"I love you so much, Jungkook."

Jungkook stared at Taehyung, his heart racing in his chest and his lungs burning. Right. He needed to breathe.

This was the moment he'd been waiting for all these years: the chance to tell the love of his life how he felt about him.

Before that terrible day six years ago, he used to dream of confessing his love to the elder. And after that day, he mourned not only Taehyung but also his failure to reveal his true feelings. He spent a lot of time that first year after Taehyung was gone silently praying to the elder. He'd say all the things left unspoken between them and hoped wherever Taehyung was in his next life that he'd somehow hear him.

"That shocked look on your face isn't exactly making me feel confident right now," Taehyung murmured, a slight mix of fear and apprehension in his eyes.

Jungkook's hand shook as he brought it to Taehyung's cheek, his fingers softly sliding against the elder's smooth skin. He wanted to say so much to him; he wanted Taehyung to feel how much he was loved.

"Tae -"

"Alright, everyone, take your places!" A stagehand called out, causing people to rush around in preparation.

"Sixty seconds!"

Taehyung gave Jungkook a small smile. "Go. You have to finish the show."

He started walking them both out of their hidden spot, pushing on the younger's chest to lead him to the stage.

"Fuck the show," Jungkook breathed, gripping Taehyung's wrists and removing them from his chest. He cradled his face between his hands.

"Kook," Taehyung protested, "we don't have time and I don't want you to get in trouble. Go."

They both could hear people calling out the younger's name.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby," he added. "I'll be right here when you're done."

Jungkook nodded, knowing he still had to make a good impression with Big Hit and the public alike. "Okay, we'll finish this later. But, Tae . . . my heart belongs to you. I love you, Taehyung."

He ran his thumbs over the elder's cheekbones before sprinting to his spot on stage, murmuring soft apologies to the crew. But he wasn't the least bit sorry. On the contrary, a raging energy coursed through his veins and a warmth settled in the center of his chest. This was what it felt to love and be loved in return.

The rest of the show played out, but Jungkook barely registered what was happening. He watched as Jimin and Yeonjun effortlessly performed their routines, and he somehow managed to gracefully get through his set as well. Silly games were played and laughs were shared between the mentees, though Jungkook could barely concentrate. Even the sulking Joowon didn't break his dreamlike state.

When the show officially wrapped, Jungkook searched blindly for Taehyung. He found him waiting just by the edge of the stage, as promised, with a look of pride and love coating his face. It was like no one else existed but the two of them, not as Jungkook approached him as if in a trance.

He was jarringly brought back to reality when Jimin stepped in front of him. "We need to talk."

Jungkook shook his head. "Not now, Jimin." He made to step around the pink haired boy but was blocked again.

"I'm just asking for two minutes, Kook. Then I'll let you go to him, okay?"

The younger's eyes flew to his friend. "How -?"

Jimin pulled Jungkook out of the building and led him to a quiet spot. Once there, he took a deep breath. "Kook . . ."

Jungkook knew the tone the elder was using. It was most often used when Jimin disagreed with something but was trying to be gentle about it.

"I love him, Jimin. So before you tell me not to get involved or warn me about his past, I want you to know that I am in love with him. And he loves me, too."

Jimin stared at him, his features revealing nothing. "I know you do. I saw the way you were looking at him."

Had he been that obvious?

"And I saw how he looked at you, Kookie, and it's so easy to see he shares your feelings. But . . . " Jimin shifted his gaze to his shoes. "Pictures of him with someone else were literally released yesterday. I don't want to assume anything, but you're my best friend, Kook. I want to look out for you."

Despite Jimin's seriousness, Jungkook smiled. He pulled his friend into a hug, causing the elder to let out a surprised squeak.

"Not the reaction I was expecting," Jimin said, returning the younger's hug nonetheless. "Why are you taking this so well?"

"Thank you for being such a good friend, Jimin. I'm so lucky to have you in my life." Jungkook released him and took a step back. "But everything you think you know about V's personal life isn't true. I've seen that for myself."

"But Kook -"

"Do you remember at the audition, how I said V looked familiar?" Jungkook questioned him, quickly peering around to make sure they were alone.

Jimin nodded, confused at the sudden change of subject. "Yeah, you said he reminded you of an old friend but it wasn't him."

"For the last six years, I thought that friend was dead because of something I did. But he wasn't dead, Jimin."

Silence filled the space between them as Jimin thought over the younger's words. If that was all true, then that meant . . .

"He's Taehyung?"

Jungkook never told his friend the entire story of his past as it was too haunting to recall. But - after one drunken night when the two first met - Jungkook revealed one thing to Jimin that the elder never forgot.

I failed Taehyung.

Jimin questioned Jungkook about that relentlessly, never quite understanding what the younger meant. Although he never received further clarification, it was a small insight into Jungkook's past that Jimin held onto. He knew whatever it meant was a major part of who his friend was.

"He's Taehyung," Jungkook confirmed. "I . . . I can't tell you everything, Jimin. It's not my entire story to share. But I assure you that I'm not rushing into anything with him. I have loved him for six years, probably more, and he loves me, too. I'm the happiest I've ever been because of him."

Jimin took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "I'm so happy for you, Kook. I'm so happy you've found your way back to him."

"Me too," Jungkook smiled, grabbing Jimin's other hand. They swung their arms back and forth in a silly manner, acting like they were children.

"Why is my boyfriend holding hands with a man who isn't me?"

Jungkook spun to see Taehyung behind him with a pout plastered on his face. Jimin instantly released his grip, taking a step back from the younger.

"Sorry," Jimin muttered, clasping his hands behind his back.

The pout Taehyung wore smoothed into a smile. "I'm just teasing, Jimin. I overheard your entire conversation just now. And I want to thank you. You've been such a good friend to Jungkook and I'd really like it if we could be friends as well."

Jungkook beamed at his boyfriend, his love, for continuing to grow and evolve. He was so proud of the person Taehyung had become over the last few weeks. He had become incredibly open and considerate of others.

"We can be friends, but on one condition," Jimin said slowly, almost as if an idea was taking shape in his head.

Jungkook chuckled as Taehyung huffed, but nodded his head anyway.

"Tell me what the hell is going on with Hoseok and Yoongi and how I fit into it."

Taehyung let out a surprised laugh, looping his arm around Jungkook's waist as he pulled them toward his car. "Hoseok likes you."

"And Yoongi?"

"He let's you call him Yoongi. I think it's obvious enough how he feels."

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》《

I'm Here