Reality returned the next day when the two boys were required to resume their schedules at Big Hit.

Although they didn't classify their relationship just yet - time still needed to help them heal - they decided to keep their bond quiet for now. If word got out that V was dating his mentee, two foreseeable problems might arise. For one, people could blame favoritism as the sole reason Jungkook was selected. Additionally, they could also say V was coercing the younger into a relationship in order to gain success.

As much as Taehyung and Jungkook wanted to step out of the shadows, they knew this was the right move. Especially as they figured out how they fit into each other's lives.

However, one thing was for certain: they were going to remain in each other's lives.

They loved each other in that distant sort of way; their love was rooted in who they used to be years past. Life had changed both Taehyung and Jungkook - they weren't naive to think they could start where they left off six years ago.

But both boys were eager to re-learn the other. Excitement had been a powerful current between the two as they talked all night, asking silly questions and tough ones alike. And when they were battling the fight against sleep, when Jungkook was internally questioning whether or not to return to his own room, Taehyung pulled the younger tighter into his embrace.

And now, as they walked into Big Hit, both wore huge smiles. Their hands brushed each other's fleetingingly but purposefully as they walked to the main meeting room. Professionalism needed to be displayed while working, so they satisfied themselves with this limited contact for now.

Upon entering the room, the other two mentor-mentee pairs were already seated. Jimin was talking animatedly to Yeonjun, who listened intently to every word he said. On the other side of the table sat the two producers. Namjoon was jotting down notes on a tablet while Yoongi blankly studied Jimin. Taehyung and Jungkook separated, taking their places across from each other at the table.

They shared a secret smile.

One that was not missed by Jimin.

The pink haired boy leaned close to Jungkook's ear. "Tell me what that was about."

"What?" He played dumb.

"Don't do that to me. I'm too smart," Jimin retorted. "Did you and V finally smash?"

The younger elbowed him in the side. "He's not like that, Jimin."

"Sure, whatever you say, Kook."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, glancing across the table to find Taehyung engrossed in conversation with RM. The other producer, he found, was a bit occupied with something else.

"Why does it look like Suga is contemplating how to break every bone in your body?" He asked his friend.

"I think he's jealous."

Jungkook's eyes widened and his mouth parted. "What?"

Before Jimin could further elaborate, RM called for everyone's attention and they got started.

The next hour and a half was spent reviewing the mentees' original lyrics, which all needed to be approved by the two producers. Taehyung's throat burned as Jungkook shared his, now knowing for sure his words were about him. He made eye contact with the younger at the end, making sure to openly show the emotion he felt.

Suga announced that the mentees would perform their original songs, along with a selection of other pieces, at the showcase in two months. He assigned both group and solo songs, in which they'd need to learn the dances to as well.

Jungkook's eyes lit up when he was given one of Taehyung's songs. That would just mean more time spent together during their hours at the company.

As the meeting reached its close, RM laid out the rest of the day's schedule. RM and Yeonjun would continue working on the younger's lyrics while Yoongi wanted to broaden Jimin's vocal range. To both Taehyung's and Jungkook's delight, they were scheduled to start reviewing choreography with J-Hope.

Jimin stood up to leave, patting Jungkook on his back. "Don't let Hobi work you too hard now," he said teasingly.

Suga's gaze narrowed in on Jimin. "That's J-Hope to you. Now let's go, I want to push you past your limits."

The pink haired boy's eyebrows rose high on his face.

"Vocal limits," Suga added before ordering Jimin to head to the recording room.

As Yoongi made to follow, Taehyung grabbed his arm. "Wait. I need to speak with you and Joon."

Jungkook, knowing what this was about, nodded his head slightly as he stood up. He gently led the youngest mentee out of the room with him, sending a reassuring smile over his shoulder to Taehyung.

Both producers noticed.

"Tae . . . " Namjoon started.

Yoongi crossed his arms over his chest. "For fuck's sake, you slept with him, didn't you?"

Taehyung fought the urge to snap at both of them. "No. I haven't."

"Tae - " Namjoon tried again, but was cut off.

"Can you both just stop for a minute," Taehyung interjected. "I have something I need to say to you."

The producers looked at each other, communicating with their eyes. They fully expected their young artist to complain about the program or demand unrealistic things from them.

So one could say they were utterly shocked when Taehyung spoke next.

"I'm sorry," he said, saying the words slowly and meaningfully. "I am so sorry for how I've been acting all this time."

He paused, taking the time to collect his thoughts. "You've had multiple opportunities to end my contract over the last six years. And you've had every reason to do it, too. But neither of you ever even considered that as an option, despite the messes I created for you. I don't know why you had faith in me, especially when I didn't have faith in myself. But I want you to know I am going to be better now. I'm going to work harder and be the type of person you are proud to represent."

Namjoon and Yoongi gaped at Taehyung.

"Thank you for holding out as long as you did. The V you've come to know and loathe is changing. I'm changing. And I want to ask for your help in reaching my full potential. I'd not be here without either of you and I want to see what else is in store for me. I want to truly work as a team."

He bit his lip while waiting for their responses. Last night, he'd told Jungkook how selfish and condescending he was as an artist. He revealed how badly he treated his producers, which was all a facade in order to protect his fragility. But now that his mask had dropped, now that Taehyung's true self was slowly starting to resurface, he wanted to mend the relationships he previously neglected.

He'd start with Namjoon, Yoongi, and Hoseok. Then - and perhaps most importantly - he'd open up to Jin's family.

His family.

When they didn't say anything, he felt the need to add one more thing. "And before you ask, yes. Jungkook is part of the reason I want to change. This mentorship has taught me a lot over the last couple of weeks. And I'm so grateful for it."

Namjoon and Yoongi exchanged glances one more time before breaking out into smiles.

"Come here, Tae," Namjoon said softly, opening his arms widely.

Taehyung rushed to the elder, hugging him with a smile of his own plastered on his face.

"Taehyungie," Yoongi called out, demanding a hug of his own. Taehyung giggled, a sound he couldn't remember making in the past, as he moved to hug the producer.

"You guys forgive me?" He asked as he broke away from Yoongi.

"Yes. I see the change already and I like it," Yoongi stated.

"We knew you were in there, Tae," Namjoon added.

Taehyung beamed at them. He was so damn happy that it almost made him nervous. He used to operate under the context of fear, that anything he had would be taken away from him.

But as he walked off to practice with Hoseok and Jungkook, he knew he'd risk everything in order to feel like this each day.

He'd never give up again.

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《