The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.
━
The Art of War
Sun Tzu

≣

Life was a never-ending circle of cause and effect, an eternal chain of action and reaction.

At any given second, millions of people responded to their surroundings and made choices that would alter the world around them. Sometimes careful and deliberate decisions resulted in insignificant outcomes, while other times, foolish actions gave way to unimaginable and unpredictable consequences. And all the while, that circle never broke and that chain of events kept on growing.

Cause and effect.

Action and reaction.

And just as a single raindrop could cause ripples to expand across a body of water, the rash decision of one had the power to affect the lives of many.

Jungkook should know; a choice he made changed everything for everyone around him.

A couple of weeks ago, he told a lie that could have - should have - resulted in his death. He claimed to be someone he most certainly wasn't, not once guessing that the gunman pinning him to the wall might have known better. But with his tired mind and broken heart, he failed to consider the impact of his actions.

That seemingly innocent decision to lie about his identity kicked off a brand new series of actions and reactions, of causes and effects. That lie set Jungkook down an untraveled path; it altered the direction of his life. It exposed him to unprecedented levels of danger and introduced him to the true meaning of fear. It made him question old friends and doubt his abilities to place trust in the right people.

And his lie led to one last effect, one he never could have anticipated:

Jungkook fell in love.

And that person he fell in love with - his bodyguard, his angel, his Taehyung - loved him back as well.

All of that happened because of that ceaseless circle, that unbreakable cycle of causes and their effects. It proved to Jungkook that anything was possible, that the constants he once knew were not constant at all. And in just two short weeks, he learned that doubt could shift into certainty, weakness could morph into strength, and pain could evolve into love.

And while Jungkook made his share of mistakes and failures since Namjoon's death, he didn't regret any of his reckless and hasty decisions. He couldn't, not when every single one of them brought him to Taehyung.

His first-ever boyfriend.

His other half.

His love.

Jungkook's teenage dreams of falling in love - of being loved in return - became his reality. And yeah, sure, nothing happened like he had expected or planned. The story he and Taehyung shared was neither conventional nor normal, but then again, neither were they. They were the brat and the bodyguard, the sweetheart and the angel.

They were the two that found their destiny.

And now that Jungkook had the love he always longed for, he'd protect it no matter the cost. No price was too high - if necessary, he'd hand over his mind, body, and soul to keep Taehyung safe. And he'd do it without hesitation or pause.

So when Taehyung tried to leave the bunker without him, Jungkook fought back. He couldn't just relax in luxury while his love risked his life . . . he wouldn't do that. So he argued - tried to make the elder understand his viewpoint - until the disagreement ended with the passionate declaration of their love.

Because I'm in love with you.

Was Jungkook shocked to hear those words roll off the elder's tongue? To be honest, no. He knew Taehyung loved him - he felt that love in each and every word, look, touch, and action. It didn't come as a surprise at all.

But that didn't mean Jungkook remained unaffected. Fuck, hearing those words for the first time was one of the happiest moments of his life. Every part of his body became hyper-aware, from the slamming of his heart against his ribcage to the tears warming his cheeks. And more than anything, he yearned to hold the elder close and to gain comfort from his presence.

So that's what he did.

For over an hour, Jungkook and Taehyung laid in each other's arms and discussed the road ahead. Officially committing to each other really didn't change too much for them, but it provided the opportunity to come to some mutual agreements. Most were light topics of conversation, like how much intimacy they expected - short answer, both wanted a lot - but the point they spent the most time on was much more serious.

After back and forth deliberation and openly sharing their opinions, they came to a compromise regarding any necessary travel: Jungkook would accompany Taehyung wherever he went within reason. If there were any concerns over risks and danger, they would do whatever was safest for both of them combined. This concession was more than fair, so they shook on it and sealed the deal with a kiss.

And then they rolled out of bed to buy a new phone.

Before they left, Taehyung explained they first needed to take a couple of precautions. First, he had them wear nondescript clothing to cover up any noticeable features. Next, he loaded Jungkook's Sig Sauer and spent a good amount of time reviewing how to properly wear the gun. After that, they went into the garage and readied the spare car - which conveniently sported tinted windows - with extra ammo and cash.

Once their preparations were set, they rode the elevator up into the orchard and headed thirty minutes outside of Daegu. At one point, Taehyung spotted a moderately sized supermarket that he thought looked promising. Namjoon had apparently taught him that chain grocery stores often sold cheap electronics, clothing, and other essentials besides food, so it was worth a shot. And following a quick perusal of the area, he asked Jungkook to stay in the car.

The entire ten minutes the elder was inside, Jungkook scanned the parking lot in search of any potential threats. His breathing was strained and his fingers gripped the steering wheel all too tightly, though he didn't drop his guard. Even when Taehyung came back to the car with two bags of groceries in his arms, Jungkook remained vigilant of their surroundings. And on their way back to the bunker, as Taehyung detailed the supplies he picked up in addition to the phone and charger - some random food items and three bottles of lube - Jungkook slowly started to breathe normally again.

They returned safely and without incident.

And now it was three days later.

Outside of the livid phone call they shared with Yoongi - he wasn't exactly pleased they left the bunker without telling him - three days passed without any trouble. Three days filled with learning more about each other, of going on cozy dates in the living room. Three days of working together and strengthening their relationship.

Three days of loving each other with every fiber of their beings.

Jungkook never knew love could feel like this . . . Hell, until Taehyung, he never understood what love meant in the first place. With no strong examples of love at home, he could only rely on what he saw in movies or what he heard from Namjoon. His brother was always a bit more realistic than the cheesy romance films, depicting love as putting someone else's needs above your own stupid ambition. And while sure, that may have been a part of it, Jungkook now knew it was so much more.

Fuck, it was so much more.

Love was vulnerability. Both Jungkook and Taehyung had bared their souls to the other, allowing themselves to be fully seen without fear of judgment or criticism.

Love symbolized security. In Taehyung, Jungkook found his safe place, the home that would always shelter his heart.

Love meant compromise. There were no winners in love; one's own needs could not outweigh the other in order to establish a successful partnership.

Love represented patience. Both he and Taehyung had their own demons they needed to combat, yet they wouldn't rush the other's healing process . . . instead, they'd hold each other's hand through it all.

And finally, love demonstrated commitment. Together, Jungkook and Taehyung would be each other's greatest advocate, supporter, friend, lover, and partner . . . They'd take on the massive responsibility of being the other's boyfriend, person, and other half.

Without a doubt, there was still so much for Jungkook to learn about being in love. Things wouldn't always be easy; relationships required hard work and dedication. But rather than be put off by all of this, he was excited. He was absolutely fucking ready to love Taehyung with all of his heart and to make him the happiest man alive.

And what better way to demonstrate his love, adoration, and appreciation by organizing a very romantic third date?

The boys had two dates over the last few days, with Taehyung planning both of them. He kept them simple and heartfelt, not once stressing over the lack of entertainment sources in the underground bunker. And to Jungkook, who had never been on a real date before Taehyung, the experiences were perfect for who they were as a couple.

Their first date mirrored a traditional dinner outing, complete with a battery-operated candle, microwavable meals, and a surprise dessert that the elder bought at the supermarket. The two boys talked for hours as they held hands, a giddy sort of energy electrifying the air around them. And at the end of the date, Taehyung tried for nothing more than a soft and tender kiss.

All in all, it was the perfect first date.

The second date was just as cozy, with Taehyung setting up a picnic of sorts in his mother's sitting room. The elder explained how he spent far too long trying to get an old record player to work - he wanted to slow dance with Jungkook - but wasn't able to rewire it properly. So instead, he programmed the LED ceiling to reflect a brilliant night sky. And under the soft glow of the faux moon, the two boys stargazed and wished upon shooting stars.

And now, just a day after their second date, it was time for their third. A few hours of preparation went into the date, with Jungkook working meticulously to get everything just right. And once he decided that the bunker was perfect, he happily skipped to their bedroom to rouse Taehyung.

"Time to get up, angel," Jungkook said as he crouched down next to the bed, gently pushing the hair from the elder's face. "You have a date to get ready for."

The elder opened his eyes slowly, his gaze taking a moment to focus. "Tell me what we're doing so I can pick out a good outfit."

Jungkook bit his lip to refrain from smiling, but the corners of his mouth lifted anyway. "I'm going to pick out your outfit. That way I can surprise you with the best date of your life."

"Let me guess," the elder started, a hint of amusement coloring his tone, "you're going to dress me in nothing but my bare skin. For makeup, you'll kiss my lips until they're red and swollen. And then for accessories, you'll adorn my neck with swirls of hickeys."

"That's your second outfit," Jungkook teased with a smirk, pushing back the comforter covering his boyfriend's almost completely naked body. A sigh of appreciation escaped his mouth as he took in his smooth and tanned skin. "I miss seeing you all marked up. It's my favorite look on you."

Taehyung's eyebrows flicked upwards as he leaned in closer, his gaze solely focused on Jungkook's mouth. "Dress me, then. Cover me with your marks."

Oh, Jungkook would. By the time the evening was over, a map of red spots would embellish the elder's skin like his own custom created constellation. And while Jungkook craved to touch Taehyung that way now, craved it like a thirsty man begging for water, he didn't want his hours of preparation to go to waste.

So he took hold of Taehyung's chin, slowly tilting it upwards until they were eye to eye again. "This is the one time I'm not allowing you dessert before dinner. So get your pretty little butt out of bed and into the shower."

"Shower with me," Taehyung murmured, less a question and more of a demand. "Or is this sweaty look of yours the vibe you're going for tonight?"

"Have we switched roles or something?" Jungkook laughed as he rose to his feet. "Are you the brat now?"

The elder shifted back onto his knees, shrugging a shoulder while simultaneously quirking up the corner of his mouth. "Appears so. Maybe you just need to discipline me."

Great. Jungkook's traitorous mind instantly envisioned tying Taehyung to a chair, sucking deep red marks into his skin, and tugging on his hair until he moaned out in pleasure. And while he had no plans of fully spanking the elder, a light smack or two might be a nice effect.

"You're thinking about it," Taehyung correctly guessed, his lips spreading into a knowing grin. "Why think about it when you can act it out right now? Come on, sweetheart. I know you want to."

After exhaling a long and deep breath, Jungkook finally collected himself enough to speak. "It's a little too early in the night for you to be a pain in my ass."

"Oh, do you want me to save that for later, then?"

The warmth in Jungkook's veins heated to a dull burn, and suddenly his lips turned dry and his stomach muscles clenched. He had to quickly find some self-control before he abandoned the very dreamy and charming date he put together. "Tae . . ."

A rich, hearty laugh filled the room as the elder rolled off the bed and strode up to Jungkook. He launched himself into his arms, squeezing tightly as another giddy chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Alright, alright. I'll stop. As much as I want to jump you right now, I can patiently wait until after you wine and dine me."

Jungkook gripped onto Taehyung's soft waist, reveling in his suppleness. It was a welcome contrast to his own body. "Good. I'll put your clothes out while you're in the shower. I'm going to get ready in the other bedroom, so be ready by eight."

"Wait," Taehyung said against Jungkook's neck. "We should call Yoongi first. I'm definitely not going to be thinking about him later, so let's get it out of the way now."

"Ugh, fine," Jungkook pouted, not excited about delaying their date but knowing it was the right move.

Following the boys' trip to the supermarket, Taehyung had called Yoongi to fill him in on their expedition. The Chief, in a word, was pissed. He went on a tirade, detailing how foolish and irresponsible it was for them to leave without notice or permission. Taehyung argued right back, saying that the situation required them to take action immediately less they become unreachable.

It was a heated conversation that Jungkook felt uncomfortable listening in on. But after the two finally stopped yelling at each other, the Chief ended the call with a new requirement: phone calls every twelve hours. If they didn't call within five minutes of their scheduled time, Yoongi warned, he'd find the location of the bunker and drag both Taehyung and Jungkook back to Seoul without question. And as much fun as that all sounded, the boys decided to play by the Chief's rules so they could enjoy their time together without outside interference.

Taehyung extricated himself from the embrace, padding over to where the phone charged on the nightstand. "Come sit with me."

Moments later, Jungkook nestled between the elder's legs, his head leaning back on his shoulder. "Keep the call short. The faster you talk, the faster you can get ready."

"Whatever my sweetheart wants," Taehyung winked, leaning down to peck his forehead. "But you know Yoongi. He's a chatterbox."

Jungkook rolled his eyes as Taehyung placed the call, tracing random patterns over his sweatpant covered legs. "I've learned that you're quite the talker, angel. The only way I can get you to be quiet is to put my massive -"

"What's wrong?" Yoongi's clipped voice cut him off.

Taehyung's eyebrows knit together as he looked between the phone and Jungkook. "Nothing's wrong. Why would you assume that?"

"We agreed upon a call every twelve hours," the Chief intoned strictly, aggravation dripping off of his scratchy voice. "You're calling two hours too early. So I'll ask again. What's wrong? Or maybe I should ask this instead . . . What idiotic thing are you two planning now?"

"Oh, relax. Everything's fine," Taehyung said with a small smile. "Jungkookie set up a date for us this evening, so we decided to be responsible and call you early. You should be proud of us."

"I'm so fucking proud that I've put your meager accomplishment on a plaque," Yoongi drawled thickly, sarcasm punctuating every word. "Now, do you have anything notable to report? Otherwise, I'll get right into my news."

Hope bloomed in Jungkook's chest as he gasped in anticipation. They hadn't received any news at all over the last few days, so at this point, any information was welcome. It meant they were one step closer to the end of this madness.

One of Taehyung's arms securely wrapped around Jungkook's waist, the strong hold conveying his anxiousness. "Nothing from our end. What's your news?"

"I've been looking into Kim Seokjin over the last couple of days. I wanted to understand what connection he had - if any - to the murders," Yoongi started, his tone even and neutral. "He's been with Korean National Oil for almost five years now, where he's worked almost exclusively with the company's insurance policies."

Jungkook's lips pulled down as he tried to understand the link. "Insurance?"

"The main component of his role is to research and buy policies to protect the company from lawsuits. In case another entity took Korean National Oil to court, there'd be some monetary coverage and protection in place," the Chief supplied matter-of-factly. After a brief pause, he added, "Jin is the head of the department."

"How does this relate to what's going on?" Taehyung questioned him, his facial features drawn together in concentration.

"We ran a historical analysis on all insurance policies he put into place during his tenure. Most of the data is insignificant, though there were some odd additions around three or so years ago. And these policies . . . they were in your name, Taehyung."

Blood drained from Jungkook's face as he let that information soak in. Based on what the Chief said, the signs were pointing more and more towards Jin's involvement. Especially after his brother-in-law's heated phone call the night of the ambush, his shady questioning back at the house, the gun he carried . . . It was suspicious. But he wouldn't have killed Namjoon . . . Right?

Thinking it over, however, Jin didn't appear too distraught over Namjoon's death. Rather than cry alongside Jungkook, he opted for promising that everything would be okay. There were no tears, no anger, and no emotion. At the time, Jungkook just thought his brother-in-law was strong, but now . . .

Now he had his doubts.

After a brief pause, Taehyung finally spoke again. "What kind of policies? Are we talking life insurance or -?"

"Kidnapping," the Chief swiftly added, the word sharp as it sounded from the phone. "It was a rather expensive kidnapping policy, too."

Not that Jungkook had any knowledge of insurance, but it didn't make sense as to why Jin of all people would buy a kidnapping policy. Was he planning to capture Taehyung and then demand money for his safe return? Had he set up all those past attacks in an attempt to get to Taehyung?

Before he could put too much thought into it, Yoongi continued speaking. "I know this sounds rather questionable, but I'll admit that we don't have the full scope just yet. In order to enact any policy for Korean National Oil, Jin would need explicit approval from his supervisor. We're looking into that now, so try not to jump to conclusions. I just wanted to keep you aware."

A soft puff of air pushed out through Taehyung's lips. And while he didn't look too convinced, he nodded his head. "Alright. We won't think the worst until there's more proof."

That seemed to be a silent instruction for Jungkook, and sure enough, Taehyung's attention was steadily focused on him. He lifted his eyebrows, seemingly waiting for a confirmation that he wouldn't overreact just yet.

"Okay," Jungkook mumbled softly, only loud enough for his boyfriend to hear.

"Good," Yoongi said, his tone final like he was ready to end the call. "I expect to hear from you two at ten tomorrow morning and . . . You've got to be kidding me."

"What?" Taehyung asked, his grip on Jungkook slightly tightening.

The Chief started talking again, but not to either Jungkook or Taehyung. His voice was muffled, almost like he held the phone away from his mouth, before a higher-pitched voice suddenly erupted from the receiver.

"Damn, that Chief needs to lighten up."

"Jimin?" Jungkook choked out, surprised to hear his friend on the other side of the line.

"Yeah, yeah, it's me," Jimin replied, sounding a bit distracted. "Look, I'm getting the stink eye over here, so I doubt I have that long to talk. But I wanted to check in on you guys. How are you holding up?"

Taehyung handed the phone to Jungkook, letting him lead the conversation. Lowering his voice, he murmured into his ear, "I'll start getting ready. See you at eight."

Jungkook watched him leave, unabashedly staring at his body as he retreated into the bathroom. And while he couldn't wait to undress his beautiful and sexy boyfriend completely, he was pretty excited to clothe him in his desired attire. So he sprung off of the bed and headed to the closet.

"Hello? Are you two still there?" Jimin called out impatiently.

"Sorry," Jungkook chuckled, taking the phone off speaker and wedging it between his ear and shoulder. "I'm taking Tae on a date tonight so he went to get ready. And now that he's gone, I finally get to pick out his outfit."

"So domestic," his friend remarked under his breath. "But that's cute. What are you putting him in?"

Stepping into the large closet, Jungkook started perusing the hanging items. "If I can find everything I need in this behemoth of a closet, a suit."

"Oh, hot. But why go so formal? Are you asking him to be your boyfriend or something?"

Jungkook came across a couple of dark jackets and pants, all of which looked similar in size to Taehyung. He eyed two potential options before deciding on a slightly looser fitting one. "We kind of already had that conversation a few days ago. And we talked about how we felt, too. About how we loved each other."

"Shit," Jimin laughed, his voice light with merriment. "Honestly, I keep forgetting you two have only known each other for a few weeks. When I first met Tae, I really believed you guys were dating. The sexual tension rolling off of you couldn't be faked."

"Yeah, well, we ended up exactly how we were supposed to," Jungkook smiled softly, now searching through the button-down shirts. "But, hey. How are you doing with everything, Jimin?"

"All things considered, I've been good. And even though we're stuck in Yoongi's apartment all day, it's nice to be back in Seoul. The city is a lot different from the outskirts of Busan."

An excited hum rumbled in Jungkook's throat as he finally found the sort of shirt he wanted for Taehyung's outfit. He hooked it over his arm while he reviewed a wide assortment of silk ties. "Good. How's Hoseok?"

A devious snicker sounded in his ear. "He's still pissed about having to leave the bed and breakfast, but he's hanging in there. Plus, he's found ways to amuse himself."

"Really?" Jungkook picked out a forest green tie, thinking it'd complement Taehyung's coloring. "How so?"

"Let's just say handcuffing the Chief to the fridge wasn't exactly my idea," Jimin said, delight clear in his airy tone. "And let's just say he packed those handcuffs and brought them here to Seoul . . . and that he's threatened to use them on Yoongi numerous times now."

"Wow. Who knew Hoseok was so kinky." If asked, Jungkook would've guessed that Jimin was the more deviant of his two friends.

"I did."

Jungkook paused. "Does that mean you two have -?"

"Fucked?"

" - dated?" Jungkook finished with a bark of a laugh.

Jimin joined in with him and became breathless for a moment. "Yes to fooling around but no to actually dating. We've never been interested in each other romantically, but the bed and breakfast could get pretty lonely sometimes. It was isolated and didn't bring in too many single people. So, since we were both willing . . . Yeah."

Jungkook brought the rest of Taehyung's outfit to the bed, where he neatly laid out the pieces. He didn't bother selecting a pair of shoes; Taehyung preferred to be barefoot. "So, I guess you're not pining after him then?"

"Definitely not," Jimin agreed. "But I think the Chief might have a little crush on him."

Jungkook paused on his way to pick out his own clothing. "You think?"

"For sure . . . Uh, oh," his friend giggled naughtily. "The Chief might've overheard that last part. Alright, that's my cue to leave. Have fun on your date, Kookie!"

And with that, the line went dead.

Jungkook chuckled as he pocketed the phone, his earlier worries about Jin all but forgotten. He found a suit similar to Taehyung's, though he chose a different silk tie for himself.

His was a sleek and sophisticated grey.

He brought his attire to the second bedroom, carefully draping the items over a chair. He'd never worn such beautiful clothing in his life and feared dropping food all over himself. Well, if he did that, at least he could get undressed sooner in the evening. And maybe get Taehyung naked, too . . .

Fuck, he needed to focus.

After taking a relatively speedy shower and ensuring every part of him was squeaky clean, he started on his hair. In the few weeks since Taehyung's infamous haircut, the strands had marginally begun to grow back out. And while he'd come to enjoy the shorter style - it was more manageable, especially in these warmer months - he still missed his longer locks.

Maybe he'd grow it out just a few more centimeters.

By the time quarter to eight rolled around, Jungkook was dressed and ready. The dark suit clung to his body, highlighting the swell of muscles at his biceps and thighs. The white shirt and grey tie contrasted the black of his jacket and pants, providing an elegant and suave quality. And his hair, which he pushed away from his face, shone under the light.

All in all, he looked good. And while he knew Taehyung didn't care about the clothes he wore - in fact, the elder probably preferred no clothes at all - Jungkook still wanted to look impressive. He wanted to show his boyfriend that he could clean up nicely.

After sparing one last glance in the mirror, Jungkook went into the sitting room to finalize all of his earlier work. He switched on all of the battery-operated candles, dousing the space in a warm glow. Then, he chose a clear sky with a full and lustrous moon for the LED ceiling above. And for his finishing touch, he set a sultry R&B album in the record player he spent hours reconfiguring.

The room was the perfect setting for an evening of dinner and slow dancing.

Before going to their bedroom to pick up Taehyung, Jungkook used his remaining time to cook their dinner - a decadent and mouthwatering microwavable stir-fried kimchi with rice. It was a comical meal to eat while wearing fancy suits, though Jungkook had to work with the resources available to him. But to make the meal a little more appealing, he plated the food on actual dinnerware prior to placing it on the sitting room table.

And with that, it was officially time to begin their date.

As Jungkook approached the closed door, each one of his heartbeats became stronger and more forceful. A clamminess made his palms slick and a wick of moisture collected at the nape of his neck. And fluttering around in his stomach was a kaleidoscope of butterflies, making him somewhat jumpy.

Some might've guessed that he was nervous or anxious, but Jungkook wasn't either of those things. No, an eagerness had washed over his body in an excited sort of anticipation. This was the first date he ever had the privilege of organizing, and he couldn't wait to treat Taehyung to an unforgettable evening.

He confidently knocked before stepping back, clasping his hands in what he hoped looked like a gentlemanly pose. "Tae?"

The door opened and revealed the most important person in the world to Jungkook.

His first-ever boyfriend.

His other half.

His love.

"Angel . . ."

Kim Taehyung was the epitome of beauty, the embodiment of grace and elegance. The black suit fit him to perfection, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean build. He had the silk tie expertly bound around his neck, the green tone lending a richness to his tanned skin. And his hair, which had also started to grow out, was pushed off of his forehead, providing Jungkook with a clearer view of his face.

He looked so handsome - so fucking gorgeous - that it'd be all too easy to gape at him for hours without getting bored.

The part that really rendered Jungkook speechless, however, was the burning and electric look in the elder's eyes. It seared through his flesh and bone, igniting his heart and setting his soul on fire.

It was a look of pure and unadulterated love.

A shaky gasp left Taehyung's mouth as he took a step forward, his hands fluttering like he wanted to run them all over Jungkook's body. "Beautiful. Sweetheart . . ."

Jungkook couldn't stand their distance any longer. Reaching out, he gripped the elder's forearms and pulled him closer and closer until their chests collided and their mouths pressed together. He reverently worshiped his boyfriend's lips, tenderly and languidly kissing him in an amorous display.

Kissing Taehyung would never get old.

"You're so stunning, sweetheart," the elder whispered as he disconnected their mouths, softly kissing along Jungkook's jaw. "Absolutely beautiful."

"No, you are," Jungkook grinned, his hands smoothing down Taehyung's arms to hold onto his waist. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever dated."

"I'm also the only person you've ever dated."

"Doesn't matter. You'll always be number one in my eyes."

The two boys kept on giggling and trading compliments as Jungkook led them to the sitting room, his excitement barely contained. He could hear the earthy and sensuous notes of the music he previously selected, which lured them in like sailors enraptured by a siren's song.

"The record player . . ." Taehyung mumbled as he realized where the music was coming from. "You got it to work?"

Jungkook pulled him further into the room, smiling proudly as he admired the setup. "You wanted to dance. And I just wanted to make you happy."

"Jeon Jungkook, I've never been this happy in my whole life. It's because of you that I look forward to my future and haven't given up hope yet. I . . . I just love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for doing this."

"Anything for you, angel," Jungkook said softly, rubbing over his knuckles with his thumb. "I love you."

With that, the boys settled onto the plush carpet, forgoing chairs as they ate off the coffee table. As with their previous dates, they spent an hour alone talking about everything and absolutely nothing alike. Their conversations always flowed with ease, and they continued learning more and more about each other. And in Jungkook's opinion, that was the best part. He could know everything about Taehyung and yet he'd still long to know more.

Long after they finished eating, Jungkook gathered their dishes and set them in the sink to soak. He'd worry about washing them later, but first, he had more important things to attend to.

Walking back into the room, he swept into a low bow. "May I have the honor of this dance?"

"Wow, what a gentleman," Taehyung said with mock amazement, extending his hands so he could be pulled to his feet. "My love is quite the charmer."

A wide smile spread across Jungkook's lips as he took hold of Taehyung, hoisting him up and bringing him into his arms. They effortlessly melted into each other, arms wrapping around bodies and heads tucking into necks. And with the melodic music playing in the background, they swayed side to side.

Jungkook clung to the elder's body, reveling in the sure and steady thump of his heart against his own. It gave him strength and confidence, comfort and solace; every single part of Taehyung made Jungkook feel so inconceivably safe and at home. And, as they continued to spin in a slow circle, he supposed that was exactly where he was.

Safe and at home with Taehyung.

"When I was young," Jungkook said after a few minutes, his lips brushing against the elder's skin, "the only future I dreamed of was making it outside of my parents' house. The only thing I envisioned was walking out that door and not looking back. But beyond that, I had no aspirations. I had no other goals for my life. But now . . . Now, I see an entirely different future for myself. And it's with you, Tae. When I think of where I want to be, it's by your side."

Taehyung lifted his head and cupped Jungkook's cheeks, tilting his own head up to meet his gaze. "Even with the attacks and ambushes and violence?"

"That doesn't scare me," Jungkook answered honestly, his fingers grazing up and down Taehyung's back. "The love I have for you isn't conditional; it's not reliant on us living in a picture-perfect world. I know there are so many challenges headed our way, but I'm ready for them, Tae. I'm ready to face them and stand beside you."

"I'm still terrified of you getting hurt, you know. But . . . I need you with me, Kook. You've brightened these dark corners of my life and have helped me feel whole again. I feel like I'm becoming the person I always wanted to be," the elder shared, his eyes wide and vulnerable. "I'm becoming who I'm meant to be because of you."

"Are you saying I complete you?" Jungkook teased gingerly, angling his head so he could kiss his boyfriend's palm. "Am I your missing puzzle piece, angel?"

Taehyung licked his lower lip, thinking that over for a moment. "You complement me. The missing parts of me . . . I think I still need to find those on my own. But you're my counterpart. You strengthen what I lack and balance out the rest."

The beauty of Taehyung's words took Jungkook's breath away and all he could manage to do was stare back at him in awe. Well, stare at him and then claim his lips in a passionate kiss. If he couldn't verbally explain what those words meant to him, he could explain it with his heart and soul.

So he molded his mouth to the elder's, sliding against and nipping at the smooth tissue. The incessant urge to feel every part of Taehyung quickly overtook Jungkook's conscious will, and suddenly his hands were roaming all over like they had a mind of their own. They traced over the contours of his boyfriend's hips, danced along his sides, and then finally slid into the soft, thick hair at his nape.

He couldn't get enough of Taehyung; he wanted everything he had to offer.

Yearning and longing and need rushed through Jungkook's veins, hot and insistent, until he was purely acting on instinct. That primal demand to unite with Taehyung in the most intimate of ways was all he knew at the moment, so he clutched him tighter to his body as he began walking them backward. But their movements instantly turned uncoordinated as they struggled to keep their mouths connected, prolonging their journey to the bedroom.

So Jungkook bent down, securing his hands underneath the elder's thighs. "Jump."

Taehyung didn't waste time in asking questions. He circled his arms around Jungkook's neck and jumped, gripping his hips with his legs. And once he settled into the hold, he crushed his parted lips against Jungkook's mouth and kissed him fiercely.

And Jungkook was on fucking fire.

His fingers dug into his boyfriend's thighs as he headed towards their bedroom, doing his best to kiss back while not walking them into a wall. But it was terribly difficult to concentrate as Taehyung dipped his tongue into his mouth, plunging and retreating in a clear imitation of what he wanted to do to Jungkook's body.

A strangled moan got caught in Jungkook's throat as he finally reached the room, panting and whining against the elder's mouth. He desperately needed to feel more of Taehyung, to feel the silky slide of skin against skin.

Wait . . . Silk.

"Angel," Jungkook said as he set Taehyung down on the edge of the bed, hands splaying wide over his thighs. "Do you think . . . Are you okay with me tying you up?"

Taehyung's swollen lips popped open again, his gaze darkening even more than before. "Yes. I . . . Yes. I trust you."

"If you're not enjoying it, just tell me and we can stop. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Now give me your tie," Jungkook demanded, stepping back to watch his boyfriend complete his request.

Taehyung's hands drifted towards the knot in his tie, smoothing over the green fabric as he held Jungkook's gaze. His fingers deftly twisted and turned as he worked the material, and a few moments later, it hung loosely around his neck. But instead of handing it over, he reached out and grabbed Jungkook by the tie, pulling him down to his level.

"You look so good in these clothes, sweetheart. So pretty and handsome. But seeing you in my tie . . . You don't know what it does to me," Taehyung purred as he made quick work of undoing the accessory. "You're just so fucking sexy like this."

Jungkook lowered to his knees, letting the elder pull the silky material out from his collar. "Your tie, huh? Were all those ties in the closet yours, too?"

"Yeah, I've always enjoyed collecting beautiful neckties. I don't have too many occasions to wear them to now, of course, but I still love them," Taehyung said, unbuttoning the first three buttons of Jungkook's shirt.

A smile played at the corners of Jungkook's lips as he watched the elder attempt to continue on with his task. But instead of letting him continue, he sat back on his heels and took hold of the delicate silks. "You can wear them anytime you want, you know. You don't need a special occasion."

"Anytime? Should I sleep with only a tie then?"

"If you come to bed in nothing but a tie, I promise you that there will be little to no sleep happening. And if you don't believe me, I dare you to try it," Jungkook said, winking at Taehyung before rising to his full height.

He looked around the room, scanning for the perfect prop. And when he found it - a plush looking chair with wooden arms - his stomach muscles tightened in anticipation. It was perfect.

"Take off your jacket," he ordered, thoughts of what was to come deepening his voice. "We wouldn't want your pretty clothes getting ruined now, would we?"

Taehyung's eyebrows flitted up in an amused sort of challenge as he shrugged off the suit jacket. "Nope. Which is why you should take off everything you're wearing this instant."

Jungkook took hold of the elder's jacket, laying it neatly over the dresser. "I think you just want to see me naked. Right, angel?"

"Obviously."

"Well, at least you're honest," Jungkook chuckled, jutting his head in the direction of the chair. "Go sit. Get comfortable."

"What about the rest of my clothes?" The elder asked, making his way to the chair and sitting with a contented sigh. He spread his legs wide and leaned back.

"I'll undress you when I'm ready." Jungkook slipped out of his own jacket and skillfully pulled off his button-down shirt. His heated skin puckered with goosebumps once it was exposed to the cooler air, his nipples tightening into peaked and hardened buds.

Taehyung's eyes were hungry as they traced over his bare skin, his tongue darting out from the corner of his mouth. His voice was undeniably husky as he said, "You're a tease."

"I'm just standing here, angel," Jungkook smirked, setting aside the clothing before picking up the ties again. He stalked closer to the elder until he was positioned between his open legs. "But it's okay, I like when you look at me. I like knowing you're attracted to me."

"I'd be even more attracted to you if you took your pants off," Taehyung huffed, bringing up a foot so it suggestively rubbed Jungkook's calf.

Jungkook's blood roared in his ears at the slight touch, thumping throughout his body and traveling south to a certain appendage. But instead of rising to his seductive boyfriend's taunts, he placed his hands on the armrests and bent down until his lips were tangling with Taehyung's.

There was no particular rush to kiss Taehyung hard and fast; Jungkook was satisfied with taking his time, with tasting and yielding and claiming alike. Just the feel of his love's mouth against his own was enough for the moment.

"Kook," Taehyung murmured as he moved his lips to Jungkook's cheek, kissing against that thin scar, "I never thought I'd be asking this, but please. Tie me up."

Jungkook's eyes snapped open, meeting Taehyung's lustful gaze immediately. "Alright. Hands on the armrests."

Taehyung obeyed without argument, expectantly looking up at him as he watched for his next move. And seeing this powerful, beautiful, and fucking sinful man just waiting for Jungkook to take control, still dressed in that white shirt and tailored pants . . . Yup. Jungkook was getting hard and he hadn't really been touched yet.

He momentarily set the ties in Taehyung's lap before reaching for his dress shirt, which he unbuttoned at an antagonizingly slow pace. As each button popped open, he dipped his finger underneath the material to graze against the elder's skin. And as he got to the bottom, as he hastily pushed the shirt open like two curtains, he let his fingertips just barely graze over Taehyung's velvet abdomen.

"Fuck," he whispered, unable to stop the word from rolling off his tongue.

"Are you going to finish taking it off, or . . .?" Taehyung prompted, looking pointedly at the shirt he still wore.

But Jungkook shook his head. "I'm going to keep you just like this for now. Something about tying you up while you're still dressed is really turning me on."

Without further conversation, he began wrapping the green tie around the elder's wrist, nimbly knotting it so it was secure and didn't move around too much. He then repeated the action using the grey tie, effectively binding Taehyung to the chair.

This was where the fun began.

Reaching out, Jungkook tenderly cupped a hand over Taehyung's cheek and let his thumb flick over his mouth. He relished in the warmth seeping into his skin for a few seconds before moving his hand upwards, pushing his fingers into Taehyung's hair.

And then he pulled.

Hard.

A muffled groan rumbled in Taehyung's throat, his eyes closing in a pleasured bliss. "Fuck, sweetheart."

Jungkook's fingers carded through the thick locks, his touch deceptively gentle for what he had planned. He delivered the faintest of tugs as he lowered down once more, running his nose along Taehyung's jaw. And right when the elder hummed in gratification, Jungkook gripped his roots and pulled his head back sharply.

"My guess," Jungkook drawled, dragging his lips down to Taehyung's pulse, "is that two more pulls will get you hard. What do you think?"

Taehyung shook his head, his eyes screwed shut and his throat completely bared. "No."

"No? You think you can last longer?" To test his theory, Jungkook massaged the elder's scalp before tugging more forcefully. "That's three. Should we see how you're doing?"

Jungkook didn't wait for Taehyung to answer. He ran his unoccupied hand down his boyfriend's bare chest, making his destination quite obvious. And then he smoothed his palm over Taehyung's slack-covered crotch, finding that he wasn't completely hard yet.

Keeping his hand right where it was, he yanked on Taehyung's hair again, smiling when he felt his cock twitch in response. "Now we're getting somewhere, angel. Do you like when I pull your hair like this? Does it make you feel good?"

He robbed the elder of an intelligible answer as he yet again pulled on those thick strands. A string of curses met his ears and there was a noticeable swelling beneath his palm.

Jungkook was ecstatic.

It never failed to amaze him that he had this sort of effect on Taehyung, that he could make his boyfriend feel this way. It was a confidence boost, sure, but it was even more of an affirmation to how wildly they loved each other . . . how much they aroused each other.

One more flick of his wrist while holding Taehyung's hair was what did it; the telltale signs of a hard arousal were both seen and felt. That impressive bulge - the one Jungkook couldn't wait to see, hold, taste, and fully envelop - strained against the elder's dress pants, begging for release.

Jungkook wasn't going to free it just yet, however.

So instead, he let go of Taehyung completely, retreating a step to admire his messy hair, red lips, and unmarked chest. Unmarked . . . Yes, that would need to change. But before he connected his mouth to any part of the elder's skin, he ran his hands to his own belt buckle. With a teasing little smirk, he unfastened the leather belt and slipped it from the loops of his pants, letting it clang to the floor when it was freed.

"Want me to take off my pants, Tae?" He asked innocently, running a finger right over the band.

"Please," Taehyung responded, the word coming out harsh and sharp. "I want to see you."

Fuck, Jungkook wanted that as well. He wanted the elder to see him and touch him and to taste every part of his exposed skin. It would be too easy to give in now, to let Taehyung do all of those things.

And he would. Soon enough, he'd hand over that control and let his boyfriend do whatever the hell he wanted. But right now, Jungkook was going to take full advantage of this situation.

He was going to take advantage of a scenario that Taehyung granted him full permission to perform.

"Yeah? You want my pants off?"

"Yes," the elder said, the single syllable nothing more than an exhale on his tongue.

"Well, then. Too bad," Jungkook mock pouted, sinking to his knees and wedging himself between Taehyung's spread legs. "You don't get to see me naked yet."

A frustrated whimper sounded in Taehyung's throat, but he made no other forms of protest. He just sat there, dark eyes boring down into Jungkook's and his chest rising and falling heavily.

And god knows where Jungkook found his restraint, but as he incrementally lowered his mouth to Taehyung's, he managed to stop when he was no more than a centimeter from his lips.

"Tell me you want me." Jungkook used the same words the elder once said to him, his hands flattening over Taehyung's thighs. "Tell me you'll behave."

Taehyung didn't make any verbal promises. He swiftly closed the space between their mouths, promptly showing that he did, in fact, want Jungkook, but clearly would not behave.

And that drove Jungkook wild.

He dug his nails into the elder's legs, gripping him harshly as he opened his mouth and met Taehyung's tongue in the middle. The feel of his boyfriend's hot, wet flesh against his own was euphoric, was so drugging that all thoughts dissolved from Jungkook's mind. All he knew was Taehyung; all he wanted was Taehyung.

And all he needed was Taehyung.

Jungkook slid his lips across Taehyung's cheek, leaving a wet path on his way over to his tanned neck. He immediately poked his tongue out, licking a long stripe before kissing over his pulse. And then he drifted higher to the spot right below the elder's ear, opening his mouth and sucking hard.

Taehyung's head lolled to the side, providing better access as an endless stream of moans and sighs fell from his lips. He was breathing heavily at this point, labored pants and shaky exhales joining the wet sucking noises of Jungkook's mouth.

After one deep, red mark was planted into Taehyung's skin, Jungkook pulled back to admire his work. "I don't think one is enough, do you?"

A guttural chuckle sounded from Taehyung. "Nope. I think you need to leave more."

Jungkook's hands fisted back into the elder's hair as he reattached his mouth, his lips opening up over Taehyung's hot and sticky skin. He worked his way down Taehyung's neck, sucking and nipping and biting and licking in an attempt to leave little marks everywhere. And as more red and purplish bruises bloomed across his boyfriend's skin, Jungkook got increasingly harder in his tight-fitting pants.

And even though he had Taehyung tied to a chair - even though Jungkook could take his cock and place it in the elder's mouth - he wasn't about to do that. This was for Taehyung's physical pleasure at the moment, for Jungkook's mental and emotional pleasure. There was so much more he wanted to do before being touched himself.

So Jungkook continued moving down the elder's chest, savoring the sighs and moans that reached his ears as he kissed Taehyung's collarbones, bit into his pecs, and suckled on his pert nipples. And all the while, he kept his hands in Taehyung's hair, massaging and kneading and tugging.

"Jungkook," Taehyung's raspy voice let out between a moan and a shocked gasp; Jungkook had used his teeth to bite one of his nipples, pulling on it gently. "Please, sweetheart."

"So polite," Jungkook mused, licking over the other nipple, "but I don't know what you're asking for."

"Please, touch me," the elder clarified, shifting his hips up for emphasis.

"But I am touching you."

"Kook."

"Yes, angel?" Jungkook shifted his hands lower, gripping onto his boyfriend's shirt covered shoulders. This was his precise goal when he decided to tie up Taehyung; he wanted to be needed, he wanted Taehyung to tell him exactly what he wanted him to do.

A frustrated groan left the elder's mouth. "Touch my cock."

Jungkook smiled deviously. He'd touch Taehyung, but not in the way he probably wanted.

The elder hadn't been specific enough.

He kissed his way down the elder's stomach, enjoying the feel of his soft skin beneath his lips. And when he reached the thick leather of Taehyung's belt, he didn't pause to undo the buckle. No, he kept on traveling down, kissing until he reached Taehyung's covered cock. And all he did, with an annoyingly faint touch, was mouth at him.

"Stop teasing, sweetheart."

"Not teasing," Jungkook argued, opening his lips more to slide along Taehyung's length. "I'm touching you."

"Want you to touch me directly," Taehyung protested, but added more once he realized he might not have been descriptive enough. "I want you to undress me, to get me naked. And then I want your hands and mouth on my cock."

"Good boy. That wasn't so hard, was it? You just need to tell me what you want and I'll give it to you," Jungkook said, fingers at the elder's belt and unbuckling it. He pulled it out of the loops before setting it on the floor.

With nimble motions, he unbuttoned and then unzipped Taehyung's pants, his heart beating frantically in his chest. He felt like a little kid about to open a birthday present, eager to get his hands on his gift. And no matter how many times he had seen Taehyung naked - no matter how many times he would see him naked - it never got old. Excitement, anticipation, and a sense of thrill would always course through his body.

"Hips up, angel," Jungkook said as he began pulling down the elder's clothing.

Taehyung immediately complied, seemingly eager to shed the rest of his attire. "I want you naked, too."

Jungkook felt himself twitch as he roughly pulled the elder's pants and briefs together, sliding them down his legs and then over his feet. "So greedy. First, you want me to touch your cock, and now you want me to undress. So many orders."

He spread Taehyung's legs again, openly staring at his thick and long arousal. Saliva pooled in his mouth, indicating that it was ready to take that glorious length inside. And while a part of him wanted to continue teasing Taehyung, to kiss a slow and sultry path from his ankles to his thighs, Jungkook couldn't wait any longer. He was a weak man who wanted nothing more than to wrap his hand around his boyfriend's cock and to take him in between his lips.

Looking up from his position on the floor, Jungkook held Taehyung's gaze as one hand moved to grip his waist. "Do you like seeing me this way, Tae? Do you like when I'm on my knees in front of you?"

A strangled fuck left Taehyung's mouth before he nodded his head. "You look so pretty, sweetheart. Even prettier when that mouth of yours is stretched wide and filled with my cock."

🔥

Heat rushed to Jungkook's cheeks - he was so easily affected by the elder's words - as he brought his other hand to smooth up Taehyung's thigh. It edged very close to his length, though stopped right before touching him.

"I bet you like how I can take you deep, too, huh? Tell me. How does it feel when you slide down my throat?" Jungkook murmured, the tips of his fingers just barely dancing along the elder's hot shaft.

Taehyung gasped in muted pleasure, his fingers curling around the wood of the armrests. "Feels so fucking good. That mouth . . . fuck . . . It's so wet and hot."

Jungkook's wrapped his hand around his base, holding him firmly but neither moving nor squeezing. "Right. And tell me how it feels when I swallow around you."

"One of the best things I've ever felt."

"One of?" Jungkook questioned teasingly, finally beginning to move his hand up the elder's shaft. "What else have you felt that's better than that?"

Taehyung's eyes, which were heavy and hooded, gleamed with a seductive glint. "When I'm inside of you, sweetheart. Or when you're inside of me."

Those words caused every single muscle in Jungkook's abdomen to contract, and he could no longer hold himself back. He lowered his head, sticking out his tongue to trace up the side of Taehyung cock. He moved deliberately, covering all of the skin with an abundant amount of saliva. And then, just as Taehyung started shifting his hips, he wrapped his lips around the leaking, swollen tip.

"Fuck, Kookie," Taehyung moaned out, head tossing back and hips stuttering. He attempted to push his cock further into Jungkook's mouth, silently begging for more.

But Jungkook was quicker. He gripped Taehyung's hips with both hands, keeping him down as he slowly took more and more of Taehyung's cock into his mouth. His lips stretched wide to accommodate the thickness and girth, and he felt that velvety length sliding over his tongue with ease.

He fucking loved this.

And, judging by the choked cries and tiny pants coming from above him, Taehyung did, too.

"Jungkook, Jungkook, Jungkook," the elder chanted, trying to lift his hips but being forced down by Jungkook's hands. "So good. So fucking good."

Jungkook intentionally hummed, a long and drawn-out sort of sound, knowing that it would feel heavenly to Taehyung. Sure enough, a sharp influx of breath was his reaction, almost like Taehyung didn't anticipate the pleasure. But Jungkook wanted more than that, and lucky for him, he knew just how to get the sounds he longed for.

Gripping into the elder's hips more forcefully, his nails digging into his skin, Jungkook breathed through his nose as he lowered the rest of the way. He felt Taehyung's cock slide into his throat, the full sensation slightly uncomfortable but not unmanageable. He never felt more thankful than he did now that he spent his teenage years working on his gag reflex.

After relaxing his throat just a fraction more and inhaling deeply, Jungkook swallowed around Taehyung. He drew back instantly after, gasping for air and eyes watering. But he loved doing that, he loved giving that sort of pleasure to his love.

"Come here," Taehyung ordered, his voice breathless and frenzied and raw.

Jungkook rose on his knees as he resumed stroking the elder's cock, rubbing his thumb over the wet tip. "How are you doing, angel?"

"Perfect," Taehyung murmured, hips once again attempting to roll against Jungkook's hand. "But I need you to stop touching me, okay? I need to start touching you."

Flicking his wrist in all of the right ways, Jungkook placed a gentle kiss against one of the numerous marks on Taehyung's chest. "Is that so?"

"Yes. Please. Can I? Can I touch you?"

"You want me to untie you?" Jungkook asked with an arched brow, smoothing his thumb down over the elder's balls, edging closer and closer to his entrance.

Taehyung's teeth sunk into his lower lip, his eyes threatening to flutter shut. "No."

Jungkook brushed his thumb over his opening, his touch a barely-there caress. "No? How are you going to touch me if your hands are still bound?"

"Fuck my mouth," Taehyung suggested, pleaded, begged. "I want to taste your cock now, sweetheart. Please."

Rubbing delicate circles over Taehyung's rim, applying the faintest of pressure, Jungkook smiled widely. "Well, if that's what my angel wants."

"Yes."

Jungkook rose to his feet, studying Taehyung's face as he moved his hands to his pants. There was an open longing etched into every single one of the elder's features, a heated desire to see and taste and feel. He even licked his lips as Jungkook started pushing his pants down, watching the way the fabric slid over his thighs.

"Underwear, too," Taehyung instructed once Jungkook had kicked off the slacks.

"Patience," Jungkook lectured mildly, hooking his thumbs under his briefs and wiggling them off. His hard and untouched cock sprung up, thankful to be free of his restrictive clothing.

"Fuck," the elder sighed in appreciation, the syllable nothing more than a whisper. "Please come here, sweetheart."

Jungkook gripped his length, a shudder of pleasure running down his spine as he squeezed. He spread the leaking moisture from his tip all over, using the lubrication to more easily stroke himself. "What do you want, angel?"

"I want your cock in my mouth," Taehyung repeated, his eyes glued to the way Jungkook slowly pleasured himself.

"You want me to slide down your throat?"

"Yes."

"Want me to pull your hair as I make you fuck my cock?"

"Yes."

Jungkook walked to the side of the chair, close to Taehyung's mouth but just out of reach. He continued pumping his length, smiling as the elder opened his mouth expectantly.

"Kook," Taehyung prompted, sticking his tongue out ever so slightly.

And while Jungkook wanted to tease him for as long as possible, he physically couldn't wait any longer. One of his hands slid into Taehyung's hair while the other guided his cock towards that open, wet, hot mouth. He ran his tip over and around the elder's lips, faintly groaning as he watched his pre-cum smear all over, the sight equally erotic and carnal.

Taehyung swirled his tongue around his lips, occasionally brushing against Jungkook's cock in his efforts to lap up all of the substance. He hummed in satisfaction, clearly enjoying the taste and feel.

Jungkook admired the scene before him, speechless as he took in his boyfriend. Seeing Taehyung like this - tied to the chair, hair messed up and knotted, naked except an open dress shirt, hard and leaking cock pointed upwards - drove him absolutely fucking wild and suddenly he was plunging into the elder's waiting mouth, thrusting into him without restraint.

"Fuck, Tae," Jungkook moaned out, now gripping his head with both hands as he plunged in and out. "You're so good. Fuck. Look at me."

Taehyung lifted his gaze to Jungkook's, moisture pooling at the corners as he sucked on his cock. There were so many emotions flitting across his eyes: desire, lust, attraction, contentment, gratification, and love. There was so much love.

And as Jungkook continued moving over the elder's tongue, continued pushing his tip to the back of his throat, he felt that love swell up in his chest and tingle through his veins. It built higher and higher, reaching towards a blinding culmination, and Jungkook felt ready to explode. He quickly withdrew from Taehyung's mouth and lowered to his knees, fumbling as he untied his hands.

"Are you okay?" The elder asked with concern, immediately moving his hand to Jungkook's shoulder the moment it became free.

Jungkook frantically nodded as he worked on undoing the other tie. "I need you. Need you to prep me. I can't wait any longer."

Taehyung's free hands shifted to cup Jungkook's face, rubbing soothingly over his flushed skin. "I got you, okay? I'm going to take care of you now. I'm going to make you feel so good."

Jungkook latched onto the elder's wrists, holding him in place as he bobbed his head. "I love you so much, Tae. I love you so fucking much."

"I love you, Kook. More than anything." And with that, Taehyung crushed his mouth to Jungkook's, kissing him fiercely as he brought them both to their feet.

They blindly made their way to the bed, moaning into the other's mouth as they fell onto the soft mattress in a tangle of lips and arms and legs. Taehyung climbed on top of him, bringing his body flush against Jungkook's and rocking their hips together. One of them - or hell, maybe both of them - whimpered, a needy sound that pierced the air.

"Tae, angel. Please," Jungkook mumbled against his mouth, his hands kneading into the elder's ass as he ground their cocks together. "Want you inside of me."

"Okay," Taehyung breathed before licking along the inside of Jungkook's teeth. And then he leaned over to the nightstand, grabbing the bottle of lube they conveniently left out.

"Wait. Your shirt."

"Right." An amused chuckle pushed through Taehyung's lips as he shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it to the side. He then took hold of the bottle once more.

"How do you want me?" Jungkook asked as he watched the elder pop open the bottle, pouring an ample amount of the substance onto his fingers. "Like this or -?"

"Flip over. Ass in the air."

The clear demand in Taehyung's voice had Jungkook obeying immediately. He rolled onto his stomach, burying his face into a pillow as he arched his back, ass ready and waiting.

"You're so fucking beautiful," Taehyung said from behind him, one hand coming to grip Jungkook's waist. "I could just look at you like this forever."

Jungkook groaned as he felt Taehyung adjust his body, angling him into a better position. "You can. I'm yours to look at forever."

"Mine," the elder agreed, pressing a lubed up finger right above Jungkook's puckered entrance. He slowly brought his finger lower, dancing over his rim before heading closer to his balls.

"Tae," Jungkook urged, "wrong way."

A mischievous chuckle sounded in Taehyung's throat. "Oh, my mistake. Do you want me to touch here?"

The pad of Taehyung's finger pressed against Jungkook's hole, insistent and slippery and wet. He pushed past that ring of muscles, carefully sliding into his heat.

Jungkook welcomed the mild stretch, wiggling his hips against the intrusion. He was so needy at this point, so ready for Taehyung to put his cock inside of him, that he could hardly wait to begin moving. He rocked backward in an attempt to speed up the process, only to receive a mild slap against his ass.

"Don't move," the elder spoke quietly, stilling his finger. "You'll take what I give you and won't be impatient. Okay?"

Jungkook nodded his head, but apparently that's not what Taehyung wanted. The elder lightly smacked him again, hitting his tender flesh before smoothing over it with his palm.

"Okay," Jungkook whispered at last, struggling to remain still and not slam himself back onto his boyfriend's finger. "I'll take whatever you give me."

"Good boy." The soft praise that left Taehyung's lips was full of love and pride, and soon after, similar words were spoken as the elder began moving his finger. "You're doing so well, sweetheart. You look so pretty, so gorgeous like this. And only I get to see you like this, right?"

"Yes," Jungkook answered immediately, moaning as a finger caressed his prostate. "Only you."

Taehyung withdrew his finger before pushing two back in, slowly thrusting and twisting and brushing. He bent over Jungkook, kissing his shoulder as he continued delivering wave after wave of pleasure.

And somehow Jungkook remained still, somehow he refrained from rolling his hips in an effort to receive more stimulation. All he could do was moan loudly, to accept a third finger as it spread his walls open. And even though it burned, he kept asking Taehyung for more, kept begging for his cock to replace his fingers.

"You want my cock?" Taehyung repeated, curling his fingers against the spot that made Jungkook cry out loudly. "You want me to make love to you now?"

"Yes, angel. Please," Jungkook prattled, his fingers gripping into the pillow to keep himself from moving.

"Alright."

Jungkook felt the elder's fingers slide out of him and he heaved a sigh of relief. Just a couple of more moments and he'd be filled in the way he wanted most. He expected to hear another snap of the lube bottle, signaling that Taehyung was ready to apply more, but it was quiet. Too quiet. So he turned his head, attempting to see what was going on.

But just as he looked behind himself, he felt hands wrap around his ankles. Taehyung pulled hard, dragging Jungkook to the edge of the bed.

"Can I fuck you this way, Kookie?" Taehyung asked as he helped Jungkook plant his feet on the floor. "Leaning over the bed like this?"

"Any way you want," Jungkook affirmed, keeping his chest pressed against the mattress. His cock slid over the sheets, giving him amazing friction that caused his fingers to curl and coil. But he didn't dare move.

Finally, the sounds of squelching lube filled the room, following by a relieved groan from the elder. Jungkook's ass clenched as more cool substance was suddenly added to his rim, with Taehyung carefully working even more inside. A jolt of pleasure shook his entire body when his prostate was purposely rubbed, causing Jungkook to unintentionally push back.

"Alright, Kook," Taehyung whispered sweetly, one hand running along the length of his spine. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm perfect, Tae. You can come inside now."

No other words were said as Taehyung's cock brushed over him, suggestively rubbing but not yet pushing in. The feeling was so mind-numbingly amazing, causing Jungkook's lips to pop open as he sucked in a labored breath. And then, just when he thought he'd combust from the anticipation alone, Taehyung thrusted into him.

The burn and stretch - while expected - still made Jungkook dig deeper into the sheets. "Fuck, angel. Keep . . . Keep going."

Taehyung did as was told, pushing past the tight rim and further into Jungkook's heat. He took his time, groaning as he worked towards bottoming out. And when his hips met Jungkook's ass, he widened his stance before leaning over his body.

"Hold my hands?" Jungkook let out, turning his head to the side so he could somewhat see Taehyung.

"You feel so fucking good, Kookie," the elder murmured, intertwining their fingers as he pressed his cheek to Jungkook's. "I'll never get used to this."

Jungkook sighed in satisfaction, loving the weight of his boyfriend on top of him. And while the thickness and fullness inside his body had yet to give way to pleasure, he tilted his hips up.

"I'm ready, angel. I want you to move now, to show me how much you love me. Can you do that for me? Can you make love to me that way?"

Taehyung dipped his chin, squeezing Jungkook's hands harder as he started thrusting. He made small movements at first, working them both up at an antagonizingly slow rate. But rather than beg for more or take matters into his own hands, Jungkook enjoyed each minuscule brush of the elder's cock inside of him, savored every slide of skin against skin. He particularly enjoyed the sound of Taehyung's breath huffing into his ear, of his moans getting louder and louder by the second.

And with the small motions driving him crazy in the best possible way, Jungkook couldn't help but blabber nonstop.

"I love you," he started, his voice breaking as the elder thrusted a little more forcefully. "I love you, angel. You're everything and so much more. I . . . I can't . . ."

Taehyung nuzzled into his neck, sucking his skin between his lips. All the while, the rocking of his hips continuously intensified, making both of their bodies shake with the impact.

"You're my other half," the elder said gruffly into his ear, "my love. I love you, Jeon Jungkook. I love you. I . . . fuck. I need to see your face."

As Taehyung swiftly pulled out, Jungkook flipped over without any further direction. They scrambled back into the pillows, effortlessly reconnecting their bodies before moving in tandem.

"Is this okay?" Taehyung asked as he slammed his cock into Jungkook's hole. "Is this position too boring? We can change it up -"

Jungkook knotted his hands into Taehyung's hair, harshly pulling him down to his mouth. He kissed him hard, effectively silencing his doubt. "This is perfect, Tae. I like kissing you when you're inside of me."

"Are you sure? Because I don't - ah, fuck."

Jungkook tugged on his hair again, loving how the elder's cock twitched inside of him. "Bet I can make you come this way, don't you think? Should I try?"

Taehyung's hips stalled at the suggestion. "I won't last much longer if you do that. I want you to finish first."

"I know you'll take care of me one way or another, Tae," Jungkook said in an attempt to appease him. "I want you to come. I don't want you to hold it back anymore."

To emphasize the honesty of his words, he squeezed around the elder's cock and gripped his hair again. And rolling his hips, he met Taehyung thrust for thrust as he pulled him back into a kiss.

Taehyung moaned into his mouth, plunging harder and deeper and faster into his ass. Their mouths were frantic as they continued moving, all uncoordinated as they chased towards their release together. And just as Jungkook wanted, Taehyung found his first.

With a loud cry, Taehyung began spilling into Jungkook, his cock still moving as the resistance became less and less. And yet Jungkook kept on moving, kept guiding the elder through his climax all while licking into his mouth.

"Sweetheart," Taehyung murmured after a few moments, burying his head into Jungkook's neck. "Want my fingers? My mouth?"

"Just your hand," Jungkook told him, gently pushing his hair off of his sticky forehead. "I'm close. I want to come while you're still inside of me."

Taehyung's hand crept in between their bodies, wrapping around Jungkook's cock as his mouth suckled on his neck. He whispered sweet sentiments and soft praises alike, all while pumping him unforgivingly.

Jungkook thrusted into his hand, tilting back his head so Taehyung could leave even more marks. He was so close, so fucking close, and his toes were already curling in anticipation. He was surrounded by so many feelings, overwhelmed with so many emotions, and was on the brink of exploding.

"I love you," Taehyung whispered against his skin, digging his thumb into his slit without remorse. "Love you for being you, love you for how you love me."

Jungkook scratched at the elder's back, his eyes closing as his muscles clenched tightly. And then he arched violently, his entire body spasming, as he came all over Taehyung's hand.

"Fuck, Kookie," Taehyung said, moving his hand at a slowing rate, "so good for me. You did so well."

🔥

"Tae," Jungkook mumbled, barely able to form the word on his tongue. He kept his eyes closed, though smiled as the elder began kissing all over his face.

"How does sex with you keep getting better and better?" The elder giggled, his lips tickling Jungkook's nose.

"Does that mean you liked getting tied up?"

Taehyung kissed his lips gently before he began pulling out of Jungkook's body. "I did. I loved it, loved seeing you with all of the control."

Opening his eyes, Jungkook offered a satisfied smile. "Good. I liked doing that to you a lot."

The two boys leisurely made their way to the bathroom, where they spent a good hour soaking in the hot water. Both were wholly satiated, utterly content with just holding each other and sharing a peaceful silence. Even as they cleansed the other's body, they refrained from talking and let their actions speak for them instead.

Once they were thoroughly washed and relaxed, they toweled off and made their way back to the bedroom. Taehyung looked half ready to fall asleep, so Jungkook made him sit on the bed as he fetched their clothing.

"I have another pair of briefs in my backpack," Taehyung said after Jungkook rolled his own on. "Can you get them?"

"As you wish, angel," Jungkook said tenderly, running a hand through his boyfriend's wet hair.

He took hold of Taehyung's backpack and brought it to the bed, quickly unzipping it in search of the clothing. But there were so many damn items in the bag - all his own, which he packed back at his house - that he couldn't find anything. So rather than carry on with the unsuccessful search, he turned over the bag and dumped out its contents.

"Hey!" Taehyung laughed, snatching his underwear from the pile. "You didn't need to do that."

Jungkook giggled in return, eyeing the mess he made. There were a couple of pairs of street clothes, hats and sunglasses, random toiletries, and a book.

Namjoon's book - The Art of War.

The pages were all spread out on the bed, bent and creased from how it fell from the bag. Jungkook gingerly picked it up, feeling a bit guilty.

"Namjoon would kill me if he saw his book like this," Jungkook admitted while scrunching his nose. "How he managed to keep this thing so pristine for years is beyond me."

"You said your mother gave it to him, right?" Taehyung questioned after he donned his briefs. "I wonder why . . . Hey. What's that?"

Jungkook looked to where the elder was pointing. A thick envelope stuck out between the pages of the book, yellowed with age. "I . . . I don't know."

He removed the envelope and flipped it over, finding that it wasn't sealed. With a curious pout, he carefully pulled out the folded contents.

"What is it?" Taehyung questioned, scooting closer so he could see the papers.

Jungkook wasn't exactly sure. There were some newspaper clippings, followed by a couple of sturdy looking documents with official seals. And last but not least, there was a small, weathered photograph.

"That's my dad," the elder breathed, hands shaking as he took hold of the picture. "Why . . . Why would your brother have a picture of my dad?"

As Jungkook smoothed out the documents, reading over their contents, he understood why. With wide eyes, he handed them over to Taehyung, struggling to get his erratic heartbeat under control.

"What?" Taehyung said to himself, shock evident in his voice. "These are . . ."

An official birth certificate.

A paternity test.

Both of which listed the same name for one of the birth parents:

Kim Chinhwa.

Taehyung's father.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

However this plays out - no, Tae and Kook are NOT related haha.

And the plot thickens . . .

I keep saying that you won't continue to get these long chapters for me, but here I am, breaking my word count record once again. Someone come save my brain haha.

But WOW this chapter you guys! Lots of new developments along with one of the steamiest steamy scenes I've ever written. What did you all think?!

Since I'm off from work this week, I'm going to try my best to update on my normal time again. Just keep a lookout for my bio/updates I post to my feed. Love you all!