Quick, strained breaths rippled through the spacious gym as Taehyung let himself collapse onto the padded floor. He stretched out like a starfish, chest heaving, his boxing gloves still strapped to his hands as if he didn’t have the strength to take them off. 

Close to him, Jungkook stood unaffected, sweat rolling down the sharp angles of his jaw as he pulled his gloves off. His breathing was shallow too, but nowhere near Taehyung’s wheezing. He smiled softly at Taehyung’s dramatic behavior, finding him adorable as always. “You know you shouldn’t collapse like that,” Jungkook scolded in a lighthearted tune as he crouched next to him, leaning on one knee. “You should walk it off—”

“—until my breath stabilizes, yeah, whatever,” Taehyung completed the sentence for him — a sentence he had heard countless of times in the past. He inhaled sharply, then pushed the air out as if preparing for the most difficult task. “I can’t stand up.”

A snort escaped Jungkook, mixed with amusement and fondness. He hooked his hands under Taehyung’s shoulders and heaved him upright. Taehyung groaned in protest, his muscles screaming with the effort, but he yielded. 

Jungkook reached for Taehyung’s hand, taking his gloves off for him. “At least sit like this. I’ll bring your water bottle.”

Still panting, Taehyung cracked a smile. “Thanks.”

Jungkook swiftly jumped to his feet and retrieved Taehyung’s water bottle and towel from the counter to his left. He took a moment to swipe his own towel across his neck and face, gulped down a few sips of water, and returned to Taehyung. 

Jungkook sank down onto the floor next to him, passing him the bottle and towel. “Your stamina is getting better, even if you don’t realize it,” he said, watching as Taehyung wiped his sweat-drenched face. “We sparred for a whole hour today.”

“Then why do I feel like I’m dying at the end every time?”

“Because I keep pushing you a bit more every time,” Jungkook said, a coltish smile tugging at his lips as he flicked a finger under Taehyung’s chin. 

Taehyung chuckled, the deep timbre of his laugh steadying as his breathing evened out. “You always push me to be better.” His gaze softened on Jungkook, the teasing atmosphere turning into something sweeter. “Thank you.”

Jungkook’s eyes twinkled with fondness as he brushed a hand through Taehyung’s damp hair, letting it rest on his nape. The intense eye contact connected them in a way that made their hearts rattle, awakening deep-buried unsaid matters and concerns for Jungkook. 

Jungkook’s gaze plunged as a fog of hesitation clouded his vision. His stomach twisted in nervousness only at the thought of voicing out what raced across his mind in maddening circles. 

Taehyung frowned, the sudden change unsettling him. “What is it?”

At the soothing voice that coiled around his ears, Jungkook found the courage to look up again, binding their gazes. “Can we talk... about us?” His heart leaped in anxiety the moment the words tumbled out of him, clueless about how Taehyung would react. 

“I mean,” Jungkook continued, his voice hushed and hesitant, “we destroyed Woosung’s businesses, and although we don’t know what will happen yet, I want... I want to beg for your forgiveness and try to win you back and—”

Taehyung set a hand on Jungkook’s cheek, his touch tender yet firm. He recognized the mixture of hesitation and restlessness that raged in Jungkook’s eyes, though his own remained soft, with affection spilling from the edges. “And?” he urged him delicately, a constant, loving smile anchored on his lips. 

“And... start fixing us,” Jungkook uttered, the desperation clawing at his chest affecting his voice. “And I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

Taehyung’s gaze slid to Jungkook’s lips as he leaned in, the gap between them reducing to mingled breaths. He could feel the warmth of his skin under his palm, smell his flowery scent tangled with the tang of sweat. 

The world around them faded away at the first caress of their mouths, strong and slow. Deep, so they could really feel it. Feel the way their lips fitted together like two puzzle pieces, the heat, the sweetness, the unbroken connection of their hearts. It was all there, even after five years of torture. 

Jungkook’s body melted in goosebumps as their tongues brushed together, as if a blast of static electricity shocked through him and left him fried. His hand on Taehyung’s nape tugged him closer, an unbreakable anchor as their kiss grew needier. 

A flurry of moans spilled from both, the heat enclosing them blooming into a wildfire. Their tongues kept colliding in a dance of pure want, their lips pressing so hard their jaws ached. They didn’t intend to enkindle the other — the fierceness of their actions stemmed only by their bottled-up longing and desperation. 

So many sleepless nights, so many tears of excruciating agony, so many days spent apart. They were all burned away in the blaze of their love, forgotten in the familiarity they found in each other. 

Kissing so deeply, so desperately, was like returning home. A solace that the days of heartbreak had ended. A promise of never repeating the same mistakes, of sharing everything, of being there, always. It was a kiss signaling their new beginning, armed with the knowledge from past mistakes and deeper understanding. 

It was bone-deep love, that kiss. 

Their lungs burned from their rapid breathing as they broke apart. Their lips, reddened and glistening with spit, remained inches away as they took a moment to assimilate what had just happened. All they could hear was the pounding of their hearts, their vision swimming in haziness, just like their minds. 

Taehyung swallowed hard, pulling back enough to blend their gazes. “You don’t have to beg for my forgiveness,” he uttered, delicate and raspy, as he skimmed Jungkook’s cheek with a tender thumb. “I have already forgiven you. I know you didn’t want to leave me. I know how much you suffered. I understand why you couldn’t tell me anything. So no more apologies. Only hugs and kisses.”

His words sobered Jungkook up like a splash of cold water. Fondness curled the corner of his lips in a little smile, his gaze exuding a notion of gratefulness threaded with ultimate bliss. “I love you, Tae,” he whispered. “I always will.” 

Taehyung’s eyes glimmered, his own lips forming a tender smile. “I love you too. And I always will.”

Both smiled harder, their hearts full of relief and joy and love, feeling as if they would explode. The tension that had lingered between them dissolved, replaced by a warmth that flooded every part of them. They drew closer in unison, wanting to seal their confessions with kisses, but three knocks on the door immobilized them. 

“Jungkook-ssi? Taehyung-ssi?” Minji’s voice called from outside, ending their sweet moment sooner than they wanted. 

Jungkook sighed, but stole a peck from Taehyung before turning his head toward the door. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Minji said apologetically, her voice muffled through the door. “Two officers are waiting in the living room to talk to you.”

The two shared a look, concerned about how fast the police came to visit them. That only meant one thing; Woosung wasn’t talking. 

“We’ll be right there,” Jungkook said. “Thank you.”

As the sound of retreating footsteps echoed down the hall, Taehyung set a hand over Jungkook’s, gazing at him with a twinkle of worry in his eyes. “We know nothing, right?”

Jungkook squeezed Taehyung’s hand, a tender action meant to soothe him. “Yes. Don’t worry, Tae. They don’t have evidence to link us to the attacks.”

Taehyung nodded as a long sigh fell from his lips. “Let’s go.”

And they did. They lifted to their feet, heading out of the gym side by side. When they entered the living room, two officers sat on the couch, their postures formal but their expressions neutral. Jungkook and Taehyung bowed respectfully as they approached.

“Hello,” Jungkook greeted, a solemn look carpeting his traits. “Should we go change first? We’re sweaty from training.”

“We don’t mind,” the lead detective, Suhyun, said with a polite but firm smile. “It won’t take long, anyway.”

Jungkook and Taehyung sat on the adjacent couch, Jungkook’s back straight and gaze focused, radiating a quiet confidence. Taehyung mirrored his demeanor, though his fingers tapped on his thigh lightly, no matter his effort to come out as calm. 

“I’m Detective Woo Suhyun,” the lead introduced himself, his voice low and grave.

“And I’m Detective Park Hanjoo,” added the other officer, his tone lighter but equally professional.

“We’re here to ask you a few questions,” Suhyun continued. “Is that okay?”

“Sure,” Jungkook replied smoothly, his expression a facade of mannered placidity. “About what?” 

“What do you know about the attacks that occurred early this morning on Kim Woosung’s businesses?” Suhyun asked. 

Jungkook’s eyes narrowed slightly, pretending confusion. “What attacks?”

“Someone burned to the ground every business Woosung has and his house. What do you know about this?”

“Nothing,” Jungkook said, his response quick, as if rehearsed. 

“Nothing?” Suhyun echoed, lifting a brow in suspicion. His partner observed quietly, his sharp eyes darting between the two men. “Really?”

“Yes. Nothing.”

For a moment, silence reigned over them, the tension thick as the detectives studied their faces. Jungkook’s composure remained unshaken, but the faint creases on Taehyung’s forehead betrayed a sliver of unease.

“So you weren’t involved?” Suhyun challenged, pressing further for the truth. 

“No.”

Jungkook’s bland responses fed into the incredulity deep rooted in Suhyun’s chest. “Do you know Gu Minseok?”

“Yes. He’s a businessman. Our competitor.”

“Do you know him personally?”

“No.”

“Woosung said it was Minseok who attacked his businesses. Did he have a reason to do it?”

“Of course,” Jungkook said in the same measured tone he was using since the moment they started talking. “Woosung had put his men plenty of times to attack Minseok’s businesses. It was about time to get his revenge.”

“I see,” Suhyun said, absorbing Jungkook’s words with a string of nods. “Do you know where he is?”

“How would I know? I’ve never talked to him.”

“What about you, Taehyung-ssi?” Hanjoo asked, examining him in depth with laser-like eyes. “Have you ever talked to him? Do you know where he is?”

“No, and no,” Taehyung said, his voice calm despite the tension that had seeped into his posture. 

Leaning forward, Suhyun rested his elbows on his thighs, his drilling stare shifting between the two. “How about you start telling us the truth now?”

A mild firmness clutched at Jungkook’s face, though he obscured it with a baffled look. “What do you mean? We are telling you the truth.”

“You two were behind the attacks.”

“What?” Taehyung blurted out, alarm braising in his gut. “Says who?”

“Woosung.”

Another round of silence hung around them, the heavy, the deafening kind that sped up Taehyung’s heartbeat and planted another seed of suspicion into Suhyun’s chest. 

Jungkook cleared his throat, willing his composure to come back to him. “Woosung said we were behind it?”

“Yes,” Suhyun confirmed. “He claims you have been working for Minseok for the past five years, and Taehyung convinced you to help him bring Woosung down.”

Taehyung’s heart pounded harder, his mind swirling. How the hell did Woosung know all this? They should’ve called Minseok before training, as planned, to check on him and ask what they talked about with Woosung in his office. 

“Well,” Jungkook said nonchalantly, breaking the pause, “he’s lying. I’ve never met Minseok, and we had nothing to do with this.”

“We’ll see about that,” Suhyun said. “This morning, someone left a bag of hard drives at the police station with a note. The note claimed Woosung killed Jeon Jaesuk and his first wife. What do you know about this?”

“It’s true. My dad was blackmailing Woosung, and he couldn’t take it anymore, he had said.”

Suhyun’s vision narrowed on Jungkook with an inkling of eagerness. Finally, they found someone to give them information about the horrendous case that fell into their hands. They could tell they wouldn’t get a word out of Woosung about his crimes. “What was he blackmailing Woosung with?”

“A video. A video of Woosung strangling his first wife twenty-eight years ago.”

“Do you have it?”

“Yes. I was planning to give this to you, anyway. I know the statute of limitations has expired—”

“There is no statute of limitations for murder,” Suhyun interjected sharply, shaking his head. 

Taehyung’s eyes grew rounder with a cocktail of shock and hope, his breath catching in his throat. “What? He can... He can be trialed for murdering my mother?”

Suhyun recognized how important this new information seemed to be for Taehyung and his expression softened, sympathizing with him. “Yes, Taehyung-ssi.”

The words struck Taehyung like a wave, his chest tightening with an overwhelming blend of emotions. Without hesitation, he turned to Jungkook and draped his arms around his form, squeezing him into his hug. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered, a shaky breath falling from his lips. “He’ll pay for what he did to my mother.”

Jungkook rubbed his back in soothing lines as he hummed softly, a mix of relief and grief binding them together. “Yes, Tae. He will.”

Suhyun allowed the moment to pass before pressing on. “Are you two willing to testify?”

“Of course,” Jungkook said as he drew back from the warm embrace. 

“What other evidence do you have?”

“Taehyung has a recording of his father admitting to both murders. I know it’s illegal evidence, but at least you’ll believe us.” 

“Why didn’t you come to the police earlier?”

“Woosung is too dangerous. Not long ago, he tried to kidnap my sister because he wanted me to give him the evidence I have. I didn’t want to go against him while he still had the power to hurt my family. Now... he has nothing left. No power to put his men to do anything. He has no men. No money. No businesses. No house. Nothing.”

Suhyun regarded him silently, the weight of Jungkook’s words settling between them. “I see. Can you bring us the video?”

Jungkook nodded and stood. “I’ll go get it.” He disappeared toward the stairs, leaving Taehyung alone with the detectives.

Suhyun’s eyes anchored on Taehyung, analyzing the remains of hope that lingered on his characteristics. “Woosung is your father. And someone destroyed all of his businesses. It doesn’t bother you?”

Taehyung sharpened his focus, pushing aside any distractions. He was still in an interrogation, and a single mistake could put both him and Jungkook behind bars. “Why would it bother me? The man I called my father my whole life is a monster. He’s ruined so many lives. I think it’s only fair that he loses everything, too.”

“You hate him,” Suhyun observed, his tone neutral but probing.

“Yes.”

“Of course you do. He killed your mother. He killed your boyfriend’s father. So you have a solid motive.” 

“Motive? For what?”

“To plan this attack on him.”

Taehyung’s eyes flickered, avoiding Suhyun’s piercing gaze. “Woosung has a lot of enemies. He brought this to himself.”

Before Suhyun could respond, Jungkook returned, holding a small USB drive. “There’s also Taehyung’s recording on this,” he said, handing it over.

Suhyun took it, slipping it into a secure pouch. “Thank you. If there’s anything else you want to share, call us anytime,” he said as he placed a card on the coffee table.

“Just make sure Woosung will never be able to get out of jail.”

Suhyun nodded in acknowledgement to Jungkook’s remark and rose to his feet, with Hanjoo copying his movements. “We’ll do our best to gather enough evidence.”

As Jungkook and Taehyung bowed their heads, the two detectives shuffled away and soon exited the house. 

“Do you think they believed us?” Taehyung asked, worry lacing his words. 

“Not completely. They’re definitely suspecting us. But without evidence, they can do nothing about it.”

Knowing Jungkook was right, Taehyung sighed, fragments of his restlessness oozing out of him with the puff of air. “Let’s go take a shower and relax a bit.”

“Perfect idea,” Jungkook said, leaning over to plant a peck on Taehyung’s cheek. 

They moved upstairs and split ways when they reached their rooms. Each took a quick shower, craving to curl up together and drown out the world in each other’s warmth.

Dressed in comfy clothes, Taehyung hurried to Jungkook’s room, his damp hair leaving dark droplets on his shirt. He hadn’t bothered to dry it properly, too eager to bury himself in Jungkook’s embrace. 

As Taehyung reached the room, he paused, stopping himself from barging inside. He instead knocked and waited until Jungkook’s soft voice instructed him to enter. 

Taehyung stepped inside, noting how the rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room with their warmth. Jungkook was sitting on the bed in casual clothes, his damp hair tousled and curling at the edges, as he observed Taehyung edging closer.

“Why did you knock?” Jungkook asked, his lips curving into a curious smile.

“I didn’t want to just barge in. What if you were naked?”

A huff buzzed at the back of Jungkook’s throat as he took hold of Taehyung’s hand. “As if you haven’t seen me naked like a million times.” He lay on his side, pulling Taehyung with him, and adjusted his pillow to get comfortable, curling an arm around Taehyung’s waist. 

Smiling, Taehyung looped his arms around him too, bringing their bodies closer. “True,” he uttered with a blissful sigh as the comfort and security he experienced in Jungkook’s embrace was like no other. “We’re together again. I’m your boyfriend. I can see you naked anytime I want.”

Jungkook snatched Taehyung’s adorable face and smashed a long kiss on his soft lips, a smooching sound bouncing around the walls. The action induced honeyed giggles from Taehyung, and Jungkook couldn’t help but chuckle too, struggling to keep their mouths connected. 

They pulled back slightly, their lips still stretched into tender smiles. “You’re not just my boyfriend,” Jungkook said with the same fondness that gripped at his heart, brushing their noses together. “You’re my man. The love of my life. My other half. My happiness. My home. My family. My everything.”

Taehyung’s whole being overflowed with adoration, so much it bubbled over, pouring from his gaze in a vehement stream. He laid a gentle hand on Jungkook’s cheek, his thumb tracing slow, feathery lines over it. “You have no idea how much I love you. I’m so happy, Kookie. I didn’t think I would ever be this happy again.”

Jungkook tilted forward, claiming his lips in a short yet tender kiss. His hand traveled on Taehyung’s back in unhurried caresses, their chests pressed together. “Me neither,” he uttered, a sudden gravity spiraling through his tone — a twinge of remaining sadness that lurked in the shadows of his core.

“Staying away from you was the hardest thing I have ever done,” Jungkook continued with the same quiet voice, as if the said sadness prevented him from raising it. “You don’t know how many times I tried to come back to you. But my friends stopped me, telling me I would endanger Sung Ryung and Jiyu. And they were right. I just... couldn’t stand being away from you anymore.”

Melancholy highlighted Taehyung’s smile, threaded with understanding. It dimmed the vibrancy of his eyes, but not the fondness that twinkled in them. “It’s good they stopped you. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened to Sung Ryung or Jiyu because of us.”

Jungkook nodded, his grip on Taehyung tightening slightly. “Me neither.”

Taehyung readjusted his grip, holding onto Jungkook’s waist loosely. “Do you mind telling me about the day you left and your life in England?”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Jungkook rushed to say. “I want to tell you everything.”

The oppression surrounding them mitigated, allowing a sweet coziness to preponderate. Jungkook carried on stroking Taehyung’s back slowly, pecking his irresistible lips before he spoke again. “That day, Woosung asked me to go to his office. He told me he had killed my father and that he wanted me to disappear from your life. Everything he said just didn’t make sense.”

Taehyung listened intently, Jungkook’s soothing voice sounding like music to his ears, even though his words unveiled painful memories. Taehyung didn’t experience the unbearable agony he had expected while listening to Jungkook. Instead, he found himself eager to learn more, to fill the void of unanswered questions that had haunted him for five long years. 

“I went home and talked to my mother,” Jungkook continued, feeling a similar eagerness to share everything. “I packed a bag and came to meet you. Lying to you was agonizing. It broke me. But I knew it was the only way to keep Sung Ryung and Jiyu safe. I also had to find out what Woosung was looking for.”

“How did you know Minseok had the USB?”

“I didn’t know. My mom said my dad had been going to England a lot more often. I figured he went there to meet Minseok. So I just went to England to talk to him.”

Taehyung hummed, letting a moment of silence flow by. “How was it there?”

“Depressing.”

Taehyung snorted, his smiling lips pressing onto Jungkook’s mouth gently. “What was depressing?”

“Everything. Even the weather.” Jungkook relished the suave chuckle Taehyung released and copied it, his heart feeling lighter in Taehyung’s presence despite the gravity of their conversation.

“I was miserable,” Jungkook said, the laughter fading into a gentle smile. “I didn’t want to go out. I didn’t want to do anything. But I had to work to prove my skills to Minseok. I became the best in a few months.”

“Of course you did,” Taehyung murmured, cupping Jungkook’s smooth cheek with a gentleness that made Jungkook’s heart flutter. “You’re always the best in everything you do.”

Jungkook reveled in Taehyung’s compliment even more than he should, thanking him with a sweet kiss on his lips. “Now I want to be the best at loving you and taking care of you. I promise I’ll never leave you again.”

“I know, baby bun,” Taehyung said in a whispering tune, brimming with affection. “And you’re already the best in that, too. I feel so loved, as if we never parted. I want you to know that I trust you the most. Don’t feel like you have to reassure me that you won’t leave again. I know you won’t.”

Jungkook’s chest bloated with a deep inhalation and steadily flattened as he expelled the pent-up air. He reached out, brushing a damp strand of hair away from Taehyung’s face, his fingers lingering for a beat on his temple. “Thank you, baby bear.”

A loving smile swept across Taehyung’s traits as he squeezed Jungkook against his body. His expression was open, his gaze warm as it traced the curve of Jungkook’s lips, the soft slope of his nose, the spark of tenderness and pure bliss in his eyes. 

“Remember the first time we had sex?” Taehyung asked, the loving memory flavoring his voice with nostalgia. 

“I remember every single thing from that night.”

“We were such a disaster.”

“Come on, it was cute!” Jungkook opposed in a mildly whiny tune, playful. “And fun. And hot.”

“Yeah, it was a little bit of everything,” Taehyung agreed, a muted chuckle popping out of him. “That was the first time you called me baby bear.”

“And you laughed!”

Heaps of laughter erupted from Taehyung’s mouth as he tilted his head back, his eyes screwing shut. The sound was infectious, effortlessly making Jungkook join him in his fit of chuckles. 

Taehyung collected himself enough to respond, “Yes, because you were balls-deep inside me, Kookie, and you suddenly said—”

“God, don’t remind me,” Jungkook cut him off, burying his face into his hands in sheer embarrassment. 

“‘My baby bear feels so good,’” Taehyung continued anyway, a teasing hue coiling around his words. “I was so confused for a moment. I didn’t know that was the pet name you came up with for me.”

Taehyung felt the vibration of Jungkook’s groan against his chest and couldn’t choke down his giggle. He twined his fingers around Jungkook’s wrists, lowering his hands with little struggle. 

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Taehyung said, battling against another burst of laughter at how endearing Jungkook’s pouty face was. “I came to love that pet name. It’s cute. You had just introduced it at the wrong moment.”

Jungkook snorted, his embarrassment making way for the fondness that piled up on his chest. “Yeah, you’re right. I love all our memories. And I can’t wait to make more with you.” 

A beam broke out on Taehyung’s face, so bright and joyful. He pulled Jungkook closer, their foreheads touching as their breaths mingled in the scant space between them. Jungkook reacted at once, wrapping his arms around Taehyung, holding him securely as if afraid to ever let go. 

Their hearts pulsed as one, with the same intensity, swamped with love. They stayed like that, gazing into each other’s eyes, speaking volumes without a single word. In the warmth of their bed, wrapped in their shared silence, every hurtful memory was effaced forever, leaving only their iron-strong love blooming anew. 

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I love their love in this book... Two chapters left⏳💜