JJG

Jeongguk and Taehyung got up early, both too tired to exchange more than a few words as the previous night was long. They should've realized they'd regret staying up so late with a morning flight but the didn't think about it while they were cuddling and talking about whatever was on their mind.

Jimin and Jihyo came to drop them off, both of course trying to convince them to stay a bit longer. "My restaurant is opening this Monday. Just one more week, hmm?" Jihyo had tried but the couple chuckled and gave her a strong no. They both would've loved to but they have jobs to keep.

So there they were in Taehyung's car driving back home when Taehyung got the brilliant idea as he saw the board with the name of their hometown and an arrow towards its direction.

"Seoul's that way, Tae," Jeongguk said with a joking tone knowing very well Taehyung knows where he's going. His head whipping around to look at the path they should've taken wondering what got into his boyfriend.

"I know, I know, but we don't have any work today. Let's go visit our hometown. We can see your parents and their farm too," Taehyung explained his brilliant plan. He took a glance at Jeongguk and expected him to be as excited as him.

"No, let's not. Didn't you say you were tired? Let's just go home," Jeongguk said and Taehyung furrowed his brows.

"Well it's too late, we can't change routes now, it'd be a waste of time. We'll just drop by quickly. I'm feeling alright now," Taehyung said. Jeongguk took in a deep breath but didn't say anything and pressed his hand into his lap. Taehyung noticed and placed a hand on top of them, the other hand still on the steering wheel.

"Are you not feeling well? I'll take the closest detour if you want," Taehyung offered and Jeongguk shook his head.

"It's fine," Jeongguk lied. He doesn't know why he didn't just tell Taehyung. Maybe he was embarrassed, or maybe he wanted to just see them. It was too late to back out when Taehyung pulled up on their farm. It was amazing how the man didn't even need a GPS remembering from the few visits they did when they were dating. Taehyung never questioned why Jeongguk didn't mention they were in a relationship to his parents.

Taehyung eyes shined as he looked out at the Jeon's household and surrounded farmland. "Woah, the countryside never fails to take my breath away. Don't you th–"

"I don't talk to my parents anymore," Jeongguk finally admitted, cursing himself for not saying it earlier. Taehyung's smile dropped as he shifted around in his seat to face him.

"Oh, Gguk... I'm sorry. Do you want to leave?" Taehyung asked, his voice soft.

"You don't want to know why?"

"Only if you're ready to tell me."

Jeongguk nodded and inhaled a deep breath then let it out, preparing himself. "I came out to them after I graduated. They didn't accept it. Didn't accept me. They didn't really lash out or anything, kind of just decided to ignore it and pretend it never happened. Every time I talked to them afterwards, it was always fine until they ask me if I found myself a nice girlfriend. I snapped at some point. Screamed that I never will at them and well, haven't really talked or seen them since. They send me money every month that I always return. The only exchange we have is through texts for special occasions. I've only talked to my mom on call. They keep pretending everything is fine."

"That must've been so hard for you, Gguk. I'm sorry."

Jeongguk smiled and shook his head. "What have you got to be sorry for? It's not your fault my parents think that way. Honestly, I'm just glad they still want me to be their son."

"I should've been there for you. I'm sure your parents will understand one day."

"Maybe," Jeongguk replied. He looked back at the house he grew up in, thinking about all the wonderful memories with his parents it held. He really did miss them.

"Let's go," Jeongguk said and Taehyung nodded. He turned the ignition back on but Jeongguk chuckled. "Inside, I mean," he finished and Taehyung let out a sound of understanding. He took the key out and gave Jeongguk a reassuring smile. They both got out of the car and made their way to the door. Taehyung waited patiently for the other to ring the doorbell whenever he was ready. When he finally did, a few minutes went by. Jeongguk mustered up the courage to ring it again and this time, the doors opened in just a few seconds.

His mother had opened the door, a gasp left her lips as soon as she did. "Oh my, Jeongguk." There was a mix of shock and happiness in her face.

"Who is that honey?" a deeper voice was heard from behind her.

"It's our Jeonggukie," she answered, her eyes not leaving Jeongguk.

"Jeongguk?" his father exclaimed and ran over to his wife's side.

"Hey, mama. Papa," Jeongguk greeted them, offering a small smile.

"Come inside! God, look at you! What do you eat? You've become so skinny," his mother said, grabbing Jeongguk's arm and pulling him in. Then only did she notice the man standing behind Jeongguk.

"Is that Taehyung! Oh my goodness, you're always the talk of the town. Come in, come in. Goodness, you're more handsome in person," she said, also pulling him in.

"Thank you," Taehyung said with a chuckle, bowing awkwardly not knowing exactly how to act seeing them after so long. He became that shy and scrawny little boy once again.

"We thought you might've forgotten about us," Mr. Jeon said, as they all walked to the living room. Jeongguk almost scoffed. He knew exactly why Jeongguk hasn't visited them in years.

"And you, Taehyung! Jeongguk told us you lost contact after you went to America. How did you two reunite?" Jeongguk's mother asked as they all took their seats. Taehyung was about to explain how they actually work together now but Jeongguk grabbed his hand and held it in his.

"He's my boyfriend," Jeongguk said, loud and clear. Taehyung's eyes widened, not expecting this to turn into a meet the boyfriend kind of thing. They both watched as the colour in his parents' faces drained out. His father abruptly stood up.

"I'll go finish loading in the back," he said shortly and left. His wife looked like she wanted to call him back but the words were lost at her throat.

"Uh, t-that wasn't a very nice joke, Jeongguk."

"It wasn't a joke, mama," Jeongguk clarified but he had a feeling his mother already knew that.

She gulped and moved to the couch closest to the one Jeongguk was seated at. "Jeongguk, you know how your father is. Why would you do this?"

"Do what, mama? Love someone who makes me happy?"

"No, Jeongguk. Of course not... Your happiness is all that matters to both of us. It's just... your papa thinks a happy family is between a man and woman... so he's worried," she explained slowly as if she was trying to choose her words carefully. Tears brimmed her eye as she took Jeongguk's other hand into hers.

"And you?" Jeongguk asked hesitantly.

She smiled and patted her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was skeptical at first but I realized it didn't matter. As long you're happy, I don't care who it is. And I couldn't be happier that you found someone as wonderful as Taehyung. Such a kind mannered boy he always was," she said and looked at Taehyung.

"Thank you for supporting our relationship," Taehyung said after keeping quiet for so long. Jeongguk felt sorry for putting Taehyung in their awkward family issue.

"Still a kind mannered boy," she said with a short laugh. "It's just your father I'm worried about. I have to be on his side or he'll feel like we're all teaming up against him. Your father's happiness is also important to me, Gguk-ah."

"You understood, papa will too," Jeongguk suggested and his mother's shoulders slumped.

"Or not... I shouldn't have come," Jeongguk started, ready to stand up but his mother stopped.

"No, no, bubba. Your father and I miss you very much. Maybe you should go talk to him," she said and Jeongguk sighed.

"It won't work, mama."

"I'll talk to him," Taehyung suddenly announced.

"Oh, Tae, you don't have to do that..." Jeongguk said looking back at Taehyung.

"I want to."

Jeongguk bit his lip and kept staring at Taehyung. He was afraid of what his father's reaction would. The last thing he wanted was one of the most important people in his world to be unliked by Taehyung and vice versa.

Jeongguk was about to object but his mother spoke first. "I think that's a lovely idea. Let me take you to the back."

"But mama–" Jeongguk started but she cut him off.

"Gguk-ah, your father thinks only a woman can take care of you. This is Taehyung's chance to prove him wrong."

Jeongguk gave it another thought before nodding. "Okay. You're right."

Jeongguk's mother smiled and they all got up. She walked to the back door and the couple holding each other's hands followed. She opened the back door for them and Jeongguk's father was loading boxes of produce into the truck.

Jeongguk lifted up Taehyung's hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckle for encouragement. Taehyung gave him a little forehead bump and smile then let go of his hand. Jeongguk and his mother watched as Taehyung stepped out the door and walked towards Mr. Jeon.

KTH

"Let me help you with those," Taehyung said running over to grab the box he was holding from him and placing it in the truck.

"Ah..." Jeongguk's father sounded and looked at him awkwardly. "You don't have to do that, Taehyung-ah."

"I insist," Taehyung persisted, picking up another box from the pile. Mr. Jeon didn't say anything and just let him, grabbing the other boxes to load.

Taehyung did try to cough up the courage to say something to the man but he felt too nervous and let the entire task be completed quietly. Once all the boxes were loaded up, Mr. Jeon closed the gate securely and turned his attention to Taehyung.

"Thank you for your help. I have some other things to do around the farm. All our helpers have gotten permission to go to the village festival so I'm a bit busy today. I'll get going. Thank you for visiting us," he said, not meeting Taehyung's eyes for any of it.

"I can help! I'll be your temporary helper for today," Taehyung said quickly, trying to buy more time with the elder.

"Oh no, that's alright. You've done enough," he said. Maybe he didn't mean it in a negative way, but Taehyung couldn't help but think of the other possible meanings behind those words. Taehyung wasn't about to give up though.

"Please, I insist. I haven't been to the farm in so long, I miss helping you and Jeongguk," Taehyung said. Mr. Jeon probably knew he wouldn't be able to get rid of him so easily and decided to save himself the time.

"Alright, follow me," he said politely and began walking towards the shed where the dairy cows are kept.

"The bedding needs to be replaced after the manure is cleaned," Jeongguk's father explained the task to him. Taehyung's eyes were wide as he looked around at how many more cows they've gotten since the last time he was there. He also remembered this was the one task both Jeongguk and him couldn't manage to do.

"Just leave it to me, Taehyung. I don't want you to get your hands dirty," Mr. Jeon said grabbing the bucket and scooper for the manure.

Taehyung took in a deep breath and rolled up his sleeves. "I want to help, Uncle," Taehyung said, displaying a kind smile. He grabbed the equipment and went in, feeling like a soldier ready for battle.

Taehyung doesn't know how he did it, but he managed to clean off all the bedding along with Mr. Jeon. He might've even done more than the other. Then it came to changing the bedding which is when Taehyung actually started to enjoy the job. He even began talking to some of the cows and making up replies based on their head movements or sounds. He didn't realize how strange it must've been until he heard a string of laughter.

Taehyung's face heated up as his eyes darted towards Mr. Jeon. "Sorry," he apologized, adding a chuckle to hide his embarrassment.

"No, no. I do it too. I actually didn't start talking to them until you did when you were younger. I just found it interesting that you still do," he said with a pleased smile. Taehyung nodded, petting the cow beside him.

"They were the easiest friends to make," Taehyung explained with a fond smile and Mr. Jeon nodded. They continued changing the beddings and by the end, Taehyung's face was coated with a sheen of sweat, the front of his hair a little damp too.

"Care to join me for some apple cider?" Mr. Jeon asked, handing him homemade bottled apple cider he must've gotten from the freezer.

"Thank you." Taehyung accepted the drink and gulped down the refreshing cider. When he brought the bottle back down, he saw he emptied out more than half of it. "This is amazing," he said and Mr. Jeon thanked him on behalf of his wife. A silence fell after that and Taehyung decided this was the perfect opportunity.

"Thank you for helping today," Mr. Jeon said and Taehyung quickly shut his mouth, losing the confidence he mustered up.

"It was nothing," Taehyung said rubbing the side of his own arm.

"You're a really nice boy– well, man, all grown up now. Your father must be very proud of you," Mr. Jeon began and Taehyung smiled, nodding. He continued, "I would've loved to have another son who was just like you..."

"That's kind of you to say. What if instead, I be your son-in-law?" Taehyung bravely said.

"Well..." Mr. Jeon trailed then began saying words that almost sounded unrelated. "You do know that Jeongguk is... a lot of work. He's always wanted to be the centre of attention. Always eating too. Goodness he eats so much!" he paused to laugh with Taehyung. "He's also very sensitive. An overgrown baby who cries over the smallest of things. Needs a lot of care, you know?"

"Mhm," Taehyung sounded as a reply, love in his eyes as he thought about his boyfriend.

"Needs the touch of a woman," Jeongguk's father ended and Taehyung smile drooped down.

"I can take care of him," Taehyung stated, looking him right in the eye. "I'll give him all my attention, all the attention he needs. Make sure he's always happy. I'll be there to give him a shoulder to cry on; as a rock to lean on. I'll love him with all my heart, I guarantee you. Please, Uncle. Give us a chance."

"Are you serious about this? This relationship of yours?"

Taehyung gulped and nodded. "I want to ask him to marry me but only with your blessing."

Taehyung stared at the man with hopeful eyes. Mr. Jeon looked around at his crops, thinking. Every second that passed got Taehyung losing more and more of that faith. Mr. Jeon finally opened his mouth to take in a deep breath.

"I want grandchildren," he said and Taehyung was ready to conclude that his words didn't move him at all. Mr. Jeon continued. "As long as you promise me my son's happiness and that you will have children in the future..."

Taehyung's smile returned. He sealed the cap back on and placed his drink to the side then grabbed Mr. Jeon's hands, careful not to spill any of his cider and nodded. "I promise."

The man finally cracked a smile. "Then you have my blessing. Please don't make me regret it."

"I won't. Thank you so much," Taehyung said and let go of his hands. Mr. Jeon smiled wider and threw an arm over his shoulder.

"You have to try Jeongguk's mom's afternoon snack of the day. She's always coming up with something new and they're always delicious," he said leading Taehyung back to the house. When the entered the house in that position, both Jeongguk and his mother's jaws were to the ground. They didn't question it of course since they knew whatever that happened, it was quite successful and that's all that matters.

"You two should stay the night!" Mr. Jeon suggested as they were eating some of the freshly cut berries as his wife was too stressed and forgot about any tasks she had to do that day.

"We've got work tomorrow, papa," Jeongguk said with an apologetic smile.

"Another time, we'll surely stay," Taehyung said and Mr. Jeon nodded.

"At least come with us to the festival before you go. Taehyung remembers the festival, right?" Jeongguk's mother said and Taehyung nodded. Jeongguk and Taehyung went to them together every year when they were younger. There was this one year where they both got separated from their parents. Silent tears were flowing down Taehyung cheek's and even though Jeongguk looked like he was on the verge of also crying, he pretended to be brave and reassured Taehyung he'd find his dad for him.

"Of course. We can stay for a bit, right Gguk?" Taehyung asked his boyfriend who nodded in response.

While they waited for Jeongguk's parents to get changed, the couple sat on the couch in the living room. Jeongguk couldn't help it, he had to know, but no matter how many times Jeongguk asked, Taehyung kept his lips sealed. He was close to breaking when Jeongguk pulled out the pout they both knew very well Taehyung couldn't win against but his parents came down just on time.

"Ready to go?" Mr. Jeon asked, his loud voice resonating throughout the room.

"Ready!" Taehyung piped, standing up from his seat. Jeongguk sighed and dropped it, letting it be Taehyung and his father's little secret.

When they all arrived at the festival celebrating the founder of their little town, it was a bit surprising how everyone seemed to remember Jeongguk and Taehyung. Everyone they met had a little memory of them and it always together. Either the two bike-riding together, walking around or coming to their store and staring at all the candy or food with big eyes until they caved in and gave the two a generous amount of free sample. It was impossible to see Taehyung outside without Jeongguk as he was the only reason Taehyung left his house for.

Eventually, after reconnecting with a lot of people and trying a bunch of food stalls to sum up their dinner, Jeongguk's parents got a bit tired and settled down on a patch of land at the end to wait for the fireworks. Jeongguk grabbed Taehyung's hand and dragged him off for a little alone time.

"I don't know what you did, but thank you. Thank you for bringing me here and thank you for working you charming magic on my dad," Jeongguk said, glancing at Taehyung as they walked down the mostly empty trail since everyone was down the hill.

"We said no more running away from our problems, right?" Taehyung said and Jeongguk bobbed his head. Maybe if he sat down and talked to his dad just one more time instead of giving up and barely contacting them, Jeongguk's relationship with him could've continued to be as strong as ever.

"I love you," Jeongguk said. Both had halted in their steps as they reached the entrance of the festival.

"I love you too," Taehyung replied just as the fireworks set off. Everyone was to occupied staring up at the fireworks while Jeongguk and Taehyung shared an unhurried kiss. Even if people did see and judge, the two didn't care as they were too immersed in each other.

—•

What's ur fav underrated song? gimme sum recs pls uwu

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Bye<3