Taehyung wakes from the bright light coming from his balcony and subtle sounds of birds chirping outside, and not by his alarm clock this time. It's gladly a Sunday and Taehyung is not obligated to go to work today. He's happy he's not obligated to go out and meet people.

He yawns not so discreetly and stretches his numb limbs on his bed, cracking some bones along. Then after, he falls his dead weight back on the bed lying immobile and stares on his beige colored ceiling.

He remembers the night before, when he and Jungkook talked. That man is truly persistent that Taehyung can no longer enjoy the luxury of having a balcony in his own condo unit. The raven haired male is like a ghost that would appear every time Taehyung would sneak on his own balcony. Taehyung concludes that he can't easily get rid of his neighbor.

He sighs and gathers the brick of his inner walls back together. He knows Jungkook had tried to ask forgiveness both through his words and his actions, but it won't be that easy. He asks himself: when would he forgive Jungkook? Or would he ever forgive him?

No.

Says a part of his brain. I would never.

Taehyung comes to an agreement with himself once again and finishes the walls up for himself.

It's still too early to think of nonsense things.

He shrugs his shoulders and slowly gets up from his bed, enjoying the free time he has at the moment and goes to the bathroom to take a shower.

Finishing his morning routine, he leisurely changes in comfy clothes (sweater, pajamas and slippers) then goes to his kitchen to cook himself some breakfast.

The brunette goes to check his refrigerator, only to see that it has barely having contents, only milk and water. He goes to open the cupboards, but was only greeted with a box of powdered chocolate drink. He frowns as he remembers he hadn't gone grocery shopping last time, that's why.

Taehyung stares at his kitchen in a heartbreaking manner and slowly backs away from the place. There was a low grumbling sound coming from the brunette's stomach, and he just can't ignore it.

He has no choice but to go out and head to the ground floor for that one restaurant in this building. He hasn't tried anything from there yet, but he'll give a try since he doesn't want to ruin his morning from being hungry.

Taehyung sighs, so much of not going out and meet people today.

Quickly, he gathers his wallet, keys, and phone in his hands, and heads toward the door. He walks through the empty hallway of the top floor while reading a text from Yoongi about a song he wanted to produce.

"Good morning."

Taehyung hears the familiar voice of his nightmares and stops in his tracks, his irritation arising. He didn't look up and answer though, what's the point?

"Where are you headed to, Mr. Kim?"

No answer still. Taehyung proceeds on walking again, without lifting his head and eyes still on his phone.

"You wanna grab some breakfast? We could go down together. I'll just shower a bit and change." Jungkook hurriedly adds.

Wow, this dude has the audacity to talk like we're close friends. Taehyung still didn't answer, pretending no one's there. He proceeds to walk away quickly when Jungkook suddenly holds his arm to stop him.

"Mr. Kim-"

"What?!"

Taehyung shouts in irritation, but that irritation suddenly fades away when he's greeted by a hot and sweaty Jungkook. Now that he finally looks up to face the said male, only does he realize how gorgeous the raven head looks at the moment.

The man in front of him is in his thin white tshirt and black shorts with matching running shoes. The thin fabric of his shirt is soaked in sweat and is sticking to his body, showing the outline of his chocolate abs. His one arm outstretched from holding on to Taehyung and the veins in his hand look visible, the other clutching a jacket he had worn during his jogging. Droplets of sweat trickle down the side of Jungkook's face to his jaw to his neck to his collarbones...then disappearing underneath the collar of his shirt.

Taehyung hears the other clear his throat and he stupidly looks finally to his face, only to see the devil smirking and enjoying the situation. He immediately yanks his arm from the raven head and walks away.

He can't believe he just stared at Jungkook like that! He doesn't want to believe it. He knows Jungkook looks so good and attractive with his hot bod okay? But of course, he would never tell him that.

So what if he's attractive? There are many guys out there who are more attractive and sexier than him.

A ding of the elevator snaps him from his thoughts again and he quickly gets inside, but then Jungkook starts to say something aloud so that Taehyung could hear.

"If you're really that hungry, I can be your breakfast, Mr. Kim."

The young Taehyung would blush at this, but not the older. Before the elevator doors close, he stared straight at Jungkook's eyes and bit back.

"I don't want you, Mr. Jeon. You're not worth it."

And as the doors move to close, the last Taehyung had seen is how Jungkook's smirk slowly morphs into a face of sadness.

+++

"Hyung, how many times do I have to tell you I don't wanna talk about it."

Taehyung says while clutching his phone to his ear. Apparently, it's late at night and he's still up fixing his things and checking the documents he will need for tomorrow's meeting.

And Yoongi adds to that by calling him about a certain song.

"We'll just try it, Tae. There's no harm in that. Your notebook has been kept in my safety eversince. And it would be a pity not to give this a try."

"Hyung, that's trash. Just let that go already." Taehyung rolls his eyes. Basically, the song was just pure trash.

"No. Tae I have to admit, you did pretty well in this song. My hands are itching to make this into a real track already."

"If you want, I can make another one. A new one. Not that. In fact, I have some drafts here-"

"Tae, I'm serious."

A pause.

"Hyung, please don't do this to me."

"This should be produced Taehyung! You know me, I'm quite strict in making songs, and I'm not kidding when I say I want to retouch and produce this."

"Hyung, you know I'm over him. Why bring this song back?"

"That's the point! You are over him, so there's no need to say no to doing this song." Yoongi paused for awhile and heaves a deep breath. "Or if you want, you can produce this, I'll just help you. Just don't let this Butterfly go."

A long pause. Then a sigh.

"I'll think about it, kay?"

"So this song is indeed about Jungkook huh? Okay. Just don't take too long."

Taehyung was close to whining when the sound of his doorbell echoes inside the flat and he doesn't know if he will curse at that someone who disturbs him at this hour, or thank him to save him.

"There's someone at the door, talk to you later hyung."

After bidding goodbye to his hyung and hanging up the phone, he walks to his door to open it, wondering who could it be.

"Hi"

Speaking of the devil. Taehyung surely frowns seeing his stubborn neighbor smiling so widely and happily, clutching something in his hands. Jungkook doesn't seem to stop disturbing Taehyung, and he is indeed persistent.

"What do you want?"

"I cooked dinner and there are so much extra food, so I thought I'll share some with you."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "I have already eaten." and as if on cue, his stomach started grumbling loudly.

"Oh? What was that?" And Taehyung wanted to slap him as the devil started smirking. The brunette was too caught up in his work that he didn't have the time to eat earlier.

"Mr. Kim, I advise you to take this."

"I said I have already eaten." Taehyung still insists.

"You being hungry and you being stubborn are two different things. In fact, I know this is late but this is my way of welcoming you in the neighborhood." Jungkook prods the dish on Taehyung's hands.

"I don't need this. I can cook by myself. And since when did you learn how to cook? I bet this tastes awful." Wow, that was a really low blow Kim. He looks at the covered dish on his hands and he can already smell jajangmyeon from it.

Jungkook laughs at his statement. "Nice try Mr. Kim. But I can see you salivating already. I don't mind being your appetizer."

Taehyung snaps his head to glare daggers at him. "I was considering to eat this awhile ago. Now I'm convinced this'll only end up in trash."

Jungkook's confident smile turns into worry and apologetic. "I mean, I also cooked some appetizers there. I was just joking."

Taehyung, still being a good citizen of this country, accepts the food even though the giver is the person he hates the most. It's not a good gesture to reject food.

"How can I be sure that you didn't put poison here? Because I suddenly remembered you hated me and wanted me gone back then."

Jungkook's smile completely fades away. Their light banter turning into an awkward silence.

The raven head didn't know what to say. There is Taehyung again, reminding him of how dick of a person he was.

The brunette also didn't know what to add to lessen the thick atmosphere. Especially when Jungkook is looking so tenderly at him.

"Taehyung, I'm sorry-"

"Welp! You're wasting my time. I have so many work to do. Gotta go."

Then Taehyung slams the door shut, leaving a baffled Jungkook.

He walks straight to his kitchen and debates with himself if he would eat the food. He considers it, and silently opens the container.

His mouth waters at the sight. It is indeed jajangmyeon, his favorite.

And what made him stare at the food for awhile was the said appetizer. Shaped in perfect circles and perfectly cooked into gold, are Mojos aligned neatly in a foil.

+++

8 years ago

"I love you."

Jungkook hears Taehyung whisper at his ear as he slumps down on the said male after their second round of passionate love making. Both are trying to catch their breaths, but Taehyung managed to blurt out the words.

It's the night of Taehyung's birthday, and they are currently snuggled against each other on the king sized bed. Taehyung was always brave to say those three words to him, but Jungkook was still afraid.

He can't bring himself to say it back when he's keeping a secret, especially when it involves Yugyeom. He wants to be free from guilt when he would say those words to Taehyung one day.

His heart aches as he feels so sorry. He knows how Taehyung wanted to hear those words from him too. But he's struggling on how to tell the truth to the other male. If he does, he knows he will break Taehyung's heart.

"I..."

"It's okay, I understand. I can wait." Taehyung smiles even though there's a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Jungkook just cups the brunette's face with his hand, and strokes his cheek. Then he kisses the brunette's lips once again, in hopes that Taehyung will get it as a silent message that he truly loves him.

+

"I heard your dad and your brother just came back from abroad."

Jungkook furrows his brows at what Yugyeom said.

"So?"

"Nothing. Just wanna remind you of something."

"And what is that?"

"My dad has a contact with your dad. I can easily call him and tell him something that he won't be too happy about."

"You-"

"Slow down, tiger. You don't want me to call straight to your father, right?"

"What do you want?" Jungkook said through gritted teeth.

Yugyeom smiles triumphantly. "I know you're heading to the library where your little geek is studying. I suggest you take him out for a date today. Your relationship has been boring lately."

"He needs to study-"

"Oh well, I'm gonna go head to dad's office."

"Yugyeom, please no.."

The said male stops and smirks. "Well?"

Jungkook looks at him with a pained expression. "Don't call dad please.. You know what he can do to him."

"Okay. I know a new ice cream parlor near the school. You want to bring him there?"

Jungkook just sighs.

+

Guilt is really eating Jungkook this time. He wants to beat himself up for not doing anything and watch Taehyung struggle in his studies. Several times did he follow Yugyeom by the said male's 'remember what I told you' when they pass by each other.

Jungkook is a coward puppet. He can't stand up for Tae.

He knows that.

But what can he do? He knows how his father gets angry, and he can't imagine what he will do to Taehyung if he finds out.

Maybe Taehyung is better off without him? He always bring misfortune to the brunette and he always hurt him. He doesn't deserve his kind and loving boyfriend at all.

As Jungkook sits on one side of his room, he looks at Taehyung's small figure. His eyes furrowing from concentration and his lips are slightly moving from reading a book. The poor boy has bags under his eyes and Jungkook's heart clenched at the sight.

What has he been doing?

Why was he easily persuaded by Yugyeom?

Jungkook knows his dad wants someone as rich as them, as dignified as them, and in the same status as them, to be suited for him. And he's afraid what would be his dad's reaction if he finds out his son is dating a low life.

But Jungkook can help Taehyung without his dad finding out.

He will stop this nonsense plan of Yugyeom, and he will help him this time.

He will stop being a coward and tell Taehyung everything after the contest or his game. Just not today, since the brunette needs to focus on his studies. He wants to be honest this time, and whatever reaction Taehyung will give, he will accept it wholeheartedly.

+

"Mrs. Choi, you're our adviser in this class right?" It's already past dismissal and students are heading home. Jungkook picks this opportunity to talk to the teacher.

"Oh good afternoon to you too Mr. Jeon. Of course I am. Seems like you're starting to pay attention in this class, am I right?"

Jungkook nods, not minding the way the teacher is talking to him. "And since Taehyung is your advisory student, you can help him right?"

Mrs. Choi furrows her brows and her lips morph into a thin line. "Can you go straight to the point, Mr. Jeon?"

"Uhm..can you help Tae win this contest, Ma'am? Tutor him, or give him idea about the quiz? Just... Anything."

"I'm not into favoritism, Mr. Jeon-"

"But you said Taehyung is your advisory student in the whole contest. You can be his coach and teach him."

Mrs. Choi looked worried for a while. "It could be easier if Taehyung is just the only representative, but there is also Yugyeom."

"Please help Taehyung, Ma'am. You're the only person whom I know can help him. I'm not smart as him or you, so please...just for the sake of him being your advisory student, Ma'am."

Mrs. Choi looks at him with what looks like sympathy, he's not sure. But he knows the teacher always have a soft spot for his boyfriend.

The teacher is silent, she looks like she's thinking deeply on what to do.

"Or at least you can give him tips or notes ma'am. He really needs it right now. I want him to win."

The teacher then gradually smiles at Jungkook. "You really love him huh?"

This time, Jungkook answers with pride. "Yes, I love him."

"Okay. I'll give him notes that includes topic that will possibly appear in the quiz. He needs to read it thoroughly okay?"

Jungkook sighs in relief and gives a huge bunny grin finally. "Thank you so much, ma'am."

Mrs. Choi laughs at the adorable boy. "You really improved, Jeon. Not only your grades became good, but your attitude too. What did Taehyung feed you?"

Jungkook blushes and smiles shyly at that, and just didn't answer. He just scratched his nape in bashfulness.

She sighed and smiled all the while too. "I'll make the notes tonight and you'll give them to Taehyung tomorrow. Just don't tell anybody about this okay?"

"Ma'am, can you give him the notes instead of me? I don't want him to find out I talked to you about this. He'll feel bad."

Mrs. Choi nods in agreement. "Okay I get it, Mr. Jeon. Young love these days."

But they didn't notice Jackson went inside the room to get a friend's bag while the two were busy talking.

+

"Jeon Jungkook"

Jungkook stops in his tracks in the middle of the staircase when he heard his father's voice calling.

The maknae gulps as he slowly faced his father who is standing at the bottom of the staircase. It's one of those rare days when his father is staying in the house doing business within the country.

"What?"

"Fix your manners. I had a phone call from the principal just this afternoon."

Fuck

Jungkook clenches his fist.

"And it was a pretty disappointing news."

Silence. Jungkook didn't dare answer him.

"Come here."

Jungkook obeyed his father in silence. Walking slowly to the elder like a kicked puppy.

"You already know my rules and you disobeyed me." The elder held out his hand. "You always disobey me. Now give me your phone."

Jungkook looks at him wide eyed. At this moment, he can't move. He grits his teeth and mumbles, "No."

"Give me your phone, young man. I want this to be calm as ever be. You don't want me to get angry, do you?" His dad said in a low voice and with an expressionless face. His doe eyes, that Jungkook had inherited from, is looking straight at him sternly, but with a hint of tiredness, probably from work.

Jungkook glared at his father but nodded nonetheless. In his years of existence, he rarely spent time with his dad since the elder was always busy. In those rare times he spent with him, those were mostly banters and scoldings. And the most memorable was with the one that engraved a scar on his cheek.

He hands his phone to his father and stares in disbelief as his dad clutches the device and puts it into his pocket.

"I don't want you to see that poor boy again, Jungkook-ah. Understand?"

His father wants everything to be calm and done at once. He doesn't scold Jungkook this time, but he keeps a word with him.

"Understand?" Mr. Jeon asks once again in a calm and final tone, but his eyes hold something dangerous underneath that Jungkook doesn't want to conradict him.

"Y-yes dad." The son answered, his jaw clenching.

At that, Mr. Jeon smiled. A very warm one, like nothing happened awhile ago.

"Okay, son." Then he ruffles Jungkook's hair and starts walking away, his hand in his pocket.

But based on the veins popping on his arm, Jungkook is sure that his dad is gripping the phone hardly underneath.

Jungkook is always a coward puppet. This time not only by Yugyeom, but also by his own father.