Jungkook jogged up to a stranger, camera held tight in his hands as he did.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, sir."

The curly haired stranger turned around and fuck, Jungkook felt like the breath had been knocked right out of him. The man's orbs were a shade of sapphire blue, inviting the photographer to dive right in. He was gorgeous was all Jungkook could say.

He looked like a fucking model straight out of a fashion runway. Even better up close than he looked on the photograph Jungkook captured.

"May I help you?" the stranger asked in a deep yet soothing voice as he eyed Jungkook and his camera.

Curiosity twinkled in his orbs.

"I'm Jungkook, a street photographer. It's my passion," the young male began to explain and Taehyung nodded to show he was listening, "I actually captured these pictures of you."

Saying so, the photographer turned his camera to display the pictures he'd captured of the dazzling stranger.

The stranger's eyes remained glued to the camera, his expression unreadable.

"I have a page on Instagram where I upload my shots. I just require your consent though. May I have your permission to include these pictures of you in my page?" Jungkook continued as he pulled out his phone and showed his Instagram page to the other.

The stranger's gaze shifted from the phone to the photographer.

He seemed nervous.

"I would prefer if you didn't," said he.

"Oh," said Jungkook, not really expecting that.

Usually people were excited to have their photographs uploaded on some famous photographers Instagram page.

At Jungkook's plain response, the cute stranger immediately began to explain himself, stumbling over his words as he did.

"I don't...your photography skills are bomb. Please don't get me wrong. It's just me. Your skills are amazing but the model for it is all wrong, buddy. There are so many beautiful people... Perfect people around. I'm not one of them. I'm sorry—"

"What are you talking about?" Jungkook interrupted, blinking rapidly.

Was this man for real?

Was he being serious right now?

The stranger sighed, "Look at me, buddy. Just look. This isn't the face or the body of a person you would want to see in a photoshoot. You've got a million followers on your insta page...which is really cool. But I'm not the right...I don't look good. I look weird."

The stranger gives an awkward laugh but there's pain hidden in there. Pain that Jungkook quickly catches onto. There's so much more to the man that meets the eye, Jungkook thinks.

When Jungkook didn't say anything, the stranger continued, "If you upload my pictures on your page, they...your followers... I'm not good enough to be on your page. These pictures...these people...compared to them, I am like an ugly duckling."

And Jungkook could sense through his tone and his moist eyes that the man believed it. That this gorgeous stranger believed every negative word he threw at himself.

"What's your name?" Jungkook asked gently.

"Taehyung."

"Taehyung, I don't get why you would say this to yourself. You look so gorgeous. You have a great fashion sense. Your hair, your body, everything is just so perfect."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better. No one thinks that way. I'm not good enough...my looks, my...," Taehyung trailed off and his gaze shifted to the ground.

He stood in shame as a tear slid down his cheek.

Jungkook took a step forward and pulled him into a hug. He rubbed his back in soothing circles as Taehyung cried into his chest.

"I'm sorry," choked the stranger, "I'm just...having a really hard time a-and I feel s-so—"

"Insecure?" Jungkook asked and he felt the man nod.

"Taehyung, you're beautiful. When I captured you in this picture, I was shook by your beauty. God, how could you not see what I see? You're gorgeous. And I'm going to prove my point to you."

Taehyung sniffled as he pulled away from the hug and looked at Jungkook with tear-filled eyes.

"Don't cry," the photographer whispered, "It breaks my heart seeing you cry."

"I'm sorry," said Taehyung, embarassed.

"Hey, don't apologise. It's alright. It's okay to feel the way you do but I want you to know that what you think about yourself isn't true. You're more than good enough. You're perfect in your own unique way and don't even get me started on how gorgeous you are."

Taehyung chuckled softly.

"Thank you, Jungkook. That made me feel better and I'm sorry for staining your shirt."

"You apologise for the stupidest things, you know? There's nothing to apologise in that. You needed a shoulder to cry on and I'm glad I could be that person for you."

"Thank you," Taehyung whispered, tone genuine.

"Tell you what. I'm going to give you my insta Id and when I upload your picture, you'll see the comments on it. People are going to get jealous. Jealous because I got a chance to meet an angel," said Jungkook, causing Taehyung to blush.

"You're exaggerating. I'm not—"

"It's true, Tae. That's just how fucking gorgeous you are," Jungkook interrupted before he pulled a pen and a piece of paper and begun to scribble on it.

He then folded it neatly and handed it to the man.

"That's my Instagram Id."

"Thank you, Jungkook. For everything."

"It's thank you free," said the younger with a smile before he bid the male goodbye.

Taehyung slowly unfolded the paper and he couldn't help the smile that lit his face.

"Kooks_photography. Here's my Instagram Id and below is my phone number ;) I met an angel today and I'd be thrilled to take you out on a date, with your permission. If you'd like to go out with me, give me a call or ping me."

—

A ping alerted the male that the photographer had uploaded new posts on Instagram. But he wasn't able to check it till an hour after work. He pulled out his phone and opened his Instagram and his eyes landed on the comments that flooded Jungkook's post.

The post with him in it.

His eyes teared up as he read the comments below it.

There were about a thousand.

Each complimenting him.

Complimenting his every insecurity.

Jungkook's caption was the last straw.

"A butterfly has the most beautiful wings that we admire but it doesn't see what we see. It doesn't realise how beautiful it is. If only we could let it see itself through our eyes, maybe it would realise just how much beauty it possesses."

He began to bawl, tears running down his cheeks in a steady stream. He'd been struggling silently for so long until this stranger showed up with his camera, determined to wipe away his insecurities.

Through blurred vision, he dialled the photographer.

"Hello?" greeted a familiar voice from the other end after the second ring.

"Jungkook. It's me—"

"Taehyung! Hey!" Jungkook cried excitedly, "You alright? You sound a little off."

"I'm fine. Just... overwhelmed."

"Good overwhelmed or bad overwhelmed, love?"

Taehyung felt butterflies in his tummy as he mumbled, "Good."

"Did you read the comments on the post?"

"I did."

"What did I tell you, huh? You're absolutely gorgeous. We all see it but you failed to see it."

"Thank you," Taehyung whispered, wiping off a tear and sniffling.

"How about you thank me by accepting my request to take you out on a date?" Jungkook began and Taehyung could almost feel the younger's mischievous smile through the phone, "Unless, of course, you are already dating or you don't like me or you have a crush on someone else and—"

Taehyung laughed, "I'd love to go on a date with you."

"Oh my. The most handsome man said he is going on a date with me," Jungkook squealed into the phone making Taehyung laugh harder.

"Jungkook, I—"

"Honestly though, I am so lucky to have met you and God, I'm even luckier to have this opportunity to take you out on a date. You've made me the happiest man in this world right now, no doubt."

"You're so cheesy."

"You love it though. I know you do," Jungkook teased and Taehyung smiled softly.

"Now wipe those tears dry, baby and get ready. I'mma pick you up from your home."

"Uh..."

"You'll have to ping me your address though cause I have no clue where you are at," Jungkook continued.

"I'll do that," said Taehyung with a laugh, his heart thumping against his chest.

"Great! I'll see you soon, gorgeous."

Taehyung hung up and dropped the phone in his lap. He felt so much lighter than he had before. He felt happier. All thanks to the bunny boy with the camera that allowed him to see himself through his eyes.

7 September, 2022
- The end -