Taehyung and Jungkook spent the rest of the day catching up, covering some of the biggest events that had occurred during the last six years.

Jungkook learned that RM and Suga discovered Taehyung at a karaoke bar. The two producers were new to the entertainment industry and had been looking for promising talent. Luck hadn't been on their side, so they went to drink away their sorrows. But, as fate would have it, Taehyung was there as well. He was drunk out of his mind, just a few weeks out from leaving home. He gave a wild - yet strangely riveting - performance to the crowd and the rest was history.

It was also the last time Taehyung drank. He didn't want to be anything like his parents and vowed to never partake in that particular indulgence again.

The younger begrudgingly recounted Taehyung's fake funeral and together they figured out it was all a scam. The ceremony itself was conducted hastily, a detail Jungkook neglected to realize up until now. And, much to the elder's horror, Taehyung's parents had collected money from the mourners, saying it would all be donated to a charitable cause in Taehyung's name. That money most likely never made it out of their pockets.

"Part of me wants to go see them," Taehyung confided. "It's petty, but I want to rub my success in their faces. I want to show them what I accomplished without their influence in my life. I'm pretty surprised they haven't already tried to contact me, to be honest."

Jungkook bit his lip. "I take it that you don't know what happened to them."

Taehyung's eyebrows scrunched together. "What do you mean?"

"They got in an accident while drunk driving. They didn't make it."

The elder inhaled sharply. "How long ago?"

"Two months after you d- . . . after you left," Jungkook stuttered out. "I . . . I know I should feel sorry, but after what they put us through, I'm not sure if I am."

Taehyung knew what he meant. He was unsure of how to feel himself. Of course, the news didn't affect him like it would have if his parents had been loving and supportive. But still, it was a shock to the system that they were no longer alive.

"I don't want to dwell on it," Taehyung concluded, knowing it was best to try to move on. "They're not worth our time or energy."

They spent the next few minutes lost in their own thoughts, but still taking comfort in the other's touch. Taehyung had his leg thrown over Jungkook as they held securely onto each other, wrapped up in their own cocoon.

Jungkook ran his hand through Taehyung's hair. "I feel like I've done nothing but interview you this morning, but I have one last question. For now," he added with a knowing grin.

"Let me guess," Taehyung said, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his eyes. "You want to know if you were as good a kisser as the hordes of people I've apparently hooked up with."

A scoff escaped from the younger. "No. And jeez, I wasn't even thinking about that. Why'd you have to put that in my mind?"

Taehyung chuckled at Jungkook's reaction.

The younger continued, "I can't believe I've kissed you - Taehyung - and didn't even know it."

"I've also had your dick in my mouth, so there's that, too," Taehyung teased, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

"Oh my god," Jungkook groaned, redness tainting his cheeks. "I demand a do-over for everything."

Taehyung's tongue swiped his bottom lip, an action that Jungkook honed in on. "Oh yeah, everything?"

Jungkook nudged him playfully, his eyes still glued to the elder's mouth. "Yes. Tae, I can't tell you how long I've wished to kiss you."

A smile toyed on Taehyung's lips as he leaned his head closer. Happiness radiated through him, a feeling that was so foreign and unusual. But he clung to it fiercely, hoping he'd never have to forget what it felt like again.

As their mouths drew closer and closer, Jungkook froze. "I'm nervous," he admitted, running a hand through his hair.

"Is it really so different now?" Taehyung asked, drawing his eyes up to look at Jungkook.

"Of course it is, Tae. Fuck, it's a lot different. It's you."

Taehyung thought about that for a moment - he understood completely. It really was different for him too, knowing that the younger knew who he was. It was a lot more special.

"I'm not in any rush, Kook. We don't have to pick up where you and V left off. Let's start fresh as you and me." He angled his head and pressed a soft kiss to Jungkook's cheek.

"You and me," Jungkook hummed. "I like the sound of that."

"Me too. So, what was your actual question?" Taehyung asked, his expression open and waiting.

After a brief pause, the younger said, "What does V stand for?"

Jungkook noticed immediately how the elder's shoulders dropped and his eyes turned downcast.

"I'm not sure you want to know," Taehyung said to him, but gave in when the younger squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It stands for the things my parents used to call me . . . what you had called me."

"Tae . . . " Jungkook started, pain evident in his face. He never forgot those words either. Couldn't forget them. "Vile, void, and vacant?"

He received a reaffirming nod, which made him hang his own head. That devastated him and he wanted to wallow once more in guilt. But he remembered Taehyung's words about moving forward.

"You are a virtuoso," Jungkook stated, tipping Taehyung's chin up so they could look at each other. "To me, you are valid, valuable, and vibrant. You are a visionary in your music and are vivacious on stage."

"Kook," the elder murmured in appreciation, moisture pricking his eyes.

"I'm not done," Jungkook said, "I have one more. You proved to the world - to you and to me - that it is possible to overcome the difficulties life gives us. And for that, you are victorious. This is your victory."

Taehyung's eyes were glistening by the time Jungkook finished. He was looking at the younger with a strong combination of hope, appreciation, and love.

So Jungkook gently placed his palm against the elder's cheek and closed the space between them.

Their lips brushed together softly, delicately, as they kissed for the first time as Jungkook and Taehyung. It was sweet and slow, neither in any particular hurry. Both just wanted to savor the moment. A warmth bloomed in Jungkook's chest, which radiated throughout his body. He was nearly shaking as Taehyung drew back.

Taehyung moved his head to kiss the younger's palm, which was still cupping his face. "Finding my way back to you, Kook . . . that is my victory."

"If I can give you a brighter future, that will be mine," Jungkook told him.

A wide and beautiful smile lit up Taehyung's face. He kissed Jungkook again, this time with a little more passion, before pulling away.

"You already have."

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《