Chasing the sunset ⛅ [Taekook / bts]

Seven

Taehyung and Jungkook were walking in silence until Taehyung noticed Jungkook's sad exterior.

"You okay?"

Jungkook nodded, "Just thinking"

"About what Jin asked?" Taehyung had noticed how Jungkook's demeanor changed when Jin asked that question.

"I couldn't answer him" Jungkook said and sat under a tree, "I couldn't answer myself"

"Why is that?" Taehyung asked, settling beside Jungkook.

"I don't know, I'm lost" Jungkook sucked in a breath, "I don't have a passion like Jimin or Jin. Must feel exciting to have something like that, and I--I just don't--it's so--" all his frustration turned into tears.

"Wait, are you crying?" Taehyung asked, his voice filled with concern.

"No, I'm sorry I shouldn't cry" Jungkook wiped his eyes.

"Why not?" Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'm a grown up. I've been taught not to cry at any time" Jungkook sniffled.

Taehyung scoffed. It all started when we were kids. Every time we fall down and hurt ourselves our parents and people around us would say, "There's no bruise, don't cry" It was a way for them to stop the kids from crying out loud. We always thought it was a normal thing, but it wasn't normal. No one except the kid can decide if there is a bruise or not, if the bruise hurts or not. Stopping an individual from crying ever since they were a child was not normal. They continued to do it even when that child became an adult.

The parents and people around the individual saying, 'there isn't a wound, so stop crying' is not normal. Instead they should be saying 'It will be okay? Where does it hurt? Let me help'

Taehyung shook his head slightly. "Jungkook, you're allowed to cry, you know? I'm not here to judge. Honestly, there have been countless times I've looked at myself in the mirror and let the tears flow."

"Really?" Jungkook's voice was soft, almost vulnerable.

"I don't have big goals either. I just want to be happy. In today's lifestyle even that could be hard to achieve."

Jungkook hummed and snuggled closer to Taehyung,  "I want to be happy too, but I don't even know where to begin. My parents have a plan, a dream for me, and I've been trying to fit into it."

"I went through that phase too," Taehyung said. " I needed to find my way in this world and I never stopped looking for it. I had this idea in my head that the only way to do it was by making my parents happy, making others happy. I laid a track and ran for it. I never stopped running that race whilst thinking I would get a prize at the end. But as I kept running, I realized I was wrong. The closer I got, the more I lost myself."

Tears welled in Jungkook's eyes again. "But I don't even have a dream to chase, Taehyung. It's so frustrating."

"It's okay not to have a dream," Taehyung reassured gently. "Instead of pursuing a dream that doesn't resonate with you, it's better to live life on your own terms. Living without a dream is better than chasing a dream that isn't yours."

A hushed silence settled over them, the weight of their conversation slowly lifting. "Deep talk," Jungkook chuckled.

Taehyung joined in with a laugh. "I know, surprised myself."

Jungkook smiled. For once in his life, he felt free. All his problems appear small when he is on this road trip, with his friends, with Taehyung.

"Can you do me a favor?" Taehyung's voice turned earnest.

Jungkook looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

"I want you to dream of one thing – your own happiness," Taehyung grinned.

Jungkook's smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It might take some time."

Taehyung's expression softened. "Ever heard the saying, 'it's darkest before the dawn'?"

Jungkook shook his head.

"It means things seem worst just before they start getting better. So, when you feel like you're going through a tough time, remember that better days are around the corner. That's how I handle things."

"That's a nice perspective," Jungkook smiled.

As the night pressed on, they shared anecdotes and drifted off to sleep against each other's shoulders. The following morning, Taehyung was the first to stir. The warm sunbeams woke him, and he yawned before turning to Jungkook. The sight of Jungkook, eyes squinted against the sunlight, warmed Taehyung's heart.

"Hey, Jungkook, wake up," Taehyung whispered gently, giving him a soft shake.

Jungkook stirred, his eyes blinking open. "Oh, hi. Good morning."

Taehyung's smile was soft and genuine. "You're beautiful."

The simple words hung in the air, and Jungkook's face flushed, mirroring the shade of his lips. He shifted his gaze away, feeling both embarrassed and touched. "Thanks."

For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to stand still in the presence of those quiet, sincere words.

And so, in the company of friends, on a road that stretched toward unknown horizons, they found beauty in the simplest of moments.

The rest of the night they spoke about random things and fell asleep on each other's shoulders.

The next morning Taehyung was the first to wake up. He squinted his eyes when he felt the sun rays hit his face. He yawned and turned towards Jungkook. The boy was still sleeping but his eyes were squinted due to the sunlight.

"Hey Jungkook wake up" he softly shook him.

Jungkook shifted around and finally woke up, "oh hi, good morning"

Taehyung smiled, "You're beautiful." They were softly spoken words, simple words really, spoken as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Jungkook's face turned the same colour as his lips, he looked away, avoiding eye contact and mumbled out a small, "thanks"

For a minute, just maybe a minute everything seemed beautiful.