The first time they met, Jungkook was not impressed. Kim Taehyung has always had one of those child-like faces full of innocence, optimism, and ignorance, seeing nothing but the good in everything and everyone.
Which, over the years, Jungkook has learned, from firsthand experience, is something you should never do, if you want to survive in this cruel, modern world. People in this day and age won't care; they'll step on and all over you to get what they want.
He's also always hated people like Taehyung; always kind and encouraging of others, when really, all they're doing is setting up the other for disappointment.
And the worst part is, they do it with good intentions, never taking into account the possible consequences of their actions.
That's the exact kind of person Park Jimin was. That little shit, who always looked at Jungkook like he was the center of the universe and doted on Jungkook like there was no tomorrow, and who smashed Jungkook's heart into a million tiny fragments when he revealed that he was already dating Min Yoongi, a hotter, older, but much shorter man whose wrath Jungkook has learned to be deeply afraid of and whom Jungkook would never measure up to in this lifetime. (And who is also now one of Jungkook's best friends and favourite hyungs, but shush, Jungkook decided it would sound much more dramatic this way.)
That's the exact kind of person Kim Taehyung was. Jungkook could tell from first glance that he and Park Jimin were from the same species; that one where they never stop smiling and caring about others more than themselves and have souls that are much too innocent and pure to be tainted with the harsh reality that is life.
Jungkook should've known better than to get himself involved again.
He should've run away and out of that coffee shop that day Yoongi-hyung introduced the two of them to each other.
He never should've gotten involved with Kim Taehyung.
Taehyung, that lovable ball of fluff who Jungkook wishes to banish to the other end of the universe.
Taehyung, whose smile can brighten up even the most depressing of days when Jungkook really just wants to be alone but never can be because he can never refuse Taehyung and his stupid-*** smile.
Taehyung, who'd completely shattered Jungkook's resolve to never get attached to anyone ever again, and who'd perfectly won over Jungkook's heart with the most cringeworthy aegyo he's ever seen and the sweetest promises that Jungkook says are empty but that Taehyung swears upon his hamster's grave he'll keep.
Taehyung, who roped Jungkook into the most ridiculous scheme in probably the history of forever, and is the reason why they are currently they're stowed away on a milk truck on the way to Busan at 4 am in the morning, covered in paint and sawdust and most likely soon-to-be-arrested, after the driver finds the two huddled up together in the back, sharing a blanket and in a position much too intimate for Jungkook's comfort.
"You know we're probably going to be in deep shit the moment he arrives and finds the two of us back here.
"And he's probably going to call the cops and have us arrested.
"And - oh, God, Taehyung - what the hell have you gotten us into and why'd you have to bring me of all people to pick up after your mess?
"Also, you're kinda kneeing me in the crotch; for ****'s sake, move back a bit. You're way too close."
"But Kookie, I still haven't given Hayoung back her biology notes and fanfiction collection that she lent to me and that she absolutely needs to get back without fail by 3:08 sharp this afternoon.
"Keke ~ and I brought you because you're the one person I'd trust my whole life and sacred manga collection with and I love you and I know you'll always clean up after all the chaos I cause because you're the best, aren’t you, Kookie-ah!
"...also, you owe me for that double chocolate chip frappe with extra whipped cream that I got for you the other day."
"Tae, you're the one who ended drinking the whole thi - "
Jungkook presses his stained-blue hand to his forehead, trying to soothe the oncoming headache, and simultaneously using the chance to cover up his reddening cheeks, because oh my God, Taehyung just said he loved me and what should I do, do I tell him I love him back or was he just kidding or is the break of dawn in the back of a fucking milk truck not the best situation to confess in; did he actually even say I love you or am I just hallucinating from being in this enclosed space with him for 2 hours straight.
...
"...Tae, did I hear wrong or did you actually say that you lo - "
Jungkook feels a sudden weight on his shoulder and looks to his right to see Taehyung, eyes closed and mouth hanging open, dead to the world with his head nestled comfortably in the crook of Jungkook's neck.
Unbelievable. He bites his lip, hard, to keep from laughing in disbelief, then allows himself a small chuckle under his breath.
"You idiot, what am I going to do with you?"
He reaches to his right and gently brushes Taehyung's red-paint-covered hair out of the way, fingers brushing along his forehead, his cheek, then his jaw. Heart pounding in his chest, he leans in after a moment of hesitation and slowly brings his own lips near Taehyung's, coming so close that he can feel the other's soft, calming breath mixing with his own.
Suddenly -
The back door of the truck opens and Jungkook can't shove Taehyung off of him fast enough. The other is shaken awake just in time to see the red-faced, not-so-happy driver scowling at the two, hands gripping the door so hard that his knuckles are turning white.
Jungkook's eyes widen in fear, and is about to open his mouth to give an explanation, when Taehyung chirps from behind him, "good morning, driver-nim!"
There's a few moments of dead silence between the three, soon interrupted by the loud slap of Jungkook's palm against his face.
Well.
Looks like I've got some cleaning up to do.
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