Jungkook hadn't expected to wake up in an empty bed so soon. In fact, he hadn't even considered the prospect of bestirring himself alone as something that would ever occur in his life again. He stretched his arms across the sateen linens but failed to reach the edge of the bed, which could only mean one thing: this was definitely not his bed. So where was he? The single eyelid he managed to lift didn't stay open long, due to the unbearable brightness of the room. Had London got rid of its dull backdrop overnight? Not very likely, yet Jungkook's buzzing head did not seem to be functioning properly this morning.

Three soft — yet still too loud — knocks on the door were heard, followed by a melodic Signor?

Oh. Right. Italy.

The voice kept talking. "This is your morning wake up service!"

Jungkook vaguely remembered asking for that. Something to do with having a train to catch...

Train! Taehyung!

Boy was Jungkook awake now. Awake and nervous because where in the world was Tae?! He took the quickest shower of his life and got dressed in such a hurry he almost left the bedroom topless. Grabbing a black cotton shirt to pair with his white fitted slacks (he didn't have time to give much thought to colour pairings at the moment), he rolled up his sleeves, getting ready to face the day's early heat, and ran downstairs to the reception desk. "Did you see my ... my ... the man who was with me yesterday? Kim Taehyung?"

"Angelo? Il fidanzato ?"

"Yes, him! My — fiancé." Was that his heart leaping inside his chest?

"Si, si. He went out."

"Did he say anything? Like, when he'd be back or where he went?"

"Sorry but no messaggio."

Jungkook had to stay calm and not let panic get the best of him. The young detective thus decided to search the room for a clue as to where his man had gone, but his thorough examination did not pay off. Not a single note on the bedside table, or anywhere.

Taking a deep breath in, he opted for packing his things because no matter how hard he tried to recall the previous night's events, he couldn't remember the time of their departure. Or if they had purchased tickets at all. Damn that sparkly Italian wine. Be that as it may, Taehyung had said yes, and that had been reason enough for Jungkook to get unabashedly drunk.

Folding the last of his shirts, he let memories of the heated night flood his brain, a smirk tugging at his lips. Suddenly feeling quite lightheaded, he wondered if he had in fact sobered because Jungkook swore he could sense Taehyung's gentle embrace around his waist.

"Someone's happy." Whispered in his ears, these words had Jungkook almost jump out of his skin. He turned around in Taehyung's arms, careful not to break the hug, and tried really hard to look upset.

"Someone's not happy?" asked the other warily.

"I woke up and you weren't there!"

"I'm sorry, darling. I wanted to bid farewell to Doctor Costa (remember? He patched me up after my failed landing) before the start of his shift." Taehyung moved his hands up Jungkook's back, slowly, cautiously. "I was on my way back when I ran into neighbours." One hand reached Jungkook's nape, stroking it gently. "You know how they are," he added, eyes focusing on the other's pouting lips. "I ended up saying my goodbyes to half of Riomaggiore."

Taehyung thought he had made his intentions clear and was taken aback when Jungkook deftly dodged his kiss, still sulky. "You could have left a note or something."

Taehyung smiled at that. "Are we having our first fight?"

"What are you smiling about? I didn't find awakening without you around very amusing."

"I'm smiling because I'm hoping this is the first of many firsts I will get to share with you."

Jungkook couldn't remain cranky after such candid admission and finally returned Taehyung's embrace, bringing his lips to nibble at the other's parted mouth, eager to erase the smug look from the face of his wickedly charming fiancé.

♠

If Taehyung had already said goodbye to half of the town, then what were all these people doing at the train station, Jungkook wondered as he surveyed the crowd gathered on the small platform. Everyone seemed set on giving Angelo a proper Italian farewell which apparently involved many tears (Francesca) and countless kisses on the cheek (everybody else).

When it was Manuel's turn, they both naturally fell into each other's arms, squeezing (perhaps a little too) tightly at the thought of all the moments they had shared these past few months. Noticing Carina standing close by, Taehyung gave his friend a nudge. "I would hurry and put a ring on that finger if I were you because if things don't work out with Jungkook, I'll come back to snatch her!"

Carina's cheeks turned pink and Jungkook's brows furrowed. "Hey! I heard that!"

Taehyung finally turned around to pay attention to his jealous fiancé. "You're doing it again, love."

"Doing what?"

"Trying to pout and be angry with me but you're still smiling." Taehyung leaned in to peck the other's slightly scrunched up nose. "It's not very convincing," he added teasingly.

Jungkook simply sighed in defeat. "I might still be high from the fact you said yes."

Taehyung laughed. "That was 18 hours ago, my love."

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm positive I'll still be smiling 18 years from now. That is, if you'll put up with me that long."

"18 years? Try 80." Taehyung kissed away any suspicion that he wasn't in it for the long haul and Jungkook melted once again into the other's gentle touch.

♠

Spending time with Taehyung allowed Jungkook to make some fascinating discoveries. For instance, nuzzling against that small patch of soft skin behind Taehyung's ears brought him great comfort, he learned after falling asleep against his fiancé. How long had he been out? He couldn't tell by the sun, still high in the sky, but his biological clock confirmed it was past lunchtime. Not ready to part from the other's warmth, he opted for a quiet appreciation of Taehyung's jaw, neck, collarbones, shoulders, arms and fingers, which were presently resting on their compartment windowsill. "You're staring at your ring again," he finally said, voice heavy with sleep.

Taehyung didn't even try to deny it. "It's beautiful, that's why."

"Is it not because it reminds you of your adorable fiancé who loves you more than life itself?"

Fiancé. Such a lovely word, Taehyung reckoned. "That too." He smiled (perhaps for the hundredth time that day). "We're going to need to find you a ring as well, love."

"Sure."

Jungkook's sleepy agreement had Taehyung purr contently. "You really had this all planned out, hadn't you?"

"Not all. But I did promise Lizbeth I wouldn't come back without you."

"Sweet Lizbeth. Hopefully soon, I'll get to have a taste of the cake she insisted upon baking last time I visited."

"What cake?"

"The wedding cake, of course!"

"The wedding cake—" Jungkook appeared lost in thought for a while. "You know what? I feel like we're practically married already."

Taehyung could only hum in tune. "This does seem like we're on our honeymoon."

The young detective snuggled further up to Taehyung's side, wondering if he could love this man even more than he presently did. The other responded with a happy sigh, blissed out from Jungkook's adoration. Neither of them were in a hurry to return to London because coming home implied resuming certain duties which they weren't looking forward to address at the moment. Both in need of alone time together, they had agreed to remain on the continent for another week or two. "Remind me again why we're going to Vienna?" Taehyung asked while playing with the gold band on his ring finger.

"You're going to see Namjoon who's dying to hear from you. And I'm going because I want to dissipate the misunderstanding regarding these recent thefts. And perhaps offer Jimin my help."

There was an attempt on the part of Taehyung to replicate Jungkook's earlier pout. "You're going to work."

Jungkook laughed at his fiancé's antic. "And you're going to enjoy watching me."

"I'm not sure about that," Taehyung replied, despite knowing for a fact he would very much enjoy watching Jungkook do just about anything.

—

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