The Arrangement

57

Jungkook smiled into the camera before peering at the computer screen behind him. His live with the fans started approximately thirty seconds ago and already a few hundred people were tuning in.

"Hi, everyone!" He said cheerfully, looking back to the camera. "I'm going to wait a few more minutes to let more people join."

Comments poured in, making him smile. Some people left simple messages, either saying hello or wishing him good health. Others were more descriptive, detailing their current emotions or how much they loved him. There were a few negative comments here and there, but he tried to tune those out.

The number of viewers steadily inclined as he leaned back in his chair, watching it all unfold. It was an interesting position to be in, speaking directly with his fans. But he loved it completely. Sharing his thoughts and experiences made him feel more connected. It grounded him so he didn't feel like some lofty, unapproachable star.

"How's everyone doing tonight?" He asked the people watching.

When he first starting going live with the fans, it was difficult to get comfortable. He felt odd essentially conversing with himself. But as he got more experienced, he was able to envision he was speaking directly with his fans and they were speaking back. He could almost see them on the other side of the camera.

Tonight, however, he did see a face on the other side of the camera. Taehyung sat on the bed, giving him a thumbs up as Jungkook continued.

"I'm in New York City, a place I never dreamed of visiting. I've been to so many cities over the last several weeks, but this one is like no other. There's diversity and acceptance, energy and life." He paused, eyes flicking up to meet Taehyung's. "Does that make sense?"

The elder grinned and nodded before looking back down to his lap. He was sifting through the dozen or so postcards Jungkook gifted him, rereading them for the umpteenth time.

Jungkook scanned over the comments, reading some questions about the city and about tonight's concert. A couple people asked what he kept looking at, but he ignored those.

"I didn't get to do any sightseeing today, sadly," he responded to one of the questions. "But I have a rare morning off tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get out then before concert."

Suggestions poured in, ranging from Times Square to a Broadway show. A few genuinely sounded interesting and he made a show of writing the ideas down.

He peered back at Taehyung and smiled to himself, a gesture not missed by any of the viewers. They wanted to know why he looked so happy today.

"I guess you can say I'm feeling euphoric right now," Jungkook teased, catching Taehyung rolling his eyes playfully. "Today's been a really great day."

After a pause, he continued. "Over the last few years, I never thought I deserved happiness. I was hurting and incredibly guilty, and the only thing I knew how to do was criticize myself for my actions."

Multiple comments poured through at that, with reassurances and questions littering the feed.

Taehyung's eyes were locked steadily on Jungkook, studying the younger intently. It was clear he didn't know where Jungkook was going with this.

"I learned a valuable lesson years ago, when I did something so terrible it affected the rest of my life. I learned how listening to others' demands instead of following your own heart is one of the worst things to do. I learned that lesson the hard way, but yet . . . here I am. Doing the exact same thing again."

Taehyung stood, shaking his head vigorously at Jungkook. The younger met his stern gaze, looking at the elder with all the love in the world.

Jungkook reluctantly tore his eyes away so he could focus on the screen. "Do any of you understand? Have you ever done something like this, where you refused to speak up because you were afraid?"

It seemed a lot of people had and it gave him hope. Hope that they'd understand the story he was about to tell. Hope they'd respond with love instead of hate.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one," he chuckled in reference to the comments. "It reminds me we're never truly alone in this world."

Jungkook made eye contact with Taehyung at that and saw how Taehyung was silently pleading with him. Pleading with Jungkook not to do anything that would affect the younger's career because of him. It made Jungkook love him even more; the elder would still rather see himself suffer than him. It made Jungkook incredibly sad that they were in this position in the first place.

"I always get questions about my song Euphoria," he carried on after a moment. "Questions about the writing process and what it's about. So I've decided to give you the full story. I'm going to give you my story. Like I said before, I never thought I deserved happiness because of something I did years ago. And I'm sure you're wondering what exactly it is I did."

The comments were flooded with affirmations, begging for an answer.

"I was in love, you see. But I broke my love's heart. I listened to evil people out of fear and took something so beautiful, so pure, and destroyed it. I destroyed a person because of that cowardice. I spent six years hating myself for what I did and for never sharing my love. But, three months ago, this person came back into my life. And we were able to forgive each other and move forward together."

Jungkook smiled sweetly up at Taehyung, who was still shaking his head.

"But after everything I learned and went through, I made the same mistake again. I let people talk me into doing something I knew wasn't right, and it hurt the one person I love more than anything. But I will not be silent anymore. I am done letting others force me into decisions that will negatively impact my life. Damn the consequences."

Taehyung silently mouthed, "Don't do this for me. Please."

"As some of you may have guessed, I'm sitting across from someone right now. He's shaking his head at me. Telling me not to do this for the sake of my career. His love for me is so strong that he'd take the blame for things he's never done, all to protect me. But what I want you all to know - what I want him to know - is that my career means nothing in comparison to him."

Jungkook didn't bother reading the comments as he moved his gaze back to Taehyung. The elder's eyes were shining, both with tears and with love. This was something he never expected, something he never would have asked for.

"I am in love with someone I've known since I was a kid. I thought he was gone from my life for good; I thought I was the cause of his downfall. But he's here, with me, and is someone the world deserves to know."

Jungkook looked back at the camera so he was staring into each and every viewer's eyes. "You've never met him before, not truly. But I want you to meet the person who is the cause of my euphoria. I want you to see the love and passion and energy this person has for both his music and for all of you. I know he's regretted never showing this side of himself in the past, so I'm giving him the opportunity now."

Jungkook stood up and reached his hand out to Taehyung. The elder clasped it tentatively, letting himself be pulled in front of the camera. Two strong hands were placed on Taehyung's shoulders, pushing him down into the desk chair. The younger knelt next to him.

"This is the love of my life," Jungkook said, smiling up at his boyfriend. "Some of you may know him as V. But I'd like to reintroduce him to you."

Taehyung looked into the lens with wide eyes, seeing his face mirrored in the computer behind the camera. Jungkook was facing towards him, love and admiration coloring his face.

The younger's smile grew bigger. "This is Kim Taehyung."

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

YOU GUYS. I've been waiting to write this chapter for FOREVER!!!

It felt so good to finally write (and now publish!) this one. For me, it's yet another milestone in Taekook's relationship. First we had Tae giving up everything for JK, but now to have JK doing the same for Tae . . . to me, they've proven time and time again how selfless their love is.

I love these characters 😭