fortuitous odds

[final] home in a life

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The air held a saliferous chill, echoing the sounds of a tide pulling away from land. Jungkook roused from sleep tangled in the crinkled state of a sleeping bag. He blinked slowly, palm brushing across to search the empty space beside him. In a groggy state of calm he rolled out of the makeshift blanket and began wandering the surroundings in search of his missing partner who could be found in the sands of endless time.

"Why're you up so early?" His fingers danced across Taehyung's bare shoulders, lips brushing against his cheek, a feeling warmer than the sun lighting up the dawn.

"Haven't fully switched off yet." Jungkook hummed in agreement, slipping in beside his partner in the sand so they could look out upon the quiet dance of the tide. "It baffles me that this is so close to our home. It feels like a different world."

"That's Hobi's magic, only he could find a place like this that was safe."

"Mm, granted getting here was a nightmare..." Taehyung looked over to see his love's soft features, lip tugged between his teeth in appreciative awe of the ocean. "Did you sleep okay?" It was obvious what he was really asking, a worry that wouldn't go away for a long time to come.

"No nightmares this time." Taehyung breathed a sigh of relief, squeezing at the warmth that encapsulated his hand. "I'm getting there..."

"Don't rush it, love. If you have them I'm right here." To prove his inseperable devotion he tugged gently until the boy's still sleep laden body rolled into his lap, back falling to his chest and head tipping across his shoulder. Jungkook's eyes fluttered closed and his whole body relaxed into the weight holding him up.

It was easy to lose track of time like that, chin held up by short black hair, fingers held close by warm tanned skin. The sun rose and the heat held them still, the only sounds around being the ocean and the wind. It was grounding to close their eyes and feel nothing but touch and skin as if the world didn't matter anymore.

This was somewhere far away from the world that had raised two frightened children. It was a secluded sanctuary where the stars shone at night because no other human had touched it in half a century.

"Can you swim?" Whispered Taehyung's honey voice against the other's ear out of nowhere, frightening him out of a sleepy daze. A soft peck of apology was felt against Jungkook's temple before the body beneath him was shifting away.

"Mm... I know basics." He grumbled, pouting when he came face to face with the other. "Wanna sleep."

"We've got a whole week to sleep, right now I want you to teach me how to swim." That pout turned into a surprised 'o' shape, his knees folding beneath him as he watched Taehyung stretch.

"You can't swim?"

"Why would I be able to swim? I grew up in a prison."

"Oh... right. But you never went to the river when you escaped?" Taehyung shook his head which sent his silver hair into a frizzy dance of unrestrained strands. "I guess I can try to teach you, but if you drown it's not my fault."

"Hm on second thoughts, let's sleep." His 180 made Jungkook chuckle as he dove forward to latch onto his legs, keeping him stuck in the sand.

"Nope! You aren't getting out of this now." Jungkook giggled when he felt the legs continue to move, dragging him through the sand back towards the small overgrown townhouse they were staying in. Sand piled up under his chin, getting inside his shirt and shorts. Even then he didn't let go, instead tightening his grip and tugging so that Taehyung toppled over and face planted into the beach. "Get in the ocean."