"New York City apparently never sleeps, so prepare for a long night!" Jimin cheerfully exclaimed to Jungkook, pulling the younger up to a bar.

"But I need sleep," Jungkook countered, glancing between Namjoon and Yoongi for help.

The two producers just grinned back at him, ordering drinks over the pulsating music. It was so loud in this place and Jungkook could barely hear his own thoughts.

Jimin shook his arm. "What do you want?"

He flinched, the elder practically screaming into his ear. "Nothing! I'm going to call Tae later."

His friend didn't push him, which was a quality Jungkook appreciated. Earlier in college, people he used to hang out with consistently tried to peer pressure him into drinking more than he wanted. He always ended up giving in, afraid of coming across as a prude. But when he met Jimin, he quickly realized true friends never pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do.

Jungkook settled onto a barstool, looking out at the crowded bar. People were yelling loudly over the music and dancing drunkenly with their friends. It was a little chaotic for him at the moment. All he wanted to do was curl up in bed and video chat with his boyfriend.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he quickly pulled it out, half expecting it to be Taehyung. It wasn't, however he still smiled at the message. It was from his parents.

About a week ago, they called him to apologize profusely for their behavior. They told him how much they loved him and how proud they were to call him their son. They admitted to treating Taehyung unfairly and explained how they were in the wrong. It was a confession Jungkook longed for but never expected to receive.

When Jungkook told Taehyung about his parents' apology, the elder revealed how they came to see him. This was shocking news to Jungkook; his parents never mentioned their visit to his boyfriend. Taehyung thought that showed the genuineness of their feelings and was more apt to forgive them. Jungkook was too.

The message on his phone was short and sweet. Saw a clip of your performance in New York. You were amazing! Also, you need a haircut. Love, Mom and Dad.

Jungkook chuckled to himself. His parents always preferred his hair neat and short, but he wanted to try something new. The fine strands now fell over his forehead and into his eyelashes, giving off a slightly disheveled look.

He loved it.

Taehyung loved it as well. During the times they video chatted, the elder always went on and on about his hair. Teasingly, Jungkook would run his fingers through the locks, watching as his boyfriend traced the action with his eyes. They both couldn't wait until Taehyung could do that for himself.

Only two more weeks, if everything went according to plan.

He sent a quick reply to his parents, letting them know they'd have to deal with his hair for a while longer. In the past he might have feared openly refusing their wishes, but now he knew they were going to support him completely. It gave him a sense of freedom he never felt before; he was free from the need to constantly receive their approval.

Jin came up beside him, a drink in one hand and Namjoon's hand in the other.

"I'm surprised you're not on the dance floor with Jimin and Hoseok," the eldest remarked, a wry smile on his face.

They all looked to where the two aforementioned boys were dancing, drawing the applause and cheers from onlookers. Jimin and Hoseok formed a solid friendship of their own over this tour, one that resulted in lots of laughter and jokes. Yoongi often grumbled about the weirdness of it all, but he was secretly grateful they were getting along so well.

"As fun as that sounds, I'm going to head out in a few. I want to call Tae before going live with the fans," Jungkook explained, excitement coating his tone at the thought of hearing Taehyung's voice.

Namjoon nodded in understanding, but Jin shook his head in disagreement.

"What?" Jungkook asked.

"You should stay for a while," Jin answered, downing his drink before placing his hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "Have some fun with us. Tae will understand. In fact, he wants you to live it up."

The youngest shrugged his shoulders with a playful grin. "I have fun with you guys all day everyday. So now I need to go have fun with someone else."

Namjoon groaned, taking a sip of his drink. "Too much information."

"I didn't say anything!" Jungkook laughed. "Not my fault you have a dirty mind."

Jin rolled his eyes but didn't remove his hand from his friend's shoulder. "Stay with us for a little? It'd make me very happy," he goaded, eyebrows raising and smile widening.

Jungkook gave in after a moment. "Fine! But not too late, okay?"

The eldest released his grip and ruffled Jungkook's hair. "Let's go dance!"

Jungkook told the duo he'd be there momentarily as he turned to catch the bartender's attention. He ordered a soda in simple English, leaning his elbows on the counter as he waited. A fancy looking drink was slid in front of him.

"Not mine," Jungkook said to a different bartender, raising his voice in order to be heard. "I ordered a soda."

This new bartender nodded her head to the right. "Someone bought this for you."

Jungkook turned his head to where she indicated, making quick eye contact with a dark haired man. He slid the drink back to the bartender.

"I'm all set."

A pair of hands gripped Jungkook's hips and he jolted, scrambling to get the person's touch off of him.

"I buy you a drink and you don't thank me? Rude," a voice said, barely audible over the loud music.

Jungkook threw his elbow back into the person's chest, causing a grunt to sound from behind him. He was finally released and spun to see the dark haired man bending over.

"It's rude to touch someone without their permission," Jungkook yelled down at him, shooting daggers into the man's head.

He stormed past him, forgetting his soda as he went to find his friends. It was definitely time for him to leave.

But he was stopped by a hand grabbing his bicep. Jungkook was yanked back and stumbled into the man's chest. It only then occurred to him that he could understand what the man was saying perfectly.

A voice caressed his ear, loud and clear and familiar. "Where are you going, baby?"

A gasp escaped Jungkook's mouth as he turned to face the man. But it wasn't just any man.

"Tae?"

Taehyung smiled at him, the gesture lighting up his entire face. Jungkook scanned his eyes over him, growing wide upon seeing the black hair. He hadn't recognized him at first, hadn't been truly looking at any of the people around him.

He only had eyes for Taehyung and now he was here.

Taehyung didn't say anything as he pulled Jungkook to him, claiming his mouth in an intense kiss. They drew closer, chest to chest and hips to hips. Arms wrapped around each other's bodies and lips moved in rhythm. Hands knotted in hair and clothing. It was all a little much for the middle of a bar, but neither particularly cared about the optics at the moment.

Luckily New York was a tolerant city and no one paid them any attention.

The elder ripped his mouth to plant kisses along Jungkook's cheek and jaw. "I've missed you so much, baby."

Jungkook wondered if his heart was going to explode since he was so happy. "Tae . . . god, Tae, are you really here?"

A laugh interrupted the series of kisses being left along the younger's neck. "I'm really here, Kook."

"How?"

Taehyung stopped his assault as he pulled back to look at Jungkook. "I couldn't stay away any longer. So Jin's been helping me plan this all out."

Jungkook felt the urge to run up to Jin and hug him tightly. But that could wait. There were more important matters to attend to now.

"Want to get out of here?" He asked into Taehyung's ear, voice low and sultry.

"Buying you a drink is all it takes, hm?" Taehyung said teasingly, gently biting the younger's earlobe. "So easy."

Jungkook grabbed his hand and pulled Taehyung towards the exit. They hurried through the packed bodies and out into the summer air, quickly flagging down a cab. It was a short but tense ride to the hotel as the two boys did nothing but hold hands.

Once they arrived at the hotel, they practically ran to Jungkook's room, hand in hand and laughing disruptively. Elation washed over them at being back together.

"I want you, baby," Taehyung murmured against Jungkook's mouth when they locked the door behind them. "I need you."

Jungkook kissed him harder as he reached for the hem of the elder's shirt.

"I need you, too."

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《