confused, and so so scared. 

He had gotten on his knees in front of the 6 year old, brushing away the tears from his face he didn’t even know had escaped. 

“It’s going to be okay, Taehyung,” He had mumbled, and Taehyung blinked.

His parents, who he had seen an hour before, who promised to bring him strawberry cake while coming back, had now disappeared into thin air. 

“But they said they will get me strawberry cake,” He had said, shaking his head when Uncle Sungwoo said that his parents had gone on a long journey to the stars. Uncle Sungwoo had broken down then, crying as Taehyung protested his hold, wanting to run out and find his parents. 

“Let me go!” He had yelled, fighting his uncle’s rough grip, big, clear tears tumbling down his chubby face. “Amma! Appa!” He yelled into the night sky.

But no one replied. No one got him strawberry cake. All he got was hugs and condolences he was too young to understand. Looks of sympathy and pity he couldn’t stand, and a grey urn too heavy for his small hands. 

Taehyung remembered his parents had gone for some family function, unable to take their son because of a maths exam he had the next day. 

The exam was long forgotten anyways, destined to be not written. So Taehyung wished that his parents had taken him with them. Or at least he should have tried more to go with them.

 At least that way, he wouldn’t be a burden to anyone. 

“Hey Tae, what are you having?” Jieun’s voice broke him from his trance as she settled down next to the younger in their cafeteria, brown hair fluttering in the air. 

Taehyung gave her a small smile, extending his lunch box in her direction. “I tried making makguksu,” He said, motioning for her to give it a try with insistent eyes. Jieun looked at him, tempted, before diving right in with her chopsticks. 

His almond eyes waited nervously for a reaction, before sparkling when Jieun groaned, tapping the box with her chopsticks, clearly loving the dish. “It’s amazing, Tae,” She complimented, making the 29 year old smile wide, feeling shy as Bogum and Sejoon settled down next to them and Jieun sang more praises. 

“Guys, try his makguksu, it’s amazing!” She praised and Taehyung ducked his head in embarrassment and shyness. He peered up from his place, eyes hidden behind the black locks across his hair, watching Bogum and Seojoon take a bite. They both moaned at the taste too, making Taehyung smile, feeling happy and appreciated- a feeling he didn’t feel often. 

“Your partner is going to be so lucky,” Bogum had said in the moment, making Taehyung’s smile drop slightly, holding it tightly, but the sparkle in his eyes dimmed, only nodding shyly. Bogum immediately picked up the change, gulping. “I am sorry-”

“No need to apologise, hyung,” Taehyung replied, smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes. 

They ate in a calm atmosphere after that, Taehyung’s lunch box remained in the centre with everyone stealing bites here and there. He, though, barely touched it, playing around with the vegetables.

A partner. He smiled softly, the word such a far fetched dream. Someone who would want you. Love you. Care for you. 

Something he would never have. Because all he had to deserve in this lifetime was resentment. 

***

Taehyung was 7 years old when he realised what love and hate felt like. Or to be on the receiving end of it, at least. 

He had moved from the cosiness and warmth of his parent’s place to that of his uncle’s, equally cosy, equally warm, but not as welcoming. Uncle Sungwoo loved him, brought him lots of toys and gifts, he even helped him with his schoolwork, dropping him to his bus-stop, attending his PTM’s. He would read him bed-time stories, kiss him goodnight, and make him smile and laugh.

Taehyung thought this was what love was. It felt like it, warm and fuzzy. 

And then there was Aunt Miyoung. Taehyung didn’t know why, but his young self never really understood why aunt Miyoung didn’t seem to like him. He had always been at his best behaviour, cleaning the counter at night, standing on his tiny step-stool as Aunt Miyoung played with Hae-un in the living room, especially when Uncle Sungwoo was away on business trips. 

He would wait for everyone to finish dinner, and only then go to Aunt Miyoung for his plate, filled with a mess of things that were left. He would make pretty family portraits of them,  with Aunt Miyoung, Uncle Sungwoo and Hae-un. He had added himself in it once, but Aunt Miyoung didn’t seem to like it, assuming from how he had found it in the trash the very next day. Or had it ended up there by mistake?

It was perhaps not a mistake, because all of his drawings ended up in a cardboard box below his bed, or the dustbin. But Hae-un’s smallest scribbles were put up on the fridge. 

He scored straight A’s in everything he could, smiling brightly when Uncle Sungwoo would spin him around, patting his head with the gentlest effort. But Aunt Miyoung would only scowl at him, taking out the anger during dinner when even the rice was spicier than he could handle. 

So he thought, that is what hate was like. He didn’t like it at all. It was cold and wicked and so hurtful. He wondered what he had done to deserve it. 

But it had gotten extremely clear one night when he was 17, hand holding a letter of acceptance from SNU, with a scholarship to pursue his Bachelor’s in Child Psychology. He was on the staircase, wanting to show it to Uncle Sungwoo who had just returned when he heard the first shout. 

“I don’t care about Taehyung, Sungwoo! He is not my son!” Miyoung’s voice boomed through the dining room, Sungwoo looking at her in disbelief. “He has lived here for 11 years Miyoung, you have raised him, you have-”

“Not by choice! I have not done any of that by choice,” Miyoung slammed the steel utensils against the countertop. “He is not my son! And if he lives in this house a moment after he turns 18, you are choosing him over Hae-un and me, Sungwoo. Know that,” She spit out, turning around and focusing on the dishes. 

Taehyung had stood at the base of the staircase, heart cracking as he saw his uncle being pulled apart, being given a choice he shouldn’t have to make. 

So he had decided to take himself out of the equation. Make it easy for everyone. Not be a burden, for once. 

Taehyung was 17 when he decided to leave the only place he had ever called home behind. Sitting down on the floor of his room and pulling out three full piggy banks, filled with all the lunch money uncle Sungwoo had ever given him ever since he was 10, wanting to save it to buy him his favourite watch, even if he starved on those days and survived on water.

But he had realised that the biggest gift for his uncle would be the peace of his family. 

He had broken each piggy bank with utmost care, trying to make the least amount of sound possible, counting them with ginger fingers, stacking them. 

He sighed, finding close to two million won, smiling. He could afford basic student housing with this for at least 3 months, food might be tight, but he would make it work. Then he could get a job at a cafe or something, and make ends meet. 

Just as he had finished stacking the bills, placing them in his little box where he kept all of his special items-photos of his parents, the bracelet Hae-un made for him when he was 12, the wrapper of the candy he won at the school running races- there was a knock on his door. He swiftly moved the box under his bed, standing up as the door opened, revealing his uncle, looking defeated and so torn. 

“Hi Tae,” He mumbled, entering the room as Taehyung smiled back at him. He reached for the acceptance letter from SNU, holding it out for his uncle to read. 

“Oh,” His uncle mumbled, smiling at him, proud. “I am so proud of you, son,” He said, voice faltering as he pulled Taehyung into a hug. He had savoured it, savoured it, for what possibly felt one last time. 

“You don’t worry about anything, we will manage the finances, and I will talk to your aunt-” His uncle had rambled, but Taehyung had shook his head, smiling. 

“You have done enough, Uncle. You have given me a roof when I had no one,” He said, voice shaky as he smiled. “I will manage now.”

“But Tae, SNU is expensive and you will need money-” His uncle protested, brows knitted together.

“I have money,” He blurted out, making his uncle stop mid-sentence and look at him with wide eyes, eyes so similar to his father’s. 

“From where?” He asked, and Taehyung hesitated. “I said, from where Taehyung?” He asked again, and Taehyung flinched at the harsh tone. “From all the lunch money,” He whispered out, making his uncle stop in his tracks. 

“Lunch money?” He asked, voice shaking as he realised what his nephew-his son- was implying. “You didn’t buy lunch all these years?”

Taehyung shook his head. “I wanted to buy you a gift when I grew up, but I think, this is a better gift, right uncle?” He said, voice sorrowful. 

“You heard it,” Sungwoo mumbled, realising where this was coming from, and Taehyung only nodded, understandingly. “She isn’t wrong,” Taehyung had reasoned and Sungwoo had hugged him once again. 

“I am proud of you. I will always be, and I am always here for you, when you need me, I am sorry” His uncle had said, and Taehyung had nodded, smiling. “It’s not your fault”

It wasn’t his uncle’s fault that he wasn’t born to be loved. 

But he loved them, and this was his best way of showing it. Because, this is what love meant to him. To give others happiness, even if it broke you. 

Taehyung was freshly 18 when he moved out, he had bowed down to both his caregivers, thanking them for their love, and support. Sungwoo had cried, holding back the urge to jump and hug him. Hae-un had hugged him, asking him to visit often, Taehyung had only smiled at that, holding back his tears. 

He stood in front of his aunt, bowing once again. “Thank you for everything,” He had mumbled, hoping for at least a warm smile, on the day he was leaving. But he didn’t get it, all he got was a sharp glare, and a curt nod. 

He smiled. Accepting his defeat. He deserved the resentment. 

***

The caramel skinned man entered the darkness of his apartment, keys jingling in his hands as he closed the door behind him with an unceremonial kick, hands filled with today’s assignments he needed to correct. He set them on the coffee table in his living room, removing his coat and plopping onto the couch, getting his phone out of his pants pockets, scrolling through messages to see if there was anything important.

There was nothing, except for the usual banter between Jieun and Bogum in their teacher’s group chat. He smiled at it, before swiping to see other contacts, Uncle Sungwoo and Aunt Minyoung. His hands hovered over them, pouting as he saw no new texts. 

He moved on, pushing the thought aside and changing into his home clothes, setting the excess makguksu from this morning to reheat, making it his dinner. He had always struggled with guessing the portions for one person, ending up making a portion or a half more. 

He settled onto the kitchen island as he started correcting the assignments from today, smiling at each family tree that showed up. He added little hearts and smiley faces to some of them, giving them plenty of stars for the effort. He felt happy, seeing all the soft and sweet family photos stuck on top of each assignment. 

Happy families. 

Taehyung had dreamt of one too, when he was younger. Had one too, before it was taken away from him. But now, he doesn’t push for it, having learnt and accepted that he wasn’t going to have one. So all he could do was yearn for it, and be happy for those who had it. 

He busied himself with the assignments, smiling at each one of them, losing himself in the cosy feeling surrounding him.

Then his phone rang. His hands reached for it before his eyes saw the screen, then shook when he read the name on the contact. 

Uncle Sungwoo.

He picked it up on the second. 

“Hello?” He answered, hoping his voice wouldn't shake. It had been months since he had spoken to his uncle, last time being to wish him for his birthday, and before that, Hae-un’s. 

“Hi Taehyung-ah,” His uncle replied, the familiar voice making Taehyung relax immediately. “How are you?” He asked and Taehyung smiled at the speaker.

“I am good, and yourself?” He asked, dragging the conversation from whatever the purpose was. 

“I am good too,” His uncle replied, and then, static silence took form between the uncle-nephew duo, both unsure on what to say, how to say it too. 

“I called you for something,” His uncle cut to the chase, making Taehyung hum as he sat him, the assignments on the table long forgotten. “What is it?” Taehyung asked, feeling his uncle’s breath stutter on the other end. 

“There is a marriage proposal for you,” He said in one breath, and Taehyung’s world stilled for a moment, eyes blowing wide as he held the phone closer.

“For me? Who?” He asked, and uncle Sungwoo laughed. “Jeon Jungkook, Seoul’s football superstar”

Taehyung laughed out loud, giggling as he saw the humour in this. Jeon Jungkook? The striker of Seoul’s National Team? 

“That’s a funny one, uncle. You still have good humour,” He replied, laughing, but it died as soon as he saw the other side was silent, no reciprocated laughter. He stilled. “You can’t be serious,” He said, desperate for someone to deny this. 

“I am not, Taehyung,” His uncle replied, and Taehyung felt the air being punched out of his guts.

“How? What? Why?” he rambled, mind coming up with a thousand questions. 

Why me?

“They are coming over for dinner this weekend, Saturday. 6PM. Can you make it? Can you come home?” His uncle asked, and Taehyung’s eyes moistened at the words.

Home

“I-I’ll try, I still don’t know the schedule-”

“Please Taehyung, for me,” His uncle pleaded, and Taehyung couldn't say to the only person who has ever loved him since he was 7. 

“I will be there”

Chapter Text

Jungkook stood dumbly in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt’s collar, hands shaking as he flicked it to adjust it. He saw his hand shaking in the mirror as he went to adjust a stray strand of hair over his forehead, tucking it back into place. 

He was so nervous.

The past week had been a doozy, to say the least. With his mother, the games coming up, and the stupid stupid stupid- marriage talks. 

Practice had been fun for the most of it, Namjoon and others not prying into his life, and giving him his space to process it on his own first, and he really appreciated it. He needed time to calm down his heart, and his thoughts. 

So how was he here? On a Saturday evening? Getting ready to see a possible match?

All thanks to his goddamn mother, He thought, laughing half-heartedly. 

He had been ambushed the minute he had returned from his practice, his mother physically dragging him to the couch and pushing him onto it, pacing around as she told him about his friend-Sungwoo and their son, who was breath-takingly beautiful and how he would be a perfect match for him.

He had only nodded along, entertaining her till this would die down, but it did not. Instead, his mother brought out her phone, and showed him one photo of this person- Taehyung. 

And Jungkook, for the first time in his life, felt his soul being sucked out of his body, in a good way. Body filled with warmth at the sight of the picture in his hands. Eyes scanning over the handsome face, the pretty smile, the sparkly almond eyes- he suddenly felt the locked chamber in his heart rattle more, stronger, firmer. Shaking him to his core. 

The dream of his 20 year old self flashing in front of his eyes. 

A cozy house, with a partner and two dogs. A fireplace for warmth, and a blanket sprawled across the couch. A backyard with flowers and vegetables, and a small football court. A kitchen filled with warmth and laughter. A place he would come back to every night. 

Home.

He had agreed then, eyes moist as he looked at the photo once again, hand almost racing to keep it with him when his mother took her phone back. His mother had reacted then, smiling at him knowingly. “Do you want me to send you the photo, Jungkook-ah?” She had asked, teasingly, and Jungkook had scowled at her, shaking his head as he tried to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. 

So now, here he was, walking his way out of his apartment to go meet Taehyung, the name itself sending soft ripples of warmth through Jungkook’s body. He settled down in the driver’s seat of his car, after making sure was comfortable in the passenger seat, and took a deep breath. 

His mother clapped excitedly, making Jungkook’s nervousness shoot up. “Okay, let’s do this.”

***

The house was away from the main areas of Seoul, nestled in a warm and bright neighbourhood, welcoming and warm. The tires of his car crunched against the gravel as he pulled into the driveway of their destination, eyes settling on the modest house with windchimes at the entrance, a garden flourishing in the front.

He rounded the car, opening the door of the passenger seat to help his mother up, holding her hand as she solidified her footing, before holding Jungkook’s shoulder as they started to walk. 

“Nervous?” His mother asked, and Jungkook felt a chill run down his spine as the cold breeze brushed past them, gulping. “I have played much more high pressure matches, eomma, this is manageable," He lied. 

Oh this was so much worse. This was oh so much worse. This was worse than the time their team was 3-4 against Japan and he was taking the final shot at the shoot outs.

This was his life. 

His mother nodded, trying to hide her buzzing excitement as they reached the porch, Jungkook’s shaky hands coming to press the doorbell, taking in deep breaths.

He lowered his head, reciting the chants he does before each match. But here, it was the match of his life- You got this. You got this. You will be fine. 

The door opened, revealing a burgundy haired young girl, smiling widely as she opened the door, his mother already letting go of his shoulder to hug the girl in front of them. “Oh Hae-un, how are you?” She asked, voice animatedly happy, and Hae-un replied, equally cheerful. 

Then she noticed Jungkook, smiling shyly at him before moving aside, letting him enter. Jungkook bows awkwardly, tugging at the sleeves of his cream button down shirt as he entered the space, doe eyes looking at the two elderly people standing in the middle of the living room. 

“Sungwoo, Miyoung,” His mother bowed, her white chiffon scarf falling over her shoulder. They bowed back, greeting politely. “Let me introduce you to my son, Jungkook,” She said, smiling proudly as she held a hand towards the younger male. 

The ravenette bowed 90 degrees, greeting them both. “Hello, it’s very nice to meet you,” He mumbled, surprised to see the steadiness in his voice even though internally he was a mess of nerves.

Sungwoo was the one who moved, leaving his wife’s side to come and stand in front of Jungkook, raising him by his shoulders to look him in the eye, filled with adoration. “The last time we saw you, you were this much,” The elder man said, pointing at the height of his hip, making Jungkook smile softly. 

“You have grown well,” Miyoung commented from behind, moving as Mrs. Jeon made her way to the sofa, Jungkook following and settled down next to her, eyes scanning for the imminent arrival of the person he was here for. 

“He will be down in a bit, brother in law,” Hae-un whispered into his ear from behind, making his cheeks get littered with scarlet shame, ducking his head he stared back at the woman in question, eyes narrowed. 

Oh this was an enemy in the making.

Aera smiled, looking back at Sungwoo and asking. “So? Where is the lovely Taehyung?” She asked and Sungwoo smiled, looking at Hae-un and nodding, making his daughter run away towards the staircase. 

The atmosphere changed as Jungkook held his breath, anticipation heavy in the air as he heard the slightest creak in the wooden floorboards of the staircase, eyes trained at them, watching as the silhouette grew bigger. 

And then, he saw the first glimpses, the black slacks appearing from behind the walls, a hand, well manicured fingers onto the final balustrade. But nothing, absolutely nothing could have prepared him for the final figure that appeared as Taehyung, fully emerging from the shadows.

Wearing a baby blue dress shirt over black pants, jet black hair parted on the side, feline eyes looking up at him tentatively, before ducking down again, the light from the kitchen creating a halo across his form, making him look like an absolute angel. 

Jungkook felt his legs work on his own accord, standing up as his eyes moved with Taehyung’s form, scanning his face, trying to engrave each of his movements into his mind. His mouth parted slightly, wanting to say something, anything, but no words came out- all he did was look out, in awe, adoration, and pure wonder. 

Aera felt her heart swell at the sight, feeling things fall into place when Jungkook continued to look at the elder man, eyes trained at his face as Taehyung looked down, shuffling at his spot. She cleared his throat, tugging at his shirt to break him out of his trance. “Jungkook,” She muttered, snickering when the footballer hummed back in response, eyes still on the angel in front of him. 

“Sit down,” She muttered, and then Jungkook just plopped down onto the sofa, movements mechanical, but eyes? Eyes only, only on the most beautiful man on earth, Taehyung.

The locked chamber in his heart rattled more, trying to break free, but Jungkook suppressed it, trying to hold onto his rational thoughts. Calm, Jungkook. He reminded himself.

No distractions.

“Well Aera, Jungkook,” Sungwoo said, getting up and standing next to Taehyung, patting his back gently. “This is Taehyung, my son,” He announced and Taehyung’s eyes left Jungkook’s for a brief moment, looking at his uncle, and then at his aunt, grimacing slightly before moving back to him and his mother. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” He bowed down, and Aera smiled. And the voice? Oh the voice. Jungkook leaned back, feeling his eyes shut as the deep notes of the sweetest voice ran in his mind like the most beautiful melody ever. 

He gained his composure quickly, sitting back up straight as both parties started to chat, but Jungkook andTaehyung, they stayed silent- sharing their shy glances, soft smiles and a biscuit off the plate kept in front of him. 

“Jungkook?” His mother’s voice brought him out of his happy bubble, making him whip his head in her direction. “Yeah?” He asked, swallowing the bite of the biscuit he had taken. 

Aera looked at him with soft eyes, happy. “Why don’t you two and Taehyung go and chat for a bit, hmm?” She suggested and Jungkook coughed a bit, looking back at Taehyung who was himself staring at Sungwoo, who was nodding, enthusiastic. 

“Yes of course,” Sungwoo said, looking at Taehyung. “Why don’t you take him to your garden? Or your room-” He paused, shaking his head slightly. “Sorry, the garden. The garden should be fine,” He mumbled, and Taehyung nodded, looking at Jungkook who stood up dumbly, waiting as Taehyung got up, letting him take the lead. 

He felt his mother’s chatter fade away into the background as they stepped out of the door, the sounds being replaced by the constant trill of the beatles and the croaks of nearby frogs. 

Taehyung shuffled awkwardly in his position, stealing glances at Jungkook who only gulped, looking away. 

He was so conflicted right now. There was no denying that Taehyung was indeed beautiful. But there was also no denying that he would never be the ideal husband, a good husband at that. His priority will always be football and his mother, and nothing would change that. 

Nothing was supposed to change that. 

Then why was his body coursing with adrenaline he had never felt before? Why was his heart lurching forward at the sight of the elder in front of him?

No distractions, Jungkook, His mind supplied, and Jungkook frowned, feeling his heart’s rattling being tied down by the roots of his mind, holding down his desires. 

“Hi,” Taehyung spoke first, eyes looking at him with nervousness and unsurety, as he awkwardly waved at him. Jungkook cleared his throat, mimicking the action and waving back. “Hello,” He mumbled, watching as Taehyung smiled, settling down at the settee in the backyard, eyes waiting patiently for Jungkook to take the one opposite to him.

The ravenette does so, settling down as his doe eyes canned the area. Taehyung’s almond eyes look at him with anticipation, waiting for Jungkook to ask something as they keep smiling shyly at each other. 

“Was the ride here okay?” Taehyung again spoke first. Jungkook only nodded. “Yeah, it’s a nice neighbourhood.”

And then, silence again. Jungkook shuffled in his place, playing with his hands as he continued to look around. Taehyung also kept quiet, unsure on how to carry it forward. 

Then, Jungkook had had enough. He spoke up.

“I-”

“Listen-”

They both spoke simultaneously, making Taehyung smile shyly. “You go first,” He said and Jungkook wanted to melt on the spot, that boxy smile stirring something deep in him, something he had long abandoned. 

Jungkook cleared his throat, not knowing how to lay this down gently. “My mother put me up to this,” He started, awkwardly. “I have my reasons.. for a marriage,” He continued, voice cautious, watching as Taehyung’s smile didn’t falter, but the light in his eyes dimmed a bit. 

It made Jungkook want to jump out of his seat and bring the twinkles back. “But I can’t and I won’t be an ideal husband. I am currently devoted to my career and my mother, and I will not be adding anything, or anyone to that list anytime soon,” He finished, as he watched Taehyung nod, understandingly. 

“I understand, Jungkook-ssi,” He started, voice steady and kind, with no hint of malice and hurt. “I would have been surprised if it wasn’t the case. You are a famous sports star, in your prime, and probably have people falling for you left and right. Why,” Taehyung paused, looking down at his hands as his voice became smaller. “Why would you want me, a 29 year old pre-school teacher?” He laughed it off, looking up at Jungkook with a soft smile.

And Jungkook wanted to say- No. No. I would choose you. 

But he stayed silent, eyes focused on Taehyung who went back to playing with his hands. “I am not looking for an ideal husband. I don’t even know what an ideal husband is,” Taehyung murmured, looking at Jungkook with his soft eyes. “So whatever comes out of this, if you agree or not, I just want to let you know, I won’t be the ideal husband either.”

Because I don’t know what that is. Remains unspoken. 

“But I would be with you. As a friend, as a confidant, a support for your mother. Whatever you want from me,” He finishes. 

I will be useful, I promise. 

Jungkook felt his breath hitch. He expected something else, a maliceful answer, a shut-out, some crying, anything but this.

Anything but this angel of a man willing to lower his standards and settle for him. 

Before he could speak any further, he heard the door to the backyard open, Hae-un’s brown popping out as she peered at them teasingly. “Dinner’s ready, unless you want to chat more, oppa,” She winked at Taehyung who only shook his head, standing up and patting at his dress pants, removing any creases as he looked at Jungkook, extending an arm out, directing him towards the dining area.

Jungkook looked at him and blinked. Now, he has had a fair share of his own flings, a few dates here and there, scattered around like little moments of brevity in his 13 years of a very public career.

But no one had him as enamoured as Taehyung. He doesn’t know what, or why, but something about the elder makes Jungkook want to drop to his knees and worship him, or wrap his arms around the elder and protect him from everything life throws at him. 

But- No distractions, Jungkook. 

They entered the dining room, Jungkook looking around to find everyone already seated, eyes scanning and then head tilting with confusion when he realised that there was only a chair at the dining table. 

Aera seemed to have understood the confusion, looking around as she saw Taehyung enter from the door, closing it behind him. “Sungwoo, we are one chair short, I feel,” She said as Taehyung came closer, inspecting the scene and stilling immediately. 

Hae-un stood up immediately. “Oh I will get up and eat at the sofa, no issues, auntie-”

“Sit down,” Miyoung’s voice cut through the air like a sharp knife, leaving no room for discourse as Hae-un looked at her mother with annoyance, settling down into her chair again. 

Jungkook looked at his mother with confusion, who only blinked. 

But then he felt a warm body next to him, finding Taehyung so close to him. The almond eyes looked around before dimming just a bit, before picking back up again. 

No one would have noticed it, but Jungkook did, the way Taehyung’s smile fell the slightest, before regaining his posture. His hand itched to reach out and comfort the elder. From what? He didn’t know. But clearly something was wrong. 

“It’s okay. Jungkook-ssi,” He said, pointing at the empty chair next to Mrs. Jeon. “Please sit down. I will eat in the living room.”

Aera furrowed her brows at that, looking at Sungwoo who was only looking at Miyoung with a stern look, his wife not meeting his eyes. She looked back at Jungkook, with sad eyes, and Jungkook looked around, trying to understand the situation. 

Then an idea came to his mind. He stepped forward, looking at Taehyung and then back at his mother. “Taehyung and I can both sit by the sofa, we were quite enjoying our conversation,” He started and Taehyung looked at him with wide eyes. Jungkook only gave him a small smile in reciprocation. 

And in that one smile, Taehyung felt the comfort of a thousand hugs. 

“Is that okay?” Jungkook asked, looking at everyone as Sungwoo only nodded, and Miyoung shrugged, already serving the food to Aera and her husband. 

“Taehyung,” Sungwoo said, reaching out for two plates from the table. “Serve Jungkook and yourself.” The elder reached for the plates, looking back at Jungkook who smiled, nodding. 

He filled Jungkook’s plates with the various dishes present, Japchae, Kimbap, his aunt’s speciality, Deonjang-Jiggae into a bowl, adding a bit of kimchi and handing it to the elder with unsure eyes.

Jungkook took it with gentle hands, nodding as a small ‘thank you’ as Taehyung went back for his own plate. He felt a small tug at his plate, looking down to see aunt Miyoung holding onto it. He only stiffened, feeling the cold treatment starting to beat through his resolve. He tugged the plate out of his aunt’s grip, taking a bite worth of japchae and some plain rice, and some kimchi, taking in a shaky breath as he walked backwards, standing next to Jungkook, but not meeting his eyes. 

But Jungkook, he had observed, saw the tug at the plate ever so sleek, hidden behind the facade of the table cloth. He decided not to say anything, moving past them to settle down at the sofa, plate in hand as Taehyung settled a few feet away from him. 

He dug in immediately, taking greedy sips of the jiggae, and munching at the japchae, frowning slightly. He turned around to look at Taehyung, who had barely taken a bite, and yet his plate looked already empty. 

“Do you like Japchae?” He tried to start a conversation, trying to get the elder’s mind off the unpleasant moment of the dining table. Taehyung looked at him, wide eyes blinking at him before he nodded. 

“It’s one of my favourites,” Taehyung mumbled softly, taking another shy bite from his plate. Jungkook nodded. 

“Why did you agree to meet?” Jungkook asked then, watching as Taehyung’s lips formed into a pout, tilting his head in confusion as he looked up at Jungkook. 

“Huh?”

“To meet me. I told you my reason,” He mumbled truthfully, looking at Taehyung with sincere eyes. “Why did you agree?” He asked and Taehyung shrugged.

“For my uncle, he has done a lot for me,” Taehyung mumbled quietly, chewing at his japchae. 

“Oh,” Jungkook mumbled, watching intently as Taehyung pouted down at his now gone japchae, picking at the little pieces of vegetables sticking to the plate. Jungkook’s heart hurt, and before he knew it, he was shifting on the sofa, coming closer to Taehyung who leaned away, unsure of what was happening.

Jungkook only scooped up a big bundle of the japchae with his chopsticks, placing it swiftly onto the elder’s plate, smiling internally. 

Taehyung blinked at him, looking down at the plate and then at him, dumb-foundedly. “What-”

“Eat,” Jungkook said, going back to his own plate, his mind yelling at him now. What was that?! Are you insane, Jeon Jungkook. 

He grimaced a bit, wondering if he had gone too far, but looking at Taehyung smile at him, a dusty pink hue settled on his cheek as he took another bite of the japchae, he felt no regrets. 

“I am just-dieting,” Taehyung said, face stuffed with the japchae as Jungkook only hummed, looking at the elder with a teasing smile. “You are not good at lying, Taehyung-ssi,” He commented, and Taehyung ducked his head back down. 

“Are you agreeing to it?” Taehyung had asked in the end, when they were almost done with their plates, looking at Jungkook with soft eyes, and absolutely no hope. And something in Jungkook hated that, the locked chambers of his heart rattling harder against their cages. 

“I-I don’t know,” He replied, honestly, feeling like he was in a battle with his mind and heart. But he also knew that if he said no, his mother wouldn't stop, and would bring someone else, and after that, another.

Then, a voice rang in his head. 

‘I don’t have time, Jungkook’

‘Please Jungkook, let me get rid of this guilt within me’

Jungkook sighed, eyes closing as he tried to run away from his thoughts, but the face that appeared in front of him made him open them immediately. Taehyung. Taehyung. Smiling. Happy. With his mother. His mother was sitting there, laughing and smiling, and looking happy.

That split second makes his skin feel warm, and he feels like he is playing a losing battle.

If he said yes- His mother would be happy, possibly Taehyung will be happy. 

If he said no- His mother wouldn't be happy, and Taehyung would be stuck in this household. 

You promised your mother a golden life. His heart supplied. You promised yourself a successful career. His mind interfered. 

He looked up, watching his mother and Sungwoo emerge from the dining room, Sungwoo pulling Taehyung away, smiling at Aera who did the same with Jungkook, pulling at his arm as he got up, moments mechanical as they went to the patio. 

“So?” His mother inquired, eyes filled with so much hope and anticipation, a stark contrast to Taehyung’s. 

Jungkook looked at his mother, eyes studying her features, hyperaware of the white hair that he swears wasn’t there yesterday. Looking into the house to see Taehyung standing by the sofa, talking to his dad with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes like it did in the early evening. 

‘I don’t have time Jungkook’

‘You promised yourself a successful career’

‘You promised yourself a golden life for your mom’’

‘I won’t be an ideal husband too, but I will be there, as a friend, as a confidant, a support for your mother’

Jungkook took a deep breath. He sees the way his mother absolutely already adores Taehyung.

But your career. Your goals. The public opinion

Jeon Jungkook had shut down his heart, long ago. He was now a shell of a man, living on ideologies of his mind, logical and clean. No decision of his life was taken from heart. 

Until now. 

The locked chambers in his chest rattle, the first links of the chains breaking.

For his mother.

He opened his eyes, feeling warmth spread across his skin as he muttered his answer.

“Yes”

***

Taehyung looked at his uncle, holding his arm in the living room, looking at him with the same soft eyes he had ever since he was young. “So?” He asked, waiting patiently. 

Taehyung took a deep breath in, looking around and finding his aunt looking at him, eyeing his being with so much resentment that Taehyung didn’t know how long he could take it. Then he looked the other way.

Jungkook. 

Jungkook. Who had read him more in the span of 30 minutes than his own friends, showed him more kindness than his own family. 

‘I won’t be an ideal husband’

The voice rings.

‘My priority is my game and my mother, and that is not changing anytime soon’

Another voice repeats.

Taehyung took a deep breath, looking out the side glass to see Jungkook standing in front of, looking equally lost in thought. 

He won’t be ideal, but he will be something. He will be kind. 

He shook his head, biting his lower lip as he thought about it.

He won’t be ideal, but you will have someone. 

You will have someone, who will possibly care for you, and not see you as a burden. 

He opened his eyes, locking it with his uncle as he took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging heart. 

He parts his lips, the words falling off his tongue in the softest way possible. 

“Yes”

Chapter Text

Jungkook followed his mother back inside, every sound around him muted as his own voice rings in his ears. Yes.

He had said yes. Fuck. He had done it. 

He looked around, watching as Taehyung stood a few feet away from him, looking at him with soft eyes. Jungkook couldn’t help but smile at that. The reciprocal soft smile calming down his own nerves.

Aera and Sungwoo stood in the center of the hall, discussing, and as they mumbled the answers from both the sides, Aera broke into a joyful cry, clapping her hands as she looked at Taehyung, pulling him into a tight hug as he returned it with a shocked look.

Jungkook smiled, feeling Sungwoo-his to be father in law- coming on his own to hug him too, patting his back as he muttered to take care of his son. 

Then, Aera turned to him, and any regret Jungkook had till now washes over as he sees the tears of joy in his mother’s eyes, a huge smile he hadn’t seen in years. 

She was happy. 

The young footballer felt his throat clog up at that, watching as his mother wrapped her arms around him.Feeling his shirt start to wet at his chest, his mother’s form shaking so much under his touch. “Thank you so much, my son,” She mumbled into his arms. 

“Thank you for giving me this much happiness, this much joy.”

Jungkook melted at that.

‘You promised yourself to give your mother a golden life’ His brain had said. Now he felt at peace. ‘I am giving her one’ He thought, holding onto his mother tighter.

She pulled away shortly after, rambling about how happy she was, hugging Sungwoo who was crying, hugging Taehyung again and again. Miyoung appeared from the kitchen, mumbling small congratulations before disappearing into the distance. 

Hae-un had come down smiling the brightest, hugging his brother tightly as she squealed from joy, coming in front of Jungkook to shake his hand. 

“If you harm him, I will hit you in the shin,” She threatened, making Jungkook smile as he nodded. 

Then, finally, Taehyung looked at him, expression blank as Jungkook only stood there, smiling back. But then,he felt Taehyung move, one step forward, and then another, and then another, and before Jungkook knew it, he felt the elder’s chest press against his, arms wrapping around Jungkook’s waist as he hugged him, the footballer instinctively wrapping his arms around him, fitting perfectly across Taehyung’s frame. 

“Thank you,” Taehyung mumbled into his shirt, words heavier than any they had spoken over the evening, and Jungkook knew it held more meaning than just an acceptance to marriage. 

But he had this funny feeling, that it was actually him, who should be thanking Taehyung. 

Maybe he will, soon.

He patted his back awkwardly, not sure what to do about the certain physical contact. 

“I will try my best, I promise,” Taehyung whispered, Jungkook felt his heart constrict in his chest. 

I will try to be the person you deserve too.

The words were left unsaid. Jungkook only stayed quiet, eyes looking everywhere but the man pressed him.

No distractions. 

Aera cooed from in front of them, Jungkook suddenly hyper-aware of his surroundings, instinctively moved Taehyung away from their eyes, turning them slightly as Taehyung started to pull away, face coming out blotchy and wet. 

He wiped at it, looking at Jungkook’s shirt with a pout. “I am sorry,” He mumbled, pointing at the wet patch near his shoulder blade, the younger one brushing it off. 

“Oh don’t worry, dear,” Aera intervened, placing a gentle hand on Taehyung’s back. “Half of that is my doing too,” She laughed, sniffling a bit as Jungkook nodded. 

Then she raised a box in her right hand, opening it to reveal two necklaces, both made of silver, light but unique, with a central charm shaped like a heart. 

“Since we don’t have enough time for an official engagement,” She said, picking one of the necklaces up and handing it to Jungkook. 

“These will have to do for now. We had this custom made for Jungkook when he turned 18, for his partner,” She said softly, looking at Taehyung with so much love and adoration, something that the younger hadn’t felt in ages. Sungwoo smiled, coming closer as Hae-un clapped in the background, Miyoung standing by the living entrance, eyes still, narrow.

Jungkook took it with a ginger-light touch, hands holding onto the piece of jewellery as if it was made of air. He looked at Taehyung smiling softly as he gulped. 

“Go on,” Aera urged, bringing Jungkook’s arm close to Taehyung, making the elder blink before sighing. 

For my mother. Jungkook thought, taking in a deep breath.

Jungkook unclasped the lock, leaning in to put the chain around the elder’s neck. Taehyung tensed at the proximity, feeling Jungkook’s breath fan across his cheek, eyes trained at the clasp. Once done, pulled away swiftly, Taehyung almost leaning forward, towards the warm and the gentle breeze. But he held himself back, biting at his inner cheek.

“And now you, Taehyung,” Aera said,holding on the second necklace. Taehyung gulped moving towards Jungkook who leaned toward slightly, the front strands of his hair brushing against the elder’s forehead. He tip-toed slightly, rounding his arms around the younger’s neck, clasping it in place then. 

Jungkook felt the scent of strawberry over him, a subtle perfume that Taehyung was probably wearing. As he felt the cool clasp at his neck, fingers gingerly placed it on his neck. He realised, it was done. 

He was now engaged. Jeon Jungkook, the main offensive player for the Seoul National Team, the forever wanted bachelor of South Korea, was engaged. 

The elder pulled away, the younger eyeing as his mother removed one of his bracelets and gave it to the elder, clasping it securely along his right wrist. “Welcome to the family”

Taehyung smiled, nodding, and Jungkook in that moment thought he should be feeling regret, resistance, and protests from his mind. But it was quiet. It scared him.

It scared him, that he was after years, doing something for himself, something for his personal life. He was scared, hoping this won’t crumble away like everything he loves does.

For my mother, he reminded himself. That this was all to see his mother smile.

So he hoped that he would be fine. That his career would be fine. That his mother will be fine. That Taehyung would be fine. 

Not realising that his heart had already added another priority in his never changing list. Taehyung was already starting to enter the voice of his heart, and settling down comfortably. 

***

The news spread like wildfire within his squad. It took exactly two minutes for Namjoon to lose it when he noticed the new silver jewellery dangling from Jungkook’s neck, pacing around like crazy as he screamed on top of his lungs that- ‘Jungkook is engaged’

It took 10 minutes for the whole squad to get to know, everyone coming and congratulating him, Yoongi tearing up slightly at the idea of ‘their young boy being all grown up’

“Can’t believe you have the same face you had back in high school, but now you are getting married,” He congratulated, pulling Jungkook into a hug. 

The young footballer patted his back, feeling things starting to settle down as the coach called them out for practice, Jungkook looking at Namjoon who looked at him with endeared eyes. He was about to walk out, water bottle in hand when his phone buzzed, hands promptly reaching for the device and smiling at the little text from his mother. 

It was a photo of her, sitting and deciding the colours of their wedding cards. 

It made Jungkook’s heart swell with happiness, knowing that his mother finally was happy. She had been eating better, she had been sleeping better, and she had been more active! Going on daily walks to the park around the corner, making new friends, talking more often. 

Jungkook could swear even her eyes were sparkling more. 

If this is what one marriage could do, he would not let go now. 

And Taehyung? He wasn’t sure. They hadn’t spoken since that day, Jungkook having forgotten to get his number, and having no means to contact him. 

He had wondered what the elder was up to, wondering how his day would be going when his mind reminded-

No distraction, Jungkook

So he had thrown the thought to the side, focusing on his mother and his game, as always, with only a tiny time spent thinking about what his fiance would be doing. 

Fiance. The word felt so foreign to him, something he had never imagined he would achieve, over his multiple goals and assists awards. 

For his mother's happiness. 

Jungkook sighed, replying to his mother with a small heart emoji before moving out of the changing room, entering the field with a new sense of energy he had never felt before, tattooed hands brushing against the necklace on his neck almost intentionally, every time he did so, remembering the way his mother had hugged Taehyung smiling at him brightly. 

His mother was finally feeling happy again. 

Throughout the practice, he felt like he was flying, enjoying it more than often, to the point where- when everyone collapsed onto the ground, groaning and sweating, he continued on, losing himself in each kick, each dribble, each swerve. He was smiling, for the first time in ages, on the field. 

Namjoon’s eyes looked at him with softness and adoration, feeling happy for their maknae who had finally allowed himself to go beyond the borders of this field, allowing himself to experience. 

“Damn, I wonder who did such a number on him,” Jimin commented, watching Jungkook laugh as he dodged Mingyu’s attack, dribbling the ball past him with newfound ease and confidence. 

Namjoon only shrugged. “Whoever it is, I am glad they entered his life”

To teach him how to live.

***

Jungkook returned from practice with a grateful buzz under his skin, a welcomed form of tiredness settled in his body as he dragged himself to the entrance of his apartment, brows knitting as he observed another pair of shoes in the entrance, looking at it as he drank another sip of water from his bottle. 

Maybe his mother had called a friend over. He pressed the door-bell, hearing metal scrape against the floor from the inside, laughter echoing from inside as he heard footsteps approaching the door. 

The door opened softly, and Jungkook looked surprised at the person receiving him. 

“Hi,” Taehyung greeted sheepishly, moving aside to let Jungkook in, who only looked at him nodded, mouth forming an ‘o’ shape. 

Taehyung shuffled back inside, already seeming familiar with the place as he went straight towards the kitchen, Jungkook setting down his kit on the side shelf before moving forward, entering the living room to see it sprawled with an array of coloured paper and a pair of crafts scissors. Finding a stack of neatly cut stars, circles, squares and rhombuses placed on the other end. He moved further into his own apartment, feeling he was transported to some other space, as he saw Taehyung emerge from the kitchen, a tray in hand with a glass of water and a bowl of hwachae.

“Woah,” Jungkook mumbled, moving as Taehyung urged him to settle into one of the chairs at the kitchen island. 

“Did you have a good practice session?” Taehyung asked, placing the glass of water and the bowl in front of Jungkook, his engagement necklace dangling a few inches away from Jungkook’s face. Jungkook only nodded, confused on what and how Taehyung had come here. 

“Taehyung-ah!” His mother’s voice echoed from the kitchen, making the elder whip his head towards its direction, the necklace jingling at the action. 

“Yes, Mrs. Jeon,” Taehyung answered, pulling away swiftly as he entered the kitchen. 

Jungkook could hear a hushed conversation between the two, something about a recipe. 

“How much sugar, Mrs. Jeon?” “As spoon is enough, my dear”

Jungkook smiled, happy to see the tinge of happiness in his mother's words as she spoke animatedly to Taehyung as he took a bite of a hwachae, nearly melting into his chair. It was fantastic. 

He groaned at the taste, feeling it cool his body almost immediately. 

“The hwachae is amazing!” He yelled into the direction of the kitchen, leaning slightly to make sure his voice reached the residents in the kitchen. 

“Is it?” His mother emerged, wiping her hands against a wash cloth. Jungkook nodded earnestly, jet black hair bouncing against his forehead, tattooed hands lifting the bowl to drink up the rest of the sweet tasting milk. 

“Taehyung made it!” She added and Jungkook nodded, watching Taehyung peek out sheepishly from the side, looking at him with a shy smile. 

Jungkook nodded, giving him a thumbs up before getting up, carrying his cutlery into the sink. 

He noticed Taehyung there too, busy whisking some bean paste together, water boiling on the stove in front of him, tofu and green onions chopped and ready. He moved closer, peering over the elder. “What are you making?” He asked, voice barely above a whisper, but enough to make Taehyung jump, looking back at Jungkook as he placed a hand over his chest, calming his heart.

“Sorry,” Jungkook mumbled sheepishly, pulling away as Taehyung nodded, trying to hide the blush that crept up his cheeks at the proximity. “Just some kimchi-jiggae,” He answered, running back to the other side of the stove to find a knife. 

Jungkook stepped back then, watching Taehyung run around the kitchen with familiar ease, reaching out for spoons and knives as if he had lived in this house for ages. 

He is still a stranger.  His mind supplied, and Jungkook hummed, agreeing. Which made him think that Taehyung in his kitchen should make him uncomfortable, out of place, even. 

But those are the things he didn’t even feel in miles. All he felt was warmth and happiness, watching his mother walk around with Taehyung in the kitchen, making him smile even wider. 

He walked away, giving one last glance to the duo before entering his room to have a quick wash. He rummaged through his clothes, eyes falling onto the empty side of the wardrobe, which won’t remain empty for long- smiling softly. 

He entered the shower, letting the hot water cascade over his well toned muscles, forming small puddles at his collar bones. 

He sighed, feeling his life having done a full 180 degree flip from last week. Where once he was afraid of losing, afraid of letting go, to today, where he had finally seemed to find happiness for his mother again, feeling lighter and so much more happier himself. 

He got dressed after a while, walking into the moment when his mother and Taehyung settled on the dining table, setting it up together, his mother saying something that seemed funny, as Taehyung burst into a hearty laughter, his mother following the melody and giggling too.

Jungkook watched from the side, not wanting to break their little blissful moment, but Taehyung noticed him the minute he entered the area, eyes getting caught at his and immediately looking away, shuffling away to the other side of the dining table and finishing setting up, laughter dying down just as fast as it emerged.

The young footballer cleared his throat, entering the dining area with a soft smile. The three of them sat down, Jungkook and Taehyung on one end, and Aera on the other, eyeing the two with a knowing look.

“I called Taehyung over today, we had an amazing time, right dear?” Aera said, looking at Taehyung who only nodded shyly, eyes avoiding Jungkook’s who looked at him. 

“We cut up a lot of paper shapes for Taehyung’s students too, it was so fun!” She continued on about her day, and Jungkook couldn’t help but smile at her, seeing her eyes sparkle the way they used to a few years back. 

He looked back at Taehyung, who was listening just as intently to her. 

And then Jungkook felt it, the second link of his locked chambers rattling more, so close to opening, showing up as adoration in his eyes as he looked at Taehyung, smiling softly. But his mind held on, eyes dimming as he focused back onto the food on his side, orbs darkening. 

No distractions, Jungkook

He sighed, fighting this battle he didn’t know which side he wanted to be on. 

This is for your mother. 

Jeon Aera noticed it, smiling to herself as she saw his son starting to let down his barriers for the first time in years. 

Finally, Jungkook seemed to be living. 

***

They had exchanged numbers that night, Jungkook having asked for it after mustering all of his courage. This was going to be his husband, goddamnit. 

 Of course he needed his number. Taehyung had smiled shyly before typing it onto Jungkook’s phone, giving the elder one his own in the process. 

“So, can I officially call you hyung, now, Taehyung-ssi?” Jungkook had asked, teasingly, but the expression in Taehyung’s eyes told him that the question meant the world to him. This was the least he could do for the elder anyway, Taehyung, who was possibly giving up his own dreams of a happy life for Jungkook’s twisted ones.

Taehyung had agreed to it in a heartbeat, only asking if he could call Jungkook by his name in return too. 

“Of course,” Jungkook had replied, smiling as he dropped off Taehyung at the drop-off point in his apartment, making sure he had boarded his cab safely. 

“Text me once you reach, alright hyung?” He had asked, leaning against the opened glass of the window, the feline eyed man smiling at him in the process, cheeks blushing at the use of the term.  

“I will, Jungkook. Goodnight. Thank you for today,” He mumbled, waving his hand and Jungkook only shook his head. 

“Thank you, hyung. For making my mother happy,” He replied, the words ‘and me too’ being cut off from his sentence, his own self yet to realise that part. 

He slept that night only after his phone pinged with a familiar ring, Taehyung’s name appearing on the screen with a short message- Reached home. Goodnight, Jungkook.

Jungkook had replied with a short- Goodnight, hyung, smiling as he let his phone rest on the nightstand. 

He could swear that night he had the best sleep in years, hands subconsciously holding onto the necklace in his sleep, a wide smile plastered across his face. 

***

It had been a few weeks since his engagement news broke out in the squad, everyone teasing Jungkook about the necklace every time it dangled against his neck, whistling and hooting at it. Jungkook would only roll his eyes at that, ignoring the warmth blooming in his chest at each mention. 

Things had been absolutely amazing. Jungkook thought, thinking over the past weeks to remember how his mother had been absolutely bouncing off her feet, looking forward to each Friday when Taehyung would show up and they would work on the assignments for his students, or how they would knit some coasters for the little knitting club she had joined in the city. 

She was happy, and Jungkook was happy seeing her happy. 

“So how is it going with your fiance? Taehyung, was it?” Namjoon asked, settling down next to the younger one on the bench as he tightened his laces, Jungkook smiled. 

“It’s going well. Eomma’s really happy. He makes eomma really happy. He comes over every Friday evening to have a little hangout session with her and it’s really, just, amazing,” He states, voice tuning breathy and light by the end of it.

Namjoon only hummed, moving onto his left leg to tighten the face, looking at the younger with neutral eyes. “And you?” He asked, making Jungkook look at him, confused. “Me?” He asked, looking at Namjoon with confused eyes. 

“Yeah, you,” His captain replied, pointedly. “How does he make you feel?” He asked and Jungkook chuckled awkwardly. 

“That doesn't matter. What matters is Eomma,” He replied matter of factly, bending down to fix his shin guards, eyes looking at the necklace dangling off his chest. 

But Namjoon kept staring at him, an eyebrow quicker up as he looked down at him questioningly. Jungkook let out a groan. 

“He doesn't make me feel any way. I agreed to this because of eomma, and he knows it too. There is nothing between us,” He replied and Namjoon only sighed. 

“So all your happiness for the past few weeks is only because auntie is happier? Not because you are letting yourself feel things you always ignored before?” He asked and Jungkook opened his mouth to answer, but paused. 

But then he took a deep breath in again, ignoring the ugly feeling settling in his gut as he replied. “Yes”

Namjoon sighed, defeated. “Alright then,” His hyung replied, standing up and jogging on the spot, letting his shoes adjust onto his feet. 

He leaned down to get his bottle, looking at his stubborn and oblivious maknae one last time.

“Love is not a crime, Jungkook,” He said, making Jungkook take a deep breath in looking at the elder with sharp eyes. 

“I don't have the time for it. I have better things to focus on,” He replied, getting up on own and heading out. 

His career. His schedules. His mother

“Lets go, we have a tournament to win next week” 

Chapter Text

Taehyung had always wondered what a mother’s love felt like. How warm it made one feel, how special it was.

Don’t get him wrong, he was loved, loved by his amma when she was around. He remembered bits and pieces of his long-gone happy childhood, his amma running behind him to eat his food, the young boy who had so many big dreams and ambitions only laughing along, jumping across from the sofa to another to dodge every move. 

“I am the warrior! I have to defeat that demon, eomma!” He had squealed, screaming as his mother would finally pull him by the waist, tugging him into place on her lap as Taehyung giggled, taking a big bite of his rice then. 

“I love you, bear” His mother would mumble, voice the softest and sweetest, eyes filled with love and adoration. 

The 29 year old teacher opened his eyes, looking around their school entrance to see parents taking their children away for the day, smiling and squealing as their mothers picked them up, settling the tiny beings against their hips, caressing their cheeks. 

He smiled, watching as little Jinae shuffled next to him, looking around for her dad. The elder smiled, crouching down to meet her eye level. “He will be here soon, Ji-ji,” He mumbled, watching as the little girl only whined, looking around in panic as all her friends started to say bye and leave for the day, her tiny frame the only one left by the end of it. 

“Where is he, teacher Taetae?” She asked, looking at him with wide and panicked eyes, and Taehyung patted her head gently. “He will be here, he called and told us he will be a few minutes late, do you want to play in the ground till then?” He asked, voice light and cheerful, but the girl shook her head. 

“No, I will wait here,” She said, sitting down onto the pavement with a small thud, small pigtails bouncing at the motion. Taehyung held onto the little girl’s hand as he sat beside her, watching as her eyes remained trained at the school gate, pouting softly. 

He eyed it too, waiting for Mr. Choi to show up. He knew he would. And he did. Exactly 10 minutes later, Taehyung’s heart burst with adoration as Jinae immediately got up on her two legs, running off to her dad who smiled at her, crouching down and immediately lifting her. 

He then made his way to Taehyung, who stood there, smiling. “I am sorry for the delay, Mr. Kim, work had me held back, and Jinae’s mother is sick,” He apologised but Taehyung only shook his head, looking at the girl who had her arms wrapped around her dad now. 

“It’s okay, Mr. Choi. You came, that’s what is important,” He said, softly, watching as the father nodded, turning around and walking away with his daughter secured in his arms, chattering away about the schoolday.

Taehyung smiled, watching Jinae’s eyes sparkle with excitement. A tiny soul filled with so much innocence and love. 

Yeah, being there is important. 

***

The Child Psychologist was packing up his things for the day, having debriefed Bogum about his observations from today’s session with the students, and pointed out a few things about how some students seem to be lacking in verbal cues, and how they could improve on that. 

He was about to leave when Jieun came by, eyeing her curious dark brown eyes, staring at Taehyung’s neck. “So, what’s the mystery behind the necklace?”She asked, voice composed and sweet. 

The feline eyes looked at her with caution, before shrugging. “Nothing, just a gift from my uncle,” He lied, unsure if he was allowed to reveal this arranged situation to the public yet.

He hadn’t spoken to Jungkook about it. Truthfully, he and Jungkook seldom spoke beyond their interactions around Mrs. Jeon. 

He wasn’t sure where he and Jungkook stood. The young footballer hadn’t been mean in any sense, he had always been warm and welcoming, calling Taehyung ‘hyung’ these days, which made the elder feel happy all across. 

But, there was this line, drawn by the younger one, which Taehyung had made sure not to cross in the past month. A line that clearly said- This marriage is for my mother’s happiness. 

So he wasn’t sure if Jungkook would want him to be known as his fiance, husband. Thinking that possibly this was a closed door agreement, only for his mother’s eyes. 

He sighed, hands coming to play with the chain around his neck, pouting at the little heart in the center. Even now, he felt like he was just inserted into a family, trading one family for another. 

He still felt like he was just a burden, a nobody, an extra who was there because Jungkook had no choice. 

Taehyung shook his head, packing his bag and carrying a set of crepe papers out of his staffroom, ready to take them home and cut them into thin strips for a little motor-skills activity he had planned for the 1st graders. 

He waved goodbye to everyone, smiling as he made his way out of the building, and then stilled, when he noticed a familiar figure approach him, a warm smile and adoration filled eyes looking straight at him. 

“Mrs. Jeon?” He questioned, increasing his pace to meet the elderly woman halfway across the school ground, the white haired woman smiling brightly at him, holding a  box in her hands. 

“Taehyung-ah, my dear,” She greeted, immediately going to hug her son-in-law who hugged back awkwardly, trying to balance the stack of paper in his arms. 

“Hello,” Taehyung spoke timidly, unsure on what to say, or do, as Mrs. Jeon and him continued to walk towards the exit. “I came by, thinking we could have lunch together,” She said, holding onto the lunch box in her hand with a wide smile.

Taehyung smiled back at that, heart filling with so much joy at the gesture. No one had ever done this for him before. Coming all the way to his workplace to give him food. 

It made him feel warm and special on the inside. 

“That’s really sweet of you,” He mumbled softly, letting Mrs. Jeon guide him to a park across from their school, settling down at one of the benches as she opened the stacked boxes, revealing all sorts of preparations. 

“Go on, eat,” Mrs. Jeon gestured at a wide-eyed Taehyung, who only stared at the food in front of him with a hanging mouth. 

Taehyung reached for the disposable chopsticks on the side, taking a soft bite of the rice and smiling up at Mrs. Jeon, trying to hold his composure as his insides twisted with the receival of so much love and care, from a mother-figure, a sort of love he had not received in decades. 

He ate quietly, Mrs. Jeon ate her own portion, but eyes stuck at Taehyung whose eyes were glazed over with multiple emotions, frame shaking slightly. She paused. 

“Taehyung-ah, are you crying?” She said, voice panicked as she sat closer to him, hand coming to cup the elder’s soft cheek, making the elder look up.

And that touch, the single touch unwound everything in Taehyung, every memory of him crying at night in his bed, alone, hoping his mother would hold him through the rainy and thunder-filled night, every day he had cried to get a hug from his aunt when got hurt while playing, every moment, he wished she would look at him with just an ounce of love, came melting into Mrs. Jeon’s hands, the young man feeling all of his pain escaping as he finally, finally, felt like he was receiving a motherly love he had craved for, for ages. 

And he got it from a place he least expected, from his future mother in law- who had treated him more like his son than his aunt had in 20 years, who had cared for him more than his own relatives. 

She had treated him better than any other blood relations had shown him in the past 20 years. And Taehyung wished that at least he could have this in his life. That at least she won’t be snatched away from her.

Because all he ever has received is resentment, and the people who loved him have always been taken away from him. First his parents, then his uncle who he had to let go, for their own happiness. 

“Oh Taehyung,” Aera mumbled, pulling the younger one into her arms, letting Taehyung rest his head onto her shoulder. “You are okay, eomma is here,” She said, and Taehyung cried harder at that.

Eomma. 

After yearning to hear that from someone, he finally, finally hears it. He held onto Mrs. Jeon tighter, letting the 7 year old in him, who craved for this, take it all in, to be free. 

So he savoured it, savoured each head pat, each whisper into his ear, each soft kiss placed onto his jet-black hair. 

He cherished it all. And perhaps, at 29 years old, Kim Taehyung finally felt what motherly love was. 

***

Jungkook could feel his mother’s eyes boring holes into the side of his skull, looking at him with sharpness that she only did when Jungkook had royally screwed up. But he hadn’t, he was sure of it. 

He tried to focus on the kimbap in front of him, trying to will his hands from shaking as he picked up another, bringing it close to his throat. 

His mother cleared his throat, and Jungkook promptly dropped the kimbap onto his plate, the thud the only sound in the room as his eyes looked at his mother’s brown ones with a sheepish look. 

Mrs. Jeon sighed, looking at him with sad eyes, and Jungkook panicked. That look, the look from a year ago. The sad look he hated the most- was back on his mother’s face. 

He immediately dropped his chopsticks, moving chairs to take the one closer to his mother. 

“What is it, eomma?” He asked, voice low and careful as his mother only shook her head. Jungkook felt his chest constrict, hands coming to rest on his mother’s palm, holding onto it, tugging gently. 

“You are getting married,” She mumbled, looking at Jungkook who nodded. “Yes, just like you wanted”

Mrs. Jeon shook her head. “You are getting married in 3 months, Jungkook,” She said, voice assertive and her son looked back at her with confusion etched on her face. “Yes, I know,” He said, unsure where this conversation was going. 

“And you don’t know a single thing about Taehyung,” She said, dropping the fact with a hoarse voice. Jungkook blinked, looking at his mother with wide eyes. 

“What do you mean? I know him,” He reasoned, watching his mother shake his head continuously. 

“What do you know?” She challenged, watching as Jungkook fumbled. “Well,” He started, trying to find things he knew about Taehyung. “He is a teacher, and..” He stuttered. “And he cooks well! And you like him,” His voice waned off by the end of it, looking at his mother with soft eyes. 

“You love him, he makes you happy,” He said, voice filled with honey-like sincerity. Mrs. Jeon looked at her son, realising that no matter how much she would push him, Jungkook’s world still continued to revolve around her, and his game. 

“And you?” She tried. “How does he make you feel?” She finished and Jungkook immediately pulled his hands away, groaning as he stood up, the chair screeching against the polished marble floor.

“Why is everyone asking this? First Namjoon hyung, now you,” He yelled, pointing at his mother with incredulous eyes. 

“Because it matters-”

“No it doesn’t!” Jungkook yelled, chest heaving as his eyes turned to his mother. “It doesn’t. It will never. What matters is that you are happy! That is what matters.”

“Your world is not me, Jungkook-”

“My world is not Taehyung, either!” He protested. “My world is my career and this house and my team and you. Taehyung, Taehyung is here because of you,” He continued. 

“He is here because he makes you happy, and that is what matters. He knew when he agreed to this marriage that it wouldn't be the ideal kind. I told him what my priorities are. He knew and agreed. He knows what he signed up for,” He argued, pacing in the room as his mother shook her head. 

“He deserves love!” His mother shouted.

“I cannot give that to him!” Jungkook’s voice boomed across the room. “I cannot, I cannot,” The footballer rambled, moving past the dining table towards the foyer, reaching for the keys of his motorcycle, his mother following him from behind, furious at her son’s stubbornness.

“Do you know what he has gone through?! Do you know how much he yearns for it! Do you know-”

“I do not,” He looked at his mother, putting on his leather jacket and helmet. “I don’t care either,” He mumbled, voice fumbling.

His mother gasped then. Looking at her son with disbelief in his eyes. “He is trying Jungkook. Why can’t you?” She asked, and Jungkook only shrugged, zipping up his jacket. 

“Because I cannot get distracted”

“From what?”

“Priorities I have already established,” He continued, opening the door. 

“Add one more, you know you can-”

He shut the door

***

Namjoon and Seokjin were cuddling on the couch, hands lazily tracing patterns onto each other’s arms, talking happily, with a random sit-com playing in the background when the bell rang. 

Both their eyes shot up at the sound, looking towards the door and then at each other. 

“Who can it be?” Seokjin asked, Namjoon only shrugging as he made his way towards the door, looking at the peephole before unlatching the door.

There in front of him stood Jungkook, face stained with tears, bloodshot eyes looking up at him with so much conflict. 

“Can I talk to you?”

Namjoon only moved aside, letting the younger in. 

***

“I don’t know what she wants, hyung,” Jungkook complained, taking another sip of his beer as they sat on the balcony of Namjoon’s apartment, cold wind brushing through his hair, cooling down his hot mind. 

Namjoon only hummed, taking a sip of his own beer before placing the can back on the table between them. Jungkook sighed, continuing his monologue. “I agreed to it, because she wanted it, and now that I have agreed to it, she wants me to give this marriage a chance-”

“Why can’t you?” Namjoon interjected, and Jungkook looked at him, and scoffed. “Isn’t that evident?” But Namjoon only shrugged.

Jungkook sighed. “Well, marriage means I settle down, my career might get affected-”

“That’s bullshit,” Namjoon snapped. “At what age did I get married, Jungkook?”

“Hyung-”

“What age?”

“26,” The younger mumbled, sighing. 

“What position did I play then?” He asked, voice stern. 

“Center defense.”

“What am I now?”

“Still center defense,” The younger snorted, before adding. “And team captain”

“Did my career progress or did I lose it?”

“It progressed.”

Namjoon nodded, reaching for his beer, taking a large sip. “Yes, so please, if you want to find an excuse, find one. But don’t blame it on love,” He looked back, eyes turning soft as he saw Seokjin in the kitchen, preparing a quick bite for them.

“If anything, it made me stronger, better,” Smiling as he looked back at Jungkook. “You remember when I went through a slump when I was 27?” He asked the younger one who nodded. 

“When everyone around me doubted me, thinking my prime was over, Jin believed in me,” He snickered. 

“He used to say-’Your prime isn’t over until you decide’, and he was right,” His hyung continued. “I bounced back, and now I am stronger, wiser and a better player, a better person, too,” He concluded. 

Jungkook took a deep breath next to him, registering his hyung’s words as he gave it a thought. “I still don’t understand what she wants-”

“Forget her, Jungkook-ah,” Namjoon cut him off, leaning forward and poking his index finger into the younger’s chest, right next to his heart. 

“What do you want?” He asked, and Jungkook blinked, memories rushing back, flooding his mind. 

A cozy house, with a partner and two dogs. A fireplace for warmth, and a blanket sprawled across the couch. A backyard with flowers and vegetables, and a small football court. A kitchen filled with warmth and laughter. A place he would come back to every night. 

Home.

“A home,” He mumbled softly, looking at the necklace dangling on his chest, eyes turning soft. “I want a home”

“Then work towards it, and everything else will fall into place”

***

The sun had started to rise by the time Jungkook retired home, unlocking the door as quietly as possible as he entered his apartment, brows knitting together when he observed the living room lights were still on. 

He stepped in, placing his helmet onto the storage shelves, letting out a sound of disapproval when he noticed his mother was still up, sitting on the sofa as she flipped through some magazine, sleep-ridden eyes moving up when she noticed Jungkook’s shadow fall over the pages. 

“You are home,” She mumbled, smiling sadly before going back to her magazine. Jungkook sighed, crouching down, sitting on his knees in front of his mother who looked at him with a soft smile, weak hands to come and cup his cheek. “You still look like my 15 year old boy,” She said softly, pinching Jungkook’s cheeks. 

The ravenette chortled, letting her finish her coddling before he sighed. “I am sorry,” He said, looking at his mother with sorrowful eyes.

“I am sorry too, I was overtaken by emotions,” His mother apologised, blinking at her son. “I just went to meet him yesterday, and the gesture of just me bringing him food made him cry, Jungkook,” She said, voice laced with sadness. 

Jungkook only nodded, ignoring the feeling of his chest tightening at the idea of Taehyung crying. 

“He is such a sweet child, he deserves happiness, Jungkook. He deserves someone who would care for him,” His mother pleaded and the younger nodded, smiling.

“I spoke to Namjoon hyung,” He started, making Aera smile brighter. “Did he knock some sense into you?”

Jungkook groaned at that, rolling his eyes playfully before he looked at his mother again.

“You could say so”

“So?” His mother asked, clearly curious on what his son was going to do now. 

“So..” Jungkook started. “I was wondering, do you know Taehyung’s address?”

And Aera smiled brightly at that. Jungkook felt something in his chest unravel at that, the locked chambers rattling against his chest, the second link finally coming loose. 

No distractions

His mind reminded, but Jungkook shook it aside for a minute.

Perhaps, his own personal goals and ambitions had waited long enough. Perhaps, he could pursue them now. 

Perhaps they were never distractions, just a part of him he locked away, afraid not of the consequences or his career, but just the idea of losing.

Perhaps that’s why Taehyung had entered his life. To make him realise that he wasn’t losing anything by letting himself live, only gaining. 

Perhaps, Taehyung was here to make his locked heart speak. To let his heart wake. 

Chapter Text

The alarm blared in Taehyung’s bedroom, making him groan in annoyance, a bare hand reaching from under the covers to locate his phone, to switch off the damn alarm or- throw his phone. 

He whimpered when the ear piercing ring of his ringtone- Oh wait.

The teacher’s eyes blew wide open, body twisting in a second to get his hands on his phone, eyes squinting to adjust to the bright light as he saw the contact ringing him. His heart dropped the minute he read the contact name. 

Jungkook

He gulped, trying to calm his erratic heart as he swiped to accept the call, shaky hands placing the device next to his ears. 

“Hi, hyung,” Jungkook’s soft voice rang through the speaker, making him release a breath he didn’t know he was holding. 

“H-hello,” Taehyung stuttered out, voice hoarse and rough, still ridden with sleep. His heart raced when he felt Jungkook let out a soft laugh at the other end. “Did I wake you up?” He asked, voice melodious in the elder’s ears. 

He shook his head, before replying softly. “No, I was getting up,” He replied, already throwing the covers over him. 

“That’s good. Can I come up, then?” Jungkook’s voice spoke again and Taehyung stilled. 

“Come up?” He asked, confused.

“I am standing in front of your complex,” Jungkook mumbled, and Taehyung felt his whole world tip over. 

***

It was a weird feeling, having someone over at his place, Taehyung realised. 

He had gotten so used to the idea of himself, alone, that pulling out a second mug for coffee, another plate for biscuits, cracking 2 eggs instead of one for breakfast brought him happiness he couldn’t put into words. 

He turned his head to his left, looking over his shoulder to see Jungkook sitting at the kitchen island, looking around the kitchen while humming a random melody under his breath. He pinched his right arm, feeling the skin sting under his touch, but the pain was not what he felt. 

All he felt was excitement, happiness. Jungkook was really here. Jeon Jungkook was sitting in his small apartment and having his morning coffee with him. 

He shakily assembled everything onto a serving tray, turning around and carrying it towards the island when Jungkook got up, rounding the island with his brilliant bunny smile, gently tugging the tray away from his grip. 

“Let me,” He mumbled softly before taking the tray and placing it on the wooden counter, then pulling the chair next to him, doe eyes looking at Taehyung with a welcoming tone. 

The elder sat down with a soft thud, Jungkook looking at him with something so pure, that he felt he would melt into the chair. 

“Eomma told me she came to see you yesterday,” The younger mumbled, catching Taehyung’s attention as he nodded, holding onto his coffee mug. “Yeah, it was really sweet of her”

“You cried,” Jungkook stated matter of factly. 

Taehyung smiled, looking up at him with sad eyes. “I don’t have many people caring for me like that,” He mumbled before looking away again. The words tugged at Jungkook’s heartstrings, making him place a comforting hand on the elder’s shoulder. 

“Hyung, I know, I know our situation isn’t ideal,” He spoke, voice wavering like a leaf in a tornado at every word, Taehyung turning to look at him with confused eyes. “I know this marriage situation isn’t the most ideal, and to be honest, I am scared shitless,” Jungkook laughed, a shaky hand coming to wipe at his eyes that were growing moist. 

“But I want to give you the person you deserve to have, I want to give you the care you deserve,” Jungkook spoke, watching as Taehyung gulped, brows scrunching. 

“I don’t know if I am at a point where I can love someone,” He mumbled, Taehyung nodding in understanding. 

“But I want to try”

Taehyung took a deep breath in at that, shaky hands coming to cup Jungkook’s over his mug, hesitant, unsure, but warm. 

“Jungkook, I know what I agreed to,” Taehyung started. “I am used to this”

Used to being a background character in everyone’s life. 

“You don’t need to push yourself to,” To Love “To care for me. My past, is not your burden”

I don’t want to be a burden to you. 

Jungkook shook his head at that, determined eyes looking at him. “I agreed to it too, hyung. I know I said I won’t be ideal, but that doesn’t mean I can’t put some effort,” Jungkook comforted, smiling when a lone tear slid down the elder’s eyes.

“We don’t need to be perfect from day one,” He said softly, tattooed arm rising to gently brush off the tear from the elder’s soft cheek, rough hands brushing against soft skin. 

“We can start as friends. How does that sound?” He suggested, Taehyung smiling brightly at that.

Friends, then. 

“Friends,” The elder whispered, both locking eyes as a new sort of understanding settled between them. Something that could turn into a beautiful bond in the future. 

“Well then!” Jungkook spoke first, clearing his throat as he clapped his hands together. “This friend of yours,” He pointed at himself with his thumbs. “Is going to drop you to work today,” He volunteered.

But the almond eyed man only shook his head. “No, no. It’s okay,” He started but Jungkook only shook his head, reaching for his gear he had gotten from his place.

“I have to head to practice anyway, please, hyung” Jungkook pleaded, and Taehyung let himself be coddled- this once. 

Don’t get attached, his mind supplied. 

Taehyung shivered at that, looking at his fiance who was already adjusting his gear over his waist, smiling back at Taehyung.

Don’t get attached

He cursed internally. How could he not get attached, when Jungkook made him feel safer than anyone ever had?

Don’t get attached

How couldn’t he? When Jungkook looked at him with such soft eyes.

Don’t get attached.

How couldn’t he? When Jungkook opened the passenger door for him, making sure he was settled comfortably before he moved on his own, smiling happily at the elder. 

Don’t get attached. 

How couldn’t he? When Jungkook followed him into the school, everyone around them gasping, recognising him, Bogum giving him multiple stares as Jungkook bowed politely at everyone, introducing himself as Taehyung’s fiance. 

Don’t get attached

How couldn’t he? When he told Jungkook that he hadn’t told his colleagues about them, unsure of his standings; and Jungkook had only pouted, telling him how everyone in his squad knew his name.

“Our situation might not be ideal, hyung, but I accept you as my fiance”

Don’t get attached

How couldn’t he? When Jungkook leaned against the doorframe of his class, observing Taehyung guiding the little ones through a motor-skills exercise, helping them work around with the crepe paper, starry eyes looking at him with so much adoration. 

How couldn’t he not get attached? The answer was he couldn’t. 

So he did. He let himself fall for the young man, letting himself be the recipient of the soft gazes, the gentle touches, the soft smiles. 

And if tomorrow Jungkook decides to leave him, like everyone does, he will manage. He will manage to mend the broken pieces of his heart. He always does, 

But for now, he will bask in the attention of the Jeons. Let himself feel wanted, needed, loved. He will let himself live. 

***

They grow closer over the days, weeks, Taehyung coming to his apartment not every Friday, but whenever he felt like it. 

Jungkook was almost always there to greet him at the door, welcoming him with his shiny eyes and a ‘hi, hyung!’, bunny smile showing as he walked in, reciprocating the happiness with his own boxy smile. 

What started as awkward times together, turned into joyful moments that neither anticipated, bodies pressing closer with each meeting, sitting pressed to each other on every game night they made, Jungkook teasing the life out of Taehyung for not knowing the rules of UNO.

“Can we talk outside about this?” He teased one day during  a game, making Taehyung give him a playful slap on the shoulder, making the younger one let out a fake groan.

“You hurt me, hyung,” He cried, and Taehyung only poked him further, making Jungkook laugh out heartily.

He had finally introduced Taehyung to his squad, before a match in the Seoul Stadium, the elder’s shy smile and endearing demeanour absolutely winning over Jimin the minute he waved at him. 

His teammate had already announced Taehyung as his soulmate, telling everyone they were going to be the bestest of friends. Jungkook had made sure that Taehyung had one of the best seats in the VIP booths, personally escorting there.

But Taehyung had managed to surprise him even more, always having something up his sleeve. This time by changing into a Number 7 jersey once Jungkook had entered the field, the back of the shirt reading ‘Jeon’, just like his. But they both knew it meant more now. 

So when Jungkook scored a goal in the 9th minute of the match, he skipped his signature celebration, only moving towards the VIP stands, placing two fingers to his lips before pointing them towards Taehyung, eyes only locked at him as his team ran towards him, hugging him and patting his chest. 

But Jungkook’s eyes remained on Taehyung, watching as the elder continued to scream on top of his lungs, his necklace dangling against his neck. Jungkook could feel his own, cool against his firing skin, touching his clavicle.

The post match press conference had reporters ask the same question. 

“So Jungkook-ssi, someone special in the crowd tonight? We kept seeing you going towards the same stands after each goal,” A reporter had asked.

Jungkook remained calm, eyes sharp. “I do, as some of you have speculated, I am engaged,” He brought the necklace out, the camera flashes blinding at that. 

“My fiance is an amazing man, and I will introduce you to him once he, and we are ready for it,” He finished, smiling smugly in the direction of the changing, where he knew Taehyung would be waiting for him. 

Taehyung on the other end, held onto his own necklace, feeling warmth ebb through him as Jungkook announced to the world that he was indeed, taken, and Taehyung’s. 

“Jungkook-ssi, when will this be?”

“Jungkook-ssi can we have a name?”

“Jungkook-ssi your performance in recent matches has been phenomenal too, 16 goals in 4 matches, is this the power of love?”

Jungkook had only smiled, letting the media speculate as he got up, getting off the stage and entering the changing rooms with a smug smile, making a bee-line for Taehyung who was on the other end of the room. 

“Ew, you are all sweaty,” Taehyung yelped, trying to pry away from the younger’s backhug, as Jungkook settled his head in the crook of Taehyung’s shoulder and neck, strong arms wrapped around the elder’s stomach, the elder whining half-heartedly, before settling his head against the elder’s chest- warm and sturdy. 

“You were amazing today,” Taehyung mumbled, pulling away as Jungkook reached for a towel near his locked, chuckling. “You say that every match,” He commented and the elder whined, pinching the younger’s bicep, making him yelp.

“Not my fault you are good every match,” He defended and Jungkook smiled. “The jersey was a nice surprise,” The younger mumbled into his hair, tugging at the shirt Taehyung continued to wear, smiling softly. 

“Did you like it?”

“Loved it” Jungkook replied in a heartbeat, both just breathing in, feeling this moment, this happiness. “Did you enjoy it?” Jungkook asked. 

“Huh?”

“The match? I know you were nervous to come. Was it okay?” The younger asked, voice tinged with a drop of worry, and Taehyung shook his head.

“I wasn’t nervous-”

“Hyung”

“Really!”

“You are a terrible liar”

Taehyung groaned, pulling away from Jungkook who only smirked. “Okay, maybe I was nervous,” he admitted. “But it was amazing, I would love to attend another match of yours.”

Jungkook smiled at that, reaching for the towel resting on his locker hanger, nodding softly. “Cool,” He mumbled, walking away after booping the elder’s nose. 

“Hey!” Taehyung chided, hand coming to rest on his nose as Jungkook walked away, laughing. 

The elder sighed, settling down onto the wooden bench as he waited for his fiance to freshen up. He closed his eyes, thinking about the past month and finding nothing but blissful memories. Ever since their conversation in Taehyung’s that morning, things had taken a turn for the better.

They had become- friends. 

They were chatting almost every hour on their phones, sharing little anecdotes from their life. Mrs. Jeon had been happy and buzzing whenever he was over, feeding, and overfeeding him with all the delicious food she could make. 

It had been over a week ago, when she told him to stop calling him Mrs. Jeon. Taehyung had been confused at first, not sure what it meant. 

“Taehyung, I don’t want you to call me Mrs. Jeon anymore,” She had spoken, voice firm and sharp, making both Jungkook and him pause mid banter, the elder man looking at her with a confused and panicked look. 

He had waited, wondering what Mrs. Jeon wanted it. “It's high time,” She had started, pausing as she looked at Taehyung who was holding his breath. “You can call me eomma now,” She had mumbled and Taehyung had instantly burst into tears.

He had gotten up, going around and hugging Mrs. Jeon the hardest, the elder woman patting his arms. Jungkook had stayed in his place, eyes soft and warm, taking in the moment and capturing the happiness of the two people he held so close to his heart now. 

Him and Jungkook too, had grown closer. Over coffee and pancakes, over board-games that the younger was too competitive for, over late-night talks in his balcony, where they discussed life. 

Conversations had started small, starting with work days to little memories of their lives. Then they started to unwind, when one night Jungkook had opened up about his memories of his father, eyes glassy and voice hoarse. 

“He was there for me all the time,” Jungkook had mumbled, looking down at his glass of wine. “I miss him,” He confessed, breaking into tears as Taehyung had tiptoed into a hug, arms wrapping the younger’s neck, head resting on the elder’s shoulder, Taehyung ignoring how he could feel a wet patch forming. 

“I am sure he is looking out for you,” Taehyung had comforted, once Jungook had calmed down, nodding at the elder with gratitude. “Thank you for being here, hyung”

Taehyung had only held onto his hand, holding on as Jungkook and him sat there in silence. But he could tell from the way Jungkook caressed his fingers with his thumb, that he meant those words. 

In return, when Taehyung had opened up about his own parents, his tragic past, his loving uncle and his resentful aunt, Jungkook had sat there, hands holding onto Taehyung’s, eyes and body filled with rage as Taehyung described his childhood experiences. And once he was done, once he had broken down, Jungkook had leapt out of his seat, pulling the elder to his chest, hugging him with so much care and gentleness, as if Taehyung was made of air. 

“You deserve love, hyung,” He had mumbled, when Taehyung had jokingly said that perhaps he wasn’t born to be loved. 

“Thank you, Ggukie,” The nickname had slipped out of nowhere, but Jungkook didn’t seem to mind it, nose scrunching at the end as he laughed. 

Then everything felt better when Jungkook got him a whole strawberry cake, just for himself, to his apartment on a Wednesday night, with a small handwritten note next to it.

“I promise, I will get you all the strawberry cakes you want”

He had hugged the younger for a long while, he doesn’t remember letting go either, only waking up the next morning, tucked into his bed, phone put to charge and the cake placed into the fridge, and a Jungkook sleeping on his couch.

Don’t get attached? He wondered if he had gone a step beyond, and was falling in love with Jeon Jungkook. 

‘I don’t know if I am ready to love someone’ Jungkook’s voice rang in his head. 

I hope you can love me, Taehyung wished. 

He felt a hand rest on his lower-back, letting Taehyung know the presence before Jungkook came in front of him, crouching down to his height with a frown.

Taehyung took in his fiance’s appearance. Eyes scanning the freshly showered hair, still wet, water collecting at the tips and falling onto his jeans, near his knees. The loose T-shirt Jungkook was wearing, having wet patches all around, the eyes looking at him with slightest bit of concern and worry, the necklace, a compulsory accessory of Jungkook, sitting perfectly on his neck. 

“Hey, you okay?” Jungkook asked, hands resting on Taehyung’s upper arm. The elder only nodded, clearing his throat before smiling. “Hmm,” He replied, looking at Jungkook with a certain longing in his eyes that he couldn’t decipher. 

“You sure?” Jungkook asked, not satisfied with his answer. Taehyung nodded. “Yeah, just feeling tired,” He tried, steering the conversation as Jungkook sighed, bringing the back of his palm to rest on Taehyung’s forehead, feeling for a temperature. It felt normal to touch, but still made him worry. 

“Okay, let’s get you home, then,” Jungkook mumbled, standing up as he held a hand out for Taehyung to take, the elder placing his fingers against the younger’s palm before Jungkook held onto them, tugging slightly as Taehyung stood up. 

“Hey Gguk! Come for the post win photo!” Mingyu called for him from the side, and Jungkook sighed, pulling Taehyung along, who looked surprised. They stood next to Namjoon and Jin, both hugging each other.

“Come on,” Jungkook said, smiling as he tugged at the elder to bring Taehyung in front of him, chest pressed against the younger’s back as Jungkook’s arms locked in front of his chest, smiling brightly. 

“Cheese!” Mingyu shouted, everyone breaking out into a cheer and Taehyung giggling when he felt Jungkook brush his hair against his neck, clearly trying to make him laugh. 

The polaroid ended up on their bulletin in less than 15 minutes, Taehyung looking at it with a soft smile, focused on how happy he and Jungkook looked. 

“Let’s go?” The younger’s voice got him out of his reverie, seeing the footballer standing there with his kit, hand outstretched for him to take. He took it within seconds, heart already settling down when Taehyung smiled at him. 

They made their way through the secondary exit, Jungkook trying to avoid the media and any attention for Taehyung, especially when he looked like he wasn’t feeling well. He made a beeline for his car, throwing his kit into the back seat unceremoniously before holding the passenger seat door open for him.

The elder smiled at that, smiling as Jungkook adjusted the seatbelt over his shoulder before shutting the door. 

“How about you stay at my place today?” Jungkook asked, reversing the car as they made their way out of the parking lot. 

Taehyung looked at him, confused. “Why? You can drop me off near the bus station if the drive is too long,” He replied, thinking Jungkook had an issue with driving Taehyung all the way to his house. 

The younger only gawked at him, taken aback. “Of course not, hyung. I would drop you home regardless,” He mumbled, changing gears, his knuckles brushing against the fabric of Taehyung’s thigh. “It’s just, you seem to be coming down with something, and I would prefer if you stayed with eomma and I,” He reasoned and Taehyung shook his head. 

“I am a grown man, I can take care of myself,” He said, not wanting to burden so late at night. 

“No,” Jungkook mumbled, stopping the car at a red light and looking at the elder with sharp eyes. 

“Ggukie-”

“Hyung,” Jungkook stopped, bringing a hand to cup Taehyung’s left cheek, caressing it softly. 

“Let me take care of you”

***

As it turned out, Taehyung was indeed feeling fine even after coming to Jungkook’s apartment, chatting happily with his mother who immediately brightened up at the sight of both of them at the door, hugging Jungkook tightly for the amazing win, before hugging Taehyung.

But Jungkook couldn’t stop dotting over the elder, sitting next to him and feeling his forehead every few minutes, brows knit as he pouted, refilling his glass of water during dinner. 

Or the way he gave Taehung extra greens to eat, making sure he was eating well. Taehyung smiled at every gesture, feeling his insides bloom with warmth. 

“You are spending Chuseok with us, right Taehyung?” Aera asked in the middle of Taehyung, making him look at her with wide almond eyes, mouth formed into an ‘o’.

“Oh no, eomma,” He said shyly. “I wouldn’t want to intrude,” He replied, but Aera only shrugged him off. 

“What intrude? You are family!” She chided, and Taehyung smiled, ducking his head shyly, he looked to his side, looking at Jungkook, to study any signs of discomfort or protest. 

“Are you okay with that?” He asked softly, leaning in as he whispered it close to the younger who only frowned. 

“Of course,” He said, as if it was the world’s most common thing. Then his eyes softened, palm coming to engulf Taehyung resting on the table. 

“As eomma said,” He replied, looking at Taehyung with his galaxy filled eyes. “You are family”

He spent the night at Jungkook’s afterall, the younger preparing the spare room for him the matter of seconds, even though Mrs. Jeon protested that they could share Jungkook’s bed alone. 

Him and Jungkook both had given her a flustered expression, scurrying away as Taehyung asserted that he was fine and preferred the spare room. 

Aera had protested at that, but Jungkook had hung out with him for half an hour in his room, bringing in his childhood albums from the storage room, smiling at Taehyung as he explained and recited the memory behind each memory. Taehyung had listened to each one of them attentively, cooing at a photo of a 4 year old Jungkook sitting on the pavement, making a peace sign with his head titled to the side. 

“So cute!” He cooed, watching as Jungkook mimicked the face, looking absolutely adorable.

He held Jungkook’s hands gently when he explained memories of the photos with his family, seeing his eyes turn moist. He took his hand to his cheek, watching as Jungkook took a shaky breath, joining them together as he peppered his cheek with ‘hand-kisses’ that made the younger giggle. 

“Do you have any albums?” Jungkook had asked, watching Taehyung trace the tattoos on his arm as they sat on the bed, side by side. 

Taehyung’s hand stilled at that, lips forming into a pout. “I do have some, but they are at uncle’s house,” He said, sorrowfully. “I will try to get them,” He said and Jungkook had only shook his head. 

“Only if you want to,” He insisted and Taehyung had only nodded. “I want to. I feel comfortable with you,” He whispered, tracing over the tiger-lily tattoo on Jungkook’s hand. 

“It’s my birth-flower,” Jungkook whispered, just enough for Taehyung to hear it as the elder traced the last petal. “Oh? What does it mean?” Taehyung asked, pausing at the tattoo. 

“It’s a tiger-lily, it means, please give me love,” He whispered, watching as Taehyung’s hand stilled, looking at him. Jungkook smiled back. 

“That’s sweet,” Taehyung whispered. “Mine’s Winter Sweet,” He added, Jungkook smiling at the detail. “It means affection,” He added, hand coming to rest on Jungkook’s.

“Perfect pair, I must say,” Jungkook mumbled, realising their flowers were clear opposites. 

“Hmm, I like it, cause I was born in winter, and my flower is winter based too,” Taehyung added, moving as felt a yawn. 

Jungkook moved away then, standing up and collecting the albums. “Okay, time to sleep,” He said, watching as Taehyung nodded, his hair bouncing on his forehead at the motion. He smiled up sweetly at Jungkook, wishing him a quiet goodnight before he exited the room.

He felt his heart flutter at the imagery of Taehyung’s smile, so warm and gentle. So pure. So angelic. He smiled as he placed the albums back onto the living room shelf, their new home, outside of the store room. 

“You were born in Winter to hold the warmth of all the summer’s, Taehyung. To provide warmth to everyone you touch,” He smiled, heading to his own room, feeling content. 

No distractions, his mind reminded. 

Jungkook only smiled at that. Because Taehyung wasn’t a distraction, he was becoming his reason. His reason to live. 

As a friend? His heart asked, and Jungkook stilled.

That, he didn’t know. But of course, Taehyung was a friend. They had agreed to a friendship. 

Do you consider him a friend? His heart asked, and Jungkook immediately frowned. 

Of course. Taehyung was a friend, a dear one at that. In the past one and a half months, they had grown so close, it felt like they had known each other for years. 

Only a friend? His heart countered. 

Jungkook frowned deeper at that, settling into his own bed, pulling the covers over himself, unable to come up with an answer for that. 

The locked chamber in his heart rattled once again, the third link cracking, wanting Jungkook to hold onto the thought, to name the thought, to name that feeling. But Jungkook held the links, mind reeling forward to remind him about the important match next week, after the Chuseok weekend. He needed to focus on that. 

No distractions. 

This time, the distraction wasn’t Taehyung, but the feelings he felt. 

***

“They literally play with man to man marking,” Namjoon panted as they finished their warm-ups, huddled around their coach as he showed them a clip of the Japanese players' defense strategies against teams in their recent matches.

This was a high stake game, to say the least. This game was the only thing between them and the FIFA World Cup. Not only did this match make them win the Asia Cup, but-

A win here and they would beat China on the World’s points table, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Jungkook eyed the screen with full concentration, looking at the best Japanese players locked onto key-offensive layers of the opposite team, the ball barely leaving the halfline of the offensive side, making passing absolutely impossible. 

“In our case,” Hoseok spoke, looking at Jungkook with a worried look. “They will be onto you,” He breathed out, everyone’s eyes turning towards Jungkook who felt the hair on his neck stand up, feeling the pressure of the situation. 

“We will practice as it is,” The coach added, looking at Jungkook and then back and Mingyu and Jimin. “The Japanese aren’t dumb to keep only one man on Jungkook, they will keep 2 around him. So we will practice like that, how to make the ball reach the offensive players from the half-line” He concluded, watching everyone nod, pulling away from the huddle as they went back to their positions. 

As the coach whistled, Jungkook started to shuffle on the field, doe eyes trained on the ball as it came through from the other end, he moved forward, then felt a body press against him, watching Mingyu push him backwards, playing the defensive tactics the Japanese players would use. 

He tried to push him back, moving sideways as the ball reached him. He extended his right leg, getting a his shoes to touch it-

Then Jimin entered from his left, kicking it away. Jungkook groaned, sliding onto the ground before getting up, running towards the opposite end as the ball moved towards their side, and before he crossed the half-line, Eunwoo had already taken a shot and scored. 

He stopped in his tracks, breathing heavily as he examined the situation. Namjoon looked at him with a worried look. The whistle blew in the air, all players moving back towards the coach. 

Jungkook walked up too, thinking on how to tackle this on ground situation. 

“Jungkook, you need to try to break the chain Mingyu and Jimin make,” The coach said, the young footballer nodding as he took a sip from his water bottle, feeling the cool liquid settle down against his throat. 

“What about we use the other strikers on the field other than Jungkook?” It was Jihoon who spoke, looking towards the coach with sharp eyes.

Jungkook stiffened. Jihoon had never been a fan of Jungkook, always looking down at him for entering the team too young, for getting everything on the silver platter, ignoring the fact that he had worked harder than anyone on the team. 

“What do you mean, Ji?” Namjoon asked, trying to keep his voice steady. 

“The Japanese team is clearly going to see Jungkook as the most prominent threat, so all their player’s energy is going to keep him in a tight spot,” He reasoned, looking at Namjoon with his non-chalant face-so fucking punchable, Jungkook thought. 

“So why not use that to our advantage? And let them block Jungkook, and pass the ball amongst the players they will pay less importance to?” He questioned and everyone hummed, even Namjoon looking at the youngest who sighed, understanding that this was for the team, not for himself. 

“Okay, let’s try it,” Namjoon said, looking at Jungkook who only nodded at him. 

They all entered the field again, Jungkook once again shuffling around as both Mingyu and Jimin covered him, trying to keep their attention on him as the ball moved towards the offensive end, Jihoon passing it along to the less defended people, and before he knew it, he felt the ball fly through his shoulder, entering the goal behind him. 

Everyone cheered, coming to pat Jihoon on the back who was smiling, happily. Jungkook only went past him, when he felt the elder hold onto his hand, pulling him back. “See what one can do when they aren’t coddled?” He said, voice low but Jungkook didn’t say anything, only freeing his hand from his grip with a mocking smile. 

“Congratulations, you are useful for one match”

***

As Jungkook exited the grounds for the day, hair still damp from the post-practice shower, and body tired, his hand hovered a contact in his hand, mind wondering if he should go for it. 

A little detail about him and Taehyung’s friendship had been bothering him. They had never hung outside. Yes, Taehyung came over to him, chatted and played with his mother and him, helped him keep his mother’s medicine settled, to help her with the dinner. 

Yes, they had spent countless nights on his apartment balcony, chatting away about anything and everything till the first rays of light appeared from behind the mountains, announcing a start of a new day.

So a date? His heart asked, and he immediately shook his head. 

No. No. Just a hangout session with two friends, ata restaurant where they have dinner. He reasoned. 

Uh-huh. Sure. A voice in his heart spoke, and Jungkook ignored it, hand hovering over the dial button.

He hit it, taking in a shaky breath as the number rang. 

What if he doesn’t pick up? What if he is busy? What is he says no-

Jungkook’s hand moves to cut the call at the final thought, but then a voice answers from the other end.

“Hello?” Taehyung’s warm voice answered through the crackling of his speaker, the sound of children screaming and running around evident in the background. Jungkook immediately felt calm at the voice. 

“Hi, sorry, did I disturb you?” He asked, placing his bag into his car’s boot and shutting it, leaning against it as he waited for Taehyung to reply. He heard Taehyung breath, a soft thud of a door shutting, and the children’s voices disappearing from the background. 

“No, No. What is it?” He asked instead. Jungkook smiled at that, hand coming near his neck to unconsciously play with the necklace over his neck, feeling the cool metal between his fingers. 

“I was wondering if you are free for dinner tonight?” He asked, voice shaky as he looked forward, at the concrete road in front of him and the distant stadium. He waited with a bated breath to receive an answer, but the first thing he got was a chuckle. 

“Of course, I will be there by 6PM, does eomma need help with preparation? I can come early,” Taehyung answered, and Jungkook realised that Taehyung thinks he is calling him home, which they did very often. 

“No,” He rasped out, free hand coming to scratch the area above his brow. 

“Huh?” Taehyung replied, confusion evident in his voice. 

“I meant us, the two of us. Dinner, outside, at a restaurant,” He rambled out in a single breath, then the line was silent for a few moments before Taehyung spoke. 

“What about eomma?” He asked, voice sounding excited but cautious. Jungkook felt his heart squeeze at that. 

“She can cook, Taehyung,” He replied, laughing softly. “Are you in, or no?”

He heard Taehyung take a deep breath, probably weighing in the options. Jungkook felt his own heart start to race. 

All for a hangout, huh? His heart spoke again, Jungkook shut it up immediately, pushing the phone further towards his ear, waiting for a response. 

“Okay,” came Taehyung’s timid and soft voice, and Jungkook felt all his anxious thoughts uncoil and fly away like butterflies from his stomach, nodding into his phone. 

“Okay,” He mirrored, feeling a sense of excitement settle into his heart.

“Text me the address, I will be there-”

“No, I am going to pick you up,” Jungkook said, smiling widely as he started to walk towards the driver’s seat, a skip in his steps.

“No, Jungkook-”

“No. 7PM. Be ready”

***

Taehyung stood nervously in front of his mirror, trying to fix the little rebellious strand of his hair. He looked down at his fit, a simple white shirt with black dress pants, with a cheetah print overshirt hanging loose over his soldiers with the engagement necklace around his neck being the only accessory.

He exhaled shakily, eyes darting to his phone as it vibrated, a now familiar contact popping up on it- Jungkook. 

“Hello?” He answered, feeling Jungkook breath at the other end. “I am here,” His fiance answered, voice sounding excited and Taehyung nodded, feeling nervous. 

“O-okay,” He stuttered, feeling Jungkook chuckle at the other end. “I will be down in a minute”

“Take your time, hyung,” Jungkook answered, sounding way too amused.

Taehyung’s heart did a backflip.

Oh, Jeon Jungkook. He thought. You will be my biggest heartbreak. 

***

Jungkook leaned against his Mercedes, hands folded over each other as he waited for Taehyung to come down, eyes locked at the entrance of the elder’s apartment.

He waited with a bated breath, looking down at his shirt to make sure he looked alright. 

He tugged at his black shirt, tugging at the rolled sleeves of his jeans shirt slightly before checking his hair which was parted in the centre, slightly uneven towards the right side, strands covering his temples.. He looked good. He just hoped it was good enough for Taehyung. 

He shuffled in his place, doe eyes looking away at the tree in the distance and the woman walking the dog and then at the entrance of the elder’s apartment and then at Taehyung-

Taehyung.

Jungkook, for the 4th time in his life, feels his soul leave his body, 2nd time for a good reason. Because Taehyung looks absolutely breath-takingly gorgeous. The young footballer’s actions come to a total standstill- looking at the man in front of him, an angel on earth. His fiance’s soft curls falling over his forehead, soft lips glistening under the streetlights, and the cheetah print overshirt slipping through his shoulders leaving nothing for his imagination. 

“Wow,” Jungkook breathed out, watching as Taehyung approached him with a shy smile. 

“Hi, Ggukie,” He greeted, looking at a dazed man in front of him he only unlocked his hands, staring at him with wonder. 

“You look gorgeous,” He commented, and Taehyung blushed, looking down as he smiled, taking in Jungkook’s appearance. The rolled up shirt, a hint of his tattoos on display, and the necklace on his neck- gobsmackingly handsome. 

“You look good too,” He said shyly, and Jungkook smiled, clearing his throat as he opened the door for the passenger seat. He waited for Taehyung to settle down inside before shutting it. He sat down in the driver’s seat a few moments later, eyes looking at Taehyung’s ethereal form, and breathing deeply. 

Gosh, he hoped he wouldn’t crash the car. 

***

Taehyung hadn’t been on many dates in his life. He could count on his fingers the number of times he had been on ones, but none of them had been fruitful. People found him too talkative, or some found him too heavy on his emotional baggage. Or others who only liked him for his body. 

So this indeed felt different. 

Here, Jungkook, driving him across Seoul to a restaurant he had chosen. A restaurant he would apparently like, because Jungkook had said- I know you can’t handle spicy food and it's calmer too, away from the noises you hate so much. 

His heart wanted to flutter out of his chest and settle next to Jungkook's in his chest at those words. 

Someone had noticed his likes and dislikes. 

He wanted to hold onto Jungkook the minute they stopped in front of a posh looking restaurant, brightly lit with the driveway completely empty. Jungkook got down first, tutting his head when he noticed that the elder had already opened the door.

“That's my duty,” He mumbled under his breath, coming in halfway to hold it open as he extended his other arm, open for Taehyung to take. 

The elder does, getting up and out in a few seconds, letting the cool evening breeze settle on his back and send a shiver down his spine. 

“Are you cold? Do you want my jacket?” Jungkook asked, arms coming to rest on the elder's was as a natural instinct, rubbing it up and down to provide the elder with some warmth. 

Taehyung had only shook his head, relishing in the feeling of Jungkook's gentle touch. Knowing that this was keeping him warmer than any jacket in this universe.

Then, he wanted to fall into Jungkook's arms the minute they walked into the restaurant, seeing it fully empty and the host coming to greet the footballer with a proper 90 degree bow.

“Welcome Mr. Jeon, as requested, the whole restaurant is yours for the evening,” He mumbled and Taehyung stood next to him dumbly, looking at Jungkook who only smiled, tugging at their intertwined hands as they made their way to the table. 

He held onto his hand until they reached the table, letting go to pull out Taehyung's chair for him, smiling and gesturing for the elder to sit down. Taehyung sat down mechanically, looking around to see the grandeur of the space, the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, probably worth more than his monthly salary. 

“So, what would you like to have?” Jungkook asked, looking at Taehyung who had barely paid any attention to the menu laid in front of him, eyes fixated on the decor scattered around them.

He wasn’t sure why he had gone such a long way to book the whole restaurant, to be honest. But something in his heart told him that Taehyung deserved to be spoiled a bit, so he did it.

And now, looking at the elder taking in the surroundings and staring at everything with an awestruck expression, he didn’t regret it one bit. 

“Uhm, I will just have the salad,” Taehyung answered, looking at the price which read 15000 Won. 

Jungkook tilted his head in confusion, flipping to the page with the salads to see it was the cheapest thing on the menu. Then it dawned on him. Taehyung din’t want Jungkook to spend on him.

The realisation made his heart hurt, wanting to immediately comfort the elder. 

“For dinner? Come on, I know you are hungry, you said so on the ride. It’s my treat,” He added, hoping this would do the trick, but the elder only smiled, lowering the menu. 

“No, the salad is enough for me Ggukie,” He replied, stubborn and Jungkook sighed, nodding. 

“Alright then,” He turned around, raising his hand and smiling politely as he saw a waiter approach. 

“We will have the salad,” Jungkook said, noticing Taehyung sigh. But then. “That’s all.”

The waiter looked at him with a surprised look, before nodding and walking away. 

Taehyung looked at the younger with wide eyes, well manicured hands coming to rest on the table with a thud. “Why aren’t you ordering?” He asked, worried. 

“I will have what you have,” Jungkook commented, non-chalantly, focusing on the little drawing on the charge plates, tracing over it with his fingers.

“B-but, I am not that hungry!” Taehyung protested. 

“I am not that hungry too”

“But you need to eat”

“And you don’t?” Jungkook looked up, locking eyes with Taehyung wide feline ones as he sighed. “I know why you ordered the salad,” He said softly, watching as Taehyung shrunk into his seat.

His hands moved on their accord, holding onto Taehyung’s on the table before they could pull away. 

“Whatever I have, is equally yours’ hyung,” He muttered softly, letting the words take his honey-like sincerity and fill Taehyung’s heart, who looked at him with wide eyes. “Whatever I own, will own, have owned, it is as much as yours as it is mine”

So is my heart

Taehyung only looked at him with a torn expression. “I just, I don’t want to be a burden-”

There, it’s said out loud.

Jungkook’s hands immediately tightened their old, thumb caressing his caramel skin softly, leaning down sadly to match Taehyung’s downcast eyes. 

“You? A burden? Never, hyung. I enjoy my time with you,” Jungkook whispered, watching as Taehyung looked up, trying to find the truthfulness in Jungkook’s eyes, and all he finds is sincereness, love, and adoration. 

“I enjoy it by choice,” The younger added, and Taehyung felt his resolve crumble at that. 

He was chosen. He was accepted. He wasn’t a burden. 

A lone tear threatened to escape his eyes, but before it could, he felt a thumb brush over his half lidded eyes, looking up to see Jungkook leaning over half of the dining table, smiling softly at him, before pulling away swiftly and picking up the menu.

“So? Dinner?” He asked again, making Taehyung nod, picking up his menu and scanning the dishes, looking at the prices-

Jungkook’s hands hover over his menu, hot breathe fanning against Taehyung’s nose as he leaned further ahead, almost on top of the table, tattooed hand covering the prices.

“Now choose”

And Taehyung had, feeling himself gain more confidence with Jungkook’s smile growing wider with each dish he named. 

And when they called the waiter over the second time, he felt his heart burst further more as Jungkook placed their real order, with a sweet ending note. 

“And for dessert, we will have the strawberry cake,” He ordered, looking back at Taehyung who was already lost in the younger’s charm.

***

The next day at the field, Jungkook had a different form of bliss surrounding him, a warm smile plastered permanently on his face, dribbling the ball with ease as last night played it in his mind like a lovely memory, remembering the time they spent eating all the delicious food, Taehyung laughing at every bite Jungkook took, cooing at the way his cheeks puffed up, or how sleepy Jungkook looked after they were finished.

He remembered the way dessert was the most special, Taehyung’s eyes twinkling at the sight of the strawberry cake, wetting his lips as he held up his spoon, ready to dig in. The child in him finally settled into a state.

He remembered the time after, once they were done paying the bill-for which Jungkook had sent Taehyung away, not waiting the elder to know the cost, even though he insisted to pay half of it- how they walked hand in hand towards the younger’s car, Taehyung swinging their linked arms with newfound energy, smiling at his phone on the photo Jungkook had clicked in the tiny washroom of the restaurant. Both smiling and giggling. 

And now, with Chuseok holidays starting tomorrow for 3 days, he couldn’t wait to have Taehyung home with him and to talk and laugh and smile with the elder. The elder had said he would come over later in the evening, having to run some errands in the afternoon after his teaching hours were up.

Jungkook had agreed, and couldn’t wait for his practice to end so that he could go back home. To wait for Taehyung. Oh, and his mother, of course. 

He frowned slightly at that, realising that he hadn’t thought about her that much all this time. 

Perhaps because she was finally happy. He told himself, smiling.

“Someone’s happy,” Jimin commented as Jungkook was brought back to the practice match going on, body pushing against his teammate who smiled at him. “Yeah, happy I am about to score a goal,” Jungkook mumbled, dodging both of them to get a hold of the ball after faking a left, finally breaking the chain of Mingyu and Jimin after multiple attempts, shooting towards the goal posts- and scoring!

He felt himself being dragged across the grass, but that didn’t matter, he broke the chain.

Namjoon and Jimin followed by Eunwoo came running to him, patting him on the back as he got up, the coach clapping on his way to them too. 

“That was a good fake, Gguk!” Jimin commented, mimicking it on the field as everyone laughed, Jungkook giving them a smug smile. 

“That was a good one, now we have options, with Jihoon and Jungkook!” Mr. Lee, their coach commented, making everyone look at him, Jungkook feeling Jihoon eyeing him from the side. 

“We will wrap up for today,” He added, taking some notes onto his notepad and smiling. “I will see you after the Chuseok holidays, please keep your diet in mind, and don’t do anything stupid!” He added a final note as everyone dispersed, making a beeline towards the changing rooms. 

Jungkook felt Namjoon wrap his arm around his shoulder, the younger doing the same as they walked towards the rooms together. “That was amazing, Gguk,” The captain commented as he continued to chug water from his bottle. “Where did you learn that?” He asked and Jungkook only shrugged. “Felt like it,” And Namjoon grinned. “You have been feeling a lot these days,” He teased, winking at the younger as Jungkook pretended to kick him. 

Jungkook grabbed his towel, hitting the showers immediately, letting the hot water take away his tiredness. 

‘You have been feeling a lot more’

Jungkook smiled at that, feeling his mind reel to the memory of how he thought of faking. 

It was a week back, when he had decided to pick Taehyung up from his work, watching as all the 3rd grade students littered out, playing football. He saw Taehyung running around with them, kicking the ball from one direction to the other as the children ran with him like a herd of sheep, screaming and laughing.

He had walked into the game out of nowhere, Taehyung looking at him wide eyes as the kids immediately claimed Mr. Koo Koo to be on their team. 

It had soon turned from the kids and Jungkook vs Taehyung to just, Taehyung vs Jungkook, with the students cheering from the sides. 

“Go easy on me please,” Taehyung had whispered, tongue jutted out in concentration as Jungkook smiled, walking towards the elder with a lean stance. 

Taehyung yelled, pushing the ball to the left, Jungkook’s left immediately going to defend when he saw the elder suddenly shift it to his side, bringing his foot forward and going in the other direction. 

The younger’s eyes widened, legs moving to defend when Taehyung tripped, falling face first towards the younger’s chest. Jungkook saw it, panicked hands going to hold Taehyung as the elder rushed into his chest, the football disappearing from underneath both of them as Jungkook felt himself falling. 

He felt the soft, grass ridden ground hit his back, mouth releasing a small oomph, when he felt a force on his front too, hands holding onto the elder on top of him Taehyung let out a yelp. 

He got up immediately, raising his upper body to find Jungkook below him, laughing at his face. “Are you okay? Oh my God, I am so sorry!” Taehyung had mumbled, apologetic, eyes locked with Jungkook’s as he got up, and helped the younger one too.

His panicked eyes darted over his face, body, and his back. “You aren’t hurt, right?”

Jungkook had smiled, shaking his head in a no as Taehyung let out a shaky breath, resting his head against the elder’s arm, knocking himself onto it. “Where did you learn that?” Jungkook had asked, talking about the move from before, and Taehyung had only shrugged. 

“Just think of fake it till you make it” He had commented and Jungkook had chuckled, forgetting about it and moving onto things as he drove Taehyung for the dinner with his mother. 

But today, he had applied that trick, more professionally, but he had applied it. 

And today, he understood what Namjoon meant, that he became stronger, and a better player after meeting Seokjin. 

He got out of the shower quickly, getting dressed as he looked at the wall clock which read 4:30PM, his smile widening. 

Taehyung is going to be on his way, His heart is supplied. He sing-sang his way through packing his gear, smiling when his phone rang and lit up with a familiar, and now, very often-ly contacted person- Taehyung. 

He picked it up with a cheery nod. “Hi hyung,” He chirped, waiting to hear the enthusiasm from the other end, but all of his happiness was washed away when he heard a sniffle from the other end. 

“Hyung?” Jungkook asked, pale losing all of its colour as he pressed the phone closer to himself, holding it with both hands as he heard the sound of something crashing in the background. 

“Jungkook,” Came Taehyung’s voice, broken, small, and so devastatingly hollow, it tugged something deep in Jungkook’s heart, making the elder let out a soft whine. 

“Where are you?” The younger asked, already having a hint of which place could make Taehyung collapse like this, grabbing his gear as he made his way out of the changing room, fury consuming him. 

“Please take me home,” was all Taehyung said, breaking into a set of broken sobs and rambles Jungkook couldn’t comprehend. 

“I am coming, stay on the line. I will take you home”

***

It took Jungkook 23 minutes to get to Taehyung’s uncle’s house from the practice ground, 23 minutes he stayed on call with the elder as he wept into the speaker, each broken sound tugging at his heartstrings.

It took 23 minutes to get to Taehyung, 23 minutes he spent whispering sweet nothings into the phone, shh, hyung, I am almost there. I am coming to you. I am right here. 

And the minute he turned to the familiar street, he felt all bounds of his jury break free, eyes burning like embers when he saw Taehyung’s shaken form sitting on the street, surrounded by stray papers and cardboard boxes, and a set of books resting on Taehyung’s lap.

His childhood albums. 

‘I will go and get them sometime, to show you’

Taehyung’s voice from two weeks back rang in his ear, making the younger’s jaw tick in controlled rage. 

He got out of his car in a swift motion, uncaring if the door shut too harshly, or if he locked it, his eyes, his mind, his heart were all locked on one person in front of him- Taehyung. 

The elder noticed his presence, looking up at him with his bloodshot eyes, a red mark on his cheek, turning brighter by the second. Jungkook’s eyes darkened. 

Taehyung tried to get up, but stumbled when his left hand gave in, Jungkook then noticed the blood dripping from his palm. 

He walked, sharp and straight, crouching in front of his everything, soft and gently reaching for Taehyung’s cheek, heart breaking when he felt the elder flinch under his touch, body leaning away. 

He took a deep breath, voice coming out darker, and sharper than usual. “Who did this to you?”

Taehyung only sobbed harder at that.

Taehyung had stood in front of his childhood home, shuffling on his feet as he mustered the courage to ring the bell. His hands shook as they hung mid air, inches away from the doorbell, wondering if it was worth it.

 

Then he pressed it. The same old melody reverberated through the household as he felt a pair of footsteps approach the door, holding his breath as the wooden surface creaked open, revealing two dark brown eyes- Hae-un. 

 

“Oh oppa!” She smiled brightly, making Taehyung’s nervousness calm down. He smiled back, letting out a shaky breath as Hae-un opened the door, letting him in.

 

“Eomma has gone out, did you need something?” She asked as the elder stood in the living room, lost. He asked hesitantly. “I-I needed to go to my room. There are a few of my childhood albums I had left behind,” He asked, and Hae-un nodded, already dragging him up to the said room. 

 

“Eomma converted it into her sewing room after you left,” She muttered as they moved up the stairs. The words made Taehyung’s stomach churn. 

 

His room was not here anymore, he looked around the photos on the staircase wall, not a single one with him. He looked around the area, all walls changed, his scribbles on the walls, all gone.

 

As if he was never here.

 

Taehyung felt his throat clog up at that, following Hae-un as she opened the room to reveal a room filled with fabrics and a sewing machine, a small cupboard on the other end, and then on the other side was a small corner of barely maintained, badly tossed sheets and books- Taehyung’s stuff. 

 

He walked to them, reaching for them gently as he felt a tear escape his eyes when he noticed his childhood drawings, collecting dust, some torn apart with time. He reached for the albums, hands shaking when he saw the ripped pages, no care given to their storage. 

 

He heard the front door open then, heart stopping at the sound of the voice that scared him till date. “Hae-un! Where are you?” His aunt’s voice boomed through the house, sending a shiver down his spine. 

He looked back at his sister, who was equally panicked, both of them scared as they heard footsteps approaching. Taehyung clutched onto the albums, holding onto them for dear life as his aunt entered the room, looking at him with the hate filled eyes he had seen since he was 7 years old. 

 

“You,” She seethed, looking at him with disgust. “What are you doing here?” She asked, voice low. 

 

“I-I came to take my things-”

 

“Get out,” She said, leaving no room for discussion. Taehyung shut up, looking at his box of things. 

 

“Please, auntie, I will just take this box and leave-”

 

“Get out!” She screamed, moving towards Taehyung who only leaned back, shaking his head. “This is my home too!” He spoke out in a moment of brevity, and then he felt it, a slap springing right across his left cheek. 

 

Taehyung winced, feeling the skin pulse under his touch. He then felt a harsh tug at his arm, two arms pulling and throwing him towards the other end of the room, towards the sewing area.

 

Taehyung stumbled back, hands reaching onto the table to stabilise himself when a sharp object pricked through his skin. Looking down to find a set of blade boxes, now soaked with some of his blood, lying in the open. 

 

His aunt reached for the box of his stuff, pushing it in his direction. 

 

“Eomma,” Hae-un tried, but his mother looked at her with thunder-sharp eyes. “Shut up, Hae-un”

 

“Oppa,” She said instead, reaching out to Taehyung who was shaking, feeling like the same 7 year old boy all over again, looking at the same resentful eyes of his aunt. No mercy. No empathy. No love. 

 

“Get out!” His aunt screamed again, pushing the box and him both out of the room, Taehyung stumbling on the stairs as she pushed the box down, the contents tumbling. 

 

Hae-un gasped, running down and holding it, getting on her knees to gather all of her hyung’s things while Taehyung only stood there, clutching his albums close to himself. 

 

“Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?” He asked, crouching down to find the same drawing from years ago, him and Hae-un, and his uncle and aunt, stick figures, all with a smiling face. 

 

A happy family. One that he wished for, but never got.

 

“You were born,” His aunt seethed. “Your birth is a curse, for yourself, your loved ones, your own parents,” She said, voice laced with hate. 

 

Taehyung’s eyes turned hollow at that. “First you took away your own parents, and then my husband,” She yelled, pushing him out of the door, yanking Hae-un’s hand away when she tried to stop him. 

 

“Never return. We were happy these past 8 years, away from you,” She added, pushing the box out, the cardboard tumbling over as the sheets spilled once again. 

 

“Go be a curse to the new family of yours. You are as good as dead to me,” She said, pulling Hae-un in who tried to get his hyung. 

 

“Eomma! He is my oppa!” She heard him scream, as he simply collapsed onto the pavement below him, ignoring his burning cheek, or his bleeding hand. Feeling numb. 

 

His hand fell to his side, looking in the direction of his once home, feeling his insides break. 

 

You are a curse for everyone around you. 

Jungkook took a deep breath in, trying to control his anger, eyes prickling with tears as Taehyung sobbed into his chest, Jungkook’s hand resting on his nape, gently massaging that area as he let the elder calm down, letting his own tears drop onto his fiance’s soft and fluffy hair. 

“Please take me home,” Taehyung croaked out, head lolling back and forth in Jungkook’s hold, eyes dazed as he gulped. 

Jungkook felt the last chambers of his anger burst at that moment, not wasting a moment as he picked Taehyung up, holding up by the waist as the elder found his footing on the ground, still holding onto the albums in his hands, ignoring the dried blood streak digging against the binding of the books. 

Jungkook settled Taehyung into the passenger seat, looking at the elder who continued to sob, clutching onto the albums like a lifeline. 

“I will be right back, hyung,” He said  softly as possible, looking away at the carton box and the littered papers on the street. Taehyung only nodded, eyes closed as he took shallow breaths.

Jungkook walked past his car once again, sport shoes crunching against the gravel as he crouched in front of the box, reaching for the papers scattered on the ground, collecting each one of them with ginger-light touches, placing them into the box carefully. His eyes glaze over the hundreds of drawings young Taehyung must have drawn, seeing them all have the same four people in different scenarios, all have the same names written in the brightest of colours- Uncle Sungwoo, Auntie Miyoung, Hae-un, Taetae.

His heart broke as he collected each one of them, jaw ticking as he noticed how in drawings from older ages of Taehyung have only three people- Uncle Sungwoo, Auntie Miyoung and Hae-un. He finds drawings of solidarity, a young boy sitting alone on a slide, a drawing of a boy by the flowers, a drawing of a boy by a grave.

And his heart cracked, fury coursing through his veins as he placed the last of the drawing into the box before getting up and making a swift turn towards the house that caused so much pain to his Taehyung. 

He rang the bell, jaw ticking and shoe tapping against the concrete floored patio, eyes turning dark when Hae-un opened the door. 

“Jungkook-oppa,” She spoke sadly, her own eyes tear-striken. But he paid no mind to it, ignoring her as she entered the room. He dragged his arm across the glass showcase placed in the living room, full of showpieces. He grabbed the biggest one he could find. 

“What are you doing here-” Miyoung asked, appearing from the kitchen, but her eyes blew when Jungkook threw the glass showpiece onto the floor with brute force, the item shattering into tiny shards. He took another one, showing it the same fate, the pieces crunching under his sport shoes as he stepped closer to Miyoung, towering over him. 

He stared at her, jaw set and vein of his throat popping, dark eyes staring her down as she cowered backwards, wincing as she stepped on a piece of glass that had flown in her direction, blood seeping from under her feet and staining the tiled floor. 

“You, ever as much as touch, Taehyung again,” He seethed, voice dark and low, threatening. “I will make it my purpose to make sure you have no house left to decorate”

He backed away, watching as Miyoung slumped against the wall behind her, eyes shaking. 

Sungwoo showed up then, hands filled with groceries as he looked outside. “Miyoung! Why is Taehyung’s stuff outside-”

He paused, looking at Jungkook's, whose dark stared back at him, frame moving with each angered breath he took. 

“Jungkook,” He breathed out, looking outside and then back in again, staring at Miyoung with disbelief in his eyes. 

Jungkook only walked, not paying attention to Sungwoo who tried to speak. “Thank you, for looking after Taehyung all these years,” He whispered, voice still dark, eyes still sharp and dark. 

“I will take it from here, Mr. Kim,” He whispered. “You,” He looked up at Sungwoo then, his stare making the elder shiver. “Make sure your wife never comes close to my Taehyung again. If she values her life”

Jungkook didn’t look back, slamming the door shut as he walked away, picking up the cardboard box from the street- this was Taehyung’s life. 

He let his tears flow then, feeling his frame shake as he looked down at the drawings, tears falling onto the tar road below, seeing just a 7 year old boy who had yearned for love.

He set the box in the boot, shutting it harshly as he came and sat in the driver’s seat, wiping as he looked over at Taehyung who had passed out. 

“I will give you what you deserve, I promise,” He whispered into the wind, hand tracing the bruise forming on Taehyung’s cheek. 

I will give you love

The words were unspoken, but Jungkook’s heart knew, deep down, that he didn’t need to try for it. It had already happened. 

***

“What happened?!” Mrs. Jeon screamed as Jungkook carried Taehyung into the house, his limp body held by Jungkook’s arms as the elder still held onto the albums in his collapsed state.

Jungkook didn’t answer, only moving forward and taking a straight route to his room, ignoring how the table had been set for three of them to have dinner, the strawberry cake, he had ordered the centrepiece. 

He pushed his room door open, gently placing Taehyung onto the bed, feeling the elder let out a small whine at the action, eyes fluttering open in a half dazed state. 

“Where?” Taehyung asked, voice small, soft and so vulnerable.

Jungkook only placed a hand on top of his fluffy hair, taking in a deep breath. 

“Home”

***

If someone had told Jungkook in the morning that he would be spending the first day of Chuseok tending to Taehyung’s wounds, instead of smiling and laughing at him, he would have called them crazy, delusional even.

But here he was, bringing another antiseptic cotton ball near Taehyung’s hand, wincing internally as he wiped at his wounds, blowing gently at it when Taehyung whimpered in his sleep. 

“Who did this?” His mother asked from the other end, wrinkled hands gently applying an ointment to the feline eyed man's cheek, eyes glazed with tears. 

“His aunt”

Aera gasped, Jungkook seeing as her mother’s tears fell too. His own had stopped, eyes drained from the amount he had shed in the past 2 hours. 

“So much hatred for a precious person like him,” She whispered, watching Taehyung mumble something in his dream, fidgeting around. Jungkook stilled then, watching as Taehyung moved around more, hands fidgeting, banging against the photo albums on his side, ones that had slipped out of his hold when Jungkook had unlocked them, wanting to treat the wound on Taehyung’s hand. 

“Taehyung,” Jungkook whispered, watching as the elder started to thrash around, Aera getting up as Jungkook came around, gentle fingers patting Taehyung’s good cheek. 

“My heart,” He whispered, soft and sweet close to Taehyung’s ears. “Shh, you are okay,” He whispered, feeling his tear ducts open up again when Taehyung didn’t settle, thrashing around and reaching for something in the air, before bouncing right up, wide eyes looking straight ahead of him as his chest heaved, eyes blinking rapidly to do away with the tears. 

“Hey, hey, hyung,” Jungkook whispered, shifting again to sit in front of the elder, who only looked at him before moving his hands to his ears. “I am not a curse,” He whispered, barely above a whisper. 

Jungkook’s heart had already been stabbed so many times, but this sent pain unimaginable through his body, body lurching forward to hug the elder, hold him close, and if possible, take all his pain away. 

I am not a curse I am not a curse I am not curse

Taehyung chanted like a lifeline, body shaking in Jungkook’s hold as Jungkook cried, pressing soft kisses into the younger’s hair. 

“I am not a curse,” Taehyung’s broken voice whispered once again. Jungkook shook his head, patting the elder’s head gently.

“You are not. You are a blessing,” Jungkook mumbled every time, hoping his words would reach Taehyung.

***

It was the next morning when Taehyung had really come to his senses, eyes fluttering open as he felt a pull at his eyes, all the tears having glued his eyes together, blinking slowly as he felt his lashes separate from each other. 

The second thing he felt was a dull ache on his arm and cheek, eyes moving to see his left arm wrapped in a bandage, pouting slowly.

The third thing he felt was an arm around his waist, and warm breaths fanning across his hair every 10 seconds. Taehyung felt a happy buzz run through him at the feeling, letting himself be engulfed by the arm and the breath- wait. 

Taehyung blinked twice, his body going rigid as his mind registered the warmth in the touch, neck craning to look on his side, letting out a small yelp when he saw Jungkook’s face, soft and serene, resting next to him, a few inches away. 

His insides bloomed with warmth, a smile appearing on his face as he saw the hand across his waist, gripping it gently, but secure and safe. 

Taehyung observed it for a few moments, the tattooed tiger-lily facing him. Then a dull ache from his left hand brought him back to reality, reminding of the events from yesterday.

The albums, the fights, Jungkook, his aunt. 

The smile on his face immediately fell. A voice returning to his head. 

‘You are a curse to all’

He left a shaky breath at that, brows knitting as he tried to ignore he ugly feeling in the pit of his stomach. 

Then another voice rang through his head. You are not a curse, you are a blessing. Repeating over and over again, and he paused. 

His erratic rhythm must have stirred Jungkook, because the next second the young footballer is waking up, eyes snapping open and the hand on his waist tightening as Jungkook sat him abruptly, doe eyes coming over to scan Taehyung, face hovering over his. 

“Good morning,” Taehyung squeaked out, voice hoarse because of the morning and all the crying, adding a small smile to his greeting. 

Jungkook sighed, hand on his waist leaving to settle next to his cheek, brushing against the bruise, looking at it with a frown. 

“It doesn’t hurt,” He whispered, hoping to provide some comfort to the ravenette. But Jungkook only frowned deeper, hands caressing the cheeks softly. 

“It shouldn’t be there to begin with,” He whispered, hand moving to the elder’s wounded one, resting by his head, running a finger across the gauze he had wrapped clumsily the night before. 

“I am sorry,” Jungkook whispered sorrowfully, making the elder tilt his head in confusion, pouting. “It isn’t your fault,” He said instantly, watching Jungkook deflate.

“I know, I just, I wish I could make it better,” He confessed, looking at the gauze on the elder’s hand with fire-like intensity. 

“You already do,” Taehyung said, watching Jungkook smile. 

“I will continue to,” Jungkook added, moving to examine the bruise on the elder’s cheek properly. “I will continue to,” He repeated, voice steady as firm as Taehyung smiled.

***

Mrs. Jeon had hugged Taehyung for almost half an hour once got to know that the elder was awake, Jungkook being evicted from his own bed as his mother cuddled into Taehyung, patting his head and telling him small jokes to make him smile as she tried to feed him the Ginseng and Basil porridge she had made. 

Jungkook had smiled at them through it all, sitting by the study in his room and watching them start to laugh a little more openly again, still not the same carefree laugh, but a laugh.

He knew the wounds his aunt had inflicted onto Taehyung’s heart weren’t the kind to heal within hours, or days. It will take time, but he will be here with the elder through it all. 

He wasn’t letting go of Taehyung now, and he hoped the elder knew that. He hoped he had made the elder realise that through the constant hugs they shared in the living room where they binge-watched movies, or how Jungkook made sure Taehyung’s plate was full during lunch, how he peeled the perilla leaves with the elder when he struggled, how he hovered over him when he walked towards their bedroom, making sure he was okay, or how he just sat next to Taehyung in the balcony, knowing that the elder needed silence, but staying.

Letting him know that he is there, and he is planning to stay. 

Jungkook thought Taehyung knew when called him over in the evening, after their dinner and his mother had departed to bed, holding the albums he had gotten.

“My childhood,” Taehyung had mumbled, shaking hands flipping to the first page with anticipation and nostalgia. Jungkook had only wrapped his arms around the elder, resting his head against his shoulder, listening to Taehyung intently as he explained the memories of each photo. 

“This is appa! And that’s amma!” He had exclaimed, voice coming out wet as he pointed to a picture of Taehyung in his mother’s lap, and their dad behind them, caging them both with his arms. Jungkook had held him tighter then, nodding along and squeezing his arms. 

Jungkook thought Taehyung knew, when the elder had simply entered his room when they called it a night, sitting tentatively on the edge of his bed, looking at the younger with expectant eyes. 

And Jungkook had answered, smiling as he sat next to him, intertwining their hands as he tugged onto Taehyung’s arms, making him lay down comfortably. Jungkook answered, when he fluffed up the pillow on Taehyung’s side, making sure his wound was okay, and his cheek wasn’t getting squished. 

Jungkook answered, when Taehyung pressed closer, seeking comfort, and he gave it, wrapping his arm around the elder’s waist, pulling him close, to the point where his mop of black hair was resting on his chest. 

In these answers, Jungkook felt his heart ask. Still just friends?

And he started to realise, that perhaps, the line from friends to lovers had been long crossed. Crossed the day when he saw Taehyung in his jersey. Crossed the day he took Taehyung out. Crossed the day he stood up for Taehyung in his childhood home.

Still friends?

No. He thought. Not just friends. 

He was in love. He thought, hands holding the sleeping man in his arms a bit tighter, taking in a deep breath.

The urge to care, to protect, to preserve. The intention was to make sure Taehyung always smiled, laughed. The promise to make sure Taehyung gets what he deserves.

He was in love. 

Jeon Jungkook was in love with Kim Taehyung. 

And he wasn’t afraid of it. 

Jungkook sighed, feeling his heart bloom at the realisation, the final chamber of his heart breaking free, the third link falling apart, opening the dreams of his past self.

Jungkook was in love. And he couldn’t wait to tell Taehyung.

***

The next morning brought a beautiful fluffy sky to the world, Jungkook’s doe eyes scanning the world with wonder, everything feeling a thousand more brighter, more colourful, more beautiful.

Because Jungkook was in love. And he couldn’t wait to tell Taehyung. 

He looked around the room, drying his hair with a towel as the elder man remained fast asleep on his bed, good cheek squished against the pillow, a string of drool falling and collecting at the surface of his pillow, a bundle of hair sticking upwards, making it look like a cute sprout. 

So cute, Jungkook thought, nose scrunching at the scene in front of him, heart fluttering in his chest as he felt love blossom deeper. 

He loved this feeling. This warmth. This gentle care he had only seen in Namjoon and Seokjin, or Yoongi and Jimin. Something he had always yearned for.

And now he had it. He had everything he ever wanted. 

His mother was healthy, his career was flourishing, and he had a personal life, and a future partner. A future partner he loved. 

Jungkook giggled at that, making his way out of the room with a huge smile on his face.

“Happy Chuseok, eomma,” He said, holding his mother by her arms as he spun them around, making his mother raise an eyebrow. “Someone is very happy this morning,” She mentioned and Jungkook only nodded, a bunny smile on display as he skidded through the floor,  flowing through the space. 

“What makes you all happy?” She smiled, smiling at her son as she typed something away on her phone. Jungkook only smiled, settling down on the opposite side of the dining table, resting his chin on his hand, eyes looking at his mother with love and adoration, and gratefulness. 

“I am just, happy,” He whispered, and his mother smiled, nodding. Jungkook looked around, eyes falling onto the medicine rack on the other end, brows knitting when he noticed a medicine he didn’t remember noting down before. 

“What’s Prilosec for?” He squinted to read the medicine name, mentally noting down to check on it later. He felt his mother tense at that, just for a moment before she smiled again. 

“Your mother takes so many pills, I cannot remember. For my knees, maybe?” She replied non-chalantly, not meeting Jungkook’s eyes who only nodded, believing his mother. 

They sat there in silence, just enjoying each other’s company when Taehyung emerged from his room, freshly showered and wearing an oversized sweater, cheeks still rosy pink from the hot water, almond eyes sparking as he entered the dining area. 

“Good morning,” He whispered gently, looking at Jungkook who was lost in the elder’s eyes, smiling at him like a fool. Jungkook’s mother had moved automatically, pulling out the chair next to him for Taehyung, the elder muttering a small thank you as he settled onto it, looking at his mother showing some options for Jungkook’s wedding suit.

A wedding which was now a month away. Jungkook smiled at the thought. The idea of seeing Taehyung walk down the aisle.His heart fluttered at the thought, a dumb smile plastered across his face as Taehyung looked at him with a confused look, raising an eyebrow.

But the younger had only smiled, shaking his head as they all busied themselves for the supper prep, post which Taehyung had to return to his apartment to prepare for the student’s worksheet tomorrow, and Jungkook to rest before the big game 2 days away. 

The afternoon disappeared in seconds that Jungkook could count on his fingers, one second he had looked at Taehyung smiling, storing that image in his heart, and the second was Taehyung talking to him about this movie he had watched a while back, taking in his boxy smile, and then- it was evening. 

And his mother was telling him to go to the store to get some tofu. The footballer gawked at him. “Are you serious,” He commented, watching his mother nod as she mixed a beanpaste for a stew. “Yes I am serious!” She chided, Jungkook pouting when he heard Taehyung snicker from inside the kitchen. 

“Cannot believe you are sending me for a last minute shopping trip at,” He leaned to see the time on the wall clock. “7PM!” He groaned, already reaching for his wallet from the basket in the living room, trying to peek at Taehyung’s form inside. 

“Can I take Taehyung with me?” He asked, voice timid, and Mrs. Jeon snickered at him. “It’s only 500 grams of tofu, you aren’t getting a crate. Go alone, Taehyung is busy making kimbap,” She finished, enjoying the younger’s suffering as he pouted, looking at Taehyung who was giving Jungkook a sorry look. 

But Jungkook had other plans, he stuffed his wallet into his pocket, moving towards the kitchen, ignoring his mother’s watchful eyes. 

“Hey,” He said, patting the elder gently on the shoulder, making him turn around with a big smile that melted Jungkook’s heart. “Hmm?” Taehyung asked, attention back to the stew in the pot, steering it with a ladle. 

“I want to tell you something once I get back,” He whispered, rolling his eyes when he saw Taehyung only hum at that, no other response. 

“Taehyung,” Jungkook repeated, holding the elder by his arms and turning him around, eyes staring at feline ones, not blinking once. “I am serious, it’s something really important,” He gulped, making Taehyung look at him with worried eyes. 

“Is everything okay?” He asked, voice suddenly filled with everything. Jungkook immediately moved to caress the elder’s arm, nodding. 

“Everything is okay,” He replied. Everything was fantastic actually. 

“Just wait for me to get back, and I will tell you, yeah?” He said, nodding slightly at Taehyung who smiled, nodding as well. Jungkook backed away, booping the elder’s nose before turning around and walking away.

“Hey!” He heard Taehyung yelling, rubbing his nose as he looked at him walk away, eyes filled with something that mirrored his.

Jeon Aera smiled from the dining table, feeling like her wishes, and her plan were finally working.

***

The supermarket was fairly empty, Jungkook walking through the aisles while wearing his mask and beanie, big doe eyes scanning for the tofu in the dairy products aisle, scanning the shelves one by one. His hands tapped against thighs, itching to get the item and run home, to Taehyung. 

Jungkook smiled at the thought of going home, of sitting with Taehyung on the balcony, talking about things, before he would, finally- confess. 

He felt giddy inside on the thought, a skip in his steps as he made his way to the billing counter, tofu safely secured in his hands when he heard someone call from him. 

“Jungkook?” A deep voice called out, making the ravenette whip his head around, finding an elderly man a few feet away from him, grey hair and glasses shining under the bright lights of the store. 

“Oh, Dr. Jung,” He greeted, moving towards the elder as he bowed slightly to show his respect. “I didn’t expect to see you here, in Seoul,” He added, once in the hearing range, making the old man smile at him. 

“My elder daughter lives here now, and she invited me and Jungwa over for Chuseok, so we decided to take a small trip,” He added, smiling at him politely, Jungkook nodding.

“So? How is your mother?” He asked, finally, and Jungkook sighed, looking at the elder with soft eyes. 

“She is good, she is doing better. I saw that you diagnosed her with suspected depression, so I am trying my best to keep her mind off things, and keep her happy,” He added, looking at the doctor who only blinked at him. Confused. Jungkook tilted his head too.

“Depression?” He asked, and Jungkook nodded. “Yeah, I saw a prescription from last year, around May?” He added, and the doctor smiled at him. 

“Oh! Suspected indigestion! Yes, I had diagnosed her after she complained of acid reflux issues, I even gave her medicine, Prilosec!” He laughed but Jungkook’s smile dropped. 

“It wasn’t depression?” He whispered, making the doctor wave it off. “Of course not. I am not board certified in psychology to even write that word, you must have misread,” He smiled, before waving at Jungkook at parting ways. 

“Happy Chuseok!” He greeted, walking away, but Jungkook’s mind was lost in something else, imagining the prescription in his hand. 

The mismatched writing in the depression, the thinner paper over those words, his mother avoiding the question about the medication this morning. 

Jungkook’s eyes went dark, realising what had happened. 

His mother had lied to him.

***

Jungkook entered terrorising calmness, a smile playing on his lips as he set the tofu in front of his mother on the dining table, dark eyes looking at her with hollowness. 

His mother only smiled, collecting the tofu and moving towards the kitchen. “Taehyung is getting changed, everything is ready. You freshen up, then we can have dinner!” She said, voice cheerful. 

Jungkook only hummed, setting his wallet back into the basket into the living room. 

“Eomma,” He started, his mother meeting his eyes with the same spark. “How are you feeling? How is your depression?” He asked, voice soft and kind, but internally, he was boiling with rage, with anger, with hurt. 

His mother’s smile faltered a bit before replying. “Oh Jungkook-ah, you cured it the minute you said yes to marry Taehyung,” She said happily, placing the cutlery onto the dining table. 

“I am happy now,” She added and Jungkook felt something tug at his heartstrings. She was happier. It was evident. She was chattier, that was evident. 

But such a big lie? To make him bend to her wishes?

“That’s good,” He said, coming near the dining table, leaning his weight onto the chairs. “You won’t believe who I met at the store just now,” He started, looking at his mother who only hummed, setting the plates. 

“Who was it?” She asked, handing moving with practiced precision to set everything, not paying attention to Jungkook. “Dr. Jung,” He breathed out, feeling his mother’s hands still at the name, eyes looking up and ridden with guilt. 

So it was true. He felt his heart crack a little. He had hoped, prayed that maybe Dr. Jung’s memory was failing him, that his own mother wouldn't, wouldn’t play with his life like this. 

“You lied to me,” He breathed out, feeling his eyes prick as the rage, and the anger and hurt came out in the form of tears, and a look of pure betrayal on his face. 

“Jungkook-” His mother said, moving to hold his arm when the younger pulled away. Looking at his mother with hurt. 

“My own mother,” He whispered, watching as Aera’s eyes filled with tears, ashamed of her actions. “I am sorry-”

“You are sorry?!” Jungkook yell-whispered, scoffing at his mother who stood there. “You played with my life like I am a pawn and you are sorry?” He added, Aera wincing at the harsh words. 

“Jungkook, I deserve the hate but you need it-”

“Needed what!” He asked, looking at his mother with wide eyes. 

“A wake up call! A reason to listen to your heart-”

“You don’t get to decide that!” Jungkook’s voice thundered, Aera winced at that. “I am your mother-”

“No you aren’t!” He spoke, voice steady, tearing streaming down his face. “If you were you wouldn’t put me through this pain, this guilt-” He said, collapsing onto the dining chair, head resting in his hands, bloodshot eyes looking up at his mother who stood there, hands wanting to reach out, but not doing so.

“Why?” He asked, voice broken, and tired. “Why would you do this to me?” He asked, looking at her with pleading eyes, all the rage and anger being swept away, only left with pain, and hurt. 

His mother didn’t answer. Jeon Aera didn’t know what to say. Seeing her son collapse in front of her like this, when she herself was ridden with guilt and shame, she didn’t know how to console him, if she deserved to console him.

Then Jungkook laughed, a wet, hollow laugh. “You know what the funny thing is?” He looked up, hands coming to run through his hair before settling the chair in front of him.

“You fucking succeeded!” He cried out, looking at her with hurt. “You wanted a marriage, you got it! By hook or by crook” He announced, standing up. “And now I am here-”

In love with Taehyung. 

But the words never leave his mouth, bloodshot eyes following his mother’s horror filled ones, following the trail to see- Taehyung. 

His heart dropped, watching Taehyung standing there, clutching onto a piece of paper in his hand, a lone tear escaping his eyes as he backed away. 

“Taehyung-” Aera started, watching as the elder moved past her, running through the living room to find his bag by the foyer.

“Taehyung-” Jungkook mumbled, following him, dread settling at the pit of his stomach as the elder turned around, looking at him with sad eyes. “Taehyung-” He whispered again, watching as the almond eyed man swung his back around shoulder, making his way out of the house, out of Jungkook’s life.

And Jungkook felt for the 5th time, his soul leaving his body, leaving him as a ghost of a man. But this hurt the most out of them all. 

But this time, he didn’t stop. He ran. He ran for his love. 

***

Love, was a funny word for Taehyung. He had heard it being spoken by partners to each other, by parents to their children, in books between characters. But he had never felt it himself. 

Yes, he loved his uncle, he loved his sister, he loved his parents.

But loving a partner? That was different, It was special. 

Taehyung didn’t think he would ever get to experience it, not after he crossed the age of 27, still single and with no interests beyond his life at school. Didn’t think he would ever receive those tender touches and small kisses, soft smiles and interlocked hands. 

And he was okay. He was okay being by himself. He was okay being lonely. Spending weekends alone, having no one to sit on the rides in amusement parks, no one to share those Meals for 2’s with. No one to look after him when he fell sick. No shoulder to cry on.

But it was okay, he had made peace with that fact, that he was meant to carry forward this life by being a background character in other’s life. 

But then Jeon Jungkook came into his life.

With a warm smile but sharp words. 

With his ‘I won’t be an ideal husband and my priority is my game and my mother’

And gave him more care and love and security he had received from anyone in his life.

Jeon Jungkook had given him a person to spend the weekend with, a person to go to the restaurant with, a person to look after him when he was sick, a shoulder to cry on.

Taehyung, he wondered if this is what love felt like. 

And this is what it felt like to love someone too. Because- oh was he gone for Jeon Jungkook. 

He was in love with Jeon Jungkook. And Taehyung loved the feeling.

He had been in love with Jungkook from the moment he showed him the younger’s childhood album, when Jungkook explained the meaning of his tattoos, calling them the perfect match.

He had been in love with Jungkook since the minute he had cupped his cheek, fallen for him the minute he had held his hand, guiding him through the streets, and life.

He had fallen in love with Jungkook. 

And Taehyung couldn’t wait to tell and share this feeling with the elder. 

He had been bouncing off his feet since the morning, waiting to get some alone time with his fiance to talk to him, but all attempts had been foiled. 

Mrs. Jeon tried to keep them apart the whole day with some excuse or another. When they settled down to watch a movie, she called Taehyung to show him some of Jungkook’s early football career videos, forcing him to leave the younger one behind. 

When they settled for a random conversation on the dining table, Mrs. Jeon came in mid conversation to talk about the weather, making Taehyung gulp down his confession. 

He thought had opportunity had come when Jungkook asked for Taehyung to accompany him to the store, feeling his chest buzz with excitement at being able to speak to him, but that was immediately crushed when Mrs. Jeon asked him to go alone, the almond eyed man pouting softly. 

But then Jungkook had come by, telling the elder he wanted to talk about something really important, telling him they would discuss it later.

Now Taehyung was here, sitting in Jungkook’s room, a small writing pad in hand as he sketched something for his confession, trying to make it simple and meaningful. 

He looked down at the drawing, a simple tiger lily wrapping around a winter sweet branch, petals setting only each other. 

He jumped when he heard the main door click, announcing the arrival of his fiance. A fiance he loved. 

The thought made Taehyung giggle, setting the pen aside and tearing the paper, correcting the edges a bit before taking a deep breath, getting up from the bed and heading for the door. But his grip on the doorknob shook when he heard shouts from outside. 

“You don’t get to decide that!”

Jungkook’s voice echoed through the room, making Taehyung widen his eyes. 

“If you were you wouldn’t put me through this pain-”

Taehyung gasped, feeling his insides churning as he realised what was happening. Jungkook was protesting the marriage. 

“You fucking succeeded!”  Another sentence came through. “You got this marriage! By hook or by crook!”

And Taehyung snapped, hands clutching the door and opening it, but body stilling when Jungkook said his next words. 

“And now I am here-”

The sentence didn't finish, but Taehyung’s mind filled the gaps. 

Stuck here, in this sham of a marriage. Chained to something I don’t want. 

“Taehyung-” Mrs. Jeon’s voice rang through, but Taehyung only looked ahead, looking at the mother-son duo fighting. 

Then another voice rang in his head. 

Go be a curse to the new family of yours. His aunt. Taehyung blinked, a single tear escaping his eyes as he realised. 

He had done it. He had broken Jungkook apart from his mother too.

He was a curse. 

***

Taehyung ran, he ran as fast he could, ignoring the way his calves burned or how the harsh autumn wind cut through his skin, or the way a voice kept shouting for him in the background. 

“Taehyung!” jungkook’s voice echoed through the empty streets once again, body being pushed to his limits as he ran behind the elder, surprised at his stamina-

No distractions, focus Jungkook, his heart surprised, powering his legs more as he saw Taehyung slow down in front of him. 

Taehyung felt his legs slow down, chest burning and heart pounding as he tried to catch his breath, stumbling, but not stopping. He had to keep going, he had to get away from Jungkook, before he hurt him anymore. 

He stepped forward, trying to continue when he felt a hand wrap around his arm, pulling him backwards and Taehyung cried, closing his eyes as his body recoiled, crashing against a firm chest and the scent of Jungkook’s ocean scent perfume took over his senses. 

“Fucking stop,” Jungkook wheezed out, bending down to catch his breath but keeping a vice grip on the elder’s arm.

“Let go, Jungkook” Taehyung mumbled, tears prickled in his eyes. 

Before this curse breaks everything in you two, like it did to my uncle. He thought. 

Jungkook shook his head, stumbling in his steps but holding Taehyung’s arm, and now placing a hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me,” He wheezed out, drool slipping out of his mouth as Taehyung shook his head, stubborn and so so so  sad. 

“There is nothing to discuss here, Jungkook,” He said, looking down at his hands, at the paper with a simple drawing. A dream of love.

He smiled at it bitterly. 

He should have known better. He wasn’t born to be loved afterall. 

“There is a lot to discuss,” Jungkook spoke up, pulling the elder closer. “I know what she did was wrong,” he said. “But, that doesn’t change how I feel,” He said and Taehyung’s heart shattered then.

“You ran all the way to tell me that you don’t like me? Wow Jungkook, thanks,” Taehyung said bitterly, walking away when he felt another tug, Jungkook’s hand coming around his waist as he pulled him closer, tilting his head slightly to make his hot breath brush against Taehyung’s lips, and then- kiss them. 

Taehyung felt his insides explode at the feeling, eyes fluttering shut as Jungkook wrapped both his arms around his waist, lips overlapping over Taehyung’s in the gentlest way, making butterflies erupt from his stomach.

And Jungkook, felt every chamber in his heart burst at the kiss, tears escaping through his eyes as he felt the elder’s soft lips against his, tasting faintly of the strawberry lip balm he had only seen Taehyung apply. He pulled away after a few minutes, feeling Taehyung’s tears gathering around his cheek, letting go after placing a soft peck near the corner of his lips.

“I ran,” Jungkook stated, out of breath, but so happy, as he lifted the elder’s face from his face, letting himself get lost in his almond eyes. “Because I love you”

Taehyung’s world stopped at that moment, wide eyes looking into Jungkook’s doe ones, again met with the same sincerity and honesty he had always seen. And now, love. 

He burst into tears then, tears tumbling down as Jungkook pulled him into a hug, letting the elder let it all out. 

“Let it all out, hyung,” He said, holding Taehyung as he wept. “You don’t have to return the words, or the feeling,” He said, voice coming choked. “It’s okay,  just needed to tell you-”

Taehyung pulled of his chest in a second, shaky hands revealing a crumpled paper in his hand, extending it for Jungkook to take it.

The ravenette did, feeling his breath stutter when he opened it, vision getting blurry as he saw what it was.

A tiger lily wrapping around a winter-sweet branch, supporting each other, protecting each other. 

Just like them. 

“Oh my God,” Jungkook mumbled, looking at Taehyung with love filled eyes. “I love you, Jungkook,” The sweetest voice in the universe mumbled and Jungkook closed his eyes, savouring the words as he let his tears fall freely. 

Letting the words sink into his bones, enter his bloodstream. Let each cell of his body know that he had heard the words that the 20 year old in him dreamt of. 

He cried, feeling a palm coming to rest on his cheek. “I love you, Jungkook,” Taehyung repeated again and he only ducked his head. Jungkook let out a wet laugh, pressing both the paper and Taehyung close to his chest. 

His Taehyung. His love. His partner. 

“Eomma lied,” He confessed then, not wanting their relationship to be based on any more lies.

Taehyung looked at him, nudging him to continue. “She lied. She faked a prescription for depression, then pleaded for me to get married,” He revealed, making Taehyung gasp. 

“But I understand why she did it,” He whispered slowly, Taehyung looking up at him with his almond eyes. 

She wanted me to live. To love. 

“And I am glad she did it,” He added, watching as Taehyung pouted, and Jungkook leaned in, kissing the pout away. “Because it led me to you,” He whispered, watching as Taehyung melted into his chest, nodding. 

“I thought my aunt was right,” Taehyung whispered, Jungkook immediately tightening his hold on him. “When I saw you and eomma fighting, I thought I was a curse”

Jungkook let out a protestful whine, shaking his head. 

“You are not a curse Taehyung. You are the best thing that has happened to me. You are a blessing”

Taehyung smiled at that, nodding. “Thank you, Jungkook”

Jungkook placed a kiss into his lover’s soft hair, lingering there for a few moments before pulling away. “Thank you, Taehyung”

They stood there, under the moonlit night, holding each other, whispering sweet nothings- a mix of thank you’s and I love you’s, things they will continue to share for many more years to come. 

They made their way home back to Jungkook’s apartment a while later, hand in hand, finding Mrs. Jeon sitting on the sofa, tears dripping down her face with sadness and guilt.

Jungkook had let go of Taehyung’s hand only then, taking long strides to hug his mother, who had raised him with nothing but love. 

“I am so sorry,” His mother cried into his chest, Jungkook only shushing her gently, before pulling away, bringing her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss onto the pale skin. “I know why you did it. I get it now,” He whispered, grateful, even though it hurt initially. 

“Though I am still mad,” He had chuckled, wiping away his tears and then his mother’s who smiled. “Thank you, for pushing me to listen to my heart,” He whispered, removing one arm off his mother’s back, outstretching it towards Taehyung, his lover, standing on the other end with moist eyes, nodding for him to join in. 

Once Taehyung came in, Aera smiled wider, looking at Jungkook with expectant eyes, who only nodded, pulling Taehyung closer. 

“Family hug,” He whispered, making both Taehyung and his mother chuckle. Jungkook held on, feeling Taehyung get comfortable on his left side, next to his heart, and his mother on his right, having them close. 

And Jungkook felt at peace, holding his whole world in his arms, letting himself breathe. Letting himself breathe. 

Letting himself love. Letting his heart wake. Letting it breathe, freely. 

Chapter Text

Jungkook put on his shin guards, eyes trained at the clock in front of him, showing he had just over 3 minutes left. He could hear the crowd outside, going wild. Fanchants being sung at high energy levels. 

The young striker reached for his phone, waiting for an update from his fiance. He smiled when he saw a notification.

Taehyung 5:48PM

Reached the stadium! Getting some snacks with eomma, we will be in the stands in 10 minutes. Fighting! 

It read, making Jungkook smile, feeling the locket of his necklace resting against his heart, calming him immediately. 

“Jungkook, let’s go,” Namjoon’s voice came through, making the young man stand up, spot jog for a bit before he moved on, standing in their line-up, loosening his body with a few jerks, taking in a deep breath as they waited for the announcer to call them in. 

“And here we have, the South Korean Football Team!,” The announcer announced, the line moving fast as Namjoon opened the file, everyone following and jogging towards the line. 

Jungkook’s eyes remained at the vast green in front of him, heart beating out of his chest as the pressure started to set in.

Big match. Qualifying. Winners of Asia Cup. Entering the World Cup

He looked up then, eyes travelling through the crowd to settle onto the VIP zone, heart calming the minute he noticed a pair of almond eyes, looking only at him as he held a huge poster reading- let’s go Jeon!, making him chuckle. Taehyung had made it with the kids at the school, all of them helping him colour the big letters. Next to him was his mother, wearing sunglasses and already munching on a bag of pop-corn, eyes on the big LED screen as she saw the match. 

Jungkook smiled, giving them one final look before he huddled with his team, listening to Namjoon. 

“We have come this far, guys. One last match, let’s give it our all, alright?” He said, bringing his hand to the center as everyone piled on. “Alright, 3,2,1. Korea!” They all cheered, moving into the positions. 

Jungkook sighed, locking into the game now, eyes darkening as his hand came to touch the necklace one last time, channeling any extra energy. 

Then the whistle blew, and the 90 minute countdown started. 

***

As expected, 2 players were on him immediately, pushing him from both directions as Jungkook tried to get past, eyeing the ball as Eunwoo passed it forward, giving a further long pass towards Mingyu, crossing the halfline. 

And Jungkook smiled, looking at his teammate with a smug look. “Mingyu!” He yelled, pointing at himself, then showing an opposite direction from his hands. The other understood immediately, nutmegging a Japanese player to come forward, kicking the ball towards Jungkook who successfully faked his direction, confusing the Japanese players and reaching for the ball, looking at the goal post once to aim, aligning his leg as he shot and-Goal!

The goalie fell to the ground, the ball spinning comfortably in the space of the nets. 

He sighed, feeling his teammates come in and jump him, everyone patting his back as he smiled, running towards the stands and eyeing the VIP section, getting the necklace between his fingers and kissing it, then pointing towards Taehyung who blushed furiously, giving a thumbs up. 

Score. South Korea 1, Japan 0.

***

The second the whistle rang, Jungkook noticed a pattern change in the Japanese system, 3 defenders onto him now, with no room to move. He panicked, shuffling around as the ball crossed the halfline mark, shaking his head at Mingyu who looked around, Namjoon shouting at them. 

“Mingyu! Jihoon! Jihoon!” He yelled, Jungkook immediately understanding. Pretending to move away from the ball and take them away, creating space for the other striker to come through. 

Jihoon came through, collecting the ball from Migyu’s pass comfortably and shooting, scoring a second goal. 

Jungkook jumped high, punching the air as everyone huddled close. “Amazing guys, amazing! Let’s keep the momentum,” Namjoon said, everyone clapping as they moved backwards. 

Jungkook clapped, adrenaline rushing through him as he looked towards the stands, Taehyung jumping and cheering with his whole body. 

He smiled before locking in. They had to win this match. 

He eyed the clock displayed on the left, 13 minutes to halftime. 

Score. South Korea 2, Japan 0.

***

Dirty play is common in football, even though it shouldn’t be. But sometimes the idea of winning in such high pressure moments messes with one's mindset. Jungkook had received a lot of those blows too. Harshly elbowed at his chest, face; spikes of their shoes being intentionally dug into his legs. But what he saw happen now in front of him was pure horror. 

They had been doing well, the team finding a way beyond Japan’s man-to-man marking by shuffling Jihoon around, but the Japanese had started to catch on, adding 1, and then 2 defenders towards their end. 

Jungkook had got out a frustrated huff, shuffling around and finally moving when the ball reached their side, running for it when he noticed it. 

Jihoon was midair, aiming to kick a ball when one of the opposition players aimed directly for his leg, kicking exactly at his shin, his teammate immediately screaming, falling onto the ground with a thud as the ball rolled off the boundary. 

“Hey! Hey!” Jungkook shouted, looking at the umpire who came running. “That’s foul!” He yelled, watching as Namjoon came in, equally furious. He leaned down next to Jihoon, watching him let out shaky breaths as Yoongi entered the field, sitting down and examining his calf. 

Jihoon groaned at even the slightest movement. Yoongi shook his head as Namjoon asked if he was fit to play. 

“He has been hurt badly, his calf has totally cramped up.” He started feeling around Jihoon’s calf as he groaned. “He won’t be able to continue,” He declared and the entire team’s heart dropped. 

This, a minute before half time. 

Jihoon looked furious, struggling to stand up as his calf refused to support any weight. 

“Here, let me,” Jungkook said, pulling his teammate’s arm around his shoulders, taking his weight as he helped Jihoon make it to their tent, the player looking at him with wide eyes. 

He settled Jihoon down on one of the chairs, eyeing the leg as Yoongi iced it. 

“Jungkook!” He heard Namjoon yell from behind, motioning for the younger to get back at him. 

He nodded, turning around when he felt another voice call out for him. “Hey Jungkook,” He looked back, eyes wide as Jihoon extended his hand out, forming a fist. 

“You give them hell out there,” He said, shaking his hand and Jungkook smiled, bringing his own fisted arm and bumping it against his teammate’s.

“We will”

Score. South Korea 2, Japan 0.

***

Jungkook stood his ground in the field, eyes trained on the ball as the whistle blew, Mingyu taking the penalty corner. 

But it was a miskick, the ball ending up at the opposition team’s feet, served like a dish on a silver platter, and they didn’t wait a second to charge forward. Jungkook panicked, watching as their first line of defence crumbled, the ball passing through Jimin and then Yoongi, and before he knew it- the opposition had scored a goal.

He closed his eyes, feeling disappointment course through himself and the crowd as it went silent, breathing loud against his ear as he looked over at Namjoon who had the same expression.

Score. South Korea 2. Japan 1.

***

The team huddled in their tent, rehydrating as Mr. Lee told Namjoon better ideas for offensive attacks and defensive countermeasures. Jungkook tried to hear it all, but his heart told him that perhaps, there was only one solution to this. 

He ignored the feeling, entering the field again, looking at the stands at Taehyung looked around, equally nervous. 

Jungkook shook his head. They had to win. 

***

It took exactly 3 minutes into the second half for the Japanese players to score their second goal, breaking through the Korean defense with a zig-saw passing scheme that left his teammates confused. 

They had themselves had 4 attempts at the goal, all foiled, Jungkook unable to break the barrier of 3 defensive players onto him, and all other strikers covered by the opposition’s other players. 

He looked at the clock, which showed 12 minutes left, the Japanese players passing the ball on their side of the field happily- killing time. 

Jungkook’s jaw ticked, frustration growing, grateful when the referee called for a hydration break. 

“There’s no way we can break this marking,” Namjoon groaned, opening the bottle and pouring it over their heads.  Hoseok groaned next to him, Jimin sitting and breathing heavily, exhausted. 

Jungkook sat there, looking at his knee when he spoke. “Not on the ground”

Namjoon looked at him instantly. “What?” He asked, making everyone whip their heads to the youngest player’s direction. 

The ravenetted looked up, eyes looking at the field in front of him. “We can’t break man to man on the ground, we have to play in the air. Long passes, less running, and lots of luck,” He chuckled, pouring a bottle of water over himself. 

“Even then, how will you score? Headers at that height are pointless,” Jimin pointed out, Namjoon nodding in agreement. 

Jungkook took a deep breath, looking at Namjoon who looked at him with wide eyes. “I will have to try for the bicycle,” He revealed, eyeing his left knee.

“No,” Namjoon said immediately, and Jungkook sighed. “Hyung-”

“I said no! The last time you tried that you ended up with a torn ACL, remember?” His voice thundered, Jungkook looking down at his leg, nodding. 

Of course he remembered. It was a match against Qatar, he was 22, young and full of adrenaline. He had tried it out of pure enthusiasm, and had regretted it the very next second. Feeling himself lose footing mid air and landing straight on his knee, feeling the electric shock run through his body even before his mind confirmed he was on the ground, breaking into a cry as he clutched his knee. 

That time it was out of his naiveness, now it felt like a necessity. 

“It might be our only chance, Joon,” Hoseok advocated, everyone looking at their captain with a knowing look.

Namjoon looked at Jungkook, and then at the younger’s leg, before sighing in defeat. “Okay, we will try it. But the last 5 minutes. If we do it too early, they might make up for it,” Namjoon commanded, and everyone nodded, clapping as they entered the field. 

Jungkook jogged in too, Namjoon by his side. “Be careful, Gguk,” He said, looking towards the stand, and the younger immediately held onto the chain of his necklace. 

“You aren’t 22 anymore,” Namjoon reminded, looking out into the distance, before going towards his position. 

Jungkook nodded, looking up at the stands to see Taehyung chatting away with his mother, a small smile dancing on his lips, but the minute Jungkook’s eyes landed on him, he turned, looking at him as if there was this invisible connection between them, the footballer standing in the middle of the court and looking at him, holding onto his necklace harder. Taehyung looked at him, as if trying to study his expression before giving a small smile, and a nod. 

And Jungkook heard the words in those actions. “It’s okay, you have got this”

He smiled, peering away his eyes as he darkened again, focusing on the game. 

***

Jungkook eyed the clock, which showed less than 3 minutes left to full-time, looking at Namjoon with a worried look. They had wanted 5 minutes, yes, but the Japanese defense had been insanely good, making their top tire front like- Jimin and Hoseok struggle a bit. 

Jungkook was losing hope every passing second, wondering if this match was destined to move towards extra-time, eyes looking at the clock which moved to under two minutes.

And then, Jimin got the ball, and the whole team brightened up. Jungkook immediately shuffled towards the goal as he saw Jimin give a long pass over the Japanese defense line, Mingyu dribbling the ball and looking, kicking it high as it reached Eunwoo, crossing the half-line. 

Then Eunwoo looked at Jungkook who nodded, running towards the goalpost with determined eyes. He looked at the clock, showing under 30 seconds.

“Do it!” Jungkook yelled, hands coming to hold onto the necklace around his neck, eyes on the ball as Eunwoo kicked it, the Japanese players around jumping high to reach it, but the striker only turned his body mind air, facing the sky as he tried to rotate forward, left leg coming to hit the ball approaching them..

The whole stadium seemed to have grown quiet, everything static as Jungkook only focused on the ball in front of him, the goal about 3 meters away, and the cool metal under his fingers. 

Love will never be a weakness

His eyes snapped open, newfound strength finding his body as he reached the ball, kicking it with all his might, eyeing it as he turned around again, preparing for impact with the ground towards his shoulder. 

He felt his breath ring in his ears, eyes looking as the goal-keeper swung to his right, trying to defend, but the ball swerved, spinning slightly and passing through the gap between his head and hand.

A goal. Jungkook closed his eyes, eyes closing as he felt relief coarse through him, body meeting the ground a few seconds later. 

The crowd roared, Jungkook releasing a shaky breath as he felt his teammates piling over him, getting crushed under their weight as they celebrated. “Jungkook, you did it!” Jimin yelled, hugging the young striker once they got up, Jungkook only nodding, eyes looking towards the stands to find Taehyung and his mother missing.

He frowned.

But then he heard his name being called out from his team’s tentside. “Jungkook!” The voice shouted, the younger’s eyes looking for the source of the voice to find Taehyung and his mother both standing on the sidelines.

“Tae,” He whispered, ignoring everything as he ran towards his lover, Taehyung also smiling and running as Mrs. Jeon pushed him into the field. 

Jungkook ran, watching as Taehyung met him halfway and engulfed the elder into a hug, spinning the almond eye’d man’s body around as he squealed. “You did it!” Taehyung cheered once Jungkook placed him onto the ground, leaning in so their heads were touching. 

Their eyes locked, and Jungkook smiled wide, laughing as Taehyung’s gentle arm wiped away the tears that escaped his eyes. And then, he leaned in, locking Taehyung’s lips against his, the elder’s arms wrapping against his neck as the crowd saw, shouting and cheering as Jungkook kissed his lover as if he was the elixir to life. Gentle, warm, but wanting, needing. 

And after they pulled away, Taehyung’s starry eyes looked at him with love and adoration, after he had hugged his mother, and after they had gone on stage and collected their medals and trophy, Jungkook also getting the goal of the tournament award, he looked back. Watching Taehyung standing on the sidelines, cheering for them, his team, and him.

And Jungkook realised, looking down at the gold medal around his neck, and then the necklace, smiling. His biggest achievement was his love, his home, his safe space, his Taehyung, standing 20 meters from him. 

***

One Month Later

The venue was buzzing with chatter, the calm background of the meadows and the background of the rose flowers filled the space of the essence closest to love, the white cloth hanging over the stage and aisle rusting against the soft winds, the jingling of the white light bulbs around them masking the soft instrumental music playing in the background. 

Jungkook stood on the stage, black suit hugging his frame as he looked down from the aisle, he tugged at the little white pocket square in his jacket, adjusting his black tie, trying to smoothen it out as he shuffled nervously at his spot. 

He looked to his left, finding Namjoon on his side as his best man, Jimin, Yoongi and Hoseok all standing after him,as his groomsmen. 

His mother sat in the front row, happiness evident on her cheeks as she looked lively in her dusty pink hanbok. 

Everyone he loved and cherished was here. This was perfect. 

Taehyung’s uncle was probably backstage, getting ready to walk his son down the aisle. And for his aunt, she must be getting drunk on her glassware at home, enjoying solitude. 

Ever since the confrontation with Jungkook, Sungwoo had cut all possible ties with Miyoung, not officially divorced, but close to it. He had moved out, moving into Taehyung's now old apartment once he finally moved in with Jungkook, happy to see his son thriving. Hae-un too, too disgusted by her mother’s actions, had left the house, having moved to Busan to pursue her PhD in Microbiology, having sent Taehyung the invite to her master’s graduation, shutting him down when he questioned her about his mother. 

‘I don’t care what she is doing, oppa. I want you there by my side that I have ever wanted her’ The young woman had answered over the video call, Taehyung crying as Jungkook backhugged him, congratulating Hae-un and promising to be there. They had gone too, Taehyung absolutely elated at the sight of amazing sister graduating, taking a thousand pictures with her, asking Jungkook to take more- and he had done so happily, saving each frame like it was a ray of sunshine itself. 

Jungkook was brought out his thoughts as he saw the guests stand up, breath shaking as he focused his eyes back at the entrance of the aisle. 

He felt his heart start to race when he saw Hae-un walk out, Taehyung’s best woman, followed by a few kids from Taehyung’s school as the flower kids.  

This was real. 

The footballer’s breath hitched when he heard a slight commotion at the front, people at the end gasping as a silhouette started to appear, Taehyung uncle coming out first, arm extended as his lover stepped out too.

And Jungkook felt the ground be swept off his feet when he saw the first glimpse of Taehyung. 

His Taehyung, walking down the aisle in an off-white suit, hair curled slightly as it fell over his forehead, a small white rose pinned to his suit-pocket, cheeks a dusty pink and a boxy smile on his face as he walked down the aisle, a small bouquet of tiger lilies and winter-sweets in his hand.

Jungkook instinctively took a step forward, wanting to reach out to his lover when a hand held him on his shoulder. “Be patient, Gguk,” Namjoon teased. “You have waited 4 months, what’s another minute?” He said and Jungkook internally groaned, hand coming to rest on his chest as he tried to calm himself down, watching as Taehyung took slow, but long steps towards the stage. 

And when he finally, finally reached the foot of the stage, the younger leapt forward, extending his arm as Taehyung’s uncle looked at him. 

“I know he will be loved with you,” He said, voice soft and sincere as he gently placed Taehyung’s hand into the younger’s palm, Jungkook nodding at his now, father-in-law. 

“Hi,” Taehyung whispered as Jungkook helped him up the stage, making the younger chuckle, taking both of his hands as they stood opposite each other. “You look gorgeous, my love,” Jungkook spoke, feeling his heart explode as his lover blushed, ducking his head down. 

Ever since their confessions, Jungkook had dropped the hyung, choosing better endearments for the most precious person in his life, ranging from my love in tender moments, to my heart, when Jungkook was feeling extremely desperate, and madly in love. 

And no matter how big or small the endearment was, Taehyung blushed every time, his eyes sparkling and smile growing wide to the point his eyes would turn into the most beautiful crescent moons. Jungkook adored it. 

So neither were shocked when the endearment slipped up on the dias, only laughing and giggling as ungkook caressed the elder’s palm with his hands, trying to control his tears as the officiant finished speaking. 

“Now, for your vows,” He said, looking at Jungkook who laughed nervously. 

“Okay,” He mumbled, making everyone in the crowd chuckle, Taehyung leaning forward to let out a small chuckle too.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook started, looking at the elder with a warm smile, already starting to feel his throat clog up. “For so many years, I thought life was about goals, achievements and things that could be measured. I have focused on everything else- my career, responsibilities, and other stuff, ignoring the one thing that was supposed to make all of it truly worthwhile,” He paused, taking in a shaky breath as he smiled at his lover, heart finally speaking its truth. 

“And then you came into my life, with your shy hello and soft smile, and everything shifted,” He held onto the elder’s hand tighter. “You let me free parts of my heart that I had kept caged within me, allowing me to feel. To live.

You showed me that love isn’t a distraction, but that it makes every aspect of my life richer, deeper and so much more meaningful. 

"You  have made my life so much more meaningful,” He let out a wet laugh, Taehyung’s hands shaking in his. “So I promise you, that I will cherish you every day, hold you when things get tough, laugh with you, smile with you, cry with but. I promise to make hundreds and thousands of more memories with you, and kiss you everyday, and remind you that you are cared for.

But most importantly, I will love you, and I will live with you. I will love you with everything I have, Taehyung,” Jungkook concluded sniffling quietly as tears rolled down his cheeks, Taehyung’s shaky hand coming to wipe it gently. 

“I love you,” He mouthed, watching as Taehyung chuckled, taking in a deep breath as the officiant turned to them. 

“Oh Jungkook,” The elder started, looking at him with soft and adoration filled eyes. “I spent so much of my life thinking that love wasn’t meant for me, or that I wasn’t meant to be loved,” Taehyung spoke, smiling as Taehyung shook his head, holding his hands tighter. 

“I never thought I would ever make promises forever with someone. That someone would care for me so deeply, cherish me and love me for me. But then you came into my life,” Taehyung let out wet eyes, tears already escaping from his beautiful eyes and Jungkook cooed, hand coming to gently wipe them away, tapping at his cheek with the back of his palm. “With your soft smile and sharp words and promises that melted me instantly. And you made me understand love. How love isn’t just an idea we read in books, but a feeling, a choice, a journey, a gift we give to each other every day of our lives.

"You have helped me heal, helped me open up, and assured me that love is as real as the hand I am holding today,” He tugged at Jungkook’s arms, smiling at the elder who looked at him with tear filled eyes. 

“You were the love I had given up on having in my life, but now that I have you, I promise you, I am never letting go. I promise to stay by your side, through your good matches and bad ones, to be your biggest cheerleader, and your biggest support. I promise to love you, for every moment I breathe. I love you, Jungkook, and I promise to show you that everyday,” Taehyung shook, tender eyes looking at doe ones who mimicked the same emotions in his, smiling softly.

“So, Jeon Jungkook, do you take Kim Taehyung, as your lawfully wedded husband?” The officiant asked. 

“I do,” Jungkook replied in a heartbeat, bringing his lover’s hand to his lips to place a chaste kiss, gaining a string of awws from the audience, his mother already crying in the first row. 

“And you, Kim Taehyung. Do you take Jeon Jungkook as your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” He answered, shuffling with excitement. 

“Then with the power vested in me, I pronounce you, husband and husband,” The officiant smiled, the crowd cheering as everyone around them clapped. 

“You may kiss your husband,” The officiant whispered, closer to Jungkook. 

And the young striker didn’t wait a second further, pulling Taehyung in as he leaned forward, letting his lover, husband, lean back into his arms as they shared a tender kiss, filled with love, warmth and the promise of a brighter, and tender future. 

In that kiss, in each other, Jungkook and Taehyung had found their home, and Jungkook felt his heart finally be, truly free. 

Chapter Text

4 Years Later

Jungkook happily made his way to their house in Itaewon, a smile gracing his face as he entered the compound and immediately heard the barking of two dogs. His smiled wider when he heard a soft voice laughing with them, shuffling towards the door without Jungkook ringing the bell. 

Just as he reached the porch, the door opened, revealing a mop of black hair and shiny eyes staring back at him, a boxy, warm smile waiting to welcome him in. 

“Welcome home!” Taehyung greeted, taking a step forward as Jungkook smiled, bending down to place a soft kiss onto his husband’s lips, his engagement necklace, now with his wedding ring on to, clinking against Taehyung's own, the necklace shining under the dull porchlight, while the ring remained safely placed on his ring finger. 

“I missed you,” Jungkook said, moving inside with his arms wrapped around Taehyung, his suitcase and kitbag long forgotten by the door, letting his husband guide him to their living room and settle him down on the couch. 

“I missed you too,” Taehyung whispered, presenting the younger with a glass of cold orange juice that Jungkook had loved to enjoy in recent years. The younger gulped it all down in greedy sips, placing it down on the table as he felt two furry creatures tugging at his jeans. 

“Ah, hello Tannie, Bammie,” Jungkook cooed, slipping down from the sofa to crouch on the floor, petting the little 2 year old pomeranian and the 6 month old doberman, cuddling them close to his heart. 

Taehyung looked at them with soft eyes, letting Jungkook have his moment as he moved towards the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready. Do you want to wash up first or eat?” He asked, and Jungkook got up in an instant, making a beeline for his husband to the kitchen, the two furballs following him along.

He wrapped his arms around the elder’s waist, turning him around as Taehyung’s back pressed against the counter. 

“I am gonna wash up first,” He said, looking at Taehyung with hunger in his eyes. “Then have dinner,” He mumbled, running a finger across the side of Taehyung’s face, settling at his chin. “And then,” Jungkook mumbled, placing a kiss on the corner of Taehyung’s lips, before moving lower, hands gripping his nape as he exposed the elder’s neck, another already traveling below the elder’s baby blue jumper, settling his soft tummy. “I am gonna have you for dessert,” He mumbled, feeling Taehyung’s breath hitch under his touch, skin getting hotter-

“Jungkook-ah! You are home!” His mother’s cheery voice emerged from the staircase, Taehyung immediately pushing him away as Jungkook smiled, pulling him close once again as he placed a soft kiss onto his nose, the elder looking at him incredulously and yelping when the footballer booped it for good measure-and old times sake. Then he turned away, walking towards the staircase to find his mother looking at him with bright eyes. 

Hair a lot more grayer now, skin a lot thinner, a lot more drier as old age started to run its course- but happier. So much happier. 

“Hi eomma,” He mumbled softly, hugging his mother as she made her way down, smiling at him before patting his back. He helped her down the stairs and to the dining room, Taehyung taking over from there as he settled her onto her chair, helping her serve her plate and sharing some jokes with her. 

Jungkook sighed, getting reminded of a time 6 years ago, when this scene was very different in his life. But now, here, at this moment, his Taehyung was here, and his eomma was here, he was here, and they were all- happy. 

He took a quick shower, changing into comfortable clothes as he smiled at their bedroom, his and Taehyung’s, looking at their shared wardrobe, filled to the brim with clothes. He looked around, smiling at the countless photoframes of him and his husband’s memories from the past 5 years hung across. Feeling happy.

He quickly moved and came back downstairs, settling onto the dining table, sitting next to his husband as they shared their memories for the 2 weeks they spent apart, things they couldn’t share on video calls. Jungkook’s hand always found its way to Taehyung’s waist, pulling him closer as Taehyung would only smile, feeding the younger from his own plate, Mrs. Jeon smiling at the interaction. 

The dining room filled with laughter and memories as the couple and his mother conversed, and the two dogs enjoyed their meal next to them. 

Later, after his mother had taken her medicines and had been escorted to her bed, Jungkook would return to the living room to find Taehyung waiting expectantly near the couch, a blanket in his hands, and some random rom-com playing in the distance. 

“Cuddles?” He asked, voice soft and needy, and Jungkook immediately melted, settling down on the couch as Taehyung slept over his chest, Jungkook locking his tattooed arm around the elder, securing him in place as he threw the blanket over them. The dogs sat by the foot of the couch, tails wagging as they napped. 

“So, what are you doing tomorrow?” Jungkook had asked, drawing small circles on his husband’s waist, making Taehyung shiver under his touch. Taehyung smiled. “I have a few appointments,” Taehyung answered, looking at Jungkook with a soft smile. The elder had branched out of his pseudo-teaching job to a proper psychology path, helping challenged students with their works and helping their little minds unlock their true potential. 

It made Taehyung so happy, Jungkook understood why, the topic being very close to his husband’s heart. 

“That’s great,” Jungkook said, placing a soft kiss onto Taehyung’s cheek, making the elder giggle. “I can make breakfast tomorrow then,” He suggested, wanting to give time to Taehyung.

“Oh!” Taehyung brightened up, having loved Jungkook’s cooking after the one time he made suyuk for the elder. “Your infamous egg and toast?” He asked, eyes sparkling as Jungkook chuckled, brushing his fingers through Taehyung’s soft hair. 

“Do you want to have it?” He asked and the elder only nodded, almost climbing the now striker, and captain of the Seoul National Team’s lap. Namjoon had moved onto coaching roles, with Seokjin and him living happily in a cottage in Ilsan, away from the hurried city life. They met often, every holiday meeting, along with Yoongi and Jimin, who had gotten engaged last year, and continued to be part of the team with Jungkook. 

“And the jam toast too,” Taehyung pleaded, puppy eyes on display as Jungkook nodded, smiling, hand caressing the elder’s scalp with the feather-light touch, cooing when Taehyung leaned into it, eyes closing in pure bliss. 

“I love you,”Jungkook mumbled, sudden, but sincere and heartfelt. Taehyung smiled at him, leaning him to look into his doe eyes as he bent down, placing a soft kiss onto his lips. “I love you too,” He mumbled, giggling when Jungkook dragged him down again, adjusting the covers over him as they hugged, sharing each other’s warmth, their love, their joy, and their happiness. 

He looked around, looking at the fireplace near the TV, crackling with fresh wood, he looked at the garden outside, filled with flowers and vegetables him and Taehyung had planted together, with a small football post on the other end, where Jungkook would take seasonal football classes for the kids in the neighbourhood. He looked down at his feet, finding the two dogs cuddled near Taehyung’s dangling hand, soft and cosy.

He looked at the person in his arms, his Taehyung, his partner, his home. 

A thought crossed his mind. The dream of 20 year old Jungkook. 

A cozy house, with a partner and two dogs. A fireplace for warmth, and a blanket sprawled across the couch. A backyard with flowers and vegetables, and a small football court. A kitchen filled with warmth and laughter. A place he would come back to every night. 

Home

He smiled, realising he had it all now, he had achieved it all, and that, today he was finally happy. 

Taehyung looked around, feeling Jungkook’s arms tighten around him, feeling himself let loose at the sensation, humming, pleased. His eyes took in the warm living room, the warms littered with photos of him, Jungkook and his mother, sometimes a few with Uncle Sungwoo and Hae-un, all smiles, all happy.

A happy family. 

He smiled, realising he had gotten what he had always yearned for.

He turned around, looking at Jungkook who already had his eyes on him, soft, tender and filled with love. 

“Thank you,” He mumbled, Jungkook smiling as he pulled the elder closer, taking in his strawberry scent- of his perfume, of his shampoo, everything- breathing it in deeply. 

“Thank you,” Jungkook replied, looking around the house before his eyes settled back on Taehyung, smiling. 

And in the silence, two hearts spoke, entangled like the tiger-lily on Jungkook’s arm, and the winter-sweet on Taehyung’s collar-bone.

Awake, Alive, Living. Loving. Together, for a long long time to come.