C H A P T E E R

FORTY-ONE:

One year later:

Taehyung was running.

Running down the busy streets of his hometown, weaving his way through the multiple groups of people, dodging the boxes of fruit and vegetables left out in front of stores, trying not to bump into the anomaly of lampposts or fire hydrants placed randomly on the roads. What caused him to be running like this?

Well, it all started a week ago.

Taehyung and Jungkook had gotten into a massive argument, which resulted in the two finally deciding to call it quits. After a year of making it work, it finally ended in a car crash. Literally.

Jungkook was so livid that Taehyung had forgotten about their anniversary, and while arguing about it, Taehyung had driven into a mailbox. And then it had just...ended.

But Taehyung didn't want to let go of the love of his life that easily, oh no. He did everything he could to try and get Jungkook back, and yet, the bratty bunny wouldn't change his mind: Taehyung was no longer allowed to be in Jungkook's life, and that was final. Nothing, yes nothing, was going to change Jungkook's mind.

It didn't help that after that day, Taehyung had received a letter. A letter from a weird address. An address that was somewhere in town, actually, near Taehyung's house. There wasn't a name on the letter, just an address, and on the back, Taehyung's name scribbled on it.

Something had told Taehyung to keep the letter. A gut feeling, or something of the sort. But he couldn't bring himself to open it. He didn't know why, but he just couldn't. Every time he would attempt to pick the envelope up, it would just fall back onto his dresser, left for another couple of hours until he tried to open it once more.

The whole week, Taehyung cried, his heart broken at the fact that Jungkook didn't want Taehyung anymore. It was so tough to see Jungkook and not be able to run up to his bunny (yes, even though they were broken up, Taehyung still saw Jungkook as his) and pick him up, kissing his cute lips until they were swollen and shiny. It was painful to see Jungkook laugh and the reason be anything other than Taehyung.

If only Taehyung had just remembered their anniversary, than none of this would have happened.

And now this stupid, stupid letter. It's as if his life couldn't get any worse. Everything just kept on tumbling into the pile of dread that he was struggling to hold on to.

He was stumbling over himself now, and he didn't know what to do. But the minute that Taehyung had read those cursive words on the letter, the first thought in his mind was, “get Jungkook back,” because without Jungkook, he couldn't possibly do anything.

Taehyung couldn't be strong when he didn't have Jungkook to lean on. He needed his bunny by his side.

And so Taehyung ran, as fast as his legs could possibly take him, running to the park, where Jungkook would take his little sister and mother every weekend. He did this because his sister needed fresh air, and his mother, sadly, had cancer, and so would love to see the nature and everything around her every weekend that she got.

Taehyung had so much respect for Jungkook's mother. She was someone that Taehyung had grown to look up to.

What was in the letter?

Well, first of all, it was written by Taehyung's father:

Dear Taehyung,

– how could I possibly start this letter off. I apologize for taking so long to...well I broke my promise didn't I? I promised to come back. And I didn't. I'm so sorry Taehyung. My boy. My special boy. I'm sorry that I failed as a father. I don't know how I'll ever be able to ask for forgiveness. I don't think I have the right to even speak to you.

– you don't need to read this Taehyung, but I'd love to speak to you. I'd love to see you at least one more time. I want to take some time to tell you everything. And explain how I...just left and why I could never bring myself to come back. I know, I don't have any excuse that will make it right, but I just need to explain to you. I need to apologize to you Taehyung. Writing that I'm sorry doesn't really show how true it is.

– you've probably grown into a man. A better, stronger man that I could be. How could I miss eleven years of my boys life? Every year the number keeps on going like a sequence, and yet I could never bring myself to come back. Because I felt so guilty. But now it's even worse.

– Taehyung, you probably don't need me anymore, and that's fine. But I'd love it we could meet up. I'm in town. Next week at the coffee shop, at two pm. Is that alright with you? I'll be waiting, but you don't need to come if you don't feel the need to. But I would love if I can see the man that you've grown to be. I'd love it if I can see the twinkle in you eyes one last time. And if you never want to see me again...well you won't need to. Please Taehyung.

– if there's any part of you, that wants to see me one last time, just please come. Son, I still love you. You're still my boy. You always have been, you always will be. And I know, I have so much to make up for. But...that doesn't mean I stopped loving you. And I'm sorry that I didn't come back sooner. But...I'm here now. Taehyung. I love you.

– come by the coffee shop at the intersection if you want. Taehyung, remember, that's it's all up to you. I love you.

Love, Kim Jungha

And that was that.

But that's not what Taehyung wanted. He didn't want to see his father who had missed out on so much of his son's life. He didn't even want to think about his father. Because the year that he spent with Jungkook, was a year full of happiness, and yes, there were the occasional fights that would end up with Jungkook throwing the nearest thing possible at Taehyung's head, and Taehyung making up for it by running Jungkook a romantic bubble bath, letting the younger cool down.

But that's the dynamic of Jeon Jungkook and Kim Taehyung. The two just fit together so perfectly.

And if that letter told Taehyung anything, it's that no, he no longer craved for the love of a father figure. He craved a drug called Jungkook. One that took over his body from a single look. God, he was so in love Jungkook that it hurt.

This letter. This random, out of nowhere letter reminded Taehyung that he couldn't give up, when he had so much to fight for. He had his future with Jungkook to fight for. He had his love to fight her. He couldn't just give up because Jungkook was mad at him.

Taehyung didn't need his father anymore. He just needed his beautiful, pretty, strong Jungkook. His diamond.

And so, the older continued to run, and he didn't stop until he reached the park. The midday sun glazing over the trees and grass, making the colour of green feel even stronger. Fresh smell of air and laughter suffocating Taehyung's senses as his eyes frantically searched for his baby.

Standing at the entrance, Taehyung pants, eyes scanning over the park, his eyes not recognizing any of the faces that he was looking at. Until...finally.

With a grin, Taehyung runs up to Jungkook, who was petting a golden retriever, speaking to a random boy by the lake of the park. As Taehyung advances towards Jungkook, his ears perk up at the sound of Jungkook's toned voice, "ah, he's so cute and gentle," he laughs, petting the dog once more.

Taehyung's heart softens.

The boy exchanges a few more words with Jungkook before leaving a smiling Jungkook behind, who was staring at the dog happily.

Taehyung freezes in his tracks. Jungkook looked so beautiful. The sun glowing onto his milky skin, pink lips, messy brown hair with the tips of his hair red. Small body, curved waist that was made for Taehyung's large hands. Oh if only Taehyung had a camera right now. This moment would look so beautiful for a photographer.

And then Taehyung remembers why he's here in the first place. The older walks over to Jungkook, pulling the younger in for a hug. Jungkook squeaks, surprised, body tense before he recognizes Taehyung's musky scent, and suddenly, his body relaxes, melting into his (ex) boyfriend's body. Pushing the older away slightly, Jungkook stares into Taehyung's eyes, "it's taken you long enough," he whispers, entranced with the way Taehyung was staring down at the younger, with the most amount of love and passion he had ever seen in anyone's eyes.

"I'm sorry," Taehyung begins, arms slowly wrapping around Jungkook's tiny waist, pulling the younger in flush against his own body, "I promise, I won't ever forget our anniversary again."

Jungkook smiles cheekily, taking his own hands and throwing them carelessly over Taehyung's broad shoulders, "if we even have another anniversary." Taehyung smiles, but he doesn't laugh, "I'm serious Jungkook. I love you so much that words can't explain it. And I never want to be alone again. Whether it's for a week, or even a minute. I need you by my side."

Jungkook's already big eyes widen, sparkling with happiness at Taehyung's words.

"What's with all of the soppiness?" Jungkook says, resting his head on Taehyung's chest, enjoying the cool warmth radiating off of Taehyung.

"My dad sent me a letter."

Immediately, Jungkook moves away from Taehyung, staring at the older with shock, "what? What did he say?" Taehyung shrugs, handing Jungkook the crumpled paper, letting the younger read it for a minute or two. "Are you going to go meet him?" Jungkook says, looking at his phone to check the time.

"No."

"Why Taehyung? This is all you've ever wanted," Jungkook points out, taking Taehyung's hand and holding in his own.

"Because Koo, I realised that I spent ten years looking for closure, when I had it all along. When I read that letter, I realized that...I don't need anything from my dad at all. When I got that letter I didn't even think about meeting him. I thought about you. And that means that I don't care. I'm over the fact that my dad left me. Every single thought in my mind is about you. Because I'm crazily obsessed with you. Because I fucking love everything about you. So no, I don't need him. And all I've ever wanted is to be with you. And I'm not going to let my stupid choices take part in missing out on having you."

"You're so fucking stupid," Jungkook pants out, tears shining in his eyes as he jumps into his boyfriend's arms, the letter falling out of his hands and onto the floor. "I love you too Koo," Taehyung mumbles, his hands under Jungkook's thighs, holding the boy securely around his waist, Taehyung stares into those twinkly eyes and sees his slightly blurry reflection. That's how it should be.

Everything about Jungkook should scream Kim Taehyung, because that's who Jungkook belonged to. Kim Taehyung.

Taehyung presses his lips against Jungkook's roughly, the younger whining quietly, kissing back with as much force as he could, allowing Taehyung's tongue to massage his own, the two french kissing in public for everyone else to see.

That is until Jungkook pulls away with a pant, looking around him, seeing strangers giving the both of them weird looks, parents covering their kids eyes, and that one friendship group staring at the two with giggles and excitement, weird.

"Taehyung we're in public," Jungkook pants, slightly rutting against Taehyung's body. Taehyung groans, mouthing against Jungkook's neck, setting the younger down, "you're right, all the more reason to get you home, undressed and under me."

Jungkook giggles loudly, being dragged away with Taehyung, yelling at Taehyung. "No! I'm going back to Minnie and mom, you mister, will just have to wait." Jungkook runs away from the older when he makes grabby hands for Jungkook.

Taehyung sulks, shoulders slumping, following after Jungkook, with a smile on his face. A happy smile.

The two were just made for each other.

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| The end |

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