𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟔𝟖

Taehyung lets out a long sigh, Why am I even trying?

"It's open." Jungkook says loud enough for the elder to hear after he knocked on the door once.

Taehyung blinks, he swore Jungkook would've kept himself locked. He slides in, crossing his arms over his chest when he spots Jungkook laying on his bed.

"Um, will I ever recover my bed?"

Jungkook uses the last energy he has and points at his bed. "There's another one, let me use this one. It still smells like Tiger . . . but it won't last long."

Taehyung raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

He opens his closet and takes out a hoodie. He hesitates at first, but ends up sitting at the end of the bed. "Put this on."

Jungkook slowly raises his head. "Why?"

Taehyung hands it to him, "I think you may like it."

Jungkook shakes his head, resting it on the pillow afterwards.

"Don't be stubborn."

"Have you ever lost someone you love?"

Taehyung almost drops the hoodie on Jungkook's face. The younger sniffs and raises his upper body resting on his elbow. He extends one hand and buries the piece of cloth on his face. Jungkook inhales deeply and new, fresh tears roll down his cheeks.

"It smells like Tiger."

Taehyung nods. "And like me."

Jungkook blinks. He had never realised it, at the end of the day they shared a body. Jungkook must have lost his eyes and his persona, but he would never lose his scent as long as he stays close to Taehyung.

But can he keep living like this?

"Will it get better?" Jungkook almost pleads in a whisper.

"It will."

Jungkook places the hoodie on the pillow and lays back down, hugging it with all his might.

* * *

"I took him for granted," Jungkook confesses a week after Tiger's death.

Jungkook lays on the bed that used to be Taehyung's, while Taehyung lays on Jungkook's. The clock marks past midnight, both boys lay fully awake.

"Did you?"

"I thought he would stay with me forever—as long as you didn't get yourself killed in a mission."

"Uh—thanks?"

* * *

Two weeks after Tiger's death, just a few days until Christmas, Jungkook played with Jimin for half an hour, cooked one recipe with Seokjin, and walked down the beach to watch the sunset with Hobi.

Still, his heart yearns for Tiger.

Still, his heart sinks for Tiger.

Jungkook stares at Taehyung under the dim light of the lamp. Taehyung turns the page with a big yawn, closes the book and places it on the bedside table. He gets up, Jungkook still following all his movements.

He gets undressed and puts on his pajamas, but jumps back and hits his back with the wardrobe when Jungkook stands too close to his personal space.

It's the first time Jungkook looks him directly on his eyes after Tiger's death.

"Do you need something?"

"Can I try something?"

Taehyung frowns and pushes him slightly away, but Jungkook comes closer again.

Without any warning, Jungkook lays his lips on his in a soft kiss. Taehyung closes his eyes and clenches his jaw.

A hand on Jungkook's chest pushes him away, gently.

"JK . . . I'm not Tiger." he remains calm, his eyes still closed.

"I miss him."

"I know. I miss him too." Taehyung opens his eyes. Jungkook has taken a few steps backwards.

"How does it feel?"

"Empty. Lonely. He had been with me for so long, I got used to his presence in my head. I didn't know becoming brave meant losing him."

Jungkook smiles sadly. "But you knew he was dying, didn't you?"

Taehyung nods. "I could sense it. I felt it."

Jungkook tilts his head with a frown. "Is that why you kept acting weird?"

"Weird?"

"Lifeless. Without energy. Jimin also noticed, we all did."

"Ah—yes."

Jungkook nods and sighs. They stay a moment in silence.

"I didn't try to be nice to you because you saved my life," Taehyung reveals. "But because I knew Tiger would die soon and you would suffer the consequences the most. We're the only ones suffering for him."

"I noticed." Jungkook mutters with a glint of pain.

"You can lean on me, Jungkook."

Jungkook walks slowly towards him again and hugs him, burying his head on his shoulder. He inhales Tiger's aroma on Taehyung's clothes. His eyes doesn't water, a small smile appears on his face instead.

"I got worried about you, that night at the factory." Jungkook confesses.

"You did?" Taehyung wonders aloud, without any hint of judgment.

Jungkook slightly nods. "I knew I'd lose Tiger if something happened to you, but I was also worried about you. Even if we couldn't stand each other, you still managed to grow on me."

Taehyung hugs him tightly, giving him a kind of comfort no one ever did.

Tonight, Jungkook finally understands why everyone calls him Tae Bear.