There’s no such thing as delays when Jungkook sought Taehyung's permission to touch him, exploring every inch of warmth on his skin. Tears dried on Taehyung's cheeks, but his eyelashes remained heavy with the salty droplets. He lifted up his heart, finding strength in focusing on Jungkook and the unfolding moments. Reluctantly, Taehyung had to release Jungkook's grip as the artist sat back, removing barriers from their burning skins. Jungkook swiftly discarded his shirt and fumbled to unbutton his pants, while Taehyung laid back, breathing deeply. Clutching his clothes tightly, Taehyung longed to be released from those clothes, mirroring Jungkook's desire. The artist's veiny hands then explored Taehyung's body, swiftly removing his shirt and pants. Taehyung's legs held a different sort of wonder. Jungkook had a fetish of always squeezing his thighs, running his fingers on the smooth skin of his long slender legs whenever Taehyung would wander around his house with just his shirt and shorts on, indulging him again. Every detail of Taehyung captivated Jungkook, from his superficial golden skin to the depths of his precious soul, essential to him like water and air. Taehyung became a necessity for Jungkook, as vital as food and air.

As Jungkook looked into Taehyung's eyes, pride swelled in his chest; he possessed this embodiment of ethereal beauty and an angelic soul exclusively. Taehyung's heart ached, witnessing the pinnacle of a Greek God in the form of Jungkook whose love, youth, passion, body, and soul were once his, and his alone. 

Seizing the opportunity, Taehyung extended his quivering arms toward Jungkook, placing his hands on Jungkook's abdomen, attempting to feel the texture of his body. Jungkook responded by pressing Taehyung's hands firmly against his skin, guiding them downward until his fingers neared the waistband of the artist's last piece of clothing. In the cold weather, as Taehyung's hands worked to remove the final garment, Jungkook experienced chills, a shiver running through him. He hissed softly and helped himself take it out completely to throw it on the side and did the same with Taehyung's until they were completely bare.

Jungkook fetched a warm blanket from his bed, draping it over both of them to preserve the heat emanating from their bodies. Taehyung welcomed Jungkook into his embrace proudly, intertwining his limbs around him for a shared sense of closeness. In an attempt to draw Jungkook even nearer, Taehyung grasped his arm, and the artist willingly followed, aligning with Taehyung's actions. Their connection deepened as Taehyung pulled Jungkook into a kiss, his free hand exploring the toned arms of the artist, appreciating the muscles that served as pillars, supporting Jungkook's body above him.

"Kiss me or else I will."

And a tear scrolled down through his temple, even though Taehyung's eyes were completely shut as he felt his lover's kiss against his lip.

Closing his eyes had never felt this challenging for him before—his mind flooded with cherished flashbacks, playing tricks on him.

"How do they look?" 

"Wow… are they real? Oh my god! Did it hurt?"

"Not much."

"These tattoos look perfect on you."

Breaking the kiss, Taehyung opened his eyes, avoiding direct contact with Jungkook's gaze. Instead, his focus shifted to the artist's body, tracing his eyes and fingers along Jungkook's inked arm, barely visible under dim lights yet fascinating to behold.

"Baby…" Jungkook whispered, gently touching Taehyung's cheek.

Taehyung didn't spare a glance at him; he felt too weak to do so.

"Can you call me that again?"

"Call you what?"

"What you just did-"

"Kookie?"

"Say it again."

"Kookie."

"Again."

"Kookie…" Taehyung whispered out loud subconsciously, his eyes heavy with tears, and he shut them, causing concern for Jungkook.

"Baby? Hey…!" Jungkook gently patted Taehyung's cheek, his expressions tense witnessing Taehyung in this state.

Jungkook felt his heart racing as Taehyung continued running his hand over his body, trying to hold onto every part of him with his fingertips. Taehyung's other hand then clung to Jungkook's neck, conveying impatience and desperation to kiss, but in a way that raised concerns for Jungkook about his well-being.

"Baby, I think we need to talk first," Jungkook insisted, attempting to stop, but Taehyung shook his head, finally opening his eyes and sniffling.

"What's wrong? Talk to me, please…" Jungkook demanded, his face tense, worry evident in his eyes.

"I just missed you a lot," Taehyung whispered, struggling to express the sentiment in the present tense. Seeing Jungkook teary made it challenging for him to hold onto his emotions, both in his heart and mind.

"No, it's something more," Jungkook stated, sitting back. Taehyung desperately tried to hold onto him, but Jungkook held Taehyung's hands in his own hands, looking at him with a hint of disappointment. Every moment was slipping out of Taehyung's grasp, and Jungkook was making it even more challenging for him to endure and cope. Taehyung's was so weak, particularly around Jungkook. Tears welled up in Taehyung's eyes as he looked up at Jungkook, who gazed down with stern eyes. It was torture, incredibly difficult for Taehyung to hide or express what weighed heavily on him. He felt an overwhelming urge to cry, scream, and fight with Jungkook for no reason. Frustration, helplessness, and hopelessness consumed him.

"N-now you won't do it either?" Taehyung asked, his voice cracking and pleading, while Jungkook recognized the familiar tactic.

"Taehyung, I'm seriously not falling for it at this moment. I'm serious as hell. We really need to talk because if you won't, I'll find out, and if I do, you have no clue how I react when I'm angry." Jungkook's stern tone sent chills down Taehyung's spine, and that was what he feared the most. Taehyung tried to sit up, keeping his hands still entwined with Jungkook's as he positioned himself in front of him and leaned in to kiss his neck but Jungkook closed his eyes, resisting this time.

"Taehyung, stop. This won't help you right now. I'm trying to talk. All you've been doing is crying ever since you came. When we're talking, you're crying. We're kissing, you're crying. And you're still expecting me to continue and play dumb? How can I?" Jungkook snapped, while Taehyung looked up at him with shiny, soft eyes.

"You have no idea how much my heart is racing. I... I had a terrible nightmare, and everything you're doing is just reminding me of that. Can you just- can you please ease me? I'm seriously under so much pressure, and you're not helping me at all." Jungkook's voice softened suddenly, his hands gently squeezing Taehyung's as he lowered himself to gaze into the brunet's hazel eyes at the same level.

"Is it because of not being able to be around me during classes or school? Or is it getting into a new college that you aren't ready for?" Jungkook asked, speaking the very things Taehyung wanted to express but found it even more challenging than Jungkook mentioned.

Taehyung resisted the urge to pour out his feelings and instead laid his head on Jungkook's shoulder until the artist felt warm tears against his skin.

"I know it's a bit overwhelming to think about it, but Tae, I can assure you from my side that nothing can change my love for you. It's okay, it's just a change we both need to accept. I'll still make time for you, to meet you and we'll catch up on weekends when both you and I will have a lot to share with each other." Jungkook tried to offer reassurance in a comforting manner, hugging Taehyung even closer.

"B-but, nothing will stay the same. Nothing." Taehyung mumbled against his neck and cried, causing Jungkook to run his fingers through his hair.

"Places and time may change, Taehyung, my love for you will never." Jungkook assured again and Taehyung really wished they could really do what Jungkook had just mentioned.

But the artist only knew half of Taehyung's struggles. He was close, but not entirely correct, and Taehyung was relieved that he wasn't.

"Right, Kookie, our love won't," Taehyung replied in a whisper on top of Jungkook's lips. Jungkook smiled shortly, giving him a confident nod as his thumbs wiped away the brunet's tears.

"You're really a cry baby, but since you're my baby, you can cry as much as you want to. Just don't cry alone and without telling me the reasons why." Jungkook whispered, his tone so soft that Taehyung felt a renewed sense of comfort.

"I won't." Taehyung whispered and Jungkook stared into his hazel eyes with so much love and affection. Jungkook acknowledged that he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with Taehyung around as before. Despite trying to act mature and accept the reality, he was momentarily blinded by the situation.

Sometimes, maturity and responsibility fall short, especially when it's one-sided.

Feeling somewhat lighter but not completely relieved, Jungkook's instincts were still in disarray.

"We'll still talk later, okay?" Jungkook said lastly because he wouldn't want to let Taehyung's demand get to any delays nor wanted to conclude anything before a proper and needed conversation. Taehyung just stared up at him, waiting for him to initiate something and it was a kiss on his cheek, running down to his jaws and neck, making him throw his head to the side. It didn't take Jungkook much before gently pushing Taehyung back on the bed as he reclaimed his previous intimate position between Taehyung's legs and his lips drew spots on his tender skin of neck. The necklace Jungkook gifted him was the only thing on Taehyung's body, cold metal dangling around his warm neck like his emotions during this intimate moment. Taehyung attempted to distract himself as Jungkook's hands explored lower, widening his legs. Jungkook managed to bring the stuff from his nightstand to lubricate Taehyung and his fingers well, preparing him for what was about to come. 

Distraction continued with kisses landing all over Taehyung's skin on his chest and abdomen. With closed eyes, he found a momentary escape, refreshing memories of past intimacy. From their first kiss to those intimate moments, getting creatively wild while painting each other, from daring encounters in open fields to passionate backseat moments in the car, from kitchen counters to the couch, from the living room to the bedroom – it was indescribable. Taehyung felt like he was standing on the edge of a ditch, dangerously close to falling into an abyss with no way forward, just a depth leading to an inevitable end. With each passing moment, he sensed himself inching closer to that unavoidable conclusion. To the unacceptable end. To lose what he didn't want to lose. Taehyung tried his best to distract himself, even with Jungkook working within him in and out. 

But his mind couldn't be kept off things until Jungkook prepared him for a certain position, to enter him with his bulging erection and that's when Taehyung's last restraint snapped. With Jungkook's gentle push, Taehyung burst into sobs, startling Jungkook, who immediately stopped.

"Baby... Did I hurt you? You want me to stop?" Jungkook asked desperately, trying to look at Taehyung, who kept pulling him closer by encircling his arms around his neck and shaking his head in denial.

"Tell me, baby, are you okay?" Jungkook insisted, and Taehyung nodded, though tears continued to stream down.

"Look at me, baby, look at me," Jungkook demanded, and Taehyung tried to meet his gaze with teary hazel eyes, lips quivering.

"You'll be fine. Yeah? It all will be fine. If it hurts, you can always tell. Just be okay." Jungkook whispered sweet reassurances to comfort him. Taehyung pulled him into a kiss, using it to regain control over his sobs. Jungkook reciprocated, moving gently back and forth, syncing with the rhythm of the shared kiss. As Jungkook continued his careful movements, Taehyung's sobs appeared to gradually lessen over time. He swore he missed this so much but having Taehyung crying whilst that didn't seem as appealing as he thought. He just wanted Taehyung to be alright and enjoy it equally. Jungkook continued to whisper sweet nothings and praises into Taehyung's ears, replacing his sobs into moans and heavy breaths over time. Despite the hazy state of his mind, Jungkook still managed to have a profound impact on Taehyung, distracting him from his troubles and providing pleasure. Taehyung desired to surrender himself completely to Jungkook, he wanted to lose himself and let Jungkook ruin every piece of him but Jungkook being an angel would cherish and take care of every bit of him like he was doing whilst trying to chase his high by being as gentle as possible on him. Taehyung was in a very sensitive and vulnerable state that day which Jungkook didn't want to force under his chase of high, he just wanted Taehyung to equally feel the same amount of pleasure with no rush or delays.

Every action and gesture of the artist was full of care and concern that Taehyung would miss and lack. He won't receive the same amount of consideration by someone else. The same amount of concern, care and love. He won't have someone like Jungkook. He won't have Jungkook.

"Kookie…"

"Baby…"

"Is it okay if I say this?"

"Say it my love, I'm listening."

"Everything that's happening, it feels so surreal. Magical. Is it really real?"

"It is, love. No matter how much I try to live in this moment, I always wonder if it's even real. I want you to know what you mean to me, the reason I feel all of this. You're the magic that makes it magical."

"It is, love. No matter how much I try to live in this moment, I always wonder if it's even real. I want you to know what you mean to me, the reason I feel all of this. You're the magic that makes it magical."

"Kookie… I love you so much."

"I love you so much my love, so much."

"I love you so much, Kookie," Taehyung cried, holding Jungkook's face close to his own as they both neared their highs.

Pressing their foreheads together, Jungkook tried to breathe deeply. "I love you so much too, baby, so much," he expressed immediately after Taehyung.

A flood of relief rushed over Taehyung's heavy heart, and he felt the anticipation of release building up. In that moment, he yearned to capture and preserve it, wanting to save it in a capsule forever so he could reopen it and experience the same intensity of satisfaction and pleasure. Everything happened too quick and that moment too was quick to end as Taehyung messed up his and Jungkook's connected bodies right a moment before Jungkook filled him in and with that moment being over. Taehyung closed his eyes abruptly.

He desperately wished there would be no morning for him or that he would never wake up again. He wished he rather had no life than having a life without him. Trying to feed himself sweet lies, he held tightly onto Jungkook for what felt like the very last time.

For the very last time.