"You'll be alright Kookie, I'm here."

That simple statement was stuck in Jungkook's head for days. Kookie. Taehyung called him Kookie. He felt as if they both are still at the same place they were 3 years ago. Sure they had a little separation, a detour, but now they are back at the same place.

The feelings they had were still there, just hidden under pain and maybe a little anger. Jungkook was confident that he can break the walls Taehyung has built around his heart.

Even if he was literally dying, he was ready get allergies every day if it allows him to hear Taehyung call him Kookie. And to be held by him, feel his heart beating against his back, was something so fundamental, Jungkook wasn't sure how he lived for the past 3 years without that.

Now that he had a taste of that feeling again, he wasn't sure how long he can survive with this game.

Jungkook has been in the university about 2 months now. There is going to be a festival that is being organized by the 1st year students at the university and Jungkook and Jimin both were swamped with work. Naturally, Yoongi and Hoseok are helping even though they are 3rd years.

"I'm soo tired. I have been working nonstop in all of my free periods. Why is there so much work?" Jimin was complaining at lunch one day.

"Hi hi that's how it is baby. Every first year have to go through that. It's more like a hazing process" Yoongi said patting his boyfriend's head.

"But baby I didn't got to spend time with you properly lately." Jimin said with an adorable pout while the elder one was smiling affectionately.

Jungkook however didn't mind at all. Because Taehyung was one of the teacher's who was working also. He got to see Taehyung pretty much every day hence the younger boy was in a very good mood.

Although they didn't speak much directly, Jungkook always found ways to interact by asking questions or suggestions. He also got few instants of light hand brushing. Taehyung seems to be well aware of Jungkook's intentions but he neither encouraged nor restricted them.

Others seemed to notice it too because Jungkook was not exactly being discreet. They were somewhat surprised as Taehyung was allowing Jungkook to continue when he had shutdown everyone else in the past.

Rose was particularly fuming when she got to know and had volunteered to be part of the organizing committee even though she was a second year student. Taehyung however made the boundary very clear with her.

It didn't take long for everyone to realise that Jungkook was different.

Another business studies first year student, Sehun, also seems to have a taken a liking to Jungkook. He was always trying to pair up with Jungkook for work.

Jungkook initially tried to shake him off but then he noticed the subtle glances Taehyung was giving everytime Sehun was near, and decided to go with the flow. Taehyung was scary when he's jealous but Jungkook wanted to rile up the older to see his reaction.

One day, about a group of 15, were working till late in the night and the teachers ordered pizza for everyone. Students decided to play a game till they wait for their food to arrive and truth and dare seems to be the popular option.

Jimin picked dare and was asked to kiss someone there. The girl who set the condition didn't knew about Yoongi so she thought she was giving a good dare. But since Yoongi was there, Jimin sat on his lap in an instant and locked his lips in a passionate kiss.

It turned out to be a hot makeout session without either of them giving any indication of stopping till Hoseok finally cleared his throat and the two lovers ended their kiss.

Jungkook was laughing at his friend's blushing face. He looked at Taehyung, who was sitting with Liza and few other teachers and saw the elder boy having an unreadable expression on his face.

Jungkook felt the heat in his face remembering how he and Taehyung used to be the same. Taehyung raised his eyebrows at the sudden cute blushing of the younger boy and was internally smiling.

Game continued with a mix of truths and dares and finally it was Jungkook's turn. Jungkook picked truth and Sehun was the one who had to ask the question.

"So Jungkook, we know you currently don't have a boyfriend. Can we know when was the last time you had sex?" Sehun asked with a sly smile.

Jungkook's breath hitched. He was very aware that Taehyung's full attention was focused on him now.

"29th December 2016." Jungkook answered with a small voice, looking for Taehyung's reaction by his peripheral vision.

Taehyung seems have frozen on the spot, with the water bottle he was having stopped in mid air. Jungkook was sure he remembers it too.

It was the day before Taehyung's birthday. The day before that damned birthday party which ruined their lives for the past 3 years. Ofcourse he remember.

"Woah... that long huh?" Sehun said with a smirk, pulling Jungkook back to reality.

All of the students were starring at him.

"Yeah well, I didn't had a steady boyfriend since I was travelling a lot and wasn't staying in one place for long. And I didn't like the idea of having an intimacy with random strangers. So yeah, no sex for a while." Jungkook successfully turned the situation with a believable excuse.

But the truth is, no matter how much he was hurt and how much he thought Taehyung betrayed him, he was not going to do the same. He will always belong to Taehyung, whether the older boy accepts it or not.

And today he thanked all the gods in heaven for his decision to stay loyal to Taehyung. Because of that, he doesn't have any reason to be ashamed and he can hold his head high in front of Taehyung. Jungkook shuddered thinking about the alternate.

The game continued for a while until their food was delivered and then everyone was busy eating. Except for Taehyung. He couldn't get his head out of what Jungkook said.

Although he was angry at the younger boy for not trusting him and deciding to run away from their relationship, Taehyung felt a sense of pride in boy's loyalty. Whatever his reasons were, Jungkook was still the pure boy he was 3 years ago.

Taehyung was the only one who had, and still has a claim on the younger boy's heart and body.

Flashback

"Uhh... Tae, I'm scared."

"Don't worry Kookie. You have nothing to be scared of. We can wait. We don't have to do this if you are not ready"

"No no no. I want to do it. I-it's just that I-I h-haven't done this before, you know. I'm a bit nervous. That's all"

"Oh baby... just trust me ok. I'll take good care of you. Today and forever."