thirty-three.

Taehyung's eyes flutter open as soon as specks of sunlight hit his face. He decides to switch position and face the other way but as soon as he turns on his side, his face is so close to Jeongguk's.

His eyes widen upon remembering how the younger refused to go home the other day, catching his cold, and how he insisted to stay until he also recovers from it. Taehyung moves inches away from him, careful not to disturb the younger from his slumber.

With a sigh, Taehyung's hand unknowingly makes its way towards Jeongguk's face, caressing his face lightly. Jeongguk stirs in his sleep, which made Taehyung retract his hands, closing his eyes in the process and pretends to be asleep, just in case he wakes Jeongguk up.

Seconds passed but all he heard were soft snores, so he takes a peep by opening his right eye and releases a breath of relief when he sees Jeongguk still fast asleep.

He stares at the man in front of him intensely, silently praising and mentally awed by how Jeongguk grew up to be as handsome as this. And Taehyung knows he is still whipped for this bunny, and he always will be.

He wants to bring his hands up to touch the younger's face again, but he also wants to be careful not to get caught doing that to him. Instead, he decides to enjoy the beautiful view that's in front of him. To say that Kim Taehyung is amazed by the beauty Jeongguk have is an understatement.

He closes his eyes, as memories of them started to flash before him, one by one, starting from how they met, from how they confessed to each other, how they showered each other with love and Taehyung stops thinking when he is about to reminisce about those times he suffered because of heartbreak.

He wouldn't lie to himself that he is still hurting because of what Jeongguk had done, but he also knows that he can't escape the fact that no matter what he does, he can never forget and move on from Jeongguk. No, he can never do that, really.

Taehyung misses him. Taehyung miss staring at the younger's eyes whenever they talk to each other. He miss seeing the younger's eyes light up whenever he smiles, how his nose will scrunch whenever Taehyung tells him nonsense jokes, how his lips used to felt good when-

"Shut it, Kim Taehyung!" He whispers, scolding himself for thinking such things. With a sigh, he manages to close his eyes once more and tries drifting off to sleep.

Now it is Jeongguk's turn to wake up and admire the god-like person in front of him. He encircles his hands on the older's waist, pulling him closer to his body. Taehyung emits a small gasp, enough for Jeongguk to not hear it as he pretends to be asleep.

Jeongguk strokes Taehyung's hair gently, sniffing it before smiling lightly. It still smells like mint. Taehyung still uses the same brand of shampoo he gave him before.

"I'm sorry it had to be like this, Tae..." Jeongguk whispers, hoping Taehyung will not hear, but what he didn't know is that Taehyung is still wide awake.

"I promise I'll make it up to you. Just wait. I promise to make you happy again, just like before. I will tell you everything when the right time comes. And I hope you can still accept this fucked up jerk who is still in love with you," Jeongguk adds before pressing a light kiss on the older's forehead. Taehyung's eyes shoot open, his heart beating frantically because of what Jeongguk said. He struggles hard to keep his breath steady, but he feels like palpitating.

He wants to clutch his heart and feel its abnormal beating, but he can't move. Jeongguk had his arms wrapped tightly around his body, like he is afraid of losing him again.

"I hate that I still love you too," Taehyung wants to respond but decides to just keep silent because he also knows there's still a right time to say that. Instead, he entrusts himself into Jeongguk's warm embrace, because never have he ever felt so secure and protected, like this one.