Chapter Text
Jungkook furrows his brows thoughtfully as he scans over the words on his phone, his eyes flickering around as his lips moves back and forth, as if murmuring the words to himself.
After a full minute of reading, he nods his head before clicking the post button at the bottom of the website page.
CookieMonster: Need a place to stay for the night
Posted on 20th February, 23:38
I am heading to Seoul from Busan by train. I will arrive at Seoul Station 10 pm tomorrow night. Due to some circumstances, I need a place to stay for the night. I am going to leave the next day early in the morning. I can sleep anywhere, even the floor if you want me to. I don’t have much money or belongings with me, but I am willing to pay with anything to make it up to you.
Please PM me asap if you’re willing to help me. Thank you very much.
He reads the thread once again and licks his lips, suddenly feeling worried for posting this kind of suggestive thread in a gay forum. He has no choice though, he’s sure that he’d get better chances by asking fellow males to help him when it comes to staying for the night. No women in their right minds would accept a stranger like him in their house, especially when it’s posted on internet.
Besides, in all honesty, he prefers to spend his night with a man than a woman.
He reads his posted thread once again, realizing that he does sound rather cheap by offering to pay with anything just for a roof to sleep under. It’s desperate, but he’s a desperate guy himself so it’s okay.
A few minutes pass in silence and he decides to refresh the page, slightly hoping that someone would respond to his request. Now that he thinks about it, it’s pretty shady to ask this kind of thing in a gay forum, especially with his CookieMonster username and a picture of his favorite timberland boots as his display picture. He didn’t even state his age on his profile.
He’s wondering about whether to add his birth year to his profile when the website page suddenly loads, showing him notifications of new messages in his inbox. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees three new messages.
Licking his lips once again, he decides to open the messages one by one.
Send me your pic and I’ll consider it.
Send me some selfies and nudes first.
You can’t ask this kind of help without showing your face baby ;)
Jungkook rolls his eyes and ignores the messages. Of course, what did he expect? He’s posting this in a gay forum where all the perverts hang around. Even though he did state that he’s willing to pay with anything, he doesn’t expect that all of them would immediately flock around him like this. He feels like a prostitute— but then again, maybe he is one by posting something like this.
Now he’s starting to get mixed feelings.
Sighing heavily, he puts his phone aside and looks up to the ceiling. He starts to wonder if this is a great idea to go to Seoul. His best friend, Jimin, has told him so many times not to go and to just finish his business over the phone, but Jungkook feels the need to step his foot in the city.
He doesn’t even tell Jimin that he’s heading to Seoul tomorrow night. He bets his best friend is going to scold him all day if he knew about this crazy plan of his. He’s going to stay the night there, finish his business in the morning, and then head back to Busan by train. Jimin shouldn’t notice his short disappearance.
Jungkook looks down to his phone and lifts it up, refreshing the website once again in hope that he can find an actual help this time. Another two new messages received and he reads them one by one.
You should probably prostitute yourself right now to get some money for a hotel in Seoul, just saying.
Jungkook rolls his eyes and sighs exasperatedly before proceeding to the next message.
I’m living in an apartment complex 30 minutes drive from the Seoul Station. It’s a messy studio apartment, but it can fit two persons.
Jungkook blinks rapidly and decides to re-read the message once again, making sure that he’s not seeing things. He stares at the message in awe and checks the sender’s profile who has V as his username.
Just like him, this V user also doesn’t state much about himself, even his profile picture is just black in color, with no particular image at all. Even though his profile looks rather shady, V is the first person who didn’t ask anything related to his personal information, not even asking for a picture.
There’s a chance that this V guy is a crazy maniac or a perverted old man, but Jungkook knows he’s betting his luck since the moment he posted this thread fifteen minutes ago. He licks the inner side of his cheek in a thoughtful manner before tapping his fingers to reply.
CookieMonster: I don’t mind at all! As long as I have a roof to sleep under, I’m okay with anything.
V: Are you arriving exactly at 10 pm tomorrow?
CookieMonster: I’m taking the 7:15 pm train from Busan Station. I’m supposed to arrive at 10 pm, yes.
V: How do I find you?
Jungkook blinks at the message. Of course he needs to tell V how to find him and the easiest way is by sending him a picture of himself. He hesitates though, not really sure if he can trust V just because he replied nicely.
CookieMonster: Do I have to send you a picture of myself?
He presses the send button and waits, imagining the replies he might receive in couple of minutes; yeah preferably nude, or maybe, yes a picture of yourself holding a piece of paper with ‘daddy’ written on it, or even, we have to do a short video call. Shaking his head at his own imagination, he checks his inbox once again.
V: It’s not necessary if you have another way.
Jungkook blinks rapidly, his eyelashes flutter along with the movement. This guy’s not putting his picture as a top priority whereas the others messaged him blatantly asking for his pictures, nudes even.
Maybe Jungkook is being foolish and naïve, but right now, he trusts that V is not as bad as the others. He reads the message once again before opening his phone gallery and scrolls through some pictures.
The most recent pictures in his phone are those that were taken on their graduation day. They’re mostly pictures of him with someone else; Jimin, his classmates, his favorite teachers, some girls, and—oh, there it is. He taps the picture to view it in full size. It’s a picture of himself smiling at the camera in his high school uniform and bouquet of flowers in his hand. He remembers that Jimin had forced him to take a single picture of himself with the flowers that he had received from his parents.
Jungkook stares at his bunny teeth and crinkled eyes in the picture, judging his own face. He looks like a good student here with his buttoned blazer and his striped tie tucked neatly around his collar. Well, he isn’t a bad student to begin with, anyway. He decides to send the picture, hoping that V won’t change his mind after seeing it.
A minute after he sent the picture, he checks his inbox again, only to find that V hasn’t replied to his message. He glances at the clock on the corner of his screen and notices that it’s past midnight already and maybe V is asleep.
Jungkook puts his phone aside and decides to get himself some water in the kitchen. The house is dark and quiet since his parents are currently overseas for business purposes, a perfect timing for him to sneak out of the house and all the way to Seoul. Thinking about it, he has been hiding this plan from everybody, even from his parents.
He pours a glass of water and brings it to his bedroom, placing it on his bedside table before flopping down onto the bed and grabbing his phone to check the message again. There are a couple of new messages from random users, but he only clicks the one that’s sent from a certain username.
V: Ok. I can recognize you in the crowd.
Jungkook blinks dumbly. No comments, no other questions, nothing. It almost seems like V doesn’t give a damn about anything and Jungkook isn’t sure if it’s a good or bad thing. Maybe this is the best. They’re just going to spend couple of hours under the same roof and when morning comes, Jungkook would leave the apartment to take care of his own business and then he’d come back here by evening.
CookieMonster: So… I guess I can delete that thread now? You’re willing to help me, right?
V: Yeah.
A small smile blooms on his face as he goes back to his thread and deletes the post. One hour after posting and he had already received the help he needs, what a lucky day. Even though there’s a small part of his brain that warns him about the possible danger of trusting V, right now he’s pretty much relieved. Whether V is a really nice guy or a bad guy in disguise, he’d find out tomorrow.
If the worst scenario did happen though, he can finally put his taekwondo skill on use. There should be nothing to worry about.
CookieMonster: Thank you very much! You really saved my life.
V: A high schooler like you should be asleep at this hour.
Jungkook blinks and slowly traces his finger across the screen, counting the words in V’s reply. Eleven words, this is a new record for the word count in the latter’s reply. Through their conversation, V has only replied with less than ten words per message and Jungkook slightly wonders if V is actually an elderly person who types with his index finger. He can’t help but to chuckle in amusement before typing a reply.
CookieMonster: I’m no longer a high schooler. I just graduated.
V: I can see it in the picture. Congratulations.
CookieMonster: Thanks!
Since V is getting slightly friendlier, Jungkook wonders if he can push his luck a little bit.
CookieMonster: May I know a bit of yourself? Like age or something?
He closes his eyes and prays that V won’t take his help back because of this little curiosity of his. After he’s done with his short prayer, he checks the message again.
V: I’m a sophomore in university.
Oh, so V is not an old man. In fact, he’s just few years older than him. Thinking that he’s going to spend the night with a guy who’s around his age makes Jungkook feel slightly relieved. The lady luck is truly on his side tonight.
CookieMonster: Wow, which university?
V: I’ll talk about it after we met.
Jungkook’s smile falters a little at the small rejection. He puckers his lips into a small pout and types a reply.
CookieMonster: Okay then. I think I’m going to sleep now, so I guess I’ll contact you tomorrow about the train schedule and everything?
V: Sure.
CookieMonster: Thank you for your help once again!
V: You’re welcome.
===
Jungkook opens his eyes when the train halts to a stop. He flicks his eyes around as he gathers his consciousness. Once his thoughts finally settle in his mind, he realizes that he had fallen asleep through the ride.
He whips his head to the window and reads the station name, noticing that he’s still quite far from his destination. He leans back into his seat with a sigh, clutching his backpack closer to his chest as he looks down at his phone. It should be one more hour before he arrives at Seoul Station.
He opens his browser and checks his inbox, only to see a new message from V. Now that he thinks about it, he’s been too caught up with his own thoughts for the whole day that he forgot to contact V about his train schedule. Mentally face-palming himself, Jungkook opens the message.
V: Are you on your way now?
CookieMonster: Yeah. I just passed Gunpo Station. I should arrive at Seoul Station in one hour. Sorry I forgot to contact you when I got on the train.
V: It’s ok.
Jungkook slips his phone back into his jeans pocket and looks at the window across him. Jimin texted him earlier in the day to hang out with the other guys, but he lied and told his best friend that he’s waiting for his parents to arrive home, even though his parents are actually coming home next week. He’s going to apologize to Jimin and tell him everything after he comes back to Busan tomorrow.
There's just one hour before he steps his foot in Seoul. He thinks about his plan, about his purpose of coming all the way here from his hometown and wonders if he’s going to regret this, whether this is all meaningless, or if he’d feel empty and hollow by the end of the day.
Too lost in his thoughts and flashbacks, Jungkook only snaps back to himself when the train has reached Namyeong Station, one stop before his destination. He quickly slings his backpack over his shoulders and straightens his legs, preparing to get off once the train has stopped.
There are still some people sitting in the train, all busy with their own business. Jungkook doesn’t expect that there would still so many people left in the train, considering that they’re reaching the last stop of the line. But then again, Seoul is a big city and it’s alive all night.
He reaches for the phone in his pocket to send another message to V.
CookieMonster: I’ve passed Namyeong Station. I think I’ll arrive in few minutes.
V: I’m already here. Go to the hall once you’ve arrived.
Jungkook slips his phone back into his jeans pocket and stands up once the train stops at the station. He carefully makes his way out of the train and steps onto the platform, his eyes scanning over the crowd before he’s reminded that he needs to meet up with V.
As he makes his way out to the hall, he notices that there are so many people in the station and he wonders if V can really find him. He scans his surrounding, as if he could recognize V among the crowd, but then realizes how stupid he is since he doesn’t even have the slightest idea about V’s appearance.
He makes his way to the side of the hall and leans against the wall, a safe place to stand without being bumped by someone who might be in hurry. He takes out his phone and informs V about his position, though before he can press the send button, a deep voice calls out from his side.
“Cookie Monster-ssi.”
Jungkook turns his head at the call and his breath hitches slightly when he sees the man who just called him by his username. He swears his heart skips a beat when he looks into the other’s sharp eyes.
“…V?” Jungkook knows he must be making a very dumb face right now, but who can blame him when the guy in front of him is so fucking attractive. He thought he’s lucky enough to receive a help in such a short time, so he didn’t dare imagine how V would look like in real life. He didn’t want to push his luck that far.
But this guy in front of him; with his dusty purple hair, a piercing on his left ear, and all-black clothing, is the definition of an attractive man according to Jungkook.
Jungkook’s mouth is slightly ajar, but he can’t find the strength to shake off his daze. That is until V speaks again.
“How much time do you need to stare at me until you’re satisfied?” The man asks as he looks down at his watch with a rather nonchalant look on his face.
“Oh, uh, um…” Jungkook flicks his eyes everywhere as he feels his cheeks burn. He can’t believe he’s acting so embarrassing now of all times.
“Kim Taehyung.”
“What?” Jungkook flickers his gaze back to the elder male.
“My name is Kim Taehyung. It’s awkward to call each other with username, don’t you think so?” The man, Taehyung, twitches the corner of his lips as he speaks.
“Oh, right, of course. I’m Jeon Jungkook. Nice to meet you.” The younger quickly introduces himself and bows politely.
“Don’t be so formal with me. Come on.” Taehyung waves his hand before turning on his heels and walking out of the station.
Jungkook trails behind the elder as he looks around his surroundings. He notices that Taehyung is heading to the parking area and glances back to the latter, only to see him pull out his car key from his jeans pocket.
Jungkook stops his steps in front of a black sedan and stares at the shiny surface of the vehicle in awe. He’s not only getting a roof to sleep under, but he also gets a ride to the apartment. He climbs onto the passenger seat and puts the seatbelt on, his eyes catching a pack of Marlboro in the beverage holder. He then glances at Taehyung who starts to ignite the engine.
“Are you hungry?”
“What?” Jungkook blinks.
“Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”
“Oh, I’ve eaten before I board on the train. I’m not hungry.” Jungkook shakes his head quickly. “Thanks for asking.”
Taehyung stares at him for a while before curling his lips into a small smile. It’s just a quick flash of smile before the elder focuses on the road, but Jungkook feels something tugged his chest. He places a hand over his own chest to calm it down before looking to the road ahead.
“You’re taller than I expected.” Taehyung says few minutes after he starts driving.
“Really?” Jungkook blinks, almost surprised at how Taehyung starts the conversation first. “You’re pretty tall yourself. I also didn’t expect you to look like…this.”
“Look like this? What do you mean by this?” Taehyung tugs the corner of his lips, almost looking amused.
“Well, you know, young and dyed hair and everything…”
“So, what did you expect me to look like?”
“I don’t know… Probably much older or something…”
“Oh, so you’re hoping to be picked up by old man? That’s your taste?”
“No!” Jungkook whips his head to the elder, his cheeks flushed slightly. “I mean… Your messages are short and to the point so I assumed that… You know how old people text…” He gestures a hand vaguely.
“Funny how you’re not the first person to say that. Is it a sin for young people to text short?” Taehyung rolls his eyes and for some reason, Jungkook chuckles at the sight.
The heavy feeling in Jungkook’s heart that he had when he boarded the train a few hours ago seems to dissipate a little as they share small talks and jokes along the ride. Jungkook learns that Taehyung is a sophomore in Hongsik University, studying furniture design. He also learns that Taehyung likes to listen to music and his Spotify is on for the whole day unless he’s sleeping.
Jungkook tells the elder about his interest in graphic design and his choices of universities, which includes Hongsik University. He also talks about his liking towards music and his guitar at home.
Along the ride, they share information about themselves, but Jungkook notices that Taehyung doesn’t ask his purpose of coming to Seoul. He wonders if Taehyung just doesn’t care about it or if he’s simply not nosy about other people’s business. Either way, Jungkook is glad that Taehyung doesn’t question it since he doesn’t think he can talk about it.
Taehyung pulls his car over in front of an apartment complex and Jungkook ducks his head to look out the window, mouth dropping in awe when he sees how fancy the building looks. He wonders what kind of good deed he had done to have such good fortune on his side; being picked up by an attractive university student, riding in the car with him, and settling in a nice apartment for the night. He’s been too lucky that it’s almost scary.
He almost forgets to get out of the car until Taehyung closes his door and the sound snaps him out of his trance. He scrambles out of the vehicle and follows Taehyung to the entrance of the building.
Taehyung doesn’t spare a glance as he strides to the elevator with Jungkook trailing behind him like a puppy. The elder steps into the elevator and presses his floor button before closing the door once Jungkook gets inside.
“This is such a nice apartment…” Jungkook says, still in awe.
“Wait till you see my room.” Taehyung hums before stepping out of the elevator once it reaches his floor.
Jungkook follows the other with a giddy smile on his face, excited to see how the studio apartment would look in such a nice building.
Taehyung stops in front of a door and inserts the security code before pushing the door open. Jungkook then steps into the apartment and immediately looks up to see the inside of the room.
It’s a mess like what Taehyung had initially said, but not something that Jungkook didn’t expect. They’re both guys and he knows how messy a guy’s room can be. In fact, he thinks that his own room would be messier than this if his mother didn’t nag him about cleaning his room almost everyday to the point where she texts him about cleaning the room when she’s overseas.
“It’s messy, but you can sit anywhere you like. There’s space at least.” Taehyung snorts as he puts his shoes aside before stepping further into the apartment.
“I think it’s a very nice room.” Jungkook says, taking off his shoes and putting them aside.
“Thanks.” Taehyung says and flops down to a seat behind his messy desk where a drawing paper is splayed and drawing supplies scattered over the surface.
Jungkook puts his bag on the floor and pushes it against the wall. He flicks his eyes to Taehyung who’s fumbling with his phone. There’s only silence between them and Jungkook feels the air getting heavier. His mind recalls to the thread that he posted a day ago about how he’s willing to pay with anything for a place to stay the night.
Jungkook is not that naïve, he knows nothing is free in this world and when Taehyung decided to help him, he must have wanted something in return. He only has a small backpack with him consisting a pair of clothes in case he needs to change and some necessary things. He’s not planning to pay with sum of money anyway.
Since the moment he posted his request in a gay website forum, he’s prepared for this.
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Jungkook slowly makes his way to the other and stands behind him, fists balled against his sides.
“So, um, about the payment…”
Taehyung perks up at the words and turns over his shoulder to look at him. Jungkook holds his breath when Taehyung scans him from head to toe, as if judging his appearance. Is Taehyung going to ask him to take off his clothes now?
“As long as you don’t snore while sleeping, I’ll take it as a payment.” Taehyung says before turning to look at his phone again.
It takes few seconds for Jungkook to register the words and once he does, his face falters into a look of bewilderment. “…What?”
“You said you’re going to pay with anything. I want you not to snore while we’re sleeping.” Taehyung hums, not even bothering to turn away from his phone.
“But… But I thought it’s… Well, I—“
“You’re talking about paying it with sex?” Taehyung places his phone on the table and turns his chair to face the younger male. “That’s what you’re talking about in your post right?”
Jungkook feels his cheeks flush at the other’s blunt words, but he nods his head anyway.
Taehyung licks the inner side of his cheek and looks away, looking thoughtful. He then sighs and leans back against his seat, eyes flicking back to Jungkook.
“Look, I’m not trying to dictate your life or anything, but I just can’t understand why you had to post something like that. I was so surprised when I saw your picture, because I thought you were older than me, but you’re a freshly graduated high schooler and you’re willing to sleep with a stranger just to stay for the night?”
Jungkook presses his lips and drops his gaze to his feet, like a kid being scolded. He fumbles with the hem of his shirt before slowly looking up to Taehyung.
“I just… I didn’t know what to think… Everything is pretty complicated right now…” He mutters softly.
Taehyung sighs again and darts his eyes to his ceiling, thinking.
“Alright then, you can go to sleep anytime you want. I don’t sleep at this hour, but feel free to tell me if you need the lights off.” The elder says before spinning his chair back to his desk.
“Wait, that’s it?” Jungkook blinks, still looking bewildered.
“What that’s it?” Taehyung turns over his shoulder and raises a brow suggestively. “You want me to fuck you?”
“No, I didn’t mean that way! I was just—uh, you know, you’re…really genuine in helping me… I was surprised.” Jungkook tries to explain his thought even though he can feel his cheeks burning. He doesn’t expect Taehyung to be so blunt.
“Genuine, huh?” Taehyung stretches his lips into a smile and Jungkook thinks his heart is going to stop right there, but then the elder speaks again. “I just feel bad seeing someone begging like that just to have a place to spend the night. I mean you’re not asking for any money or something valuable, so I think it’s not necessary for you to sell your body. It’s like…there’s a better choice but you seemed so desperate so I wanted to help.”
Jungkook feels his heart swell a little as Taehyung speaks. He didn’t think that there would be someone so kind-hearted and he’s so lucky to get help from Taehyung. He can’t imagine what would’ve happen to him if he accepted help from others who only cared about how he looks. Taehyung helped him even before he knew how old he was or how he looked like, Taehyung helped him because he really wanted to.
“And when I saw your picture… I’m glad that you went to me for help, you know.” Taehyung suddenly says and Jungkook raises his brows. “You’re pretty cute. What a shame it would be if some perverts got their hands on you.” He says, flashing the younger male a smirk.
Jungkook thinks his knees wobble at little at the smirk, but he holds his stance and smiles shyly, flattered at the other’s words. “So… Is it really okay for me to sleep here without giving you anything?”
“You’re kinda stubborn, you know that?” Taehyung twitches his brows a little, but his lips curl into a small smile. “Alright then if you really want to pay me with something, you can answer my question. What’s your purpose in coming to Seoul?”
The younger’s smile falters slightly at the question, his eyes flicker around the room as if searching for an answer. Taehyung notices the sudden change on his expression and waves his hand dismissively.
“Alright, nevermind.” Taehyung says and is about to turn back to his desk when Jungkook speaks up.
“I’m meeting someone here.”
Taehyung looks up to him, seeing a serious look plastered across the younger’s face. He blinks before standing up from his seat and flops on the bed, gesturing a hand for Jungkook to come closer.
“I think it’s more comfortable to talk this way. We can talk more.” He says.
Jungkook’s face brightens slightly and he quickly climbs on the bed to sit in front of Taehyung.
“So, why don’t you meet that person directly? Why do you have to spend the night at someone’s place?”
Jungkook looks thoughtful for a moment before he answers the question. “I didn’t tell that person about my arrival. I come here to surprise him. As to why I have to spend the night… I had something to do during the day today so I could only board the train at night and get here. I have a plan for that person I’m going to meet and I can only do it tomorrow morning, so I figured that I should just stay here for the night and leave early in the morning.”
Taehyung nods his head in understanding. “And who is this person you’re meeting?”
“Just…someone.” Jungkook forces a smile.
Taehyung stares at him, so deep that Jungkook thinks the elder can see through his façade and look at the inside of his soul. He shifts his seat and darts his eyes away from Taehyung, unable to keep up with the intense staring.
“How lucky.” Taehyung whispers softly.
“Huh?” Jungkook whips his head back to the elder.
“That person is so lucky.” Taehyung chuckles softly and stares into the distance. “You go all the way from Busan by yourself and you’re willing to sleep with a stranger just so you can meet that person and give him a surprise. Don’t you think that person is incredibly lucky to have someone like you?”
“You think so…?”
“Yeah, you don’t think so? You don’t think that person is lucky to have you?” Taehyung turns his eyes back to him.
Jungkook darts his eyes across the room as he recalls every memory that he has with that person. His lips slowly curl up into a bitter smile and he nods his head lightly. “I guess he’s indeed lucky…”
Taehyung smiles back at him and Jungkook feels his smile grow wider just by looking at the other’s face. They stare at each other with smile before Jungkook quickly snaps out of it. He quickly looks around the room as if searching for something.
“So, uh, do you need to do something? I’m not really sleepy yet but I can be by my own. Am I going to sleep on the floor tonight? It’s okay—”
“What? No, there’s plenty of space. I mean my bed fits two people, I’ve had my friends stayed over, and there’s a couch too.” Taehyung says, almost like he just snapped out of his trance too like the younger.
“Oh, okay I’ll take the sofa—Shit!“
“About the pillow and blanket, I—Fuck!“
They accidentally knock their heads together while moving around the bed, cutting off their speech with a groan of pain. Jungkook pulls away and rubs his head as he looks at Taehyung who’s mirroring his action. They stare at each other with a pained look on their face before breaking into a laughing fit.
Something seems to flutter inside Jungkook’s chest when he sees how Taehyung’s eyes scrunch up into crescents and how his lips stretch into a boxy grin. Jungkook just pretends he doesn’t feel it though.
That night, Taehyung sleeps on the bed with his pillow while Jungkook sleeps on the couch with the blanket that Taehyung gave to him, but he keeps tossing and turning on the couch, having a hard time trying to fall asleep. It’s not that Taehyung’s couch is uncomfortable—he had stated that he could even sleep on the floor—but the thought keeps running in his mind, refusing to let him sleep.
He thinks about what he’s going to do the first thing in the morning, what he’s going to say once he meets that person and what would happen after that. He wonders if everything would go according to plan. He wonders if he can really go back to his home tomorrow.
Sighing at his own thoughts, he sits up from the couch and looks at Taehyung, who’s sleeping soundly on the bed. He looks down to the blanket over his body before stepping away from the couch whilst holding it. He stops next to the bed and drapes the blanket over Taehyung, tucking him in.
He looks down at Taehyung and tilts his head, examining the other’s sleeping face. Taehyung’s purple hair is tousled messily and his lips are parted slightly, he looks so peaceful and Jungkook wonders if the elder is going to wake up if he touches him.
As if answering his question, Taehyung snaps his eyes open and stares at him, almost making Jungkook fall backwards because of shock.
“Can’t sleep?” Taehyung asks, as if not bothered by the fact that Jungkook was staring at his sleeping face for a full minute.
“Um, yeah, kind of. Did I wake you up?” Jungkook stammers.
“I wasn’t sleeping the whole time. I can’t sleep too.” Taehyung smiles sheepishly and shifts to the side of the bed. “Come here.” He says, patting the empty spot next to him.
Jungkook flicks his eyes to the bed and to Taehyung’s face before eventually climbing to the bed and settling himself next to the other. The elder throws him his share of blanket and Jungkook clutches onto the fabrics as he looks up to the dark ceiling.
“Jungkook.”
The deep voice that calls for his name echoes in Jungkook’s ears, but he pretends that it doesn’t affect him.
“Hm?”
“That person you’re going to meet…is he your boyfriend?”
Jungkook doesn’t answer immediately, he slowly glances to his side and sees that Taehyung is still staring at the ceiling.
“Yeah…” He whispers softly.
“No wonder,” Taehyung chuckles softly, “he’s so lucky. I wish there would be someone who would go all the way here just to surprise me with sudden visit.”
Jungkook chuckles, trying to hide the pain and bitterness in his chest. He sighs and stares at Taehyung. “I’m sure you will find that someone.”
Taehyung slowly glances at him. “You think so?”
“Yeah, even though you text like an old man,” Jungkook almost bursts into laughter but he continues, “but you’re really nice and good-looking too. You’re very…kind… You’re so kind, Taehyung-ssi…” He whispers the last word as his eyes remained fixated on Taehyung’s.
Taehyung stares back at him without saying anything and a few seconds of silence tick by before Taehyung shifts closer and Jungkook mirrors the action. Without missing a beat, they lean in to press their lips together. Taehyung has a hand cupping Jungkook’s face while the younger has his hand gripping on Taehyung’s shoulder.
Jungkook can feel his heart hammering in his chest, his blood rushing through his veins and pounding in his head. He can taste a hint of smoke from Taehyung’s lips, and then recalls the pack of cigarette that he saw in the car earlier. It feels too fast when Taehyung pulls away first.
“Just call me Taehyung, I dislike being addressed with honorifics.”
Jungkook blinks his eyes open, and he can see Taehyung staring at him with a look of guilt in his eyes. He knows why Taehyung feels guilty, after all, Taehyung is a very kind person. He also doesn’t question his request, even if he was raised to treat those older than him with respect. After all, Taehyung is letting him stay for free and this is the least he can do.
“Sorry, your boyfriend is going to be mad at me.” Taehyung murmurs softly in continuation to Jungkook’s silence before turning away, facing his back to Jungkook.
Jungkook smiles bitterly to himself and decides to close his eyes before any tears could gather.
“Goodnight, Taehyung. Thank you.”
===
Taehyung lets his consciousness sink in completely before he cracks his eyes open. He blinks at the wall a couple of times before slowly turning around, seeing the other side of his bed empty. He twitches his brows, still trying to gather his focus, and reaches a hand to touch the cold bed.
“Jungkook?” He calls out, voice still thick with sleep, and looks around his apartment.
He flicks his eyes to the wall where Jungkook placed his bag the night before, only to find nothing. Jungkook is gone.
Taehyung blinks couple of times before stepping out of his bed and walks to the couch. His eyes catch a piece of paper placed on the table and he picks it up.
Thank you for everything.
— Jungkook.