7 UP IN THE CLOUDS

Jungkook and Taehyung arrived at their destination and the latter was confused when he went down the car and saw the building in front of him.

"Jungkook, why are we in a heliport?" Taehyung asked.

"You'll see." Jungkook said, smiling as he grabbed Taehyung's hand and led him inside.

"Well if it isn't Captain Jeon." A lady in uniform said.

"Hello again, Captain Im." Jungkook said as he let go of Taehyung's hand to give Im Nayeon a hug.

Did he just do that in front of me? Taehyung could mentally hear an alarm in his head as if jolting him to a reality that he was scared to face.

"It's been almost a decade since I last saw you." Nayeon said.

"Not my fault you moved here." Jungkook said.

Taehyung cleared his throat as he felt like they forgot his presence in the room.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung and saw an annoyed expression on his face. He instantly knew what the latter was thinking so he gave the younger a playful glare.

"Nayeon, this is Kim Taehyung. Taeh, this is my COUSIN, Captain Im Nayeon." Jungkook said with emphasis.

Taehyung mentally cursed himself for judging Jungkook and extended his hand towards Nayeon.

"Hi, nice meeting you." Taehyung said as he smiled at Jungkook.

Nayeon didn't take his hand, but stepped forward and hugged Taehyung.

"Let me hug you instead. You have no idea how happy I am to meet you. I've been waiting for someone special who could bring my cousin's old self back. You should've heard how happy he was when he called me to say that —"

"Okay, that's enough." Jungkook said as he pulled Nayeon away from Taehyung.

Nayeon laughed when he saw how flustered Jungkook looked.

"What?! I'm just happy to meet him, cuz!" Nayeon said.

"He gets it now, okay? Now, keys." Jungkook said.

"So, bossy." Nayeon said as he handed Jungkook some keys and then led them out to the back of the building.

"Let's talk one of these days." Taehyung said to Nayeon.

"I'd love that!" Nayeon said as she winked at Taehyung.

Jungkook dragged Taehyung gently towards the back exit of the building.

Taehyung's eyes widened upon realizing that they were walking towards a chopper.

"Are we riding that?" Taehyung asked.

"I'm driving and you'd be my lone passenger for the flight." Jungkook said.

"But, where are we going?" Taehyung asked.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'd love it." Jungkook said.

"Have fun you two! I'll expect that date when you get back, Taehyung!" Nayeon said, making Jungkook glare at her.

"Kidding!!!" Nayeon said before gesturing for them to get going.

Jungkook helped Taehyung hop in the helicopter and led him to the passenger seat.

The older sat on the driver's seat comfortably and started to fiddle with some switches and knobs.

"All your luggage are set, You're good to go, Cap!" A crew from the heliport said before closing the door of the chopper.

Taehyung was observing every little move of Jungkook and he can't deny the fact that the latter was looking hot in his element. He had to stop himself before he could literally drool over the older.

Several minutes later, they were already in flight.

"So, where are you taking me, Captain Jeon?" Taehyung said as he looked outside to admire the beauty of the night sky.

"Kanagawa." Jungkook answered.

"Ooooh haven't been there." Taehyung said and then he suddenly realized something.

"Oh no, Namjoon hyung!" Taehyung said.

"Don't worry. He and Jin hyung are flying later this afternoon. Jin hyung and I have the same schedule so we're both off for two days and will fly back to Korea on the same flight." Jungkook said.

"When did you actually find the time to arrange this?" Taehyung asked.

"It only took a few phone calls, Taeh." Jungkook said.

"Yeah, but planning for it? When did you actually think about all these?" Taehyung curiously asked.

"Thinking about how to make you smile the way you're smiling at me right now? Like, 24/7 for the past few days." Jungkook openly said, making Taehyung blush.

"You know what, you're giving me so much content for my next book." Taehyung said, giggling.

"That's good. That gives me the right to continuously ask for compensation then." Jungkook said as he winked at Taehyung.

"I won't even dare ask what possible compensation you'd want this time." Taehyung said.

"Don't worry, I'm a very reasonable guy. I won't be asking for anything that you can't possibly pay back." Jungkook said.

"Like?" Taehyung asked.

"Like, go out on dates with me." Jungkook said.

"That's very reasonable."

"Wait, I'm not done yet. Go out on dates with me and possibly consider not dating anyone else?" Jungkook asked.

"Exclusively dating, you mean? Not being your boyfriend, right?" Taehyung asked.

"Is there a difference?" Jungkook asked with furrowed brows.

"Major difference. Being in a relationship comes with expectations. There are roles we need to play, responsibilites to take care of and priorities to set. Exclusively dating is just that, we date each other without going out with anyone else. I think we're still far from the first one." Taehyung asked.

"So, let me get this straight. Are you saying that whatever's happening right now could just be temporary for you? Even after the fact that we did it with the possibility of you getting pregnant and yet you think that I can't play the part of being your boyfriend, be responsible and be able to make you my priority?" Jungkook asked, getting anxious internally.

"That's not what I meant. I just came from a break up, Kook. I just feel like I'm not yet emotionally and mentally ready to jump into another relationship at the moment. I mean, can we just take it one day at a time and see how everything pans out? Just like what you said enjoy the moment. We'll never know when things might change." Taehyung said.

Jungkook just nodded and felt uneasy. He looked at it differently as getting intimate with soneone is not really a casual thing for him. He never slept around so he thought Taehyung felt the same way too. He doesn't want to pressure the younger eitther, but he just wanted an assurance that what's happening between them right now is something special for Taehyung too. To add to that, Jungkook's insecurities and lack of faith on love is not really helping him at the moment.

On the other hand, Taehyung does feel that what they have IS indeed special. He's simply not ready to be in a relationship just yet. Technically, his trip to Malta was for him to spend some quality alone time. It's just that destiny had a different plan and made his path cross Jungkook's and vice-versa. He didn't expect to be with someone, let alone a pilot for that matter.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook who wasn't sparing him even a glance anymore.

"Come on Kook, say something. I can't stand your silence." Taehyung said.

"We're here." Jungkook said before contacting the heliport to clear them for landing.

Taehyung just let him be as he didn't want to distract Jungkook.

The younger thought that the tension would go away and Jungkook would eventually say something. However, the car ride to the surprise destination was silent and Taehyung was getting frustrated.

The moment they reached the hotel, Jungkook walked ahead of Taehyung and went straight to the front desk. So, the latter just decided to sit diwn on one of the couches at the lobby. He looked around and he can't help but fall in love with the scenery before him. It was so conducive for self-meditation, relaxing and a lot of cuddling, making him smile.

However, his smile instantly dropped when Jungkook approached him and handed him a key card.

"Here's the key to your room." Jungkook said.

"My room? We're not staying together in one room?" Taehyung asked.

"I think it's better if I leave you alone for a while. I mean, I wasn't really part of your vacation right? So, just relax, meditate or do whatever and enjoy the moment." Jungkook said as he grabbed his suitcase and left the younger speechless.

Taehyung sighed and just grabbed his own suitcase and searched for his room.

When he got there, he was quite astonished with the room.

He walked around and he momentarily felt at peace, until his thoughts went to Jungkook.

"What the fuck did I say wrong? I don't get it!" Taehyung frustratingly said to himself.

He plopped his body on the bed and started to play back their conversation in his head.

Are you saying that whatever's happening right now could just be temporary for you? - Jungkook

We'll never know when things might change. - Taehyung

Taehyung's eyes widened as he abruptly sat up.

"Fuck! Did I really say that? You're so stupid Taehyung….But, that's not what I meant. It wasn't directed towards him." Taehyung said as tears started to well in his eyes. He grabbed his phone to text Jungkook.

Taehyung

Kook, I'm sorry. I realize now what I said.

I didn't mean to say that what we have

now could just be fleeting. I meant life in

general.

Four days ago I broke up with Eunwoo.

Just like that, the five years we spent

together went down the drain.

I planned a trip to be alone, and then I met

you. I didn't imagine that the pain I felt

would be gone as quickly as it did. You took

my pain away, Kook. I felt so loved in the

past two days more than I ever did in

those past five years with Eun.

So, yeah things could happen in a blink if an eye, but that's the past. All I have is now. And I want to spend it with you, and the day after that, and even the day after that. I'm not dismissing the thought of us being in a relationship in the future, but I'm really not ready yet. But now, at this very moment, I just want to be with you.

And, if tomorrow could be the same as now,

then I'd be happier tomorrow than I

am today. I'm missing you already. Please stay with me. I can't believe you placed me in such a big room that's perfect for two only to

leave me alone. 😢😢😢

Taehyung stared at his phone and waited for the message to be seen. His heart dropped when he finally saw the READ notif.

He stared at his phone for a few more minutes and waited for Jungkook to type something, but nothing happened.

Taehyung was about to cry when the doorbell rang. He ran to the door and was expecting to see Jungkook, but it was just a bellboy.

"Ohayogozaimasu, Kim san. I'm here to bring you to your breakfast table." The bellboy said.

"Oh, it's okay, sir. I'm not that hungry." Taehyung said.

"But, Kim san, the table is set already." The bellboy said with a panicked expression.

Taehyung noticed it and felt bad as he thought that the resort might have prepared something and he didn't want to be rude so he excused himself for a few seconds to grab his phone, wallet and key card. He then followed the bellboy.

He was led to a small outdoor area where a table for one was set and his heart sank. He was hoping that he could at least have breakfast with Jungkook. Before he could sit down, a voice suddenly said,

"I wasn't expecting you'd say all those things when I just wanted to surprise you."

Taehyung turned around and saw Jungkook standing behind him with a bouquet of flowers.

Taehyung stared at the flowers and then at Jungkook and then started crying.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Stop crying please." Jungkook said as he hugged Taehyung tightly.

"I hate you. Was it all an act?" Taehyung said in between sobs.

"No. I did feel bad a bit with what you said, but I understand where you were coming from. I just took the opportunity to level up the surprise. But, I have to say that I think I was more surprised with your message." Jungkook said as he kissed Taehyung's forehead.

"You're so mean. I really don't like you right now." Taehyung said pouting.

Jungkook wiped his tears away with the back of his hands and then pecked on Taehyung's nose.

"So, do you want me to leave? I can just eat breakfast in my room." Jungkook said, chuckling.

"I'd hate you more if you do that." Taehyung said as he wiped away the fresh tears that fell from his eyes.

"I'm really sorry, bear, please stop crying now, hmmm?" Jungkook said as he sat down on the chair and placed Taehyung on his lap.

"Were you also planning to have me sit on your lap the entire time that's why there's only one set of plates here?" Taehyung asked, making Jungkook laugh.

"Not really, our table is right there on the other side." Jungkook said pointing at another table.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jungkook and buried his face on the latter's neck.

"So, you want this right now, and tomorrow, and the day after that, huh?" Jungkook asked.

Taehyung slightly pulled away and then covered Jungkook's lips with his and gave him a warm and passionate kiss, leaving both of them breathless.

"I guess that's a yes?" Jungkook said.

"It's a prank." Taehyung jokingly said as he ran off to their table giggling like crazy.

God, how can I not love you, Kim Taehyung? Jungkook mentally said as he shook his head smiling from ear-to-ear.