After finishing their breakfast, Jungkook led Taehyung back to the car, their fingers intertwined as they walked through the quiet street. The morning air was crisp, filled with the warmth of the sun peeking through the clouds.
Jungkook opened the passenger door for Taehyung, motioning for him to get in. "Your chariot awaits, my prince," he teased, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
Taehyung rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Such a gentleman," he mused, slipping into the seat.
Jungkook shut the door and jogged to the driver's side, sliding in smoothly. He started the engine, the soft hum filling the air, and then they were off.
For a while, they drove in comfortable silence, the only sound coming from the gentle strumming of a guitar playing on the radio. Taehyung leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery blur past, the sunlight casting soft shadows on his face.
It was only when they had been driving for about an hour that he finally turned toward Jungkook, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Okay, seriouslyâwhere are we going?" He tilted his head, watching Jungkook's profile as he drove, his hands steady on the wheel.
Jungkook's lips twitched into a knowing smile. "It's a surprise."
Taehyung let out a dramatic groan. "I hate surprises."
Jungkook chuckled, sparing him a quick glance. "No, you don't."
Taehyung pouted, crossing his arms. "I do. I need to be mentally prepared for things."
Jungkook only laughed in response, his dimples peeking out as he focused on the road ahead.
The drive continued, and Taehyung couldn't help but take in their surroundings. The buildings started to thin out, replaced by open roads and greenery. The scent of the ocean started to creep in, salty and refreshing.
Then, suddenly, it clicked.
Taehyung straightened in his seat, his eyes narrowing at Jungkook. "Wait... are we going to Dadaepo Beach?"
Jungkook's lips curled up into a small, secretive smile, but he didn't say anything.
That was enough of an answer.
Taehyung's eyes widened. "Jungkookâ"
Jungkook lifted a hand from the steering wheel to press a finger against Taehyung's lips. "No more questions, love. Just wait and see."
Taehyung huffed but couldn't suppress the excitement bubbling in his chest.
He had a feeling today was going to be perfect.
As the car rolled to a stop, Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung, who had been eagerly watching the scenery outside for the past ten minutes. The moment he unbuckled his seatbelt, Taehyung practically leaped out of the car. His excitement was palpable, a breath of fresh air that made Jungkook smile.
Taehyung didn't even wait for Jungkook before breaking into a sprint towards the ocean, his arms stretched out as if embracing the salty breeze. His laughter rang through the air, carried away by the wind as his feet sank into the soft sand.
Jungkook leaned against the car for a second, watching. The way the ocean breeze tousled Taehyung's hair, the way his oversized cardigan flapped with every movementâit was a sight Jungkook wanted to imprint in his mind forever.
With a small chuckle, he finally shut the car door and made his way toward Taehyung, hands tucked into his pockets.
This wasn't just any random trip.
Back in Seoul, when they had been talking, Jungkook remembered Taehyung casually mentioning that he hadn't been to the beach in ages. That he missed the feeling of sand between his toes, the sound of the waves, and most of allâwatching the sunset by the ocean.
And Jungkook had remembered.
So he brought Taehyung hereânot just for the beach, but because he wanted to see that exact expression on his face. The pure, childlike joy that he rarely got to witness.
Standing near the shoreline, Taehyung turned around, his face bright with happiness. "Jungkook!" he called out, waving eagerly. "What are you doing back there? Come here!"
Jungkook shook his head, laughing under his breath before jogging toward him. He didn't care about the sand getting in his shoes, didn't care that the wind was messing up his hair.
Because this was their day, and Jungkook wanted to make every moment count.
________
The waves lapped gently at the shore as Jungkook and Taehyung walked side by side, their hands naturally finding each other. Fingers intertwined, warm and snug, as if they had always belonged that way.
The ocean breeze was cool against their skin, contrasting with the warmth radiating from their joined hands. Neither of them spoke for a while, just enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the waves and the occasional cry of seagulls above.
Taehyung sighed in contentment, leaning slightly into Jungkook. "This feels nice," he murmured, his thumb absentmindedly brushing against Jungkook's hand.
Jungkook hummed in agreement. "Yeah," he said, glancing down at Taehyung, his lips twitching into a small smile. "You're not going to run off into the ocean again, are you?"
Taehyung chuckled. "No promises."
They continued strolling until they found a quieter spot where the sand was dry and soft. Jungkook sat down first, legs stretched out, and without hesitation, Taehyung plopped down beside him, resting his head against Jungkook's shoulder.
The sky had started to shift into hues of orange and pink, the golden hour casting a glow over the sea. It was breathtaking, but Jungkook found himself more entranced by the way the light reflected in Taehyung's eyes.
Taehyung let out a small sigh. "We have to go back soon, don't we?"
Jungkook, who had been absently tracing circles on the back of Taehyung's hand with his thumb, felt his chest tighten at the thought. His fingers instinctively curled around Taehyung's hand, holding it a little tighter, as if anchoring him to this fleeting moment.
"Yeah," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. "Vacation's almost over."
The words hung between them like an inevitability they weren't ready to face.
Jimin had already returned to Seoul a few days prior since his classes had started earlier than theirs. It had felt strange without himâhis playful teasing, his exasperated sighs whenever they got too caught up in each other to pay attention to anything else. Now, it was just them, wrapped in the serenity of the ocean breeze, knowing they had only one more full day left before reality came calling.
Taehyung's grip on Jungkook's hand tightened for a brief second before he sighed again, shifting slightly so he could nuzzle closer to Jungkook's warmth. His head rested against Jungkook's shoulder, the scent of sea salt and the faint trace of Jungkook's cologne filling his senses.
"I wish we could stay here longer," Taehyung admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jungkook turned his head slightly, pressing his lips against the soft strands of Taehyung's hair in a featherlight kiss. "Me too," he murmured against his skin.
The ocean breeze carried a chill, but Jungkook didn't feel itânot with Taehyung pressed against him like this, his warmth sinking into him like a quiet promise.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They just sat there, hands intertwined, watching as the sun began its slow descent beyond the horizon. The waves whispered against the shore, the sky dimmed into deeper shades of twilight, and yet, Jungkook wished time would stand stillâjust for a little longer.
But no matter how much they tried to ignore it, Seoul was waiting. School was waiting.
Life was waiting.
"At least," Jungkook finally spoke, voice low and steady, "we'll be going back together."
Taehyung smiled, eyes fluttering shut.
"...That's all that matters."
_________
The dimly lit apartment reeked of alcohol and cigarette smoke, an unmistakable heaviness hanging in the air. Gyungho sat on the floor, his back against the couch, an empty bottle of soju rolling near his feet. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his dark hair disheveled, eyes clouded with something dangerously close to obsession.
Across from him, Siwoo sat stiffly, fingers gripping the edge of his glass, debating whether to speak. He had been watching Gyungho drink for the past hour, saying nothing as the older boy silently drowned himself in his own emotions.
Gyungho exhaled sharply, tilting his head back as he reached for another bottle, pouring himself a generous amount.
"You're drinking too much," Siwoo finally said, his voice uncertain.
Gyungho scoffed, downing the drink in one go before slamming the glass onto the table. "So?" His voice was cold, but there was an underlying bitterness that even alcohol couldn't wash away.
Siwoo hesitated, glancing at his phone. His fingers hovered over the screen before he silently debated whether he should share the news or not.
Would it make things worse?
Would it change anything at all?
His internal conflict was abruptly shattered when Gyungho's grip on the bottle tightened, his jaw clenching as he stared at something on his phone.
And then, without warningâ
CRASH!
The bottle shattered into pieces against the floor, shards of glass flying in all directions. The liquid seeped into the cracks, spreading like an uncontainable messâmuch like the fury burning inside him.
Siwoo flinched but didn't say anything. He knew exactly what Gyungho had seen.
Taehyung's Twitter post.
The picture of him and Jungkook at the beach, hands intertwined, the ocean stretching behind them as the sunset bathed them in golden hues. A picture that screamed happiness, comfort, love.
A picture that wasn't meant for Gyungho anymore.
Gyungho's lips curled into a dark smile, but his eyes held no warmth. "He betrayed me," he murmured, voice dangerously soft.
Siwoo exhaled through his nose, steeling himself.
"Gyungho," he started, tone careful. "You need to forget about Taehyung. He's already in a relationshipâwith Jungkook."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, Gyungho let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through his messy hair. "Forget?" His gaze lifted, sharp and unwavering. "You think I can forget someone like him? He should have always like me. He should be dating me, not that Jungkook."
Siwoo shifted uncomfortably. He knew nothing he said would get through to him. Gyungho had never been the type to let go of something once he had set his mind to it.
Taking a deep breath, Siwoo reluctantly decided to tell him the truth.
"...Taehyung is returning to the school dormitory the day after tomorrow," he admitted, avoiding Gyungho's gaze.
A slow smirk crept onto Gyungho's face. His grip on his phone tightened, knuckles turning white. "Perfect," he murmured, eyes glinting with a twisted sense of certainty.
Siwoo tensed. "Gyunghoâ"
"I'll confront him," Gyungho cut him off, voice steady and resolute. "I'll make him see that he's making a mistake."
Siwoo frowned. "A mistake?"
Gyungho leaned forward, eyes dangerously determined.
"He'll come back to me." His voice was eerily calm. "As long as I take the initiative, he'll forgive me."
Siwoo swallowed, unease creeping into his chest.
"He will definitely come back."