Taehyung and Jungkook didn't get a lot of sleep. They held each other for a while, talked about silly things for a while, made love for a while. When the sun finally started rising, the two boys drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

Now, after a hectic morning of Jungkook packing, the two stood hand in hand in their apartment building's garage. A car set to take the younger to the airport was waiting behind them.

"Don't bother looking up time zone information. Just call whenever you feel like it, okay?" Taehyung softly ordered the boy, his thumbs rubbing surely over the backs of Jungkook's palms. He needed to memorize the feel of his skin.

Jungkook nodded his head, biting his tongue sharply to avoid letting his tears fall. He had a hunch that if he started getting emotional his love would as well. And he didn't want his last few moments with Taehyung to be filled with crying.

"I love you so much, Tae," Jungkook murmured finally, pulling the elder closer to his body. He wrapped his arms securely around his waist and burrowed his head into his boyfriend's neck.

Taehyung clung to him, hands intertwining in Jungkook's hair. "I love you, Kook. I love you more than anything."

The younger released a quiet sob, something that sounded like his heart was ripping in two.

"It's okay, baby," the elder comforted gently. "Try to think about all of the amazing things you'll see and do. Don't forget that you've worked so hard for this and that you deserve it all. I am so proud of you. And even though I'll be supporting you from afar, know that I'm here with you each and every step of the way."

Jungkook pulled back to stare into Taehyung's eyes, finding all the love in the world looking back at him. His gaze flitted to the elder's mouth before he leaned forward, kissing him softly.

Taehyung quickly deepened the kiss, pouring all of his feelings into the action. He thought of nothing at all; he simply savored the feeling of his love pressed against him.

Regrettably, they disconnected their mouths as they hugged each other a final time. Both of their hearts were racing like crazy both from the kiss and from the fear of saying goodbye.

Neither wanted to say that horrible word.

So Taehyung opened the car door and pecked the younger on the cheek. "Let me know when you land."

"I will. I love you."

Taehyung said it back as Jungkook ducked his head into the car and shut the door. The car immediately started pulling away and the image of Taehyung got smaller and smaller. The younger looked out his window until he could see him no more.

"Hi there."

Jungkook jumped and turned in his seat, startled to see a woman sitting there. He hadn't even realized her presence.

"Sorry to scare you," she said with a smile. "I'm Lily, one of the main publicists for Big Hit."

Jungkook stared at her, knowing he was being rude but confused as to why she was here.

Noting his baffled expression, Lily laughed and launched into an explanation. "I've been filled in on your relationship with V. And while the company is sympathetic to your situation, Big Hit still needs to keep up a positive image. I'm here to help guide you on appropriate responses to the questions you'll surely get in the upcoming weeks."

"Can't I just tell them the truth?" Jungkook asked, not clear on why he needed a scripted answer.

Lily shook her head firmly, but still wore a cheerful look. "Sorry, but no. We want to divert this negative attention to something more productive. Bringing up the scandal will only make it stick around longer."

Scandal. This wasn't a scandal at all. This was his life. This was Taehyung's life.

This was their truth.

"I don't understand why you all won't let us tell our story to the public," Jungkook justified, his tone a little harsh compared to Lily's friendly demeanor. "We have too many facts to prove this isn't some cover up. I have pictures and letters from when we were kids -"

"Again, sorry, but no. And proving you two knew each other prior to the mentorship program would cause more backlash. It would show that V made his selection based on favoritism, and I fear that'd only hurt his reputation more."

Jungkook looked out the window, aggravated and frustrated that no one seemed to sympathize with him. "So what am I supposed to say then?"

Lily spoke to the back of his head. "You're going to keep it short and simple. You'll say it's a matter being handled privately by all relevant parties. You'll then pivot and say how excited you are for this opportunity to tour and want to focus on your upcoming performances. If they push you further, again, you'll emphasize how you're concentrating on getting ready for the concerts."

"Can I add that V was a great mentor and helped me get to where I am today?"

Lily made a clucking noise and Jungkook finally turned back to face her.

"No, you are not to say anything about V directly. If you did, the interviewers would shove question after question down your throat. We want to avoid that from happening and keep the questions on the matter as brief as possible," she responded, jotting some notes onto a piece of paper.

Jungkook still wasn't satisfied with that. "But -"

She tore the paper from her pad and handed it to him. "There are no buts, Jungkook. You signed a contract with Big Hit. This is what we are telling you to say, so you will say it. Understood?"

He looked down at the paper, quickly reading her notes on how to respond to questions. He fought the urge to ball it up and throw it out the window.

But she had him backed into a corner. Jungkook did sign a contract and could be dropped if he disobeyed its terms. He couldn't let that happen. He wouldn't let Taehyung's sacrifice be made in vain.

"Fine," he finally responded. "I'll say what you want me to say."

Lily nodded joyfully, like she knew all along Jungkook would come to his senses. "Glad to hear it. Now just one more thing."

The woman went on to explain that Big Hit wanted Jungkook - along with Jimin and Yeonjun - to start doing live video diaries. After concerts or any other time they felt like it, they would talk to the fans and share their thoughts and experiences.

"That way everyone gets to know you and will feel more connected to you as an artist," Lily concluded with a smile. "Here."

She handed him more details on the lives, which included instructions on how to log into the system and suggested times and topics. Jungkook absentmindedly nodded his head, letting her words flow in one ear and out the other.

This was all just a lot right now. He didn't know how he was going to handle the upcoming weeks.

Just then, when anxiety started creeping down his spine, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Eagerly, he grabbed it and saw Taehyung's name on the lock screen. With a smile, he opened the message to be greeted with a goofy selfie of the elder. Jungkook chuckled as he read the text below:

Send pics later. I need material to look at before bed.

He peered over his shoulder, making sure Lily wasn't trying to catch a glimpse at his phone.

He replied, What kind of pics? I need good material too. I'll trade you a nude for a nude.

Within moments, his phone buzzed again. Don't get too imaginative, it's not good.

Jungkook responded that it was indeed a very good thing and that Taehyung knew it. The elder sent back a winking emoji before sending one last text for the moment.

It's a small start to our collection, but it will have to do for now.

And below was an image that made Jungkook's heart swell. It was a selfie of Jungkook sleeping on Taehyung's chest, a beautiful smile plastered on the elder's face as he held him.

It was perfect.

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