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jjungkookie paris, he's leaving us for you😔💔

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bookmonnie paris is so cool omg
   jjungkookie✔️ @bookmonnie ikr I wanted to sneak into his luggage

parkthatjiminshi it'd be nice if you gave me this much love
jjungkookie✔️ @parkthatjiminshi I have lived with you for years dumbass i give you so much

sunshinehobi✔️ he's so pretty and he looks comfy
jjungkookie✔️ @sunshinehobi i know and i know😭😭😭

v_95✔️ I'll be back very soon
   jjungkookie✔️ @v_95 and i shall be waiting patiently

wwh_youknow✔️ pretty prince😍😍
jjungkookie✔️ @wwh_youknow ALWAYS

agust_dboy✔️ i bet it took him longer to set the phone up than to get such a perfect picture
   jjungkookie✔️ @agust_dboy i do not doubt that

kookieboi_ i look like a rat on planes and he's here just looking like a whole buffet

taesty_ jk deadass deserves all the love for being the best tae fan account

taekOokIe paris😳😳 THATS FANCY

peachVtae imagine how many natural pictures his friends must have😭😭😭

—

"That hotel room looks more expensive than my yearly income."

Taehyung laughed, tossing his towel on the bed and heading across the vast space to the living area. The lavish lounge chair was pushed up against the wall and he took a seat upon it, kicking his legs up and relaxing into the cushions.

"I wish I was staying closer to Noona and Manager-Nim." The model shrugged. "The room's stunning, though, you're right."

"I thought you all were in the same hotel."

"They're on different floors. Not as fancy of a stay for them. I wish it wasn't that way, but I don't make the bookings."

"You're lonely?"

"Without my precious angel, of course I am."

"Oh, please," Jungkook rolled his eyes. "Go mingle with the security stationed outside your door."

"They scare me sometimes. I'd rather eat the bathroom soap."

"You should steal that for me. Probably more expensive than my whole bathroom."

"Jungkook."

The light giggle flittered through the speaker as Taehyung reached over to the coffee table for his schedule that had been dropped off by his manager during dinner.

"Kidding, kidding. But I can't believe you said it's less than what you usually get."

"I always request for something less than these big suites, but like I said— I don't book these things. It's a formality to make sure I'm staying somewhere ridiculously costly."

"Sounds like a formality you should take full advantage of."

Taehyung grinned and shook his head, reading through the schedule. His silky nightwear crumpled as he dragged his knees in and perched his phone on the wall the limbs created. Jungkook was just watching him through the screen, the side of his head held up by one arm.

"Kind of worked out being less than usual because the trip was so last minute, but I've stayed here before when I wasn't as big. Amazing people. The staff recognized me and got so excited. Lots of swooning."

"Hey." Jungkook's tone was amused despite his words. "You're taken—"

"Don't worry. I gave them much adoration back. My fan service is impeccable, Koo."

"What about Jungkook service?"

"Ah, I forgot, let me just hang up and call him all night instead." Taehyung chuckled at the scowl on Jungkook's face, brushing back his damp hair and glancing over his shoulder to the open balcony doors, thinking of home. "Was it cold in Seoul today?"

"Terrible. My face was numb just walking to the building." The younger suddenly stood, walking over to his sofa and dumping himself atop it. "How's the weather there?"

"It's strangely warmer here," Taehyung scanned through the second page, glad his multitasking abilities were decent. "I don't have anyone to cuddle with, so it's a bit cold, I guess."

"Oh sorry, let me just teleport there right now," the younger teased and Taehyung smiled at the words. "The city must be nice."

"The city of love." The model hummed softly. "It's pretty. I never really get to explore because of the workload, but it's nice to look at."

"I can only imagine. How was the first day?"

"Mostly just meeting designers and directors. Keeping good relationships with them is important. The other part was a lot of information so I hope Manager-nim got it all. Noona was given all of her makeup assignments but Celine and Chanel said their staff will be handlings outfits."

"The way you say Celine and Chanel so casually amazes me. Is that normal? Them taking over Noona's job, I mean?"

He loved how closely Jungkook listened.

"Mhm. Those outfits are priceless. I'd be fucked if I messed them up." Taehyung's head jerked with the small shiver of a water drop trickling down his shoulder. "It's best for them to do it their way for liability reasons."

"Got it. So you just met people all day? Damn, my social battery could never."

"I mean the meals were absolutely delicious, but it's all part of the celebrity job description." The model rolled out his neck and set the schedule down. "I have minor fittings tomorrow. They've already adjusting most to fit me before my arrival."

"Do you ever do live runways?"

"Occasionally. I'm usually a guest model in them. The designer will fly me over to wear one of their outfits and I'll be the star of the show. It's more costly because the planning and rehearsals take a lot more time than private shoots." Taehyung frowned. "As much as I wish I wasn't, I'm expensive to hire."

"As you should be," Jungkook pouted adorably. "Your work's incredible, so it should be priced as such."

"Hmm."

"Did you even hear what I said?"

"Not with you pouting like that."

"Taehyung." Jungkook whined, ears turning a stark red. "Shut up."

"Never. You should sleep." Taehyung glanced at the clock. It was just past three in the morning, Korea time. "You tired?"

"Nah, not sleepy. I miss you."

"Tu me manques aussi, mon ange."

"Did you just speak French?"

"I know a little bit." The model grinned at the awed younger, crossing his arms over his chest. Jungkook gaped at him, eyes wide.

"Nope. Definitely wide awake. That was hot."

"God—" Taehyung choked up, rolling his eyes with the shared laughter filling the cool air of evening. "You're so random."

"Well, tell me what you said."

"Are you going to call me hot again?"

"You're blushing because I did."

"Am I?" He raised the back of his hand to graze the warmed cheek. "I guess I am. Look at that, millions of compliments and your's make me flustered."

"You never sound flustered." Jungkook huffed. "That's so unfair."

"I'm good at hiding my emotions." The model shrugged, seeing some crack of sadness accompany the falter of the photographer's smile. "What did I say?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing." There was certainly something on Jungkook's mind. Taehyung heard a soft 'doubts' sound from under the other's breath, making him frown.

It left them silent for a few moments before Jungkook perked up again, joy on display.

"Did you get to see the Eiffel Tower?"

"Oh, I can see it right now." The older raised a brow, thinking he'd already mentioned that.

"What?!"

"Hold on, darling." Taehyung chuckled, standing from the lounger and walking across to the balcony. The model had left the doors open, evening wind breezing on his covered skin with the setting sky in sight. "Catch this view from the Royal Suite of Hôtel Balzac."

He heard the audible gasp as he flipped the camera, Jeongguk dragging his phone close to his face.

"Taehyung— holy shit, you get to sleep to that view?"

"Mhm, isn't it pretty?" He stared at the amazement on Jungkook's face on the phone, agreeing with himself that the view was indeed perfect.

His gaze flickered up to the landscape as he leaned against the balcony railing. The Eiffel Tower was directly in his line of sight, the streets calmer after dinner time on a weekday. Flower baskets decorated the railing on either side of him and he imagined how much prettier the sight would be if Jungkook were a part of it.

"Imagine the pictures you could take in Paris! You know, I've always wanted to go to the Montmartre District."

"Where that white chapel is? Artist village?"

"Yes! Oh my god, you know of it?"

"I've been here many times for work." Taehyung cooed at the excitement unleashed on the other side of the line. "These brands invite me here a lot, so I know quite a bit about the place. I think I visit Paris at least twice a year."

"That's so damn cool. I really want to teleport to you now."

"Let's come here one day." He said, with a sarcasm they both understood. "I'll take you to Montmartre. Hopefully make it out alive if no one recognizes me."

Jungkook threw his head back with a laugh. "Yeah, any fans would rip you apart being in public like that."

It was unfortunate. People wanted his life, his fame, but sometimes Taehyung considered giving it all away just so he could take Jungkook to a popular spectacle like a normal couple, without security and without a worry of autographs and cameras.

Jungkook deserved that. Normal dates. A normal relationship. Not speaking to him through a screen in the middle of the night, parties in his apartment and their talking being restricted to his pitiful breaks between shoots and social events.

Andong was the closest Taehyung had ever gotten to a normal date.

They hadn't even been dating at the time so he wasn't sure if it counted.

What amazed him was how Jungkook never even complained. Never said a thing about how limited their plans could be. Never said a thing about other people touching him or dressing him, even in a professional manner. Never worried that he was spending a week in a foreign place with all the chances to do something bad.

Jungkook trusted him so much.

The younger just loved him. Not what he represented.

The last time Taehyung had been in a relationship, it hadn't been like that.

"Where else have you been for work? Any other fancy places like Paris?"

He took a seat at the balcony table, pulling his silk shirt tighter around his body as a leg crossed over the other. Screen Jungkook rested on his thigh as he kept the view of the Eiffel Tower in the camera lens for him.

And he talked softly. About his trips to Japan and China, being in London and Paris other times for work. He'd been to New York once, Times Square had amazed him. Miraculously getting the time the watch Lion King on Broadway was one of his favorite memories.

Taehyung wasn't sure when Jungkook fell asleep on the phone. He ended up laughing and talking to himself in remembrance as the call went on.

He came to learn of the younger's state when the sun had completely set, the Eiffel Tower's lights beaming, and he anticipated some reaction from the younger.

Then he had noticed the boy's head against the sofa pillow, eyes closed and body rising with every steady breath.

Taehyung's chest clenched, eyes tearing up slightly at the sight. He let out a small sound of disbelief that he was on a call his special someone— someone who had stayed up until nearly four in the morning just to talk to him about his day.

He would never deserve that.

There was no way he could.

No. That's not true, Taehyung.

He could hear Jungkook's voice in his head as if he was still awake, speaking to him and not sleeping away.

"It's not?" He asked aloud.

You've done everything you did to protect yourself. You're safe now because of what you did. By going to court, by opening up about it.

By believing in your worth.

You have me because you were brave.

"You deserve better."

And you make me happy, so who are you to decide that?

Just how Jungkook listened to him talk about his life, listened to him like his past was beautiful and not broken, meant the world to Taehyung.

He kissed the camera on his phone, like it was Jungkook's forehead, soft and warm. Taehyung pulled away from the hard and cold screen, wiping away the tears that had fallen onto the device with his sleeve.

The model smiled once more at the sleeping younger before heading inside and shutting the balcony doors.

His eyes lingered on the view of the Eiffel Tower through the glass, lighting up the night like it was the city's moon.

"You're more priceless than that view." He said to the younger before reaching for the end call button. "Sweet dreams, angel."

Jungkook was the Eiffel Tower of his life.

Compelling him to see the beauty in darkness.

To hold that hand. To smile with the younger's smile.

Taehyung thought that maybe, just maybe, past the darkness inside him, he felt a little beautiful, too.

—

i finally figured out the
end and epilogue for this book
i'm so ready to cry
(ITS NOT OVER YET)