"Okay" A #taekook drabble where Tae and JK tell each other "okay" throughout the years. This is their story.

-short -friends to lovers -pining -light angst -happy ending

They’re 7 and 9. It’s summer – it spells freedom from school, homework, from annoying classmates and scary teachers. Summer means being able to spend their entire days together, going around town looking for bugs, racing each other, climbing fruit trees.

In the playground across the local mart, there is a large tree that provides generous shade. It’s where Jungkook sits, biting his lip to avoid whimpering. He’s a big boy, and big boys don’t cry.

“That’s just stupid,” Taehyung says matter of factly while putting a band-aid on the cut on Jungkook’s knee. There are blood stains on his shirt from when he tried to wipe clean the wound earlier. “Even Yoongi-hyung cries, and he’s like, 90.”

“Really?” Taehyung nods, sure about his convictions and already wiser than a 9-year-old has any business to be. “So it’s already to cry, okay?” “Kay,” Jungkook sniffs.

The band-aid is in the shape of a cartoon – a blue otter with a white snout and dots for eyes. It looks funny because the character’s face distorts when Jungkook straightens his leg. They both giggle at it.

Much later, when the tree’s shade is no longer needed because the sun is starting to dip down the horizon, Taehyung helps Jungkook up. “Clumsy, clumsy,” he singsongs, teasing.

“Tsk. What will you do without me? When we become as old as Yoongi-hyung, we should get married so I can always patch you up when you get hurt, okay?” Jungkook grins at his hyung.

That would be nice, he thinks. Scraping your knee and getting hurt doesn’t seem so scary as long as he has Taehyung around. “Okay.”

They’re 15 and 17. Jungkook just got dumped by his first girlfriend – well, ex-girlfriend. To be honest, it isn’t all that bad. He didn’t really care about it because he literally never went out with the girl anyway.

He just sort of said “I guess” when she asked if he could be her boyfriend. Then he went on his merry way. Turns out, relationships don’t work like that. She called him insensitive, dull, the worst boyfriend in the world.

Then she left him for his classmate that looked like something formed when a human and a chicken had sex. Jungkook really wouldn’t have cared. It’s not that big of a deal. But Taehyung keeps on throwing him worried glances, and it’s starting to feel humiliating.

“What.” Taehyung startles. “Huh, uh. Nothing. Just – are you sure you’re fine? It’s okay to be sad about this, you know?” “I really am fine, Tae.”

It’s winter now. Christmas is just around the corner, and some of his friends told him it sucks that he’s going to be single during the holidays. Then again, he’s been single for the holidays his entire life, and it really isn’t that bad.

He and Taehyung have this tradition where they eat as much as they can on Christmas eve, sleep over in either of their houses, give each other silly gifts. (Taehyung got him an entire bag of googly eyes last year, so he now has a collection of disconcerting notebooks. Go figure).

Then, on Christmas day, they hike up Achasan and whisper their wishes as the sun rises. Having a girlfriend would only disrupt that tradition. That thought doesn’t sit well with him.

“But aren’t you even a bit sad about it? I mean, it must suck, right? That was your first girlfriend after all.” Jungkook shrugs. He bites off another piece of teokbokki, lets Taehyung wipe the sauce from the side of his mouth with his thumb.

“I mean, I wasn’t even thinking when I agreed to go out with her. Was just like…” “Like?” “Like, going with the flow. Something like that.” Taehyung sighs. “That’s mean, Jungkook-ah. Relationships aren’t something you get into because you’re just going with the flow.

You might have ended up really hurting her, you know.” “Fine. I’ll apologize,” Jungkook grumbles. He never expected to be told off like this. If anything, he thought Taehyung would be happier that he wouldn’t have to compromise their time together in favor of anyone else.

But Taehyung has always been too kind for his own good. “Good.” Taehyung fondly ruffles his hair and tickles his chin. Jungkook makes a show of pushing him away, but they both know just how much Jungkook likes it when Taehyung gets touchy like this.

“And promise me one thing, please," Taehyung says quietly. “Anything.” “Before getting into any relationship, really think about it first, okay? Like, make up your mind before giving your heart away. Make sure that it’s the right person and all that. Okay?” “Okay.”

They are 16 and 18. “Hyung, I’m gay.” “Huh? Oh. Well. Good for you?” “Is that it?” “What?” “Isn’t it, like, weird?” “No? Why would it be? You’re still my Jungkookie.”

“Huh.” “How are you feeling, though?” “Hmm, now that I’ve told you, am actually feeling better than expected.” “Good. And if anybody calls you weird just cause you like boys, let me know so we can have Yoongi-hyung beat them up, okay?” “Heh. Okay.”

They are 21 and 23. Jungkook fucked up. He listened to Taehyung, always have, and he’s just realizing that maybe doing so hadn’t been a good idea.

Years ago, Taehyung told him to only give his heart away after really thinking about it. So he did. He thought about it constantly, weighing pros and cons. Calming down his heart when things got a bit too much.

But he may have spent too much time thinking, not enough time doing. So he fucked up.

It’s almost fall, so the weather’s just on the right side of nippy. The coffee in front of Jungkook has long since turned cold. Jungkook’s been waiting for Taehyung for almost an hour now. He doesn’t really mind it. He’s used to Taehyung being perpetually distracted and late.

It’s one of his charms, one of the things that he’s come to like about this boy who is no longer just his best friend but is also now the love of his life.

The realization came out of nowhere. They were just hanging out in their shared apartment, arguing about who gets the last slice of pizza. Then Taehyung relented, pushing the soggy slice of pizza to Jungkook.

“Gimme a kiss here, as payment,” he said, pointing to his cheek. Despite it being something they often do, that time, Jungkook could not help but realize how lucky he is that he gets to give this gorgeous man kisses whenever he feels like it.

Then Jungkook realized just how often Taehyung lets him have his way, and how cool is that? He knows he’s lucky to have someone who will give him the last slice of pizza with nothing but a kiss on the cheek as payment.

To have someone who will patch him up when needed. Someone who accepts him for who he is. Someone fiercely protective but is graceful enough to let him grow on his own. It’s all Taehyung, and he feels stupid for just realizing after all the years they’ve spent together.

“I’m almost there!” Taehyung screams into the phone. When, eventually, Taehyung barges into the door of the café, Jungkook beams. Then his stomach drops to the floor, taking his heart right along with it.

Taehyung’s all smiles when he approaches the table, his fingers interlaced with someone else’s. “Sorry for being late, Jungkook-ah! Minjae got caught up with some stuff, so I had to wait for him. Did you wait long?”

Minjae seems like a good guy. He listens attentively, laughs at the right moment, even asks about Jungkook. Taehyung looks like he’s having the time of his life. Jungkook wants to hurl. “Kook-ah. You okay? You look pale,” Taehyung asks when Minjae briefly excuses himself.

Jungkook shakes his head. He’s not fine, but he just can’t blurt out his confession, not like this. Taehyung seems to genuinely like Minjae, so Jungkook just has to suck it up and go along with it. “’M fine, Tae.”

Taehyung doesn’t seem to believe him, but he doesn’t push. “You sure? I can call Seokjin-hyung, have him come visit the apartment.” “No need, Tae.”

“Fine. But if you feel any worse, let me know, okay? So we can go home and have you rest as soon as possible.” “Okay.”

They are 22 and 24. “You’ll be okay.” “You think?” “Of course! Minjae ain’t shit. You’ll find someone better, someone who’ll take care of you the way you deserve. Trust me on this, ‘kay?” Finally, a laugh from Taehyung. His first one in over a month. He nods. “Okay.”

They are 23 and 25. They’re drunk, Taehyung more so because while he’s not exactly a lightweight, he and beer do not really mix well together. The side streets of this part of Seoul is lovely this time of night –

quiet, a bit damp due to the light rain earlier in the evening, pleasantly cold but not yet freezing. “I don’t understand what’s wrong with me,” Taehyung slurs. He’s sitting on a horse-shaped spring rider, and he leans on its head. “It’s just failed date after failed date.”

Jungkook simply stands beside his best friend, kicking a stray pebble to distract himself. His heart aches because while he has never been to a failed date, he also has had to witness Taehyung’s countless fruitless attempts to find “the one.”

His friend Jimin keeps telling him to confess, but each time Jungkook tries to do so, Taehyung’s off to meet another guy. This time, it’s a banker who told Taehyung he’s a bit too loud for his taste. Jungkook would like to punch him in the mouth.

“Nothing’s wrong with you, Tae. It’s them.” Taehyung scoffs at that. “Why am I still alone then?” It’s something that hurts Jungkook, Taehyung insisting that he’s alone. Each time it comes up, Jungkook can’t help but feel like his whole existence is irrelevant to Taehyung.

It also makes him fear a future where Taehyung finally finds someone who’d stay. Would Taehyung leave him on his own then, in favor of someone who makes him feel like less lonely?

“You’re not. Fucking blind, maybe, but not alone.” Jungkook knows Taehyung heard him, but he hopes Taehyung won’t know what he means. He intends to confess, but not this way. Taehyung deserves more than a random confession blurted out in a random playground while he’s drunk.

“Y’know what’s weird though?” Taehyung asks out of nowhere, shifting his gaze to Jungkook. “What?” “That you’re still single.” This time, it’s Jungkook who scoffs. “What’s so weird about that?”

“Nothing! Just, you’re a good-looking guy, and you’re basically perfect. Why don’t you find someone?” Jungkook shrugs at that. He’s aware Taehyung might forget about this conversation anyway, and coupled with the comforting cover of darkness, Jungkook finds his courage.

“I don’t have to. I found them, a long time ago. Just trying to find the right time to tell them.” He doesn’t know why Taehyung’s expression falls, but it does. Taehyung stares at him, glassy eyed and a bit sad. “Oh. I didn’t – do I know them?”

“Yes.” “Huh. Okay. Uhm. You’d tell me, right? When you finally confess? Let me know, okay?” A light chuckle escapes Jungkook unbidden. It’s funny, he thinks. Of course Taehyung would know.

At his laughter, Taehyung pouts, and it turns Jungkook into a puddle of whipped goo. Taehyung has no business being this cute. Jungkook laughs some more. “Okay,” he says.

They’re still 23 and 25. It’s winter now. A few months have passed since that conversation in the playground, and it haunts Jungkook for some reason.

Taehyung has stopped dating around, opting to focus on his work instead. It should have brought Jungkook some peace of mind, but it doesn’t because as it turns out, Taehyung remembers every detail of their conversation that night.

“You confessed yet?” Taehyung asks over breakfast. It’s a weekend, with both of them deciding to stay in. Jimin is supposed to drop by later with his new boyfriend, whose identity should still be a mystery.

(They both know it’s Yoongi; he told them as soon as Jimin agreed to go out with him. It made Taehyung shiver because what the hell, that’s his perpetually-90-year-old cousin, for fuck’s sake.)

Jungkook pauses midchew. He glares at Taehyung. “Not yet. Will you stop asking every second? It’s annoying.” “What! I’m curious, okay?” “What’s it to you anyway? Why’re you so invested in this?”

Taehyung grumbles. “Just wanna know who turned you into such a whipped coward is all.” “A coward? What the fuck?” Jungkook drops his spoon on the table. Okay, he might be a coward, but Taehyung, of all people, has no right to call him out on it.

Not when he’s (unknowingly) played such a huge part in having Jungkook delay his confession. “Yeah, exactly, a coward is what you are. What even is holding you back?” “Circumstances.” “Circumstances,” Taehyung echoes. “Huh. Okay, like what?”

“You’re annoying! Stop it!” “I won’t! Not until you give me the juicy details!” This time, Jungkook slams both his hands on the table. He’s getting a headache out of this conversation.

It’s such a nice weekend, with some light snow falling outside. He likes the snow. Absolutely loves it. He thinks about shoving snow into Taehyung’s mouth so he’d shut up. God. He’s being such an annoying little shit this morning, and it’s barely even 9 a.m.

“Okay, want the juicy details?” He asks, raising an eyebrow as a challenge. “Think you can handle it?” “Of course,” Taehyung nods. He sits up straight, and his eyes go wide at how eager he is. There’s a subtle smile that plays on his lips, but he’s biting it down.

Jungkook steels himself. He never wanted to confess this way. He has a whole plan laid out: Taehyung’s birthday, some fairy lights, a song he composed. The /works/. But Taehyung’s annoying, and Jungkook, for the life of him, cannot hold it in much longer.

“If you say so. Here’s the juiciest detail of them all, Kim Taehyung: I love you.”

“I’ve been in love with you for so long that I’m starting to think you’re an idiot for not noticing.” “What? Jungkook-ah, what’re you – what?” Taehyung’s trembling as he stands. It isn’t such a promising response to a confession.

Then again, Jungkook has seen this coming. He already spent years pining after his best friend, so he’s already thought of countless ways that his confession would go.

“I thought you said you could handle it?” he chides, trying to make light of the situation because Taehyung still looks dazed. Taehyung, meanwhile, steps closer to him until he’s standing right in front of Jungkook. Gently, he presses a palm against the younger’s forehead.

“Are you sick?” “What the – I’m not! I’m being serious here!” he lightly pushes Taehyung, who stands his ground despite how confused he is. “Huh. You’re serious. You like me.” “Uhuh. So?” “So, what?” “So, would you go out with me, Kim Taehyung?”

Taehyung nibbles on his lower lip. There’s a soft blush dusting his cheeks, and it looks wonderful. “You sure about this? About liking me?” “I’ve been sure for years now. Never doubted it once. So, once again, let me ask. Will you go out with me?”

The smile that blooms on Taehyung’s face is breathtaking. “Okay.”

“So that’s like, your thing? The ‘okay’?” Jimin asks over lunch. He’s mildly bummed about the whole them-knowing-Yoongi-is-his-boyfriend fiasco, but Jungkook’s managed to calm him down a little.

“What do you mean?” “Like, it’s something you do without really thinking about it? Saying ‘okay’ to each other?” The way Jimin asks shows his genuine curiosity, so he’s not aware of the doubt that slowly settles deep in Jungkook’s gut.

He and Taehyung have been going out for a month now, and so far, it’s been better than he imagined. They still act as best friends do, but this time, they hold hands more often. They cuddle a lot. And each kiss has a new level of meaning to it.

They haven’t progressed from those. Jungkook doesn’t want to rush Taehyung at all. For now he settles on weeping by himself when he thinks about how sexy Taehyung is. But if that Jimin is saying were true, then did Taehyung simply say “okay” to him because it’s their thing?

Because it’s what they’re used to? Was he the only one seeing the new level of meaning to each touch? Each kiss? Jungkook goes home in a daze. Even after a few days have passed, he’s still haunted by that thought.

Right now, as they’re cuddled on their couch mindlessly watching a romcom that Jungkook doesn’t particularly care about, he focuses on Taehyung, wonders about how much of this proximity is friendship. “What’s wrong?”

The question takes Jungkook off-guard. “Huh?” “I can hear you thinking from here,” Taehyung says even though his attention is still on the screen in front of them.

It’s something that they’ve developed over years and years of being together, that innate ability to know how the other feels. It’s why he’s been so confused in the past that Taehyung never noticed that attraction that practically oozed out of him.

He shrugs. He doesn’t want to make a big deal out of this. “Nothing, just. Jimin said some things that got to me.” This time, Taehyung lifts himself up and turns off the TV. Then he sits facing Jungkook. “Tell me?”

There’s something so compelling in the way Taehyung looks at Jungkook, and it makes it so hard for him to say no. He’s always been weak, but to Taehyung, such weakness is magnified.

It’s a wonder Taehyung never took advantage of that, but then again, it’s the kind of man he is. Which is one of the many reasons why Jungkook loves him. “This is going to sound stupid,” Jungkook starts, and it has Taehyung shaking his head.

It’s a wonder Taehyung never took advantage of that, but then again, it’s the kind of man he is. Which is one of the many reasons why Jungkook loves him. “This is going to sound stupid,” Jungkook starts, and it has Taehyung shaking his head.

“Just. Jimin pointed out that between the two of us, agreeing with each other has always been our thing, you know?” Taehyung nods, urges Jungkook to continue. “So I thought. Maybe you just agreed to go out with me because, well, it’s our thing.

We agree with each other. We tell each other ‘okay’ without really thinking.” An uneasy kind of silence settles between them after his little spiel. Taehyung doesn’t move, but there’s a slight furrow on his brows, a downward tug on his lips. He’s annoyed, Jungkook can tell.

“Are you doubting us?” The hurt on Taehyung’s face is evident. Jungkook moves closer to him, a desperate urge to take his words back bubbling up his chest. It’s not that he doubted them being together, not exactly.

“No, Tae,” he breathes. “It’s just that you agreed to go out with me so easily, so I thought –“ “You thought what?” Taehyung snaps. “That I did that without thinking?” “Tae…”

Taehyung takes a deep breath, sighs. There’s sadness that lingers in his eyes as he stares at Jungkook. “First of all, I did not just say ‘okay’ out of nowhere. I thought about it, have been thinking about it since we had that talk in the playground.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I just – I realized then that all my dates failed because in one way or another, I always ended up comparing them to you. Or I always acted based on how I thought you’d like it. So I always ended up looking weird because, well, with you I can be weird, you know?

You make it so easy for me to be myself, and I just, I don’t know. I looked at you differently after that, wondered if I’m being extra awkward. But then you never changed. You still look at me like I’m someone special,

and I thought, well, how lucky would that other person be to have someone like you, you know? I got jealous somehow, only for it to turn out that I was jealous of myself.”

There are tears freely flowing down Jungkook’s face as his heart doubles in size. “C’mere,” he whispers. Taehyung scoots closer to him.

“So don’t you ever dare doubt my feelings again, okay? That shit hurts,” Taehyung grumbles, even as he takes his spot in between Jungkook’s legs, his head nestled on the younger’s chest. It’s warm despite it being winter. Taehyung’s always the best kind of warm.

“Okay,” Jungkook breathes. He kisses the crown of Taehyung’s head for good measure. Taehyung nods to himself. “We’re going to date the shit out of each other, and we won’t ever get tired because we thought about it and we’re right for each other.”

There’s a fuzzy feeling spreading throughout Jungkook, a pleasant buzz that begins from his chest and leaves his fingers tingling. “And then we’ll save money and go to where gay people can get married.” “Okay,” Jungkook sniffles, smiling now despite his tears.

Briefly, Taehyung pulls himself up to glare at Jungkook. “Then we’ll adopt five dogs.” “Two dogs,” Jungkook chuckles, pulling Taehyung back into his arms where he belongs. “Two dogs. I can deal with that. Okay, two dogs, then.” “What else?”

Taehyung hums, thinking. “Maybe we could adopt a kid? You’d make the best dad.” “No, it’s you who’s going to be the best dad, Tae. I’d just, I dunno, grow fat or something.”

“Stop arguing!” Taehyung manages to swat him despite their position. “You’re gonna be the best dad. And we’d have the best family. Because you love me, and I love you. So suck it up and just kiss me.”

Jungkook giggles, giving in because of course he does. “Okay,” he says as he leans closer, losing himself in the best feeling in the world.

~Fin~

Just a little surprise gift because I just noticed that I already have more than 300 followers, and I thought, isn't that wonderful? It may not be much, but it's a huge deal for me. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you stay for the next stories. ILY!