The statement was released the next day.

International media erupted like the greatest volcanic disaster in all of history, some fans feeling guilty for never realizing Taehyung was going through a second hit from Bogum past social media, others rejoiced that Bogum was finally put away after the initial shock.

Some fans, Bogum's, were enraged at the charges— though, those numbers were small. BigHit handled any threats and his security with getting around for work.

Those who were indifferent, took the empathetic route and supported Taehyung, encouraging his strength.

In all, it was in his favor. The positive returns made the whole thing feel helpful. It made Taehyung feel better about everything around him. Almost giddy-like.

But Taehyung stayed away from the news and let his manager inform him of major events. It was best not to overwhelm himself with all the reactions. Keep it silent and professional until it died enough to slip back into his online presence.

He wanted to enjoy the holidays with his friends anyway. He wasn't allowing anything to ruin it. Especially not ruin a thing for Jungkook.

Taehyung's celebrity friends were contacting him. He met Hyungsik in person, knowing that he deserved to give the man that much when he'd done the favor of getting coffee for the cameras just weeks after the Gala.

"Taehyung," Hyungsik rushed down the hall and grabbed his arms, gazing at him with both concern and anger. "Shit, I can't believe— You should have told me."

"I know, I know," he blabbered, pulling the close friend into his arms. He was thankful for the empty halls of meeting hours. "I'm sorry I didn't, Hyung. It's over now, though, so it's all okay."

"To be honest, it's probably a good thing you didn't tell me or I'd go kick down the bastard's door before the trial ever happened." Taehyung shook his heads at the words, Hyungsik looking like he was anything but joking. "I'm glad you're okay now. Are you good?"

"I'm good." He confirmed. "It's been good reception, just a lot of it. And I've had a lot of help."

"I'm glad, Tae." The actor took his arm and led him down the hall towards the canteen of BigHit's building. "You tricked me with that coffee meet. Told me the gala went fantastic."

"You always did say I was a great actor." He turned it lighthearted for the sake of his own self. Hyungsik threw him a look that made him laugh. "Come on, why would I want to worry you?"

"I know you'd never worry me because you're you." The elder sighed and forced him into a seat before taking his own. He turned to the security that had been trailing them and asked the formally dressed man to get them some tea.

With a bow and retreat, the security left them alone.

"I think it's just good to leave it," Taehyung shrugged. "It's done. I'm happy."

"Happiness is what you deserve, Tae."

And Hyungsik had helped him so much after the first incident, scoring him a role in Hwarang to help get his positive reputation and work going again. Hyungsik served as a witness at his first trial.

"Thank you. For everything since we became friends." Taehyung stressed. "I've never given you as much appreciation as you deserve for all you've done."

"I don't need it." The elder waved off, a small smile on his lips. "As long as you don't lie to me when you're in trouble, okay?"

"I'll try."

"Oh, please—"

Taehyung chuckled and patted his arm, nodding at his security gratefully when the two mugs of tea were brought over.

"How have you been, Hyung?"

"Filming a new drama soon." He sipped his drink and sighed at the warmth in winter. "Park Boyoung is the co-lead."

"Are you tipping me secrets?" Taehyung raised a brow playfully. "You could get in trouble."

"M'kay, look who's talking to me about getting in trouble, Kim." Hyungsik frowned and set his mug down. "Take care of yourself. I won't be very available once we start filming, but I know Jin and the others can handle you."

"Handle me? Handle— wow, how kind of you." They shared a small laugh as Taehyung continued more seriously. "Don't worry about me, Hyung. Good luck on the drama and I've got plenty of support here."

"Planning anything for Christmas?" He redirected the conversation with a satisfied smile. "New Years?"

"Yeah, actually." He paused to singe the tip of his tongue with the jasmine green tea. "The three hyungs, Jimin and Jungkook. Not sure if I've talked to you about them, but we've made some holiday plans for Christmas."

"I've heard of Jungkook in the news. And with the whole Sweet Night ordeal. Jimin's working here, isn't he?"

"Mhm," Taehyung tucked one leg under the other and slid closer to the table. "Jimin's a choreographer with Hoseok Hyung. Jungkook is a freelancing photographer."

"That's great, Taehyung. How is Jungkook? I've seen some of the bad news around him. Can't be easy."

"It's getting easier to handle for him, I think." The model sighed. "A lot of people have gotten more respectful seeing how he shut down with the initial frenzy. And my shut down, too. He still doesn't go out much just to be safe."

"You care a lot about him. It's really amazing, Taehyung, to see you take care of him so well."

"Oh, uh, I should tell you," he chuckled nervously, scratching his head and looking at the table with color blooming in his cheeks. "He's my boyfriend."

Hyungsik broke out in a wide grin and reached across the table to shove his shoulder. "Hello yeah, I knew it! Seojoon owes me now!"

"You bet on my relationship?"

"Can you blame us?" The elder scoffed, Taehyung groaning and pointing an accusing finger.

"I am going to complain to Seojoon Hyung."

"Do that." Hyungsik laughed. "I'm so happy for you, Taehyung."

"Thanks, Hyung." The model beamed at the response, annoyance forgotten. "He's really been there for me through it all and now I'm doing what I can for him."

"Invite me to the wedding or I'm suing you." The actor glared. "I'm not kidding."

Taehyung laughed and poked his arm. "Shut up. I missed you, by the way. Thanks for meeting me."

"Missed you, too, Taehyung." Hyungsik leaned forward. "Even though you've got Christmas plans, are you going to that Versace Holiday Banquet? On the twenty seventh?"

"Did you get invited?" He asked with wide eyes and the elder nodded sheepishly. "Hyung! Look at you! I was, in fact, invited. I haven't accepted yet, but now I definitely will."

"Bring Jungkook as your plus one." The actor nudged eagerly. "I want to meet the guy."

"I'll surely propose the idea to him. He said he'd tag along to one. He mentioned that on our trip to Andong."

"You went to Andong together?"

"Yeah," his eyes were glimmering in memory. "The promotion picture for Sweet Night was from that trip. I'm heading over there tomorrow, actually."

"Huh? What are you doing going out of town just two days before Christmas?"

"Gifts." Taehyung chewed his lips, cheeks rounding with the unstoppable smile tugging at his mouth.

"You are in deep, Kim Taehyung." The man teased, arms crossed over his chest as he noticed the lovesick expression on his younger friend's face.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Hyung."

—

one message from sunghosprints
open?
yes | no

sunghosprints
Good morning Taehyung-shi! When
will you be in Andong?

v_95
Good morning Hauen, how are you?

v_95
I will be in town by noon

sunghosprints
I'm having a good day so far!!

sunghosprints
Will you be grabbing lunch here? It's
not a short drive😔

v_95
That's a good idea

v_95
You are off from school, aren't you?
Why don't I treat you and your father?

sunghosprints
Yes we are off for the holidays🤩

sunghosprints
Treat us to lunch? Don't worry
Taehyung-shi! We should treat you

v_95
Ask your father for me Hauen

v_95
I'm really hoping to thank you both with a meal

sunghosprints
I'll ask him, thank you Taehyung-shi🥺

v_95
Thank you for helping me with this gift🥺

sunghosprints
Oh it turned out perfect!!

sunghosprints
I boxed and wrapped it for you but I
think I cried a little when packing it

sunghosprints
He's going to love it

v_95
I hope so Hauen

sunghosprints
I know so!!

sunghosprints
Taehyung-shi?

v_95
what's the matter?

sunghosprints
just wanted to say you both still
look really good together

v_95
You haven't seen us together since that day hmmm

sunghosprints
This gift says much more

v_95
That's sweet of you thank you🤍🤍

v_95
Ya know the day I spoke to you about
it the first time? I told him I lost my
phone because I always message him
during breaks

sunghosprints
Oh no, was he upset??

v_95
no no he's clueless

v_95
I love surprising him

sunghosprints
that's so amazing🥺

sunghosprints
Also sweet night was incredible

sunghosprints
I listen to it a lot

sunghosprints
I'm rooting for you both Taehyung-shi🤩

v_95
That means a great deal Hauen🥺

v_95
I actually had a question to ask

sunghosprints
Yes, of course! what can I help with??

v_95
it's about that 1956 Leica M3 camera, peachy quilt casing

v_95
in your fathers showcase

sunghosprints
the double stroke, yes!

sunghosprints
uh what about it??

v_95
I was wondering...

—

one message from v_95✔️
open?
yes | no

v_95
namjoon hyungggg

bookmonnie
tae! hey how are you?

v_95
great rn hyung🤩

v_95
what're you up to?

bookmonnie
hmmm im just organizing around here

bookmonnie
got a huge package of new releases for the new year so just adjusting the stands takes time

v_95
oh if you're busy we can talk another time!!

bookmonnie
no it's all good tae, what can i help you with??

v_95
just curious if you've spoken to jk or jimin about christmas

bookmonnie
i haven't actually

bookmonnie
really only focus on jk's situation considering where it's at when I talk to him

bookmonnie
haven't been able to talk to minie about it either between his heavy practices for the showcase and just casual talk

bookmonnie
he did mention you were doing something for showcase tho??

v_95
i was thinking about it and then dropped most of it with everything going on

v_95
i dunno hyung live singing still sounds scary

bookmonnie
hey i think that if kook can talk on a live radio show, you can sing sweet night live for the company

bookmonnie
the audience will all be people working at bighit and their families anyway right??

bookmonnie
it's a company showcase

v_95
you're right

v_95
jk's braver than me though seriously

v_95
I'll reconsider

v_95
yoongi hyung will be on my ass about asking for his help so late

bookmonnie
he never says no to you tae💀

v_95
that is not wrong🤪

v_95
okay I shall consider thank you joonie hyung

bookmonnie
of course

bookmonnie
what were you asking about for christmas??

bookmonnie
did you guys make plans

v_95
christmas eve dinner and partying and then we will do presents in the morning I think

bookmonnie
awww sounds very fun

bookmonnie
thank you for including the two busaners they will enjoy it a lot🥺🥺

v_95
h y u n g

v_95
you are being cordially invited to the royal court's christmas celebration as the third busaner🤩🤩

bookmonnie
wait what

bookmonnie
taehyung that's like TOMORROW

v_95
was thinking we could surprise jimin and jk

v_95
secret between us two

bookmonnie
you want me to close shop and grab a last second train to seoul tomorrow

v_95
I mean... have you ever had a christmas without them since you met them?

bookmonnie
well no

bookmonnie
haven't seen them since the move either

bookmonnie
okay fine yes im in

bookmonnie
finding a ticket will be impossible

v_95
well good thing i already bought you one

bookmonnie
you what

bookmonnie
taehyung

v_95
please

v_95
no way in hell were you gonna say no

v_95
it's j i m i n

bookmonnie
oh shut up

bookmonnie
thank you though it's very sweet of you tae🥺

bookmonnie
send me the ticket

bookmonnie
you make bargains that are too difficult to refuse

v_95
Jungkook seems to be an expert at that

bookmonnie
expert at what? saying no to you?

v_95
yeah he never lets me spoil him

bookmonnie
hmmm that would be an influence from childhood

v_95
i wish his parents taught him to be a litte greedy

v_95
just enough that he would let me buy him things

bookmonnie
you his sugar daddy?🥴🥴

v_95
oh god NO NOT N O

v_95
ugh im gonna take him to some stores and just see what he takes interest in and buy it without him knowing at this point i swear

  bookmonnie
you spoil him loads without touching your wallet tae

bookmonnie
you sound really great btw

bookmonnie
im glad things are going well for you

v_95
just been beyond relieved with all this weight off my shoulders

v_95
letting the company handle it and getting to focus on my friendships has been really nice

v_95
holiday season is also just uplifting, I've never cared this much about christmas but jungkook makes it so incredibly fun

bookmonnie
it's his favorite 😩😩

bookmonnie
have you been focusing on yourself as much as your friends?

bookmonnie
it must be freeing without Bogum in your life

v_95
yes hyung, to both of those things

v_95
you know jk talks about you so much

v_95
always talks about how great of a person you are and how you're his role model

v_95
just thought I'd thank you for making him who he is

v_95
you're a part of him so you've been helping me grow too🥺

bookmonnie
send me that train ticket so i can meet and hug you in person

bookmonnie
you're amazing taehyung

bookmonnie
thank you for taking care of him too

bookmonnie
he's in good hands

v_95
I'll do my best

v_95
promise

v_95
also we've never met??? WHAT

bookmonnie
nope

bookmonnie
feel like I know you so well though

v_95
same, that's crazy

v_95
well I guess this christmas will be a special meet for all of us namjoon hyung

bookmonnie
i think it'll be one of the best ones we've ever had yet