Work Text:
🎵 Play: Easy
Jungkook has been stressed, tired, and overworked. It's become his permanent state of existing. He hardly remembers a time when he wasn't swamped with looming deadlines and office politics. Thankfully, he is almost done, having wrapped up a big presentation that afternoon.
He puts the final touches to the report and hits send on his email. He shuts his laptop down and, in a daze, gathers his things and turns out the lights in his office to head home. Everybody else had long gone, he chose to stay and finish his work before going home. It's going to be a long weekend since he has Friday off too because his boss had been happy with the work of their team that week on the huge project and had given everybody an extra day off.
He reaches home but barely remembers anything about the journey. When he finally gets in bed, he feels empty. His body is tired, but his mind is racing. There is no pressing need to finish a project or report and he feels restless thinking there is something that he must do because that has been his default state for so many days.
With a defeated sigh he realises that he has forgotten how to relax. He gets out of bed and makes himself a glass of tea and turns on the TV to a random channel.
As if on instinct, it's a music channel and Jungkook sees him. Kim Taehyung. His Taetae. He is interviewing for some fancy magazine and just watching him happy in his element does wonders for Jungkook’s tired brain. He has always been beautiful, but he looks otherworldly in his fashionable fit, oozing charm and poise. Jungkook snorts thinking of the goofy, fluffy boy he knows Taehyung actually is and has grown up with.
He is so happy for him, his heart full, he listens to his interview attentively and takes a few quick pictures and sends it to him, teasing him for his responses. Taehyung replies immediately with a quip of his own. He calls him and the two settle into an easy conversation and it doesn't feel like they haven't spoken in over 6 months.
Time sure flies when one has adult responsibilities but Jungkook's glad that no matter what happens, nothing changes between the two of them. Taehyung makes it so easy. Mentioning his long weekend and the fact that Taehyung will be in town on Saturday, they decide to meet up. They catch up on each other's lives and before Jungkook knows it, his eyes are drooping and as the conversation lulls, Taehyung realises what is happening. The last thing Jungkook’s brain registers is a deep baritone melody "...sleep like a winter bear".
~
🎵 Play: Someone That Loves You
They had decided to meet at the beach which was rife with people that evening. Taehyung runs towards him, his arms wide open, a boxy grin adorning his pretty face, a face that Jungkook didn't know he had missed so much until it was in front of him and he wants to scold himself for not having called sooner.
Jungkook is a private person, never been one to openly show how much others mean to him. Taehyung is the polar opposite, never failing to make grand gestures and his love known to the world. Naturally, as he shouts his name loudly and dramatically, a complaint makes its way to Jungkook’s lips, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. He turns towards Taehyung and the next second his arms are around him, crushing him in a bear hug.
His worries melt away and he relents to the warmth, all complaints about public affection forgotten as he nuzzles into the crook of Taehyung’s neck. All Jungkook feels is love, warmth reaching every corner of his being like the first snow thawing at the start of spring, promises of flowers and a new beginning.
Taehyung smells of strawberries and home. He reminds Jungkook of countless hours spent in the treehouse, hiding from the overbearing summer sun. It was always just the two of them, playing make-believe in their own fantasy world where one day they are dragons and the next day they look up at shapes in the sky, wishing they were the birds flying above the clouds. Taehyung’s eyes crinkle as he glances down at Jungkook, holding his gaze.
His brows furrow for a second as he studies Jungkook’s face and the bags under his eyes, more prominent than he remembers from last time. He realises that Jungkook has yet again been working overtime. His best friend has always held himself to incredibly high standards being his own worst critic. Taehyung knows how easy it is for Jungkook to forget how hard he has worked or how kind and wonderful he is.
Taehyung pouts disapprovingly but there is nothing mean about it, he is simply upset at the little care Jungkook affords himself. Taehyung pulls him closer, and holds him tight, as if he can hug the tiredness away from Jungkook’s body and to some extent it works. That's all it takes, for Jungkook’s fatigue to slowly recede to the recesses of his mind. Taehyung whispers soft words and reassurances, how hard Jungkook has been working and how proud he is of him, how proud Taehyung always has been.
He tries to apologise for not being there for him more often, but Jungkook quickly shuts him up before the two of them start dwelling in self-deprecation by apologising for not being there enough for each other. They are practical and strong. Jungkook understands that he can't always have things the way he wants and sometimes they need to be there for each other when they can. There is nothing wrong with not being there for each other all the time because life happens, and things pile up. It's natural and it’s okay. Because no matter what, at the end of the day, they are always there for each other when it matters, and they know that they will always have someone out there who is rooting for them.
🎵 Play: La mort des étoiles
Taehyung holds out his hand and intertwines their fingers eagerly as they walk towards the twinkling lights of the festival, the sound of children squealing in joy on the Ferris wheel and the buttery aroma of fresh popcorn. The two of them take their time, enjoying every ride and the moments spent with each other. They play games and Taehyung wins a huge bear for Jungkook while he gives Taehyung a fluffy koala.
They stuff their faces with cotton candy, the sugar rush settles their stomach after the dizzying roller coaster where Taehyung had screamed at the top of his lungs and Jungkook had laughed at how green he looked at the end of the ride. Next, they go to the photobooth to take the ceremonial best friend photos and the two of them do their signature poses as secret agents and partners in crime, like they have always been.
Since they both work full-time, it has been harder to make time for each other. So, when they get together, they make sure to enjoy themselves and be carefree. Whoever said adults need to be serious and hold themselves with grace and dignity needs to mind their own business. Taehyung doubles over laughing as Jungkook makes silly faces at him, the stares he earns from other "adults" for acting like a little kid don't bother him. The only person that matters is Taehyung, and Taehyung thinks that Jungkook is adorable and squishes his cheeks. They truly bring out the goofiness in each other and he would never give it up no matter how old they get. Jungkook feels happier than he has been in months.
Days at work have been long and unrelenting but as he sits down with Taehyung along the pier — Taehyung shines brighter than the sun, a soft smile adorning his beautiful face as he looks at Jungkook, holding so much affection and love in his eyes. Jungkook wonders if this is what he looks like when he sees Taehyung. His heart skips a beat when he sees the wind gently caress Taehyung’s beautiful brown hair and move them to cover one of his eyes. Jungkook’s hand itches to reach out and tuck the stray lock of hair behind Taehyung’s ear. But he keeps his hands to himself. Together, they watch the sun dip its toes into the water, and Jungkook chooses to live in the moment.
~
Jungkook basks in the last rays of the sun, watching the light glimmer on the surface of the ocean, like millions of diamonds in the water. Taehyung hums a soft melody, knowing that Jungkook can't resist singing along to a good tune. He looks up at him, eyes half-closed, and Jungkook is not surprised to see him grinning slyly. He was expecting Jungkook to join in. He sighs and starts singing with Taehyung, creating a beautiful harmony. It is one of his favourite songs that Taehyung wrote, dedicated to the 23 years of his friendship.
Gently swaying in the breeze, their hands holding each other, they promise in prose to stay by each other, trusting and supporting. It has always been like this: the two of them against the world, against the imaginary monsters under their beds, against the monsters who teased the two of them in school, against the monsters that resided in their heads, making them question whether they were good enough. They are stronger together and they seek comfort in that fact.
~
🎵 Play: Feels Like Home
They walk along the ocean, warm sand underneath Jungkook’s feet as the sun begins its descent below the horizon, ready to settle in for the night. Their Bluetooth speakers have Edwina Hayes crooning his comfort song and for the second time, Jungkook feels like he is home, where he belongs, where nothing could go wrong.
It's funny how one person can make him feel so good about himself. He begins to question whether he truly deserves Taehyung and whether he is as good for him as he is for Jungkook. As if he can read his thoughts, Taehyung interrupts his musings and turns Jungkook around to face him. He has a warm smile on his face, like soft butter on warm toast, holding both of Jungkook’s hands in his own and whispers a thank you. He explains that the past few days had been so stressful for him, with the impending release of his mixtape. And he realised that he had been working himself to death thinking that the more he worked, the better the results would be. But, too much of something is bad as well.
He didn't realise it until he was burned out, unable to make progress, tired and frustrated. It was then that he had called Jungkook. Hearing his voice had pulled Taehyung out of his reverie and seeing Jungkook had been like a wakeup call. Taehyung knows that he is not perfect and has a long way to go but Jungkook has always been there by his side, supporting and believing in him no matter how he feels about himself. It helped Taehyung realise that he is never alone and that it is okay to ask for help. "You make me feel like..." he says, scrambling for the right words, "like I'm... Like... “, Jungkook smiles at the singer’s frustration and suggests "like home?".
Taehyung’s eyes light up and he screams something about how Jungkook always knows what he wants to say and tackles him, sending them both toppling together in the sand. Taehyung tickles Jungkook and their giggles make music with the waves as they roll around, eventually coming to a stop right where the shore meets the water, Taehyung on top of Jungkook.
He rests his arms on both sides of Jungkook’s head and beams. Jungkook looks up into Taehyung’s eyes, his heart threatening to flutter out of his chest. As for Taehyung, if you told him that he was to die then and there, he would tell you that it would be a good way to go, holding Jungkook in his arms, his beautiful face grinning up at him, euphoric. The wind blows another strand of hair in Taehyung’s eyes but this time, Jungkook indulges.
~
🎵 Play: Think Of You
Jungkook has always loved late night drives. After the sunset at the beach, the two of them drive around their hometown, the wind in Jungkook’s hair as he leans out the window. There aren't many cars at this time, and they speed through, leaving Jungkook with a slight rush of adrenaline and excitement. He looks at the fast-passing streetlights of the highway and listens to the quiet purr of the engine.
The city is always so beautiful at this hour. It feels like the golden hour when time has slowed down. Lately, Jungkook has been feeling like everybody is running too fast and he's too slow to ever catch up to them. Everything seems to slip from his hands, too quickly and he can't even gather his thoughts. In times like these, he likes to look out into the city’s skyline, spending a few extra hours awake at night to have some semblance of peace and quiet where he doesn't feel like everybody is rushing to go places. As the clock strikes 00:00, the world comes to a halt, everything resets, and he can finally let out the breath he didn’t even know he had been holding. He can just be. Exist. And take his time. Slowly, he can pick himself up and brace himself for a new day.
Being with Taehyung, right there in the moment, he feels centred and strong. Perhaps without intending to, Taehyung has somehow collected his scattered pieces and sewed them together. His voice, his laugh, his boisterous personality, his soft smiles that reach his eyes that are reserved for his best friend. They have been through so much together. He feels like he can take on the world, nothing else and nobody else matters in that moment. It's the two of them against the world. They can do anything, be anything.
🎵 Play: Just The Way You Are
Just then the radio starts playing his song and immediately Taehyung looks at Jungkook, with a knowing look in his eyes. He knows what's going to happen, at this point, it's inevitable. It's Karaoke Hours!!! Jungkook opens the sunroof and stands up, gripping the sides of the roof to keep his balance. The two of them start singing just as the chorus hits:
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change,
'cause you're amazing, just the way you are.
And when you smile,
the whole world stops and stares for a while,
'cause you're amazing, just the way you are
and Jungkook and Taehyung grin at each other, their spirits soaring and dancing together, hearts bursting with love, warmth and happiness, their enthusiasm barely contained by the car as they speed into the night.