But Beautiful

part 60

“You know what I’ve been thinking?” Jungkook asked, unlocking the door before kicking his shoes off.

“No, what?” Taehyung answered, following suit.

“I think we need a bigger place.”

Taehyung frowned, looking around. “Why? I like it.”

“Because I want you to have a proper space to paint,” Jungkook said, looking around the small apartment, nearly every surface stacked with canvases and scattered supplies. “Not that I’m not happy you’re painting here and being productive with your interests, I just want you to have more room.”

“I’ll get a job and rent a place,” Taehyung insisted, pouting. “I don’t want to leave here, I like it here, this is how home feels.”

Jungkook took a deep breath, looking at Taehyung with a small smile. “And I don’t want to take that from you, but renting a place will be pricey and it would be nice to have a room to yourself, wouldn’t it?”

“No.”

“Tae, why are you being stubborn? Can’t you see what I’m getting at?”

“I do, but…” he trailed off, sighing. “I just don’t like the idea of change, I guess. This place feels like home and it’s the only one I’ve known and have ever felt like I belonged in. So I guess in a weird way, it seems like just another home I’m not wanted in,” he finished, voice getting quieter as he explained.

Jungkook’s heart throbbed painfully, and with Taehyung’s confession he realized now how deep it was to him. He walked closer, wrapping his arms around his lover and kissing the side of his face. “No home we ever share together would take away the fact that you’re wanted. You belong there, with me, anywhere we live. I want you to have your own space, Tae, I want you to feel free to move around and explore. You’ve been living mostly confined to a small room for years now, I want you to have room to breathe.”

Taehyung nodded against him, burying his face in his neck. “Okay, Jungkookie.”

“Do you feel okay with it? We can look for places that suit you best, whatever you’re comfortable with,” Jungkook compromised, nosing along the side of his face. “If there’s a kind of layout you’d prefer, or type of floor plan, you can choose. I’m not just going to find a place without any of your input.”

“Okay, Jungkookie. I’ll be open to it.”

“That’s good, baby,” the other replied, eyes fluttering closed when Taehyung pressed soft kisses against his jaw. “We’ll do that soon.”

             _____________

Jungkook’s eyes snapped open when Taehyung excitedly shook him. “What? What’s going on?” he asked, voice rough with sleep but alert.

“Happy anniversary!” Taehyung said, smiling at him brightly. It took a moment for Jungkook to comprehend what the other had said, his own smile slowly stretching his lips.

“Happy anniversary, my love,” he replied, wrapping his arms around Taehyung and giving him a kiss.

“I did something for you, and I have something for you. But first, brush your teeth,” Taehyung said, nose scrunching up. “Morning breath.”

“Sorry,” Jungkook giggled, rolling out of bed and stumbling his way into the bathroom.

The two of them had very recently moved into another apartment, plenty big for all of the things they accumulated as a couple. It was nice having two sets of everything; seeing the stacks of dishes made Jungkook’s heart warm as the change from his simple set before was more than welcome. Seeing Taehyung’s clothes in his closet always made him melt, somehow still in disbelief that they were in the situation they were in. He loved every tiny reminder that he was living with the love of his life, from the extra pair of shoes at the door, the things he left lying around, and waking up with Florizel holding a note from Taehyung announcing he left for one reason or another. The bear was a little scruffy, stained from joining them at the table for every meal for about a year now, but it still touched his heart to see how much it meant to Taehyung.