{downhill}

10:58am

Jungkook and Taehyung sat side by side on the living room floor, leaning into each other as their eyes trained on the television screen. They had dragged the duvet out into the main area, pulling it over their heads like a protective barrier from the outside world as they sat cross legged on the carpet. 

Outside the wind howled against the windows, the rain coming down fast as the occasional rubble from the sky pulled their attention away from the movie. 

Neither of them had spoken about that kiss... it's not like they were regretting it, but more so they didn't feel the need to talk about it. Jungkook had never been in a real relationship, he didn't even feel a big need for it, so as long as Taehyung was by his side he was happy enough with just the male's company. 

The television screen lit up the two boy's faces as they watched the characters move about. And even though it was a horror movie, Jungkook had a bored expression on his face. Things were always too predictable in these kinds of films... each character would be killed off one by one until only one or two remained. He let out a quiet chuckle with a smug smirk on his face. 

Seated beside him, Taehyung reached into the popcorn bowl, tossing a few pieces into his mouth. Jungkook would've found it annoying, but the storm outside was muffling the boy's chewing and moving about. It was obvious that Taehyung was just as bored as he was, the blue haired male looking down at his phone with a frown. 

Jungkook rose a brow, reaching over the male's form as he dug a hand inside the popcorn bowl, "Who are you texting?" He asked, tossing the food into his mouth before leaning back on his hands. 

Taehyung heaved a sigh as he switched off his phone, "I was texting Jimin... but he stopped replying all of a sudden."

"Maybe he's talking with Yoongi."

"Probably." Taehyung shrugged, eyes flickering back up to the horror movie on screen. 

Jungkook's boredom only droned on as the movie continued, the jump scares less scary then even the thunder and hammering rain outside. Sweeping a hand through his hair, Jungkook pursed his lips, "This movie's dumb- HEY!?" Jungkook flinched back as he felt popcorn hit the side of his face. 

Taehyung only laughed, "Wasn't it you who suggested it in the first place?" He reached inside the popcorn bowl once again, fishing out another piece before tossing it at Jungkook's face. 

The brunette dodged just in the nick of time, "Don't deny that you're just as bored!" Jungkook chuckled, a bright grin working its way across his face as he shielded his face from Taehyung's random popcorn attacks. 

It was safe to say a full blown popcorn war broke out... well... more like a one sided war. Both men shot to their feet, but Taehyung was the only one with a bowl of popcorn, shielding it protectively in his arms as he tossed piece after piece of popcorn in Jungkook's direction. 

He found himself snorting a laugh as Jungkook cursed with each piece that managed to hit him, advancing forwards slowly as the other began to retreat. But the tables were quick to turn as Jungkook let out a humorous war cry, charging forwards as Taehyung let out a high pitched screech. 

The popcorn bowl was sent flying into the air as Jungkook took a hold of Taehyung's wrists, sending them both flying off their feet and landing onto the soft carpet. Taehyung's back hit the floor, the male laughing too hard to care about the slight pain. Jungkook's hands were positioned either side of Taehyung's head, and when the male finally snapped out of his state of laughter he froze at the close proximity. 

Taehyung watched as Jungkook swallowed thickly, adams apple bobbing in his throat. It sent a shiver down the back of Taehyung's spine just watching the way Jungkook looked at him from on top. 

They simply stopped and stared, studying each other's every feature before finally Taehyung pulled his mind elsewhere, parting his lips to speak, "We need more popcorn..."

Jungkook's eyes went wide before he quickly pushed himself back up into a seated position, watching as Taehyung straightened himself up. Jungkook's throat felt dry before he spoke, "Oh..." he licked his lips, "popcorn, sure."

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Taehyung stood back to his feet, "How about a trip to the store?"

-----

11:43am

Jungkook's hands tightened around the handles of the shopping trolly, the male struggling to turn a few corners with the added weight of Taehyung inside the basket. With a freshly opened lollypop in his hand, Taehyung enjoyed the candy, eyes scanning the junk food isle with precision until he spotted exactly what he wanted. 

"There!" Taehyung exclaimed, causing Jungkook to stop as he pointed the lollipop in the direction of the chip packets. The metal rungs of the shopping trolly were beginning to grow uncomfortable, so Taehyung instead lay on his back, resulting in his legs hanging over the edge. 

Jungkook simply shook his head, but didn't fail to suppress an airy chuckle as he stopped the trolly, reaching out as he grabbed a handful of chip packets. He turned back to the trolly, acting like a basketball player as he lobbed each packet into the basket, causing Taehyung to mutter a few curse words under his breath as each one landed against his stomach. He didn't directly complain though, instead ripping into one of the packets of chips. 

Jungkook rolled his eyes, "Shouldn't we wait until after we've left the store?"

Throwing a handful of salt and vinegar chips into his mouth, Taehyung gave a careless shrug, "There's no rules about it." He shoved his hand back inside the chip packet, the rustling of the bag and the awful smell of the salt causing Jungkook's nose to crinkle. 

Jungkook let out a huff, "Whatever, as long as you pay for them..." he ran a hand through his hair before slamming his head against the handles with a groan, "I don't have enough money for all of this..." 

Taehyung's expression remained unchanged as he tossed a few more chips into his mouth, "That's fine, I can steal like half of it."

Jungkook paused, blinking a few times to make sure he heard Taehyung correctly, "Did you just say... steal?"

"Yeah." Taehyung muttered, "Why are you so surprised? You've literally gotten away with murder-"

Jungkook gritted his teeth as he flew forwards, snatching a few chips out from Taehyung's packet before shoving them in the male's mouth, "Shut up would you!" He hissed under his breath. He straightened himself back up as Taehyung erupted into a coughing fit. 

Jungkook sighed, "Since when were you such a master thief anyways?"

"Uh... since like, forever?" Taehyung's expression changed as he let out an awkward chuckle. 

Jungkook rose a brow, folding his arms over his chest. "Spill."

Drawing in a deep breath, there was a moment of hesitation from Taehyung before he placed his bag of chips aside, sitting up inside the shopping trolly, "Okay, okay... everyone else knows the story so I may as well tell you." He muttered, ruffling the back of his hair as he heaved a sigh. "I've told you that I came from a rich household... the perfect life you know?"

Jungkook softened his stance, "Yeah... kinda figured from your sense of fashion." 

Taehyung gave a light chuckle before he continued, "At sixteen, I came out as gay and my parents being the unaccepting type kicked me to the curb." He let out a breath, resting his head in his hands, "I was forced to live on the streets at a young age, so I turned to stealing..." His lips rose into a sad smile, "I discovered that I had a talent for sweet talking people into helping me and giving me free meals."

Jungkook's lips parted in awe, "No wonder you're a good lure."

"Yeah... I've got a way with words I guess." He replied, pausing before he continued to speak, "It was a year later Hoseok caught me on surveillance sweet talking a cashier... I walked away with a wad of cash I snuck from the register." 

Jungkook drew in a breath, "Impressive~"

Taehyung responded with a sigh, "I guess Hoseok saw my potential and took me in."

With a smirk, Jungkook jutted his hip to the side, "You don't strike me as a past professional criminal." 

Taehyung gave a smug grin, "That's what made me so good at it."

The two of them laughed, lightening the serious mood as they continued to make their way from isle to isle. This time however, Taehyung had jumped out of the shopping trolly, making as much room as possible for the food that kept piling up. He hummed a small tune under his breath as he pulled things from their shelves, examining the packaging before tossing it behind him into the trolly.  

Still pushing the trolly along, Jungkook watched Taehyung from behind and found a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. For the first time maybe ever, he'd genuinely been enjoying himself alongside another person. Maybe this is why he enjoyed Taehyung's company so much. Jungkook wanted to fall in love with someone that he could have fun with for not a day, but for a lifetime. He wanted someone he could stumble through life with whilst laughing along the way. He never thought he'd ever get a second chance at loving someone... and to be honest... he was scared of screwing things up again. But he was ready. Finally Jungkook could say it...

That he wanted to be with Taehyung. 

Catching up to the blue haired male, Jungkook watched as Taehyung threw another item into the basket, "What about you?" Taehyung asked, turning around to face the younger. He placed his hands on the front of the trolly, stopping Jungkook from moving it any further, "I've been kinda wondering since forever... but how did you escape from the crime syndicate?"

Jungkook wasn't too surprised by Taehyung's question... it was something he'd been asked since day one of being with Bangtan, and seeing as he could trust the gang, he saw no problems in sharing how he escaped. So resting his arms over the handlebar of the trolly, he parted his lips to speak-

But not a single word made it past his lips

because instead he froze...

Eyes growing impossibly wide as his gaze fell past Taehyung and to the man standing outside the front window of the store. 

Jungkook felt his lungs burn as he struggled to control his breaths, hands trembling before he dug his nails deep into the palms of his hands to suppress his fear. His legs were frozen in place as his gaze remained glued to the man standing outside under the umbrella...

Those eyes, so void of emotion sent Jungkook's stomach twisting... because this time, 

Those eyes were locked dead on target.

His father's eyes were giving a glare that was freezing Jungkook's bones, like being left out in the middle of a hailstorm where every chunk of ice was a frosted dagger cutting into his skin. For half a second, they both stood in place, staring at each other. Jungkook wanted to back away so bad but like an invisible chain around his neck his breath fell short as his father's eyes sent him a glare of murderous intent...

Oh god... Jungkook watched as those lips rose into a sinister smirk - smiling as if something good were about to happen. The world fell through his feet. Good for him was likely bad for Jungkook. Very bad.

Noticing Jungkook's trance-like state, Taehyung waved a hand in front of his eyes, "Kook?" He did it again, "Jungkook... are you okay-" He gasped as Jungkook snatched his hands into his own, squeezing them in the slightest as his eyes didn't waver from the store window. Taehyung went to turn around but was stopped as Jungkook placed his hands against his shoulders, leaning in close, 

"Wait here." Jungkook spoke, but there was something distant about his tone... something that just didn't sit right with Taehyung. 

Jungkook dropped his arms back to his side, balling his hands into tight fists as he drew in a shaky breath, 

"I'm stepping outside for a moment."

------------------------------------------

{Author Note}

Omg I just finished watching the Namseok Vlive and the minute Namjoon picked up the hot glue gun I was chanting, "Don't burn yourself, Don't burn yourself, Don't burn yourself, Don't burn yourself!" I swear I was holding my breath every time he almost knocked over paint, and even the ARMY bomb dropped at one stage and I was like ahhhhhhh Jooonieeeeeeee.