Chapter Text
Jungkook loved flowers. Especially roses.
In the woods, there was a meadow with thousands of colorful wildflowers. The two brothers were spending most of their time there, picking flowers, making wreaths, or swimming in the lake when the summer heat was unbearable.
Also, they liked watching the sunset from a cliff, while eating ice cream or fresh-picked berries from their straw basket. In winter, they enjoyed playing snowball fights or making snowmen and Jungkook loved running in the snow while Taehyung was chasing him from behind in the middle of the silent woods.
On Halloween, they would carve pumpkins, go trick-or-treating, and then eat their candies while watching the sunset from that cliff.
Their current childhood was carefree and simply amazing. But it wasn’t always like this. They were sent to live with their grandmother after their parents died in a horrible accident and she took full custody of the boys as the only living relative.
Their grandmother’s house was located outside of the town. It was a rural and peaceful area near the woods. It was the complete opposite of where Jungkook and Taehyung used to live in the big city and it took them years to get used to this new life. It was hard.
But it was a start.
✩*˙˚°✰ ✧˖*°⋆⑅˚₊✩⁺˚☾⋆⁺₊˚.⋆♡.
Jungkook was 11 years old and Taehyung was 13 years old when Jungkook received his first flower.
They were sitting in the middle of the meadow, making a bouquet of wildflowers while Jungkook was humming a tune.
“Kookie?”
“Hm?” Jungkook lifted his head from his lap full of fresh-cut flowers to look at Taehyung.
“This is for you.”
Taehyung was holding a red wild rose in his hand while smiling with his eyes closed and Jungkook was left speechless for a second as he was looking at the rose.
“Aww Tae this is so beautiful!! Thank you!!!” Jungkook exclaimed happily as he grabbed the rose and hugged Taehyung, knocking the flowers off his lap.
Taehyung laughed. “I’m so glad you like it,” he said and his cheeks dusted a shade of pink.
“I love it!!” Jungkook brought the rose to his nose, inhaling the sweet scent with a smile. “And it smells amazing too.”
Taehyung watched as Jungkook was smelling the rose.
“Do you want to go for a swim?” he asked suddenly.
It was in the middle of August.
“Okay,” Jungkook said and they both stood up.
They walked down the path hand in hand, with all the flowers in their straw basket, until they saw the lake. It was big and deep and their grandmother forbade them from swimming deeper in the turquoise waters.
Taehyung placed the basket down and they both stripped off their clothes and underwear.
Jungkook didn’t feel shy when he was naked in front of Taehyung. He was his brother after all and he trusted him dearly. He felt comfortable around him.
Taehyung was quick as he dived into the turquoise water. He emerged on the surface and splashed water on Jungkook.
Jungkook shrieked. “Don’t do that, Tae. It’s cold.”
“It’s fine. Come here.”
Jungkook shook his head. “You’re lying. It’s cold.”
“It’s not. Come here.” Taehyung outstretched his hand for Jungkook to take it.
Jungkook didn’t know how to swim. He was just learning with a lot of help from his brother. Taehyung had learned to swim from their dad when they were on vacation. But Jungkook preferred to sunbathe next to their mother at the beach.
“Put your legs around my waist like you did last time,” Taehyung instructed and Jungkook locked his legs around his waist tightly, grabbing Taehyung’s neck for dear life.
“Not too tight,” Taehyung whined.
“But I’m scared.”
“You don’t have to be when I’m with you,” Taehyung assured him and Jungkook trusted him. “Okay.”
“Am I heavy?” Jungkook asked hesitantly.
“You weigh like a feather.”
Jungkook let Taehyung wrap his hands securely around his tiny waist as he started going deeper into the lake.
“Not too deep. Grandma said-“
“I know what she said. I’m not going too deep, Kookie. Just want to show you how to swim,” he said as the water rippled around them.
No one was visiting the lake. It was too far away from the town and people avoided the woods.
“Okay, I think here it’s just fine,” Taehyung stopped swimming. “Now, feel the water around you and try not to let gravity take you down. Relax your limbs little by little.”
Jungkook panicked and gripped his legs around his brother’s waist tighter. “Please don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going to leave you until you’re ready.”
Taehyung started twirling them slowly in the water for Jungkook to get used to the feeling of swimming.
Jungkook closed his eyes and rested his head against Taehyung’s neck.
It was late afternoon and the sun was setting behind the trees, bathing the two brothers with golden rays of light that created a shimmering reflection on the water. The leaves were rustling by a gentle breeze and Jungkook felt at peace in Taehyung’s embrace.
It was so quiet and peaceful.
“Are you dozing off on me, Kookie?” Taehyung’s smooth voice vibrated in his chest. Jungkook had noticed the changes in his brother’s voice as he was growing up.
“Hmm…” Jungkook hummed.
Taehyung chuckled. “It will get dark pretty soon. We need to leave or else grandma will get worried.”
“Just a little more…” Jungkook whispered against Taehyung’s neck.
“But you didn’t try to swim. Not even a little.” Taehyung pouted.
“It’s okay. Let’s do it next time.”
Taehyung traced small circles with his fingers on Jungkook’s back creating patterns, “Next time you’re going to swim.”
And Jungkook smiled.
They stayed like that a little longer until the sun was completely gone and they got out of the water. The sky was painted in dark pink and purple shades.
After they got dressed and picked up their basket with flowers, they held hands again and walked back to their house as fireflies lit up their path.
˚°✰
When their house came into view, the old blue pickup truck was already parked outside their front yard. Their grandmother was using it mostly to drive in town for shopping and to run errands.
“She’s here,” Jungkook said as he bit his bottom lip nervously. “I hope she’s not mad.”
“She’s always mad when we’re late,” Taehyung sighed and reached up to ruffle Jungkook’s hair.
When they opened the door, their grandma welcomed them with a frown. “I was worried. You’re late. I was ready to search for you.”
“It’s Kookie’s fault, grandma. He didn’t want to learn how to swim,” Taehyung said as he tossed off his shoes.
Jungkook gasped. “How dare you snitch on me like this?”
Their grandma sighed, “You boys went to the lake again? You need to bathe then.”
The brothers groaned and their grandma didn’t have any of this. “You will bathe and then you’ll have dinner. Now go.”
“Grandma look! Tae and I made you a bouquet again.” Jungkook happily gave her the flowers which she took with a smile as she thanked them.
“And grandma look!! Tae gave me a flower.” Jungkook proudly showed her the red rose.
“Aw, Taehyung that’s so sweet of you.” Their grandma cooed and Taehyung grumbled something under his breath.
Their grandmother laughed and told them to go bathe.
The boys ran up the stairs to the bathroom, put their clothes in the hamper, and hopped in the bathtub together. Taehyung softly massaged Jungkook’s dark hair with his strawberry-scented shampoo and then Jungkook did the same to Taehyung’s hair. They were playing with the suds when they heard their grandmother yelling at them to go downstairs to eat.
When they got downstairs to eat, wearing their pajamas, Jungkook noticed the bouquet in a vase, and next to it was his red rose in another smaller vase on the kitchen counter.
That night Jungkook couldn’t sleep on his own, so he stood outside Taehyung’s door. They had separated bedrooms but Jungkook was feeling safer while sleeping next to his brother.
He knocked at his door. “Tae, are you sleeping?” He sneaked into his room with a pillow in his hands.
“What happened, Kookie?” Taehyung asked sleepily.
“Can I sleep here?” Jungkook fidgeted with his fingers.
“Come here,” he said as he patted the bed, making room for Jungkook to climb onto the bed.
“Thank you, Tae,” Jungkook whispered and Taehyung hugged him from behind.
“Goodnight, Kookie.”
By the end of next week, Jungkook learned how to swim.
✩*˙˚°✰ ✧˖*°⋆⑅˚₊✩⁺˚☾⋆⁺₊˚.⋆♡.
Jungkook was 12 years old and Taehyung was 14 years old when Jungkook received his first heart-shaped chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
They were in middle school.
That morning as Jungkook passed by the classrooms to get to his own, he saw random desks with flowers, chocolates, or letters and most of the school lockers had heart-shaped sticky notes on them. That day everyone in his classroom was acting weird too, especially the girls. Everyone was whispering, smirking, or staring.
He sat at his desk and unzipped his backpack to get his books out.
“What’s going on today?” He asked his classmate and new friend, Yugyeom.
“Valentine’s Day,” Yugyeom answered drily.
But Jungkook didn’t know what that was. “What’s Valentine’s Day?”
Yugyeom turned to look at him like he had grown two heads. “Seriously? You don’t know?”
Jungkook shook his head and Yugyeom rolled his eyes. “You’re probably the only one in this school who doesn’t know.”
“It’s a holiday,” Yugyeom explained quickly, “when people express their affection by exchanging gifts, flowers, and chocolates. Lovers celebrate their love and then they fuck all night.”
Jungkook gasped and Yugyeom laughed. “There’s a holiday like that?”
“It’s today,” Yugyeom said as he showed Jungkook the girls in their classroom, “see what they’re holding? Those are love letters they plan on giving to the people they like.”
Jungkook looked at them curiously as they whispered at each other and giggled. Some of them put lip gloss on their lips.
Then he turned to Yugyeom and asked, “Are you in love with someone?”
“Me?” Yugyeom sounded surprised. “Nah, this bullshit is not for me. How about you?”
Jungkook stayed silent. He never really thought about it. The only person he truly loved and cherished was Taehyung. But Yugyeom was asking if he was in love with someone. No, he wasn’t.
Then he realized that Yugyeom was still waiting for his answer and Jungkook replied with a small ‘no’ as their teacher entered the classroom.
Later that day when Yugyeom and he went to eat at the cafeteria, Jungkook spotted Taehyung sitting with his new friend. He was his brother’s classmate and they were always hanging out together in school the last few days.
“Hey, Yugyeom. Do you know that boy next to my brother?”
Yugyeom lifted his head from his soup, “who?” he asked while chewing on his bread.
“Him.” Jungkook showed him their table at the far corner.
“Oh. Do you mean Park Jimin? Seems like a nice guy. Why?”
“Nothing.” Jungkook ate his soup quietly.
˚°✰
Jungkook stood outside the schoolyard waiting for Taehyung. Yugyeom had left 10 minutes ago.
But Taehyung was late, and so was their grandmother to pick them up with the truck.
His brother was always on time. But not today. Jungkook felt anxious without a specific reason. He kicked a small peddle with his shoe and sighed. Today was cold. He zipped up his red jacket and buried his hands in his pockets. The jacket wasn’t actually his but Taehyung’s so it was bigger on him. The brothers liked sharing clothes.
He looked behind his back for the nth time and there he was. Taehyung and his new friend Park Jimin were walking out of the school and coming toward him.
Taehyung was wearing Jungkook’s black jacket today.
They were laughing at something his brother had said and Jimin was glued next to him.
Jungkook looked at them and an ugly feeling churned his insides.
“Kookie,” Taehyung approached him with a big boxy smile on his face, “let me introduce you to my new friend. This is Jimin. Jimin, this is my little brother Jungkook.”
Jungkook was still staring at them with his big eyes. He had never seen Taehyung this happy before. It was disturbing to think that right now Taehyung’s source of happiness wasn’t Jungkook but a stranger.
“Nice to meet you, Jungkook.” Jimin extended his hand but Jungkook didn’t take it because right at that moment a truck stopped behind them, saving Jungkook from shaking that weirdo’s hand.
“Sorry for being late boys. I hope I didn’t make you wait for too long.”
“Grandma, look. Jimin’s here,” Taehyung said happily.
“Hello Jimin, how are you?” Their grandma waved at him from inside the truck.
“Hi, Miss Kim. I’m fine, how are you?” Jimin bowed at her.
Wait…
Jungkook was left speechless.
He tuned their voices out. How did his grandmother know this stranger? They talked casually like they knew each other.
He was in shock.
“-kay boys let’s go.” Their grandmother waved at them to come inside.
“Bye Jimin. See you tomorrow.” Taehyung bid the weirdo goodbye and got inside the truck.
“Bye Tae.” Jimin smiled at him and left.
Jungkook was ready to climb in too but he froze.
Tae…?
Did that weirdo call his brother ‘Tae’????
Only Jungkook called Taehyung that.
He glared at the back of Jimin’s head as he was walking away and had the sudden urge to smack him in the face.
“Come on Jungkook, we need to leave,” his grandmother said urgently.
Jungkook closed the door of the truck with a little too much force and decided that he didn’t like that Jimin boy.
The rest of the drive passed by with Taehyung telling their grandmother how his day went at school, how he and Jimin did this, how Jimin did that, and how wonderful and smart Jimin was.
And that name started getting on Jungkook’s nerves. So he stayed quiet, staring out the windshield and watching the beautiful scenery of trees and mountains.
“Jungkook, you never this quiet,” their grandmother observed. “Did something happen?”
Taehyung watched him closely but Jungkook didn’t meet his eyes.
“No, grandma,” Jungkook lied. “I’m just a little cold today.”
“You are right. It’s really cold. I will light the fireplace tonight.”
After a quick stop at the grocery shop, they went home. That night after dinner, their grandmother lit up the fireplace and they roasted marshmallows on long sticks over the fire.
Jungkook didn’t talk much. He kept quiet as he was thinking about what happened today. The Valentine's holiday, how his grandmother knew Jimin, how Jimin made Taehyung happy, how Taehyung let Jimin call him ‘Tae’. Did Taehyung know about the lover's holiday? Did he receive love letters and chocolates like the rest of their classmates?
These thoughts were disturbing and he didn’t know why.
“Oh, Jungkook! You set your marshmallows on fire.” His grandmother grabbed his stick, bringing him back to reality.
And he was indeed setting them on fire.
Taehyung was watching him silently.
“I’m sorry grandma. I’m going to bed,” he mumbled and stood up.
“Come to my room,” Taehyung quickly whispered in his ear and Jungkook nodded.
He went upstairs to brush his teeth, and he knocked on Taehyung’s door.
Taehyung was already sitting in his bed waiting for his brother and when Jungkook closed the door behind him, the silence that followed was awkward for the first time in their lives.
He sat on the edge of Taehyung’s bed, not daring to look him in the eye. Jungkook felt the bed dip under him as Taehyung came closer to him.
“Kookie, are you okay?” Taehyungs asked him worriedly. “You seem off all day. Is something wrong?”
Jungkook bit his lower lip. “Did you know that today is Valentine’s Day?”
“Yes,” Taehyung simply said and Jungkook gulped.
Oh.
Oh…
So Taehyung knew.
Everyone knew except him. Yugyeom was right.
He closed his eyes before asking, “Did you receive love letters?”
He heard Taehyung chuckle lightly. “Yeah, a couple.”
His heart dropped in his chest and his fingers curled into fists. It wasn’t funny. Jungkook felt like Taehyung was laughing at him.
He must have seen Jungkook’s expression because he quickly added, “But it doesn’t mean anything really. I threw them away.”
Jungkook finally lifted his head to look at him. “You didn’t read them?”
“No,” his brother shook his head.
They stayed silent again.
After a couple of minutes, Taehyung asked him softly, “Did you receive anything for Valentine’s?”
Jungkook wanted to laugh. Who would ever want to give him love letters? “No,” he mumbled as he fidgeted with his pajama shirt.
“Actually,” Taehyung rubbed at his neck, “I have something to give you.”
Jungkook saw Taehyung’s cheeks dusting a little pink. His brother opened his palm and Jungkook looked at it not believing in his eyes.
In Taehyung’s open palm was a small heart-shaped chocolate in a red and pink wrapper.
“This is for me?” Jungkook asked with his mouth still hanging open.
“Yeah… I bought it earlier at the grocery store. You looked really sad so I thought to cheer you up with this… uh yeah,” Taehyung’s blush grew. “So happy Valentine’s Day Kookie.” He smiled widely while still holding the chocolate and his honey brown eyes turned into two little crescent moons.
Jungkook’s heart rate sped up and a wave of warmth, relief, and affection washed over him.
He carefully took the chocolate in his trembling hands with his doe eyes sparkling and he hugged Taehyung tightly.
“Awww Tae, thank you so much!!!! This means a lot,” Jungkook said and his voice wavered slightly.
His brother hugged him right back and they sat like that in silence for some time. Jungkook received his first chocolate for Valentine’s Day from the person he loved and cherished the most. He didn’t care what Yugyeom said about lovers celebrating this holiday. Taehyung was and forever will be his loved one!
Tears started rolling down his face as he sobbed against his brother’s shoulder and Taehyung panicked.
He immediately wiped his tears and lifted his chin to look at him. “Kookie, why are you crying?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Be-because I love you,” Jungkook stuttered while still sobbing, “so so much.”
“I love you too, baby brother.” Taehyung looked at him with tender eyes and stroked his finger against his red cheeks.
Baby…
He loved the pet name. Jungkook felt his cheeks heat up but then he suddenly gasped as he remembered.
“I didn’t get you anything for Valentine’s Day.”
Taehyung chuckled lightly and took Jungkook’s face in his hands. “Your happiness is the biggest gift for me, Kookie. Just please always be happy so I can be happy too…” Taehyung finished, gazing down at him with so much fondness that Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat.
They stared at each other. Black doe eyes met honey brown eyes.
“I know what to get you…”
Jungkook leaned in and kissed Taehyung’s cheek softly.
“Happy Valentine’s Day Tae,” Jungkook whispered and smiled with his bunny teeth on display.
And Taehyung couldn’t stop staring.
Apparently, his grandmother and Taehyung went grocery shopping two days ago while Jungkook stayed at home to study, and they saw Jimin and his mom shopping there. Taehyung introduced Jimin to his grandmother and that’s how they knew each other, damn it.
That summer Jungkook and Taehyung spent every day in the woods picking up flowers, watching sunsets or sunrises, chasing butterflies, climbing trees, hiking, or swimming naked in the lake. And just before summer ended, Taehyung gave Jungkook another red rose…
✩*˙˚°✰ ✧˖*°⋆⑅˚₊✩⁺˚☾⋆⁺₊˚.⋆♡.
Jungkook was 13 years old and Taehyung was 15 years old when Jungkook received his first love letter.
It was the day of Halloween and everyone in school was excited about the festival tonight.
Jungkook walked past several dressed students as ghosts, witches, and werewolves, to get to his locker. He was wearing a pumpkin headband in his hair and he was beaming with excitement. He loved Halloween.
He opened his locker to get his books for his class when a small white envelope fell on the floor. Jungkook stared at it before kneeling to pick it up. Just then the bell rang signaling the start of the first period and Jungkook left for his class.
“What is this?” Yugyeom asked as Jungkook sat down, placing his books on his desk.
Jungkook followed Yugyeom’s line of sight until it landed on the white envelope.
“Oh, that? I don’t know. It fell from my locker.” Jungkook explained quickly.
“Don’t tell me… Is that a letter?”
Jungkook looked at the envelope skeptically. “I don’t think so.”
“Then what could it be?”
Their teacher entered the class. “Let’s open it after class,” Jungkook whispered.
˚°✰
Jungkook and Yugyeom waited outside Eunwoo’s and Mingyu’s class. They were Yugyeom’s friends and he introduced them to Jungkook and from then on they all became friends.
“Why were you so late?” Yugyeom asked in irritation when Eunwoo and Mingyu exited the classroom. Their cheeks were painted with bats and pumpkins.
“Because everyone in that class is stupid,” Mingyu replied angrily and Eunwoo rolled his eyes.
“So,” Eunwoo adjusted the straps of his backpack on his shoulders, “what’s up?”
“Jungkook received a love letter,” Yugyeom said casually like he was talking about the weather.
“What?” they both asked in unison.
“We don’t know if it’s a love letter,” Jungkook corrected his friend.
“Who gave it to you?” Eunwoo asked softly.
Eunwoo always had a calming aura around him. He was soft-spoken and very caring. He had gentle eyes and he was an introvert just like Jungkook while Mingyu and Yugyeom were the complete opposite of them. Mingyu was an extrovert with clever eyes, a bright smile, and a friendly personality adored by everyone. Yugyeom, an extrovert too, was cheerful, smart, and charming with the cutest smile. And Jungkook was really proud of his three friends.
“I don’t know. It fell from my locker.”
“Yeah, definitely a love letter,” Mingyu said nodding his head.
“Where should we open it?” Yugyeom asked as they stepped into the schoolyard.
“Do you want to read it alone?” Eunwoo was so thoughtful.
“No, let’s read it all together.” He wanted his friends with him while reading it.
“Let’s sit there.” Mingyu showed them the bleachers next to the basketball court.
“Okay, let’s go.” Yugyeom agreed.
They walked towards the yellow bleachers and they sat down in the shade of a big oak tree.
“Are we still on for tonight?” Eunwoo placed his backpack next to him.
“Yeah, I’m picking you and Mingyu up at 7 pm.” Yugyeom dropped his backpack carelessly to the seat next to him, “We’re meeting up with Jungkook at the Halloween festival.”
“Hey Jungkook! Isn’t that your brother?” Mingyu was observing the basketball court.
Jungkook was so nervous about the letter that he didn’t realize Taehyung and his friends were playing basketball.
He looked in the direction where his brother was running with the basketball. He was sweating, his bangs were plastered on his forehead and his flushed cheeks matched his red shirt. He was wearing Jungkook’s shirt today.
“Oh, yeah,” Jungkook agreed but his mind was foggy. His hands were sweating.
Yugyeom opened the wrapper of a pumpkin pie and started eating. Mingyu took a bite from it. “Eunwoo, Jungkook want some?” Yugyeom offered but they both denied it.
Jungkook couldn’t eat anything. He was too nervous.
He took the envelope out of his bag and with trembling hands he opened it.
“It’s okay, you can do it,” Eunwoo reassured him softly and Jungkook thanked him silently for his understanding.
He straightened the letter and his three friends scooted closer to him.
And he started reading.
Dear Jungkook,
You probably don’t know me but I know you. I didn’t dare to talk to you so I wrote this letter. The thing is that I like you a lot. I watch you every day and still can’t find the courage to even approach you. Do you want to meet tonight? At the Halloween festival? How about under the Ferris wheel? I’ll be waiting for you.
I hope to see you there.
He finished the letter and they all fell silent staring at it. Then Jungkook lifted his head and looked at his friends. They looked back.
Jungkook broke the silence first. “Who would ever write me a love letter?” he said with a small voice. He couldn’t believe this.
“Why not? Seems pretty cool to me.” Yugyeom shrugged his shoulders, finishing his pumpkin pie.
Eunwoo shook his head. “The letter seems off.”
“Why?” Mingyu pushed his hair back, exposing his forehead.
“Because it’s weird and suspicious,” Eunwoo pointed at the letter, ”First, they say they don’t dare to meet Jungkook and then they ask him to meet them.”
“Yeah, but that’s why they wrote the letter in the first place. They want to meet him and just found the courage to tell him through this letter.” Mingyu pressed on.
“The letter looks too blank and cold,” Eunwoo explained.
“And what’s wrong with a letter being too simple and short?” Mingyu asked coldly.
“Do you think it’s a girl?” Yugyeom interrupted them.
“No, girls aren’t this cold, especially while confessing,” Eunwoo was skeptical.
“And why do you think that?” Mingyu sounded slightly annoyed.
“Because it’s not how a girl usually expresses herself.” Eunwoo’s patience started to thin out.
“Oh, and you know that because you have experience with love letters written by girls waiting inside your locker, right?” Mingyu mocked him and Eunwoo glared at him.
Jungkook and Yugyeom just stared at them.
“I’m not the heartthrob of the school here.” Eunwoo crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Mingyu narrowed his eyes. “Don’t play the nerd who’s an expert in love psychology with me, Eunwoo.”
Eunwoo lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not an expert, Mingyu. Some people are too arrogant and closed-minded to realize someone’s true feelings.”
Eunwoo must have hit a nerve because Mingyu was up in seconds, grabbing him by the front of his school uniform ready to punch him.
Jungkook and Yugyeom stood up immediately to break up the fight. Jungkook grabbed Eunwoo’s waist, trying to pull him back with no success because the boy was stronger than him. Yugyeom went behind Mingyu, wrapped his hands around his chest firmly, and pushed him back.
Their sudden fight drew everyone’s attention to them. Taehyung and his friends stopped playing and looked at them.
“Eunwoo please stop,” Jungkook’s grip around Eunwoo’s waist tightened.
“Mingyu cut it out,” Yugyeom warned him.
“That stick up your ass must be hurting Eunwoo,” Mingyu sneered and poked his tongue inside his cheek.
“Get off your high horse idiot,” Eunwoo scoffed.
“Do you know how love confessions work, asshole?”
“And you do?”
“Better than you.”
“Yeah, I saw it last year on Valentine’s Day when you dumbed every girl who confessed to you.”
“Oh, now I understand. You’re jealous aren’t you?!”
“Jealous of who? You?!”
“Yugyeom has received plenty of love letters, me too, and now Jungkook. You’re the only one left behind and that stabbed your ego.”
“You’re pathetic Mingyu. It’s not even personal.”
“Admit it! It’s all over your face anyway,” Mingyu said sarcastically.
Eunwoo said nothing. He pressed his lips into a thin line, grabbed his backpack, and left the bleachers.
“Eunwoo,” Jungkook put his backpack over his shoulders, took the letter in his hand, and ran after the boy, “Eunwoo, wait!”
And Taehyung saw everything.
˚°✰
Eunwoo didn’t stop. He was walking fast, away from the schoolyard.
“Eunwoo please wait!” Jungkook yelled behind him as he tried to reach his hand.
Eunwoo stopped abruptly when he felt Jungkook’s fingers on his hand. Jungkook turned him around while still panting.
“What happened back there, was it my fault?” Jungkook’s chest moved up and down, trying to catch his breath.
Eunwoo sighed and looked down. Jungkook was still holding his hand.
“Of course not, Jungkook. That had nothing to do with you. Sometimes Mingyu acts like an ass,” he murmured.
“Still, I feel bad. Everything started because of that letter.” Jungkook chewed on his lower lip.
Eunwoo slipped his fingers between Jungkook’s. Their hands intertwined.
“About that letter…” Eunwoo lifted his head and they locked eyes, “I think a boy wrote it. I’m not saying it’s wrong but I have a bad feeling.”
A boy? A boy had a crush on him? Jungkook didn’t expect that. “I don’t have any idea about love letters but I trust you, Eunwoo,” the boy reassured him.
Eunwoo squeezed their intertwined hands slightly. “Aw Jungkook, you’re such a gentle soul. I’m so sorry for ruining your first love letter experience.”
“It’s okay. I’m not going on that date anyway. I prefer spending the night with my friends than with a stranger.” Jungkook smiled with his bunny teeth and Eunwoo took a step closer.
“You look like a bunny,” Eunwoo’s black eyes stared at his smile.
“My brother always says that I resemble a bunny,” Jungkook whined and Eunwoo chuckled.
“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice asked behind them.
Jungkook turned around and he saw Taehyung standing a few meters away from them. He had a small towel around his neck, his red shirt was clinging to him from sweat and his backpack was hanging over one shoulder.
Immediately, Taehyung’s eyes landed on their intertwined hands and Jungkook quickly let go of Eunwoo’s hand.
Something flashed in Taehyung’s sharp eyes.
“I’m leaving, Jungkook. See you tonight,” Eunwoo murmured. It was like his friend sensed Taehyung’s coldness seeping closer.
“Bye, Eunwoo,” Jungkook whispered softly.
Taehyung’s sharp eyes followed Eunwoo and then he glared at Jungkook. He looked pissed.
“What happened back there?” His voice was oddly cold.
“I- “ Jungkook squirmed under Taehyung’s fierce gaze which sent a chill down his spine. It was the first time Taehyung had glared at him. His loving eyes were gone.
“Tell me,” he demanded lowly.
“I received a l-love letter,” Jungkook gulped, clutching the letter in his hand.
“A love letter?” Taehyung’s eyes hardened.
“Yeah… uh this.” Jungkook showed him the folded letter in his hand and Taehyung’s face darkened.
Taehyung approached him slowly. “By who?” His voice was so cold, nothing like the usual sweet honey voice Jungkook always liked.
“It’s anonymous. But Eunwoo believes it’s a boy.” Jungkook’s hands were trembling.
“A boy?” Taehyung stared at the letter angrily.
Jungkook’s heart was pounding in his chest. Taehyung made him feel so anxious.
“And what does it say?”
“They like me.”
Taehyung clenched his fists. “And?”
“They want to meet me tonight…”
“What? Meet you?” Taehyung growled out, eyes narrowing into slits.
“Tae,” Jungkook whimpered, “you’re scaring me.”
Taehyung ignored his whimpers. “What will you do?”
“I’m n-not going,” Jungkook muttered and after a couple of minutes, he added, “but I liked the letter. It was kind of sweet and,” the boy smiled, “fluttering.”
Taehyung’s intense eyes watched him carefully.
“No one has ever confessed to me,” his fingers fidgeted with the letter, “it took me by surprise.” Jungkook’s big doe eyes stared at Taehyung dreamily. “It was romantic,” he chuckled to himself.
Taehyung gulped and glanced away.
The blue pickup truck parked a couple of meters away from them.
“Grandma is here. Let’s go.” Taehyung murmured and walked past him, leaving Jungkook behind.
The whole ride back home was awkward and silent.
˚°✰
At 7 pm their grandmother drove them to the Halloween festival. There was still an awkward tension between the brothers and none of them said anything about the letter.
Jungkook was wearing his pumpkin headband and his grandma helped him paint his cheeks with pumpkins. He was dressed simply in jeans, a black shirt, and Taehyung’s red jacket. Taehyung was wearing Jungkook’s black jacket, black pants, white shirt and he was holding a small jack-o-lantern basket with candies. He didn’t want any paint on his cheeks.
“Okay boys, have fun!” she said cheerfully while waving at them.
“Bye, grandma,” they both waved back and Jungkook watched her drive away.
He heard running behind him and he turned around to see an exciting Jimin throwing his hands over Taehyung’s shoulders, hugging him tightly.
“Tae, the others are waiting. Let’s go!” Jimin smiled at him and Taehyung returned the smile.
And that made Jungkook’s stomach churn and twist uncomfortably. There it was again. That smile. That sweet smile belonged to Jungkook and no one else. Taehyung didn’t smile at him all day but he smiled at his friend. Taehyung didn’t hug him all day but he let a stranger hug him.
That scary feeling of losing Taehyung little by little, surfaced in his chest again. It was terrifying to even think about it. But seeing someone else so close to his brother, set something different in his heart, something ugly. A feeling unknown to him.
Jimin made Taehyung happy again. He made his brother happy while Jungkook made him mad, cold, and distant…
Did Taehyung stop loving him?
Suddenly, his eyes watered and he blinked back the tears threatening to spill. His heart was pounding like crazy and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
Taehyung turned to him with the same intense gaze. “Be careful tonight,” he warned and let Jimin drag him into the crowd.
Taehyung’s sweetness was gone. His soothing voice was also gone. His delicate touches stopped. Everything stopped in one day. Was it because of that letter? Jungkook wanted to scream at him to come back. Scream at him to hug him and to look at him with adoration in his honey brown eyes as before. He wanted his warm, sweet, and caring brother back, not this cold, distant, and angry Taehyung.
He let out a shuddering breath, unaware he’d been holding it in. With eyes still glistening, he searched for his friends but it was really crowded.
Music was playing, people were dancing, kids were eating candies, jack-o-lanterns were everywhere lighting up the festival, and there were street vendors with food and games. And Jungkook was all alone in a place without his brother. He wanted to crouch down and cry.
“Hey, Jungkook over here!”
Jungkook turned around and spotted Eunwoo moving his hands up and down at him. A calmness washed over him at the familiar face. Yugyeom and Mingyu were playing on an arcade machine while Eunwoo was watching the score. He approached them. Eunwoo was dressed up as a ghost, Mingyu as a zombie, and Yugyeom as a vampire.
“Everything’s okay?” Eunwoo whispered in his ear.
“Yes,” he lied.
“I love the little pumpkins on your cheeks.” Eunwoo grinned and Jungkook blushed as he thanked him.
Yugyeom won the match and Mingyu pouted. “That wasn’t fair.”
“You must be focused while playing, Mingyu.” Yugyeom just then realized Jungkook was behind them. “Oh, Jungkook’s here.”
Mingyu turned his head and cooed, “Aww look at him!! Our pumpkin.” Yugyeom and Eunwoo laughed and Jungkook whined, “Guys, stop.”
“Let’s go eat ice cream,” Yugyeom suggested. He passed his arm over Mingyu’s shoulder and they walked away.
“Everything’s okay with you and Mingyu?” Jungkook and Eunwoo followed them.
“Well, we still don’t talk to each other. I’m angry at him and he’s stubborn,” Eunwoo explained and he interlaced their fingers together.
Jungkook realized that besides Taehyung, he liked holding hands with Eunwoo too.
“What flavor do you want, Jungkook?” Eunwoo asked him as they arrived at the ice cream parlor.
“Strawberry,” he said without even thinking about it. It was Taehyung’s favorite flavor.
Everyone had double scoops each and they sat on a bench to eat. Jungkook was happily eating his strawberry ice cream when five boys were laughing and mocking a group of girls across from where they were sitting.
“They’re disgusting,” Eunwoo commented.
“Who are they?” Jungkook didn’t know any of them.
“Kim Sunggyu and his friends. They’re across campus in the building for high schoolers. Big bullies.” Yugyeom looked at them in disgust.
One of the bullies turned around, noticed Jungkook, and smirked.
“Look who we have here, guys. The nerd! What happened loser? Your date stood you up?” Sunggyu sneered.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Mingyu gritted his teeth but Sunggyu ignored him.
“So tell me loser, did you like my letter?” He smiled evilly with his mean eyes fixated on Jungkook.
Letter? Did Jungkook hear him right?
“Why didn’t you show up for our date? I was waiting for you,” He mocked him.
Jungkook froze and his heart skipped a bit. The ice cream left his hand and dropped to the ground. His eyes widened. Next to him, Eunwoo gasped.
Sunggyu laughed his ass off when he saw Jungkook’s horrified expression. “What? Don’t tell me… You really thought I liked you? That I was interested in you? You’re such a loser.” His friends laughed with him.
“Did you believe that letter? No one would ever like a fag like you. It was just a fucking bet. To write a love letter to the most miserable, pathetic loser in the whole school. And guess what?” Sunggyu grabbed him by his jacket and lifted him upright.
Jungkook was so shocked by the violent tug he felt, which caught him completely off guard. Eunwoo, Mingyu, and Yugyeom stood up ready to punch him but Sunggyu’s friends started to beat them up.
“I chose you, fag,” Sunggyu’s lip curled in a sickening smile. Suddenly he took out his tongue and licked Jungkook’s cheek. “Too bad it was just a bet or I wouldn’t mind fucking you.”
And then Sunggyu punched Jungkook hard in the face. The boy stumbled back, and Sunggyu punched him again, splitting his lip open. He tasted blood in his mouth. He felt dizzy. Around him, his friends were on the ground, all beaten up. Jungkook couldn’t protect any of them.
Sunggyu kicked him hard in the stomach, “So pathetic,” he spat and ripped Jungkook’s red jacket in half.
“No… no,” he mumbled. Not the jacket, it was Taehyung’s…
Sunggyu then stepped on his ankle and the boy cried in pain. He crouched down and grabbed Jungkook’s neck tightly. “That’s what you get when you’re a pathetic loser,” he mocked and punched the boy in the face one last time.
“Greetings to your asshole of a brother,” Sunggyu winked and left with his friends.
Jungkook was lying on the ground, not being able to stand up. His eyes blurred from tears. His whole body ached.
Eunwoo crawled next to him. “Jungkook can you stand up?” Yugyeom was helping Mingyu get to his feet.
Jungkook shook his head. Couldn’t utter a single word. Everything was hurting. His face, his head, his stomach, his ankle.
And his heart.
“It’s okay I’ll help you. Grab onto my arm,” Jungkook grabbed Eunwoo’s arm weakly and Eunwoo lifted him slowly from the ground. Jungkook stood up on wobbly legs. His vision blurred and he almost fainted. Eunwoo caught him on time. “We need to go to the hospital.”
“No…” Jungkook’s mouth was all bloody. He felt nauseous.
“What do you mean ‘no’? You can barely stand up on your own.” Eunwoo had a split lip, same with Yugyeom and Mingyu. Their clothes were dusty and their hair was messy. But none of them looked like Jungkook. Sunggyu really gave Jungkook the beating of his life.
“I need to,” he almost threw up, “s-see my brother,” Jungkook clung to Eunwoo for support. Eunwoo wrapped a hand around his waist to keep him steady.
“It’s really crowded. It won’t be easy,” Yugyeom protested.
“I n-need to find him,” Jungkook stuttered and coughed blood into his hand.
“Let’s go find him,” Mingyu said simply.
“I’m sorry,” Jungkook suddenly uttered weakly, “It’s my fault. You got h-hurt because of me.” Tears stained his face. He felt guilty.
“No, no,” Eunwoo whispered, “It’s not your fault, Jungkook. Please don’t cry,” but Eunwoo started crying with him.
“It is,” he sobbed, “I ruined your Halloween night.”
“You didn’t ruin anything. They will pay for what they did.” Eunwoo hugged him and Jungkook hugged him right back. They were crying in each other’s embrace.
Yugyeom and Mingyu stared at them, wide-eyed in silence. Then Mingyu cleared his throat. “Eunwoo… um… how did you know about the letter?”
Eunwoo wiped his and Jungkook’s tears with his thumb. “You are going to laugh.”
“Please tell us,” Yugyeom whispered.
Eunwoo sighed. “It’s not that I have received any love letters myself. No one is interested in me. But I- “ Eunwoo flushed, “read your letters when you threw them away without even looking at them. Picked them from the trash every Valentine’s Day and read them. I was curious. I wanted to know what the girls were feeling for you. Read so many I lost count.” Eunwoo’s cheeks were heating up. “That’s when I read Jungkook’s letter, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t a girl and the letter was weird…” he trailed off.
“You read our letters?” Mingyu asked in disbelief.
“I’m... I’m sorry Mingyu. I didn’t do it on purpose. The letters were full of beautiful words with small hearts and stars drawn on them. I’d kill for a letter like that,” his voice wavered, “Why didn’t you read them? You weren’t interested I know that but the girls wrote to you. The least you could have done was to read them.” Eunwoo's tone was slightly accusing.
“The love of your life not reciprocating your feelings… it’s terrifying.” Fresh tears were gleaming in Eunwoo’s eyes.
Jungkook was listening to him. He understood what Eunwoo was saying, especially his last words. He wasn’t in love with anyone but he loved Taehyung with all his heart and seeing him distant all day made him feel funny, like he didn’t matter to his brother anymore.
Yugyeom was looking down, obviously embarrassed and Mingyu had a guilty expression on his face.
“I’m sorry for all the hurtful things I said to you, I didn’t mean them. Please forgive me, Eunwoo. I acted like an asshole,” Mingyu said softly.
“Of course, I forgive you, Mingyu. We’re friends after all. Let’s not fight again, please,” Eunwoo whispered.
“And as for the letters, I just thought they weren’t important. I wasn’t in love with any of them but next time I will try to be less of an ass.” Mingyu smiled hesitantly.
“I will throw them again,” Yugyeom murmured. Eunwoo and Mingyu laughed at him, and even Jungkook chuckled a little despite the stabbing pain he was feeling in his stomach.
“Damn, we look like a mess but Jungkook looks awful,” Yugyeom observed.
“Let’s go find his brother.” Eunwoo wrapped a hand around Jungkook’s waist again and they started walking.
They walked past several people but none of them was Taehyung. Did he go home without him? Jungkook’s ankle was killing him, black spots danced around him and his jacket was hanging all ripped from his body.
“We won’t find him like this. When did you last see him?” Eunwoo asked desperately.
When that Jimin dragged him away from me. But he swallowed his reply. Instead, he said, “Please, let’s keep searching.”
After a couple of minutes of walking, Mingyu stopped and squinted his eyes, “I think I saw Hoseok in the distance. Isn’t he one of your brother’s friends?”
And Jungkook didn’t know anything about Taehyung’s friends. The realization made him feel worse than he thought.
“Where did he go?” Yugyeom asked and Mingyu pointed to the left.
“Let’s go.” Eunwoo adjusted Jungkook’s weight around his hand. Jungkook’s head was hanging low and he had no energy to walk, but he kept going. He needed to see Taehyung.
After 15 minutes which felt like an hour to Jungkook, his friends stopped in front of a park at the edge of the forest and away from the crowded festival. There were picnic benches and high schoolers were chilling around while drinking sodas or eating snacks.
“Jungkook, we found him,” Eunwoo whispered in his ear.
Jungkook lifted his head slowly. Every move he made was a stabbing pain to his body. His tired eyes searched for him and tried to focus despite his dizziness.
And there he was.
Taehyung was sitting on one of the picnic benches, drinking a soda while laughing with his friends. He seemed happy and cheerful. He was grinning at Jimin who was sitting next to him.
Jungkook blinked his heavy eyes.
In an instant, he regretted coming in here. It was a mistake. He needed to leave. Before voicing his thoughts to his friends, Taehyung turned his head to look at him as if he sensed someone’s gaze on him.
They stared at each other.
As if in slow motion, Taehyung’s face darkened and his smile vanished when he recognized Jungkook. His eyes traveled from his black eye to his swollen face and ruined paint on his cheeks, to his split lip and trail of blood down his chin, to his dusty clothes and ripped red jacket, to his leg that was in an uncomfortable position, to Eunwoo’s arm wrapped around his waist and back to Jungkook’s doe eyes.
Taehyung widened his eyes and his soda fell from his hand. He was horrified.
“JUNGKOOK,” he yelled and stood up.
Jungkook made two unsteady steps forward, leaving Eunwoo behind, but his wounded ankle couldn’t carry his weight and he dropped to his knees, wincing. A big wave of nausea hit him and he coughed blood again.
Taehyung knelt in front of him and gripped his shoulders tightly. “What- what happened Jungkook? Why are you coughing b-blood?” Taehyung was panicking, his voice wavered.
Jungkook grasped Taehyung’s black jacket tightly. “Tae…” Tears were welling up in his eyes again. It was so hard to speak.
Taehyung’s trembling hand traced Jungkook’s split lip. His fingers touched the blood. “Who. Did. This. To. You?” Taehyung was seething. He glared at the blood on his fingers with rage.
“Who did this to you, Jungkook?” he growled low in his throat and his eyes flashed red. His whole body trembled with fury.
Suddenly, Taehyung glared at his three friends who were behind Jungkook. “Did you do it?” His voice sounded dangerous.
Taehyung’s friends stepped closer to them.
“It was Kim Sunggyu,” Eunwoo explained.
“Kim Sunggyu? That fucking bully?” One of Taehyung’s friends asked. He had a deep voice, feline eyes, intimidating look and he was the same height as Jimin.
“Yes, him and his fucking friends, they attacked us,” Yugyeom answered angrily.
“But why?” Another friend of Taehyung’s asked.
“Sunggyu wrote that love letter to Jungkook as a joke. It was a stupid bet he lost,” Mingyu replied.
“What the fuck?”
“Sunggyu punched Jungkook, kicked him in the stomach, and called him names.”
Jungkook felt Taehyung’s breath hitch while trying to hold back his boiling anger. But stayed silent, listening to them.
“What a fucking asshole.”
“We couldn’t do anything to help. His friends beat us too.”
“This is horrible.”
“Do you know where he is?” Taehyung’s quiet voice was dripping venom.
Mingyu shook his head, “No we don’t. They left us lying on the ground.”
Taehyung turned to his right. “Yoongi,” he said lowly, “we need to find him.”
The one with feline eyes nodded. “We need to hurry though. The festival ends in a couple of hours.”
“That’s plenty of time to find him if we go now,” Jimin said urgently.
“Yeah, but the fireworks show starts now. It will be really crowded.” One of Taehyung's friends said.
“N-No…” Jungkook whispered, “You can’t go after him. He will hurt you too.”
At that moment fireworks lit up the dark sky, bathing Taehyung’s angry face with reds and greens.
“He’s done the only thing that could have hurt me. And that is hurting you.” He brushed the pad of his thumb against Jungkook’s cheekbone, it felt featherlight.
Their eyes met. Through Jungkook’s blurry vision, he could see Taehyung’s fiery gaze, his beautiful honey brown eyes burning with anger.
“Tae, p-please…” His heart was beating fast and his grip on Taehyung’s jacket tightened. Jungkook closed his eyes, squeezing them shut.
“Please… don’t get hurt… don’t g-go…” he mumbled weakly, hiding his face in Taehyung’s neck.
Taehyung smelled like strawberries. It was something familiar. It felt like home. Taehyung’s favorite strawberry-scented body wash and shampoo. Jungkook inhaled deeply. It was calming. Little stars were dancing behind his eyelids.
His heartbeat was slowing down, his senses were abandoning him. Blood was dripping from his mouth, soaking into the white material of Taehyung’s shirt. His stomach spasmed painfully and he gasped.
“I’m… s-sorry,” Jungkook whispered and he fainted in Taehyung’s embrace.
Darkness engulfed him completely.
˚°✰
When Jungkook found his senses back, he opened his eyes slowly. He was in a strange white room, lying in an uncomfortable bed with white sheets.
“Jungkook, you’re awake? Oh, thank God!” His grandmother was sitting next to him and she got up when she saw him opening his eyes.
“How are you feeling?” She wiped her eyes.
Jungkook felt disoriented and dizzy. The whole room was spinning. “Where am I?” he asked her instead. His voice was gruff.
“In the hospital,” she said quickly while fresh tears were escaping her eyes. “I’m going to call the doctor. Taehyung, please stay here.” She left the room in a hurry.
Taehyung? Jungkook turned his head to the left and he noticed his brother. He was sitting in a chair next to him with his head hanging low.
“Tae…” Jungkook whispered and tried to move his hand to reach him.
Taehyung lifted his head. “Hey, Kookie.” His voice was rough like he hadn’t used it for hours.
Jungkook gasped. “What happened to your face?” he asked horrified.
Taehyung’s face was bruised with several cuts across his cheeks, his left eye was black, he had a split lip, and when Taehyung placed his hands on top of Jungkook’s, his knuckles were bandaged.
“Oh, that? It’s nothing,” he said with an expressionless face.
“W-What? How did you-“ Jungkook didn’t finish because the doctor came in and his grandmother followed behind him.
“How are you feeling? ” the doctor asked as he checked his vitals, checked his eyes with a small flashlight, and then lifted Jungkook’s white robe. His abdomen had an angry dark purple bruise and there were stitches on his stomach.
“I’m still dizzy and I-I can’t focus…” he trailed off.
“That’s normal after surgery.”
“W-What… surgery?” Jungkook asked wide-eyed.
“Yes, you were bleeding internally in your stomach. We had to stabilize it but the bleeding was mild so it was a small surgery. You sprained your ankle but it’s nothing serious. The swelling will die down. Also, you had a mild concussion.” The doctor pressed his fingers on top of his stomach. “Do you feel this?”
“Hurts-“ Jungkook gasped.
Taehyung was observing the scene quietly. His eyes had no emotions, they were empty.
“You’re still healing. Don’t shower today. You will eat only soups and rice. Sodas and snacks are not allowed till you heal completely. You will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.” The doctor finished his examination and left the room.
“Grandma,” Taehyung stood up, “I’m going to leave.”
“Okay, Taehyung-ah. Be careful and try to get some sleep.” She patted him on the shoulders and kissed his forehead.
Taehyung turned to him with the same blank expression, “I’m glad you’re okay, Jungkook,” he said lowly and left the room without sparing Jungkook another glance.
Taehyung didn’t even dare to look him in the eye.
Jungkook wanted to run after him, to hug him and ask him what happened to his face, why was he avoiding him and why was he acting so cold and distant towards him again.
“Where is he going?” he asked his grandmother. A lump was forming in his throat.
“He’s really tired. He stayed awake all night watching over you. He’s insisted on watching you tonight too but I told him to leave.” She took out a container with homemade food and a spoon from her bag.
“How long was I out?” he whispered.
“You were unconscious for three days.” Her eyes were red with unshed tears.
“T-Three?” He couldn’t believe it.
“It was… b-bad,” her voice wavered, “having both my grandchildren in the hospital.”
“What happened to Taehyung’s face? Why is he looking like that?” Jungkook bit his lips and furrowed his brows. He was almost sure that Sunggyu was behind Taehyung’s bruises and cuts.
But she didn’t answer him. She opened the container and moved her chair closer to his bed. “You need to eat,” she said quietly, wiping away a single tear that escaped her eyes.
He didn’t want to pressure her further so he opened his mouth as she fed him a big spoonful of rice.
˚°✰
Jungkook was dozing off in his bed when his grandmother opened the door and she shook his shoulder gently. “Jungkook dear, you have visitors,” she said softly.
The boy stirred from his slumber and opened his heavy eyes. “Who is it, grandma?” his voice was hoarse from sleep.
Before she could answer, the door opened wide revealing his three friends grinning at him. They were holding snacks and sodas.
“Hey, Jungkook!” Mingyu sat next to his bed.
“We were so worried!” Eunwoo sat in the other chair to his left.
“We missed you dude!” Yugyeom sat on his bed.
“Jungkook I will drive back home to take some things. It won’t take long,” she said and closed the door.
“How are you feeling?” Eunwoo glanced at his face, “You look really pale.”
Jungkook sighed tiredly. “My stomach still hurts and I feel dizzy. And that IV in my hand feels itchy.” And my brother still ignores me, he wanted to add but he didn’t.
Yugyeom opened a bag of chips. “Want some?”
Jungkook shook his head. “I can’t, doctor’s orders.”
Mingyu opened his can of soda. “I pity you, Jungkookie.” He laughed as he took a big sip of his soda.
“Are you going to eat and drink in front of me?” Jungkook huffed in annoyance.
“Watch us,” Yugyeom smirked and popped a chip in his mouth.
Eunwoo was eating a small pumpkin pastry. “Not even a pastry?”
“Yes until I heal,” Jungkook exhaled miserably.
The boy observed his friends and noticed how the bruises on their faces were fading, and their cuts were already healed.
“What happened after I passed out?” Jungkook whispered anxiously.
Silence.
Eunwoo and Yugyeom stopped eating and Mingyu lowered his can of soda. The three of them shared a knowing look and Jungkook’s heartbeat sped up.
“Please, just tell me,” he begged them.
Mingyu cleared his throat. “After you fainted, all hell broke loose.”
“Yes, it was a disaster,” Eunwoo agreed.
“Apparently, Sunggyu and his friends weren’t that far away from us. They were bothering some girls again. Taehyung told us to stay with you and he left with his friends,” Yugyeom said with a serious tone.
“It was horrifying,” Eunwoo added, “you were lying unconscious in our arms and your mouth couldn’t stop dripping blood.” The boy shivered.
“Yeah,” Mingyu nodded, “it was really scary. And your brother was beating Sunggyu like a madman. They fought like wild animals, phew man!”
“I’ve never seen a fight like that. Taehyung was on top of him, punching him with no mercy. Yoongi had to physically stop him by dragging him away from Sunggyu’s unconscious body. Taehyung then got angry at Yoongi because he didn’t let him finish Sunggyu. And Yoongi punched Taehyung in the face, yelling at him that he would be useless behind bars with a murder in his hands,” Yugyeom said.
“Your brother almost killed him,” Eunwoo said quietly.
“What?” Jungkook widened his eyes. His bottom lip quivered and his heart skipped a beat. His sweet, caring, and adorable Taehyung did that?
“Taehyung’s friends beat Sunggyu’s friends too. Then two ambulances arrived. One for you and one for Sunggyu. We couldn’t recognize him up close. Blood was dripping from his ears, broken nose, and mouth. We heard the paramedics saying even his head was cracked open. He also had several bones broken.” Mingyu massaged his neck to ease his stiffness.
“The doctors said Sunggyu will take months to recover. From what we heard earlier he’s in his third surgery right now. And still unconscious,” Eunwoo said.
“He’s here too? In this hospital?” Jungkook felt nauseous.
“Yes,” Yugyeom nodded, “and his parents were furious at Taehyung. They wanted to press charges against him but the parents of other victims that Sunggyu was bullying in the past, came to support your brother. Then, his parents admitted that their son was indeed a bully and they apologized to your grandmother and Taehyung. They also paid for your surgery.”
Suddenly, Jungkook wished he didn’t know the truth. He felt even worse than before. He buried his face in his hands. His brother almost killed someone because of him, he made his grandmother cry and caused her so much trouble, and his friends were beaten because of him. He failed everyone.
A sob escaped his lips. He failed Taehyung. Was Jungkook the reason why his brother avoided him?
“Hey, Kook,” Eunwoo shook his shoulders, “please don’t cry.”
“H-How can I not? I failed everyone-“ Jungkook cried in his hands.
“What are you talking about? You didn’t fail anyone.” Mingyu hugged him.
Yugyeom was massaging his legs soothingly. “It wasn’t your fault, Jungkook. Don’t feel guilty for something you didn’t cause.”
“T-Thank you guys…” Jungkook sniffled, “I’m so lucky I met you.”
Mingyu chuckled. “No, Kook. We’re lucky we met you.” Yugyeom and Eunwoo smiled.
˚°✰
The next day his grandmother drove him home after he was discharged from the hospital. Taehyung was waiting for them in the front yard. Jungkook could walk but he was limping so Taehyung slid an arm around his waist and he put Jungkook’s arm over his shoulder, helping him walk inside the house.
Jungkook noticed that the bandages around Taehyung’s hands were gone. His knuckles were bruised.
Their grandmother went to her bedroom to rest after staying awake all night watching over Jungkook.
And Jungkook was left alone with Taehyung in the living room. There was still an awkward tension between them and Taehyung was avoiding Jungkook’s eyes.
“Jungkook?” Taehyung asked hesitantly. His voice was soft despite its roughness.
“Hm?” Jungkook lifted his head and glanced in his direction.
Taehyung looked awkward. “Do you want to go for a swim?”
“Now?” Jungkook was taken aback.
Taehyung nodded. The cuts and bruises on his face made Jungkook feel guilty again.
“But it’s November, the water must be cold-“
“It will be fine,” he reassured him softly.
“I’m still limping.”
“I will carry you.” His honey brown eyes were intense and determinate. But his face was peaceful.
“Okay…” Jungkook missed this soft side of Taehyung so much that his heartbeat increased in his chest.
So with Taehyung’s arm around his waist and Jungkook’s arm wrapped around his brother’s neck, they walked in the woods silently, taking in all the beauty of autumn around them. Fiery red and yellow leaves were twirling in the air, the sound of wind rustling the trees and they spotted squirrels and bunnies running here and there.
When Jungkook saw the meadow from afar he gasped in awe. The whole clearing had bloomed with colorful chrysanthemums. “Wow Tae. Look at all those red, yellow, and pink chrysanthemums!”
“Yeah,” Taehyung chuckled lowly, “I wanted to surprise you.”
“Really, Tae?” Jungkook’s eyes sparkled and Taehyung looked away with a blush on his cheeks. “Y-Yeah…” he stammered cutely.
Taehyung helped him crouch down and they picked flowers. They made wreaths with chrysanthemums and wore them on each other’s heads. They giggled and Jungkook felt like everything was back to normal, felt Taehyung’s warmth and kind smile again.
They left the meadow and arrived at the lake. It was sunny.
Taehyung started stripping off his clothes. He pulled his underwear down and went into the lake. When the water touched his skin, Taehyung shivered slightly.
“See? I told you it was cold.” Jungkook pouted and Taehyung dived into the water.
“You will get used to it. Now come in,” Taehyung pushed his wet hair back and wore the drench wreath back on his head.
“But-“ Jungkook protested and Taehyung splashed water in his direction.
Jungkook flinched back. “Don’t do that, it’s cold,” he whined but unzipped his jacket and dropped it to the ground. Then he pulled out his shirt and grimaced when his stomach gave him a sudden cramp.
Taehyung was watching his every move and his eyes darkened when he saw the purple bruise and the stitches on Jungkook’s stomach.
The boy pulled down his pants together with his underwear and he was left naked with nothing but the wreath of chrysanthemums on his head. He limped towards the lake and when his toes touched the water, he shivered. “I can’t go in there…”
Taehyung came out of the water and approached him. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook and the boy’s lifted up, legs immediately circling Taehyung’s waist. “Let’s go,” his brother whispered and they got back in the water.
The lake was cold, it was November after all but Taehyung’s body against his felt nice and warm. He wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck and Taehyung tightened his hold around Jungkook’s waist.
They stayed silent as the water rippled around them calmly.
Taehyung’s honey brown eyes were brighter today and the yellow petals of the wreath were a nice contrast against his dark brown hair. Up close, Jungkook could count the tiny moles adorning his face. His favorite was the one on his bottom lip. Taehyung’s lips reminded Jungkook of a red heart. His left eye was still black but the cuts on his cheeks were healing, same with his split lip.
“Jungkook?” Taehyung asked with his low voice.
“Hmm?”
“You’re staring.”
“Oh… I-I just noticed that yellow suits you,” Jungkook blushed.
Taehyung hummed. “Is that so?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Silence.
“Tae?”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry…”
“For what?”
“For everything…”
“Don’t apologize.”
“I caused grandma so much pain and you were beaten because of me-“
Taehyung cut him off, “I told you the only thing that can hurt me is seeing you hurt.”
Jungkook was trying to hold back the tears. “Please don’t do that again. Do you know how terrified I was? Seeing your face like that?”
“I won’t forgive anyone who makes you cry, Jungkook.” Taehyung stared at his doe eyes.
“That letter-“ tears began to slip down his cheeks, “that goddamn letter… I really thought someone was interested in me. It felt nice knowing someone found the courage to write me a love letter. I was so s-stupid…” he stuttered.
Taehyung’s grip on his waist tightened underwater.
“I didn’t go… he found me. He told me it was just a bet, nothing more and he chose me b-because I was the most pathetic and miserable loser in the whole school,” he sobbed, “he called me a fag…”
“Who would ever like me, Tae?” he choked out. “Who would ever fall in love with a l-loser like me?” His voice cracked and his eyes fluttered shut.
The wind changed and the sky above began to darken, storm clouds rolling in. A cold breeze swept through knocking some of the flowers in Jungkook’s hair on the water.
Taehyung immediately lifted his chin with a firm grasp. “Jungkook look at me.” A very low growl emitted from him.
Jungkook opened his eyes. Taehyung looked angry and possessive, his gaze intense and fiery. “No one and I mean no one has the right to belittle you. You are the most amazing and kind person I’ve ever met-”
Jungkook shook his head. “No, you’re saying that because you’re my brother.”
“I mean it, Jungkook.” He gritted his teeth.
“Then why were you distant and cold towards me?” Jungkook asked angrily, tears streaming down his cheeks. “After that letter, you’ve changed! You avoided me, Taehyung.”
“Did I do something wrong? Why were you mad at me? Why didn’t you smile at me? Why didn’t you hug me? Why…” Jungkook swallowed the lump in his throat.
“I thought I was losing you… I-I thought you stopped loving me,” his little fists hit Taehyung’s chest.
“Why Tae? Why-“ his shoulders were shaking with every sob.
Taehyung grabbed his little fists with one hand. “I will never stop loving you until the day I die, Jungkook. Don’t ever say that to me again. I care about you so much it… hurts.”
“I’d kill for you, that’s how much I love you,” Taehyung finished brokenly.
Jungkook remembered Eunwoo’s words ‘Your brother almost killed him.’
“Then why… why did you avoid me?”
“I felt the need to protect you.”
“I don’t understand.”
Taehyung sighed heavily. “When you showed me that letter, my first instinct was to rip it to shreds. Then I saw your starry eyes daydreaming about that admirer and decided to back off… tried to…”
Drops fell on Jungkook’s cheeks but they weren’t his tears. It started raining and it was getting dark.
“You- tried to get away from me?” Hurt flashed in Jungkook’s eyes.
“I didn’t want to be that overprotective brother so yeah I kind of stepped away.”
“That’s… your excuse?”
“It’s not an excuse, Jungkook.” Taehyung glared at him.
“Of course it is!! There’s something you’re not telling me!”
They stared at each other hard.
A low rumble of thunder broke the silence.
Taehyung looked away.
Jungkook knew something was off with his brother.
“Taehyung please tell me,” Jungkook begged him. “I don’t want this distance between us.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” he said simply.
“Taehyung-“
“Jungkook, don’t push it,” he snapped.
“Are you really not going to tell me? I am your brother.” Jungkook couldn’t stop his tears. A shuddering sob left his lips.
“Just stop,” Taehyung warned him lowly.
“Why?”
“I'm not going to discuss this with you.”
“Since when did you start keeping secrets from me?”
“I’m allowed to have secrets, Jungkook.”
“We told everything to each other…” Jungkook whispered. He could hear his heart breaking and his chest felt tight.
Taehyung licked his lips. The rain was falling heavily and the wreath on his head was ruined. Chrysanthemum petals were floating on the water. “It’s for the best.” His tone was cold. As cold as the November rain that was pouring down on them.
Jungkook gulped. “Fine! Go talk to your precious friend Jimin then.”
“Why are you bringing Jimin into this?”
“You spend all your time with him. You smile at him, you let him hug you. He makes you happy and don’t deny it because I saw it. You don’t even trust me anymore.”
Taehyung glared at Jungkook with rage in his dark eyes. “Seems to me like you’re jealous. What now? That quiet boy of yours isn’t giving you enough attention?”
Quiet boy? Did Taehyung mean Eunwoo?
“You’re the worst.” Jungkook pushed him away. He didn’t care if he was injured, he’d swim back to the shore on his own.
His ankle was hurting so he tried to swim with only his arms but he was off balance and he almost drowned.
“COME BACK HERE,” Taehyung shouted. He reached Jungkook’s arms with ease and brought him closer to his chest.
“LET ME GO,” Jungkook yelled and coughed water.
“Are you crazy?! You can’t swim on your own.”
“I don’t care. Let me go.”
“Answer me and don’t try to get away from me. Why are you jealous of Jimin? Because we’re close? Is that it, huh?” Taehyung demanded angrily.
“I’m not jealous of him,” Jungkook lied. Of course, he was. That ugly feeling in his heart… that unknown feeling he felt at the festival… it was jealousy. And he realized it just now. Because Jimin had Taehyung all to himself. Felt like Jimin was stealing Taehyung away from Jungkook. He didn’t know what was it about that boy that stole all of his brother’s attention. It was absurd. “I just want my brother back.”
“You have me.”
“No! You’re different, I can feel it!”
“Grow up, Jungkook. It’s not everything about you,” he said coldly.
Taehyung’s harsh words made Jungkook’s whole body shiver. His sweet Taehyung never talked to him like that. Never!
Lightning lit up the cloudy sky over their heads.
“You s-said that you l-love me…” Jungkook stuttered. “You said that you care about m-me… And yet every time I try to get closer to you, you’re pushing me away, you hurt me and you don’t even realize it… You distanced yourself from me.”
“YOU’RE A LIAR,” Jungkook screamed. He couldn’t keep this pain inside of him anymore.
“DON’T CALL ME A LIAR,” Taehyung screamed back angrily.
“YES YOU ARE!!! WHY ARE YOU LYING TO ME? WHY WON’T YOU TALK TO ME? WHY WON’T YOU LOOK AT ME?” Jungkook struggled to get away but Taehyung squeezed his waist hard enough to bruise.
“I’M NOT LYING.” Taehyung’s eyes suddenly turned hostile as his voice dripped with malice.
“You hurt me every time you look away from me, you hurt me every time you avoid me… You don’t love me and you don’t care about me,” Jungkook said desperately.
“I don’t love you?!” Taehyung grabbed his chin roughly, forcing Jungkook to look up at him. His icy honey brown eyes pierced right into his soul, freezing him in place. “I don’t love you, huh?” he growled out with a murderous glare.
Taehyung’s eyes never left Jungkook’s, gaze so strong that Jungkook felt his heart beat erratically against his ribcage. His throat tightened up painfully.
“I almost killed that fucking asshole because he. hurt. you. He was one punch away from dropping dead. I didn’t hesitate. Yoongi stopped me. I was ready to do it- to kill him because he touched you. Prison for the rest of my life means nothing to me. Doesn’t scare me. Do you see now how serious I am for you? How dangerous I can be for you? What scares me the most is seeing you hurt. And when I saw your blood staining my hands I went feral. I literally lost it… lost my mind… made me go crazy… It was-” He stopped, face twisting in something that looked close to grief. “Bad.”
“It’s frightening how insane I can be to protect you. It’s maddening… ” Hurt flashed in Taehyung’s eyes.
Jungkook was speechless because he didn’t realize how overprotective Taehyung was of him. But still… there’s more than that- he was hiding something.
It scared Jungkook. Taehyung was ready to give up his future for him and he didn’t want that for his brother.
Jungkook didn’t want to be Taehyung’s downfall.
The rain was pouring heavily. Raindrops were falling on Taehyung’s cheeks like tears.
“Don’t ever question my love for you. In my heart, there’s so much love for you, so much. And I know I have failed you as a brother, I kept my distance because I lost control. Just… please forgive me if I want to keep some things to myself. Please Jungkook let it go.”
Jungkook stayed silent. His brother’s behavior was still weird and he didn’t understand why he kept secrets from him. He noticed Taehyung’s gaze linger on him for a couple of seconds.
The sky was really dark. Lightning flashed and illuminated their faces.
Taehyung’s thumb gently caressed his cheek. “When the night falls, your eyes are as bright as the twinkling stars.”
Jungkook’s eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into the touch and his heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he heard his brother say something like this to him.
“I can feel your confusion,” Taehyung whispered against his lips. Jungkook didn’t realize how close his brother was.
Jungkook didn’t say anything. Yes, he was confused but he decided to let it go.
They stared at each other silently. The cold rain was falling against their naked bodies. Neither said anything for several moments. Until finally Taehyung spoke up again.
“You don’t understand how beautiful you are Jungkook. You’re so sweet and delicate,” Taehyung leaned in closer to Jungkook and kissed his forehead. “You’re so gentle and pure,” he kissed both his cheeks. “So caring and cheerful,” he kissed his nose. “So thoughtful and humble,” he left a featherlight peck on his lips. “So innocent and dainty,” he whispered softly against Jungkook’s lips with his deep voice.
Jungkook’s lips parted in mild shock.
Taehyung kissed him. Lips tingling despite it being the softest little peck. It felt nice… it felt right. He found it really sweet and comforting. It was affectionate. His cheeks burned up and his heart kicked in his chest.
“Anyone would be lucky to have you and love you. People would fall in love with you just by looking into these sparkling doe eyes. When I look at them I can see galaxies and stars. You can hold moonlight in your doe eyes… You are beautiful Jungkook. So precious and perfect. I feel so lucky to have gotten such a kind and cute little brother. Don’t listen to that scum,” Taehyung smiled fondly and Jungkook’s eyes blurred with tears again. “I hate seeing you cry,” Taehyung said, fingers wiping the remaining tears away.
“Tae…” he choked out.
“What baby?” Taehyung tucked a wet strand of hair behind Jungkook’s ear.
Baby… Jungkook loved the pet name so much.
“I-I…” he stuttered. Jungkook’s cheeks were flushing as he mumbled, “Thank you… a-about what you said. This means a lot to me… and I won’t push you to tell me things. Just please don’t ruin your life for m-me… I want you to live.”
His brother chuckled. “You are my life, you are my breathing, you are-“ Taehyung looked up to the dark sky to find the right words. Then he looked back down to Jungkook’s doe eyes, “my everything.”
Jungkook’s heart was pounding hard in his chest. “I won’t let you ruin your future for me.”
“You are my future…”
Jungkook’s breath stopped in his throat.
“I won’t be able to forgive myself If something bad happens to you because of me.”
“The only bad thing for me is seeing you hurt…”
“I want to see you happy and not worrying about my clumsiness.”
“I am happy when I see you happy…”
“I will be If you stop avoiding me…”
“I thought I was protecting you.”
“Seeing you avoiding me… seeing you smiling for someone else… it was a stab in my heart…”
“… I’m sorry Jungkookie…”
“Please smile for me too!”
“I will!”
“If your future is me then my happiness is you. I can’t live without you-… I can’t be happy without you in my life, Tae…”
“I will always be with you no matter what! You’re my reason to live.”
“Promise?”
“Promise!”
“Tae?”
“Yes, Jungkookie?” Taehyung called his name so lovingly.
“I love you too, so much.” And without thinking Jungkook kissed Taehyung on the lips. It was a chaste kiss but it sent fireworks into the boy’s belly. When he pulled back, all flushed and shy, he looked at his brother.
Taehyung was staring at him dumbfounded, mouth slightly agape, pupils blown wide as a pretty pink burned his cheeks. His brother brought his hand up to his lips, touching the spot Jungkook had kissed with the tips of his fingers.
“I love you, Taehyungie.” He repeated sweetly and grinned. His eyes turned into crescent moons.
“Yeah…” Taehyung couldn’t stop staring, “I love you…”
Jungkook giggled and wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck. Taehyung hugged his waist tightly. Their heads rested on each other's shoulders and stayed like that for a couple of minutes.
Jungkook felt happy and content in Taehyung’s arms. No one could soothe him better than his brother.
“Jungkookie, I think we need to go before you catch a cold. It’s a heavy downpour.” Taehyung’s voice rumbled in his chest.
The problem was that their clothes were soaked by the rain.
“What should we do?” asked Jungkook with a pout.
“Let’s go back naked,” Taehyung suggested seriously.
“What? Naked?”
“It’s already nightfall and it’s storming. Grandma is sleeping. No one will see us.”
“O-Okay.”
The dark sky was constantly rumbling from thunders.
Jungkook grabbed their wet clothes and he was startled when Taehyung reached down, picking up Jungkook bridal style like he weighed nothing.
“T-Tae… what are you doing?” He stared at his brother with wide doe eyes.
“What? I’m not letting you walk in the mud while injured.”
“Yeah but-“
“I will let you sleep in my bed tonight!”
That shut Jungkook up. “O-Okay…” he mumbled.
Taehyung chuckled.
Next morning both of them were sick with a high fever and cold. They giggled tiredly as their grandmother scolded them for the nth time.