ITALY

"Babe!!!! Can you hear me? Gosh Babe? Baby? Babe!!!"
Eunwoo calls for Taehyung while alighting downstairs. He is getting frustrated over The boy who is not at all responding. Even though he is sitting exactly in front of him reading a random megazine.

"Babe? What the hell. TAE!!!" Eunwoo this time shouts a bit loudly standing close to the other.

"Hmm?" The model said fixing his gaze over the frustrated boy.

"Just hmm? Babe what's wrong? I've been calling you from, like ages." Eunwoo sighed.

"But I didn't hear you calling me though, you just took my name once Eun." Taehyung said shrugging his shoulders.
"How can I help you anywa-

"What!! Tae when will you get used to my nicknames? You know right I don't like calling you by your name but nicknames, it feels like a stranger-

"And I don't like nicknames Eun. I hate those names where my Name is not related. So I told you before like thousands of times."

"I know I know gosh but I don't care. You ARE my babe what's so wrong there?"

Taehyung immediately stands over his feet while griiting his teeth.
"For the last time Eun. Call. me. by. my. name. only." With that the other walks ahead leaving the elder behind.

"Gosh!!! You look hotter, when you are angry you know?" Eunwoo praised jogging behind the boy who just rolled his eyes.

"Ba- okay okay Tae stop stop stop."
Eun grabs the other's arm stopping him from walking more.

"You know I am here for just three more days, so I want to take you on a date tonight, are you free this evening Tae?"

"Eun I don't think-

"Please please Tae don't cancel it too. Atleast think this as a friendly date! You know we hardly get any time to spend together. Please I've been dreaming of an evening to spend with you. Please?" Eunwoo pleaded taking the other's hands over him.

Oh how he would be happiest person alive to put on a diamond ring over that slim finger of Taehyung.

Taehyung sighed looking at the other's desperate gazes over him. He meekly nod his head. This time he couldn't resist those eyes.

"ThaNK YOU!!!! BABE." By shouting the boy runs away from the other but not before giving a kiss on his cheek.

"You!!!" Taehyung could approach Eun, he is already out of his reach.

This is not that he is still not yet able to get over of his past! But the core reason of his negligence over the other is that he is scared. Scared to fall again. The life he is living now, took a lot of sacrifices from him. He lost his dearest father a few months later of his heart break, although he was not that close to his father but yet there was an alive emotion that someone atleast near to his heart along with his mother who will love him forever.

That incident made him more rigid. Made him desperate to believe that happy moments are rare. The whole life is a game of anyone's perspective. If you lose, you lose. No turning back.

That day, he promised to be firm. Promised to use his pain, his weakness as a shield to protect him, protect his mother from the toxicity. He disconnected his every connection with everyone in Korea except for Ana and his mother. He lost social media tracks and everything.

So he is now scared to get another heart break again in his life, because this time the whole universe would not be enough to hold him on his place from breaking apart.

But yet, There, He wants to feel loved again.

°°°°°°°°°°
Date night

In an utter silence, both the boys just finished their dinner. And right now some simple chitchats about their works are going on. But Eunwoo's intention of coming here was never been to talk about work. Gosh, how unromantic, can he be!!

"

Tae! Cough* so umm technically or non-techinally you know that right I love you! And-

"Eun-

"No Tae shhh! Listen. let me tell something at first okay?" The other begged gently. Taehyung just nod with a smile.

Okay so This is kind of getting awkward for the younger though. Because he had never been to any dates with anybody except for one person okay pfft let's move on from that topic but then again the romantic set up around the sea sand, looking at each other under the moon light, mingling with dim lights of the scented candles set upon the dinner table, is really giving the boy mix feelings.

This is new. And very fashinating as well. More over the person sitting in front of him is not helping his situation at all because in his blue suit Eunwoo is looking so much attractive. It's perfect, but this is just an attraction to him. His heart is still in dismay to open up to anyone. To love anyone again YET.

As for Eunwoo, Taehyung is looking extremely gorgeous with his overlay floral print shirt combined with his falling white pants. Looking at the boy Eunwoo always urges to say only one thing.

"I am falling deeper to you. And I want it to make mutual." Eunwoo looks at the other's eyes with sparkles.

And boom Taehyung's heart beat fastened.
No no no! Please don't ask me for merriage. Please I am not ready yet for that step. Infact I am scared to even think th-

"I understand you Tae, I know you are not yet getting comfortable for such topics. I know you. And trust me your simplicity, your every flaws attracts me more towards you. It gives me a reason. To never give up on you no matter what! And I am glad Tae that you happened to me. This-

Sigh*"Tae? Okay?" Eun placed his both hands over the other's palm carressing on it. On the table.

"This is not a proposal but a request this time from my side. Please Tae, trust fall into me by marrying me."

Taehyung stiffened on his position. He was not ready to hear that yet. What will he say anyway that no, I can't marry you because I am a coward to open up first? Or just it's his past which is not letting him! Bullshit the truth is that Taehyung is no more belive in love. He even didn't dare to tell this person about His past lovers name itself. This is how much coward he is being and running away from the reality.

"This time this is not just me Your mother and my whole family wants us together. They sent me here to take you back to them yet again with me. To Korea."

Taehyung is a sweating mess now. Tears are threatening to fall over his eyes. All words Eunwoo is uttering is seema like a lie again. A huge lie. A prank yet again. No no he can't return to that place which ever gave him just pain and nothing.

"We belong there Tae. This is not life here. Giving your mother a luxurious life doesn't end your responsibilities as a son. In here, It's just your profession. And I am glad you are doing very well here. And I believe that You will-

"NO. No I can't Eun. I can't go back to that place. Don't just don't. Please."

"Sigh* You still don't believe me right Tae? That I won't let you hurt again?"

"Th-is is no-t about trust-ing b-ut

"I know. we started our journey with just a mutual understanding. You trusted me that time, which I am very glad about. You shared me your past, your pains. And I listened. I get too much attentive when it comes to you. Because, because you are important to me. You are someone whom I don't want to lose anyway. Never."

"Eun I kno-w you do value me just like I do for you. But going ba-ck the-re-

"Whats making you hesitant from moving on Tae?" Eunwoo whispered to the other.
"At least give it a try. Give us a chance. Who knows maybe it could cure your pain!"

"Eun I don't know. I know I know I am being delusional and-

"No not at all, you are not being delusional Tae in fact you are so firm and right in your place. It defines that how purely and deeply you were in love with your ex."

Ex.. Yes ex. Jeon Jeongguk is just his ex now. A past which is still haunting him.
An ex which had broke him to his core. That person left you for all of a better life. No no you left him not he. But he never hold you back though!

No Tae you are not ready. This is just your anger, your disguise. Don't give it a stamp. Eun deserves better which is not you. You are just for a show, yes a show. You are not for love.

Stop!

No wonder why you always ends up with nothing. You are legit a coward tsh tsh tsh!!!!

Stop! Fucking stop!!

Just you wait and watch! How Eun too will replace you with another one as well!!! When he will get tired of you!!! And you will just left behind like a used up cane.

STOP!!

"STOP." Taehyung shoutes out loud followed by a whimper.

"Tae, babe." Eunwoo stands up from his sit and scoops towards the other.

"You okay?" The other said looking at the other closely placing his hands on his wet cheeks.

"You ar-e crying Tae, I am so sor- ry baby I never meant to sca-re you. I am so sorry please please." Eunwoo mumbled sweet words to console the other looking at the other.

But suddenly, Taehyung's eyes widened looking at Jeongguk's face closely in Eunwoo's place mumbling something.

Chiku? Baby you okay? I am sorryyyy, Awww did I hurt you much? I seriously...I- ok ...I will buy you a lot ...a lot cookies again..okay?...please stop crying...Look night is about to come, and we are still on roads... Now stop crying okay Chiku, please speed up, I will even massage your legs after okay??

YOU ARE A FISPOTTY...GO..AWAY...

"Stop!!! Stop this STOP. STOP." Taehyung shouted pushing the other away. Eunwoo immediately landed on the sand nearby them.

"Don't do th-is. Stop sto-p. Don't call m-e that. Call me by my nam-e." Taehyung bursted out crying holding his ears as words were still ringing to his ear.

"St-op stop...

And immediately he vomitted over the sand. The dinner he just consumed immediately got thrown away.

A date he never imagined. Eunwoo just looked at the boy with concern. He crowls towards the other and started to pat his back in a reassuring way as the other is coughing vigorously. Taehyung sniffs looking down at the mess.

"Hey hey it's okay. It's okay." Eun brings the boy to his chest letting him burst out his every emotions.

In this whole five years. The boy indeed tried hard to never break down. He were firm on his position. But today? He couldn't anymore. The pain he was carrying has been getting thinner day by day. It were about to burst out anytime. And now, He cried. He cried his heart out. It was  too much for him. He is not that strong. But situation made him. He accepted everything like a challenge. And now again standing in that same page he closed a long ago.

"Don't love me like him pl-ease. Ple-ase. I am sca-red to fall ag-ain." Taehyung mumbled.

"Shhh that's okay. Have some water."

A while later, Taehyung seems a bit normal now.

"I am sorr-y." He mumbled sniffing retreating his body from the other. He is just ashamed to cause this mess now.

"I don't mind anyway as much we stays together up close." Eunwoo mumbled flashing a smile.

"I- I messed up everything right? You wanted to make it special and me?" Taehyung panicked.

"Tae." Eun makes the other look at him.
"Do i look like I am sad? Hmm? I told you right I am happy up close with you anywhere. Don't panick. And now. Shhh." He wiped those tears and place a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Wanna go home?"

Taehyung shook his head as a no. The last thing he wants to stay inside of a house now.

"Ummm, How about going for a walk? will you?"

"Bu-t?"

"Oh come on stand up." Eun encouraged while standing up himself dusting those sands from his dress.

Taehyung is still sitting down, looking at the other in confusion. At least he expected some hurtful words and leaving him behind after spoiling their date.

Guess, I've never made any efforts to even know you like you did for me.

"Eun before dreaming a life ahead with me think twice. Are you sure that you are ready to have me as me?"

"Yes, I am." The other concluded with a smile making Taehyung more serious.

"Come on Tae, let's go." Eun grabs the other's hand and drags him towards the shore.

______________________

They are walking through the shores. Eun thought to interrupt the silence.

"Okay let's forget about these love, pain, marriage and what's not for tonight.
Then why not play a game?

"Game?"

"Yes!!! Two truth and a lie. This game is so simple all you will have to guess the lie between three facts. okay?

"O- okay? I guess?"

Eun giggles.
"So me first. Ummmm- okay,
First, I can hold my breath for two minutes.
Second, I am not into workouts.
And third, I can run a mile in under just seven minutes."

"Easy. The third one is a lie. Because you being a lazy ass, use elevator to reach just the third floor of a building and you will run MILES? Scoff* Dream on." Taehyung said making the other stop on his track. He never knew Taehyung would catch up the lie this first.

Eun smiled and speed up again."smart boy. Now it's Your turn."

"Oh me? O- okay? Ummm-
I- I okay... Soooooo,
First, I am a vegetarian.
Second, I travel a lot.
Third, I love watching cartoons.

"First one is the Ugliest lie you have ever spoken Kim Taehyung!!!! Have you ever look at your face chewing those chicken legs dipping with sauce? And those chiken noodle soups? Gawdd you look like a pig you know." Eun teased and immediately bursted out laughing looking at the other who is death glaring at him now.

"Ahahahaha... Okay okay, so it's my turn. Ummmmm.
First, I can swim.
Second, I can write using both of my hands.
Third, I can speak more then seven language."

"Gosh this is tough to guess. Ummmm. Ummmm. The second one? I don't know. But I've never seen you writing with left hand though." Taehyung shrugged.

"Umm wrong, the truth is that I can't swim."

"What???" Taehyung stumbled upon his feet hearing this.

"Yes. Gosh! Did I embarrassed myself?" Eun said with a blushing face.

"Of course you didn't but yeah!!! Something popped up into my brain."

"And I know you will share me right Tae?"

"Of course not gosh that's so painful. Aaaahhhh."

"Please please please please please please please please please please please please-

"FINE. when I was just two years old, since then My appa used to bring me to the river and he used to threw me to there like a duffle bag." Taehyung pouted.

"Ahahahaha he did what???" Eunwoo bursted out laughing this time he crowls over the sand.

"Yaaaaahhh don't tease."

"Ahahhahahahahahahaahha what a unique technique to teach you swim ahahahaha."

And just like that a night well spent in Italy I guess. Because when the ends well. All well.