Enchanted

three

The death of Ken Park broke and changed more than anyone could have anticipated.

In his grief, Jimin pushed everyone away. The close relationship he'd formed with his father blinded him to the reality that Jungkook did not share that relationship, or the same affection and sentiments he now held toward him. When Taehyung tried to remind him of that, he snapped and yelled at him to stay out of his family's business, and stop trying to make everyone's family as shitty as his own.

To say that Taehyung was taken aback and hurt by the unexpected attack was an understatement.

Yoongi and Jimin's relationship fell off the edge of the cliff they'd been teetering by for months. Their break-up was a screaming match that ended in tears and painful words, all because Yoongi didn't want to attend the funeral. Though the timing of it was essentially horrible, both Jungkook and Taehyung knew it was overdue. They were too different, and too unwilling to compromise for each other.

Jungkook and Jimin were just as stubborn as each other. Jimin refused to understand why Jungkook couldn't just 'get over himself and respect the dead' and Jungkook couldn't understand how Jimin could think that he would. They met several times over the course of week, with Jimin's family and the lawyers, for the reading of the will and division of his assets. Every time they met it ended in a fight, and although Taehyung wanted to comfort Jimin, he wasn't sure it was a good idea with how volatile he was, and Jungkook - overwhelmed and exhausted - was his priority. Especially when, somehow, his identity was leaked a day before the funeral.

New York exploded with the news that Ken Park had an estranged, illegitimate son who had been handed a multi-million dollar inheritance, that members of the Park family were furious, and rumours sparked like wildfire. His face and name were plastered everywhere, his cafe was overrun with reporters and paparazzi to the point that he had to close for a few hours and call the police to get things under control.

Jungkook retreated to his apartment, scowling and refusing to answer any questions or speak to anyone, and Taehyung wanted to see him, but if they were seen at each other's homes, it would have fanned the flames. So they waited until after midnight when the majority of the reporters and paparazzo camping outside had gone home. Jungkook bundled up and hiding as much of his face as he could - which was fine in the cold weather. He was followed by a few, and they knew that there would be more rumors in the following weeks, but neither of them cared at that point.

With Jungkook collapsed, exhausted, and seeking comfort in his arms and bed, Taehyung slept.

Morning came, and Taehyung's alarm went off early. The funeral was being held in just a few hours and he didn't know if Jungkook would be attending or not. He rolled his eyes at the message on his phone, a reminder from his mother to dress appropriately and that the car would be there in precisely two hours to collect him.

He brushed Jungkook's hair back behind one ear before leaving him to sleep, getting up and taking a shower. He took his time, washing his hair, face, and body. He dried it, went through his daily facial cleansing routine, and dressed in his favorite fluffy white robe, he headed back to his room and wardrobe.

"G'morning."

Taehyung glanced at the bed, where Jungkook was blinking languidly at him from the pillows, still half-asleep.

"Morning," he smiled softly, walking over. "Did I wake you?"

Jungkook groaned a little. "No," he yawned.

Taehyung sat on the bed beside him. "I have to get ready for the funeral," he murmured. "Are - are you going to come?"

Jungkook didn't answer for a few moments. He frowned and blinked, inhaled deeply, and huffed out the exhale.