"Mr. Kim, you don't need to do this. I'm really fine." Jungkook voiced out but winced from the slight pain from the cut in the corner of his mouth. He still continued to insist, even though they are already inside the elevator, just waiting to reach their floor.

"I've already come this far, just let me get this done with."

They talk like that, not looking at each other, avoiding eye contact.

And Taehyung did drive all the way back home, insisted on patching Jungkook's wounds before going to bed. The whole car ride was also silent. It's not the awkward type silent because each of them were swimming in their own thoughts. And that, both are shy to speak because of their not so lovely past. So they prefer not to say a word.

The elevator door opens and they quietly walk out. Jungkook noticed that Taehyung isn't walking behind him or in front, but they're walking side by side. As if Taehyung is low key checking and making sure he's okay even just in his peripheral vision. Both men are now sober enough after everything that happened that night.

They both stopped in front of Jungkook's door and quietly got inside after the raven head unlocked the place. No words coming from both still. Jungkook already knew the purpose of Taehyung coming in so he got the medicine kit out and placed on the counter for Taehyung to use.

And realizing that the Kim Taehyung is inside his house is just unbelievable. He never thought he'd see the day. So it took bruises and cuts to have Taehyung stepping in his house, and he's not complaining.

Will this be a great step?

"Do you need anything else? Water? Slippers?" Jungkook turned to ask the brunette and he seem quite busy while subtly looking around his home. Taehyung slightly nods, as if approving what he's seeing. "Mr. Kim?"

"Oh I'm good. Thank you. It's not like my house is right beside yours." Taehyung shrugs.

Jungkook quietly takes a deep breath. He's not used to this kind of Taehyung. They never had this kind of conversation before and its slightly freaking him out. It's like he's walking on ice, that if he takes a wrong step, he'll drown in the coldness again.

"Yeah, uhm. I'll go grab some towels. You can sit there, it'll be a minute." Then Jungkook hurriedly turns toward his bedroom to search for small towels, even though his body is still aching. He doesn't want his guest to keep him waiting so long and be impatient.

As soon as he got back, Taehyung is still sitting on the couch on his living room, quietly observing.

"The apartment units here on the top floor have similar construction and size. It's just ours that have a balcony." Jungkook said as he makes his way towards the couch too after grabbing the medicine kit. He said it matter of factly just so to start a conversation.

Taehyung nods in approval. "You have nice paintings."

Jungkook slightly glances at the paintings hanging on the wall. "Yeah? I bought them from a fund raising."

That got Taehyung's interest. "What fund raising?"

"There was a time the city jail held a fund raising by letting their detainees paint, and sold them. And the money that they gathered were used to buy their necessities and some sent to their families at home." Jungkook says as he placed the kit on the center table and started taking the things out.

"And you've bought quite a lot." There is wonder in Taehyung's eyes as he said that. Jungkook just shrugs. He's not the kind of person who tells these things to anyone because he doesn't want to come out like he's bragging.

And well, Jungkook doesn't know what's going on right now inside Taehyung's head, so he waits for the next words the other will say.

"Please let me." Taehyung said while reaching out his hand for the antiseptic and towel. "Do you have warm water?"

"Y-yeah. In the bathroom."

Taehyung quietly stands up and walks toward the bathroom to dampen the towel. Jungkook just sat there dumbfounded. Is that really Taehyung? Is this another game they're playing? He's completely lost.

Taehyung came back with the warm towel and a small basin in his hands. "You can lean on the couch."

Jungkook hesitantly did what he's told and leaned on the couch, preparing what will happen.

Taehyung sat closely beside him. He started to squeeze the towel and let his gentle hands pat it on Jungkook's face. He did extra careful with the bruises and cuts to clean them up, so that they could apply antiseptics after.

"Relax. I'm not gonna eat you."

Taehyung's face is so close to Jungkook's that he can feel his breath fanning on his face, and only did Jungkook realize that he was holding his own breath. He slowly released some air and started to feel the calmness from the gentle touches of Taehyung.

Jungkook followed Taehyung's gentle brown gaze as the brunette took care of him. Though his brows furrowed from concentration, his touches are so light. He can feel it at the corner of his right eye, at the side of his lips, at his left cheekbone, that Jungkook felt sleepy all of a sudden. All the exhaustion from the long day he had is now coming to him.

The pain in his body turned into weariness and he can feel himself drifting in and out of consciousness. Maybe Taehyung can feel how tired his patient is, but he just let Jungkook rest as he cleans his face and tends to it.

Gradually, a soft hum is coming out from Taehyung, a tune that Jungkook haven't heard of before. He thinks it's maybe from a slow and melodic song, and that it added in making him sleepy. Taehyung's voice is really beautiful, even if he's just humming.

Not realizing it, Jungkook succumbs to sleep. After some darkness, he is having a dream.

A dream about Taehyung carressing his face and softly rubbing his cheeks. He was back in high school, where Taehyung is beside him on his bed giggling. He has on his glasses. He looked radiant and happy. And so young.

"What are you dreaming about, Kookie?" Taehyung asked him, his curious eyes peeking from behind his glasses.

Jungkook missed him so much. "I was dreaming about you, baby."

"About me? Why?" Taehyung looks like he's stopping the urge to smile.

"I already missed you in my sleep. I miss you so much. I miss you everyday." Jungkook really means it. There's a sudden rush of emotions as he stares at the young Taehyung's eyes and he bursts into tears.

"Hey, why are you crying, Kookie? Stop it please?" Taehyung looked so worried and cupped his face with his hands, gently rubbing away the tears with his two thumbs.

Jungkook is so overwhelmed by seeing his Taehyung from years ago. He really missed him. He can't seem to stop.

"Please stop, Kookie."

Jungkook tried to hug him but he can't move suddenly. He was paralyzed. He desperately tried to reach out to Taehyung, but it seems like he's getting farther away.

"Please stop crying, Kookie."

Jungkook tried to scream but no sound is coming out. He's panicking. He wanted to thrash around.

"Please wake up, Jungkook!"

Jungkook's body flinches wildly on the couch. He's suddenly aware that he's finally woken up and came back to reality. And he had woken up to reality Taehyung who's looking so worried and shaking him awake. He scans the room and then remembers he was on his flat and was getting tended by the other.

Taehyung had managed to make him lie on the couch to have a more comfortable position, and the medicine kit is no longer there.

"I was actually getting ready to leave, but then you started shaking and crying in your sleep. What are you dreaming about?" Taehyung asks, worry still evident on his face.

Jungkook gulped because it was the same question in his dream. His emotions are still there and he can't keep the tears in. Have you ever felt that? The feeling of having no control over the extreme flood of emotions because suddenly, everything comes back to you in full force?

Taehyung looked so confused as to why the younger is acting this way. He let the younger cry silently and he just waited. This is the first time that he saw Jungkook cry, and he doesn't know what to do or feel about it. He should be happy, right? Because he looks miserable.

But why is it also squeezing his heart?

"Jungkook, please go back to sleep. You need to rest."

"I'm sorry, I.."

"Just sleep, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"You wanna know what I dreamt about?"

"Jungkook, it's okay. You don't need to tell me. Just go back to sleep–"

"I miss you. I miss you so much Taehyung. I miss you, I'm going crazy." Jungkook blurted out and cried harder. His face is aching once again but he doesn't care. He felt like a dam being opened and the water's not stopping to flow out. "I'm sorry but I can't hold it in anymore, Tae."

Taehyung's heart is racing and he can't manage to utter a single word. He doesn't know how to react or what to do. Not to mention, his chest is also aching from the way Jungkook is crying to him now.

Why is he feeling this? Why is there a feeling of longing too? He had gone into similar situations with Jungkook before, but he never cried. Was it because he didn't put on his armor facade in the first place? Was it because he brought his walls down completely and offered to take care of Jungkook? Was it because he is the first one who softened up to Jungkook? Or was it just because he feels like he owes him his life?

He wants to escape this situation because its getting him conflicted. Why is he even getting conflicted in the first place? He offered Jungkook to tend to his wounds as a sign of gratitude for saving his life. He did not sign up for this. He should go.

Taehyung abruptly stands up and moves to leave.

"No." Surprisingly, Jungkook stands up too from where he is lying, and quickly reaches out for Taehyung. The younger stood in front of him, tears still in his eyes as he looked straight at his.

"I'm sorry.." Then without warning, Jungkook got on his knees in front of Taehyung. He's kneeling as he cried and his head hung low and his shoulders shaking. "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry, please forgive me, Tae. I'm sorry. I miss you so much. Please don't leave me again."

Taehyung is just dumbfounded of the situation. What is happening? It was earlier ago that they seemed okay, having conversations about mundane things, now they are crying. Yes, Taehyung realized he started crying too.

"I'm so miserable since you left. I know I hurt you too much, but I'm also a mess, Tae. I am not myself anymore. Everyday I held on to Yoongi hyung's words that you'll come back. And that was enough to keep me sane." This time Jungkook is choking on his words from too much crying. And he started to wrap his hands around Taehyung's legs, hugging him like his life depended on him.

All his life, Taehyung wanted revenge. He should be happy and satisfied to see Jungkook kneeling before him. He should be. Not the other way around.

"Jungkook stand up."

"No! I won't till you say you forgive me."

"You think that's easy? You think you just stole candy from me and I'll forgive you as simple as that?" Taehyung answers back with tears also rolling down his face.

Jungkook looked up to Taehyung, face pleading. "That's why I'm begging you. Please give me another chance. Let me prove I have changed. I am not the Jungkook in the past who hides in his dad's shadow anymore."

Taehyung closed his eyes and tried to breathe in deep and out. "I don't know Jungkook. Just please stand up. I hate you but I don't wanna see you like this." Okay, Taehyung'll admit, he's hurting too.

"Please Tae? I never got to do music, I never got to do dancing, I didn't even become the man that I promised you then. I'm sick of everyone around me that see me as something they can get money from. Just a businessman who they can profit. They never cared Taehyung. Just some faceless people who would never appreciate for who I am. This time, Tae, I'm begging for the one last thing that I needed in my life."

Taehyung shakes his head to stop Jungkook from ranting and to just stand up. "Please stand up Jungkook." Taehyung reached down to pull him up.

After a long moment of pulling Jungkook to stand from the ground, Jungkook finally gave in. Taehyung's actually relieved that the man had become calm after the crying. But he seemed quiet and still let his head down.

"Jungkook?"

Jungkook wiped away his tears and just smiled. But it doesn't reach his eyes. "I understand, Taehyung." He said as he slowly nodded, like he's having an epiphany.

"What are you talking about?" Taehyung just also finished wiping away his tears and now he's confused by the man acting oddly again.

"I understand that you hate me. I'd hate me too." Then Jungkook slowly moved away from him and walked to the direction of his bedroom.

"Jungkook wait!" Taehyung followed him to the room.

"You should go back to your home now, Mr. Kim. I'm sorry I kept you late. It wouldn't happen again."

Mr. Kim?

"Yah! Can you stop? I just don't want to talk to you while you're on your knees."

"Good night, Mr. Kim." Jungkook said while having his back facing Taehyung.

"Don't you turn your back on me now Jeon Jungkook." With all his might, Taehyung grabbed Jungkook's arm to spin him around so that they could face each other.

As soon as they did, Taehyung can't stop his heart from breaking once again. Seeing Jungkook's tear stained face, and the bruises littering across, Taehyung's heart can't take it anymore. He wanted to spite Jungkook but, who's he kidding? There's a strong urge to pull the younger in and this time, he didn't fight it. He suddenly pulled Jungkook in by the nape and connected their lips.

He saw how Jungkook's eyes widen before the gap closed, and now, they are feeling the moment. For the first time in years, they got to feel each other's lips again. They missed it so much that they wanted to freeze this moment forever.

Taehyung seemed to forget everything. The heart break, pain, sufferings, it's like all his defences are completely crumbling down. No more pretentions, no more hiding. He's stripped away from all of the negativities he held close. Tonight, and maybe tomorrow, or the day after that, and the day after that... He is and will be a vulberable child once again, and all he wants is to curl right next to Jungkook.

😂