wake me up |t.k|

twelve

Taehyung takes Jeongguk to a small, barbeque restaurant by the park.

He remembers all the things Jeongguk has said about the horrible date he has had with Yugyeom's gym guy, and he is determined to be a thousand times better than him.

No fancy French restaurants, no mocking of Jeongguk's accent which he loved in all honesty, and not just talking about himself.

No, Taehyung wants to know everything about Jeongguk, absolutely everything that there is to know about this fairy turned human. Hear that sexy dialect speak to him about everything he loved.

Jeongguk, he learns, has been away for a while to help out in his family's animal farm.

"It's lovely in the countryside.", he explains over delicious beef.

"My mother slipped in the stables while cleaning and broke her hip, so my father and sister needed someone to help out. I had some sick days left so I took those and went to Busan."

"You had not seen them in five years, right?", Taehyung asks.

Jeongguk nods sadly.

"I felt horrible. But my family didn't care. They were just glad to have me back. Of course, they noticed that- that I was lost in my thoughts all the time. I think my mother had the most suspicions because she made me lamb skewers, all while sitting in the wheelchair. And then she put it before me and said it's the best food for heartbreak." Jeongguk smiles weakly at that, and Taehyung is so lost.

No smile is more gorgeous than Jeongguk's.

"Lamb skewers?" Taehyung asks.

"I haven't had that in years because of my diet and can't remember the taste but if it cures heartbreak it must be delightful."

Jeongguk laughs, and it is the sound of a fairy.

"It is.", he says and smiles at Taehyung in a way that melts his heart.

After dinner, they go for a walk in the park, under the paper lanterns the city has put up for the summer picnics. They walk hand in hand as if it had always been like this, never letting go of the other. At some point, a little dog runs towards them and they both immediately go down to their knees to pet it, never letting go of the other man's hand. They laugh as they realise that, and shower the little friend with pets and kisses until the owner comes to get their dog back.

Taehyung is exhausted soon afterwards, his strength no longer what it used to be, but Jeongguk understands.

"I live nearby.", Jeongguk says softly and looks up at Taehyung through his lashes.

"Would you like to come up for coffee?"

Never has Taehyung agreed to something so fast.

Jeongguk's apartment is small, but every corner of it is just perfect.

And so is the little ball of fur that runs towards them the moment they enter the apartment, barking happily and wagging his little tail.

"Gureum, no!", Jeongguk laughs as the dog jumps into Taehyung's arms, who has promptly knelt to embrace him.

"Hello, you!", Taehyung coos and kisses the little poodle all over.

"You must be the best boy ever! Yes, of course, you are!"

Gureum, of course, agrees and licks all over Taehyung's face.

"Alright, that's enough.", Jeongguk chuckles and pulls his dog away.

"Go to your basket, Gureum."

Much to Taehyung's surprise, the dog obeys and runs off to sit in a round, blue basket, watching them attentively.