Work Text
A place like this would normally be a bit too bourgeoisie for Jungkook’s taste. He would have been more than content kicking off his vacation with Trader Joe’s wine and Panda Express on the sofa. But, Hoseok had found this place two weeks ago in a magazine waiting for his physical therapy appointment, and he had been incapable of shutting up about it since.They’re at some terribly sophisticated rooftop bar in Brooklyn, thirty-four stories up with an unobstructed view of the Manhattan skyline. The exterior is all exposed brick and calculatedly mismatched barstools, crackling fire pits and fairy lights. The menu is deconstructed tiramisu this, artisanal ravioli that. Jungkook’s drink is this ginger-y rum thing that doesn’t quite taste like $23 it costs, but it’s still good for what it is. (He tries to tell himself that he deserves nice things sometimes.) It’s right after the start of their third round when Hoseok jumps out of his seat, nearly drenching Yoongi with his tequila sunrise. “We haven’t cheers-ed to anything tonight!” He yelps.Jungkook’s eyes widen as the shaking table threatens to knock over his drink, but he still laughs. He can’t say he’s not used to Hoseok’s uppercase antics after eight years.“Sit down!” Yoongi nervously swats at Hoseok’s arm. “How the hell are you this wrecked already?”“ Some of us are lightweights,” Hoseok rebuffs, primly placing a glossy, brown strand of hair back into place. “How about... a toast to tequila? Yes? No? Yes? Either way, I would like another one of these immediately.”“ No -” Yoongi starts. “The weather’s looking pretty nice for this weekend,” Jungkook chirps, “How about we cheers to that?”“I can do one better,” Taehyung hums, offering forward a glass of wine. “How about...” Jungkook is all of a sudden very aware of the way Taehyung’s brown eyes are fixed on him, bewitching and taking him in with a fond, almost wistful softness. Taehyung places his free hand with Jungkook’s and Jungkook’s breath catches, the way it always does, a rush of warmth deep making its way into his chest. Taehyung smiles. “How about to just finally getting our boys back and to ourselves, even if it’s only for two weeks?”“Oh, I’ll drink to that,” Yoongi concurs, clinking glasses with Taehyung.“You say that like we go off to war and not just like, the Upper West Side,” Jungkook giggles, lifting his glass anyway.“Maybe that was a bit dramatic,” Taehyung grins. “It’s just…. not seeing you until like 11:00 can be kind of rough sometimes, I guess.”Jungkook looks down.“I’m really proud of you though,” Taehyung adds softly, hand moving to squeeze Jungkook’s thigh. “I just miss you in the evenings is all.”“Keep it PG-13, you two. God is watching.” Yoongi reprimands, cat-like eyes narrowing behind choppy, black bangs. Jungkook tries to flip him off with the hand holding the cup, but he fails, so he sticks out a tongue. Yoongi snorts in response.“You two are so cute,” Hoseok whines. He turns to Yoongi, pouting and clearly craving validation and affection from his own boyfriend. “You’re proud of me too, right?” He tugs at Yoongi’s sleeve. “Yoongi?”Yoongi presses his lip together in amusement at his shamelessly drunk boyfriend before sighing. “There’s nothing I love more than getting to brag to all my new clients about my very hot and talented boyfriend who dances over at the New York Ballet.” He pauses, looking down, voice dropping just a little. “I also wish you didn’t get in so late all the damn time.”Hoseok gets a little watery-eyed at that. Yoongi reaches to hold Hoseok’s hand, the corner of his mouth flicking up affectionately. Hoseok’s eyes water even more at that, too. Jungkook never fails to crack at least a little smile at the couple’s strange dynamic; it’s one of the oldest things Jungkook knows about the city, something he’d known before he’d even figured out how to get a MetroCard. His first week sucked. Things got better. Still smiling, Jungkook holds his glass up. “So, a proper cheers to the start of vacation?”They all put their drinks forward.The conversation flows easily like it always does, meandering from shows for the Ballet’s summer season, trying to figure out exactly what the hell “Foraged Nachos” would even be made of, and back to their upcoming vacation plans.Yoongi says they’re probably just going to stay in the city and just binge old Real Housewives episodes, but Hoseok reminds him that they promised his older sister that they’re going to head over to Jersey to meet her new baby next, next Friday. This turns into Hoseok venting about how his parents have been not so subtle lately in trying to figure out if he and Yoongi have any plans to have kids someday. Jungkook nearly laughs at Yoongi’s silence and comically heavy gulps of his whisky. But as he notices the blood draining from his face, skin tingeing a sickly green, he mercifully veers the conversation to their own plans for their break.He and Taehyung are doing three days at a cottage by the beach somewhere in Cape Cod. Yoongi teases that Jungkook has finally shed off the last bits of California and truly embraced his East Coast identity, but Jungkook just shrugs. He doesn’t know much about the trip; it was entirely Taehyung’s design as he “really just wanted to get him alone and out of this city for once.”
(“You sound like you’re trying to murder me?” Jungkook giggles.
“I probably could have phrased that better,” Taehyung has the good sense to laugh at himself. “But what do you say?”
“Definitely yes,” He pecks Taehyung lightly on the cheek, “I’d go anywhere with you.”)
Pets aren’t allowed at the cottage, so Yeontan is staying back in Brooklyn with Yoongi and Hoseok, much to Taehyung’s despair. He’s in the middle of explaining the minutiae of Yeontan’s grooming routine (like he hasn’t already gone over it four times before) when his phone begins vibrating on the table. He’s talking about how pomeranians have “especially delicate paws” when he turns the screen on. Jungkook can’t help but look. The caller ID reads “Mom” in Korean. Taehyung shuts the phone off and pointedly places it face down.Jungkook knocks the side of Taehyung’s knee with his own. What was that about? Taehyung knocks back. Don’t worry about it. Jungkook raises an eyebrow, but just as soon forgets the matter when Yoongis cuts in, saying it’s ridiculous that Taehyung carries Yeontan around in a papoose.This starts a whole thing with Yoongi chastising Taehyung for spoiling his dog, with Taehyung insisting he’s just being a caring owner. Jungkook catches Hoseok’s eye. They both giggle as they go for sips of their drinks. A minute later, Taehyung’s phone buzzes. Jungkook notices, Taehyung doesn’t. He’s too busy cackling at Yoongi’s look of exasperation and working to rile him up even more.But, it buzzes once again. And then again. Jungkook narrows his eyes.On the third buzz, Taehyung picks it up with a heaving sigh.He pales. He scrambles off the barstool. “Um,” He waves his hand kind of awkwardly in the air to get Yoongi to shut up “Sorry, I need to take this like, right now.” He swallows and jabs a thumb vaguely to the bar area behind him. “Sorry, I- I’ll be back.”Jungkook opens his mouth to say something, but Taehyung dashes away without another wordThe table is silent. Hoseok and Yoongi look at each other, perplexed. Yoongi turns to Jungkook. “Do you…” He hesitates, “know what that was about?”“Clearly not,” It’s half true. Jungkook nervously stirs his drink, stabbing at some of the mint leaves with his straw.“Maybe it’s a work thing?” Hoseok suggests lightly. Taehyung doesn’t get work things at 11PM. He’s an art conservator, not an EMT, he wants to say. Hoseok doesn’t deserve the snark, though. It’s just that Jungkook can’t remember Taehyung ever looking so ill-at-ease and just… alarmed? So he says that.“It’s just a phone call, Jungkookie,” Hoseok reassures, kicking lightly at Jungkook’s foot under the table. “Wait for him to actually get back before you start catastrophizing. We’ve talked about this.”Jungkook sucks at the last dregs of his drink. “Right.”Three quarters into another glass of his ginger-y rum thing, Jungkook glances at the door of the bar for what must be the twentieth time. Still no Taehyung.“I’m gonna go look for him,” He stands up before he overthinks it and spirals out. “It’s been like, fifteen minutes.”He wobbles a little as he takes one last sip of his drink. Hoseok seems to take notice. “Want us to go with you?” He asks, concern etching his flushed features.“I’ll survive,” He waves them off. “You two have fun.” He tries to will away some of the alcohol swirling around in his blood as he heads off toward the indoor bar area. That last cocktail was probably a mistake, but Jungkook really didn’t think he’d be going on a search and rescue mission.When he steps in, his first thought is that he can barely hear his own thoughts in the cacophony of bass, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. He squints as a spinning light dances across the coppery, paneled mirrors at the front of the bar. He figures that it’s definitely way too loud and disorienting inside to take a call in. Still, he scans the place for Taehyung. Nothing.Anxiety ripples through him, but he pushes it down as he heads off to the elevators where they came in. Pushing through a small crowd waiting for an elevator ride, he spots a door to a stairwell. He gives it a once-over for any “alarm will sound” warnings, but decides to chance his luck by pushing it open anyway. Harsh fluorescent lights illuminate peeling walls and scuffed linoleum flooring. He nearly jumps out of his skin when he sees someone sitting slumped against the wall a flight of steps down.Horror and relief flood him when he realizes it’s Taehyung.“Tae!” He rushes down the stairs, “What happened? Are you okay?!”Taehyung says nothing, not looking up as Jungkook wraps an arm around his shoulders.“Tae,” He places a hand on Taehyung’s upper arm, squeezing lightly. “Hey, look at me. What’s wrong? Did you have too much to drink or something?” The words sound stupid even to him, but it’s best he can hope for. He can handle a too-drunk Taehyung.Taehyung shakes his head.“Hey, please look at me,” He gently cups Taehyung’s chin and turns him to himself. “Please?” His voice wobbles. “My mom just called.”He gives him a moment to elaborate, but Taehyung stays quiet, still not making eye contact. He bites his lip. “Is she okay?” Taehyung nods. “Yeah, she’s fine. It’s just-” His voice cracks. Jungkook moves to wrap his arms around Taehyung and pull him in for a hug.“She says my grandpa had a stroke this morning,” Taehyung mumbles into Jungkook’s shirt. “Morning in Korea, not here. It happened only an hour ago, I guess.”“Oh, Tae,” Jungkook pulls him in closer, holds him tighter. “Oh, God, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”“It happens, I guess,” He sniffs wetly. Jungkook bites his lip, a little bubble of dread building inside him. “Is he…”“Still alive, but…” He gives a heaving sigh. “You know.” Jungkook threads a soothing hand through Taehyung’s hair. He holds him for as long as he needs, letting Taehyung be the first to let go.He pulls away a few minutes later, arms falling slack to his sides.“Let’s go home?” Jungkook says.“No, it’s- it’s okay, I’m-” Taehyung tries to put on a smile, but it comes off forced and unnatural. “I don’t want to ruin everyone’s night.” “No one’s going to get mad at you for having to go home early for a family emergency,” Jungkook says gently. Taehyung looks down, not meeting Jungkook’s gaze. “I know you’ve wanted to go out with the others for weeks. I don’t want to be the reason your night’s cut short. You should stay, at least.”“You can’t just go alone like this,” Jungkook pouts.“I can get home by myself,” Taehyung argues. “We’re not far.”“I know. But here’s the thing,” Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows cutely, leaning in to press his forehead against Taehyung’s. “I don’t want you to be alone.” Taehyung can get combative and defensive when he’s under stress. Jungkook doesn’t make him feel any worse than he already does, but he’s also not going to give in this time. He brings a hand to Taehyung’s chin and angles him up so Taehyung’s watery brown eyes meet his own. “Hoseok and Yoongi will understand, I understand, anyone would get it,” He whispers. “Let’s go home.”Taehyung opens his mouth like he wants to protest, but closes it. He gives a wobbly, relenting nod. “Okay.”Jungkook presses a reassuring kiss to Taehyung’s forehead and reaches for his hand to walk back inside together, but Taehyung doesn’t move.“I think I just need a minute here, actually?”“Do you want me to stay?”“No, it’s fine,” Taehyung sniffles again. “I just need a moment. Can you tell them I said bye?”Jungkook smiles. “I can do that.” Twenty minutes after hastily bidding Yoongi and Hoseok goodbye, Jungkook and Taehyung are sitting in silence in the backseat of an Uber. Silence being a relative word, of course. Taehyung hasn’t said a word since getting into the car, only confirming the address with the driver before pulling out his phone and firing away at KakaoTalk. Jungkook’s teeth rattle in his skull as their driver, some Chris Hemsworth stunt-double looking type named Sven, blasts pounding EDM from the stereo.“Do you think we could turn the volume down a bit?” He eventually gets the courage to ask. “Sorry, just kind of… tired.”Svensworth gives an affirmative click of the tongue, turning it down a few notches, but still breathily singing along. Jungkook moves to rub at his temples, but right then his phone vibrates in his pocket. He reaches to check it out and sees notifications for several messages from both Hoseok and Yoongi. He types in his passcode and taps on Yoongi’s chat.
Jungkook grimaces. Yeah, he probably could have handled leaving better than saying “Gotta blast! Charge me on Venmo, sorry!” In his defense, he figured that this sort of thing should probably come from Taehyung and not him. He types out a response.
He hisses, trying to think of a less infuriatingly vague follow-up.
Yoongi’s reply is instant.
Then, three new messages come in rapid succession. He taps on the notification.
Jungkook snorts.
Jungkook frowns.He puts his phone down, eyes darting over to Taehyung, then to Svensworth, down to his phone again, and then back to Taehyung. He feels his heart rate pick up a little, but he ignores the feeling to ask anyway. “Taehyung-ah… did your family say anything about his... condition?” He says in Korean. Jungkook can probably count on a single hand the number of times they’ve spoken to each other in Korean. Jungkook doesn’t see the point in trying. He talks like a 9-year-old and every time he does speak, Taehyung coos at how adorable Jungkook’s accent is (which Jungkook has tried to explain is not at all the compliment Taehyung thinks it is). Taehyung doesn’t do that this time, though. He quirks an eyebrow up high, but understands immediately when Jungkook gestures over at Svensworth with his eyes. He clears his throat. “It’s not great. I’m talking to Seokjin-hyung right now. He’s saying the doctors aren’t letting anyone in to visit him because he’s still not stable. I’m really not sure, but it’s… bad, I think.”Jungkook’s stomach twists in a knot. “God, I’m sorry, Taehyung-ah.”“That's life, I guess.” There’s a lull of silence for a minute before Jungkook starts again. “Sorry, this might not be the best moment but…” He feels himself cringing as he asks. “I’m asking because I think Hoseok-hyung wants to know if they’re still on for dog-sitting Yeontan?”“Shit,” Taehyung hisses in English, clicking his phone off and letting it fall to his lap. “Cape Cod’s tomorrow.”Svensworth, for whatever reason, takes this as an invitation to pipe in. “You guys visiting from China or something?”Taehyung puts on a tight smile. “We’re Korean actually, thank you.” “North or South?” He says, proceeding to laugh at his own joke.“Take a wild guess,” Jungkook challenges.“Jackass,” Taehyung mutters under his breath in Korean.Jungkook, paying no more attention to Svensworth as he turns back to Taehyung, switches to Korean again, “Hey, talk to me. What’s up?”“My first thought,” He says, jaw clenching just slightly, “is that it’s only lunchtime in Korea right now, which means I’m going to be up all night dealing with this.”“‘Dealing'?”“I don’t know,” Taehyung shifts. “Like, booking flights or something?”Jungkook swallows, staying quiet for a few moments. “Is it bad enough to have to go back?” “Maybe?” Taehyung grimaces. “I’m sorry, Jungkook-ah, I really don’t know either. You and I still have our trip and that’s- God, that’s important, But it’s just-” He sighs. “The first thing out of my Eomma’s mouth was ‘Halabeoji is sick, you need come home now,’ and it didn’t sound like I have much choice in the matter.”“It’s not like they’re forcing you at gunpoint to go,” Jungkook says, trying to keep the indignation out of his tone. “He’s not dead yet,” He squeezes his eyes shut, mentally slapping himself. “Shit- I’m sorry, I didn’t-”“No, they’re not forcing me,” Taehyung cuts in, voice even. “But I owe a lot to him. It’s not like I’m the absolute closest with my grandpa, but if something happens and I don’t go back... I’m going to look like a shitty and ungrateful grandson to a lot more people than just my parents.” Well, gee, Jungkook really wouldn’t fucking know. Taehyung has always been… quiet about his family. It had been something of a sore spot for Jungkook at the beginning of their relationship, Jungkook could Skype his parents in on the two of them making dinner, but he hadn’t gotten so much as a name of either of Taehyung’s parents. He had been venting about it one day when Yoongi cautioned him that maybe Taehyung wasn’t on such good terms with his family. It got Jungkook to drop the issue, at least outwardly. He respects Taehyung’s boundaries enough to not force anything out of him. He got their names eventually, a quick flash of an old family portrait on his phone. After two and a half years of dating, he still can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever get the full picture rather than the bit and pieces Taehyung so rarely reveals. As ever, Jungkook doesn’t press it further. He just loops his pinky around Taehyung’s. “What I mean is he’s still alive and you don’t have to jump to conclusions just yet.”“He’s 95 years old,” Taehyung says grimly. “I know it sounds awful, but I’m not exactly holding my breath here.”Jungkook doesn’t know how to respond to that. So he doesn’t.Taehyung’s head falls against the leather headrest. “God, it’s been so long since I’ve been back.”“Hey,” Jungkook says, lacing his fingers with Taehyung’s squeezing tight. “Let’s focus on getting through tonight, okay?” He smiles, squeezing right back. “Okay.”Taehyung, and consequently Jungkook, stay up another two hours as Taehyung makes several long phone calls to Korea. Jungkook tries his best to give Taehyung privacy, hiding himself away in their bedroom, but it’s hard not to eavesdrop with the thin walls of their apartment. Jungkook’s heart breaks at how distressed Taehyung sounds, but he figures he’d only be a distraction if he stepped out. He bides his time with some light cleaning.He makes the bed, which he absolutely never does. He doesn’t see the reason if they’re going to mess it all up again later. Their bedding is this nice Skuggbräcka set they’d both picked out at Ikea when they finally moved together a few months ago. He gathers a few of his empty tea mugs onto a dresser, plugs his old Switch back into its charger, straightens a few picture frames. He eventually finds himself running out of things to do. He notices Yeontan curling up on his pillow in the corner, so he takes it as a sign he should resign himself to bed, too. Sometime after 1:30, the door handle begins turning quietly, with a weary-eyed Taehyung tip-toeing in silently after.“Shit,” He startles when he sees Jungkook sitting up in bed. “Have I been keeping you up?”“God, like you wouldn’t believe,” Jungkook grins. “Kidding. I was just waiting for you.”“You didn’t have to do that,” Taehyung says, carefully taking out his delicate, dangly moon-shaped earrings and placing it into its little velvet box. A gift from Jungkook’s mom to Taehyung, Jungkook always finds himself oddly charmed at how almost reverently Taehyung handles them.“I like waiting for you,” Jungkook replies easily. He clears his throat, trying to keep the pity in the tone at a minimum. “So… how are things?”“Despite what my parents want-” Taehyung says, reaching down to fumble around for his phone cord. “I can’t just like, leave the country and take even more time off if he’s not… actually dead yet. The sacrifices you make when you move halfway across the world, I guess,” He smiles ruefully.Jungkook frowns.“Don’t worry about it, really.”Jungkook frowns harder. “I think I should be the one saying that in this situation.”Taehyung laughs at that, stepping into the bathroom to start his nighttime routine, Jungkook long ago having finished his. Soon enough, he’s wrapping up, rubbing away at some eye cream as he walks out. He quickly changes into a pair of flannel pajama bottoms, double checks his phone, and scoops a sleepy Yeontan out of his pillow to set him down at the foot of their bed.Taehyung slips into bed and Jungkook reaches to switch off the lights. Taehyung’s hand finds Jungkook’s under the duvet, strangely hesitant. Jungkook is quick to pull Taehyung onto him, bringing his head to his chest, one arm snug around him. Taehyung melts into the touch, snaking his arm around Jungkook’s waist.“I’m here for you no matter what. Don’t forget that,” Jungkook whispers, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of Taehyung’s head. “Sleep.”Too fatigued to give any sort of verbal response, he just kisses Jungkook’s chest before nuzzling deeper into his neck. After a few minutes, Taehyung’s breathing slows down and evens out, his body weighing heavier on Jungkook as he drifts off asleep. Jungkook lays awake, staring up at the ceiling and turning over Taehyung’s comment about ‘sacrifices’. Taehyung doesn’t complain much about being away from Korea. Maybe the odd comment about the trains in Seoul actually run on time, or how he misses all the 24-hour coffee shops. But 'sacrifice’ is... definitely a new word. The sentiment begins to weigh a little too heavy on his mind, so he lets his exhaustion overtake him. Jungkook lets his hand fall from Taehyung’s hair, and his eyes slide shut for the last time.Jungkook wakes up to a plucky xylophone jingle as his phone sounds his 7:15 AM alarm. Still exhausted, he wants to hit snooze and curl up under the covers for another six hours. But, they have to drop off Yeontan and to catch their 10 AM train. He rubs his eyes, figuring that going out for drinks the night before setting off on their trip was not an amazing idea.He rolls to the side. The sheets next to him lay empty and cold.He bolts up in bed, all the memories from last night come rushing back to him. He rubs at his eyes, searching the room for Taehyung. Yeontan's there, at least, excitedly scurrying up across the bed to greet the human.Jungkook gives a quick pat to the Pomeranian before hurriedly getting out of bed and dashing out into the living room.Opening the door, he finds Taehyung curled up on the sofa, eyes puffy and red-rimmed.“Tae?” Jungkook says tentatively. “I woke up randomly at about 5:00,” He starts, voice strained and pitchy. “I was checking to see the time, and I got a message from my mom telling me to call, something about grandpa. So I got out of bed... and I called,” He pauses, squeezing his eyes shut. “He had a heart attack and died while we were sleeping.”Jungkook’s stomach drops. “Oh, my God,” He rushes to Taehyung, enveloping him in his arms and holding him tight. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”“You were asleep,” Taehyung mumbles into his shirt.Jungkook wipes a tear away from under Taehyung’s eye and moves to place a kiss to Taehyung’s nose. “You’re allowed to wake up your boyfriend to tell him your grandpa passed away,” Jungkook leans in and presses their foreheads together. “It’s in my job description, silly."“We’re going to have to cancel our trip,” Taehyung’s voice wobbles, fresh tears threatening to spill from his eyes again. “I’m really sorry, Jungkookie.”“It’s okay,” Jungkook consoles, voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry,” Taehyung hiccups.“Cape Cod isn’t going anywhere,” Jungkook assures him. Taehyung lets out a little sob at that, so Jungkook pulls him in tighter, runs his fingers through his soft, black hair. “It’s okay, it’s really okay,”“It’s just that I-” Taehyung stops himself, shaking his head and pulling away to wipe at his nose. “I have to go back. I don’t have anything set yet, but I need to get a flight sometime today.” His breathing gets shaky again. “Fuck, this is a lot.”“I know, I know, but I’m here,” he holds him tighter. “I’m right here.”He and Taehyung haven’t done grief as a couple yet. Jungkook is way the fuck out of his depth with all this. He figures Taehyung’s always responded well to physical comfort, so he runs with that. He rubs his hand along Taehyung’s back; down to the dip of his spine and up across his strong, broad shoulders in slow, soothing motions. It works, though. Taehyung quickly loosens up and nestles into the younger, and absolutely does not let go.A few moments pass and Jungkook reluctantly pulls away to smooth some of Taehyung’s dark, messy hair into place. “Have you had breakfast yet?”He shakes his head.“Want me to make you something?”“No, it’s okay,” Taehyung says, shaking his head even more. “I have a really busy day ahead of me. I’ll pass.”“Let me take care of you,” Jungkook pleads, lacing their fingers together. “How do pancakes sound?”He swallows back a lump, conceding. “Pancakes sound… good,” He sniffs. “Are you sure?”“Definitely,” Jungkook kisses Taehyung once, before standing up and letting Taehyung sit up against the couch. “I can do pancakes.” Jungkook heads into their kitchen, stopping when he gets to their fridge. It’s littered with little mementos from his and Taehyung’s life together; a grocery list, a punch-card from their favorite cafe, a glossy 5x7’ of one of Taehyung’s favorite Basquiat pieces, and no less than ten photobooth photostrips because Taehyung can never resist stopping for one, and Jungkook can never say no to him.He stands there for a minute, making a mental checklist of all the things he needs to do. He should shoot Yoongi or Hoseok a text saying that he’ll be taking care of Yeontan now, but Taehyung needs food, so that can wait. He should also call his parents and tell them what happened, but it’s barely 4 AM in California, so that can also wait, too. He sighs, opening the door to pull out ingredients, trying to commit everything to memory.The batter comes together taking care to not overwhisk it. He tosses a knob of butter onto a skillet and turns on the fire. The first few pancakes come out too oily and a bit charred. He figures the first batch is always a sacrificial one, so he tries not to beat himself up too much. It’s when he starts ladling the second round that Taehyung shouts from the living room.“Jungkook!”He startles, dropping the ladle and splattering the batter all over the stove in the process. “Jesus- Yeah, what? Are you okay!?”“You have a passport, right?” Taehyung calls out.Jungkook pauses. “I- Yes?” He replies over his shoulder, eyes narrowing in confusion. “I have one. Why do you ask?”Taehyung’s head pops around the doorframe of the kitchen. “Come to Seoul with me.”“What?” Jungkook balks. “Like. Today? Like, you want me to... go with you?” The same Taehyung who hasn’t set foot in South Korea in half a decade, who dances around every question about his life there is asking him if he wants to fly out there together? Jungkook turns off the stove and turns around.“...Yes?” Taehyung says like he’s not quite sure what the problem is.Jungkook sputters. “You're actually serious?”“Yes?” Taehyung tilts his head, his dark eyebrows knitting in confusion. “I mean, I’ve always wanted to go to Korea with you.”“That’s not-: Jungkook stops himself with a frustrated groan. He takes a deep breath and starts again, mincing no words, “Is your family okay with me coming along?”“It’s not like they can stop me from bringing you.”Jungkook folds his arms.Taehyung presses his lips together, casting his eyes to the ground. “I know I don’t talk a lot about my family,” He starts, voice low and tentative. He meets Jungkook’s gaze, but Jungkook breaks away, clenching his jaw and looking off to the side. Taehyung swallows, continuing. “But, I was talking to my parents and… they kind of suggested you come along?”Jungkook freezes. He looks to Taehyung, locking eyes with him. The corner of Taehyung’s mouth ticks up, just slightly. “I was surprised, too. I think they just want to get to know you,” Jungkook scoffs at that. Taehyung sighs. “I think they’re having a change of heart. It could be a good thing.” The look of absolute earnestness on Taehyung’s face breaks some of the younger’s resolve. Jungkook sighs, unfolding his arms. “It’s - it’s certainly…. Something? Bit unbelievable, if I’m being completely honest.”“Believe it, Kook,” Taehyung says so sincerely that a physical pang reverberates through Jungkook’s chest. Taehyung brushes Jungkook’s cheek gently with his thumb. “We have each other if things go bad.”“You’re not really selling me very well on this,” Jungkook mumbles. “You haven’t booked tickets yet, right?”“Ah- no,” He frowns. “There are a couple that leave at around 6ish tonight. But, we’re already packed for Cape Cod and we have like 8 hours before we even need to head to the airport? I think you and I could definitely make it.”It’s one hell of a proposal, and it’s probably something he ought to be giving more thought to; visiting the motherland or whatever for the first time since high school, meeting Taehyung’s mysterious family for the first time… ever, all the while burying grandpa? Jungkook can’t say it sounds particularly pleasant.But then, Jungkook’s eyes meet Taehyung’s, wide and pleading as they search Jungkook for any sort of response. It hits Jungkook that all this is Taehyung’s way of saying that he needs him right now. Saying yes feels… hasty. Rash, even. He’s also not sure if he’s super thrilled with the fact it took someone literally dying to finally be let in on Taehyung’s family life, but that’s not a can of worms he wants to open now.If Taehyung needs Jungkook, how can he say no? Despite the heavy pool of anxiety bubbling in his gut screaming at him that it’s not a good idea, he ultimately trusts Taehyung when he says that everything will be okay.Jungkook nods. “Alright. I’ll do it. I’ll come with you. It’ll- It’ll be... terrifying for me, but it’s not really about me this time.” And I told you I would go anywhere with you, he thinks.Jungkook barely has time to react before Taehyung throws himself at him, wrapping his arms around his neck and nearly toppling him to the ground. “Thank you,” he breathes. “God, thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”“You’d do the same for me,” Jungkook wraps his arms around his boyfriend’s waist and holds him tight. Anything that makes Taehyung this happy has to be at least a little bit good, Jungkook figures.“Can’t believe I still haven’t been out to California,” Taehyung huffs a little laugh.“Maybe for New Year’s,” Jungkook smiles, pulling away just a bit. “But one trip at time. We have a lot to do today and not a lot of time to do it.”Taehyung nods in agreement. “I’ll deal with the flights and canceling our stuff for Cape Cod. It was my card, so it’s just easier, I think,” He puts their foreheads together, Jungkook’s vision going blurry as he tries to meet Taehyung’s eyes. “But do you think you can convince Yoongi and Hoseok to take Yeontan for an extra four-ish days, though?”Jungkook bites his lip. “You want to stay there a week?”“Is- is that okay?” He falters. “I mean, … obviously three days for the funeral? And just extra time to… I don’t know? Show you around Seoul for a bit? You’ve never been, right?”“Yeah, just Busan,” Jungkook confirms, “But this is all up to you, Tae. I’m just following your lead here.”“If you’re coming all the way to Korea, your opinion matters, too, silly.”A beat. This is for Taehyung. He’s doing this for Taehyung.He nods. “I’m cool with a week.”“Perfect,” Taehyung laughs, his boxy grin finally coming through. He pecks Jungkook one last time on the cheek before breaking away. “You go drop off our son, I’ll handle everything else.”