(probably typo-city but enjoy~)      

 ♥║ forty-one ║♥        

It's after Christmas break when Jungkook is peering around the crowd in the courtyard, searching for that familiar head. He hasn't seen Taehyung seen before Christmas, Taehyung's mother adamant that the two don't see each other for the holiday. Their friends visited them separately, since both boys couldn't be together. Jungkook is grateful for them, but he wishes all of them could have had Christmas dinner together.

Granted, Taehyung secretly FaceTimed Jungkook that night, a video call is nowhere close to being in person. It was nice to see his face, to hear his laugh, albeit muffled by his attempts to be quiet since it was so late. But he wants to hold the elder, to kiss him.

To properly love him.

He frowns, squinting when he sees a side profile that looks to be Taehyung, but his hair color doesn't match. However, the close her looks, he really can't deny that it is Taehyung, talking to Namjoon as his own eyes scan the area.

He's blonde.

And Namjoon's light brown hair is now a dark purple.

Hoseok walks up to the two, his orange hair now black.

Did Jungkook miss a group meeting or something?

Taehyung's eyes lock with his when he starts towards them, that wide box smile taking over his face. Jungkook can't help but to grin back, quickening his pace as subtle as he can. Jungkook is surprised, though, when Taehyung jogs to him, catching attention of people nearby. He's more surprised when the elder throws his arms around Jungkook's neck, and more surprised when he kisses Jungkook, despite a group of people that have decided to spectate.

Sure, the two have held hands at school, but neither of them had been brave enough to be this open.

Jungkook is hesitant only a brief moment before he wraps his arms around Taehyung's waist, squeezing him tight. He focuses on the delight of finally having the boy in his arms again rather than some of the shocked gasps (a few probably repulsed) that circle around them.

"Let them stare," Taehyung murmurs to him, his soft lips pressing to Jungkook's once more.

Jungkook smirks as he pulls away. "I didn't know I had a thing for blondes until now."

Taehyung scrunches his nose. "I lost a bet with Yoongi."

"Do I even want to know?"

"We went to the mall the day after New Year's, and Twice's new song came on. I thought you were kidding when you said Jimin would break out in choreo whenever he heard them," he murmurs, eyebrows furrowed. "I really didn't think he'd risk it since the mall was packed, but lo and behold..."

Jungkook snorts. "You're the risky one for betting your hair on something Jimin would come back to earth just to do when he dies."

"You actually like it, though?"

"Yeah. I think it looks good," Jungkook remarks, running his fingers through it. "I wouldn't have pictured it on you, but I like it."

"It's still growing on me," Taehyung admits. "Oh! I have something for you later. We already gave the audience a show."

Jungkook scowls, glaring at a few who dare to meet his gaze. They quickly scramble to act like they weren't watching the entire scene, but at least none of them shout anything ignorant or obnoxious. Most of them have learned from the last time someone said something offensive to Jungkook.

The rest of the day is filled with curiosity, until around lunch when Jungkook sees Taehyung again and almost forgets about it. Jungkook didn't have money to buy Taehyung a Christmas gift, which Taehyung said he wouldn't have accepted anyways, so is it possible that's what Taehyung got him? A Christmas gift even when they mutually agreed not to this year? Jungkook will feel incredibly guilty if that's the case.

At the end of the day, Taehyung is waiting for Jungkook at his father's car, long ago fixed from the car accident everyone tries to erase from memory. Except for Jungkook. He feels like the only one still wary, cautious every time he watches Taehyung get behind the wheel. He doesn't voice any of this out loud, of course. Belittling Taehyung is the last thing he wants to do, but he can't help but to be worried.

"Your mom won't care if we go to your house, right?"

"What do you think?" Jungkook snorts. "Besides, she's taking Mina to some dance class. Apparently, Mina's 'boyfriend' likes ballerinas."

Taehyung laughs. "Why don't you learn ballet for me?"

Jungkook gives him an incredulous look. "Really? I don't think this in a pink leotard would be a pretty sight."

A smirk that makes Jungkook's cheeks tint pink lifts Taehyung's lips. "You never know unless you try one on."

"I am not putting on a leotard."

"How about spandex?"

"Isn't it the same thing?"

"Of course not, you uncultured swine. Fine, you don't deserve either of them."

Jungkook rolls his eyes, but he's smiling.

When they arrive, Jungkook unlocks the door and the two step inside. Taehyung is suddenly appearing nervous, his hands clasped behind his back as he observes the living room, as if he's never seen it before. Jungkook quirks a brow at him, debating if he should question the sudden shift. He decides to hold off, to see what exactly is making the elder nervous.

Taehyung plops onto the couch, giving Jungkook a smile that almost seems... shy?"

Jungkook tilts his head. "All right, spill it."

Taehyung blinks innocently. "What are you talking about?"

"You're hiding something. All nervous and cute and shit. What's going on?"

Taehyung purses his lips, then sighs. He averts his eyes, fiddling with his fingers. "Jungkook... how serious are you?"

His eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean?"

"About... about us," Taehyung mumbles, his eyes anxiously flitting to the younger before staring at a random spot on the wall again.

Jungkook laughs, a bit uncertain. "You really have to ask? It's not obvious?"

"I don't know. I guess. I just..." He huffs as if annoyed with himself for being unable to describe it properly. "I want to be sure."

"So," Jungkook drawls, sitting next to the boy. "You think this whole time I've just been using you or something?"

"No! No, I don't think that at all. I don't know." He shoves his face into his hands. "I know you've never dated, and I just don't want to be... holding you back... or something. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't want you to feel obligated to stay with me just because I'm the first boy you've dated."

Jungkook stares at Taehyung as if he's lost his mind. "You've got to be kidding... right?"

Taehyung lifts his face, his eyes full of concern that prove, no, he's most definitely not kidding.

"Hyung," Jungkook whispers, disbelief filling him. "While you were in the hospital, I barely slept. When you were doubting yourself after Bogum caught us, I made it obvious how real this is for me. I told you something I-I've never even fully admitted to myself. How else do I need to show you that I want this? I want you."

Taehyung blinks, swallowing a lump in his throat. "It's not that I don't think you love me, Jungkook-ah."

"Then what is it?"

"It's the thought that I make you feel trapped."

Jungkook opens his mouth to reply when it dawns on him. Taehyung feels guilty. He got in a car accident, almost killed himself, and thinks Jungkook feels obligated to stay with him. So he doesn't try to hurt himself again. He thinks this is just a responsibility Jungkook feels like he must fulfill somehow.

"I've been trapped before," Jungkook whispers, his eyes intently locked on Taehyung's. "I know what it feels like, hyung. And it's certainly not this."

A tear slips down Taehyung's cheek. "How can you say that after everything I've put you through?"

"Because I love you," Jungkook scoffs with a light laugh. "I don't have to have experience to know I could never find anyone else that makes me feel the way you do."

Taehyung cups Jungkook's cheek. "I don't want to take any of your life away from you."

"You're only a year older," Jungkook chuckles. "Whatever life you take from me, you're taking it from yourself, too. So now it's my turn: how serious are you, Taehyung?"

They're kissing before Jungkook can really process it, Taehyung's hands sliding up into Jungkook's hair. Jungkook's body ignites like a flame when Taehyung shifts to where he's sitting on Jungkook's lap, his knees pressed against the side of Jungkook's thighs. A bit hesitant, he place his hands on the elder's hips, running them slowly under Taehyung's shirt, feeling the soft skin rub on his palms. Taehyung's hands detangle from Jungkook's hair, sliding down the younger's chest.

Jungkook's heart is beating rapidly, the nape of his neck sweating from how hot he is. Taehyung's bites the younger's lower lip gently, his lips departing only to reconnect to Jungkook's jawline, tracing down it tantalizingly slow, all the way down to his collarbone. Jungkook runs his fingers up Taehyung's spine, closing his eyes while the boy's lips make their way back up to his own.

"Keep your eyes closed," he whispers, his breath brushing the younger's lips and deep voice sending a chill throughout Jungkook's body.

Taehyung's hands lower Jungkook's arms, grabbing his wrists and removing his hands from under the boy's shirt. Jungkook wants to ask if he did something wrong, but there's suddenly a band of cool metal around Jungkook's right ring finger that halts the words in his throat.

"It's a promise," Taehyung whispers, his forehead connecting to Jungkook's as the younger opens his eyes. "I'm yours. Only yours."

Jungkook's lips part but Taehyung cuts him off with his own, locking them together once more.

"Don't," Taehyung murmurs. "We can take about all of that later. Right now..." His hands slide down Jungkook's chest again. "Let's focus on us."