"But piece by piece, he collected me up
Off the ground, where you abandoned things
Piece by piece he filled the holes that you burned in me
Six years old and you know
He never walks away
He never asks for money
He takes care of me
He loves me"

Taehyung woke up and instantly stretched out his arms. He turned on his side to curl up closer to Jungkook, but was only met with empty space on the mattress. He sat up, scanning the room. "Kookie?"

He rubbed at his eyes before slowly crawling out from under the warm covers. He grabbed the blanket on top and wrapped it around his body. "Jungkook?" Still no answer. Taehyung started to worry as he searched the small apartment up and down, finding no signs of his beloved Kookie. He felt the tears welling up in his eyes as the feeling of abandonment and loneliness overcame him. He curled up in a ball on the couch and let the thoughts consume him.

A few hours later, Taehyung heard the front door open and close, and then the sound of soft footsteps echoed throughout the silent apartment. He slowly opened his swollen eyelids and saw Jungkook trying to sneak into the bedroom quietly. "Kookie?"

Jungkook stopped as he turned around to face where the other's voice had come from. "Tae? What are you doing out here? I thought you would still be asleep."

Taehyung got off the couch and walked over to Jungkook, the blanket still wrapped tightly around his body. "I woke up and you were g-gone and I-I thought that you had a-abandoned m-me."

Jungkook's eyes softened as he embraced Taehyung. "Baby, no! I would never abandon you. I just went out to take care of a few things." He pulled away from the hug and pecked Taehyung's lips. He used his thumbs to softly wipe away the older's tears. "Did you not check your phone?"

Taehyung shook his head, eyebrows furrowed on confusion.

Jungkook had to stifle a laugh. "Oh Taehyungie... I sent you a text letting you know when I would be home."

Taehyung's head dropped as he slowly started laughing. "God I'm such a loser. I checked the entire apartment but I didn't think to even check my damn phone!"

Jungkook laughed alongside Taehyung as he snaked an arm around his waist, leading him into the bedroom. "What do you say that you get dressed and I take you for a surprise?"

Taehyung hummed as he grabbed his favorite outfit out of the closet: the one with the black skinny jeans, black and white striped shirt, and denim jacket. He threw them on and ran his fingers threw his tangled hair. He smiled for the first time in a while at the mirror before slipping on his black boots.

He walked out and caught sight of Jungkook in the kitchen, so he walked up and wrapped his arms around the younger's waist, placing a kiss on his clothed shoulder. "What's the surprise, Kookie?"

Jungkook laughed as he turned around in Taehyung's arms, pecking his lips. "Now that wouldn't make it a surprise if I told you." Taehyung pouted, and Jungkook almost melted. "I will say though that hopefully you will like it."

"Hopefully?"

Jungkook reached a hand out for Taehyung to grab, which he did, and lead them out the door.

•••
They pulled up to what looked like a jail. Taehyung felt conflicted. Was Jungkook turning him in for attacking his father? Why were they here?

"Baby." Jungkook must've sensed the internal struggle within the older as he brought a hand up and cupped Taehyung's face. "Don't worry. This is where I was earlier. I brought you here so you can see it with your own eyes. It will be okay."

Taehyung nodded but his eyebrows were still furrowed as Jungkook lead the older inside. He told Taehyung to sit down on a bench while he walked away and talked to one of the officers behind the counter. The officer nodded and motioned for them to come on back. Jungkook walked over and grabbed Taehyung's hand again before leading him to where visitors can talk to the inmates via phones. He pulled a chair out for Taehyung, who hadn't stopped shaking since they arrived. Jungkook sat down in the chair next to him, since it was unoccupied, and his thumb rubbed circles into Taehyung's tanned skin.

The older flinched as a familiar man sat down in front of him. He started to shake even more, and Jungkook was right there to comfort him,rubbing his thumb along the back of his hand. "Shh, Tae. I know it's hard, but he can't hurt you any more."

Taehyung nodded before picking up the phone, his hand still shaking. He held the phone so both him and Jungkook could hear it.

"H-Hello."

The gruff voice that haunts Taehyung's dream spoke through the phone. "Taehyung."

"I'm not sure why I'm here."

"I don't know either, son." Taehyung's father was blunt.

Jungkook took the time to speak. "Taehyung is here because he needs reassurance that your ass is actually behind bars and unable to hurt him anymore."

Taehyung's eyes went as large as saucers as it all finally hit him. His father was silent for a minute before nodding slightly. "Taehyung? I've been locked up in here for a few months now. I haven't had anything to drink since being locked up. I'm in counseling. It's made me all realize how shitty of a father I was. I never should've blamed your mother leaving on you."

"You shouldn't have. And you never told me exactly what happened. I know the story you told me when I was young... about how she got hit by a train when buying my birthday cake. That can't be true."

His father once again shook his head. "S-She left me. She knew I was a drunk. I would beat her sometimes, too. She claimed to have already fallen in love with another man and went to go be with him in America."

"S-She l-left me? With you? She knew that you beat her what made her think you wouldn't beat me?" Taehyung was getting too worked up, so Jungkook put a hand on his thigh, squeezing it gently in an attempt to calm him down. It worked a little bit.

"I'm sorry son." Mr Kim turned around and spoke with an officer before facing the boys again. "I'm out of time to talk. I'm sorry for everything I did to you, Taehyung. And what was your name again, kid?"

"J-Jungkook, sir."

Mr Kim nodded. "Thank you for being so good to my son. I'm glad he found a good man for him."

"Thank you, Mr Kim."

"I love you, Taehyung. I am so proud of you. Goodbye." And with that, he hung up the phone and the officer dragged him back to his cell.

The boys were walking back to the car, hand in hand, when Taehyung finally stopped them, pulling Jungkook closer by the waist. "Jungkookie, thank you."

Jungkook smiled with his bunny-teeth. "Of course, TaeTae. I would do anything for you."

"H-How did you find him?"

Jungkook shrugged casually. "I went around to every local jail and prison until I found him."

Taehyung embraced the younger, nuzzling his head into his neck. "You are so incredible, Jeon Jungkook. You restore my faith in mankind as living proof that there are actually amazing people out there. Thank you."

Jungkook kissed Taehyung's forehead before guiding him back to the car. He slipped a hand in his jacket pocket, pushing the box inside further down so it wouldn't slip out.

•••

A/N: maybe only five or ten more chapters of this book left. I'm getting emotional.

{edited}