love me (me) [vkook/taegguk]

[part one] chapter one - happiness

Taehyung's face spilts into a wide, boxy grin as soon as he sees the notification light up his phone screen.

His brother's been busier than usual these days, and it's been harder and harder to get ahold of him between all that he always has going on and the time difference between Los Angeles and Seoul, but he still tries to make time for Taehyung whenever he can (even if that time happens to be at two in the morning when he should be SLEEPING, and Taehyung is sure to tell him this much).

His brother, however, easily brushes him off like he knew that he would.

"I'm fine, Taehyungie," he insists, deep voice jokingly long-suffering even as he blinks sleepily on the other side of the call. "You sound like Jinnie-hyung. I slept all day, so I'm good, I promise."

Taehyung's not sure that he believes that, but "Okay," he mumbles back hesitantly, knowing how stubborn his brother can be, "but I still don't wanna keep you awake, so what's up?"

The answer doesn't come immediately, but when it does, it's a quiet, "I might ... miss you a little," accompanied by a small, exaggerated pout, and Taehyung instantly feels his heart ache a little, despite the clear theatrics, because he misses his brother too, "and I wanted to make sure. Your Spring Break is coming up soon, right?"

He nods in confirmation. "Later this month, yeah. Why?"

"Well," the other starts slowly, lifting one of his shoulders in a bit of a shrug, "I may or may not have a small break around then too."

Taehyung raises his eyebrow at that, surprised. "Seriously?"

His brother purses his lips as he inclines his head. "I have this training thing." He waves his hand dismissively. "That's not important. What's important is that I requested the week off before we're scheduled to start.

Mayhaps there was some begging involved... and possibly a lot of 'Oh, you're so handsome, hyung, I love you's in order for me to get it... but it was totally worth it." He flashes a grin like Taehyung's own then. "So how do you think I should pack, Taetae? What do you think the weather will be like?"

Now, both his eyebrows pull together in confusion. He snorts. "Why are you asking me? How would I know?"

He's given an utterly unimpressed look. "Uh, maybe because you live there, dork?"

Taehyung blinks down at his phone. "I– I live there?" He echoes bewilderedly then, before the words finally register in his brain and take meaning.

His breath hitches a bit as he straightens, suddenly more alert.

"Wait, are you... are you saying that you're coming to the States?" He questions ploddingly, certain that he's not understanding quite right. "Are you... are you saying that you're coming to see me?"

He's given another nonchalant shrug in response, but he can just barely make out a smirk tugging at the corner of his brother's lips now that he's finally realised.

"I mean, it's not like I have much of a choice, since L.A. is where I'm going to be training, but yes, I'm coming to the States," his brother replies teasingly. "As for your other question, I suppose that I could make some time for my dongsaeng while I'm there, but I haven't decided as yet."

And Taehyung's so happy in that moment that his grin instantly returns tenfold.

He's so happy that he opts to ignore the blatant disrespect.

He's so happy that he doesn't even counter with the usual, "You're only older by seven minutes!" to which he'd get a "But I'm still your hyungie!"

He's so happy, because everything is now right in the world again, because it's been two years, but he'll finally actually get to see Vantae, and not just on the little screen of his phone like he is right now.

He's so happy that he could burst.

"Yah, at least wait until after I've seen you." His twin rolls his eyes at his words, but Taehyung's sure that he could burst too.