♬ You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart ♬

- "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life," Stevie Wonder

13th of August 1978
Jeongguk's Room

After reading the last pages of that book, Jeongguk's vocabulary grew in abundance. Now that he had finished it, he doesn't know what to feel. He gently closed the book, as its pages and covers had become fragile since that book is already ten years old. It was one of those owned by his father. They did general cleaning that day in his father's home office and Mr. Jeon said they will throw them away but then Jeongguk pleaded that he would take the books instead. His father didn't say much as he knew how Jeongguk was a nerd, and so he let him keep them.

The book that Jeongguk was reading was famous back then in the 1950s. Though the book didn't end that well, he loved it. It was a romance story with a little hint of tragedy, the other main character died but it was because he had to save the other main character from drowning into the sea. They were able to say their last words before the other died.

Jeongguk didn't really like these kind of stories but this particular book was something worth reading for. It somehow reminded him of Taehyung. Not to mention the lead's character was similar to him. The last scene he read happened in the sea. Even this body of water reminded him of his lover.

His lover.

He still cannot process it. After what happened that day, he knew to himself that he likes- no he loves Taehyung. These past few months spent with him was magical. He felt so alive because of Taehyung's presence. He experienced how to love someone because of the older. Slowly, they were growing and hinting their feelings for each other. It is only a matter of time that Jeongguk will finally ask Taehyung for a date though he is expecting the other way round.

━━━

2nd of June 1978
A beach in France

"Ages ago, I already fell deep with those glances," Taehyung spoke.

Jeongguk's face started burning at that moment. Did he hear that right? Did Taehyung said those words infront his face? When he felt like blushing even more, he turned away his head from the older. His heart wanted to go past his chest because of those simple words. It made Jeongguk's mind go crazy.

Jeongguk let out a chuckle. He can't help not to smile when he faced again the older. "What?" Jeongguk let out a breathy laugh. Taehyung's eyebrows were almost meeting but then decided to ride along with Jeongguk's thought. Taehyung turned his head to the sea, the sky is already turning black. He also let out a laugh.

"Nevermind, Gguk. I guess I just have to make you feel that," said Taehyung and he stood. He removed the sand that got stuck in the back of his pants. "Will 'ya hand me the glasses and the bottle," he asked and then Jeongguk handed them including the bag that was lying on the sand.

"I don't understand, Tae. What do you exactly mean?" Jeongguk said when he finally stood and then they started walking their way to where they parked the car.

"You'll see," Taehyung just said and opened the door to the passenger seat. Jeongguk didn't spoke anymore and rode the car and Taehyung followed afterwards. They headed at the Jeons' mansion and the younger fell asleep on the way there. Taehyung can't help not to smile while he watched Jeongguk sleep.

When they arrived, Jeongguk was still sleeping. If only Taehyung could watch Jeongguk like that the whole night but they both needed to go. Their parents will be looking for them if they stayed inside that car. He gently tapped Jeongguk's shoulder. Taehyung almost screamed when Jeongguk was ready to throw fist after waking up.

"Bloody hell, are you alright?" Jeongguk asked when Taehyung was facing the other direction, his body almost falling off the driver's seat. The older sat straight and faced Jeongguk. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, Taehyung."

"It's alright, haha. I didn't know you were this violent when someone tries to wake you up. We had arrived, Ggukie, incase you haven't notice. Or you want to stay here forever with me," Taehyung joked. Jeongguk scratched the back of his head after hearing what the other had said.

"I guess I was just really tired-"

"Oh, darling, don't you worry your pretty little mind. I'm only kidding," Taehyung assured him and chuckled afterwards. Jeongguk didn't know what to respond to that and so he started taking off his seatbelt. "I think you needed to go. Your house maids are ready to welcome you home," Taehyung continued.

Jeongguk nodded to that and opened the door of the car. Taehyung opened the window of the car to set Jeongguk off. "Thank you so much for today, Tae. Like really," Jeongguk said. Amusement grew on Taehyung's face when he thought of a joke.

"A kiss in my cheek is the cost of everything I did for you, Jeon," he said and even pointed the spot in his face. Jeongguk was once again turning into a tomato. He felt the butterflies in his stomach. Jeongguk didn't know how to do that. "I'm joking! Go ahead, Gguk. Goodnight," Taehyung shooed him away and Jeongguk just let out a laugh.

"Goodnight, Taehyung. Have a nice sleep," Jeongguk said and Taehyung just lifted his head as a respond. Jeongguk started walking his way to their mansion. Until then, he hasn't removed the smile on his face. He turned his head when he heard the revving of Taehyung's car. He waves his hand once more before the vehicle escaped the Jeons' ground.

"Safe travel, my archer," Jeongguk whispered to himself before he took his steps inside their mansion.

Both of them didn't meet the whole week because they were both busy with school. A few weeks after that, Jeongguk didn't expect to receive another letter from Taehyung. The mail isn't that long, a few words inviting him to come again at the Kims' mansion during the weekend because the older wanted to show him something. Of course, Jeongguk was more than willing to go.

17th of June 1978
Maple University

Friday afternoon, Jeongguk went to the university to return the books he got last time and also to get new ones. He'll take the exam with his personal teacher that's why he need not to attend school for that. When he got the books he needed, he waited outside the library. He was wondering if he will see Taehyung pass by, but he didn't and so he went ahead.

That week, Taehyung didn't visit him so they haven't seen each other for days. He even rejoiced when he received the letter that the maid had handed him. Taehyung's the person that makes him so excited these days.

On their way home, the car windows were down that's why Jeongguk heard some music from the stalls on the streets near the school. He asked the driver to stop the car so he could see. When he went inside the shop, as what he expected, it was a music shop. There were acoustic guitars, piano, and other instruments displayed in there. There are also compact discs, cassette tapes, and vinyls. He just thought of Taehyung once again. He remembered him saying that he has a phonograph in his room.

He then scanned the shelves of vinyls and tried to find a good album that he could gift Taehyung. He then saw a compilation vinyl in the corner and read the tracks. He really doesn't know Taehyung's music taste and so he decided to take that because the vinyl features famous tracks from famous American artists such as Carpenters, Queen, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles.

"That is eight dollars, Sir." The counter lady said to Jeongguk and then he took out his wallet to give the amount. She handed him his receipt and the bag that contained the vinyl. "Thank you, Sir. Come again," greeted the lady and Jeongguk just smiled at him and proceeded to ride their car.

18th of June 1978
Kims' Mansion

"Hey, no! Can I take that back please?" Taehyung begged with his hands glued on each other whilst he tried his best to convince Jeongguk with the use of his eyes also. Jeongguk grinned like a madman, held the piece tightly and teasingly turned his head away from the older. "You're so good, holy cricket! Did you drink high-level strategic thinking potion or something?" Taehyung added. Jeongguk wasn't even convinced with Taehyung's plea.

"I'll say, 'Or something,' Tae. You were the one who instructed clearly, 'In our game, the rule is touch-move.' Just accept it, I became better since I've learned the game myself. Your moves are even predictive to me now," and that was Jeongguk's monologue after eating Taehyung's queen piece in chess.

"You'll regret this one day, Gguk. You'll regret you didn't make me correct my move. The next time, I'll be the one eating you," Taehyung jokingly cursed Jeongguk and the younger doesn't even paying attention to it, just busy cackling at him. When the older's words sunk in him, he suddenly stopped.

"What are yo-" Jeongguk was cut out.

"What's with this song, did it exist in the worst music era or something?" Taehyung stood, ignoring the flustered boy and pulling up the stylus of the phonograph. He took the vinyl out and put it inside its case. "Father owned a few of them that's why we've been listening to the same tracks on repeat," Taehyung said and sat again near the bed to face the table where they placed the chess board. "Whose turn is it now? Me right? I'll avenge my queenie," Taehyung said and moved a pawn forward when he made sure that no other piece could take his move down.

"Um, Taehyung, may I ask you something?" Jeongguk inquired. He received a hm? from Taehyung as a reply. "Are you attending the activities that the university had set for the student's retreat? Are you going to the student's promenade?"

"If you will, then I'll be going too," Taehyung simply answered. "Hey, it's your turn!" The older added and looked directly at Jeongguk.

"Why do I have to make your decision too?" Jeongguk sounded angry but actually he was just confused. Taehyung raised his brows at him.

"Why do you sound mad? Well I wanted to be there because you are there. What's the point of going if you don't have company," Taehyung answered him. Jeongguk then recalled that Taehyung had told him he had friends in the class they were both in.

"How about Jimin and your other friends? I am sure they'll be there too. Why do I need to be there for you to come?"

"Because I want you to be there, Gguk. Wherever you'll stray, I'll follow. You don't want to be around me anymore?" Taehyung asked him, a hint of worry crossed his face. The older was astonished by the sudden change of mood temperature.

"I- O-Of course, I want to! I was just wondering why... Is it because of something else? Nevermind. I might be the only one thinking that way. Let's continue the game," Jeongguk started moving a piece without actually thinking much about it.

"You want to know why I keep on bothering you, Jeon?" Taehyung asked, eyes are now locked with Jeongguk. Taehyung held Jeongguk's hand and pressed it on his chest. "It's because you make me feel this way. You make my heart skip a beat," Taehyung said. Jeongguk closed his eyes tightly. He could hear it.

He could hear Taehyung's heartbeat.

"Should I really feel this way? I don't know. I was never sure of my feelings because I've never been inlove before. This feeling, this experience, this kind of heartbeat. All of these are foreign to me, Jeongguk. You moved me," Taehyung confessed. Jeongguk's face screamed suprisement.

The younger was about to respond when Taehyung shushed him using his finger. "You don't have to answer me now, Jeongguk. I am just informing you. That day at the beach, this is what I meant. I don't think I need to elaborate more because I am very sure I made you feel it."

Jeongguk didn't speak no more. He instead took something from underneath Taehyung's bed. He gave it to Taehyung without a word. "What is this?"

"Read track number seven," Jeongguk replied.

"Is This Love? by Bob Marley & The Wailers," Taehyung read and he looked back at Jeongguk.

"Is it? Then my reply would be track eight," Jeongguk said. No matter how much he sounded dorky, this is the only way he could confess right now because he's too shy to admit it directly.

Taehyung smiled while reading what Jeongguk had pointed. "Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley."