"This is Kim Taehyung."

Taehyung stared with wide eyes at the camera, not quite sure what to do. The people on the other side, the people who loved and supported Jungkook, hated him. He was afraid to look at the computer screen and see all the nasty comments rolling in.

But luckily he was saved from doing anything for the moment.

"There are a lot of things I want to make clear," Jungkook spoke confidently to the camera, his hand rubbing soothing circles on the elder's back. "And I hope you all listen with an open mind and heart."

Before diving into everything, however, Jungkook leaned into Taehyung's side. He brought his mouth to the elder's ear and whispered, "I want to tell our story. Blink twice if that's okay."

Despite everything, Taehyung chuckled. He blinked his eyes two times, making the action deliberate and purposeful. Jungkook giggled in return and did something that would stun the thousands of fans watching.

He leaned into Taehyung and kissed him full on the mouth. It was soft and chaste, but it still sent a clear enough message to the fans.

"That's not the first time I've kissed Taehyung," Jungkook announced to the viewers. "That picture in the tabloid . . . I kissed him then, too. I also initiated our first kiss months back. But can you blame me? He's just so cute."

Taehyung kept his eyes on the younger, wondering how in the world he got so lucky. Jungkook repeatedly came to his defense time and time again, the only person to ever do so. He was the only person who really saw Taehyung as someone capable of saving.

After a small pause, Taehyung turned his attention to the camera. His nerves were running high - not for himself, but for what the outcome of this live would do to Jungkook's career. The younger just risked it all for him, so the least Taehyung could do was make the most of this opportunity.

"Hi, everyone," he began, his tone gentle. "If you're watching and think Jungkook is an idiot for doing this for me, I agree wholeheartedly."

The younger nudged his shoulder playfully, but remained silent. This was Taehyung's chance to tell his story and share his past.

The elder took a deep breath before continuing. "Many of you have known V for so many years now. You've known him as an irresponsible and ungrateful artist. I . . . I intentionally acted that way. I know it doesn't make sense, but I was in a lot of pain. I couldn't deal with my past and I had no interest in healing myself for the future. So I acted out. I let V become the complete opposite of Taehyung, so that way I'd never have to get hurt again. But V quickly became all I knew. I lost the person I used to be."

His eyes flitted to Jungkook, needing a little bit of reassurance in the moment. When he found it, he kept going.

"But Jungkook helped me find that missing piece of me again. We've actually known each other since I was seven years old. We grew up together and we were best friends. He was my everything . . ."

The two revealed their shared history together, talking from both of their perspectives. Nothing was left hidden - not Taehyung's abuse, Jungkook's betrayal, or even how Taehyung staged publicity photos. They didn't dance around their relationship during the time of the mentorship program either; they simply laid out all the facts.

It took a while to get through everything, but they didn't skimp on any detail. This was their chance to finally be free. By opening up to the public, they were showing the world they weren't ashamed of their past mistakes. They accepted their faults and talked about how they were working to improve them. Once they finished saying everything they needed, both felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of their shoulders.

"We weren't supposed to share this with you," Jungkook concluded, half standing to provide his knees with relief. He'd been kneeling the entire time. "But I knew I'd regret it someday if I didn't do my best now."

Taehyung patted his lap, signaling the younger to sit. Jungkook followed his orders, wrapping an arm around the elder's shoulders and sitting.

Taehyung groaned audibly.

Jungkook looked down at him, face lighting up on amusement at his pained expression. "Oh, come on. I don't weigh that much."

"Your muscles weigh a lot."

"Yeah, but you like my muscles," the younger teased, getting up and walking behind Taehyung. He threw both arms around his shoulders and tucked his head against the elder's.

Forgetting the audience the two had, Taehyung absentmindedly mused aloud, "So, where do we go from here?"

Jungkook shook his head, squeezing his arms tighter. "No clue. We'll probably get fired."

"Probably," Taehyung agreed, but not feeling the same sadness as before. "Maybe we can travel together. We can go to Moscow and Brazil and even Cairo."

The younger planted a kiss against his cheek. "I like the sound of that. But before we're officially dropped from Big Hit, there's something I think we should do. Or you should do."

Taehyung leaned his head back against Jungkook so he could see him. "Something I should do?"

"I think you should sing the song you wrote."

The elder previously revealed to Jungkook about his journaling and how it gave him new inspiration to write. Except this time his lyrics were rooted in hope rather than in pain.

"I don't know if anyone wants to hear that," Taehyung replied to the younger, still refusing to read the comments.

"Well, this is our live. And plus, I've been dying to hear it," Jungkook said, massaging the elder's shoulders. "Will you sing it for me?"

Taehyung playfully rolled his eyes before looking back to the camera. "I'm so whipped."

A loud laugh sounded from behind him. "It's true. You are."

"Okay," the elder took a deep breath. "It's called Inner Child and it's one of the first songs I've written that's bright. It's about me today, talking to my past self who had many struggles at the time. It gives me hope that I'll be even stronger in the future."

Jungkook stepped out of frame as Taehyung began singing, sitting on the bed and listening intently. The lyrics instantly caused a reaction within him; goosebumps trailed his arms and a lump formed in his throat. He felt the emotion Taehyung put into the song, but he also found the promise and hope for a better future.

Taehyung's voice was steady and clear as he finished, no backing track to distract from his talented vocals. Jungkook remained still in awe, immensely proud of the elder. The talent just displayed was undeniable and he was so happy Taehyung got to share it with the world.

"So beautiful, Tae," Jungkook let out at last, referring to both the song and his boyfriend.

Taehyung smiled shyly, looking down at his hands. Jungkook rejoined him, reclaiming his spot behind the elder.

"What do you say - should we wrap this up?" He asked the seated boy.

Taehyung nodded. "Did you want to look at the comments first?"

The younger instantly shook his head. "No offense to anyone watching, but I'm not going to. The only opinions that matter to me right now are Taehyung's and mine. So I'll just say thank you to those who've wished us love and support."

"And to those who haven't?" Taehyung pressed.

"We should try to respect and understand each other. We need to be considerate of others. So even if you don't support Taehyung's and my relationship, we wish you no harm because of it," Jungkook answered diplomatically.

Taehyung grinned at him. "I love you, Jeon Jungkook."

"And I love you, Kim Taehyung."

They stared adoringly at each for a few moments, caught up in their own world.

"I think we can end it," the younger said, breaking the silence.

Taehyung chuckled, quickly turning the recording off.

"Kook . . ." He started, going to the younger and drawing him into his arms. "You didn't have to -"

A loud series of banging interrupted their moment. Both boys turned their heads to the door, still in the other's embrace.

"And it begins," Jungkook said under his breath, inhaling deeply.

Taehyung squeezed his waist. "Whatever happens . . ."

They both answered at the same time.

"I love you."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》《