Underwater: Brave - Taekook

7 - 'What happens then'

Of Monsters and Men ~ Hunger

*

"The crown prince."

Jungkook's heart was beating so fast he thought he would get a heart attack or something. There had been two reasons why he had to find Taehyung as fast as possible. One was the mating mark being only temporarily and the other was-

"Do you know about the war, Taehyung?" Bambam asked nervously. The clear confusion in Taehyung's eyes was all they needed as an answer.

"War? Which one?"

"The one the crown prince presumably announced. It will begin in half a month or so, if not earlier", Bambam explained. Taehyung's breathing was getting more shallow and his eyes widened.

"You don't think... You don't think it has anything to do with me?"

Taehyung was evidently begging for them to say the war didn't have anything to do with him. Before Jungkook could reply, he remembered what he had talked with Dahyun. One part in particular was echoing in his head: "Humans, Jungkook. Humans start wars."

On a whim, Jungkook decided to not tell Taehyung what he had learnt from the fairy. Not about the part humans had in the dispute between vampires and werewolves or about vampires intending to invade human world. He thought it was better if he didn't know, he didn't want to make him scared or feel even worse.

"What exactly happened between you and the prince?" Jungkook asked. He really wished he could say no to Taehyung's question but he needed to know the truth. The older didn't raise his gaze to speak.

"He... liked me. Said he wanted me to become his queen. He got mad when I came back to the palace with the mark and..."

You've got to be kidding me. The rest faded out. Jungkook couldn't bear the thought that this was his fault. He had marked Taehyung, he had angered the vampire prince enough that he turned Taehyung into a vampire as well. And if the declaration of war had something to do with this mess, then that would also be his fault.

"I'm so sorry, Tae, I'm so sorry."

His voice was breaking along with the walls he had built.

"Jungkook..."

"It's all because of me, it's all my fault!"

It took Taehyung's careful fingers wiping away his tears for him to notice he was crying. Jungkook couldn't hold back anymore, so he didn't. He pulled the other even closer and hugged him just like he had wanted ever since he found him. The pressure in his chest had now completely vanished, the bond feeling more alive than ever. He was where he was meant to be.

"It was Yoongi, not you. I never even agreed to be his queen", Taehyung assured quietly.

"You didn't agree to be marked by me either..." Jungkook pointed out, feeling guilty.

"Maybe so, but I really should have seen it coming. I did agree to help you with your rut."

"Even so..."

Taehyung cleared his throat and talked with a more stable and louder voice: 

"Jungkook."

"What?"

"It's okay. The past isn't what's important right now. What's important is what happens now."

Jungkook smiled at that. It seemed Taehyung had gotten some of his usual confidence back and it made him feel better too.

"Ah... guess you're right. But I do want to know why you helped me. We haven't been on best of terms yet you decided it was okay for you to have sex with me."

It was a blunt statement that got Taehyung flushing bright red. Another side of Taehyung he hadn't really seen before. But this wasn't too bad, Jungkook used to be the one to blush and he rather enjoyed how the tables had turned.

"I, I just don't want you dead, okay! Is that so wrong? I'm not a bad person!"

"I wouldn't have died you know..." Jungkook pouted.

"But it was serious, wasn't it?" Taehyung looked at Bambam for confirmation and the latter nodded.

"Don't think I'm not grateful for what you did for me, Tae. I just wanted to know if... if there was something else to it", Jungkook admitted shyly. The nickname slipped out again, a little too easily but Taehyung didn't seem to mind too much.

"Like what?" Taehyung asked. The blush on his cheeks was now less prominent, yet still lingering.

This had to be the highest mountain Jungkook had ever had to climb in his life. He had wanted to have this talk for the longest time but always backed off since he was too afraid of rejection. Something told him that if he did it now, Taehyung would at least not laugh at him but instead take it seriously.

"Like if... if you actually felt something for me", the words were just a weak whisper yet Taehyung heard him loud and clear.

The silence was short but unnerving nevertheless. Jungkook tried picking up the last ounces of his courage to meet Taehyung's eyes. The blonde boy had his mouth hung open in wonder. Just as Jungkook was certain he would burst into tears from the tension he alone felt, Taehyung took a breath and replied.

"And what if I did? What happens then?"

Sorry you have to see this, Bambam. 

Jungkook took a leap of faith and allowed his lips to connect with Taehyung's soft ones. They were distantly familiar, he could recognize them from the time he had his rut but he had been too out of it to be able to truly savour the feeling. This time he would do it properly. Taehyung's lips felt like heaven against his own, not that he expected anything less after having dreamed of those lips for longer than he'd be brave enough to admit. He felt his heart do a little jump when the older started kissing him back.

The chances had been fifty-fifty, the gamble totally worth it now that he had Taehyung in his arms. As the boy had said, the past wasn't as important as present. Every remark they had made, every argument and quarrel was insignificant compared to this moment. The only moment that really held a meaning for the two right now was the moment their lips brushed against each other, touching sensually, testing the waters. Getting to know each other.

Jungkook couldn't see himself stopping, couldn't pull away from the addicting taste of the older's lips until he had to take a breath. He took it as a chance to answer Taehyung's question verbally, as he had first answered with actions.

"This. This happens."

***

A/N: It took 33 chapters! Better late than never, right? (Also, I feel ya Bambam, poor guy)