these next few chaps are hands
down gonna be my favorites
(watch me say that again later)

—

"So you know about the therapy, huh?"

The younger was most definitely not expecting to see a duller Taehyung upon knocking on the grand door, gold lettering shimmering as it swung open.

Jungkook hadn't been in the dressing room before, but even from where he stood in the doorway, he could see the organized clutter filling the space.

Taehyung had stepped out and shut the door. The department's halls were empty on a Sunday evening, unsurprisingly. He heard some cluster of sounds from inside the private room, probably his stylist.

"Yeah, I ran into your manager yesterday." He replied. It wasn't a lie, just not the whole truth. "We talked a bit."

"Right. You know what's weird?" The model mumbled and Jungkook frowned. "They are letting me off the hook. Oh, and I guess good news, evidence for Bogum is collected. So that court case will happen."

He didn't explain the truth. It would jeopardize his plan telling Taehyung that he had stepped into that role. He didn't want Taehyung to see him as his replacement therapist. Jungkook's plan was more genuine and hands-on than that.

"That's a good thing, why are you so sad?" Jungkook's frown only deepened. "Tae, we can put him away for good."

"You're not mad?"

The photographer's head tilted in confusion. "Mad? About what?"

"The therapy thing. I didn't tell you. I blew it off. Why are they— never mind that, but you're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" Jungkook took his hand and squeezed it. "I'm just glad we have some good news. The Bogum updates needed some hope."

"God, you're amazing." Taehyung pulled him into a small hug. "One month until that case. It's a little unnerving, I won't lie. I have to be present and stand in the same room as him again."

"Shhh," Jungkook swung his hand and saw the tense shoulders dip with relaxation. "That's a thing to worry about a month from now. And he can't do anything in a room full of officials."

"You'd be surprised."

"Tae," The younger's heart was hit by a pang of worry. That was something he hadn't known either. The news of the crimes from years ago was awfully torn blame-wise, causing a ridiculous amount of bias. What was true, he didn't know. He just knew Taehyung was the victim. "We are gonna go have some fun, okay?"

"I can't believe you want to hang out with such a downer." Taehyung chuckled softly, his face easing away from its pained state. Jungkook let out a small breath and ran a steady hand up and down his arm. "Is this the surprise you mentioned earlier? Or is it seriously errands."

"It's seriously errands." Jungkook pouted, pretending to be offended by the prying. "Let me keep secrets."

"I suck at joking, and you at secret-keeping, angel." The soft voice tickled his face. "Just let me wrap up. You want to come inside?"

"In there?" He squeaked, pointing at the expensive looking paint. "U-Uh, sure. Will your stylist kick me out, though?"

"No, she will probably be happy to meet you actually!" Taehyung grinned, making Jungkook wince. The model didn't know they had already met.

But he pushed the door open without hesitation. Jungkook got a better look of the space inside and let a small 'wow' slip out when Taehyung pulled him in.

It was feeding Jungkook's curiosity. He always wondered about Taehyung's work— because he was on the personal side— and the dressing room consumed a big chunk of Taehyung's time.

He saw racks of clothes to the left, probably costing more than his yearly salary could ever dream about. The long bench with white trim lights was fairly blinding, illuminating the space.

Honestly, it was cozier than Jungkook imagined. It was Taehyung's home in that building after all.

"Oh! Hello," Jungkook turned to the higher pitched voice chirping from the corner of the room, head popping up from behind one of the racks. "A guest."

"Noona," Taehyung tugged Jungkook forward and the younger sent the stylist a sheepish look. "Meet Jungkook."

Her eyes widened in understanding of the photographer's slight awkwardness and she chuckled softly. "Ah, yes, it's great to meet you, Jungkook! I've heard much about you."

"It's great to meet you, too." He bowed and she was quick to fumble through the racks and push him back up to stand.

"No formalities of that nature." She lovingly patted his cheek and gazed him up and down, similar to how she had yesterday, playing the 'first meet' act well. "Handsome fella, Tae."

The model laughed and threw an arm around his shoulder. "I am very aware."

"So," The stylist eyed them both. "You have plans?"

Jungkook flushed and let his gaze fall to the floor, swaying slightly under Taehyung's arm on his upper back. The stylist went back to cataloging certain things and two boys looked at each other.

"Jungkook's got some surprise for me."

"It's not a surprise. It's just some errands and I'm dragging you along."

Taehyung pulled away and went to his bag sitting on the vanity counter. The small duffel probably cost more than Jungkook's entire closet, but it was funny seeing the model gently extract the most basic clothes.

Baggy red pants and a big puffy black jacket, a white stripe running down its sleeves. There was even a matching cap to go with that outfit.

"This dressed down enough for you?"

"Perfect." Jungkook grinned. He himself was in a simple gray hoodie and loose fitting khakis, comfortable to say the least.

"Do I need to go incognito mode?"

"Nah," the photographer walked up to the vanity and fiddled with the red cap. "We are going somewhere quiet."

Taehyung raised a mask and waved it around. "Just in case, even quiet places get news."

"There will hardly be anyone around." He pouted in return. He'd asked Taehyung to come alone knowing the environment would ease his guarded state.

"That's fun, you two enjoy," The stylist cut in and Jungkook nearly jumped. "Hey, Jungkook, why don't you leave so Taehyung can change and then both of you can be on your way?"

"So much for not getting kicked out." Jungkook giggled as Taehyung nudged him towards the dressing room door. He didn't want to leave; it was warm and inviting, the space.

"Give me five and I'll be ready, okay?" The model had a hand on the small of his back, but it had shifted to the bend of his waist. Jungkook played with the hood strings dangling on his chest as Taehyung's touch lingered on his side.

"Yeah, I'll be waiting here." He smiled. "And Tae?"

The model hummed, face looking adorable all squished in the crack of the door.

"I'm not mad. We have time and we are gonna enjoy ourselves."

The smile was big on his face as Taehyung squeezed his waist and finally pulled away. "Sounds like a plan, angel."

"I didn't know you had a car!" Jungkook ran around the front to look at the beauty. The deep gray was glinting brownish in the warm sunlight hitting it. The air was cold around him, making Jungkook shiver as he touched the even colder hood of the vehicle.

The model having an available car solved a lot of his transportation problems.

"Bought this bad boy not long ago. A Genesis GV80," Taehyung shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "Don't get to take it out on drives often, though. Just sits in the BigHit lot or at the apartment's garage."

The photographer leaned back against the top lip of the hood, crossing his arms over his chest as Taehyung walked around to stand in front of him.

"I'm driving." He announced, picking the keys out of Taehyung's gentle fingers.

"You won't kill my car, will you?"

"I have a license." Jungkook gently smacked the chest closing in on him. "Meanie."

He stifled a small gasp as the model's arms reached out to cage him in his spot, their faces leveled to stare at each other and the photographer just stared with wide eyes.

Taehyung's warm breath fanned over his cold cheeks and he saw that teasing glint in the model's eyes. The sporadic occasions of confidence in the man made him so unpredictable, that uncontrollable effect hitting Jungkook when he least expected.

"Did you know people look exceptionally good when they get behind the wheel?" The model murmured and Jungkook just hoped the cold gave some valid excuse for his burning face.

"I-I really don't change behind the wheel." He fumbled out, not sure of any practical answer to give.

Taehyung stared at him for a moment, debating saying something more before his lips pursed and he shook his head with a sweet smile.

"You're warm." Taehyung whispered and move his hands from bracing on the car's silver top to wrap around the photographer. Jungkook relaxed in his hold, face hidden in the black jacket cushioning his head.

"Let's go, it's going to get dark otherwise." Jungkook mumbled, but neither made a move to pull away.

"We're doing something outdoors? In this weather?"

Jungkook smelled the floral perfume gracing Taehyung's skin, his own forehead brushing those light strands. It sent a rush of butterflies into his stomach and made him smile as they just held each other in the cold.

"Nah, it's mostly inside."

Taehyung tapped his back and pulled away. "I'd love to stay here like this, but I'm curious about your plan and I don't wanna butcher it."

"Okay." The younger laughed quietly, the cold hitting him as the other's warmth completely slipped away and headed for the passenger seat.

"I love doing things off schedule." Taehyung casually filled the air as they settled in the seats and Jungkook got the car running, adjusting his seat and getting a sense of all the main buttons.

"Why? No fangirls hunting you down?"

The model chuckled with a quick nod, Jungkook glancing up to see him ruffle his hair and lay the cap in his lap. "Exactly. And time with you. Not a worry about cameras."

He stared at the dashboard with that appreciative smile on his face. Not the flustered 'please stop making me explode' smile, but just a grateful one.

The model, too, was so generous with Jungkook's desire to keep away from media attention, respecting it from the start when he could have easily pushed it aside and Jungkook's face would've been all over the news in seconds.

"Time with you away from the cameras is better, too." Jungkook teased, making the model roll his eyes. He got the engine running, left foot pressing the clutch in and fingers releasing the hand brake. The stick was lodged into the first gear and he eased off the clutch and brake, getting the car moving forward.

"What a natural." He glanced over to see the model propping his head up with an elbow on the side ledge, just watching him drive. His messy blonde hair was getting longer and darker everyday, pressed against the cool glass and Jungkook suddenly itched to touch it.

There was that 'please stop making me explode' expression on his face.

"You know," he chided. "I have to get us there alive, and that means having some focus."

"Or you tell me where we're going and I can drive instead."

He honestly considered it because Taehyung was right. People did somehow look good behind a wheel, one hand on the stick shift and the other steering. His imagination of what Taehyung looked like while driving was not helping him focus on the road.

"Don't crash, angel, I've got a party to attend to tomorrow." Taehyung toyed, reaching a hand over to pat his leg and the mere touch almost made him lose it.

"A party? So we can't meet tomorrow?" He frowned, heat slipping away upon realizing the words. They were on the main roads and Jungkook trusted his memory in getting there, having memorized the route so the GPS wouldn't spoil it before Taehyung could figure it out.

"Actually," the older was smiling, rubbing his lip with the side of his finger in thought. "It's a private event, so no cameras— you wanna be my plus one?"

He nearly slammed on the brake.

"Taehyung!" He whined as the model let out a fit of laughter, throwing himself back into the fine leather seat.

"I'm not kidding!" Taehyung poked his arm, poking again with welcomed surprise as it met firm muscle. "Damn, Jungkook."

"Stop that." He brushed the hand away, face burning. They sped down the highway, tinted windows hiding the older's popular face out of recognition.

"Would you consider it?"

"Huh? I thought you were joking. Tae, I don't know a single thing about those fancy events. Not anything past the news coverage at least; definitely not a private one."

"You don't need to know anything. If you don't want to, I totally get it." It wasn't a guilt tripping tone, encouraging a truthful response from the photographer. "Plus one means you can just tag along with me."

"As much as I'd love to be your accessory," he hoped the joke came across, and was relieved at the grin the model cracked. "I don't know."

"It's okay." Taehyung shrugged, grabbing his phone and fiddling with the Bluetooth settings. "Maybe in the future. These events happen all the time. Would you consider coming along another day?"

Would he?

Show up beside the Celebrity Prince of South Korea, at a private event filled with people he'd only ever seen in magazines?

He'd probably look like an absolute idiot in that room, gazing at everything in awe, but Taehyung seemed eager to have him by his side, so...

"Sure. Someday, I'd go." He shrugged. "I'll be the best accessory you've ever worn."

"My absolute favorite." The model's deep voice laughed along, clicking away at the device in his hand until music poured out of the speakers. "A rather priceless accessory if I do say so myself."

"Priceless?" Jungkook snorted. "You've definitely got a watch worth more than me."

"Net worth doesn't mean anything."

"What? Have you seen yours?"

Taehyung frowned. It was a frown that seemed genuinely sad, but more lighthearted than upset. Contemplating. Coping.

"So?"

"Well, I for one think that it means something."

Taehyung shook his head with a smile and the joking nature dipped into Jungkook's concern. "I'm like a coin. Absolutely worthless."

"Worthless?" The younger gaped at him. "Taehyung, they value you at like twenty billion won. Actually, screw that, you're priceless."

"I can't believe you know my net worth, angel." The model evaded. "You search me up that often?"

"I'm being serious. And not net worth priceless," Jungkook huffed in frustration, hand tightening on the wheel as he shifted the gear up and stepped on the gas. "You are. Like just you, no big title or expensive outfits. You're priceless."

A shaky sigh left Taehyung's rosy lips, his tongue darting out to lick them as he stared out the window.

"I don't think anyone's ever told me that."

"They've never called you priceless?"

"Never called me priceless," his chest slowly expanded with the deep breath he relaxed into. "Usually just what's on the surface."

"Well," Jungkook smiled and let the grip on the stick leave when he reached a cruising speed, reaching for Taehyung's hand instead. "The world wouldn't get any part of you without your precious heart beating, so you are, in fact, priceless under the surface."

"Thank you, Jungkook." He got a shy smile from the model. A well earned achievement considering shy wasn't normal for a renowned celebrity. Taehyung held his hand, fingers intertwined and he felt the warmth trickle into every inch of his chest.

Then, they both started laughing.

It was all giddy and light, the mood contorted with some hype song blasting on the speakers that both couldn't help but sing along with.

The drive was so comfortable with the two of them, security left behind and not a problem occurring the whole night.

They needed it. The hope for coming good in the mess of reality.

The night to come was, indeed, incredibly sweet.

—

aaaaaaand roll credits— not
really but using the desc quote is
always so exciting pls

i have no idea if tae's genesis
is manual or automatic, but i
wanted to write some stick shift descriptions so manual
transmission we go ;)
(molly i swear if you bring up the mini)

ON TO THEIR FUN LITTLE ADVENTURE