i took the picture below when i went ;)

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jjungkookie literally a dream come true

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"Montmartre District. Artist hill." Taehyung smiled, eyes trailing to the awed younger tugging him down the stone paths after they'd passed the main plaza.

Jungkook had excitedly placed them both in front of one of the many caricature artists, bunched together waiting for a client. The lady had drawn them atrociously cartoonish, Jungkook tucking the rolled sheet of commissioned work in his backpack before thanking her with an eager 'merci' and pulling Taehyung along to the next thing that caught his eye.

The older had raised a questioning brow when he'd gotten pulled into a Starbucks, one that was just across from a French cafe. Jungkook had only bought a bag of potato chips from the chain store before letting Taehyung treat him to French pastries across the street.

Taehyung was enjoying, too. He'd never been to the hilled village area that many tourists flocked to, just simply out of never coming to Paris as a tourist.

There were a few times where he saw someone bundle up to their company and point excited fingers, clicking indiscreet discrete pictures of the celebrity they'd recognized regardless of face masks and normal clothing. But Taehyung found that he received more respect than he could ever ask for in the lack of direct contact any possible fan made.

They seemed to realize his presence with the young photographer was something special and long awaited, one with which they treated with great kindness.

Taehyung felt much more relaxed. Felt the most normal he had in some time.

The commotion of the main street dulled into mere hums tingling their ears as the two Korean men strolled down to the quieter, residential side of the area. The stones dipped as they trailed down the hill, trees caving in and giving pretty barriers to their view.

The model stared fondly at Jungkook with every stop they made, more often than not so his camera could be filled with the wonders his eyes experienced.

"This place is so perfect." Jungkook swung their intertwined hands between the gap of their bodies, Taehyung leaving it pliant for the younger to do as he pleased. His free hand tucked his mask away, space quiet enough to rest aside the need for it. "Do you like it?"

"Oh, I love it." Taehyung nodded, gazing around and jerking his chin towards the upcoming intersection. "Look at that building. It's pink."

Jungkook followed his gaze and let out a small breath of amazement, the sky trickling with warm colors of sunset to match the restaurant Taehyung pointed out.

"Wow, don't get to see that in Gangnam." They paused in the intersection, some incredible wave of film nostalgia hitting Taehyung as the lingering sun rays lit reflections across the stone, small pillars lined along the sides of the road marking borders between the street and sidewalk.

Jungkook let his hand go to climb atop one of the side road pillars, raising his arms out as Taehyung laughed and moved to stand on the ground by his elevated body.

"How's it going up there?" He let one hand reach up to hold the younger's knee, cautiously ensuring his safety. "I got you."

"I won't fall." The photographer rolled his eyes.

"Yes, because I'll catch you." Taehyung chuckled, hand shifting up with his other one to enclose the slim waist and tug Jungkook towards him. The younger teetered off the pillar with a sharp yelp, arms wrapping around Taehyung's shoulders as Taehyung caught him with a firm hug around his torso.

Jungkook laughed as Taehyung spun him around, his deep voice grunting out a 'angel falling down to earth' and making his ears burn red. Taehyung slowed and set his boyfriend down onto his feet. Jungkook remained latched to him with the dimming of his laughter, head buried in the crook of Taehyung's neck.

"Did you have fun this week?"

Taehyung kissed the side of his head and brushed the dark hair behind Jungkook's ear. Jungkook mumbled some answer into his neck, the skin warming as Taehyung smiled and squeezed his side.

"Koo, can't hear you."

The head lifted from his shoulder, his pretty doe eyes glistening along his waterline. Taehyung pulled Jungkook against his chest and brushed his nose against his, lips brushing his forehead.

"Are you okay?" He asked the younger.

"I'm good, Hyung." Jungkook swayed slightly in his arms, drunk on the dream-like evening. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"No, I just thought I'd do my daily ask." He laughed at the scowl on Jungkook's face.

"You really mock my habit too much." Jungkook answered, nose scrunching when Taehyung left a small peck to the tip of it. "I haven't asked about your work day in so long, though."

"You can't possibly ask that when I'm not working." Taehyung assured. Then he sighed, long and heavy, causing Jungkook to frown. "I feel like I'm in the calm before the storm."

"You know you can take your time. No one is forcing you to get back into work until you're ready."

He knew that. He'd been told that by everyone every time the topic came up. After taking months off of work, to give Jungkook the love he deserved and wished to gift, to learn how to love the work he did again, and to find himself, Taehyung knew he was to find his place in front of cameras again soon.

"I'm ready." He told Jungkook, the younger smiling encouragingly and cupping his face in his smaller hands.

"I'm proud of you." Jungkook brushed his thumbs over his cheekbones and Taehyung leaned into his hands, eyes fluttering shut as the skies intensified with color. "You know Yoongi Hyung told me something before we came here."

"What'd he say?"

"Quitting takes courage. Knowing what you need and what's harming you, stepping away from it. Enduring takes courage, but knowing when to drop it takes even more. It's helped you a lot, Taehyung."

"I needed it." He nodded. "Hyung being smart at always."

"Our friends are the smartest." Jungkook grinned. "You did the right thing for yourself. I'm so happy you put yourself first these past few months."

"Couldn't have done it without you." Taehyung credited, head shifting to fall onto the muscular shoulder. Jungkook smiled into his mop of hair. It was calm. The limited crowds of the off season were far, spring weather causing some chill to brush past in the evening breeze.

"It's funny how we were just joking about this last year and here we are." Jungkook's hands trailed down his arms as the model kissed the column of skin before his lips.

"Here we are." Taehyung stepped away and gazed around, shivering slightly without the direct contact. "We should take a picture of the two of us."

"Just do a timer photo?" Jungkook asked with wide eyes. "I can set my camera up."

"No, no, phone's easier. I wanted to do a candid or something. Without faces?" Taehyung wasn't sure what he wanted but the younger seemed amused by his pickiness all the same. "Don't give me that look."

Jungkook sat on the same pillar from before and let the camera dangle around his neck, backpack weighing him backwards every so slightly. "What look?"

"Uh, huh." Taehyung rolled his eyes at the small giggle the photographer let out. He couldn't help but smile at the sound. It was absolutely impossible not to. "Jimin's loving his time with Tannie. He's been sending me pictures all day."

"Think he likes his uncle more than us?" Jungkook snorted. "Wouldn't be surprised with Jimin's spoiling."

"Belly rubs all day." The older laughed, reaching for Jungkook's hand and helping him up. "I do miss him. And our friends."

"They know we're away for good reason."

"I know."

"Tae." Jungkook's voice remained firm as their arms swung between them and they carried on along the stone road. "You're very sure you're ready to go back?"

"Yeah. I miss seeing my face on magazines."

"Please." Taehyung squeezed his hand with a small chuckle. "Be serious."

"I'm very serious. I'm ready. I'll ease into it again. Everyone's been patient with me, so I should help them out—"

"Everyone was given all your time so no one's complaining when you take it back to heal." Jungkook reminded and Taehyung's words died in his throat.

Instead, he focused on the view. Reflected on how his life had begun to glow golden like the sunset on Jungkook's skin. How he felt golden with every glimpse of himself happy in a mirror or photo, Jungkook's wide smile being on either side of the camera bringing him even more peace.

Peace. Peace with himself, with his life. He was happy. Not the momentary kind, with the instability of whether the next day would be horrific, but the happiness that lasted. Content. He was incredibly satisfied with every part of his life and all he wished for was to return to working with the healing mindset.

Taehyung let go of Jungkook's hand and stared. It made his heart stutter at how Jungkook's head turned to glance around the street again. The sun behind him haloed light around the perimeter of his profile. It made the edges of his skin shimmer and the dark hair shine brown.

"You're so beautiful." He whispered, his hands buried in his pockets as Jungkook visibly froze at the words. His cheeks were tinted with pink, more shocked by the tone of Taehyung's voice rather than the words.

"Tae?"

There were tears in the model's eyes. They were tears that made his heart swell, not clench. They made his chest warm, not chill with rattling fear. The tears felt so good. The way they blurred his vision enough to make Jungkook's features hazy and it amplified the halo of light around him. He looked ethereal.

"You're the best thing to happen to me, Jungkook." He continued. "I don't even know how it happened, but I'm so glad it did."

"Me too." Jungkook was quick to say, smiling softly and reaching a hand up to swipe away a drop of gold trailing down his face. "And I'm not glad just because I get to be in my dream place of Paris," he teased and Taehyung grinned, one hand leaving his pocket to wipe a second stray tear. "But because you're the one who brought me."

"This place is stunning." Taehyung agreed, sniffing back any remaining tears that lingered with Jungkook's response. "I'm glad you brought it up during that call."

"I'm still wildly impressed by your memory." The younger mumbled. They took to sitting on the side of the road there, the downward slope doing little to deter them as they shed their bags. Jungkook leaned against the pillar and faced him while Taehyung stretched his legs over the small curb between the street and side path.

"Hey, Taehyung."

"Yeah, angel?"

His wrist was taken into Jungkook lap, smaller hand tracing over his fingers. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we never crossed paths online? If you never messaged me and I never got annoying in our chat?"

"I try not to think about that." Taehyung shrugged. "That never happening, I mean."

"Why not? I mean, it's crazy with everything that happened, but what if—"

"There's no need to focus on the past, not when I've got a beautiful present."

Jungkook quieted, hand resting atop his on the firm muscle of his thigh. "Oh."

"Is that stupid? That sounded stupid—"

"No, no," the younger sounded amazed. "I love that. You're my beautiful present."

"As are you, Koo." He smiled. "We made it to that light at the end of the tunnel, to the shore, one step at a time. Wouldn't have asked for any other person to stand beside me. That's the past I'll think about."

"Now, I sound stupid."

"You could never." Taehyung laughed, the sound light and pleased. He leaned sideways to close some distance between him and the younger. Jungkook's arms opened to greet him in an embrace and Taehyung kept his face leveled with his.

"I love you, Tae."

"I love you most, my angel."

"Not possible." Jungkook's nose scrunched as the model nuzzled them together, a shared giggle warming each other's lips. "I love you more than I love Tannie."

"Oh my, don't tell him that." Taehyung's hand brushed over his jaw, cupping the outline of the beautiful face before him.

"Why not? You scared he'll hate you?"

"Scared that I'll have even more competition. I finally got Noona off my case, I don't need our dog to fight me for your time, too."

"You know our time is always." Jungkook slung his arms around his neck and Taehyung found himself trapped between the younger's legs. Not that he would need to escape. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I know. You're at my side more than Manager-nim used to be."

The photographer recoiled slightly, eyes wide with curiosity. "How is he? Upgraded to a temporary management position on the board, right?"

"Hm, didn't have much work to do without me around. I know it probably pays better to be permanently in that position, and that it's pretty selfish of me to be glad he's willing to come back to be my manager."

"I think it's better for the company, too, though. Your scheduling and contracts are the most difficult to manage and he's the most competent after years. You need as much stability and normalcy to get working again, too." Jungkook pointed out. "When you were talking to him on the phone, he sounded like he preferred his original place."

"I guess so. I'm excited to see Noona again, especially. I sent her pictures of you with the Eiffel Tower a couple days ago and she sent me this paragraph about how she started crying missing us."

"Aw," the younger pouted, wiggling one of Taehyung's fingers around. "I love her. I can't wait to meet her again, too. Did she enjoy touring?"

"Loved it. Loves me more, though." Taehyung laughed. "I'm excited to go back in general now that I think about it. Excited to see my name in gold paint on that dressing room door, get in front of lights and the camera— as much as I love your camera, you know what I mean."

"I get it," he let Taehyung's hand fall, brows furrowed in concentration. "And if that's the case, then that means this break was worth every second spent."

"Really?"

"You should model because you enjoy the spotlight and showcasing a designer's hard work, right? It shouldn't be the case of whether you're overworking or forcing a healthier path." He leaned back against the pillar, pulling Taehyung with him. "Now that you've found some balance, you'll go back to it with the right headspace."

"You're one smart guy, Jeon Jungkook." The model traced a button on Jungkook's shirt. "I'll miss traveling and lounging around with you, though."

"Mhm," Jungkook tugged him forward to catch Taehyung's lips, the sunlight's glow on Taehyung too enticing to give up. "Same."

Taehyung held his chin, pressing his head against the pillar and locking their lips together again. He sighed into Jungkook's mouth, earning a small mewl of a noise. It was warm in the sunset's chilling breeze, the cool metal of Taehyung's rings making Jungkook's shiver.

"I'll miss—" he breathed out before Taehyung's lips were on his again. "—miss getting to— Tae—"

"Sorry," the model grinned, mouth still brushing his and sitting so close there really was no attempt to give him a chance to speak. "Go ahead, angel."

"Just gonna miss kissing and hugging you all the time." Jungkook let his eyes slowly peel over, dazed with Taehyung's lips in Paris. "But I won't be upset that this vacation is ending, and I'll be grateful it happened."

"We deserved some proper time together after everything." Taehyung agreed, touches lingering with fingers combing through Jungkook's dark strands, a squeeze to his thin waist. "Without worries and restraints."

"Those barriers will always exist, Taehyung." Jungkook leaned forward when the pinch of the wood against his back became intolerable. "We just have more experience on what to do and what not to do." He paused, grimacing for a moment and looking down at his lap. "Tae, there's something I never told you. At least, I don't think I did."

"What is it?"

"Back in November, when you came back from that offsite and we were all together in Yoongi Hyung's studio? He had keyboards all around and then I ran off saying Jackson Hyung needed help."

"Oh, yeah I remember that. Why? What about it?"

"I lied." Taehyung smile faltered. "Well, partly. I told you I ran into your manager when I was in the hallway and... and he was trying to find you. We talked— met for the first time there— and I lied about going to Jackson Hyung. I actually went with him to this meeting instead of you."

"What? What did he need me for? And why would you do that?"

"You were having a good day and it was about Bogum, so I told him to tell me and let you be." Jungkook saw the minor hint of objection on Taehyung's face. "I know, it was honestly stupid because it was a meeting with him, Noona, Sunmi-shi and Bang PD-nim. I was terrified and they weren't exactly happy I was there. That was the real first time I met your stylist, too, we faked it when you introduced us later—"

"Jungkook, what did they even talk to you about? Baby, I can't believe you stepped in because I was having a good time."

"I mean... I was glad I did at the end of the day. I got on their good sides because of it. You were supposed to hear about Bogum's evidence being found on the banquet hall's security cameras there and I found out instead. We talked about the charges and that's also where I learned about you skipping the therapy."

"Oh. You're a very good liar, Jungkook."

"I'm... that's not a good thing. Anyway, I actually had this plan. I told them that I would help you. Better than the therapist. I don't know why they listened to me when I look back at it and realize that I'm no professional and you going to a professional would have been helpful— rambling, sorry. I asked them to give me until the court hearing. To see if I could help you because you enjoyed spending time with me over a therapist."

Taehyung didn't say anything.

"They, uh, they agreed and then I was planning the Andong trip, but Sweet Night happened and things ended up working out a lot differently than I had arranged for. In the best way. I fell in love with you and you cared about me so much you were being lifted up regardless."

"And then the court case." The elder finally said.

"And then the court case. And you came back and I knew we'd come so far when you told me that you loved me that night. It's what made me even more festive in the holidays, encouraged to go to the Versace event and meet your friends. You'd unknowingly saved yourself and us, Taehyung. Just by trusting me."

"You did that effortlessly, angel." Taehyung's smile was small. "And I'm not upset you didn't tell me. If you had, I probably wouldn't have wanted your help. It was better for it to be natural the way it was."

"Agreed. I didn't think you'd be upset, but I just had to tell you. It surfaces in my head a lot and I feel guilty." They shared a knowing expression, the honesty appreciated. "Couldn't have asked for it to happen any other way, Tae. Dancing at midnight to Sweet Night will be one of favorite memories ever. First kiss, too."

"You trusted me a lot, Koo. Even after that night, you trusted with waiting until I'd be able to give you my everything one day and a lot of people would have been upset in your place."

"Well, I'm not like a lot of people in your life. I'm a breath of fresh air." Jungkook recalled Taehyung's own description of the younger.

"You started as a breath of fresh air and you ended as the reason I breathe." He recited his own words from the snowfall in Daegu. "I've always loved that you push me farther than I thought I could go."

"That's what we're meant to do. Challenge each other, but help each other through it."

"I'm surrounded by the smartest people to exist, honestly." Taehyung chuckled as Jungkook slid one of his rings off— a small flower with a blue stone at the center, gold stem wrapping around his finger. Taehyung put it on the younger's pointer finger. It fit slightly snug, though the model still thought it looked nicer on Jungkook. "You don't wear jewelry much, do you?"

"No, not really. It can scratch my camera." Jungkook was staring at the ring. "Well, that's just amazing."

"Hm?"

"I told someone, can't remember who, but I told them you were a flower blooming from ashes. Like the phoenix metaphor, but you're much gentler and evermore beautiful like a flower."

"That's quite fitting." Taehyung grazed a finger over the ring. "If I'm the flower what does that make you, Jungkook?"

"I don't know. Do you?"

"How about... the dirt grounding me," Taehyung kissed the ring on his hand. "The water and sunlight keeping me going, helping me grow. You're everything I need."

"Oh my god— seriously, I hate you for being so good." Jungkook sniffed. "That's— that's perfect, Tae."

"You should keep the ring." Taehyung grinned at his words. "It suits you. And if you scratch your camera, I'll buy you another."

"My camera is irreplaceable, thank you very much." Jungkook slapped his arm. "I will not be scratching it anytime soon."

"So you won't wear the ring?"

The photographer quieted, staring at it, feeling his heart stumble in its cavern from his coming boldness. "Well, maybe... maybe if it fit better, it's a little tight—" He jerked the ring off and moved it to his fourth finger, one that was slightly smaller that the pointer, refusing to meet Taehyung's gaze with his action.

It fit perfectly on his ring finger, both of them could see that, and they stilled in surprised awe.

"Do you know why the ring finger is so special?" Taehyung mumbled. Jungkook didn't think he could breathe as he shook his head. Besides being the one of marriage significance, he didn't. "It's the finger with a direct connection to the heart. The only one. So naturally, it's the one that shows off a great sign of love in society."

"That's really cool." He managed to say. "I— uh—think it fits nice on this finger, too."

Taehyung's lips quirked and their eyes met, holding the stare until Jungkook had to blink. Which made him gaze back down at his finger.

"It reminds me of your definition for the purple heart you always use. About how purple is the last color of the rainbow and it means something that lasts forever, longer than even the end." Taehyung took his hand and slid the ring off. "I think one day I'd like to seal our love like that, too. To last a lifetime together."

Jungkook watched him pocket the ring instead of putting it back on his finger. It made him smile, like Taehyung was promising him of the wish they both obviously wanted to happen when they were ready for it.

"I think I'd like that, too, my prince." They both helped each other up, dusting off their clothing from the stray rubble of the stonework. "When we're ready for it."

"We've got a whole lifetime anyway." Taehyung laughed, some indescribable emotion etched on his face and Jungkook wrapped his arms around the older, pressed his head against the model's heart and heard the steady drum of it.

Taehyung was human. He had a heart that was beating. A heart that was priceless.

"You know, we should take that picture you wanted before the sun sets. Candid with me playing the photographer role, or whatever." Jungkook let his head rise to be level with Taehyung's.

"Yeah? You'll take a picture with me, mystery man?"

"Yeah, I will." Jungkook laughed. "Pictures last even longer than a lifetime, Kim Taehyung. People can see how much I loved you when they find this picture a thousand years from now."

"I think that picture could become a great auction piece then. A photograph of the photographer and his model would sell for millions a thousand years from now."

"I'd like to think we're worth more than that, Hyung." He snorted, moving away to unpack his camera. "Considering your net worth's already twenty billion."

Taehyung took his hand and held him at arms reach, staring like Jungkook was the most brilliant form of matter to exist in the world. To him, the younger was exactly that.

"Oh, angel, we're worth much, much more. So much no one could possibly touch us." He paused and looked at their intertwined hands, reminded of how they'd first met. A door between them, with nothing but their voices to be heard, rather than a face to be seen.

Jungkook squeezed his hand and took the lead, words leaving their fates as a promise of a love that would last a lifetime and kept in photographs for long after.

"And being untouchable, Taehyung... I think that makes us priceless."

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v_95 the photographer and his model 💜

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