Two weeks had gone by since Jungkook found out about Taehyung's punishments.

They hadn't talked about the topic since, both knowing how upset Jungkook would get at the reminder.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't ask Taehyung how he was feeling every day when he walked him home after school.

Taehyung's wounds had since healed, but still left behind a few scars along the way.

He never told his mother about what had happened, staying quiet when she asked why his father was glaring at him during dinner.

And like always, she assumed it was Taehyung provoking the pastor's reactions and making him angry.

She would just sigh sadly, hating how her husband and son couldn't get along.

It was a Friday evening when Taehyung went by the bakery for some sweet bread.

He smiled widely when the bell rang over his head and he saw Jimin standing behind the counter ringing up a customer.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Jung have a wonderful evening!" Jimin spoke as the woman made her way out of the bakery.

It was now empty with the exception of Jimin and Taehyung.

"Hey Tae!" Jimin spoke cheerfully as the small boy grabbed a tray.

"Hey Jimin! Has it been busy lately?"

"Not today! I'm so ready to knock out after this!" Jimin groaned as he walked over and flipped over the 'open' sign on the door, signaling that Taehyung was the last customer.

"Oh, there's two red velvet cupcakes left! I'll put them in your bag." Jimin hummed as he took out the last two items from the display shelf.

"Thanks, Jimin." Taehyung grinned happily as he grabbed the last piece of bread.

He walked over to Jimin, waiting for the boy to ring him up as he casually looked around the bakery.

"Hold on let me just prepare the mixes for tomorrow morning. The cake has to be perfect." Jimin squealed as he hurried to mix and prep the ingredients.

"Oh, who's birthday is it now?" Taehyung smiled, wondering if it was the owner of the coffee shop across the street or Mrs. Lee from the shoe repair shop down the road.

Jimin scoffed for a second before laughing lightly, "What are you talking about? Do you not know what day it is tomorrow?"

"It's September first. The year is almost over, can you believe it Chim?" Taehyung sighed casually as he leaned against the counter, making Jimin stop tying up the mixture bags.

"Wait- you seriously don't know?" Jimin's eyes widened.

"Know what?" Taehyung frowned, cocking his head to the side lightly.

"It's Jungkook's nineteenth birthday tomorrow." Jimin practically screeched.

Taehyung froze for a split second, his eyes widening and mouth parting lightly.

It was his boyfriend's birthday tomorrow and he had no idea.

What kind of a boyfriend was he if he didn't even know the day he was born?

But then again Jungkook had failed to mention anything earlier when he walked him home, only making small talk.

"W-What?!" Taehyung gasped, leaning forward to make sure he heard correctly.

"Has he seriously not mentioned anything?" Jimin asked, walking over to help place Taehyung's things into a brown paper bag.

Taehyung shook his head as a panicked look washed over his features, "Oh my gosh Jimin I'm the worst person ever. What am I supposed to get him-?"

"Relax Tae. I'm sure Jungkook does not need a gift of any sort. Tell you what, Yoongi is throwing a house party in honor of Jungkook's birthday tomorrow night. Join us." Jimin smiled.

"I-I don't know if I can go-"

"Okay then can you at least come with Yoongi and I to deliver the cake to his house tomorrow morning?" Jimin pleaded, pout on his lips.

"Okay." Taehyung smiled warily, remembering how his father was going to the town over tomorrow morning and wouldn't return until Sunday just before Mass.

He was hoping he would leave very early so he wouldn't even have to find out Taehyung left the house.

"Great, meet me here at eight tomorrow. Jungkook likes to sleep in." Jimin chirped, handing Taehyung back his change.

Taehyung just nodded his head, feeling an ugly emotion blossom in the pit of his stomach.

How was it that Jimin knew more about Jungkook's sleeping patterns than he did?

He couldn't help but wonder how many other things Jimin knew, that he didn't.

He was quick to shake his head as he left the shop, telling himself that Jimin was just a friend and nothing more.

Besides he had Yoongi hyung.

-

The following morning his father left around seven thirty, Taehyung listening in for the front door to close and the truck to start.

He quickly got dressed and ready to go, only waiting for the truck to pull out of the driveway.

The second he heard the truck's engine getting further away, he opened his bedroom door.

He practically bolted out of his home, and down the street with a small paper wrapped box in hands.

He was sweating lightly by the time he made it to the bakery, bell ringing loudly above his head.

"Good morning, Tae! We were just doing finishing touches!" Jimin greeted happily, despite the fact that it was way too early.

Yoongi hyung was leaned over beside him, cake frosting in hand as he helped decorate.

"Good morning Jimin, Hyung." Taehyung spoke softly, walking over to the two lovebirds.

Yoongi just eyed him for a second before murmuring a very low, "Morning."

"It looks great Jimin!" Taehyung smiled as he eyed the delicious looking cake.

"Thanks! We should probably get going though, just in case Jungkook decides he's had enough sleep." Jimin rolled his eyes jokingly as he took out a box to put the cake in.

They went in Yoongi's truck that was parked outside, making it to Jungkook's house in a matter of ten minutes.

"Oh, you got him a present!" Jimin eyed the box in Taehyung's hand as they parked in front of Jungkook's small home.

"Yeah, i-it's something small." Taehyung dismissed.

"Well, if he asks, I made the cake and brought him the best present ever... You!" Jimin giggled childishly as he carefully carried the cake out of the truck.

Taehyung blushed at his words, following the pair up to Jungkook's front door where Ms. Jeon greeted them with a warm smile.

She greeted Yoongi and Jimin with a hug and a kiss before her eyes landed on Taehyung.

"Hello sweetheart! Thank you so much for being here. Jungkook will be so happy to see you." She gushed as she brought Taehyung into her arms.

Taehyung quickly hugged her back, feeling the motherly love she was giving him.

"Is Jungkook up yet Ms. Jeon?" Jimin asked as they stood by the doorway.

"No, he's still asleep. You boys go on in and surprise him!" She smiled as she ushered them towards Jungkook's bedroom.

"Wait how about me and Yoongi go in with the cake first and then you come in as the grand finale." Jimin suggested quietly, making Taehyung nod at his plan.

He nervously stayed behind the door and watched as Yoongi and Jimin counted to three before bursting through the room with a candle lit cake in hands.

Taehyung smiled softly when he heard them singing happy birthday to Jungkook, hands gripping the small box in hands with a nervous expression on his face.

Soon enough he could hear Jungkook groaning as he was awakened, voice sounding rough and raspy. The sound sending shivers down Taehyung's spine.

He could hear Jimin's loud laugh as Jungkook said something, most likely cursing them for waking him up.

"... There's one more thing, hold on-" Taehyung heard Jimin's voice before his head popped out of the room, eyes landing on Taehyung.

He quickly ushered him over, Taehyung smiling nervously as he hid the box behind his back.

"Surprise!" Jimin called the second Taehyung stepped into the doorway of Jungkook's room.

Taehyung couldn't help but glance around the room curiously, making out the boy's room. It was simple and minimalistic but fit perfectly for Jungkook.

On the other hand, Jungkook's eyes widened at the sight of Taehyung in his room, looking so painfully beautiful whereas his hair was sticking up in different directions and he had on a ratty old shirt.

"Tae." Jungkook spoke, sitting up on his bed and clearing his throat.

"Hi." Taehyung spoke shyly, slowly walking over to Jungkook.

Meanwhile Jimin and Yoongi slowly left the room, giving the boys some privacy.

"I-I, uh, here." Taehyung flushed, taking the box from behind his back and stretching his hand out for Jungkook to take.

The male eyed the box with a look of surprise before smiling softly and gently grabbing Taehyung's hand.

What the smaller boy hadn't been expecting was for Jungkook to yank him onto the bed with him, making Taehyung straddle his lap.

"You didn't have to get me anything." Jungkook whispered against his ear as he lazily ran his hands up and down Taehyung's sides.

Taehyung inhaled shakily as he gripped Jungkook's biceps, closing his eyes shut when he felt Jungkook's lips softly press against his.

He instantly melted, moaning softly as Jungkook's tongue slipped inside his mouth.

They kissed for a few more seconds before Taehyung gently pushed him away, unable to catch his breath.

The small boy felt Jungkook press a kiss to his collarbone before gently groping his ass.

"O-Open it." Taehyung whispered shakily, leaning back but still on Jungkook's lap.

The male smiled warmly at him as he grabbed the box from beside him before slowly taking off the lid.

His brows furrowed before his eyes snapped up to meet Taehyung's.

A small smile was on Taehyung's face upon seeing Jungkook's look of shock.

"Taehyung I-I can't take this." Jungkook spoke, knowing just how much the item inside the box meant to Taehyung.

It was his own personal Bible. The one he carried everywhere; to church, to school, to the store, to town events and charity fairs.

There had not been a single day that Jungkook saw him without it, clutched tightly against his chest.

And now here he was, gifting it to Jungkook of all people.