This is the last straw.

Jungkook shudders. Today is the day he goes back to school. The school break was uneventful. He spent most of his time floating between his house and Taehyung's place-the latter being something he enjoyed very much.

"Why do I feel like everything will be different when we go back?" Jungkook says, intertwining his arms and legs around Taehyung while they lay in bed, refusing to let go of the boy. He woke up earlier today so they could spend more time cuddling.

"Why do you say that?" Taehyung asks, stroking Jungkook's locks.

Jungkook stays silent as he thinks for an answer. He debates whether to tell Taehyung about everything that's bothering him throughout the break. They promised each other that there would be no more lies between them. However, not saying anything is technically not lying. Knowing Taehyung, if Jungkook told him about the Mina situation, Taehyung would confront Mina himself-which would lead to one thing then another-and suddenly the entire school would see the photos, all because he decided to tattletale.

"Can I tell you something?" Jungkook asks.

"You don't have to ask," Taehyung says, chuckling softly.

"I-" Jungkook stops, feeling his throat choke up. He can't say it.

"You?"

"I love you," Jungkook mumbles out, making Taehyung grin widely.

"I love you too," he says, eyes disappearing into crescents.

Jungkook tells himself that it's okay. He drops the topic and decides to enjoy his time Mina free while he can.

Taehyung hums contently. "You're extra clingy this morning; I like it."

Jungkook hides his smile on Taehyung's chest. "I just don't want to go back to school."

"It will be good to see everyone again," Taehyung says, trying to lift Jungkook's mood.

Jungkook shakes his head, disagreeing. "I hate school. I just want you."

Taehyung chuckles, rubbing circles on Jungkook's back.

It's not that Jungkook doesn't want to see everyone, it's just that he fears what Mina might do. He hasn't heard a thing from the girl since the play, and it rubs him the wrong way. It's like she's scheming something. He hates not knowing what is going to happen.

"Is something up?" Taehyung asks, feeling how tense Jungkook is.

Jungkook shakes his head and snuggles closer into Taehyung. "It's nothing."

"You promise?"

Jungkook bites down on his lip, nervously. He can't lie-he promised no more lies.

"I-" Jungkook chokes up, not able to speak correctly. He holds Taehyung tighter and takes a deep breath. He needs to stop running away from his problems, but he can't help himself.

"Hmm?" Taehyung runs his hand through Jungkook's hair.

"I promise."

What has he done?

💌

Jungkook has second thoughts as they approach the school gates. The open gates act like an invisible barrier. He's so close to turning and running back home.

"Jungkook!" He hears a voice from his left. "Taehyung!" Jimin shouts, running towards the two, and pulling them into a group hug. "I've missed you guys!"

Jungkook awkwardly smiles, while Taehyung laughs wholeheartedly. "Such a warm welcome," Taehyung gushes.

They pull apart, and Jimin examines Jungkook's face. "Are you okay, Jungkook?"

Jungkook nods, trying to say something, but nothing comes out. His nerves are getting the best of him.

"He's nervous," Taehyung explains, pulling Jungkook into a side hug.

"Aww, Jungkook," Jimin coos. "Is it because swimming classes start today?"

Jungkook's eyes widen. "I-I forgot about that," he speaks up. "I didn't bring my swimwear!" He turns to Taehyung. "Did you bring yours?"

Taehyung nods. "I assumed you already had yours packed."

Jungkook groans. He is going to be in so much trouble.

Jimin opens up his bag and pulls out something. "I've got you covered!" Jimin exclaims, shoving the item in Jungkook's hands.

Jungkook's eyebrows furrow as he realises what it is. "I can't wear this!"

Taehyung bursts into laughter as Jimin pouts.

"Why not? I have my own too," Jimin says.

"Because it's a speedo! They're too revealing," Jungkook complains. His cheeks heat up, thinking about how terrible he'll look in them.

"Don't worry, Jungkook. You will look good in these, trust me," Taehyung assures in a not so assuring voice.

"You're just a pervert," Jungkook snaps.

"They're good, Jungkook," Jimin says, pulling out his own pair. "They make you swim faster."

"They do?" Taehyung perks up.

Jungkook groans but thanks Jimin, anyway. Not like he can float, let alone swim.

"By the way, I switched homeroom to yours!" Jimin happily announces. "You have no idea how many emails I had to send for the teachers to agree. Mum was so confused when I gave her the slip to sign."

"Oh?" Jungkook's eyes widen in shock. "That's great news, but why?" He thinks back to when Mina switched homeroom. She would have had to do the same process.

Jimin acts hurt. "So I can spend my mornings with you guys."

"That means you'll get to come to our swimming classes," Taehyung points out.

"Exactly!" Jimin chirps.

"I heard Soobin is a superb swimmer," Taehyung says.

Jungkook's eyes light up. "Where is Soobin, by the way?"

"Speak of the devil," Taehyung says, pointing towards an approaching Soobin.

"Good morning," Soobin greets with a wide smile.

Jungkook's mood instantly lights up, seeing Soobin's face. "Soobin! I've missed you so much!" Jungkook exclaims, pulling Soobin into a hug.

Soobin flinches into the embrace. "I-I missed you guys too."

Jimin pouts. "Hey! Why didn't I get a greeting like that?"

Taehyung bursts into laughter once again. "Don't worry, Jimin. You still have me."

Jimin huffs but then smiles. "How was your vacation, Soobin?"

Soobin and Jungkook pull apart as Soobin goes to speak. "It was okay. Mum and dad complained the whole time, though. Dad is never impressed by the food and thinks they can make it better at home."

"Aww. Did you enjoy it still?"

Soobin nods. "I did my own thing in the end."

"Did you buy us souvenirs?" Taehyung asks jokingly.

Soobin grins, nodding proudly before rummaging through his bag.

Jungkook coos. "Soobin, you didn't have to! You're too good for this world."

Taehyung pouts and turns to Jimin. "You're right, Jimin. Jungkook only cares about Soobin."

Jungkook snaps his head to Taehyung and playfully slaps him on the arm. "Shut up. Let me be happy."

Jungkook's nerves seem to have calmed down now that he's surrounded by the people he loves. He tells himself to power through and not worry about what's to come.

💌

"Sit with me on the bus," Taehyung whispers into Jungkook's ear.

"But I want to sit next to Soo-"

"Sit next to me," Taehyung whines over Jungkook's reply.

"To avoid the bus ride being too rowdy, we will assign each of you a seat buddy," the teacher announces as the bus pulls up in front of them. "We don't want a repeat of last year."

Everyone groans in unison. Last year, the bus nearly swerved into the opposite lane because of a food fight on the bus. The teacher gets the roll out and starts to call out names.

"Eunji and Joochan," she calls first.

Taehyung's face turns sour after the announcement and Jungkook couldn't help but laugh at his cuteness. "It's okay, Tae."

Jungkook waits patiently for his name to be called out. He hopes he gets put in the same seat as one of his friends. Jungkook watches as people get coupled up and high-fiving each other-but some not being too happy with their seating buddy.

"Jimin and Jibeom," the teacher calls out to Jimin's disappointment.

Jungkook crosses his fingers, knowing that neither Taehyung, Soobin or his own name hasn't been called out yet.

"Taehyung and Mina."

Mina...

"Are you serious?!" Jungkook says a little too loudly, making a few people look over to their direction.

"Mina isn't here today," a girl calls out.

"She isn't?" The teacher pulls her glasses down and glances at the girl who gave her the information. "Well, if that's the case," she pushes her glasses back up and points at a random name on the list. "Soobin."

Jungkook frowns. Great. Now he has to sit with a random. He finds it strange that Mina isn't here today. He thinks it's better that way, anyway.

Taehyung leans over to Jungkook and whispers, "That's what happens when you don't want to sit with me."

Jungkook's frown deepens. "You're cruel."

Taehyung happily wraps an arm around Soobin's shoulder. "Looks like it's you and me, buddy."

Soobin smiles back at Taehyung.

"Jungkook and Naeun," the teacher finally calls out, taking Jungkook off guard.

"Naeun is also not here-"

"I'm here! Sorry, I'm late!" Naeun comes rushing over, standing next to Jungkook.

The teacher scrunches her face up. "Naeun, make sure you are on time next week."

"You're always late," Jungkook points out, feeling somewhat glad he's sitting next to Naeun-which is definitely a strange new feeling.

"Correction, I am always fashionably late," Naeun cheekily replies, flicking her hair back.

💌

The seat buddy experiment that the teacher trialled didn't end up working after all. The bus seems to be louder than usual.

"I brought chips. Do you want some?" Naeun asks, opening up a bag of chips.

"I thought it's a no food kind of bus," Jungkook says.

Naeun rolls her eyes. "C'mon, live a little," she says, nudging Jungkook.

"Maybe just one," Jungkook gives in. Maybe just one turns into eating three-quarters of the packet.

"Jesus, Jungkook, you're a gannet," Naeun says.

Jungkook licks his fingers, guiltily. "Sorry. They were just too good to have just one."

The bus takes a sharp turn, sending Jungkook's body weight over to Naeun.

"Hey! You're crushing me!" Naeun whines.

"Sorry," Jungkook apologises again.

Naeun groans. "I'm still stuck on that Mina situation."

Jungkook turns to Naeun and puts a finger up to his lips to tell Naeun to talk quietly.

"Oh, sorry," Naeun whispers and continues, "I'm still stuck on this Mina situation."

"She didn't turn up to school today," Jungkook whispers back.

Naeun scrunches up her face in disbelief. "That's so untrue!" She whisper-shouts. "I swear I saw her walking into the school grounds before I did."

Jungkook's face goes pale. "Then why is she not on the bus?"

"I could just be seeing things," Naeun says, scratching her head in confusion.

"Surely," Jungkook says, trying to reassure himself.

The bus stops at the swimming centre, and they all get off. Jungkook is reunited with his friends and Naeun tags along as they walk into the venue. The smell of chlorine hits Jungkook's nostrils-he can't say he's a fan.

"You all have 15 minutes to get changed. If you are not out by-" the teacher checks her watch "-10:15, you will have to stay back during lunch when we return to school."

They all rush into the changing rooms, and Jungkook goes to a toilet cubicle to change because he hates the idea of undressing in front of everyone.

He opens his bag and pulls out the pair of speedos, gulping before standing up to remove his clothing. He is still beating himself up for not bringing his own swimwear.

"You've got to be kidding me," Jungkook says under his breath as he pulls the speedo up past his knees. Everyone is going to laugh at him for wearing this bright yellow Speedo. The worst part is that it's a little too small for him. There is no way he is going to walk out of the cubical like this. Yep. He will stay here for the rest of the day.

He hears a knock on the cubical door. "Jungkook, are you done?" Taehyung asks from the other side.

"I hate it. I'm not coming out," Jungkook whines. "It looks ridiculous."

"Oh c'mon, it can't be that bad," Taehyung says, leaning up against the door. "Let me in."

"No. I don't want you to see," Jungkook refuses. He puts the toilet seat down and sits. "I'm fine here. I will just mentally swim."

"Don't be ridiculous. You're going to get in trouble if you don't come out soon."

"I don't care," Jungkook huffs.

"Baby, let me in," Taehyung pleads.

Jungkook groans, standing up to unlock the cubical. He covers himself when Taehyung enters.

"Don't laugh," Jungkook warns.

Taehyung smiles, seeing Jungkook's embarrassed face. "Aww, you're so cute." Taehyung pulls Jungkook into a hug. "It's fine. You have nothing to worry about."

Taehyung withdraws from the hug as Jungkook pouts.

"Let me take a good look at you," Taehyung says, looking Jungkook up and down. "Damn, you look good in a speedo."

Jungkook's pout deepens. "I said, I hate it. I'm not going out."

Taehyung chuckles, pulling Jungkook into another hug. Taehyung's hands then wander down to cup Jungkook's ass, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It really makes your ass stand out," he says, winking. He pulls on the back of Jungkook's swimwear to peek down into it. "Yep, such a nice bum."

Jungkook playfully pushes Taehyung away. "You pervert. What if someone can hear?" Jungkook tries to suppress a smile that threatens to show on his face.

Taehyung shrugs. "Look, if you are uncomfortable wearing it, how about we switch?" Taehyung suggests.

Jungkook's eyes light up. "Are you sure?"

Taehyung nods, proceeding to pull his swimwear down and then handing it to Jungkook. Jungkook blushes at the sight in front of him. He still isn't used to seeing Taehyung naked so casually like this. He takes the speedo off-gladly-and hands it over to Taehyung.

"Problem solved," Taehyung happily says, putting the speedo on. "Ooh-it's a tight fit."

Jungkook looks up as he puts on the new pair of swimwear on himself. He gawks, seeing how tightly the speedo fits Taehyung. He tries his hardest not to get hard at the sight. He repeatedly repeats Eunji's name in his head to keep it down. This will be a problem...

💌

A.N: Thanks again for reading and sticking with the story this far! The end is near~ Things are going to get a little chaotic <3