Lifetime (Taekook)

~Part 5~

Jungkook was 14, and Taehyung was 16.

The two boys had managed to rebuild their friendship again, and their bond was stronger than ever.

Taehyung had introduced Jungkook to his after school clubs and his new friends, and now they were all really close. What Taehyung had told him about them all before were true, and he found himself getting along well with his new friends, especially Jimin. He loved to tease Jimin, and him, Jimin and Taehyung had become quite the troublemakers in their little group of six. They all teased each other relentlessly, and the other three, Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin, weren't free from the teasing either. And today's lunchtime was no different.

"Jimin, shush. You have no say in this matter, you're too small to play anyway." Jungkook teased.

"Yeah? And what about Yoongi? He's not much taller than I am but he plays?" Jimin pouted.

"That's because Yoongi can actually play basketball really well, Jimin. You can't." Taehyung joined in.

"You two, leave Jimin alone. Basketball isn't an easy game to play." Jin scolded before the situation could get out of hand and Jimin actually became really upset.

"Yeah, not everyone can have as much swag and talent as I do." Yoongi added, receiving a slap from Jin.

Everyone laughed, and went back to discussing basketball tactics for the game this weekend. As they were talking, Taehyung reached up and started fiddling with Jungkook's earring. He didn't react. He was used to this sort of thing by now. Taehyung would often reach out to touch Jungkook. He played with the back of his hair, he played with his earring, he put an arm around his shoulder, he rested his chin on his shoulder, he back hugged him, and he would even take his hand sometimes. But Jungkook didn't mind, he liked all of the affection, and even initiated it himself too.

However, when Jimin turned to Taehyung after they'd finished discussing basketball and asked him if he would like to go over to his after school to teach him the dance routine they were doing in dance club, and Taehyung agreed, Jungkook immediately frowned and shot a glare at Jimin.

"But Tae, you promised to come over for movie night tonight. We've been planning this all week. Don't bail on me now." Jungkook complained.

"Oh god, I forgot. I'm so sorry." Taehyung replied, smacking his forehead. "Can we do it tomorrow night? I really need to learn this dance routine."

"But we're all in the same dance club, why does he need to teach you the routine? I'm as good a dancer as he is, I'll teach it to you." Jungkook argued.

"Kookie, we both know, if I come over to yours, we'll never learn the routine and it's important I nail it before tomorrow. It's just that one part that I keep messing up on."

"If it's one part we can nail it together quickly, and then get on with the movie night. I promise I'll teach you it." He tried to reason.

"And I promise that if we change movie night to tomorrow we can watch Iron Man again, for the hundredth time." Taehyung blackmailed, already grinning as he knew it would work.

Jungkook hated himself for being so weak when it came to Iron Man, and
Taehyung's smile, not that he would ever admit that out loud. He held out his pinkie towards Taehyung and said sternly, "Promise?"

"Promise." Taehyung replied linking his pinkie with Jungkook's. "I'm only promising though because you look so cute when you're jealous."

"Jealous? I'm not jealous." The others all snickered.

"Yes, Kookie, you are definitely jealous of Jimin." Taehyung giggled, now scruffing up Jungkook's hair.

Jungkook frowned again. "I've never been jealous."

"You were annoyed with Jimin when you thought he'd replaced you, and you were annoyed just now when I said I would go to his house. It's okay Jungkook, no body likes to share, especially when it's sharing me." Taehyung continued to tease him.

"I'm annoyed! Not jealous!" Jungkook defended, causing them all to laugh more.

Life was good for the two boys now that they'd become close friends again and everything was going well. They were back to being round each others houses almost every day again when they weren't at after school clubs or seeing their other mates. They played video games together again, and had their movie night's together. They fought, and teased, but they were always still together, glued to each others sides. They trusted each other with everything, and were happy.

A few weeks later, Jungkook was getting ready for bed, throwing on a plain t-shirt and some boxers to sleep in, as it was almost midnight and there was school tomorrow, when he received a text from Taehyung that worried him. It read; Leave the back door unlocked. I'm coming over. Jungkook knew it must be serious as Taehyung would never usually send such a strange request so late at night.

Jungkook's parents were sleeping so he snuck downstairs quietly to turn the lock, before sneaking back upstairs knowing Taehyung would lock it behind him. When he reached his room, he pulled the spare mattress out from under his bed and reached into his wardrobe to pull out the spare duvet and pillow so that Taehyung could crash there. Just as he'd finished making the bed, he heard his door creak open.

He spun around and caught Taehyung in a hug, tucking him into his chest and smoothing down his hair. He could feel Taehyung shaking.

"Thank god I saw your light, and you were awake." Taehyung breathed heavily, voice slightly muffled.

"What's wrong, Tae?" Jungkook asked softly, stroking Taehyung's head soothingly.

"My parents... They hate me..." Taehyung choked back a sob. "They heard me on the phone talking to Yoongi... I told him I thought I was gay and they overheard... They yelled at me and told me no son of theirs could be gay... They kicked me out, Kookie... They don't want me..." By this point, Taehyung was full on sobbing and Jungkook just held onto him quietly, tightening his hold. He was never very good with comforting words, that was Taehyung's expertise, but he knew how to comfort with his actions.

He kicked aside the spare mattress, deciding it wouldn't be needed, and led Taehyung towards his bed. He sat Taehyung on the edge, and knelt down to help him remove his shoes and his jeans. He then took Taehyung's hand and led him to the bathroom where he took out a clean flannel and a new toothbrush. He carefully wiped Taehyung's face first with warm water to clean up the tears and snot, before putting toothpaste onto the toothbrush and handing it to Taehyung so he could brush his teeth. Jungkook then proceeded to brush his own teeth too. Both boys were silent, the only noises being heard were the sounds of their brushing and Taehyung's sniffles.

When they were finished in the bathroom, Jungkook led them back to his bedroom. He closed the door carefully and switched off the light. Jungkook pulled Taehyung to his bed in the dark and tucked them both in. They stayed silent a little longer, Taehyung snuggling up to Jungkook while he wrapped an arm around Taehyung. Jungkook listened to Taehyung's breathing soften, thinking he'd fallen asleep, when he suddenly spoke.

"Thank you, Kookie." Taehyung whispered gently, his words bearing the weight of so much meaning and relief, before finally drifting off.

Jungkook understood though and stayed awake a little longer to make sure his best friend had really gone to sleep before drifting off himself.