The ride to Busan was heavenly; the two boys listened to music and sang along to their favorite songs, took lots of pictures of each other and together, and couldn’t contain their excitement about spending every day together.

They soon arrived at Jungkook’s house, and Jian crushed him into her hug and kissed his forehead. “My little Kookie.”

“Mom, not in front of Tae,” he muttered, embarrassed at her extravagant affection.

“Don’t be such a baby! I’m sure he doesn’t mind. And I believe he wants a hug and a kiss too,” Jian said, but waited first for his permission.

“Of course,” Taehyung beamed as he spread his arms.

Jian wrapped her arms around him and drew a kiss on his forehead, too. “You’re so gorgeous!” she screeched as she cupped his cheeks, squishing them.

“Mom, you’re making him uncomfortable!” Jungkook grasped Taehyung’s hand and pulled him away from her.

“No, it’s completely fine, Mrs. Jeon. Don’t listen to him.”

“Oh please, call me Jian or even mom.”

“Mom!” Jungkook grumbled once again, making her giggle.

“Fine, fine. Go leave your things and I’ll make you something to eat.”

As Jian headed off to the kitchen, the two boys trod towards Jungkook’s room.

“I’m sorry about my mom,” Jungkook said as they settled down on the bed.

“Why? I love her.”

“She’s not making you uncomfortable?”

“No, baby. I actually miss the mother’s warmth, even though it’s not from mine.”

“Well, she’s all yours, Tae. And I’m sure she loves you already, too.”

“I hope so.”

Jian’s voice calling for them stole their attention, and they walked towards the living room.

“What is it?” Jungkook asked as they sat on the couch.

“I just remembered. Sungwoon dropped by about a week ago.”

“Why?”

“He left me a box. Wait a minute.”

As Jian rummaged through the cabinet, Taehyung stared at the younger. “Sungwoon, as in the guy who had confessed to you?” he asked, although he knew the answer.

Jungkook sent a glance at him. Before he could respond, his mother passed him the box. He observed its average size, hesitating to open. “Did he say anything?”

“Just open it, and I’ll tell you.”

Jungkook’s eyes remained at a standstill on the item for a few more seconds before he opened it. While the outside was black, the inside of the box was colorful and it contained a photo book, which also had a colorful pattern. He pulled it out and inspected it. “The photo book is empty.”

“Yes,” Jian smiled. “He said to fill it with pictures of you and the boy who makes you happy. He also said when you’re in your dark place, you should open it and forget about everything for a moment.”

Jungkook considered the heartwarming words his mother relayed to him in a moment’s silence. Then, he chuckled as he twisted his head to gaze at Taehyung. “We should print some pictures we took today and put them in here.”

“I’ll continue with the cooking,” Jian said and disappeared towards the kitchen.

Jungkook’s smile withered as he analyzed the solemnity that hung over Taehyung’s traits. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s still hung up on you...”

Jungkook draped his arm over his shoulders. “If he was, he would have brought me a photo book with pictures of him and me or something, Tae. I’m sure he could give me this because he finally let go.”

Taehyung’s firmness softened at his words and the kiss he planted on his lips. “I guess you’re right.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about. And you’re meeting my friends tonight, so let’s eat and sleep because we’ll be out the whole night.”

“Why are you just telling me this?” Taehyung asked, his surprise shining through his round eyes.

“Why are you freaking out?”

“Because I’m not ready. I want them to like me.”

Jungkook giggled. “Tae, you’re amazing. They’ll love you.”

They soon sat all together to eat the delicious food Jian made. Jian cooed over Taehyung in every chance she got and pampered him even more than her own son. Jungkook said nothing; he let Taehyung enjoy every moment of it, even though she was too much at times.

Jian informed them after their lunch that she would go to her friend and come back the next day early in the morning. Tired from their trip, the two boys lay on the bed and drifted off to sleep fast.

. . .

Jungkook and Taehyung strolled towards the bar, where they would meet his friends, with their hands locked together.

Upon entering, Jungkook spotted the six boys already seated, and he grinned as he waved at them. “Hey!”

Everyone ignored him and instead focused the entirety of their attention on the boy who stood beside him. A few wows slipped from their open mouths, and Taehyung lowered his head in sudden timidity as he clung onto Jungkook’s side.

“What are you looking at, shitheads? Snap out of it,” Jungkook snickered and took his seat with Taehyung perching beside him.

“Don’t tell me that’s your boyfriend...” Jinyoung said, still stunned.

“Guys, you’re making him uncomfortable.”

“I’m sure he’s used to it,” Daehwi said with a dismissive hand gesture and leaned against the table. “Daehwi.” He extended his arm for a handshake, which the other accepted after a moment’s wavering.

“Taehyung.”

“Don’t be so nervous, Taehyung. We’re all good people here,” Jisung said with a broad smile in his attempt to alleviate his discomfort. “I’m Jisung and that’s my boyfriend Jaehwan.”

“Yes, and this is Woojin, Jinyoung, Sungwoon, and you are unbelievably gorgeous,” Daehwi said while pointing to each one and peered at Taehyung again. “How the hell did Jungkook manage to make you fall for him?”

Jungkook reached out to slap his shoulder. “Shut up, Daehwi.”

“Well, he’s just as gorgeous, if not more,” Taehyung ventured.

“Tae, you don’t have to answer him.”

“No, it’s okay.” Taehyung tipped closer to his ear and whispered, “It’s a chance to make you fall even more for me.”

“Not possible,” Jungkook uttered. Remembering they weren’t alone, he directed his regard to his friends and caught them staring with smiles on their faces.

“You guys are so cute,” Jaehwan cooed. “Why can’t you be sweet like Taehyung is with Kook?” He turned to his boyfriend, presenting a deep pout to him.

“It was a bad idea bringing Taehyung here,” Jisung sighed, but chuckled at the snort Jaehwan released.

The server appeared at their table, and they waited until she distributed their drinks. “We already ordered beers for everyone,” Sungwoon said. “We didn’t know what you prefer, Taehyung.”

At the mention of his name, Taehyung swung his eyes to him. It would be a lie to say he didn’t feel a tiny bit intimidated by Sungwoon. He had grown up with Jungkook, and maybe he still had hidden feelings for him. He secreted his bitter thoughts behind an affable smile. “I drink pretty much everything with alcohol, so don’t worry about it.”

“Well, I like you already,” Sungwoon chuckled as he raised his glass.

The others followed his movements and cheered as they clinked their glasses together. They chatted about a variety of things, they got to know Taehyung more, and Taehyung learned some quite embarrassing stories for the younger as they continued drinking. Taehyung, in particular, just finished his fourth beer and ordered a soju for a change, as the others were only drinking their second one.

“Is it me or you’re drinking a little fast?” Jungkook asked in a whisper.

“I’m just having fun.” Taehyung shrugged an idle shoulder. “To be honest, it’s quite entertaining how Sungwoon keeps staring at you.”

“Tae, don’t be like this, please...”

“Taehyung,” Sungwoon called. “Can you come with me for a moment?”

Taehyung’s eyes bore into him, a taut energy crackling between them. “Of course,” he sneered lightly and pushed himself to his feet.

The two walked outside in absolute silence and sat on a bench that was close to the bar.

“I’ll keep it short.” Sungwoon gripped the edge of the bench, leaning forward a notch, and set his gaze on him. “Why do you seem so bothered by me?”

A sonorous huff burst from Taehyung’s throat. “Maybe because you can’t stop staring at Jungkook?”

“It’s not that I can’t stop staring at Jungkook. I can’t stop staring at the two of you.” A small smile spread over his lips when Taehyung met his eyes, identifying a whirl of confusion in them. “I’m sure you know the story with me and Jungkook. But after he came here last time, and we talked, it was like a closure to me. I was happy he had someone to take care of him. I won’t lie. I was a little sad at the same time since I couldn’t be that person. So that day, I got completely hammered when he left. My friends put me in a taxi and told the driver where to go. We ended up having sex in the car. Apparently, I was all over him and he couldn’t resist. And that boy now is someone very important to me. And I’m not saying boyfriend yet because we said to take things slow.”

Taehyung’s brows twitched upwards and stood in two high curves of taunt. “You had a one-night stand, but having a relationship suddenly is too much?”

Sungwoon chuckled at his palpable teasing. “I know it’s stupid, but I don’t want to ruin it. I really like him.”

“How can you feel something for Jungkook one moment and then suddenly not feel anything?”

“You know, when you have a crush on someone for a long time, it can turn into an obsession. At some point, you can’t tell if it’s real or not. You fall for the idea you have in your head, but in reality, it can be completely different, and in most cases, it is. I was attracted to him and for so long I thought I wanted him, but the truth is, everything ended when he told me he thought of me as his brother and nothing more. But I couldn’t realize it then because I was still caught up in the idea I had in my head. Everything was in my head, Taehyung.

“And now that I have something real in my life, I can finally see the difference. It’s not just a crush with this boy. It’s a lot more that terrifies me. And that’s how I know it’s real. I care about Jungkook and I love him so much. But only as a friend. As a brother. Things change, you know. And when you can’t change something, all you need is a little push. So don’t worry about me. I couldn’t stop staring at you two because you seem so happy together and I know you are. I can see it. You help him change for the better. He’s opening up. I mean, he was never so talkative before.”

Taehyung listened with a faint smile etched on his lips and chuckled at his last remark. “Not even with you guys?”

“With us, he was a bit more comfortable about talking, but he was always somewhat quiet. You saw him how he was rambling just fifteen minutes ago about your teachers at the company and stuff. He can’t stay silent for over a minute, and I’ve never seen him like that before. He’s really happy, Taehyung. Don’t hurt him.”

“It’s the last thing I want to do,” Taehyung said as he lowered his head. “I really love him. Damn, I really do love him,” he breathed out as the realization of what he actually spewed toppled over him.

“Are you okay?” Sungwoon placed his hand on his shoulder, pulling him out of his short-lived trance.

“I just... I haven’t said that to him yet, and it’s the first time I said it out loud.”

“You should tell him, Taehyung. I’m sure he’ll be happy about it.”

Taehyung buried his face in his hands, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. “Fuck, I’m freaking out right now. How do you think he’s gonna react?”

“Okay, look. If you say it tonight, you’ll help me find some courage to finally ask Daejin to be my boyfriend.”

“Who the hell is Daejin?”

“The taxi driver, Tae, get it together!” Sungwoon shook him by his shoulder, causing him to chuckle.

“Okay, deal. But I have to drink some more.”

“Let me buy you as many drinks as you want, then.”

⚜✳⚜