Fading Away | Taekook

45 - Chores

It's hard for Jungkook to control himself and not call or text Taehyung. Since they met, the duo has never gone so long without talking. From strangers, to friends, to boyfriends; they were growing closer and spending less and less time apart.

Both always made an effort to see each other during the week, whether Taehyung was going to Seoul or Jungkook was going to the farm, like two peas in a pod. And this is only the third day of the break they agreed upon. This will be very, very difficult to do.

Everything reminds Jungkook of Taehyung. Jungkook's own apartment, every inch of it makes him think of the farmer. The first time Taehyung entered there, amazed by the view of Seoul through the large windows, spending hours watching the world from above. The kitchen where the boy worked magic with Jungkook's poor pantry, and there was also Teatea, the small mint pot that emitted a comforting smell throughout the house.

In the living room where they celebrated Taehyung's graduation and where, sitting on that floor, the two hugged while Taehyung rebuilt Jungkook's trust after learning about his tapes.

The guest room where Jungkook slept to smell his friend scent on the sheets. The master bedroom where Taehyung took care of him when he was drunk, caressing him until he fell asleep. And where they made love for the first of many times. The right side of the bed already belonged to Taehyung, and the emptiness was loud when he wasn't there.

The good morning messages, the good night messages. The video calls to sleep together that sometimes turned into something hotter. Taehyung is part of Jungkook's routine.

Jungkook tries to occupy his mind with other activities, but every corner of the apartment reminds him of Taehyung. Sometimes he decides to go for a walk, hoping to distract his thoughts. However, even the streets of Seoul seem to echo memories shared with his beloved. The park, the lake, the food trucks, their favorite bakery, the instrument store. He catches himself smiling as he remembers the happy moments, but he also feels a tightness in his chest from the longing he feels for the farmer.

Jungkook feels the weight of the distance as an unbearable burden. And he wondered how Taehyung was dealing with the separation, if he also felt the same emptiness that consumed him.

That morning, Jungkook woke up with the sun invading the room. He reached out to the right side of the bed, but found only cold sheets. Taehyung's scent still lingered on the pillow, and Jungkook clung to it as if it were the only connection to his boyfriend.

He picked up his phone and opened the chat with the older. Typed a message, deleted it, typed it again. "Hi, Tae. I miss you." But messaging wasn't enough. He wanted to hear Taehyung's soothing voice, feel the warmth of his words. With a racing heart, he dialed the number and waited. He knew he was breaking the agreed-upon time, but he no longer cared. The longing was unbearable.

The call was answered on the third ring. "Jeon?" Taehyung's breathless voice sounded from the other end of the line.

"Hi, Tae." Jungkook sighed in relief. "I... I just wanted to hear your voice."

"I was thinking the same thing, Kookie." Taehyung replied, and Jungkook could imagine the boxy smile on his face. "How are things there?"

"Fine, I have a photo shoot for a magazine coming up, finally going to photograph beautiful landscapes and not people. And you? How's the farm?"

Taehyung talked about the endless hours taking care of sick plants and how the new machines made his work easier. Jungkook closed his eyes and imagined Taehyung there, by his side, sharing every detail. They talked for endless minutes, as if time and distance didn't exist.

"Today I'm traveling to Incheon, I need to finish packing my things. Take care, okay?", the smile that had been on Jungkook's face since Taehyung answered the call was fading, "yeah, you too. Good luck at your event. I... I love you and I miss you." There was a pause on the other end of the line, but Jungkook's trained ears recognized Taehyung's soft giggles, and his heart warmed, "I love and miss you too. Keep thinking about us, because you don't leave my thoughts for a second."