Archive of Our Own

Taehyung didn’t know what woke him. One minute he was sleeping like he had been drugged and the next he was staring up through the bedroom sky-light at the moon, watching bright silver light slant over the bed in long ragged bars. It could have been the moonlight, or the car that he could hear pulling away on the quiet street outside, but most likely it was Jungkook, moving in his sleep. When Taehyung glanced over he could see that Jungkook’s rolled over onto his back, sprawled out with his face turned away and the sheet barely covering his hips, like a black and white photo in a book of really tasteful porn.

He tried to go back to sleep, but he failed, so he just lazed his sated, sleepy body up around their zillion-thread-count sheets and Jungkook’s warm presence, heat he could feel even from the other side of the bed. They had fallen asleep tangled up together, but that didn’t last long—Jungkook’s body was like a furnace, radiating heat like he carried it inside him, so hot it could burn them both up.

Taehyung looked at the clock on the dresser. Four a.m. Maybe some warm milk would help.

He slipped from under the covers and grabbed Jungkook's pair of plaid flannel pants. They were soft and warm against his skin. He failed to see where he had thrown his shirt earlier in his haze to get his hands on Jungkook, so he opted to wear Jungkook's. It smelled like his lover's shampoo; he let himself just stand there and breathe it in for a second.

God, he had it pretty bad to be getting off on Jungkook’s scent clinging to his clothes, especially with Jungkook sleeping just four feet away.

Taehyung picked his way through the dark hallway, feeling almost completely blind after the bright moonlight in their bedroom, and practically stumbled into the kitchen. He warmed a glass of milk in the microwave and headed to the living room where the floor-to-ceiling windows out looked the city.

It was such a goddamn beautiful night.

All moonlit and silent with a view of the distant skyline, and he couldn’t help it— he had to stand there and breathe it in for a minute. He looked up at the sky, moon-gazing, as he took another sip of his drink, remembering how his lover looked, sprawled out beneath it. Maybe all he needed was to go cuddle Jungkook and sleep would come for him eventually.

He washed his glass and made his way to the bedroom, but then he had to stop at the edge of the bed to just look, because that was something he never got to do for long enough, not when it always seemed like half the world was watching him watch Jungkook.

The love of his life looked ethereal.

Long lines and soft shadows fell over Jungkook’s jaw, his hair and his throat. Taehyung moved in closer to look. A hickey, where Taehyung kissed him too sharply – it wasn't too deep, but it was just dumb-ass luck that it was below the collar line, where Jungkook wouldn’t get bitched out in make-up.

"My baby," he said softly, pressing a kiss on his lover's shoulder.

Jungkook opened his eyes a little and shifted his body like he was posing for a different photograph; gave Taehyung a sleepy-sexy smile that made Taehyung climb back into bed with him. But then he immediately closed his eyes again and Taehyung melted.

“Yeah, go back to sleep. I hope to join you in a few,” he said, right before Jungkook grabbed his wrist and just tugged.

Taehyung wasn’t expecting it and he ended up tumbling back down into the bed and collapsing into Jungkook’s body. Jungkook didn’t even open his eyes, just settled Taehyung between his legs like he belonged there.

“You’re cold,” Jungkook informed him, rubbing his face over Taehyung’s.

"I was in the kitchen drinking warm milk," Taehyung replied.

“Why?” Jungkook asked like Taehyung woke up particularly dense.

“I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep,” Taehyung explained.

“Hmmm,” Jungkook replied and pulled his boyfriend closer so he could put lazy kisses over his jaw and ran his hands in slow circles over Taehyung’s back, like he was trying to warm him up. "You're wearing my clothes."

"They were the first my eyes fell on after I slipped out of the covers," Taehyung closed his eyes to enjoy his lover's touch.

"Well, I can't let you have them," Jungkook said and then he did something with his body, a quick, athletic move involving weight and leverage and the totally unfair advantage of surprise that ended up with Taehyung on his back and Jungkook just covering him, nipping at his mouth and dragging the shirt up to his chest.

“Go ahead, then," Taehyung smirked. "Show me what—,"

Whatever he was going to say got lost, muffled in folds of cotton as Jungkook pulled the shirt over his head. Taehyung really wanted to continue, but Jungkook kissed him the second his mouth was free, deep and sweet and obscene enough to make him gasp. And then he just kept going, pushing Taehyung’s arms over his head as he slid the shirt up, tangling their hands in the material and searching out his fingers to weave them together. He let his teeth graze Taehyung’s bottom lip as he pulled back a little. “You look hot as fuck,"

“Yeah?” Taehyung muttered when he could breathe. The slide of Jungkook’s bare chest against his own was making it hard to think.

“Absolutely,” Jungkook said, pulling the shirt free and tossing it off the bed one-handed, teeth scraping at Taehyung's neck.

Taehyung closed his eyes and touched the warm, soft skin over Jungkook’s back that was just too tempting to resist. Especially when Jungkook was kissing him like he wanted to taste him everywhere, mouth moving in a slow tease over Taehyung’s collar bone, his throat, biting gently at his shoulder. Jungkook’s hands were wandering everywhere, too, but he seemed especially fascinated with the slide of flannel over Taehyung’s thigh, rubbing the soft fabric back and forth against Taehyung’s skin until his nerves started to sing, until finally Taehyung just dragged his leg up to rest against Jungkook’s hip. Jungkook stopped kissing Taehyung long enough to look down.

“Hey. These pants are mine, too.”

Taehyung laughed, a short, breathless huff against Jungkook’s cheek and bit him softly beneath his ear. “Yeah, so?”

“Nothing," Jungkook slid smoothly down Taehyung’s body, licked at one of his nipples until he squirmed. "But they need to go," he decided from somewhere around Taehyung’s ribs, curling his fingers into the waistband of the flannel and tugging the pants down Taehyung’s hips.

Taehyung suddenly found it a little hard to breathe. “You take every opportunity to get me naked, huh?”

“The same way you do to me,” Jungkook told Taehyung’s stomach. The tip of Jungkook’s nose traced a smooth line straight down from Taehyung’s navel, tickling enough that Taehyung would laugh if the brush of Jungkook’s cheek against his dick wasn’t spinning everything else out of his head. “I'm naked right now because of you,” he whispered, sending a soft puff of air over the tip of Taehyung’s cock that made him groan.

Wet, enveloping heat, sudden and searing, and the only thing Taehyung could do was arch over Jungkook and hold him tight, touch him anyplace he could reach and try not to thrust too hard into Jungkook’s amazing mouth. That was just about it, it was almost over right there, but Jungkook stopped to shove the stupid pants off his ankles and then he was moving, unfolding his long body to kiss Taehyung’s mouth and drag their bodies together in one smooth slide of cock against cock that had Taehyung shaking.

Naked. Together. Skin and heat and urgent movement, and Taehyung was in heaven. “You drive me crazy,” he said between kisses, around the smooth rocking of their bodies together.

“Do I?” Jungkook said breathlessly and proceeded to pin Taehyung down, fucking into him so hard and fast till they both reached their nirvana.

-=oOo=-

When Jungkook was sleepy, he got cuddly.

Given that they didn't have much sleep the night before, it was only natural to have Jungkook drip his body all over Taehyung the next day at the label as they recorded songs for their upcoming album.

"Long night, huh?" Jimin smirked across from them.

Taehyung didn't take the bait. "Let him be. He's like a big teddy bear,"

"And you love to pamper him," Jin smiled knowingly as he stepped out of the recording booth, leaving the space for Hoseok to do his parts.

"He's my baby," Taehyung offered shortly.

The members exchanged soft looks, hearts full with happiness to see the love their maknaes shared. Jungkook was unaware of anything, slumped all over his boyfriend, breath ghosting across Taehyung's neck. When it was his turn to record, Taehyung tried to wake him up.

"Gukkie," he tapped him lightly on his arm. "Baby, wake up. You're up next."

Jungkook nuzzled Taehyung's collarbone and said something that sounded like either "No," or a weird kind of wookie noise. Taehyung was honestly not sure.

"Come on, baby," said Taehyung, tugging his arm a little. "Wake up."

"Nuh uh," Jungkook protested, but he let himself be dragged up. He kept his arm around Taehyung's neck and his face on Taehyung's shoulder.

"You're such a cuddler," Taehyung chuckled fondly.

"And?" Jungkook yawned before he untangled himself from his lover at last.

"You pretend to be all serious, but you totally just want to snuggle all the time," Taehyung ruffled his hair and pushed him towards the recording booth when Hoseok stepped out. "You're totally just trying to keep up a facade of manliness," Taehyung continued. "So no one will know you're just a tiny, fluffy baby chick, longing to be cuddled and loved."

"Baby chick like baby girl or baby chicken?" asked Jungkook, like this was the most important part of the statement.

"Baby chicken," Taehyung clarified.

Jungkook shrugged and curled his fingers in Taehyung's shirt. "I'll take it," he stole a kiss and disappeared in the booth to record his parts.

Taehyung went back to the couch and sat down next to Hoseok who opened his arms for him to cuddle. He closed his eyes and let Jungkook's voice caress his soul.

God, how much he loved him.

When he met him for the first time, something clicked into place in the universe. Oh, he didn’t know it at the time, but he realized it later.

Taehyung got bitten by the singing and performing bug at a young age, but throughout the years, Kpop had made him jaded and more than a little disillusioned. He became reticent, pragmatic, and politic. He was an enigma, never showing his hand in the game of life, as dictated by this artificial world he existed in. Existed. Not lived. There was a difference, and the industry had taught him that.

He still did it–he still acted –because it was his craft; it was his calling. But it had also taught him some hard life lessons; he had learned through the years that the only people he could truly trust were his family– they were the only ones who had been there through thick and thin, no matter what the situation, no matter the magnitude of the problem he had been facing at the time.

When he decided to share himself, to make a friend, it was with careful consideration, and they had to be vetted out. He made discreet inquiries, ensured that they were trustworthy, confirmed they were who they claimed to be. Not surprisingly, he found what he was looking for in his members. He didn't think he needed anything else.

He made acquaintances though, several of them, all the time, but that was to be expected in his line of work– still, it never went beyond that. Whether in love or in friendship, he kept a barrier up, invisible walls to protect himself from pain or betrayal; he shared but he always held back too. No one ever got all of him. He didn’t allow it, and he actually didn’t think he had known anyone who had wanted all of him. So he drew that impenetrable line around himself, and he never let anyone close enough to cross it.

Falling for one Jeon Jungkook changed all that, and Taehyung never once regretted it.

"Okay, let's not beat around the bush," Jungkook told him one night two years into their careers. "I find you so fucking gorgeous that I'm left breathless. You're also kind and sweet and I want to take you out on a date,"

"Oh,"

"So, how does this Friday at 7 sound?"

"It sounds perfect,"

"Okay, until then, take care,"

"Goodnight,"

It happened that simply and smoothly.

Jungkook was a maelstrom. A veritable force of nature. But he was also kind and affectionate and generous and playful and sweet and he shone so brilliantly that Taehyung was blinded, and dumbstruck and awed.

Jungkook was muscles and little moles, warm golden skin and too-long legs, small waist, thick thighs and kaleidoscope eyes. Jungkook was booming, raucous laughter, and silly giggles, and a smile as big as the world, and when he smiled at Taehyung, it was always– without exception– heartfelt and honest, and Taehyung felt privileged to be worthy of that smile. Jungkook was boisterous hugs and warm displays of affection and the arm slung across his shoulders, holding him close; Jungkook was his personal space.

Jungkook was– sometimes, Taehyung thought, by sheer force of will alone, because it had happened so fast– his best friend, his closest confidante, his most ardent fan, his most candid critic.

And after five years, after he asked Taehyung to move in with him, to share his house, his dog, and his life beyond the sets of BTS, Jungkook was home, was love, was past, present and future.

-=oOo=-

After the recording session at the label, the next destination was an indoor location where BTS was going to have a photoshoot session. It was a night shoot like dozens of others before it, but in a heartbeat, everything can change.

The early October night was chilly, the air damp with the promise of rain. Taehyung posed gracefully and meticulously like he did and walked off camera, wanting nothing more than to go home and get some much needed sleep. He turned as he reached the monitor, watching as Jungkook took his spot and began posing for the photographer. His skin tingled with every position his lover struck. Jungkook was gorgeous in his black suit, staring sultrily at the camera, seducing it, seducing Taehyung without even knowing it.

God, he wanted to go home like now.

That was when it happened.

The explosion was intense, lighting up the ceiling in a blinding ball of red and orange fire, debris shooting up into the air to rain back down upon the set. Taehyung stared, uncomprehending, as his lover was lifted up off his feet and thrown backwards, slamming back down onto the ground, landing on his side.

Taehyung was moving before anyone else was, sprinting across the floor, vaguely hearing yelling and shouting from the crew, but his entire focus was on Jungkook, who was rolling back and forth, hands covering his face.

Over the pounding of his heart he could hear Jungkook’s cries of pain, and a chill raced down his spine at the sound. He covered the distance in long strides, dropping down heavily beside his boyfriend, knees digging into the floor.

"JUNGKOOK! JUNGKOOK!" He grasped Jungkook’s shoulders, stopping his movement, rolling him over onto his back.

"Fuck, Tae, it hurts!" Jungkook gasped. His hands still covered his face, and Taehyung could see small, bleeding cuts on the back of Jungkook’s hands and forearms.

"Jesus, Guk," Taehyung choked out, lightly grasping Jungkook’s wrists, feeling small tremors racing under his skin. "Put your hands down, baby, let me see," he urged.

But Jungkook twisted, turning his face away. "No! It burns!"

"Please, love, you’ve got to let me see!" Taehyung fought to quell his panic at his lover’s pain, again turning Jungkook onto his back.

This time Jungkook let him move his hands away, and Taehyung was relieved to see just a number of small cuts, like those on his arms, instead of a large wound like he had feared.

By this time the set had erupted into a flurry of activity and people were everywhere, yelling, advancing on Taehyung and Jungkook. Suddenly Namjoon was there beside them, a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder.

"Paramedics are on the way," he told Taehyung, worry lacing his voice. "How is he?"

Taehyung swallowed. "I’m not really sure," he answered, then turned back to Jungkook. "Can you open your eyes? How bad are they hurting you?"

Jungkook moved his eyelids in small movements, blinking, until his eyes were fully open. Taehyung saw no blood and began to relax when Jungkook started moving his head back and forth in jerky motions, eyes moving rapidly. One of his hands shot out, connecting with Taehyung’s leg.

"Tae," The panic was back full force at the tremble in Jungkook’s voice.

Taehyung caught his lover’s hand. "I’m right here, baby. What is it? What’s wrong?"

"I…," Jungkook’s breath caught, "I can’t…," he trailed off as he fainted.

"JUNGKOOK!"

The wait for the paramedics seemed interminable, when in reality it was maybe five minutes. But when your lover fainted in your arms, each minute seems like an hour as you try to keep calm. Taehyung could only stand by, helpless, as he watched Jungkook being loaded into the ambulance.

"Come on," Sejin said as the members watched the truck drive away, red and white lights piercing the darkness. "Let’s get you to the hospital."

-=oOo=-

Taehyung was pacing the waiting room in the ER like a caged animal when Jin approached him.

"He'll be fine," he drew him into a hug, his voice panicky despite attempting to comfort Taehyung. "He…He's a fighter,"

Taehyung closed his eyes and fought against bursting into tears. It was all he did since they left the shooting set. "I d-don't understand what happened,"

"Something short-circuited on the set that caused the explosion," Namjoon joined the hug, wrapping his arms around them both. "Jungkook happened to stand close to where it happened."

"Is that it?" Taehyung turned to Sejin.

The manager took a step back at Taehyung’s thunderous expression. "I don’t know, Taehyung, I really don’t. We're working with the fire department and the police. We’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise."

"Damn straight you will. Jungkook could have died." Taehyung whimpered and hid his head in Jin's shoulder. He hoped for everything to turn out to be a nightmare.

"What's taking them so long?" Hoseok sat down heavily in one of the plastic chairs in the hallway.

Jimin sat next to him, petrified, given his frozen stature. Yoongi chose to stay standing, lost in thoughts.

"The doctor is out," Sejin informed them and watched as they jumped and rushed towards him.

Taehyung took in the doctor's appearance; he looked forty something with close cropped dark hair in hospital scrubs and white lab coat. His nametag read Dr. Kang.

"You're here for Jeon-ssi?" the man questioned once they all stood facing him.

"Yes," Taehyung answered on all their behalf. "Please, how is he?"

Dr. Kang blew out a breath and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, Jeon-ssi has suffered corneal flash burns on both eyes, as a result of the explosion. At this point, he is unable to see."

"W-What?" Taehyung stuttered in disbelief.

"What do you mean?" Jin shrieked hysterically.

"He went blind?" Jimin added as hysterically.

"At this point?" Hoseok repeated. "So this isn’t permanent?"

"I have every hope that Jeon-ssi's eyesight will return," Dr. Kang answered. But before Taehyung could take a relieved breath, the doctor continued. "I have to be honest with you, though. There is always a chance that the damage is too severe, being as close as he was, and permanent blindness is a possibility."

For a long moment, Taehyung forgot how to breathe. No. No, he refused to believe…

"He’ll need to stay here overnight." Dr. Kang’s voice cut through his thoughts and he focused on what the older man was saying. "His eyes are bandaged and will need to remain that way for the next few days. He’s been given antibiotic eye drops to prevent any infection from particles of the debris."

"Is he in any pain?" Taehyung questioned.

"He was," Dr. Kang acknowledged. "But we also gave him a drug to relax the muscles of the eyes to help with the healing process and to lessen the pain from the eye muscle spasms."

"Can we see him?" Yoongi asked.

Dr. Kang nodded. "Of course. He’s just been moved into a private room. Upstairs, number 145. He’s groggy from the pain medication and needs to rest, so please only stay for a few minutes."

The members agreed and Dr. Kang turned and walked away, back towards the exam rooms.

"Come on, let’s go see him." Sejin placed his hand on Taehyung’s arm and guided the guys, but Taehyung shook him off, still miffed at him.

When they made it to the room, Taehyung slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside, the guys behind him. They moved around the curtain and Taehyung swallowed hard at the sight.

Jungkook lay quietly in the hospital bed, his complexion paler than normal. Round, white bandages covered both eyes, taped down, with a strip of gauze then wrapped across them and around Jungkook’s head. The cuts on his face and hands had been tended to and no longer oozed blood.

Taehyung approached the bed and sat down in the chair next to it. He reached over and laid his hand on Jungkook’s arm. The older man stirred at the touch, turning his head toward Taehyung.

"Hmmm..,"

"Baby, do you hear me?" Taehyung asked softly.

"Tae, i-ish tdat you?" Jungkook slurred.

"Yeah. Yeah, my love, it’s me."

"Hmmm…,"

"How do you feel?"

Jungkook’s head lolled back. " ‘m tired…eyes hurt."

Realizing Jungkook was too disorientated, under the influence of the pain medication, Taehyung simply squeezed his lover’s arm. "Just go to sleep, sunshine. Everything’s going to be okay."

Jungkook sighed in response and his head tipped further away from Taehyung.

Taehyung looked toward where the members were watching the scene with tearful eyes and fought against having a breakdown himself, but he forced himself to stay strong because Jungkook needed him strong.

-=oOo=-

The first thing Jungkook became aware of was the scent, the subtle, familiar notes of strawberry and cinnamon sugar that teased his nose. Then of a hand that rested on his forearm, a warm palm, a tender touch, a barely there pressure against his skin. Slowly, other sensations trickled through, such as the unmistakable stench of hospital disinfectants, the bustle of activity from nurses and doctors just barely contained by the walls and doors of the building and the scratchy cotton against his skin and the lumpy pillow under his head.

A dull, throbbing pain in his forehead accompanied an overwhelming darkness.

"Tae," he rumbled out the name, his voice raspy, as if he hadn't used it in days, when in fact it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours. Immediately, he heard the catch of breath in Taehyung's throat, felt him shuffle closer and the subconscious clench of his fingers around his arm.

"Hey, baby. How are you feeling?" Taehyung's voice was warm and low, laced with relief.

"Head hurts," Jungkook groaned, assessing the situation. "Why are all the lights off?"

"They aren't," Concern was layered through Taehyung's tone now. "It's bright in here,"

Jungkook ripped open his eyes, blinked a few times, just in case, maybe they had still been closed? But no, there was nothing. His heart started thumping anxiously. "Tae," he couldn't keep the fearful tremble out of his voice. "I can't see anything,"

A few minutes later, Kang walked into the room and Jungkook listened, tried to pay attention as the doctor rambled something about vitreous hemorrhages and humors. The anxiety wouldn't subside, he felt gripped by what felt like panic.

"Taehyung," his voice more pitiful than he ever wanted his lover to hear, but he couldn't help it. He needed Taehyung, he was his strength. Clumsily he groped around on the bedspread, searching for his hand, needed to hold onto him.

"I'm here, my love," Taehyung murmured near his ear and then his hand came to rest on top of Jungkook's, squeezed around his fingers, his warmth on his skin a soothing contrast to his racing heart.

"I'm blind, Tae," he whimpered brokenly.

Suddenly Taehyung's fingers were in his hair, softly ruffling through the strands and running along his scalp. He tilted towards it, Taehyung's tender touch that slowly calmed the hurried flutters of his heart. He heard Taehyung's low composed breathing close to him, and the slightly impatient shuffle of the doctor's shoes against what was likely a linoleum floor.

"Your eyes contain a clear, jellylike substance called the vitreous humor," Dr. Kang explained. "When light enters your pupil, it passes through the vitreous before it strikes your retina. Your head injury caused blood vessels to burst in your eyes, and these hemorrhages are bleeding into your humor, causing the blindness you are experiencing. Your case is mild, however, the blood will disperse and the blindness will clear up over time on its own. I've got your release forms ready for you."

Jungkook heard paper ruffling and assumed that the doctor gave his boyfriend his paperwork.

"How long is over time?" he asked impatiently.

"Hard to say," there was a note of apology in the doctor's voice. "It could be a couple of days, could be a week. Don't worry, you will be fine." He appeased him.

"Thank you, Doctor," Taehyung answered for him.

"You're welcome," the man answered and retreating squeaks told Jungkook that he was leaving.

"Come on, baby," Taehyung said decisively, his fingers trailing down the side of his face and he rested his palm against Jungkook's cheek. "Let's go home,"

-=oOo=-

Jungkook sighed in relief when he walked into the bedroom. Their family and members had just left the house after joining him and Taehyung to check on him. He was touched to see them fussing over him; their concern warmed his heart, but he was relieved to be left alone for a bit.

Taehyung remained in the kitchen to clean the dinner dishes and Jungkook decided to try to make it to their bedroom on his own. He declined his lover's invitation to guide him and walked away. He bumped into various corners and places, finding that he wasn't in tuned enough with his own body to make up for the lack of eyesight, but he made it, knowing he was going to sport a few bruises.

He felt like a bumbling, helpless fool, stumbling around.

It was a scary world when you couldn't see, when one of his senses was shut off. All other sensory information around him seemed to sharpen in intensity; stronger, louder and more odorous. He stood still in the middle of the room, inhaling the quiet of the place, the subtle scents of vanilla candles that were Taehyung's favorites.

"Darling," Taehyung spoke close to his ear, his presence by his shoulder as perceptible to him as if he could actually see him. It was as if he had wrapped him in his own aura, an enticing cloak of warmth and strength, subtle scent and mesmerizing allure. Taehyung kept his voice low and Jungkook wasn't the least bit surprised that his lover had picked up on his discomfort with any more intense sensory information.

"Tae," he cleared his throat, tried to give more strength to his voice than he was really feeling. "I'm just…I…," he trailed, feeling to convey how he felt.

Taehyung placed a hand on his shoulder, let it slide towards his neck, his palm connecting directly with his skin and his touch was so soft, like cool silk, making Jungkook's knees feel shaky. He swayed towards him, drawn in by his magic.

"Do you know the effect you have on me?" he whispered, closing his eyes when Taehyung caressed his cheek with his fingers. "Do you know that every touch of yours makes my knees weaken?"

"Oh, baby," Taehyung rested his forehead against his and breathed him in. "I'm here for you."

"And I'm so relieved," Jungkook admitted.

"Does your head still hurt?" Taehyung questioned softly while he kneaded the muscles on the side of Jungkook's neck.

It was pounding, actually, his head, a dull thrum in his temples and behind his eyes, but everything was muted now, calmed by Taehyung's touch. "I'm okay,"

"Come," Taehyung grasped his hand around his and pulled him towards the bed. "Sit down so that I give you some painkillers."

Jungkook listened to the sounds of Taehyung shuffling around in the room. He was moving quietly, trying to keep down the noise level as he opened and closes drawers. Jungkook closed his eyes, as if that made a difference in the level of darkness around him.

He loved Taehyung's presence around him, though. It made him feel a little fuzzy, bathed him in domesticity he was hoping to bask in forever. He wished he could see his lover. He missed his beautiful face and warm smile.

"I can't sleep," he whined later and sat back in the bed in frustration. He was wiped but restless, couldn't calm down the flutters inside and he knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he didn't care. He wanted to seem manly and strong, but his defenses were down, he was exhausted from having to focus on all his senses.

He felt Taehyung and then his fingers ruffled through his hair in comfort. "Okay," his voice carried a smile and then he bounded off the bed.

A second later, Bach's Air on the G String echoed around him and he sensed Taehyung climb back next to him.

"Lie down again," he ordered, almost strict, and of course, he obeyed, scooted under the comforter because Taehyung sounded demanding and that was sexy. He rested his head on Taehyung's chest and closed his eyes, humming peacefully as Taehyung caressed his hair again. He let the soft melody soothe his bruised soul and Taehyung's affection heal it.

Ten minutes later he was out.

-=oOo=-

The next morning Taehyung was making pancakes when he heard Jungkook moving around upstairs. He went halfway up the stairs, quietly, to observe his lover. Jungkook hadn’t called down for help with anything, but he wanted to be there, just in case. He nodded, watching as Jungkook walked out from the doorway of their room, his left arm extended out in front of him. He carefully made his way directly across the hall and turned to the right, fingers trailing along the wall until he touched the doorjamb of the bathroom, then went inside, closing the door behind him.

"That’s my boy," Taehyung smiled as he went back down the stairs to the kitchen.

Breakfast was ready when Jungkook made his way slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table.

"Morning," Taehyung greeted him.

He was greeted in return by a grunt, customary Jungkook morning-speak for I haven’t had my coffee yet, something Taehyung had heard many times. Taehyung chuckled, setting down a mug in front of his boyfriend, placing Jungkook’s hand on it. "It’s hot, take it easy," he warned.

As he turned back to the stove, he heard an appreciative sigh from behind him. He chuckled as he flipped a pancake off the griddle and onto a plate.

"Mmmmm, that’s good," he heard Jungkook say.

Taehyung scooped some scrambled eggs next to the pancakes then set the plate in front of Jungkook.

"How you can drink that stuff black is beyond me."

"Because that’s how real men drink coffee, baby. Not that half-caf mocha latte crap that you like."

Taehyung laughed. "Shut up and eat your breakfast. Pancakes on the left, eggs on the right. I'll get you some toast."

Jungkook picked up his fork in a salute and dug in.

Two helpings each later, both men sat back with a satisfied sigh.

"I stink," Jungkook admitted. "I haven’t had a chance to clean up since the morning all this happened. I need to get in the shower."

Taehyung had a horrible flash of Jungkook stepping wrong, slipping, miscalculating something and falling in the shower. Not wanting to make it seem that Jungkook couldn’t handle showering, Taehyung thought fast.

"Yeah, you do look like something the cat dragged in," he teased. "But, umm, how about a bath instead? A good soak would help your back, too."

Taehyung waited as Jungkook considered what he had said, his head cocked a bit to the side.

"Okay," Jungkook agreed. "As long as you don’t try and slip any bubble bath stuff in there."

Taehyung barked out a laugh. "You love my bubble stuff. Just admit it."

Before Jungkook could come back with another smart-ass reply, Taehyung was up and moving out of the kitchen, calling over his shoulder, "I'll go start the water for your bath, princess,"

Back in the kitchen a short time later, Taehyung was clearing the breakfast dishes when he noticed Jungkook scratching at his face. He had already been sporting a scruff the morning of the accident and hadn’t shaved since, and it looked like the extra facial hair was bothering him.

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. "You want me to give you a shave?"

Jungkook’s hand dropped away from his face and Taehyung was horrified that he had maybe offended him, but Jungkook nodded slowly and Taehyung blew out a relieved breath.

"Yeah, I’d appreciate it," Jungkook replied. "You're the only person I would trust putting a razor to my throat," he continued.

Jungkook said the words lightly, but Taehyung could also hear the underlying seriousness in what he said, and it warmed him.

"I'm honored," Taehyung grinned, put the last plate in the dishwasher and clapped his hands. "Okay, let’s go make you look all pretty."

Jungkook’s reply was showing Taehyung his middle finger as he stood up from the table and made his way out of the kitchen.

A quick stop in their room to get him fresh clothes and then the two men were walking into the bathroom, closing the door behind them. The bath was nearly halfway full by now, warm steam beginning to fill the air.

As Jungkook took off his t-shirt, Taehyung retrieved his lover’s razor and shaving cream from the medicine cabinet, then a washcloth and hand towel.

"So, ummm, how do you want to do this?" Jungkook asked.

Taehyung glanced around the room. "Here, why don’t I sit on the counter between the sinks and you can stand in front of me?"

Jungkook nodded his agreement and Taehyung hopped up on the counter. He reached out and took his boyfriend by his wrist, pulling him closer, guiding him to stand between Taehyung’s widespread legs.

Taehyung took a second, a breath, as his heart jumped a bit, having Jungkook so close, naked from the waist up. He closed his legs, until they were just barely brushing Jungkook’s and he felt as if that drew Jungkook even closer to him. Taehyung swallowed, reluctant to release Jungkook’s wrist, the skin warm under his fingers.

"Hey, everything good?" Jungkook’s quiet question broke Taehyung out of the moment and he blinked, letting go of his boyfriend’s arm.

"Umm, yeah, sorry," Taehyung stammered, and he turned his upper body toward the sink on his right, twisting on the taps. You just look so soft and pretty and I love you so much it hurts. He adjusted the temperature just this side of too hot and soaked the washcloth, before handing it to his lover.

Jungkook wetted down his face and neck with the cloth as Taehyung first pulled up the plunger in the sink, then flipped open the cap on the shaving cream.

Face thoroughly damp, Jungkook handed the washcloth back to Taehyung, who laid it next to him on the counter, then turned off the taps on the sink. He squirted a small amount of shaving cream onto the fingers of his right hand, set the can down and rubbed the cream onto his left hand as well. Reaching out, he slowly smoothed the cream onto Jungkook’s face – under his cheekbones, above his upper lip, across and back on the sides of his face, over and under his chin, then a short way down his neck. He felt Jungkook release a small sigh and saw his shoulders relax.

The water running in the bathtub was the only sound in the room as Taehyung picked up the razor and began carefully shaving him. A slow swipe down, a rinse in the sink, repeat, repeat, repeat. It was sensual, almost hypnotic, as more and more of Jungkook’s skin was revealed with each pass of the razor.

Taehyung felt Jungkook’s hand touch his leg, slide up, until his palm was resting high up on his thigh. Taehyung breathed in at the touch, breathed in the warm steam enveloping them, felt his legs close a fraction more.

One last pass with the razor and Taehyung was finished, Jungkook’s skin pink and smooth once more. Eyes never leaving Jungkook’s face, Taehyung set the razor down on the counter. There was a spot of shaving cream on Jungkook’s left cheekbone and Taehyung reached up, palm resting against the side of his boyfriend’s face, fingers curling around behind Jungkook’s ear, his thumb sliding over Jungkook’s cheek, clearing the shaving cream away.

Time seemed to freeze, catching the two men in this moment as Taehyung felt his chest tighten, his heart pound and he couldn’t breathe, felt lightheaded.

And this.

This feeling.

When he realized he was falling in love with Jungkook.

It was happening all over again.

His thumb caressed Jungkook’s cheek again before he leaned in to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

"Not so fast," Jungkook complained when Taehyung moved back.

"Later," His lover replied, pinching his cheek teasingly. "Remove your clothes."

Jungkook stood there, silent, not moving for a long heartbeat before finally backing away from Taehyung, turning towards the bathtub. Without hesitation, Jungkook pulled down both his sweatpants and boxers and Taehyung moved toward Jungkook as he climbed into the tub, making sure his boyfriend didn’t fall. Jungkook submerged himself up to his chin and smiled as he laid his head back against the tub.

"Damn, it feels great," he sighed.

"Do you want me to wash your hair?" Taehyung asked as he turned off the taps. "Then you can soak for awhile."

"Please,"

Taehyung picked up the shampoo and squirted a small amount into his hand then started working it into Jungkook’s hair. His long fingers slid through the fine strands, his motions slowing, becoming more massaging than just washing. He heard Jungkook sigh again, felt his boyfriend relax, shoulders dipping. From his spot on the side of the tub, Taehyung could easily see Jungkook’s lean body beneath the still water. His legs were spread, and Taehyung could see his cock nestled in dark hair at his groin. Taehyung wondered what it would feel like in his hand, his mouth…

He felt his own cock stir inside his pants, and guilt crashed down upon him again. His lover had just survived an accident where he turned blind. Sex should be the last thing on his mind. He abruptly stopped washing Jungkook’s hair, and quickly rinsed the soap out, his motions quick and jerky. He could tell Jungkook sensed the sudden change, but before he could say anything, Taehyung was speaking rapidly, moving away from the bathtub.

"Umm, the soap is on your left and I put your towel on the floor. Just reach down and you’ll find it. Your clothes are on the sink. And if, if you need anything just yell, okay?" he finished and fled the bathroom, Jungkook’s confused, "Taehyung?" following after him.

He didn’t stop moving until he was down the stairs and through the kitchen, leaning up against the back door, his forehead pressed to the cool glass. He closed his eyes as images of Jungkook’s naked body flashed through his head and he reached down, cupping himself through his pants, felt himself half hard. He stroked himself once and a small moan escaped his lips.

But then he was pounding his fist against the door, furious with himself. His boyfriend was hurt, and here he was, like a fucking peeping tom, leering at Jungkook’s naked body because his boyfriend couldn’t see him.

"You got hard, didn't you?" Jungkook said the moment he joined him in the kitchen. "And you felt guilty, as if you were taking advantage of me."

Taehyung gulped with difficulty. He hated whenever Jungkook read him like an open book. Even without seeing him, his lover could see right through him. "I'm sorry,"

"You're so dumb," Jungkook shook his head as he held his hand out for him. Taehyung was quick to grab it. "How can you think you would ever take advantage of me? I belong to you the same way you belong to me. I'm yours, Tae. You can have me anytime anywhere."

"Not now," Taehyung argued.

"Why, because I turned blind?" Jungkook shot back. "Because—"

"Because you need to rest and not stress over anything," Taehyung rushed to justify. "Especially not over my horny self."

Jungkook smiled gently. "I happen to be very fond of your horny self,"

Taehyung rested his forehead against his lover's. "Nothing is going to change, Guk. You heard the doctor; it's only a matter of time. You will regain your sight."

"I didn't think anything was going to change, Tae," Jungkook wrapped his arms around Taehyung's neck. "It was you who made things awkward, feeling guilty over getting hard for me, as if you had never done that before. I'd rather you slipped into the bathtub with me earlier to have your way with me, but you chose to run, your hard tail between your legs."

"Is this your way of asking me to give you my hard tail?" Taehyung nuzzled his neck with his nose.

"You won't see me complaining," Jungkook teased and found Taehyung's mouth with his, almost missing it, but Taehyung dipped his head, correcting Jungkook's aim, and then…

Then, they were kissing and Jungkook was flying apart.

Taehyung’s lips were soft and warm against his, pressing gently, and he groaned quietly, mouth opening slightly. And Taehyung’s tongue was there, asking for entrance, which Jungkook quickly gave. He felt Taehyung gasp as their tongues slid against each other, tasting one another.

Then Taehyung was twisting, moving, never breaking the kiss as he pushed Jungkook against the kitchen counter, caging him with his body.

"Yeah, just like this," Jungkook breathed into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around Taehyung, felt Taehyung’s fingers thread through his hair.

Their mouths parted and came back together again and again, their actions growing in intensity, breaths coming faster, hands roaming over bare skin. Jungkook’s erection was a hard ridge inside his pants and he grasped Taehyung’s hips, instantly felt the other man grind against him, Taehyung’s rigid cock sliding against his through the fabric of their underwear.

Jungkook broke the kiss with a deep groan at the contact, leaning his head back. "Tae,"

"Yeah?" Taehyung panted, confused.

Jungkook pressed his forehead against Taehyung’s. "We're in this together, right?" he breathed.

Taehyung's heart went out to him. "Of course, my love. I'm not going anywhere." He threaded his fingers with Jungkook’s. "I just know you have so much on your plate that I don't want to add more to it. I'd rather you focus on healing not pleasing me."

Jungkook's heart thumped; fluttered leaping all the way up into his throat, and he wished, oh how he wished he could see Taehyung, stare into his eyes, catch the love pouring out of them. He pressed his cheek into Taehyung's neck, inhaled his sweet warm scent, held him tighter to him.

They stayed like that, infinite moments of suspended silence and he didn't move, didn't dare breathe, wanted to hold on to this forever, this magical moment of exhilaration, expectant and heavy, of heart clenching panic yet tender love and attraction.

And then Taehyung moved and guided them to the bedroom. He lay down and pulled Jungkook to settle between his legs. There was intensity, a heightened awareness to this moment. The warmth of Taehyung's body seeped through the layers of clothes between them and right into Jungkook's skin, heating the blood in his veins until it rushed loudly in his ears. Taehyung's scent was stronger now, more tart and pronounced as it layered over them.

"Kiss me," Taehyung pleaded and Jungkook was quick to indulge him. He moaned a dark sound into his mouth as Jungkook devoured him, claimed his lips, his mouth, his tongue, the entirety of him, lost in the feel and taste of him.

Lost in Taehyung, with Taehyung.

-=oOo=-

Unlike what the doctor predicted, things didn’t get better.

Jungkook's pain manifested as a relentless ache deep within his chest, a constant throbbing reminder of his newfound vulnerability. The physical injuries from the accident were nothing compared to the emotional wounds that festered within him. The darkness that enveloped his world extended beyond the absence of sight; it permeated his soul, casting a shadow on the once vibrant spirit.

The helplessness gnawed at him like a voracious beast, tearing away at any semblance of control. Every attempt to reach out for something familiar, something he could grasp onto in the abyss, only resulted in a frustrating void. The simplest tasks became insurmountable challenges, his fingers fumbling and searching for a reality that slipped further away with each passing moment.

In the quiet moments of the night, when the bedroom was cloaked in shadows, Jungkook's mind echoed with the haunting whispers of self-doubt. He felt like a burden, an anchor dragging down the one person who had pledged to stay by his side. The weight of his own perceived inadequacy pressed upon him, leaving him gasping for air in a room that seemed to constrict around him.

The once vibrant and independent Jungkook now lay motionless, trapped in a cocoon of darkness. His inability to see the world around him intensified the feelings of isolation, making him yearn for the simple pleasures he had taken for granted—a sunrise, a smile, the beauty of everyday life. Now, everything was distant, obscured by an impenetrable veil of blackness.

With each passing day, the frustration escalated, transforming into a quiet desperation that clawed at the edges of his consciousness. He longed to break free from the shackles of his own incapacity, but the more he struggled, the tighter those chains seemed to bind him. His attempts to navigate the uncharted territory of his blindness were met with stumbling missteps, deepening the chasm of helplessness that yawned beneath him.

It was this profound sense of helplessness that fueled Jungkook to start thinking of severing the ties with Taehyung. The belief that he was a hindrance, an obstacle in the path of someone he loved, drove him to consider making a painful choice.

In that bedroom, where the darkness merged with the silent sobs of a shattered heart, Jungkook succumbed to the pain within, allowing it to dictate the end of a once bright and promising love story.

-=oOo=-

It has been a month and nothing changed. Jungkook hadn't recovered, hadn't regained his eyesight and that made him get desperate, especially when Taehyung left every morning to work and he remained behind in their home, feeling sorry for himself.

His boyfriend offered to take him along, but Jungkook turned his offer down. After all, what good would come out of him when he still struggled to move from one room to another? He could record his parts just fine, but he wasn't ready yet to face anyone.

He began to close on himself, losing hope day by day. If Taehyung noticed, he hadn't mentioned it and Jungkook was thankful. He believed he wasn't ready to speak how he felt since he still struggled to come to terms with it let alone voice it. All that he knew was that he hated what he had come to and what he decided a month ago to do but was too scared to.

His next appointment with the doctor proved unfruitful. Nothing changed. Dr. Kang assured him that there wasn't anything wrong with him. His eyes were fine.

"Then, why can't I see?" Jungkook was beyond frustrated.

"Like I said, it's a matter of time and—"

"Fuck it," Jungkook stood up and turned to leave. Taehyung sent the doctor an apologetic look and followed his lover. He was relieved when Jungkook didn't brush off his hand but allowed him to guide them towards their car where their manager was waiting to escort them home.

The ride was painfully silent. Taehyung knew from experience that Jungkook was never one to be pushed into talking about something he didn’t want to, so he left his boyfriend to his own thoughts, as hard as it was for him to do so.

Once inside the front door, Taehyung was again unsure of what to do or say to Jungkook. "Do you – " he started, but Jungkook cut him off.

"I’d really just like to be alone," he said in a flat voice, starting to move away from Taehyung.

Taehyung reached out and touched Jungkook’s arm. "Baby, if you want to talk–"

Jungkook took a step, and Taehyung’s arm fell down to his side. "Not now, Taehyung, okay?"

Taehyung sighed softly. "As you wish, my love."

He then watched with sad eyes as Jungkook found the wall with his fingers and walked toward the stairs, turning the corner and disappearing upstairs. A few moments later Taehyung heard the door of their bedroom close.

Not knowing what to do with himself, mind still reeling from the day’s events, Taehyung wandered through the house towards the balcony and sat in one of the chairs. He stared unseeingly at the blue sky above him.

He finally roused himself almost an hour later and fished his cell phone out of his pocket. Jungkook may not feel like talking right now, but Taehyung really needed to.

"Mom? It’s me."

"Hi, sweetheart!"

"Mom…" Taehyung’s voice broke.

"Taehyung? Honey, what’s wrong?"

Taehyung cleared his throat, but his voice was still ragged. "Mom, it’s Jungkook."

"What happened? Taehyung, did he get worse?"

"No, Mom. He’s not…"

As Taehyung explained to his mother what had happened since they last talked, he felt tears threaten with every sentence but he refused to let them fall. He needed to be strong, to keep it together for Jungkook, not fall apart.

"I don’t know what to do, Mom," Taehyung finished. "I feel so damn helpless."

His mother’s voice was soft when she answered. "Honey, all you can do is what you’ve been doing– be there for him. You can’t fix this, but you can love him, give him whatever support he needs."

Taehyung nodded. "I wish there was more, but I can do that. I want to do it."

Taehyung heard his mother’s smile. "I know you can. You’re a good person, Taehyung. It’s not easy for Jungkook, so give him space when he needs it and be there when he asks for it. He loves you so much."

Taehyung smiled. "I love him as well, Mom, and I'm not going anywhere."

A short time later, he ended the call and went back inside, drifted into the kitchen to make a late lunch. He felt rung out after talking with his mom. He fixed himself and Jungkook sandwiches and put them on the kitchen table, then went upstairs and knocked.

"Gukkie?"

No response.

"I made some sandwiches. Want to come down and eat?"

Silence.

Taehyung rested his fingers against the wood. "Okay, I’ll just…I’ll leave it on the table for you if you change your mind."

Back in the kitchen, after only a few half-hearted bites of his food, Taehyung found his own appetite had fled, and tossed the rest in the garbage.

Listless, Taehyung walked aimlessly around the living room, looking at the photos they had on the walls and on the shelves of the bookcases. Several were of them together in different parts of the world, capturing favorite moments during their touring. Another was Jungkook with his parents and brother, taken years ago at a beach, the siblings laughing and smiling in the sun. There was one with Taehyung with his family, then another one during a Christmas where both their families had gathered to celebrate together.

Then there was this candid picture, taken during a party Bang PD threw for them to celebrate winning their first Daesang. Taehyung had thrown his arm around Jungkook’s shoulders and pulled him in close. Jungkook had wrapped one arm around Taehyung’s waist while his other arm had come up, his hand landing on its familiar place right over Taehyung’s heart. They had been laughing, their eyes shining, happy beyond belief about the renewal, staring right at each other when Jimin snapped the picture.

Taehyung lifted the frame off of the shelf and stroked his thumb over Jungkook’s face. Would he ever see his boyfriend smile like that again? He stared at the photo for a long time, lost in his thoughts before finally setting it back down and randomly picking a book to read. But the murder mystery couldn’t hold his attention and he set it next to him on the couch after only a few dozen pages. He closed his eyes with a tired sigh and let his head fall back against the cushions.

The squeak of the stairs roused him, and he realized with a jolt that he had fallen asleep for almost three hours. He rubbed a hand over his face and through his hair, glancing over toward the staircase where Jungkook was just stepping off the last stair.

"Tae?" he called quietly.

"Yeah, Guk. Over here on the couch," Taehyung answered him.

Taehyung watched as Jungkook made his way over to the living room and found the couch, where he sat at the very end, pressed up against the armrest.

"Hungry?" Taehyung asked him.

A shake of Jungkook’s head. "No. Just wanna…sit here for a while." Again, his voice flat and empty.

Taehyung frowned slightly. He had hoped that Jungkook would want to talk about all of this. "Okay, love."

Picking up the abandoned murder mystery, Taehyung read for the next hour, not really comprehending what the book was about, just doing it because honestly, he didn’t know what else to do. Jungkook sat still and quiet the entire time until Taehyung saw his head start to tilt sideways, eyes falling closed. A few minutes later and Jungkook’s breath evened out in sleep.

Closing the book, Taehyung stared openly at his lover. Pressed into the corner of the couch he looked small and utterly worn out. Not anything like the strong person he knew. Now only a shell of his boyfriend remained, and Taehyung’s heart ached.

Starting to stand, intending to go in the kitchen and get a drink, Taehyung jostled the book on his lap and it started to slide to the floor. Catching it, he turned to toss it onto the end table, then froze in mid-motion.

There on the table were Jungkook’s reading glasses.

Useless now to sightless eyes.

The book tumbled from his fingers as he reached out and picked them up, feeling something inside him…shatter. His chest seized and his throat closed up, the hot press of tears strong behind his eyes. He swore he wouldn’t do this, wouldn’t break down, but it was too late, the emotions crashing down upon him with crushing force, unstoppable.

He can’t let Jungkook hear, can’t let him see…

Oh, god…

Taehyung jolted up off the couch, still holding the glasses, practically running through the house towards their balcony. There, on his knees, the deep, heartrending sobs broke free. His entire body shook with the force of his anguish, as he cried for the man he loved who probably would never be the same again and how utterly unfair it was.

With a deep, hoarse cry, Taehyung raised up and threw the glasses as far as he could, before collapsing back down onto the floor, curling up on his side, crying until his throat was raw and his eyes swollen, crying until he had nothing left, crying until the evening grew dark around him.

-=oOo=-

The morning light filtered through the curtains in the room, and Taehyung rolled away from the sun with a groan. His head felt thick and heavy, his eyes still puffy and throat scratchy from last night.

He had lain on the floor until the moon came up, his body lethargic, his limbs heavy. It was only when the chill night air started to make him shiver that he finally roused himself and went back inside the house.

Jungkook was gone from the couch and Taehyung checked their room, to find his boyfriend sleeping. Taehyung had gone inside and sat down on the edge of the bed, just looking at Jungkook for long minutes, before barely touching his leg beneath the blanket then slipped under the covers next to him. He tossed and turned most of the night and now he sat up, rubbing his face, then rolling his shoulders, trying to work out the stiffness.

The sound of breaking glass had Taehyung up and out of bed in an instant, legs tangling in the blankets, nearly making him fall in his haste. He barreled down the stairs, turning the corner to the kitchen, stopping in the doorway.

Jungkook was there, standing at the counter next to the sink, wearing just a pair of boxers. It looked like he was trying to pour himself a glass of orange juice, but when he had taken the glass out of the cabinet he missed the edge of the counter when setting it down, and now it lay shattered on the kitchen floor.

"Shit!" Jungkook swore, starting to take a step forward with his bare foot, straight into the broken glass.

"Guk, don’t!" Taehyung yelled, startling Jungkook and thankfully stopping him from moving.

Taehyung walked into the kitchen, skirting the broken glass with his own bare feet, coming to stop next to Jungkook. He reached out and took Jungkook’s arm. "Here, walk over–"

"Back OFF!" Jungkook lashed out, breaking out of Taehyung’s grasp then pushing hard against Taehyung’s chest with both his hands. Taehyung stumbled back, hitting the refrigerator, stunned.

Jungkook’s body was practically shaking, every muscle tense, hands balled into fists at his side. His eyes were bright with unshed moisture, his jaw muscle jumping. Jungkook suddenly whirled, smashing his fists down onto the counter, and in the next moment his arms swept out, sending everything on the counter flying – onto the floor, into the sink, items breaking and spilling.

"I hate this! I hate this!" The cry was ripped from Jungkook right before a sob tore free and his legs buckled.

Taehyung jumped forward, hooking an arm around Jungkook’s waist, but his weight brought them both to the floor. They landed with Jungkook’s back pressed against Taehyung’s chest, leaning up against the sink. Jungkook immediately struggled to get free, but Taehyung moved his arm higher, a band across Jungkook’s chest, refusing to let him go.

"God, baby, let it out," Taehyung begged, tears coloring his voice. "Please…don’t keep it in anymore."

Jungkook froze for a heartbeat before he finally gave in, sagging back against Taehyung, the floodgates opening on his repressed emotions, harsh sobs racking his body.

Taehyung held on tight, the side of his face pressed against Jungkook’s, his own silent tears flowing freely.

Long moments later, Jungkook’s anguish began to subside, his body going practically limp in Taehyung’s embrace.

"We’ll get through this, I promise," Taehyung vowed fiercely.

Jungkook quieted at Taehyung’s words, getting his breathing back under control. He turned his body slightly, facing more toward Taehyung. "I don't think I will ever see again," he said on a sigh.

"The doctor believes you will," Taehyung countered. "And I trust him, so we shouldn't lose hope. I know it's hard, but we will get through it together."

Jungkook shook his head. "Taehyung, we should break up,”

Taehyung's world shattered as Jungkook uttered the heart-wrenching words, the weight of them sinking in like an anchor dragging him into the depths of despair. His eyes widened with disbelief, searching Jungkook's face for any sign that this was a cruel joke. But the pain etched across Jungkook's features told a story of its own.

"No, Jungkook, you can't be serious," Taehyung pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation. "We can face this together. You're not alone."

Jungkook's expression remained resolute, a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Tae, please. I can't let you sacrifice your life for me. You deserve better."

Frustration and fear boiled within Taehyung, and he couldn't fathom a life without the person who had become his anchor. "This isn't a sacrifice, Kookie. I love you, and I want to be with you. We'll find a way through this."

A strained silence enveloped the room, broken only by the distant hum of their breathing. Taehyung's gaze never wavered from Jungkook's face, silently pleading for a change of heart that seemed increasingly elusive. But as the minutes ticked by, Jungkook's resolve remained unyielding. The air grew heavy with unspoken pain until Taehyung, unable to contain his anguish any longer, exploded, "Why are you doing this? We can fight through this. I don't care about anything else. I care about you!"

Jungkook's voice quivered as he replied, "Tae, you don't understand. I can't let you throw your life away for me. It's over. I release you from this burden."

The word burden hung in the air like a dagger, cutting through Taehyung's heart. Anguish painted his features, but a fierce determination ignited in his eyes. "I won't let you make this decision for me, Jungkook. I choose you, even if it means facing the unknown. Love isn't a burden, and I won't let you push me away."

A heated argument erupted, the words exchanged echoing in the room. Taehyung fought desperately against the inevitable, but as Jungkook stood firm, an icy realization settled over them both.

“Please, Kook, please, baby,” Taehyung pleaded. “Don’t do this to us,”

Jungkook bit hard on his lips and didn’t reply. He chose to walk away before he fell down to his knees and begged Taehyung to stay with him.

In a moment of painful acceptance, Taehyung's shoulders slumped, defeated. He whispered, "If this is what you truly want. It’s what I deserve after all. I’m the worst boyfriend for failing you." The weight of resignation hung heavy in the air as he turned away, the sound of the door closing a final punctuation to the end of a love that had been eclipsed by darkness.

Jungkook froze in the stairway, having heard Taehyung’s last words. Before he could stop himself, he collapsed on the stairs and let out a loud sob. That was the last thing he wanted, for Taehyung to think he failed him. It was him who had failed Taehyung.

Fuck!

-=oOo=-

The days that followed the heartbreaking breakup were a haze for Taehyung. The once vibrant colors of his world had faded into muted shades of gray, and every moment seemed to drag on endlessly. The absence of Jungkook's laughter, his warmth, and the shared dreams left a void that echoed with loneliness.

Taehyung tried to immerse himself in work and social activities, seeking solace in the distraction they provided. Yet, the ache in his chest persisted, a constant reminder of the love that was now lost. Each smile he forced, each laugh he feigned, only served as a feeble attempt to mask the emptiness within.

Sleep became both a refuge and a torment. In dreams, he could still feel the echo of Jungkook's touch, the warmth of their shared moments. But every morning, reality hit him like a tidal wave, and the empty space beside him was a stark reminder of the solitude that now defined his mornings.

Taehyung scrolled through old messages and photos, their digital remnants a bittersweet testament to what once was. The pain of the breakup lingered like an unwelcome guest, a heavy weight that settled in the pit of his stomach whenever he let his guard down.

The members reached out, offering comfort and support, but Taehyung withdrew into himself, finding it difficult to articulate the depth of his grief. The world around him moved on, oblivious to the storm that raged within his heart.

One day, as he walked past places they used to frequent together, the memories flooded back. The cafe where they shared laughter, the park where they took long walks hand in hand—each location was now a poignant reminder of a love that had once flourished.

In moments of weakness, Taehyung replayed the breakup scene in his mind, wondering if there was anything more he could have done to change the outcome. The haunting questions and the absence of closure gnawed at him, leaving him restless in the quiet moments of the night.

As time passed, the pain didn't necessarily diminish, but Taehyung found a way to carry it with him. He channeled his emotions into art, creating pieces that mirrored the complexity of his feelings. The canvas became a silent confidant, capturing the essence of a love that had both uplifted and shattered him.

The journey to healing was slow, marked by moments of resilience and setbacks. Yet, within the depths of his grief, Taehyung clung to the hope that time would eventually dull the sharp edges of heartache, allowing him to emerge from the shadows and rediscover the colors of life once more.

Taehyung picked up his phone from the coffee table and his eyes caught the date. It was hard to believe that it had been three months since Jungkook had lost his sight. They were settling into their new life without each other. Jungkook went back to record his parts. Singing didn't require much, but practicing their choreographies proved to be a bitch since Jungkook didn't know how he was supposed to dance, where to stand, where to look, so he decided to focus on singing and worry over dancing later.

Over the months after the accident, the media had picked up snippets about what happened, but Big Hit didn't address the speculations, whether to confirm or deny. They had issued an announcement after the accident to let the fans that Jungkook was alive and recovering, but that was the extent of it. Everyone was left in the dark and Jungkook liked it. That way he set his own pace and lived his life tranquilly.

Not knowing the details didn't stop the fans from sending him letters, wishing for his fast recovery and wellbeing. Piles upon piles of fan mail started pouring in. The label forwarded everything to their house, from what Jimin told him.

It was hard being around Jungkook without touching him or confessing his love towards him, so he opted to avoid him. He sensed the first time after their breakup that his presence wasn’t appreciated when he stepped into the recording room and Jungkook tensed when he heard his voice that he ran out of the room as if he had seen a ghost.

The crackle of the wood in the fireplace roused Taehyung from his thoughts and he looked over to see Yeontan curled up in front of it, fast asleep.

“I miss your daddy, Tannie. How can I survive without him?” he wondered for the nth time, but he had too much love and respect for Jungkook that he couldn’t argue against his decision. He knew a lost battle when he saw one, so he decided to wait, knowing fully that he and Jungkook would get back together sooner or later.

-=oOo=-

Jungkook found himself adrift in a sea of solitude, the waves of heartache crashing against the fragile shore of his emotions. The decision to break up with Taehyung, a choice made out of what he believed to be selflessness, had become a heavy burden that settled into the very core of his being.

Everywhere he turned, he saw the echoes of their love story — in the songs they used to listen to, in the familiar scent that lingered on his clothes, and in the memories that haunted the corners of his mind. Taehyung's absence became a palpable void, a vacuum that sucked the air out of Jungkook's lungs.

It hurt to be near Taehyung, yet it hurt even more to be apart from him. The longing to reach out and touch, to feel the warmth of an embrace that used to be second nature, clawed at Jungkook's chest. The mere sound of Taehyung being in the room ignited a conflicting blend of love and pain, a paradoxical dance that left him feeling like a prisoner of his own emotions.

Jungkook retreated into the shadows, avoiding places that held the ghosts of their shared past. He spent sleepless nights replaying the moments leading up to the breakup, questioning if he had made the right choice. The silence in his room was deafening, amplifying the solitude that enveloped him.

In social gatherings, he wore a mask of composure, concealing the storm of emotions within. Conversations felt like a series of echoes, the laughter of others a distant melody that failed to drown out the internal symphony of heartbreak. It hurt to see Taehyung moving on, engaging with the world, while Jungkook felt suspended in time.

The ache was not just emotional; it was physical. It manifested in the emptiness that settled in his stomach, the tightness in his throat when he tried to speak, and the exhaustion that seeped into his bones. The realization that he had willingly severed the ties with someone he loved for their supposed well-being gnawed at him like a relentless predator.

As days turned into weeks, Jungkook grappled with the paradox of wanting to be close to Taehyung while understanding that their proximity only fueled the flames of their shared pain. The dichotomy of missing someone he was deliberately pushing away became a cruel irony, and he found himself navigating the shadows of his own creation.

Deep down, Jungkook yearned for a path to reconciliation, for a chance to rebuild what he had broken. Yet, the fear of burdening Taehyung, of being the anchor that weighed him down, held him captive in the solitude he had chosen. In the quiet moments of the night, the unspoken words of love and regret echoed, leaving Jungkook to confront the painful truth that the road to healing might be a journey he had to navigate alone.

“He looks like a ghost,” Jimin told him one night as Jungkook drowned his misery in soju. “He misses you so much. You miss him, too. I don’t know why you’re doing this to yourself. And-” he was quick to interrupt when he saw Jungkook ready to argue. “don’t you dare tell me that it’s for the best. You’re both suffering. You didn’t do him any good by releasing him of the so-called responsibility. If anything, you broke his heart, Guk.”

Tears welled up inside Jungkook’s eyes instantly. “I broke mine along with his,”

Jimin wrapped him in a tight hug as he cried his heart out. “It’s all in your hand, Guk. He’ll take you back in a moment if you asked,”

“I’m not so sure anymore,” Jungkook whimpered. “I believe I broke us beyond repair.”

“I’m telling you,” Jimin insisted, “He’ll take you back because he’s madly in love with you.”

I hope so, hyung, I hope so, Jungkook thought desperately.

-=oOo=-

The journey to Taehyung's house felt like an eternity for Jungkook. He clutched his knee in the car, his knuckles turning white, as the weight of regret and longing pressed heavily on his chest. The decision to seek forgiveness had been an arduous one, but it was a choice fueled by the realization that he couldn't bear to live without Taehyung.

As he approached the front door, anxiety coiled in his stomach and doubt whispered in his ear. What if Taehyung had moved on? What if the wounds were too deep to mend? Jungkook took a deep breath, willing himself to face whatever awaited on the other side. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the door, the anticipation of facing the consequences of his impulsive decision gnawing at him.

He took a deep breath before he sent the driver away and rang the bell, trying to steady his nerves instead of pressing the code and walking inside unannounced. The door creaked open, revealing Taehyung's puzzled expression that quickly morphed into guarded suspicion.

"Jungkook? What are you doing here?" Taehyung's voice held a mixture of surprise and caution.

Jungkook struggled to find the right words, the lump in his throat making it difficult to articulate his thoughts. "Tae, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"

Taehyung hesitated before stepping aside to let Jungkook enter. The air inside felt heavy with unresolved tension, memories of their shared past casting a shadow on the present.

Once inside, Jungkook turned to where he sensed was Taehyung, the gravity of his words hanging in the silence. "I made a mistake, Tae. Breaking up with you was a terrible decision, and I regret it every day."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed, a mixture of confusion and anger flashing across his face. "You made it clear that my love and support were suffocating you. Why are you here now?"

Jungkook swallowed hard, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I was wrong, Tae. I thought I was doing what was best for you, releasing you from the burden. But I can't live without you. I miss you every second, and I can't bear the emptiness I feel without you by my side."

Taehyung's defensive walls were evident as he retorted, "What if you wake up tomorrow and push me away again? I could take any mood swing you went through, but when you took the ultimate decision and broke up with me, that hurt me so much.”

Jungkook's voice quivered with sincerity. "I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I never realized how much I needed you until you weren't there. I want to make things right, Tae. Please, give me another chance."

Taehyung's expression hardened, and he crossed his arms, creating a barrier between them. "You can't expect me to just forget the pain you caused. I won't be your fallback plan."

Jungkook took a step closer, desperation evident in his eyes. "I don't want you to be my fallback plan, Tae. I want you to be my everything. I've learned my lesson, and I'll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I'm committed, that I won't push you away again."

For a moment, silence hung in the air, the room filled with the unspoken weight of their shared history. Taehyung's gaze softened, the struggle within him visible. "Jungkook, you hurt me more than you can imagine. But if you're sincere about this, if you're truly willing to let me in, then yes... yes, we can try again."

Relief flooded Jungkook, and he nodded emphatically. "I promise, Tae. I won't push you away. I need you more than anything,"

Taehyung sighed, a mix of vulnerability and resilience in his eyes. "I missed you so fucking much,"

Jungkook swallowed hard and opened his arms for him. As they embraced, both aware of the challenges ahead, they knew that the road to healing would be a journey they'd have to navigate together. “I missed you more. Out of everything, I missed holding you in my arms. I’ve never felt this alone and dead inside.”

“I missed everything about you,” Taehyung whispered in his neck. “Your smell,” he took a sniff, “Your touch,” he held him tighter, “and most importantly, your kisses,” he planted the softest kiss on Jungkook’s jaw. “I missed your—“

The rest of Taehyung’s sentence was lost as Jungkook’s mouth found his own and pushed him towards the couch. He kissed him for long before he was twisting, moving, never breaking the kiss as he straddled Taehyung’s legs, settling himself in Taehyung’s lap. "You're the love of my life. I don't know what I had done to deserve you,"

"I happen to believe the same," Taehyung breathed into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around Jungkook, felt Jungkook’s fingers thread through his hair. “Please, never leave me again,” he pleaded.

“I’d rather die,” Jungkook whispered.

Their mouths parted and came back together again and again, their actions growing in intensity, breaths coming faster, hands roaming over bare skin. Taehyung’s erection was a hard ridge inside his boxers and he grasped Jungkook’s hips, instantly felt the other man grind down against him, Jungkook’s rigid cock sliding against his through the fabric of their underwear.

They were barely in the door of their bedroom and they were back in each other’s arms. Taehyung claimed Jungkook’s mouth for another deep kiss, feeling Jungkook’s hands reach around and settle on his ass, pulling him tight against the older man.

Taehyung bucked his hips up and felt Jungkook laugh into the kiss. Taehyung smiled against Jungkook’s lips and slid his hands down Jungkook’s back, fingers dipping under Jungkook’s waistband.

"Yeah, Tae, yeah…" Jungkook encouraged him, raising his hands up to cup Taehyung’s face, kissing him again, and Taehyung hooked his thumbs in the elastic and eased the boxers over Jungkook’s hips, letting the material fall to the floor.

Jungkook pulled back from the kiss. "My turn," he said with a smirk, reaching for Taehyung’s boxers, pushing them down.

Nothing between them now, they pressed together, their groins touching, their erections sliding against each other. Both men moaned almost simultaneously at the contact, and Taehyung marveled at Jungkook’s heat, all centered below his waist.

Jungkook tipped his head back just as Taehyung’s came down, his lips mouthing wetly at Jungkook’s neck.

"God, you feel so good," Jungkook’s arms tightened around Taehyung and Taehyung again bucked his hips, drawing in a breath at the feel of his cock rubbing against Jungkook’s, pressed between their bodies.

"Bed. Now," Taehyung said against Jungkook’s skin, and began walking them slowly backwards, stopping when the back of his knees touched the mattress.

He sank slowly downward, kissing Jungkook’s neck, chest and stomach as he went. He scooted up the bed, his back against the headboard, then reached out and grasped Jungkook’s wrist, giving it a little tug. Jungkook went willingly, crawling onto the bed, feeling with his hands where Taehyung was, how he was laying, before straddling Taehyung’s waist once more, just like downstairs.

Jungkook's skin felt fuzzy, tingly, his blood singing with need.

The whole experience was the most intense, most frustrating, most emotion experience he had ever had.

It wasn't like he had never had sex in the dark before, but even with the lights off, there was always glints of illumination, shimmers and shadows that sneaked in and outlined shapes, highlighted features.

Nothing, however, had ever felt like this before.

He moved against him, soft shape and fluid limbs, and Jungkook was embraced by him as by the pitch black darkness lying behind his eyes; he couldn't see anything, only feel, all his other senses alert, on sensory overload.

He was aching to see Taehyung, the need clawing desperately at his insides, for Taehyung's smile, the flutters of his eyelids, for his skin, his body, his enticing nakedness, and yet this chance to truly feel him was its own unique gift.

Taehyung's fingertips played along the lines of his ribs, leaving his skin quivering, sensitized to every touch, goose bumps rising along his limbs, while Taehyung's warm, juicy lips grazed across his chest. He danced soft kisses along his pecs, down to his stomach, and Jungkook reached for his head, at once desperate and yearning, pulled him towards his face to kiss him again, deeply and full of longing. Taehyung's mouth was yielding, frenzied against his and he trembled in his arms as Taehyung's tongue linked with his.

When they broke apart to breathe, Taehyung looked into Jungkook’s beautiful eyes and his heart gave a painful twinge. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair that their lovemaking was something Jungkook wouldn't see, but there was something Taehyung could do, something that would make them equal.

So Taehyung let his eyes slide closed.

If Jungkook couldn’t see, then neither would he.

His senses were immediately assaulted as Jungkook cupped Taehyung’s face again, drawing him in for another deep kiss, their tongues sliding against one another, velvet-silk. Taehyung’s hands roamed up and down Jungkook’s back, skimming across heated skin and muscles, letting his fingertips show him Jungkook.

As the kiss grew, Taehyung felt Jungkook’s hips start to move, pressing down, then up, bumping their erections together again and again.

Taehyung pulled back from the kiss, breathless. "God, baby…"

"No, don’t stop…" came Jungkook’s plea, his hands sliding down to grasp the top of Taehyung’s shoulders, still moving his hips.

Eyes still closed, Taehyung found Jungkook’s jaw line with his lips, where he kissed and licked his way down the smooth column of Jungkook’s neck, the other man’s taste exploding across his tongue. He tilted Jungkook’s upper body back a bit to get better access to his chest, where his mouth found Jungkook’s right nipple. Taehyung could feel Jungkook’s moan as he swiped his tongue across the small nub.

Encouraged, Taehyung licked and sucked, hearing Jungkook’s voice get rough with arousal as his hand cupped the back of Taehyung’s head, holding him against his nipple.

"Mmm, yeah, like that…harder…god…"

The words went straight to Taehyung’s cock, hard and aching, still sliding against Jungkook’s. He pulled the now hardened bud into his mouth and bit Jungkook’s nipple lightly. Jungkook gasped, the grip on Taehyung’s head faltering and Taehyung pulled back, raising Jungkook’s upper body back up. Jungkook dropped his head, bumping against Taehyung’s, his hips grinding harder now, his voice thready when he spoke.

"Touch me, Tae, please…"

Squeezing his eyes to make them stay shut, to not look down and see Jungkook’s cock, was one of the hardest things Taehyung had ever done. He could feel fine tremors running through Jungkook’s body, knew his own was vibrating with need, too, his blood thrumming through his veins. He was flushed, hot, could feel the light sheen of sweat on his body and Jungkook’s.

He turned his head, nose bumping Jungkook’s, tipped his chin down and captured Jungkook’s mouth as his hand reached between their bodies, into the incredible heat pooled there. He’d never been more thankful for his large hand and long fingers than he was at that moment, as he curled his palm around both of their straining cocks.

Both of their mouths opened, breathing each other’s breath at this intimate touch. Jungkook was like silk and steel in his palm, heavy with need and arousal. Taehyung tightened his grip and slid his hand upwards, pressing their cocks together, skin sliding against skin. Jungkook whined deep in his throat and Taehyung thought he would come apart at the sound.

"More," Jungkook pleaded, his fingers digging into Taehyung’s shoulders.

Taehyung splayed his other hand on Jungkook’s back, then started stroking their cocks with long, smooth motions.

"Christ, Jungkook…" Taehyung moaned, his brain trying to process the fact that he was here with Jungkook like this, with his cock in his hand, stroking them both to orgasm. It still seemed so unreal.

In between hot, wet, sharp kisses their breaths came in short pants. Taehyung’s hand was moving faster now, driving their passion higher and higher. He turned his wrist slightly on the next upstroke, to drag his thumb over the head of Jungkook’s cock, pressing down on the slit. He felt the wetness of Jungkook’s precome just as the older man shook in his arms, a harsh, ragged groan escaping his lips.

"Make me come, Tae…oh god…please, make me come…"

Taehyung shuddered at Jungkook’s voice, gritty and thick, felt his own climax just beyond his reach.

"Yeah, love, yeah," he breathed against Jungkook’s neck, gripping their cocks just a bit harder.

"Yes!" Jungkook bucked his hips sharply. "Just – just like that…almost, I – "

"Let me feel you come, baby…let go…"

And with a cry that was nearly a sob, Jungkook came, his body shaking. It took every ounce of willpower Taehyung possessed to keep his eyes closed when he felt Jungkook’s cock pulse in his hand and the first, hot splash of semen coat his fingers and his own cock.

He kept stroking, coaxing wave after wave of Jungkook’s orgasm from him, feeling his own collecting at the base of his spine, rushing up to meet him.

Then Jungkook’s hand was knocking his away, taking over, stroking, stroking, Jungkook’s husky voice telling him, "Now let me feel you come."

And that was it for Taehyung. One, two more pulls on his painfully hard erection and he was coming, shouting Jungkook’s name, feeling his brain liquefy and shoot out through his cock in milky jets, over and over.

Taehyung could no longer keep his eyes closed, it just wasn’t possible any more, and he opened them to see Jungkook, face flushed, hairline damp with sweat, looking at him with such tenderness that it made Taehyung’s heart lurch inside his chest.

His body still trembling with aftershocks, he crushed Jungkook to him, feeling the other man hold on to him just as tightly.

"God, Tae…" Jungkook’s voice was worn out and breathy, his face buried in Taehyung’s neck.

Taehyung put his mouth next to Jungkook’s ear. "I love you," he whispered and melted when Jungkook whispered it back. “I’m not done with you. We’re just getting started,”

Jungkook smirked and pushed him back before he climbed on top of him. “As you wish, your highness,”

Taehyung’s breath caught in anticipation.

-=oOo=-

The next morning, Taehyung woke to the sensation of the blankets being pulled down off his body. Only wearing boxers, goosebumps rose on his bare skin as the cool air in the bedroom washed over him. He grumbled under his breath, blinking open sleepy eyes. He found Jungkook staring straight at him, propped up on his elbow, smiling.

"Morning," he greeted tenderly, smiling back.

Jungkook turned his head, looking down Taehyung’s body, then back up again.

"Those are the ugliest damn boxers I’ve ever seen," Jungkook stated matter of factly.

"What, why?" Taehyung took offense. "Plus, you were the one who bought them for me and–" Realization slammed into Taehyung and his mouth dropped open mid-sentence.

Jungkook’s smile grew wider as Taehyung laid a hand on the side of his face. "Guk?" he breathed, voice shaky.

The other man nodded and Taehyung let out a bark of laughter, pulling Jungkook to him in a fierce embrace, rolling Jungkook nearly on top of him. Jungkook laughed, too, and soon both their bodies were shaking with it.

"God, Guk, oh god," Taehyung finally got out. "How? What—?"

"Things have been getting…lighter, for the past week," Jungkook told him.

"Wait. Your headaches?" Taehyung asked. “Jimin told me you started getting them daily.”

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah."

"God, Guk, why didn’t you say anything??"

"We broke up by then. Besides, I was afraid to get your hopes up, and mine, in case it never got any better than seeing light gray instead of black. So I kept quiet. All I could focus on is getting you back. I didn’t even think of seeing the doctor to check. But then this morning, I opened my eyes…and there you were," Jungkook finished with a grin.

"I just…I can’t believe it." Taehyung wrapped his arms tighter around Jungkook, face against his neck, a single tear slipping free.

Jungkook ran a hand through Taehyung’s hair and Taehyung raised his head. His heart gave a lurch as he looked into Jungkook’s eyes, alive now and sparkling. Then his own eyes were sliding closed as Jungkook captured his mouth for a long, deep kiss.

Breathless, they pulled back, and Taehyung could feel Jungkook’s body pressing against his own.

"Let me look at you," Jungkook breathed, and Taehyung could only nod, his throat closing up at his words, words he thought he would never hear.

Jungkook slid off Taehyung’s body and for the next long while Taehyung lay there, smiling, as Jungkook explored every inch of his skin with his hands and mouth and eyes. His smile turned to soft moans when Jungkook found one of his nipples and licked and sucked at the nub until Taehyung started squirming underneath him.

Jungkook gave the overstimulated nipple a last suck then, with a mischievous grin, moved downward, placing wet, open mouthed kisses down Taehyung’s chest to his stomach, tongue dipping in his navel, making Taehyung shiver.

Then Jungkook’s hands were at the waistband of Taehyung’s boxers, fingers curling around the elastic, before he drew back. “Sorry, I know you’re sore from last night,”

“Just kiss me for now,” Taehyung asked and wrapped his arms around his neck.

“My pleasure,” Jungkook replied and dived into it.

-=oOo=-

The stage was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow as Jungkook and Taehyung stood side by side, their hands secretly touching as BTS kicked off the concert. The crowd erupted in cheers, a symphony of applause that resonated through the venue. It was a moment that transcended the music they created; it was a celebration of resilience, forgiveness, and the unwavering power of love.

Jungkook's eyes, once veiled in darkness, now sparkled with the brilliance of rediscovered sight. The world that had been obscured from him during those difficult days was now vivid and clear. Taehyung stood by his side, a constant source of support and love through the journey of healing.

As they began to perform one of the songs on their subunit album, the harmony of their voices echoed through the venue, weaving a tapestry of emotion. The crowd swayed to the rhythm, enchanted by the genuine connection that emanated from the stage. Jungkook's renewed vision allowed him to appreciate not only the faces in the audience but also the radiant smile on Taehyung's face.

The lyrics they sang echoed the story of their love, a narrative of loss, regret, and redemption. Yet, as they sang the chorus, a sense of triumph filled the air, a testament to the strength of their bond.

Backstage, after the performance, Jungkook and Taehyung shared a quiet moment, the backstage chaos fading into the background. Taehyung traced the lines of Jungkook's face, the visual confirmation of the love that had endured despite the shadows that had threatened to consume them.

"You’re my sight to behold," Jungkook whispered, a mixture of wonder and gratitude in his voice.

Taehyung smiled, his eyes reflecting the profound joy within. "What a sap!"

The past was a distant memory, a testament to the trials they had overcome. The couple embraced, their hearts in sync with the rhythm of the music still echoing in the distance.

In that quiet, intimate moment, surrounded by the echoes of their shared journey, Jungkook and Taehyung knew that the music they created was not just a melody but a celebration of love—a love that had weathered the storm, emerged stronger, and now stood as an enduring testament to the healing power of forgiveness and the resilience of the heart.