The sun was shining. The flowers were blossoming. The birds were chirping and the bees did their thing. Kids were having fun riding slides and swings on the playgrounds and their parents were content simply watching. This was most definitely a happy kind of Sunday morning at Nanji Park, which was getting busier every week, what with the mild spring weather pushing the remnants of winter back into the past season's closet. Despite the early hour, many were already out running, cycling, or walking their pet.

This lovely postcard would have been perfect were it not for Jeon Jungkook, the young man presently tossing a purple rubber ball across the lawn for his dog to go fetch it. He watched with a smile as Fifi hurried in search of the colourful toy. She was quick to pluck it off the ground and return it to Jungkook who was more than happy to shower her with compliments. "You're such a good girl, Fifi. I hope you know that!"

Fifi loved the attention and yapped, asking for another throw. Jungkook could not deny her this simple fun and pitched the ball once more. Rays of sun bounced off the nearby water, blinding him briefly. He let his gaze rest upon the sparkling Han River, mulling over the current oddity of experiencing such a perfect morning, yet somehow be deprived of the cheerfulness that was very much in the air.

YAP

Jungkook jumped at Fifi's yelp. How long had she been sitting there, at his feet, without him noticing? He crouched in order to pet her but she promptly avoided his hand, turning antsy and throwing glances left and right. It didn't take long for the young man to understand what was going on. He sat cross-legged on the grass and called after her. After some hesitation, she jumped onto his legs and finally settled down, thanks to her owner softly rubbing behind her ears. "I get it. You're waiting for Tannie to show up, aren't you?"

YAP

Jungkook's smile vanished, soon replaced by a rather sombre expression. "I don't believe Tannie is coming today."

He didn't want to tell her that he figured they would in fact not see Yeontan ever again. The thought itself was painful enough, uttering this truth aloud was beyond his strength at this point.

Fifi whined.

"You miss him?"

Whether she understood that or not he couldn't say, but the next moment, she curled up closer to his chest.

"Yeah. I miss him too."

Something heavy clogged his throat as he realized he meant Taehyung and fuck, were those tears rolling down his cheeks?

The sun was shining. The birds were chirping. The children were playing and Jungkook was hurting. So much for the happy Sunday morning vibe.

Wiping the chagrin from his face, he pondered for the umpteenth time the events of last week, trying to figure out when, where and why everything had gone to shit. A pained grin showed up amid the sadness as he recalled his hangover session with Taehyung. He had let his guard down once and Life had jumped at her chance to teach him a lesson in the most unforgiving way.

Something had happened the day he fell asleep in Taehyung's arms. What exactly? He didn't know. And Jungkook was almost afraid to find out. Had he acted inappropriately? If that were the case, he wouldn't hesitate to kill himself. The idea that he had done something really, really stupid like try to kiss the boy — or worse — made him feel sick to his stomach.

That's why he hadn't contacted Jimin on Friday. Jungkook was never letting one drop of alcohol into his system ever again. Yet what good would it do if Taehyung were gone? The other hadn't returned any of his calls and Jungkook's Kakao messages were left unread.

And then there was that weird text he received first thing Monday morning. A text he really wished he could pretend didn't exist but had memorized nonetheless.

⸺

Kim Taehyung won't be taking yoga classes with you anymore. Be grateful we do not sue you over the injury sustained during one of your lessons. -BH ent.

⸺

Taehyung had hurt himself and that thought alone had tormented Jungkook to no end. All he wanted to know was whether the other was okay, and since Taehyung was unreachable, he had contacted the mysterious entity that went by the name of BH. After waiting on hold and being transferred several times to assistants left and right, he was simply asked to leave a message and someone would get back to him.

Needless to say, no one ever called back.

Which is why we find him a week later, quietly sobbing on a perfect Sunday morning.

Deonjyeo beoryeo suit & tie // YAP

The obnoxiously loud phone ring effectively startled both Fifi and her owner who could not reach his jeans' back pocket fast enough. Could it be? "Taehyung! You called! Finally! Are you alright? Are you hurt? What happened?"

"Jungkook, I'm sorry — wait, how do you know— ?"

"I got a text Monday, from your employer."

He recited the message and heard Taehyung huff. "I can't believe they would threaten you like that."

Jungkook's fears had just been confirmed and to say he was riddled with guilt would be one of the great understatements of the century. "So you are hurt. How bad?"

Taehyung could almost perceive Jungkook's disquiet seeping through his phone. "Don't worry about it. It's just a bruise."

In terms of reassurance, that statement was most definitely not going to cut it. "Taehyung, are you available today? Can we meet? I really want to apologize properly."

The silence that followed didn't sound too good. It was thankfully broken before it got too heavy, when a nearby outdoor concert hall began testing its equipment, in preparation for some event likely due to take place later on in the day.

What was odd, however, was the fact that Jungkook could hear the sound checks from where he sat as well as coming from his call with Taehyung. He stood up full tilt and started scanning his surroundings for the familiar silhouette. "Taehyung? Where are you? Please show yourself!"

The call ended, and before Jungkook could spot the one he was looking for, Fifi had dashed off among the strollers, barking excitedly at the sight of Yeontan who was also running toward her. As they rolled around in the grass, waging their tails and literally jumping for joy, Jungkook thought he would very much like to do the same as he watched Taehyung approach him. However, being a human and not a dog, he instead opted for a less exuberant greeting. "Hey."

"Hi."

Jungkook was curious as to why Taehyung had been hiding, but he had his priorities straight. "Where are you hurt?"

"Like I said, it's really nothing."

"Please. Show me."

Taehyung knew, by the sound of Jungkook's voice, that the other was not going to drop it and reluctantly turned around, slightly lifting his shirt in the process and baring his lower back. He hadn't anticipated the loud gasp at the sight of the round purple bruises, characteristic of moxibustion therapy, and quickly pulled his top down. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't even sure what he had expected Jungkook's reaction to be, but excessive moisture in the other's eyes certainly wasn't it.

"Jungkook, please. Don't beat yourself up about it. It was my mistake."

"I'm so sorry," was all Jungkook could manage at the moment, brain revisiting that fateful back bridge and imagining Taehyung's collapse — the very fall he had been supposed to prevent with his presence by the other's side.

With a flick of his chin, Taehyung pointed at the convenience store nearby. "Come. Let's grab some coffee."

Coffee was a good idea. The hot beverage helped Jungkook focus his attention on the present, and what it had to offer, notably Taehyung's company. Not to mention the warm sun heating up their skin as they sat on a bench facing the river. This depressing Sunday morning was improving by the minute.

Taehyung, however, was not drinking much, immersed in thoughts of his own, it would seem.

"Is everything alright?" Jungkook ended up asking after a short while.

What Jungkook triggered, he may never know, but Taehyung's posture suddenly stiffen and he finally turned to front the boy next to him. "Jungkook. Is there something you want to tell me?"

You're beautiful. I love you. Let's get married—

There were in fact many things Jungkook wanted to tell Taehyung but this was obviously a make or break question, like in the movies where one protagonist expects a certain reply and there could only be one acceptable answer. Yet no one ever says the right thing and by the end of the film, none even know what they were supposed to retort in the first place. This was no different and boy was Jungkook feeling the pressure.

Taehyung must have thought this was taking too long. "It's okay if you don't—"

"I would like to apologize for everything that happened last Saturday. For you getting hurt because I wasn't there to catch you when I had said that I would. For you having to witness me being sick, something you'll never have to worry about ever again because I quit drinking by the way. For me — touching you inappropriately and making you feel uncomfortable."

Taehyung looked away in a possible attempt to hide his disappointment. This had not been what he'd wanted to hear but he was a decent person and as such, he wasn't going to reject such a sincere apology. "You never touched me that way. Why did you think you had?"

"Well, I get that your employer —  if that's what BH is to you —  would demand the cancellation of all your classes with me because of your injury, but I must have done something for you to ghost me."

Taehyung managed a contrite smile. "You did nothing wrong, I can assure you that much."

"So — we're good?"

"Sure."

Taehyung's voice was not very convincing, which was what prompted Jungkook to fish for further affirmation. "So — even though we won't be doing yoga together anymore, you'll still pick up the phone when I call, right?"

The other's smile grew a tiny bit wider. "I'll do my best."

"And you won't leave me on read?"

"If I do, it means I simply don't have time to check my phone."

"So — if— "

"Jungkook. I'm sorry for last week and me not returning your calls. I guess things got a little — confusing and complicated all of a sudden. But like I said, it has nothing to do with you and if you forgive me, then I would love for us to stay friends."

f . r . i . e . n . d . s

We all know that's not at all what Jungkook wants to be. But he'll take what Taehyung gives him. And friendship, after all, is still better than nothing. "I'd love that too," he replied, forcing a grin for extra credibility.

—

Disclaimer: no, I don't enjoy putting JK through hell just for the heck of it. As the saying goes, no pain no gain. And gain he shall. Eventually—

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As always, thank you for reading ~♡