Blue

Choices.

Jungkook really felt they had edged forwards after the picnic, he saw the smile return to Tae's face and they had done a lot of kissing under that tree. As their tongues embraced each other, gently savouring every part they could reach, Jungkook let his emotions pour into every movement of their mouths. The kisses were never heated or intense, they were slow and cautious but had a depth of feeling they both conveyed. Tae spoke a bit more, not about anything meaningful, small talk mainly but Jungkook listened and enjoyed every word. He wouldn't allow Jungkook to do anything, he poured the drinks and even fed him at one point and the policeman was sure he could see love in his eyes but he didn't want to get carried away anymore than he had.

The day after the picnic he had phoned Yoongi and asked him if he wouldn't mind packing Tae's clothes into a bag and bringing it over. Yoongi and Hobi were in the middle of packing up their own things but hadn't touched Tae's room yet so they didn't mind at all, they were also itching to see the stripper, arranging to come over the following week.

"Tae, you know that Yoongi and Hobi are coming over this afternoon, right?"

Jungkook knew that he remembered because he had been quiet all morning, barely saying a word. Tae used to build up his defences and hide behind Vante when a situation made him uncomfortable or he was worried but Vante didn't seem to be there any more, Tae chose to withdraw and go quiet instead. The policeman was used to battling his defences, finding a way through the maze and dodging the comments batted at him and now he treated the silence in the same way, chipping away.

Tae was standing in the kitchen, helping to make lunch, he had taken an interest in cooking and always assisted Jungkook. Jungkook hadn't forgotten the time he'd cooked him a meal and he was happy for Tae to feel at home and use the kitchen as much as he wanted. He did lots of things around the apartment, making sure he was in the same room as Jungkook, always finding something to do. In the early days after Magpies, there were very few occasions where Jungkook could do anything without Tae being attached to him so there was progress.

Once he had finished chopping, he put the knife down and walked over to where Tae was standing, he placed a hand on his arm and turned him around to face him.

"Would you rather they didn't come today?" he reached up and brushed the hair from his face. The colour was now an off greeny blue, faded but still shiny and soft. The appointment at the hairdressers had been made, which Tae said he was looking forward to.

"No, it's okay." he replied.

"What is troubling you? Was my tea bad this morning?"

Tae smiled "It wasn't as good as it usually is but it was alright."

"So, talk to me." his voice was gentle and his eyes full of encouragement as he looked at Tae.

Tae's eyes darted away from Jungkook's face and his voice was quiet "They only know me as Vante."

Jungkook placed his fingers under Tae's chin and lifted so their eyes locked "How would you like to deal with that?"

"I don't know." Tae chewed on his bottom lip and he sighed.

"Have a think about how you would like to deal with it and we will do that. You don't have to tell them your name if you aren't ready. You can see how you feel and we can deal with everything as it comes up if you would prefer that. Tae, I won't leave your side."

"I'm not ready to be me in front of anyone else, yet. I'm still adjusting to it with you and I can't deal with anyone else, now." it felt like a big deal to have invited Yoongi and Hobi to the apartment and he couldn't handle anything beyond that right now.

Jungkook moved forwards to kiss Tae's cheek but Tae moved his head and caught his lips with his own. The kiss was quite firm, their lips moving together lazily, Tae's hands reached around his waist and pulled him closer, Jungkook losing his thoughts for a moment, melting into the surprise contact.