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"I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style. And so I came to see him, to listen for a while. And there he was, this young boy, a stranger to my eyes. Strumming my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words. Killing me softly with his song, killing me softly with his song. Telling my whole life with his words. Killing me softly with his song."
killing me softly with his song – lori lieberman
I
Jungkook opens his eyes to find himself sitting in a red padded bench of a diner. The noise of people chattering filling the room around him. A bell sounding, signaling that an order is ready. He takes a breath, blinks his eyes a few times to adjust to the light. Looks at the clock on his wrist. It marks 9:30 am, 7th of November, 1976. He has never been to the seventies before.He looks down to find that he's wearing a yellow converse high, denim jeans, a black cropped top with a straight rainbow line crossing the fabric right above his nipples. A patched black jeans jacket on top of it all. He snorts. They say the clothing always projects itself to their personalities so how the hell he ended up with a freaking cropped top he isn’t really sure. However, before he can overthink it, a waitress in a baby blue skirt and shirt is approaching his table. A tray on her hands with some coffee and blueberry pancakes."There you go, darling.” She places the mug and the tray on his table, winking before walking away.He naturally says his thanks, already used to these little kick-start interactions of each new travel, and starts eating his food. He is thankful for the warmth it brings to his body, feeling a little more attached to it, more grounded. As he munches on a piece of his syrupy pancakes, he listens to the excited talk of four kids sitting by the table in front of his. There are two girls and two boys. As he watches them, a third girl comes rushing in the diner. The door's bell ringing loudly on its wake as she runs, sneakers sliding easily in the waxed tiled floor. For a second Jungkook is worried she might end up falling, but she stops right in front of the kids' table, hands gripping at the wood and steading her. She doesn't even seem fazed as she quickly begins to whisper to her friends in an excited voice, checking behind her shoulders and sides to see if someone is listening. Jungkook focuses his eyes on his coffee mug, pretends to not be paying any attention even if he is slightly amused and intrigued by the wild and secretive look the kid carries.She begins talking in a hushed tone and if Jungkook wasn’t so close he probably wouldn’t have caught it. But he is, so he listens as the girl informs her friends and they talk in awed, excited whispers about how today is going to be a full moon. One of them getting up and starting to jump on top of the padded bench, his arm being tugged down by another one urgently chiding him to be quiet because it is a secret, Andrew!Jungkook doesn’t understand what’s so exciting about a full moon, thinks maybe he is missing something about full moons and the seventies. He didn’t really check the booklet with the main events before coming, he never does. Prefers to be surprised whenever he can. It has put him in a few difficult situations before, but he still thinks it’s worth it.But then, the kids are talking about how he will show up from the forest. They bet on which songs he will play. Faces bright and eyes shining with excitement. Jungkook finds it all too amusing, figuring they are going on about some myth or urban legend but, in the end, as the kids begin rushing out the diner as if on a mission, he decides to not give it too much of his attention and continues to munch on his breakfast.☾All afternoon, he walks around. Visit some places and even talks to a few people. Only a few because he has always been one more keen to keep it to himself, a silent observer. He takes his camera around – this time it has taken the form of an 8mm Film Cinecamera Canon – and he has fun trying to figure its settings out, filming here and there throughout the day. Each new era he visits and each new camera he gets, a new challenge. Excitement thrumming in the tips of his fingers as he presses on the record button.When its nighttime, he decides to go to a bar and have some beers. Finds one with a red and blue neon sign –
Cocktails & Dreams – and decides to have a go at it. A few beers later, head in a pleasant haze, he walks around the city streets once more. Feet light against the cobblestone, under the dimmed lampposts. Body unraveled and carefree, moonlight shining on his skin. Hands pocketed into his jeans as he hums a song under his breath.The weather is chilly and windy, but nice. Not too cold, yet he still feels a tickle when, as he pushes a hand through his hair and his cropped top goes up his torso, a gush of air brushes over his uncovered belly. Finds the sensation weird but, somehow, pleasant. Ruffles his hair as he snorts at how ridiculous he must look.He is walking mindlessly, hoping his feet will take him to the hotel he has checked in before, when he hears music. It’s beautiful. That's his first thought about it. Deep and moving and he can tell it is coming from a saxophone. Not really thinking about it, but rather feeling a pull towards it, he finds himself moving towards the sound. He almost feels enchanted by it, like a child following the pied piper. Unable to do anything but draw closer. Mild curiosity in the furrow of his brows as he walks into a moonlit town square, blinking eyes searching for the source of the melody.
II
As his eyes grow accustomed to the low light in the square, only a few lampposts shining a warm yellow light along with the cold moon glow, he notices a few things. First, that all the kids he saw in the morning are gathered there, along with some others. Second, and strangely, it’s only kids. Of different sizes and probably different ages. About twenty of them. Coats over their pajamas, in the middle of the night.He faintly wonders if the parents know that they are out and walking the streets alone. He’s about to reach out to one of them to ask, but before he can get closer to them and do so, he takes notice of where – or more accurately, to who – their bright glances and enthusiastic smiles are being directed at.Right in the middle of the square there’s a slightly elevated gazebo and in it there’s a man. Jungkook notices his black shoes and maroon pants. The dark red suede trench coat with some fringes, a printed mustard and white shirt covering over a brown turtleneck. Long ringed fingers working on a bright gold saxophone. And then, his face.His eyes are focused on the kids standing in front of the gazebo, a smile in the crinkles of his eyes as he intently watches them dance. His body moving along with the upbeat jazz song he plays and daring the kids to do so too. He has longer hair than Jungkook, reaching just above his shoulders, and a brown beret on the top of it. He is tall, too. He looks stylish and good, for what Jungkook thinks are the patterns of this era.
Jungkook probably would be more worried about the bizarre situation he just found himself in if it wasn’t by that pure smile in the crinkle of the man’s eyes. Somehow, that was enough to put him at ease. Because of that, still a little bit back in the shadows and hidden from their sights, he watches the interaction unfolding in front of him.If there was still any doubt in him that there’s nothing here for him to be worried about, after a few seconds have passed and as he observes the sweet way the man claps and cheers on the kids as his song comes to an end, the cutest and brightest boxy smile on his lips, they are gone.The man is saying something, something about the moon. Jungkook doesn’t quite grasp it, too far away to be able to, and automatically takes a few steps closer, wanting to hear his voice. Wanting to take a better look at his face. But soon enough, the man is back at the saxophone and a new song is starting. It takes Jungkook a few seconds, but he recognizes it. It was one of his mother’s favorites, back in the day. The melodic notes bringing him some nostalgia, and yet, comfort.Jungkook observes as the man closes his eyes, lost to the music he is making. The kids have sat down now, forming a semi-circle around the gazebo and they listen. It’s safe to say that Jungkook is completely enthralled by the scene, by how beautiful and captivating the man manages to make the song, enough to get that reaction from the children. He doesn’t even notice the fact that he is getting closer, feet taking him out of the shadows and closer to the back of the kids on their own accord.It’s all really involuntary and he begins singing lowly to the song, body swaying along. He blames it on the alcohol mellowing in his system but he doesn’t mind, not right now, shyness and anxieties also tuned down thanks to the beers he had. He closes his eyes and feels the notes taking him home, bringing him memories and yet creating new ones because the way it is being played now is so unique and beautiful that it is enough to have goosebumps trailing Jungkook’s arms and spine.After a few seconds, he opens his eyes, a confused furrow between his brows, when the music suddenly stops. As he does so, he is met with a lot of stares, directed straight at him, and can’t help but feel as an intruder who just broke the magic bubble and atmosphere they were in before. The kids are staring at him wide-eyed, as if they can’t believe he is there. Some even look angry, about to break in a scream. He feels the blood creeping up his neck and cheeks and he is about to bow and scurry out of there when his eyes find the saxophonist's. Suddenly, everything is still.The stare is heavy, grounding Jungkook. He couldn’t move, even if he wanted to. To his surprise, the saxophonist isn’t looking at him with annoyance or anything of the sort. There’s surprise, along with a hint of wonder swimming in his eyes. As Jungkook watches the saxophonist watching him, he notices as a small smile dances on his lips. Jungkook blinks, trying to process it.Before he can really do anything, a little girl is standing up and looking up to the saxophonist, as if waiting for something. He nods at her, murmuring something in a low tone, eyes fleeting to meet the kid's only for a second before finding Jungkook’s again. Jungkook doesn’t even notice, still consumed by the stare he is receiving, and is slightly startled when he feels a tiny hand tugging at his sleeve, telling him to come on, come on.He blinks again and looks down at the kid, who is tugging more determinately at the sleeve of his jacket. It takes him a few seconds, but he gets his body to follow the pull, head still in a burning daze. Like that, he lets himself be directed until he is standing in front of the gazebo and, consequentially, of the man.“Would you sing for us, and for the moon, tonight?” It is the first time he is able to properly hear the man’s voice. And it's deep, so incredibly deep that Jungkook feels it weighing on his skin, locking there and pulling him in. He has to put down his feet to make sure he won’t stumble forward.There’s a tease of a smile in the corner of the man’s lips as he goes down the three steps separating the gazebo from the ground and stands only a few feet from Jungkook. From the short distance, Jungkook can see the glint in his eyes. Can watch the moon glow fanning over his face, so endearingly captivating and beautiful, as if the man had been made for the moonlight.The man tilts his head to the side, quips one of his eyebrows and Jungkook realizes that he is waiting for a reply. What he didn’t realize, though, is that he had been holding his breath, releasing it now in a stuttered rush as he nods his head in a reply."Y-yes." He answers. Doesn't really know how he could possibly say anything else when that man was the one asking him.And it's all it takes for the man to give him a smile, closed-mouthed, a thousand words hidden in the thin lines pressed up together that Jungkook just wants to unravel, to listen, but he supposes finding out some of them through his music will be enough for now.The man starts playing the saxophone again, soft lips wrapping around the mouthpiece, breath and fingers softly coaching the notes to realign themselves from the start. Jungkook swallows and, surprising even himself, sings.He sings and the saxophonist keeps watching him intently, kids forgotten.
Jungkook’s cheeks keep on blushing, his voice trembling until it isn’t. Until he decides that fuck it he came all this way so he won’t be shy in front of a few kids and a strange man. He can do this.And so he sings, sings as he does when he is alone, when there's no one listening, pouring his heart out along with every word. Hitting every single note and more, making the music his own, with his little runs and adlibs. Watches as the saxophonist raises his eyebrows at him in surprise, can feel the amusement in how his cheeks bunch up a bit as if he wanted to smile. A different shine added to his eyes.They keep it like that for a couple more songs, Jungkook singing to some others that he knows or pulling the kids by their hands and dancing with them to the jazzier ones. In the back of his head there’s a little voice that keeps reminding him how incredibly weird this whole situation is, but every time he thinks about it the only thing he can really do is let out an amused, disbelieved laugh.☾"That was it for today, boys and girls and non-binary pals. Did you enjoy it?" The man asks and Jungkook looks at him, unable not to, captivated by how weird and unique this man appears to be. By how deep and gravelly his voice can be, yet how it softens and high pitches when he is talking to the kids. By how incredibly beautiful, seemingly sculptured by a deity, his face looks.Some kids excitedly yell about how good it was, others complain asking for more. The man laughs, dismissively yet affectionately ruffles some of their hairs."Next full moon, my darlings. Now it’s time to go home. Everyone, remember your partners and be safe, okay?" He addresses the kids once more, hands busied in safekeeping his saxophone in its case, slagging it over his shoulder after he manages it.The kids reply their okays and Jungkook can notice pairs or trios being formed, some holding hands and some just huddling close. They quickly disperse, going to different directions, waving and saying their goodbyes at the man."Thank you for singing for us today, sir!" One of them yells over their shoulder and Jungkook realizes after a beat that it was meant to him, the kid smiling sweetly and holding a thumbs up at him from the distance."It was beautiful!" Another joins in and Jungkook can only nod, waving back at them, unable to keep a big surprised smile off his face."It was beautiful, indeed." This time, it’s the man that says it. Deep voice creating thundering at Jungkook's chest, who carefully turns to watch him."Thank you." He replies lowly, finds it hard to keep his eyes on the man’s intense ones, especially since he is closing the distance between them, but somehow manages.As the man stops in front of him, barely two feet separating them, Jungkook feels his cheeks hotter again and hopes it isn’t noticeable under the low light. However, knows it probably is, as he watches the man’s face from that distance. Eyes raking the strikingly beautiful face, unable not to. Amazement in how smooth his pink lips look. How soft the long hair tucked under the beret appears to be. Discovers the little mole just under the tip of his nose, to the left. Finds it weird because he has one just like that too. Thinks of it as an unremarkable feature on him and yet, on the man, he finds it to be the sweetest thing he has ever seen."You’re not a kid." The man states, not so much of a question as he keeps on staring Jungkook, allowing his eyes to roam from the tip of Jungkook’s yellow converse, up to his slightly exposed waist and higher, to the top of his black hair, for the first time. Jungkook feels himself flushing under the unbashful stare, at the same time that he feels it bringing a pleasurable heat to his chest. Prideful of being the one that that stare is being directed at."Uh, no?" He replies, unsure of what to say to that. One of his hands coming up to his hair, fingers fiddling with his fringe. A nervous habit he is too well aware of."Why did you come?" This time he's staring at Jungkook’s eyes once more, pocketing his hands inside his suede trench coat."Why wouldn’t I?" Jungkook answers, a confused furrow carving itself between his brows and a tilt to his head as he watches and tries to understand the man in front of him. Watches, too, as the corners of the man's lips upturn slightly with his answer, as if amused."Adults are usually too busy with work and recently colored television in this century to be bothered with singing to the moon." The man shrugs, tone disinterested and unaffected."Well, adults suck and you play incredibly." He shrugs back at him. "It was an honor singing to the moon with you." Adds after a beat, a bashful smile to his lips. God, he isn't nearly drunk enough to be attempting at flirting. Someone save him.
The man hums lowly, a pleased smile displayed on his lips as one of his hands come to play with the edge of the collar lapel of Jungkook’s black jeans jacket. Jungkook feels his whole body shaking from the close contact, prays it’s just a trick of his mind."What’s your name?" The man asks, a pretentious tilt to his head as he does so."Jungkook-""Are you from here, Jungkook?" He asks again, deep voice and questioning eyes. Jungkook thinks he likes the way his name sounds rolling off his tongue way too much.Still, from what Jungkook has gathered from his previous statements, he thinks he knows exactly what he means by his question. Not the region, but the time."No. Are you?" He replies and somehow, maybe because of the man’s easy words and slightly flirtatious actions, he starts feeling a little more confident. A little bolder. Gives one step forward, as the man’s fingers trace down and loose their grip on his jacket. Their faces inching closer.
"Wanna grab a drink?" The man doesn’t really answer Jungkook, but asks. Playfully winking at him with both eyes, at the same time, and with a slight nose scrunch to it. It’s too damn cute.Even though he hasn’t answered him, Jungkook thinks he knows what the answer is, anyway. Yet, that doesn’t stop him from raising his eyebrows at the man's proposal. Disbelieving, a little shocked. As the seconds pass and the man keeps only looking at him, teasing smile and wiggling brows encouraging him to go on, he releases an exasperated chuckle before replying."Sure.""Well, come on then." The man blinks at him as he starts walking backward, jiggling a set of keys on his fingers as he encourages Jungkook to follow him.
III
That’s how Jungkook finds himself sat down on the hood of the man's burgundy and white striped Chevelle. A bottle of wine going between them every few sips as they stare into the starry sky above them. The car radio is on in some station, seventies rock music making background noise for their talking.They spend a few hours talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Jungkook asks about the kids, how did it start and how long ago. The man says it’s been five moons, it started with him playing his new, era adapted, saxophone in that same town square. A few kids found him, listened and enjoyed it so much that he ended up making a pact with them. He would be there every full moon to play for them and for the moon, but only children could come."That’s why they were so shocked and apprehensive at first when you appeared." The man turns his head from the sky to look at Jungkook, who was already watching his side profile. Admiring the way in which the stars shined down on his face, reflected on his bright big eyes.“I was your first exception then? Now I truly feel honored.” Jungkook replies, hand coming to his chest in a dramatic fashion. The man snorts. Picks the wine bottle from Jungkook’s hand, fingers brushing his in the process. Jungkook tries his best, as he has been trying for the past fifteen minutes or so, to not react too much to the touch.The man asks him if he can recognize constellations and Jungkook tell him that no, he can’t. Then, the man shows him a lot of them, pointing and telling their stories. Jungkook, unsurprisingly, is bad at finding them, wonders how the man can make some sense of, what seems to him, jumbled and scattered stars. Because of that, the man's body comes closer to him at every new constellation he presents, trying to trace its lines nearer to Jungkook’s point of view so he can have an easier time in finding them."Now, this is one of my favorites." He says as his slender fingers work around Jungkook’s hand, molding it in a way that all his fingers are closed in a fist except by his index. When Jungkook complies to the position, he begins tracing the lines of the constellation with Jungkook’s finger. Jungkook feels his skin warm under the touch, buzzing comfortably. Wishes, for a second, that he wouldn’t let go.“Do you see it?” He asks.Jungkook nods, even if he does not, for a fact, see it. Mind, once again, too busy watching the man. He releases Jungkook's hand, smiling down at him as if he knows better and Jungkook flushes, thinking that he used to be better at this, at hiding. Grabs the wine bottle and takes a swig for good measure."It’s called Orion. Myth says that Orion was a hunter that once said he would kill all animals from earth. Mother Gaia heard about it and dispatched his pretentious ass right up to the sky. Served him well, in my opinion." The man continues, eyes going from the sky to Jungkook's face, a funny tone to the way he delivers the words and Jungkook manages to laugh a little, entertained.“I like this one too. It’s called Apus, or, the Bird of Paradise.” He says again after a few minutes. Easily picks up Jungkook's hand again, tracing the new pattern with his index."Apus means “no feet” in Greek, because once people thought that the so-called bird of paradise didn’t have feet. Sounds like a ridiculous mistake to us, I know, but I quite like it to be honest." He shrugs. This time, when he tells it, he still holds Jungkook’s hand in his. Lowered by their sides, but in his grasp. Thumb brushing softly against the skin."Being in paradise, so up in the clouds that you can’t even come down. You end up without feet, without being able to land. A dangerous, utopian, yet beautiful concept." His eyes rest in the sky, lost in the constellation. As if longing for it and trying to find more stories, more answers.Jungkook is entranced by the warm, soft touch on his hand. By the deep voice and the beautiful way that he looks at and interpret the stars. They are more beautiful through and in his words than in what Jungkook’s can grasp with eyes. Captivated by starlight dancing on his face with every little movement it makes as he talks. Lighting up and twitching when he uses a humoral voice only to shift to a serious one a second later, a little frown to his forehead."I like the way you see it." Jungkook murmurs, lowly. "And they are beautiful birds, from what I heard."“Yeah, they are." He turns his head to face Jungkook, a small smile on it, going all the way up to his eyes and Jungkook feels warm.Boldly flips their hands so that his is on top of the man’s and, finally, intertwines their fingers. Watches how their long fingers slot together for a second, almost in a daze, and when he looks up he finds that the man is watching him. Soft eyes and soft smile. Jungkook’s cheeks heat up again and he looks away, forcing a cough and covering it with his free hand as he turns his head to the side.He hears a faint chuckle coming from the man, a squeeze to their joined hands. A few seconds later he can see, from his side vision, that the man has turned his head to the front, watching the sky once again too."That is, I think, my favorite one. And an easy one to locate.” The man says again, but this time he traces the constellation with his own finger, his other hand that he had been using to mold and point with Jungkook's still pleasantly connected to his in the small space between their bodies.“Which one is it?” Jungkook asks."The Cancer constellation." The man simply says, but doesn’t add anything else as he had done to the other ones.Jungkook hums and it takes him a minute to rummage his brain for anything he might know that might help him understand why the man would like that one so much. Which meaning it could possibly have. He once had a friend that really like astrology, so he might have something on him still. It takes him a minute or two, but it comes to him."Oh, because of its connection to the moon?" Jungkook asks, way too excited when the knowledge comes back to his mind and he links it with the fact that man keeps going on about singing to the moon and how he only shows up to play for the kids in the full moon.The man clearly didn’t expect him to say it, face shifting to look at Jungkook. Eyes slightly widened and a surprised smile hanging on his lips. He bites the lower one, as if trying to contain it. Not let it grow too wide. Jungkook thinks it's a shame. Turns his body to completely face the man, instinctively reaching for his lower lip with his free hand. A thumb pressing in and releasing it from his teeth.Jungkook feels the rush of breath the man releases fanning warm over fingers, before his eyes fleet from the man’s lips to his eyes. A small smile taking form in his own face from knowing the effect his small touch caused. Brushes his thumb over the freed lip once, just for the sake of it, relishes on its softness, and pulls his hand back on his lap.The man watches him for a second or two, mouth still slightly parted, before he forcefully clears his throat. Jungkook smile only grows wider. The man rolls his eyes at him, but Jungkook can see the fondness in the way a smile appears along with it.“But yeah. Cancer is ruled by the moon. So, moonchildren are people born under the sign of Cancer. They say we are unique, emotional and weirdly strange beings." He smiles big as he says it, wiggling his brows as if he couldn’t be more pleased by the description."Connected to the moon and its different moods. Gaining power from it." He continues and it still has Jungkook on edge, waiting for the next word. All the words he wanted to unravel from that first smile. Drinking them up, thirsty for it."That's why you only play when it’s full? Because it’s when it’s most powerful?" Jungkook asks, mind working and trying to comprehend the mystery man in front of him."Yes, because it's fully grown and ready to be celebrated. In all this powerful glory. People don’t really tend to notice, but even if they aren't moonchildren, the full moon usually is powerful enough to affect them here and there too. But they just brush it off, thinking the change in their moods is just because something happened in their routine or something like that." The man shrugs and Jungkook hums, nodding his acknowledgment in response.The man releases his hand from Jungkook’s, reaching for the bottle of wine. Jungkook instantly misses the warmth of the touch, by tries to play it cool. As he drinks from it, his stare is still focused on Jungkook and he can feel it as much as a touch so maybe that will do too.A few beats pass in which they stay still and stare at each other like this, easy smiles to their lips.“So, a cropped top, huh? I’m wondering what you look like dressed up in the current days." He provides after a few minutes, pointing to Jungkook’s exposed waist, a teasing tone to his deep voice."I honestly don’t wear anything like this. I've been trying to understand how this happened all day long. This was a default, I swear.” Jungkook replies in an almost whine, voice emphasizing and slightly frustrated.“Oh, so today is your first day here?" The man asks, surprise in his voice and shining along in his eyes. Jungkook only nods at him, takes the bottle from his hand and has another swig. Hears the man hum in front of him.“Well, I like it." The man shrugs, hand reaching out to touch Jungkook’s exposed skin under his cropped top. He stops before actually doing so, eyes looking at him in a silent question.When Jungkook realizes he's waiting for his consent, he nods and instantly feels the fingers pressing against his skin. His breath catching on his throat from the pleasant warmth on his cold skin. Electricity humming under the touch, replying to it."Oh, I've noticed." Jungkook says, a dismissive and pretentious tone to his voice. Wants to pat himself on the back for managing it.“Oh, did you?” The man is laughing lowly and rough and good at him, throwing his head slightly back as if he was caught by surprise by that response. And it’s everything that Jungkook wishes he would never have heard it, because now he won’t be able to stop playing it over and over his head for god knows how long."And here I thought I was being very subtle." He clicks his tongue as he stares at Jungkook, something changed in his eyes. Darker. Hungrier. His thumb brushing up and down strokes at Jungkook’s hipbone, face slowly coming closer to his."Those stares you were giving? Subtle, really?" Jungkook teases, quirking one of his brows."Shut up." The man rolls his eyes at him. And Jungkook is, well, fond. Thinks no one should be allowed to be so beautiful and endearing at the same time."You shut up.” Jungkook replies in a childish manner, face frowning in a playful way at him, tilting his chin up in his direction."You know what you’re making me say, right?” The man replies, eyes bright and excited. Teasing smile to his lips. He manages to look so young and without a care in the world that Jungkook feels it. Feels it contaminating him, making him want to do all sort of reckless things.“Oh my god, no, ple-" Jungkook pleads, face contorting in a distasteful expression but it’s cut short."Make me." He says it anyway, every syllable being emphasized on his lips, shaking his head in a positive manner. He looks so bright and so good that Jungkook has to close his eyes for a second, shivers on his body still running from the thumb brushing gently over his exposed skin. It's already too much."Ugh." He manages to make a fake noise of disdain. Opens his eyes only to let a hand tug the beret from the man’s head without much delicacy, placing it down on his lap."Hey-" The man complains, but is soon enough closing his eyes and smiling as he lets Jungkook thread his fingers through his long hair, arranging it to some style that he likes before settling his fingertips just over his neck."I still don’t know your name." Jungkook opts to say as the man opens his eyes and pushes his head forward, their lips brushing against each other's for the first time."Taehyung." He whispers. Every syllable caressing over Jungkook’s mouth, being molded against it so he can’t forget it."Taehyung." Jungkook copies him. The last thing he feels, more than sees, before closing his eyes is Taehyung’s beautiful smile, pressing over his.
IV
Taehyung kisses like he looks: beautifully. Jungkook has only got a taste and, yet, he can already tell he would be easily addicted.Taehyung kisses him slowly, as if he doesn't have anything else to do but this. As if taking his time to record every figment of taste and movement, of Jungkook and him, in his mind.Jungkook kisses him back carefully, as if afraid he will be gone when he opens his eyes. Fingers threading on the hairs by Taehyung's neck with more purpose, pulling him closer, asking him to stay. The large hands replying, fingertips writing gentle words on his exposed waist, grounding him and awaking chills on his skin as they go.Their tongues dance together as explorers, slowly and carefully finding their way. But, also, curiously and daringly. Amazed at every new twist and turn that brings them pleasure. That makes them gasp over the other's mouth.Blood simmering under Jungkook’s skin and he wants more. He wants closer.Lips so soft that he can’t help but bite, watch Taehyung's lower one re-molding itself against his teeth. He presses further down before dragging it out, slowly releasing it. Taehyung gives him a deep, throaty hum of approval and it’s enough for Jungkook to want to make his life mission all about getting those little noises out of him.They kiss and Jungkook’s mind is up there, swimming in the sky with the stars. Constellations blooming on his skin from the teasing drag of Taehyung’s fingernails on his waist, on his abs, on his hipbones. Digging into his skin as he charts them.As they break for air, Taehyung's warm lips close around his neck, kissing him slowly, burning him so good until Jungkook is whining lowly and slightly writhing on his arms, tugging at Taehyung's hair, begging lowly for more because this is not enough.Taehyung replies by sucking on his pulse point, just below his jawline, tongue coming out to tease and soothe the pleasurable pain before his mouth is working on it again. Jungkook knows he’s being marked, a belt of red little stars rising on his neck and he can’t help but feel like Taehyung is uncovering him, showing his true form. And he feels special, he feels unique. Like he can now recognize himself as a part of one of those myths Taehyung likes so much.Jungkook breathes harshly, tugs on Taehyung's hair until he’s roughly groaning at the blissful strength, pushing himself back and finally facing Jungkook again. Jungkook smiles up at him, fingertips now softly caressing Taehyung's scalp as he watches in awe the stars dancing on his eyes, telling him so many incredible things. Tries to save them in his memory. The disheveled hair, the flushed cheeks and the red lips glistening under the moonlight. His breath catches on his chest from how ethereal Taehyung looks. And so, he does the only thing he can: presses even closer. Legs tangling around Taehyung’s form, arms wrapping around his neck.Taehyung curses lowly about how beautiful Jungkook is. Calls him baby, right above his mouth, just for Jungkook to hear, as if he doesn’t want the rest of the world to know their secret. Tells him yes, pleads for more. Jungkook whines, bites his lip in frustration as he presses his body to Taehyung because he is the one that needs more, he is the one supposed to be saying those things. Dives in to kiss him, hips hungrily dancing over Taehyung's in silent thank yous. In silent praise.Jungkook kisses him until both of them are dizzy, skin prickling and burning from pleasure, glassy stares and unnoticed tears shining in the corners of their eyes. Kisses him until Jungkook’s skin is nothing but a map of newly created constellations, until all he can taste on his mouth is Taehyung. Until all he can feel on his heavy limbs, draped over Taehyung's, is moonlight. Beautifully shining through.
V
Four days have passed and the full moon can no longer be found in the sky. Jungkook went, every night, to the town square and sung with Taehyung, danced with the kids. After it, they would find and create new constellations on their bodies. Unraveling new stories under the moonlight. It was something he hadn’t had in a long time. No. That he had never had, because no one was like Taehyung. Never like this.Taehyung had kissed him good night at every single dawn, when the moon disappeared from the sky to give way for the sun. Yesterday, he had said goodbye as if he meant it. Jungkook hadn’t expected it, was too late to understand it and, by then, hadn’t known what to say. Words stuck on his chest, pleas choked up on his throat as Taehyung drove off in his burgundy Chevelle.He wanted more, but knew that Taehyung was a moonchild. And moonchildren can’t breathe in the sunlight. Only when the moon rises, it’s their time.
☾When his week is over, Jungkook presses the call button on his watch and types in the customer service number he knows by heart. He goes through the identification process, replies to the safe word questions and finally manages to put in his request for a month. He has never done that, usually just spends his typical week – or maybe requests for one more, when he really likes the place – and that’s it.This time, though, he knows he needs to be here a month from today. If he goes away, there’s no certainty that he will be able to land in this year again. You can always pick the decade, but not the year. The technology isn’t that precise, yet. So, he can’t risk it. A month it is.Moonchildren, like the moon, work in cycles. He would be back. And Jungkook would be waiting for him so they could sing for the moon, once again.