TW: Please note that there are minor elements of pre-agreed, pretend noncon within an established relationship with the use of a safe word.

Promises Made

Taehyung gazes at the precious face he knows like the back of his own hand.

He knows the gentle furrows of the crow's feet in the corners of the eyes born more from smiles than tears... the petite moles, one below the lip, the other hanging onto the gentle curve of his nostril... the dent of the scar on the cheek that the man carrying it has always been a little conscious of.

The large, dark eyes looking directly back at Taehyung are always so sparkly and warm -the adoration in them still obvious even after all these years- and the incredibly soft, pink, textured lips always stretch into a smile when their eyes lock.

JungKook is so beautiful that even now, Taehyung's heart aches when he looks at him.

The outside of JungKook is beautiful but the inside is even more so. Taehyung has always been endlessly in love with him because of his kindness, his endless sincerity so pure it's almost painful -something that he's never lost through the sands of time.

The ring, which Taehyung clasps in the close embrace of his left hand fingertips, no longer feels cold, his hot, slightly damp fingers have leaked their warmth into it.

Taehyung thought he might be nervous on the day but right now he feels nothing but peace and happiness when he is surrounded by the few loved ones that are here with them.

He feels the words reverberate inside him but doesn't remember saying them, all he remembers is the look in the wet eyes across from him, so close, so full of love.

Their hands fit together perfectly when Taehyung holds JungKook's in preparation. There are memories that surface, gentle kisses on knuckles, fingers tracing skin.

When Taehyung pushes the ring onto the finger, he thinks how surreal it is that such a small thing could mean everything and nothing at the same time.

Well, it means so much in many ways: declaring their love in front of everyone else, being legally together, having that little ring on one's finger as a constant reminder to the outside world that they are bound together.

But in terms of their love it doesn't mean anything because they don't need it, they already have all the meaning they could want, it's not possible for the little sliver of gold to add or change their love, their devotion, their lives, it's nothing more than a visible representation of all the vows they have already taken long, long time ago, with their hearts and with their bodies.

Afterwards, when they sit down for the meal, the number of people is perfect for everything to feel personal, intimate, to really feel the love that surrounds them in their lives.

When the last of their dear friends disappears into the night after a perfect evening of exactly the right amount of reminiscing and hope for the future, Taehyung can't help but to feel immense happiness over the life that they have made for themselves in the course of the years -which has somehow unexpectedly culminated into this public declaration of love.

Taehyung never wanted to get married. He was always of the opinion that it wasn't necessary, that they knew who they were and what they wanted and nothing was ever going to change that.

But when he saw the hint of disappointment in the corners of JungKook's eyes at the end of their conversation on one early, sleepy Sunday morning, he realised that perhaps this was something -one of the very rare things- that they disagreed on.

Perhaps it was because JungKook always seemed more insecure, more in need of reassurance where Taehyung felt solid and so wholly encapsulated in the depth of their love that he simply had no space for worry.

He knew where he was and always would be.

The comforting smells of jasmine and honeysuckle scent the candle-lit room while the bath fills and JungKook helps Taehyung undress, humming quietly.

He pulls the white, intricately embroidered jacket off and reaches to pop it on a hanger on the back of the wooden door. The weathered wood and the rest of the romantic, vintage décor of the bathroom, including the giant old-fashioned stand-alone bath, were all Taehyung's choices. JungKook always wanted a modern bathroom but at the time it was obvious that Taehyung wasn't going to take no for an answer ...and in order to survive one really must choose one's battles carefully.

"Do you think it was awfully stereotypical and boring the way we dressed? Me in all white and you in all black?" Taehyung muses softly, so full of love that he feels his heart might burst with it.

He leans back against the solid body and strong arms circle around him to unbutton his white silk shirt, JungKook's lips lightly brushing along the side of Taehyung's neck while he considers his answer.

"I think it would have been worse had we dressed the same, in matching suits." His voice smiles.

Taehyung giggles softly.

"Maybe I should have worn a dress!" to that, they both laugh heartily, equally aware of how much Taehyung detests being made to wear women's clothes -a certain lost bet at university when he had to dress up as Snow White, springing to mind.

Once the shirt slides off Taehyung's shoulders, JungKook's hum dips deeper when the soft, honeyed expanse of skin is revealed with the curving slope of the back, the gentle promise of lushness at the hip...

I'll never get enough of this man. JungKook thinks.

Immediately there is an urge to feel skin on skin.

Heaven knows why today of all days JungKook needs the reassurance he always gets when there is Taehyung's silky skin against his own, but in swift moves he unbuttons his own, black silk shirt and drops it on the floor without care, only to embrace Taehyung from behind, to feel the soft skin against his own.

Taehyung sighs deeply, a contented sigh. He ignores the immediate frisson that spreads around his body from the point of contact -their bodies have always reacted, come alive in the presence of one another, sometimes in a way that feels entirely out of their conscious control.

JungKook obviously feels it too, the small shuddering breath dancing against Taehyung's shoulder is telling enough.

Taehyung has always felt so secure when embraced by the arms that surround him.

They always hold him and comfort him gently, even when JungKook ravishes him wildly, there is still that feeling of being held as if he were made of glass -even when the hands on him are rough in the way Taehyung likes them.

In JungKook's arms it's possible to feel vulnerable and invincible at the same time.

Just when a hand sneaks up and threatens to circle around Taehyung's throat -his absolute weak spot- he pulls away, clearing his throat, mentally telling his already tightened body to calm down.

"Bath's going to overfill." He smiles at JungKook, eyes twinkling, biting his lip at the obvious bulge in the black trousers.

"C'mon, I need you to scrub my back..." Taehyung drops the rest of his clothes and sinks into the bubbles, ignoring JungKook who is eating him up in big mouthfuls with his darkened eyes.

With their busy lives -Taehyung as a popular interior designer with his own company, JungKook as a well-paid photojournalist- they rarely find the time to luxuriate in shared baths, even when their lives are saturated with the mutual need to show their affection for each other.

Without question, they make time to be together, even if it's just small pockets of it in between busy-ness, because too much time apart always causes a suffocating need to return and refuel from each other's presence.

By now, the romantic, shared baths have been left behind after their early years, even if their current house actually has a tub big enough to fit two people in comfortably, unlike the small one at their old dingy apartment.

"Do you remember when we used to have baths togethers at the flat? Even when there was so little space, we'd squeeze into the tub..." Taehyung speaks fondly, popping his head back onto the wet shoulder behind him, enjoying the floating, comforting hug of the hot water, supported by the muscular thighs on either side of him.

"The water would always overflow... the landlord was so pissed off with the damp..." JungKook chuckles, voice full of nostalgic happiness, eyes hazy, looking back.

Taehyung rests his wet arm on the side of the bath and lifts his hand up to admire the simple band of gold decorating his finger.

The candle light makes it gleam and it looks good against Taehyung's warm skin, on his long, delicate finger.

Stronger, rougher hand reaches to join in and when the rings shine together, Taehyung reconsiders his thoughts from before -perhaps he likes the ring more than he thought he would.

"We've done well, haven't we?" Taehyung asks, quietly.

JungKook knows immediately -in that intimate way between them that borders on mind reading- that Taehyung is not referring to their wealth or possessions, that he's talking about their relationship, their love.

Reaching, JungKook twists Taehyung around enough to join their lips in a silent answer that speaks more than a thousand words.

It's short and sweet, so romantic it's almost too much, even for Taehyung who is a bit soft for that kind of thing. Just as well he married the biggest romantic there ever lived.

Immediately, there is a warmth that pools at the pit of Taehyung's belly and an unexpected urge to somehow seal their union in more ways than just words, surfaces.

Taehyung twists around, splashing the water before he reaches for the edge of the bath behind JungKook's head to steady himself and just like that, they sink into each other, their mouths moving leisurely, in such a familiar way yet always surprising them with the need to have more. Never boring.

Just like they have already done countless times before, JungKook's hands immediately shoot to Taehyung's slender waist to hold him and pull him close, wanting to connect more than just their mouths in the hot, floating world.

When Taehyung's fingers twist into the dark, wet locks, the simmers of urgency JungKook feels inside burst into full flame, burning bright.

"Get up. Out. Now." His voice is deeper, darker and it travels up and down Taehyung's skin.

When he looks up, the dark eyes still make Taehyung's stomach flip, even after so many years. He gets up without delay, entirely unbothered by the hardness of his cock, even when his Husband eyes it hungrily.

They know every nook and cranny of each other's bodies, they have explored every inch of each other so many times that JungKook is sure he could trace Taehyung's outline with his eyes closed, that's how familiar -and loved- his curves are.

Dripping wet, JungKook grabs a towel and wraps it around Taehyung, who in turn, chucks another towel over his head, giggling.

"Hey! How old are you?!" he grabs the air around him blindly, Taehyung only just staying out of the reach of the wet grasp.

They might be in their 30s but there is no reason why play should stop just because there are more years on the clock, if anything, it's exactly what keeps everything fresh, their bond, so strong.

Taehyung squeals and runs into the dimly-lit bedroom, the towel barely wrapped around him, dripping water everywhere -with JungKook, who's not even bothering with the towel anymore, right on his heels.

It's hardly surprising that Taehyung doesn't make it far by the time JungKook catches him and bundled in a towel, lifts him onto his shoulder like some caveman. He carries him directly to the bed and dumps him down, onto his back, towel conveniently sliding off Taehyung's naked, damp figure.

They play many games in the bedroom, some rougher than others but it's always JungKook who takes and Taehyung who gives, all in a perfect circle of trust. Sometimes the power dynamic is hardly there, their lovemaking soft and gentle, other times -like now- it's intense, powerful, forceful, almost violent in its heat.

They haven't played this particular game in a long while but somehow it seems entirely appropriate for a wedding night -if it were that of a bandit who had just stolen a bride for himself to claim.

The heat is there, the mood just right when Taehyung feels his insides tighten, yearning for a more complete surrender -he doesn't want to be just claimed, he wants to be taken.

The beauty of being in a relationship with someone for so long is that you know them through and through, you know each other's limits, each other's boundaries.

JungKook and Taehyung established their safe words even before they started formally going out.

Since then, it has been mutually agreed that a "no" in the bedroom means nothing, it's more of an equivalent to "bring it on". If either of them wants to stop -to really say no- they use their safe word and immediately, everything ends, right there, without question.

Their safe words are yet to be used after over a decade of being together -and not from lack of trying.

Seeing the sudden dark glint in Taehyung's eyes, JungKook realises something is afoot and prepares for anything. One of the most attractive qualities of Taehyung is that he is entirely unpredictable and highly impulsive, which keeps JungKook, who is much steadier of the two, on his toes.

JungKook admires his Husband lying down on the bed, staring, leaning onto his elbows with a clear, dark, challenge in his eyes. The daring lift of an eyebrow is the last straw.

I see, this is how it's going to be. JungKook purrs at the blood hissing in his ears at the excitement when he realises what Taehyung wants.

He takes a step closer, only to be stopped by a slender foot pushing against his stomach.

JungKook admires the long, pretty toes and the leg that seems to go on forever before he grasps the ankle, squeezing tightly. In a quick twist, he spreads the leg to the side and moves closer toward his target, only to have the other foot shove him back hard enough to wind him.

It's that move and Taehyung's suddenly defiant, arrogant face that makes JungKook growl under his breath because the challenge in the chocolate gaze feeds the metaphorical monster inside him.

An intense need to subdue flashes through JungKook.

Done being gentle, without any effort whatsoever, he grabs both of the ankles and pushes forward until Taehyung is almost completely doubled over and JungKook's nodding, solid cock tap dances over everything precious between Taehyung's thighs.

Taehyung moans, momentarily caught off-guard.

But he's not that easily subdued. Grinning, he yanks JungKook's hair hard enough to the side that he shrieks and falls off Taehyung, loosening his grip on the ankles just enough that Taehyung can push him away with a knee.

Immediately, Taehyung rolls over, squealing loudly, breathless as the adrenaline of the struggle kicks in, burning in his veins.

He crawls up the bed but he doesn't make it far because the grip on the ankle returns, more forcefully this time.

"Where do you think you're going, beautiful?"

Taehyung really should have known it was coming but the harsh slap on his ass cheek makes him squeal, nonetheless.

"Stay still baby, it's gonna hurt less if you let me." He coaxes Taehyung sweetly, landing more sharp slaps on the tender, flushing flesh jiggling and struggling under him.

Taehyung is not done fighting, the urgency in his body deepening and sweetening the more he fights, so he tries to kick JungKook again, only just missing him because the man simply has too much stealth.

Instead, Taehyung suddenly finds the tops of his legs straddled by a pair of seriously sexy thighs, and a heated, silky rod conveniently resting in the groove of his ass.

Taehyung can hardly breathe.

His head is twisted to the side by a fistful of hair and suddenly a hot breath is at his ear.

"Gotcha. You're mine now."

The dark tone of the words travels up and down Taehyung's spine and touches him somewhere primal.

Loosening his grip, JungKook says:

"Turn over, I want to see your face."

Taehyung feels the twitch in JungKook's cock when their eyes meet.

"Fuck. You're so gorgeous like this... such a mess for me already, baby." JungKook traces the flushed cheek and admires the complete mess his husband's hair is in.

Fierce, Taehyung slaps the hand away. "Stop touching me, let me go you...you fiend!" it's difficult to take the words seriously when his needy, flushing face is so in contrast with them.

Putting all his force behind it, Taehyung pushes against the unbudging chest above him, digging his nails into the smooth flesh. He struggles and tries to kick his legs, fully fighting the unmoving figure staring at him with ever-darkening eyes.

"Ow!" JungKook squeaks at the scratch of the nails and immediately removes the offending limb by pressing it into the soft bedding. He doesn't even give the other hand a chance to cause injuries but grasps it to join the one above Taehyung's head, held in an unforgiving grip.

Not only is struggling and being forcefully held down a huge turn-on for Taehyung but it's also simply orgasm-worthy watching his muscle bunny of a husband flexing his beautiful body in an attempt to restrain and subdue his misbehaving husband.

The reaction is immediate, obvious and so undeniably positive that even now, it surprises JungKook.

Taehyung moans, his back arching off the bed, his hips grinding against the ones imprisoning him.

And just like that, JungKook's favourite word slips from Taehyung's lips.

"Please."

"Well, that's a quick change in tune... is my Husband a bit desperate for some cock?" JungKook teases, in reality absolutely loving the fact that he can now call Taehyung his husband.

"Yes... please." Taehyung has long since gotten past his embarrassment over being such a needy thing -mainly because his neediness is always caused by his man and his man likes him needy.

JungKook shifts, grabs the lube from the side and sits up on the bed, leaning against the headboard.

He taps his thigh and Taehyung immediately straddles his hips, for once grateful for quick-paced action because the need inside him seems almost insurmountable today.

For a moment, the fingers feel cool before they warm against Taehyung's heat.

He can't help the little whine or the hip roll that goes with it, nor can he help joining lips with his man.

"Do you realise this is our first time... as husbands?" Taehyung whispers against the soft lips, breath stuttering in between insistent thrusts of fingers, deeper and wider.

"I didn't think you'd be that excited about it..." JungKook smiles against Taehyung's lips, pleased. He knows Taehyung did this for him because it was -is- important to him... and there is nothing that Taehyung would deny his love.

The thought warms JungKook's insides so much he figures he must be glowing.

"Well... if this is how you fuck when we're married...." Taehyung jokes breathlessly even though he wants to be serious -but that's the beauty of how they are, it's not necessary to always be serious even when talking about things one takes seriously. Because they know the true feelings behind light words.

"Besides, I'm beginning to change my mind...."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, it's fucking hot..." Taehyung says as he moans, riding the fingers deep inside him before reaching for the real thing.

JungKook groans as Taehyung envelopes him completely, sitting fully down on his lap, taking him all the way.

Taehyung purrs when he starts to move, hips lifting and falling, first slowly, then with more determination until he's moaning, riding as hard as he possibly can, his skin slapping against JungKook's.

His words come out in the rhythm of the thrusts.

"If you just wanted... a permanent... physical thing that... connects us ... it didn't need to be a ring... I could have had a.... collar... a ring around my neck... and for you...you could have had a... cock ring... hmm.. the idea of that is just..." breath hisses through his teeth when his eyes roll, teeth denting a full lip.

His cock twitches so hard on JungKook's washboard of a stomach that he can't help but to laugh.

"I'm not sure the Registrar or the people at the service would quite appreciate me having a my cock out for you to put the ring on it...ohhhfuck." He jokes until Taehyung slams down particularly hard.

"Oh-hmmm...but you see, this here cock is mine, all mine, to use and abuse...should have a ring on it..." he tries to grin but immediately his mouth returns to its soundless scream, jaw hanging open, while his hips grind and grind, never getting enough.

Wordlessly, JungKook reaches for Taehyung's wrists again and locks them behind the arching back, easily fitting two slim wrists into one grip.

His other hand slides up Taehyung's silky skin until the fingers wrap around the long, slender neck, where a collar would sit.

Their rhythm stalls into a slow grind and the depth of JungKook's cock inside Taehyung has his eyes tearing up.

"Look at me, Taehyung." This time it's a gentle request, not a dark command.

Holding Taehyung still from all angles, JungKook looks at his husband and only sees endless beauty, inside and out. He doesn't want to consider what would have happened with his life had he not gone to that one fated university foundation year computer class.

He is sure that wherever he would be, his life would not be as full as it is now because no one else could fill Taehyung place, no one else could so completely become JungKook's world, who could so fully have his heart.

So even though it was all supposed to be just a bit of light fun, a gentle game...

Perhaps it's the emotions of the day or the overall, overwhelming love that JungKook feels for Taehyung that makes him whisper, in all seriousness:

"Tell me you're all mine now." He pleads, eyes a little wet, holding Taehyung's hands, his throat, his gaze.

He feels the bob of swallow in Taehyung's throat, sees the blinking, fluttering of lashes, the escaping tear over the cheek that rises softly with the gentle smile.

Taehyung doesn't joke, he doesn't tease because he knows this is important, he knows -in the way that only he could know- how much JungKook actually means what he's asking.

When the tight grip on his wrists loosens, Taehyung reaches around JungKook's neck and pulls him closer, still feeling the warm, gentle hold around his throat and cherishing it.

He wants to be owned just as much as JungKook wants to own him.

They are made for each other. Lock and key.

"Always." He whispers against his Husband's lips.

When their lips meld and their hips start to move again, it really does feel like a different kind of vow entirely.

It feels like a reconnection, a new beginning -no, a deeper continuation of what has already been a phenomenal journey of their lives, thus far.

When they are finally almost asleep at the end of a such a perfect day, right there in between the world of wakefulness and the world of dreams, Taehyung feels the surprisingly comforting weight of the ring on his finger and wonders, just as the strong arms wrap around him, if he'll see the love of his life also in his dreams.