The loud pants, brimming with exhaustion, filled the entire house with their intimate aftermath. The pitter-patter of rainfall didn't cease either, filling the surroundings with the comforting sound, mingling with their noises. Jungkook, driven to distraction by his exhaustion, still attempted to get up for the sake of each other's comfort. Taehyung was lying on the floor beneath him, panting heavily, desperate for air, and repeatedly licking his dry lips. Despite this, Jungkook still managed to get up and get a clean cloth, wiping himself and the one beneath him as he looked down at the beautiful mess wearing his shirt which didn't conceal much of his painted skin and his necklace adorning his neck, a sign of his love and gratitude to him.

"I don't think it's enough." Jungkook whispered, as he looked at the box of paper towels in his hands, chuckling at the aftermath they had just created. Taehyung simply stretched his arms, wanting Jungkook to lift him up. The artist gazed down at him, eyes softened, recognizing the need to pamper his partner.

"Let's clean you up."

Jungkook gracefully lowered himself to carry the brunet in his arms. The moment he did, Taehyung clung to him, arms encircling his neck. Jungkook effortlessly lifted him, one hand under his thighs and another on his back, guiding them to the shower. Just like the rain falling outside, warm water cascaded down their bodies as they continued to share gentle kisses under the shower. For them, kissing served as a free therapy, a remedy. As long as they engaged in it, there was no misery or dilemma that could prevent them from finding ease. Jungkook exceeded expectations not only in making love but also in caring for Taehyung afterward. He noticed how Jungkook assisted not just with cleaning but also in dressing properly, knowing his driver would be there to pick him up in a while. As they waited for the rain to subside, the two sprawled on the couch in their living room, Jungkook beneath and Taehyung lying on top, his head nestled into the crook of the artist's neck. The brunet's hands traced patterns on the artist's chest, their connection deepening in each other's embrace. Taehyung fell into a silence, seeming lost in thoughts, a shadow casting over his mind. Jungkook, noticing the unusual quiet, feared Taehyung's silence the most. The blank expression of the younger one seemed dangerous, as if the artist's entire world had darkened. Jungkook ran his hands through the brunet's brown locks, still damp from the recent shower, trying to provide a comforting touch in the midst of the unspoken turmoil.

"Baby…" Jungkook whispered, tilting his head low to focus on Taehyung's face. Taehyung raised his gaze to meet his.

"What's bothering you?" Jungkook questioned, gently caressing his hair. Taehyung remained silent, merely shaking his head in denial, his expression still blank, and his eyes holding a mysterious depth.

"Taehyung."

"Yes appa?" 

"Sit, we need to talk." 

It was unusual for Taehyung's father to intercept him on his way to school, but the brunet halted to listen.

"What is it, appa?" Taehyung wondered, studying his father's face with curiosity in his eyes.

"Your school… They'll provide your diploma in a few days. I hope you used all this time in school to learn worthwhile things."

Taehyung furrowed his brows, sensing an underlying meaning in his father's words, but he didn't dwell on it further for the moment.

"I did, appa."

"I believe in you. And also in the future of our family. Like your brother went to Italy to graduate for his degree to be an architect. I hope you're ready for it too," his father declared, delivering an ultimatum. The brunet audibly sucked his teeth in frustration.

"Appa… I think we were clear about this-"

"Yes, we are, our future architect, Mr. KimTaehyung." His father smiled, seemingly unfazed by suppressing his son's desires. The young brunet managed to keep his silence, but a storm raged within him.

"I... I'm getting late," Taehyung excused, deciding to leave, escaping the suffocation of those luxurious gigantic walls in search of some peace which would end in the artist's arms.

Worries resurfaced in Jungkook as he observed the brunet falling into silence and spacing out once more.

"Tae… your silence is killing me. You know how much I fear it," the artist confessed, attempting to read the mystery in Taehyung's eyes. Taehyung finally spared a glance at him, sitting up and turning his back. Jungkook couldn't comprehend why Taehyung was avoiding expressing himself, and his curiosity intensified.

"I'm fine." the brunet insisted, though the reassurance didn't seem convincing enough to the artist.

"No you're not. Every time I try to ask, either you just stay quiet or distract me with everything you have been doing lately. It's okay if you don't want to face your issues but suppressing them would only cause you harm." Jungkook debated but Taehyung didn't turn his face to him. The artist wrapped his arms around Taehyung's back, pulling him into a secure embrace, snuggling his head onto his shoulder. He sought Taehyung's skin under the white shirt, pressing comforting kisses.

"Tae… what is it?"

"I'll get my diploma in a few days. My school time will be over, then what?" Taehyung asked with a blank face and a monotone tone, unsettling Jungkook to the core. He withdrew his embrace, sitting back properly. Jungkook found himself at a loss for an answer. He was unprepared for this question, unsure of what would come next. Taehyung turned to face the other male, observing the evident concern and confusion in Jungkook's expression as thoughts consumed him.

"We were brought together by fate and time which is bound to change as you once said, nothing remains forever, people come and go. If we are brought together, what if we-" Jungkook couldn't bear to hear more, so he gently placed his fingers on the brunet's lips. His eyes were filled with worries, wanting to offer comfort and assurance, yet uncertain of how to do so.

"Nothing's gonna happen to us, Tae. Why worry about something that won't happen?" Jungkook offered the best reassurance he could muster at the moment, but the brunet chuckled bitterly in response.

"We are too naive, aren't we? Too much taken in by the present, too much drowned into each other that we didn't even see the surface from where we came from. We were always together but what's next? Will we let time push us ahead? What if it is away this time?" 

Jungkook was thunderstruck by Taehyung's words. He had dedicated every second of his day to think about Taehyung, yet he was too cowardly to imagine a future without Taehyung. Time had propelled them forward together so far that there seemed to be no way back.

"You don't have answers to my questions, do you?" Taehyung asked, leaving the artist drowning in realisation.

"Tae… whatever it is, I don't know. All I know is that whether it's you coming here or me joining you in your new school, we'll meet. And nothing would ever change." Jungkook assured, oblivious to the future circumstances that Taehyung had glimpsed. The brunet chose not to shatter the artist's hope with pessimistic truths. He simply stared at him, as if trying to grasp every moment, as if afraid he wouldn't see them again.

"You're right. We won't," Taehyung whispered in addition, but the uncertainty in his eyes didn't escape Jungkook, unsettling him internally.

"Baby…" Jungkook held his face in his hands, pulling him closer.

"Don't be like this. Time may change things, but we can still be together. You have my word – no matter whenever or wherever you need me, I'll be there. You don't have to worry because there's nothing I can't do for you. Just say the word, and I'm already working to fulfil your requests." Jungkook reassured him, expressing his emotions through his words.

"I know that you will, which scares me because what if I won't be able to do the same? I sometimes feel that I don't deserve you-" Taehyung whispered, his eyes filling with fresh tears. Jungkook hated this comparison. He didn't want Taehyung to bring up a competition of who's giving in more or who's lacking. He just didn't want his efforts to be weighted. He wanted to do everything and anything for him with no conditions intended.

"Dare say it again and I'll surely end up doing something stupid." Jungkook warned, eyes deadly serious but Taehyung only joined their heads together, too weak to even look in his eyes. Feeling like time was slipping away, as if every moment was numbered, Taehyung struggled to find a grip on himself and on his lover.

"You just have to know one thing, and that's that I love you so freaking much. You have changed me and my entire life." Taehyung whispered, baring his truth. Jungkook placed his hand on Taehyung's head, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Then let's face these upcoming changes together. Yeah? You always have me, baby, because I love you the same." Jungkook reassured him, their bond offering solace in the face of uncertainty. Taehyung allowed himself to be engulfed in Jungkook's embrace, immersing himself in its depth and drowning in every colour. He was aware that drowning was often deadly, but he continued to sink. The hug served as a balm for their distress, but the honks from outside soon disrupted the moment. Taehyung backed away, sniffled, and wiped his eyes, trying not to reveal his emotions and appear composed. Taehyung swiftly stood up, rushing to gather his belongings and pack his bag. Jungkook rose from his couch and observed every move Taehyung made as he hurried toward the door. Jungkook trailed behind until he caught hold of the brunet's hand, resisting him. Taehyung turned to face the other but was swiftly pulled into a kiss – a kiss that sealed an unspoken promise of assurance and trust in their love. Standing near the door frame on the porch, Taehyung melted into the kiss, oblivious to everything else as Jungkook's embrace brought peace to his heart. However, their tranquillity was about to be disrupted as someone had just witnessed their intimate moment. Life is unpredictable.