Jungkook felt the car pull to a stop, but had no idea where they were. A blindfold was secured over his eyes, preventing him from seeing where Taehyung had brought them.

"Okay, one last thing," Taehyung said, placing a bucket hat on Jungkook's head. He pulled it low so it covered the top half of the younger's face.

"People are going to think I'm being kidnapped," Jungkook joked as he adjusted the hat. "Want to tie me up, too?"

Taehyung scooped his own hair under a beanie before pulling on a face mask. "No, Kook. We'll save that for the bedroom."

He tugged on Jungkook's hand, signaling him to scoot out of the car. Taehyung scanned their surroundings, unconsciously looking for paparazzi. It was unnecessary, however. Their car was pulled behind the building where the trash was put out. No one would ever think to look here.

As promised, the back door was unlocked so Taehyung led them inside. Carefully, he guided Jungkook up a flight of stairs, making sure to go slowly despite his excitment. When they reached the landing, he practically dragged the younger inside a small room.

"Do you have any guesses where we are?" He asked, biting his lip in anticipation and removing his hat and mask.

Jungkook jutted his head out, making a show of straining his ears. He could hear the faint chatter of people in the background, but a slow and sultry song masked most of their conversations.

"You've taken me to be sacrificed," Jungkook deadpanned. "We're standing on a ledge and you're about to push me off."

"Didn't I tell you not to believe everything you read about me?"

Jungkook turned towards his voice. "It was such an intriguing article. The talented V gets his musical prowess by sacrificing young virgins."

Taehyung smirked, approaching him and tracing his hand up the younger's arm. "Are you a virgin?"

"No."

"Then my plans for the evening are ruined. Sacrificing you to the god of music would be in vain," Taehyung chuckled.

Jungkook reached his hands out, finding the elder's waist easily even though he couldn't see. "Tae, are you . . . "

Taehyung removed Jungkook's hat before gently sliding off his blindfold. The younger's eyes went immediately to his; he didn't even bother looking to see where they were.

"No, I'm not either. When I first started in the industry, I thought sleeping with people would make me feel less lonely. I acted exactly like the V you've always read about. Only difference was, no one cared about me back then. No matter how reckless I was, the press didn't pay me any attention. It took me a while to realize what I was doing to myself, so I stopped shortly after. It's been a very long time since I've slept with anyone."

Jungkook squeezed Taehyung's waist, appreciative of his honesty. "I had two girlfriends over the last six years. The first was just a fling really, over the summer before college. The second lasted almost two years, but we broke up over a year ago. She was the only person I've ever had sex with."

"Why did you break up?" Taehyung asked, truly curious to know more about Jungkook's previous dating life.

"I couldn't picture a future with her. She was an amazing person and deserved someone who would give her his entire heart. But that person wasn't going to be me."

Taehyung nodded in understanding. "Did your heart belong to someone else?"

Jungkook leaned his forehead against the elder's, a smile playing on his lips. "Yes. This musical artist named V. Not sure if you've heard of him."

He laughed as Taehyung scoffed in mock annoyance. But it was true. His heart always belonged to Taehyung. It still did now.

"I want you to know that I have strong feelings for you, Tae," Jungkook revealed, drawing back to look at the boy. "I loved you all those years ago and I never stopped. And I know we're not those same boys anymore. We've changed. How I feel for you now has changed, too. But I feel so much for you."

Warmth radiated through Taehyung. He knew exactly what Jungkook meant by all of that. They would always love who the other was back then. And now that they were reunited, those feelings were a subtle presence as they discovered new feelings, stronger ones. They were discovering a new love rooted completely in the present.

"The last couple of days have been a whirlwind," Taehyung responded, his hands still holding onto Jungkook's waist. "I can't believe how much we've been through in such a short amount of time. I don't want to rush us, Kook. I want us to go slow and learn each and every part of each other. Because I have massive feelings for you as well. And I want to savor each and every step we take forward."

Jungkook grinned at him. "I think we've gotten a little deep for our first date."

"Second date," Taehyung corrected with a big smile. "And you haven't even looked at where I've taken you yet."

The younger flashed a big smile before tearing his eyes off of Taehyung. They widened as he took in his surroundings, knowing in an instant where they were.

"I'd love to take you to the movies or something . . . I don't know . . . more normal. But my blue haired counterpart makes that a little difficult. So I hope this is okay," Taehyung explained, nervous that Jungkook would think he was trying too hard.

"Tae . . . " Jungkook started, looking around again to absorb the beautiful scene.

Taehyung walked to a gorgeously dressed table, set for two and lit with candles, and pulled out a chair. "Luckily I have family connections to swing this."

They were in the private dining room of the best restaurant in all of Seoul. The one that just so happened to be owned and run by Jin's family. Their table was situated above the common dining area, with thick and heavy curtains creating a cozy space. A large window showed the diners below.

"I never knew this was up here," Jungkook said, peering out the window one more time before joining Taehyung. "I always thought this was just a mirror."

The one way mirror revealed the bustling restaurant below, one that Jungkook could never afford to actually eat in. He knew he could have asked Jin to pull some strings in the past, but he never wanted to take advantage of his friendship. The elder did enough by giving him free desserts, after all.

"Have I succeeded in wooing you?" Taehyung teased as the younger sat down in the proffered chair.

"You've succeeded in making me happy," Jungkook answered with a smile. "Although, maybe you shouldn't have started off with this. I'm going to expect opera tickets and private jet rides for our next date."

"If I already get another date, I guess my attempts at wooing have worked."

Jungkook shook his head, glowing from more than just the candle light. "Maybe I'll even let you have a third and a fourth."

Taehyung beamed as trusted waiters started attending to them. "Don't be too eager now, Kook. Talking fourth dates and we have barely started our first."

"Second, Tae," Jungkook ammended, reaching to hold Taehyung's hand. "It's our second date."

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《