5

"You know each other?" Eunji asked in a low voice as she sat beside Jimin.

"Huh, yeah", Taehyung said with a small smile before he gazed at Jungkook again who's eyes were stuck on him, many emotions running through them that he wanted to express too. "We were friends in high school before he moved to Seoul", the chef explained before his eyes flee to the pink-haired male who was absorbing this information. Upon seeing a guest with his friend, he frowned. Unknowingly dread polled in the pit of his stomach as he forced a smile. "I'm sorry are we disturbing a date-".

"No!" at the sudden exclamation all eyes gazed at Jungkook who was turning red with the attention on him, or maybe it's because one of those pair of eyes belong to a certain black-haired. "I-uh, this is my co-worker Jimin, he already has a crush on someone else", he didn't know why he was laying out this information on a silver plate but all he cared was for the black-haired to not misunderstand.

"I appreciate my personal information to be not laid on display but I'll make an exception this one time", Jimin said sternly but the mischievous glint in his eyes shone as he understood the situation the younger was in.

"Oh, I'm sorry for making a quick assumption", the fact that he was f*cking relieved was astonishing to him too.

"Appa, can I spend time with Kookie and Cotton candy?"

Silence.

If Jungkook wasn't shocked to see his friend after so many years he was definitely petrified right now. Appa? Eunji just called Taehyung, Appa. He was her Appa. Taehyung was Eunji's Appa. It kept replaying in his head. F*ck he really did mess up. With wide eyes Jungkook suddenly got up, he didn't pay attention to anyone before dashing out the door and running to where his legs took him.

"Jungkook!" Taehyung shout after him, discarding his apron and running after him.

Jungkook's senses were numb but he stopped once he neared the forest area, he was barely out of breath, having good experience in physical activities. He just stared at the trees, taking in breaths to calm him down.

"You know, making you friend chase after you all the way up to a forest isn't exactly the way to greet them", the blonde spun around in shock as he watched his best friend hunched down, hands on his knees as he took some much-needed breath. He didn't know why but the seeing his friend like this made him chuckle as he took in the elder's huffing and exasperated breaths. He was always the dramatic one.

"I see you haven't stopped being dramatic", the words came out naturally, that was right, with Taehyung it was always natural for him to be.

"Oh please, you love it when I'm dramatic", to additional effect, the older flipped his curly black hair but he was grinning from ear-to-ear, glad the younger was easing up to him.

"Maybe", the younger snickered, his wasn't surprised though, with Taehyung he could never be uncomfortable.

"That isn't a no", Taehyung grinned before he took the younger's palm in his. The sensation of the skin-ship jolting sparks up their spines as childish dreams resurfaced, cheeks reddening. "Since we are at this forest anyway, why don't I take you somewhere", the older winked making the blonde blush and look away, he started dragging the younger male deeper into the forest.

"You aren't trying to kidnap me, are you?" Jungkook joked as he tried to focus on anything but their intertwined hands but f*ck he was giddy like a high-schooler holding his crush's hand. Or maybe because it was exactly that. Seven years later and here he is, holding his high-school crush's hand in his.

"Hush, you can't know my secret just like that", Taehyung playfully whispered, before giving into his boxy smile again. He swears to god, he was feeling like his old high school self again. Though this time, they weren't the giddy, naughty high schoolers anymore. They've matured a lot, not only physically but mentally too. "We are here", and the moment he said that they walked into a clearing.

"Wow", Jungkook felt his breath knock out of him, there were flowers everywhere, vibrant and full of life. The butterflies flew around, creating a spring vibe.

"I know right", the younger turned to see the elder sitting on the grass, he patted the space next to him, inviting the blonde to sit which he gladly accepted. "Found this place when I first got here, three years back I suppose", the elder took a relaxing position as he lazily gazed at the view.

"Three years, is that when you came to Seoul?" the younger asked, knowing full well that the elder studied his college in Busan.

"Yeah, after completing my college in Busan, I came here for making more money. To meet all needs", right, he wasn't the only one now, he had Eunji to take care of. But is it bad and insensitive to say that Jungkook was kinda relieved to know he didn't have a romantic partner right now? F*ck he felt like a monster for thinking such an obscene**** thought. But he couldn't help his heart. He still had a chance.

"Uh, yeah, you have your daughter to take care of now", Jungkook muttered but he frowned when he saw Taehyung snap his head to him, looking at him with shock. Did he do something wrong?

"Daughter? Just because she calls me Appa doesn't mean she's exactly my daughter Kook", and now it was Jungkook's turn to be shocked. Eunji wasn't Taehyung's daughter? He felt like crying, screaming, laughing all at the same time that he felt his sanity was going to turn to ashes. How come he jumped to conclusions just like that? But you couldn't blame him though, Eunji did call him Appa.

"She isn't?" Jungkook asked carefully, trying to get a clarity so his head to think properly for a moment.

"Remember my sister?" at an affirmative nod from the younger he continued. "Eunji is her daughter". Oh, now thinks made a little sense. He had heard the news about Taehyung's sister's death from his parents who were in contact with the elder's family. It was saddening for him to stay in Seoul, not there for his best friend at his toughest times. An instant guilt washed over the younger.

"Tae, I'm sorry I wasn't able to-".

"Shh, it's okay Kookie. You had your exams; you were busy but yet you managed to call and comfort me. It's more than what I could've asked for", Taehyung said honestly as he laid his hand on the younger's shoulder soothingly.

"To me it wasn't. What kind of sh*tty best friend I am? It was the last time I spoke to you, for years", guilt washed over him, drowning him.

"Hey, you were busy. I understand", that doesn't mean Taehyung wasn't hurt, he was. But being hurt wouldn't exactly help him, because he still wanted Jungkook back in his life.

"That's just making me more guilty", Jungkook mumbled, burying his head in his hands.

"Hey, Kookie", Taehyung said softly as he took the younger's hands in his, not noticing how the blonde's breath hitched and ran his thumb finger over his knuckles soothingly. "You are here now, that's all that matters. If you want, let's start new again. Friends?"

Jungkook never thought there would be a day where he would despise the word - friend - ever but here we are. "Yeah, friends", with a small smile he took a hold of the elder's hand in his, flustered at how perfectly they fit in each other.

"Good, now you are going to sit here and tell what the f*ck you have been doing the past few years without your best friend", Taehyung said in mock serious tone, narrowing his eyes making Jungkook laugh.

"Sure, and the same goes for you", and they sat there sharing all the things that happened the last few years they were apart, from Jungkook joining the Min fashions at his friend's offer to Taehyung working at Blue Moon café. Once they finished up, they just sat there in a comfortable silence, one that was promising a new chapter in both their lives.

Not a moment later, Taehyung's eyes betrayed him and strayed to the beauty beside him, how much that doe-eyed, chubby bunny boy had matured. Jungkook's features are more prominent and sharper now, though his eyes and button nose were the same, his jaw and cheekbones became more accurate, manly to say the least. His plum lips redden and puckering that looked so kissable. His body too went in major changes that Taehyung nearly didn't recognise any similarity between the boy before and the boy now. His body became more muscular, he couldn't see but he could already picture a six pack. F*ck now that thought was making him drool. And god those sinful thighs, and the younger wearing tight ripped jeans were not in the slightest helping the elder as tried not to think about any thoughts that might screw him up. Scoffing to himself he forcefully pulled his eyes away from the sculpted art beside him to the colourful flowers.

Jungkook who finally felt free from the elder's intense gaze turned his head slightly towards the black-haired man. Gosh how much he has matured. His features became more sharp, quite handsome. Though unlike him, the older didn't seem to have gone through too much transformation, he still had those sexy thighs and appealing @ss. F*ck. Jungkook swore to himself as he snapped his gaze away from the elder. This was not the time or situation to get a boner.

"Ah sh*t", at the elder's swear he turned around to see him wearing a horrified expression.

"What?" Jungkook asked cautiously.

"I disappeared from the café in my work hours, sh*t!" Taehyung got up suddenly, pulling a yelping Jungkook too who struggled with his footing. "Jin's gonna kill me", he started running, dragging the younger with him.

"We could still ditch you know?" Jungkook said lightly amused seeing the older loose his cool.

"This isn't a godd@mn school Jungkook!" in response Jungkook laughed, tightening the grip of their hands. "Gosh, you're still a brat", despite trying to scowl at the younger he couldn't help the grin taking over his face.

"You still adore me", Jungkook said smugly.

"Unfortunately, but not anymore if you keep up the act mister", it was a lie, Taehyung would adore Jungkook even if he burnt his kitchen down.

"Yeah, yeah", Jungkook said dismissively, though he was a bit sad their alone time ended so soon, he knew this would be the end of it. He let him go once. He'd be a fool to let him go again. He's going to shove himself into Taehyung's life whether he liked it or not.

"Appa! Kookie!" Eunji cried out before running towards them, instantly engulfing Taehyung in a hug.

"God, Jungkook, you two had us worried", Jimin said as he gave the younger a small hug before punching him in the ribs. "You are an idiot".

"Thanks, I know", Jungkook said, wincing from the jab.

"Why did you run?" a curious Eunji asked looking at both the males for answers but either of them avoided her gaze. Jimin who watched this sighed.

"Hey Eun, wanna drink some chocolate milkshake?" Jimin offered with a smile, immediately attracting the girl who nodded, forgetting about her previous question.

"Yes! Yes!" Eunji jumped up and down before she dragged a laughing Jimin inside. Both of them bonding instantly.

"Well, I have to go now. Hope to see you around", Taehyung said smiling lightly as he gazed at the younger.

"Yeah, uh, here's my number", Jungkook gave him his phone, Taehyung grinned as he took out his and feed the number in his and Jungkook's. "I'll come by tomorrow", Jungkook said almost breathlessly.

"Will be waiting for you", with that Taehyung waved as he went to the back of the café. Jungkook smiled to himself as he saw him go, he couldn't wait for tomorrow too, then the day after, then after. Sighing contently, he looked back at his phone and instantly his cheeks redden as he bit his lip from squealing.

Taebae💜💞