Stay Gold - BTS

"TAEHYUNG! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!"

"I LITERALLY ONLY INHALED OXYGEN!"

Jungkook bolts to where the yelling is coming from, stopping right at the kitchen to see why is everyone yelling already.

And then he laughs.

Hard.

Yeosang is covered in green frosting, pieces of cake attached to his entire body with his murderous glare towards a hysterically laughing Taehyung, who holds a now empty plate with a smashed up cake on it.

Jimin suddenly appears behind Jungkook, taking in the scene before bursting into laughter, nearly falling to the floor with a hand to his abdomen and another to his mouth.

Yeosang is most definitely not amused.

"Aw how cute. Yeah laugh at me, take a good look before I end up throwing the other half of this cake to your faces!" Yeosang barks annoyedly, glaring at Jimin when the other male makes his way toward him, giggling his way there.

Then he leans and licks a long stripe of frosting from Yeosang's cheek, shrieking the other male from the unexpected action while Jimin bites back a smirk.

"Hm, needs a bit more sugar," Jimin snickers and looks at Taehyung, "And Lisa's favorite color is yellow."

Taehyung pouts and looks at the ruined cake, "I thought it was green."

Jungkook's heart practically melted to the other's sullen expression, moving his way to stand behind him and wraps his arms around his waist and plops a chin to his shoulder blade.

"Well we can make another one since she clearly can't eat that one."

Today is Lisa's birthday and they're celebrating it at her new apartment in Seoul. Iodine ended up prospering on her own and has been paying for Lisa's rent for the meantime. Jon is surprisingly living with her too but on a separate bedroom, as if he would ever leave her side.

It's evident that these two have something interesting going on, but too soon to do by thing about it.

At least from Lisa's perspective.

So Taehyung has been preparing her birthday cake all day to surprise her, since they have surprisingly gotten closer within time. It's safe to say that Lisa and Jon are Taehyung's closest friends besides Yeosang and Jimin.

And he's been happier to be surrounded by such a good and supportive environment after a long time, to finally have good friends and feel good himself.

And he feels good, better than ever internally.

"Well," Yeosang huffs, suddenly grabbing Jimin's arm, "While you two love birds get together on constructing an amazing cake, I'm go shower."

And suddenly he carries Jimin in his hug, making the other shriek by the frosting suddenly all over his body as he fights playfully to get off his boyfriend but Yeosang indifferently takes the giggling man away in his arms.

It's been three months since Yeosang finally tied the knot with Jimin, and to say that these two have been the happiest they've ever been would be an understatement. Jimin practically glows this beautiful light now, filled with happiness and just joy with himself and life that Jungkook has never seen before.

He finally decided to pursuit a career in being a therapist for those who have been in domestic abusive relationships, wanting to help and aid those who went or are going through similar things that he went through. He's been heavily invested on that and feels hopeful for the future for himself.

Yeosang is back in college, surprisingly, and followed his brother's footsteps in being an artist. He's aiming more towards the tattoo artist business but he still has time to decide on that for sure.

This has been the most calmest and happiest Jungkook has ever seen his brother in a long time.

The ravenette suddenly blinks when he feels a peck on his head, snapping his eyes to Taehyung, who's staring at him with a slow smile as he gets out the ingredients for the cake.

"Dozing off?"

Slowly Jungkook snickers and began to take out the utensils they're going to need, "Not about you."

Taehyung snickers and gently shoves his arm before getting to work.

These past seven months had really been a very slow but drastic change for everyone, especially Jungkook and Taehyung.

They didn't start a relationship as everyone expected, still haven't either to this day, and the main reason being is that they need time.

Together they have been seeking counseling, on how to better communicate and improve their relationship as two individuals. That's not the only counseling session Jungkook has to go to, but also one with his siblings and one alone.

He's been through a lot and this is something he feels like he needs in order to heal, that they all need.

So Jungkook and Taehyung agreed to take things slow, get to know each other better as people now that the fear isn't there anymore.

Jungkook's father is in prison, his mother is in rehab and Taehyung's mother has been running business smoothly with Iodine.

Yeah, finally there's nothing to fear, but now all that everyone needs now is to heal.

And Jungkook thankfully has been doing that a lot lately.

Him and Taehyung do eventually exchange a few acts of affection here and there, but it's nothing more than just small acts of physical affection as holding hands or small pecks on the head and cheek. The pace they're going feels slow but it's a perfect slow, something they need in order to reassure themselves that everything will be okay.

So yeah, it's been a process, a big process for everyone, but now they feel more united than before.

They really went through hell and back together.

And in a way..... Looking back still feels perfect, as though it was meant to happen.

Jungkook smiles to the thought, looking at Taehyung and still feeling that raw tenderness in his heart that he always felt.

Still feels.

For his little cub.

They grew a lot together, and now it just feels..... Natural.

Not rushed with other intentions, but a genuine natural chemistry.

Who knew they would even reach this far together, but it feels nice, especially since they're doing it together.

Just like baking this cake.

It nearly took an hour or more for the cake to finally be done, with yellow frosting now, before putting it in the box and covering it up so it wouldn't get all messed up.

By the time it finished, Yeosang and Jimin finished with their 'shower' and so Jungkook and Taehyung went to get ready quickly before the four friends walk out of the apartment to to go to Lisa's apartment.

Thankfully it was not a far walk since it's the floor above this building.

By the time they got there, Jon must've heard their loud commotion because he swung the door open the second they arrived with his vibrant smile.

"Finally!" He beams, practically tanking them inside, "Shh she's not here yet, but she's coming soon with Iodine."

Jon has been the most eager about this party, wanting it to go perfectly as planned for Lisa while being with the people she's close with.

Ten and Taemin were already here, along with Lucas and Seokjin, Hoseok and Namjoon with their new boyfriend in the relationship Yoongi.

Clearly new couples here but the group still being closer friends despite that. Ten and Taemin also finally tied the knot along with Seokjin and Lucas, surprisingly, but all these relationships have been healthy at least.

"Kookie!"

Ten squeals and jumps into the ravenette arms, pecking his face with a bright smile, "I missed you so much!!"

"We saw each other this morning Ten."

"I don't recall," He giggles and piles off before giddily taking the box with the cake from Taehyung's arms, "I'll take this and put it on the table."

A wine glass is on their hands now with music in the background, laughs and stories moves around the room with nothing but a good energy between them all.

However it was time to quiet down when Jon got a message from Iodine that they're coming back, and best believe he was a mess as it is to turn the lights off and making everyone shut up.

It was like watching a movie in slow motion when the door to the apartment creaks open with Lisa and Iodine's chuckles, but that abruptly stops when the lights turn on and Jon practically jumps on Lisa in excitement.

To say the girl nearly flipped him over would be an understatement, but then her lips gapped after the scare faded and was slowly replaced by a wide smile.

"You guys!" She gawks, tears beaming her eyes with hands clasping over her cheeks with her wide smile, "Fuck I never had something like this before, thank you!"

When her eyes landed to Yeosang and Jungkook, that's when everyone really felt the weight of her words, especially when the siblings got into their own hugs together.

Finally they're able to do the things they want to do that they were never able to before, and they're happy that they get to experience these things now together as a family.

Their own family.

The Raven.

The Queen.

And The Little Gem.

Finally they're free.

Finally.

From there the party became a massive blur; from Ten and Taemin showing the group their new dances to Namjoon and Hoseok telling their funny adventures on their quest to swoon Yoongi over, lastly to singing happy birthday to the smiling girl.

Who's not been able to stop smiling since she got here.

Jungkook is leaning against the wall beside the window, looking outside with a wine glass and a small smile to the sight before his eyes.

Reflecting the little galaxies in his gaze.

For once his shoulders are relaxed and his insides feel warm, not with the familiar paranoia in the back of his mind.

He stares outside a little more before looking at the stars, letting it glitter his gaze even more as he slowly lets go of his pain.

The emptiness of Woosung's death is still there, but now it's slowly healing the fatal wound. He knows no one would ever be able to replace that spot that he left, but he feels a peace knowing that Woosung will not suffer in this world anymore.

Even though he died too soon.

An arm around his waist ease him out of those thoughts, followed by a chin on his shoulder to the familiar aura of the person.

"He's watching over you, you know?"

Jungkook twitches a small smile and drinks his wine before turning to Jimin, seeing the other smiling to the stars as well before looking at him.

"I hope so," Jungkook chuckles back slowly and looks over the scene of people, going over these dancing games on the television, "I'm grateful I met you, I hope you remember that always."

The way Jimin's smile glows just pours out how grateful he is to hear those words, giving Jungkook a strong side hug, "I'm glad we became friends, and trust me this is for the long run," He giggles quietly before letting his smile falter a bit, "You know..... You didn't hear this from me but Taehyung is still crazy about you."

It was almost automatically that Jungkook's heart fluttered, filling with that familiar giddiness as it lands over to Taehyung who's going against Namjoon in a dance battle, that wide boxy smile on his perfect face with eyes disappearing.

Yeah, just maybe he's a bit crazy about him too.

"I'll keep that in mind," Jungkook snickers, making Jimin pinch his cheek before skipping over to Yeosang on the couch and sitting on his lap, cheering on to Taehyung's win.

The happiness that oozed out of Taehyung's body is what fuels Jungkook with peace, knowing that no longer is Taehyung carrying so much weight on his shoulders and it finally free to be and do what he wants.

What his heart wants.

The two have done a lot of heart to heart conversations and it's evident that Taehyung regrets doing what he did, but Jungkook doesn't entirely blame him.

Nor does he hold that against him.

Every human being in life do things in order to survive, sometimes reckless decisions, and Jungkook more than anyone understands that.

What matters now is who Taehyung wants to be for himself.

Who he wants to be in the future as well.

And Jungkook sees his future quite clear as Taehyung giddily walks up to him, tugging his hand, "Did that see that! You have to try it-"

Jungkook leans forward and pecks his lips, quickly but that was enough to feel that straight line of electricity strike his fragile heart.

When he pulls away, Taehyung is in a daze state but blinks and shakes his head, a cute blush on his cheeks with a shy grin.

"Well..... I was not expecting that."

This only made Jungkook feel more bold and wraps arm an around his, tugging him closer to his body before nuzzling his forehead against his.

"I feel happy," Jungkook whispers quietly before pulling back, staring at the endless sparkles of Taehyung's eyes, "Whenever you're ready, I would love take it to the next level with you."

Jungkook expected anything really, maybe a gasp or a kiss if he was lucky, but Taehyung squeals in happiness instead, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"Finally! I was so scared and shy but I was actually going to ask you the same thing later on tonight," He beams brightly, moving to stare at Jungkook with a nod, "Let's give this another try, yeah?"

Jungkook was trying to maintain his composure but couldn't stop himself from laughing along with him, kissing his forehead before holding him in his arms so tightly that Taehyung had to tap him to ease a bit of the hold.

Ha, life has an interesting way on playing with destiny, really.

What started off as a sex deprived toxic fling, became something much more deeper and intimate than that. It didn't just take one sided effort, but equal amount of time and effort from both sides.

It was unclear really the future that was set out for them, nearly impossible a road with them together, but they constructed the road together with their bare hands.

They made this possible.

They built that trust after so many things throwing at their face, screaming at them to be apart.

Now they have healed separately, now it's time to heal together.

Whether their relationship was hate or love through the journey, at the end they had one thing in common;

It was raw.

The End
_____________________
A/N:
It took me so long to finish this chapter and I have no idea why :')

It just feels all too real, you know? That this ended.

After such a long time of going through this roller coaster with them, they finally found their happiness.

It was such a long journey everyone but we made it!!!

Thank you so so much for going through this journey with me. I honestly feel like I connected this book so much, and it made me realize and reflect on a lot of aspects about life and myself as well.

A book ends, but another begins, and that one being The King's Wonderland!

I'm miss this book so so much!!

Ahhhh!!!

I PURPLE YOU ALL SO SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

(Present Note:
I have officially finished editing and uploading the story! As we saw in Raw, it was mainly from Jungkook's perspective, but in Venom (the sequel) we're going more into Taehyung's perspective, especially on his past in details. I'll start updating Venom once I finished uploading Broken Dollies!)