>>> Chapter 10 <<<

Taehyung wakes up to the feeling of lips on his forehead and a hand stroking his arm softly,

"Baby, wake up..." Jungkook whispered.

Taehyung turned to his side still wanting to get some more sleep.

"Baby come on." Jungkook laughs pulling the covers off of his boyfriend.

"Give it back!" Taehyung protested as he pulled the covers back.

Jungkook couldn't help but laugh at his adorable boyfriend, he crawls next to Taehyung wrapping his arms around the other boy as he placed kisses everywhere.

From Taehyung's cheeks to his nose, lips, neck, and that's where he stayed.

Jungkook started peppering kisses on Taehyung's exposed neck, slowly, he began licking and sucking that spot just below Taehyung's jaw making Taehyung squirm and moan half asleep.

"Kookie..." Taehyung moaned turning around as he tilts his head giving Jungkook more access to his neck.

"Are you awake now?" Jungkook smirked as he pulled away from his boyfriend who seems to want more.

Taehyung nodded in response smiling as he rubs his eyes with closed fists.

How cute, Jungkook thought.

"I cooked." Taehyung sat up blinking a few times before he reached for Jungkook's hand to help him out of the bed.

"You cook well, you can make a great alcohol mix, what can you not do?" Taehyung took another spoon full of kimchi fried rice with beef.

"It's fried rice baby, it's not that hard to cook," Jungkook answered with an amused smile.

"All I can cook is egg and ramen." Taehyung shrugged as he scrolled through his Twitter seeing Jungkook's interaction with Seokjin.

"Since when are you mutuals with my hyungie and Jiminie?" Taehyung asked smiling.

He loves that the important people in his life are interacting and seems okay with each other.

He truly feared that Seokjin won't like Jungkook, Jiminie seemed to still be on the edge about Jungkook but it seems like he is giving an effort to give the other a chance.

"Since I started stalking you when you weren't talking to me." Jungkook took a sip of his coffee before standing up to take a glass of chocolate milk for Taehyung.

"You were the one who stopped talking to me!" Taehyung pouts as he pretends to ignore the glass of chocolate milk that Jungkook placed beside his plate.

Jungkook's laugh echoed in the dining room as he wrapped his arms around Taehyung from behind, the chair getting in between them.

"I regret that," Jungkook whispered placing a kiss on Taehyung's cheeks before he sat back down on his chair.

~~~

"Wow, this is a really nice place." Seokjin compliments the bar as he continues to look around observing the ambiance and the vibe that the bar gives.

It's not one of those tacky bars, this one actually feels casual and comfy yet sophisticated at the same time.

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled proudly as he led Jimin and Seokjin to the table with Taehyung beside him.

"Their food is really good too hyung," Jimin tells Seokjin who nodded expectantly.

"Welcome!" Hoseok and Mingyu gladly greet Seokjin as Jimin smiled at them knowingly, remembering how they have met during his and Taehyung's dinner with Bogum.

"Seokjin-sshi, this is Hoseok and Mingyu, they're my friends and they help me out here at the bar." Jungkook introduced his friends who bowed politely, Seokjin smiled and bowed in return.

"You guys should join us." Seokjin invites.

"Oh no it's okay, we just passed by we have somewhere to be as well," Hoseok answered politely.

"Next time then?" Seokjin politely asked the two.

"Of course," Mingyu answered before they bid the rest goodbye.

After they have settled in the food came shortly.

It was well prepared with extra care as Jungkook instructed his kitchen staff that this is a special dinner and they have to make the best of what they usually do.

"You really closed the bar for us huh?" Seokjin observes smirking at Jungkook as he takes a sip.

"It's nothing, I close the bar once a week, decided to close it on a Sunday this week," Jungkook tells Seokjin as they continue to enjoy the meal.

"I just remembered!" Jimin digs through the paper bag he had on pulling out films for a polaroid.

"I got you these!" Jimin excitedly shows Taehyung 4 packs of mono films for an Instax camera.

"Oh, my Jiminie Thank you!!" Taehyung grins excitedly as he took the films from Jimin.

"You're still into film photography huh Tae?" Seokjin asked, Jungkook looks at Taehyung who is smiling from ear to ear, he couldn't stop himself he feels like a jerk but he didn't like it that Jimin made Taehyung that happy.

Isn't Jungkook supposed to do that?

Jungkook then remembered all the polaroids in Taehyung's dorm, how did he not realize that Taehyung is into photography.

"Yeah, a film camera is still my future goal but I still love my polaroid so much." Taehyung couldn't take his eyes off the mono films.

He has been looking for these, but usually, there are only available in color.

Jungkook tried his best to shake off the irrational and stupid jealousy he is feeling decided to chat with Seokjin more.

Jungkook is aware that what he's feeling is irrational, Jimin and Taehyung are platonic, they're best friends but after Taehyung came into his life all these feelings, attitude, characters of him that he never knew existed suddenly emerged out of nowhere.

"So, Seokjin-sshi, which part of Japan are you living in?" Jungkook asked politely but as casually as possible.

"You can call me hyung, you're dating my brother for God's sake." Seokjin laughs at Jungkook's formality.

"I currently live in Tokyo, I lived in Osaka when I first came to Japan but a few months ago, the company relocated me to Tokyo, I have been living there since," Seokjin tells them.

"Hyungie got promoted that's why." Taehyung boasts, he is very proud of his older brother.

"That's why finally I'm going to be able to take you around Japan for your summer break!" Seokjin in full of excitement brings up Japan again.

Jimin pouts mumbling about how he wants to go to Japan too and how he wants to go with Taehyung.

While Taehyung on the other hand felt uneasy as he hasn't discussed with Jungkook yet that he will be gone for about 2 weeks or so.

Taehyung tried to put on a smile, it's just 2 weeks it's should be fine, shouldn't be a big deal for Jungkook.

But for some reason, with the time he spent getting to know Jungkook both as a friend and as his boyfriend, he feels like he's not going to take it that well.

Jimin excused himself to go to the restroom.

"Japan?" Jungkook turns to Taehyung who just smiled and nods.

He really doesn't want to do this in front of his brother.

All of a sudden, Seokjin's phone started ringing, Taehyung almost panicked after Seokjin excused himself.

"Japan?" Jungkook repeats.

"Yeah, hyungie planned a trip for me for summer break." Taehyung simply tells Jungkook, it's the truth.

"For how long?" Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest as he leans back on his chair.

"2 weeks or so?" Taehyung picked on his food with his fork avoiding Jungkook's gaze.

"2 weeks?!" Jungkook sat up startling Taehyung.

Taehyung sighed closing his eyes.

"Can we please talk later? After dinner? Hyungie and Jiminie are still here." Taehyung softly says as he reached for Jungkook's hand.

Little does Taehyung know, Jimin overheard everything.

Jimin wasn't sure what the couple was arguing about but Jungkook's voice raising was definitely something that Jimin caught.

Jimin sighed not wanting to be nosy, he trusts that Taehyung will tell him if something is really wrong.

"Hey, guys." Jimin made his presence known to the couple.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook with pleading eyes to drop the conversation.

"Later please," Taehyung whispered as Jimin sat down.

"Okay." Jungkook sighed taking Taehyung's hand in his, not wanting to let go, not wanting a minute without Taehyung by his side.

2 weeks? Jungkook thinks in silence, the 2 days Taehyung was away is already awful enough for him.

All he did was work and shop for furniture for Taehyung's comfort. When he was at the bar he was just counting down the hours until Taehyung will be back.

2 weeks?

Would he even survive that? Jungkook wonders.

He spent a few days not talking to Taehyung before they got together and it was beyond torture for him.

"Where's Seokjin hyung?" Jimin asked looking around, Taehyung did as well when they spot the older at the corner of the bar on his phone smiling and giggling.

"Who is hyung talking to?" Jimin asked Taehyung shrugged, the last time they saw Seokjin like this was when he was with Jaehwan.

Shortly after Seokjin came back to the table with a huge smile on his face.

"Who was that?" Taehyung asked his brother tilting his head in suspicion.

"Jungkook, would you mind showing me your bartending skills?" Seokjin asked.

"Sure, what would you like to have?" Jungkook perks up at Seokjin's request.

"Manhattan would be nice," Seokjin replies.

"Jimin?" Jungkook asked.

"Margarita," Jimin answered with a smile.

"Baby?" Jungkook turns to his boyfriend in an attempt to tease Taehyung knowing he doesn't like alcohol.

"No" Taehyung shook his head with a pout, Jungkook kissed the side of Taehyung's head before standing up.

"Be right back." the bartender excused himself.

"So? Who was that?" Jimin asked knowing that the drinks are just Seokjin's excuse.

"Jungkook seems really sweet with you Tae," Seokjin observed trying to avoid the topic.

"Yes, he is I know. But who was that?" Taehyung pushed as Jimin looked at Seokjin expectantly.

"He's just a friend of a friend." Seokjin shrugged, Taehyung and Jimin still looking at him expecting for more.

"Fine." Seokjin sighed giving up knowing that the two best friends will not stop until he tells them the whole story.

"I met him through the friend I made at work."

"Which friend?" Taehyung teased his hyung with poor social skills.

"Yah! You're not the only one with a lot of friends, for your information that friend of mine is the son of our CEO, I made friends with an heir." Seokjin boasts proudly making the best friends laugh.

"You made friends within the company hyung. That says so much about you." Jimin laughs at Seokjin's poor social skills.

"Anyway, I met him through my friend, we started going out a week before I left. He was just checking on me." Seokjin blushed as Taehyung and Jimin squealed.

"What's his name hyungie?" Taehyung squealed.

"Namjoon, Kim Namjoon," Seokjin answered before he sees Jungkook finishing up preparing their drinks.

"Anyway, enough it's just something new, we'll see if it works out you'll get to meet him when you go for a vacation to Japan." Seokjin shrugged with a smile full of hope.

"Not fair! I wanna go too!" Jimin whines.

Jungkook comes back with the drinks, they continued chatting over the drinks, Taehyung leaning to Jungkook as Jungkook has his arm around Taehyung's shoulder.

Jungkook tells them the story of how before even graduating he already started the bar that right after graduation he full time managed the bar himself.

Seokjin and Jimin were equally impressed.

After a few more stories here and there, at around 10 pm, they decided to call it a night as Taehyung and Jimin have classes the next day.

Seokjin himself has brunch with old college friends and dinner plans before he has to leave for Tokyo on Tuesday.

That night, Taehyung decided to walk to the dorms with Jimin and Seokjin, Jungkook surprisingly agreed to stay back giving Taehyung some time with his brother and best friend.

On their way back to the dorms, Seokjin gushed about Namjoon.

How he is also Korean who grew up in Japan, his parents are business partners with Seokjin's friend's family, while Namjoon himself just graduated from law school and is taking a few months break before he prepares for the bar exams in Japan.

That night before Taehyung went to bed, he unlocked his phone to check for the messages he neglected due to being so indulged with the conversations he had with his brother and best friend.

(Jungkook texts Tae)

Jungkookie 😍💜: Baby are you home now?

Taehyung: Hi Kookie! Yes sorry I just saw your text 🥺

Jungkookie 😍💜: Baby

Taehyung: Yeah?

Jungkookie 😍💜: Don't think I forgot about Japan

Taehyung: I'm really tired can we talk about it later? 💤

Taehyung: Good night Kookie

Taehyung: Thank you for tonight I love love you 😘💜

Jungkookie 😍💜: Anything for you baby, you know that

Jungkookie 😍💜: I love you more

Jungkookie 😍💜: Goodnight

Seokjin left that Tuesday, it was quite an emotional goodbye between the brothers as they truly are each other's rock, saying goodbye will never be easy for them.

Seokjin assures Taehyung anyway that they will see each other soon, in about a month actually, as Taehyung will be going to Japan by the first week of June, just a few days after their summer break begins.

~~~

About two weeks have passed and to Taehyung's surprise, Japan didn't come up again in any conversations he had with Jungkook.

Their usual routine continued, Taehyung is now mostly living in Jungkook's place.

He has himself has his own drawer in Jungkook's closet that Jungkook cleared out for him to place all of his clothes since he always stays over anyway.

He even has his own toothbrush at Jungkook's place.

One might even think that they already moved in together.

After classes Taehyung either studies at the bar when it's not busy or if it is, he goes up to Jungkook's apartment, which also has great wifi and is really comfortable as he has his own study table as well.

Taehyung's Sundays remained with Jimin much to Jungkook's dismay...

Taehyung took a sit a few tables away from the bar counter but conversations can still be heard clearly that his head snaps up when a particular guy started a conversation with Jungkook.

"Jungkook honey, it's been a while." the guy greets Jungkook enthusiastically, his tone undeniably flirty and suggestive.

"Yugyeom?! Since when are you back in town?" Jungkook greets back excitement and surprise laced in his tone.

"Just for a few days, will be back in Shanghai after." Yugyeom pursued his lips as he adjusts himself on the stool he is sitting on.

"Why? Mad that I didn't drop you a booty call as soon as I landed." Yugyeom winks leaning in closer at the counter.

Taehyung couldn't take it anymore, his chest ached especially when he heard Jungkook's laugh as a response.

The last thing Taehyung saw was Yugyeom rubbing Jungkook's biceps before he turned his back on them.

Because one more glance at that sight will surely make him burst into tears.

So immediately Taehyung got out of his seat and left the bar.

Jungkook didn't even bat an eye, which probably means that Jungkook's so into the conversation with that guy, Taehyung thought.

Taehyung started walking outside, he hates this, he has been seeing a lot of people trying to flirt with Jungkook all the time, and he hates it.

He knows this was how it usually is at the bar and Jungkook even dodge other people's advances since they started dating.

But something about Jungkook's excited tone today made Taehyung think that maybe Jungkook missed hooking up.

That maybe Taehyung isn't enough, they've done things but maybe Taehyung's not good and Jungkook will be looking for something else.

Taehyung sighed fearing this, but he can't do anything if Jungkook's tired of him already.

He heard from Hoseok and Mingyu when they joke around how Jungkook never sticks to one person.

Maybe it is too overwhelming for Jungkook to have Taehyung around for this long already.

Taehyung can't do anything if Jungkook's had enough, he wants to be with Jungkook for a long time, possibly even forever but, really, will he ever be enough in the long run?

Taehyung pulled his phone out to text Jimin, he knows the other is in their University's library, maybe he can get dinner with Jimin and talk about the music videos that Jimin has been gushing over on Twitter.

(Tae texts Jiminie)

Taehyung: Jiminie 🥺

Taehyung: Jiminie 🥺

Jiminie 🐣: Yes Tae Tae?

Taehyung: Are you still at the library? 🤔

Jiminie 🐣: No I'm at Bogum hyung's cafe now 🤗

Taehyung: Oh really?

Jiminie 🐣: Yeah! The seniors were here earlier they were talking about the Business majors pre-summer break hang out

Jiminie 🐣: It's gonna be a party I think 🤔

Taehyung: Ohhh

Jiminie 🐣: Some of them already left but you can still come over they said they miss you!😊

Taehyung: Oh okay sure 😊

Jiminie 🐣: Just come we're still waiting here 🤗

Taehyung: Okay okay I'm coming! 🥰

As Taehyung entered Bogum's cafe, he took a deep breath and put on the best fake smile he can pull off as he greets Jimin, Bogum and the other seniors.

Taehyung tried joining their conversation about the upcoming get together of Business majors before the summer break.

Taehyung tried to listen, he tried to engage in the conversation, but all he can think of as he drinks his hot choco is, how Jungkook is probably having the time of his life, flirting and catching up with his past hook-up.

Taehyung swallowed his drink together with threatening tears of pain thinking that he will never be enough.

He downed the hot choco feeling the sting of burn in his throat, as he also swallowed the acceptance that if he won't be enough, then he won't be enough, there's nothing else that he can do.

~~~

                      (End of Chapter 10)