this will be an atrociously inaccurate
depiction of the town andong—
please roll with it :')

also pretend andong is like
a 1-2 hour drive from seoul rip

—

"Andong?" Taehyung's lips parted and eyes went wide as Jungkook parked the car in the sparsely filled lot. The downtown area was incredibly quiet, tourists nonexistent in the chilly weather as the place was already slow on good days.

"No need for incognito mode." Jungkook pushed the driver's door open and hopped out of the car, shuddering at the cold smacked him in the face. "I actually do have to do something here, but then we can go explore."

"I don't think I've ever been out here." Taehyung frowned, but his eyes were appreciating the town's cute nature, hands fixing the cap onto his head. "Stuck in the Seoul bubble."

"I haven't either, first time for everything." Jungkook hooked a hand into the bend of Taehyung's elbow, pulling him along as he locked the car and buried the keys into his pocket.

"So what's the errand?"

They made it to the sidewalk, adorable little shops on either side of the main street flickering with light and a worker or two inside.

"Print shop. Found them on Instagram and they're a small business. Thought I'd check it out. I'll ask them about Jin Hyung's gift, too."

"Small business?" Taehyung stuffed both hands in his pockets, pulling Jungkook a bit closer to him. "That's nice of you."

"We gotta help each other out." Jungkook smiled up at him, wincing as he pressed the back of his free hand against his frozen cheeks. The model reached a hand up to grab the edge of his hood and pull it over his head, stopped their walk and turning Jungkook to face him.

"You should've worn something thicker than this." The model scolded gently, fluffing the hair peeking out and drawing the strings tighter to tie a small knot.

"I-I'm okay." Jungkook was staring at him with dazed eyes, Taehyung fixated on the hood strings in his fingers and missing the enamored expression.

His heart jumped when the long fingers grazed his neck, slowly pulling away and cupping the covered sides of his face.

"There we go." Taehyung cooed. "Stay close so you don't get cold."

Jungkook would have stayed close anyways. He hugged the model's arm as they walked down the path again. The evening was dipping into the last warmth of the sun, setting hues vibrant in the rural skies.

"It's pretty here." The elder whispered, making sure to notice the diversity of shops lining their sides. The quick window shopping was enjoyable, fingers pointing at little wind chimes or hand carved bowls, waving at a few employees if they ever met eyes.

"There!" The photographer jerked them forward and Taehyung let out a laugh as they stumbled to the front of the yellow door. "Sungho's Prints. Found you!"

"Am I just supposed to be your accessory in there?" Taehyung mumbled in his ear and Jungkook swatted his playfulness away, grabbing the door and stepping into the warm room.

His whole body tingled at the gain of heat, making him sniff and eyes water. The younger undid the knot at his throat and pulled his hood off, face warming in both coloration and temperature.

The shop was small, smelling like ink and paper, the soft whirring of machines running out of eyesight, shelves of supplies occupying the walls.

The bell jingling at the top of the yellow door made a body jerk up from behind the main counter— which was overflowing with stacks of news papers and orders tucked away in paper sleeves— to greet them.

"Oh my goodness, hello!" The younger girl beamed with excitement. She held up a finger, already turning for the back room not really noticing their actual faces. "One moment, let me go get my father."

"She's cute." Taehyung chuckled softly, Jungkook leaving his side to a showcase in the corner of the store, the lingering sunlight leaving thick rays to wash into the glass panels.

"No way." The photographer breathed out, hand pressed against the glass as he grinned at the contents inside.

"Those look old." Taehyung bent down to his height, staring into the showcase with him. "Vintage cameras?"

"These models— Tae, this is like the equivalent of you finding some authentic vintage Chanel!"

"Seriously? That's amazing." The model appreciated the comparison, knowing that it must have been rare to see the dusty cameras all pretty in their own worn ways.

"Aren't they beautiful?" Jungkook whispered, staring at a lady's handbag looking camera. The instruments were plated silver, skin of the outer covering a peachy color, texture honeycomb like.

Taehyung looked over at the younger, glancing at the hand that had grabbed his with excitement, and back up to the fascinated boy. His eyes were astonished, doe like as his cute lips parted with an unwavering smile.

The model smiled gently and reached his open hand up to tuck a strand of that dark hair behind the shell of Jungkook's red ear.

"Mhm. Beautiful." He mumbled and Jungkook tugged his hand, oblivious to Taehyung's actions for the first time ever.

"That one—" he pointed at the handbag-looking camera, silver matte after years of handling and Taehyung actually looked that time. "—a 1956 Leica M3—"

"—Double Stroke."

They both whirled around at the mature voice, straightening up as an elderly man stood with an appreciative smile.

"You know your cameras." He noted and Taehyung saw Jungkook flush with a small nod.

"I know a little." Jungkook nudged an inch closer to the model beside him and Taehyung rested a comforting hand on the small of his back.

They were in Jungkook's element, though, the model having no choice to follow along with the conversation in silence.

He absolutely embraced the lack of spotlight, too, delighted by Jungkook getting the attention.

"Sungho," the older man held out a hand and the younger shook it. "Pleasure to have you in."

"Jungkook. It's great to be here, I saw your shop online and thought I'd visit." The boy looked back at the cameras in the showcase. "I'm a photographer and was hoping to get linked to a print shop."

"I'd love to offer my services, Jungkook." Sungho moved his gaze to Taehyung and the model smiled slowly, waiting for that common exasperation to hit, a flurry of limbs screaming his name.

It didn't happen and he felt a cry of joy stick to his throat.

"This is my friend," Jungkook introduced. "Tae."

"Nice to meet you, Tae." The shop owner's eyes lingered on him. "You seem fairly familiar, probably just some off-hand recognition."

"I've gotten that before." Taehyung assured, stepping forward and shaking the man's hand as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too. I hope you can help Jungkook."

"I hope so as well. Let's go to the back." The man led them behind the overflowing counter, the smell of ink deepening as they passed a running press machine. "Hauen!"

The girl from before came back, head peeking out of a hidden room. Taehyung saw her youthful eyes widen as their gazes met, jaw dropping ever so slightly, but he lifted a finger to his lips as Jungkook fell into conversation with Sungho.

She nodded and he gave her a true smile, always thankful to those who granted him the air of mystery.

"Yes, Appa?" She fiddled with her sleeves shyly.

"Get some tea for the guests," Sungho sent them a questioning look and Jungkook nodded immediately.

"That's perfect, thank you."

"I'll go help." Taehyung quickly stood. The photographer stared up at him from where he sat at the work table of the shop's back. He squeezed the shoulder and Jungkook eased slightly. "I'll be back soon. You get your work done."

Before either Sungho or Hauen could object, he was shuffling along with the girl to the hidden room— a personal break room— where a counter of tea supplies and bags lay beside a sink.

The young girl stayed silent and Taehyung carefully watched her fumble with the tea leaves and kettle warmer. The air was thick with Hauen's hesitation to say something and the model stepped closer when she nearly dropped the kettle into the sink.

"Ah, it's alright," she said numbly and he smiled at her grand efforts.

"Hauen, right?" Taehyung asked softly.

She squeaked at the remembrance of her name. "Yeah, and, uh— Kim Taehyung."

"Correct." He chuckled. "Thank you, for staying quiet about me and for this. Green tea is my favorite."

"It is?" The young girl blushed and Taehyung laughed gently, taking the leaves and putting them into the small strainer, which would bleed the leaves' properties into the boiling water.

He hummed as an answer and she glanced at him again, placing the kettle on the heating plate and switching it on, the buzzing sound trickling in.

"You're even more amazing in person." She shied away from him, as if he'd burn her getting too close. Taehyung was used to that. "And I hope this doesn't come off as rude— that's not my intention— but, uh, what are you doing in Andong? At my dad's shop, too? You don't exactly have much use for prints."

"I don't." He agreed, pointing in the direction of the muted conversation happening between the two other males. "Jungkook does."

"Jung— that's Jungkook? Like secret mystery man Jungkook? Oh my— holy crap, holy— I just saw Jeon Jungkook?"

"The one and only." Taehyung grinned.

"I feel like I just committed a crime." Hauen cried out, making the celebrity let out a sharp laugh, understanding her point.

"I weirdly get that." He had felt the same way in the gardens that first visual meet, so entranced by the person he'd befriended with nothing but words. "But congratulations, you've seen his handsome face."

"I really don't know what to say." She wrung her hands in nervousness. "I didn't know what to expect, either, but his face— he's so perfect."

"I also understand that." He mumbled under his breath, chest hurting with the longing overcoming him. "I'd appreciate you staying low about him as well. He wants to partner with your father, but he couldn't possibly do so if there's fans swarming here in search of him."

"Of course." She blinked, nodding frantically. "I'm good at staying quiet. Don't worry."

He hoped he wouldn't have to. Taehyung was wholeheartedly worried for the day when someone caught a picture of his angel, blowing it up and letting curiosity overthrow respect. He knew it would happen someday— it was unrealistic thinking it could be avoided— and he just didn't know what to expect from the younger when it did.

"Your father didn't recognize either of us." Taehyung commented instead, watching the boiling water simmer as Hauen removed it from the plate and grabbed the tea holder Taehyung had prepped.

"He stays out of the mainstream media." She shrugged, still tense from the previous news. "I handle social media for him, too. Says it's all confusing and hurts his eyes."

"Honestly smart of him, it really is a bit much." The model watched the girl grab mugs from the cabinet under the counter. "You're the reason we are here, though, Hauen."

She froze. "What?"

"Jungkook said he found this place on Instagram. It's really cute, actually." Taehyung glanced out of the cracked door, tuning in to hear that lovable laugh ring in his ears.

"O-Oh, that's great. I glad it's working. I just post every now and then when we get new orders. It's a bit messy, but with school— sorry, I'm rambling, but thank you, Taehyung-shi."

"I figured you were in school. Study hard, Hauen." He smiled at the girl as she poured the brewed tea into the mugs.

"It's odd that he picked Andong, it's not exactly close to Seoul." She continued.

Taehyung hadn't thought about that. Would Jungkook order in bulk to drive or transport so far to pick them up? "Good point. I'll ask him about that. It'll be stressful coming out so far."

She nodded, biting the inside of her cheek and setting the tea down, throwing out the soaked leaves and placing the mugs on a tray.

"Can I ask... uh, a question?"

Hauen winced at the words on the tip of her tongue and Taehyung motioned for her to continue.

"You and Jungkook," She clamped her mouth shut and Taehyung's heart clenched, a sharp inhale sounding from him. "Just— okay, I won't ask, but, um, you guys, you look very good together. When you walked in the store— oh god, I'll leave now. Excuse me."

Hauen nearly tripped over her feet as she bowed and hurried out of the break room with the tray of tea, leaving a shocked Taehyung standing in the middle of the small room.

"Tae?" He saw Jungkook's face appear in the doorway. "You alright?"

"Mhm," he bit his tongue and walked over, shivering slightly. "Things go okay?"

"Yeah!" Jungkook's enthusiastic look of success helped put him at ease as well. "We exchanged information. His prices are so good, it's a steal. I'll definitely be using this place."

"I'm glad, angel." Taehyung found himself lost in the photographer's happiness.

"Are you sure you're okay?" The younger put his hand on his shoulders. "You're, like, wavering a little."

"Hmm? No, no, I'm good. Just haven't ever felt so... normal?"

Jungkook's nose scrunched up, arms shifted up to link around his neck and hug him. "Thank you for coming."

He held the small waist, thinking about Hauen's words. Together. They looked good together.

"Always, Jungkook."

"Come on," he pulled away, taking the model's hand. "I want to ask Sungho about his cameras— also Jin Hyung's gift! Then, we need to get some food; I'm starving."

"This is such a nice place. Busan and Seoul are too big for this kind of quiet." Jungkook giggled, eating the cream cheese bread warming his hands.

"Agreed. I love just hanging around. Reminds me of some dramas I've seen." Taehyung let out a breath and watched it pool a visible cloud in front of him.

They'd sat in a restaurant and eaten dinner, which Taehyung forced his hand on the bill for. Jungkook had been upset about that until the restaurant's small bakery case came into view as they were headed out, lighting up when he saw the small snacks.

The sun had set during their meal, dragging the colors marking the sky away. Left in the wake of light's absence was murky blue, the remnants of cool hues pretty before the pitch dark of midnight.

It was nostalgic seeing lampposts light the parking lot as they headed for the car relocated in the restaurant parking. Nostalgic with the cold clinging onto his toes, hands warm in his pockets and sky darkened overhead.

"Try this, Tae," Jungkook held out the bread. "It's literally so so so good."

"Hey," Taehyung laughed. "You know I can't."

"One little bite?" He pouted and the elder stopped walking, making Jungkook stand in front of him. "They won't notice one little bite."

"Your pouts should be made illegal." He caved, holding the photographer's wrist and bending his head to nibble at the side of the bread.

It was delicious. He stole a quick second bite and smiled sheepishly as Jungkook grinned victoriously.

"Isn't it yummy?"

"Absolutely. Damn, they should have this in Seoul."

"Probably do in some street stand." The younger walked along again and Taehyung turned with him.

"I'd be tackled in those streets." The elder shook his head with a chuckle. "Haven't eaten street food in so long. Just eat what I can get in the apartment, BigHit building or at fancy dinners."

"That sucks. I'll sneak something in for you."

"Really?" Taehyung teased. "Might have security drag you down."

"I'd do it for you, fend them all off so I can get skewers to your dressing room or something."

"Cute." The model laughed, another whiff of air clouding in front of his face. His laughter died off as he remembered the idea he'd gotten. "Hey, Jungkook?"

"Hmm?" He answered with a stuffed mouth, cheeks puffy and Taehyung wanted to kiss the stretched skin.

"Let's take a picture." He smiled at the surprised expression, the younger's ears tingling redder than the cold could have done. "Together, I mean. We don't have one together."

"We don't?" He looked down at the bread in his hand, trying to deny that claim, but it was true. "Oh, I thought we did."

"You want to?"

"Yeah." He smiled shyly, eating the last of his bread and tossing the wrapped in the trash. The car was just a few meters away and Taehyung walked over to it, finding a good angle to prop up his phone and pressed the record button.

"Okay, just do whatever now."

"Is this a timer photo?" Jungkook frowned in confusion.

"Video." The confused frown grew and Taehyung took his hand. "I saw this little hack, or something, about just recording a video and taking screenshots of the candids from there."

"The quality is going to suck." Jungkook accepted the other hand reached out for him. Taehyung swung both connected arms side to side and watched the dark strands flop over his eyes.

"The quality of the picture doesn't matter, angel," Taehyung replied. "Just you being in it is what I care about."

"Okay, fine," The photographer threw his photographing standards away for Taehyung's silly 'hack,' the frustrated sigh making both of them laugh.

The model suddenly leaned back to the side, impulsively acting on a childish memory the nostalgia reminded him of. The younger shrieked as their bodies stumbled around in a spin with the momentum, Taehyung repeating it so that they spun a few more times.

The air lifted with warmth, Jungkook throwing his head back with another shriek of joy as their feet pivoted in the middle of the energetic funnel.

Taehyung stumbled on his feet in the rush of adrenaline and lurched forward to catch Jungkook from falling, both of them stumbling back until they hit the side of the car, the younger pressed against the gray surface.

"O-Oh my god!" Jungkook laughed again, gasping for air. "Where the hell did that come from?!"

"I dunno." Taehyung grinned, hugging the boy and reveling the elation soaking the encompassing air. He was also breathing heavily, taken aback by his own actions and forgetting about the recording phone. "Thank you for tonight, angel."

"You had fun?" He heard that hopeful edge.

"Most fun I've had in a while." He agreed. "Your surprises aren't so terrible."

"Hey."

Taehyung laughed and pulled away enough to gaze into his eyes, their bodies still up against the car. Jungkook went dead silent at that, breath snagging in his throat as the darkened features just made the air thicken.

"Hi." The model whispered, gathering every ounce of bravery within him to lean to the side and press his cold lips to the younger's hairline.

"T-Tae—"

"I'm driving home, m'kay?" He reached into Jungkook's pocket and fished out the keys, making the boy's knees almost give out. Those small hands gripped his arms tighter and Taehyung pulled him into another hug.

"Thank you."

"For letting you drive?" The voice whined, torn between embarrassment and shock.

"For making me feel a little more normal in this crazy world."

Jungkook pulled back to look at him, Taehyung surprised to see tears of pride in those doe eyes. The younger wore an expression of success, tangled in a great feeling he didn't want to fade away.

"Always." Jungkook whispered, reaching for the phone propped up and stopping the recording, both of them heading for their designated seat.

Always meant a lot. Them against the world. Them against the past. Them against the games. Always making the games real and human and winning them.

No amount of won, no staggering net worth, would give them the same feeling of 'always' that just being together did.

They were, together, priceless.

—

the end...

jkjk :D