in a bid for some normalcy, jungkook had promised to return to the studio. a handful of songs ready to be recorded with the hope that at least one would be worthy of putting on the album.

it felt like something that may bridge the gap, the awkwardness, the tip toe around one another, that he had started to have with tae because damn, he missed waking up to that face and sneaking kisses behind namjoon's back.

"taehyung, what are you doing?" the younger appeared in the kitchen, his eyes focused on the task his guest was working on.

with almond eyes he scanned jungkook mysteriously, "why?"

"wanna go for a ride?"

"are you sober enough to drive?"

"i am; i'll prove it you, then serenade you, and then treat you to lunch! how does that sound?" jungkook looked absolutely adorable, his nose scrunched in delight as he pondered the two of them on a proper lunch date.

"serenade me? tempting!" the older graciously took the man's hand, nervously stealing glances as they held them together all the way to the car park, only letting go to climb in. jungkook was quick to replace his touch, his fingers trailing the insides of taehyung's thigh in the most sinister way as he managed to pull onto the crowded streets of seoul.

"where are we going?" tae's lips were moving but his eyes were focused on everything else- the route they were going, the rumble of the car as jungkook accelerated far faster than he ever should have. it was a rush, a thrill, the warmth of his palm leaving tae wild.

"can nothing just be a surprise for you?" jungkook squeezed, just once, a gasp escaping from the passenger seat.

"what was that for?" he turned his attention back to jungkook, his bare neck asking to be ravished despite the fact they were (basically) in public.

"what was what for?" everything he did came across so cheeky, his age evident by his playfulness- it was enchanting.

taehyung leaned forward allowing the warmth of his breath to trail jungkook's earlobe, a layer of moisture bringing his cockiness down a level as he fell submissive to tae's own digits tracing across his shirt.

he was grateful for the red light, a perfect excuse to loop their tongues together, knit fabric that didn't dare try to unravel- at least until honking started happening behind them.

"i missed those lips." jungkook was glad to see the boy settled back in his seat, a smile painted on his swollen face as he held onto the touch he had barely escaped from.

"sorry for being distant."

"sorry for pushing you away- it wasn't my intention." the younger was visibly uncomfortable with apologies, the way the words looped through the air nervously, "i just really don't want you to feel burdened by me. i have already become that for enough people and what we had- what we have, it's fun." his fingers danced against his center console, "refreshing even!"

"i'll never look at you as a burden jungkook." tae steadied his wavering hand, "i think you're remarkable. troubled in the most average sense- you are entitled to a few mistakes as we all are. i just want you to see that you're worthy despite it."

"with you, i feel that i am." it felt odd and cheesy and sappy to roll such a phrase off his tongue but he couldn't help himself, too entranced by the most handsome man he'd ever seen.

neither had seemed to notice they arrived, namjoon standing in annoyance at the back entrance in a bid to get them inside.

"mister grump is here, come on!" jungkook helped tae from the car, the two of them walking to where the purple haired man was standing in confusion.

"you brought tae?"

"figured he should see what goes on in a real recording session! you know he plays the viola like extremely well, right? i can only imagine it's a matter of time before he ends up recording his own album someday!" jungkook looked back with pride, adoration, maybe even a hint of love as he led taehyung inside before settling on the opposing side of the glass.

beneath jungkook's feet were a pile of vintage rugs, a band in the background that was already warming up. he moved a stand over to where he would sit, warming up his vocals in the process.

"it should all be in that folder!" namioon pressed a button from the other side of the glass, motioning for tae to sit in the tiny couch behind them, "find it okay?"

jungkook threw up the okay symbol to indicate he had, "ready when you all are!"

a green light came on overhead, the gentle flow of what was going on behind him no match for the sweet, honey tone that flew off of jungkook's tongue. he was absolute magic, his eyes closed like curtains shielding the world from perfect, afraid that if he dare open them he might spot the most beautiful distraction staring back at him.

and had he opened his eyes he would have known that to be true because taehyung couldn't stop staring. his long legs tucked into his arms as he just stared at the man behind the glass who would occasionally stand from his stool to get closer to the mic or to hit a note just a tad better. he was hypnotized, smitten, the lyrics the same ones the two had worked through in the living room weeks prior but hearing it now was so different.

it was more raw and grounded. filled with more passion, his soul wrapped up in each sound that dare escape. for the first time in months he looked content with himself, in his element, no longer a wandering soul without purpose.

he looked at home.