Love Me Again...

Chapter 31: Best Of Me

After their bath together, Tae helped Jungkook get dressed before he got ready. Finally, both of them headed down to the hotel lobby, hand in hand. As soon as they were in view, Tahee ran towards them. Tae stepped in front of Jungkook and caught Tahee before he could tackle him, which did not go unnoticed by Jin and Joon. "Good afternoon, Kook," Jin greeted them as they got closer, "Tae, it's good to finally see you! Seems like Kook finally let you leave the room." Jin watched as Tae laughed at his comment and led Jungkook to the couches in the lobby. 'I wonder if he's actually feeling better,' Jin thought to himself, 'He seems tired but he's smiling. His eyes seem brighter...' Jin, Joon, Tae, Jungkook and Tahee settled on the couches as they waited for Jimin and Yoongi to join them.

"Kook, Tae, all okay this afternoon? I was a bit worried when you two left the party early last night," Joon said, looking at the couple. Jungkook caught a glimpse of Tae before answering, "We're okay Joon hyung. I wasn't feeling well last night so Tae hyungie suggested we get back to the hotel and rest. I am feeling much better this morning." "That's great to hear Kook," Jin interrupted, "You two vanished last night and didn't show up for breakfast either. You had me worried there." "Tae hyungie took good care of me, Jin hyung," Jungkook added, smiling at Tae and holding his hand, "No need to be worried. We had a late start this morning." "Is that right?" Joon questioned, looking at Tae, "We are thankful that you took such good care of our precious Kook, Tae." "I just did what any caring partner would do," Tae answered, squeezing Jungkook's knee.

'Tae hyungie sees himself as my partner?' Jungkook felt giddy at the thought, 'He truly wants me to be a part of his life even with all my fears and insecurities. I have always felt his love, now he shows it for all to see.' "Kook, why are you staring at Tae like that?" Jin chuckled, noticing Jungkook's unblinking stare. Jungkook coughed, "I'm not staring... There's a stray hair on his cheek." Jungkook reached over to Tae's cheek and brushed away a phantom stray hair. Jin and Joon tried not to smile while Tae was oblivious. "I'm going to the restroom," Jungkook abruptly announced and walked away. When he was out of earshot, Jin finally let out his infectious laugh. "You know Tae," he started, "I just love teasing him. I've never really had a chance before and now that I do, I just can't help myself." Joon shook his head silently judging his husband's antics. "Go check on him Tae," Joon suggested.

Tae made his way to the restroom. He was surprised to see Jungkook was pacing in the hallway outside the restroom. He slowly walked up to Jungkook and laid his hand on his shoulders. Jungkook turned around and a moment later pulled Tae into a crushing hug. "Kookie, Are you okay?" Tae coughed out. Jungkook stepped back, just enough so he could see Tae's face. "You called yourself my 'partner'?" he questioned, staring into Tae's enchanting eyes, "You're that serious about me? About us?" Tae slowly smiled, finally understanding Jungkook's emotions. "Of course, Kookie," he assured Jungkook, "I don't do casual relationships. I've known from the first time I met you, that I wanted to seriously pursue you. I love you, Kookie. You are important to me, just as our relationship is important to me."

"What does the word 'partner' mean to you Kookie?" Tae gently asked. "To me, 'Partner' means one half of a whole - someone who completes me, someone who sees me and accepts me, someone who stands by me no matter what," Jungkook replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "And do you think that I can be that - your 'Partner' - to you?" Tae softly probed. "Even after everything - my anxiety, my insecurities, my fears, my past, you still want to be with me?" Jungkook whispered, tears beginning to spill from his big expressive eyes. Tae tenderly caressed his cheeks, slowly wiping away the tears with his tumb. "Kookie, I love you," he firmly declared, "Your anxieties, your insecurities, your fears, your past - they don't scare me. I am here for you. I will be the calm to your anxiety, your stability to your insecurity, your courage to your fear and if you want me, your present and your future."