"H-Hello?"

    "Hello? Jungkook?"

    "Hey, Junghee."

Jungkook chuckles nervously as his sister squeals excitedly on the other line.

"Jeon Jungkook, you asshole!" She exclaims.

"I'm~"

"It's been so freaking long!" Junghee says. "How could you wait so long to come home?"

"To be fair, no one's contacted me since I left. So..." Jungkook says, pulling at the frayed strings of the holes in his jeans.

"Only because you left so suddenly. We didn't think you'd really go to Seoul." Junghee says.

"Well I bet you'll believe what I say from now on." Jungkook says.

"We will." Junghee chuckles.

There's a knock on Jungkook's room door and he stands to get it.

"Where are you? You're staying at a hotel? You know you could've stayed here. Your room is the guest bedroom now but it's still your's." His sister says.

Jungkook opens the door and smiles at Taehyung as he enters. "I already told you I'm here working. The only reason I'm coming is because I'd feel guilty if I didn't at least try to mend my relationship with your parents."

"I think the first step is to stop referring to them as my parents. They're our parents, Kookie." Junghee says.

"Oh my god, don't call me that." Jungkook groans, leading Taehyung to the bed and sitting him down.

"You're coming for dinner, right?" His sister asks.

"Yes. And I'm bringing someone, so tell your mom."

Taehyung gives Jungkook a confused look and the younger mouths 'my mom' to clarify.

"I will. And trust me, they're excited to see you too, even if they don't show it." Junghee says. "They always smile when they see you on tv or on those stupid magazines."

That actually brings a genuine smile to Jungkook's face. "Yeah, I guess I'm excited to see them too."

"See you soon." His sister says before they hang up.

Jungkook sighs, turning to Taehyung. "My family is expecting us now."

"Have you disowned your parents or something?" Taehyung asks.

"No." Jungkook laughs. "It's just a habit, has been since I lived with them."

Taehyung nods, holding his arms out as Jungkook moves closer.

"You okay?" The younger asks. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine. Just wondering what Hoseok's going to think when the interview is aired." The pinkette answers honestly.

"Don't worry about that. Don't even think about that jackass." Jungkook says making Taehyung laugh. "He's going to get what's coming for him. I believe in karma, and he's got a lot of bad karma coming his way. I promise."

"What would I do without you, Kook?" Taehyung says, smiling fondly at the younger.

Jungkook smiles back. "You know I was thinking, I don't want to be one of those cringy couples that have a million and one cheesy pet names for each other or anything, but having maybe one or two would be cute."

"You want me to give you a nickname?" Taehyung asks.

"No, not a nickname. A pet name. Like baby or something." Jungkook says, his cheeks flushing a little.

"Do you want me to call you daddy?" The pinkette asks, his tone expression all too serious.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook says hitting the other in the arm, face flushing completely red.

Taehyung laughs. "Aw, you're turning red. Why are you embarrassed, do you really want me to?"

"No, stop being childish." The younger pouts crossing his arms.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Jungkook." Taehyung coos, pulling the younger into his arms. "What should I call you? Baby? Buttercup? Muffin?~"

"Muffin?" Jungkook asks.

"What? Everyone likes muffins." The pinkette says. "Or peaches?"

"Are you trying to name a dog or something?" Jungkook asks. "I'm your boyfriend, jeez."

"Jeez. I'll just call you cranky then." Taehyung says rolling his eyes.

Jungkook tries to bite back his smile. "I like when you call me baby."

"So typical." The pinkette says. "But I like the way you blush when I call you baby."

Jungkook laughs and covers his face, knowing he's probably still red.

They decide to get ready for bed since it was getting pretty late.

Seokjin stops by and says goodbye at around ten, his flight leaving at twelve and he promises to call when he gets to Seoul.

The rest of the night is filled with meaningless conversation and cute bickering between the new couple before they both end up falling asleep somewhere in the middle of their conversation.

—

Jungkook's leg bounces nervously as Taehyung drives the car they rented through his childhood neighborhood.

Everything was exactly the same and it made him want to leave and never come back.

    "Calm down, Kook. I'm not even that nervous." Taehyung says, placing a hand on Jungkook's thigh. "Tell me where I'm going."

    "Oh um, just left right here." The younger says.

    "We've gone left like ten times, we're going in circles." The pinkette says.

    "I know. We passed my house like three times already." Jungkook confesses.

    "Jungkook!"

    "I know. I'm nervous, Tae! I haven't seen them since I was 18!" The younger says, his nerves showing through his voice.

Taehyung sighs. "I know, baby. I get it. But they're expecting us."

    "Take the next left. It's on the right." Jungkook pouts. "A couple houses from this one...that one. Right there."

Taehyung follows Jungkook's direction and stops in front of a decent sized house with two cars in the driveway.

Jungkook smoothes his hair down again for the hundredth time.

    "You look fine." Taehyung says, wiping the sweat off his hands on his pants. "You're making me nervous."

    "I'm sorry." Jungkook sighs looking down at his outfit again.

They both had settled on jeans and a nice shirt, not wanting to look like they were trying too hard.

Taehyung makes jeans and a nice shirt look like a head to toe designer outfit, but anyways.

Before they even get out of the car the front door opens and a young lady runs out with a huge smile that is identical to Jungkook's.

    "Oh shit, here we go." Jungkook sighs before climbing out of the car.

    "Jungkook!" Junghee says, crashing into her brother before he's even all the way out of the car.

    "Jesus, Junghee." Jungkook groans, hugging her back with a smile.

Taehyung smiles as he climbs out of the car and shuts his door.

Junghee pulls away from the hug to look Jungkook over. "Oh my gosh, you're so skinny. Have you been eating properly? Your face isn't full anymore. Don't even worry because I'll make sure you make up for it today."

    "Junghee, can I breathe? Jeez." Jungkook says closing the car door.

Junghee laughs her gaze falling on Taehyung for the first time. "J-Jungkook. You did not bring Kim Taehyung to our house."

    "Yeah. I did." Jungkook says looking at Taehyung who comes and stands beside him. "Taehyung this is my sister Junghee, Junghee this is~"

    "As if I don't already know who he is." Junghee says, offering Taehyung her hand. "I'm Junghee, Jungkook's little sister. He doesn't talk about me much does he?"

Taehyung just laughs and shakes her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Junghee."

    "You guys come inside. Mom's probably setting the table." Junghee says leading them in. "And Jungkook, why didn't you tell me that Yugyeom got a job at the broadcasting station here in Busan? When mom found out she just had to invite him to have dinner with us."

Jungkook stops in his tracks all together making his sister look back at him in confusion.

    "Y-Yugyeom is here?" He asks.

    "Yeah. He said he hasn't seen you since he's been in Busan. You guys must be dying to see each other." Junghee chuckles.

    "I left my phone in the car." Jungkook says, turning away from his sister and walking back towards the car.

    "We'll be in, in a second." Taehyung smiles before following Jungkook.

The younger pulls at the door handle only to find the door locked.

    "I wanna go back." He says while pulling at the locked door. "I can't do this right now, Tae. I can't. I wanna go back."

    "Jungkook, baby listen to me~"

    "No! I listened to you when you told me to come here and look what's happening! I can't see him right now, Taehyung!" The younger's raises his voice.

    "Shh, Shh." Taehyung shushes him gently. "I understand. I completely understand. But he can't hurt you anymore, Kook. He's not going to ever hurt you again. I promise. I swear."

Jungkook swallows hard, glancing at his childhood home.

    "I know it's hard, I know it is. But you're here to reconnect with your family. Screw Yugyeom, he knows he shouldn't be here." Taehyung says, laying a hand on Jungkook's shoulder, being cautious about touching him in case his family was watching them. "He can't hurt you anymore."

Jungkook sighs, closing his eyes. If he ran away now he'd be running away forever.

    "I got you, okay?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook nods, swallowing his fear. "Okay."

Taehyung nods. "Let's go."

Jungkook nods again before leading the way to the front door.

Junghee is already waiting there to open the door for them. "Mom's in the kitchen."

Jungkook nods, taking a deep breath before going.

    "Mom?" He says getting the woman's attention.

She turns to him quickly, her expression changing into a worried one. "Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook bows politely. "It's been a long time."

His mother dries her hands before going over and pulling her son into a hug.

Jungkook is shocked by this, his parents rarely ever hugged him growing up.

    "I thought I lost you too." His mother whispers sadly.

Jungkook frowns at her words. "I'm sorry."

    "No. I'm sorry. We were wrong then. We were so wrong." His mother says pulling away from the hug but still holding him. "I knew it was your dream to do what you're doing and I just kept trying to change it. Your brother~"

    "Mom." Jungkook cuts her off, shaking his head. "You don't have to~"

    "Your brother would be so proud of you." She finishes. "Look at you. All grown up and happy. You are happy aren't you?"

Jungkook nods. "Yeah. I am."

    "Oh gosh. Your hair." His mother chuckles when she notices his oddly colored hair.

Jungkook laughs a little. "I thought you'd hate it."

    "Well, I don't love it." She chuckles softly. "But I'll live with it as long as it makes you happy."

Jungkook nods. "Oh, I wanted to introduce you to my...boss. Taehyung."

    "Oh, you brought him with you?" His mother asks.

    "Yeah. That's okay, right?" The younger asks leading his mother out of the kitchen to where Taehyung and his sister are talking by the front door. "Tae."

Taehyung looks up at his name being called and smiles when he sees Jungkook standing with a beautiful woman that could only be his mother.

    "Mom, this is Taehyung." Jungkook says.

Taehyung bows. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Jeon."

    "You children and these hair colors, wow." Jungkook's mother chuckles, offering Taehyung her hand.

Taehyung shakes it, bowing his head politely.

    "Where's Dad?" Jungkook asks.

    "In the den with Yugyeom. I'll get them." Junghee says before scurrying off.

    "You boys can wait in the living room. Go on Jungkook, should I have to tell you to make yourself at home in your own home?" His mother smiles.

    "Thanks, mom. Come on, Tae." Jungkook says before leading Taehyung to the living room.

    "You okay?" The pinkette asks when they're alone.

    "I'm okay." Jungkook nods, smiling softly.

    "Here they are." Junghee announces when she enters.

Jungkook turns towards the entrance, standing up straighter out of habit when he sees his dad.

Silence falls over the room and a tension spreads as the two stare at each other.

    "Dad."

    "Jungkook."

🖤🖤🖤