Chapter Text
“URGHGHGH, if I could I’d simply chomp on their hands.” Says the younger, leading to Jin breaking out in a loud bout of laughter. When Taehyung had rushed to the venue of the inter-university debate competition and Jin had to stay behind to look for parking, he’d despised the person who had apparently parked right in front of them just moments ago, while they’d sped all the way to try to get there first, only for all of it to be in vain.
A couple of months ago, Taehyung had bumped headfirst into a blond man as he was rushing towards his class with his head in his bag looking for something. He had almost made the other drop their coffee but this blond also had to be among the chillest people he had met in a bit, for the other was asking after his well-being, and then they were both on their ways, only to somehow keep running into each other frequently.
Jimin, as Tae had come to know him, or ‘Chim-Chim,’ as he’d grown to call him, had been beautiful at first sight and had simply grown on him as the days had passed. Jimin often spoke of his dongsaeng, but Taehyung somehow always happened to miss the dongsaeng by moments.
Shopping in the grocery store with Namjoon was a task that allowed him to relax, but one time, when someone had all too suddenly almost crashed into his trolley full of vegetables and cartons of milk, Taehyung’s heart had nearly popped out of his chest. However, the person, by sheer luck, had redirected their movement and slipped down towards a rather open area where a small man with a hoodie covering his face in broad daylight helped the other regain their balance. The undone shoelaces from their chunky black boots were to blame.
Taehyung had to complete an assignment, and he'd been told that the last copy of the book he needed from the library had been borrowed by someone weeks ago. However, after lounging around and sulking in the book aisles, he’d seen a person walk up to the counter mere hours later and return the book, which he’d then happily borrowed to proceed with his work.
A five-year-old Taehyung had poked at the cheek of a toddler when he’d been out playing in the sandpitat the park and rushed up to his mother to tell her about the child with mochi-like soft cheeks and teeth that reminded him of bunnies.
Fate had had them cross each other's paths a couple dozen times over the two decades of their lives. They had mutual friends and common hangout spots. They shared common interests and even mutual dislikes for certain people. However, it was not until the volunteering drive for the beautification of the local park over a long weekend that the two ran into each other and had to exist in the company of the other.
It was mutual scorn on both parts, or so they thought. To Jungkook, Taehyung was a menace. The other was immediately liked by all since he put in a lot of effort , the other went the extra mile and kept people around him happy, which, according to the younger’s perspective wasn’t needed, and the older simply didn’t need to make it tough for others.
Taehyung had been intrigued to say the least; he’d put in effort to befriend those he was to work with, but one Jeon Jungkook simply kept to himself, turned down all possible attempts to interact and only scowled at him at all times.
Them being put in one team had been a nightmare neither had wanted to be a part of or so they thought. However, an unassuming bout of rain, an unfortunate trip down a relatively deep puddle, a sprained ankle and a simple act of decency would change things.
That was five years ago today, and they had come to call it their ‘trip and fall’ anniversary and embarrassed as one was, the other was simply endeared, much like he had been years ago.
Jungkook had been the textbook introvert with a determination to excel at all challenges, eager to learn but sometimes tough to communicate with. Taehyung was the social butterfly that people gravitated towards and tended to be in awe of. The opposites attract or so people say; however, today Taehyung was feeling the attraction a little more.
They had visited a party the last evening, and simply put, Jungkook had looked mesmerizing. Dashing in his crisp coat and fitted slacks, the shirt fit him well, and the younger had been growing his hair, which had been gently coaxing Taehyung towards insanity. A bit of styling did wonders and quite a number on Taehyung’s fragile heart.
The curls that Jungkook’s hair naturally formed had him willing to caress the younger’s locks more often, and these days Taehyung just pinched himself as a reminder that this was all real and it was his husband. Jungkook was his husband, and wanting the company of his husband was all right. He sometimes reigned in his want for at times when they departed for work all the elder wanted to do was go back to the younger and be in his presence.
His beloved called him biased and often chuckled when the elder whined and got clingy. Biased he might be, but to him, what were men if not devoted to their beloved? Sue him. He was a man in love and found none as breathtaking as the love of his life.
From his sighs of amusement at his husband in love to his shy smiles whenever he caught Taehyung looking at him fondly, Jungkook was no less starry-eyed when it came to his Taehyung. From loaded glances and inside jokes to short quips and stolen kisses, every day was something new or perhaps not.
Life with Taehyung mostly felt like a warm, calming, grounding hug with some questionable decor choices, but Jungkook was in on the ride of a lifetime, for nothing held a candle to what they had. It was sacred, precious and much cherished.
Jungkook found competing to be fun; the effort that went into preparing for a challenge or the rush that came with winning were unique experiences. But things could sometimes feel overwhelming. People could be dumb, and on some days, time just won’t pass. The past few years taught Jungkook to slow down and embrace the hugs from his beloved, take a breath, and relax before diving headfirst into something next. With Taehyung, the world did not feel so loud, and when it did, Jungkook allowed himself, or was learning to allow himself, that peaceful existence.
Taehyung had many ways in which he expressed his affection; sometimes it was warm bear hugs, the other times, it was a plethora of kisses. Sometimes, surprises were small trinkets, while other times he had elaborate itineraries for the two to follow through the day as they unwound from their packed schedules. A shared calendar could do wonders when it came to bypassing hectic routines and making time for themselves to exist and be in each other's company.
While Taehyung thrived in spontaneity, Jungkook liked his lists and curated approach with a lot of care for details. It is why Taehyung followed the calendar, and sometimes unexpected time blocks were simply an elaborate lunch or a trip to the park for long walks to unwind or simply a shared pottery class for the two to learn together and enjoy.
The clock showed 4:30 am, and while it was too early for them to be awake, Taehyung had lost his sleep to fondness; the hour and twenty minutes he’d allowed himself to doze off seemed enough for now as he looked at the love of his life. Face partially squished into his favorite pillow, swaddled in a hoodie-blanket, his bunny teeth showing, his shoulder-length curly locks lightly framing his face.
The party had been fun, with friends and acquaintances; however, there was little that could rival the charm of his darling. Taehyung simply fondly gazes at his lover as the other sleeps, and the endearment in his heart for the other multiplies. Taehyung feels lucky; his lover sees him, is patient with him, is present for him and stands with him in times that feel tough. The five years have seen them at their highs and lows, and they’ve fought and made up, even kissed a lot in the process, but the devotion Taehyung feels today is almost compelling—to care, to pamper and to provide for his lover.
He gently reaches out to boop the younger’s nose and finds himself giggling all too quietly. It was perhaps the tiredness, some would have said, but it had simply been building: the admiration, adoration, and the urge to revere his lover.
Taehyung adored the early morning groggy Jungkook, who was no less than a big teddy bear, always up for cuddling and blanket-swaddled hugs. He loved the satiated Jungkook after a meal, who loved to lay on the couch, content and at ease, often breaking down the ingredients that would have gone into the dishes he ate.
Taehyung lies on his side for a bit, facing Jungkook as he takes in the face of the younger, the pouty lips, lashes brushing against his cheeks, the lightest dusting of freckles on his nose, the mole under his lips, and the tiny scar on his face. The younger’s existence simply brings Taehyung joy.
He is endeared by Jungkook, who seeks him out when feeling overwhelmed. He loves seeing the younger’s eyes light up when he finds something he likes a lot. He knows the frown upon the face of the younger, who appreciates a good snack and the awkward laugh the younger fakes when he’s unwilling to socialize.
Taehyung allows his fingers to skim over Jungkook’s face lightly; the other simply remains unmoving. However, the urge to hide his lover in his arms and keep him safe from the world grows within the elder. Tugging up the blanket and readjusting the air conditioning in the room, Taehyung ensures that Jungkook is comfortably tucked in before he slips out of the bed longingly, deciding to start the day ahead of the other.