"Are you happy with your new marriage, Mr. Kim?" "Sure." "Oh, is there a lot of love between the two of you?" The woman pushes. "Love?" Taehyung chuckles lightly, and turns to look at his husband. "There's no love. Is there, Jungkook-ssi?" #taekookau [ Minors DNI. ]

Or an AU where Taehyung marries the heir of a big company to protect his own small business, but he expects his husband to at least treat him like a spouse. Jungkook, on the other hand, only sees the marriage as what it is – a business acquisition.

– Big business heir JK x small business owner TH. – Strangers to lovers. – Angst. – NSFW, minors DO NOT read or interact, and DO NOT follow me.

Might write it if there's a lot of interest! What do you think?

[ You know what, let me write a little scene as a preview! Please interact via the QRTs if you can, thank you! ]

Part I

Taehyung can't contain the stretch of his lips, and he's hoping Jungkook doesn't catch him smiling like a fool. Yes, everything has been stressful the past few months. But now, Taehyung can still call his business his own, and he has a new, handsome husband.

Finally, he feels like he can breathe again. He looks out of the window of the car, reminiscing the brutal past few months. Taehyung designs fashion apparel and home decor, and owns a small brand called Vante of his own.

He was in a dire need of funds to continue his business – which is when the Chairman of Jeon Industries stepped in. They offered to invest, and let him publicly retain his name as the business owner if he let them acquire his small brand. Desperate, Taehyung had accepted.

The chairman had asked him to marry his son, too. It would be a nice way to seal the deal, he had said. Taehyung had agreed. He met Jungkook once, and was looking forward to the marriage. Jungkook was attractive even in that first, five minute long meeting.

The wedding ceremony had been small – a gathering of only family and very close friends. Taehyung's parents were happy. Eventually, Taehyung had found happiness in it all too. The ceremony is over, and here they are now, in a car, headed to the airport.

They're supposed to have a mini vacation in Jeju as their honeymoon. A chance to get to know each other a little better. Taehyung really wants to talk, but Jungkook has been on his laptop the whole time.

Taehyung steals a glance at him, and feels his heart flutter a bit. Jungkook is so handsome. Clearing his throat, Taehyung tries to act nonchalant, as he speaks. "The weather is nice today, isn't it?"

Jungkook grabs his coffee, takes a sip of it, and without even looking away from his laptop, nods. Hums. "Yeah, it is." Taehyung's smile dims just a little bit.

But he doesn't give up on trying to make conversation. "Jungkook, have you been to Jeju before?" "Yeah." Jungkook says dryly. "Oh. Do you like it there?" "It's okay I guess." Taehyung sighs. The excitement of going to Jeju is suddenly diminished by a bit.

Taehyung doesn't try to talk to him anymore on their way to the airport. Even as they wait for their flight, Taehyung doesn't say anything. Just sneaks glances as Jungkook works away on his laptop. Who would ever be able to guess that this man is on his honeymoon?

Jungkook is practically a stranger to him, so Taehyung isn't in love with him or something. But he does want the marriage to work – to him, the reasons behind their union doesn't matter. He's willing to put in the effort.

But the effort has to be equal on both sides, and right now, it's frustrating him a little already how Jungkook seems to be lost in his own world. They just got married, and Jungkook hasn't even looked at him properly. Not even once.

Taehyung sighs, fiddling with his bag as he thinks about how people have always showered him with praises because of his good looks and kind nature. And here Jungkook is, acting like Taehyung isn't even present around him. It hurts a little. That's his husband now, after all.

He watches as Jungkook stands up, picks up his bag and finally looks at him, his gaze questioning. "It's time to board the flight... Aren't you...?" "Oh." Taehyung snaps out of his thoughts, and feels like an idiot as he grabs his bag. "Right, yeah. Sorry."

He follows Jungkook, and they get their boarding passes checked before walking into the aerobridge and through it. Taehyung's eyes pop out a little when he steps into the aircraft – it's his first time traveling first class.

He would like for Jungkook to show him around a bit, maybe guide him a little but Jungkook just heads to their seats without saying a word or turning around to look at him. Taehyung realises that it hurts more than it should.

The seats, the amenities – everything is so different from what he's used to. Jungkook settles down in one of the seats, and gestures Taehyung to take the one beside him. Taehyung quickly does, feeling a little out of place.

"Jungkook." He finally says. "I have never travelled first class before." "Oh." Jungkook says, as he presses his phone to his ears. He only slightly turns his face, or Taehyung would think he was on the phone already. "Enjoy first class, then. It's nice."

"Thanks." Taehyung says, frustrated, and looks to the other side. He sighs, and whispers. "That's not what I meant..." "What?" Jungkook finally asks, looking in his direction.

'Nothing, it's just..." Taehyung begins. "I– we're on our honeymoon, and I know this marriage didn't happen out of love, but can we at least act like this is a marriage and not a business deal? Please?" Jungkook frowns, like Taehyung just said something nonsensical. "What?"

"It feels like you hate me or something." Taehyung says, looking away, fighting back tears. "You won't even look at me." "I don't hate you." "Oh, is it?" "Yeah. I just..." Jungkook shrugs. "I'm neutral, I guess? I don't feel anything for you."

Taehyung remembers every single time he's felt physical pain. Somehow, the impact of Jungkook's words right now are comparable. He says it so casually, but they are like an ice cold dagger plunged into Taehyung's heart.

Taehyung looks on, eyes starting to fill up with tears. "Don't get me wrong. I've never been in love, or in a serious relationship." Jungkook says. "And suddenly, one day, I'm married to someone I barely know. I'm just being honest. I can't force myself to pretend."

Taehyung huffs out a soft laugh, as he looks away and nods. "Right. But it doesn't take much to be kind, does it?" "I'm not trying to be unkind." Jungkook frowns. "I'm just telling you the truth. I'm sorry, but if you're looking for love, I can't give you any at the moment."

"I barely know you. I'm not in love with you either." Taehyung says, despite how his throat hurts. "But I'm trying here." Jungkook sighs, rubbing his forehead with his hands. "Don't, then. We can be civil and polite without trying to make a business deal into a marriage."

"A business deal?" Taehyung chuckles sarcastically. "Really? Is that all I am? A business deal?" Jungkook pokes his tongue into his cheek, looking in the other direction. "Let's not talk about this again. End of discussion."

Taehyung's fingers dig into the strap of his bag, and he nods. "Okay, then. Let's not talk about this again." Jungkook doesn't say anything to that, and Taehyung keeps looking down at his bag, feeling like someone is crushing his heart. It's going to be a long hour.

Thankfully, Taehyung manages to sleep through it. He wakes up to an air hostess gently tapping him on his shoulder. "Sir, it's time to de-board the flight. We've already landed." Taehyung looks around. Jungkook isn't there. He frowns, despite his new found knowledge.

"Um, where's...?" Taehyung shifts in place, and asks. He doesn't complete the sentence. Calling Jungkook his husband feels a litte painful right now. "Your husband? Mr. Jeon?" The air hostess asks. "He's waiting for you outside. He's the one who sent me to wake you up."

Taehyung nods, and gets up. He thanks the air hostess, and bows. When he turns around, he sighs and controls the urge to roll his eyes. "At least he had the decency to not run off without me."

When he steps down from the plane, there's Jungkook standing with his hands in his pockets, looking in the other direction. "Couldn't you wake me up yourself?" Taehyung asks, a part of him in the mood to pick a fight.

"You were fast asleep." Jungkook says. "I tried but you wouldn't wake up just with words." "And? You'd have to touch me to wake me up? Is that it?" Taehyung narrows his eyes. "Just so you know, touching me won't give you the cooties."

Jungkook seems to bite the inside of both his cheeks, trying to bite back a smile, perhaps. "Did you just use the word cooties?" Taehyung huffs, dragging his bag with him as he walks off in the other direction. "Let's just get this over with, Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook crosses his arms and stands in place, watching Taehyung as he marches off. "Do you even know the way?' Taehyung stops walking when he realises that he doesn't. Jungkook does. He turns around, and huffs. "I was just trying to get some sun."

Part II

It's a honeymoon suite. Of course, it is. There's rose petals scattered everywhere – on the bed, on the tables, and even in the shape of a small pathway towards the bed. The room screams love, but sadly, that doesn't exist between the two people who are going to use it.

Taehyung watches as Jungkook sets his bag onto the table, and starts unbuttoning his shirt. Taehyung watches as his skin is revealed little by little, wishing he was the one undoing the buttons. But his staring is interrupted when suddenly, his eyes meet Jungkook's.

Taehyung looks away, blushing hard and feeling like his gaze was unwelcome. He clears his throat, and starts to unzip his own bag. "I'm going to take a shower." Jungkook says, and then Taehyung hears his footsteps go from one side of the room to the other.

Taehyung wishes this was a normal honeymoon, where he could maybe ask to join. But this has no semblance to even a normal vacation, let alone a honeymoon. "Don't have to announce it." Taehyung says instead, exasperated.

Maybe he's expecting Jungkook to reply. Perhaps, to sound just as irritated, and to fight back. Even then, it would at least be some kind of an emotionally charged response. But Taehyung gets nothing.

Jungkook doesn't say a word, as he quietly steps into the bathroom and slides the door shut behind himself. Taehyung sits there, letting a tear freely slip out, finally. He feels helpless, because it seems like his marriage is already over before it even had the chance to begin.

[ A/N : Will stop here for tonight! How do you like this AU so far? Please let me know if you'd like to read further! Thank you and good night! ]

Jungkook comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later after taking a shower, and Taehyung hears the shuffling of feet around the room again. This time, it's followed by Jungkook's voice. "I'm done. You can shower now. Umm, the water's still warm, so..."

Taehyung bites on his lower lip – this would have felt great under different circumstances. But as Jungkook made clear earlier, he doesn't feel anything for Taehyung. Nothing. Maybe this is him trying to be civil.

Taehyung stands up and turns around, eyes landing on the bare, sculpted chest and abs in front of him. The water droplets are still splattered all over Jungkook's chest, and he smells so good. So fresh, warm, cozy. He shakes off the thoughts, turning back around immediately.

Taehyung doesn't answer Jungkook. He simply grabs his towel and toiletries, and storms into the bathroom. He pulls the door extra hard, so that Jungkook knows he's mad – he has the immense urge to do that, for some reason, so he does it.

And when the door slams against the wall, Jungkook looks up, startled. He sighs, realising it's a deliberate indication of Taehyung's mood. But Jungkook's got his own shit to sort out in his head, and he can't take care of anyone else at the moment.

How can he look after someone else's feelings when his own thoughts are in shambles? He lies down in bed, and thinks back to when his father first proposed the marriage. Jungkook had only looked at Taehyung's details, a few pictures, and agreed.

He grew up in an environment where he's always seen an abundance of business mergers in the name of marriages. His uncles and aunts, cousins, and even his own brother have been married in favor of business expansions. That's just how it's always been.

If not Taehyung, it would have been someone else. And Jungkook doesn't mind being married as long as they're on the same page. Which he thought him and Taehyung were. He's well aware of why they even wed each other in the first place. Then, what's suddenly wrong?

If he hadn't married Taehyung, his parents would pester him into marrying someone else anyway. So he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. The quicker you rip the band-aid off, the better.

But now, it suddenly seems that Taehyung wants more out of it – and it threw Jungkook off. Hence, his reactions. The words he said. Maybe he was a little too harsh, he thinks, and sighs. He didn't, and would never intend to hurt Taehyung. He would never do that on purpose.

He just doesn't think he's made for love. Nobody who knows him does, either. Since he was young, Jungkook has always been competitive. He has this irrepressible urge to always be the best at everything.

It led him to somehow want to excel in his family business, leaving everyone else behind. Even his own parents. Which, they don't mind at all. In fact, they're quite proud of their youngest son, and Jungkook revels in it. But that's all he's good at.

It's always just been his family, his academics and now, work. Jungkook has never had a lot of friends, or an actual, serious romantic relationship. He doesn't have it in him – he's heard it from everyone he's hooked up with or casually dated for a bit.

"I'm not here to fix damaged goods, Jungkook." "Do you even have a heart in your chest?" "Not everyone's life revolves around work, Jungkook." "Wow, you're pretty selfish." The words used to sting at first, but over time, Jungkook got used to them. Maybe they were all right.

Who would even love a person like that? Taehyung wants to try, but would he be able to fall in love with someone like Jungkook? He wouldn't. Nobody would, just like they haven't until now. He just wishes Taehyung would realise that Jungkook isn't worth falling for.

Just then, he is distracted by the sound of soft sniffles coming from inside the bathroom. Jungkook turns his head to look at the door, eyes fixated on the blurred figure he can make out moving around behind the heavily frosted glass.

Jungkook stares for a moment, before he feels like it's wrong – like it's wrong to stare, even though they're husbands. Jungkook looks in the other direction, and squeezes his eyes shut as Taehyung shifts behind the glass, unaware of Jungkook's thoughts.

And Taehyung is probably crying in there, and Jungkook must be the reason behind it, which just makes it worse. He feels bad, but he doesn't really have anything to give or even offer Taehyung. He doesn't know how to comfort him with something like that.

But when Taehyung comes out a few minutes later, Jungkook automatically opens his eyes again and looks without even trying. It's like a reflex. Taehyung steps out, a towel wrapped around his waist and his dark hair is now a collection of black ringlets dripping with water.

Jungkook's eyes automatically flit to his chest, the soft stomach, and then back up to meet Taehyung's eyes. Jungkook looks at him carefully this time. His face is a little swollen, and his nose and eyes are red. Jungkook feels guilty.

Taehyung holds the gaze for a few seconds, before Jungkook looks away. It's like another stab into Taehyung's heart when he does. Does Jungkook not even like looking at him? Suddenly feeling very unwanted, Taehyung pulls up his t-shirt to cover his chest.

His brows start to draw together as he entertains those thoughts, and he doesn't even know he's frowning until Jungkook talks. "Taehyung-ssi." Jungkook says, his eyes now shut and arms crossed. "Get some–"

"Taehyung-ssi?" Taehyung mocks, as he puts his arms through his t-shirt sleeves and pulls it on over his head. "Really? I don't even get a hyung?" Jungkook bites his lips, watching as Taehyung comes and sits on the edge of the bed. "We have a dinner reservation tonight. Here."

"If you don't want this to feel like a honeymoon, don't do things we would be doing on a honeymoon." Taehyung says, voice low and devoid of energy. Jungkook sighs, just not in the mood to fight. He looks at Taehyung again, and tries more carefully this time.

"Eomma and appa set this up. I didn't." Jungkook says, voice calm and firm. "I don't mind if you want to do your own thing, but if you don't show up, there will be a lot of questions." "They won't know." Taehyung says. "How would they?"

Jungkook takes in a deep breath. "You do know that this hotel belongs to our family, right?" He asks. "Oh..." Taehyung remembers, and realises. "Yeah... I forgot what I married into. Okay, then. Dinner." Jungkook nods.

Taehyung dabs his hair dry with a towel, before he puts it aside and gets into bed. He lies down, and the mattress dips with his weight beside Jungkook. As the sheets rustle beside him, Jungkook feels the urge to ask. To make it a little better, as much as he can.

"Have you..." Jungkook clears his throat, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Been crying?" "Hmm" Taehyung hums, voice low and tired. "But what if I have? Does it matter to you?"

Jungkook sighs. Taehyung is so hard to deal with, but he needs to say it. "I'm sorry." Jungkook says, the words filling the emptiness around them. "Maybe I was too harsh this morning. I didn't... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Taehyung looks at Jungkook at that, because that's not what he was expecting. The apology does feel better than the ice cold words he heard this morning. Taehyung takes a pause, before he speaks. "Okay."

Jungkook nods. "Okay. Go to sleep. We're both tired, and we need to be up in the evening." Taehyung pulls his comforter closer to himself. "Okay." But he doesn't sleep immediately. He stays up for a while, watching Jungkook.

He watches as Jungkook's chest rises and falls as he breathes. He watches the soft contours of his face being outlined by the light that filters in through the window. Jungkook is so beautiful that it hurts to have him close, and still be so far away from him.

Eventually, Taehyung does close his eyes, and before he knows it, he falls asleep. When he wakes up, the bed is empty beside him. He extends his hand out, fingers longingly gliding over the bedsheet where Jungkook was sleeping a few hours ago.

He doesn't want to think where Jungkook might be. Taehyung half expects that he's all alone inside the suite, after Jungkook got tired of waiting for him to wake up and just left. A soft voice startles him seconds later, though.

"Eomma sent these for you to wear." Jungkook says. "To umm, match with my outfit. For the dinner." Taehyung turns around and looks over, to find Jungkook towering over him as he stands by the bed and holds a box in his hands.

He sits up, and takes the box from Jungkook, carefully opening it to see what's inside. "Wow, it's beautiful." Taehyung says, fingers stroking the black silk. "Thank you. I mean, your eomma. Thank her on my behalf, please."

Jungkook nods. "I will let her know. Umm, get dressed, then?" And it's only when Jungkook says it, that Taehyung realises. His eyesight adjusts to the dim light, and he can now see that Jungkook is already dressed. He's wearing a black suit, head to toe, looking handsome.

Taehyung stares for longer than necessary, maybe, which is why Jungkook notices. He throws Taehyung a questioning gaze, albeit, he doesn't look away either. Taehyung breaks eye contact first, and looks down at the box in his hands. "Okay. I'll... I'm going to get dressed now."

The shirt is perfect. It's just Taehyung's style, and it looks good on him. The only problem? It's a little loose on him and keeps falling off, and Taehyung has been struggling with pinning it at the back, because his hands won't reach there.

[ A/N : (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞ We all know what happens next, right? ]

Technically, his hands do reach all parts of his back, but it's pretty hard to pin his shirt neatly that way, and he keeps trying and failing. He doesn't want to put holes in the shirt that Jungkook's mother gifted him.

He even texted Jungkook that he's ready, but here he is, taking so much time with the one thing he thought he'd do in a minute. "I'm back." Jungkook's gentle voice greets him, as he walks in, and looks at Taehyung. "Let's... Oh."

Taehyung pauses, hands awkwardly placed behind himself as he struggles with the safety pin, and turns around to look at Jungkook. He immediately straightens up, embarrassed, but the shirt immediately slips off his shoulders when he does.

His cheeks flush red as he furiously pulls the shirt back up, and turns to face the mirror. "Uhh, it's a little loose. So I was, uh, trying t-to pin it. At the back. B-but it's– I can't." "Do you need help?" Jungkook asks, voice so gentle that Taehyung almost doesn't hear it.

Taehyung turns to look at him, and it does something to his heartbeat that he can't control. He stares blankly, safety pin in his palm. He watches as Jungkook walks closer, until he's able to pick up the safety pin from his palm. His skin is warm, and Taehyung feels tingles.

Jungkook takes a few steps until he's standing behind Taehyung. "Where?" He asks. "In the middle, preferably." Taehyung answers. "Alright." Jungkook says, and clinches the fabric of his shirt tightly.

"N-not that tight." Taehyung says, feeling heat creep up his skin. "Oh." Jungkook says, and releases his grip just by a bit. "Now?" Taehyung nods. Jungkook proceeds to push the safety pin through the fabric, until he manages to make the outfit stay put on Taehyung's body.

"Umm, should I smoothen it out at the waist?" Jungkook asks. Taehyung nods, but this time he's nervous. Jungkook pulls the waistband of Taehyung's dress pants towards himself, and runs his palm over the shirt, along Taehyung's waist, downwards. Taehyung closes his eyes.

Jungkook's fingers are then trapped between Taehyung's shirt and his pants, tight against his waist. He moves them along the waistband a little, before pulling them out. Taehyung wonders if he's the only one who felt like what just happened was electric.

Jungkook steps back, then, and rubs his finger against the bridge of his nose, sniffing. He starts to move away. "Your suit jacket–" Taehyung gently curls his fingers around Jungkook's wrist, and stops him. "Jungkook, wait."

Jungkook stops, a little surprised, and looks right at Taehyung. "Yeah?" "Can we... Does it have to be this way?" Taehyung asks, eyes fixed on where he's holding Jungkook's hand. "You're my husband. Doesn't that mean anything at all?"

Jungkook sighs, unwrapping Taehyung's fingers from around his wrist, but he doesn't let go of Taehyung's hand as he speaks. "Taehyung-ssi. I don't know how to explain it." Jungkook says. "But... Please don't do this to yourself. Don't invest your emotions into me."

Taehyung looks up at him, eyes big and teary and desperate. "We can try, can't we?" "I'm sorry." Jungkook doesn't meet his eye. "If love is what you're looking for, I can't give it to you at the moment."

Taehyung wiggles his hand out of Jungkook's loose grip, nodding. "Okay. So, this is how it's going to be? Am I not going to exist to you at all?" Jungkook sighs, stepping closer. The space between them decreases, as Jungkook plants a hand against the mirror. "That's not it."

Taehyung looks at him, but there's no more hope in his eyes. "Let's just get this dinner over with." Taehyung tries to move, but Jungkook stops him. "Wait. Listen to me."

Taehyung stops, but doesn't look at Jungkook. He turns around, crosses his arms and presses his forehead against the wall, away from Jungkook. He tries hard to hold back his tears, but his lips tremble in doing so.

"I can't exactly give you what a husband typically would." Jungkook begins. "I am not in love with you. And I don't know if I can ever be. But–" "Is this you trying to make me feel better?" Taehyung asks, annoyed. "Stop talking, please."

Jungkook's fingers are firm around Taehyung's arm this time, as he turns him around to face him. The things he's been contemplating all day – it's perhaps time to say them. Jungkook sighs, and speaks. "But... I want to at least try and peacefully co-exist with you."

"Peacefully co-exist?" Taehyung asks. "How? By ignoring my existence?" "No. What are you saying?" Jungkook sighs. "Stop it. Can you please let me finish? I'm really trying here, okay?" Taehyung still doesn't look at him. "Please." Jungkook says. "Look at me, can you?"

Taehyung finally lifts his eyes to look at Jungkook, their faces level with each other. Taehyung feels emotionally exhausted. It's been a taxing day. "What is it, Jungkook?" He asks.

Jungkook thinks about it one more time, even though he's spent the last few hours doing so already. He's scared, and he doesn't know what this decision would ultimately bring him, but he's willing to try. Because if he's trapped in this situation, then so is Taehyung.

It's unfair to Taehyung if Jungkook doesn't try as well. So, Jungkook takes in a deep breath, before he finally speaks it out loud. "Let's get to know each other a little better, first." Jungkook says. "And... we could start doing that during dinner tonight."

[ A/N : I'll stop here for tonight! Hope you enjoyed reading. I hope you're liking this story despite the angst, and I can promise you some positive development in the next update. I would love to hear your thoughts! ]

Taehyung hears the words, processes them. He looks up to face Jungkook. Jungkook's eyes are softer now, and looking right into his own. He's offering Taehyung a chance – a chance towards a better relationship, even if it's not like a typical marriage.

Taehyung calms himself down, and nods. "Okay." He says. "Okay, we... we can do that. I'll be done in a bit." "Okay." Jungkook answers. "I'll wait for you at the door. Taehyung bites his lips. "I'm almost done. You can just... wait here."

Jungkook nods, looking a little awkward himself as he bites his lips and looks anywhere but at Taehyung. He sits down on the edge of the bed, and waits, looking down at his hands. "I'd like you to call me hyung." Taehyung says. Demands. "Taehyung-ssi feels too formal."

Jungkook looks up at him, meeting his eyes through the mirror. "I sure as hell won't call my hus...my husband–" Taehyung chokes back a sob and breaks eye contact. "I won't address my own husband so formally, no matter what the nature of my marriage is."

Jungkook sighs, looking back down at his hands. "I..." Jungkook pauses, thinking how to phrase his words. "Maybe someday. I need some time. We still don't know each other that well, Taehyung-ssi."

Taehyung sighs, and feels the fight leave his body. Maybe this really is a lost battle. His lips stretch in a small, wistful smile. "Okay." Taehyung fastens his watch around his wrist, and makes sure his outfit looks neat. "I'm done. Let's go, Jungkook-ssi."

Jungkook looks at him when he addresses him formally, but all he can bring himself to do is press his lips together, and lead Taehyung outside. He has no idea what dinner is going to be like, because the tension between them just refuses to go away.

Part III

Taehyung stares at all the fancy cutlery spread out in front of him – he seldom uses anything other than chopsticks, and all of this is so unnecessary. He feels a little awkward – it's a huge hotel. His only link to this place is Jungkook.

Jungkook orders for both of them, and as they wait, Taehyung tries to break the ice. "My birthday is on the 30th of December. I like dogs. My parents often say that I'm very soft-hearted." Taehyung says. "I'm...scared of heights. And uhm, I can't swim."

Jungkook stares at him, eyes turning rounder and bigger. It takes him a few seconds to realise that Taehyung is sharing random things about himself. So Jungkook, too, clears his throat, and tries. "Uhh. I... I like..." He sighs. "I like painting."

Taehyung smiles, because at least Jungkook gave him something. "Really? I like painting too." But Jungkook doesn't offer to paint together. Instead, he gives Taehyung more information. "Photography, too. I am good at cooking. I... I like dogs, too."

Taehyung wishes Jungkook would take photos of him, too, someday. "Oh. I can't sleep without hugging something." Jungkook looks up at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Is that why you held onto the cushion for dear life today?"

Taehyung smiles too. He nods, and wishes he could just hug his husband to sleep instead. "Yeah. It was too small, but whatever." "Oh... okay." Jungkook nods, expression neutral again. He clears his throat. "I'll ask them for a body pillow, then."

"Oh... Thanks." Taehyung says, and looks down. For now, that should do. And maybe, he should keep the expectations low. Their food arrives, and Taehyung feels a little intimidated because he isn't used to dining at a place like this.

Jungkook must notice his confusion, because suddenly, Taehyung notices him standing up. Jungkook shifts his chair closer, and sits back down. "This one." He points at a fork. "This is the first course fork, and this one is the main course fork."

Taehyung is usually excellent at absorbing information, but right now, his mind goes blank. Without a warning, Jungkook is suddenly so close to him, that all Taehyung can focus on is the proximity. The way he smells, the sound of his voice, and his presence beside Taehyung.

Taehyung should be looking at the cutlery, but his eyes only follow Jungkook's hands, one of them tattooed, as he explains what each one is. "And if you like your meal you can..." Jungkook pauses, noticing how lost Taehyung looks. "Umm, are you okay?"

"Yeah!" Taehyung snaps out of his thoughts, bringing his hands up to the table. "I'm– oh shit." He accidentally dips his hand into a bowl, and the edge gets coated in a layer of gravy. When he notices it, he panics out of embarrassment and dips his other hand into a bowl, too."

Taehyung shuts his eyes, sighing, as he brings both his hands closer to himself. "I'm sorry, Jungkook. This is so embarrassing." But there's a small smile on Jungkook's face, and it reaches his eyes. "Umm... It's our hotel. It's okay. There's tissues."

Jungkook pulls out a bunch of tissues from the holder on the table, and holds it out. Taehyung looks at them, desperate and confused as to how to go about it, because both his hands are messy now. Jungkook realises it as soon as he looks into Taehyung's eyes.

Licking his lips, Jungkook first curls his fingers around one of Taehyung's wrist, as he wipes the edge of his hand clean. Stopping now and asking him to wipe the other hand would be rude, so Jungkook wipes that one too, his movements slow and gentle.

Taehyung thanks him, still mortified, and Jungkook dismisses it because he doesn't know what else to say. He doesn't mind what he just had to do, either. After that, it's just basic conversation over dinner for the two of them.

"Jungkook-ssi?" A voice interrupts them, and Taehyung looks up to see a man walking towards their table. "It really is you!" "Oh." Jungkook looks like he recognises the person. "Mr. Choi."

"What brings you here?" The man says with a grin, and he's loud and boisterous. Jungkook doesn't look too comfortable, but he wears a smile. "And who is this handsome gentleman with you?" He turns to look at Taehyung and asks. Taehyung looks at Jungkook, awaiting his answer.

"Uh..." Jungkook meets Taehyung's eyes, struggling with his words. "This is my... w-we just got married." Taehyung's face immediately falls a little in disappointment. The fact that Jungkook won't even call him his husband hurts.

"Oh, he's quite handsome." The man says. "So, you're on your honeymoon?" Jungkook nods. At least he nods at that, Taehyung thinks. And after that, he tunes out the conversation. All he can feel is the sting in his heart. It hurts so bad – everything hurts so bad.

One would think they're making progress. But are they really making progress at all? Taehyung feels like he's trapped forever in this loveless, sorry excuse for a marriage. It probably will only get worse over time.

Taehyung is so lost in his thoughts, that he doesn't even notice that the man is already gone. "Let's get back to the suite?" Jungkook asks, and it makes Taehyung snap out of his thoughts. Taehyung doesn't respond. He only gets up, and starts walking off.

Jungkook doesn't call after him, either. He follows Taehyung quietly, not even uttering a word as Taehyung starts with his night routine. Eventually, Taehyung gets into bed without as much as wishing Jungkook a good night.

Jungkook thinks he knows the reason behind this behavior, bur he can't help it yet. He quietly gets into bed a few minutes later, placing the body pillow he got on his way back in between them, before he drifts off to sleep himself.

Part IV

When Taehyung's eyes open, the sunlight has already filled the room up. The light buzz of the air conditioner is the only sound in the room. Taehyung looks at the body pillow he's hugging – was this there when he fell asleep last night?

And then, he looks at the man sleeping next to him. Jungkook looks like an angel when he sleeps, or even just exists, for that matter. Taehyung's heart aches. Jungkook is so close to him, and yet so out of reach. He can't even press a good morning kiss to Jungkook's forehead.

But at least he can watch him, silently like this, to his heart's content. Jungkook stirs a little, and faces Taehyung as his eyes slowly open up. They make eye contact, and Taehyung's eyes go wide, and his heartbeat accelerates.

Jungkook's eyes are still half lidded, but he looks right into Taehyung's eyes. Taehyung doesn't know what Jungkook feels about him watching, and he isn't sure he wants to know. Jungkook looks away slowly, intentionally, and turns to the other side, his face hidden now.

He feels strange because he just doesn't know how to act in this situation. He doesn't know how to respond when someone watches him with such soft eyes. He sighs, and squeezes his eyes shut again. He just doesn't know how to explain himself.

But Taehyung receives the action as another stab to his heart, and his eyes fill up with tears. He holds the body pillow tighter, closer to himself. "I can't even look at you?" He asks, his voice breaking. "Am I not even allowed that? Do you dislike it that much?"

Jungkook sighs. Even if he somehow found a way to explain himself, would Taehyung understand? Just like right now – he didn't eben the say anything, and he's already being misunderstood. "Please don't pick a fight..." Jungkook says, voice low. "That's not why I turned around."

"Picking a fight?" Taehyung scoffs through the tears. Jungkook only sighs in response. Taehyung turns to the other side, too. He doesn't want to look at Jungkook, either. Maybe he should just go out and get some fresh air, all by himself.

They don't speak much after that during the day. Taehyung feels bad that all the smiles and conversations at dinner last night were for nothing. Jungkook is busy on his laptop, probably doing some office related work. Taehyung sits with his iPad, and works on some designs.

Although, there is a difference. Jungkook seems to be really concentrated on his own work. Taehyung, though, has a major distraction he keeps sneaking glances at. It's not his fault that his distraction is so attractive.

The only time they speak is when Jungkook asks him if he wants to eat in, and Taehyung agrees. After lunch, Jungkook takes a nap, but Taehyung stays up. When Jungkook is fast asleep, Taehyung gets up, and puts on a nicer shirt, before heading out noiselessly.

Taehyung heads to the beach all alone, hoping that some fresh air will provide him a much needed break and clear his mind. The scenic beauty of Jeju-do is so amazing, that Taehyung relaxes as soon as he steps onto the beach.

The water is crystal clear, aqua blue. The sand itself is light golden, but there are dark rocks scattered all over. Taehyung smiles without even trying. He pulls up his phone camera, and takes a few shots before sitting down by the rocks in a fairly secluded area.

Taehyung looks from one side to the other, taking in the vast, neverending stretch of the ocean. It's so beautiful, that it makes him forget his pain for a moment. Then, he starts to observe people, just to pass time.

But in a way, it backfires. Because Taehyung realises that there are a lot of couples. Holding hands as they walk along the beach, feeding each other cotton candy, splashing water onto each other. Taehyung smiles, but the scenes in front of him leave him feeling empty.

Taehyung pulls up his phone, and looks at all the pictures everyone has sent him on kakao. Pictures from his wedding, where Jungkook isn't smiling much. When the ceremony was happening, Taehyung thought that maybe, Jungkook was only feeling shy.

He pulls up a picture of just him and Jungkook, right after their vows. Right after they had kissed – Taehyung thought the kiss was quick because Jungkook was feeling bashful. Jungkook smiles a little in this picture, and Taehyung zooms in on his face.

Tears start to spill out of his eyes, and fall on his phone screen, blurring out the picture. Taehyung turns off his phone because he doesn't want to see any more of it. He shoves his phone back into his bag, hugs himself, and cries. He needs to let it out.

The sky is getting darker, and the winds maintain their speed, and Taehyung cries his heart out by the ocean. He sits and weeps, lets his whole body shake as he does. If not anything else, he at least deserves to be able to do this.

The beach gets emptier, so Taehyung allows himself to wail and whimper. But honestly, even if someone does notice, Taehyung doesn't care. He's got much bigger problems to worry about.

Taehyung's head starts to hurt from all the crying, and he should probably head back to the hotel, but he doesn't feel like it. Instead, he stands up, dusts his pants, and sets off to take a walk along the beach.

The sky is a dark shade of grey now, and the winds feel good against his skin. Taehyung hooks one finger on the strap of his crossbody bag, and the other is in his pocket as he walks. He wishes he could do this with Jungkook, but it seems like a crime to even think about it.

Thinking about Jungkook makes the tears come again. Taehyung cries, and his vision blurs a little. Out here by the sea doesn't feel that safe anymore now that it's quite dark and there aren't too many lights, but Taehyung keeps walking.

He doesn't know how or when his feet hits a rock – he couldn't even see it properly, but Taehyung trips, and falls on what seems like a mini bed of rocks by the ocean. "Fuck!" He curses out loud from the pain and the impact of the fall, and is sure he's scraped his palms.

A wave crashes against the rocks at the same time. It was fairly easy to navigate while walking, but as he shifts onto the sand, he feels it disappearing from beneath him along with the waves. Taehyung sinks into the sand a little, and it's too confusing for him not to panic.

He tries to get up, though, but another wave washes over him, the tide having gotten much higher than it was a few hours ago. And soaked till the waist in water, Taehyung starts to panic. His heart starts to beat really fast – he doesn't even know how to swim.

He wouldn't be able to get himself out of this place if the need arises. "Damn it!" He cries again, as the waves keep eroding sand away from under his feet and make him lose his balance. Taehyung feels scared and sad and trapped.

And just when he thinks that he won't be able to get out of this, he sees a beam of light being flashed at him. Suddenly hopeful and desperate for help, Taehyung yells. "Hello? Please help me, I d-don't know how to swim and- the water is..."

He can hear the sound of running over the loud ocean, and tries to stand up himself. The person gets closer and closer, and Taehyung starts to think of ways to thank this person already.

The holds Taehyung by the waist, pulling him until they're away from the water and on sand, and Taehyung pressed to his chest. When Taehyung looks up, he can't see much, but he recognises the voice. "You were here?" Jungkook asks, panting heavily. "I looked for you everywhere!"

[ A/N : Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed the update. ]

"Jungkook?" Taehyung whispers, relief and warmth washing over him even though his skin feels cold from being soaked in water. Without even realising it, Taehyung throws his arms around Jungkook's waist, and buries his head into his chest. "I was so scared, Jungkook."

Taehyung sobs against Jungkook's chest, his whole body shivering. "I didn't know what I'd do if you didn't come here." Jungkook freezes at the sudden hug, but lets Taehyung hold him. He stands still for a few moments, before speaking. "We should get back to the hotel, okay?"

Taehyung nods, slowly sliding his arms off of Jungkook's waist, and wiping his eyes with the back of his hands. And only then does he realise what he just did. Mortified, he bites his lips, and doesn't bring it up – the hug was like a reflex.

Jungkook does hold him by the arm to lead him away from the shore and towards the hotel – even that touch is enough to make Taehyung feel all fuzzy inside. When Taehyung tries to take a step forward, his leg hurts, and it bends as soon as he tries to put pressure on it. "Ouch!"

Jungkook immediately turns to look at him, and lights the flashlight of his phone on Taehyung's leg. His eyes go wide when he notices a bruise. "You hurt your leg." Jungkook says, as he continues to slowly advance, and sighs. "Come here." Taehyung looks at him. "Where?"

Jungkook doesn't answer him. Instead, he makes Taehyung's heart almost leap out of his chest when he snakes his arm around his waist, and pulls him closer until their hips are pressed together. Then, he puts Taehyung's arm around his own shoulder. "Lean on me."

Taehyung bites on his lips, blankly staring at Jungkook, before he listens to him, and puts his weight against Jungkook's body. Jungkook helps him move forward, and Taehyung feels butterflies in his stomach from the way their bodies are touching. Jungkook is all firm muscle.

They finally make it onto concrete, leaving the sand behind. The hotel is just across the road, and Jungkook helps him walk until they get to the hotel's reception. "Hi, can you please send a first aid kit to our suite? Thank you." Jungkook says to the person at the reception.

Taehyung listens without a word, and even though this isn't the ideal situation to be in, he feels like floating right now. Jungkook is so close to him, holding him, helping him when he's hurt. Taehyung feels all giddy inside.

Until they get into the elevator. Jungkook is still holding him, but Taehyung senses a shift now that he can see Jungkook clearly. His expression isn't neutral or anything. In fact, he looks a little pissed off.

Taehyung frowns, a little worried. "Are you mad at me or something?" But Jungkook doesn't say anything. The elevator door opens, and while Jungkook definitely looks angry, he gently helps Taehyung out of the elevator and into their suite.

A hotel staff hands him over the first-aid kit at the door, and Jungkook thanks him before shutting the door. Taehyung is sitting on the edge of the bed, watching as Jungkook walks up to him with the first-aid box in his hand, and crouches down on the floor in front of him.

Jungkook takes some cotton and surgical spirit, and cleans the wounds on Taehyung's ankles. He gently takes Taehyung's hands, and cleans the wounds there too. Taehyung feels like it's not his hands and feet, but his heart that's in Jungkook's hands.

"Jungkook?" He asks again, scared of how Jungkook might respond. Jungkook continues dressing his wounds, but sighs. Gently, but firmly, he asks. "What do you think you were doing out there in the dark when you can't even swim, Taehyung-ssi?"

Taehyung bites his lips and looks down, because he doesn't know what to say. "And you went out when I was sleeping. And, you turned your phone off." Jungkook continues. "Why didn't you just tell me? I'd have taken you to the beach if that's what you wanted to do."

"You..." Taehyung begins, but pauses for a bit, thinking, before he continues to speak. "I didn't think you'd want to go with me." Jungkook sighs, and lowers his head. His hair strands almost touch Taehyung's thighs when he does, and Taehyung feels his heart jump.

"Taehyung-ssi." Jungkook says, looking up at him. "I came here with you. I may not have...romantic feelings, but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave you alone to do the activities you want." "I'm sorry." Taehyung says. "I didn't realise you'd be worried."

Jungkook shows his displeasure by sighing again, as he finishes off the dressing on Taehyung's hands. "I just wanted to get some fresh air. I was upset." Taehyung continues to say. "Because of me?" Jungkook asks, not meeting Taehyung's eyes. Taehyung doesn't Answer. He can't.

"I kept calling you like a crazy obsessed stalker." Jungkook shakes his head. "And also, imagine having to ask the hotel staff if they know where your own husband went." Taehyung shouldn't, but he feels warm inside. Jungkook just called him his husband. His own husband.

"I'm glad I went looking for you at the beach–" Jungkook looks up, and catches Taehyung already looking at him intently. "What?" Taehyung gathers all his courage, and brings his hands up slowly to cup Jungkook's face. "I know you don't, but I like you so much, Jungkook."

Jungkook's eyes go wide, more at the touch than at the words, and he looks at Taehyung's hands, and then back up at him. But, he doesn't move back or push Taehyung's hands away. "And you just called me your husband." Taehyung says.

Taking another look at the hands cupping his cheek, Jungkook awkwardly says. "Yeah... Because we are married?" Taehyung doesn't say anything in response. He keeps looking into Jungkook's eyes with longing in his own, and caresses his cheeks with his thumb.

And Jungkook doesn't know why he can't bring himself to move Taehyung's hands away – he doesn't want to be too rude, but he also doesn't mind as much as he thought. He just doesn't know how to respond to it, so he starts to say random things. "Shouldn't you get changed?"

Taehyung withdraws his hands slowly, feeling a little less bold than before. He nods. "You too. You got wet too." Jungkook stands up quickly, but sneezes as soon as he does. "Damn it." Taehyung looks up, frowning. "You caught a cold already?" "Looks like it." Jungkook nods.

By the time Jungkook gets changed and comes out, Taehyung has already started to undress. He doesn't notice Jungkook at first, as he stands with his bare back facing his husband. Jungkook sees him, and stops in his tracks. His eyes roam all over Taehyung's back on their own.

But then, he sneezes, and Taehyung turns around to look at him, a shirt hanging on his shoulder by the sleeve he's our his hand onto. They look at each other for a while, before Jungkook breaks eye contact and turns to grab the phone instead.

He orders some in-room food delivery, and Taehyung hears him ordering hot soups for both of them. He dresses quickly before Jungkook is done, sneezing himself. As they wait for the food to arrive, they sit quietly, on either edge of the bed, sneezing alternately.

Taehyung grabs his small bag of toiletries and fishes out another small pouch from inside it. He grabs a pill and swallows it with water. Then, he takes another one and walks around the bed, until he's standing in front of Jungkook. "Medicine. For your cold."

Jungkook looks up at him with his huge, round eyes, before looking at Taehyung's palms. This time, Jungkook looks happy even though he doesn't smile. Taehyung can sense it. "Oh, thank you." Jungkook says as he takes the pill from Taehyung. "I uhh, forgot to pack my medicines."

Seeing at as a conversation starter, Taehyung immediately replies. "No worries. I packed enough for both of us." There's a blush on Jungkook's cheeks as he nods and grabs some water, before downing the pill. "That's good. Thank you."

Both of them lie down in bed, the frequency of the sneezes gradually decreasing. But when their hands accidentally brush against each other's, Taehyung can feel Jungkook's skin burning. Immediately, he looks at Jungkook. "You have a fever."

Jungkook sneezes again. "Do I?" Taehyung gets up, and grabs his bag again, pulling out a different pill this time. He pours Jungkook some water in a glass, and then turns to him. Sliding his hand under Jungkook's neck, he helps him sit up.

"It's just a fever." Jungkook says, shying away from meeting Taehyung's eyes. "I can sit up on my own." Taehyung ignores the words, and offers him the medicine. When Jungkook puts it into his mouth, Taehyung holds out the glass for him to drink water from.

Jungkook lies back down, but Taehyung doesn't. Stuffing tissues up his runny nose, sneezing from time to time, he sits by Jungkook's side and watches him. Every few minutes, he asks Jungkook if he needs something, or if he's feeling better. The food arrives soon.

Taehyung receives it, and brings it inside for them. "I can help." Jungkook offers, sitting up. He feels awkward just lying there, doing nothing. "No, I got it." Taehyung says. "Please relax." Jungkook sighs, leaning back against the headboard.

As Taehyung serves portions of the food neatly into a plate, Jungkook just observes him. This is the kind of care he's only ever received from his parents or his brother. The kind of care that's backed by selflessness – Jungkook can't quite process it.

He thinks about how Taehyung's already gotten the security for his business. So that's not what he wants out of this. Despite their clashes and the things Jungkook said, Taehyung is taking care of him. A small part of his heart suddenly cracks a little.

That part opens up when Taehyung comes and sits on the edge of the bed, right by his side, plate in his hand. He looks like he's ready to feed Jungkook with his own hands if need be, but is scared to ask. Jungkook feels a small speck of warmth appear in his chest for Taehyung.

"Uhh..." Taehyung begins, unsure how to ask. "Umm, if you're feeling really feverish, I don't mind feeding you." It makes Jungkook smile, the way he words it. "Okay." Jungkook says. Taehyung looks at him, eyes wide. "Really?"

Jungkook shrugs. "Sure." Taehyung barely manages to conceal his excitement. From the smile he tries to bite back right to his body language, he is so obvious. Jungkook's heart cracks open just a bit more. "Why do you care so much about me? We don't even know each other well."

Taehyung is caught off guard by the question, but it seems like he already has an answer. "But I want to." He says, looking into Jungkook's eyes. "It's not just a business deal to me. I'm attracted to you, and now we're married – why should I not care about you? I want to."

Jungkook is satisfied with the answer, and doesn't ask anything else. Taehyung holds out a ladle full of soup, but Jungkook curls his fingers around his wrist and stops him. He sneezes, and then, pulls Taehyung's wrist towards his mouth, and consumes the soup.

"Nobody except eomma has actually fed me with their own hands before." Jungkook says, looking down. "Appa too, sometimes. When I was younger. But that's it." "Hmm." Taehyung says, feeling fond. "But you haven't been married before either."

Jungkook looks down again. "A lot of the time, I don't know how to respond to certain actions." Taehyung looks at him, surprised at the sudden flow of such intimate conversation. "Like?" "Gestures of affection. I mean, outside of my family, I haven't really known love."

"Have you dated before?" Taehyung asks. Jungkook nods. "A lot, but only casually. Not the kind that leads to anything." Taehyung feels so bad all of a sudden, that he loses all his filters. "I have a lot of love inside me to give."

Jungkook looks up at him, eyes big and round again. "I'm... wait, see, this is exactly the kind of situation I was talking about. Right now, I don't know how to respond to that." Taehyung chuckles softly, looking down at the soup. "The soup's getting cold. Here."

And Jungkook finishes his soup, and then lets Taehyung feed him the rest of the food too. After Jungkook is done, Taehyung serves food on a second plate for himself, and is about to walk over to the other side, when Jungkook grabs his wrist. "Wait... Hyung."

Taehyung stops at once, turning around to look at Jungkook. He's so much in disbelief, wondering if he heard it right, that he can't even bring himself to smile as his first reaction. Taehyung raises his brows. "What... did you just call me?"

Jungkook slides his fingers off Taehyung's wrist immediately, embarrassed. He looks down at his hands, and fiddles with the fabric of his clothes as he sniffles. "Umm, you said you wanted me to call you that..." Jungkook mumbles, and then looks up at Taehyung again, eyes big.

"Yeah, I know, I just..." Taehyung is at a loss for words. "Wow. I– okay, umm. So anyway, what were you saying?" And the words are at the tip of Jungkook's tongue, but he can't bring them out. He just opts for something safer to say. "Just... Thank you. For umm, helping me eat."

"Oh..." Taehyung immediately smiles. "You are my husband after all, now. Whether you like it or not. Of course, it's not a big deal to do something like that for your husband." Jungkook just nods, grabbing some water as Taehyung walks around the bed, and starts to drink it.

"I mean, I'm not going to get divorced within just weeks of my marriage." Taehyung says. "Or ever, at all, if you are okay with it too, of course." Jungkook gulps down the water, and tries again. "Umm, I want to say something."

"Yeah?" Taehyung asks, as he sits down on a sofa across the bed. "I've never actually fed anyone with my own hands before." Jungkook says, eyes fixed on his hands as he picks at the fabric of his sweatpants.

Taehyung takes in a mouthful of food and chews, nodding along to what Jungkook says. "But... If you want me to..." Jungkook says, forcing himself to get the words out as he looks up to meet Taehyung's eyes. "I can... Do it for you."

Taehyung's eyes visibly widen, and he doesn't even hide it. He pauses chewing, the food now making his cheek bulge out on one side. "I mean, you fed me too. And... And..." Jungkook looks back at his own hands. "You're sick too...so... It's okay if you don't want to."

Taehyung chews and swallows his food. "Umm, are you the same person I came here with?" He teases. Jungkook frowns, lips turning into a pout. "Okay, if you don't want–" "No! Wait. I was kidding." "Okay." Jungkook says, the fiddling with his sweatpants getting intense.

Taehyung gets up and walks around the bed to go and sit in front of Jungkook, who is still looking down at his hands. "Here." Taehyung tries to bite back a smile, as he holds out his plate. "You need to look at me first, in order to be able to feed me, you know."

Jungkook first lifts his gaze, without lifting his face up. He takes the plate from Taehyung's hand and then looks at it. Taehyung's heart is beating fast, but he tries to stay calm. Then, Jungkook lifts his gaze again. "Come closer."

Taehyung scoots over, anticipating whatever's about to happen – he can hardly believe it. And if this is all just a beautiful dream, he might as well make the most of it. Jungkook picks up a portion of the food with chopsticks, and holds it in front of Taehyung's mouth.

Taehyung, despite the speed at which his heart is racing, maintains eye contact as he eats it. Pulling back, he looks down, chewing and then swallowing it. "Tastes better now." The corners of Jungkook's lips twitch upwards slightly. So slightly, that Taehyung almost misses it.

As Jungkook feeds him again, he watches Taehyung carefully. "I'm sorry if I came across as too cold the other day." Jungkook says. "I was just... I don't know. Confused? Overwhelmed?" Taehyung swallows the food. "And now?" He asks. "How do you feel?"

"A little less overwhelmed, I guess?" Jungkook says. "I mean, a lot of shit already went down between us. And then we just talked and I feel a little more relaxed." "Me too." Taehyung smiles. "And thank you for trying. I appreciate it."

"And for a good marriage, friendship is an important foundation anyway." Taehyung continues. "So... I think we can at least be friends. Can't we?" Jungkook nods. "Maybe." Taehyung smiles. "Then maybe that's what we will be. And this marriage won't suck as much anymore."

"Oh? This marriage sucks?" Jungkook asks him, but Taehyung can sense the playfulness in his voice. "I mean, I'm sitting here, feeding you with my hands when I haven't done this for anyone before, after I went looking for you at sea and caught a cold, but sure."

Taehyung almost chokes on the food he's eating, trying his best to suppress his laughter. Finally, when he's able to swallow it, he speaks. "Well, not right now. Right now, I'm kind of thrilled, if I'm being honest." He chuckles nervously. "Sorry, Jungkook, am I oversharing?"

"No, no." Jungkook shakes his head. "I prefer listening, so we're good. Keep talking." "Okay, then." "Yeah." "I think you're really hot." Taehyung blurts out. "So I was super excited about the marriage and getting to know you."

Jungkook looks up, startled by the sudden compliment. "Oh. Thank you. Umm, I saw your pictures and...well." "Well?" Taehyung asks, eager. Jungkook doesn't look at him. "I'll just say that after seeing you, I was looking forward to the wedding night." Jungkook teases, smiling.

It's Taehyung's chance to be shocked, blush and then frown all at once. "What do you mean just the wedding night?" "Well, we barely knew each other. There was no emotional connection." Jungkook defends himself. "Anyway, that was my way of saying that you're very handsome."

Taehyung bites back a smile. "And I said that playfully. Now that the conversation is a little...you know. Lighter." Jungkook continues. "Of course, I didn't mean that it's the one thing I wanted from you. No."

Taehyung keeps listening. "Okay." "But then, we started on a bad note. I was anxious about something at work, and a little annoyed, and also not ready to immediately jump into a romantic relationship." Jungkook says. "I'm sorry. I should have been more polite."

"No, I was talking too much." Taehyung says. "And being pushy and annoying." Jungkook shakes his head. "No, I shouldn't have been so blunt. I'm sorry. I'm just–" He sighs. "As you can see, not really the best at expressing my thoughts and feelings."

"I was overwhelmed and not ready, but I should have just told you that nicely." Jungkook says, shaking his head. "I made you cry. Which made me feel horrible, by the way." Taehyung moves forward, risking a caress on Jungkook's knee. "Hey, it's okay. We talked it all out. Relax."

"And...maybe I didn't want it when we started off, and thought this could just be like any other marriage at home. It would work over time, I thought." Jungkook adds. "But you..." "Yeah?" Taehyung asks, heart in his mouth.

"You're so nice..." Jungkook sighs. "And... I just feel like putting in some effort too." "Oh..." Taehyung blushes. "Yeah." Jungkook says. "Sorry. I am a confusing person." "It's okay."

"Instead of just letting it play out however, I want to be a good husband too." Jungkook says. "Because you're trying really hard, and it's not your fault that you married someone like me." "Hey." Taehyung frowns. "Don't talk about yourself that way."

Jungkook lets out a chuckle. "I'm sorry. I'm not good at this. But I hope I was able to convey my thoughts. They're all over the place in there." Jungkook points to his head. "Can you stop apologising?" Taehyung gently scolds him. "I said, it's okay."

And then, a tear slips out of the inner corner of Jungkook's eye, and Taehyung feels his heart drop. "Hey!" He immediately shifts forward, and is very careful as he cups Jungkook's face. When Jungkook doesn't react negatively, he speaks. "Look at me."

Jungkook does. He looks up to face Taehyung. "Umm... I don't know how else to make you feel better." Taehyung says, looking into Jungkook's eyes. "So can I offer you a hug? I give the best hugs."

Their faces are close, and Jungkook takes the opportunity to take a good look at Taehyung's facial features. His piercing but yet soft eyes, the thick brows and lashes, the bridge of his nose, the moles. His lips – Jungkook's eyes get stuck on the lips for a while.

Taehyung catches him staring, and his own heart thuds in his chest. He gets so nervous, that as soon as Jungkook nods, he pulls Jungkook into a hug, so that he doesn't have to look at him anymore. "Whoa!" Jungkook exclaims as their chests collide. "Okay."

But as if it's only natural, they wrap their arms around each other's bodies, slotting together perfectly like two pieces of a puzzle. "You smell nice." Jungkook says, an buries his nose into Taehyung's shoulder. "And you're cuddly."

"And your chest is rock solid muscle." Taehyung says, blushing furiously. "B-but I'm not complaining." And they just keep holding each other like that, until they realise that this is s little too intimate. And yet, nobody moves. They just stay that way, in complete silence.

"D-do you feel better now?" Taehyung tries to break the silence. "After the hug?" "Yeah." Jungkook mumbles. "Okay, so–" Taehyung shifts a little in place. But Jungkook clasps his hands tighter around his waist. "Wait."

Taehyung pulls back a little, just enough to be able to look at Jungkook's face. Jungkook sniffles again, so Taehyung grabs a tissue, and dabs it at the base of his nose. Jungkook frowns, sniffling again. "Does this still make me hot?"

Taehyung chuckles too, and the tension diffuses. He relaxes a little. "I think you're still hot, yes." Taehyung wipes his nose again. "A runny nose cannot dim your shine."

Taehyung pulls back then, and remembers that he completely forgot about the rest of the food. "Oh no, let me just eat quickly. Why don't you...um, lie down? Get some rest." Jungkook nods. "You...will come back to bed, right?"

Taehyung feels his heartbeat accelerate again. "Y-yes. Why?" Jungkook looks up at the ceiling, chewing on his lips. "Just... Talking. It was nice talking to you just now. And that day at dinner, too."

Taehyung nods, pressing his lips together. "Okay, where else would I go? Kind of stuck with you inside this huge suite." He teases. It's beautiful how Jungkook's smile grows at that. "Oh, stuck, are you? You seem to like it."

It's twenty minutes later that Taehyung comes back to bed, and slips into the covers. Jungkook isn't smiling anymore, and is back to his usual, neutral expression. Taehyung hugs his pillow tightly. "Thank you for the body pillow, by the way."

"It's okay." Jungkook says. "You sleep better with it, indeed. Your face looks more content." Taehyung peeks up from above the pillow. "And... how do you know I looked content while I was sleeping?"

Heat immediately rises up Jungkook's cheeks – he didn't think that sentence through. And truly. How does he know? Why does he know? Jungkook gulps, refusing to look at Taehyung right now.

And then, his pulse quickens. He thinks about the very recent development between them. The switch he felt inside him when Taehyung took care of him. The way the attraction suddenly multiplied. Jungkook turns to his side, facing away to hide his blushing face. "No I don't."

Jungkook woke up before Taehyung did, for a few minutes this morning. Taehyung looked so soft as he slept with his face squished against the pillow, that Jungkook just couldn't look away. How is that his fault?

"You watched me sleeping?" Taehyung asks. "And what if I did?" Jungkook says, voice low and whiny. "Nothing. Just good to know." Taehyung says, very calm. Inside, he's screaming.

"You like the sea, don't you?" Jungkook suddenly asks. "Yeah. Can't you tell from the disaster that happened today?" Taehyung chuckles. Jungkook doesn't laugh. He turns around to face Taehyung. "What do you like about the sea?"

"It's calming." Taehyung says, looking into Jungkook's eyes. He wonders if Jungkook will turn cold again when they wake up, or if they'll have another argument. He's scared. "Are you going to go again?" Jungkook asks. "To the beach?"

Taehyung smiles. "I might. You're not going to come running after me again, are you?" "No, I'm not." Taehyung's smile dims a little. "Because I'm the one who's going to take you." Jungkook says.

Taehyung's smile completely vanishes, replaced by an expression of surprise. "Really?" Jungkook nods. "So... Will you go to the beach with me, hyung?"

The smile on Taehyung's face grows, his cheeks rising and turning pink. "Well... if you insist." Taehyung teases. "Okay. I'll go with you."

Jungkook clears his throat. "Because, umm... You know what happened today when you went alone." "Oh." Taehyung nods. "That's why?" "Plus, I also haven't been to the beach yet." Jungkook pulls on the fabric of the pillow he's sleeping on. "Since we came here."

"Okay." Taehyung says, scratching his own pillow too, blushing like crazy, and smiling too. "And uhm." Jungkook looks at Taehyung. "Maybe it would be nice to take a walk along the beach with you." "Oh." Taehyung says, feeling giddy. "Okay. Let's go tomorrow."

"And umm." Jungkook pauses, trying to find the right words to say. "After that, we can eat outside, too." "Is there a specific place you want to go?" Jungkook shrugs, and shakes his head. "Not really." Jungkook says. "It's okay if you choose."

"Okay." Taehyung says. "Let's sleep now." Jungkook sniffles, his nose feeling a little better. He nods. "Okay. Good night, then." They close their eyes, but Taehyung momentarily opens his, to stare at Jungkook. He can't believe how full his heart feels right now.

"Good night." Taehyung says, taking in all of Jungkook's features. If something goes wrong between them again, Taehyung doesn't know how he's going to deal with it. He really hopes things just stay this way, at least.

Part V

Taehyung wakes up extra early. Maybe it's the fact that the sun is bright as it fills up the room, or maybe it's because Taehyung is beyond excited about going to the beach with his husband. His husband. He smiles to himself, playing those words in his head.

He turns to look at Jungkook, who's fast asleep. His chest softly rises and falls as he breathes. He looks peaceful, and Taehyung props up his head on his hand to get a better view. Jungkook unexpectedly stirs, eyes slowly opening and looking right at Taehyung.

Taehyung's eyes go wide, as he's caught red-handed staring at Jungkook. Jungkook shuts his eyes again, the corners of his lips twitching slightly. "Morning. Were you watching me sleep?" Taehyung lies back down. "Don't you do that too?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook sits up in bed, and looks at Taehyung. His eyes are only half-open, and his voice is deep and groggy when he speaks. "When did you wake up?" "I just woke up too." Taehyung says, but he keeps lying down. That way, he has a good view of Jungkook's back and biceps.

"Do you feel better?" Jungkook asks, running his hands through his hair and rubbing his face. He stretches, and his muscles flex, leaving Taehyung blushing. He bites his lips, and looks away. "Yeah. Much better. You?"

Jungkook nods. "Me too. I feel much better. Do you want to go shower first?" "We can save water if we go together." Taehyung mumbles in a low voice. "Hmm?" Jungkook turns to look at him. "I'm going first." Taehyung says, louder and more audible this time.

Jungkook nods, and gets out of bed. He pulls on his t-shirt and takes it off in one movement. Taehyung almost trips because he's too focused on staring rather than looking where he's going.

"Ow!" Taehyung says, anchoring himself with his hand against the bed. Jungkook turns around, brows raised. "I almost tripped." Taehyung blurts out. "Uhm, I'm going." Jungkook stares, eyes big, and blinks. "Okay..."

Taehyung showers and comes out, towel wrapped around his waist. Before heading into the bedroom, he stops to think for a while. Jungkook took his shirt off in front of him. So going in front of him like this should be okay, he thinks. Nervously, he takes steps towards the room.

Biting his lips, he looks at the floor as he walks towards the bed. Jungkook looks up from his phone, and this time, he lets himself look at Taehyung. His body is broad framed, but soft and lean, and his limbs and fingers are slender and beautiful. Jungkook stares, observing.

Taehyung notices him from the corner of his eyes, and his cheeks burn. "What? I don't have abs like you do." Jungkook looks away, embarrassed. "You don't need to have abs to look good." Taehyung hums. "It's nice. Umm. I mean, you look nice. Like this too." Jungkook blurts out.

"I mean–" Jungkook looks up, alarmed at his own words, and wonders if it sounded wrong. "I meant, you don't need to change anything. It's good. Your body." Then, he sighs, because it just keeps sounding worse.

But Taehyung doesn't mind. He keeps smiling to himself as he puts on clothes. "You should go shower, too." "Yes, I should definitely go." Jungkook says, and rushes towards the bathroom, face red with embarrassment.

Part VI

"It's so beautiful." Taehyung smiles, breathing out, as they stand in front of the ocean. Jungkook should be looking at the ocean too, but he finds himself stealing glances at his husband more often than he would expect himself to.

"It's chilly out here." Jungkook says, looking around. "But it's nice." Taehyung grabs his wrist without warning, and tugs. "Take your shoes off, roll your trousers up, and let's get into the water." Jungkook stares at him. "What?" "What?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook is frowning, but after a moment, he crouches down to roll his pants up, and then, he takes his shoes off. Picking them up, he looks at Taehyung. "I have never actually done this before." Taehyung looks at him, eyes wide. "Then you must, with me."

"But what have you always done at the beach, then?" Taehyung asks him, confused. "Sat by the ocean and read books. Sometimes, I used to lay under the sun." Jungkook says. "My life sounds boring now that I think about it." "Don't worry." Taehyung smiles. "Come with me."

"Aren't you a non-swimmer?" Jungkook asks. "You sound pretty ecstatic." "We aren't going to go in deep!" Taehyung says. "Besides, you're here with me. So I'm not worried." Jungkook is caught off-guard with those words, and finds his heartbeat accelerate.

There's not a lot of people around, and the only sound is that of the ocean and the winds. So, it seems strangely intimate to have this conversation and to share these moments with Taehyung. If anything, the little soft spot in Jungkook's heart for him grows just a little more.

It's a little scary, how this person is digging up more and more space to occupy in his heart, and how Jungkook just lets him. How Jungkook kind of wants to know if Taehyung would let him do the same in his heart – and wow, maybe Jungkook should stop thinking.

He lets Taehyung pull him towards the water, kind of in a trance where everything else blurs out. Is this how people fall for other people like this? Suddenly, and yet so smoothly? Not jarring at all? A little overwhelming, but somehow, comforting, too.

"Aaaaaand!" Taehyung runs into the water, taking Jungkook with him, and the water splashes as he walks into the wave. "There! Come on!" Jungkook stands there awkwardly, not sure what to do, but his heart feels light and relaxed right now.

Taehyung seems to be having a lot of fun, kicking his legs into the water and splashing it all over the place. Jungkook feels content watching him, and feels giddy from the way Taehyung holds onto him, like he knows Jungkook will protect him.

"Kick your legs!" Taehyung says, laughing. "Why are you just standing?" Jungkook looks around. "It's silly." "Well, yeah!" Taehyung says. "Silly is fun!" Jungkook takes in a deep breath, and kicks. The water splashes all over them, making Taehyung even more excited.

And watching him so full of life, exuding so much positive energy, Jungkook wants to be a part of whatever it is, too. He feels it radiate onto him too. Jungkook crouches down, scoops some water up, and splashes it all over Taehyung. "Is that silly enough for you?" He chuckles.

Taehyung is startled, and his mouth falls open in pleasant surprise. He immediately bends down and scoops up water too, with both his hands, and throws it at Jungkook. Jungkook doesn't even budge. Just shuts his eyes, and then runs his fingers through his hair that's now wet.

Taehyung stills at that, watching his husband with heart eyes. Jungkook is extremely handsome, and very distracting. "I work out. A lot." Jungkook says. "I can lift you up and throw you into the water, you know?"

"You wouldn't." Taehyung looks away, blushing. "I know you won't." Amused, Jungkook chuckles. "I'm going to go sit by the rocks now." "Okay. I want to be here for some more time." Jungkook rubs his nose. "Maybe move a little bit more towards the sand, then?"

Seeing Jungkook worried makes Taehyung's heart turn into mush. "Okay. Don't worry. I'll be safe." "Okay." Jungkook says, stepping away. "Umm. I'll be watching, I guess? Don't... don't get too deep into the water."

Jungkook goes and sits down on a rock, and leans back to get a good view of the sea. And, well, Taehyung. Taehyung is still enjoying the way the waves keep crashing against his feet. Jungkook smiles, and pulls out his phone. He holds it up, and takes a picture quickly.

He's looking at the picture he took, zooming in fondly, when he notices two women staring at his husband. They seem to be talking among themselves, and then one of them seems to frequently steal glances at Taehyung. Jungkook frowns.

He stands up, shoves his phone into his pocket, and casually walks back to where Taehyung is. He goes and stands beside him in such a way that completely obstructs the women's view of Taehyung.

He doesn't fully understand his actions, but he finds great satisfaction in doing what he just did. He smirks to himself. "What?" Taehyung asks. "Are you finally ready to have a water fight?" Jungkook shrugs. "Just..." He says, unable to lie. "Nothing."

"Are you done?" Jungkook asks. "Don't you want to eat?" "Oh yes, I'm so hungry." Taehyung says, stepping away from the water. Jungkook grabs his wrist as they turn around to walk back. He throws one glance at the women, as he speaks to Taehyung. "Let's go, I found a place."

"What? Already?" Taehyung says. "Can't we just get some food and eat here for now?" The women walk away eventually. Jungkook feels good about it. "Okay. Let me see if anyone delivers here."

Jungkook orders some light food for them, and they just take a walk by the ocean. Taehyung notices that there's a lot of couples, doing things couples do. And now that wrist holding is getting a little normal with Jungkook, Taehyung wants more, too.

Jungkook notices too, obviously. But he only gets shy, knowing Taehyung is watching the same things. A couple grab each other as they fall into the water, and Jungkook has to look away and bite back a smile. It's making him feel some kind of way.

Jungkook picks up the food he had ordered, and they decide to walk until they find a good place to sit and eat. On the way, they see a couple kissing openly, so passionately, that both Jungkook and Taehyung get a little awkward, faces flushed as they walk.

They finally find somewhere, and both of them agree because subconsciously they like the fact that there's nobody else around. For what reason, they don't fully know. Both want privacy without even realising it.

They sit down, opening their takeaway packs. Digging chopsticks into the food, they start to eating. Taehyung intentionally smears some sauce at the corner of his lips, feeling bold.

They chat about random topics as they eat, but when Jungkook finally notices, he stills for a moment, eyes falling into Taehyung's lips. Jungkook points at his own lips with his chopsticks. "You've got something there."

Taehyung looks at him, brows raised, as he touches every spot on his face except where he knows it is. "Oh." He says, pouting, and looks at Jungkook. "What is it? Where?"

Jungkook scoots closer carefully, and points towards Taehyung's lips. "Here." He says, and his eyes never leave Taehyung's lips. Taehyung looks at him, a clueless expression on his face. "Do you want me to...?" Jungkook asks, unsure if Taehyung will let him.

"Yeah, please." Taehyung says, maintaining a straight face. "Sorry about being messy." Jungkook grabs a tissue that came with the food, and leans in very close. Carefully, he dabs at the corner of Taehyung's lips with the tissue, and that's when their eyes meet, too.

Their faces are so close, that Taehyung feels like he's either going to freeze for a bit, or his heart might just jump out of his chest. This, he did not think through. He keeps staring into Jungkook's eyes as he dabs away.

"It's done." Jungkook says, moving his hand away, but neither does he pull back, nor does he stop staring at Taehyung's face. And Taehyung, charged with all these feelings that make his heart flutter way too much, blurts out. "I want to know what it feels like to kiss you."

Jungkook looks startled, and his eyes grow slightly bigger, before he shifts his gaze back to Taehyung's lips, taking in a deep breath. Then, he leans closer, gently cups Taehyung's jaw, and closes the distance between their lips.

The kiss is quick, and lasts only a few seconds. Jungkook pulls back immediately, surprised at himself, wondering what just possessed him. Taehyung looks surprised too, eyes wide when he opens them. Jungkook moves back into position, and looks at the food. "There. Now you know."

Taehyung stares at Jungkook, stunned and wide eyed. His fingers fly up to his lips, and he touches them, as if he just can't believe what happened. He can still feel Jungkook's lips on his own, even though the kiss was only a few seconds.

Jungkook seamlessly goes back to eating. But he doesn't look at Taehyung anymore. Neither does he say anything else. He just keeps eating, his heart beating at a million miles per minute. What had he just done?

How could he give in to his curiosity so easily? They were slowly fostering a friendship and maybe with his impulsive actions, he just ruined it. Jungkook feels nervous all of a sudden.

For a moment, Jungkook gets trapped in his thoughts again, and isn't all that relaxed anymore. "Um, I'm done." Jungkook says. "We should head back to the hotel." And Taehyung is a little surprised. Why is Jungkook acting like he didn't just kiss him?

Taehyung gets up too, and as Jungkook leads the way and doesn't even look at him or even talk much anymore, Taehyung feels a shift again. He sighs. Why did he even hope?

"Are you okay?" Jungkook asks him once they reach the hotel. Taehyung is a little annoyed. "Are you?" "I'm sorry. I was a little impulsive with the..." Jungkook begins. "The kiss. I shouldn't have." Taehyung bites his lip, feeling frustrated. Why does Jungkook regret it?

"I think I got a little carried away." Jungkook continues. Taehyung turns around to face him, and crosses his arms. "Can you please make up your mind?" "My mind is made up." Jungkook says. "But I slipped for a second." "And?" Taehyung asks. "Do you regret it?"

Just then, a middle aged woman rings the bell, and walks in for room service when Jungkook opens the door. "I heard you're newly married." She smiles, trying to make conversation. Taehyung smiles forcefully, and nods.

"Are you happy with your new marriage, Mr. Kim?" "Sure." "Oh, is there a lot of love between the two of you?" The woman pushes. "Love?" Taehyung chuckles lightly, and turns to look at his husband. "There's no love. Is there, Jungkook-ssi?"

Taehyung sounds annoyed – very annoyed. Jungkook's own confusion regarding the kiss, coupled with Taehyung's reaction right now – it's all a little overwhelming. And he does not like it.

Maybe, it's not as big a deal as he's making it out to be. So, Jungkook puts on a small smile, and moves to go and stand near Taehyung. He takes a risk, and puts an arm around Taehyung's shoulder, smiling at the woman. "As you can see, my husband is a little angry with me."

The woman giggles as she wraps up her work in their room. "So adorable. Newly married and bickering already. I hope you're having a great honeymoon." Jungkook smiles at her, but Taehyung is staring at him, surprised, and a little tingly all over from the touch.

When she leaves, Jungkook shuts the door, but Taehyung is glaring at him when he comes back inside. "What was that?" Taehyung asks. "What are you trying to do?" Jungkook sighs. "Hyung, I–" He begins. "I don't regret the kiss, okay?"

Taehyung crosses his arms, and lowers his eyes. "You're acting like you do." "No, I don't." Jungkook says, firm. "And that's what's overwhelming me. How quickly I gave in. I can't believe it." "But... it's okay." Taehyung says. "I liked it. Didn't you?"

"Well..." Jungkook begins. Taehyung feels nervous, and looks at Jungkook, trying to make out what he's feeling from the expression on his face. "How can I answer that?" Jungkook chews on his lip. "It was too short for me to decide."

Taehyung walks up to him, cups his face, and looks into his eyes. Gently, carefully, he chooses the words to say. "Then, do it again, and make it longer this time."

[ A/N : I'll update again tomorrow! Everyone, enjoy new year's eve! ]

Jungkook looks into Taehyung's eyes, and with trembling fingers, cups his face too. "Are you sure?" He asks Taehyung. Taehyung nods. "I'm sure." Jungkook's eyes flit to his lips.

And then, he slowly leans in, until their lips are almost brushing against each other's. "If I'm being honest." Jungkook whispers. "I've been wondering what it'd feel like if I kissed you longer, too." Taehyung shivers. And then, Jungkook presses his lips to Taehyung's.

And sure enough, this time, he devours Taehyung's mouth. Sure enough, he goes at it for more than just a few seconds. His hands travel down to Taehyung's waist, and he pulls him even closer – if that's even possible.

Taehyung grunts into his mouth at the impact, and Jungkook immediately pulls back, and looks at him with concern. "Too intense?" Taehyung immediately shakes his head, and pulls Jungkook closer by the neck. "No, it's perfect. You're perfect." And he kisses Jungkook again.

Taehyung deepens the kiss, asking for entrance, but Jungkook surprises him when he himself darts his tongue into Taehyung's mouth. Taehyung wraps his arms around Jungkook's shoulder, and gently pushes him backwards with his body.

Taehyung keeps going until Jungkook's back hits a wall, and then, he breaks the kiss to catch a breath. "Is it... is it okay?" Taehyung gulps, looking into Jungkook's eyes. "The kiss? So far?" "Shh." Jungkook pouts. "Don't interrupt." And then, he leans in again.

Taehyung can't even help but smile as he closes the gap between their lips one more time, and continues kissing Jungkook. In his mind, he wonders if it's just a dream.

The doorbell to their suite rings, and both of them jerk away from each other, eyes wide. As Taehyung steps back and wipes his mouth, Jungkook clears his throat, not even looking at him. "I'll... I'll go see who it is."

[ A/N : Sorry, I'm just not feeling it tonight. I have the whole scene planned out but I'm unable to put my mind into writing today. I hope you understand. I promise, they have a sweet couple of scenes coming up, and a happy ending. I'll try to continue asap. :) ]

Taehyung nods, and Jungkook goes to get the door. As he disappears out of sight, Taehyung lets out the breath he's been holding in. He whispers to himself. "Wow, fuck. He's good."

He fixes his shirt which is very much displaced on his body by now, and brushes his fingers through his hair before Jungkook comes back. When Jungkook does a moment later, he's holding bottles of water in his hand. "Room service."

"Oh..." Taehyung says, taking steps forward to take the bottles from Jungkook's hands. "Okay. I'll keep it on the table." Jungkook lets him, and as Taehyung turns around, Jungkook follows his every move with his eyes, heart racing.

"So..." Taehyung says, wiping his hands at his sides unnecessarily. He nervously chuckles. "D-do you...want to....umm, lie down? Go to bed?" Jungkook nods vehemently. "Y-yeah, we should....yeah. I'm going to go change into something more comfortable."

Taehyung watches as Jungkook starts to walk towards the bathroom. In another moment of boldness, Taehyung blurts it out. "Jungkook!" Taehyung says, heart throbbing against his chest. "You can just change here. It's okay... Right? I mean... I don't mind."

"Oh." Jungkook stops in his tracks. "H-here?" Taehyung nods. "Umm, you don't mind?" Jungkook asks, a little nervous. "Really?" "I kind of...umm." Taehyung contemplates, but then says it. "I would love to watch."

Jungkook bites his lower lip, cheeks flushing pink. "You want to watch me? Change?" Taehyung looks down at his hands, and starts to pick at his sleeves. "You have a nice body. Why... wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I..." Jungkook begins, turning back around to approach Taehyung. "I can help you take it off too." Taehyung says, looking up at Jungkook again. "If you're okay with it."

And suddenly, Jungkook doesn't know how to act, and his eyes go wide. "Wait, I mean, just take it off and then put something else on. It sounded very wrong." Taehyung says, although he wouldn't mind what it sounded like.

Jungkook looks down at his shirt buttons, and then looks back up at Taehyung. He feels nervous, but takes another step forward towards Taehyung. "Okay."

Taehyung steps forward too, and extends shaky fingers towards Jungkook's shirt. He can't even look him in the eye when he starts to undo the buttons. When he's on the third button, Jungkook suddenly says, in a low voice. "You're pretty."

Taehyung lets out a chuckle, and his heart goes crazy at the words. "You're p-pretty too and whoa–" Taehyung exclaims, as Jungkook's shirt parts to expose his abs. "Wow." Jungkook's feeling shy, but he also doesn't want this to stop. "You can...touch them."

Without hesitation, Taehyung puts his palm against Jungkook's abs gently. "Wow." He says, as his slides his hand upwards, until it lands in between both of Jungkook's very toned pectoral muscles. "Oh, whoa." At that, Jungkook chuckles. "The shirt is still on me."

"Oh." Taehyung says, pulling the sleeves off of Jungkook's arms. As he does, he looks right into Jungkook's eyes. "There you go..." And Jungkook knows he's going to kiss Taehyung again if he spends one more second like this. So, he nods, and steps back. "Thank you."

Taehyung nods, and sits down on the edge of the bed. "I'll change too." Jungkook stops in his tracks. "And...do you need help too?" Taehyung turns to look at him, surprised. "I mean." Jungkook says, not looking at Taehyung. "I don't mind either."

Part VII

Taehyung is already in bed, changed into his pajamas, holding onto the body pillow. Jungkook is in the bathroom, and as Taehyung waits for him, it feels like his heart tries to jump out of his chest every few seconds. When the bathroom door opens, Taehyung takes a deep breath.

Jungkook walks towards the bed, and sits down on the other side. The mattress dips with his weight, and Taehyung feels hyper aware of every single thing happening next to him. Jungkook lies down, and now, there's just the body pillow separating them.

"So you always need pillows to hug when you sleep." Jungkook says suddenly. Taehyung peeks up from his pillow. "Hmm. I have to hold onto something." Jungkook nods. "So like, just pillows?" Jungkook says. "Those are the only things that work for you?"

Taehyung keeps looking at him. "What do you mean?" "Have you ever tried hugging a person...when you sleep?" Jungkook asks.

"Never had the chance." Taehyung says, heart beating at a million miles per minute. He's ready to throw the pillow away if only Jungkook asks just once. Jungkook hums. "I see."

Taehyung digs his fingers into the pillow, ready with his grip, about to ask Jungkook if he means what Taehyung thinks he mean. But Jungkook turns to his side to face Taehyung, gently grabs the pillow, and asks. "Do you mind if I remove this pillow from in between us?"

"Yeah?" Taehyung asks, already pushing the pillow away. Jungkook hums. "It would be a shame if you had to use a pillow to hold onto when I'm... Right here."

"Y-you want me to remove it?" Taehyung asks, and he immediately picks the pillow up and throws it to the other side of the bed. "There. It's gone." Jungkook bites his lower lip. "Come closer, please."

Taehyung scoots forward, their faces just inches away now. "Here I am." He says, as he lets his eyes travel to Jungkook's lips. Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung's waist, and gently pulls him closer to himself. "Is this okay?"

"Uh huh." Taehyung says, their faces almost touching. "It's okay." "Or you can turn around if you want." Jungkook suggests. Taehyung shakes his head. "No, no." He says, and then asks. "Can I just bury my face in between your chest muscles instead?"

Jungkook looks into his eyes, a little confused. "Bury... what into my what?" He asks, amused. "Ahahhahahaha." Taehyung shuts his eyes and pretends to laugh. "I was only just kidding, Jungkook-ssi."

Before Jungkook can say anything else, Taehyung just puts his arms around Jungkook's shoulders, and hugs him. He is mortified, and doesn't want to face Jungkook. But Jungkook's embrace is so warm, that all his thoughts melt away.

"Hyung?" Jungkook says. "Can I say something?" Taehyung nods. "Of course." Jungkook clears his throat, and pulls Taehyung even closer. "The last few days... I mean, our honeymoon." "Mhm hmm." Taehyung lazily says. "What about it?"

"I had a good time. With you. Because of you." Jungkook says. "Despite how it started out. And I'm still sorry about that." Taehyung takes a moment to process the words. Then, after taking in a deep breath, he speaks. "You had a good time with me?"

Jungkook nods. "And I got to know you better... Which was really nice. A lot of my thoughts changed. About certain stuff." Taehyung nods. "I see." "And um, I like how you've been making me feel." Jungkook admits. Taehyung buries his face further into Jungkook's neck. "Really?"

"Yeah." Jungkook says. "I like how I feel when I'm with you. I haven't..." Jungkook pauses to think. "I've never felt like my partners were listening to me. Until you did. Everyone else just... misunderstood." Taehyung's heart hurts. "Okay, but you have hyung now. Okay?"

Jungkook nods. "Thank you." Taehyung hums. "Can I kiss you here?" He points to Jungkook's neck. "I'm feeling really tempted." Jungkook smiles. "Do whatever you want to." Jungkook says. "Kiss me wherever you want."

Taehyung doesn't even wait another second, and presses a kiss to Jungkook's neck. Then, he smiles against his neck as he hugs him. "You're so warm to hold." "Yeah?" Jungkook asks. "Better than the pillow?"

"Much better." Taehyung says. "The pillow doesn't even compare." "Okay." Jungkook says. "Get used to sleeping without pillows then, maybe."

Taehyung has to control himself from shrieking out loud. "Okay." He says, instead. Jungkook unexpectedly brings one of his hands up to hold Taehyung's, and then bring their joined hands in between their bodies. "Hyung... Thank you. I had a great time with you here."

"Me too." Taehyung says, and then teases a little. "And I'm glad I'm able to kiss and hold my husband now, at least." "Umm." Jungkook says. "Your husband would let you do more, for sure."

"Would he?" Taehyung brings his face out to look at Jungkook, and this time, neither of them shy away from eye contact. Jungkook nods. "Hyung. I think... I want our marriage to work. And I'm willing to give it a try. So... do you want to try with me?"

[ A/N : I hope the update was decent! I'm really sleepy so I'll stop here, but I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading! Good night. ]

A small smile grows across Taehyung's lips, and maybe, his eyes are suddenly a little moist. Spending time together can work its magic, after all. "Yeah? You want to?" Taehyung says, cupping Jungkook's face, eyes very watery now. "I want to, as well."

Jungkook looks relieved, as if he was scared that Taehyung would say no. He pulls Taehyung closer, and presses a kiss to his neck. "Thank you for giving me a chance, and thank you for staying even when I wasn't at my best behavior."

Taehyung gently scratches the back of his hair. "It's okay. I'm glad I could touch your heart." "Mhm." Jungkook says, and there's a hint of playfulness in his voice now. "You can touch me in a lot of other places if you want to."

Part VIII

When they fly back to Seoul, Taehyung notices a massive change from the time they were flying to Jeju. Jungkook's laptop and phone are forgotten, his body is angled towards Taehyung, and he talks a lot. He even initiates conversation, tries to ask questions.

Jungkook stares a lot, smiles a lot more. He touches Taehyung, focuses his attention on him. So much so, that Taehyung wonders if he's really leaving with the same person he went on his honeymoon with.

"Who are you?" Taehyung teases. "And what have you done to the man I married?" "Me? I am the man you married." Jungkook chuckles. "But you did something to me." "What?" "Listened. Understood. Made your way to my heart."

Taehyung smiles fondly at him, leaning his face against the airplane seat. "I better not be dreaming." Jungkook nods, and procees to pinch Taehyung hard on the arm. "Ow!" Taehyung exclaims. "What the fuck?" "See? You're not dreaming." Jungkook laughs, throwing his head back.

Back at home, Jungkook wraps his arm around Taehyung's waist when they visit his parents. He does address him as hyung, but sometimes, when he says 'my husband', Taehyung feels his heart buzz with excitement.

When they meet Taehyung's parents, he is just as gentle, just as cheerful. And once they're done visiting the parents, it's Taehyung's turn to move in with Jungkook. When he first walks in, his eyes bulge out. "This is where you live? Alone?"

"Not anymore." Jungkook hooks his chin onto Taehyung's shoulder and holds him from behind. "I have you now." But Taehyung doesn't pay him any heed, swatting his hands away. "Oh my God. It's a penthouse. The view?!"

Jungkook watches, offended, hands still hanging in the air. "Excuse me?" Jungkook says. "How is a penthouse apartment more interesting than your husband trying to hold you?"

Taehyung goes and stands by the window, pressing his face closer until his nose hits the glass. "Whoa." Taehyung says. "Your house is amazing." Jungkook clears his throat. "Our... house." He says, his own heart fluttering. "It's ours, now."

"Can I just stay here by the window, all the time?" Taehyung asks. "I'm serious, I will sleep here, I love it so much." Jungkook laughs, throwing his head back, before he suddenly stops. "No, you can't." Taehyung frowns at him. "You'll sleep with me, in my bed." Jungkook says.

Taehyung lets out a chuckle, rolling his eyes. "I was kidding, Jungkook. Obviously, I'm not going to sleep here." "Yeah!" Jungkook chuckles too, shoving his hands into his pockets, sniffing. "I...know."

Taehyung looks around, delighted, until his eyes fall on one specific painting. "Wait. That's my painting." Jungkook looks at it too, and smiles. "Yeah. I thought it looks great here." "And that one too." Taehyung notices. "And that's....a vase I designed." Jungkook nods.

"Jungkook." Taehyung looks around, finding his work scattered all over the place. "Your house filled with stuff I designed" "Well..." Jungkook shrugs. "I was the one who suggested the idea of the brand acquisition, after all. I really liked your designs."

"Were you in love with me or something?" Taehyung teases. Jungkook laughs and shakes his head. "No, but I was in love with your designs." "Disappointing answer." "As far as being in love with you is concerned, though." Jungkook says. "I think I'll get there soon, too."

One month later.

Taehyung is nervous. It's his first time attending one of Jungkook's press conference meetings. This one's for a new product launch. He's a part of the audience, sitting in the back somewhere, completely incognito.

The press conference starts, but Taehyung's heartbeat doesn't get any slower. Watching Jungkook speak like that, in front of so many people – so confidently, when he's so introverted in general, it's so attractive.

At one point, Taehyung completely zones out and no words get through to his brain. All he can focus on is Jungkook. Jungkook's smile, Jungkook's voice. The way Jungkook moves his hands when he tries to explain something.

He snaps out of his trance when Jungkook says a certain sentence. "And I want to thank someone special too, separately." Suddenly, Taehyung is all ears. His stomach feels funny, and his heartbeat is at its peak speed

Whispers and murmurs erupt around Taehyung in the audience. "Mr. Jeon is talking about someone special?" "Last person I expected to hear something romantic from." "Is Mr. Jeon okay? This is so unlike him." "He's smiling so much. He never smiles." "Did he marry for love?"

Taehyung's heart swells. He looks back at the stage again, where Jungkook continues speaking. "I never thought I'd experience romantic love. But it came to me unexpectedly, in the form of the warmest person, when I got married." Jungkook says.

"He didn't break down my walls." Jungkook continues. "He sat and waited until I was comfortable enough to take the bricks off one by one myself. The concrete must have hurt him, but he waited." Taehyung takes a deep breath, trying to hold back his tears.

"And ever since I let him in, he brought in so much light with himself." Jungkook smiles fondly, looking into the distance, completely lovestruck. "He makes me want to be better everyday. I love him so much." Taehyung's heart freezes in his chest.

"He isn't here today, but I'd still like to thank Kim Taehyung for coming into my life." Jungkook says. "Some of you may know him as the creator of Vante–" "Jungkook!" Taehyung stands up, fighting his tears. "I'm... I'm here."

Jungkook's eyes visibly go wide. "H-hyung? What are you– didn't you have to go work at your studio today?" But Taehyung is already walking towards him, climbing clumsily onto the stage until he can rush to where Jungkook is, and engulf him in a soul- crushing hug.

"I love you too." Taehyung whispers into the hug, close enough to Jungkook's ears for him to hear, and holding onto him for dear life. "I'm about to cry." But it seems like it's quite audible, because everyone erupts in cheers and starts to clap.

Taehyung immediately pulls back, face red, and bows to the crowd. "Sorry for interrupting. Got a little emotional for a while there. I'll go back down." He tries to move, but Jungkook grabs his wrist. "There's no need. Stay."

He pulls Taehyung closer by the waist, and presses a kiss to his cheek. "My husband." Jungkook says. "Kim Taehyung, everyone. Please look kindly upon him, and please wish us the best."

Taehyung turns to look at him, smiling. "Thank you for all your words. They're beautiful." Jungkook leans in closer, and whispers, teasing. "I didn't tell them about the parts of our honeymoon where you sometimes were like a snarky tiger, ready to come at me."

Taehyung gently smacks him on his back, where nobody can see. There's a big smile plastered across his face, as he says. "Keep quiet." "Make me." "Let's get home, and I'll show you." "Mr. Jeon." Someone clears their throat. "You...you have a microphone on."

Taehyung laughs so hard at that, that his eyes turn into crescents and his dark curls bounce around his head. He's so beautiful, no matter what expression he wears on his face, but especially like this. And Jungkook just wonders how he lived his life all these years without him.

[ A/N : The end! Thank you for reading this story, and I would love to know your thoughts. ]