the last chapter.
enjoy ♡

:: 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 ::

the night air of deville buzzed with anticipation. neon lights casted a kaleidoscopic glow on the makeshift racetrack, a tangle of abandoned streets and alleyways. the scent of gasoline and burnt rubber hung heavy in the air.

at the starting line, a lot of bikers revved their engines, their faces etched with a mixture of smugness and exhilaration. each rider was a story in themselves. most of them were outcasts, rebels, and adrenaline junkies— united by their shared passion for speed and the thrill of the chase.

it was a place for those who loved the air of freedom. but a bigger part of the crowd just loved watching some certain bikers.

the most in demand being jeon jungkook.

"dude's again late" jimin sighed as he leaned against the wall, eyeing the crowd that was larger than usual because they had announced jungkook would be racing tonight.

"he wasn't like this always" namjoon took a drag of the cigarette in between his fingers and exhaled it, the smoke dissolving in the air.

"that taehyung changed everything about him" jimin scowled, turning his head to look somewhere else.

namjoon eyed him and chuckled, tapping the death stick in his fingers to shake off the ashes before inhaling the smoke again. "for better, right?"

jimin looked back at namjoon and saw him already grinning making the blond sneer before he nodded, looking up at the sky. "for better"

after a while, the roar of an engine split the night, a sound so powerful it seemed to shake the very foundations of deville. namjoon, jimin and the crowd turned their eyes to the source of the sound.

it was a motorcycle they all knew very well. a behemoth of chrome and steel, its body sleek and muscular, its engine a snarling beast eager to be unleashed. the headlight, a single menacing eye, pierced the darkness, casting an ethereal glow on the machine.

along the bike's beastly sounds, the crowd screamed along. the heart of deville was here.

stopping right in front of namjoon and jimin, he removed his helmet and ruffled his newly dyed black hair.

jungkook smiled at them.

"what are you smiling for idiot? you're late" jimin rolled his eyes playfully and jungkook said a sorry he didn't mean.

"so, are we starting?" jungkook asked and they nodded. they were waiting for the younger to arrive, because the crowd would be disappointed if they started the first race of the night without the king.

king of deville. jeon jungkook.

"yeah but first let me check your bull" jungkook got down from the bike and stepped aside for jimin to check it.

while doing so, jungkook stood beside namjoon and took the cigarette the man was having and inhaled the smoke. namjoon glanced at him before fixing his gaze ahead.

"were you with taehyung again?"

jungkook stopped inhaling the smoke and looked down at his boots."you know i'm always with him so why ask?"

"he's a grown man jk. give him some space" namjoon sighed and took the cigarette out of jungkook's lips because the younger was literally chewing on the stick while being lost in thoughts— thoughts of kim taehyung.

"he's mine alright? even if he doesn't need me one day, i won't ever leave him"

"i doubt that day will come though. he's as whipped as you are" namjoon said with a grossed face. not comprehending how can two people love each other to this extent that even staying away from each other hurts them. love was crazy.

but jungkook and taehyung were crazier.

they have proved it numerous times. to themselves and to the people around them.

"you're ready to go" jimin gave a thumbs up and jungkook stood upright, going towards his bike but before that, he turned his head to namjoon and smirked at him.

"you're right. he's mine and i'm fucking his"

namjoon rolled his eyes at the younger's cockiness but couldn't disagree that they were all each other's. something no one could imagine a year ago.

a year had passed by since that incident. when you go through a hard time, you think you'll not survive it and that it will never let you move on, that you'll be consumed by the damage and won't be able to live any longer. but you know what?

life goes on.

even if you don't want it to. time never stops, things never remain the same nor do the people. it is the reality everyone has to accept and adapt to. it's just how things are.

jungkook got on his bike and dashed to the starting point. today a lot of bikers were scattered around him. usually people are scared of standing anywhere near jungkook, knowing the commoners have nothing on the king. they are overshadowed and are nothing but extras in front of jungkook. but today jungkook after a month decided to take a race. he was on a break for some personal reasons and thus his presence mattered a lot today. the bets on him were going crazy and beating jungkook tonight would mean earning a fortune and becoming someone respected in deville.

so a lot of riders risked their self respect and esteem and prepared the best for tonight's race.

the tension mounted as jimin raised the starting gun. the engines roared to life, a deafening symphony of power that vibrated through the air, sending shivers down spines and drumming against eardrums. a moment of anticipation, then the sound of the gun echoed and they were off.

with a surge of adrenaline, the motorcycles shot forward, a blur of metal and leather hurtling towards the first corner. tires squealed in protest, leaving streaks of black rubber on the asphalt. the crowd erupted in cheers, their voices swallowed by the symphony of revving engines.

the race was on, a relentless battle against time, gravity, and mostly against jeon jungkook. each rider pushed their limits, pushing their machines to the very edge just to overtake the king. but jungkook was like a shadow in the night, weaving through the labyrinthine streets of deville, defying the laws of physics with each daring turn and breathtaking maneuver.

jungkook blazed forward, his bike leaving white smoke and dust behind, drowning the others in it as he revved forward with all his glory, feeling the air of freedom as a wide smile stretched on his pink pierced lips.

jungkook was in his element. the wind whipped through his hair, the roar of the engine a symphony in his ears. he was one with his machine, a single entity hurtling towards victory. but just as he began to celebrate his early lead, a flash of red caught his eye from the bike's mirror.

it was a maroon red motorcycle like a gleaming red bullet, cutting through the pack like a knife through hot butter. the maroon red-suited biker moved with the grace of a seasoned veteran and jungkook felt a pang of alarm.

as they rounded a tight corner, jungkook pushed his bike even harder, leaning into the turn with acrobatic precision. but the sudden guest was relentless. he mirrored jungkook's every move, staying within striking distance. the tension between them crackled in the air, thick and palpable.

the crowd roared when a dangerous turn came and jungkook did a hard drift but the other followed through and bent his bike even downer than he did, leaving the crowd in shock because how was it even possible?

the race was in jungkook's favor until, with a final surge of power, the maroon red-suited biker lunged forward with heavy acceleration. his red machine surged ahead, leaving jungkook in its wake. the air rushed past jungkook's ears as he watched the other cross the finish line before he could.

jungkook lost the race.

the crowd was a mixture of disappointed and shocked faces, everyone taken aback by the sudden outcome of the race. it was totally unexpected.

namjoon and jimin ran towards jungkook who sat on his bull, arms falling by his sides and both guys could tell, under the helmet jungkook had a devastated face on.

it reminded them of the first meeting of jungkook with taehyung. the boy had the same reaction back then and they still haven't learned how to console him in such a situation. after all, jeon jungkook is the king of deville, no one is ever prepared to console the king of losing because he simply doesn't.

however, kim taehyung has always been the only exception in jungkook's life.

back then, now and pretty sure even in the future.

when jimin was about to say something, jungkook removed his helmet and they saw that look on jungkook's face— anger. he was fucking angry.

getting off his bike, jungkook rushed towards the one who won the race, the maroon red-suited guy sitting on his bike and just waving his hand towards the audience, probably having the biggest grin on his face.

grabbing the guy's shoulder, jungkook made him turn his body to him. the helmet separating their faces from getting any closer than jungkook tried to.

"oh hey—"

"kim fucking taehyung"

the aforementioned male tched and removed his helmet, the shit eating grin on his heart shaped lips.

"way to greet your boyfriend, gguk"

jungkook clenched his jaw and stepped closer, his nose bumping with taehyung's and the crowd was left curious why jungkook reacted like that. maybe being defeated affected the king just that bad.

except that was not the case at all.

taehyung bit on his lower lip from the closeness and looked down at jungkook's lips, wanting to kiss him. he just loves the angry look on the younger's face, it makes him look so damn attractive as if he already wasn't.

"wooh look at you jeon, wanna kiss me as a prize for the first place hmm?"

"shut the fuck up" jungkook snarled as he made some space and pierced his eyes on taehyung, "what are you doing here?"

"can't i be here?"

one might think jungkook was jealous or his ego was hurt because taehyung defeated him but that wasn't the case. jungkook sighed and rubbed his nape, trying to cool his anger.

"it's your health tae... you know why i'm acting this way"

taehyung's gaze went lower at his legs before he let out a chuckle. slowly he got off the bike and closed the distance between them, now looking directly into jungkook's worried yet angered eyes.

"what about it baby?"

jungkook gulped from the closeness this time, his eyes couldn't get off taehyung's that were sparkling under the street lights, a hint of mischief in them. those tiger-like eyes make taehyung look so royal, it baffles jungkook how handsome taehyung can actually get with each action.

but he tried to not let taehyung's attractiveness get to him right now as he showed his anger yet again when he pressed the back of his hand against taehyung's forehead.

"because you're burning the fuck up kim taehyung. you're sick and you were supposed to rest"

taehyung leaned forward, the hand pressing against his burning forehead. "how can i rest at home when my boyfriend's out racing without me?"

"you—" before jungkook could scold him any further for his recklessness, taehyung stepped back.

"anyways you suck jeon. you could have done the last drift better" taehyung stuck his tongue out and mocked the younger who turned red from embarrassment.

"you little shit got me distracted!now come here!" jungkook lunged towards taehyung who giggled as he spun around, running away making jungkook run behind him.

soon both males were laughing and running, jungkook at some point catching up on taehyung and wrapping his arms around the older, spinning him around, both laughing out.

jimin and namjoon stood by the side and watched them.

"they literally don't give a fuck about the crowd" jimin facepalmed.

"let them be. they are the happiest together" namjoon shrugged, smiling at the two boys, jungkook scolding taehyung that he would catch a cold if he kept running in the chilly weather since the boy had escaped his grip, taehyung paying no attention and running faster this time but being caught by jungkook yet again.

"it was a crazy night a year ago wasn't it?"

"damn it was. we were so on the edge, especially jungkook. if something had happened to taehyung, i can't imagine what jungkook's condition would be right now"

"yeah... thinking about all of it still gives me the chills" jimin shook his head and namjoon agreed.

the night a year ago was crazy indeed. it was about to change lives either for the better or for the worse.

luckily for them, it worked out for the best.

[ a year ago ]

jungkook was rooted to his spot when he saw taehyung.

taehyung looked at him. he was already crying but when he saw jungkook his tears intensified.

"jungkook... my leg..."

jungkook's eyes trailed from taehyung's face to his leg despite wanting not to. he was not prepared for it, he was scared. he wanted to just hug taehyung and not face the reality.

but when his eyes fell on taehyung's leg, his own legs wobbled as he snapped his gaze up at taehyung's face again.

taehyung was smiling.

"tae..." jungkook stepped forward and after reaching the bed, jungkook fell to his knees and buried his face on the bed near taehyung's leg, his fingers dug deep into the sheets as fat drops of tears rolled down his face.

taehyung stretched his hand and stroked jungkook's hair, crying along with the younger.

"you're fine... your leg... it's fine" jungkook's voice broke as he tried to not cry any louder. but the sobs tore through his chest and before he knew, he was crying out loud like a child. tears hungrily streaming down his reddened face.

"thank god... thank god you're fine" jungkook's tears wouldn't just stop but he was so fucking happy, he smiled and cried at the same time. a heavy weight was off his chest and he never has felt this good before.

taehyung in much difficulty bent his upper body and placed his head above jungkook's and cried himself. after gaining consciousness he had learned that a big operation was done on his leg and the risk was his leg to be amputated. the mere thought scared taehyung and before long, he was crying in happiness that nothing had happened.

he can't lose a part of himself when his heart had finally found jungkook. it would just be so unfair.

"i was so scared tae... i've never been this scared in my life before" jungkook cried and taehyung nodded, a tear hanging by the tip of his nose.

"i'm sorry"

"don't ever do that again." jungkook rubbed his face against the bed, snot and tears drenching the sheets. "you're so fucking stupid. why would you do that in the first place?"

"if things were rewinded. don't get angry but i would have done it all over again" taehyung smiled through his tears, "i love you gguk. if you think i would just watch someone kill you off, then you're dead wrong. i will protect you bunny, i will do it again and again"

jungkook raised his head making taehyung do the same. their teary swollen eyes locked and none could look away. the urge to kiss, to feel each other's warmth and to know they were very much alive and alright was gnawing at them. but they held back.

"then don't die. if you want to protect me, do it while being by my side" jungkook sternly said while wiping his tears.

taehyung smiled, "if only you do the same"

"i will, because i wanna live the rest of my life with you" jungkook's words warmed taehyung's heart in a way he literally felt his stomach doing a flip.

his cheeks flushed and he looked away. "you're lying"

"i'm definitely not"

taehyung looked back at him, surprised. he knew jungkook loved him, he saw it so clearly the moment the boy walked in. his miserable state screamed just what hell he had gone through these two days. but he didn't know the urge to love someone like him was this strong.

tears rolled down taehyung's eyes as he threw himself on jungkook who quickly wrapped his arms around him, making sure the boy's legs were not moving at the moment. they hugged so tight and felt so alive— it was beautiful.

"i love you gguk, i love you so much"

tears yet again rolled down jungkook's eyes, knowing what they both had gone through just to be together. now nothing could break them apart, that was for sure.

"i love you too tae"

taehyung had to remain in the hospital for another week for observation. the doctors were quite surprised that the operation had been successful and even more so when they observed that the vital tissues were healing rather quickly. this suggested that taehyung might not encounter any major issues in the future as a result of the operation. all he had to do was be cautious.

during that week, jungkook spent all his time with taehyung. he was grateful when his mother was discharged two days later and even visited taehyung, meeting him and being impressed by his behavior and manners. she scolded jungkook, telling him to learn from taehyung. it seemed like jungkook's mother started visiting more often because she liked taehyung so much. namjoon and jimin also visited him every day. namjoon would lecture taehyung to follow the doctor's instructions and not be so reckless next time, while taehyung would playfully call jimin "shortie" and they would argue but eventually ended up becoming friends.

after a week, taehyung came back home but instead of his own, he stayed at jungkook's. because his mother insisted and also because he didn't want to see his father since there was a high possibility he would come look for him.

except he never did.

until one morning, taehyung received a call.

his father's secretary had called him.

taehyung's heart dropped when he heard his father had passed away from a heart attack.

he later learned his father was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease and his death was inevitable. taehyung didn't shed a single tear, even at his funeral. screaming internally at his father for behaving like that with him till the end, if he had to go, why didn't he go in a way taehyung's heart won't be bitter for him even after his death?

taehyung had decided to not grieve over his father, he just couldn't after all he had done. but later his father's secretary handed him his phone, telling him he had found a video in it while going through it to make sure no important files were in the phone.

taehyung came back to his own place, finding jungkook inside already. he was glad though, he needed the younger by his side right now. because he didn't know what was in that video that the secretary looked so sad. taehyung sat down on the couch, jungkook beside him as he played the video.

the screen showed his father, sitting down on the chair. the old man spoke,

"hello taehyung-ah. i hope you're doing well. sorry i shouldn't say that considering i almost killed you"

taehyung's grip on the phone tightened. he already wanted to stop watching it.

"i'm a coward. i don't have the courage to say anything to you face to face so i'm recording myself saying what i want to. maybe it's foolish and you might not even watch the whole thing. well i still hope you do."

taehyung wanted to laugh, his father still had expectations of him. yet he forced himself to watch it, jungkook glancing at him sometimes in worry.

"you're right. it was never those bikers fault your mother died... it was me who killed her... bit by bit, every day i killed her a little. that accident... it would have never happened if i stopped. i didn't want to admit, i was at the fault and when you said just exactly the truth, i lost my senses. i did horrible things to you, i have always been bad to you and i've never loved you like a father... i regret son. i do regret it every day after your mother died. but my guilt, my denial of accepting the truth drove me crazy. it isolated me, it manipulated me into thinking i needed to sharpen you as a successful man, to prove, you weren't as useless as me. but i was wrong. i forced you into doing things you didn't like and forced you into abandoning things and people you love"

jungkook clenched his fists and looked at taehyung, noticing the tears glistening in his eyes. taehyung has never for once cried for his father after his death. but even though he wants to hug taehyung and tell him he doesn't need to watch it, he refrains himself.

"i have no right to explain myself but i still want to tell you, i wasn't in my right mind that night. i didn't want to hit that boy with my car. i was drunk out of my senses and your words kept playing in my head, making me go crazy. so i did all that out of control. i didn't want to kill you son... or anyone else. and i can't tell you to forgive me. because you won't i know and i don't deserve it either. but son, can you promise me one thing?"

taehyung wanted to shake his head, he didn't want to do anything told by this man anymore. the man who has done enough damage on him to carry a lifetime.

"after you get this video. you will delete it after watching? wipe out every memory of me from your life? because i know you don't want to remember me. so don't hesitate to remove me from your memories. start fresh with jungkook. he loves you and i was blind to not admit, he made you happy. it is still strange but as long as there's someone who makes you happy, it would be easy to remove me from your memories won't it?"

taehyung's eyes widened from those words and this time a tear rolled down his face.

"i'm sorry son... i'm sorry for everything. i know it's too late but i love y—"

before the old man could complete his words, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. taehyung watched as he palmed his chest and cried out in pain, seeing the tears in those wrinkled eyes. taehyung's body trembled when he saw his father grabbing the phone, supposedly wanting to stop recording and maybe send it to him.

but he couldn't do that as he fell on the floor, the phone crashing down nearby and the video ended there.

the phone fell out of taehyung's grip. he crouched his head down on his knees and tried to grasp all those words. jungkook wrapped his arms around him, saying nothing but just be there.

it was comforting because the next minute taehyung broke into sobs.

he had promised himself he wouldn't cry for that old man. but he broke the promise and cried so much until he couldn't anymore.

he never got to hear those three words from his father— until the end.

╍╍╍╍

a year later. taehyung's leg has recovered completely and he's allowed to ride his bike, do basically everything. all he has to be is cautious which of course he is, not because the doctor said it but because jungkook said so. he can't make the younger upset about it.

he hasn't forgotten his father. that request was stupid because after watching that video how could taehyung forget everything? it made things harder for him, but he had jungkook by his side to deal with it all. since taehyung didn't want to handle the company, his father gave it to his cousin kim seokjin and taehyung took on the role of vice president, as it was in his nature. he couldn't completely let go of it all, but he was grateful that seokjin was there to shoulder most of the responsibilities.

life had fallen in place. jungkook bought a new and better apartment and took the best care of his mother, and so did taehyung. namjoon and jimin would hang out at their places a lot. deville was handled pretty well now that taehyung was also a part of it.

life really goes on.

"you look good in black hair but i miss that rotten pea hair color" taehyung took a spoonful of the porridge he was basically forced to eat since he was sick.

"don't change the subject tae. what were you thinking, coming to deville all sick?" jungkook checked the thermometer and grumbled, seeing his temperature lessening a lot but didn't want to tell taehyung knowing the boy would insist he was fine now.

"sorry baby. i was missing you"

"you could have just called me."

"and make you leave the race in the middle? hell no. people would call you a pussy"

"you should know by now. i don't give a fuck about people, especially when it comes to you" jungkook took the empty bowl and placed it on the table, wrapping taehyung all up with the blanket.

getting cozy inside the warm blanket, taehyung smiled at jungkook who was confused by the older's sweet smile.

"remember the first time we met? you were this close to killing me because i won against you"

"yeah wild days" jungkook ruffled his black hair, laying down on the bed by taehyung's legs. "we hated each other so much"

"it was stupid. we kept messing up each other"

"but it brought us closer didn't it?" jungkook lifted his head and grinned at taehyung who grinned back.

"you were an asshole back then" jungkook sat up hearing the accusation that was very much true and scowled, trying to control his laugh.

"excuse me? you were a bigger asshole"

"wanna compete huh?"

"nah i'm tired of that. but we can always compete in bed" jungkook suggested while wiggling his eyebrows.

taehyung sat upright and licked his lips, "oh shit yes please"

jungkook's grin dropped and he rolled his eyes, "first recover idiot!"

"oh come on!"

jungkook and taehyung were never meant to be caged down by their traumas, their sadness, and their own boundaries they broke for each other. they were meant to feel the air of freedom.

the king of deville never thought he would find someone worthy to compete with, but taehyung was exactly that. it brought them closer, got them through ups and downs and eventually together.

the king was still the king, he still roared ahead without any barriers holding him back. but now, he had his taehyung beside him, a partner he knew would be always there for him. a lover that would love him for who he was.

now they shared the throne, they shared deville and most importantly, they shared each other's heart.

━
the end.